Claveria Day in the Philippines Date in the current year: July 22, 2024

Claveria is a landlocked first-class municipality in the Philippine province of Misamis Oriental, located on the island of Mindanao. Its original name was Tikala, an indigenous word for “wonder”. Before the arrival of Europeans, the area was inhabited by a native Austronesian people known as the Higaonon, who adhered to a simple way of life in harmony with nature. They are an ethnic group of the Lumad who used to live along the coast but retreated to the hills and mountains after the arrival of the Spaniards to escape occupation and preserve their culture and heritage.

The settlement was renamed Claveria by Friar Juan Yras, a Spanish Jesuit missionary from Jasaan who arrived in the area in 1912. The name was chosen to honor Narciso Clavería y Zaldúa, a Spanish army officer who served as the Governor-General from 1844 and 1849. Claveria in Misamis Oriental is one of the three towns named in his honor; the other two are located in the provinces of Masbate and Cagayan.

Initially administered as part of Bukidnon Province, Claveria was transferred to Misamis Oriental in 1921. It was placed under the administrative control of the Municipal District of Balingasag. Claveria became an independent municipality on July 22, 1950.

Today, Claveria has a population of over 52,000 people living in 24 barangays (barrios). It is a primarily agricultural municipality which derives most of its income from the production of crops (coffee, corn, rice, root vegetables, tomatoes, bell peppers, pineapples, etc.), freshwater products, livestock (cattle and swine), and poultry products.

The municipality also hosts The Mindanao Silk Mulberry Farm, which produces silk, and the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines – Claveria Campus (USTP Claveria), which is the leading agricultural school in the entire province of Misamis Oriental.

Claveria’s founding anniversary was designated as Claveria Day, celebrated annually on July 22. It is a special non-working holiday in the municipality, marked by various festive events and activities. In honor of the holiday, the municipal government organizes the annual Mais Festival to honor and promote the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the Higaonon tribe, as well as to pay tribute to corn, which is the main crop grown in the municipality.