HISTORY OF THE PROVINCE OF ISABELA
HISTORY of the
PROVINCE of ISABELA
...a pictorial history...
Troy Alexander G. Miano, DPA, LPT
Provincial Tourism Officer of Isabela
Head of the Isabela Museum & Library
...a pictorial history...
Troy Alexander G. Miano, DPA, LPT
Provincial Tourism Officer of Isabela
Head of the Isabela Museum & Library
Philippine Copyright 23 March 2001
updated 23 August 2018
updated 23 August 2018
First Settlers
During the Stone Age, around 25,000
years ago, dark skinned and kinky haired pygmies arrived in northeast Luzon.
The descendants of the nomadic Aetas (or Negritos) were the Dumagats now
settling and roaming in the forested Sierra Madre mountain range in eastern
Isabela and Aurora province. Aetas can be found at the slopes in the City of
Ilagan, San Mariano and the four coastal towns of Divilacan, Maconacon, Palanan
and Dinapigue.
The term “Aeta” is the oldest term to
refer to the pygmies from Isabela, Pampanga, Tayabas (now Quezon & Aurora
provinces), Bataan, Bulacan and Antique. Before the arrival of the Spaniards,
old Chinese documents of the 13th century recorded the name of the
inhabitants as “Haitan” which probably came from the Tagalog word “itim” or
“hitam” in Malay referring to the dark complexion of the natives. Different
name forms were used to refer to the Aetas like “Ita”, “Eta”, “Aita”, “Agtas”
among others. In the document Census of
the Philippine Islands (1900-1916) under the “Classification of
Non-Christian Tribes”, “Negrito” meaning “small Negro” was used to refer to the
dark-skinned curly haired pygmies the same term used by the Spaniards as
reflected in old Spanish documents like the book Relación de Encomiendas (1591) and Relación de las Islas Filipinas (1604).
The Volumes of the Census of the Philippine Islands c.1903.
Kalinga woman in Ilagan c.1901. (Photo by Dean Conant Worcester)
Yogads of Echague, Isabela bathing at the Cagayan River c. 1906. (Photo from University of Wisconson Madison)
Early Spanish Period
On March 16, 1521, the expedition of
Ferdinand Magellan arrived in what is now the Philippines but it was only the
expedition of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi who was able to colonize the islands
under the crown of Spain in 1565. Legazpi’s team reached Luzon and established
Manila on June 24, 1571 and his grandson Captain Juan de Salcedo who conquered most
of Luzon including what is now Cagayan province. In 1583, Cagayan, from where
the future Isabela province would be carved, was recognized as an alcaldia and officially called La Provincia del Valle de Cagayan. The
old settlement of Lal-loc (now Lal-lo) was christened Ciudad de Nueva Segovia and made the capital of this vast province.
An old map of Cagayan during the 1918 Census. (Photo from Wikiwand)
In 1591, Don Luis Pérez Dasmariñas
entered La Irraya by way of Nueva Vizcaya and found one of the villages
deserted bythe natives after killing seven Spaniards who had come up the river
from Cagayan. La Irraya (Addaya and Yrraya in other manuscripts) region
comprised the vast area from Tuguegarao in Cagayan province up to the present
Gamu town. Irraya was also the term
used for the native’s name and their dialect. Irraya is an Ibanag word which means upriver. In the Gaddang dialect, the term dirraya also means upriver.
Governor-General (1593 -1596) Luis Perez Dasmariñas y Páez de Sotomayor.
In 1594, upon orders of Governor-General
(1590-1593) Gómez Pérez Dasmariñas, Captain Fernando de Berramontano invaded
and conquered the Irraya. The villages of Tubigarao (Tuguegarao), Maquila,
Pilitan, Bolo, Batavag, Furao (Purrao in other manuscripts) and Lapogan were
subdued. The vanquished Irraya chiefs were Labinaman Darrey of Tubigarao, Sibay
of Pilitan, Batoniman of Maquila, Manoto and Sino of Bolo and Zuaduban of
Furao.
On August 14, 1595, the whole
territory, including what is now Isabela province, was put under the newly created
Diocese of Nueva Segovia with Fray Miguel de Benavides y Añoza (1552-1605; who
later founded the University of Santo Tomas) as its first bishop. Benavides
later became the third Archbishop of Manila (1602-1605). Except for coastal
Palanan, the missionaries assigned in the valley were the Dominicans.
The Dominican seal found at the facade of the Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Gamu, Isabela.
Early
Missions
On May 24, 1598, Pilitan was
officially accepted as an ecclesiastical mission under the patronage of Saint
Paul the Apostle. Upon the invitation of Captain Alonso de Carvajal (encomendero of Pilitan), Fray Angel de
Soria (worked in Pilitan from 1598-1600) led the first mission band together
with Fray Juan de Anaya (worked in Pilitan from 1598-1600; 1608-1609) and
Brother Domingo de San Blas that penetrated the Irraya. He reached a Yogad and Gaddang
settlement called Pilitan (now a
barangay of Tumauini town and about “five-days distant from Lal-loc” near the
convergence of the Siffu River with the Cagayan River near the present Barangay
Santa Isabel). He established the first mission naming it San Pablo Apostol de Pilitan. Other missionaries who labored in the
establishment of Pilitan were: Fray Francisco Minaio (worked in Pilitan from
1600-1608) and Fray Luis Flores (1563-1622, now Blessed Flores - martyred in
Japan; worked in Pilitan from 1606-1608& 1610-1612). An outstanding Gaddang
chief of Pilitan by the name of Guiab collaborated in the founding of the
mission. Frays Minaio and Flores also went to evangelize the neighboring areas
of Pilitan particularly the great and spacious plains of Zimbuey, now known as
Mallig plains (Mallig and Roxas towns).
Great spacious plains of Zimbuey, now within the territories of Roxas and Mallig towns in Western Isabela.
In 1607, the provincial chapter of the Holy Rosary Province (Dominicans) ordered Frays Luis Flores and Francisco Minaio to the Irraya speaking Pilitan and to exert all efforts that the natives must learn to speak Ibanag and to minister to them in the said language. The following year, the encomendero Luis Enriquez was assassinated by the Gaddangs of Pilitan because he had treated the Irrayas with so much severity. The natives thrust him through with a lance and out of his shin-bones they made steps to go up the house of their chief.
Cagayan River from the side of Barangay Pilitan, Tumauini, Isabela.
In 1607, the provincial chapter of the Holy Rosary Province (Dominicans) ordered Frays Luis Flores and Francisco Minaio to the Irraya speaking Pilitan and to exert all efforts that the natives must learn to speak Ibanag and to minister to them in the said language. The following year, the encomendero Luis Enriquez was assassinated by the Gaddangs of Pilitan because he had treated the Irrayas with so much severity. The natives thrust him through with a lance and out of his shin-bones they made steps to go up the house of their chief.
Boundary Post between the City of Ilagan and Tumuini town at Barangay Pilitan, Tumauini, Isabela.
Old Barangay Boundary marker in Pilitan, Tumauini, Isabela.
Barangay Hall of Pilitan, Tumauini, Isabela.
Pilitan Elementary School, Tumauini, Isabela.
Roman Catholic Chapel of Pilitan, Tumauini, Isabela.
Aerial view of the residential area of Barangay Pilitan, Tumauini, Isabela - the oldest existing Christian Settlement in Isabela founded by the Dominicans in 1598.
Also in 1598, Nalabangan (Nalavangan
in other manuscripts) was recognized as a mission by the Dominican province
under the advocacy of Saint Ildefonse. The team of Fray Angel de Soria reached
Nalabangan and started the mission of San
Ildefonso de Nalabangan. Nalabangan was about a day and a half walk
northwest from Pilitan, now under the territorial jurisdiction of Quezon town.
Fray Julian Malumbres observed that Spanish “encomenderos must have been there up to 1594”. It was recorded that
they built a Church which they named with a native name in favor with the
choice of the natives themselves. This Church suffered the same fate as
itspredecessors because it was impossible to have a permanent parish priest.
Blessed Luis Flores, martyr of Japan, also worked in Nalabangan.
Municipal Hall of Quezon, Isabela.
In 1604, Nuestra Señora dela Asuncion de Talama was founded by the Dominicans. It was a settlement between the town centers of Tumauini and Ilagan now barangay Bangag. It was believed that after Talama disintegrated and was later founded as Abbuatan in 1608. The name Abbuatan (or Abuatan) could have come from the word affud which meansthe trunks that remain after the trees have been cut or burned or from the word abbuag which meansto tear up a plant by its roots referring to the overflow of the Cagayan River during typhoons uprooting trees and carrying them elsewhere. The historian, Fray Diego Aduarte, stated that Abbuatan was “the richest and the most prosperous Indians in all that region”. On April 6, 1617, Nuestra Señora dela Asuncion de Abbuatan was officially accepted as an ecclesiastical mission by the Dominicans under the patronage of the Our Lady of the Assumption. It was said that it was formerly the site of Nuestra Señora dela Asuncion de Talama. Fray Tomas Ellilar was the first vicar with Fray Domingo Laborda then Fray Pedro Martin Martinez as his helpers. In 1621, Fray Carlos Clemente Gant accompanied by Fray Lucas Alonso del Espiritu Santo (1594-1633; one of the Sixteen Martyrs of Japan and canonized a saint in 1987) headed the mission in Abbuatan until 1623.
Saint Lucas Alonso del Espiritu Santo Gorda (1594-1633) worked in Abbuatan from 1621-1623. (Photo from hagiopedia.blogspot.com)
Official Seal of Barangay Bangag, City of Ilagan, Isabela.
Boundary and entrance arc going to Bangag from Barangay Manaring along the National Highway in the City of Ilagan.
Old Barangay Arc of Bangag, City of Ilagan, Isabela.
Old Barangay Post of Bangag, City of Ilagan, Isabela.
Also in 1608, Batavag, the present-day Barangay Lullutan in Ilagan, founded by the Dominican missionary Luis Flores who “gathered together seven little hamlets, making one very peaceful one”. During the rebellion in 1621, Batavag regime ended. On May 13, 1612, San Gabriel de Batavag (Batauag in other manuscripts) was officially accepted as a mission under the patronage of Saint Gabriel the Archangel through the efforts of Fray Luis Flores and his companion Fray Juan de Santa Ana. On May 28, 1615, the dwellers of Batavag, seduced by their aniteras or native priestess, flee to the mountains on the Feast of the Asencion of the Lord. This was a great disgrace but later, it was tolerated in consideration for it being a small town. The rebellion was due to the political and economic oppressions of the Spaniards.
Barangay signage of Lullutan, City of Ilagan, Isabela.
On April 21, 1619, San Miguel Arcangel de Bolo (formerly Barangay
Naguilian-Baculod and now Barangays Naguilian Norte and Naguilian Sur) was made
an ecclesiastical mission by the Dominicans under the patronage of Saint
Michael the Archangel. Fray Pedro de Santo Tomas was the cura parroco together with Frays Diego Beneto and Francisco de Santo
Domingo as helpers and Don Hernandez de Paz as encomendero. The name Bolo
probably was derived from the word bulu
which referred to akind of reed or cane. After the rebellion of 1621, Bolo town
became extinct. It was later resurrected and named Naguilian-Baculod and further divided into two barangays in th 1990s as Naguilian Norte and Naguilian Sur.
Naguilian-Baculod Bridge of the old Barangay Naguilian-Baculod, now Naguilian Norte and Naguilian Sur, City of Ilagan.
Barangay Naguilian Sur Community Center, City of Ilagan, Isabela.
Roman Catholic Chapel of Barangay Naguilian Sur, City of Ilagan, Isabela.
Irraya Revolt
On November 6, 1621, the residents of
Abbuatan erected on a Friday a cross in the churchyard with much uproar and
rejoicings by the natives. This place was considered the best of all Irrayas.
After two days, the Irrayas in Abbuatan led by the convent bred,twenty-three
year-old, Felipe Cuntapay (Felix Cuntabay in other manuscripts and the
acknowledged “governor of Abbuatan”) and his brother Gabriel Dayag, rose in
arms because they were oppressed by vicious Spanish officials. The Irraya
villages which rallied to their cause were: Abbuatan, Batavag, Bolo and
Pilitan. Fray Alonso Hernandez tried to convince the insurgents but failed.
Instead, the rebels requested the good priest to leave the place. After the
departure of the missionaries, the Irrayas began their uprising killing the encomenderos and Spanish officials and
burned their houses. After the bloody killing and looting, the rebels went up
the Basili (Balisi in other manuscripts) River and built a fortification on a
hill. Bernardo Lumaban and his wife Agustina Pamma saved a mutilated image of
the Blessed Virgin in a muddy place after the bloody rebellion and looting. For
their actions, the insurrects seized and detained them in prison.
Abbuatan, Batavag, Bolo and Pilitan, the Irraya villages which revolted because of vicious Spanish officials.
Maquila, San Pablo y Cabagan and Santa Maria
In 1622, despite his old age,
Dominican Fray Pedro de Santo Tomas, who was in the mountains of what is now
Apayao province, returned to the scene of insurrection particularly in the
present Barangay Balasig in Cabagan town and successfully convinced the rebels
to lay down their arms. He forged an agreement with the rebels under the
leadership of Don Gabriel Dayag and was able to bring down from the mountains
three hundred households who had originally lived in the villages of Pilitan
and Bolo and settled them in Maquila at the junction of the Cagayan and
Pinacanauan Rivers of Tuguegarao. The name Maquila
was derived from the Ibanag word quilat
which means clear, referring to the
clear water of the Pinacanauan River. Pinacanauan,
on the other hand, was derived from the Ibanag word nawag which also means clear.
On June 1623, the provincial chapter of the Dominican Order accepted San Pablo Apostol de Maquila as an
ecclesiastical mission under the patronage of Saint Paul the Apostle. In 1624,
the Church of Maquila was constructed. Its lofty bell tower of six layers
including the circular apex made of adobe was the tallest in Cagayan Valley.
Maquila located at the junction of the Cagayan and Pinacanauan Rivers of Tuguegarao.
On June 29, 1628, the beloved
Dominican missionary who conducted repeated expeditions to the mountains for
over twenty years, Fray Pedro de Santo Tomas, died in Maquila on his birthday –
the Feast of Saint Peter the Apostle. In 1631, a locust infestation ravaged the
entire Cagayan province including what is now Isabela province.
On November 30, 1646, due to the
proximity to Tuguegarao, Maquila was relocated upstream, southwards at the
mouth of the Cagayan and Pinacanauan Rivers of Cabagan (now the poblacion of San Pablo town) on the
Feast of Saint Andrew. Maquila was called as the new pueblo of Cabagan. The name Cabagan
probably came from the native word bag
or bajaque which referred to the
stores selling g-strings. Another version stated that the name came from the
word cabbagang which meanspilgrim or stranger because the settlement was in constant contact with the
other tribes in the region. On May 15, 1647, the Dominican Order in Manila
recorded San Pablo Apostol de Cabagan
as an ecclesiastical mission under the patronage of Saint Paul the Apostle.
In 1703, the settlement of Santa Maria de Luzon was made into a pueblo and separated from Cabagan (now
San Pablo town) with Don Martin Masigan as gobernadorcillo.
The name of the new pueblo was
adapted from the first name of Doña Maria, the first born of Don Pablo
Marasigan (a Spaniard) and Doña Masigad. On December 4, 1879, by virtue of a
royal order, the old pueblo of Santa
Maria was officially separated from Cabagan with Dominican Fray Exequiel
Pinilla as cura parroco. The
separation of this town was due to the influence of the Masigan family.
Monument of Mother Mary in Sanata Maria, Isabela.
The Chapel at Rancho Agripino at Calamagui West, Santa Maria, Isabela.
In 1709, a great fire demolished the
Cabagan Church which was made of stones and bricks with three naves and a big
convent. In 1718, a rebellion in Cabagan was crushed by Don Pablo Orduna and
many natives of Cabagan and Tuguegarao fled to the mountains for security. In
1738, the military fort of Cabagan, a triangular two-bulwarked stone fortress,
was destroyed (also by earthquakes) and transferred to Cabicungan (now Claveria
town in Cagayan province) for the reason that the fort was no longer needed.
On March 1758, Dominican missionary
of Cabagan, Fray Jose Marin, reported of a cholera epidemic which broke out
killing 500 in Cabagan and 800 in Tuguegarao. He also informed them of the
construction of a wine and sugar factory that was very beneficial to the
townfolks.
In 1761, a growing settlement across
the Pinacanauan river was formally separated from the mother-town of Cabagan
(now San Pablo town) by virtue of a royal decree and was also referred to with
the same name. It was only in 1861 when a royal decree was issued separating
the new village of Cabagan (now Cabagan town) from the mother-town of Cabagan
(now San Pablo). On January 25, 1877, the old town of Cabagan (now San Pablo)
was transferred by Dominican Fray Pedro Ricart to a new site (the present
territory of Cabagan town) because of unhealthiness of the old site and seemed
that progress was bypassing the town in favor of the villages of the south. The
new site was only about three kilometers away from the old and was situated
between the present barangays of Ugad and Luquilu.
In 1888, the Spaniards resurrected the
abandoned site of Cabagan (now San Pablo) into a new town and called it
“Cabagan Viejo” with Fray Segundo Rodriguez as cura parroco. He renovated
partly the church and convent and gave for the patroness of the town the Virgin
of the Rosary. Later, the patron was changed to Saint Paul the Apostle. The
other Cabagan was named “Cabagan Nuevo” to avoid confusion on the two Cabagans.
The word “Viejo” means “old” while “Nuevo” means “new” in the Spanish language.
When the Americans arrived they re-christened Cabagan Nuevo as simply “Cabagan”
and the Cabagan Viejo as “San Pablo”. In 1944, by Japanese instigation, the
seat of government of San Pablo town was transferred to Barrio Auitan then to
Barrio Minanga. In 1959, however, Mayor Calixtro B. Cauan restored the government
center to its original site, now the present site.
In 1841, Dominican Fray Antonio Garcia built the casa real in Cabagan (now San Pablo town). The casa served as an important government center during the Spanish rule in the alcaldia. It was a 20x30 meters two-storey building made of stone. On one of its walls was the inscription: Esta Casa Tribunal se con Cluio en año de 1846, Siendo Governad d’ Juan de Guzman. In 1857, the casa real was burned and was later repaired.
The Casa Real ruins of San Pablo, Isabela c.1846
The Historical Marker installed by the Municipal Government of San Pablo, Isabela on the Casa Real Ruins.
In 1861, a royal decree was issued
separating Cabagan Nuevo from the mother-town of Cabagan Viejo. Cabagan Nuevo
still has the status of a village or barrio. On January 25, 1877, the old town
of Cabagan was transferred by Dominican Fray Pedro Ricart to a new site (the
present territory of Cabagan town) because of unhealthiness of the old site and
seemed that progress was bypassing the town in favor of the villages of the
south. The new site was only about three kilometers away from the old and was
situated between the present barangays of Ugad and Luquilu.
St. Paul the Apostle Parish, Cabagan, Isabela c.1969.
In 1888, the Spaniards resurrected the
abandoned site of Cabagan into a new town and called it Cabagan Viejo with Fray Segundo Rodriguez as cura parroco. He renovated partly the church and convent and gave
for the patroness of the town the Virgin of the Rosary. Later, the patron was
changed to Saint Paul the Apostle. The other Cabagan was named Cabagan Nuevo to avoid confusion of the
two Cabagans. The word viejo means old while nuevo meansnew
in the Spanish
language. When the Americans
arrived they re-christened Cabagan Nuevo as simply Cabagan and the Cabagan Viejo as San Pablo.
Other
Missions
In 1673, upon the approval of
Dominican Provincial Fray Felipe Pardo (who made his canonical visit to Cagayan
Valley), missionaries were sent to La Irraya to explore the minds and feelings
of the natives regarding conversion. From Cabagan, Frays Pedro Sanchez and Geronimo
Ulloa tried to convince both the remontado
apostates as well as the non-baptized (pagans) of central Isabela to live as
Christians in the Spanish settlements but was not realized. The settlements of
central Isabela were: Ilagan, Itugod, Gamu, Furao and Calanusian. They also
reached Carig. The two missionaries achieved nothing because the Christians of
Cabagan disuaded the remontado
apostates as well as the non-baptized to stay put in the mountains.
On July 28, 1678, Dominican Fray Pedro
Jimenez re-established the Irraya mission together with his assistant Fray
Andres Gonzales and accompanied by armed escorts of five Spanish soldiers, five
Pampangos and sixteen Indians (Cagayanes). On August 6, 1678, Fray Jimenez
reached the bare land called Pituan (Pitauan in other manuscripts) where he
celebrated Mass under a wood shed. The priest came from Cabagan and traveled
upstream the Cagayan River to reach Pituan up to Carig.
Ilagan
In 1678, Bolo was recreated by the Dominican missionary, Fray Pedro Jimenez and renamed to Ilagan. Unlike the old Bolo which was situated in the western side of the Cagayan River, Ilagan was on the eastern side (now the present site). The name Ilagan was an inversion of nagali, an Ibanag word for moved probably referred to the transfer of the town site from the old barrio of Naguilian-Baculod to the present site due to security and economic reasons. The version of Fray Julian Malumbres was that the name was derived from the word laga, an Ibanag term for smallpox, which broke out perhaps at the time of the town’s founding.
On May 4, 1686, San Fernando de Ilagan in the vicinity and memory of the old Bolo was accepted as an ecclesiastical mission by the Dominican provincial chapter. In 1777, the very solid belfry of the church of Ilagan (existing up to present) was started by Fray Pedro de San Pedro and finished by Fray Joaquin Sancho in 1783. In 1786, the bell of the church was forged. In 1829, the sacristy of the Roman Catholic Church of Ilagan was built under Fray Luis Garcia. It was finished in 1833. In 1866, a strong typhoon crossed Isabela destroying the ceiling and roofing of the Ilagan Catholic Church. Desiring to make the Church bigger, Fray Pablo Almazan demolished the solid walls of the main Church and convent which unfortunately he was unable to rebuild. In 1892, the cemetery in San Vicente in Ilagan was built by Dominican Fray Isidoro Martinena.
In 1678, Bolo was recreated by the Dominican missionary, Fray Pedro Jimenez and renamed to Ilagan. Unlike the old Bolo which was situated in the western side of the Cagayan River, Ilagan was on the eastern side (now the present site). The name Ilagan was an inversion of nagali, an Ibanag word for moved probably referred to the transfer of the town site from the old barrio of Naguilian-Baculod to the present site due to security and economic reasons. The version of Fray Julian Malumbres was that the name was derived from the word laga, an Ibanag term for smallpox, which broke out perhaps at the time of the town’s founding.
On May 4, 1686, San Fernando de Ilagan in the vicinity and memory of the old Bolo was accepted as an ecclesiastical mission by the Dominican provincial chapter. In 1777, the very solid belfry of the church of Ilagan (existing up to present) was started by Fray Pedro de San Pedro and finished by Fray Joaquin Sancho in 1783. In 1786, the bell of the church was forged. In 1829, the sacristy of the Roman Catholic Church of Ilagan was built under Fray Luis Garcia. It was finished in 1833. In 1866, a strong typhoon crossed Isabela destroying the ceiling and roofing of the Ilagan Catholic Church. Desiring to make the Church bigger, Fray Pablo Almazan demolished the solid walls of the main Church and convent which unfortunately he was unable to rebuild. In 1892, the cemetery in San Vicente in Ilagan was built by Dominican Fray Isidoro Martinena.
Old Plaza of Ilagan, Isabela.
Familia Nieto Spanish & American period private cemetery beside the Saint Ferdinand Church in the City of Ilagan.
The Niche probably where the figure or statue of Pope Pius VI (Papa Pio VI) once stood at the church yard where the private Nieto cemetery is located at the old Ilagan Church.
On December 20, 1690, the grand old founder of pueblos, Fray Pedro Jimenez died and was buried in Itugod after an illness of high fever. In 1700, his remains were exhumed and interred in the pavement of the Ilagan Catholic Church (now the old Saint Ferdinand Cathedral). In 1696, the Church of Ilagan was constructed under Fray Miguel Matos and was finished in 1700. Also in 1696, a Royal Order was issued increasing the subsidies to the missionaries and ensuring their safety with six military escorts paid by the government.
San Fernando de Ilagan Church.
Baladdon
Revolt
In 1683, Mengal Baladdon and his men,
alarmed at the success of Fray Jimenez in forming Christian villages in the Irraya,
wreaked havoc on Cabagan by killing twelve of its Christian inhabitants
prompting the natives to flee to the mountains. The settlement in the verge of
collapsing was rescued by the alcalde
mayor of Cagayan killing some accomplices and captured seventy. Their
properties were confiscated and were given to the troops.
Itugod, Gamu't & Furao
In 1678, Itugod was founded by the
Dominican missionary, Fray Pedro Jimenez. Itugod, now Barangay Lenzon (Alenzon
in other manuscripts) of Gamu was situated left of the Cagayan River and a
little upstream north ofthe confluence of the Cagayan and Magat Rivers. The
Magat was referred to in some Spanish writings as Itugod River. The name Itugod could have came from the words tugu which meanscomb; tugub which meansguide; or tucud which meansto fathom
the waters which referred to the rowers fathoming the waters for the safe
travel of their boats in the Cagayan and Magat Rivers. On May 4, 1688, Nuestra Señora delas Victorias de Itugod
(Ytugud and Itugud in other manuscripts) was founded as a reduccion by the Dominicans and Fray Domingo Muta was assigned as
parish priest. He succeeded Fray Jimenez who worked in this parish for seven
long years. In 1738, Franciscan historian, Fray Francisco de San Antonio gave a
short descriptionof the fort of Itugod in one of his correspondence. “At
seventeen degrees and two minutes latitude…The Fort of Santiago de Itugod, in
the province of Cagayan, is located north, northeast one degree east of Manila…
The fort, made of bamboo poles, is in the shape of a square nineteen fathoms on
a side. At the center and at the periphery are located the house of the
captain, the barracks of the soldiers, the storeroom and the magazine. The fort
is supplied with various types of arms, ammunitions and military equipment.”
Old Welcome Marker of Barangay Lenzon in Gamu, Isabela.
Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Gamu, Isabela.
the photo: San Martin, patron of Furao (1831).
On February 1740, Furao (Purrao in other manuscripts), now
a barangay of Gamu town, was re-established by Fray Martin Fernandez and placed
the town in a “good site more or less an hour walk from Gamu”. The name Furao came from the word “furau” which
means “white”. No account can explain why the locality was called white.
On July 2, 1741, Fray Martin Hernandez wrote to his superiors informing them of the good status of Furao and asked permission to put the pueblo under the patronage of Saint Martin, his namesake. He also requested for a statue of the saint to be placed on the altar. Furao was also known as Macañao because the first inhabitants came from the village of Macañao, now a barangay of Luna town.
The Bell of Furao, one of the four now permanently installed at the belfry of the Roman Catholic Church of Saint Rose of Lima, Gamu, Isabela, was forged, as incribed at the side of the bell, in 1831 and dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours.
On July 2, 1741, Fray Martin Hernandez wrote to his superiors informing them of the good status of Furao and asked permission to put the pueblo under the patronage of Saint Martin, his namesake. He also requested for a statue of the saint to be placed on the altar. Furao was also known as Macañao because the first inhabitants came from the village of Macañao, now a barangay of Luna town.
Old Entrance Marker of Barangay Furao, Gamu, Isabela.
The following year, Fray Martin
Hernandez together with Captain Juan Cauilan (a native of Ilagan and gobernadorcillo of Gamu) and his troops
reached the villages of Palali, Tacoban and Nabunayan and brought down many
Christian apostates including some pagans to the town of Furao.
In 1779, the fusion of the missions of
Gamu and Furao was approved permanently. Gamu was the seat of the mission and
Furao became one of its barrio.
Principales of Gamu, Isabela de Luzon c.1886. (Photo courtesy of Museo Nacional de Antropologia, Madrid, Spain)
Visita of Palanan
Palanan, situated in the
mid-easternmost coastal side of Isabela, became a visita or temporary shelter of Casiguran (now a town of Aurora
province) in 1588 with 700 persons and 250 tributes. Palanan, home of the
Negritos, was originally a part of the alcaldia
of La Laguna. On July 22, 1609, the visita
of Palanan was approved as a pueblo
by Franciscan Fray Blas Palomino on the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene. In 1625,
Palanan was officially accepted as an ecclesiastical mission and in 1658, was
administered by the Augustinian Recollects. In 1703, Palanan was returned under
the administration of the Franciscan fathers and was transferred to Nueva Ecija
when it became a province in 1705. In 1839, it came under the jurisdiction of
Nueva Vizcaya and in 1856 it became a part of Isabela province. The name Palanan originated from the inverted
Aeta word “nanatap” which means “catch”. Bishop Chanley wrote in his book, The Erlinda, that the name was either
derived from the Tagal word “palanan” which means “preparation” or from the
Ibanag word “palanakko” meaning “I fear that …”, denoting a feeling of apprehension.
Palanan, Isabela Welcome Arc at the exit of Palanan Airport.
Commemorative Marker installed during the 400 Founding Anniversary (1609-2009) Celebration of Palanan, Isabela situated on a pedestal infront of the Municipal Hall.
Page 365 of an old document giving descriptions on Palanan, Isabela.
Page 366 of an old document giving descriptions on Palanan, Isabela.
Page 367 of an old document giving descriptions on Palanan, Isabela.
Saint Mary Magdalene Church, Palanan, Isabela c.1980s.
The three century old bells of the Roman Catholic Church of Palanan, Isabela, all dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene, the town's patron.
Missions of
Tumauini and Lapogan
In 1704, the mission of San Matias de Tumauini was established by the vicar of Cabagan,
Fray Francisco Nuñez, to christianize the big number of Irraya and Gaddang
pagans and apostates living in the locality and to haveanother town between
Cabagan and Ilagan which was about fifty kilometers apart and to serve as a
resting place and source of provisions. It was located on a plain near the
confluence of the Cagayan and Pinacanauan Rivers of Tumauini. Two popular
leaders of the settlement were Carrabacan (baptized on May 3, 1707 and christened
with the name Matias) who led in 1707 and Quinagoran who led in 1739. The name Tumauini was derived from the word “mauini”
referring to the big trees which abounded the town center. When the Spaniards
asked a native for the name of the trees; “Come se llama el grande lenia? Sabes
tu”. The native did not understand the foreign language but picked up the last
word he heard and answered back; “Tu-mauini”. On May 10, 1751, Tumauini was
established as a civil town with the seat of government in Talana. The first
elections of April 11, 1752 seated Salvador Dangui as gobernadorcillo. The town was under the care of Ilagan vicar Fray
Luis Martinez. The poblacion was
later transferred to Calamagui then to Maggayu.
On August 17, 1752, the town
center of Tumauini was transferred to its present site from Maggayu with the
boundaries fixed at Balasig in the north and Lapogan in the south. The
following year, Tumauini was accepted as an ecclesiastical mission with Fray
Blas Barbero as the first vicar. The Church of Tumauini was constructed through
the efforts of FrayDomingo Forto (a son of a Spanish engineer) and a certain
Castillejos (a master carpenter from Lal-lo pueblo).
When Fray Forto was transferred to Aparri in 1783, Frays Alejandro Sarralde,
Manuel Blanco, Jose Brugues, Marcelino Cascos and Romualdo Aguado continued the
improvements until it was finished in 1805.
It was an ultra-baroque church, unique for its extensive use of baked
clay both for wall finishing and ornamentation. Clay bricks came to life in
concentric circles on the façade, spiral curves on the finial serpentine relief
and many finely molded details – flowers, foliage, surfaces, cherubs and
saints. Its architecture bore Chinese ancestry. This church of stone featured a
unique twenty-five meter cylindrical bell tower, the only one of its kind in
the Philippines. In 1783, the unique round belfry of the stone Church of
Tumauini was constructed by Fray Domingo Forto. The tower was finished in 1805.
Welcome Arc located at the boundary of the City of Ilagan (San Juan) and Tumauini (Lapogan), Isabela.
Saint Matthias Parish Church, Tumauini, Isabela.
Official Marker of the Tumauini Church in English issued by the National Historical Institute in 1989.
Official Marker of the Tumauini Church in Filipino issued by the National Historical Institute in 1989.
San Matias, the patron of Tumauini, Isabela.
In 1739, the mission of San Juan de Lapogan was founded by the
Dominican missionaries under the patronage of Saint John the Baptist. It was
situated some thirteen kilometers south of Tumauini heading for Ilagan town
site contiguous to Barangay San Juan of Ilagan. The villages included in the
mission were: Palasili, Guinabbual, Banafa, Abugan, Caballangan and Amugan.
Frays Francisco Borja, Jose Alpenez and Domingo Forto worked hard to bring down
the pagans and apostates to Lapogan. In 1753, Lapogan was made a dependent of
the newly createdtown of Tumauini. The
name Lapogan could have come from the
word pog or bamboo which referred to the abundance of bamboos in the locality
between Lapogan and Ilagan.
Welcome Arc Located at the Entrance Going to Barangay Lapogan from the National Highway, Tumauini, Isabela.
In 1846, Dominican Fray Tomas Alonso
erected three bridges in the road that led to Tuguegarao. He also built the
road to Tumauini including the three bridges of stone and mortar. In 1880,
Tumauini town became the temporary capital of Isabela.
Missions in Llanuras
del Diffun
(Callering, Cauayan, Angadanan, Camarag, Lappau & Carig)
(Callering, Cauayan, Angadanan, Camarag, Lappau & Carig)
In 1702, a mission led by the
Dominican Frays Jose Rezabal, Baltazar Andueza, Juan Pinta and Andres Gonzales
reached Carig in an attempt to colonize Llanuras
del Diffun. The plains of Diffun, now known as central-southern Isabela,
comprised all settlements south of Irraya: Callering (now Reina Mercedes),
Cauayan, Angadanan (now Alicia), Camarag (near Echague), Lappau, Carig (now
Santiago) and San Luis (now a barangay of Diadi town near the Cordon boundary).
On May 25, 1736, the Dominicans led by
Fray Diego dela Torre left Ilagan after he was commissioned by Dominican
Provincial Jeronimo Ortiz to go to southern Isabela and get the consensus of
the natives for a project to cross the Caraballo to Nueva Ecija. He reached
Itugod on May 27, then to Cauayan (old site – Calanusian) and then to Carig.
Fulatao (Fulatan in other manuscripts) of Carig, Danao of Gapat (a mountain
village halfway between Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya) and later Ansimo ofAmbayan
(in the mountain of Abungol) helped in the establishment of the route going to
the Augustinian mission of Bujay (in Aritao town) passing through the
settlements of Dappar, Sicaddanun, Sipatol (now San Luis of Diadi town) to
Lumabang (Solano), Bayombong then to Bujay. Fray Dela Torre created the mission
of Santa Cruz de Paniqui which
comprised the Llanuras del Diffun and Paniqui which was from Calanusian (now
part of Reina Mercedes town) to Bayombong. The missionaries established a road
network starting from Itugud to Calanusian, passing through Cauayan, Angadanan
(now Alicia), Camarag and Carig to Dicapol crossing the Caraballo Heights to
Bagabag passing by Bujay and finally crossing the Caraballo del Sur
over to Pangasinan. The Dominicans called this activities entradas. Disguised as an Igorot, Fray Jose Tomas Marin had the
honor of first crossing the mountains from Carig to Aritao. The first entrada led to the unsuccessful
negotiations with the Mengal Ansimo of Carig.
On July 1737, to renew negotiations
with the Yogads and Gaddangs, four missionaries, Frays Manuel Moliner, Jose
Tomas Marin, Romualdo Molina and Luis Pedro de Sierra, were sent from Manila.
Accompanied by their military escorts, they penetrated Yogad territory along
the Magat River from Itugod. On the banks of the Magat in Cauayan, they held
meetings with Mengals Ansimo of Ambayon, Fulatao of Carig and Dibulag of
Dibulag. The mengals refused them
passage and imposed severe conditions. This was recorded as the second entrada.
In the 1740s, Calanusian, formerly known as Abbag, forerunner of Cauayan and now Reina Mercedes town, was founded by Fray Martin Hernandez and was accepted as an ecclesiastical mission under the patronage of Saint Anthony of Padua. “Abbag” means “on the other side” which referred to its location from Gamu and Furao were located on the other bank of the Magat River. The name “Calanusian” was derived from a tree species of white ebony called “canusi which abounded the locality. With the prefix ca and suffix “an, the term means “a grove of white ebony”. On April 22, 1741, Cauayan (Calanusian site) was officially accepted as an ecclesiastical mission. Since the first missionaries who came to Cauayan were from Aragon in Spain where Our Lady of the Pillar was most revered, they dedicated Cauayan to the La Virgen del Pilar. On June of the same year, the vicar of Ilagan, Fray Antonio del Campo, went to Cauayan escorted with soldiers from the capital of Lal-lo. Together with Fray Luis Pedro de Sierra, they went up the mountains and convinced and brought down to Cauayan pagans as well as Christians apostates who had fled from Tagaran and Anaccuan. In 1768, the town center of Cauayan was transferred from Calanusian to its present site in the left bank of the Cagayan River because of the frequent raids of the Gaddangs and Igorots coming from the Cordilleras and the infested Magat River. The new site was a “pleasant planeand a little elevated, 125’18 longitude and 16’17’30 latitude”. In 1825, the Church of Cauayan and convent, which were made of stones, mortars and bricks, was constructed through the efforts of Fray Juan Prieto and was finished in 1830.
Statue of the Nuestra Senora del Pilar in front of the Our Lady of the Pillar Church in Cauayan City.
The Our Lady of the Pillar Parish Church in Cauayan City.
Welcome Landmark of Cauayan City, Isabela at the boundary of the city and Alicia town.
On January 28, 1743, Fray Martin
Hernandez wrote of his forays to the hills of Calabungan in the preceding year
and expects that in the coming month a big throng of people would resettle in
Furao. On March 16 of the same year, Fray Hernandez informed his superiors that
Christians from the town of Tuguegarao literally pestered him for the friar’s
consent that they live in Gamu and wanted Don Juan Caulian as gobernadorcillo of Gamu. On April 2, the
same priest penned his superiors asking if it is possible for one hundred
tribute-paying individuals from Tuguegarao to come to Gamu since they were no
longer needed in their home place. He further commented that though they were
paying their tribute in Tuguegarao, they wanted to transfer to enjoy the
privilege of being exempted from polo
or forced labor which was normally granted to newly created pueblos. On April 19, he also reported
that he had hired a master sculptor in Manila to make the image of Saint
Anthony of Padua for the settlement of Calanusian.
On May 4, 1743, Santiago Apostol de Carig (the forerunner of Santiago City) was
established by the Dominican Fray Antonio del Campo, the acknowledged founder
of towns from Cauayan to Bayombong. Carig was originally located inside the
mountainous area between the present Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya specifically at
the foothill of Mount Dalayag near the Carig Creek, a tributary of the Diadi
River. The townsite of Carig was later transferred about fifteen kilometers to
the plains of Diffun in Patul (the present location) at the confluence of the
Carig, Ilut and Malapat Rivers. The joining together of the rivers became known
as Calao River. “Calao” or “union of water” referred to the waters from Diadi,
Ilug, Malapat, Dubinan and Baligatan while Patul was derived from the name of a
brave Gaddang chief by the name of Patul.
Patul Barangay Boundary Sign at Patul, Santiago City. During the Spanish colonization period, Carig (now Santiago City) was at times called Patul. Patul, still an existing barangay, was named after a brave Gaddang chief.
Calao River in Santiago City is the biggest and most famous river of Santiago City. Calao etymologically means "union of waters" because the river receives the water of the rivers Diadi, Ilug, Malapat, Dubinan and Baligatan.
Carig was the home of the Gaddangs with Fulatao as one of the first leaders who in turn was a vassal to Danao. The name “Carig” means “a straight high tree” which referred to a tree species which abounded the locality. On May 4, 1746, Carig was formally accepted as an ecclesiastical mission under the patronage of Saint James the Apostle. In 1765, Carig was elevated into a vicarate with Fray Gregorio Marinas as the first vicar. In 1772, the Fort of Afanas (now Aritao town in Nueva Vizcaya) was moved to Carig. The Spanish military fort, under the patronage of the Infant Jesus of Prague (Santo Niño), served to blunt the counter-attacks of the Igorots from Diffun, Namamparan and Mayoyao. Fray Manuel Mora described in February 8, 1805 the fort consisting of a sergeant, two cabos and thirty-nine soldiers. In 1804, in Carig, an irrigation system for the planting of rice was introduced. Carig planted an abundance of rice. On May 1858, a royal decree was promulgated officially creating the pueblo of Santiago de Carig. In 1860, the stone and mortar convent of the Church of Carig was constructed. It was 35x10 meters wide and was finished during the watch of Fray Bonifacio Corujedo. In 1870, Fray Santiago Jutgla added a building of wood 12x8 meters wide. In 1890, the Church of Santiago, which was made of light materials since 1743, was constructed with mortar and stones by Fray Manuel Candela. The Church was almost finished when Fray Candela was imprisoned during the Philippine Revolution of 1898. The Church size was 67x17 meters in the exterior and 62x14 meters in the interior with a transept and two sacristies on each side.
Carig was the home of the Gaddangs with Fulatao as one of the first leaders who in turn was a vassal to Danao. The name “Carig” means “a straight high tree” which referred to a tree species which abounded the locality. On May 4, 1746, Carig was formally accepted as an ecclesiastical mission under the patronage of Saint James the Apostle. In 1765, Carig was elevated into a vicarate with Fray Gregorio Marinas as the first vicar. In 1772, the Fort of Afanas (now Aritao town in Nueva Vizcaya) was moved to Carig. The Spanish military fort, under the patronage of the Infant Jesus of Prague (Santo Niño), served to blunt the counter-attacks of the Igorots from Diffun, Namamparan and Mayoyao. Fray Manuel Mora described in February 8, 1805 the fort consisting of a sergeant, two cabos and thirty-nine soldiers. In 1804, in Carig, an irrigation system for the planting of rice was introduced. Carig planted an abundance of rice. On May 1858, a royal decree was promulgated officially creating the pueblo of Santiago de Carig. In 1860, the stone and mortar convent of the Church of Carig was constructed. It was 35x10 meters wide and was finished during the watch of Fray Bonifacio Corujedo. In 1870, Fray Santiago Jutgla added a building of wood 12x8 meters wide. In 1890, the Church of Santiago, which was made of light materials since 1743, was constructed with mortar and stones by Fray Manuel Candela. The Church was almost finished when Fray Candela was imprisoned during the Philippine Revolution of 1898. The Church size was 67x17 meters in the exterior and 62x14 meters in the interior with a transept and two sacristies on each side.
Patronal Fiesta in Santiago with Old Santiago Apostol de Carig Church at the background.
Also in 1743, Santa Barbara de Lappau, located near the Magat River near the
present barrio of Oscariz in Ramon town, was accepted as an ecclesiastical
mission under the patronage of Saint Barbara. “Lappau” is an Ibanag word which
means “flower”. On August 1, 1742, the Roman Catholic Church of Lappau was
finished. In 1757, Lappau ceased to be a vicarage. The town was abandoned
because of the frequent attacks by the Igorots. In 1765, the inhabitants of
Lappau were transferred to Sinabbaran which was under the patronage of Saint
Joachim. In 1771, the inhabitants of Lappau, who were transferred in
Sinabbaran, were ultimately relocated in Camarag.
Old Barangay Boundary Arc of Sinabbaran, Echague, Isabela.
In 1745, Angadanan was founded by the Dominican missionaries. The original town site was not located in present-day Isabela but in Nueva Vizcaya province to the right of the Magat River between Lumabang (now Solano town) and Bagabag at the Angaranan (Angadanan) Creek to the east of Bayombong at the slopes of Mount Palali. The missionaries built a pueblo by the Angaranan Creek because of its strategic importance in their war against the Ilongots of the boundary of Caraballo and Sierra Madre. On April 27, 1765, Angadanan was accepted as an ecclesiastical mission by the Dominicans under the patronage of Our Lady of Atocha. On October 1776, Angadanan was relocated from its original site in Nueva Vizcaya to a place called Dudungan (now the town center of Alicia) near the Ganano (Gananoc and Gananot in old manuscripts) River. According to Dominican Fray Julian Malumbres, the name Dudungan must have came from the words “dung”, “dungan” or “durungan” since it must have been the “landing place of the river Ganano”. The few inhabitants of the old site were the reason for the transfer. On the same year, the red brick Roman Catholic Church of Angadanan (now Alicia Church) was constructed. In 1849, the Church of Angadanan (now Alicia) was inaugurated. The Our Lady of Atocha Church was built by the Dominican Fray Tomas Calderon assisted by Fray Francisco Gainza, the vicar of Carig. The convent was also built by Fray Calderon. Through the legacy of Don Juan Vigand and a donation of five hundred pesos from the provincial Fray Joaquin Guixa, Fray Manuel Alvarez improved the Church and convent putting among other things galvanized iron sheet to both the roof of the convent and Church. In 1878, the Roman Catholic bell of the Our Lady of Atocha of Angadanan (now in Alicia town) was forged. In 1896, Angadanan, for the second time, transferred the town center to Camucauan (now the present poblacion) because of its proximity from the Cagayan River which was then the chief means of transportation. The name Camucauan was later changed to Tagle in honor of gobernadorcillo Jose Tagle. The new town was called as Angadanan Nuevo to distinguish it from the old site which was Angadanan Viejo.
Governor Silvino M. Gumpal delivering a speech in Angadanan town in 1948. (Photo from the collection of the Hon. Silvino M. Gumpal, Sr. family)
Military
Campaigns of Cauilian
On November 1745, Dominican Fray
Andres Mateo and gobernadorcillo Don
Juan Caulian of Gamu together with one hundred fifty Cagayan natives penetrated
the mountains in front of the mission of Furao reaching the sitio of
Bagguan. After a two day journey, they conquered the apostates Christians and
pagans who had already formed a town in the sitio of Malinta.
On April 1754, Don Juan Cauilian
subdued the pagan Gaddangs of Siffu (Mallig plains) who continued to harass and
did damage to Christian communities in the towns of Cauayan, Carig and Lappau.
On March 1755, Don Juan Caulian
conducted another attack to the Gaddangs of Siffu. Many apostates had been
reduced and brought down to the various towns of Santa Cruz de Paniqui and
reconciled themselves with the Church.
Siffu River from the Siffu Bridge in Roxas, Isabela.
In a letter to the Spanish king dated
April 12, 1755, the Dominican provincial, Fray Jose Herrera explicitly exposed
that the Order of Preachers (Dominican missionaries) financed military
expeditions against the natives of the Llanuras del Diffun (Plains of Diffun –
Santiago…) for four years in a row from 1752 to 1755).
Other
Missions - Camarag & Catalangan
In 1752, Camarag, forerunner of
Echague town (now a barangay of San Isidro town), was founded as a pueblo by the Dominican missionaries.
The acknowledged native founder of the settlement of Camarag was the Yogad
leader Mengal Alingog (Alingot in Spanish manuscripts). The Yogads and Gaddangs
from the hinterlands of Diffun and Amanga were the first settlers in the
Spanish administered pueblo of
Camarag which was first situated along the Cagayan River approximately the site
of the present poblacion of Echague.
The name “Camarag” was derived from the name of a species of big trees that
grew profusely in the locality. On May 12, 1753, Camarag was recognized as an
ecclesiastical mission by the Dominicans under the patronage of Saint Joseph.
In 1759, Camarag was made a vicarage.
What is left of the San Jose Roman Catholic Church (accepted as an ecclesiastical mission on May 12, 1753) of the Pueblo of San Jose de Camarag (founded in 1752) - the capital of the Province of Nueva Vizcaya from 1839 to 1856. Historic Camarag was originally part of Echague town and now a barangay of the Municipality of San Isidro, Isabela.
In 1776, the town center of Camarag was
transferred to the banks of the Ganano River less than ten kilometers away from
the banks of the Cagayan River. But according to Fray Ocio, the actual
relocation took place in 1785 because of the very determined resistance of the
Yogad mengals and their people. After
the transfer, Karulay (Katuray in other manuscripts) became the
dominant name of the new settlement.
In 1785, the commander of the military
fort of Carig with the consent of the Dominican missionaries forcibly moved the
town site of Camarag (from the present poblacion
of Echague town in Karulay) to the banks of the Ganano River in the present
Barangay Camarag in San Isidro town and built a Church made of stone and
mortar. On May 4, 1863, Camarag was transferred for the third time from the
Ganano site back to the old site along the banks of the Cagayan River. Camarag
was renamed to Echague to honor the
incumbent Governor-General (1862-1865) during the transfer, Don Rafael de
Echagüe y Méndez
de Vigo(or Bermingham and Gipuzkoa;1815-1887).
Echague was created into a new pueblo
upon the petition of the native Yogad gobernadorcillo
Antonio Mangadap. The rancherias of
the new pueblo included: Camarag,
Sinabbaran, Karulay, Annafunan, Kapitan (now Maligaya), Garit and Payac. In
1886, Dominican Fray Buenaventura Campa, vicar of Echague, built a church of
wood with galvanized roofing. He then built a kiln for the making of lime and
bricks. He proceeded to make the flooring and the walls of the convent which
measures 40x18 meters. He prepared doors, gathered shells, balconies of iron,
as well as multitude of good-quality wood. A church of stone; however, was
never finished. The two bells of the Church were forged in 1890 and were
donated by Don Eufracio Gaffud (who later became presidente municipal 1906-1907) and dedicated to Our Lady of the
Rosary and Don Fulgencio Danga, dedicated to Saint Joseph.
Barangay Carulay Boundary Post at Carulay, Echague, Isabela.
SK Boundary Post in Barangay Carulay, Echague, Isabela.
Ruins of Old Echague Catholic Church & Convent.
In 1755, the mission of Catalangan,
now the poblacion of San Mariano town
and the villages along the banks of the Pinacanauan, Disabungan, Disulap and
Catalangan Rivers in the Sierra Madre, was founded by the Dominican
missionaries. The name “Catalangan” was derived from the native word “talang”
which mean “spine” referring to the abundance of pine trees in the area. The
Negritos were the first inhabitants of Catalangan followed by the Irrayas who
fled the lowlands. On April 30, 1757, Catalangan was officially accepted as an
ecclesiastical mission with Dominican Fray Blas Barbera as the first vicar.
However, due to lack of missionaries and the hard terrain of the area, the
mission disintegrated. In 1896, the Spanish government ordered the re-opening
of the Catalangan mission which was led by Fray Juan Sazaballa.
San Mariano Municipal Boundary Signpost at Barangay Santa Filomena, San Mariano, Isabela.
The Dominican Provincial Fray Jose
Herrera wrote to the king of Spain on December 1752, informing him that Carig
was composed of 107 catechumens and 55 Christians while Lappau consisted of 300
Christians and 144 catechumens. In 1756, Franciscan Fray Manuel Formoselle
crossed the Sierra Madre mountain range from Ilagan to Palanan. This was
recorded in the Dominican chronicles as the first to cross the thick virgin
forest. On June 18, 1758, a royal cedula was
issued exempting for all time the Catholic residents of Nueva Segovia which
included the present province of Isabela from payment of the tribute.
Ilagan Revolt
On February 2, 1763, Dabo and Juan
Marayac (Marayag in other manuscripts) revolted in Ilagan against the
collection of tribute and other unbearable abuses committed by the principalia amidst calls from the cura parroco, Dominican Fray Vicente de
Castro, to call off the rebellion. The rebels seized the gobernadorcillo and the cabezas,
dragged them to the town tribunal and whipped them in the way they whip the
commoners. The insurrection spread from Cabagan to Tuguegarao but did not last
long. The Captain General, Don Ignacio
de Arza y Urrutia and his
loyal Filipino troops, came and quelled it. The leaders were
executed.
Tobacco
Monopoly
On December 13, 1781, Tobacco Monopoly
was implemented by Governor-General (1778-1787) José Basco y Vargas but Cagayan
Valley was prohibited to plant tobacco from 1785 to 1797 which brought
adversity to the natives because the principal profitable product of the valley
was tobacco. In 1783, different ethnic groups took refuge in Palanan town in
their attempt to escape the Tobacco Monopoly. The migration adopted a mixed
Palanan dialect which consistedof a vocabulary of Tagalog, Ibanag, Ilocano and
Visayan terms.
Harvesting tobacco in Cagayan c.1875-1890.
Warehouse Hacienda de San Antonio, City of Ilagan, Isabela c.1960s.
On May 1797, a decree partially lifted
the ban on tobacco cultivation with only the town of Ilagan authorized to plant
tobacco for the monopoly. Other decrees followed that gradually allowed the
other towns of the valley to plant tobacco. The extent of the cultivation of
tobacco increased in the next thirty years until the region became the largest
single producer of high grade tobacco in the country.
On October 25, 1879, a decree of
Governor General (1877-1880) Domingo Morionesy Murillo Zabaleta y Sanz,
marqués de Oroquieta (1823-1881) gave lands to the religious orders for the
purpose of fomenting the production of tobacco. The Augustinians were given
14,000 hectares of land in the present towns of Reina Mercedes, Luna and
Cauayan. The Augustinian Recollects had 48,000 hectares of land east and
southeast of Ilagan town proper in the present haciendas of San Antonio and San
Mariano. The Franciscans were given 5,000 hectares of land along the
Pinacanauan River of Ilagan.
Domingo Moriones y Murillo, Zabaleta y Sanz (1823-1881). (from Wikipedia)
On June 25, 1880, the tobacco monopoly
was abolished all over the islands including that of Isabela. Because of free
enterprise, the Chinese came in full force in Cagayan Valley. On January 15,
1881, Governor-General Fernando Primo de Rivera y Sobremonte issued a decree
allowing Ilocanos to migrate to Cagayan Valley. Droves of Ilocanos came to
Isabela and started opening tobacco fields near the Cagayan River particularly
in the locality of Echague.
Fernando Primo de Rivera y Sobremonte, 1st Marquess of Estella, 12th Count of Peña Vélez, 17th Count of Torres Rovellas, 23rd Count of Sobremonte (1831-1921). (from Wikipedia)
Manual Tobacco Baling Press Machine at Hacienda de San Luis Museum San Luis, Cauayan City.
On January 26, 1881, the Compania General de Tobacos de Filipinas
or Tabacalera was established to
continue the export of leaf tobacco and take over the cigar factories owned by
the Spanish government. The tabacalera
bought from the government all the tobacco factories in Manila, which wielded
into a single factory called La Flor de
Isabela which was one of the largest of its kind in the world. The three
tobacco haciendas were: Hacienda San Antonio in Ilagan which was the largest
and named in memory of Don Antonio Lopez y Lopez, 1st Marques de
Comillas (1817-1883); Hacienda Santa Isabel also in Ilagan which was named in
memory of a daughter of Don Lope Gisbert; and Hacienda San Luis in Cauayan. The
casa in San Antonio, still standing
up to the present, served as the residence and office of the Spanish officials.
La Flor de la Isabela stone mural at the Hacienda de San Luis at San Luis, Cauayan City, Isabela.
President Ferdinand E. Marcos signs the purchase of Haciendas San Antonio and Santa Isabela both located in Ilagan, Isabela on March 4, 1982 at the Maharlika Hall, Malacanang, Manila in the presence of the municipal mayors of Isabela, assemblymen and provincial officials led by Governor Faustino N. Dy.(Photo courtesy of Manuel T. Binag, City of Ilagan, Isabela)
Yogad Revolt
On March 30, 1785, Mengal Lagutao of
Angadanan and wife Magaya together with Mengal Baladdon (Yogad priest and
medicine man), the Christian Juan Gumpin, Mengal Manganusu and Mengal Baguatan
(Bagguadon in other manuscripts) all three of Camarag led a rebellion against
the Spanish authorities because of the forcible relocation of Camarag, the
tribute and the ban in cultivating tobacco. Lagutao also convinced his brother
Onofre Liban, gobernadorcillo of
Angadanan who was sick of smallpox, to join his cause. The rebellion spread to
the whole district of Paniqui with eight hundred Yogads armed with bows and
arrows and campilans from Camarag,
Carig and Angadanan joined Lagutao’s rebellion which started in Karulay, now a
barangay of Echague town.
On April 5 of the same year, native
commandant Mateo Cabal leadsfive hundred soldiers from Gamu, Furao, Calanusian,
Cauayan, Carig, Bagabag, Lumabang (now Solano) and Bayombong and engaged
Lagutao’s forces at Rancho Payac, now a barangay of Jones town. Lagutao was
killed together with his brother and nephew and eleven others in this encounter
while Baladdon and others escaped towards the Sierra Madre. Eighty were
captured and on the following day another battle took place where over a
hundred rebels were killed.
Welcome Marker of Historic Barangay Payac, Jones, Isabela.
Reign of Terror
From 1831 to 1847, the Igorots (of the
present Ifugao province), especially the Mayoyaos and Silipans, launched a
counter-attack which were so ferocious, continuous and covering a wide area.
These Igorot tribes who inhabited the steep mountains of Quiangan (now spelled
Kiangan), Silipan, Mayoyao and Bungian (now Aguinaldo) assassinated travelers
and attacked towns from the Caraballo mountains to Calanusian (formerly the poblacion of Cauayan, now Reina Mercedes
town) and impede the people from cultivating their fields and pasturing their
work animals in the meadows. The Igorots beheaded 6 Ibanags from Gamu, 20 from
Ilagan and 9 in Furao. Furthermore, they beheaded 68 Yogads in Carig, 26 in
Camarag, 21 in Angadanan, 18 in Cauayan and 7 in Calanusian. Moreover, the same
tribe beheaded 64 Gaddangs in Bagabag, 12 in Lumabang (now Solano) and 29 in
Bayombong.
On August 9, 1846, Dominican Fray Juan
Rubio was ambushed and decapitated by the Igorots of Mayoyao. Fray Rubio was on his way to his new post in
Camarag along the Carig-Camarag road by the Caliguian (now Caligdigan) River.
In the same year, Governor-General
Narciso Clavería y Zaldúa (1844-1849), upon receipt of the petitions of the
missionaries and the principalias of
Paniqui (Carig, Bagabag, Solano and Bayombong), visited the whole of Cagayan
Valley and assessed the Igorot problem. He instructed the construction of the
fort of Begona (now Barangay Oscariz in Ramon town) between the present
boundary of Ifugao and Isabela in the hill called Dangaran. He also assigned “his best aid and perhaps the best
soldier that then existed in the whole archipelago”, Don Mariano Oscariz, as
military governor of Nueva Vizcaya.
Governor-General Narcio Claveria y Zaldúa (Mayo 2, 1795 – Hunyo 20, 1851)
On February 27, 1847, Governor-General
Clavería granted the amnesty request of Dominican Fray Remigio Rodriguez de
Alamo (known as the “motor and soul of the province”) for the people living in
the mountains particularly in Catalangan who would go down to settle in the
Christian towns within one month after the receipt of the governor’s order. A
good number of families went down to live in the towns of Cauayan and Ilagan.
Province of
Nueva Vizcaya
On May 24, 1839, Cagayan alcaldia was divided upon the creation
of the province of Nueva Vizcaya which comprised all towns from Ilagan to
Aritao in Caraballo del Sur including the visita
of Palanan (then a part of Nueva Ecija province) and Catalangan. Cabagan and
Tumauini remained to be part of Cagayan province. Camarag became the capital of
the newly created province of Nueva Vizcaya up to 1856. The term nueva means new while Vizcaya refers
to the province of Vizcaya (spelled Bizkaiain the Basque language) in
northern Spain. Bizkaia means mountainous. On April 10, 1841, the
division of Cagayan was confirmed by a royal decree.
Exiles
On January 25, 1847, Governor-General
Clavería sent twenty Muslim exiles to Camarag who were punished during the
military expeditions to Maguindanao, Cotabato, Lanao and Sulu in Mindanao. This
was the first recorded settlement of Muslims in Isabela. Another group of
exiles came from the expedition of Governor-General (1859-1853) Antonio de
Urbiztondo y Eguia.
Bust of native Sama Balanguigi leader Datu TAUPAN at Rizal Park in Manila. Also known as Panglima Taupan, he was from Zamboanga, Basilan and Tonguil Islands. His followers were captured by the Spanish forces and exiled in what is now Isabela province in 1848.
On March 29, Governor Oscariz left the
fort of Begona with 107 soldiers, 4 civilian guards, 323 armed civilian. They
reached Appacan and destroyed fields of tobacco, camote and gabi. On April
2, they burned 100 houses and destroyed many fields in Langayan and 30 houses
in Ijigu.
On April 5, 1847, many groups of
Igorots sued for peace. Governor Oscariz, knowing that the peace pacts were
always pretentions, asked for the presence of the principalias together with all their women and children. After the
two-thirty in the afternoon deadline, no women and children came so he started
the destruction and burned fields and houses. The following day, Chief Matingin
with his wife, son and grandson, Chiefs Menguet and Bilango and other principalias surrendered and requested
for peace. Governor Oscariz gave the conditions of surrender and was accepted
by the Mayoyaos the following day. The killing of settlers and Christians of
Isabela ended with the military campaigns with peace prevailing in the place.
On July 13, 1848, Governor Oscariz
marched to the mountains of Disabungan (the present San Mariano town) from
Ilagan and reached the three villages of Dicamay (of Negrito inhabitants),
Disabungan or Capitan (inhabited by Christians who fled the lowland) and Sapat
(of pagan inhabitants) after five days. He also reached a village called
Ambabuk at the extreme end of the Catalangan mission.
On July 19 of the same year, a two day
celebration was conducted in Camarag to honor Don Mariano Oscariz, military
governor of Nueva Vizcaya and conqueror of the Igorots. It was attended by the
six missionaries of Nueva Vizcaya; gobernadorcillos
of Ilagan (Jose de San Vicente), Gamu (Juan Caulian), Furao (Domingo Enrp),
Calanusian (Juan Evangelista), Cauayan (Jorje Layug), Camarag (Marcos Layugan)
and Carig (Diego Palang); employees of the province; natives from the other
parts of the province; and Mayoyao,
Kiangan, Negrito, Ilongot, Silipan and Gaddang natives. A long hymn in praise
of Governor Oscariz was composed for the occasion by Fray Francisco Gainza, the
refrain of which runs as follows: “A song
we intone of glory, to our savior, a hero of fame, to tell through the years
his story and recall his beloved name.”
On February 1868, Isabela governor,
Don Gonzales Montero joined Bontoc Commandant Juan Alvarez and Lepanto
Commandant Montero in a huge military expedition. They spent forty days
subjugating Kiangan, Hapao, Mayaoyao, Bunhian, Ahin, Silipan and Banaue, all
settlements in the highlands of the Cordilleras and now part of Ifugao province
Alamo
On January 1849, Alamo, a town of
Gaddangs, was formed with eighty houses constructed in an ordinary manner in a
plain by the Macañao River five and a half kilometers from the present Reina
Mercedes town and about the same distance northwest of Cauayan. The settlement
of Alamo was named by Governor-General Claveria after its founder Dominican
Fray Remigio Rodriguez de Alamo, vicar of Cauayan. The new town was under the
patronage of Saint Remigio. The settlement of Alamowas later renamed to Macañao, now a barangay of Luna town.
On March 24, 1849, Fray de Alamo
arrived in Camarag a hero after successfully convincing the headhunting
Mayoyaos to establish a mission in their locality. He left for the mountains on
March 5 of the same year. On April 10, 1849, Fray De Alamo died in Cauayan at
the age of 33.
Barangay Marker of Macañao, Luna, Isabela.
On May 1, 1856, in order to facilitate
the work of the missionaries in the evangelization of the Cagayan Valley and
upon the recommendation of Governor-General (1850-1853) Antonio de
Urbiztondo y Eguía, a royal decree was issued during the administration of
Governor-General (1854-1856) Manuel Crespo y Cebrián which created the province
of Isabela. The new alcaldia
consisted of the towns of Cabagan, Tumauini, Ilagan, Gamu, Calanusian, Cauayan,
Angadanan, Camarag, Carig including Catalangan and Palanan. The new province
was named Isabela de Luzon in honor
of Her Royal Highness Queen Isabella II of Spain. The old town of Ilagan became
the capital of the new province.
ISABEL II by the Grace of God, Queen of Castile, Leon, Aragon, of the Two Sicilies, of Jerusalem, of Navarre, of Granada, of Toledo, of Valencia, of Galicia, of Majorca, of Seville, of Sardinia, of Córdoba, of Corsica, of Murcia, of Menorca, of Jaén, the Algarves, Algeciras, Gibraltar, the Canary Islands, of the East and West Indies, Islands and Mainland of the Ocean Sea; Archduchess of Austria; Duchess of Burgundy, Brabant, Milan and Aspurg; Countess of Flanders, Tirol and Barcelona; Lady of Biscay and Molina. (Photo from Wikipedia)
New Towns - Cordon,
Oscariz, Reina Mercedes & Naguilian
In 1878, Cordon (referred to as Ilug
by Colonel Guillermo Galvey in 1837 and in other Spanish documents) was founded
by Fray Santiago Jutgla, the missionary of Carig, under the patronage of the
Holy Infant of Prague. The first inhabitants were the Tagalogs from the barrio
called Malapat. Fray Jutgla changed the name Cordon to Estella in
honor of the Marques de Estella, Don Fernando Primo de Rivera y Sobremonte
(1831-1921), governor-general of the Philippines (1880-1883&1897-1898).
According to the historian Fray Julian Malumbres, the name Cordon was derived from the term pinagcordonan because in the said place a cordon was placed to contain the excesses of the Ifugaos around the
year 1830. On July 1, 1939, Cordon was inaugurated as a municipality with Angel
Batoon as the first mayor. Congressman Mauro P. Verzosa sponsored House Bill
No. 804 which was passed as Commonwealth Act No. 191 separating Cordon from the
mother-town of Santiago.
Statue of the Santo Niño de Praga, patron saint of Cordon, Isabela in front of the Roman Catholic Church.
Century-old Balete Tree Historical Marker at Church Compound, Poblasyon, Cordon, Isabela.
In 1882, Begona was founded as a town
by Dominican Fray Buenaventura Campa with San Isidro Labrador as patron saint.
Spanish Colonel Guillermo Galvey arrived in this locality from the Cordilleras
near a hill called Dangaran in the 1830s and named the area as Vallecillo in honor of an official who
died in his military journeys. After half a century, a settlement was formed
and was named Begona. Fray Campa
changed the name Begona to Oscariz to honor the military governor
of Nueva Vizcaya, Don Mariano Oscariz, the conqueror of the Igorots. Fray Campa
drew the plan of the town with roads 12 meters wide, plaza square of 212 meters
and residential lots of 50x50 meters which were planted with coffee, cacao
andmango. The first bell of the Church of Oscariz, a gift from the first
missionary - Fray Campa, was forged in 1882 and dedicated to Our Lady of the
Rosary. The second bell, a gift of the first inhabitants, was forged in 1894
and dedicated to Saint Isidore Labrador. On September 12, 1896, Oscariz was
officially recognized as a town by virtue of a royal order which was seconded
by the Dominicans with the appointment of Fray Eugenio Aguirrozabal as its
missionary.
The Roman Catholic Church and Belfry of Barangay Oscariz, Ramon, Isabela.
On January 20, 1886, the old
settlement of Itugod (not to be mistaken from the 1st Itugod which
is now Lenzon, Gamu) founded by Fray Pedro Jimenez, which was originally named Abbag, renamed to Callering then to Calanusian
and finally to Reina Mercedes in
honor of Her Majesty Queen Mercedes, wife of King Alfonso XII of Spain, was
ecclesiastically separated from the mother-town of Cauayan with Dominican Fray
Estanislao Pinto as the first vicar and Don Santiago Respicio as the first gobernadorcillo.
Municipal Hall of Reina Mercedes, Isabela.
Old Roman Catholic Church of Reina Mercedes, Isabela.
Shrine of Saint Anthony de Padua, the modern Roman Catholic Church of Reina Mercedes, Isabela.
On November 27, 1896, a royal order
was signed creating the settlement of San Roque, formerly known as Anipa and later Tagal, into a town from the old mother-town of Gamu and was
implemented in Manila by a decree dated January 22, 1897 with Don Vicente
Ramirez y Mondano as the first gobernadorcillo
and Fray Jose Maria Menendez as acting parish priest. By consensus, the
inhabitants christened the new town as Naguilian,
an Ilocano and Ibanag term which means a
place that became a town. Naguilian was the second Batavag for the first
Batavag was transferred to this place due to the raids of the pagan
Gaddangs.
Naguilian town was formerly known as Anipa and the river that flows through it as Anipa Creek. The photo was taken at the Anipa Bridge located at the National Highway.
The Anipa Bridge along the National Highway in Naguilian, Isabela.
Old Municipal Hall of Naguilian, Isabela situated in Barangay Quezon. The edifice is now used as the Barangay Hall of Quezon, Naguilian, Isabela.
Saint Joseph the Worker Parish Church in Naguilian, Isabela.
Belfry of the Roman Catholic Church of Naguilian, Isabela.
Modern Municipal Hall of Naguilian, Isabela situated along the National Highway.
Native
Attacks
In 1883, the Guinabbuales (Gaddangs of
Guinabbual in the Cordilleras) of the District of Itaves raided and killed some
inhabitants of Hacienda Santa Isabel in Ilagan town including the Cuban tobacco
expert under the employ of the tabacalera
by the name of Rocabruno. A military expedition headed by Spanish commander
Villa-Abrille was sent to punish the Guinabbuales. Eleven Gaddangs were brought
down and were subsequently divided among various families in Carig.
Santa Isabel Roman Cahtolic Church at Santa Isabel Sur, City of Ilagan, Isabela.
On February 1, 1896, the pagan
Kalingas of Guinabbual in the Cordilleras killed three men from Cabagan Nuevo
proper and killed another in sitio Addan.
On Ferbuary 20 of the same year, the same Kalingas killed two more men in
Cabagan who were cutting wood.
On July 1, 1898, a group of Ifugaos
attacked the town of Oscariz and killed twenty inhabitants and robbed
valuables. The Ifugaos went back to the mountains when the residents retaliated
and fought in unison. The Ifugaos later went back for a peace pact.
Alcaldia Mayores
Primary sources,
particularly Dominican archives, lack detailed names of alcaldia mayores serving the new province. The military campaign of
February 1868, however, mentioned Don Gonzales
Montero as the Spanish Isabela governor joining Bontoc and Lepanto
Commandants in a huge military expedition spending 40 days subjugating
settlements in the highlands of the Cordilleras which is now part of Ifugao
province. The last recorded governor was Jose Perez.
Philippine
Revolution
& the First Republic
On August 25, 1898, Colonel Daniel
Mata Tria Tirona (1864-1939) was assigned by President (1899-1901) Emilio
Aguinaldo y Famy (1869-1964), in Cagayan and Isabela. He was subsequently
appointed as military governor of Cagayan and Isabela and held the rank of
brigadier general.
Colonel DANIEL MATA TRIA TIRONA (1864-1939).
On September 1, 1898, Isabela Governor Jose Perez left Ilagan at five o’clock in the morning with P11,368.58 and retired
his thirty-five guardia civils to
Bayombong upon learning that Tuguegarao was captured by the revolutionary
forces led by General Tirona on August 31. Governor Perez was captured in
Bayombong ending the Spanish domination in the valley. The Claravalls,
Paguirigans and Padillas of Ilagan were enlisted in the Tirona Brigade.
Eighteen Dominican missionaries from
the parishes of Ilagan, Tumauini, Cabagan Nuevo, Cabagan Viejo, Reina Mercedes,
Angadanan, Cauayan, Echague, Carig, Gamu, Santa Maria, Naguilian, Cordon,
Catalanganes and Oscariz were imprisoned by the revolutionary forces. Postwar revelations revealed of the inhumane maltreatment of the missionaries by the group of Simeon Villa, the earstwhile commander of Isabela.
On September of the same year, the
Malolos Congress convened incompliance with the decree issued by President
Emilio Aguinaldo and announced the appointment of “provincial representatives”.
Two delegates were elected and one was appointed by President Aguinaldo. Don
Raymundo Gaduang Alindada (1855-1928; from Bagabag in Nueva Vizcaya; a music
teacher and school master and was honored with a street name in Manila), Don
Eustacio del Rosario and Don Abelardo Guzman were the official representatives
for Isabela de Luzon. On January 20, 1899, the Malolos Constitution was
approved
On October 5 also of the same year, the
first local election was held under the Aguinaldo government by virtue of the
Proclamation of June 18, 1898. It was noted by Dean Conant Worcester in his
book entitled, Philippine Past and
Present, that there were only a little over twenty electors in the town of
Echague and a little more in the other towns of Isabela. Don Dimas Guzman y
Masigan of Ilagan was elected jefe
politico (or governor).
Philippine-American
War
On February 4, 1899, the Fhilippine-American
War erupted. On December 3, 1899, the Filipino troops under the command of
General Tirona engaged the Americans headed by Captain Joseph Brunch Batchelor,
Jr. (d.1902) of the U.S. Army 24th Infantry near the boundary of
Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya at Fuerte San Luis. With a strength of three hundred
seventy men, the Americans out gunned the Filipino troops pushing them as far
as Cordon poblacion at four o’clock
in the afternoon.
On De ember 5, 1899, the Filipinos
tried defending the towns of Angadanan, Echague and Carig but were captured by
the Americans before night fell. Colonel Raymundo C. Jeciel(1875-1951; later
elected the 7th governor of Cavite province 1922-1925) surrendered
to Major Henry Tureman Allen (1859-1930) of the 16th Infantry in
Echague.
On December 7 of the same year, the
revolutionaries of Naguilian defended the town but were also in vain as the
Americans encircled their positions along the trenches. The following day, the
U.S. Cavalry reached the capital-town of Ilagan.
On December 11, General Tirona (who
was in Aparri, Cagayan) surrendered to Captain Bowman H. McCalla (1844-1910) of
the U.S. Navy cruiser Newark.
Tirona's surrender was with the honors of war. Captain McCalla reviewed the
Filipino troops and Tirona reviewed the U.S.naval forces. The Americans
presented arms while the Filipinos were stacking theirs; a total of 300 rifles
were turned over. Captain McCalla appointed Tirona as the temporary civil
governor of the Cagayan Valley pending further orders from Major General Elwell
Stephen Otis (1838-1909), 8th Army Corps Commander and military
governor of the Philippines (1898-1900).
Aguinaldo’s
Refuge
On January 8, 1900, President
Aguinaldo reached Oscariz town after retreating from Malolos (Bulacan), San
Fernando (Pampanga), San Isidro (Nueva Ecija), Tarlac (Tarlac province),
Bayambang (Pangasinan), Bauang (La Union), Candon (Ilocos Sur), Cervantes
(Lepanto province), Bontoc (Bontoc province) andAmbuayan (Bontoc). The teniente delbarrio welcomed the
entourage with an abundance of food.
During the next ten days, people from all neighboring barrios came to
Oscariz to pay respect to the president and brought him eggs, fowls, rice,
corn, legumes, bottles of basi and
even carabaos.
President EMILIO AGUINALDO y FAMY (March 22, 1869 – February 6, 1964).
On January 18 of the same year, President Aguinaldo dispatched an Ilocano company headed by Captain Ildefonso Villareal to Carig as news of the Americans who came from Ilagan was already in Echague. Two Americans who arrived at the telegraph office in Carig were executed by Aguinaldo’s men. After which, the general retreated to the foothills west of the town to wait for the arrival of the enemy. Only a week later did the Americans showed up and set fire to the towns of Oscariz and Echague. On February 1, the Aguinaldo party returned to their camp in Oscariz and stayed there for more than a month. The president summoned the Filipino troops in Nueva Vizcaya to join his soldiers.
Boundary Sign of Barangay Oscariz, Ramon, Isabela.
On February 5, former Lieutenant
Manuel Guzman, of the ill-fated Tirona Batallion, reached President Aguinaldo’s
camp in Oscariz with the news of the surrender of the Cagayan Valley by General
Tirona to the American forces. The following day, horse races were held for the
entertainment of Aguinaldo’s officers and soldiers and was followed by a
banquet.
On Ferbuary 14, at seven o’clock in
the morning, large quantities of rice arrived at Aguinaldo’s camp in Oscariz
from Gamu. The presidentlater sent Lieutenant Trago, with a company of
soldiers, to Hacienda Nieto in Gamu and arrested unpatriotic persons in the
locality following the complaints of two farmers. A few days later, a letter
from a follower in Ilagan reported that the enemies were mobilizing an attack
on Aguinaldo’s camp. The general decided to continue his journey to the north
and reached the localities of Butugui (now part of Paraceles town in Mountain
Province), Manoc, Dancalan (in Bontoc province), Libuagan (in Abra province),
Magapaso & Magaogao (now part of Pinukpuk town in Kalinga province) and
Enrile town in Cagayan province.
On March 24, hand to hand fighting
took place between detachments of the G and H Companies of the U.S. 16th
Infantry and the Filipinos near Ilagan town. On May 29, President Aguinaldo
arrived in Barrio Aggub in Cabagan town from Enrile and ordered the attack on
the Americans in the town and the neighboring communities. He then started his
historic retreat to Palanan via Tierra Virgen (now Barangay Aguinaldo) in
Naguilian town.
On June 27, in Tierra Virgen,
President Aguinaldo urged the guerillas
in the Philippines to continue resisting the American forces until the general
elections in the United States. On July 1, the president’s decree on March 10,
1900, regarding the Catholic Church in the Philippines, became effective. The
decree provided that the highest authority in the Catholic Church in the
Philippines was the Military Vicar General recognized by the President of the
Philippine Republic, that only those friars and priests, Filipinos or
foreigners, who were recognized by the Military Vicar General will be allowed
to exercise ecclesiastical jurisdiction in the Philippines. On July 8, President
Aguinaldo issued an order to guerilla
officers in the field setting aside the days from September 15 to 24 for a
general offensive against the Americans. On July 22, the president issued a
proclamation declaring all those who attended the peace festivals in Manila
were traitors.
On July 26, also of the same year, in
Tierra Virgen, President Aguinaldo received a report from Ambrosio Logan (an
interpreter from Naguilian town) informing him that the Americans in Echague
had received an official correspondence announcing the arrival of the Schurman
Commissioners with the title of cazadores,
for the purpose of locating and conferring with Aguinaldo.
On August 2, the president wrote a
letter to General Isidoro Torres y Dayao (1866-1928), politico-military chief of
Bulacan, instructing him to adopt effective counter measures against the
alluring offers from the Americans for the revolutionists. The following day,
he issued a manifesto appealing to his countrymen not to listen to the Filipino
collaborators but to fight ceaselessly for their rights until the attainment
and recognition of independence. Another manifesto was issued ordering the guerillas to free their prisoners and
setting forth the provision that the American soldiers who surrendered or
became prisoners should receive eighty pesos for each gun (the American
authorities paid thirty pesos only) and twenty pesos for those who voluntarily surrender.
On August 8, in view of the American
policy of attraction which had induced many guerillas
to surrender, President Aguinaldo instructed his commanders in the field to
“use their utmost endeavors to overcome the efforts of the North American Imperialists
to subject our dear country” to slavery. Two days later, the president authorized
Apolinario Mabini y Maranan (1864-1903) to negotiate with the Americans and to
discuss the conditions forpeace, mainly the recognition of Philippine
independence. On August 14, President Aguinaldo wrote a letter to General
Mariano Trias y Closas (1868-1914), commanding general of southern Luzon,
ordering him to issue a circular to the chief in each locality on the necessity
of renewing the offensive against the Americans and appointing agents to
counteract the propaganda for peace and suppressing gambling. The following
day, the president issued a circular to General Trias asking him to re-organize
the old Katipunan as it was of great help in the defense of the country and in
putting an end to gambling and other vices.
Apolinario Mabini Monument at the Junction Mabini Circle, Mabini, Santiago City.
On August 20, President Aguinaldo
contacted the guerilla leaders of
northern Luzon and ordered them to commence guerilla
operations with authority to attack andsurprise the enemy at any time. He
appointed Captain Joaquin Velasquez for Nueva Vizcaya, Captain Julian H. del
Pilar for Isabela and Major Carlos Qutin Ronquillo y Valdez (1877-1941) for
Cagayan. On August 27, President Aguinaldo, upon being informed of the American
landing in Aparri in Cagayan, decided to move out of Tierra Virgen and marched
to Palanan and crossed the thickly forested Sierra Madre. He left behind
Captains Del Pilar and Villareal to harass the enemy. Aguinaldo’s party
followed the trail called Angalingan
which passed through the present towns of Benito Soliven (barangays of La
Salette, Caposeran, Guili-ngan and Ara) and San Mariano (barangays of old San
Mariano & Malabbo). The troops rested in a cave in Barrio Disusuan (also in
San Mariano town).
Aguinaldo's odyssey and Funston's route.
Aguinaldo in
Palanan
On September 6, 1900, President
Aguinaldo, Doctor Santiago Barcelona, Colonel Simeon Villa and seventeen
soldiers arrived in Palanan and were enthusiastically welcomed by a large crowd
and a brass band. Aguinaldo, atfirst, concealed his identity using the alias
Lieutenant Esteban with Barcelona as Captain Baltazar and Villa as Sergeant
Alvaro. On Sepember 9, President Aguinaldo invited the townpeople to a luncheon
meeting at the convent of Palanan and spoke to them of their patriotic duties
especially with regards to the Americans. On September 29, the president, his
men and the citizens of the town celebrated the second anniversary of the
declaration of independence of the Philippines. Dancing and games were
conducted until late afternoon.
Palanan Church and the Quarters of President Emilio Aguinaldo's escort c.March 23 1901.
Dr. SANTIAGO BARCELONA
Col. SIMEON VILLA
On November 23, President Aguinaldo
received news of fifty American soldiers heading towards their direction. He
immediately retreated half of his troops with him on the thickly forested area
across the PalananRiver while the other half joined the Chief of Police, Olimpo
Cortes, and planned for an ambush. When the Americans arrived, they found the
place deserted. They burned the town down and left. After a week, Aguinaldo,
his men and the locals returned and re-established the town. He ordered the
construction of trenches near the convent facing Mount Dinagapilan to serve as
a protection to future raids.
On December 8, 1900, Nazario Alhambra
arrived from Casiguran (a town in Principe, nowpart of Aurora province)
together with forty Filipino soldiers. A total of P3,302.50 of collected
revolutionary contributions from Echague and nearby towns was turned over to
President Aguinaldo. The money was used to pay the salary of Aguinaldo’s men
(one peso each) and the rest as gifts to the people of Palanan. On December 30,
President Aguinaldo celebrated the fourth anniversary of the martyrdom of
Doctor Jose P. Rizal with Doctor Barcelona reading the biography of the
martyred hero at the parish convent.
NAZARIO ALHAMBRA (photo courtesy of http://www.retrato.com.ph)
On January 15, 1901, President
Aguinaldo sent his Ilocano messenger Cecilio Segismundo to central Luzon to ask
for re-enforcements from the forces ofGenerals Baldomero Aguinaldo (1869-1915),
Teodoro Sandiko and Colonel Lazaro Makapagal. Unfortunately, on February 8,
Segismundo together with six other tired and famished soldiers surrendered to
the group of Kansas volunteer led by First Lieutenant James D. Taylor, Jr.,
commander ofCompany C, 24th Infantry Regiment of U.S. Volunteers in
Pantabangan (Nueva Ecija province) after the town mayor, Francisco
Villajuan, had convinced the worn-out men to give up. The documents, dated
January 13 and 14, were turned over to Brigadier General Frederick N. Funston
(1865-1917) who was the district commander of the American forces in San
Isidro, Nueva Ecija. From this documents, the Americans as per orders of
General Arthur MacArthur, Jr. (1845-1912) laid down the plan for the capture of
Aguinaldo.
General FREDERICK N. FUNSTON (September 11, 1865 – February 19, 1917)
On January 17, President Aguinaldo
issued a manifesto protesting American cruelties in the Philippine-American
War. On January 22, a celebration was made honoring the principalias of the town and on the following day the presidential
guards led the dancing to commemorate the first anniversary of the short lived
Malolos Republic and honoring also the nationalistic citizens of Palanan. On
February 1, in view of the large numbers of Americans advancing towards the
town, President Aguinaldo requested re-enforcements from the military commander
of Isabela.
On February 5, 1901, Lieutenant
Colonel John S. Mallory falsely reported to Lieutenant Colonel Enoch Herbert Crowder
(1859-1932; later became Ambassador to Cuba) that President Aguinaldo died a
few days ago somewhere in the Cagayan Valley. The following day, the mail
arrived in the afternoon in Palanan informing President Aguinaldo on the return
of the Americans to Ambuayan in Abra. On February 14, the president issued an
order to his soldiers not to fight the Filipino “loyals” in the service of the
American army, but to rage only against the American officers and soldiers who
commit atrocities.
On March 7 of the same year, President
Aguinaldo received a letter from Apolinario Mabini in Manila dated November 22,
1900, transmitting messages from U.S. Generals Arthur MacArthur, Jr. and James Franklin Bell (1856-1919) to the
effect that independence cannot be granted and that Aguinaldo should return to
Manila and live in Malacañang Palace with MacArthur. Mabini asked Aguinaldo
whether he should plead independence or autonomy, now that McKinley (US
President William McKinley) has been re-elected. The following day, the president
instructed Apolinario Mabini to thank General Arthur MacArthur, in his behalf,
for the invitation extended to him to live in Malacañang and to say that the
Filipinos who have taken up arms have no other desire but for Philippine
Independence.
On March 20, 1901, from Casiguran (the
USS Vicksburg arrived on March 14),
General Funston sent a falsified letter of General Lacuna to President
Aguinaldo in Palanan informing him that a contingent of brave soldiers headed
by Hilario Tal Placido (a rebel official of Aguinaldo) would be arriving as
re-enforcement. The letter was craftily made by Roman Roque (also a rebel
official of Aguinaldo) including the perfect forging of Lacuna’s signature.
President Emilio Aguinaldo sailed on the USS Vicksburg from Palanan, Isabela to Manila on March 25, 2001.
On March 22, President Aguinaldo
celebrated his 32nd birthday. The remote village was in gala dress.
Arches and other festive decorations were adorned. Horse races, dancing,
serenades and amateur theatricals were conducted. President Aguinaldo sent rice
to Colonel Tal Placido and his “worn out” men who were stationed six miles away
from Palanan in Sitio Dibakal. Tal Placido earlier sent a messenger asking for
provisions for his “tired” soldiers.
The following day, President Aguinaldo
senteleven soldiers to replace the “tired” soldiers of Colonel Tal Placido in
Sitio Dinungdungan at six o’clock in the morning. At two in the afternoon, the
newcomers crossed the Palanan River. At three o’clock in the afternoon,
American forces led by General Frederick Funston, finally captured President
Aguinaldo. Americans pretended to be prisoners of Filipino mercenaries composed
of four Tagalogs which included Colonel Hilario Tal Placido, Lazaro Segovia (a
Spanish soldier who first joined the revolutionary forces) and about eighty
Macabebe (Pampanga) natives and thus gained access to the Filipino camp. The
Americans who acted as captives were: Funston, Captains Harry W. Newton and
Russell Trall Hazzard (1866-1921), First Lieutenants Oliver Perry Morton
Hazzard (1876-1960) and Burton J. Mitchell.
On March 24, General Aguinaldo and his
two fellow prisoners, Doctors Villa and Barcelona, tried to persuade the
Macabebe soldiers in charge of giving them food to join them in turning the
tables on Funston, but some of the Macabebes refused to cooperate and the plot
failed. The following day, General Aguinaldo bade farewell to his men, through
his nephew, Tomas Magsarilo. “This afternoon we will board the American war
cruiser Vicksburg, which will cast
anchor here at Sabang (Palanan Bay). Villa is wounded; Santos and I are not…
What happened to me, though somewhat bad, will be transformed into something
that will redound to the welfare of the Motherland…”
Aguinaldo Shrine in Barangay Centeo East, Palanan, Isabela along the Pinacanauan de Palanan River and the Saint Mary Magdalene Roman Catholic Church.
American
Civil Government
The 2nd
Philippine Commission headed by Governor-General William Howard Taft (1857-1930; who would later become the 27th President of the United States of America and the 10th Chief Justice) with Dean Conant
Worcester (Secretary of the Interior) and Henry Clay Ide (Secretary of Finance
& Justice) conducted a public hearing on August 23, 1901 at Ilagan,
Isabela. On the 2nd and last day, August 24, American civil
government was established in Isabela through Act No. 210 which extended the
provisions of “The Provincial Government Act” (enacted on February 6, 1901) and
its amendments to the Province of Isabela. U.S. 16th Infantry Captain William H. Johnson was appointed
governor of Isabela together with Francisco Dichoso as provincial secretary, George W.
Povey as provincial treasurer and Atty. Bartolome Revilla (who would later become
representative of Rizal province in the 1st Philippine Assembly) as provincial fiscal.
The 2nd Philippine Commission led by William Howard Taft (center). At far left is Dean Conant Worcester. Photograph, 1900. (Photo from Ranger fineartamerica.com)
On February 3, 1902, Francisco Dichoso y Reyes was elected as Isabela governor with Thomas Gollayan as provincial secretary. On February 21 of the same year, Acting Governor-General Luke Edward Wright (1846-1922) confirmed the election of Francisco Dichoso through Executive Order No. 60 in accordance with Act No. 83 of the United States Philippine Commission.
Hon. FRANCISCO DICHOSO y REYES of Ilagan; held various positions in the government; member Partido Federal; 1st Provincial Secretary of Isabela appointed by the Philippine Commission (1901-1902); married to Lucia Maria Salinas Claravall (1st degree cousin of future Governor & Assemblyman Basilio Eliseo M. Claravall) of Ilagan daughter of Don Andres Villacorta Claravall & Filomena Salinas; held various positions in the government; member Partido Federal; 1st elected Provincial Governor of Isabela (1902-1903).
On February 3, 1902, Francisco Dichoso y Reyes was elected as Isabela governor with Thomas Gollayan as provincial secretary. On February 21 of the same year, Acting Governor-General Luke Edward Wright (1846-1922) confirmed the election of Francisco Dichoso through Executive Order No. 60 in accordance with Act No. 83 of the United States Philippine Commission.
On October 6, 1902, Act No. 467 of the
Philippine Commission ordered that a comprehensive census be conducted on the
Philippine Islands. The Province of Isabela was labeled as District No. 6 with
the governor as head and N. B. Stewart as disbursing officer.
Tomines’ Revolution
On June 1902, the Constabulary
arrested twenty-five Ilocanos in Naguilian town and charged them with treason
and sedition. On May 1903, Manuel Tomines of Naguilian, a former revolutionary
officer, was visited by two emissaries sent by Pascual Hicaro Poblete
(1857-1921) of the “revolutionary ring” of Manila with the commission to
organize a rebellion. Signed by General Artemio Garcia Ricarte (1866-1945),
Tomines was made a colonel in command of the Cagayan Valley, Ambrosio Logan a
lieutenant colonel and Maurice Sibley, a major. Sibley was an American deserter
from the 16th Infantry who married an Ilongot native. The guns of
the nationalistic Isabelenos, about 30 to 40 Krag-Jorgensen and Mauser rifles,
were remnants from the group of Colonel Raymundo Jeciel when they surrendered to
Major Henry T. Allen of the 16th Infantry in Echague.
Major General HENRY TUREMAN ALLEN (April 13, 1859 – August 29, 1930) .
On January 3, 1904, Colonel Manuel
Tomines started his revolution in Isabela and set camp at Rancho Payac in
Echague (now a barangay of Jones town). They had several encounters in Carig and
Echague, thus, delaying the pacification campaign of the Americans in Isabela.
Due to the Tomines issue President
Theodore Roosevelt through Governor-General Luke E. Wright appointed George
Curry (1861-1947); who would later became governor and U.S. Representative of
New Mexico State) as Isabela governor replacing Dichoso with Basilio Eliseo Claravall y Mamuri as secretary. The three other members of the provincial board were: Walter F. Wood (supervisor of schools), Mr. Remey (provincial treasurer) and Atty. Nepomuceno (provincial fiscal).
George Curry (April 3, 1861 – November 24, 1947) with his sons Clifford and Charles.
Hon. GEORGE CURRY, Provincial Governor of Isabela (1903-1905) posed with a native Waray in Samar c.1905.
On January 2, 1905, Colonel Manuel
Tomines attacked Naguilian town at night with some two hundred men mostly
relatives from the numerous Tomines clan from Barrio Tomines and with the
connivance of the municipal officials. The small constabulary detachment was
surprised and retreated across the river with the loss of one man. The wife of
the Justice of the Peace was murdered.
Municipal Arc at Hilltop, Naguilian, Isabela.
The following day, the constabulary,
together with the Justice of the Peace and six others, returned and disarmed
the municipal police in the casa tribunal
and engaged with the Tomines group. Presidente Municipal Alejandro Tomines (a
cousin), Situes Tomines (a brotherand municipal secretary), Francisco Acosta,
Binino Acosta, ex-president Langay and another brother of Manuel Tomines were
killed. Forty-five of the insurgents were killed. Maurice Sibley fled to the
mountains with a number of Ilongots. On March 27, 1905, Colonel Manuel Tomines
was captured and after trial was sentenced to death by the Court of First
Instance of Isabela. Upon the confirmation of the death sentence by the Supreme
Court of the Philippine Islands on January 21, an effort was made by his
brother members of the Filipino Masonic Order on April 3 to secure his pardon.
The petition for executive clemency was denied by Governor-General Luke E.
Wright through his Executive Secretary Arthur W. Fergusson (1859-1908).
American
Period
On January 15, 1905, elections for
governor were held throughout the country except for Cavite and Isabela because
the conditions prevailing rendered it inimical to public interest to hold the
elections. The American central government in Manila appointed Blas Villamor as
governor and served up to 1907 with Mr. Goody, supervisors of schools, as the other member of the provincial board.
On February 5, 1907, Basilio
Eliseo Claravall y Mamuri of Ilagan was elected governor with Catalino Lavadia, provincial treasurer, as the other member of the provincial board. Earlier, on January 9, 1907,
Act No. 1582 was passed by the Philippine Commission. Otherwise known as the
Election Law of 1907, it stated that in all the municipalities in the provinces
entitled to elect governors, an election for provincial governor and third member
of the provincial board shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first
Monday of November 1907. Isabela did not participate in the elections since
Governor Claravall was recently elected in the same year. On March 15, 1907, Municipal President (1904-1907) Thomas Gollayan of San Pablo was appointed as third member of the provincial board.
Hon. BASILIO ELISEO CLARAVALL y MAMURI (1871 - November 5, 1924) of Ilagan; son of Juan Villacorta Claravall & Angustias Mamuri and older brother of Dr. Nicasio P. Claravall - the 1st Assemblyman of Isabela; grandson of Mateo Claravall (Kalingan chieftain from Rugao, Kalinga) & Apolonia Villacorta Ochoa; married to Celedonia Zapanta of Santa Cruz, Manila; Provincial Secretary (1903-1905); elected Provincial Governor of Isabela (1907-1909); and elected Assemblyman of the Lone District of Isabela (1910-1912 & 1912-1919)
On July 30, 1907, Dr. Nicasio P. Claravall won the first Philippine Assembly elections. Claravall was unseated by the Assembly the following year in favor of opponent Dimas Guzman y Masigan of Ilagan who appealed the initial results of the elections. However, on March 18, 1909, Assemblyman Guzman died in office.
In mid-August of 1909, municipal president of Naguilian (1908-1909), Romualdo Mina y Guzman, assumed the governorship upon the resignation of Governor Claravall after filing his certificate of candidacy for governor and served up to December 31 of the same year. Governor Mina presided over 18 sessions of the provincial board starting August 16 up to December 29 as governor. Wenceslao Trinidad, provincial interim treasurer, served as the other member of the provincial board.
On November 2, 1909, former municipal president of San Pablo (1904-1907) Thomas Gollayan, was elected governor and assumed office on the first day of 1910 while former Governor Claravall won as Assemblyman of the lone district of Isabela. the two other members of the provincial board were: Wenceslao Trinidad (provincial treasurer) and Municipal President Pascual G. Paguirigan of Ilagan (third member).
On June 4, 1912, Governor Gollayan was re-elected for another term and assumed office on October 16 of the same year. The two elected members of the provincial board were: Manuel Perez and Municipal President Gabriel Maramag of Ilagan. Assemblyman Basilio Eliseo M. Claravall was re-elected and served in 3rd Philippine Assembly.
Hon. THOMAS GOLLAYAN (born March 7, 1875) of San Pablo; married to Desideria Bautista; Provincial Secretary 1902-1903; Municipal President of San Pablo (1904-1907); member of the Provincial Board of Isabela (1907-1909); and Provincial Governor of Isabela (1910-1912 & 1912-1916) - youngest ever elected at the age of 34.
Hon. MAURO FOZ VERZOSA (May 3, 1889 - December 10, 1976); passedthe Bar in 1910 at the age of 21; elected Assemblyman at 27; Speaker Pro Tempore; and cited by the Philippine Free Press as "Outstanding Congressman of the Philippines".
On June 3, 1919, Governor Paguirigan was re-elected and
assumed office on October 16 of the same year.
On June 6, 1922, municipal president of San Pablo (1908-1909), Ventura Santos Guzman, won as governor and assumed office on October 16 of the same year. Governor Guzman did not seek re-election in 1925. The two elected member of the provincial board were: Gregorio Laman and Cirilo A. Semana. Tolentino P. Verzosa of Ilagan was elected in the
Hon. MIGUEL B. BINAG (born May 8, 1889) of San Pablo; Bachelor Laws at the University of the Philippines; Justice of the Peace of San Pablo; Justice of the Peace of Ilagan; onje of the two Delegates in the 1934 Constitutional Convention; and Founder of the Manuel L. Quezon Memorial Academy in Cabagan.
On June 6, 1922, municipal president of San Pablo (1908-1909), Ventura Santos Guzman, won as governor and assumed office on October 16 of the same year. Governor Guzman did not seek re-election in 1925. The two elected member of the provincial board were: Gregorio Laman and Cirilo A. Semana. Tolentino P. Verzosa of Ilagan was elected in the
The election of June
2, 1925 resulted in the change of Isabela leadership. Former municipal
president of Echague and two-time member of the provincial board, Primo Atip Gaffud, was elected governor and
assumed office on October 16 of the same year.
Hon. PRIMO ATIP GAFFUD (born April 29, 1894) of Echague; finished 2nd year high school; married to Magdalena Herrero; Municipal Treasurer of Echague (1904-1906); Municipal President of Echague (1912-1913); Provincial Board Member (1916-1919); and Provincial Governor of Isabela (1925-1928).
In the June 5, 1928, former municipal president of Angadanan, Atty. Florentino A. Nicolas, was elected governor and assumed office on October 16 of the same year. The two elected member of the provincial board were: Luis Tagorda and re-elected Manuel Masigang. Hon. Masigang was replaced the following year with the appointment of Municipal President (1922-1924) Alfonso A. Azurin of Ilagan. Former Governor Pascual G. Paguirigan was elected as the province' representative in the 8th Philippine Legislature .
On June 2, 1931, municipal councilor of Ilagan Fortunato Miranda Bulan, was elected as governor and assumed office on October 16 of the same year. The two elected member of the provincial board were: Agustin A. Pintang of Echague and coming back Manuel Masigang. Atty. Silvestre B. Macutay of Naguilian was elected to represent the lone district in the 9th Philippine Legislature.
On June 5, 1934, Governor Bulan was re-elected for a second term and assumed office on October 16 of the same year. The two elected member of the provincial board were: Moises A. Layugan and Municipal President (1931-1934) Sotero N. Nuesa of Gamu.
On July 10, 1934, former Congressman Miguel B. Binag and lawyer Elias Ocampo were elected as official delegates in the 1934 Constitutional Convention (Con-Con) in accordance with the Tydings-McDuffie Act. On February 8, Con-Con delegates Binag and Ocampo voted affirmative for the passing of the new Constitution which was signed by U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt on March 23 of he same year. The September 17, 1935 elections voted former Assemblyman Mauro F. Verzosa as Congressman of the Lone District of Isabela in the 1st National Assembly.
The next local election was held on December 14, 1937. All Philippine women were allowed to vote and elect among them into offices for the first time. Member of the provincial board (1934-1937) Agustin Pintang y Agustin of Echague, was elected governor and assumed office on January 1, 1938.
Hon. AGUSTIN PINTANG y AGUSTIN (born July 27, 1900) of Echague; son of Antonio Pintang and Gervasia Agustin; Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in Manila (1936); married to Carmen Vallejo; Provincial Board Member of Isabela (1931-1934); Provincial Governor of Isabela (1938-1939); and elected for several terms as Municipal Councilor of Echague.
Provincial Board Member Fabian R. Soberano, Acting Governor of the Province of Isabela, awards a Certificate of Appreciation to Ilagan Mayor Rafael Ammmalingan Paguirigan c. 1939. (From the files of R.A.Paguirigan, Ilagan, Isabela thru Mrs. Ma Flor Nona Paguirigan Cruz-Tumaliuan)
On November 8, 1938, Congressman Mauro F. Verzosa was re-elected and served in the 2nd National Assembly up to December 31, 1941. On October 6, 1939,
Atty. Lino J. Castillejo of
Tumauini, administrative assistant in the Office of President Manuel L. Quezon,
was appointed governor to replace Governor Pintang. Hon.
On December 10, 1940,
former municipal president (1928-1931) of Santiago and member of the provincial
board (1938-1940) Gabriel Ramones Visaya
(1899-1978), was elected governor and assumed office on January 1, 1941.
His election was confirmed by President Manuel L. Quezon on December 28, 1940.
Governor Visaya relinquished his position in favor of the appointed governor by
the Japanese Imperial Army on May 2, 1942.
New Towns and
Municipal Districts -
Reina
Mercedes, Antatet. Jones, Dalig, San Mariano & Callang
On June 13, 1913, Callering was formally
made into an independent municipality. The name was later changed back to Reina Mercedes. In 1950, the town site
of Reina Mercedes was transferred along the newly constructed national highway in
the present Barangay Tallungan (the present site) from the old site along the
Magat River.
In 1920, Antatet (site of old Alamo pueblo) was approved as a municipal district of Cauayan with Alejandro Y. Andres as mayor. The name Antatet was probably derived from the combination of the name of a sturdy tree called anteng where under its leafy boughs the Kalingas held their special celebrations and the tet, tet, tet sound of the ganza, a metal musical instrument the natives use during rituals. On September 28, 1949, the Municipal District of Antatet was created into a regular municipality by virtue of Executive Order No. 267 signed by His Excellency President Elpidio Quirino with Vicente Galiza Agcaoili as mayor. The name of the new town was changed to Luna in honor of General Antonio Luna y Novicio (1866-1899), hero of the Philippine Revolution.
A marker located at the stairway leading to the Office of the Mayor at the Luna Cultural Center, District 1, Luna, Isabela.
Inauguration and conversion of Antatet into a regular town in 1949.
General Antonio Luna y Novicio monument at the junction of Luna town donated by the City Government of Cauayan. The statue was originally ,located inthe junction of Cabaruan.
The Municipal Hall of Luna, Isabela in Barangay District 1, Luna, Isabela.
The Luna Cultural Center and the General Antonio Luna monument at the municipal grounds in Barangay District 1, Luna, Isabela.
On January 1, 1921, Barrio
Cabannuangan was inaugurated as a town and christened as Jones, in honor of U.S. Congressman William Atkins Jones - author
of the Philippine Autonomy Act of 1916. The first mayor of the newly created
regular municipality located in the southern portion of Echague town across the
Cagayan River was Antonio A. Vallejo.
Municipal Hall of Jones, Isabela.
Obelisk, historical monument, at Jones, Isabela.
On August 27, 1927, Dalig (forerunner
of Aurora town and now a barangay of Burgos town) became a municipal district
of Gamu with Ramon Mazareta as presidente. On July 1936, the poblacion of Dalig town was transferred
to Kalabasa by a plebiscite conducted by the provincial board. In 1938, the
town center of Dalig was transferred for the second time from Kalabasa to
Bolinao, which was laid out by the Friar Lands Agency No. 5 of the Bureau of
Lands. On May 12, 1948, Dalig was created into a regular municipality by virtue
of Executive Order No.139 signed by His Excellency President Elpidio Quirino
with Andres Samus Cammayo as the first mayor. The name Dalig was changed to Aurora
in honor of Doña Aurora Molina Aragon Quezon (1888-1949), wife of Commonwealth
President Manuel L. Quezon. The new town was inaugurated on July 4 of the same
year.
RAMON MAZARETA, the 1st Mayor of Aurora, Isabela.
Aurora Town Fiesta c.1950.
Doña Aurora Quezon bust in front of the Municipal Hall of Aurora, Isabel.
On December 7, 1927, the Municipal District of San Mariano became a regular municipality by virtue of Act No. 3416 of the Philippine Legislature.
Old Municipal Hall of San Mariano, Isabela built in the 1950's during the term of Mayor Felicisimo Baua.
On October 12, 1937, Callang, the
forerunner of San Manuel town, became a municipal district of Gamu town. The
name Callang was a Kalinga word for molave, a kind of hard wood. On June 23,
1957, the Municipal District of was established into a municipality by virtue
of Republic Act No. 2040 which became a law without the approval of the
President of the Philippines, with Ignacio Eclar Mendoza as the first mayor. On
June 21, 1968, Callang town was renamed to San
Manuel by virtue of Republic Act No. 5869 with two barrios incorporated to
its territory.
Municipal Boundary Landmark of San Manuel near Aurora town.
Cariada Festival Monument in San Manuel, Isabela located at the boundary of the Municipalities of San Manuel and Aurora.
Japanese
Occupation
On December 9, 1941, the Japanese
Imperial Army conducted bombing raids over the Philippinesincluding Tuguegarao
in Cagayan. The following day, they landed in Aparri and proceeded southwards
to the direction of Isabela. The town of Jones became the temporary seat of the
provincial government during the war torn year until it was captured the
following year by the foreign invaders.
Municipal Town Hall of Jones, Isabela (c.1950).
On January 8, 1942, the United States
Forces in the Philippines, Northern Luzon (USFIPNL), the famous guerilla unit,
was organized. The combined elements of the 11th Infantry, 71st
Infantry, and Troop C of the 26th Cavalry were led by Major C.
Everett Warner (promoted to lieutenant colonel), Captains Guillermo Nakar
(1905-1942) and Manuel P. Enriquez (both promoted to major). Nakar’s 2nd
Batallion held line from Balete Pass (now Dalton Pass) to Bato Ferry (Bambang-Bayombong
boundary) while Enriquez’ 1st Batallion occupied the line from Bato
Ferry to Aparri which included Isabela. The combined forces were known as the 1st
Guerilla Regiment. It was later renamed to 14th Infantry USAFFE in
recognition of their combat achievement in Tuguegarao on January 13.
On April 9, 1942, Bataan fell and the
infamous Death March began in Mariveles. Numerous Isabelino soldiers and
volunteers suffered and died in this horrific walk that ended in Capas in
Tarlac. A number were fortunate to escape.
On April 13 of the same year, Major Guillermo Z. Nakar was promoted to
Lieutenant Colonel and assigned as Commanding Officer of the 14th
Infantry USAFFE by General Jonathan Wainwright and was stationed in Jones town.
After re-organizing his command, Lt. Col. Nakar scattered his troops in small
groups in order to lessen his logistical difficulties. He continued to harass
and sabotage the enemy and at the same time maintained continuous radio contact
with GHQ SWAP in Australia.
On May 3, 1942, Agustin Villamor
Bersamin (1888-1970), municipal mayor of Santiago, was appointed as governor by
the Japanese Military Commander, Masaharu Homma (1888-1946). Governor Bersamin
saved many Isabelinos from execution by the Japanese with the help of General
Nagasaki, Chief Military Administrator of Isabela, who was his classmate at
Tokyo University.
Hon. AGUSTIN VILLAMOR BERSAMIN (August 28, 1888 - May 15, 1970) of Bangued, Abra and Santiago; son of Honorio Bersamin and Leonora Villamor; Bachelor of Arts at Lyceo de Manila; Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering at Tokyo University, Japan; married to Adelina Remolleno; Provincial Board Member of Abra; came to Santiago in 1927; elected Municipal Mayor of Santiago (1942); appointed Provincial Governor of Isabela (1942-1944), saved many Isabelenos from execution since the chief military administrator of Isabela, General Nagasaki, was his classmate in Tokyo.
On July 14, 1942, Colonel Nakar received instructions from General Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964) to induct all the officers and menofthe 14th Infantry into the service of the Army of the United States. This gave the 14th Infantry the singular distinction of being the only guerilla or Philippine Army unit given the status of an “AUS” unit.
On September 1941, the Japanese High
Command launched radial attacks from Baguio towards the Ilocos, Central
Cordillera and Cagayan Valley which led to the break-up of the guerilla units and forced the troops
into hiding. During this campaign, Colonel Nakar was captured after a traitor
by the name of Damaso Leaño accompanied the Japanese soldiers in a cave at
Barrio Minuli in Jones town. Even as a prisoner, Nakar remained defiant.
Offered his freedom in exchange for signing his surrender papers and swearing
allegiance to the Japanese, he bluntly refused, saying, “I cannot transfer my
allegiance to the United States and my country.” In Echague, the Japanese
allowed him to speak in public as part of their propaganda campaign. Instead of
humoring or kowtowing to his captors, Nakar denounced the Japanese for the
abuses and cruelty they wereinflicting on the people. Nakar was taken to Fort
Santiago in Intramuros, Manila where he was executed on September 29. General Douglas MacArthur
posthumously awarded Nakar the distinguished conduct star medal and promoted
him to the rank of general.
Guillermo Peñamante Nakar (Enero 10, 1905 - Setyembre 29, 1942).
On June 1943, Major Russell W.
Volckmann (1911-1982) assumed the leadership of the USFIP NL and divided North
Luzon into seven districts with Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya belonging to the 5th
District and garrisoned by the 14th Infantry under the command of
Major Romulo Manriquez.
Russell William Volckmann (October 23, 1911 – June 30, 1982)
On September 7, 1943, the Japanese inspired
Philippine Constitution was “ratified” by the 117 KALIBAPI(Kapisanan ng
Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas) with fromer Govenor and Congressman Lino J. Castillejos and Atty. Gregorio
P. Formoso as the representatives of Isabela in the National Assembly.
On September 25, 1943, Doctor Jose
Paciano Laurel, Sr. y Garcia (1891-1959) was elected as president (September
25, 1943-August 17, 1945) of the Japanese sponsored Philippine Republic and on
February of the following year former governor and congressman Lino J.
Castillejo was appointed as governor by His Excellency Jose P. Laurel.
On March 5, 1945, the 6th
Army with the USFIP NL launched a successful operation against enemy garrisons
and lines of communication and had practically liberated the entire northwest
Luzon. On June 6, General Tomoyuki Yamashita (1885-1946), stationed outside
Bayombong (Nueva Vizcaya) town, frantically tried to withdraw his troops in
Cagayan Valley to joinhis forces in Kiangan in Ifugao province. Isabela was
liberated from the Japanese by the Filipino-American forces.
On June 6, 1945, His Imperial Highness Prince Chichibu
(also known as Prince Yasuhito; 1902-1953) of Japan arrived in Santiago town
from Bayombong in Nueva Vizcaya together with twelve escorts and his trusted
houseboy Ben Valmores. The prince was said to have led the “Golden Lily (Kin no
yun) Operations” by which members of the imperial household allegedly were
personally involved in stealing treasures from countries invaded by Japan
during World War II.
On June 7, Prince Chichibu left behind
their trucks in Santiago and followed the course of the Magat River to the
north. Just before sunset, they encountered five guerillas two miles west of
Barrio Cabatuan (now a town). After a heavy firefight, three of the escorts
were killed. The following day, the prince instructed his houseboy Ben Valmores
to bring with him the waxed maps in leather map case and go home in Bambang
town in Nueva Vizcaya province. The prince further instructed to bury the said
maps and only to open them after he had not claimed it in twenty years. The
prince later reached the shoreline of Babuyan Bay, south of Santa Ana town in
Cagayan on July 25 and boarded a submarine for Tokyo, Japan.
On
June 13, 1945, by evening, the 145th Regimental Combat Team (RCT) was at Santiago,
twenty-two miles northeast of Bagabag (Nueva Vizcaya). Here the advance halted
because bypassed elements of the 179th IIB were
threatening to cut the line of communications not only of the 145th RCT
but also of the 148th RCT, which had followed the 145ththrough
Oriung Pass (in Bagabag town), the 129th RCT having taken over in the
Bagabag area on June 12. By evening of June 14, advance elements of the 37th Division
were at Echague, an airfield center eight miles east of Santiago. Two days
later the 145th and 148th RCT's began moving into Cauayan,
fifteen miles north along Route 5 from Echague.
On
June 15, the 11thand 14thInfantry
Regiments, USAFIPNL, has cleared almost all the valley west of the Cagayan
River from Cauayan north to Aparri (in Cagayan province) and had gained
complete control over Route 11 from Bontoc (now part of Mountain Province) to
the valley. Most of the Japanese combat troops left in the valley north of
Cauayan were members of the Yuguchi
Force, an understrength
RCT of the 103rd
Division. Upon
the fall of the division's defenses at Oriung Pass, the Yuguchi
Force had
started south from the vicinity of Aparri, apparently intending to cross to the
west side of the Cagayan River near Cauayan and make its way to Yamashita's
last-stand area via Route 389 to Banaue town (now part of Ifugao province) on
Route 4.
On June 17, the 37th Division
resumed its advance up Route 5. By four in the afternoon, the 148thInfantry
was on the east bank of the Cagayan River at Naguilian. Two days later advance
elements were twelve miles beyond Naguilian at Bangag (a barrio of Ilagan
town). Here opposition increased, because the 37th Division was
banging headlong into elements of the Yuguchi
Force that
were still trying to move south along Route 5. In a running fight from June 19
to 23, the 37th Division killed over 600 Japanese and captured almost
285 more in the fifteen miles between Bangag and Balasig (a barrio of Cabagan
town). In the same general area, the division destroyed or captured large
amounts of Japanese equipment and supplies including fifteen or sixteen light
tanks. By the end of the period the remnants of the Yuguchi
Force were
in full flight eastward into the untracked wilderness of the Sierra Madre,
separating the Cagayan Valley from Luzon's east coast.
On August 12, 1945, Atty. Gregorio P.
Formoso was appointed as governor. On September 2, 1945, Japanese Commander,
General Tomoyuki Yamashita, surrendered the Japanese Imperial Army in Kiangan
in Ifugao province by handing his sword to Lieutenant Russel Bauman. Japanese
Occupation of the valley and the Philippines ended and the 2nd
Republic was dissolved. On October 22, deposed Governor Gabriel R. Visaya was
reinstated as governor.
Hon. GREGORIO P. FORMOSO; admitted to the Philippine Bar (November 3, 1916); Fiscal of Isabela; and one of the best trial lawyers of his time.
Third
Republic
On April 23, 1946, the first
democratic elections after World War II was held with Manuel A. Roxas elected
as president. Domingo B. Paguirigan of Ilagan was elected as the first Congressman of Isabela in the 1st Congress of the Philippines.
Hon. DOMINGO B. PAGUIRIGAN (born January 12, 1894) of Ilagan; son of Governor Pascual G. Paguirigan and Fermina Ammalingan; married to Felisa Rosales of Lilio, Laguna; and Congressman of Isabela (1946-1949).
On June 12, 1946, another appointment after the election of President Manuel A. Roxas was made. Former Congressman (1934-1935) and member of the provincial board Atty. Silvino Madderay Gumpal (1901-1977) of Jones was appointed governor of Isabela and served up to December 31, 1947. The other appointed members of the Board were: Felipe Padua and Delfin B. Albano.
President Elpidio Quirino visits the residence of Governor Silvino M. Gumpal on March 8, 1947 at Ilagan, Isabela. (Photo from the collection of the Hon. Silvino M. Gumpal, Sr. family)
Senate President Jose D. Avelino, Chairman Liberal Party, signing the proclamation of the party's official candidates in Isabela; Hon. Silvino Gumpal for governor and Mssgrs. Delfin Albano (marked #2) and Felipe Padua (marked # 3) for board members in the presence of Isabela officials and leaders in Manila on September 22, 1947 Monday 9:15am. (Photo courtesy of the family of Hon. Silvino M. Gumpal, Sr. & family)
On November
11, 1947, Governor Gumpal was
elected governor and assumed office on January 1, 1948 up to December 31, 1951. The members of the Board were: Deflin B. Albano and Tranquilino V. Madamba. Board Member Albano resigned to run for a higher office in 1949 and he was replaced by the appointment of Felipe Padua in 1950.
On June 12, 1946, another appointment after the election of President Manuel A. Roxas was made. Former Congressman (1934-1935) and member of the provincial board Atty. Silvino Madderay Gumpal (1901-1977) of Jones was appointed governor of Isabela and served up to December 31, 1947. The other appointed members of the Board were: Felipe Padua and Delfin B. Albano.
President Elpidio Quirino with the Isabela Provincial Officials Delegation headed by Governor Silvino M. Gumpal (1) and Congressman Domingo B. Paguirigan (2) at Malacanang Palace, Manila on July 23, 1948. (Photo from the collection of the Hon. Silvino M. Gumpal, Sr. family)
Northern Luzon Athletic Asscoaition (NLAA) Meet at Ilagan, Isabela with Governor Silvino M. Gumpal and Provincial Board Members Delfin B. Albano & Tranquilino V. Madamba c. February 14, 1949. (Photo from the collection of the Hon. Silvino M. Gumpal, Sr. family)
Governor Perfecto Faypon of Ilocos Sur (3rd from left) and Governor Silvino M. Gumpal (3rd from right) at Ilagan c.February 14, 1949. (Photo from the collection of the Hon. Silvino M. Gumpal, Sr. family)
Joint Conference of the Officers of the PGF & PC with Chiefs of Police with Governor Silvino M. Gumpal held at the Isabela High School in Ilagan on July 8, 1950. (Photo from the collection of the Hon. Silvino M. Gumpal, Sr. & family
Governor Silvino M. Gumpal with the California Distillery, Isabela Chinese Chamber Officers and the California 56 Basketball Team at Ilagan, Isabela October 3, 1950. (Photo from the collection of the Hon. Silvino M. Gumpal, Sr. family)
On November 8, 1949, Elpidio Quirino was duly elected as president with
Senator Fernando Lopez as vice president. Samuel F. Reyes, a lawyer from Cauayan,
was elected as congressman.
On November 13, 1951, former councilor of Gamu Atty. Felix T. Caro, won as governor of the province and held office from January 1, 1952 to December 31, 1955. The two elected member of the provincial board were: former Governor Gabriel R. Visaya and Francisco B. Ramirez of Naguilian. Hon. Ramirez was replaced with the appointment of Mayor (1938-1940, 1941 & 1945) Guillermo H. Angoluan of Echague.
On November 10, 1953, Defense Secretary Ramon Magsaysay was elected as president with Senator Carlos P. Garcia as vice president. Congressman Samuel F. Reyes was re-elected for a second term.
On November 9, 1955, Governor Caro was re-elected on his second term and served from January 1, 1956 to December 31, 1959. The two elected member of the provincial board were: Duque P. Zingapan of Ilagan and re-electionist Governor Gabriel R. Visaya.
On November 12, 1957, Carlos P. Garcia was duly elected as president with Congressman Diosdado Macapagal as vice president. Delfin Balabbo Albano of Cabagan, a former member of the provincial board, was elected as congressman.
Hon. SAMUEL F. REYES, Representative of the Lone District of Isabela in the 2nd (1950-1953) and 3rd (1954-1957) Congress of the Philippines.
Congressman Samuel F. Reyes (5th from right, standing) with President Ramon Magsaysay during the christening party of Katrina Gumpal Balauag at the residence of Senator Juan Sumulong. In barong is the young Faustino N. Dy (3rd from right, standing) and former Governor Silvino M. Gumpal (7th from right, standing) c.1950s. (Photo from the collection of the Hon. Silvino M. Gumpal, Sr. family)
On November 13, 1951, former councilor of Gamu Atty. Felix T. Caro, won as governor of the province and held office from January 1, 1952 to December 31, 1955. The two elected member of the provincial board were: former Governor Gabriel R. Visaya and Francisco B. Ramirez of Naguilian. Hon. Ramirez was replaced with the appointment of Mayor (1938-1940, 1941 & 1945) Guillermo H. Angoluan of Echague.
Hon. FELIX T. CARO of Gamu
On November 10, 1953, Defense Secretary Ramon Magsaysay was elected as president with Senator Carlos P. Garcia as vice president. Congressman Samuel F. Reyes was re-elected for a second term.
On November 9, 1955, Governor Caro was re-elected on his second term and served from January 1, 1956 to December 31, 1959. The two elected member of the provincial board were: Duque P. Zingapan of Ilagan and re-electionist Governor Gabriel R. Visaya.
On November 12, 1957, Carlos P. Garcia was duly elected as president with Congressman Diosdado Macapagal as vice president. Delfin Balabbo Albano of Cabagan, a former member of the provincial board, was elected as congressman.
Hon. DELFIN BALABBO ALBANO of Cabagan.
On November 12, 1963, Governor Singson was re-elected for a second term and assumed office on January 1, 1964 with one-time Provincial Board Member Leocadio E. Ignacio as vice governor. The three elected member of the provincial board were: re-electionist Felicisima C. Pinpin, Mayor (1948-1951, 1952-1955 & 1956-1959) Patricio O. Ramos of Echague and Councilor Vicencio P. Guzman of Echague (transferred later to Cauayan).
Governor Singson's term was cut short upon his resignation on September 15, 1965 to accept the position of Undersecretary of Justice. Dr. Leocadio Estevez Ignacio (1920-2013) of Mallig, the incumbent vice governor, assumed the governorship by virtue of law of succession. He served the unexpired term of his predecessor up to December 31, 1967. Mayor (1952-1955, 1956-1959, 1960-1963 & 1964-1965 Marcelo A. Padilla of San Agustin was appointed vice governor to fill up the vacancy.
Hon. Leocadio Estevez Ignacio of Mallig. Provincial Board Member (1960-1963), Provincial Vice Governor (1964-1965 & 1986-1987), Provincial Governor (1965-67) and 1971 Constitutional Convention Delegate. (From the files of Leocadio E. Ignacio thru Dr. Praxedes A. Ignacio)
On November 14, 1967,
former two-termer congressman (1949-1953 & 1953-1957), Atty. Samuel F. Reyes of
Cauayan won as governor and assumed office on January 1, 1968 up to December
31, 1971.
Hon. SAMUEL F. REYES; born on January 22, 1916 in Sanata Maria, Ilocos Sur; finished Associate in Arts at the University of the Philippines (1936); Bachelor of Laws at the University of the Philippines (1940); married Antonia Maramag Cayaba of Tumauini; Trial Lawyer; World War II Veteran (USAFFE Guerilla Officer); Investigator-Examiner of the Philippine War Damage Commission; Representative of the Lone District of Isabela, 2nd Congress (1949-1953; elected); Representative of the Lone District of Isabela, 3rd Congress (1953-1957; re-elected); Judge, Court of First Instance in Bulacan; Judge, Court of First Instance in Rizal; Provincial Governor of Isabela (January 1, 1968 - December 31, 1971; elected); Commissioner of the Immigration & Deportation and Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals. (From the publication: Isabela Fair '69)
Provincial Board of Isabela (elected; January 1, 1968 - December 31, 1971). Board Member Ruben C. Bañez, Senior Board Member Gaudencio Sarangaya III, Governor Samuel F. Reyes, Vice Governor Eugenio S. Guillermo, Board Member Patricio O. Ramos and Secretary Marcelo A. Padilla. (From the publication: Isabela Fair '69)
Provincial Board of Isabela in Session presided by Governor Samuel F. Reyes at Ilagan, Isabela c.1969. (From the publication: Isabela Fair '69)
On November 11, 1969, President Ferdinand E. Marcos and Vice President
Fernando Lopez were re-elected as
president and vice president, respectively. Former Vice Governor Rodolfo B.
Albano, Jr. of Cabagan was elected as congressman.
Hon. RODOLFO BAGUNU ALBANO, JR. of Cabagan
New Towns - San Mateo,
Roxas, Santo Tomas, Alicia, San Agustin, Cabatuan, Mallig, Magsaysay, Quezon,
Ramon, Benito Soliven, Burgos, Quirino, San Guillermo, San Isidro, Dinapigue,
Divilacan and Maconacon
In 1942, Barrio Marasat Grande and the
neighboring barrios (now all part of San Mateo town) were made into a
municipality called Yoshisawa with
Doroteo Barbero as the appointed mayor followed by Estanislao R. Bueno (July
1943). After Liberation, the town was reverted back as a barrio of Santiago
town. On March 17, 1946, Marasat Grande and the adjoining barrios were
separated from the mother-town of Santiago and were constituted into a regular
municipality by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 90 by His Excellency
President Sergio Osmeña with Mateo Cadeliña as the first mayor. The new town
was named San Mateo in honor of the
acknowledged founder, Don Mateo Cadeliña y Acierda (1881-1978).
The Municipality of San Mateo, Isabela is named after Hon. MATEO ACIERDA CADELIÑA (1881-1978), a Bacarreño (Ilocos Norte) who migrated in Southern Isabela in 1908 and founded Barrio Marasat in 1916. The acknowledged founder of San Mateo served as its first municipal mayor in 1946 (appointed) and the term 1952-1955 (2nd elected)
Signage and official seal of the Municipality of San Mateo, Isabela infront of the municipal hall.
On July 1, of the same year, Vira and
the surrounding barrios situated in the western part of Gamu town were created
into a municipality by virtue Executive Order No. 136 signed by His Excellency
President Elpidio Quirino. The new town waschristened Roxas in honor of Quirino’s predecessor, President (1946-1948)
Manuel Acuña Roxas (1892-1946) and was inaugurated on July 4 of the same year
with Rafael Binala Lintao as the first mayor.
On the same date, the Barrio of Santo Tomas was separated from the mother-town of Cabagan and was created into a regular municipality by virtue of Executive Order No. 199 signed by His Excellency President Elpidio Quirino with Isidro Jimenez as the first mayor. Santo Tomas was named after the pioneers of the town, Don Tomas Gatan and Don Tomas Bautista.
On the same date, Angadanan Viejo was
separated from the mother-town of Angadanan and was created as a regular
municipality by virtue of Executive Order No. 268 signed by His Excellency
President Elpidio Quirino in Malacañang with Glicerio F. Acosta as the first
mayor. The new town was renamed Alicia
in honor of Doña Alicia Syquia Quirino, wife of President Quirino who was
killed by the Japanese during World War II.
Governor Gumpal administers the oath to the 1st Municipal Mayor of Alicia, Isabela, Hon. GLICERIO F. ACOSTA, on December 6, 1949. (Photo from the collection of the Hon. Silvino M. Gumpal, Sr. family)
On the same date, Barrio Masaya and
the adjoining barrios in the southern part of Jones town were created into a
regular municipality and named San
Agustin by virtue of Executive Order No. 269 signed by his Excellency
President Elpidio Quirino in Malacañang with Agustin Daguro Agpaoa as the first
mayor. The new town was named after their patron saint, San Agustin.
On November 5, 1949, Barrio Cabatuan,
originally Ambatuan, and its integral parts were separated from the mother-town
of Cauayan by virtue of Executive Order No. 293 signed by His Excellency
President Elpidio Quirino in Malacañang with Teodulfo Duran Rumbaoa as the
first mayor. The new town was inaugurated on November 30 of the same year. The
name Cabatuan was derived from the
word batowhich was abundant in the
locality and from the act of nagbabatuhan
or throwing stones at each other
between the migrant Ilocanos and the marauding Kalingas during the pioneering
period.
On April 8, 1952, Mallig was created
as a municipality by the passage of House Bill 678 sponsored by Congressman
Samuel F. Reyes which was signed into law (RA 678) by His Excellency President
Elpidio Quirino. It was inaugurated on July 4, 1953 with Pedro Y. Lactao as the
first mayor.
On October 10, 1957, the Municipality
of Magsaysay (later renamed to Delfin
Albano) was created. It was separated from the mother-town of Tumauini by
virtue of Republic Act No. 2009 signed by His Excellency President Carlos P.
Garcia with Vicente Perez Taccad as the first mayor. The new town was named
after the 7th Philippine president (1953-1957), Ramon Magsaysay y
del Fierro (1907-1957). On October 3, the name of the Municipality of Magsaysay
was changed to Delfin Albano by
virtue of Batas Pambansa No. 291 to honor former provincial board member
(1948-1951) and two time congressman (1958-1965) from Cabagan, Honorable Delfin
Albano y Balabbo.
On June 29, 1959, the Municipality of
Quezon was created by Republic Act No. 2418 signed by His Excellency President
Carlos P. Garcia with Hildebrando Pecson as the first mayor. House Bill No.
736, authored by Congressman Delfin B. Albano, extracted the northern portion of
Mallig town to create a new municipality and named after President (1935-1944)
Manuel Luis Quezon Antonio y Molina (1878-1944).
Statue of President Manuel L. Quezon infront of the Municipal Hall of Quezon, Isabela.
On July 18, 1961, Ramon, site of the
ancient pueblo of Lappau, Begona and
Oscariz, was created as a municipality and carved from Santiago by virtue of
Republic Act No. 3320 sponsored by Congressman Delfin B. Albano. The new town
was named after the 7th Philippine president (1953-1957), Ramon
Magsaysay y del Fierro (1907-1957) and its first mayor was Angelino F.
Vizcarra.
President Ramon Magsaysay Monument in front of the Municipal Hall of Ramon, Isabela.
The first elected municipal officials of Ramon, Isabela headed by Mayor Angelino F. Vizcarra.
On May 18, 1967, Barrio Melappia of
San Mariano town was created into a regular municipality by virtue of Republic
Act No. 4873 with Emilio R. Bueno as the first mayor. The new town was
christened with the name Benito Soliven
(1898-1945) in honor of the World War II hero and assemblyman from Ilocos Sur
province.
Fr. Jose A. Burgos Monument infront of the Municipal Hall of Burgos, Isabela.
On June 17, 1967, Quirino was created
as a municipality by virtue of Republic Act No. 4901 signed by His Excellency
President Ferdinand E. Marcos with Vicente Torres Callangan as the first mayor.
Barrios from Gamu, Ilagan and Roxas constituted the new town which was named in
honor of the Ilocano President (1948- 1953) Elpidio Quirino y Rivera
(1890-1956). President Quirino signed the creation of eight municipalities of
Isabela, namely: Aurora, Roxas, Santo Tomas, Luna, Alicia, San Agustin, Cabatuan
and Mallig.
On the same date, Mayor Eugenio S.
Guillermo lobbied for the creation of a new town in the eastern portion of
Angadanan. House Bill No. 4899 was sponsored by Congressman Melanio T. Singson
which became Republic Act No. 4906 signed by His Excellency President Ferdinand
E. Marcos.The new town was named after their patron saint, San Guillermo with
Alvaro T. Filart as the first mayor.
Hon. Alvaro T. Filart, 1st Municipal Mayor of San Guillermo, Isabela.
Also on the same date, the Ganano
region of northwestern Echague town was created as a municipality by virtue of
Republic Act No. 5139 with Benedicto M. Mariano as the first mayor. Barrio
Captain Guillermo Mariano, Echague Municipal Councilor Ricardo Nitro, former
Mayor and incumbent Provincial Board Member Patricio O. Ramos lobbied to
Congressman Melanio T. Singson to sponsor a bill to Congress creating a new
town out of old Echague. Board Member Ramos recommended that San Isidro be the name of the new town
with San Isidro Labrador as patron. Pueblo
de Camarag, the old capital of Nueva Vizcaya province, became one of the
barangays of this town.
On June 21, 1968, Dinapigue, a municipal district of San Mariano town, was constituted into a regular municipality by virtue of Republic Act 5776 sponsored by Congressman Melanio T. Singson with Juan O. Derije as the first mayor. The name Dinapigue was derived from the name of a tribal leader. Another version was it came from the Dumagat term “dinapigue” or “dinapigui” referring to the hind legs of wild pigs or "baboyramo" which were once abundant in the locality. "Di" means "from" or "many" and "pigue" means "hind legs". Another version states that it came from the names of the lovers Dina and Pigue who were deprived of their love because of tradition.
The Municipal Hall of Dinapigue, Isabela.
On the same date, Divilacan, a former
sitio of Barrio Antagan in Tumauini town, became a municipality as mandated by
Republic Act No. 5776 sponsored by Congressman Melanio T. Singson. The origin
of the name came from two Dumagat words, “vili” which means “shell” and “ican”
which means “fish”. The word “di” connoted “origin”. The new town was carved
from the territories ofthe municipalities of Ilagan, Tumauini and Palanan with
Wenceslao A. Alaska as the first mayor.
Hon. Wenceslao A. Alaska 1st Municipal Mayor of Divilacan, Isabela.
Also on the same date, the
Municipality of Maconacon was created from the territories of San Pablo and
Cabagan towns by virtue of Republic Act No. 5776 sponsored by Congressman
Melanio T. Singson with Victoriano R. Eduarte as the first mayor. The name Maconacon is a Dumagat term which means “where
conacon abound”. “Conacon” refers to the “bellang” plant or palma brava leaf
(Heterospathe elata).
Martial Law
& the Fourth Republic
On November 10, 1970, Atty. Benjamin Cayaba Reyes of Cauayan, Heherson Turingan Alvarez of Santiago, Atty. Francisco B. Albano, Jr. of Cabagan, Atty. Celso D. Gangan of Ilagan and former Governor Leocadio E. Ignacio of Mallig were elected as delegates to the 1971 Constitutional Convention (Con-Con).
Delegates of the Province of Isabela to the 1971 Constitutional Convention: Hon. Benjamin C. Reyes (Cauayan), Hon. Heherson T. Alvarez (Santiago), Hon. Francisco B. Albano, Jr. (Cabagan), Hon. Celso D. Gangan (Ilagan) and Hon. Leocadio E. Ignacio (Mallig). (From the files of Leocadio E. Ignacio thru Dr. Praxedes A. Ignacio)
On November 8, 1971, two-termer Cauayan mayor Faustino Ng Dy (1925-1993) won as governor and assumed office on January 1, 1972 with Dr. Wilson C. Nuesa of Roxas as vice governor. The members of the provincial board were: Wilfrido Tomacruz Dayrit of Cabatuan, Councilor Atty. Manuel Torres Binag of Ilagan and Vice Mayor Atty. Efren N. Ambrocio of Alicia. The official's term should have ended on December 31, 1975 but was extended due to Proclamation No. 1081 (Martial Law) up to January 31, 1980.
Hon. FAUSTINO NG DY of Cauayan
On July 1972, the Philippine
Constabulary (PC) raided a hideout of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Barrio
Tarimsing in Cordon town and captured literatures showing a communist plot to
attack from July to August 1972. The joint elements of the 116th
Philippine Constabulary Company led by Second Lieutenant Napoleon C. Castro
(Executive Officer and later became colonel) and the Isabela Constabulary
Command (ICC) led by Second Lieutenant Edgar B. Aglipay (Intelligence and
Operations Officer and later became the 11th Chief PNP) with Staff
Sergeant Donato P. Perez (NCOIC) left station for Palanan on board a U-17
reconnaissance plane to verify the veracity of reports regarding the presence
of submarines and other vessels allegedly unloading armament and supplies
intended for NPAs on the eastern shores of Isabela. The team while patrolling
the shorelines of Digoyo Point at about four o’clock in the afternoon of July
5, discovers the MV Karagatan which
has just unloaded arms and supplies intended for the NPAs. While in the process
of towing the ship, the team was subjected to heavy fire by the NPAs who were
entrenched along the shorelines. During the exchange of fires Constabulary
Second Class Lope Domingoand Ramon Bibit, Jr. (later became colonel) sustained
gunshot wounds. The team although outnumbered, thirsty, hungry and seasick
clung in defense of the MV Karagatan
for three days and three nights thus preventing the NPAs from taking possession
of the ship. This operation, now known as the “Palanan Incident”, captured 500
M-14 rifles, 6 rocket launchers (said to be Chicom or Chinese Communist copies
of a Russian prototype rocket launcher) and 160,000 rounds of ammunition. This
was one of the crises which precipitated the imposition of Martial Law.
What is left of the MV Karagatan (by Howie Severino).
The MV Karagatan was still a mystery when it was reported on the front page of the Philippine Daily Expression on July 9, 1972.
On September 21, 1972, Proclamation
1081, otherwise known as Martial Law,
was declared throughout the country. Several Isabelinos including some clergy
were “invited” to military camps for questioning.
On April 7, 1978, former Congressman Rodolfo B. Albano, Jr. and Jones Mayor (1964-1978) Prospero Guzman Bello were elected as assemblymen of Region II in the Interim Batasang Pambansa.
On January 1, 1976, Governor Faustino N. Dy became provincial chairman with
Vice Governor Wilson C. Nuesa as vice chairman. The members of the sangguniang panlalawigan
were: former Alicia councilor Felipe T. Salvador (Alicia), Fidel A. Alindada
(Angadanan), Agustin C. Palacol (Aurora), Felipe J. Etrata (Benito Soliven),
Basilio T. Bayangos (Burgos), former mayor and provincial secretary Teodulfo Duran
Rumbaoa (Cabatuan), Lorenzo C. Aggabao (Cabagan), Simeon Tomas dela Cruz
(Cauayan), Leonarda
M. Beltejar (Cordon), Eduardo Chaketon (Dinapigue), Adriano E. Damasco
(Divilacan), Pedro T. Velasco (Echague), Domingo T. Lim (Gamu), Ricardo Nieto
(Ilagan), Herman Malana (Jones), Celestino M. Agustin (Luna), Fidel Salvador
(Maconacon), Patricio C. Taccad (Magsaysay), Quirino T. Mesina (Mallig), Lucena
A. Valino (Naguilian), Angel A. Bernardo (Palanan), Ricardo S. Estrada
(Quezon), Florentino N. Miguel, Jr. (Quirino), Maximo S. Dirige (Ramon), Simeon
L. Taguinod (Reina Mercedes), Francisco A. dela Cruz (Roxas), Agustin R. Manuel
(San Agustin), Pedro E. Nacino, Jr. (San Guillermo), Renato P. da Jose (San
Isidro), Florentino B. Padua (San Manuel), Oscar V. Ibale (San Mariano), Barrio
Captain Genaro D. Taganas (San Mateo), Benjamin C. Cauan (San Pablo), former Mayor
Buenaventura C. Masigan (Santa Maria), Artemio C. Alvarez (Santiago), Benjamin
R. Dugay (Santo Tomas) and Engr. Andres N. Pascaran (Tumauini).
On April 7, 1978, former Congressman Rodolfo B. Albano, Jr. and Jones Mayor (1964-1978) Prospero Guzman Bello were elected as assemblymen of Region II in the Interim Batasang Pambansa.
On January 30, 1980, local elections for governors, vice governors, mayors and vice mayors in the nation's first elections for provincial and municipal officials since the declaration of martial law were held and incumbent Governor Dy was re-elected unopposed and assumed office on February 1, 1980. The members of the sangguniang panlalawigan were: former Mayor
Lorenzo C. Aggabao of Cabagan, Dr. Jose C. Navarro, Jr. of Santiago, former
vice mayor Atty. Benjamin Villanueva Olalia of Ilagan, Bonifacio V. Paredes of
San Mateo, Atty. Baltazar Palacol Picio of Aurora and Felipe T. Salvador of
Alicia.
On January 17, 1981, Proclamation No. 2045 lifting martial rule was signed ending the eight year and four months Martial Law in the Philippines. On June 16 of the same year, President Ferdinand E. Marcos was re-elected on his
fourth term. On May 14, 1984, Assemblymen Rodolfo B. Albano, Jr. and Prospero G. Bello and Atty. Simplicio Baysa Domingo, Jr. of Burgos, all of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) party, were elected in the regular Batasang Pambansa.
Fifth Republic
On February 2, 1987, Isabela voted affirmatively on the plebiscite for
the ratification of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. On May 11, 1987, Isabela’s first ever senator, Heherson T. Alvarez,
was elected. The elected congressmen were: former assemblyman Rodolfo B.
Albano, Jr. (1stD), former assemblyman Atty. Simplicio B. Domingo,
Jr. (2ndD), former Mayor Atty. Santiago Palogan Respicio of Reina
Mercedes (3rdD) and former Mayor Atty. Antonio Mendoza Abaya of
Santiago (4thD).
On the first week of December 1987, Atty. Silvestre Hernando Bello, Jr. was appointed OIC governor by Local Government Secretary Luis T. Santos replacing Governor Singson to oversee the first local elections of the 5th Republic. Governor Bello served up to February 5, 1988 with former Con-Con delegate Atty. Celso D. Gangan as vice governor. The sangguniang panlalawigan members were: Vivencio P. Guzman, Servillano P. Tabangay and Gregorio B. Mallabo.
On January 18, 1988 local race, long-time serving Governor Faustino N. Dy and former Ilagan mayor and provincial board member Manuel T. Binag were elected as governor and vice governor, respectively. The elected members of the sangguniang panlalawigan were: Mariano T. Lim (1stD), Marcelo L. Dumlao (1stD), Hermenigildo V. Madamba (1stD), Marcos A. Pagulayan (2ndD), former Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Baltazar P. Picio (2ndD), Perfecto V. Bermudez (3rdD), former Mayor Severo G. Lachica of San Mateo (3rdD), former Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Felipe T. Salvador (3rdD), former Mayor Gorgonio Esperanzate Villador of Cordon (4thD) and Gregorio V. Espejo (4thD). The first elected officials under the Fifth Republic served from February 6, 1988 to June 30, 1992.
On March 28, 1989, Barangay Captain Faustino de Guzman Dy III of
Cauayan was elected as ABC provincial president and KB Chairman Eugene Isidro
Acosta of Cabatuan represented the kabataang barangay in the province. On March 16, 1992, Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) Vice
President Dr. Sergio Acio Uy of Cabatuan assumed the presidency of the ABC
Isabela federation upon the resignation of Faustino G. Dy III who became vice
mayor of Cauayan.
In 1991, Benedict C. Calderon of Roxas was elected as the first Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President and sat as an ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. Hon. Calderon resigned on March 1992 to file his candidacy for Sangguniang Bayan Member and his post was filled in by Ric Justice E. Angobung of Tumauini by law of succession.
On May 11, 1992, EDSA Revolution hero and Defense Secretary Fidel V.
Ramos was elected as president with Senator Joseph E. Estrada as his vice
president. Isabelino Senator Heherson T. Alvarez was re-elected for a six-year
term. The elected congressmen were: re-electionist Rodolfo B. Albano ,
Jr. (1stD), Faustino Sanchez Dy, Jr. of San Manuel (2ndD),
re-electionist Santiago P. Respicio (3rdD) and re-electionist
Antonio M. Abaya (4thD). Cauayan Mayor Benjamin de Guzman Dy was
elected governor with re-electionist Vice Governor Manuel T. Binag. The members
of the sangguniang panlalawigan were: re-electionist Hermenigildo V. Madamba (1stD),
re-electionist Marcos A. Pagulayan (1stD), Atty. Simplicio N. Domingo
II of Burgos (2ndD), re-electionist Marcelo L. Dumlao (2ndD),
former RTC Judge Dionicio E. Bala,
Jr. of Cauayan (3rd), Vice Mayor Manuel A. Alejandro of Alicia (3rdD),
re-electionist Severo G. Lachica (3rdD), Atty. Giorgidi B. Aggabao
of Santiago (4thD), re-electionist Perfecto V. Bermudez (4thD)
and re-electionist Gorgonio E. Villador (4thD). Sangguniang Bayan
Member Cecilio L. Bartolome of Cauayan was elected as Philippine Councilor’s
League (PCL) Isabela Federation president and served in an ex-officio slot in
the sangguniang panlalawigan.
The elected congressmen in the May 8, 1995 mid-term elections were: re-electionist Rodolfo B. Albano, Jr. (1stD), re-electionist
Faustino S. Dy, Jr. (2ndD), re-electionist Santiago P. Respicio (3rdD)
and re-electionist Antonio M. Abaya (4thD). Governor Benjamin G. Dy
was re-elected while Atty. Edwin Callangan Uy of Roxas was elected as vice
governor. The members of the sangguniang panlalawigan were: former Mayor Jose
R. Añes of Ilagan (1stD), Romarico C. Eugenio of Ilagan (1stD),
Miriam M. Martinez of Santa Maria (1stD), Jose C. Neyra of Gamu (2ndD),
re-electionist Simplicio N. Domingo II (2ndD), re-electionist
Dionicio E. Bala, Jr. (3rdD), re-electionist Manuel A. Alejandro (3rdD),
re-electionist Severo G. Lachica (3rdD), Rosa P. Alindada of Echague
(4thD) and Nicasio B. Bautista, Jr. of Santiago
On May 11, 1998, Vice President Joseph Ejercito Estrada was elected
as president with Senator Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as vice president. The elected
congressmen were: former Kabataang Barangay provincial president and Mayor
Rodolfo T. Albano III of Cabagan (1stD), re-electionist Faustino S.
Dy, Jr. (2ndD), Mayor Ramon Munsayac Reyes of Alicia (3rdD)
and Senator Heherson T. Alvarez (4thD). Governor Benjamin G. Dy was re-elected on his third
term with re-electionist Vice Governor Edwin C. Uy. The elected members of the sangguniang
panlalawigan were: re-electionist Jose R. Añes (1stD), former Ilagan vice
mayor and provincial administrator Nicolas P. Baggao (1stD),
re-electionist Simplicio N. Domingo II (2ndD), re-electionist Jose
C. Neyra (2ndD); Sangguniang Panlalawigan Secretary Antonio C.
Ladera, Jr. of Cauayan (3rdD), Councilor Ysmael G. Atienza of
Cauayan (3rdD), Mayor Venancio Oñate Villarta of San Mateo (3rdD),
former SP Member Giorgidi B. Aggabao (4thD), re-electionist Nicasio
B. Bautista, Jr. (4thD) and re-electionist Rosa P. Alindada (4thD).
Sangguniang Bayan Member Joaquin A. Ramos of Roxas town was elected as PCL
President on August 28.
In the May 14, 2001 midterm elections, the elected congressmen were: coming back Congressman Rodolfo B. Albano, Jr. (1stD), Vice Governor Edwin C. Uy (2ndD), former ABC provincial president and Mayor Faustino G. Dy III of Cauayan City (3rdD) and coming back congressman Antonio M. Abaya (4thD). Congressman Faustino S. Dy, Jr. was elected as governor with former Congressman Santiago P. Respicio as vice governor. The elected members of the sangguniang panlalawigan were: former Vice Governor Manuel T. Binag (1stD), former Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Romarico C. Eugenio (1stD), three-termer Sangguniang Bayan Member Ma. Josephine B. Borromeo of Ilagan (1stD), Ana Cristina S. Go of San Mariano (2ndD), former Mayor Benito R. Calderon of Roxas (2ndD), re- electionist Ysmael G. Atienza (3rdD), re-electionist Antonio M. Ladera (3rdD), re-electionist Venancio O. Villarta (3rdD), re-electionist Rosa P. Alindada (4thD) and re-electionist Giorgidi B. Aggabao (4thD).
On May 19, 2003, Atty. Giorgidi B. Aggabao, former sangguniang panlalawigan
member, was elected as congressman of the fourth district serving the unexpired
term of the late Congressman Abaya who died on February 26, 2003.
On May 10, 2004, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was elected as
president with Senator Manuel de Castro as vice president. The elected
congressmen were: coming back congressman Rodolfo T. Albano III (1stD),
re-electionist Edwin C.
Uy (2ndD), re-electionist Faustino G. Dy III (3rdD) and
Anthony P. Miranda of Santiago
City
Hon. ANTHONY P. MIRANDA of Santiago City.
Hon. MARIA GRACIA CIELO MAGNO PADACA of Cauayan City.
On May 14, 2006, Mid-term elections. The elected congressmen of Isabela were: re-electionist Rodolfo T. Albano III (1stD), re-electionist Edwin C. Uy (2ndD), re-electionist Faustino G. Dy III (3rdD) and coming back Giorgidi B. Aggabao (4thD). Governor Padaca was elected on her second term with Vice Governor Ramon M. Reyes. The members of the sangguniang panlalawigan were: Noel C. Binag of Ilagan (1stD), re-electionist Ma. Josephine B. Borromeo (1stD), former Vice Mayor Samuel N. Maddara of Ilagan (1stD), re-electionist Ana Cristina S. Go (2nd), re-electionist Cesar C. Purugganan (2nd), Vice Mayor Jaime Nieto Atayde of Luna (3rdD), re-electionist Joel Amos P. Alejandro (3rdD), Sangguniang Bayan Member (No.1) and PCL President Cecilia Claire N. Reyes of Alicia (3rdD), re-electionist Matthew Joseph P. Alindada (4thD) and Mayor Amado Cuaresma Vallejo, Jr. (4thD). Sangguniang Bayan Member Servando C. Soriano of Roxas town was elected as PCL president in September. On December 2007, former Sangguniang Bayan Member Napoleon Mallari Hernandez II of San Mateo was elected as LMB president and Fernando P. Cumigad, Jr. was elected as SK provincial federation president.
On May 10, 2010, Senator Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III was elected
as president and Makati Mayor Jejomar C. Binay (maternal ancestors from San Pablo
town) as vice president. The Isabela congressmen were: coming back Congressman Rodolfo
B. Albano, Jr. (1stD), three termer Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Ana
Cristina Siquian-Go (2ndD), three-termer Mayor Napoleon Sanchez Dy of
Alicia (3rdD) and re-electionist Giorgidi B. Aggabao (4thD). Three
termer Congressman Faustino G. Dy III was elected as governor with Congressman
Rodolfo T. Albano III as vice governor. The members of the sangguniang panlalawigan
were: former Mayor Ric Justice E. Angobung of Tumauini (1stD), Vice
Mayor Kiryll S. Bello of Ilagan (1stD), three-termer Sangguniang
Bayan Member Rolando L. Tugade of Ilagan (1stD), Mitzi P. Cumigad of
Gamu (2ndD), re-electionist Cesar C. Purugganan (2ndD),
Sangguniang Bayan
Member (No.1) Karen Galapia Abuan of Alicia (3rdD), Vice Mayor
Manuel A. Alejandro
of Alicia (3rdD), re-electionist Jaime N. Atayde
(3rdD), re-electionist Matthew Joseph P. Alindada (4thD)
and Mayor Leoncio Kong Kiat of Echague (4thD). Three-termer Mayor
Edward Siababa Isidro of Mallig was elected as PCL president on September 21. Arnel Uy Ty of Cauayan City
Capitol Sites
In 1911, the lot for the provincial
capitol building in Barrio Bagumbayan was donated. In 1945, the provincial
capitol site was transferred to Osmeña and a new capitol building was
constructed. On September 22, 1992, the new provincial capitol, one of the most
modern government facilities in the country, situated in Barangay Alibagu in
Ilagan capital-town was inaugurated by His Excellency President Fidel V. Ramos.
Old Provincial Capitol Marker in Ilagan. (Photo from the collection of the Hon. Silvino M. Gumpal, Sr. family)
Old Capitol Building in Osmeña, Ilagan before it was renovated c.1981.
Cities of
Isabela
On May 5, 1994, the old pueblo of Santiago, the commercial gateway of Region 2, has been
converted to an independent component city by virtue of Republic Act No. 7720
(House Bill No. 8817 & Senate Bill No. 1243) signed by His Excellency
President Fidel V. Ramos in Malacañang with Jose C. Miranda as the first city
mayor. This made Santiago, self governing and autonomous city from the rule of
the provincial governor. Republic Act No. 8528 repealed this statute
transforming it back to a component city. It was not until December 29, 1999,
when the Supreme Court contested the validity of the latter decision and favored
Santiago to be once again an independent component city. On July 3, 1994, the
cityhood of Santiago was ratified through a plebiscite.
On February 28, 2001, the old pueblo of Cauayan was created into a
component city by virtue of Republic Act No. 9017 (House Bill No. 8328 &
Senate Bill 2243) signed by Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
with incumbent Mayor Faustino G. Dy III as the first city mayor. On March 30 of
the same year, the ratification of Cauayan, through plebiscite, as a component
city of Isabela was overwhelmingly affirmed.
On May 22, 2012, the old pueblo of Ilagan was converted into a
component city by virtue of Republic Act 10169
signed by His Excellency President Benigno Aquino III. Plebiscite was held on August 11, 2012, with a
majority of votes voting "yes”.
Map showing the 34 municipalities and 3 cities of the Province of Isabela.
Sources:
Pedro V. Salgado, OP
Christianization of Isabela During Spanish Times
Rev. Fr. Pedro V. Salgado, OP
The Province
of Isabela
Provincial Government of Isabela
1981; R.J. Corsino Press, C.M.Recto, Manila
Cauayan Cultural Council (1998-2003) Report
City Government of Cauayan
2003
Isabela Provincial Profile (1993)
Provincial Government of Isabela
1993
Elections in the Philippines
Clarita R. Carlos & Rommel C. Banlaoi
1996; Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Makati City
The Malolos Congress
National Historical Institute
1999; T.M. Kalaw, Ermita, Manila
Memoirs of General Artemio Ricarte
National Historical Institute
1992; T.M. Kalaw, Ermita, Manila
Historia de Cagayan, UST Press, Manila
Fr. Julian Malumbres, OP
Historia de Isabela, UST Press, Manila
Fr. Julian Malumbres, OP
Historical Articles of Fray Francisco Rojano
Historical Articles of BishopDiego Aduarte
Historical Articles of Fray Francisco de San Antonio
Historical Articles of Fray Jose Brugues, OP
Historical Articles of Fray Vicente Salazar, OP
Historical Articles of Rev. Fr. Ambrocio Manaligod, STD
Historical Articles of Rev. Fr. Guillermo Tejon (pictures)
Historical Articles of Fray Baltasar de Santa Cruz
Historical Articles of Carlos Quirino
Historical Articles of Dean C. Worcester
Yamashita and the Heroes
Vicente P. Salvador
Historical Calendar
1970; National Historical Commission, Manila
Provincial Tourism Office
Isabela Provincial Library and Museum
Talambuhay ng mga Santo
Monsgr. Jose C. Abriol
MPDC of the Local Government Units of Alicia, Cabagan, Cabatuan,
Cauayan, Cordon, Echague, Gamu, Jones, Naguilian, Palanan, Quezon, Ramon, Reina
Mercedes, Roxas, San Isidro, San Manuel, San Mateo, San Pablo and Santiago.
Philippine Campaigns
Lt. Col. Uldarico S. Baclagon
1952
Philippine-American War; 1899-1902
Arnaldo Dumindin
The Story of the Philippines
Murat Halstead
Gaddang
Mary Christine Abriza
The Discovery of the Igorots -
Spanish Contacts with the Pagans of Northern Luzon
William Henry Scott
1979; New Day Publishers, Quezon City
The Philippine Islands
1493-1899
Emma Helen Blair & James A. Robertson
1903-1909
The Treasures of Japanese Criminals -
Golden Lily Operation
Denis Boneau
Filipinos In History
Ang Himagsikang Pilipino
Teodoro M. Kalaw
1997; Ang Pambansang Surian ng Pangkasaysayan, Manila
Histomiano Library of Histories
Naming Philippine Places (NPP) Collections
U.S.
Army in World War II, (the War in the Pacific – Triumph in the Philippines)
Robert
Ross Smith
HyperWar
Foundation
Jerry
Holden
Isabela
Constable Today, Yearbook ‘73
Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia
www.philippine-history.org
www.chanrobles.com
www.retrato.com.ph
Howie
Severino’s Sidetrip (MV Karagatan)
Ding
Cabreira (MV Karagatan)
Mga Komento
Mag-post ng isang Komento