BASCO (BATANES), Municipality of, History and Folkways Part I

COMPILED BY:

BASCO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
BASCO, BATANES

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF
THE TOWN OF BASCO

A REPORT OF THE BASCO COMMITTTEE

Very respectfully submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of Memorandum No. 34 s. 1953:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16

(SGD.) LUCIANO B. CASTILLO (SGD.) LUISA B CASTANO (SGD.) GUILLERMA L. SANTANA (SGD.) BIENVENIDA D. MATA (SGD.) SEVERA B. BARONA (SGD.) MARIA S. CASTILLO (SGD.) JOSEFA F. DATOC (SGD.) ELISA PURUGGANAN (SGD.) REDENCION ELIZONDO (SGD.) PURITA BARSANA (SGD.) ASELA FAJARDO (SGD.) PASTORA LAFUENTE (SGD.) AMELIA CABAL (SGD.) FRANCISCO MILLAN (SGD.) CESAR HIDALGO (SGD.) FELIX VALIENTES

Chairman Member " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

This manuscript is prepared in compliance with the General Memorandum No. 34, s. 1952. It is prepared by a committee composed of the Basco Elementary School teachers headed by Mr. Luciano B. Castillo, Principal, as Chairman. Though the committee does not claim this manuscript as the most authentic record, it could be stated as the product of unstirring effort and diligent research by the members of the committee.

The committee [members] were divided into groups, each group being assigned to the subjects where they were most prepared to make research and to meet the old wise men of the community who were able to furnish the committee with the necessary information about the historical and cultural life of the town of Basco.

This manuscript may help to facilitate the teachers in Social Studies and other people in giving further information to their children and friends about the history of the town.

Acknowledgement is hereby given to Fr. Casimiro Villalba, Gonzalo Vinalay, and Maravilla Ladran Vda. de Castillejos for their valuable information and help to furnish the history of Basco and cultural life of the people; to Amalia Abad Vda. de Lopez for furnishing the folktales and conquest of Batanes; to Felix Fajardo for furnishing the information about the measurement of time; to Manuel Fitero for his help to furnish information about traditions, customs, and practices in domestic and social life, games, and amusements; to Teresa Blanquera, Juan Villesa, and Maria Amarante Vda. de Alueta for their help to furnish information on folkways, beliefs, and superstitions; and to Manuel Fajardo for furnishing the popular songs in Ivatan.

I. The present official name of the town: BASCO.

II. Formerly, it was called "SANTO DOMINGO DE BASCO." Its name was given in honor of the Governor General, Jose Basco y Vargas of the Philippines.

III & IV. The town was established in 1784 by Fathers Baltazar Fernandez and Bartolome Artiquez, together with the governor of the island, Jose Huelva y Melgarejo. Joaquin del Castillo was Teniente Gobernador.

V. Leading Officials. Governors, members of Congress, and Mayors or Alcaldes according to success:

Spanish Times
1. Jose Huelva y Melgarejo 2. Jose Sierra 3. Binio 4. Jose Pañagua 5. Federico Lopez	6. Juan Saavedra 7. Francisco Paulino 8. Emilio Erero 9. Jose Cortejo 10. Julian Fortea
American Times
1. Teofilo Castillejos 2. Otto Shearer 3. George M. Egan 4. Cliffton M. Spear 5. Vicente Barsana 6. Mariano Lizardo 7. Juanito Castillejos	8. Claudio Castillejos 9. Lucas Gonzalo 10. Bernardo Barsana 11. Jose Abad (Commonwealth time 2 tearms) 12. Domingo Cacho 13. Juan Agudo
Japanese Time
1. Juan Agudo 2. Victor de Padua - Then acting as Division Superintendent of Schools. 3. Mario Bayaras

1. Teofilo Castillejos 2. Vicente Barsana 3. Juan Castillejos 4. Claudio Castillejos

5. Mariano Lizardo 6. vicente Agan 7. Anastacio Agan 8. Jorge Abad

1. Vicente Barsana 2. Lucio Barsana 3. Tobias Abad 4. Raymundo Castillejos 5. Jose Abad 6. Antonio Llopiz 7. Carlos Fajardo

8. Antonio Llopiz 9. Felipe Abuyo 10. Casiano Cantor 11. Pastor Lafuente 12. Mariano Bayaras (Japanese Time to Liberation) 13. Ramon Castillejos 14. Casiano Castor

1. The Fort (trenchera) facing Basco Bay was built during the early Spanish regime for defense. The soldiers of the early period stationed themselves there, ready for any invader. There were cannons facing the sea to be used at any time.

2. The Quarter - Besides the present Post Office was formerly the barracks for soldiers, then it became the Division Office of the Head Teacher.

3. The Wireless Radio Station - Has been the fastest means of communications with other parts of the archipelago.

4. Ruins - The back of the church was formerly a part of the church but are now ruins.

5. The church, convent, municipal building, provincial capitol, and the middle wing of the Basco Elementary School, all now remodeled, were built during the Spanish times with free labor.

1. Construction of church, convent, bridges, schools, and provincial and municipal buildings.

2. Tributes in kind were given to the priest and other officials of the town.

3. Both men and women paid cedula taxes of two pesos. (₱2.00)

1. Provincial and municipal governments were well-organized.

2. All public buildings were reconstructed and improved for better efficiency and learning.

3. Parks, playgrounds, and monuments of our heroes were erected.

4. Better roads and bridges were constructed.

5. Better means of transportation and communications.

1. The Batanes High School was constructed in 1930 under Governor Juan Castillejos for the youth of Batanes.

2. Better trained teachers were sent to the island to improve the quality of education.

1. William Edmund 2. Griffith M. John 3. Jones 4. Bayron Burton 5. Gregorio Reyes

6. Mauricio Lazo 7. Carmelo Quintero 8. Juan Gonzaga 9. Victor de Padua (Actng. Div. Supt.) 10. Jose Santana

3. Playground facilities and classroom equipment, tools, etc. were well-provided in the school.

4. Compulsory Primary Education.

1. The Public Dispensary was built in 1930 to accommodate urgent and indigent cases. Here, instruction in the actual demonstration is shown to the public with a view to give further and better understanding of healthful living.

2. Medicines are given free, if not, at low prices to the public.

3. Doctors and nurses are paid by the government to give free treatment and consultations.

4. Construction of toilets were made compulsory using the Antipolo system.

5. Sanitary inspectors as assistants to make check-ups.

1. Separation of church and state.

1. Progressive farming due to the introduction of better tools.

2. Animals for breeding purposes were brought in from other places.

3. The standard of living was raised.

4. Government positions were created for better employment.

1. Suffrage: for men and women who know how to read and write (even without properties).

1. December 8, 1941, the Japanese first occupied Basco without any resistance.

2. On the same date, before landing, the cannons in the ships fired at the Post Office (which was atop of the hill — wireless station) and the Municipal Hall. The airport was bombed by two airplanes. The people fled for safety to the fields. (Note: The Post Office and Municipal Hall were completely useless.)

3. Reinstatement of the Governor of the Province — Governor Juan Agudo (only as a puppet governor).

4. Japanese authorities alleged to have discovered the anti-Japanese activities of an organization killed the governor of the province and some other officials, namely:

1. Pablo L. Fugaban - Principal of the B.H.S.
2. Telesforo Cabal - Principal of the B.E.S.
3. Luis Aceron - Trade School Teacher

and other private individuals as: Esteban C. Reyes and his brother Jose C. Reyes, who was then a teacher.

5. Complete destruction of one wing of the school and many private buildings were made by U.S. bombers on February 22, 1944.

6. September 22, 1945 - The Japanese left for Manila.

7. February, 1946, opening of schools (classes began).

(Note: It should be noted that during the whole period of Japanese occupation, our schools were not running. The Japanese government put up three classes but it lasted for only four months.)

1. Opening of classes - February 22, 1946.

2. Organization of a government under an appointed temporary governor — Mariano Bayaras. Later, he was succeeded by another appointed man — Governor Eugenio Agudo. After the first election, Governor Agudo became governor of the islands again until Governor

Abad succeeded him in 1951 by election.

3. The schools were reconstructed by the United States Government through the Rehabilitation Fund. Other projects such as: the airport, weather bureau station, municipal hall, roads, and bridges and water system were also put up by the same fund.

4. Reconstruction of the church and convent, the former accomplished through free labor.

Lives - 6 were killed by the Japanese. 1 hit by a bullet during the raid on February 22, 1944.

Properties: Almost one-third of the properties of Basco was destroyed or rendered unfit for use. Animals were given for consumption at a price the Japanese chose to give. Other things were looted at the arrival of the Japanese on December 8, 1941.

Instruction: Instruction of learning was closed. The buildings were destroyed.

1. The War Damage Commission gave aid to the schools and to the people in cash to help rebuild or reconstruct the destructions during the war.

2. The Veterans' Board gave pensions to those who served during the war

or in the form of G.I. Bill of Rights.

3. The United States Government had helped keep the people well-informed about books and other matters or informative materials through the U.S.I.S.

a. Establishment of the Reading Centers.
b. Providing (USIS) movies free of charge (once in a while).
c. Radio - for the people.

4. The children have become members of the UNAC - which is a worldwide organization for children.

5. The Back Pay Law was enacted, passed, and approved, which greatly benefited those who were rendered jobless because of the war.

6. The schools (B.E. School), the Home Economics Building, the High School, etc., were reconstructed from the aid given by the United States.

7. A new building which was newly-constructed in the town purely by the Rehabilitation Fund is the Weather Bureau Office.

8. Modern instruments and equipment have been furnished to the public hospital for use of the public in general.

9. Better radio equipment have been furnished the Post Office (Bureau of Telecommunication).

10. Privately-owned but has improved the means of transportation in the province is the availability of the convenient ride — the extension of the PAL flights to Basco once a week.

A big ship of Filipino revolutionists dropped anchor at the Baluarte Bay from Ivana. Its men hurried to the town to ring the church bells and began ransacking the church.

Instantly, the family and many other Spanish women were brought and concentrated in the house of Dr. Teofilo Castillejos, who was the immediate successor of Governor Fortea. Teofilo Castillejos was immediately appointed governor of the place by the commandant. After several days, these concentrated people were brought to Manila in a big ship with other Spanish priests. Some defeated Spanish soldiers did not like to leave the place anymore. They later married natives in Basco.

Upon the birth of a child, relatives, neighbors, and friends pay a visit on the next day, the father usually offers drinks. The visitors and parents begin to consult the calendar and determine the name of the newly-born child.

Sponsors volunteer, and the baptismal ceremony is decided by the sponsors. After christening the child, the child is brought home and, usually, there is drinking and picnicking just after the baptismal ceremony.

Transcribed from:

History and Folkways of the Municipality of Basco, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections. The pagination in this transcription is as they appear in the original document.