Burauen

The legend behind the name speaks of a drought when several tributaries of these rivers dried up, forcing people to flock to a cluster of large springs in the town.

The place was duly called “Buraburon” which according to Justice Norberto Lopez Romualdez Sr., is the “multiplicative construction of the word “haru” (spring), which indicates “abundance”.

Clandestine diggings conducted by antique hunters and verified by the National Museum archaeologists yield valuable artifacts consisting of chinaware and jars.

These antiques and artifacts were found on the plateaus of both sides of the Kag-oloolo Brook of Barangay Patag and Villa Aurora, which were about 16 kilometers southwest of the poblacion of Burauen.

The earlier diggings on the south western portion of the poblacion, and those in Barangay Tambuco and Armasen unearth several precious antiques.

Between years 1609 to 1616 Burauen was the most populous town of Leyte and Samar and it consistently registered the highest tax collection during the same period in the region.

From Buraburon, the settlers were told by the Jesuit Missionaries to transfer to “Armasen” (meaning a trading place that is at the same time a granary), presently a sitio of Barangay Libas, which was similarly named today.

Due to frequent flooding of the area by the Guinarona River, and to facilitate their “reducción de las visitas”, they transferred to the site of the present Barangay Malabca and led by Tamdon and his brother Hangdon who were the children of the last Rajah.

The short-lived Philippine Republic proclaimed on June 12, 1898, face a new enemy, the American who were pursuing their so-called “Manifest Destiny” The troops of the Revolutionary Army under General Ambrosio Mojica, realizing that their fortification of “estacas” (bamboo palisades) around the poblacion of Burauen were weak, they force to withdraw to the mountains.

Several encounters occur during the Filipino-American War, the American burned the poblacion on July 4, 1900, sparing only the Catholic Church, its convent, the warehouses and the building of the Smith Bell and Co. and Chinese merchandizing.

With the cessation of hostilities, the people devoted their efforts to the reconstruction of their homes and expansion of their farms to usher progress of the municipality.

The progress of the town suffered a setback in the middle part of 1951 when a very strong typhoon hit Burauen, which was followed by four others that were equally ravaging.

Between the years 1609 to 1616 Burauen was the most populous town of Leyte and Samar and it consistently registered the highest tax collection during the same period in the region.

In 1949, or just a few years after world war 2, President Elpidio Quirino issued an executive order no.278 separating Julita from burauen.

Burauen is located in the central part of Leyte Island, bounded to the north by Dagami and Tabon-tabon, on the east by Julita, south by Lapaz and on the west by Albuera and Ormoc City.

[14] Burauen's population are predominantly Roman Catholics while the remaining are Protestants of various denominations either adherents of the non-trinitarian sect Iglesia ni Cristo, Mormons, Baptists, Menonites and others.

According to the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index Report, Burauen has consistently been one of the top performers in the region and in the province since the ranking started in 2013.

[16] According to the 2019 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index, Burauen posted the highest score in the province and second in the region in terms of infrastructure quality and development.

[15] The town's roadways are mostly paved, with a few remaining upland and lowland areas unpaved due to several factors, such as land disputes and budgetary constraints.

With extensive promotion and backing of experts, Burauen is off to a good start in its goal to market and cement the town's status as the spring capital of Leyte.

These areas are seen as an addition to a site proclaimed as a national park in 1937. Notable persons supporting the initiative are former actress and UN Sustainable Development Goals Advocate Antonette Taus, former Tourism Secretary Mina Gabor, and Asean Center for Biodiversity Director Mundita Lim.

[citation needed] MVNP has an elevation of 1,200 meters above sea level and an area of 635 hectares, within the boundaries of Burauen, La Paz and McArthur towns.

Except for the hundreds to thousands of wild docks making it as breeding ground or a home for migratory birds during migrating season.

On June 14, 2024, Mayor Juanito E. Renomeron inaugurated the restored 177-square meter park built in 1975, beside the 1600 Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church along the corner of Santa Ana and Ave Maria Streets, the exact site of his 1800s ancestral house.

[17] Romualdez' monument with a 1975 NHCP installed marker stands as the centerpiece with pavilion, concrete benches and a path walk.

A captured photo of the Pulahan movement Leader, Faustino Ablen (Center) sitting between a standing member of Philippine Constabulary and an African-American soldier
Immaculate Conception Parish of Burauen
The graph shows the Burauen Total assets which includes liabilities and equity.
The chart visualize the growth of Burauen's LSR for the period of 10 Years
Burauen Garbage Collector Trucks
Image of Mahagnao lake and Barangay Mahagnao located inside Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park
Mahagnao Volcano Crater
Malagsum Lake
Image of Mahagnao lake and Barangay Mahagnao located inside Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park
The Bust of Norberto Romualdez.
Burauen Health & Wellness Center (under construction as of January 2025)
Rural Heath Unit Building of Burauen