Daet (), officially the Municipality of Daet (; ), is a municipality and capital of the province of Camarines Norte, Philippines. According to the , it has a population of people, making it the 2nd most populous in the province after Labo.

The municipality is a popular surfing spot among surfers worldwide. It is also home to the annual Daet International Aerosports Show which was first held in 2013. It is also known for its pili nuts, used in many local snacks and treats. Popular products include pili tarts, pili rolls, pili ice cream, crispy pili, and pili candies.

Etymology

The name Daet was derived from the Bikol word dai-daitan which means, close to each other. Daet also originated from ancient Bicol term daet which, according to the first Bicol Spanish Dictionary Vocabulario de la Lengua Bicol, would mean "to make friend" or "to be reconciled".

History

Pre-colonial period

Daet was already an old community even before the discovery of the Philippines by Magellan in 1521. An ancient tomb unearthed in the Bicol region revealed references described in the Panayam manuscripts known to oriental history as corresponding to the first half of the thirteenth century. The early settlers were believed to be direct descendants of the group of datus who escaped from the court of Brunei to evade the enmity of a ruling rajah.

Spanish colonial period

In 1571, Juan de Salcedo, a Spanish conquistador arrived in the Bicol Region during an expedition in search of gold, particularly in the mountains of Camarines. He found Daet to be an already established and thriving settlement, with houses clustered together for safety and protection. In June 1583, the Franciscan Order confirmed the establishment of several doctrinas or mission settlements, including Daet.

Salcedo’s expedition marked the start of over 300 years of Spanish rule, combining religious conversion and colonial administration. In the early colonial period, Don Manuel de la Estrada, Marquis de Camarines, was exiled to the Philippines following a scandal in Spain. Settling in Daet, he oversaw the construction of key structures, including a church, stone bridges, and civic buildings. He also introduced abaca cultivation, which later became a key industry for the

Philippines. The 1818 census showed the area had 1,449 native families and 26 Spanish-Filipino families.

During the Spanish period, Daet occasionally suffered from raids by Moro pirates, prompting the fortification of nearby communities such as Mercedes, which later became an independent municipality in 1948. At the time, Daet served as the capital of the District of Daet, which encompassed the territory now known as Camarines Norte. In 1908, the barrio of Basud was separated from Daet to form its own municipality.

In the final years of Spanish colonial rule, Daet became a center of resistance. Thirteen residents were executed by Spanish authorities during Holy Week in April 1898 for their involvement in revolutionary activities. These individuals are remembered as martyrs in local history. Before the end of Spanish rule, Filipino insurgents in Daet managed to besiege the local Spanish garrison.

American colonial period

The Philippine–American War had a minimal impact on this town. American forces arrived unopposed on March 4, 1900, while most of the rest of the Bicol Region had already been subdued by Major Thomas McNamee, operating under the overall command of General John C. Bates. This period laid the foundation for the present-day progress of the current generation.

Martial law

On the evening of September 23, 1972, President Ferdinand Marcos announced on television that he had placed the Philippines, including Daet, under martial law. The marked the beginning of a 14-year period of one-man rule.

On June 14, 1982 Marcos administration forces opened fire on protesters from different barrios, who were marching to demand an increase in copra prices, and to denounce "fake elections" and Cocofed. The government forces who fired on the protesters were led by a certain Capt. Malilay." Four people died on the spot, and at least 50 were injured. Two of those who were seriously wounded died two months later. This has come to be known as the "1981 Daet massacre," and four of those killed have since been honored by having their names engraved on the Wall of Remembrance at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani memorial.

Contemporary

The cityhood bid for the municipality began in 2011 headed by then Mayor Tito Sarion. Due to its size, petitions were made to expand it for the municipality to satisfy the requirements for cityhood.

Geography

Daet is located in the southeastern part of Camarines Norte. It is bounded in the east by the town of Mercedes; in the south by the municipality of Basud; in southwest by San Lorenzo Ruiz town; in the north by Pacific Ocean; in the west by San Vicente and northwest by Talisay. The provincial capital covers a total land area of 5,861.48 hectares. The landscape of Daet is primarily composed of plains or flatlands, with no significant mountains or valleys. The average elevation of the area is approximately 10 meters above sea level.

It is from the country's capital city of Manila.

Climate

Barangays

Daet is politically subdivided into 25 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Aside from being a spot for surfing and kiteboarding, the Calaguas group of islands, in the jurisdiction of Vinzons, to its north has garnered attention from local and foreign tourists alike. The islands can be considered virgin as no resorts have been created there yet.

center|thumb|730x730px|Panoramic view of Bagasbas Beach

Places of interest

  • University of Camarines Norte
  • Central Plaza Mall (In Lag-On)
  • Puregold Daet
  • Bagasbas Beach
  • Bagasbas Airport
  • Daet Elevated Plaza
  • SM Savemore Daet
  • Cory Aquino Boulevard, the longest boulevard in the Philippines.
  • SM City Daet (located in Lag-on) - The 3rd SM mall in Bicol region and 77th mall of SM Supermalls in the Philippines

Catholic Churches

  • Most Holy Trinity Cathedral, it was built and was inaugurated in 1984. It is also the cathedral of the Diocese of Daet
  • Parroquia de San Juan Bautista, established in 1611, it is one of the first church in Camarines Norte in the region built by the Franciscan Friars.
  • Saint Joseph, Husband of Mary Parish, in Lag-on
  • Our Lady Of Peñafrancia Parish in Moreno
  • Divine Mercy Parish in Alawihao

Historical landmarks

thumb|265x265px|Daet is the home of the first monument for [[José Rizal.]]

  • 1st Rizal Monument - The first monument in honor of a Filipino hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Its foundation was made of mortars and boulders from the demolished old Spanish jail in Daet. Lt. Col. Antonio Sanz and Lt. Col. Ildefonso Alegre of Philippine Revolutionary Army initiated the construction of the monument which was unveiled on December 20, 1898.
  • Provincial Capitol
  • Old Daet Municipal Building
  • Daet Elevated Town Plaza
  • Daet Municipal Building
  • President Cory Aquino Boulevard (Bagasbas Boulevard)
  • Bagasbas Airport — located near the beach at barangay Bagasbas

Culture

Festivals

thumb|Daet Heritage Center

The Pineapple Festival (or "Pinyasan" as it is called by the locals) is considered to be the most colorful festivals in Camarines Norte. The festival started in 1992, and is about the province's prime agricultural product, which is the "Queen of All Pineapple" pineapple. Noted for its sweetness and flavor, this kind of pineapple is produced only in Camarines Norte, thereby making it a specialty in the province. The festival goes on for about 10 days, and several events are held in the municipality. The festival aims to promote the culture of Daet and its citizens. The Pineapple Festival is held every June 22–26 annually, initiated by Mayor Tito Sarte Sarion.

The Bantayog Festival celebrates the founding of Camarines Norte. As of 2025, it has been 107 years since the province has become independent, since March 10, 1917, when Ambos Camarines (At that time Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur were one province) was split from two. This festival promotes the province as one which has unnoticed potential in the fields of tourism and commerce, and also the rich culture and hospitality of the people of Camarines Norte. The Bantayog Festival is held every March or April annually. It was launched in April 1982.

Education

Basic Education Schools

There are two schools district offices which govern all basic education institutions within the municipality. They oversee the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools.

Daet North District schools

{|class="wikitable sortable”

|-

|+Private Schools

! BEIS School ID !! School Name !! Location !! Barangay !! School Subclassification

|-

|402766||ACLC Daet Campus||2/F, Guinhawa Bldg., J. Lukban Street||Barangay VI||Nonsectarian

|-

|403633||Camarines Norte Chung Hua High School Foundation, Inc.||Zabala Street||Barangay IV||Nonsectarian

|-

|403639||Mabini Colleges, Inc.||Governor Panotes Avenue||Barangay VII||Nonsectarian

|-

|403640||New Eve Learning Center||2706, Fe Martinez St.||Barangay VII||Nonsectarian

|-

|403641|| Our Lady of Lourdes College Foundation||Vinzons Avenue||Lag-on||Nonsectarian

|-

|403642||Our Lady of Peñafrancia College-Daet||Bagasbas Road||Borabod||Nonsectarian

|-

|403643||Dionedas Special School of Daet, Inc.||Baldovino St., Purok 4||Barangay V||Nonsectarian

|-

|403644||St. Luke Christian School & Learning Center||2450, Vinzons Avenue||Lag-on||Nonsectarian

|-

|406547||Northills College of Asia, Inc.||3/F Guerra Bldg., Gov. Panotes Ave.||Barangay VI||Nonsectarian

|-

|408869||The Ripple of Hope Skills and Technology Institute, Inc.||Vinzons Avenue||Bagasbas||Nonsectarian

|-

|409246|| Asian Technological Skills Institute, Inc.||J. Lukban cor. MD, Camarines St.||Barangay III||Nonsectarian

|-

|409247||Vineyard Asia Technological College, Inc.||Diversion Road||Camambugan||Nonsectarian

|-

|410091||Hope Science and Technology College Corp.||St. Niño Commercial Center, Dasmariñas St.||Barangay VIII||Nonsectarian

|-

|433001||Daet SDA Multigrade School||Roseville 3 Subdivision||Gubat||Nonsectarian

|-

|433015||MCE Academy, Inc.||2569, J. Pimentel St.||Barangay V||Nonsectarian

|-

|433020||Montessori Children's House of Learning||Purok 3||Gahonon||Nonsectarian

|-

|433023||Howard Montessori School||Suzara Street||Barangay VIII||Sectarian

|}

{|class="wikitable sortable”

|-

|+Public Schools

! BEIS School ID !! School Name !! Location !! Barangay !! School Subclassification

|-

|112130||A. Pabico Abordo Elementary School||Purok 2||Borabod||DepEd Managed

|-

|112131||Alawihao Elementary School||Purok 2||Alawihao||DepEd Managed

|-

|112132||Awitan Elementary School||Purok 3||Awitan||DepEd Managed

|-

|112133||Bagasbas Elementary School||Purok 1||Bagasbas||DepEd Managed

|-

|112134||Daet Integrated School (Daet Elementary School)||Governor Panotes Avenue||Barangay VII||DepEd Managed

|-

|112135||Dogongan Elementary School||Purok 3||Dogongan||DepEd Managed

|-

|112136||Mantagbac Elementary School||Purok 9||Barangay IV||DepEd Managed

|-

|112138||Pandan Elementary School||D. Cabanela Street||Barangay V||DepEd Managed

|-

|112139||UP Alawihao Resettlement Elementary School ||Purok 10||Alawihao||DepEd Managed

|-

|112140||UP Teacher’s Village Elementary School||UP Phase II||Alawihao||DepEd Managed

|-

|173001||Don Emiliano L. Pabico Elementary School||Purok 2||Lag-on||DepEd Managed

|-

|173002||Julia Abilgos Elementary School||Sitio Mandulongan||Gubat||DepEd Managed

|-

|173018||Paciano A. Magana Elementary School||Purok 6||Gahonon||DepEd Managed

|-

|301924||Vicente L. Basit Memorial High School||Purok 1||Awitan||DepEd Managed

|-

|309612||Porfirio R. Ponayo High School|| ||Mambalite||DepEd Managed

|-

|309613||Alawihao High School||Purok 6, UP Phase I||Alawihao||DepEd Managed

|-

|500030||Moreno Integrated School||Gov. Panotes Ave.||Barangay VIII||DepEd Managed

|}

Daet South District schools

{|class="wikitable sortable”

|-

|+Private Schools

! BEIS School ID !! School Name !! Location !! Barangay !! School Subclassification

|-

|403637||La Consolacion College of Daet, Inc.||Froilan Pimentel Avenue||Barangay I||Nonsectarian

|-

|403647||Today's Kids Learning Center||Ofelia Street||Barangay II||Nonsectarian

|-

|403649||Zion Christian Academy Foundation, Inc.||Purok 1||Calasgasan||Nonsectarian

|-

|407000||Microsystems College Foundation Inc.||Carlos II Street||Barangay III||Nonsectarian

|-

|407824||Lord's Heritage Christian Academy||Diversion Road||Camambugan||Sectarian

|-

|433002||Mary's Bright Montessori School||Purok 2||Cobangbang||Nonsectarian

|}

{|class="wikitable sortable”

|-

|+Public Schools

! BEIS School ID !! School Name !! Location !! Barangay !! School Subclassification

|-

|112141||Calasgasan Elementary School||Purok 4||Calasgasan||DepEd Managed

|-

|112142||Cobangbang Elementary School||Purok 2||Cobangbang||DepEd Managed

|-

|112143||San Luis Elementary School||Vivencio Street||Barangay II||DepEd Managed

|-

|112144||Don S. Carranceja Memorial School||Purok 3||Bibirao||DepEd Managed

|-

|112145||F. Baldovino Elementary School||Purok 2||Camambugan||DepEd Managed

|-

|112146||Goito Pimentel Elementary School|| ||Mambalite||DepEd Managed

|-

|112147||Gregorio Pimentel Memorial School||National Highway||Pamorangon||DepEd Managed

|-

|112148||Zurbano Elementary School||Magallanes Ilaod St., Purok 8||Barangay I||DepEd Managed

|-

|173015||Mancruz Elementary School||Sampaguita Street||Mancruz||DepEd Managed

|-

|173019||Anita V. Romero Elementary School||Purok 6||Magang||DepEd Managed

|-

|309622||Camarines Norte National High School- Annex||Purok 2||Camambugan||DepEd Managed

|-

|301891||Camarines Norte High School|| ||Barangay II||DepEd Managed

|-

|600054||CNSC||J. Lukban Extension||Barangay II||SUC Managed

|}

Higher education institutions

Daet is home to well-known tertiary education institutions in the province serving most of the youth sector quality learning experience and competitive training.

  • ACLC Daet Campus
  • University of Camarines Norte
  • La Consolacion College of Daet, Inc.
  • Mabini Colleges
  • Our Lady of Lourdes College Foundation
  • Our Lady of Peñafrancia College - Daet

Notable personalities

<!--NOTE: Only add people with Wikipedia articles as per WP notability.-->

  • Manuel Conde, National Artist of the Philippines for Film (2009)
  • Ricky Lee, National Artist of the Philippines for Film and Broadcast Arts (2022)
  • Robin Padilla, Actor
  • Ambet Nabus, Radio Anchor, Comedian and Show Business Reporter
  • Joross Gamboa, TV Actor
  • Precious Paula Nicole, Drag Performer, Winner of Drag Race Philippines (Season 1)

References

  • Municipality of Daet
  • [ Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
  • Philippine Census Information