Real, Quezon

Real, officially the Municipality of Real (Tagalog: Bayan ng Real), is a municipality in the province of Quezon, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 39,969 people.

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

The origin of the name Real has no traditional folklore as basis. Its name originated from the arrival of Spanish forces in the place during their regime. They incorporated the area into their territory, naming it “Puerto Real” (lit. transl. Royal Port), where the name of the municipality was derived. Spanish galleons and ships docked at the port, while reinforced forces were stationed at the nearby Binangonan Del Ampon (now Infanta).

Historically, the municipality of Real was under the jurisdiction of Binangonan de Lampon, which served as the capital of the Distrito de La Infanta. This district was established by a decree issued by the Superior Government on March 18, 1858.

See: Distrito de La Infanta

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" or "Binangonan Del Ampon", 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 Binangonan Del Ampon. The area later became part of Nueva Ecija in 1803, later of Laguna, and finally of Tayabas (now Quezon).

On December 15, 1960, Real was created into a municipal district, comprising the barrios of Llavac, Cawayan, Capalong, Tignoan, Kiloloron, Lubayat and Pandan from the mother town of Infanta by virtue of Executive Order No. 410. It was later converted to a regular municipality through Republic Act No. 3754 dated June 22, 1963.