Real, officially the Municipality of Real (Tagalog: Bayan ng Real), is a municipality in the province of Quezon, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 38,678 people.[3]
This coastal town, located on the eastern shores of Luzon facing the Philippine Sea, is noted for its rural beach resorts.
Etymology
Port of Real
The origin of the name Real has no traditional folklore as basis. Its name originated from the arrival of Spanish forces in the place during their regime. They incorporated the area into their territory, naming it “Puerto Real” (lit. transl. Royal Port), where the name of the municipality was derived. Spanish galleons and ships docked at the port, while reinforced forces were stationed at the nearby Binangonan De Lampon (now Infanta).[5]
History
Spanish forces landed at the site of Real early in the colonization period, calling it "San Rafael". Spanish galleons and ships docked at the port "Puerto Real De Lampon" reinforced forces stationed at the nearby place "Binangonan De Lampon" or "Binangonan Del Ampon", now known as Infanta. Located at the coast of Polillo Strait, it was frequently vulnerable to attacks by Muslim sea pirates and bandits. The first inhabitants of the place came from Binangonan De Lampon. The area later became part of Nueva Ecija in 1803, later of Laguna, and finally of Tayabas (now Quezon).[5]
On December 15, 1960, Real was created into a municipal district, comprising the barrios of Llavac, Cawayan, Capalong, Tignoan, Kiloloron, Lubayat and Pandan from the mother town of Infanta by virtue of Executive Order No. 410.[6] It was later converted to a regular municipality through Republic Act No. 3754 dated June 22, 1963.[7]
On November 29, 2004, Real was hit hard by Typhoons Winnie, Violeta, and Yoyong. About 500 people were either killed or missing.
Typhoon damage in December 2004
Relief aid delivery in Real, December 2004
Geography
Real is a small town by the Lamon Bay, facing the Pacific Ocean. It is 123 kilometers (76 mi) from the provincial capital Lucena and 127 kilometers (79 mi) from Manila. Real has 17 barangays: 14 rural and 3 urban. Its total land area is 563.8 square kilometers (217.7 sq mi), the second largest in the province.
Tourist spots include zigzag road views, Balagbag Falls, river scenery, and Baluti Island. It also has tourist-frequented beaches known for surfing.[8]
Barangays
Real is politically subdivided into 17 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
Lucena (Administratively independent from the province but grouped under Quezon by the Philippine Statistics Authority. However, qualified voters of this city are still allowed to participate in the election of provincial officials as part of Quezon’s 2nd Sangguniang Panlalawigan district.)
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