Ronda, Cebu

Location : 81.5 kms. SW of Cebu City
Town Fiesta : September 14-15
Patron Saint : Virgen de Soledad
Places of Interest : Libo-o and Camboan Hills, Historic Maloloy Hill

Historical Notes

Huluyaw was the former name of Ronda. The name may have come from the name of a banana plant Huluyaw, which grew abundantly along the banks of the settlement. It could have originated also according to a popular legend, from incidents when pirates from Jolo would plunder this southern village to loot and run away with properties and kidnap natives, who would be heard shouting “Jolo, ayaw!” (Jolo, don’t!).

Two versions also explain why it was named Ronda. One is that the place was a favorite hiding place of insurrectos or rebels and the law enforcers would raid (ronda in Spanish) the town. Another account - and a more plausible one - is that the early Spaniards proposed the name because the place strikingly resembled Ronda in Spain. Both places are between highlands.

Ronda is a picturesque little city in Andalucia of Southern Spain, which is surrounded by an amphitheater of rugged mountains.

To Pontod, a native chief, was said to be the founder of the place. It is said that he came from Bohol with his wife and children. The family was religiously devoted to the Virgen of Sorrows. In 1779, To Pontod was given the Spaniards the surname Villagonzalo.

From 1815 to 1849, Ronda was a barrio of Barili. In 1850 - 1899, it was made an independent but a temporary municipality. However, Lavilles puts the date of the founding of the town as 1860 with Ceferino Fundales as its first capitan. The church was built in 1882. The first parish priest was Rev. Fr. Ceferino Montecillo.

Ronda was reverted to its barrio status under Dumanjug from 1904-1912. In 1913, it acquired its townhood. The first elected mayor was Aquilino Lucero who served from 1913-1916.

During World War II, the Ronda-Alcantara (87th Infantry Regiment of the resistance movement) was organized in the town, which also became its stronghold.

From: Cebu In Legend and History
By: Evangeline Lavilles de Paula