MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF LICUAN, Historical Data

This is a report on the history and culture of the Municipal District of Licuan, a Tuingian community in the Province of Abra. It is the result of the joint efforts of the members of a committee composed of the public school teachers and several old men of Licuan.

As no written records were available, none was consulted in the preparation of this report.

EMILIO R. CASTILLO
Principal-In-Charge
Licuan District

MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF LICUAN
History and Cultural Life of the Town

PROVINCE OF ABRA

The present official name of the town is Municipal District of Licuan.

In the early days, the municipality was called "BASACAL," derived from the name of the first "Mingel" (strongest and bravest who killed many enemies in duels). Many years had passed after the death of "Mingel Basacal" when there was a trial fight between the natives of Basacal and those of Apayao, Mt. Province, led by Mingel Gon-naoa. Basacal might had been conquered by Mingel Gomnaoa had he not been saved by Licuanan, a brave and beautiful woman warrior, who, with her men, succeeded in killing all the enemies through her cleverness. After the death of Licuanan, Basacal was named "Licuanan" or aLicuan in honor of her. When the Spaniards came, they named Licuan "Rancheria de Licuan." During the American administration, it was named "Municipal District of Licuan."

The original founding of Licuan was about 300 years ago or sometime in the year 1652.

Basacal, the founder, was a "Mingel" and at the same time the lawgiver of the town. Licuanan, after whom the district was named, was a beautiful woman warrior, and was very influential among the people because she was considered the richest and wisest.

a. During the Spanish times, the following held offices according fo their chronological order -

b. During the American time —

c. Republic of the Philippines

Baquiro, Licuan, was the site of the headquarters of the Spanish colonizers. There, they put up a structure to house the "Civil Infanteria." The American soldiers likewise came to this district and lodged themselves in the house of "Capitan Daodaoen" while they hunted for "insurrectos." The Japanese oppressors built a garrison among the houses in the heart of the poblacion. They dug trenches and stayed there for three months in 1944.

a. During the Spanish occupation - The Spanish time is linked with a reign of tyranny. People here saw the death of many who were mercilessly executed because they could no longer endure hunger and thirst working on the trail to Baguio. Once a man ran short of his food supplies and became weak, the Spanish guards would finish him right on the spot.

b. During the American occupation to World War II

There is one incident that took place in Licuan at Sitio Diangay which is still fresh in the memory of the older generation. An American Army unit of a hundred strong chased twenty "insurrectos." One American fell wounded and fifteen "insurrectos" got killed. The remaining five surrendered.

c. During and after World War II -

Soon after the fall of Corregidor, the American Miners in Guinguinabang, Lacub; and Patoc, Abra, headed by the late Major Walter Cushing and aided by Captains Ordon, Periam, Stephens, Arnold, William Artherm Sigia, etc, built a stronghold in Guinguinabang, Lacub, Abra, with guerrillas who came from all parts of Northern Luzon. Licuan is on the main trail to this place and plenty of arms and supplies passed through here. Licuan people guided all these persons and relayed all supplies to the headquarters. The Japanese soldiers learned of the place and came and went in search of Mt. Bawao (the last American soldiers' hide-out), stopped at Licuan to confiscate any food supply they could find,

The war over, normal times came and Licuan saw many dignified vistors. Reverend Fathers of the S.V.D. order came to grace the fiestas, especially the one on February 11, 1952. Licuan not only has seen religious dignitaries but also great political, educational, and economic leaders as well. During the last town fiesta, the Honorable Governor, Lucas P. Paredes, and party came. With him were the first lady of the province, the Provincial Commaner [likely "Commander"] and his wife, the District Health Officer, and many others. It is important to note that only the wife of our present Governor, Doña Aurora Clarin Paredes, among all previous governors' ladies, had dared visit a remote place like Licuan, thus bringing the administration closer to the people in the municipal district.

(b) Measures and accomplishments toward rehabilitation and reconstruction following World War II. With the War over, the government stressed economic security and started to help people rehabilitate their lives. The people acted with redoubled efforts in increasing food production, especially in rice. Houses were repaired and now new ones were built. With the introducton of the present "Purok System," the school has been instrumental in improving the living conditions of people.

During the early days, when superstition was the rule, an expectant mother shut herself up in the home. No visitors were admitted at least three months before she delivered and one year after delivery. The husband could not go to other places outside the district boundary because it was believed that she would die or MMangilin," in the native dialect. It was customary and it still is, that when a woman begins labor, she does not lie down but kneel, believing that the child is delivered easier in such a way. After delivery, the cord is cut off, leaving about ten to fifteen centimeters of it. There is no need for baby belts or diapers as usually used by lowland people. The baby is simply wrapped in swaddling clothes. A piece of cloth is burned and kept smoking near mother and child for as many days as desired.

Formerly, the Tingian child was baptized by the "Mangdadawak" (Priestess) in a ceremony called "Clolog." The "Mangdadawak" was the only one who could communicate with the "Anitos" to ask for blessing. Gradually, this practice is diminishing through the influence of the school and the church. Now, Licuan can boast of several native college graduates and one Catholic priest, Rev. Metodio Quinto, who stays with his people as their spiritual mentor.

The parents marry their children ("tampa") even when the children are young. They usually marry their children to near relatives for the sake of keeping their properties intact. Elopement is a man's crime, and he has to pay whatever fines the "Cacapitan" imposes on him. When the marriage contract has been made and one of the principals of the party commits immorality, the contract becomes void and the offended one and his or her relatives collect the fine in the form of cash, food, and liquor.

In marriage, it is the custom to wed one's equal. The rich cannot mamy the poor, or vice versa. Gifts collectd called "tugno," are given away by the groom's relatives to the bride's kin. A certain sum of ₱100.00 as minimum, called "bengbeng," is given to the bride's parents. A wedding feast usually lasts two to three days according to the unified families' economic and social standing.

In death, old customs still prevail in spite of the influence of education and Christianity. When a sick person is struggling for life, those around him call out his name in the belief that they can make his spirit return to his body. When he is dead, his remains may be seated on a chair before which are placed cigars, matches, wine, and "buyo," otherwise, the remains are laid in coffins or on beds. The widower or the widow remains near the corpse, covering herself [or himself ]with a piece of cloth even as she [or he] eats. Interment takes place after three or four days without [the] benefit of embalming. The richer the dead, the longer he is mourned before the interment. During the mouming, the "pinata yak" and the "sangsang-ngit" takes place. During the "pinalayak," the visitors eulogize the dead and drink wine after delivering their pieces. The "sangsang-ngit" is pretentious crying in a mournful tone over the dead. After the burial comes the "wacsi," forgetting right away where people dance the "tadec" in a solemn manner fo entertain for the departed soul. The remains are buried deep under houses or granaries. There is no cemetery. The tomb is well covered with flat stones and every crevice is carefully filled with sticky mud before earth finally covers it.

Distinguished visitors are usually given a "pangili" (welcome party). Festivals come during the time that an outgoing mayor makes his "poncion," preceded by "lay-og" (a feast for the dead). Usually, crimes are amicably settled by accepting punishments imposed by the elder men. When a person swears to the truth of what he says, he is believed and is not considered guilty.

There is a cave in sitio Singit, where the tribes believe the souls of the dead pass in going to heaven.

Harvest time brings the observance of numerous superstitious beliefs. The one who bundles the rice harvested does not talk to others so that "labon" (spirit of plenty) is not scared away. When harvest comes, the people who

During moonlit nights, the people sometimes like to gather and play the "ganza" and dance the "tadec" (native dance). The "ganza" are gongs of varying sizes and thicknesses to give a variety of harmonious sounds when struck by the hands.

1) Riddles: "No sumikad ban-eg, no magtegao ando, san ngalan a na?" (If it stands, it is short, if it sits; it is long. What is it?)

2) "No labi, tacop, no wakas, abut." (At night, it is patched, at day time, it is a hole.)

"Agtaraken manoc, magpangan iplog.” (If you raise chickens, you will not eat eggs.)

Other Folktales — There is one beautiful folktale that tells us how Bituen (Where Bituen Reforestation Project now is) got its name. Long ago, many hunters chose the spot for their night camp. There, they suddenly saw thousands upon thousands of stars. They appeared all at once that they seemed to merge into a single huge star. They called the place Bituen.

Another folktale tells about the "Uyas ni Igat," a wide strip of level land that lies between two mountains. It is found above the national road to Licuan. A giant eel came from Tapniacan, Licuan and slid down to Carayan Lengas, leaving its pathway eel like.

There are no available books, records or documents that treat of the Municipal District of Licuan. There are no known authors or works. Information was furnished by the oldest men of the place: Capitan Tagyad, Don Domaguing Infiel, Capitan Daipan, Don Bayodang, all of Licuan, Abra.

Transcribed from:

History and Cultural Life of the Municipal District of Licuan, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections. The pagination in this transcription is as they appear in the original document.