Real, Quezon

14°40′N 121°36′E / 14.67°N 121.6°E / 14.67; 121.6CountryPhilippinesRegionCalabarzonProvinceQuezonDistrict 1st districtFoundedDecember 15, 1960Conversion to MunicipalityJune 22, 1963Barangays17 (see Barangays)Government • TypeSangguniang Bayan • MayorDiana Abigail D. Aquino • Vice MayorDoyle Joel M. Diestro • RepresentativeWilfrido Mark M. Enverga • Municipal Council • Electorate23,605 voters (2022)Area • Total563.89 km² (217.72 sq mi)Elevation137 m (449 ft)Highest elevation1,078 m (3,537 ft)Lowest elevation0 m (0 ft)Population • Total38,678 • Density69/km² (180/sq mi) • Households9,799DemonymRealeñoEconomy • Income class1st municipal income class • Poverty incidence% (2018)^[4] • Revenue₱ 226.3 million (2020) • Assets₱ 622.5 million (2020) • Expenditure₱ 207.1 million (2020) • Liabilities₱ 150.5 million (2020)Service provider • ElectricityQuezon 2 Electric Cooperative (QUEZELCO 2)Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)ZIP codePSGCIDD : area code +63 (0)42Native languagesTagalogWebsitewww.realquezon.gov.ph

Real, officially the Municipality of Real (Tagalog: Bayan ng Real), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Quezon, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 38,678 people.^[3]

This coastal town, located on the eastern shores of Luzon facing the Philippine Sea, is noted for its rural beach resorts.

Geography

Real is a small town facing the Pacific Ocean, approximately 133 kilometers (83 mi) from the Quezon capital Lucena City and 145 kilometers (90 mi) from Manila. Real has 17 barangays: 14 rural and 3 urban. Its total land area is 563.8 km², the second largest in the province.

Tourist spots include zigzag road views, Balagbag Falls, river scenery, and Baluti Island. It also has tourist-frequented beaches known for surfing.^[5]

Barangays

Real is politically subdivided into 17 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Climate

History

Spanish forces landed at the site of Real early in the colonization period, calling it "San Rafael". Spanish galleons and ships docked at the port "Puerto Real De Lampon" reinforced forces stationed at the nearby place "Binangonan De Lampon" now known as Infanta. Located at the coast of Polillo Strait, it was frequently vulnerable to attacks by Muslim sea pirates and bandits. The first inhabitants of the place came from barangays of Binangonan Del Ampon.^[7]

Formerly a barrio of Infanta, Real was created into a municipal district comprising the barrios of Llavac, Cawayan, Capalong, Tignoan, Kiloloron, Lubayat and Pandan which were all segregated from the mother town of Infanta by virtue of Executive Order No. 410 dated December 15, 1960, signed by President Carlos P. Garcia.^[8] It was later converted to a regular municipality through Republic Act No. 3754 dated June 22, 1963.^[9]

On November 29, 2004, Real was hit hard by Typhoons Winnie, Violeta, and Yoyong. About 500 people were either killed or missing.

• 
  Typhoon damage in December 2004
• 
  Relief aid delivery in Real, December 2004

Etymology

The origin of the name Real has no traditional folklore as basis. Its name originated as a result of the landing of the Spanish forces in the place during its regime. The Spaniards made it part of its territory naming it “Puerto Real” (lit. transl. Royal Port), where the name of the municipality was derived. Spanish dalleons and ships docked at the port, while reinforced forces were stationed at the nearby Binangonan De Lampon (now Infanta).^[7]

Demographics

Population census of Real

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1970	10,079	—
1975	13,231	+5.61%
1980	14,463	+1.80%
1990	20,475	+3.54%
1995	27,641	+5.78%
2000	30,684	+2.26%
2007	33,073	+1.04%
2010	35,189	+2.28%
2015	35,979	+0.42%
2020	38,678	+1.43%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[10][11][12][13]

Economy