Ilocos Sur: An Almanac Part 1 by Nanie Gonzales

ILOCOS SUR An Almanac DEOGRACIAS VICTOR ‘DV’ B. SAVELLANO

DEOGRACIAS VICTOR ‘DV’ B. SAVELLANO Cabugao, Ilocos Sur kabsatdv@gmail.com Copyright 2017 by Deogracias Victor ‘DV’ B. Savellano All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, and/or otherwise, without the written permission of the author and the publisher. Printed in the Philippines ISBN: Published by: Sanicua Publications

Preface T

his book is a sequel to Ilocos Sur: An Illustrated History published in 2009. Ilocos Sur: An Almanac provides a detailed description of 32 towns and two cities comprising the province of Ilocos Sur. The 32 towns covered by the books are the following:

1. Alilem 2. Banayoyo 3. Bantay 4. Burgos 5. Cabugao 6. Caoayan 7. Cervantes 8. Galimuyod 9. Gregorio delPilar 10. Lidlidda 11. Magsingal 12. Nagbukel 13. Narvacan 14. Quirino 15. Salcedo 16. San Emilio

17. San Esteban 18. San Ildefonso 19. San Juan 20. San Vicente 21. Santa 22. Santa Catalina 23. Santa Cruz 24. Santa Lucia 25. Santa Maria 26. Santiago 27. Santo Domingo 28. Sigay 29. Sinait 30. Sugpon 31. Suyo 32. Tagudin

The two cities of Ilocos Sur are Candon and Vigan. Judging from the names of the towns and cities, one would see that some got their names form religious saints e.g. San Vicente, San Esteban, Santa Catalina and Santa Lucia. Other towns were named after historical figures e.g. Burgos (after the martyred priest Fr. Jose Burgos); Gregorio del Pilar (the Boy-General who provided distance between Emilio Aguinaldo and the pursuing American soldiers; Quirino (after President Elpidio Quirino; Salcedo after the Spanish Conquistador Juan del Salcedo; and Cervantes (after the Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes and author of Don Quixote de la Mancha. Some towns derived their names from certain geographical feature. The name Alilem was taken from the words “alicono” whirpool or “lemlem” or continuous rain. The city of Vigan derives its name from the plant called “biga” which thrives on the banks of Mestizo River. In short the names of the towns and cities of Ilocos Sur reflect the rich and interesting history of the provinces. For each town found in this volume, there is information about its location, topographical features; its classification as a municipality as well as its barangays; the etymology of its name; explanation of the logo of the town; a brief history; the patron saint of the town and the architectural style of the churches; industries of the town; living treasures; as well as a listing of former mayors; and lastly interesting places to visit. Covered as well in the book is the ethnic dimension of the province. The upland towns of Ilocos Sur are inhabited by Kankanaeys and the Bago tribe which is composed of Ilocanos and Kankanaeys who have intermarried. This contact between the lowland population of Ilocanos and the upland population of Kankanaeys has made Ilocos Sur a cultural melting point. This volume truly provides a comprehensive profile of each town, thus becoming an important reference material for both the student and the layman.

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Provincial Capitol Building

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Table of Contents Preface Message The Legend of Angangalo Epic of Lam-ang Alilem Banayoyo Bantay Burgos Cabugao

5 9 10 11 12 20 28 44 56

Life of a Sakada during the 1940s: The Story of Isaac Feig Candon Caoayan Cervantes Galimuyod Gregorio Del Pilar Lidlidda Magsingal Nagbukel Narvacan Quirino Salcedo

238 246 260 270 298 306 322 328 340 348 362 374 382 388 402 408 418 442

San Emilio San Esteban San Ildefonso San Juan San Vicente Santa Santa Catalina Santa Cruz Santa Lucia Santa Maria

76 96 116 130 144 156 166 174 188 198 216 224

Santiago Santo Domingo Sigay Sinait Sugpon Suyo Tagudin Vigan Kannawidan Festival: Celebrating Oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Identity Acknowledgements Bibliography

426 496 497

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

In the town of Cabugao, province of Ilocos Sur, a child was born with indications that someday he would be exceptional and had the potential to become a great leader, DV’s christian name. Deogracias, is a combination of the words “gracias” or “panagyaman” in Ilocano meaning thanks or thanksgiving for the gift of life that God, “Deo” had given him. Victor or “biktoria” signifies the victory his father Victorino achieved when he won as mayor of Cabugao in November of 1959, the year when DV was born. Illustration by Neil Doloricon

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Message

his book serves as a sequel to my first book, Ilocos Sur; An Illustrated History. With this general history of Ilocos Sur, I felt the towns comprising the province should also be given due attention, through a concise but informative book that would go hand-in-hand with the first volume.

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac provides a profile of each of the 32 towns and two cities of the province, furnishing information about location, topography, etymology, classification as a town together with its barangays, brief history, patron saint and architectural style of its churches, industries, living treasures and interesting places to visit. With the K-12 curriculum now in place in the basic educational system of the Philippines, this book would be a useful guide especially for Grade 2 students, whose Aralin Panlipunan would focus on “Ang aking Komunidad, Ngayon at Noon” and those in the Third Grade, whose focus is on “Ang Mga Lalawigan sa Aking Rehiyon.” This book is my humble contribution to my province as well as to the cause of rekindling or reviving an interest in local history for both Filipinos and non-Filipinos. May it encourage other local governments in the country to do the same.

Deogracias Victor “DV” B. Savellano

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

n Ilocano folklore, Angangalo was a giant considered the first man, or the local counter-part of Adam. Angangaloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s head was said to be so huge that it reached the heavens. The giant was also supposed to cover the distance between Manila and Vigan in one single step. Angangalo created a cave from otherwise flat land. In the course of making the cave, his diggings resulted in the creation of mountains, with the soil that fell from his hands turning into hills. His urine became the sea, which explains why the sea is salty, according to local legend. Angangalo had a wife named Aran. The couple,

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

said to be the first parents of the Ilocanos, had three daughters. It is said that the daughters once begged their father to carry them to Manila to bring salt. While crossing the middle of the sea, the daughters fell into the water with their load of salt, thus making the already salty sea even saltier. The giant was said to be responsible for putting a rainbow in the sky, together with the sun and the stars. Ilocano oldtimers say Angangaloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s giant footprints are still evident in the town of San Vicente. Pinsal Falls, found in the town, has two natural pools, one of which is said to be the footprint of the giant.

his epic poem is considered “the oldest recorded Philippine folk epic and the only complete epic to come down to us,” according to Filipino folklorist, Damiana Eugenio. The authorship of the poem was attributed to Pedro Bukaneg in some accounts. The earliest data on the poem was given by Father Gerardo Blanco to Isabelo de los Reyes, who published it as a series in the periodical El Ilocano from December 1889 to February 1890. The poem was later reprinted in De los Reyes’ El Folklore Filipino. Lam-ang

Municipality of Alilem

Alilem is bounded on the north by the municipality of Suyo, on the south by the municipalities of Sugpon in Ilocos Sur and Bakun, in Benguet, on the west by the municipalities of Tagudin and Sudipen, in La Union and on the east by the municipalities of Cervantes (Ilocos Sur) and Bakun. It has a land area of 156.20 square kilometers.

Topography

Alilem is hilly and mountainous, with a moderately sloping terrain.

Government

It is classified as a fourth-class municipality composed of nine barangays. The nine barangays are: 1. Alilem Daya (Poblacion) Daya refers to the eastern part. This has also become the town’s poblacion.

Municipal Hall of Alilem

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

2. Amilongan This barangay was named after a person, Amilong. Legend has it that when an American inquired about the name of the place from a resident, Amilong thought the American wanted to know his name, and so he replied: “Amilong.” Later, the suffix “an” was added to Amilong to mean “the place where Amilong lived.” 3. Anaao The name comes from a plant called anaao or anahaw in Filipino. The leaves of the plant are used to make native raincoats. 4. Apang The name is derived from the names of three old men: Agsanao, Apila and Sabbang. An Ilocano guide was supposed to have responded to an American who had inquired about the name of the place by translating the question into the native language, mentioning the word “nagan” (name) which is similar to the Kankaney term “Ngadan.” The three

men answered: “Sac-en si ALILEM MAYORS Agsanao, Sac-en si Apila Name and Sac-en si Sabbang.” EULOGIO LORENZANA The American got the letter MARCELO SARMIENTO “A” from Agsanao; “P” from VICENTE SAPLA Apila and “Ang” from the PAULINO APUSEN last two letters of Sabbang. ONOFRE BISTOYONG 5. Apaya SAMSON BANGAOIL The name of the place ONOFRE BISTOYONG comes from the name of MAR RUEL SUMABAT the papaya fruit found in abundance in the area. 6. Batbato “Batbato” means “many stones.” The name is said to date back to the Spanish period when the natives refused to return to work because they were maltreated and exploited by the authorities. When the Spanish soldiers pursued them, the natives retaliated by throwing stones at them. With the Spaniards’ superior firepower, the natives were subdued. Asked about the name of the weapons, the natives answered: “batbato”. 7. Daddaay Daddaay is the name of a fruit. During the Spanish period, the Spaniards came across a group of children eating the fruit known as daddaay. When the Spaniards asked them what the name of the

place was, the children replied: “Daddaay,” Length of Service thinking that the Spaniards 1945-1947 were asking what they 1948-1955 were eating. Since then, 1956-1959 the place has been named 1960-Jan. 31, 1979 after this fruit. Feb. 1, 1979 - Mar. 27, 1998 8. Barangay Dalawa 1998-2007 “Dalawa” is the Filipino 2007-2013 word for “two.” The origin 2013-2019 of this barangay’s name is said to have come about when two Spanish hikers asked about the name of the place from two women they had run into. Not understanding the question, the women did not reply. The two hikers decided to name the place “dalawa,” referring to the two women they encountered. 9. Kiat It is said that the barangay got its name from kiak, the sound made by a rooster. During the Spanish period, a group of Spanish soldiers heading towards Sugpon decided to rest under a balite tree. There, they saw a man who caught a rooster who kept crowing “kiak, kiak, kiak.” Henceforth, they named the place Kiak. Later, it was changed to Kiat, now its present name. Alilem

Alilem got its name from the words “alicono” or whirlpool and “lemlem” or continuous rain. During heavy rains, or “lemlem,” the waters of Bakun River rise. After the rains, the people noticed that a whirlpool appeared and the people interpreted it as Kabunian (their god).

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Alilem

Population

Alilem has a population of 6,353 and 1,168 households, according to the 2000 Census.

Etymology

Alilem got its name from the words “alicono” or whirlpool and “lemlem” or continuous rain. It is said that the early settlers in the valley experienced heavy rains, or “lemlem” in the local dialect, which made the waters of Bakun River rise. After the rains, the people noticed that a whirlpool or “alicono” had appeared in the middle of the Bakun River. The people interpreted the appearance of the whirlpool as Kabunian’s (their god) way of punishing them. A cañao or feast was held. Pigs and carabaos were slaughtered and offered to Kabunian. The whirlpool disappeared, changing the course of the Bakun River, leaving dry, leveled land as resettlement and farm sites for the people.

Logo

The two encircling blue lines represent the protective shield of the government as the vanguard of the municipality. The shield is derived from the seal of the Province of Ilocos Sur. The nine barangays of the municipality are represented in the nine golden rays of the sun. The mountain, valleys, the upland and lowland fields symbolize Alilem, a farming community. The silhouette of a farmer plowing the fields with the help of a carabao represents the industry and perseverance of the people. The ropes symbolize the unity of the townspeople, both in times of peace and conflict. The broom and baskets stand for the municipality’s cottage industry. Tobacco leaf, banana and palay or rice stalks represent the agricultural products of Alilem. The Roman numerals read 1890, marking the year when the municipality was founded. The blue color stands for unity, the red for heroism and love, green for hope and yellow for prosperity. 16

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

During the Philippine – American War, members of the Filipino

History

Alilem was the capital of the comandancia politico-military of Amburayan that was established in 1890. Amburayan was set up by the Spaniards so they could have access to the mountains that yielded gold as well as serving as a launching pad for campaigns to subdue the natives of the highlands. During the Philippine-American War, the Filipino resistance movement in the area involved, among

resistance movement staged attacks against American scouting parties that were on reconnaissance missions.

other things, staging attacks against American scouting parties that were on reconnaissance missions. In retaliation, the Americans would keep the Alilem residents in a garrison. At times, the residents would evacuate the area upon hearing news that they would be attacked by the American cavalry and infantry.2 In 1908, American authorities established a new territory called Mountain Province. Its sub-provinces were Apayao, Kalinga, Bontoc, Ifugao, Benguet, Lepanto and Amburayan.

In 1917, the Bureau of Non-Christian Tribes recommended that the western border of Mountain Province be moved eastward. The sub-province of Amburayan and a large part of Benguet and Lepanto then became part of Ilocos Sur and La Union provinces. With the dissolution of Amburayan, its townships of Sigay, Suyo, Alilem and Sugpon, became part of Ilocos Sur. Alilem, as well as the rest, represent the upland towns of the province. Alilem

Church

The church of Alilem is dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes whose feast day falls on February 11. Part of the fiesta celebration is the performance of a dance called Sadong or Tadek wherein women dancers don their tapis and the men their G-string. During the Spanish period, Alilem was first a Spanish mission of the Augustinians in 1870 or 1880. The first church was made of stone but was destroyed during the revolution. The first converted Christians among the Kakanaeys were called â&#x20AC;&#x153;bago.â&#x20AC;? Later, a visita in Alilem was established under the jurisdiction of Tagudin which was, by then, under the 18

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

PARISH PRIEST REV. ARWIN Y. REBOLLIDO Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. A church made of wood and cement was finally built in 1939. A cooperative and a credit establishment were established in 1970 under the guidance of Fr. Egbert Kraaykamp. The parish was handed over to the diocesan clergy in 1993.

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish (left), and its patron saint Our Lady of Lourdes

Industries

Alilem counts among its industries soft broommaking, rice, corn and basi (native wine made from sugar cane). Under the One Town , One Product scheme, Alilem listed sugar cane vinegar as its top product

Places to Visit

The following are Alilemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tourist attractions: Baey Anito Waterfalls, Apang Hot Spring, DaddaayBatbato Rice Terraces, Picnic Grounds along the Bakun and Amburayan Rivers, Bakun Hydro Power Plant and Alilem Irrigation Tunnel.

Endnotes 1 2

Symbols of the State: Municipalities of Northern Luzon, p.96. William Henry Scott. Ilocano Responses to American 1900-1901 (Quezon City, Philippine; New Day Publishers, 1986), p.185, p. 187.

Alilem

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Location

Banayoyo is bounded on the south by the Bucong River, also referred to as the “Carayan a Bassit” or the small river; on the west by a small canal called “Calip”; on the east by the Cabeaburao Hills and on the north by Bay-asan Hills. The municipalities serving as its boundaries are Lidlidda, on the east; Candon, on the south; Santiago, on the west; and Burgos on the north. It has a land area of 2,275 hectares or 22.75 square kilometers.

“ BAYOYO” is a big tree under which older folks held meetings in shade area called Dap-ay. During World War 11, Bayoyo was the seat of guerilla operations. Banayoyo

Topography

Pasturelands called rancherias, dating back to the Spanish period, as well as mountains, abound in the area.

Population

A census taken in 2003 census showed that Banayoyo had 6,764 inhabitants.

Etymology

Bacsayan was the original name of Banayoyo. Manuel Buzeta and Felipe Bravo, two Augustinian priests who were the authors of the book Diccionario Geografico, Estadistico, Historico de las Islas Filipinas, described Bacsayan as a barrio of non-Christian natives belonging to the pueblo of Candon. It has been said that natives of Abra and Mountain Province were in search of a place to settle on the western part of the Cordillera. The natives referred to the place as “Bacsayan,” meaning “settlement area.” The Tinggians of Abra and the Igorots of the Cordillera intermarried and formed a new ethnolinguistic group called Itneg. Municipal Hall of Banayoyo

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

BANAYOYO MAYORS Name SERAFIN DE LA CRUZ PAULO GASPAR JOSE LLANEZA JOSE E. SORIO, SR. FRANCISCO BALINGATAN JOSE SORIO CIRIACO GALANG FEDERICO MANGUGAN CIRIACO S. GALANG MARCELO S. DE PERALTA FEDERICO VIVENCIO NELSON GALANG JOSE M. SORIO, JR. ELENA SORIO SEVERINO GALANGA VIRGILIO GALANGA

Length of Service 1941 1945 1948-1951 1952-1955 1956-1959 1960-1963 1964-1967 1968-1971 1972-1985 1985-1988 1988-1992 1992-1993 1993-2004 2004-2007 2007-2016 2016-2019

Somewhere in the southeastern part of the settlement, grew a big and sturdy tree called bayoyo. Under the shade of this tree, datus and the council of elders built a dap-ay, a structure where leaders gathered to settle problems and disputes. Adjacent to it was the pandek, where arms were stored. It was also under the bayoyo tree where a three-day ritual thanking Kabunian, (their god) for a bountiful harvest took place. This act of thanksgiving was known as begnas. People in those times believed that the bayoyo tree brought them good fortune. However, when the tree eventually died, drought and famine struck the community. Its leaders met to discuss the cause of the calamity that stalked the community. Another ritual called sapa was held. Through this ritual, it was discovered that the misfortune that afflicted the community was brought about by the failure of some tribal members to express their gratitude to Kabunian. After giving thanks to Kabunian, the leaders decided to change the name of their place from Bacsayan to Bayoyo, in memory of the tree that brought them prosperity and good fortune. The tree also symbolized the peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unity. During the Spanish period, the name of the place was changed from Bayoyo to Banayoyo. Banayoyo

1944 (October 16 and November 14) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A Japanese patrol team torches several barrios of Banayoyo town, forcing townspeople to leave their homes.

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Banayoyo

Logo

The shield in the logo is reminiscent of the shield found in the provincial seal of Ilocos Sur. The three stars represent the three major islands of the Philippines: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The three illustrations of tobacco, peanut and rice represent the principal crops cultivated by Banayoyo natives. The carabao head symbolizes the strength and endurance of the people. It also represents agriculture as the major source of livelihood of its residents. The date 1908 stands for the year when Banayoyo become a town. The yellow color symbolizes the courage of the town citizens.

History

Bacsayan is described as a barrio of unbelievers (infieles) which was then part of the pueblo of Candon. Banayoyo, on the other hand, is described as a rancheria of unbelievers, and part of the town of Santiago. During the Spanish period, Bacsayan was identified as a legitimate barrio of Candon while Banayoyo was described as a pastureland of Santiago. In both cases, the residents of the two places were described as non-Christians. In 1908, Bacsayan and Banayoyo became fullfledged towns. During the Japanese Occupation, Banayoyo was the base of a guerilla outfit under the command of Major Walter Cushing. In their attempt to punish the townspeople for supporting the guerillas, the Japanese burned one half of the barrio of Elefante on October 16, 1944, and the remaining half on November 14, 1944. Not content with burning one barrio, the Japanese also burned the entire town of Banayoyo. The church and town hall were also razed to the ground. The foreign invaders were based in an old sugar central located in Bucong, a barrio of Candon. 26

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Our Lady of Lourdes

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish

Church

The patron saint PARISH PRIEST of the town is Our REV. ROBERT R. SOMERA Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish whose feast day falls on February 11 every year. The Our Lady of Lourdes Parish was then a visita of Candon. On October 15, 1945, the present parish was erected, serving the town of Banayoyo and three barrios of Candon.

Industries

Farming is the major income-earner for the residents of Banayoyo, where the land is dedicated to the cultivation of mango, peanut and corn. Under the One Town One Product scheme, Banayoyo is known for its processed banana chips.

Places to Visit

Among the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s places of interest are the Mt. Pidiran view deck, the Gayaman waterfalls and the Spanish trail and garrison. Banayoyo

Government

Location

Bantay is bounded on the north by the municipalities of San Ildefonso, Santo Domingo and Magsingal; on the south by the Abra River and a portion of Vigan; on the west by San Vicente and a part of Vigan; and on the east by the province of Abra and Santa town.

Topography

The eastern part of the town has a hilly and mountainous terrain. 28

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Bantay is a fourth-class municipality composed of 34 barangays. These barangays are the following: 1. Aggay 18. Guimod 2. An-annam 19. Malingeb 3. Balaleng 20. Mira 4. Lingsat 21. Naguiddayan 5. Banaoang 22. Ora 6. Barangay 1 23. Paing 7. Barangay 2 24. Puspus 8. Barangay 3 25. Quimmarayan 9. Barangay 4 26. Sagneb 10. Barangay 5 27. Sagpat 11. Barangay 6 28. San Isidro 12. Bulag 29. San Julian 13. Buquig 30. San Mariano 14. Cabalanggan 31. Sinabaan 15. Cabaroan 32. Taguiporo 16. Cabusligan 33. Taleb 17. Capangdanan 34. Tay-ac

BANTAY MAYORS Name BASILIO PAREL EUSEBIO PAZ FERMIN GOROSPE FAUSO MANGALIMAN EUSEBIO PAZ BRIGIDO BARROGA PABLO PE BENITO CIPRIANO PAMUSPUSAN BARBARO PAAT FROILAN PAAT

Length of Service 1911-1912 1912-1916 1919-1922 1922-1925 1925-1934 1934-1937 1937-1944 1944-1945 1947-1951 1952-1953

PEDRO PATAO CIRIACO PAREL SANTOS PACLEB MARIA ASUNCION PORTE MARIA ASUNCION PORTE ARTURO PAAT AMADO MENDOZA CIPRIANO PAMISPUSAN SAMUEL PARILLA JOSE PACUBAS CHINITA PARILLA SAMUEL PARILLA SAMUEL PARILLA II

1953-1955 1956-1963 DEC.1963 1964-1967 1968-1971 NOV.-DEC. 1971 1972-1985 1958-1988 1988-1998 March 28-June 1998 1998-2007 2007-2013 2013-2019

Municipal Hall of Bantay

Bantay

Etymology

There are two explanations on how the town acquired its name. One is that it refers to its hilly and mountainous terrain in its eastern portion. The word “bantay,” therefore, would allude to this topographical feature. The other explanation is related to the image of Our Lady of Charity enshrined in the church of Bantay . Legend has it that the image was washed ashore in Bantay. The image was said to be miraculous, and this reputation made the Tagalogs and the Sambals want to acquire it. Despite their efforts to spirit the image out of the town, it refused to budge. This made the Tagalogs and the Sambals conclude that the image of Our Lady of Charity remained in the town to guard the place. In this context, the word “bantay,” meaning “to guard,” stuck.

Logo

The red, blue and yellow colors echo the colors of the Philippine flag. The plow and rice representations imply that farming is a principal occupation of the people. The symbols of anvil, hammer and ring show the presence of goldsmiths who turn out jewelry pieces in the town.

History

Bantay appears in a 1582 account of Loarca stating that it is a valley located one league (three miles) from the town of Vigan. Loarca added that it has a population of 1,600 and had one encomendero.2 During the British Occupation of the Philippines (1761-1763), Bantay was on center stage since it was here where Diego Silang rose in revolt and established his stronghold. Silang built a fort on top of Mt. Tupira where he was later assassinated by Miguel Vicos, a Spanish mestizo and a friend of the Ilocano leader. Buzeta and Bravo3 in the 19th century, described Bantay as having its own parish priest and a gobernacorcillo. The two authors established the date of founding of the town as 1590. However, in 30

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

The statue of Our Lady of Charity is enshrined in the town church.

Bantay

1763 (May 28) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Silang is assassinated by his friend Miguel Vicos, a Spanish mestizo of Tingguian descent, with the connivance of Pedro Becbec. Silang was shot in the back.

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Bantay

An armed group called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Saka-sakaâ&#x20AC;?, (Ilocano term for barefoot) set on fire homes and property in the two barrios of Bantay: Ora East and Ora Centro on March 22, 1969.

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Bantay

Bantay is the birthplace of Pedro Bukaneg, “Father of Iloko Literature.” who was born blind. Abandoned as a baby, Bukaneg was baptized a Christian and assumed the name of Pedro. Bukaneg was derived from the Isneg words – “Nabuka-an ng Isneg,” meaning a “Christianized Isneg.” The Augustinian friars, who adopted Bukaneg, were struck by his intelligence and fluency in four languages: Latin, Spanish, Ilocano and Isneg. With this gift for languages, Bukaneg was asked by Fr. Francisco Lopez to help him translate into Iloko

The image of the Miraculous Saint of Apo Caridad is said to be the oldest Marian image in the Ilocos region. Residents believe the church and convent of Bantay town were spared from destruction during the Malong Revolt in 1661 through the intercession of the saint.

another Spanish government account dated 1870, in Bantay was said to have been founded in 1593. The discrepancy may be due to the fact that the parish could have been established in 1590, but the town was founded in 1593. Bantay was described as having a healthy climate. It had 950 houses made of simple materials. The town had a parish church, a tribunal (town hall) and an escula de primeras letras or primary school. Its patron saint was San Agustin of Hippo and it was administered by a regular friar. Bantay’s main crops were rice, corn, sugar cane, cotton, vegetables and fruits. The women were engaged in cotton-weaving, while the men were farmers. The entry for Bantay by Buzeta Bravo mentioned that the town had a population of 5,699 souls with 1,194 persons who paid tribute. 36

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

the Doctrina Christiana written by Roberto Cardinal Belarmino. The Iloko translation was published in 1621. When Fr. Lopez wrote the first Iloko grammar book, Arte de La Lengua Ilokana, he acknowleged the invaluable assistance of Bukaneg. During the American period, William Howard Taft, then head of the Taft Commission, met with the constituents of Ilocos Sur on August 16, 1901. In that meeting, the town of Bantay

Bantay

One may assume that these persons were members of the town’s elite. The names also reflect the practice of acquiring

surnames starting with a particular letter of the alphabet, in this case the letter “P. This was in compliance with an order of then Governor-General Narciso Claveria allowing Filipinos to assume Christian surnames. It appears that the inhabitants of Bantay were required to have their surnames start with the letter “P.” During the Japanese Occupation, a bomb was said to have exploded in the periphery of the church of Bantay. Town residents reportedly invoked the intercession of the Our Lady of Charity, so the damage was not great. In 1969, Bantay hit the headlines of national newspapers. An armed group called “Saka-Saka” (Ilocano term for barefoot) burned two barrios of

Apo Caridad

Christ the King Parish

was represented by the following: Presidente Daniel Paz Juez de Paz Benito Pilar Representantes Gregorio Pe Benito Jose Maria Paz Mariano H. Pilar Miguel Parrell Canuto Pilar Jose Purugganan Baltasar Pilar Macario Pe Benito Domingo Perez Enrique Maria Paz Alejandro Paz Pio Pilar Paz Esteban Pe Cipriano Paz Benigno Castro

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Bantay: Ora East and Ora Centro. The “Saka-Saka” represented a private army of a political group then existing in the province at that time.

Church

PARISH PRIESTS REV. BEN A. PAREDES St. Paul College of Ilocos Sur REV. RAYMOND J. ANCHETA St. Agustine Parish REV. MAGDALENO R. RUELO JR. St. Augustine Parish REV. AMANCIO A. GARCIA Christ the King Parish Paing, Bantay, Ilocos Sur

The church originally made of bamboo and cogon was built by the Augustinians. The convent of Bantay housed the Augustinians

who exercised jurisdiction over the towns of Santa, San Ildefonso, Magsingal, San Vicente, Caoayan and Santa Catalina. Bishop Rufino Sanchez de Santa Justa transferred the administration of the parish to a secular nature in 1772. Fr. Pedro Blanquier became the town’s full-fledged parish priest. The construction of the church may have started between 1691 and 1692. By the time it was finished, it had three altars, each having a gilded retablo, one nave, a transept and two aisles. The church was made of bricks and harigues or wooden posts. The church was 27 brazas (45.09 meters) long and seven (11.69 meters) wide. By 1848, the Bantay church was described “as the best and the most beautiful in the Ilocos

Saint Augustine of Hippo, Christ the King Bantay

Province.” The church is dedicated to St. Augustine of Hippo whose feast days are on May 5 and August 28 (when Augustine was converted to Christianity). Enshrined in the church is the image of Apo Caridad or Our Lady of Charity, whose feast day falls on the first Sunday of September. The image is said to be the oldest Marian image in Ilocos. Measuring 50 inches tall, it is made of wood, but its face and hands are made of ivory. Many miracles have been attributed to the image. It is said that it was through her intercession that the church and convent of Bantay were spared from destruction during the Malong Revolt in 1661. During the Silang uprising in 1761-1763, Bishops Bernardo Ustariz and his Spanish conferes were saved from death reportedly due to the intercession of Apo Caridad. The church sustained minimal damages during the Japanese Occupation, also attributed to the merciful hand of Apo Caridad. A novena written for Apo Caridad, and approved by Bishop Ustariz cited cases of curing the blind, the lame and the gravely ill; immediate assistance during times of drought and calamities; mercy for sinners; conversion of sinners and strength in times of temptation; unity of families; happy deaths, help at child births and healing of hemorrhage have been attributed to her. Her feast day is celebrated with great solemnity and is very well-attended. After the war, the church was rebuilt and on January 12, 1956, the image was crowned by Apostolic Nucio Egidio Vagnozzi who proclaimed Apo Caridad the Queen of Ilocandia. The façade of the church shows a mix of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque features. The blind pointed arches are Gothic, the decorative volutes around the windows on the second are Baroque in nature, and the central windows are Romanesque. Another church of Bantay is the Christ the King Parish located in Paing, Eastern Bantay. The church is dedicated to Christ the King whose feast day falls on the Sunday before Advent. The parish was

inaugurated on December 12, 1953 with Rev. Msgr. Pedro Arrogante as its first parish priest.

Industries

Bantay is famous for its chicharon in Taleb; the reproduction of antique furnitures in Mira; the bagnet and meat crumbs (ladek) in the Poblacion and fine gold jewelry. Loom weaving is listed as the town’s product under the One Town, One Product (OTOP) scheme.

Places to Visit

1. Saint Augustine Church. This church was built in 1590 by the Augustinians. The church enshrines the miraculous Apo Caridad or the Lady of Charity who is considered the Patroness of Ilocandia. Not far from the church is the belltower which provides a panoramic view of the town. 2. Quirino Bridge. This bridge links the rocky mountains slopes of Santa and Bantay towns is also called Banaoang Bridge before it was renamed in honor of Elpidio Quirino, former president of the Philippines and an illustrious son of Ilocos Sur. 3. Victoria Park. This park named after the only daughter of President Elpidio Quirino boasts of a waterfall called Caniao Falls. It supplies Vigan and other neighboring towns with natural spring water. A botanical garden is found inside the park which attracts nature lovers. 4. Mount Tupira. This is the summit of Mt. Caniao. It was here where Diego Silang constructed a fort during the British Occupation of the Philippines. In this stronghold, Diego Silang met his death in the hands of his friends, Miguel Vicos. The Diego Silang Park has been constructed on the site in honor of the hero. Endnotes 1

2 3 4

Fr. Manuel Buzeta and Fr. Felipe Bravo. Diccionario, geografico, estadistico, historic de las islas Filipinas. (Madrid, 1850) vol. 1, p.321. Symbols of the State: Municipalities of Northern Luzon, p.97. Symbols of the State: Municipalities of Northern Luzon, p.99 Blair and Robertson. The Philippine Islands, (Mandaluyong, Rizal: Canchos Hermanos, 1973), Vol. 5, p.109 Fr. Manuel Buzeta and Fr. Felipe Bravo. Diccionario geografico, estadistico, de las islas Filipinas (Madrid:1850), Vol.1, p.344

Ilocos Sur Adventure Zone was constructed in 2011 with attractions like Zipline, Wall Climbing, Rappelling and Kayaking The longest zipline in Luzon crosses the Abra River. Rappelling is a favorite outdoor sport of locals and visitors at the historical Banaoang Bridge in Bantay. 40

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Bantay

QUIRINO BRIDGE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The bridge across the Abra River survived the bombings during World War II, formerly known as Banaoang Bridge. It has been renamed after the late President Elpidio Quirino.

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Bantay Bell Tower

Bantay

Government

Burgos is a fourth class municipality with 26 barangays. These barangays are the following: 1. Ambugat 11. Luna 2. Balugang 12. Macaoayan 3. Bangbangar 13. Mambug 4. Bessang 14. Manaboc 5. Cabcaburao 15. Mapanit 6. Cadacad 16. Poblacion Sur (Masingit) 7. Callitong 17. Nagpanaoan 8. Dayanki 18. Dirdirig (Dirdirig-Padayao) 9. Lubing 19. Padayao 10. Lucaban 20. Paduros 44

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

21. Patac 22. Poblacion Norte (Bato) 23. Sabangan Pinggan

Etymology

24. Subadi Norte 25. Subadi Sur 26. Taliao

The town is named after Fr. Jose Apolonio Burgos, an illustrious son of Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Fr. Burgos was one of the three priests martyred as an aftermath of the Cavite Mutiny in 1872. Fr. Burgos championed the cause of the secularization of parishes or the turning over of the administration of parishes to secular priests, in particular, to Filipino seculars.

BURGOS MAYORS Name

Logo

The shield in the logo is derived from the provincial seal of Ilocos Sur. The three stars stand for the three martyred priests: Fr. Mariano Gomez, Fr. Jose Burgos and Fr. Jacinto Zamora. The Upper half of the seal with a green background shows mountain and lowland areas which represent the topography of the town. The tobacco plant represents the crop cultivated in the lowland while the plow symbolizes the main livelihood of the people which is agriculture.

Length of Service

ROMUALDO BALBALAN

1934-1935

JUAN SISON

1938-1944

ANTONIO LAAGUEN

1946-1947

LEOCADIO G. DIRECTO

1948-1951

FIDEL ESCOBAR

1952-1954

JUAN REINANTE

1954-1955

SANTOS D. FORONDA

1960-1963

BENJAMIN ESCOBAR

1964-1979

BRIGIDO FILART

1980-1987

CONSUELO D. BRILLANTES

1992-2001

NATANIEL ESCOBAR

2001-2010

RIOLITA R. BALBALAN

2010-2019

History

During the Spanish period, Burgos was composed of two rancherias: Rancheria Nueva Coveta which had 15 barrios, and Rancheria Bato which had six barrios. Rancheria Coveta was said to have been founded by Fr. Bernardo Lago in 1831 while Rancheria Bato became a pueblo in 1878. Fathers Buzeta and Bravo described Coveta as a base for missionaries who wanted to convert the natives inhabiting the mountains to the Catholic faith. Burgos

Bato, on the other hand, was originally referred to as Dulao. Most of the inhabitants of Dulao were Ilocanos. A river separated Dulao from the southern part. Further down the river was a huge white rock which protected the village from the overflow. Since then, the village Dulao was called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Batoâ&#x20AC;? meaning rock. It assumed this name by the time it was a rancheria. In 1908, Rancheria Coveta was converted to a township and was annexed to the adjacent town of Santiago. That same year, Rancheria Bato was also made a township and the center or poblacion of the new town called Burgos. In 1920, both townships were united to form the town of Burgos with the seat of government or poblacion established in Coveta, a move undertaken by the elected municipal president, Don Diego Foronda II. Apparently there was an agreement between the leaders of Coveta and Bago before the election of Don Foronda II, that the seat of government of Burgos would be Bato, a matter which Foronda II chose to ignore. The residents of Bato under the leadership of Don Leoncio Filart wrote a petition to the insular government of the United States as well as to the President of the United States reiterating an earlier agreement that the seat of government of Burgos should be in Bato and not in Coveta. In 1932, the US President approved the petition establishing the seat of government to Bato. By virtue of this act, the municipal building in Coveta was dismantled and moved to Bato. With Bato declared the seat of government, Coveta was renamed Luna after the hero Antonio Luna by virtue of Commonwealth Act No. 576 enacted on June 8, 1940. During the Japanese Occupation, most inhabitants of Burgos evacuated to the mountains. In August 1944, the Japanese occupied Burgos forcing its mayor, Mayor Juan Sison, to evacuate his family to Vigan. Two months later, Sison was executed by the Japanese. Upon the return of the Commonwealth Government, Burgos was headed by Don Brigado Filart. Burgos has been witness to some unique events in its political life. In the 1951 election, the two rival candidates decided to divide the term of office of the mayor. Don Fidel Escobar served as mayor from 1952 to 1953 while Don Juan Reinante occupied the post from 1953-54. In 1992, Burgos had its first woman mayor in the person of Consuelo D. Brillantes. 46

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Municipal Hall of Burgos

Burgos

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

A cleared and leveled open field in Burgos town served as an emergency airfield for guerillas during World War II

Burgos

1944 August â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Japanese occupied Burgos forcing Mayor Juan Sison to evacuate his family to Vigan. He was later executed by the Japanese.

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Burgos

Church

The church of Burgos is called The Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish. Its patron saint is the Most Holy Name of Jeus whose feast day is celebrated Sunday after the feast of the Baptism of Christ. The parish was canonically erected on August 10, 1933 in the barrio of Luna. Its first parish priest was Rev. Raymundo Mapanao who was responsible for building the church and the convent.

PARISH PRIEST REV. ALOYSIUS F. MALCABA Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish

Holy Name of Jesus

Most Holy Name ofJesus Parsh Church

Industries

the fi rst begnas is called sumikaban. The first rainfall of the year becomes an occasion for the sumikaban. The elders offer prayers to Kabunian for sending the rain. The second time a begnas takes place is after the planting of seeds. This begnas called bumangkagan supplicates Kabunian to bless the seeds planted. Harvest time is when the last begnas called pangani takes place. On this occasion, a prayer of thanksgiving to Kabunian and celebration marks the begnas.

The town cultivates tobacco and corn extensively but palay is listed as its main crop.

Inhabitants

Burgos is home to two ethno-linguistic groups â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Kankanays who are found in Barangay Lucaban; and the Tinggians who reside in Mambug. These two ethnolinguistic groups continue to practice their traditions such as the ceremony called begnas. Celebrated three times a year, 52

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

When the begnas is held, pigs are butchered and the whole community partakes of a feast. The song â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sallidumayâ&#x20AC;? is sung while the ladek is danced. Another tradition observed by these ethnolinguistic groups is the construction of a structure called the dap-ay. The dap-ay is a place where the community congregates to perform the begnas, to try cases and mete out their corresponding punishments; as well as a place to sleep especially for the men. The dap-ay is also

where the gangsa (gong) tambor(drum) and other ceremonial paraphernalia are kept. It is also in the dap-ay where the whipping bench is found where an offender is ordered to lie on his stomach and is whipped using a cane made of wood or leather.

Places to Visit

1. Pasungol Cave 2. Siminublan Falls 3. Publo Antonio Luna Burgos

Begnas Festival

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Burgos

Location

Cabugao is bounded in the south by the municipality of San Juan (formerly Lapog), on the east by the provinces of Abra and Ilocos Norte, on the west by the West Philippine Sea and on the north by the municipality of Sinait.

Topography

The Cordillera mountain range found in the eastern part of Cabugao is the source of potable drinking water for the poblacion and 13 other barangays. The mountain range is rich in wild life and is a favorite hunting ground for animals, birds and fowl. The townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plains are broken by the presence of hills like those found in Barangays Nagsantaan, Bato, Reppaac, Pug-os, Bungro, Pila, Dardarat and Salomague. A port can also be found on an island called Salomague. The Cabugao River, that cuts across the town, tends to overflow at times, affecting barangays found along its banks. 56

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Municipal Hall of Cabugao

12. Cuancabal 13. Cuantacla 14. Daclapan 15. Dardarat 16. Lipit 17. Maradodon

29. 30. 31. 32. 33.

Salapasap Salomague Sisim Turod Turod-Patac

Etymology

Government

Cabugao has 33 barangays: 1. Alinaay 18. Marga-ay 2. Aragan 19. Nagsantaan 3. Arnap 20. Nagsincaoan 4. Baclig 21. Namruangan 5. Bato 22. Pila 6. Bonifacio 23. Pug-os 7. Bungro 24. Quezon 8. Cacadiran 25. Reppaac 9. Caellayan 26. Rizal 10. Carusipan 27. Sabang 11. Catucdaan 28. Sagayaden

There are two versions of how Cabugao got its name. One version says the name was derived from the joining together of the words “Cabu,” meaning village chief, and the word “gao, a contraction of Aggao, the name of a chieftain. Finding it hard to pronounce Cabu Aggao, the Spaniardsd shortened it to Cabugao. The other version says that there was once a chieftain or Cabu who was fond of making jokes or “anggaw” in Ilocano, earning for him the name Cabu Angaw. Cabu Angaw’s tribe was said to have been defeated in an inter-tribal war, forcing him to leave the place and move to another village where he was warmly welcomed by its inhabitants. Cabu Angaw endeared himself to the people and eventually became their leader. When he died, he was deeply mourned and his people were referred to as “taga Cabu Angaw” or coming from Cabu Angaw. The Spaniards eventually associated the people with the place.they later called Cabugao.

Cabugao

CABUGAO MAYORS Name MARCOS MANACBIT MARTIN DE OCAMPO MARCOS SANTIAGO VICENTE DUQUE PABLO VALLEJO MARCOS SAVELLA MARCOS LUCAS DOMINGO BARTOLOME AGUSTIN AZCUETA PEDRO ANDRES GREGORIO FERNANDO MANUEL APARRI PEDRO FAUSTINO FLAVIO AZCUETA ANTONIO CASTRO GREGORIO MENA JOSE SABELLA BERNARDINO ARCEBAL TEODORO SANTIAGO FLAVIO AZCUETA FRANCISCO GUERRERO QUITERIO ARCEBAL FLAVIO AZCUETA JOSE LUCAS JOSE BACLIG MARIANO MANUEL SABELLA TEODORO SANTIAGO PEDRO GUERRERO MARIO CASTRO SANTIAGO ACUÑA UBALDO GUERRERO JUAN SANTIAGO DINICIO ARCEBAL MARCELO ESPIRITU

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Length of Service 1710 1781 1782 1783 1784 1785 1786 1787 1788 1789 1790 1791 1792 1793-1794 1795 1796 1797 1798 1799 1800 1801 1802 1803 1804 1805 1806 1807 1808 1809 1810 1811 1812 1813 1814

JUAN LUCAS MARIANO FAUSTINO SANTIAGO ACUÑA LONGINO GUILLERMO JUAN SANTIAGO JUAN DE LOS SANTOS JUAN CARASCO GREGORIO FERNANDO FAUSTINO FERNANDO JUAN SALAZAR RUPERTO REYES GUILLERMO BAÑO RUPERTO FERNANDO JOSE ENRIQUEZ PEDRO DE LOS SANTOS QUITERIO ARCEBAL MARIANO GUERRERO FAUSTO FERNANDO RUPERTO REYES JULIAN CASTRO GREGORIO ARCEBAL PEDRO SANTIAGO GREGORIO ARCEBAL CANUTO SINFOROSO AZCUETA TELESFORO SERRANO QUITERIO ARCEBAL FRANCISCO BENITO JUAN PASCUAL SEVILLEJA GREGORIO ARCEBAL JUAN AZCUETA RAFAEL SANTIAGO MARIANO BENITO VICENTE FERNANDO MANUEL GUILLERMO TELESFORO SERRANO JUAN DE LOS SANTOS

1815 1816 1817 1818 1819 1820 1821 1822 1823 1824 1825 1826 1827 1828 1829 1830 1831 1832 1833 1834 1835 1836 1837 1838 1839 1840 1841 1842 1843 1844 1845 1846 1847 1848 1849-1850 1851

CANUTO SEGUI RAFAEL CASTILLO ISIDRO FLORES FRANCISCO AZCUETA VALENTIN SALAZAR ENGRACIO SULLER PATRICIO FARINA AZCUETA NICOLAS SEGUI AZCUETA PEDRO SULLER MANUEL ARCEBAL SINFOROSO ARCEBAL MARIANO MARCOS CONCEPCION TEODORO SULLER MANUEL ARCEBAL MACARIO SULLER ROMUALDO SABELLA TEODORO SULLER MANUEL ARCEBAL JOSE SABELLA JOSE SIVILA FILOMENO SEVILLEJA JUAN CONCEPCION CELESTINO GONZALES LEANDRO RAMOS TEODORO SULLER COSME CONCEPCION LEANDRO RAMOS NORBERTO CONCEPCION GORGONIO DONATO SISON y SULLER BASILIO NORIEGA EULOGIO SERNA MAXIMIANO SUERO GORGONIO DONATO SISON y SULLER (2) First elected mayor under the United States military government ANGEL PACIS DE SAN MATEO

1852 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 1859 1860 1861-1862 1863 1864 1865-1868 1869 1870-1871 1872-1873 1874-1875 1876-1877 1878 1879 1880-1882 1883-1884 1885-1886 1887-1889 1890 1891-1892 1893-1895 1896-1897 1898 1899 1900-1901 1902-1903

1903-1904 1904-1905

SIMEON AZCUETA SERRANO 1906-1907 DOMINGO SINGSON 1908-1909 BERNARDINO SOLLER 1910-1911 CRISPIN SERRANO 1912-1916 GREGORIO ARCEBAL 1917-1922 GREGORIO SISON y SULLER 1922-1927 CRISPIN SERRANO (6) 1928-1931 CELESTINO AZCUETA SOLLER 1931-1937 SEBASTIAN SIRUNO 1938-1942 ROBUSTIANO BERNARDEZ Provisional Japanese military government mayor for several months 1942 SEBASTIAN SIRUNO Continued as mayor under Japanese Occupation, the second Philippine Republic and post war years

1943

MARCOS VEGA (Guerrilla underground government)

1943

SEBASTIAN SIRUNO (7) MARCOS VEGA (2) SEBASTIAN SIRUNO (8) MARCOS VEGA (3) SEBASTIAN SIRUNO SEVERO CORPUZ SIMEON SOLLER SIMEON SERRANO LUCIO ZABALA Assassinated in August 1959

1944 1944 1945 1945 1946-1947 1948-1951 1952-1954 1955 1956-1959

SANTOS SABIO VICTORINO A. SAVELLANO ALBERTO A. SOLLER PACIFICO P. APOSTOL M.D CRESCENCIO S. AZCUETA, M.D ANDREA G. SOLLER-TAN BENDELL SOLLER-TAN DIOCAESAR S. SUERO, M.D EDGARDO S. COBANGBANG, JR. JOSH EDWARD S. COBANGBANG

Aug.-Dec. 1959 1960- Sep. 8, 1968 Sep. 9, 1968-1971 1971-1981 Jan 3, 1981-1986 1986-1997 1998-2000 2001-2010 2010-2016 2016-2019

Cabugao

Logo

The shield on the seal is derived from the provincial seal of Ilocos Sur. The numbers 1781 denote the year when the town was founded. The drawings of a port and a lighthouse represent the two important landmarks of the town, Salomague Port and the Dardarat Lighthouse. The three agricultural products that are income earners for the municipality are illustrated by the fish, the tobacco leaf and the sheaves of palay.

History

Cabugao, together with the adjacent town of Sinait, was mentioned in 1591 as a royal encomienda owned by the King of Spain. Together with Sinait, Cabugao collected tribute in the amount of P1,000, for a population of 4,000 residents. The two towns had a judge, no schools and needed two priests.1 By the 19th century, Buzeta and Bravo2 mentioned that the old name of Cabugao was Cabugas. Founded in 1722, Cabugao was said to be one of the best towns of Ilocos Sur (uno de los mejores de la provincial). The town at that time had 1,421 houses, mostly of simple construction. Its stone structures included the parochial house, tribunal or town hall, the primary school, and the church dedicated to St. Mark, the Evangelist. East of the town was a barrio called Santa Barbara and composed of new converts, and other barrios inhabited by non-Christians called Dangisen and Pagsingcauan. At the northern part of the town was a river, and on the western part, an excellent port called Salomagui or Salomague. Buzeta and Bravo were of the opinion that this port could be the key towards the development of the town as it could link Cabugao to other parts of Luzon. The boundaries of Cabugao during the 19th century were the following: Lapog in the south, Sinait in the north, Salomague port in the west and the mountains of Maguinaten and Cabatingan. 60

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

“KABU ANGAW” – The village was headed by a chieftain known

as “KABU ANGA,” known for his wit and humor. Cabugao

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

1762 (December 24) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Diego Silang wins his first battle against the Spaniards in Balaywak, Cabugao.

Cabugao

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

1900 (January 14) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The only artillery duel of the FilipinoAmerican war in Ilocos fought in heavily-fortified Mount Bimmuaya, Maradondon in Cabugao. Killed were 20 Filipino soldiers, including 2nd Lt. Antonio Singson and Andres Gabriel.

Cabugao

1900 (March 4) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Amercian garrison installed in Cabugao. 66

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Buzeta and Bravo described the soil as fertile and dedicated to the cultivation of palay, coconut, bananas, mangoes and vegetables. Agriculture is the major occupation of the inhabitants with the women engaged in cottonweaving. Its population in the 19th century was 9,267, and the tribute payers numbered 2,021. During the Philippine Revolution, the Centenos of Cabugao were suspected by the Spanish authorities of harboring separatist tendencies. Under the guise of holding horse races and Guardia de Honor meetings, the Centenos held meetings ostensibly for these purposes in their house.3 Cabugao figured prominently during the resistance against the United States, with American soldiers stationed in Cabugao. Every Sunday for seven consecutive weeks, the revolutionaries mounted attacks against the Americans.4 To prevent the local populace from providing the revolutionaries with food and other provisions, the Americans resorted to burning the palay harvest of Cabugao in 1901. The same year, they forced the barrio residents of Cabugao to reside in the town proper in order to cut the links between the revolutionaries and the local population. In short, the policy of reconcentration was practiced by the Americans in Cabugao. Hand in hand with the military efforts of the Americans was the establishment of a civilian government. William Howard Taft, the first American civil governor, visited Ilocos Sur on August 16, 1901 to meet with local government officials of the province. Representing the town of Cabugao were the following: Presidente Maximiano Suero Juez de Paz Gregorio Sison Representantes Ambrosio Serna Esteban Savellano Eduardo Cabangbang Pedro Santella Santiago Sol Through Salomague Port, Ilocanos during the American period boarded ships that would take them to Hawaii to work in sugarcane and pineapple plantations as well as use the islands as a jump off point to California. In 1927, the Cabugao Institute was founded, becoming the alma mater of many distinguished residents of the town. The port was controlled by the Japanese during the Japanese Occupation but eventually regained by Filipino guerillas on April 4, 1945. Cabugao

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

1900 (September 9) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; American paymaster and escort were ambushed in Cabugao, with one dead.

Cabugao

Eustaquio Baclig, a native of Cabugao town in Ilocos Sur, was born on September 16, 1893. Although he came from a poor family, Baclig was able to finish his elementary schooling at Escuela de Gabaldon in Cabugao, and his high school education at Vigan High School, through the help of Don Crispin Serrano, then the municipal president of Cabugao. Serrano helped Baclig obtain the position of janitor at Vigan High School while pursuing his studies. Upon graduation from high school, Baclig went to Silliman University jn Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental for his college studies. An opportunity to study at the prestigious West Point military acadaemy in the United States came his way after he passed its tough entrance examinations.. In 1917, Baclig obtained a degree in engineering degree from the school.. Upon his return to the Philippines, he married Juana Farinas and became one of the founders of Cabugao Institute in 1927. His military assignments as a Lieutenant Coronel included a stint at Camp Eldrige in Laguna and Ft. Stotsenberg (Clark Field) in Pampanga. In 1941, Baclig was designated Division Chief of Staff of the 101st Division under Col. JosynVachon in Mindanao. When World War II broke out, the camp of the 101st Division was overrun by the Japanese, Baclig was captured and became a Prisoner of War. He was brought to Fort Santiago in Manila and was one of the casualties of war after Japanese troops killed the prisoners held inthe forr on November 30, 1944. President Manuel Quezon conferred on Baclig the Purple Cross, the highest award given to a soldier and was posthumously promoted to Full Star General for â&#x20AC;&#x153;his gallantry and heroism.â&#x20AC;? In 1959, during the term of President Carlos P. Garcia, a barangay in Cabugao where farming and fishing are the principal means of livelihood, was named after EustaquioBaclig, a fitting tribute to an illustrious son of the town.

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Cabugao

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

1944 (November 30) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Colonel Baclig was killed in Fort Santiago.

Cabugao

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

1945 (March 22) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Three companies of the 15th Inf. United States Armed Forces in the Philippines, Northern Luzon (USAFIPNL) attacked Japanese defenses at Cabugao, but they were repulsed by heavy locals reinforcements.

Cabugao

Life of a Sakada during the 1940s: the story of Isaac Feig

saac Feig was one of 6,000 Filipino workers in the mid-1940s recruited by an American company to work in the pineapple and sugarplantations of Hawaii. Together with the rest of his countrymen, Feig boarded the ship “Maunawili” which left the port of Salomague in Cabugao town, Ilocos Sur in 1946. The trip to Hawaii took 16 days. Feig’s Hawaiian adventure as a “sakada” (migrant worker) remains fresh in his memory, even if he is now 86 years old. The American company based in Vigan recruited residents who were asked to choose between working in a pineapple field or in a sugarcane field. If they qualified, they were given a piece of paper that served as their passport and working visa. Days before the trip, rumors circulated that the recruits were going to Russia instead to be drafted for the war. Some backed out and eventually sold their contracts to other interested countrymen. On the cargo ship headed to Hawaii, the 16year-old Feig tried his hand at making money. Assigned to take care of fellow Filipinos who were seasick, he was given fruits by the ship’s steward as payment for his services. The enterprising Feig, however, sold the fruits to his fellow Filipinos. He recalled that he was able to sell an orange for a peso. By the time he arrived in Hawaii, he had raised money enough to send money to his family in Ilocos Sur. The teenager was happy to arrive in Hawaii knowing that a job awaited him. However, not everybody was as enthusiastic as he was. Some did not take their jobs seriously. Feig’s first job was clearing the weeds that grew wild and abundant in the fields. For this, he was paid a daily wage of $4.87. Once, he asked a fellow worker what was the best job in the sugarcane plantation. He was told that working in the boiler room where sugar cane juice was produced was what most everyone wanted.

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

With his modest educational background, the company felt that he was best suited for work in the warehouse which supplied all the needs of the sugarcane plantation, like spare parts. Within a span of two months, he had already mastered the job. Many of his compatriots were not serious with their work and did not bother to send money to their families back home. Some of those who were already married passed themselves off as bachelors, and began courting the local women. But not Feig. He wanted to save money to send home. Not everything was work, he recalled. In their leisure time, many of the sakadas spent hours and money at the dancing halls. For the price of one centavo, a man could dance with a woman. The plantation had also a gym which was also the venue for weddings, baptismal parties and birthday celebrations for the Filipino community. What Feig thought was a short stay in Hawaii seemed almost a lifetime. His three-year contract stretched to what seemed like forever since his status had changed from that of a seasonal worker to a permanent employee. Later, he became active in labor union activities and, in fact, become one of its leaders. From working with weeds, Feig moved up to become a warehouse keeper, a welder, a photographer and finally a teacher. His story is a living testimony of an Ilocano “sakada” who made good in Hawaii. From someone who has struggled from humble beginnings to become the man that he is today, Feig has one simple advice to the youth of today: Get an education as this is the key to a better life, and a definite plus especially if one decides to work abroad. He added that the youth should also practice discipline and pursue their goals even if they meet obstacles along the way, because these only make them stronger.

Cabugao

George Barbers, American soldier who was part of US military assigned to the Philippines during the US occupation. He counts among his family members of the Barbers clan in Ilocos Sur.

Sakada bound for Hawaiiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plantations board American steamship in Port Salomague, Cabugao

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Cabugao

June 4, 1930 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; December 13, 1998 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Victorino A. Savellano was destined to soar high in his chosen career as a lawyer. Savellano who was born in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur graduated Valedictorian at the Cabugao Elementary School; Second Honor at the Ilocos Sur High School; and finished Law at the University of the Philippines in 1954. His stint in public service started when he was elected Mayor of Cabugao from 1959 until 1967. Practicing his profession as a lawyer, Savellano was appointed Judge of the Court of First Instance, Branch IV in Sanchez Mira, Cagayan on August 1968 and then later Judge of the Court of First Instance, Branch XIX in Manila on August 1972. A feather in his cap was his appointment as Commissioner of the Commission on Elections for a term of seven years (19801987). Two years before his term expired, Savellano was appointed Chairman of the Commission on Elections. Savellano is married to Virginia Barbers with whom he has five children: Deogracias Victor, Reina Virginia, Ana Marie, Ma. Carmen and Ma. Josefa Athena. The eldest child, Deogracias Victor served as Vice Mayor of Cabugao and later as Governor of the province of Ilocos Sur. Currently he seats as Representative of the province of Ilocos Sur in the present Congress of the Philippines.

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Irrigation system project

Presiding judge

Appointed Comelec chairman by former President Ferdinand E. Marcos

Cabugao

Jose Maria Sison - Born in the town of Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, Jose Maria graduated from the University of the Philippines in 1959 where he became a professor of literature. Sison founded the Communist Party of the Philippines in 1968. Presently based in Utrecht, the Netherlands, Sison is the Chief Political Consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, currently involved in peace talks with the government.

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Cabugao

CABUGAO BOMBING - April 25, 1972 , a grenade attack marked the coronation night of the town fiesta queen killing 13 and wounding hundreds. Governor Chavit Singson who was then 29 years old was wounded by a piece of shrapnel embedded in his left elbow. DV Savellano who was then 7 years old was also hurt in the incident.

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Cabugao

December 16, 1987 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; DV Savellano and Mariano Tajon, who were both running for posts in the local elections (DV as board member and Tajon as vice governor), were held at a New Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Army (NPA) checkpoint at 11 p.m. near the Osmena bridge in Cabugao town.. They came from a campaign rally and were heading home when six members of the NPA appeared and told them to alight from their vehicles. On December 17, they were brought to the mountains and were held captive for 30 days They were later released unharmed.

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Cabugao

Saint Mark the Evangelist Parish Church 88

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

PARISH PRIESTS Rev. Ronald T. Dona St. Mark the Evangelist Parish Rev. Felicismo A. Ferrer St. Mark the Evangelist Parish

Saint Mark the Evangelist

Church

The church dedicated to St. Mark the Evangelist, whose feast day falls on April 25, was built from 1695-1696 by Fr. Andres Canalejo. Before Cabugao church became an independent parish in 1725, it was a visita of Badoc, and much later, of Sinait. To comply with the order of secularization of parishes in 1772, Cabugao, which was formerly Cabugao

Church

Cabugao Institute

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

The church has a Baroque faรงade. The main entrance has a semicircular arch flanked by a pair of Doric columns and blind windows on both sides. The second level has three arched windows, while the pediment has a circular window. Beside the faรงade is a four-story octagonal bell tower, with alternating blind and open semicircular arched windows.

Inhabitants

Cabugao is home to the Itnegs who live in two barangays, Sisim and Nagsincaoan. The Itnegs make a living through basket-weaving.

Industries

The townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading industries are bamboo craft, salt-making, agriculture and tobacco. Its top three priority products are bamboo craft, vegetables and salt. Under the One Town, One Product (OTOP) scheme, Cabugao listed bamboo crafts as its main product.

Kawayan festival

Places to Visit

Located along the coast of the China Sea, Cabugao counts among its natural attractions beaches, such as Pug-os Beach with its white sand and beach resorts; Dardarat Beach, visited not only for its resorts but also for being a model in coastal resource management; and Sabang Beach, which is being developed as a snorkeling and surfing area. From Sabang Beach, one can reach the 109-hectare Salomague Island. The waters surrounding Salomague are considered a fish sanctuary and ideal for scuba divers. Cabugao

Sakada Shrine

Salapasap Beach, is said to be an alternative to Pug-os beach, is also known for its salt-making industry while sand dunes remain the number one attraction of Daclapan Beach. Among the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s historical sites are St. Mark the Evangelist Church, Cabugao Institute, and Salomague Port. Cabugao boasts of statues of Lady Magarang, the only woman member of the Veterans of World

War II; Antonio Luna and Andres Bonifacio and a Sakada Shrine which was unveiled on January 8, 2006 to commemorate the centennial of the Sakada migration to the United States. Sakadas were seasonal workers who worked in sugarcane plantations in Hawaii. The first batch composed of 15 Filipino workers left the port of Manila for Hawaii in 1906. Museo de Belenes architectural design

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Pug-os Beach (top) and Salomague Island (below)

Endnotes 1

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Account of Encomiendas in the Philippines Prepared by the Governor and Captain General Gomez Perez Dasmarinasâ&#x20AC;? in Documentary Sources of Philippine History compiled, edited and annotated by Gregorio Zaide. Manila: National Book store, 1990. Vol. 3 2 Fr. Manuel Buzeta et Fr. Felipe Bravo. Diccionario geografico, estadistico, historic de las Islas Filipinas. Madrid: 1850, pp. 429-430 3 William Henry Scott. Ilocano Responses to American Aggression, 1900-1901. Quezon City, Philippines: New Day Publishers, 1986. P. 14,16 4 Ibid, p. 29

Cabugao

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

SALOMAGUE PORT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The port of Salomague prides itself on the fact that it is found on the international marinerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s map. An ancient port of call for seafarers, merchants and mariners from different Asian countries, the port became a place of embarkation for ilocanos hired to work in the sugar plantations of hawaii and California during the American period. In 1965, President Ferdinand E. Marcos by virtue of Republic Act 4559, converted the then Port of Cabugao, now known as the Port of Salomague, to an international port of entry. The Port of Salomague was declared as a permanent international point of entry by President Fidel V. Ramos on June 14, 1997. It is now under lease by a private corporation for 25 years, serving as a transhipment port of goods and products on its way to Taiwan as well as an unloading point for commercial fishing vessels. Cabugao

“KANDONG TREE” – Friars order the cutting of the Kandong tree. The timber was used in the construction of the first Roman Catholic church in the country in the 16th century.

Location

The city is bounded on the south by the municipality of Santa Lucia; on the southeast by the municipality of Salcedo; on the east by the municipalities of Galimuyod and San Emilio, on the north by the municipalities of Santiago and Banayoyo and on the west by the China Sea.

Topography

Situated in the lower central portion of the province, Candonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elevation ranges from 10-500 feet.

Government

Candon is a fourth-class city of the province. It acquired its status as a city on March 28, 2001 by virtue of Republic Act 9018. The following are the 42 barangays of the town: 7. Bagani Tocgo 1. Allangigan 1st 8. Bagani Ubbog 2. Allangigan 2nd 3. Amguid 9. Bagar 4. Ayudante 10. Balingaoan 5. Bagani Campo 11. Bugnay 6. Bagani Gabor 12. Calaoa-an Candon

13. Calongbuyan 14. Catarman 15. Cubcubbuot 16. Darapidap 17. Langlangca 1st 18. Langlangca 2nd 19. Oaig Daya 20. Palacapac 21. Paras 22. Parioc 1st 23. Parioc 2nd 24. Patpata 1st 25. Patpata 2nd 26. Paypayad 27. Salvador 1st 28. Salvador 2nd 29. San Agustin

30. San Andres 31. San Antonio (Poblacion) 32. San Isidro (Poblacion) 33. San Jose (Poblacion) 34. San Juan (Poblacion) 35. San Nicolas 36. San Pedro 37. San Tomas 38. Tablac 39. Talogtog 40. Tamurong 1st 41. Tamurong 2nd 42. Villarica

Etymology

The word Candon comes from the name of a tree, now extinct, called “candong” The chieftain, Madalang and his daughter, Ineng, lived under the shade of this tree. Advancing in age, Madal-ang wanted his daughter married off before he died. Two chieftains vied for Ineng’s hand: Abay-a, who lived in a cave called Cadanglaan and Kalinio, who lived in Cauplasan cave. Whoever wins in a wrestling match called “Gabbu” against Madal-ang could claim Ineng’s hand. Kalinio won the match against Madal-ang and was wed to Ineng. In the course of the merry-making during the wedding, Captain Juan de Salcedo happened to pass by and inquired what was happening. Thinking that Salcedo wanted to know the name of their place, the natives replied:” candong”. The letter “g” was dropped and Candon came to be known as the name of the place.

City Hall of Candon

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Logo

The logo of the City has the following element: A shield derived from the provincial seal of Ilocos Sur; Blue and red colors, and three golden stars representing the flag that symbolizes the spirit of nationalism of the townspeople; A torch in the middle of the flag representing the spirit of 1898 symbolizes the desire of the people of Candon to live under a regime of liberty, justice and democracy. The saber and rifle crossed below the torch represents the vigilance and readiness of the Candonians to preserve and protect human rights and dignity.

The tobacco leaves stretched out behind the torch, saber and rifle represent the tobacco industry, the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s principal industry. The date March 25, 1898 enshrines the day when the people of Candon raised the banner of independence against Spanish rule, under the leadership of Don Isabelo Abaya and Don Fernando Guirnalda. The year 1780 marks the year when Candon was established. The banner below the emblem, on which is written Republic Act 9018 and March 28, 2001, represents the legislative act that transformed Candon from a town to a city.

History

CANDON CITY MAYORS Name ALEJANDRO SAMONTE

Length of Service 1945 - 1947, 1953 - 1956 - 1963

CLEMENTE ABAYA Appointed by Presidents Osmena, Quirino, Macapagal ?? 1964 - 1967 ROBERTO GUIRNALDA 1968 - 1971 ERIC D. SINGSON 1972 - 1976 ERIC D. SINGSON 1976 - 1980 ERIC D. SINGSON July 1, 1980 - June 30, 1984 FRANCISCO BONA July 1, 1984 - July 1986 ANTONIO ABAYA (Appointed by DILG) July-August 1986 EDUARDO MA. GUIRNALDA (Appointed by DILG) Aug. 1986 - Dec. 1987 DAVID GACUSANA (Appointed by DILG) Dec.2, 1987- Feb. 1988 EDUARDO MA. GUIRNALDA Aug. 1986 - June 30, 1992 GRACE G. SINGSON July 1992 - June 1995 GRACE G. SINGSON July 1995 - 1998 RAMON BALBIN 1998 - 2001 GRACE G. SINGSON 2001 - 2004 ALLEN G. SINGSON 2004 - 2013 ERICSON G. SINGSON 2013 - 2019

Candon started out as an encomienda1 owned by two Spaniards: Juan de Aregue and Ribas de Mendoza. Both were able to collect 900 tributes from 3,600 persons. The early report added that two priests were needed by the community. By the 19th century, Candon, described as one of the most peaceful and well-organized towns in the province, had 5,431 tribute payers and 18,455 souls. Included in the town were two mission territories called Santo Tomas and San Agustin, as well as ranches of the Tingguians and the Igorots. In the mountainous part of the town were pasture lands suitable for grazing horses and cattle, as well as for hunting wild game. In the plains, palay, corn, sugar cane, indigo, cotton, vegetables and fruits were cultivated. The principal industries were cotton-weaving, the manufacture of indigo and raising livestock. Candon boasted of a stone church, a town hall (tribunal), a primary school and a fortress called San Martin de Tiagan. The Candon fiesta, that falls on June 12, became the occasion for the holding of a Candon Exposition in 1892. The exposition showcased the economic prosperity of the province. Agricultural products such as type 8 indigo, tobacco, which could compete with that found in Isabela, wheat at par with that of California, potatoes from Benguet and rice were put on exhibit. Mineral resources such as Igorot gold and copper from Mankaya were also displayed. Candon

1826 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; An Igorot woman and Candon resident named Abay granted the people of Besao the right to collect land rentals on a piece of 100 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Igorot property in the Santa Lucia-Candon plain.

Awards were given during the occasion. Silver medals were handed to the following:2 Mena Crisologo, for his entry of 113 hundredweight of top-quality indigo produced in his plant; Roberto Guirnalda, for his invention of a bamboo scrapper used for processing maguey; Narciso Gray, for his exhibit of cows, stallions, sheep, goats and kids; Placido Guirnalda, for his reconstruction of an Aeta house, complete with two Aetas and a descriptive report of their life and customs; Francisco Teofisto Guirnalda, for his 18 different kinds of edible root crops collected in Candon; Victorino Abaya, for his display of decorated seashells which he himself worked on; Isabelo Abaya, for his display of textiles, blankets and table linens woven of Ilocano cotton. Gold medals were also awarded to Augustinian friar Rufino Redondo of San Juan for his novels and short stories written in Ilocano, and Isabelo de los Reyes for the three-year run of his bi-weekly newspaper, El Ilocano. The economic prosperity enjoyed by Candon paved the way for its elite attraction to Masonry, with Isabelo Abaya establishing a Masonic lodge called “Star of the South.” Abaya also recruited a group of Igorots from Sagada in the Cordillera to become members of the Katipunan, a secret society led by leading nationalist leaders at that time. When the Candon chapter of the Katipunan was discovered by the Spanish authorities on the night of March 24, 1898, Abaya and his men descended on the headquarters of the Guardia Civil and attacked its commanding officer. He, likewise, arrested three friars and several Spanish residents. The following day, Fernando Guirnalda assumed civil authority, declared martial law and proclaimed the Candon Republic that existed for three days. On March 28, 1898, the Spanish authorities sent cazadores (shock troops) to quell the resistance, reclaimed control of the local government and executed its leaders, except Abaya and the Guirnalda brothers who were able to escape. This event has been immortalized as “Ikkis ti Candon” or “Cry of Candon.” With the outbreak of the Filipino-American War, Abaya brought 225 Bontoc Igorots to Caloocan to face the Americans. When the Americans forces, led by General Samuel Young, arrived in Ilocos Sur, some 1,000 American troops established a garrison in Candon. Abaya mobilized a guerilla force on a rough mountaintop east of Candon on January 30, 1900. Candon 101

102 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

1898 (March 25) The Candon uprising led by Ilocano Katipunero Federico Isabelo Abaya. in the attack on the headquarters of the Guardia Civil.

Candon 103

IKKIS ti CANDON (Cry of Candon), March 28, 1898. Spanish authorities sent cazadores (shock troops) to quell the resistance and,reclaim the seat of local government, resulting in the execution of its leaders, except for Isabelo Abaya and the Guirnalda brothers who were able to escape their captors.

104 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Candon 105

1900 (January 29) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Capt. Isabelo Abaya was killed in action in Guilong, Candon 106 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

He did not hesitate killing townmates who did not serve the Filipino cause. The Ilocano leader met his death early in the war when he was killed in action on May 3, 1900. The Americans chose to kill Abaya out of fear of an attack from Gen. Manuel Tinio. Gen. Tinio was sent by Emilio Aguinaldo to liberate Ilocos Sur from the Spaniards. Abaya’s body was later put on display by the Americans in the Candon town plaza. Towards December 1900, the Katipunan movement spreads throughout Ilocos. In January 1901, 11 books containing oaths of allegiance to the movement were discovered in the convent of Candon. The oath, which was in printed form, read:3 _________________________________________ __________, a resident of __________ of the Province of Ilocos Sur, __________ years of age, __________ (civil status) and ___________ (occupation), desiring to enter the society called “Katipunan” pledges to obey everything in the Rules and Regulations, and all other conditions which may be imposed. ____________________________________ With the death of some of the leaders like Abaya as well as the surrender of others like Tinio, Ilocos Sur was passed on to the Americans. When the Taft Commission visited Ilocos Sur, Candon was represented in the first meeting between the Commission and the political leaders of the province. Representing Candon were the following: Presidente Pedro Legaspi Delegado Partido Federal Lino Abaya Secretario municipal Cipriano Abay Tesorero Victoriano Abaya Concejales Mariano Crisolo Elias Abaya Guillermo Alviar Isabelo Madaray Gregorio Mati Victorino Valvin Basilio Madarang A number of things can be gleaned from the list. The first is the prominence of the Abaya family in the town’s political life. Second, is the presence of members of the Federal Party, the only political party allowed to exist by the Americans. The party stood for the annexation of the Philippines as a state of the United States. Third, was the role played by Pedro Legaspi. As presidente municipal, Legaspi unabashedly showed his partiality for the Americans. He was reported to have serenaded the Americans who Candon 107

1942 – Candonino V. Gaerlan exemplified the bravery and patriotism of Candonians. With a handful of followers, he staged an ambush and subsequently destroyed the Alambique steel bridge to block advancing enemy forces. Several truckloads of Japanese forces and supplies perished along the national highway. In retaliation, Japanese soldiers razed the town proper in January 1942, resulting in what is considered the biggest fire in the history of Candon. 108 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Candon 109

110 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Military encounter between Filipino and American troops

Candon 111

Church

The church of Candon City dedicated to St. John Sahagun was built by the Augustinians in 1695 and then rebuilt again after the earthquake of 1707. The feast day of the parish of St. John Sahagun falls every June 12. Described as Baroque in architectural style, “the façade has a very graceful curvilinear form. The pediment is curved downward in a vault-like movement interrupted only by the volutes of the scroll-like decorations.” There are no open windows, just blind ones flanking the arched main entrance.

Saint John Sahagun Parish and Patron Saint

112 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

The first level has four pairs of Corinthian columns, while the second and third levels have two pairs of Tuscan columns. Adjacent to it is an octagonal four-storey bell tower with alternative blind and open windows. A campanile is found on top of the bell tower.â&#x20AC;? The other Catholic church in the city is the Our Lady Help of Christians Parish established in 1972. Its patron saint is Our Lady of Help Christians, whose feast day falls on May 24.

PARISH PRIESTS REV. LEOBARDO Y. INOFINADA St. John of Sahagun Parish MSGR. VICENTE B. AVILA St. John of Sahagun Parish REV. CARLITO B. FERIA St. John of Sahagun Parish REV. RANDY VAL A. DIZON Our Lady of Help of Christians Parish Talogtog, Candon City

Our Lady Help of Christians Patron Saint and Parish, Talogtog Candon 113

Tobacco festival

Industries

The top three priority products of Candon City are “cornick”, kalamay and labtang. The product that it has chosen under the One Town and One Product (OTOP) is kalamay. Its top industries are food processing, agriculture, tourism and tobacco.

Places to Visit

One of the interesting places to visit in Candon City is its old church, St. John Sahagun Parish. Houses dating back to the Spanish and early American periods are also one of the more enduring attractions of Candon City. The Chapel of the Campo Santo, dating back to the late 19th century and done in the baroque style, is worth visiting. Two old acacia trees labeled “Centennial Trees” by the City is another attraction. The two mature trees are about seven to 10 meters apart. One stands in front of the Candon Municipal Library. The other has been integrated to the support columns of a commercial building. These trees are 15 feet high and 20 feet in diameter, and offers shade to commuters waiting to ride the buses plying the Vigan-Laoag (Ilocos Norte route). 114 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

The tree-lined highway of Candon City adds a quaint character to the place. Planted by then Candon mayor Don Matias Legaspi in 1910-1912, the so-called “Matias trees” are not only found along the highway but also in the town plaza. These trees are part of the ecotourism spots of Candon City.

Endnotes 1

Encomienda- It is a royal grant to deserving colonists of the right to collect tribute from natives in a particular place. William Henry Scott. Ilocano Responses to American Agression 19001901. Quezon city, Philippines: New Day Publishers, 1986. P-8 Ibid, p. 123-124

1892 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Don Mena Crisologo (Candon Exposition) and Isabelo Abyaya win silver medals for their respective products at the Candon Exposition.

Candon 115

Location

Caoayan is bounded on the east by the municipality of Santa, on the north and west by Vigan City and on the south by the China Sea. It is two kilometers away from Vigan City.

Topography

The town lies along the coast of the China Sea and is characterized by plains and low land.

116 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Government

Caoayan is a fifth-class municipality and consists of 17 barangays: 1. Anonang Mayor 2. Anonang Menor 3. Baggoc 4. Callaguip 5. Caparacadan 6. Fuerte

Municipal Hall of Caoayan

7. Manangat 8. Naguilian 9. Nansuagao 10. Pandan 11. Pantay-Quitinquit 12. Don Dimas Querubin (Poblacion) 13. Puro 14. Tamurong 15. Villamar 16. Don Alejandro Quirologico (Poblacion) 17. Don Lorenzo Querubin (Poblacion)

Etymology

The story goes that some men from Abra were selling bamboo that they floated along the Baggoc River. A group of Spanish soldiers asked the men from Abra what they were selling. The latter replied â&#x20AC;&#x153;kawayan,â&#x20AC;? meaning bamboo in the vernacular. From then on, the Spaniards referred to the place as Caoayan.

Logo

The logo of the municipality contains the drawing of an anchor which represents fishing, the major source of livelihood of the towns residents. The anchor symbolizes the seafaring trait of the people as they were known to be intrepid sailors in the past.

Caoayan 117

CAOAYAN MAYORS Name Length of Service PAULINO LLANES 1828 RICARDO DE LA CRUZ 1829 BONIFACIO LLANES 1830 JOSE LLANES 1831 FELIX CLEMENTE 1832 PEDRO PERALTA 1833 DIONICIO DE LA CRUZ 1834 GUILLERMO MARTINEZ 1835 PEDRO FLORENTINO 1836 JUAN MAGNO 1837 MARIANO ARCE 1838 APOLINARIO LLANES 1839 GUILLERMO LAZO 1840 PEDRO LLANES 1841 ISIDRO QUERIDO 1842 PASCUAL FELIX 1843 SABINO QUERUBIN 1844 GRACIANO QUEBRAL 1845 SEVERINO QUINTOS 1846 TIMOTEO QUERUBIN 1847 BALBINO DE PERALTA 1848 DIMAS QUERUBIN 1911-1912 ALEJANDRO QUIROLGICO 1912-1916 MARTIN PURUGANAN 1916-1919 LORENZO QUERUBIN 1919-1922 VICENTE PICHAY 1922-1925 FRANCISCO PIMENTEL 1925-1931 ROSARIO QUITORIANO 1931-1934 FRANCISCO PIMENTEL 1934-1937 ASTERIO QUERUBIN 1938-1940 ASTERIO QUERUBIN (military mayor) 1941-1946 MONICO DONATO (appointed) 1946 QUIRINO QUINDOY (appointed) 1946-1947 ASTERIO QUERUBIN Nov. 17, 1952-1955 ISIDRO QUERUBIN 1956-1963 ISIDRO QUERUBIN 1963-1998 NONONG QUERUBIN 1998-2001 MARIO TUGADE 2001-2007 GERMELINA S. GOLART 2007-2016 JUAN PAOLO ANCHETA 2016-2019 118 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

History

Caoayan was once a barrio of Ciudad Fernandina. Because of its location along the mouth of the Abra River and along the coast of the China Sea, Caoayan, in particular, Puro and Anonang Mayor, were embarkation sites. Puro was the place where sailboats loaded with goods from the Ilocos left for the ports of Manila and other provinces. These sailboats were called Punting. Anonang Mayor, on the other hand, became an anchorage area for ships. For this reason, Caoayan enjoyed a reputation for its hardworking sailors. At dawn of November 26, 1899, the U.S. battleship Oregon shelled the sand dunes of

Seeing numerous bamboo stalks floating on the Mestizo River, Spanish soldiers asked the locals where they came from. The natives answered: ‘Caoayan,’ meaning “bamboo.”

Caoayan purportedly for target shooting purposes. This act led to three women casualties, one of them hit eight kilometers away in Bantay. The roof of the Club de Vigan was also destroyed as a result. The Oregon was under the command of Lt. Col. James Parker. On board the Oregon were 201 sailors and marines. Lt. Col. Parker reportedly had breakfast with a Frenchman who was living on the beach. Borrowing the Frenchman’s horse, Parker, with four “blue jackets of the landing party,” proceeded to Vigan. During the Filipino-American War, Caoayan residents joined the Katipunan. During the initiation

rites of the Katipunan members, the following questions were asked: Are you willing to follow the Katipunan? Are you willing to give all your belongings to the organization? Are you willing to sacrifice your life for it? Daggers were pointed on the eyes and mouths of the neophyte and another dagger on the floor with its point up. The Katipunan member would then say: “If you’re really willing to die for the Katipunan, show and prove it by plunging on the dagger.” The dagger on the floor was held by the recruiting officer and as soon as the body fell on the floor, the officer instantly removed the dagger so as not to hurt the neophyte. Caoayan 119

During the Spanish regime, Caoayan was used as a port of entry for goods sold in Vigan, then the hub of commerce in the north because of its navigational water route to the China Sea and Abra River.

120 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Caoayan 121

The Katipunan members were either spotters or cargadores. The spotter was sent to a place to ascertain whether there was any danger while the cargador carried the arms, bullets and heavy belongings of the soldiers. Puro, the training ground of the Katipunan, was where Captain Estanislao Reyes and his soldiers evacuated during the Filipino-American War. The people of Puro were responsible for transporting them to Abra. When the William Howard Taft Commission visited Ilocos Sur in 1901, Caoayan was represented by the following: Presidente Manuel Llanes Representantes Fulgencio Querubin Tomas Querubin Felix Querido Juan Quintos Candelario Cabildo Ramon Querubin Juanuario Llanes Luis Querido Victoriano Pichay Isidoro Lopez Zenon Querubin Julio Querido When Japanese forces landed in Ilocos Sur during World War II, the residents sought shelter in the town’s interior, but later returned to their respective homes. The Japanese organized the residents into neighborhood associations to guard the barrios from the guerillas and to act as spies for the Japanese. Later, these organizations were used by the Filipinos against the Japanese by relaying orders from guerilla forces. In 1943, guerillas in Caoayan organized “Bolomen” who served as spies against the Japanese. Bolomen and bolonists refer to men who were armed with bolos. Puro was turned into an evacuation center the following year, as evacuees from Vigan, Bantay and Santa and other guerillas were transported in paraos (boats) to towns in the south that were already liberated from the Japanese. Puro served as headquarters of the Bolomen. The unit was under the command of Commanding Officer Asuncion Quimino. Later, it became a temporary training center of a reserve unit created by Lt. Emilio Brillantes, Commanding Officer of the Vigan-Caoayan-Santa area. Caoayan is the birthplace of Elpidio Quirino, a former Philippine president. The town celebrates his natal day every November 16. The missionaries who founded St. Paul College in Ilocos Sur landed in Pandan, Caoayan. A marker stands at the Pandan port to commemorate this event. 122 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

1899 (November 27) – A battalion of 200 American Marines landed

in Port Pandan in Caoayan and marched to Vigan without encountering any opposition. Caoayan 123

124 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Missionaries who founded St. Paul College landed in Pandan, Caoayan.

Caoayan 125

Our Lady of Hope

Church

The church of Caoayan is dedicated PARISH PRIEST to Our Lady of Hope whose feast day also REV. PEREGRINO P. PIRA falls on November 16. Our Lady of Hope Parish Our Lady of Hope Parish was erected in 1825, with Rev. Fr. Santiago de Leon as its first parish priest. The church and convent were both made of bricks and stones. In 1903, the convent burned down, but the church was miraculously spared. The galvanized iron roof of the church, however, Our Lady of Hope Parish collapsed in 1947. 126 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Caoayan 127

Abel cloth weaver

Industries

The top three industries of Caoayan are weaving, agriculture and fishing. Finished products from the looms were identified as the principal product of Caoayan under the One Town One Product (OTOP) scheme.

Places to Visit

Its location along the coast of the China Sea has made Caoayan the site of many beaches and resorts. The beaches are found in barangays Puro, Villamar, Fuerte and Manangat. The following resorts have become tourist destinations: Paraiso ni Don Juan (Barangay Manangat) Heritage Resort of Caoayan (Barangay Don Lorenzo Querubin) Alad Bar Resort (Barangay Naguilian) Villa Leonida (Barangay Naguilian) Weaving has long been an industry in Caoayan, and its looms and products are always worth the visit. 128 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Pandan Port

Ancestral house of President Elpidio R. Quirino

Caoayan 129

Location

Cervantes is bounded on the east by Mountain Province, on the south by Benguet, on the southeast by Alilem, on the northwest by Gregorio del Pilar, on the north by Quirino and on the northwest by Suyo.

Topography

Situated within the Cordillera Mountains, forests make up 70 percent of its land area. Because of its high elevation, Cervantes, one of Ilocos Surâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 14 upland municipalities, has been declared the summer capital of the province.

130 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Government

A fourth-class municipality, Cervantes is subdivided into 13 barangays. These are: 1. Aluling 8. Pilipil 2. Comillas North 9. Remedios 3. Comillas South 10. Rosario 4. Concepcion 11. San Juan 5. Dinwede East 12. San Luis 6. Dinwede West 13. Malaya 7. Libang

CERVANTES MAYORS Name MAXIMINO LILIO DE GRACIA RAFAEL LENQUEZ SIMPROSO BONDAD LAURIANO CADENA ANGEL DARIO PEDRO AGUIRRE SEBASTIAN PIMENTEL MAXIMINO BONA VALENTIN ALUYEN SABAS GAERLAN MARIANO PAREDES PABLO ORIG BENITO AGUIRRE RICARDO MORENO

Length of Service 1896 1897-1900 1900-1906 1906-1907 1907-1908 1909-1910 1912 1912-1915; 1923-1925 1929-1935; 1941-1944 1915-1917 1918-1919 1920-1922 1926-1928 1935-1937; 1944 1938-1940

VICTOR DEL ROSARIO (Military mayor) OTILLO ABAYA SALVADOR LIQUETE OSMUNDO ABAYA JUANITO MORENO PRIMITIVO PAREL CRESENCIO ARTIME WINSTON DE AGUIRRE ALLAN MORENO BENJAMIN MAGGAY RUFINO AMILAO JUAN C. CARDENAS, JR. BENJAMIN MAGGAY RUFINO AMILAO BENJAMIN MAGGAY PABLITO BENJAMIN P. MAGGAY II

1942-1943 1946 1947-1948;1951 1952-1955;1964-1972 1973-1980 1955-1962 1962-1963 1972-1973 1980-1987 1987 1987-1988 1988-1998 1998 1998-2004 2004-2007 2007-2016 2016-2019

Municipal Hall of Cervantes

Cervantes 131

Etymology

The old name of Cervantes was Mantamang, a Kankana-ey word meaning â&#x20AC;&#x153;to look over.â&#x20AC;? This village was situated along the horse trail route that linked the lowland and upland communities. This route was used by Kankanay traders and Chinese merchants. When it was renamed and after whom it was renamed is not known. One version is that the town was named after the Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes, author of the classic Don Quixote, who served as a soldier in the Battle of Lepanto which was fought in 1571. Spain emerged victorious in that battle against the Turks of Constantinople.

Logo

The two arcs represent historic Bessang Pass. The intertwining lines with different colors represent the intermarriages of different ethnolinguistic groups such as Ilocanos, Kankana-eys, Chinese and Spanish. The ricestalks represent the main groups of the municipality. The three stars represent the three major islands of the country.

History

As a barrio of Lepanto, Cervantes consisted of three rancherias. The first rancheria located on an elevated place had a school house, a storage building for tobacco and barracks for the military. Springs provided potable water for the community. The natives cultivated vegetables and fruits as well as coffee trees. The other rancheria was half a kilometer away from the first. It had bigger homes and was more populated. The last rancheria was along the horse trail and had more structures like an administrative building and barracks for the civil guards.

132 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

The old name of Cervantes was Mantamang, a Kankanaay word meaning â&#x20AC;&#x153;to look overâ&#x20AC;?. The town was named after Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes, author of the classic Don Quixote, who served as a soldier in the Battle of Lepanto fought in 1571.

Cervantes 133

Cervantes figured prominently during the Philippine-American War since the place welcomed the presence of generals Gregorio del Pilar and Emilio Aguinaldo, president of the first Philippine Republic. According to Dr. Simeon Villa, who accompanied Aguinaldo in his flight away from the pursuing Americans, the general arrived in Cervantes on November 30, 1899. Villa’s diary entry reads:1 “At ten o’clock in the morning we left Angake and proceeded to Cervantes, passing through mountains devoid of vegetation. The heat of the sun caused us to feel dizzy. We arrived at Cervantes at one o’clock. As this town offers a good means of defense, abundant food and beautiful scenery, the President (Aguinaldo) decided to remain here for a long time. To cover our stay, military detachments are placed at points where enemies might gain entrance to the town; trenches were constructed; and the offices of the General Staff established. We are spending happy days in this town. On December 1, 1899, Dr. Villa mentions in his diary that Gregorio del Pilar visited Aguinaldo in Cervantes at six in the morning. The entry reads:2 “Today at 6 o’clock Gen. del Pilar asked the President to be allowed to go to the trenches at Mount Tirad. He went on horseback to the mountain, 1,300 meters high. At 10 o’clock at night he sent a message to the President informing him that from Mt. Tirad he could see the enemies entering Concepcion. The following day, December 2, 1899, Dr. Villa wrote about reports reaching Aguinaldo at five in the afternoon that Americans reached the trenches of Mt. Tirad and that del Pilar had died from a shot in the head. To elude the pursuing Americans, Aguinaldo and his companions left Cervantes at eight in the evening for the Cayan settlement. Aguinaldo’s brief stay in Cervantes was also mentioned in a memoir by Sabas Gaerlan who wrote:3 “When Aguinaldo arrived in Cervantes, he had his wife with him, his younger sister, General Concepcion, Col. Sityar and wife, General Gregorio del Pilar, Dr. Barcelona, Dr. Villa, several officials and officers and a small group of soldiers. They were all limping and worn out. There were also two mestiza girls, the sisters of Commander Leyba, who had been lost in Pangasinan. The next morning General Gregorio del Pilar returned to Angaqui with a dozen soldiers to scout. But when they reached Angaqui, they found that the Americans were already coming up, and were near the rancheria of Ling-ey. So he 134 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Battle of Lepanto in 1571

Cervantes 135

136 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

prepared 40-odd soldiers he had – those he had taken from Cervantes and the detachment which been left in Angaqui – and they went to ambush the Americans above Ling-ey. There were around 400 American soldiers and the general was really brave to face those 400 with only 40 soldiers who were already exhausted since they had been on the run from Bayangbang in Pangasinan. When the shooting began, General del Pilar was hit in the forehead and died instantly.” Gaerlan mentions that by June 1899, Cervantes became the holding station of Spanish prisoners – soldiers and friars - of Filipino revolutionaries. Spanish friars from the Augustinian, Recollects, Domincan and Franciscan orders stayed in Cervantes until November of that year. When Aguinaldo reached Angaqui, he ordered that the prisoners of war be moved to Bontoc. Instead of taking the shorter route via Bagnen, the prisoners took the longer route through Sabangan. With Aguinaldo’s escape to Bontoc, the prisoners fled from their captors, returned to Cervantes from where they proceeded to Manila. After the fall of Tirad Pass, the Americans made Cervantes the capital of a military government with William Dinwiddie as the first military governor. Later, the Philippine Commission through Act No. 410, created the Province of Lepanto-Bontoc composed of the sub-provinces of Lepanto, Bontoc and Amburayan. Cervantes was to become part of this province as it belonged to the sub-province of Lepanto. Cervantes became a town by virtue of Act No. 411 of the Philippine Commission when the act provided for the establishment of local civil governments in the townships and settlements of the Province of Lepanto-Bontoc. With the dissolution of the sub-province of Amburayan and the transfer of some parts of Lepanto and Benguet to Ilocos Sur and La Union, Cervantes became a municipality of Ilocos Sur. During the Japanese Occupation of the Philippines, Cervantes rose to prominence in the fight against the invaders. Bessang Pass in Cervantes was where the Japanese made their last stand against Filipino guerillas. In June 1945, the Japanese were defeated, leading to the surrender of Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita, head of the Japanese Imperial Forces in the Philippines. Cervantes became the holding station of Spanish prisoners-soldiers and friars detained by Filipino revolutionaries.

Cervantes 137

138 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

1945 (June 14) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Filipino and American troops storm and overrun Japanese forces in heavily-fortified Bessang Pass.

Cervantes 139

Battle of Bessang Pass – June 14, 1945, At 7:00 AM, Companies K and L of the 121st Infantry launched “one of the most dramatic assaults” in the Battle of Bessang Pass led by Capt. Emilio M. Narcise. The Filipinos won the Battle of Bessang. General Tomoyuki Yamashita, headed the Japanese Imperial Army and Col. Russel Volckmann, was the commander of United States Armed Forces in the Philippines (USAFIP-NL).

140 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Cervantes 141

PARISH PRIESTS REV. RAMELLE J. RIGUNAY REV. ERNESTO A. JUAREZ JR. Holy Child of Prague Parish Holy Child of Prague Parish

Church

The church of Cervantes is dedicated to the Holy Child of Prague whose feastday falls on the Sunday after the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. The parish was established in 1870 and was under the care of the Augustinian missionaries. With the departure of the Spanish missionaries, the parish was abandoned. In 1907, Belgian missionaries Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM) assumed supervision of the parish. The CICM arrived in the Philippines during the early part of the American period. The fi rst Belgian missionary of the parish was Rev. Florimund Carlu. In 1993, the diocesan clergy took over administration of the parish, with Fr. Edgar Serrano as its first priest. 142 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Industries

Tropical fruits production, agriculture, handicraftmaking and tobacco are listed as the top industries of Cervantes. Its top four priority products are mango, ginger tea, maguey and rattan. Maguey is the product that Cervantes would like to be identified with under the One Town One Product scheme.

Inhabitants

The Northern Kankana-eys ethnoliguistic group is found in the town of Cervantes. They are engaged in swidden farming, camote farming, vegetable and fruit growing, the gathering of forest products, as well as cottage industries like weaving and basket-making.

Places to Visit

One place visitors should not miss is the Bessang

The Holy Child of Prague Patron Saint (left) and Parish

National Park which was established by virtue of Proclamation No. 55 dated August 10, 1954. The park covers a total area of 611 hectares. The park has a mountainous landscape with steep slopes. The highest elevation is about 1,500 meters above sea level. It is presently being developed as an ecotourism site. The Gambang water falls located in Malaya, Cervantes is a favorite picnic site for nature lovers. The Cervantes-Tagudin Road is a 59-kilometer winding road with dozens of waterfalls and pine trees along the way. It starts from Tagudin, at five meters above sea level, and reaches the highest point of Cervantes at 1,524 meters above sea level. This road was constructed during the Spanish period to give Cervantes access to the lowlands. The Yamashita Cave in Bukwel, Malaya is a manmade cave with an entrance of 1.5 meters and is 55

meters long. This cave was built by the Japanese to be used as a dug-out during their occupation of the Philippines. The Cervantes Central School. a two-story building was constructed during the Spanish period, was used as a garrison by the Japanese during World War II. The Emilio Pe Aguirre family home was constructed in 1946 by the late senator Emilio Pe Aguirre, and is now under the care of his daughter, Antonina Gaerlan. Endnotes 1

Aguinaldoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Odyssey; As told in the diaries of Col. Simeon Villa and Dr. Santiago Barcelona.With aPreface by Alejandro Roces and an Introduction by carlos Quirino. Manila, 1963. P. 7 2 Ibid., p. 8 3 â&#x20AC;&#x153;From tagudin to Cervantes; A Memoir by Sobas Gaerlan translated by John Flameygh, CICM and William Henry Scott in the Ilocos Review Vol. 23 (1991), p. 126.

Cervantes 143

Location

Galimuyod is located 2.8 kilometers east of Candon City. It is bounded on the north by Candon City and Banayoyo, on the south by the municipalities of Salcedo and San Emilio and on the west by Candon City.

Topography

Galimuyod is perched on the western foothills of the Gran Cordillera. It straddles the national highway from Candon to Salcedo. The town also serves as a transshipment junction between Candon and interior municipalities like Cervantes. It also serves as an access point to Bontoc province. 144 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Government

A fourth-class municipality. Galimuyod is subdivided into 24 barangays which are the following: 1. Abaya 13. Matanubong 2. Barabac 14. Mckinley 3. Bidbiday 15. Nagsingcaon 4. Bitong 16. Oaig-Daya 5. Borobor 17. Pagangpang 6. Calimugtong 18. Patac 7. Calongbuyan 19. Poblacion 8. Calumbaya 20. Rubio 9. Daldagan 21. Sabangan-Bato 10. Kilang 22. Sacaang 11. Legaspi 23. San Vicente 12. Mabayag 24. Sapang

GALIMUYOD MAYORS Name Length of Service DUGA 1895-1897 SILVESTRE LAZAN, JR. 1897-1899 BUYAN 1899-1900 TUDA-AY 1900-1901 ANTAY GUADAY 1901-1902 GREGORIO DALNAPEN 1902-1903 FELIPE BALICDANG 1903-1904 ANTONIO MADARANG 1904-1908 ALIZO INFIEL 1908-1910 MANGANEP 1910-1912 ANTONIO TILAN 1912-1914 EULALIO DAGSI 1914-1916 ARETO ANGBAOAN 1916-1922 TALLADEN 1922-1925 JUAN FORMOSO 1925-1934 ANSELMO MAKIL 1934-1945 CESARIO BUGARIN 1945-1959 BENJAMIN BUGARIN 1959-1963 BONIFACIO MANZANO 1963-1967 BENJAMIN BUGARIN 1967-1986 ALEXANDER MANZANO, JR. (OIC) 1986-1987 BASILIO MANUGAN (Caretaker mayor) Dec. 2, 1987-Feb. 1, 1988 ALEXANDER MANZANO, JR. Feb. 2, 1988-Mar. 27, 1998 ALFREDO GARRIDO Mar. 28, 1998-Jun. 30, 1998 JUANITO BALINGSAT 1998-2007 JESSIE BALINGSAT 2007-2016 JUANITO BALINGSAT 2016-2019

Etymology

The original name of the town was Cabisilan, which means “pebbles.” Following a land dispute between Cabisilan and Sapang, its neighboring barrio, a tug-of-war contest was conducted to settle the dispute. The people of Cabisilan won over the people of Sapang and Cabisilan became the center of the barrio. The people of Cabisilan renamed their barrio Galimuyod from the Ilocano word ginuyod which means “pulled.”

Logo

The shield in this logo is derived from the provincial seal of Ilocos Sur.

The rice stalks represents farming as the main source of livelihood of the people. The rice fields convey the fact that the municipality is an agricultural land. The 24 rice grains represent the 24 barangays of the town. The eight rays of the sun represent the town’s eight municipal districts. The blue color represents its motto of “service for all.” Galimuyod 145

Municipal Hall of Galimuyod

146 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

History

During the Spanish period, Galimuyod was the biggest and most populous barrio of Candon City. Since it was located along the route connecting the lowlands and the interior, Galimuyod became the transshipment point of the two places. From the lowlands, rice, salt, blankets, cattle and horses and native sugar called tagapulot were exchanged for resources from the mountains such as wild game meat, iron, copper, gold and spears. Galimuyod played a prominent role during the Philippine Revolution. Generals Emilio Aguinaldo and Gregorio del Pilar passed through this town, while the Americans bivouacked in the area. Galimuyod was where Gen. Isabelo Abaya died fighting the Americans. The particular barrio where he met his death has been named after him. In 1908, Galimuyod became a full-fledged town. During the Japanese Occupation, Filipino guerillas and bolomen operated from the barrio of Kilang in Galimuyod.

Galimuyod 147

148 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

The original name of the town was Cabisilan, meaning “pebbles”. Following a land dispute between Cabisilan and Sapang, a neighboring barrio, a tug-of-war was conducted to settle the dispute. The people of Cabisilan won and the place became the center of the barrio. It was later renamed Galimuyod, from the Ilocano word ginuyod, meaning “pulled.”

Galimuyod 149

General Isabelo Abaya died fighting the Americans in Galimuyod

150 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Galimuyod 151

152 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

During the Japanese occupation, Filipino guerillas and bolomen operated in the barrio of Kilang

Galimuyod 153

Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish

154 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Sacred Heart of Jesus

Church

The church of Galimuyod is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, whose feast day falls on the Friday after Corpus Cristi Sunday. It was formerly a visita of the parish church of Candon. On March 2, 1948, it separated from its mother parish, with Fr. Jose Pineda as its first parish priest.

Industries

The top priority products of Galimuyod are rice. tobacco, mango and bamboo. Rice has been listed as its top product under the One Town One Product scheme.

PARISH PRIEST REV. MICHAEL L. TOLENTINO Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish

Inhabitants

The Tingguians of Abra were the first inhabitants of Galimuyod. Today, they peacefully co-exist with the Ilocanos of Ilocos Sur. Galimuyod 155

Location

Located at the southeastern corner of Ilocos Sur, the town of Gregorio del Pilar is bounded on the north by the town of San Emilio, on the east by Quirino, on the west by Salcedo and on the south by Sigay.

Topography

The town is surrounded by mountain ranges that serve as its natural boundaries. On the north, the Tamogong ranges separate Gregorio del Pilar from the municipality of San Emilio; on the east the Tirad mountain ranges, from the municipality of Quirino; and on the west the Madarang plateau, from the 156 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

municipality of Salcedo. It has a mountainous terrain with fertile valleys in between.

Government

Gregorio del Pilar is a fifth-class municipality composed of the following barangays: 1. Alfonso (Tangaoan) 2. Bussot 3. Concepcion 4. Dapdappig 5. Matue-Butarag 6. Poblacion Norte 7. Poblacion Sur

G. DEL PILAR MAYORS Name Length of Service ARCADIO BUAGAYAN 1935-1938 RAMON COMPALAS 1938-1941 MARIANO OANDASAN 1942-1943 CONDRADO CONSOLACION 1944 RAMON COMPALAS 1945-1946 CONCORDIO APAYYO 1947-1950 MATEO BICASAN 1951-1953

ELENO WAGUIS CONCORDIO APAYYO FEDERICO SAGAY (OIC) GRACIANO DUQUING DANIEL APAYYO MACARIO BURGOS DANIEL APAYYO ERMINDA APAYYO GILBERT CIRIACO LUZ VILLALOBOS HENRY GALLARDO

1953-1954 1955-1957 1978 1979-1987 1987 10 MOS. OIC 3 Months 1988-1998 1998-2001 2001-2010 2010-2016 2016-2019

Municipal Hall of Gregorio Del Pilar

Gregorio del Pilar 157

Etymology

The old name of the municipality of Gregorio del Pilar was Concepcion, in honor of its patron saint, Nuestra Senora de Concepcion. By virtue of Republic Act No. 1246 sponsored by Rep. Ricardo Gacula, Concepcion was renamed Gregorio del Pilar on June 10, 1955, in honor of the general who defended Tirad Pass, thus delaying the American forces from pursuing Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.

Logo

The mountain and the trail shown in the logo represent Tirad Mountain, where Gen. Gregorio del Pilar met his death. The seven rays of the sun represent the seven barangays comprising the town.

History

Concepcion was the entry point of the Americans forces led by Major Peyton March of the 33rd Volunteer Regiment. Gen.Gregorio del Pilar reported to Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo that he could clearly see the ascent of the Americans towards Tirad Pass. The diary of Dr. Santiago Barcelona, a member of the fleeing Aguinaldo party, mentioned that Aguinaldo and his companions spent the night in Concepcion on November 16, 1899. On that fateful day of December 2, 1899, the 24-year-old Del Pilar sometimes referred to as “boy general” because of his youth, died defending Tirad Pass. A detailed account of Del Pilar’s death is given by American war correspondent Richard Henry Little for the Chicago Tribune, an American newspaper. His account reads:1 “It was a battle above the clouds. I saw the youngest and the bravest of the Filipino generals vainly trying to align his men to detain the American forces who were pursuing them, to protect Aguinaldo’s retreat. I saw him arraign his soldiers from trench to trench, excite their amor propio, to ponder their valor and love of country, mount his white horse in the midst of bullets from our Krag 158 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

rifles. Then I saw one of our soldiers below, turn his way, climb a rock and aim his rifle to General del Pilar. We held our breath, not knowing whether to pray God that the soldier hit or miss his mark.” Del Pilar’s aide, Vicente Enriquez, gives his own account of the event. He says that on the morning of December 2, 1899, he informed Del Pilar that the Filipino soldiers had resisted the advance of the Americans who were constrained to abandon their horses and advance on foot. Del Pilar and Enriquez were confident that their position was impregnable and they could roll boulders from above on the Americans who were seen below. The young general had constructed trenches in Tirad Pass was seen moving from trench to trench, exhorting his men to fight bravely.

PARISH PRIEST REV. SHERWIN A. AQUINO Our Lady of Lourdes Parish

Here is the version of his aide, Vicente Enriquez:2 “According to Enriquez, he went back to the hill where he left del Pilar, and the young general was elated by the fact that his soldiers could shoot from a vantage point on hill tops. The two hurried to the trenches higher up, where they hear fresh firing. Del Pilar was straining his eyes to the cogon leaves which were moving irregularly, as he was suspecting there were American soldiers hiding here. As he was about to mount his roselle (pinkish white horse) which incidentally was loaned to him by Aguinaldo, he was hit by a bullet from behind, at the nape of his neck just below the level of his mouth. He covered his face with his hands, fell on his back and died instantly.” Of Del Pilar’s 60 soldiers, eight survived. Cpl. Feliciano Mateo, Lt. Jose Enriquez, Capt. Isidro Wenceslao, his aide-de-camp Vicente Enriquez, Capt. Emilio Garcia, Sgt. Melencio Cabigao, Sgt. Gabriel Baltazar and Lt. Eugenio Santos.

On July 20, 1938, President Manuel Quezon declared Tirad Pass a national park. President Ferdinand Marcos issued Presidential Proclamation No. 433 declaring Tirad Pass a national shrine on July 23, 1968.

Church

The church of Gregorio del Pilar town used to be a visita of Angaki (Quirino). In 1936, a permanent chapel was constructed and canonically erected in 1938, with Fr. Hubert Gheysen, CICM as its first parish priest. The present church was built by Rev, Marcel Vantomme, CICM, who was then its parish priest. In 1995, the administration of the parish was transferred to the diocesan clergy, with Fr. Felix Costales as parish priest. The church is dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, whose feast day falls on February 11.

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and Patron

Gregorio del Pilar 159

The Tingguian are members of a tribe in the mountain province of Abra in northwestern luzon. Their settlement has extended as far as Itneg and are classified as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;paganâ&#x20AC;? tribe because they were not Christianized by the Spaniards unlike their neighbors, the Ilocanos.

160 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Gregorio del Pilar 161

162 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

marker (186)

Bessang Pass â&#x20AC;&#x201C; West of the town of Cervantes, Bessang Pass is situated 5,250 feet above sea level. It was here where the Japanese General Yamashita made his exit as he tried to escape from American and Filipino forces during the last stage of World War II in the Philippines. The Battle of Bessang Pass was eventually won by the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines, Northern Luzon (USAFP, NL) on June 14, 1945.

1899 (December 2) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Gen. Gregorio Del Pilar and about 50 of his men die in the battle of Tirad Pass. In 1955, the municipality of Concepcion was renamed in his honor. Gregorio del Pilar 163

Battle of Tirad Pass - December 2, 1899, General Gregorio Del Pilar made his last stand at Tirad Pass, with around 60 Filipino soldiers facing around 300 Americans. The Battle of Tirad Pass helped delay the Americans in pursuit of Emilio Aguinaldo. Del Pilar was only 24 years old when he died.

164 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Coral ng Baboy (native pigs)

Del Pilar Hot Springs

Industries

spring is partly accessible by a vehicle and by foot. The waters of the hot springs are said to cure skin diseases. Oldtimers believe the spring’s healing power comes from the anitos (native gods) guarding the place. Believers leave behind coins and other offerings as an expression of thanks. Payoh, or rice terraces, abound in barangay Dapdappig. A pagan altar is found in the western part of Barangay Bussot. Pigs and chickens are slaughtered on a stone altar as offerings to the gods. The Tirad Peak is located south and east of Dapdappig and about two kilometers from the Tirad Pass shrine. It consists of one big peak and two adjacent small peaks. The big peak rises to four thousand feet above sea level and serves as the town’s landmark viewed from afar. From its summit, one cam see the towns of Santa Maria, Candon, Santa Cruz, Santa Lucia and the seashore of Ilocos Sur’s coastal towns.

The top three industries of Gregorio del Pilar are food processing, agriculture and basket and furniture-making. The municipality has identified salabat (ginger tea) as it top product under the One Town One Product scheme.

Inhabitants

Gregorio del Pilar is home to the Tingguians who come from Abra province. The Tingguians have intermarried with Ilocanos, but continue to practice their customs and traditions.

Places to Visit

The Tirad Pass National Park located along the zigzag road of the old Spanish trail going to Quirino is a favorite tourist destination, and the burial site of the heroic general Gregorio del Pilar. On the site is a monument of the hero astride a horse, a donation of the people of Bulacan province. The monument is the work of Inar Bulaong of Bulacan. The Sibol Hot Springs is located at the eastern part of Barangay Bussot near the boundary of the municipality of Sigay. The route leading to the

Endnotes 1

Isaac C.Cruz Jr., Gen.Gregorio del Pilar; Idol of the Revolution.Samahan Pangkalinangan ng Bulakan, 1985, p. 68 Ibid, p.67

Gregorio del Pilar 165

Location

Lidlidda is a northern upland municipality of Ilocos Sur. It is bounded on the north by the municipality of Burgos, on the south by Candon City, on the east by the municipality of San Emilio and on the west by the municipalities of Santiago and Banayoyo.

Topography

Found on the western foot of the Caraballo mountains, the landscape of Lidlidda is marked by mountains and hills. Between the towering mountains and the rolling hills is a fertile valley planted to crops and pastureland. 166 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

With its waters coming from the mountains, the Lidlidda River divides the town into two.

Government

A fifth-class municipality, Lidlidda is subdivided into 11 barangays. These barangays are the following: 1. Banucal 7. Poblacion Norte 2. Bequi-Walin (Namatting) 3. Bugui 8. Poblacion Sur (Surong) 4. Calungbuyan 9. San Vicente (Kamatliwan) 5. Carcarabasa 10. Suysuyan 6. Labut 11. Tay-ac

LIDLIDDA MAYORS Name FELIX BAGBAGUEN MIGUEL SEGUNDO CARDO SEBNANG SALIOA SALIB-O MIGUEL DE LOS SANTOS BONIFACIO TAWALI DAN-E SEGUNDO ELMEM MANUGAN BASILIO BAGBAGUEN ANDAN DOMAOA AURELIO BAGUSO, SR. ALEJO AROLA, SR. TOMAS GALANG TEODORO ANG-OAY ROMEO BAGUSO PONCIANO SEGUNDO JESUS SAGAY DIOKNO GALANG JESUS SAGAY CONSTANTE SEGUNDO JESUS SAGAY BENILDA TAWILI (by succession)

Length of Service 1917-1919 1920-1922 1923-1925 1926-1928 1929-1931 1932-1934 1935-1937 1938-1940 1941-1943 1943-1947 1948-1955; 1960-1967; 1972-1974 1956-1959 1968-1971 1974-1979 1980-1991 1991-1992 1992-2001 2001-2004 2004-2010 2010-2013 2013-2016 2016-2019

Municipal Hall of Lidlidda

Lidlidda 167

The name of the town is derived from the Ilocano word â&#x20AC;&#x153;leddaâ&#x20AC;?, meaning grass,. which grew in abundance in the area. People called Agsalog (Igorot) decided to leave their homes to look for a better place, dividing themselves into 3 groups. The group that headed west founded the town Lidlidda.

168 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Etymology

The name of town is derived from the talahib (grass in Filipino) or ledda in Ilocano, which grew in abundance in the area. Legend has it that people called Agsalog (Igorot) from the Mountain Province decided to leave their place for a better place. The Igorots decided to divide themselves into three groups. One group headed north, another group headed south and the last group headed west. Before departing towards their respective directions, the three groups held a ceremony as a peace offering to the god Kabunian and his son, Lumawig. The group that headed west founded the town of Lidlidda. After holding a begnas (fiesta) thanking Kabunian for their successful trip, the people started pulling the ledda to transform the land into rice paddies. One day, a group of hunters became curious about the source of smoke coming from a seashore town. Hiking to the place, the hunters discovered that it was an Ilocano town. Befriending an elderly rich Ilocano, the latter asked where they came from and showed interest in visiting their place. The rich Ilocano and his neighbors bundled some clothes, utensils, reading and writing materials and accompanied the hunters. Reaching Bagging hill, the Ilocano asked how far were the from their home. A hunter answered that they lived at the edge of the plain covered with thick tall grasses or â&#x20AC;&#x153;Adu nga Ledda.â&#x20AC;? Before returning home, the Ilocano promised to visit them again and added that he was naming the place Lidlidda as a tribute to the thick tall grasses called ledda. He furthered predicted that the area would soon be converted into ricefields.

Logo

The shield is derived from the provincial seal of Ilocos Sur. The sun with 11 rays represent the 11 barangays of the town. The carabao and the plow signify that farming is the major livelihood of the people. The rice, corn and tobacco represent the principal crops of the town. The islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao are represented by the three stars. Lidlidda 169

PARISH PRIEST REV. GERMAN S. SOMERA Our Lady of Fatima Parish Our Lady of Fatima

170 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Our Lady of Fatima Parish

Lidlidda 171

History

Lidlidda was a rancheria inhabitated by nonChristian peoples during the Spanish period.1 In 1890, Lidlidda was part of the sub-province of Abra which was once part of Ilocos Sur. It was under the jurisdiction of the town of San Esteban. During the term of Ortega as governor, Lidlidda became a full-fledged town. In recent times, a significant turning point in the town’s history was when it was the recipient of an award (Outstanding) in 1999 under the Environmental Protection and Management category given by the Galing Pook Foundation.2 The PARAESUS Berde park was planned in 1993 during the administration of Mayor Jesus Sagay. The word PARAESUS, which means “paradise” is also an acronym for Peoples Activities on Resources Acceleration for Ecological, Sustainable Utilization and Security. PARAESUS Berde is a program aimed at protecting, conserving and developing Lidlidda’s forest resources. A memo of agreement was signed between the local government of Lidlidda and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources delineating 40

Buyag Festival

hectares of land as an Eco-tourism Re-greening for Accelerated Productivity Area. On June 1993, a town-wide tree-planting activity was launched. The barangays and people’s organizations established their own area to plant and develop. Access roads were built to facilitate the transport of seedlings, and a water truck was also purchased. Every last Thursday of the month has beeen declared Community Service Day. On this day, everybody volunteers to help out in the watershed area. Local ordinances have been passed to rebuild Lidlidda’s forest reserve. One ordinance prohibits the sale and transport of firewood. Another requires that every head of the family has to plant 20 pieces of banana tubers and 20 pieces of pineapple shoots 172 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

PARAESUS Berde Park

for a period of five years. Because of these interventions, the practice of swidden agriculture (kaingin) has been eliminated. By 1999, almost 180,000 mahogany, pineapple and mango seedlings have been planted throughout the town. The survival rate of trees has increased by 75 percent from the previous 15 percent. Access to potable spring water, as well as a communal irrigation system have also been established. The reforestation efforts of Lidlidda have even revived the bayanihan spirit among its residents.

Industries

The top three industries of Lidlidda are tapueymaking (rice wine), ecotourism and agriculture.

Lidlidda lists tapuey-making as its principal product under the One Town One Product scheme.

Places to Visit

The PARAESUS Berde Park is one place to visit to appreciate the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reforestation efforts. On Lidlidda Day, which falls every January 6, one of its activities is holding a parade that leads to the PARAESUS Berde Park. Truly, the park has placed Lidlidda on the eco-tourism map. Endnotes 1

Fr. Manuel Buzeta and Fr. Felipe Bravo.Diccionario estadistico, historic de las Islas Filipinas. Madrid: 1850, Vol. 2, p. 161. http://www. Galling pook.org/awardees/1999/1999_environ. Accessed on December 30, 2009.

Lidlidda 173

Location

The municipality of Magsingal is bounded by the municipality of San Juan in the north; by the municipality of Sto. Domingo in the south; by the province of Abra in the east; and by the West Philippine Sea in the west.

Topography

Mountain ranges called Bantay Bullagao, which rises to 3,620 feet, are found in the eastern part of the municipality. To its north is another mountain called Bantay Samsamon, named after the samsamon grass that serves as good grazing ground for livestock. The Subsubusob Spring is found on the western slope of Bantay Samsamon. A hill found on the western part of the town, Bantay Buneng, was so named because of the sharp rocks found in the area which cut like the blade of the bolo called buneng in Ilocano. A river called Carayan Parsua, or Parsua River, is found in the northern part of the town. The Pagsanaan River divides Barangay Pagsanaan into two â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Pagsanaan Norte and Pagsanaan Sur. 174

Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Government

Magsingal, a third-class municipality, is composed of 30 barangays. These barangays are the following: 1. Alangan 19. Panay Norte 2. Bacar 20. Panay Sur 3. Barbarit 21. Paton 4. Bungro 22. Puro (Puro Pinget) 5. Cabaroan 23. San Basilio 6. Cadanglaan (Poblacion) 7. Caraisan 24. San Clemente 8. Dacutan (Poblacion) 9. Labut 25. San Julian 10. Maas-asin (Poblacion) 11. Macatcatud 26. San Lucas 12. Namalpalan (Poblacion) 13. Manzante 27. San Ramon 14. Maratudo (Poblacion) 15. Miramar 28. San Vicente 16. Napo (Poblacion) 17. Pagsanaan Norte 29. Santa Monica 18. Pagsanaan Sur 30. Sarsaracat

MAGSINGAL MAYORS Name Length of Service FRANCISCO ANDORIGUS 1676-1694 GASPAR DE THOLENTINO 1695 JUAN BRABO 1696 DIEGO CALIBUSO 1697 DOMINGO SUGUE 1698 PEDRO ABARCA 1699 AGUSTIN TOMANENG 1700 JUAN MERCADO 1701 DIEGO SALAZAR 1702 PEDRO CORPUZ 1703 MAURICIO PANGALIMAN y GREGORIO 1704 FRANCISCO MARZAN 1705 JUAN GARCIA 1706-1707 NICOLAS SEMA 1708-1730 SIMON BUGARIN 1731 LUIS CARDONA 1732-1735 ALFONSO CORTES 1736 LUIS CARDONA 1737-1738 MIGUEL OANDASAN 1739 NICOLAS DE THOLENTINO 1740-1744 MARTIN DE THOLENTINO 1745 NICOLAS DE NATIVIDAD 1746 JUAN CORTES 1747-1749 JUAN CARBOSEL 1750-1751 MARCOS CORTES 1752-1758 JUAN DOMINGO 1759-1760 SANTIAGO ZERIA 1761 FRANCISCO ASEBEDO 1762-1763 FRANCISCO MERCADO 1764 MARTIN DE THOLENTINO 1765 FRANCISCO ASEBEDO 1766-1767 MARTINE DE THOLENTINO 1768 JUAN PABLO DE THOLENTINO 1769 MARCOS ASEBEDO 1770 JUAN GARCIA 1771 JUAN PABLO DE THOLENTINO 1772 MANUEL CORTES 1773 PAULINO ZERIA 1774 DOMINGO SALVADOR 1775-1776

HIPOLITO DE THOLENTINO 1777 SANTIAGO DE THOLENTINO 1778-1779 BERNARDO MERCADO 1780 FRANCISCO CARINO 1781 MANUEL CORTES DE LEGASPE 1782-1783 RAFAEL ROSARIO 1784 MANUEL CORTES DE LEGASPE 1785 RAFAEL ROSARIO 1786 HIPOLITO TOLENTINO 1787 ANDRES CORTES 1788 TEODORO TOLENTINO 1789 MIGUEL CORTES 1790-1792 JUAN SALVADOR 1793 JUAN PABLO DE THOLENTINO 1794 TEODORO TOLENTINO 1795 SANTIAGO TOLENTINO 1796 MANUEL CORTES 1797 RAFAEL ROSARIO 1798 TOMAS FARINAS 1799 HIPOLITO TOLENTINO 1800 JUAN FERNANDEZ 1801 IGNACIO TOLENTINO 1802 GUILLERMO TOLENTINO 1803 FRANCISCO CORTES 1804 JUAN CORTES 1805 SEBASTIAN TOLENTINO 1806 MIGUEL BUGARIN 1807 FRANCISCO CORTES 1808 CIPRIANO TOLENTINO 1809 PEDRO TOLENTINO 1810 ESTANISLAO SOLIVEN 1811 FLORENCIO TOLENTINO 1812 MIGUEL DIMAS RUIZ 1813 TOMAS GARCIA 1814 MARCOS TOLENTINO 1815 FLORENCIO TOLENTINO 1816 GUILLERMO TOLENTINO 1817 FRANCISCO TOLENTINO 1818 TOMAS FARINAS 1819 FRANCISCO CORTES 1820 MARCELINO ROSARIO 1821

Magsingal 175

FLORENCIO TOLENTINO CIPRIANO TOLENTINO JUAN GARCIA GREGORIO BURGOS CECILIO FARINAS BERNARDINO BUGARIN TOMAS FARINAS IGNACIO TOLENTINO LUCAS CORTES I MANUEL CORTES NICOLAS AGATEP BASILIO FERNANDEZ RAFAEL TOLENTINO AIDRES TOLENTINO GERMAN SOLIVEN LAUREANO BUGARIN REMIGIO MARCOS MANUEL GARCES PEDRO SOLIVEN FLAVIANO FERNANDEZ FELIPE GARCIA MARIANO CERIA CIPRIANO TOLENTINO ESTANISLAO SALVADOR SEVERINO CORTES UBALDO TOLENTINO FRUTO FARINAS ANTONIO TOLENTINO MIGUEL CORTES MARIANO CARINO PEDRO SOLIVEN DOMINGO GARCIA VENANCIO FARINAS CANUTO FARINAS GUILLERMO TOLENTINO SANTIAGO CORTES NICOLAS ARELLANO VICTOR TOMANENG CANUTO FARINAS JUAN TRINIDAD CLAUDIO TOLENTINO SILVESTRE TOLENTINO EUGENIO TOMANENG GONZALO CARINO 176 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

1822 1823 1824 1825 1826 1827 1828 1829 1830 1831 1832 1833 1834 1835 1836 1837 1838 1839 1840 1841 1842 1843 1844-1845 1846 1847 1848 1849 1850 1851-1853 1854 1855-1856 1857 1858 1859 1860 1861 1862 1863-1864 1865-1866 1867-1868 1869-1870 1871-1872 1873-1874 1875-1876

FROILAN TOMANENG 1877-1878 PEDRO TOLENTINO 1879-1880 MANUEL SALVADOR 1881-1882 AGAPITO TOMANENG 1883-1884 FROILAN MERCADO 1885-1886 BERNARDINO TRINIDAD 1887 SANTIAGO SOLIVEN 1888 EUGENIO TOMANENG 1889-1890 JUAN CORTES 1891-1892 TOMAS FARINAS y CONSEJO 1893 TOMAS FARINAS 1894 ANTONIO GARCIA y IMPLANZA 1895-1898 VICENTE TOLENTINO 1898-1899 LORENZO CARINO 1900 FRANCISCO VERA CRUZ 1901 VICENTE TOLENTINO 1902 CLEMENTE UDARBE 1903 LUCAS CORTES II 1904-1905 CLEMENTE UDARBE 1906-1907 MARIANO TOLENTINO 1907-1908 CLEMENTE UDARBE 1913-1914 CIRILO TOMANENG 1915-1916 LUCAS GUERRERO 1917-1919 AQUILINO GARCIA 1920-1925 JULIAN TOMANENG 1926-1928 RAYMUNDO CORPUZ 1929-1931 PAULINO FARINAS 1932-1934 MACARIO TOLENTINO 1935-1940 FROILAN TOLENTINO 1941-1945 CANUTO FARINAS SR. 1946-1947 POLICARPIO JURADO 1948-1951 MIGUEL UDARBE 1952-1955 CANDIDO TOLENTINO 1956-1959 MIGUEL UDARBE 1960-1963 JUANITO TOLENTINO 1964-1971 CANUTO FARINAS JR. 1972-1986 AQUILES C. UDARBE Oct. 1986-1988 RAMON P. TOLENTINO JR. 1988-Jun. 1995 ALFONSO FAVIS JR. 1995-2004 ARLYN FAVIS 2004-2013 ALRICO FAVIS 2013-2019

Municipal Hall of Magsingal

Magsingal 177

Etymology

Malungo was a kilometer away from the present site of Magsingal. It was headed by a formidable woman known as Palungo Garcia. When the Spaniards gave residents a church bell paving the way for the establishment of a parish, Palungo Garcia refused to accept the bell and instead directed it to be place which was headed by his twin brothers Palungo Andoriguis and Palungo Tolentino. Palungo Garcia said in Tinggian “Mayisingal” or in Ilocano “Mayalis sadiay” meaning “let it be transferred there.” Since then, the Spaniards wrote and pronounced the name of this town as Magsingal, a contraction of the words “Mayisingal” or “Mayalis Sadiay.”

Logo

The shield is derived from the provincial seal of Ilocos Sur. The circle symbolizes unity among its constituents. The 30 stars represent the 30 barangays comprising the town. The rice stalks represent agriculture as the primary livelihood of the town. The silhouette of mountains and hills represents Bantay Ballungao, the highest mountain of Masingal, Bantay Samsamon, Bantay Buneng and the Sussaoit Hills. The blue waves and fish represent the rivers and springs of the town such as the Pursua River, Pagsanaan River, Subsubusob Spring and Nalvo Spring. The fish represents the town’s fishing industry. The date 1676 was the year Magsingal was founded. The color red stands for bravery, while white symbolizes peace. 178 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

“MAYISINGAL” – According to local lore, woman leader named Palungo Galcia refused to accept the big bell given to Magsingal by the Spaniards. Instead, she pointed to another place and said “Mayisingal,” (meaning, “let it be transferred there”), a place ruled by her brother and the present site of the

Ilocos Sur: AnMagsingal Almanac 179

History

Magsingal was described in the 19th century as having 965 houses, a church, a casa tribunal (municipal hall) with a prison cell and a primary school. Its has forests. It’s land yields vegetables and fruits and abaca. Its handlooms manufactured table cloths and other textiles. During the Philippine-American War, Magsingal gave its support for the revolutionaries leading the Americans to conclude on August 1900 that “it was a well-known fact that the inhabitants [of Magsingal] sympathize with the insurgents.” This apparent sympathy for the rebels made the Americans decide to move the barrio population of Magsingal to the town proper. Further surveillance efforts were made by the Americans. Bullcarts were inspected in Magsingal and Lapog, their loads recorded and their drivers forbidden to sleep on the road. American stockades were also established in Magsingal and Lapog. On March 7, 1900, Gen. Manuel Tinio, who was sent by Aguinaldo to Ilocos to take charge of the resistance movement, left Major Francisco Celedonio in charge of Magsingal. When William Howard Taft visited Ilocos Sur on August 16, 1901, Magsingal was represented by the following: Presidente Francisco Vera Cruz Representantes Egidio Oandasan Juan Agatep Sopio Rosario Pablo Jurado Julian Vilamino Cesareo Urias Timoteo Lara Bruno Viorge Presidente Severo Tumanong Catalino Soliven Aracdio Gonzales Marinao Tumaneng Antonio Garcia Placido Tabon Norverto Sequi Bruno Barbado Guillermo Rosario Vicente Tolentino Froilan Mercado Cipriano Farinas Isabelo Farinas After the Japanese Occupation, the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres came to Magsingal when their school in Narvacan town was burned down during the liberation of the town from the Japanese by American forces. The sisters opened a kindegarten class on August 14, 1945. The following year, they offered a complete course in primary education, i.e. Grades I-IV, on July 5, 1946. The sisters offered intermediate grades schooling, i.e. Grades V-VI, on July 24, 180 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

St. William Ruins

Magsingal 181

1947. By 1948, the sisters offered the complete elementary curriculum. On May 1953, St. Williams Institute, ran by the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres, merged with St. William’s High School under the supervision of the parish priest of Magsingal. The school assumed the name St. William’s Institute and offered kindergarten, elementary and high school education. In 1975, the kindergarten and elementary schools of the Institute were closed due to lack of funds, but the high school for both girls and boys was retained.

Church

The church of Magsingal is dedicated to St. Willliam the Hermit, whose feastday falls on PARISH PRIESTS February 10. REV. ERWIN E. ECHALAS Magsingal was once a visita St. William the Hermit Parish of Bantay until it separated from REV. FLORENCIO B. REBEBES the latter and established itself St. William the Hermit Parish as a separate parish in 1732. REV. MANUEL A. GALIMBA JR. The first church was built St. William the Hermit Parish in 1692 but was set on fire by the great Ilocano leader Diego Silang. The present church was built in 1827, with a retablo (altar screen) carved by Nepomuceno Tolentino, and the choir loft and pulpit carved by Pablo Tamayo. The façade was done in the neoclassic style. It is divided into three levels. On the first levels is a semicircular arched portal flanked by two niches with two statues. Tuscan column niches are found on both sides of the main door. The symbols of the Augustinian order (the book and the heart) are found above the main door. On the second floor, there is a semicircular window flanked by two smaller windows with triangular pediments. The last level has a blind niche flanked by two small circular windows.

Industries

The top three industries of the town are food processing, tobacco and agriculture. Under the One Town One Product scheme, Magsingal has identified corn husk as its most important product.

Places to Visit

Lying along the coast are beaches located in Barangays Puro, Alangan, Namalpacan, Manzate, Miramar and Pagsanaan. The St. William the Hermit Church built in 1827 182 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

St. William the Hermit Parish

Magsingal 183

St. William the Hermit (left); The Pulpit (right) was installed in 1827

184 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Magsingal 185

Magsingal National Museum

186 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Church Belfry, built 1692

is also another interesting place to visit. Its convent has been used as a school called St. William Institute. A museum maintained by the National Museum is also worth visiting. It showcases the culture of the Tinggians and the Ilocanos. Before it was turned into a museum, it was the site of a school. The belfry of the church dates back in 1692 and is found just in front of the museum. Magsingal 187

Municipal Hall of

188 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

NAGBUKEL MAYORS Name Length of Service REMEGIO DUQUEM 1903-1907 ALVARO MAMSAANG 1908-1911 ENRIQUE FLORENDO 1912-1915 GREGORIO FERMIN 1916-1919 BALTAZAR FERMIN 1920-1923 SANTOS FAROLAN 1924-1927 LEON ICAY 1928-1932 BALTAZAR FERMIN 1933-1936 PONCIANO SUPNET 1937-1941 SAMUEL GINES 1942

FELIPE GINES 1943 ANACLETO FUNTANILLA 1944 AVARRO MARTINEZ 1945 JUAN QUEMA 1946 DIONISIO AGBULOS 1947 DAVID CARDONA, SR. Sep. 1955-Dec. 1955 ERNESTO CORRALES, SR. 1956-1959 BENJAMIN CANTORNA, SR. 1960-1967 JOSE CALDERON 1968-1987 CRESCENCIANO CALPITO (OIC) Nov. 1987-Jan. 1988 CAMILO CIUBAL Feb. 1, 1988-2007 TIMOTEO CABRERA 2007-2016 AMALIA CABRERA 2016-2019

Location

Nagbukel is an interior town located seven kilometers east of the mational road in Poblacion, Narvacan.

Topography

Municipal Hall of Nagbukel

A mountain can be found in the eastern part of the town and three small round hills in its southern part.

Government

Nagbukel is a fifth-class municipality subdivided into 12 barangays. These barangays are the following: 1. Balaweg 7. Lapting 2. Bandril 8. Mapisi 3. Bantugo 9. Mission 4. Cadacad 10. Poblacion East 5. Casilangan 11. Poblacion West 6. Casocos 12. Tale

Etymology

There are three versions as to how the town got its name. One version is the existence of a mountain in the eastern part of the town that made its contour appear like the top of a hat when viewed from a distance. “Nagbukel,” meaning round, refers to the round top of the hat. The other version came about from the fact that there are three small hills found in the midst of rice fields in the southern part of the town. When one sees the hills from the poblacion, these appear round-shaped, or “Nagbukel.” Nagbukel 189

The last version was attributed to the grouping togethe of the barrios of both Narvacan and Nagbukel. According to the story, four barrios (Mission, Bandril, Poblacion East and Sarmingan) that constituted the town of Nagbukel were not contiguous to one another. These barrios were scattered and integrated with those of Narvacan. An old man was supposed to have said in Ilocano, Nawara, Masapul a Buklen, meaning â&#x20AC;&#x153;they (the barrios) are scattered and there is a need to put some order. The village elders negotiated with the leaders of Narvacan so that all places east of the Cayapa River would constitute a separate area to be called Nagbukel.

Logo

The shield is derived from the provincial seal of Ilocos Sur. The grains of palay represent the principal livelihood of the people, which is farming. The tobacco leaves represent Virginia tobacco which provides valuable monetary returns after harvest time. The rising sun symbolizes the peace, unity and progress existing among the town folks.

History

Apart from information that it was once a part of Narvacan, there is not much historical data written about Nagbukel. Some data pertains to an incident on October 24, 1900 when Filipinos ambushed 100 American soldiers in the Battle of Cosocos Pass in Nagbukel. Five Americans were reported killed and several others injured in that incident. Nagbukel later became a municipality in 1918. 190 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

There are three small hills found in the middle of rice fields in the southern part of the town.When one sees the hills from the poblacion, these appear round-shaped. or â&#x20AC;&#x153;nagbukel.â&#x20AC;?

Nagbukel 191

192 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

1900 (October 24) Filipinos ambush 100 American soldiers in the Battle of Cosocos Pass in Nagbukel. Five Americans were killed and several others were injured.

Nagbukel 193

194 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

1944 (July) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Guerillas abduct Jose J. Tesoro, mayor of Nagbukel town. He was eventually executed.

Nagbukel 195

Church

The town became a parish in July 1, 1935. It chose for its patron saint St. Jospeh, whose feast day is celebrated on March 19. The first resident priest of Nagbukel was Fr. Juan Apolinar.

PARISH PRIEST REV. ARNEL P. RAMOS St. Joseph Parish

St. Joseph

Industries

Rice milling and agriculture are the top industries of the town. Nagbukel farmers cultivate corn, tobacco, cotton, root crops and vegetables. Rice has also been listed as a product under the One Town One Product scheme. 196 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

St. Joseph Parish

Nagbukel 197

Location

Narvacan is bounded on the north by the municipality of Santa, on the northeast by the province of Abra, on the south by the municipality of Santa Maria, on the east by the municipality of Nagbukel and on the west by the South China Sea .

Topography

Narvacan has two mountains on the east: Bantay Abot, which is about 80 meters high and Bantay Tirad, approximately 500 meters high. The Kayapa River traverses Narvacan serving as its eastern boundary separating it from the municipality of Nagbukel. It flows out into the sea between Pantoc and San Pedro. The other river is Magatel, which passes through the eastern barriers and flows through the northeastern part of the municipality. The central part consists of narrow coastal plains. 198 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Government

Narvacan is a second-class municipality composed of 34 barangays. These are the following: 1. Abuor 18. Marozo 2. Ambulogan 19. Naguneg 3. Aquib 20. Orence 4. Banglayan 21. Pantoc 5. Bantay Abot 22. Paratong 6. Bulanos 23. Paraparia 7. Cadacad 24. Quinarayan 8. Cagayungan 25. Rivadavia 9. Camarao 26. San Antonio 10. Casilangan 27. San Jose 11. Cadoog 28. San Pablo 12. Dasay 29. San Pedro 13. Dinalaoan 30. Santa Lucia 14. Estancia 31. Sarmingan 15. Lanipao 32. Sucoc 16. Lungog 33. Sulvec 17. Margaay 34. Turod

NARVACAN MAYORS Name GUILLERMO BAUTISTA MANUEL DAMASCO ALEJO CONDE LAYA MARIANO ZARSOZA PEDRO ROLDAN RUFINO BANEZ MEDIO JACOB PROCESO SANIDAD DIONISIO CLARIN PONCIANO VILORIA DON LEON CORDERO DON JACINTO CORDERO DON PEDRO BANEZ VILORIA DON JACINTO CORDERO DON LUCIO CLARIN

Length of Service 1876-1880 1880-1882 1882-1884 1884-1886 1886-1888 1888-1890 1890-1892 1892-1894 1894-1896 1896-1898 1898-1900 1904-1908 1908-1912 1912-1917 1917-1919 1919-1925

DON FERNANDO ABELLA 1925-1934 DON ANDRES CORDERO 1934-1941 DOMINADOR VILLANUEVA (Japanese occupation) 1942-1944 NEMESIO BORGE (Military government, under 121st infantry, USAFPIP-NL) 1944-1945 JOSE CLARIN (Appointed) 3 months after liberation LUIS CABANILLA (Appointed) 1946-1947 TIMOTEO CACHOLA 1947-1959 JAIME CORDERO 1959-1963 JUSTO MENDOZA 1963-1965 SALVADOR CABANILLA (Acting) 1965-1967 DR. GREGORIA V. CAUTON 1967-1986 ROSALIA VILLANUEVA 1986-1988 EDGARDO D. ZARAGOZA 1988-1998 CHARITO S. ZARAGOZA 1998-2004 EDGARDO ZARAGOZA 2004-2013 ZURIEL ZARAGOZA 2013-2019

Municipal Hall of Narvacan

Narvacan 199

200 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

“NALBAKAYON” - The soldiers of Spanish conquistador Juan de Salcedo on board a sailboat encounter strong winds and big waves at the mouth of Abra River, causing the boat to crash on the big rocks ashore. Igorots who rushed to rescue them began shouting ‘Nalbakayon’ meaning “wrecked.”

Etymology

The municipality is said to have derived its name from the Ilocano word for “wrecked” which is “Nalbakayon.” Legend has it that Juan de Salcedo, who had established himself in Villa Fernandina, sent out an expedition to reconnoiter the surrounding area of his encomienda. Upon reaching the mouth of the Abra River, the sailboat of the expeditionary force was forced further south, and later smashed against the rocks in present-day Pideg. With its hull damaged, the Spaniards brought the boat to Camantirisan (present-day Pantoc) where they were forced to land. The boat, however capsized because of strong waves, and watching it from ashore, the natives began shouting in Ilocano “Nalbakayaon,” or “Your boat has been wrecked.” Once rescued, the Spaniards asked the natives the name of the place. Not understanding the question, the natives answered: “Nabalka,” meaning “Were you wrecked?” The Spaniards then thought that the name of the place was Nabalka. Seeking temporary shelter in a sitio south of Pantoc, which they named San Pedro, the Spaniards later reported to Juan de Salcedo that they were able to reach a place called Nabalka. Later, the word evolved into Narvacan, which was how residents called their place from that time on.

Logo

The logo shows the Sulvec Watchtower, one of Narvacan’s landmarks. This tower made of brick was built during the Spanish period as a place to warn residents of approaching pirates. The mountains and the sea represent the principal topographical features of the town. The palay stalks, the tobacco leaf and fish represent the principal products of the municipality.

Narvacan 201

History

The town was said to have been discovered by the Spaniards in 1576. In 1589, Nicolas de Figueroa became the encomendero of Narvacan. Two years earlier, the Augustinians established a parish in Narvacan. During the Malong Uprising in 1660, the bishop of Vigan and friars were brought to Narvacan by Filipino rebels. Narvacan was ably defended by a local chief by the name of Felipe Madamba. In the course of the uprising, Narvacan became the launching pad of the Spaniards. Together with Ilocano and Cagayano auxiliaries, the Spaniards proceeded to Bacarra to quell the revolt and execute its leaders. Its location close to the sea saw the necessity of a watch tower to warn the townspeople of the impending arrival of pirates. This also explains the fortress-like construction of its church as people repaired to the church in the event of raiding expeditions launched by the Muslims. By the 19th century, Narvacan was described as a pueblo with a parish priest and a gobernadorcillo. It was reported to have 3,248 houses and had a school for boys and girls, a prison, as well as a parish whose patron saint was Santa Lucia.1 The mountains of Narvacan yield different kinds of wood such as abutra, macabuhay, gogo, cana, buri and others. Ranches owned by Tingguians can be found in the mountains of Narvacan. In its fertile soil is cultivated palay, corn, vegetables, fruits, cotton and sugar cane. Narvacan counted among its industries during the 19th century, the manufacture of salt, the weaving of sailcloth (lona), the cutting of lumber and the tanning of leather. The women engaged in weaving and the making of dried venison and dried beef. Narvacan, ingeneral, profited greatly from the flourishing trade with the mountain people (Tingguian and Igorot tribals) found in the east.

1900 (April 15) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Five Filipinos were killed in Narvacan during an attack staged by American soldiers. 202 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Narvacan 203

1900 (June 1) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; During the Battle of Mount Parparia in Narvacan there were 27 Filipinos and 3 American casualties

204 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Narvacan 205

206 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

During the Filipino-American War, the Americans forced the barrio population of Narvacan to move to the poblacion or town center. This was a policy adopted by the Americans when they found the town population sympathized with the Filipino cause. Mauricio Bello, the parish priest of Narvacan, was convicted by the Americans on October 19, 1900 for being the local Katipunan chief and organizer. He was sentenced to two years in prison and fined. Eleven books of oaths pledging loyalty to the Katipunan were discovered during a clean-up of the convent in Narvacan.2 The link between the Katipunan and the religious organization called the Guardia de Honor became more obvious when Pedro Damaso used the latter as an excuse to meet the revolutionaries.3 When the list of Katipuneros of Narvacan fell in the hands of the Americans, the Filipinos retaliated by cutting six kilometers of telegraph lines installed by the Americans.4 During a visit made by W.H. Taft, then head of the Taft Commission to Ilocos Sur, Narvacan was represented by the following: Presidente Rufino Banes Marcelo Presidente, Partido Federal Victorino Damasco Members, Partido Federal Ponciano Viloria y Martines Felipe Gaerlan This early, Narvacan already had adherents of the Federal Party which was the only recognized political party in the Philippines by the United States. The party platform was working for the annexation of the Philippines to the United States as one of its states. as one of the states. During the Japanese Occupation, Sucoc became the headquarters of the Northern Luzon guerrilla forces.

1900 (November 19) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Americans captured 26 Filipinos during a meeting of the secret society Katipunan in Narvacan Narvacan 207

208 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

1942 (January 1) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Capt. Walter Cushing of the US Armyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 121st Infantry leads a band of Ilocano guerillas during an ambush in Narvacan town that resulted in the death of Japanese soldiers traveling on board several trucks. Narvacan 209

Church

The present church is said to be the third church of the town built in 1701. It was made of â&#x20AC;&#x153;lajaâ&#x20AC;? stone quarried from the mountains and mixed with mortar made of sand and lime. The frame was made of wood and the roof covered with cogon. Unfortunately, the church was damaged by an earthquake which struck the town in 1707. The townspeople decided to construct a new church, this time made of stone and logs gathered from the mountains. The church and convent were said to have been completed in 1709.

St. Lucy Parish

210 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

In 1722, both the church and convent burned down. The old church was restored by Fr. Jose Carugedo, who was the parish priest of Narvacan from 1879 to 1898. The four-story bell tower was constructed by Fr. Benito Rosendo in 1864. Badly damaged during the Japanese Occupation, the church was restored later. The convent presently accommodates students of the parish. The style of the church is said to combine Baroque, Muslim and Neo-classic features. The center round finial is of Muslim influence, while the volutes and the scrolls reflect the Baroque style.

The faรงade appears heavy because of the rectangular pillars mounted on rectangular pedestals. The pillars taper and end up with urn-like finials. The second level has three semi-circular arched windows. No decoration is found in the faรงade except for a niche in the center above the main entrance. The four-story hexagonal bell tower has blind and open windows said to be reflective of the Renaissance style. The church of Narvacan is dedicated to St. Lucy, whose feast day falls on December 13.

PARISH PRIESTS REV. EMERITO V. VENIDA St. Lucy Parish REV. GEORGE M. TABANGCURA St. Lucy Parish REV. GERARDO IA. ANTOLIN St. Francis Xavier Parish Lungog, Narvacan

St.Lucy Church Pulpit Narvacan 211

St. Lucy, Virgin and Martyr 212 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

St. Francis Xavier

Narvacan 213

Industries

The top three industries of Narvacan are meat processing, tobacco and agriculture. Narvacan has identified the making of bagnet as its product under the One Town One Product scheme. Bagnet is pork meat which is deep fried and which becomes an important ingredient in a dish called “pinakbet” which is a vegetable stew.

Inhabitants

Barangay Sarmingan in Narvacan is home to Igorots from the Mountain Province and Tinggians from Abra province.

Places to Visit

The Moro Watch Tower in Sulvec Point in Narvacan is entirely made of bricks and has two openings, one in the lower portion and the other in the midsection. The St. Lucy Church and convent is another place worth visiting. The Rizal monument located in the town plaza of Narvacan was said to be built in the 1930s. The pedestal is decorated with a statue of a woman holding a laurel wreath. The many old houses of Narvacan built during the Spanish period up to the 50s are rare and interesting sights to behold. Not to be missed are the beach resorts found in Barangays Sulvec, Pantoc and Turod. The Narvacan North Central School, a Gabaldontype of schoolhouse, was made the headquarters of the Japanese during the Japanese Occupation. It was totally destroyed by the American forces, but was later rebuilt by the provincial government. A gabaldon type of school house was the first school houses built in every towns during the American period. It was named after the assemblyman of Nueva Ecija who authored a law in 1908 which required that all towns in the Philippines should build a primary school. Endnotes 1

3 4

St. Lucy, Virgin and Martyr

214 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Manuel Buzeta and Felipe Bravo. Diccionario geografico, estadistico, historic de las islas Filipinas. Madrid: 1850-1851, Vol. 2, p.335. Data on Narvacan in the 19th century was taken from this work. William Henry Scott. Ilocano Responses to American aggression, 1900 – 1901. Quezon city, Philippines: New Day Publishers, 1986, p. 85, 123. Ibid., p. 16 Ibid, p. 125

Narvacan watchtower

Sulvec Beach Narvacan 215

QUIRINO MAYORS Name MAGDALENO C. LOBAGAN 1952 JUAN DOMINGO SATURNINO C. QUENIS, SR. MAGDALENO B. DAZON, SR.

216 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Length of Service Jan. 1, 1947-Dec. 31, Jan.1, 1952-1956 Jan.1, 1960-1963 Apr 1, 1956-1959 Jan. 1, 1964-1971

PRIMITIVO A. GATTUD MANUEL D. PANDUYOS ELMER GOMINTONG JAIME D. ACIONG, SR. CLIFFORD PATIL-AO ALLEN NIMO, JR.

Jan. 1, 1972- Dec. 1, 1987 1988-1995 Jul. 1, 1995-1998 1998-2007 2007-2016 2016-2019

Location

Quirino is bounded on the north by Tubo, Abra and San Emilio, Ilocos Sur, on the east by Besao and Tadian, Mountain Province, on the south by Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, on the southwest by Sigay, Ilocos Sur and the west by Gregorio del Pilar, Ilocos Sur.

Topography

This municipality is found in the Cordillera mountain range. Because of its location and natural barriers, it is one of the most inaccessible municipalities of Ilocos Sur. On the western part of Quirino is the famous Tirad Pass; on the northeastern part is Mt. Tikeng, which leads to Tubo, Abra province. The Abra River traverses Quirino and flood plains are found in its barangays. Five of these barangays are in the eastern bank of the Abra River. These are Barangays Patiacan, Tubtuban, Lamag, Banoen and Malideg. The four barangays found in the western bank of the Abra River are Cayus, Poblacion, Suagayan and Namitpit. The once-clean Abra River has lately been polluted by mine tailings from the Lepanto Mining Company in

Municipal Hall of Quirino Quirino 217

Mangkayan, Benguet. Its once pristine waters have turned yellow or black, depending on the degree of its pollution. The other rivers of Quirino are Balas-iyan, Suagayan, Matong and Tikeng. These rivers are harnessed to provide irrigation for the municipality.

Government

Quirino, a fourth-class municipality, is subdivided into the following barangays: 1. Banoen 6. Patiacan 2. Cayus 7. Legleg (Poblacion) 3. Lamag 8. Suagayan 4. Malideg 9. Tubtuba 5. Namitpit

Etymology

The old name of Quirino was Angaki, a town that once belonged to the sub-province of Amburayan. The name Angaki is derived from the Ilocano word “gaki” which means crabs. According to a legend, a Spaniard and a Filipino on a census-taking expedition. reached a settlement called Tabbak, where they saw a woman who was catching shrimps, eels, crabs in a river. The Filipino asked the woman what the name of the place was. Noticing that man was looking at the basket tied to her waist. the woman thought the question was about the contents of the basket, and replied “Ay Gaki” meaning crabs. The Filipino census taker jotted down the name Ankagi as the name of the place. Republic Act No. 4035 signed by President Diosdado Macapagal on June 18, 1964 renamed Angaki to Quirino in honor of the sixth president of the Philippines, Elpidio Quirino, a native son of Ilocos Sur.

Logo

The shield is derived from the provincial seal of Ilocos Sur. The palay sheaves and the cow head represent the primary and secondary livelihood of the people. The vast tracks of land represent the land of the municipality dedicated to pasturing and farming. 218 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

“ANGAKI” - Spanish soldiers reportedly met two women carrying

clay pots, and asked about its contents. The woman answered, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Angaki. Quirino 219

Despite the mountainous terrain of the municipality, the people have carved rice terraces from the mountain sides.

History

In 1850, Angkaki was formerly a township of the sub-province of Amburayan in the Mountain Province. During the Philippine-American War, Emilio Aguinaldo stayed in Angkaki for a week after crossing Mt. Tirad. The diary of Simeon Villa contains an entry is dated November 23, 1899 which reads:1 At seven in the morning, we resumed our trip. From this day, we started crossing mountains. We traveled continuously reaching Angkaki at two in the afternoon after crossing Mt. Tirad, 1,300 meters in altitude. We spend seven days in this settlement. It was also in Angkaki where Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo received the news of the death of Gen. Gregorio del Pilar. The Americans later established a garrison in Angkaki. In 1922, under the sponsorship of Gov. Alejandro Quirologico, Angkaki became a municipal district and made part of Ilocos Sur. During the Japanese Occupation of the Philippines, an old Spanish house in sitio Saoil in barangay Poblacion was turned into a garrison by the Japanese. It was in this same sitio where the original Angkaki Municipal Hall was established which was burned during World War II. The town mayor then, Rafael Bawas, was executed by the Japanese Imperial Army. In 1963, Executive Order No. 61 dated December 31, 1963 signed by President Diosdado Macapagal made Angkaki a regular municipality of Ilocos Sur.

During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, an old Spanish house in sitio Saoil in the poblacion was turned into a garrison by the Japanese. The Angkaki municipal hall was established, but this was burned during World War II. Japanese soldiers also executed the town mayor, Rafael Bawas. 220 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Quirino 221

Church

Angkaki, together with San Emilio, were administered by the Augustinian missionaries. During the early American period, the spiritual needs of Angkaki were neglected until the CICM, a Belgian religious order, constructed its church in 1907. In 1993, the parish was transferred to the diocesan clergy and was administered by Fr. Peter Damag. The church is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, whose feast day falls on December 8.

Industries

The top three industries of Quirino are bamboo craft, hollow blocks-making and tobacco flu-curing. It has identified bamboo craft as its principal industry under the One Town One Industry scheme.

Immaculate Concepcion Patron and Parish

222 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

PARISH PRIEST REV. BERNARDO R. GONZALES Immaculate Conception Parish

Inhabitants

Quirino is home to Aplai-Kankanaey, who came from the Mountain Province, the Maeng tribe of Tubo, Abra and the Bago tribe, and is a product of the intermarriage of the Ilocanos from the lowlands and the ethnolinguistic groups of the Cordillera. The role of the Dap-ay or the traditional village center led by the Council of Elders has remained a driving force in the daily life of the people. Recently, the cultural groups mentioned earlier made a stand on the mining activities of the Lepanto Mining Company that has led to the pollution of the Abra River. The municipality of Quirino, together with other municipalities, have formed a group with the acronym MAQUITACDEG, which stands for Mankayan, Quirino, Tadian, Cervantes Danggayan a Gunglo. The word â&#x20AC;&#x153;makitakdegâ&#x20AC;? also means to stand beside or to fight with. The group protested the effects of mining activities on the Abra River system. The residents of Quirino continue to celebrate traditional activities such as the Dawak, a wedding ceremony of a couple after giving birth to their first born child; the Gubgubaw, a gathering initiated by the grandparents for the birth of the first grandchild; the Begnas, which is a thanksgiving celebration; and the Sagawsaw, a community festival to drive away evil spirits.

Places to Visit

The municipality boasts of the Tirad Pass National Park as one of its enduring tourist destinations. Tirad Pass provides a panoramic view of the municipalities of Gregorio del Pilar, San Emilio, Salcedo, Santa Lucia, Santa Cruz, Candon, Santa Maria, Caoayan, and Vigan. Santa Catalina and the China Sea in the west. overlooks the municipalities of Cervantes and Sigay on the south while on the east Quirino in Ilocos Sur, Tubo in Abra, Beaso, Tadian and Sinto, Bauko all in Mountain Province and Abatan, Buguias, and Lepanto, and Mankayan in Benguet Province. There are two hot spring sites in Quirino: Tikeng, which is one kilometer from sitio Dagman and Matong, which is less than a kilometer from the Poblacion. Of the two, Tikeng hot springs is the hottest, in terms of temperature, that one can boil an egg or dress a chicken in rhe waters,

Quirino 223

Location

Salcedo is bounded on the south by Santa Cruz, on the west by Santa Lucia, on the north by Candon and Galimuyod and on the east by Gregorio del Pilar.

Topography

Located at the foot of the Cordillera, Salcedo enjoys a cool climate suitable for the cultivation of high-value commercial fruits such as rambutan, sweet tamarind, export-quality mangoes and avocados. Salcedo has many springs and waterfalls like the renowned Dinaratan and Lucbuban Waterfalls. The Buaya River traverses the middle part of the municipality. For trekkers, Salcedo is the starting point to the famous Tirad Pass. 224 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Government

Salcedo is a fourth-class municipality subdivided into 21 barangays. These barangays are the following: 1. Atabay 12. Lucbuban 2. Calangcuasan 13. Madarang 3. Balibid 14. Malicong 4. Baluarte 15. Pias 5. Baybayading 16. Poblacion Norte 6. Boguibog 17. Poblacion Sur 7. Bulala-Leguey 18. San Gaspar 8. Kaliwakiw 19. San Tiburcio 9. Culiong 20. Sorioan 10. Dinaratan 21. Ubbog 11. Kinmarin

Etymology

The name of the town comes from Spanish conquistador Juan de Salcedo who was granted an encomienda which he named Villa Fernandina in 1574. During the term of Mayor Jesus Taqueban in the ’50s, the municipality of Bauguen was renamed Salcedo. Bauguen, the old name of the municipality, means “to pound” in the local language. There are two explanations for the origin of the word “bauguen.” One explanation is that there was a waterfall not far from the municipality whose waters fell on a rock underneath. The other explanation is that it represents the pounding sound of the mortar and

SALCEDO MAYORS Name SILVERIO MANGINGAN PEDRO LAPGA SIMEON DAGUSEN NICOLAS TAQUEBAN JOSE GOMINTONG RUFINO DANIOAN FAUSTINO ALUYEN MARTIN MAGSINGIT NARCISO BATNAG LEONARDO BOLINGEG ANTONIO PILAYAN MARCELO SUMAO-I JOSE BILAOEN ROSENDO ANAEN NICOLAS ALUYEN DIONISIO BILAOEN MATEO BUMATAY BONIFACIO PORQUESE MARIANO ALUYEN SIMEON SUMAO-I SIMEON SUMAO-I, JR DIONISIO BILAOEN PABLO NGADE

Length of Service 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873-1875 1875-1877 1877-1879 1879-1881 1881-1883 1883-1885 1885-1887 1887-1889 1889-1891 1891-1893 1893-1895 1895-1897 1897-1898 1898 1901-1902 1902-1903 1906

ALEJO AMBAGO FELICIANO ANNAGUEY VENANCIO BANAY RUPERTO TAQUEBAN FLORENTINO TAQUEBAN CANDIDO OANDASAN FLORENTINO TAQUEBAN RAFAEL CAMANGA FRANCISCO COLLONG & CANDIDO OANDASAN

1906-1908 1908-1910 1910-1915 1915-1927 1928-1933 1933-1936 1937-1939 1940

JOSE MAKIL RAFAEL CAMANGA BRIGIDO ALUYEN JESUS TAQUEBAN LEOPOLDO GINORELLA JUAN SUMAO-I PERFECTO GINORELLA JUAN SUMAO-I PERFECTO GINORELLA SEVERINO BUQUING PERFECTO GINORELLA LEONOFRE GINORELLA ROSARIO GINORELLA LEONOFRE GINORELLA LEOPOLDO GINORELLA, JR.

1944 1945-1951 1951-1956 1956-1959 1960-1963 1963-1967 1960-1963 1963-1967 1967-1971 1972-1979 1979-1986 1986-1998 1998-2007 2007-2013 2013-2019

1941-1943

Salcedo 225

Logo

The shield is derived from the provincial seal of Ilocos Sur. The six stars represent the six rancherias that madeup the township: Lucbuban, Kinmarin, Boguibog, Baybayading, Mandarang and Balibid. The mountains represent Tirad Pass where Gen. Gregorio del Pilar heroically gave up his life to prevent the capture of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo from pursuing American soldiers. The river symbolizes the Buaya River which traverses the mountains and hills of Salcedo, and is the source of water of the municipality. The mortar and pestle symbolize the main crops of Salcedo - rice and corn - that both have use for these farm implements. The agricultural lands depicted in the seal represent the area where the townspeople cultivate rice, corn and tobacco.

History

The town was founded in 1876 from 16 rancherias, namely: Ronquillo, Balidbid, San Gaspar, Calioaquio, Atabay, Pias, Nagtablaan, San Basilio, Sorioan, Dinaratan, Cubcubboot, Bauguen, Arangin, Cabugbugan, Mapaltot and Barrooy. The town church was built in 1883, which coincided with the outbreak of a cholera epidemic, causing the death of some of residents. Spanish Governor-General Valeriano Weyler visited Salcedo in April 6, 1890 in the course of the installation of its resident priest, Rev. Tomas Arizabal of Vigan. During the revolution, the Gobierno Revolucionario appointed Don Simeon Sumao-i as presidente local. Captured Spaniards reportedly 226 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Municipal Hall of Salcedo

Salcedo 227

228 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

“BAUGUEN” – This town known for its rushing waters that pound boulders or huge rocks was named after Juan.

Salcedo 229

230 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

1898 (November 22) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Pursued by American troops, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo and his men encamped at the town plaza of Bauguen where they were received by Don Mariano Aluyen

Salcedo 231

served as domestic helpers of town residents. Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo passed by this town on his way to Palanan, Isabela. Not long after, the American General Frederick Funston passed by the town as he pursued Aguinaldo. Bauguen was the stage of a battle between Filipino revolutionaries and American soldiers as it stood in the crossroad of the lowlands and the mountains. In 1903, some barrios of Bauguen were annexed to the town of Santa Lucia while the eastern barrios of the town were annexed to the sub-province of Abra. In 1911, the Obispo Maximo of the Philippine Independent Church, Gregorio Aglipay celebrated Mass in Bauguen. In 1917, the presidente municipal of Bauguen, Ruperto Taqueban initiated a move to get back 11 barrios from Santa Lucia. These barrios were restored to Santa Lucia in 1938 by virtue of Executive Order No. 165 signed by then President Manuel Quezon. Bauguen became a regular municipality in 1919. Before the outbreak of the Pacific War, Bauguen witnessed the opening of schools, the establishment of irrigation works, the frequent outbreaks of rinderpest which affected its livestock, the establishment of a womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s club as well as the visit in 1930 of a committee headed by then President Sergio Osmena to identify the remains of Gen. Gregorio del Pilar. With the arrival of Japanese forces in the town, the Japanese appointed two municipal mayors, Francisco Col-long and Candido Oandasan, both of whom were later executed by Filipino guerillas. The American Capt. Walter Cushing organized the guerillas in this town. In 1942, the Candon-Bauguen route became the scene of ambuscades executed by Filipino guerillas. In 1944, the United States Armed Forces of the Far East, Northern Luzon established a military government in Bauguen appointing Jose Makil as mayor of the town. During this time, bolomen were organized and carried out the work of protecting civilians, feeding the soldiers and bringing ammunition to the front lines. On December 2, 1944, the town of Bauguen was razed to the ground by the Japanese who spared only the Methodist and Aglipayan churches. Bauguen served as the gateway in driving out Japanese Gen. Yamashita from Bessang and Cervantes. 1902 (March 20) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; American forces from Candon and Santiago 232 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

attack mountain camp in Salcedo and killed Capt. Dionisio Reyes. Salcedo 233

234 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

1944 December 2 - Bauguen town was razed to the ground by Japanese soldiers but spared Methodist and Aglipayan churches

Salcedo 235 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

St. Joseph Parish

St. Joseph

Church

The town was formerly under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of Candon. A permanent chapel was constructed by the Fr. Marcel Vantomme, CICM and became a visita of the town of Gregorio del Pilar. It was canonically erected as a parish on March 27, 1958, with Father Hermenegildo Lazo as its first parish priest. The parish was transferred to the diocesan clergy in 1995 with Father Felix Costales as the parish priest of Salcedo, Del Pilar and Sigay. 236 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

PARISH PRIEST REV. RONILO G. VILLA

The patron saint of Salcedo is St. Joseph, whose feast day is celebrated on March 19.

Industries

Agriculture, tropical fruits production and tobacco are the top three industries of Salcedo. Rice has been identified as the top product of Salcedo under the One Town One Product scheme.

Inhabitants

Salcedo is home to the Kankanays, Itnegs and Tingguians who have intermarried among themselves as well as with Ilocanos.

The intermarriage between the Ilocanos of the lowlands and the different cultural communities of the Cordillera have given rise to a new cultural community called Bago. The Bago practice agriculture and cultivate tobacco, garlic and onions.

Places to Visit

1. Buaya River is known for its raging waters during the rainy season that turns serene during the summer months. 2. The Dinaratan and Lucbuban Waterfalls are found amidst the lush rainforests of the Cordillera.

Salcedo 237

Location

Located on the mountainous southern part of Ilocos Sur, San Emilio is bounded on the west by Lidlidda, Candon City and Galimuyod; on the north by Burgos and Villaviciosa, Abra; on the east by Tubo, Abra; and on the south by Gregorio del Pilar and Quirino. Municipal Hall of San Emilio

238 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Topography

The town of San Emilio is located along the Cordillera Mountain range. It has a mountainous terrain and a cool climate. Among the mountains in the region are Pidlisan, Pangew, Bimonaliga and Caleb.

Government

San Emilio is a fourth-class municipality with eight barangays. These are: 1. Cabaroan 5. Sibsibbu 2. Kalumsing 6. Tiangan 3. Lancuas 7. Matibuey 4. Paltoc 8. San Miliano

SAN EMILIO MAYORS Name Length of Service EMILIO PATI 1915-1917 GERONIMO BELLOZA 1918-1921 ARCADIO EMPERIAL 1922-1925 DOROTEO CASTRO 1926-1929 MARCIANO SALIB-O 1930-1933 VICENTE FABRIGAS 1934-1937 GERONIMO ALICUDONG 1938-1941 AGAPITO BULLAGAO 1942-1943 BERNARDINO FORONDA 1943-1945 AGAPITO BULLAGAO 1946-1947 DANSOY PAMBALAN 1948-1951 DIONICIO RAMIREZ 1952-1956 MARCIANO SALIB-O 1956-1971 AVELINO RAMIREZ Dec. 7, 1971-Dec. 20, 1971 FELIX QUIANGGA Dec. 20, 1971-Jan. 2, 1972 MANUEL BANUA Jan. 3, 1972-Jan. 22, 1979 EMILIANO ISIGUEN Feb. 23, 1979-May 21, 1987 ROMEO RAFAEL May 22, 1987-Dec. 2, 1987 RODRIGO CAOAING Dec. 3, 1987-Feb. 2, 1988 ALVARO BANUA 1988-1992 of Jun. LEON LAIS 1992-2001 LORENZO BRAGADO, JR 2001-2010 FERDINAND A. BANUA 2010-2019

San Emilio 239

The town of San Emilio was named in honor of Don Emilio Aguinaldo, head of Filipino revolutionaries who fought for Philippine independence from the Americans. Aguinaldo stayed for one week in the town before he retreated to Palanan in Isabela province.

240 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Etymology

The name San Emilio is said to have derived from Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, presidentof the first Philippine Republic, who stayed in Tiagan during the Filipino-American War. Out of respect and love for the general who at that time was being pursued by the Americans, the townfolks renamed Tiagan to San Emilio.

Logo

The shield is derived from the provincial seal of Ilocos Sur. The two encircling blue lines represent the protective shield of the government as vanguard of the municipality. The eight rays of the sun represent the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eight barangays. The mountains, valleys, upland and lowland fields indicate that agriculture is the lifeline of the town. The banana plant and the head of the cattle stand for the fact that the municipality is one of the largest cattle and banana producers of the province. The year 1723 is the date of founding of San Emilio, which was then called Tiagan. The color blue stands for peace, unity and liberty; green for hope and aspiration; yellow for prosperity; white for purity; and yellow-green for productivity.

History

San Emilio, then called Tiagan, used to be part of the Mountain Province. Tiagan was a military district located along the Igorot trade route between the Abra valley and the coast. Sinibaldo de Mas, then the Spanish minister to Peking who visited the Philippines in 1842 described Tiagan, along with Benguet and Bucay, as having no chaplains, doctors and dispensaries. The cold weather brought havoc to the native soldiers who were not used to the climate and therefore â&#x20AC;&#x153;easily suffer from sudden drafts which cause headaches and joint pains.â&#x20AC;? 1 San Emilio 241

242 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

1942 (January 20) – Japanese troops raided Cushing’s bivouac in San Emilio causing his troops to disperse.

San Emilio 243

In 1892, the town had nine schools administered by the Augustinians. During the Philippine-American War, Binnian of Lumitang, Tiagan supported the Filipino forces by feeding the Filipino revolutionaries for a week while fortifying Lidlidda, a kilometer away.2 Headman Bingan of Tuanao, Tiagan gave a contribution of P100 to the revolutionary cause and did not report the presence of Filipino guerillas in the area to the Americans.3 During the American period, Tiagan was annexed to the province of Ilocos Sur, with the creation of a new poblacion (town center) called San Emilio. In 1953, the old municipal building was transferred from Tiagan to Cabaroan which is now the poblacion.

PARISH PRIEST REV. MOISES S. ANDRADA II St. Michael the Archangel Parish

244 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Church

The church was canonically established in 1937 by the CICM (Congregatio Immaculati Cordis Mariae) or Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The congregation arrived in the Philippines in 1907. The administration of the church was turned over to the diocesan clergy in 1987. The patron saint of the church is Saint Michael, the Archangel whose feast day falls on September 29.

Industries

The top three industries of San Emilio are agriculture, tropical fruits production and tobacco. Tapuey or rice wine is identified is the main product under the One Town One Product scheme. In fact, a

Tapuey Festival, a three-day event, is held every last week of April. During this festival, each barangay of San Emilio makes a booth of indigenous materials where the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s principal products are displayed. Each barangay is encouraged to display tapuey.

Places to Visit

Nature is the main attraction of San Emilio. Its forest mountains, its falls like Pacac Falls and Piuid Falls, both found in Barangay San Miliano as well as its rivers, such as the Tibong River in Barangay Matibuey and Nagsabaran River in Barangay Cabaroan, are all worth the visit.

Saint Michael the Archangel Parish and Patron Saint San Emilio 245

Location

San Esteban is bounded on the north by Santa Maria, on the south by Santiago, on the west by the West Philippine Sea and on the east by Burgos.

Topography

The town is a narrow coastal plain where one finds the sea on the west and the mountains on the east. The plainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s widest portion is 5.5 kilometers. Its terrain ranges from hilly to mountainous. Big stones are found in the mountains that are manufactured into mortars by the inhabitants of Barangay San Pablo. The stones are sent to other parts of the Philippines. The plains are dedicated to the cultivation of tobacco, rice, corn, beans, sweet potatoes and peanuts. 246 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Coconut trees are visible on the western edge of the municipality, along the West Philippine Sea banks in Barangays Apatot, Bateria, Villa Quirino and San Pablo. The creeks in the municipality are short and rapid. The San Rafael Creek extends from San Nicolas and passes through Poblacion and San Rafael, and ends in Villa Quirino before releasing its waters to the West Philippine Sea. The Cappa-cappa River, which is 7.5 kilometers long, traverses the plains of Barangays Cabaroan and Cappa-cappa.

Government

San Esteban is a fifth-class municipality subdivided into 10 barangays. These barangays are the following: 1. Ansad 6. Poblacion 2. Apatot 7. San Nicolas 3. Bateria 8. San Pablo 4. Cabaroan 9. San Rafael 5. Cappa-cappa 10. Villa Quirino

Municipal Hall of San Esteban

SAN ESTEBAN MAYORS Name Length of Service BARTOLOME ABAD 1796-1800 BUENVENTURA ABAD 1801-1846 SIMEON EUROPA 1847-1848 MARTIN BENITEZ 1849-1874 PANTALEON BENITEZ 1875-1878 CELESTINO CARDENAS 1878-1880 EUSTAQUIO AYSON 1880-1881 DIMAS ESPEJO 1881-1882 LEANDRO MENDOZA 1882-1884 EDUARDO IMPERIAL 1884-1887 MARIANO TAGUIAM 1887-1888 PROCESO EUROPA 1888-1890 CORNELIO VERGARA 1897-1899 ELEUTERIO PACQUING 1900-1909 JUAN HERNAEZ 1910-1912 TOMAS BENITEZ 1912-1916 EULOGIO MENDOZA 1916-1919 ROMAN RAMIREZ 1919-1922 MIGUEL EDRALIN 1922-1925 HIPOLITO GUZMAN 1925-1928 ESTEBAN EMPLEO 1928-1934 FIDENCIO VERGARA 1934-1935 FIDENCIO VERGARA 1935-1942 ELPIDIO MINA (Military mayor) 1944-1945 JUAN VERGARA SIPING 1945-1946 FIDENCIO VERGARA 1946-1947 JUAN VERGARA SIPING 1947-1955 DR. SAMUEL ORPILLA 1955-1966 SEBASTIAN CADACIO 1966-1967 ANTONIO RACELA 1968-1971 EUFEMIO Q. GOCHINGCO 1972-1978 PETRONIO M. CABUS 1979-1986 AIDA B. CARDENAS (OIC) Jul. 1986-Feb. 2, 1988 CHESTER A. ELAYDO 1988-Mar. 27, 1998 SOLOMON V. BENITEZ Mar. 28, 1988-Jun. 30, 2007 ARMANDO V. ABAD 1998-2007 CHESTER A. ELAYDO 2007-2016 RAY A. ELAYDO 2016-2019 Ilocos Sur: AnSan Almanac Esteban 247

Etymology

The old name of San Esteban was “Cabagbagototan,” meaning a place where there is an abundance of the plant called “bagbagotot.” This plant bore fruits resembling berries whose juice was used as ink. The name was laer changed by the Augustinian friars to San Esteban in honor of a Christian martyr who was stoned to death because of his faith. Since the place had mountains that yielded stones and rocks, it was deemed appropriate to name the place in memory of this saint.

Logo

The logo shows the three major products of San Esteban: tobacco leaves, the mortar and pestle or almires and fish. The 10 stars represent the 10 barangays that compose the municipality. The year 1910 was when San Esteban split from Santiago.

“NAGLAWLAWAN” - Townspeople killed a stranger called Iban or Teban. He was stoned to death and then beheaded. A feast was later held at a place called ‘Naglawlawan’. The natives renamed the town San Esteban, a Christian martyr who was stoned to death for defending his faith. 248 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

San Esteban 249

1900 June 10 - Parish priest Joaquin Florendo was arrested and convicted for having harbored and supplied insurgent officers and misled US officers. He was sentenced to hard labor

250 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

San Esteban 251

1902 – Mr. Snell, a Thomasite, opened the first school in San Esteban

History

The pueblo of San Esteban was founded in 1627. The location of San Esteban along the sea made it attractive for Moro pirates on the lookout for prey from the waters of the West Philippine Sea. This being the case, a watch tower was constructed in Bateria to forewarn the townspeople of an impending Moro raid. This watch tower was believed to have been built during the 17th century. San Esteban was once connected with Nueva Coveta, now Burgos, as a visita of the latter. It was also once a part of Santiago until its separation from the latter in 1910. On June 10, 1900, the parish priest of San Esteban, Joaquin Florendo, was arrested and convicted for having harbored and supplied insurgent officers and misled US officers. For this act, Fr. Florendo was sentenced to one year of hard labor and fined P500. Later, a cache was discovered in the town clerk’s house that yielded 239 oaths with code names signed in blood, 170 signed in ink and 464 applications of membership. On April 1901, 410 bolomen from San Esteban 252 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

took their oath to fight the enemy using the humble “bolo.” With the cessation of hostilities between Filipino and American forces, a visit made by William Howard Taft to Ilocos Sur was seen as an opportunity for him to meet the elite of San Esteban who were represented by the following: Presidente Antonio Taquian Representantes Cornelio Vergara Leandro Mendoza Julian Vergara Dimas Espejo Pedro Europa Vicente Esperanza Francisco Esperanza Juan Hernaes Juan Imperial Jose Ebojo Lino Ordones Melaquias Ordones Eulogio Mendoza San Esteban figured prominently during the Pacific War. It became the message center of the 121 st Infantry of the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines (USAFIP) during the Japanese Occupation It served as the provisional seat of the provincial government as well as the base hospital of the army. Barangay Apatot was the site of the first submarine landing of arms, equipment and materials for the guerillas and the 121st Infantry.

San Esteban â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Barangay Apatot, became the site of the first submarine landing of arms, equipment and materials for the guerillas and the 121st Infantry. San Esteban 253

254 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Served as the seat of the provincial government as well as the hospital base of the army

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PARISH PRIEST MSGR.RENE LEO T. ROSABIA St. Stephen Protomartye Parish

Saint Stephen Protomartyr

Church

San Esteban existed first as a visita of Santiago, later, both San Esteban and Santiago became visitas of Candon. Because of the lack of priests, Santiago reverted to visita status while San Esteban was given its own priest. From 1805 to 1842, San Esteban was under the administration of Filipino diocesan priests. In 1848, Fr. Damaso Vieytez became the first parish priest of San Esteban. The patron saint of San Esteban is Saint Stephen Protomartyr, whose feast day is celebrated every December 26. The present church was said to be built around 1848 and is as big as that of Santiago. The church was done in the Baroque style. The faรงade has a recessed arched entrance, and two blind windows of pseudo-Gothic style on the first level. A semi-circular arched window is found on the choir loft level and a flower-like motif on the triangular pediment. There are thick buttresses on the side walls of the church. 256 Ilocos Sur: An Almanac

Saint Stephen Parish

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Apatot Beach

Industries

The top three industries of San Esteban are fishing, stonecraft and agriculture. Mortars and pestles are manufactured in Barangays Bateria, Cappa-cappa and San Pablo. Other items made from stone are gilingan (grindstones), almires and baldozas or paving stones. The stone craftsmen of San Esteban make carved chairs and tables to decorate homes and gardens. Two stone craftsmen have recently been recognized for their craft: Jose Gaoat and Ernesto Asitura. Both hail from Barangay San Pablo and are now considered living treasures of Ilocos Sur by the provincial government.

Places to Visit

The Moro Watch Tower is the oldest landmark of

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San Esteban. It is a circular structure with serrated openings that can accommodate the barrel of the cannon. The site of the watch tower has been converted into a park. The San Esteban Landing Site is where US submarines surfaced to unload arms, ammunitions and supplies for use of the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines-Northern Luzon guerillas. The supplies are said to have helped the Japanese general Yamashitaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s withdrawal and eventual defeat. A historical marker has been installed in the site that reads: Twice surfacing at Santiago Cove on November 21, 1944, the USS Gar landed on this bench. Commandos of the Army of the United States with equipment, arms, ammunitions and supplies led by

San Esteban watchtower

Captains William Vaughn and William Farell were Lieutenants Fred Behan and Donald Jamison with two other Americans and Larry Guzman with other Filipinos of the First Filipino Regiment. The landing was effected by USAFIP-NL under Col. Russel W. Volkmann with other paramilitary and guerilla units. By order of Volkmann, Jamison and Maj. Ferdinand Marcos sneaked through the cordon of Gen. Toyomuki Yamashita to an airstrip in Isabela and fl ew to Camp Spencer. The marker was inaugurated in 1982 with no less than former President Ferdinand Marcos as guest of honor. The pedestal was swept by strong currents during Typhoon â&#x20AC;&#x153;Feriaâ&#x20AC;? in 2001, leaving the marker intact. The name of Marcos has been scrapped by vandals after the fall of the ousted president.

The San Esteban boundary marker, which is 20 feet high, is made of San Esteban stone and Vigan tiles. The marker is decorated with the alsong or the mortar and pestle. The marker is a project of the senior citizens of San Nicolas. It reads: In our desire to leave a lasting legacy and prove to all that in spite of our twilight years, we can actively contribute and show concern towards community development, we humbly dedicate to the present and future generations of our beloved hometown of San Esteban this boundary marker. The beach resorts in Apatot are worth visiting. There, one can take a dip or go snorkeling or scuba diving to better appreciate the rich marine life that abounds in its waters. San Esteban 259