Calape

Its name is historically linked to kalapi,^[9] a type of rattan once abundant in the area, or is believed to signify a traditional gathering place for traders and fishermen.

By the time Spaniards arrived, there was already a native settlement in Calape. In 1802, the Spanish governor of Cebu established it as an independent municipality.

In 1957, the barangay of Abucayan Norte was created from the sitios of Cabulihan and Cabinong, and the barangay of Abucayan Sur from the sitios of Rama and Bino. The sitios of Binogawan, Masonoy, Bentig, Cahayag, and Lawis were also constituted into barrios.

Calape is bounded by Loon in the west and Tubigon in the east. To the north, the town center faces the Cebu Strait on the western side of Bohol Island, 42 kilometres (26 mi) from Tagbilaran. The jurisdiction of Calape includes the islands of Pangangan (eight barangays) and Mantatao, as well as two uninhabited islets, Poom Island and Basihan Island.

There are four rivers that flow through the territory: Tultugan and Liboron Rivers that drain into Calape Bay, and Calunasan and Abucayan Norte Rivers that drain into Tipcan Bay.

Most of the coastal area is a fairly level plain that gradually rises into rolling hills of coralline limestone. The highest point in Calape is Mount Candungao in the eastern portion of the town, with an elevation of 150 metres (500 ft) above sea level.^[10]

Poverty incidence of Calape

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority^{[18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]}

Calape boasts a high literacy rate, with 93.09% of its population being literate as of a 2007 survey.

During the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines, the chief executive of a town was known as the Capitan Municipal. This title later evolved into Presidente Municipal (English: Municipal Presidentcode: eng promoted to code: en ) during the early American regime. Eventually, the title Municipal Mayor became standard, especially during the Commonwealth period and onward. During wartime or transitional governments, such as under Japanese occupation or post-liberation, the term Mayor was commonly used for town chief executives, sometimes appointed by military or provisional authorities.

In earlier times, the selection of town leaders sometimes involved a drawing of lots (sortition) among prominent individuals from the principalia class—those with significant landholdings, formal education, and Spanish literacy. However, the exact sequence of tenure for these early town executives is often undocumented or difficult to reconstruct due to limited archival records.

Regular elections for this position were introduced under the American colonial administration through the Municipal Code (Act No. 82 of 1901),^[27] with elections initially held every three years. This three-year term remains in effect for municipal mayors under the Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act No. 7160).^[28]

Following the EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986, elected local officials were removed from office and replaced by Officers-in-Charge (OICs) appointed by the new government. This transitional arrangement remained in place until regular local elections resumed in 1988.

• Yoyoy Villame, a novelty singer
• Ernesto Falar Herrera, Senator of the Philippines (1987–1998) and former congressman of Bohol's 1st district (1998–2001); a legislator in the 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th Congresses.