MUNICIPALITY OF DARAGA, ALBAY, Historical Data of
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[Cover page]
GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF THE
BARRIOS OF DARAGA
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P R E F A C E
In a Division Circular Letter, the Superintendent of Schools requested for the geographical and historical sketches of the different barrios of Albay. The District of Daraga made this little volume in response to the request. It is the result of painstaking research made by the teachers in the field.
This little book will be a helpful guide to teachers and students in Social Studies and in Community School work. It is also a valuable handbook for the officials and employees of the city government as a guide in their social work as well as in their projects for rural improvement.
To those who have made possible the compilation of this little volume sincere acknowledgment and profound gratitude is hereby extended.
MRS. ENCARNACION M. GUTIERREZ
Compiler
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Geography and History
of the
District of Daraga
Daraga like Legaspi, was once a town of the province of Albay, but when the latter was made a city on Dec. 15, 1945, the town of Daraga was then made a district of Legaspi.
This district is bounded on the north by Mayon Volcano, on the south by Sorsogon, on the west by Camalig, and on the east by said Albay. Its barrios are Taga, Kilicao, Budiao, Alcala, Malabog, Banag, Bongalon, Binitayan, Balinad, Lacag, Busay, Bagumbayan, Kiwalo, Tabon–tabon, De La Paz, Inarado, Gapo, Malabio, Bascaran, Burgos, Matini, Namantao, Anislag, Mayon, Maupi, San Ramon, Kinawitan, Villa Hermosa, Canarom, San Vicente, Grande, San Vicente Pequeño, Bigao, Matacon, Ibaugan, and other small barrios like Palanoc, Gadanan, Dinoronan, and Legpahan, The district has an area of 7,400 hectares and a population of 39,027 during the last census taken in 1948.
One of the most important occupations of the people is farming, because of the fertile valleys and plains. The slopes of the mountains are planted to upland rice, corn, camote, cassava and other roots. The barrios of Budiao, Alcala, and Kilicao at the foot of Mayon Volcano, supply the city with vegetables. Coconut and firewood supply came from the southern region which is mountainous. However because of many typhoons that hit the Bicolandia, copra making has come to a stand still.
Abaca is also stripped into hemp and white fiber. There are many home industries and handicrafts made out of materials from abaca.
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One of the most outstanding is sinamay making, much sinamay is exported. Abaca rugs, slippers, and all other sorts of bags ranging from the fancy ones to the most useful ones are made out of burlap (woven abaca hemp) and abatex. Abatex is coarse sinamay. Place mats, glass holders and coasters, hat, dish pads, and luncheon sets are manufactured from abaca materials in some factories located in the business center of the district. Many men and women are employed in these factories.
The business center is the central part of the town where most of the professional men and women and other business men live. Product and other manufactured products or articles from the different barrios and neighboring towns are brought here for sale during market days which are Mondays and Thursdays.
This part of the district is not only a business center but also an educational center. It is where most of the public and private schools are found.
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CHAPTER II–HISTORY
Before the Spaniards discovered the Philippines, a group of settlers came to the marshy shore of what is now Legaspi Port. Later, because another group of settlers which was larger in number arrived, the former were driven inland and they decided to settle at the foot of Mount Mayon. These early settlers lived peacefully and contentedly. They planted rice and gabi on the fertile land that was irrigated by the cool water from the volcano. It was not long when this small village flourished. The villagers were happy because there was no cruel sultan or datu to rule cruelly over them. Only a council of old men governed the village. Laws were passed by the council and were obeyed by the inhabitants. Whenever trouble arose among them the council was the judge. Every misunderstanding among them was brought before the council to decide.
Upon the arrival of the Spaniards in the Philippines, a group of Spanish soldiers came to the village. The villagers received them peacefully. The Spaniards called the village “Budiao” in honor of one of the councilman who was the oldest and wisest of them all. Budiao negotiated with the Spaniards that the villagers would obey Spanish laws provided they would be treated justly. At that time there was a system of taxation agreed upon and the natives paid their taxes, at the same time they were also easily converted to Christianity. After that the Spanish missionaries built a beautiful chapel for them in which up to now the ruin stands in the barrio of Budiao.
Years passed. Peace and happiness reigned in the same villages.
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But early one morning the inhabitants felt a terrible earthquake and heard a sound like thunder. Frightened with fear, the people rushed out of their houses. Fire, lava, ashes, smoke, and burning stones were seen coming out from the crater of Mount Mayon. It was then an eruption. Immediately the villagers moved to distant places, when the eruption was over they returned and found the village impossible to rebuild.
Farther south of the ruined village they built their new homes. The new town was called “Cagsawa.” Again a big beautiful church was built. The trade between Cagsawa and other neighboring towns flourished. The people became rich so that they came to indulge in luxury. Even their church bells were inlaid with gold and silver. It was said that the chimes of these bells could be heard miles away. One day there was a rumor that the sound of the bells was heard or had reached the Moroland and that the Moros were coming to get the wealth and young ladies of the villages. To save the bells, the villagers dropped them hurriedly in Busay Falls in which until now the people have the belief that these bells are still there. The young women, too, were evacuated and all men armed themselves and waited for the coming of the Moros, but none of the invaders came. Instead, when night came an explosive sound was heard. A terrible earthquake was felt again. Balls of fire and burning stones shot up from the crater of Mayon. There was a great chaos among the villagers and they did not know where to go. Some hurriedly moved to the nearest hills and some took refuge in the church. The night grew darker and darker and all of a sudden a very heavy rain fell. It was so heavy that it flooded the town in wild fury. The once prosperous village of Cagsawa had become a body of water that carried thousands of lives, houses, and property to open sea. This sad incident and total destruction in Cagsawa happened
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In that sad year — 1814.
The young ladies were evacuated from the Moros and the other families that were able to move for safety mourned for their lost dear ones. They went further south and settled a spot near a hill as their new homes. They believed that the hill could protect them from eruption of Mount Mayon. They helped together build a temporary chapel at the top of the hill which they believed would be free from flood. This chapel was later replaced by the Spaniards with a big and beautiful church made of stones. Because the people were very industrious it did not take long for the new town to become prosperous. The people from the neighboring places called the town “Banua nin magna Daraga” in honor of the women who helped together construct their church and whose devotion to God saved them from the eruption.
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THE HISTORY OF DARAGA
When the Sri–Visayan Empire was at the peak of its power, its sea–faring traders ventured to every known part of the archipelago and a group of these came to the marshy shore of what is now Legaspi Port. However, these early settlers did not stay here for long because they were driven far inland by another group of fishermen under an aggressive leader, Datu Ibal. The older men of the driven away settlers decided to settle at the southern slope of Mount Mayon where they lived peacefully. They planted rice, gabi and yams. The village was governed by a council of wise and old men. This council passed laws and saw that they were followed. Whenever there were troubles and problems, the council’s opinion was consulted for its decision.
In 1587, the village was visited by Captain Esteban de Machaca, accompanied by a Franciscan missionary, Francisco de Sta. Ana and a small number of Spanish soldiers from the near–by settlement of Camalig. The Spaniards named the place BUDIAO, in honor of one of the councilmen. The natives were converted to Christianity without difficulty. Father Sta. Ana planted the cross on the roof of the first nipa and bamboo chapel that was erected. Later, the Spaniards built for them a big and beautiful church in the heart of the village as a token of their loyalty. A system of taxation was agreed upon and the natives paid their taxes or tributes. Years passed and peace and contentment reigned in the little village of Budiao.
One day the inhabitants felt the sudden tremor of an
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eruption of the volcano. Balls of red boulders shot up from the crater of Mt. Mayon, thousands of feet into the skies. Immediately the men dispatched all the women and children to places of safety by using pieces of boards to cover their heads. Thousands of evacuees perished on the way. However, the lava flowed in the direction of the sea, and the villagers thought that if it flows to the direction of the village, they will be in grave danger.
When the eruption was over, the people, after much argument were persuaded to move to a new place farther south. The new settlement was named CAGSAWA. A big church was built and around this was built a system of streets. There was allowance for expansion into a town. Trade flourished between this new place and Camalig. Some traders from the sea coast reached Cagsawa bringing fish and other products. The town became prosperous and rich. The church bells were inlaid with gold and silver. The memory of lost Budiao was gone in the midst of their prosperity.
One morning rumor circulated in the town that the sounds of the golden bells reached Moroland and when they saw the sails of Moro vintas at the bay, they dropped the bells hurriedly at Busay falls, where they rested to this day. The ladies were evacuated to nearby hills and caves. The plunderers did not show up. It was learned later that they were driven back to the sea by the villagers who lived in the coast.
On February 1, 1814, it was a fateful day for this prosperous village. The sky became unusually gloomy. The villagers
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sensed some foreboding. Candles were lighted in the church and everybody prayed. Then they heard the low rumble as of thunder. The earth shook and trembled. Fire, lava, sand and smoke came out of the crater of Mt. Mayon, and ashes fell all around the place. As the people came out of the church, the eruption rose to its untamed fury. They hurriedly gathered their most precious belongings and scurried to the nearest mountains. The lava that came from the volcano flowed over the whole town. Plants as well as houses were burned and buried. Human deaths rose to thousands. There was total destruction and only the stone walls of the church tower, convent and town hall remained to bear witness of that fateful day. Although their homes were gone, the villagers were not downhearted. Further south about three kilometers away was a hill. The men believed that the hill could protect them so a new village was built on this hill. A temporary chapel was built on the top of the hill. They called this new town, DARAGA, after the women whose piety saved them from death during the eruption. Because the people were very industrious, it was not long before they became prosperous again.
At this time, there was organized government. The village was divided into groups of houses under a “cabeza de Barangay” who was responsible to the “capitan” or the mayor. The mayor was in direct consultation with the friar. Through the “cabeza de Barangay” with the help of the subordinate called “duluon,” the tax collection was facilitated. If the cabeza failed to turn over the money corresponding to the taxes of his members, he is
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subjected to whipping. All the cabezas and duluans were expected to be in church every Sunday. Absence means whipping.
The Spanish friars were not contented with their temporary chapel. Being very powerful, they succeeded in having an order made that a church of stone should be built. All the men were ordered to work in the project three times a week. Limestone was carted from Camalig while adobe stones and sand were hauled from the river. The men were driven like slaves from morning to evening. When progress of the work was slow, the women were ordered to work too. In order to have more workers, soldiers were posted in the streets at night. Persons found not having their cedulas with them were made to work the following day. There is no doubt that lives were lost during the construction. After several years the church was completed – a monument to fear and exploitation of fellowmen.
Several decades have passed since then – and there has been physical changes in the town. People have become imbued with modern ideas through the system of education. They have remained peace–loving, individualistic and indifferent to the things around them. Some have even dissented to the town’s becoming a part of Legaspi City.
In 1908, Daraga and Albay were combined into a first class municipality, Albay. However, in 1922, Daraga seceded and again became an independent town by itself. Finally on December 15, 1948 a Presidential proclamation combined these two municipalities thus creating the City of Legaspi, Daraga becoming one of its districts.
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DARAGA – ITS PHYSICAL AND ECONOMIC STATUS
The physical and natural conditions of the community are bases in understanding its economic, cultural and educational possibilities. These natural and physical conditions include the topography, soil, climate, rainfall and temperature which determine to some extent the general texture of the life of the people living in this particular community. Taking into consideration all of these factors, let us then acquaint ourselves with the simple but peaceful town, Daraga – the town with its church upon a hill.
The small town is a lowland surrounded by a long range of mountains on the southwest and Mayon Volcano on the northwest. It has an approximate area of about forty square kilometers, sixty percent of which is for residential and commercial purposes and the other forty percent for agricultural purposes. The soil is volcanic and fertile, the climate, temperate, the rainfall is moderate and the temperature is mild.
The loam soil which is very favorable for the growth of rice, corn, coconuts, sugar cane, bananas, abaca, camotes, cassava, pineapples is irrigated by natural streams from the mountains. Fruits and vegetables are seasonally grown to supply the needs of the populace. Most of these products are cultivated in the usual primitive ways. Proper use of modern methods of agriculture may increase the harvests in order to meet the increasing demand resulting from the ever–growing population. Seasonal crops can be grown the year round because
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the climate is almost the same throughout the whole year. Except for occasional typhoons during the last quarter of each year, there is no marked change in the climatic condition of the place. Rice is grown and harvested twice a year because irrigation is not a problem. The school can play an important role in agriculture because it can be a medium for disseminating valuable information on improved methods of crop raising. Government agencies like the Agricultural Extension Service, Bureau of Lands, Office of the District Irrigation Engineer and the Bureau of Forestry are available for any problem regarding agriculture. The reconstruction of the permanent market buildings after liberation has boosted the trade and commerce with the neighboring towns and districts. Abaca rug–making has become a thriving industry and its finished products command a good price in foreign markets. Poultry raising is becoming a popular home industry and Daraga has become sufficient in its poultry needs.
The census of 1948 placed the male population of this district at 16,162 and the females at 17,000 making a total of 33,162. Because of its favorable location (it is at the junction of the national roads going to Sorsogon and Legaspi City proper) Daraga may become a vital commercial and educational center of the whole Legaspi City.
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