The oldest town of the island of Camiguin—Guinsiliban—just off the northern coast of Mindanao, was originally inhabited by the Kamiguin speakers of a language (Quinamiguin, Camiguinon) that is derived from Manobo with an admixture of Boholano. Sagay is the only other municipality where this is spoken. The total population is 531 (NSO 1990). Boholano predominates in the rest of the island.

       The culture of the Kamiguin has been subsumed within the context of Boholano or Visayan culture. The people were Christianized as early as 1596. The major agricultural products are abaca, cacao, coffee, banana, rice, corn, and coconut. The production of hemp is the major industry of the people since abaca thrives very well in the volcanic soil of the island. The plant was introduced in Bagacay, a northern town of Mindanao, but it is no longer planted there. Small-scale trade carried out with adjoining islands like Cebu, Bohol, and Mindanao.

 

Distribution of Ethnic Groups by Provinces
(Arrangement: Population count)
Total National Population 551
Agusan del S. 41
Antique 10
Benguet 71
Bukidnon 58
Cagayan 10
Cebu 11
Ifugao 11
Iloilo 20
Misamis Occ. 9
Misamis Or. 10
Mt. Province 51
Or. Mindoro 9
Palawan 10
Pampanga 10
Pangasinan 98
S. Kudarat 10
Tawi-Tawi 10
Zambales 18
Las Pinas 11
Marikina 10
Makati 11
Muntinlupa 22
Quezon City 30

 

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