MUNICIPALITY OF CAMALIG, ALBAY, Historical Data of Part 1

PART I

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About these Historical Data

The transcription of this page was done using AI technology.

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Duplicate of the cover page.

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FOREWORD

In accordance with Executive Order No. 468, as mentioned in Memorandum No. 34, s. 1952, there has been prepared by the local committee this historical data regarding the poblacion and barrios of Camalig. The poblacion’s and barrio’s history, folkways and all other important information have been included in this compilation.

Since not one of the communities has in its possession a copy of the manuscript being called for by Executive Order No. 2 and 136, dated January 26, 1911, and January 3, 1938, attempts have been made to collect and compile accurate data from the earliest time of existence of the poblacion and barrios up to the present time.

It is hoped that this compilation would serve as a source of inspiration and guidance for our future generations and would serve as source materials for historians, investigators and researchers.

RAMON E. NAVERA
Supervising Principal

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

In the collection and compilation of the historical data for the poblacion and barrios of Camalig, we received help from various people.

We are especially grateful to the following– the barrio head-teachers and teachers for collecting and compiling the historical data of the different barrios; the central school principal and teachers for collecting and compiling the historical data of the poblacion; the teniente del barrios from whom knowledge about the life history and culture of the barrios had been obtained by the head-teachers and principals; Mayor Engracio Vibar and the municipal officials from whom information had been obtained from what they know and from the municipal documents or records that they keep; Rev. Father Victorino Caballero from whom we got the church records and Mr. Laureano Nuas and Mr. Ramon Nasol, two wise old men of the town, for the use we made out of the valuable records possessed by them.

The Local Committee

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. The Poblacion
2. Tagaytay
3. Batawon
4. Baligang
5. Bantonan
6. Gotob
7. Bangabong
8. Bariw
9. Libod
10. Palanog
11. Miti
12. Iluluan
13. Pariaan
14. Mansauan
15. Quinuartilan
16. Caguiba
17. Calabidongan
18. Quitinday
19. Solong
20. Taladong
21. Mina
22. Tagoytoy
23. Gomon
24. Minitayan
25. Cotmon
26. Del Rosario
27. Maninila
28. Taplacon
29. Taloto
30. Panoypoy
31. Magogon
32. Cabagñan
33. Anuling
34. Sumlang
35. Salugan
36. Tumpa
37. Suwa
38. Quirangay

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HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN

Part One: History

Present Official Name of the Town.– An inland town of the province of Albay which is situated at the base of Mayon Volcano with more than 25,000 inhabitants is the town of Camalig. This town ever since its establishment holds the name “Camalig”. This name is the town’s official name.

The Name, its Meaning or Derivation.– There are two versions of how Camalig got its name, according to the Spanish historian P. Huertas. The first version states that when the Spanish explorers came to this place, they found a group of native huts called “Camarin” or “Camalig” (In Bicol). These are spacious Filipino farm houses purposely built to serve both as homes and storing places during harvesting seasons.

The second version states that when the Spanish explorers came to the present site of Camalig, they constructed a big “Camarin” or “Camalig” from which the town got its name.

Date of Establishment; Name and Social Status of the Founder.– The town of Camalig was founded in the year, 1570, by a Spanish explorer under the leadership of Luis de Guzman, a Spanish military officer.

Camalig along with Guinobatan, Maoraro, Cas, Polangui, Libon, Donsol and Quipia was formerly a part of Camarines. In the year 1846 the islands of Masbate and Ticao were created into what was called comandancia – politico – Militar. At that same time, Albay gave Camarines Sur the towns of Lagonoy, Caramoan, Sagnay, in the Caramoan peninsula, in exchange for Camalig, Guinobatan, Ligao, Cas, Polangui, Libon, Donsol, and Quipia (Jovellar).

Names of Persons Who Held Leading Positions in the Town,–

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Mayors:

Other Municipal Officials Since Liberation

Tenure of Office: 1945 – 1946

Tenure of Office: 1946 – 1949

The Paroquial Curates of Camalig

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THE QUITUINAN MOUNTAINS, A HISTORICAL SITE

Historically, Quituinan Mountain stands as the last defense zone of the Japanese Imperial Forces in the province of Albay, for it was in this place that their resistance was made safe either from air raid attack or land attack. This mountain overlooks the poblacion. The physical characteristics of the mountain are that it’s long and high that it almost surrounds the poblacion of Camalig. The Japanese in selecting this as their last stand, considered the advantages and features of this place.

With a wonderful feat of engineering, they constructed the tunnels in a labyrinthian style where they sought refuge during the intensive days of attack by the American soldiers. Dug outs were also made for their counter-attack.

The killing of many Filipinos is another very historical event which goes hand in hand with this place. When the Japanese soldiers could no longer stand invulnerability from the enemy attack, they left the place and went to different places killing many people whom they see and meet in a brutal fashion. Children were brutally killed either with guns or with bayonets. This incident was so connected with their stay in Quituinan Mountain.

If Bataan and Corregidor are so remembered historically, so is Albay for having Quituinan Mountain.

Important Facts, Incidents and Events That Took Place:
Camalig did not pass so colorful a history as did other towns.

Spanish Occupation

The three and a half centuries of Spanish occupation is just a simple history – Spaniards came, took the town site as part of their colonized land, established the town, gave it its name and then established its rule.

The town remained peaceful in nature. A few hostilities, however, were found in the barrios, but such hostilities did not affect the town. The town was not moved so much by the “Cry of Balintawak” but even if the town had no active participation, yet it suffered the “policy of vigilance” the Spaniards had. Camalig’s prominent figure, Mr. Macario Samson, fell as a victim. He never regained his liberty.

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Then, too, there was the bloody expeditions of the Spanish “Guardia Civil” in Camalig which resulted from an uprising in Sorsogon. There was a number of mercilessly murdered people in this town.

The peacefulness of the town was disturbed during the eruption of Mayon Volcano in 1814. The town of Camalig and the neighboring towns of Cagsawa, Jutiao and parts of the towns of Albay and Guinobatan were buried beneath the sand, stones and lava. During the eruption, the town site was transferred to the sitio Tondo. There it stayed for a few years. The former town site was then a sight of sand, stones and lava.

Due to the proximity to Mayon Volcano, the town was transferred again to sitio– Baligang.

In the year 1857, a great fire swept more than half of the poblacion in the sitio– Baligang. This was followed by a drought. Because of the difficulty of water supply, the authorities decided to return the town to its former site where the town Camalig now stands and life in the town resumed.

At this era, too, was the establishment of the church of Camalig. The first established church was of light material. It was built on the same place where the present church stands. The second was a concrete one. It was destroyed last February 1, 1814 during the eruption of Mt. Mayon. In the year 1814 – 1857, the church was transferred to Baligang. In the year 1837 – 1845, Father Miguel Antonio de Barcela established the present church. The church was financed by the Franciscan Father and the civic–spirited people.

Parochial schools were established also. This was done to increase and maintain Catholicism.

During the American Occupation to World War II

The town of Camalig was taken by the American Army under the command of Captain Botts in 1901. The American army invited the people who had hidden themselves in the forests and in the mountains to come to their homes. At first the people were afraid and suspicious because they had been told that the Americans were cruel. However, some of the Filipinos returned to their homes. They saw that the American officers in charge of the town were more interested in the establishment of schools than in making war. American soldiers were assigned as teachers and schools were opened where English could be taught.

Captain Botts together with his officers brought peace to the town because of his special interest in schools. He went to the priest

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and asked him to ring the church bells and then to celebrate mass as was done in time of peace. At first only a few old women came to the church. But as days passed and no harm was done by the American soldiers to these women, the number of people in the town increased. The children in the town were gathered and a school was opened for them.

During those early days of American occupation there was very little paper which could be used in school. No boats could bring foreign goods to the Islands. The school children used banana leaves for paper. These banana leaves for paper were sent to America. Soap papers and other school supplies were given free to the school children. Captain Botts and his officers went around the town. The people were given books. They wanted the people to learn the English language so that they could understand each other better. They told the people to stop the fighting and then to send their children to the new schools.

Many Filipino soldiers gave up fighting the Americans. They saw that America was helping the Filipinos in government and in education. Peace was established through the opening of schools. The books were the real peace makers. Then more books and more schools were opened. The adults as well as the children were interested to attend classes. Then, later, Filipino teachers were employed.

It will be remembered that one reason why the Filipinos fought Spain was that the Spaniards did not want to let them have a share in the government of the Philippines. When the Americans came to Camalig, the officials said that they have come to help us establish our own government. So, as soon as the war was over, the Camaliguenos promised to help America in her work of education in the town. This was done under the able leadership of the well known man, Anacleto Solano. The people believed that by helping America, they were helping the progress of the Philippines as well as the town of Camalig in particular. His leadership showed the ability of our people in the municipal government.

The Americans and the Filipinos continued to help each other. They opened more roads and built bridges. Schools were opened in the barrios where they were needed. More Filipino teachers were appointed. The government functioned with Filipinos holding the offices.

World War II: During and After

December 8, 1941 was an alarming date to every Camaligueno. All were deeply concerned with the news about the invading army and the defense the country had. Soldiers called to render services left and everyone was deeply concerned with the supplies they would take and the evacuation places they would go to.

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The people did not have enough time to make preparations for on December 12, 1941, panic–stricken people rushed to the town of Camalig seeking refuge. The people, too, of the town, became panic–stricken. They left for the barrios. The municipal government ceased. Shortly after the Japanese landing at Legaspi, the Japanese soldiers drove inland. These invaders did not encounter any opposition in this town. The town experienced a slight bombing, which according to some information, was not really a Japanese bombing but was a mere dropping of some bombs from a fleeing U.S. plane to lighten its load. A few days after, the Japanese soldiers ransacked the municipal building and then they hoisted the Japanese flag.

All ordinary walks of life were cut. All offices were closed, schools were closed and transportation and communication facilities were out.

After a period of three months, people started returning to the town to resume their ways of life. There was that usual peacefulness but always there was that cloud of fear. The only thing that people did was to stay at home and earn their bread, but there was none of the pre–war conveniences.

A few months after, the Japanese administration called a mass meeting. People responded. Barrio folks came down. They were a little confident that the Japanese will not do harm but still there was that cloud of distrust and fear. The Japanese distributed some food as gifts to the people and of course some speeches were given. They asked the people to have faith and confidence in the government they had and that the people should cooperate with them.

Shortly after, in the year 1942, the municipal government was established with Dr. Jose Samson as mayor. Such government was run with the least conflict with the guerrilla movements. Schools were opened and agencies like the Bicol Rice Distributing Administration then later the NARIC functioned to help the people.

This period was not a period of complete peace. It is true that none of the guerrilla movement ever came up the town and had open fighting. But some of them were right in the town conducting some secret undertakings.

The Japanese administration, conscious of the guerrilla movement, made an attempt to safeguard the town’s peace and order by forming the “NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.” This existed during the war with guards called “rondas” guarding the neighborhood every night. These guards were the male members of the families in the neighborhood who took turns in guarding. None of these guerrilla ever came to make night surprises. Instead it was the Japanese soldiers, who one evening zonified a dance in the town.

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The soldiers encircled the dancing park and went on their usual scheme of searching for guns, documentary materials and other belongings that a guerrilla may have. They found no suspect but just the same slaps, strikes of bayonets and “kura–kuras” were given.

Once, too, the Japanese called for a quota of workers to work in the air–field. The town, because of fear, responded to such requirement. Early one morning, groups of workers were stationed in front of the municipal building. Trucks brought them to the air–field. The people gave labor and they brought their own food.

Then, there was the establishment of the Philippine Republic. One early October morning, the Philippine flag was hoisted. This was another short–lived Philippine Republic.

This existed to the time when some American bombers started bombing Legaspi. This was a day on September, 1944. People got scared again, packed things and went up the mountains. Camalig, then, was continuously bombed because of the Quituinan Hills and it was continuously shelled when the Americans landed at Legaspi.

This town again experienced another unforgettable event on the latter part of April and early part of May, 1945, when the fleeing Japanese left the Quituinan Mountains. In going out of their last stand, they, too, became very ferocious – killing and shooting the people they encountered.

At the middle part of May, people returned to the town. This was permanent peace for them. Schools were opened and the municipal government functioned as it did during the pre–war days. Municipal officials resumed their offices. Transportation and communication facilities were available. Commercial enterprises and industries were started. Then political campaigns filled the town in 1946. Everything adhered to during the pre–war days, continued as usual after liberation and till now.

The town is on its wake to more progress along the economic, commercial, social and political phases. On the religious and moral phase the town’s Roman Catholic Devotees show active participation. A lot of religious associations are found in the town. Examples of these are the “Legion of Mary”, “Association of the Blessed Lady of Lourdes”, etc. These associations go on home visits, conduct mass communions and give religious instructions. Other religions also do exist in the town and they are also given the freedom to exercise their own religion. Just lately, there was a petty quarrel between the Roman Catholics and the “Iglesia ni Cristo.” This petty quarrel was just settled.

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In the educational and health phases, the town is forging ahead. The so traditional school is fast moving into the community–centered school. In the classrooms, some teachers are on the integrative techniques. Service projects are being rendered by the children to the community. All these things were done because of the plans of the supervising principal, Mr. Ramon B. Navarra and the principal, Mr. Juan Munoz, to make the Camalig Central School a pilot Community–Centered School in the district of Camalig. Successes were achieved by this community–centered school through the help of the chairman of the “Community School Council,” Hon. Eduardo Monrado, and its members and also the eighteen different zone officials and members. Because of such successes in community improvement, Camalig is frequently visited by provincial and municipal officials, division office personnel and visitors, supervising principals, principals, teachers and various classes of the Albay Normal School.

The Period from 1896 – 1900

The town of Camalig during the period from 1896 to 1900 did not pass a colorful history as it did during the almost half decade that covered the Pacific War from 1941 to 1945, when it became the battleground between the Japanese Imperial Forces and the Forces of Liberation when it won for itself the title of “Little Bataan.” In 1896 Camalig was a peaceful and somewhat aristocratic town being the home of prominent political figures such as the Solanos, the Samsons, the Nieveses, etc., who at that time wielded powerful influences not only in the town but also in the whole province. The “Cry of Balintawak” in August 1896 which signaled the beginning of the Philippine Revolution did not immediately find support in the Bicol Region, much more of the people of Camalig, so much so, that it enjoyed the same period of peace and tranquility. But while the Bicolanos considered the “Cry of Balintawak” an act of ingratitude to mother Spain, the Spaniards in the province of Albay were, however, wary and cautious about the people here whom they suspected as sympathizers of the Katipunan. The first victim in the municipality of Camalig to fall under this policy of vigilance on the part of Spanish rulers was the late Macario Samson, who on mere suspicion as a sympathizer to the cause of the Katipunan, was September 22, 1896 arrested and imprisoned together with other political prisoners of the province. Since his arrest this former gobernadorcillo of Camalig never regained his liberty. On the 31st day of October after undergoing incessant tortures in Bilibid prison in Manila and after the usual mock trial, Macario Samson together with other political prisoners of the Islands was deported to Fernando Poo, a Spanish colony along the Mediterranean Sea, from which banishment he never returned.

When the “pulahanes” under the leadership of self–appointed “dictator” by the name of Fermin Tagalog, a former cook in the convent

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