MUNICIPALITY OF AGNO (PANGASINAN), History and Cultural Life of

The present official name of the municipality is Agno. Since its foundation, no other name has been used. It is very probable that the name of the town was derived from the tree called "dangla" in Ilocano and "agnocasto" in Spanish. The valley where the town is located abounds formerly with agnocasto. Even during this time, agnocasto was still plentiful along the banks of the river. It is believed that the place was named Agno from the shortened Spanish name of the tree, "agnocasto." This is based on the report of Don Maximo Español, who was formerly a municipal secretary of this town who reported the origin of this town to higher authorities in the past during his incumbency as municipal secretary. This was also confirmed by the late Don Abundio Navarrete, who was interviewed by the writer two weeks before Don Abundio died.

The date of establishment is not definitely known. However, the first gobernadorcillo was appointed in 1791, a hundred and sixty-two years ago. The founders were the Zambals. But before the Zambals occupied the place, the Aetas inhabited the region. These Aetas gradually moved to the wilderness in the Zambales mountains. In 1825, the Ilocanos from Paoay, Ilocos Norte, immigrated to this place and settled in the region, acquiring the lands of the Zambals by bartering cloth and other kinds of textiles and articles. Others acquired the lands by possession, by [unreadable] and by sharing a part of the land cleared. These Ilocanos came in several waves from different places in the Ilocos coasts like Vigan, Narvacan, Sinait, etc. Now, they compose eighty per cent of the total population of 12,485.

The executive officials of the town from the very beginning were:

No.	Year	GOBERNADORCILLO
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32.	1791 1792 1793 1794 1795 1796 1797 1798 1799 1800 1801 1802 1803 1804 1805 1806 1807 1808 1809 1810 1811 1812 1813 1814 1815 1816 1817 1818 1819 1820 1821 1822	D. Gaspar de San Jose D. Fernando de Constantino D. Gaspar Clara D. Gabriel de la Cruz D. Domingo de la Rosa D. Juan Garcia D. Francisco Javier D. Juan Nuevo D. Salvador de los Santos D. Domingo de la Rosa D. Miguel de Guia D. Juan Austria D. Geronimo de San Miguel D. Pascual del Rosario D. Francisco Javier D. Juan de San Miguel (Nieves) D. Jose Nicolas D. Juan de la Cruz D. Mateo de la Cruz D. Jose Francisco (Navarrete) D. Lorenzo Juan (Nolasco) D. Agustin J. Bautista (Navidad) D. Jose de Austria D. Jose de San Juan D. Miguel Tomas D. Agustin de los Santos D. Lorenzo Juan (Nolasco) D. Agustin de los Santos D. Andres Escaño (Neypes) D. Carlos Eduardo D. Jose Clemente D. Jose Francisco (Navarrete)	Zambal do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do do

No.	Year	GOBERNADORCILLO
33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75. 76. 77. 78. 79. 80. 81. 82. 83. 84. 85. 86. 87. 88. 89. 90. 91. 92. 93. 94. 95. 96. 97.	1823 1824 1825 1826 1827 1828 1829 1830 1831 1832 1833 1834 1835 1836 1837 1838 1839 1840 1841 1842 1843 1844 1845 1846 1847 1848 1849 1850 1851 1852 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 1859 1860 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1890 1981 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897	D. Leon Buenaventura D. Juan Austria D. Mateo de Jesus D. Agustin Pablo D. Raymundo de San Miguel D. Mateo de la Cruz D. Pedro Garcia D. Pedro Sison D. Lorenzo Juan (Nolasco) D. Jose Bautista (Navidad) D. Jorge Rosete D. Domingo Gumapos D. Justo Pablo D. Domingo Calzada D. Florentino Casiano D. Juan Perfecto D. Ambrosio Hernandez D. Pascual Espiritu (Navarrete) D. Benedicto de Guzman D. Ruperto Bautista (Navidad) D. Martin Casiano D. Florentino Juan Nolasco de Llana D. Inocencio Salimes D. Macario Abad (Nombre) D. Raymundo de San Miguel D. Carlos Rosete D. Gabriel Bautista (Navidad) D. Bibiano Nicanor de Dios D. Felix Niño Eduardo D. Marcos Navarrete (a) Francisco D. Marcos Navarrete D. Anacleto Rosete D. Antonino Novio D. Pedro Pexon D. Domingo Sison D. Lorenzo Nebrija Evangelista D. Leonardo Neri D. Julian Navarrte (antes Espiritu) D. Lucas Nazareno (a. Nicolas) D. Ciriaco Nolasco (a. Juan) D. Miguel Neypes D. Miguel Neypes D. Julian Sison D. Julian Sison D. Mateo Rosete D. Mateo Rosete D. Mateo Rosete D. Mateo Rosete D. Santiago Nebrija Evangelista D. Santiago Nebrija Evangelista D. Ramon Casiano D. Ramon Casiano D. Juan Navarrete D. Juan Navarrete D. Dionisio Nebrija D. Dionisio Nebrija D. Pedro Navidad D. Pedro Navidad D. Nicasio Nacar (a. Lazaro) D. Nicasio Nacar D. Nicasio Casiano D. Nicasio Casiano D. Januario Navarro D. Januario Navarro D. Januario Navarro	Zambal do do Ilocano de Paoay Zambal Zambal do do do do Ilocano de Paoay Zambal Ilocano de Paoay Ilocano de Paoay Ilocano de Paoay Zambal Zambal Ilocano de Paoay Zambal do Ilocano Zambal do do do Ilocano Zambal Ilocano Zambal do Ilocano Zambal Pangasinan Zambal Ilocano Zambal Ilocano Zambal Zambal Zambal do Ilocano Ilocano Ilocano Zambal Ilocano Zambal Zambal Ilocano Zambal

No.	Year	GOBERNADORCILLO
98. 99. 100. 101. 102. 103. 104. 105. 106. 107.	1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897	D. Januario Navarro Jan. to June - D. Januario Navarro July to December - D. Felipe Casiano D. Felipe Casiano CAPITAN MUNICIPAL from Jan. 1, 1890. D. Felipe Casiano D. Felix Nazareno D. Felix Nazareno D. Lucio Navarrete D. Lucio Navarrete D. Esteban Fabrigas D. Esteban Fabrigas

1898 D. Esteban Fabrigas
1899 D. Esteban Fabrigas

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

From

May 20, 1900 to May 1906 May 1906 to 1907 1908-1909 1910-Oct. 16, 1912 Oct. 16, 1912-Oct. 16, 1916 Oct. 16, 1916-Oct. 16, 1919 Oct. 16, 1919-Oct. 16, 1922 Oct. 16, 1922-Oct. 16, 1925 Oct. 16, 1925-Oct. 16, 1928 Oct. 16, 1928-Oct. 16, 1931 Oct. 16, 1931-Oct. 16, 1934 Oct. 16, 1934-Oct. 16, 1935

D. Tomas Nebrija Evangelista D. Segundo Pexon D. Marcelino Rivero D. Sixto Pexon D. Mateo Español D. Timoteo Casiano D. Maximo Español D. Ramon Navarrete D. Aurelio Evangelista D. Angel Sison D. Benigno Navata D. Ligorio Nano

1. 2. 3.

Nov. 15, 1935 to Dec. 1937 Jan. 1, 1938 to Dec. 8, 1941 Dec. 8, 1941 to Jan. 1945 Jan. 1945 to Dec. 1945 Jan. 1946 to July 4, 1946

D. Ligorio Nano D. Santiago Evangelista D. Santiago Evangelista (Jap. Occupation) D. Santiago Evangelista (Liberation) D. Marcelo Nagal

1. 2. 3.

July 4, 1946 to December 1947 Jan. 1, 1948 to December 31, 1951 Jan. 1, 1951 to date

Mr. Marcelo Nagal Atty. Fulgencio E. Sison Atty. Wilfredo Rosete

The first choice of the old men for the location of the town was somewhere on the southern shore of Agno Bay just south of the mouth the Balingaguin River, formerly called Agno River, where Boñga, Alog and Sabañgan Norte now stand. Due to the frequent attacks of Moro pirates called "Tirong," the community transferred one kilometer inland on the north side of the river. This place is now called Binabalian, which means the place where the poblacion was formerly located. Again, more depredations continued. In 1836, the pirates captured several Christians from Alolong and, in 1837, another group of pirates captured a sailboat from Pangasinan named Consolacion. In those early days, there appeared also English soldiers in the hills of Arco overlooking Binabalian. The people thought again of moving further inland to the present site.

In 1854, the work on the stone church was begun. The first stone was laid March 1, 1835. In 1842, the church tower was erected. In 1845, the foundation of the convent was started. In 1868, the people worked on both the church and the convent. The following year, stone and sand were gathered for the walls of the church. The work continued for fifty-three years, after which the church was completed in 1887. All labor and

In 1871, the "Tribunal" or municipal hall was started where the present municipal building now stands.

A two-room school building was also constructed of stone just west of the plaza in front of the Philippine Independent Church.

The Philippine Independent Church was erected on April 12, 1904.

In 1857, the people of Dasol occupied Sapa Raquet and Mabulitoc which were then sitios of the municipality of Agno.

In 1858, the Alcalde-Mayor of the province of Zambales, Don Miguel Ruiz Perez, made an order to require all the people to work on the public roads to Iba and to plant trees along the roads to Bani and to Potot, now Burgos. The cabezas de barangay complained against the Alcalde-Mayor to higher authorities in Manila.

In 1874, the people planted cotton by order of the government.

According to available records, big floods occurred in 1819. On Sept. 10, 1821, a bigger flood followed. In 1864 was recorded a deeper flood which reached as high as the highest part of the town, the most elevated part of the churchyard. From Oct. 18 to 20, 1881, another flood two yards deep was experienced. On Aug. 1, 1937, another flood occurred. It was called "Layos ni Coching" as the death of Mrs. Consolacion R. Dacanay coincided with this flood. The latest one was from Sept. 12 to 13, 1941. This was called "Layos ni Agam" as one whose family name was Agam attempted to cross the brook in San Juan during the flood. Agam died, so the people called this big flood in his name.

The first epidemic broke out in 1821. Many people died of cholera. Again in 1828, the people suffered from smallpox. This re-occurred in 1882. In 1883, another cholera epidemic killed many people. Then, in 1918, influenza claimed many lives of the people.

The first strong earthquake was in 1838. Another strong one was felt at 12:00 noon one day in February 1880.

On Jan. 28, 1872, several waves about nine meters high entered the river. They were compared to the height of the bamboo growing along the riverbanks.

At midnight on May 26, 1924 was a great earthquake which stopped the pendulums of wall clocks. This was followed by a great noise coming from the sea. Four big waves entered the river and destroyed fences and carried away boats tied along the river. It was estimated that they were at least nine meters high also from the ordinary depths of the surface water of the river.

In 1840, the people suffered from lack of rice due to a poor harvest. In 1857, drought was experienced and only the lowland rice was harvested. In 1858, the weather was favorable and crops would have been successful but, due to the appearance of locusts, the plants were destroyed. In 1865 was another poor harvest. The people suffered from famine. In 1877, the people again suffered from poor harvest due to the reappearance of locusts. The people were forced to eat wild fruits and roots, and killed animals illegally to save themselves from hunger. Many of the poorer class died.1

On March 8, 1898, the Spanish soldiers, the "Guardia Civil," set the town on fire, burning the big houses, the "tribunal," and the school building. After that, they escaped to Dagupan. This was the time when Zambales Norte started the revolution. In June, about 800 Spanish soldiers surrendered. It was said that about 8,000 Spanish soldiers surrendered also in Dagupan. The latter estimate included volunteer guards (guardia civil). This was followed by the surrender of the Spaniards in Manila.

On March 5, 1903, seventeen houses and six granaries were burned in the poblacion. It originated from the granary of Doña Maria Neri in the western part of the poblacion, where Don Bernardino Navidad and Doña Petra Navarrete lived.

The animals suffered some diseases in 1874 and 1888. The people suspected it to have been cholera. Carabaos and cows were the victims. At times, the hogs also suffered.

The public schools continued to operate up to December 14, 1941. Prior to that, the people had been practicing blackouts and hiding from bombs in canals dug for the purpose. On December 13, 1941, there was really some firing by the soldiers that were stationed there in Sabañgan Sur to guard the place. But prior to this, on December 8, midday, there were many airplanes sighted flying southward over Agno. They could hardly be recognized as airplanes as they looked very tiny up in the sky.

On March 19, 1943, the Japanese started the organization of the neighborhoods. The people were made to guard at night in small houses along the streets and the roads and along trails out in the barrios.

On February 18, 1944, the Japanese began to maltreat the people beginning with the leaders of the neighborhoods, to the municipal mayor, and some other people some other people suspected of having connection with the guerrillas. On this occasion, the Japanese were able to capture the American officer, Miller, Sgt. Abundio Nilo, Rausa of Alaminos, and a layman, Filosopo Napoles. These were taken to Tayug and executed.

On Oct. 10, 1944, from four to five hundred Japanese soldiers landed from the China Sea and came to lodge in the school of the Central. Their ship was sunk somewhere in Tupa and others were sunk in Agno Bay. They stayed in Agno without arms for ten days. The guerrillas attempted to murder all of them, but after second thoughts from the advice of the leaders of the town, the plan was not continued for the safety of the civilians, as the Japanese were observed to be superior yet in arms in the central part of the province.

On May 15, 1944, the people of Agno were made to work at the school site by the Japanese. They dug trenches and built big hills of soil to surround the industrial arts building which the Japanese used for their quarters.

In January 1945, The guerrilleros attacked the quarters of the Japanese at the house of Don Felipe Navaluna. The house was burned with the house of the teacher, Mr. Carmelo Lopez. One of the Japanese soldiers was killed, the others escaped. On their way near the road to Bani, another was killed. One American soldier was killed also in the fight near Cayungan.

There was not much destruction at all in Agno. The people were deprived partly of their crops and animals that were used by the Japanese soldiers during their stay. Hence, no work on rehabilitation was done.

Birth - There are those who believe that in order that the mother gives birth easily, she has to keep in her possession at the time of her labor the cast off skin of a snake that molted. Others believe that when the mother is experiencing hard labor, the husband should crawl downstairs with the head down first in going down from upstairs.

The cord connecting the placenta to the baby is cut with a sharp piece of boho, not a disinfected knife or scissors. After that, some fine ash is spread over the wound.

The placenta is placed in new small pots and buried under the house where the mother is. Sometimes, the pot is made to float in the river.

The foregoing are the beliefs among the conservative and uneducated class who practice them. The educated ones go to hospitals. If they do not, they employ midwives, nurses, and physicans.

Baptism - Babies are baptized generally as soon as the mother is ready to go to church, except in rare cases when the baby is baptized earlier when he is ill. Godmothers and godfathers give gifts in kind or in cash to the child and also pay for the expenses in the church. Well-to-do parents celebrate the baptism with dances and parties.

Courtship - In the days of old, the newly-born baby was paired to another baby of the opposite sex for marriage when they come of age. This was arranged by the parents an called it "tani" in Ilocano.

A further development of this, if there was no "tani," the parents of the young man made the choice for the mate-to-be. The parents made the arrangements for the marriage without consulting the individuals concerned except to all for them at the marriage. [This last sentence does not make sense.]

In both cases, gifts are offered in the form of cash or in kind, like apparel, animals, and lots. Some cash is given to the mother of the bride to compensate for her rearing the child.

Fishing - To determine the period of catching fish like ipon, the men watch the moon and count nine days from the very first appearance of the new moon. On the ninth day, they go to the mouth of the river to catch ipon. This is observed every month from July to December.

Planting - Some start planting to coincide with the high tide. This is believed to give a better harvest of vegetables.

Witchcraft - Witchcraft is practiced by certain individuals. It is believed that when the witch is not pleased with anything he asks for, he employs a medium like and insect, a rat, or some other little creature to embed the thing that caused displeasure to the witch into the skin or any other part of the body of the individual. This causes swelling or some form of pain on the part of the victim. To heal this, a quack physician is to be requested to make the witch remove the embedded object and to cure the ailment. This is done by the quack in the form or prayer and some other medical herb or object.

Ghosts - There were houses in the locality which were believed to be haunted. Ghosts courted the ladies living in these houses. The ladies had to transfer their residence to avoid being troubled. The owners of the house invited the priest to bless the house. Since then, the ghost disappeared.

One fellow, Simeon Casiano, related the story that when he was young, a ghost took him to the tops of the mango and coconut trees, sometimes under bridges, and under houses. The child could not be caught by the people. A Catholic priest was requested to help catch the child. The ghost disappeared and the child was left and guarded. It was believed that religous faith drove away the devil. This is a very popular true story among the adults who witnessed the mystery of the disappearance of the boy at dusk.

In the past, juego de anillo was a common game during the fiestas. Horse races and carabao races were also held. Today, what is common among the youth is basketball, volleyball, softball, and athletic events. Swimming is fast becoming popular during the summer season.

Cockfighting and card games are still rampant among the adults and some young men.

The Turtle - (Pag-ong) Magmagna, silalacasa, sicocolidong. In walks in a box tightly closed.

Camanchile fruit - (Damortis) Agbibitin ñga sagapa tangtañgaden ti ugsa. It is a hanging ring looked at above by a deer.

Duhat - (Lomboy) Agbibitin ñga uging tangtañgaden ti ubing. It is a hanging charcoal looked at above by a child.

Time is measured with watches and clocks now. In the olden times, the people depended on the position of the sun at day and on the position of the stars, particularly the dipper, at night. When the days are clear, they observed the shadows of men, poles, houses, trees, and other standing objects to determine time. At night, they heard the crowing of the cocks.

1. Sabong ti Lorio, nabanglo ñga rosa,

Clavel ken jasmin ti pangyarigac,
Ta bituenca ñga nagpaidumat raniag,
Ap-apalannaca ni Venus ñgem naipangpangrunaac.

Ragup: (Chorus)

Amañgan nga ricotdan, no panpanonotoc, Ti maysa ñga agayat ñga di maitaltalec, O naslag ñga dueña, aguintoodac man met, No ti agayat kenen, addan mañgiparit.

2. No matmatmatanca, sanac met matmatan,

Toy daksan gasat ñga kinayaoam
Laisek coma toy baguic ñgem capilitan
Ta toy panagayatco kenca
Diac sa masarkedan.

Ragup:

Ononnoyco ti di agsarday Biagco no dica ippay ti bassit ñga bangarco, No laket napateg unay, Aclonennac cadin O ala tapno diac lacamen ni patay ay dacsan gasat toy baguic nacaay-ay-ay.

1. Dungdungoon canto unay unay,

Indayonen cantot sinamay
Toltoloden cantot naalumamay,
Pagammoanen incanto malibay.

Ragup:

Annay! Pusoc! Annay! Annay! Nasaem, naut-ut la unay, Itdem caniac ti pannaranay, Ta caasiac ñga maidasay.

2. Apaman ñga incanto macaturog,

Yabbong contodita rupam toy panioc,
Tapno dinacanto cagaten ti lamoc,
Ket maimasmonto ti matorog.

3. Apaman ñga incanto macariing,

Dagdagusen canto ñga sapuyoten,
Kon ilil-lili cas maysa ñga ubing,
Ta nanamem samit ni issem.

Respectfully submitted:

(SGD.) DIONISIO ROSETE
Principal
Agno Elementary School
Agno, Pangasinan

Transcribed from:

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