MUNICIPALITY OF BAUTISTA (PANGASINAN), History and Cultural Life of Part 1

I have the honor to submit a report on the History and Cultural Life of the Municipality of Bautista.

This historical report on Bautista was prepared pursuant to Executive Order No. 486, dated December 7, 1951, of the President of the Philippines, as embodied in Memorandum No. 34, s. 1952 of the Director of Public Schools. Its preparation and compilation were made in accordance with the outline issued to the field. The making of this report was prompted by the destruction of historical records during the recent war.

In preparing the original manuscripts set down in this report, different committees were created; one in the central school, to collect data for the poblacion; and one for the barrios. The members of these committees have been those who have established long residence in the town or barrio, having in mind that their long periods of residence must have acquainted them with the history, traditions, practices, and customs of the inhabitants. Being itself a research work, the greater bulk of the report — particularly those dealing with the Spanish regime, American occupation, superstitions, proverbs, and cutoms — has been gathered from reliable informants who willingly testified to the truth of the information they furnished. It is noteworthy that the contributed materials are in different vernaculars. This has been due to the fact that Bautista is a cosmopolitan town.

It is hoped that this historical report may serve a useful reference to classes in Social Studies in the community as well as a source of authoritative information and civic inspiration to the general reader.

Grateful acknowledgement is made of the members of the central committee for their help in gathering data for the poblacion; to the barrio head teachers for their painstaking efforts in managing the collection of historical data in their respective barrios; and to all others who have contributed to the possibility of putting this historical report in its final form.

1. Mrs. Encarnacion M. Fontanilla 2. Mr. Inocencio Jotie 3. Mr. Ildefonso Paningbatan 4. Mrs. Natividad G. Padilla

Chairman Member Member Member

(SGD.) ENCARNACION M. FONTANILLA
(Chairman)

(SGD.) INOCENCIO JOTIE
(Member)

(SGD.) ILDEFONSO PANINGBATAN
(Member)

(SGD.) NATIVIDAD G. PADILLA
(Member)

1. History of the Poblacion 2. History of Barrio Baluyot 3. History of Barrio Pogo 4. History of Barrio Poponto 5. History of Barrio Villanueva

Page 1 23 27 34 37

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE POBLACION
Part One – HISTORY

a. During the Spanish time: During the Spanish regime, Bautista was a barrio of Bayambang, but there were prominent residents who held leading official positions. Among them were Guillermo Lomaquen, Capitan Fajardo, Don Julio, Tomas Mananzan, Capitan Rodriguez, Vicente Palaming, Gregorio de Cano, Maestro Toribio Alcantara, and Maestra Isabel Casingl.

b. During the American time: The establishment of Bautista as a separate municipality took place at the beginning of American rule in 1901. The first president of the town appointed during the American Military Government was the late Don Ramon Reynado. The first president of the town by election was Don Honorio Acosta. Thereafter began a long line of government officials whose names, official designations, and dates of administration follow:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24.

Geronimo Agcaoile Teodoro Carungay Dionisio Galvan Ramon Reynado Francisco Gonzales Marcelino Villanueva Felipe Ramon Marciano de Guzman Telesforo Vasquez Felipe Salabatino Cirilo Francisco Juan Bautista Alipio Estrella Pedro Albino Francisco Cueneco Roberto Vasquez Mariano Calsim Santiago Soriano Guillermo Marzo Roberto Evangelista Sabas Camacho Vicente Paningbatan Marciano Guzman Juan Cuevas

Alcalde " " " " " " " " " President Vice-President President Vice-President President Vice-President President Vice-President President Vice-President President Vice-President President Vice-President

No record. 1902-1903 1910-1911 No record No record No record " " " " " " " 1916-1918 1916-1918 1919-1921 " 1922-1924 1925-1927 1928-1931 " 1932-1936 " 1937-1940 "

(SGD.) MOISES SARMIENTO
Municipal Secretary

(SGD.) MARCIANO C. NAVARRO
Reliable Informant

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Casiano Hidalgo Vicente Paningbatan Maximo de Vera Delfin Escaño Alejandro Diaz Artemio Doctor Donato Casabar Pedro Albino Don Marciano Guzman

Alcalde Acting Alcalde Municipal Secretary Councilor " " " " "

(Died 1941)

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

Marciano Guzman Dionisio Tubig Vicente Paningbatan Maximo de Vera Delfin Escaño Alejandro Diaz Artemio Doctor Donato Casabar Pedro Albino Marciano Guzman

Mayor Vice-Mayor Acting Mayor Municipal Secretary Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor

1942 1942 1943-1944

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Sabas Camacho Dionsio C. Almerol Antonio Espino Atty. Lorenzo N. Galsim Joan Bautista Alejandro Diaz Pedro S. Albino Donato Casabar Miguel L. Cura

Acting Mayor Vice-Mayor Mun. Secretary Acting Councilor Acting Councilor Acting Councilor Acting Councilor Acting Councilor Acting Councilor

1945

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

Vicente Paningbatan Pedro S. Albino Epifanio Villanueva Francisco Valdez Modesto de Guzman Alejandro Diaz Simeon Mateo Marcelino Gamayo Melchor Cabansag Ricardo Almario

Mayor Vice-Mayor Mun. Secretary Mun. Secretary Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor

1946 1947

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Juan C. Navarro Simplicio Paningbatan Esteban G. Lorica Recardo Almario Cosme G. Perez Artemio C. Doctor Rosauro Diaz Miguel L. Cruz Juan Cariaga

Mayor Vice-Mayor Mun. Secretary Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Tranquilino Bañaga Cosme G. Perez Moises G. Sarmiento Avelino Padilla Miguel L. Cruz Evaristo Palac Dionisio C. Almerol Fernando Peralta Manuel D. Concepcion

Mayor Vice-Mayor Mun. Secretary Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor Councilor

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Esteban Angeles Feliciano Najera Emigdio Ilarde Primitivo M. Israel Feliciano Estrada Ireneo O. Manganaan Juan C. Navarro Victorino Umayam Vicente C. Perez

1917-1924 Aug. 1, 1924-Aug. 30, 1926 1924-1926 1926-1928 1928-1934 1934-1942 1942-1945 1945-1946 1947 to date

1. 2. 3.

Dr. Pio Sison Dr. Conrado Galsim Dr. Ricardo Almario

1910-1939 1939-1952 1952 to date

1. 2.

Alberto Evangelista Mariano Sabido

1910-1915 1916 to date

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

Don Mariano Guzman Don Jacobo Manaois Atty. Gerondio Umingan Atty. Cecilio Montemayor Atty. Jose Macaranas Atty. Prudencio Castillo Atty. Concepcion B. Buencamino Atty. Iluminado R. Mabalot Atty. Marciano Mamanman, Acting Judge Atty. Jose L. Collado

1903-1911 1911-1927 1927-1933 1933-1934 1934-1941 1942-1945 1945-1946 1946-1947 1947-1948 1948 to date

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Sabas Camacho Francisco Ramos Sabas Camacho Pedro Garcia Sabas Camacho Guillermo A. Valdez Gerardo Jimenez

Chief of Police Chief of Police Chief of Police Acting Chief of Police Acting Chief of Police Acting Chief of Police Acting Chief of Police

1911-1929 June 1, 1929-June 29, 1929 1929-1933 Dec. 8, 1933-Dec. 9, 1933 Dec. 10, 1933-1934 Mar. 1, 1934-Mar. 30, 1937 Apr. 1, 1934-Apr. 30, 1934

8. 9. 10.

Francisco Nillavas Simplicio Paningbatan Epifanio Villanueva

May 1, 1934-May 31, 1934 June 1, 1934-Nov. 11, 1946 Nov. 12, 1946 to dae

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. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45.

Clemente Galsim Felix Paningbatan Tarcelo Diaz Raymundo Galsim Narciso de Guzman Maximo Sagun Marciano C. Navarro Romero Santiago Eulogio Tagulao Leon M. Macaso Cesario M. Caragam Macario Leonardo Frisco Trinidad Eustaquio Cayabyab Melchor Tagudin Juan Parlan Simplicio Paningbatan Vicente Paningbatan Simeon Mateo Dimas Paningbatan Timoteo Salabatino Celedonio C. Fajardo Crispolo Arenas Serapio Paningbatan Rosauro Diaz C. Galsim F. Catalan Genaro Sison Luis de Vera Remegio Flores Ricardo Paningbatan Albino Alvarez Andres Villanueva Faustino de Vera Ignacio Manuel Maximino Palac Wilfredo de Guzman Eulogio Tagulao Antonio Flores Abdon Cariño Isabelo Benedicto Flaviano Cortes Rufino Iglesias Catalino Miranda Santos Manloñgat

1916 1916 1916 1919 1920 1920 1920 1934 1935 1936 1935 1935 1933 1933 1935 1935 1927 1927 1934 1934 1934 1934 1934 1934 1934 1934 1934 1935-1939 1940-1941 1940-1941 1940-1946 1944-1946 1944-1946 1945-1946 1945-1946 1943-1946 1945-1946 1947-1953 1950-1953 1948-1953 1950-1953 1951-1953 1950-1953 1949-1953 1950-1953

I testify that the information regarding the policemen who rendered services before 1933 was made to the best of my knowledge.

(SGD.) MARCIANO C. NAVARRO
(Ex-Policeman)

Bautista is a historical place. It was in this small town where the Philippine Revolutionary Government was transferred about the year 1901 when Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was being pursued by the American troops. An old building was used to house the officers of the retreating revolutionary government. It was also in this old Spanish house where Jose Palma wrote the words of the Philippine National Hymn. Remains of the building can still be found in the site formerly occupied by the house. The site is now owned by the Favis family.

During the latter part of the nineteenth century, partcularly between 1896-1899, the local Spanish government reached a tottering point. At that time, various subversive societies against Spanish tyranny sprung up in the town. Some of the societies were the "Compradia," "Balañgay na San Vicente," and later, the Katipunan.

It was a Palm Sunday afternoon in the month of April 1898. The members of these societies under the leadership of Faustino Macagampong and Santiago Quijadas raided and burned to ashes the Spanish tribunal and garrison, killing many Spaniards. Then, they proceeded to the church to kill the Spanish priest, but he was able to escape. In the night of that same day, government troops from Manila arrived by train. The Filipinos, armed with bolos, met them at the station. As the train was nearing the station, the cazadores began shooting them. The Filipinos fled to the hills, leaving behind hundreds of dead bodies. The next day, "Juez de Cachillo," was put in order. All men and women who were found in the town were killed. At the time, sitio Bautista was a desolate place because the people evacuated to Mangabel.

I testify to the correctness of the above account.

(SGD.) JOSE QUIAMBAO
Ex-Katipunero

After the defeat of the Spanish government in 1898, the Revolutionary Government was in control. In 1900, the Americans came and ruled for more than forty years. During the American regime, great progress was attained along educational and religious lines. To keep pace with the new situation, the system of education was altered. The English language gradually replaced the Spanish tongue in the schools. English schools were at once constructed for teaching the new language. The first English schools were built in Bautista in 1904. The earliest Filipino teachers assigned to teach the new language were Messrs. Juan Bautista, Procesio Estacio, and Emilio Ganader. Mr. Kierby, an American, was their supervisor.

In 1908, the number of teachers in the poblacion was increased to six. A real central school was created with Mr. Ferrer as Principal-Teacher. Mr. Guillermo Marzo was then supervisor, exercising supervision over four additional teachers whose names were Mr. and Mrs. Macario Paragas, Mr. Emilio Domingo, and Mrs. Eustaquia Cuadrato. The year 1912 saw the construction of the first permanent central school building. It originally had three rooms. Later on, in 1914, it had been added to 4, making the total number of number of rooms seven. The number of teachers also increased that year. Those who joined the teaching staff that year were Mrs. Ines Salanga, Miss Maxima Francisco, Miss Agripina Cabrera, and Fr. Casiano Hidalgo. Mr. Benigno Aldana succeeded Mr. Guillermo Marzo as supervisor and remained in that position until 1916.

The year 1925 marked the greatest educational expansion in the history of the town. In that year, more building constructions were started in the school campus to accommodate all children of school age. The number of teachers increased considerably to cope with the ever-increasing number of pupils.

Along religious lines, two important dates are worth remembering. The year 1906 marked the establishment of the Aglipayan Church in the center of the town. Twenty years later, in 1926, the Catholic Parochial Church was established.

When the Japanese were near the town, the USAFFE soldiers blasted the two bridges spanning the Agno River to delay the advance of the enemy. The people evacuated to Baluyot, Camalaigaran, and Mañgabol. Looting bodegas and private homes reached its highest point. Not long after, the Japanese came, an order was issued that all looted articles be returned.

To restore order, the Japanese authorities set up a temporary government. Don Mariano de Guzman volunteered to be appointed as municipal mayor. He was mayor for more than a year when he was replaced by the regular incumbent, Mr. Vicente Paningbatan. To be mayor at that time was rather a difficult job because he had to please both sides — the Japanese authorities and the guerrillas working under cover to resist the enemy. Although the mayor tried his best to maintain peace, there was practically no peace. The mayor and his police were in constant danger of being suspected as being pro-Japanese

During the Japanese occupation, there were many difficulties to contend with. There was a lack of food and clothing. Inflation was rampant. There was more money than commodities to be bought, so that prices soared very high. One ganta of rice cost ₱500 and a kilo of pork cost ₱150. Persons who engaged in buying and selling counted their money in terms of thousands. Clothing was so scarce that some had to wear rags and sacks. Then arose a dreaded element called "Tulisaper" or imitation USAFFE's. During the day, they asked the people for rice and chickens on the pretext that these goods would be used to sustain the guerrillas working for the Philippine resistance movement. At night, they armed themselves with rifles and robbed people's homes and even raped women.

To cope with the situation and to promote common protection, the organization of neighborhood associations was resorted to in 1942. The people were divided into groups under the leadership of a neighborhood president who acted as a coordinator. Each neighboring association in turn had a leader. Guard houses were built in strategic places and systematic guarding was devised. Due to the activities of these neighborhood associations, the raids of organized banditry were minimized.

In 1944, the Japanese began repairing the landing field at Dau, Pampanga. The mayor was ordered to send laborers. Many men from Bautista were sent. In 1945, American planes began hovering in the air. Later on, a Japanese plane, shot in a dogfight, made a forced landing at Camalaigaran. The pilot was captured by the guerrillas and was later surrendered to the Americans. The municipal mayor abandoned his office and joined the guerrilla forces. Finally, American planes bombed the Cueva's Residential Home where the Japanese guards were quartered. Thus ended the Japanese occupation of Bautista.

When war ended in September 1945, schools were opened. The reconstruction of roads and the Calvo Bridge was begun. These reconstruction projects were financed by rehabilitation money granted by the United States. Persons who had their properties damaged by war received war claims funds and began rehabilitating their homes. Once again, peace and order was restored in the town.

An ex-Katipunero, Jose Quejadas by name, testified that there was no fight in Bautista between the cazadores and the Filipino revolutionaries during the period of the revolution 1896-1900. The fight took place in Bayambang in April 1898. Members of the Katipunan from Bautista joined their comrades in Bayambang. Many of them died in the assault, including one captain named Santiago Quijadas, who was hacked to death as he entered the tribunal.

In 1941-1945, there was no clash of arms between the Japanese and the United States Army, as the latter retreated southward. The town was occupied without resistance. Neverthess, there was considerable loss of public and private properties. The two bridges connecting Bayambang and Bautista were completely destroyed by the U.S. Army. In March 1945, the Americans took the offensive against the Japanese. They machine-gunned and bombed the beautiful Cueva's Residential Home

Transcribed from:

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