Foundation Day of Catanduanes, observed in the Philippines, commemorates the province's separation from Albay and is celebrated every October 26. This special non-working holiday marks the establishment of Catanduanes as an independent province, a status confirmed by Congress on September 26, 1945. The name "Catanduanes" is believed to derive from local words referring to a native beetle or tree, with interpretations suggesting it means "a place of refuge" for mariners. The island was first settled by descendants of Borneo migrants, and it was officially visited by Spanish conquistadors in 1573, leading to the conversion of its population to Christianity. In 2022, Catanduanes was designated as the Abacá Capital of the Philippines, highlighting its significance as the top producer of abacá, a fiber used in textile production.