Religion

The dominant religion in Atimonan is Roman Catholic, though there is a significant following of the Iglesia Ni Cristo. The culture in Atimonan is primarily ingrained in rural maritime Filipino settings. Other religions present are:

• Iglesia Ni Cristo
• Seventh Day Adventist
• Jehovah's Witnesses
• Aglipay
• Islam

Our Lady of Angels Parish

Our Lady of Angels Parish is a member of Roman Catholic Diocese of Lucena.

• Parish Priest: Rev. Msgr. Melicio Verastigue, P.C., E.V.
• Parochial Vicar: Rev. Fr. Mishael S. Hernandez
• Parochial Vicar: Rev. Fr. Virgilio S. Nadres Jr. – (grandson of Orlando Nadres)

Economy

The economy of Atimonan is sustained by fishing and agriculture. Many also engage in seafaring. The town is part of the Tourism Highway Program of the Department of Tourism.

Tourist attractions

• Quezon Protected Landscape
• Mount Mirador
• Pinagbanderahan
• Triangle
• Star Light Beer House

Festivals

Tagultol Festival

The Tagultol Festival is an evolution of various cultural activities, practiced in previous years by Atimonanins. The Town & Patronal Fiesta every August 1 & 2 is simply celebrated with the usual parade, a cultural program, thanksgiving mass and procession. In 1981, during the administration of the late Quezon Board Member and former Mayor of Atimonan Remedios V. Diestro, an activity was started – the Karakol. It is a fluvial parade done in the afternoon of the 2nd day of the fiesta. The boats traveled around Lamon Bay within the boundaries of the town proper headed by the Grand Boat where the patron – Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles was aboard. There were singing, dancing & band playing, all in expression of gratitude to the Almighty for the year’s bountiful catch. The parade then joined the religious procession and ended at the church.

Later, it was done in the morning after the thanksgiving mass at the Fishing Port and Boat Racing Competition followed after the Karakol.The creation of the Lupong Tagapangasiwa ng Kultura at Sining sa Atimonan (LUPTAKSA) under the leadership of Mr. Francisco T. Laude, a retired public school teacher, put new dimension and vigor to the town’s cultural awareness and in the year 2003, the Tagultol Festival was finally launched. Tagultol, an old fishing method used by Atimonanins, was derived from the Tagalog word ugtol, meaning bounce. Tagultol fishing consists of a rectangular stone tied at the end of abaca strings dip in honey. Thorns of calamansi & similar plants with bait were tied 2 feet above the stone before dipping in water and moved in a bouncing movements. The festival is a five-day celebration starting July 29 until August 2. The celebration is an array of both cultural and sports activities, talent and beauty contests participated by community organizations and individuals and headed by the local government’s culture and arts council (LUPTAKSA) and Atimonan Tourism Council.

Pabitin Festival

The Town of Atimonan celebrates the Pabitin Festival every May 15 in honor of the patron saint of farmers, St. Isidore, almost the same in Lucban's Pahiyas Festival. During this festival, every house in the town proper has hanging decor such as vegetables, fruits, suman, dried fish wrapped in plastic and any other kinds of food, and when the statue of St. Isidore have passed the street, then the decoration will be thrown in the people who wants to have the decors.

Education

• Quezonian Educational College Inc.
• Our Lady of Angels Academy(OLAA)
• Leon Guinto Memorial College (LGMC)

Local government

Municipal officials (2010–2013):

• Municipal Mayor: Jose F. Mendoza
• Municipal Vice-Mayor: Joel M. Vergano
• Municipal Councilors:
  • Zenaida D. Veranga
  • Renato C. Sarmiento
  • Cielyn S. Diestro
  • Elmer M. Santander
  • Maria Aurora A. Tamayo
  • Nestor E. Santander
  • John Francis L. Luzano
  • Roseller A. Magtibay
• PPLB President: Ernesto S. Amandy
• PPSK President: Loid John L. Vergaño

Municipal officials (2013-2016):

• Municipal Mayor: Jose F. Mendoza
• Municipal Vice-Mayor: Joel M. Vergaño
• Municipal Councilors:
  • Zenaida D. Veranga
  • Rizaldy L. Velasco
  • Renato C. Sarmiento
  • Elmer M. Santander
  • Iñigo P. Mapaye
  • Cielyn S. Diestro-Makayan
  • Roseller A. Magtibay
  • John Francis L. Luzano
• PPLB President: Ernesto S. Amandy

History

There were conflicting stories on how Atimonan got its name. Some concluded that the name Atimonan originated from a tree known as Atimon alleged to have been prevalent in the area and had reportedly served many uses to the residents. These trees are now extinct and its non-existence could not be accounted for.
Others say it came from the words atin muna, signifying a policy, unity of feeling and sentiments among the residents that bolster their spirit in the fight against their enemies during that time.
But the most popular version is that it originated from the name of its founder, Simeona Mangaba, known to her town mates as Ate Monang. She is a woman reputed to be of unquestionable leadership, which the people regarded as their adopted parent, leader and protector.
Ate Monang was the eldest sister of Francisco Mangaba, the first captain of the town. She founded the town on February 4, 1608 along the banks of the big Maling River, now known as Atimonan River.
Living along the river bank, the people has always been a prey to Moro attacks and so for fear of Moro reprisals, the inhabitants decided to transfer to Palsabangon, now a barrio of Pagbilao, Quezon. However, the people felt discontented in Palsabangon because the place abounds in wild crocodiles that from time to time disturbed them.
So, after two years of stay (1610), they left the place and transferred to Babyaw, a part of Atimonan. They settled in Babyaw for almost 14 years, but transferred again to another site called Minanukan for some unknown reasons.
In 1635, they again transferred to another place called Bisita, but some families separated from the majority and settled in Yawe, now San Isidro, a barrio in Padre Burgos, Quezon.
The next year, when Simeona Mangaba learned of what happened to the original group of settlers, she, together with Fray Geronimo de Jesus, a Spanish friar, tried to unite them once more and convinced them to return to the place where it was first founded. The place known now as Bagumbayan, this was during the time of Captain Pablo Garcia.
Today, Atimonan is a fast growing town known for its cleanliness, beautiful beaches, many historical and natural scenery and most of all warm and peace-loving people.
On December 23, 1941, The occupation of the Japanese Imperial Army forces entering the towns and landing beaches in Atimonan, Tayabas (now. Quezon).
On January to August 1945, local Filipino troops of the 5th, 51st, 52nd, 53rd, 55th, 56th and 57th Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and 5th Infantry Regiment of the Philippine Constabulary was liberated in Atimonan and helped the guerrilla resistance fighters under the Marking's Guerrillas and the President Quezon's Own Guerrillas (PQOG) and the American liberating troops of the United States Army 1st Cavalry Division and the 11th Airborne Division to fought against the Japanese forces and ended in World War II.