MUNICIPALITY OF GUINOBATAN, ALBAY, Historical Data of Part 2
PART II
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[21]
According to R. Fr. Felix Huerta (Estado Geografico) this town was recorded earlier than 1672 as barrio of Camalig until the year 1688 when it sought ecclesiastical jurisdiction. Re. Fr. Alonso was appointed as first minister. In civil matters “tenientes absolutos” which had the same powers as the gobernadorcillos, had jurisdiction.
In 1731 the five Cabezas de Barangay named Don Ambrosio Baga Masbad, Don Diego Catindog, Don Juan Labao and Don Raymundo Dimasibot presented to the Provincial of the Franciscan Fathers and to the Governor General a petition praying for the separation from Camalig, and the establishment of this town as an independent civil organization under its own gobernadorcillo. This was granted. From thence a complete record of all governing officials and important events occurring in the town were recorded by several natives. They are found in the “siguedorias” now in the possession of only a few.
As has been stated above, from the year 1672 to 1688 this town was only a barrio of Camalig and under the Cabezas de Barangay. From 1688 it was no longer under ecclesiastical jurisdiction of Camalig, but was governed by “tenientes absolutos.”
Complete separation from Camalig was effected in 1731, and the governing power rested in the hands of the gobernadorcillos who were elected by the cabezas de barangay every year until 1863. Like the towns of Camalig, Quipia (now Jovellar) and Donsol, Guinobatan belonged to the province of Camarines Sur until 1847.
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The gobernadorcillo gave way to the Capitan Municipal in 1890 and the term of office of these executives was for two years, from 1863 to January 1, 1896. This was extended to four years.
In July, 1898 when Don Cirilo Jaucian was the Capitan, the soldiers called “Insurrectos” arrived in Guinobatan with General Aguinaldo to fight against the Spaniards.
During that time the men spent most of their time in fishing with pole, line, and hook and the women wove mats, hats, and baskets out of bamboo and buri.
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HISTORICAL DATA FOR GUINOBATAN
Before the year 1750 or thereabout, the town was located at the place now called Binanuaan. The frequent devastations by floods and eruptions of the volcano caused its transfer to the present location. Then, to the barrio of Mauraro it was moved after the eruption of February 1, 1814 Considering Mauraro still unsafe from the sinister shadows of the volcano’s curling folds of destruction, again the town authorities ordered an exodus to Panganiran where provisional camps were set up on the shores of Panganiran Bay. Hardly had the people settled in the ordinary serious business of agriculture and industry when a decision was made for an evacuation of the place in 1818 and to return to the present poblacion, to suffer a thousand times and one the horrors of the volcano up to the present day.
In 1759, the Moros entered Guinobatan to conquer the town. Don Juan Antonio Calidad was the Capitan and the parish priest of the town was Fr. Juan Trellez.
In 1795 when Don Antonio Rafael Sta. Ana was the Capitan and parish priest was Fr. Gines Antonio Fernandez the church of the town of Guinobatan was burned.
During that time, the people here in this town had no flat-iron to iron their clothes. They used only an iron called “prensa”. In molding chocolate, they used a “metate.”
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HISTORICAL EVENTS
History has not bestowed on Guinobatan as glorious a fame as Bataan, Corregidor or Capas, nonetheless she has left her marks on her.
As early as the Fili-Spanish revolution Guinobatan has been the scene of few but furious events in Philippine history. On a Good Friday in 1900, when the Filipino insurrectos under General Ola learned of the capture of Manila Bay by the American Navy, the local men rose up to guard the town. Scores of insurrectos armed with old muskets lined the streets, guarding the town while the women and children went on with the procession.
To keep the Americans from making the town their headquarters the seminary built since 1851 was ordered burned by General Pawa and in February 1900, people evacuated from the town when the Americans came.
In 1945 during the early days of the liberation, the town suffered bombings by American fighter planes pursuing Japanese troops who were fleeing.
To this day scars of these events remain a memorable monument of the past.
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POLITICAL HISTORY OF GUINOBATAN
The town of Guinobatan was recorded far back in 1672 as a barrio of Camalig. But in the year 1688 Rev. Fr. Alonso de Zapra was appointed first minister of the town after it had sought ecclesiastical separation.
In 1731 five Cabezas de Barangay, Don Ambrosio Balagan, Don Diego Catindog, Don Juan Labao, Don Francisco Bagunabad and Don Reymundo Dimasibot sent a petition to the Provincial of the Franciscan Fathers and to the Governor General seeking a complete separation from Camalig. The petition was granted. Thus independent civil organization under a gobernadorcillo.
The gobernadorcillo was elected by the cabezas de Barangay every year until 1863. In later years the gobernadorcillo was changed to Captain Municipal and the term of office was extended to two years, then to four years until 1895.
In 1898 the name was again changed to Presidente Municipal. By that time there were two governments – one a Revolutionary government under General Francisco Lucban who was appointed by General Emilio Aguinaldo; the other was a Military Government under Eugenio Pardinas.
In 1901 a Civil Government was formed and Cirilo Jaucian was named Presidente Municipal and Eugenio Pardinas was Vice Presidente.
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The right of suffrage was approved in 1903 and Engracio Arboleda was the first elected Municipal Presidente. The term of office was for two years only until 1910 when it was extended to three years.
Subsequent to this, several persons were elected as Municipal Presidentes. From 1923 to 1928 Don Justiniano de los Reyes was elected for two consecutive terms.
In 1928 & 1929 Don Fructuoso Ranola was elected President, unfortunately, died before the end of his term, so Deogracias Paulate, then Vice Presidente, assumed office.
In 1932 Don Canuto Razal was elected but by 1933 a protest was presented against him so Cirilo Jaucian was appointed Presidente de oficio. A special election was made and Razal came out victorious again, so he served till 1937.
In 1938 the name of Municipal President was changed to Municipal Mayor and Engineer Ofracio became the first elected Mayor with Carlos Pardo as Vice Mayor. Ofracio was unfortunate. He died before the end of his term so Vice Mayor Carlos Pardo assumed the responsibility, until the post-liberation period.
When the Republic of the Philippines was inaugurated, in 1946 under President Roxas, Tirso de los Reyes was appointed Mayor, to succeed Pardo.
Tirso de los Reyes, by popular will is the present
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Municipal Mayor and has been elected for two consecutive terms.
-oOo=
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF GUINOBATAN
Origin of the name Guinobatan;
There is no existing written record of how the town acquired its present name, except what the chronicle of the Franciscan Fathers claim. That the name GUINOBATAN originated from the Bicol word GUBAT which means to conquer, and whose past participle is GUINOBATAN, which in turn means conquered — giving the idea that the town was conquered by the Moros.
Such is not the accepted meaning of the word either by the common people or the living old persons, because there exists a legend conserved and handed down from generation to generation to the variety of which the people give credence. It is told that when the Moros came for the first time and entered the town to pillage, one of them roamed around and went to the other side of the river and there unfortunately notably for him took a rest under a “LANGATONG” tree. The leaves of this tree when coming in contact with the skin of the human body cause indescribable itching pain and irritation. The Moro by chance touched the Langatong leaves
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and suffered the ensuing uncomfortable effects and ran like a madman. While running he met a sow with litters, the former showing much evil disposition and fight. When he stopped for breath he happened to stand right on the top of an “AMIO” hill (home of large black ants). The ants bothered him so much so that as a consequence, the Moro fled shouting to his companions to go away for in this town even the trees, pigs and insects are brave. (If the Moros fled, they could not have conquered the town, and the proper world–name for this town should be GUINOBATAN.
FOUNDATION OF THE TOWN:
According to Rev. Fr. Felix Huerta (Estado Geografico...) this town was recorded earlier than 1672 as a barrio of Camalig until the year 1688 when it sought separate ecclesiastical jurisdiction. Rev. Fr. Alonzo de Zafra was appointed first minister. In civil matters “tenientes absolutos” which had the same powers as the gobernadorcillos, had jurisdiction.
In 1731 the five Cabezas de Barangay named Don Ambrosio Balegan, Don Francisco Bagunasbad, Don Diego Catindog, Don Juan Labao and Don Raymundo Dimasibot presented to the Provincial of the Fran–
[p. 30]
Franciscan Fathers and to the Governor General a petition praying for the separation from Camalig, and the establishment of this as an independent civil organization under its own gobernadorcillo. This was granted. From thence a complete record of all governing officials and important events occurring in the town were recorded by several natives. These are found in the “siguedorias” now in the possession of only a few.
LOCATION:
Presently the town is located almost in half bowl at the foot of the volcano, and is bounded on the SE by the municipality of Camalig, on the S. by the municipality of Jovellar and the Panganiran Bay, and on NE by the municipality of Ligao.
Before the year 1730 or thereabout, the town was located at the place now called BINAUAN. The frequent devastations by floods and the terrible eruptions of the volcano caused its transfer to the present location. Then to the barrio of Mauraro it was moved after the eruption of February 1, 1814. Considering Mauraro still unsafe from the sinister shadows of the volcano’s curling folds of destruction, again the town authorities ordered an exodus to Panganiran where provisional camps were set up on the shores of Panganiran Bay. Hardly had the people settled in the ordinary serious business of
[p. 31]
agriculture and industry when a decision was made for an evacuation of the place in 1818 and to return to the present poblacion, to suffer a thousand times and one the horrors of the volcano up to the present day.
POLITICAL HISTORY:
As has been stated somewhere above, from the year 1672 to 1688 this town was only a barrio of Camalig under Cabezas de Barangay. From 1688 it was no longer under ecclesiastical jurisdiction of Camalig but, was governed by “tenientes absolutos”.
Complete separation from Camalig was effected in 1731, and the governing power rested in the hands of gobernadorcillos who were elected by the cabezas de barangay every year until 1863. Like the towns of Camalig, Quipia (now Jovellar) and Donsol, Guinobatan belonged to the province of Camarines Sur until 1847.
The gobernadorcillo gave way to the Captain Municipal in 1890 and the term of office of these executives was for two years, from 1863 to Jan. 1, 1895. This was extended to four years.
Maura’s Municipal Law became effective in 1894, providing for twelve (12) vocales or delegados in every town. The name of the town executive was changed to “presidente municipal” in 1898.
The Revolutionary Government under General Emilio Aguinaldo was established on August 14, 1898, with Gen.
[p. 32]
Francisco Lucban as the appointed municipal president. The Americans arrived on Feb. 23, 1900 and Eugenio Pardinas was named presidente municipal under the Military Government. So for a while there were two municipal presidents and two governments.
General Lucban surrendered in June 1901. With this came to an end the Military Government, and the civil government was ushered with the appointment of Cirilo Jaucian Sr. as presidente municipal, in lieu of Eugenio Pardinas and the former serving from Aug. 1, 1901 to Aug. 31, 1903. Eligio Arboleda succeeded Jaucian on Sept. 1 to Nov. 30 — by appointment.
The right of suffrage was first exercised in March, 1903 with the election of Eligio Arboleda as presidente municipal. He served only six months (Jan. 1 to July 19, 1904), and the office fell on the shoulders of Vice presidente municipal Epifanio Orosco.
The term of office of the presidente municipal was for two years until 1910 when this was extended to three years which is the same as the term today. The name of the town executive was changed from presidente municipal to alcalde municipal on Jan. 1, 1906 and the first elected mayor was engineer Julian Ofrasio y Orpinda.
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Some Important events in the History of Guinobatan
Beginning the year 1879 the name “capitan” was changed to “presidente.” The seat of the government, which was then in the town of Albay, was transferred to Guinobatan and was in the Seminary of San Buenaventura.
In February, 1900, the Seminary of San Buenaventura was burned under the command of General Pawa, a Chinese general. Jose Crlanel Divinagracia gathered the nipa sheds in the “camarin”, piled them in the Seminary and set them on fire thus burning the Seminary and the adjoining church. The Spanish friars and all the people fled to Kalobago, a sitio of Guinobatan, twelve kilometers away, where the mass was said for sometime. On July 14, 1900, the feast of Corpus Christi, the Americans came to Kalobago.
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G U I N O B A T A N
-and how it came to have its name that perpetuated thru the ages...
So far, there were no written records to prove any opinion propounded by any known historian. All that were written were gathered from the lips of centenarians who outlived the trace of time. Hence, whatever might have been written cannot be considered as the genuine history of the growth of the municipality of Guinobatan and how it came to have its name that perpetuated thru the ages.
“Guinobatan” is a dialectic word that derived from the word “gubat” which meant looted or sucked. As the name portrayed, so the events behind the name, were believed to have occurred.
There was a village years ago, so the old people said, which they called, Binanuaan. It was a thriving village, inhabited by beautiful women and energetic men. Being so, romantic air pervaded the place and wealth was in vogue. Men spent the gold, lavishly for their ladyloves. Trinkets and precious stones, were considered not even enough to adorn the beautiful lassies of Binanuuan. Big buildings sprang. Wide holdings, as far as the eyes could reach could only belong to one individual.
The name of Binanuuan was usually coupled with wealth and beauty. From lips to lips, the fame of the little thriving village travelled until it reached the malicious ears of a band of cut throats that bivouacked in the mountain fastnesses that almost surround the place.
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One evening, when the village populace slumbered peacefully in their homes, oblivious of any impending disaster, the big band of cut-throats, like a hawk after its prey, swept into the village. They looted and burned the slumbering village. Women were abducted. Men were killed as they either jumped through the windows or through the doors to seek refuge somewhere. The place became an inferno of raging fires. Shrieks of frightened women could be heard as they grappled with the greasy and profusely perspiring raiders. Binanuaan became a shamble. Ruins and desolation characterized the once peaceful place.
In the morning of the next day, the early light of the sun, shone on the ruined buildings which were still smoking due to the recent bonfire of the night before. Dead littered the place. Everywhere was death. Children, women and men were scattered, here and there, dead.
The few inhabitants, who had the good luck of escaping the raid had to start all over again, but not within the vicinity of the sacked place. They built their homes beside a flowing water which they called San Francisco river and called their new formed village Guinobatan in honor of the place which was looted and sacked.
Since then, as though the name, Guinobatan, were a talisman, the new village was never molested by any band of brigands that inhabited the mountains. Nor was it even touched by greedy hands. It grew and grew as years went
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by and the village expanded and eventually became a pueblo when the Spaniards came.
Thus, the gruesome story behind Guinobatan, as gathered from the lips of men, had perpetuated the name, and even challenged the test of time.
..oo..
During the Spanish rule, Guinobatan became the center of commerce and education in the province of Albay. Colleges were built. Big and imposing buildings sprang and once more, Guinobatan became a thriving town. Only when the Americans came, had Guinobatan, once more tasted the fury of fire.
General Pawa believed that if the buildings were burned, the American invaders would not have houses to live in. He was not cognizant of America’s ingenuity. So, Guinobatan was burned but not from the hands of any raider. Concrete ruins can presently be seen dotting the town of Guinobatan. Ruins that were no longer rebuilt. However, behind those ruins, Guinobatan is once more recuperating. A new luneta is built and around the kiosko is the Ofracio pavement, the gift of the erstwhile mayor, who gave his all that Guinobatan may become beautiful once more.
-ooooo-
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GENERAL OLA
-The man of steel that finally succumbed to the will of his Maker-
Ever trudging, onward and yet onward, you could see him on the road. Weak kneed, yet strong in arms, that withered old man, that almost defied the wear and tear of time, kept on moving and always on the go.
Weak and insignificant was he, yet he had known better times. He had been showered praises after praises and honor after honor during his times. For then that weakened old man was the general of the Insurrectos, the most feared organization of both Spaniards and Americans at the close of the Spanish Sovereignty. He was General Simeon Ola and he was and still, is a native of Guinobatan.
He fought several pitched battles against both the Spaniards and Americans. He had given them hell and because the Americans could not take hold of him, they satisfied themselves by calling him names. In several publications and even in the history of the Philippines, the Americans called him “bandit Ola”. Sure, he might be called a bandit for every dead American soldier, was found bare. His soldiers removed the clothes but not him.
Many anecdotes were attributed to him and his
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bravery. It was believed that one time, he fought a group of American soldiers single-handed, in spite of his inferior arms. He could not be hit by a bullet. Neither could he be killed by bayonets. Such were the beliefs of him. But the one truth about him was his unsurpassed patriotism.
He knew that it was futile for him to fight the Americans who had superior in arms and fire powers, yet he rallied his men and fought fiercely. Although they paid dearly yet the Americans paid no lesser. Both suffered. General Ola had shown to the Americans the stubbornness of the Filipinos, when they were fighting for freedom. He showed that man was better dead and almost died just to let his Filipino brother live.
Due to superior power of America, he was just the same made to surrender to save his soldiers. For 40 years of American sovereignty, he lived peacefully in his home. In his spare moments, he wrote verses, wisecracks and songs.
He had been a municipal executive for two terms. As though waiting only for the Philippines to become independent before he died, he breathed his last a few years after the Philippines got its independence. Just the sun, his dream came true.” He died a free man.
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FATHER JULIAN OPE
Have you ever seen the Catholic Church of Guinobatan? That Church stands as a living monument to a great priest, the late Father Julian Ope.
Father Julian Ope was the very first curate priest born in Guinobatan and worked in the same place till his death. He was offered the Bishopric but he refused it for the sake of the people of the hometown. He performed his work far above his duties. He married indigent couples free of any stipend. He baptized children anytime of the week with or without fees. He established a parochial school under his convent. He sent several young men to study the priesthood at his expense. He did many charitable acts but his greatest deed was that of building the church of Guinobatan out of his own financial resources. He spent all his private fortune to establish the church. (Who is the priest now, who did what he had done for the town of Guinobatan?) At present the church stands as a concrete example of a man who sacrificed his fortune for the sake of the people.
If ever you visit Guinobatan you will see the monument at the side of the church.
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THE UNITED STATES BOMBING OF TRAVECIA, GUINOBATAN, ALBAY
It was November 30, 1944 a day when the United States’ B-29 had made a simultaneous attack at the Japanese’ fortification in Camalig, Daraga and Legaspi City. People enjoyed such offensive attack of the American Forces. This was made so in view of the long-awaited coming of our liberator.
At about eleven o’clock and five minutes A. M. of this day, a wave of about twenty B-29 came flying over Camalig, a Japanese-fortified neighboring town of Guinobatan. People were surprised to have passed Camalig without a single demolition bomb dropped. The B-29 squadron then flew over Guinobatan. People were all cheerful and happy of the coming aid. They waved their hands, went out of their homes to the streets to give a cheerful victory. Unexpected bombers dropped about twenty demolition bombs, which gave a climax of disappointment to the allied inhabitants.
At first before the bombs were dropped, they shouted and cheered for victory for seeing the bombs being dropped which they believed to be leaflets from the United States offensive attacks. Bombs fell one following another, causing great destruction to 63 casualties, 43 of which were dead and the rest were wounded.
Those bombs should have been dropped at Camalig, but
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