Valencia

As a village, Panang-atan was once a part of Dimiao. The name was derived from the local dialect, “sang-at” or, “to hang” — a piece of cloth, sack or any wet material for them to dry up or be kept unreachable by dogs and cats. The place therefore, is a good place to hang objects or accessories. Fishermen often hang their fishing nets and wet clothes there. Panang-atan is an elevated plain, the point where the present church and convent are located. Behind the convent is a much lower ground fronting the sea.

How and why was Panang-atan changed to Valencia?
It started when Dimiao was made a regular parish on January 31, 1868. The people of Panang-atan with the help of the people from two adjoining villages — Canmanico and Cutcutan petitioned Alcalde Mayor Francisco de la Torre, the “Gobernador Politico Y Militar” of Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor for the creation of Panang-atan as pueblo. The people of Dimiao, with its Spanish leaders opposed the idea. But after an ocular inspection by a party sent to the place by the incumbent alcalde mayor of Cebu, and with
consultations made with the Recollect provincial in Cebu, the petition of Panang-atan was granted. Then a Recollect priest, Fray Francisco Curnago was sent to continue the Christianization of the people in the place. During his earlier stay, he rode on his horse and viewed the hills and plains of the place. He found it to be very much alike to a town in Spain, where he originated, Valencia. Without delay, he met with the prominent natives of Panang-atan and proposed to change the name of Panang-atan to Valencia, with an assurance that he would make strong representaions for the place to be created as an independent pueblo from its mother town, Dimiao. His proposition was received with much interest and enthusiasm by the people. Then, on September 3, 1870, a letter was received from the Ministry of Overseas Territories in Madrid, Spain informing the officials of the approval of the establishment of a new and separate parish with Senor Sto. Nino as its patron. Up until now, Panang-atan is known as the town of Valencia.

native name: Panag-atan
no. of barangays: 35
rep. district: 3rd district
patron: Sto. Nino
feast day: January 16