MUNICIPALITY OF GUINOBATAN, ALBAY, Historical Data of Part 3

PART III

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About these Historical Data

The transcription of this page was done using AI technology.

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due to poor mapping operation the poor Filipino inhabitants in that spot of Guinobatan suffered.

The dead were only buried in the deep ditches made by the explosives. The wounded were taken care of by the Filipino guerrillas who had their detachment in the poblacion.

A terrible destruction to human life ever recorded in World War II in the province of Albay.

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HISTORICAL LANDMARK

Extending northward from behind the catholic church, on the eastern part of the town, about a hundred yards from the highway, and rising a hundred feet from the ground, is a block of massive stone walls known to the inhabitants as the “seminary ruins.” The ruins, now enclosing no less than two hundred homes within its compound, stand fraught with the memories of a town at the height of its splendor suddenly threatened with destruction at the darkest hour in its history.

In 1851 when the church held sway over the state, a group of friars thought to erect a seminary for the education of the town’s youth. This was then in accordance with the educational aims of the friars to spread Christianity. With the cooperation of the capitans, then head of the town, the people, rich and poor alike were required to do their share. The poor who could not afford to contribute money were forced to labor. Men, women, and children were ordered to carry stones and sand for the walls. They were told to bring honey to be used in

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holding the stones together like cement. That is why no amount of earthquake or typhoon could shake a stone loose from it, people would tell proudly because of the honey used, although young cynics would say that the friars fooled the people into bringing honey for the walls which they themselves ate with relish in their dining rooms.

Finished in 1896 the colegio de San Buenaventura, as it was called had ninety rooms all of stones and of polished hard narra. Then in 1900 at the close of the Fili-Spanish revolt word of the capture of Manila Bay reached the ears of the Bicol insurrectos. Believing the Americans worse than the Spaniards and thinking that the beautiful seminary would tempt the Americans into staying and conquering the town, General Pawa ordered the building burned. Captain Jose Orfanel Divinagracia with his insurrectos piled thatch nipa and wood around the building and on a dark night in February 1900, set it afire.

Many believe the destruction was a wanton piece of sheer stupidity on the part of General

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Pawa, and it is with the deepest sadness and regret that people will tell the details of that eventful night, but whether the act saved the town from the invaders only the future could tell. The future did not reveal that American influence was beneficial, but then who could have foretold the future in those dim and dark days?

What the town would have been had the seminary been spared is a mystery neither the past nor the future could reveal. So remains the ruins, a living monument of a town and its people.

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The history of Guinobatan dates back to the year 1761 when it was made a town, thus separating it from Camalig. Previously, it was just a barrio of Camalig, the government being the barangay form and the rulers being called the “cabezas de barangay.” The organization of the town government was undertaken by Father Alonzo de Zafra, the first Spanish priest ever appointed to head the local parish. Soon the gobernadorcillo was appointed to organize the local government side by side with the church.

In the year 1854, through the enforced labor, the Rev. Father Carlos Cabido, a Jesuit priest, was able to erect the biggest seminary in Bicolandia right here in Guinobatan. It covered approximately 20,000 square meters. It was a school for higher education for boys who desired to become priests. Students from all over the Bicol region came to enroll in the Seminary. Most of the rectors were Jesuit priests. It took them several years of hard labor to build the church and seminary. Men and women contributed to its completion– some gave wood, others cement, still others sand and stones; while those who could not give any had to work for months in its construction, even small boys and girls did some work of bringing sand and stones from the river nearby.

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the church and seminary bordered the main street and the river behind. One part of it was the main church, another was the convent, others were the college or seminary, the walk or patio, the stables, the poultry yard, and the kitchen.

This college, however, was only for those who had already passed the grades, then called “astite.” Lower education was undertaken by private Catholic schools under teachers who had to get their education every Saturday from the “normal schools.” The “normal school” for male teachers was directed by “Maestro Enrique Villarreal” who became one of the oldest citizens of Guinobatan. In fact he was a centenarian when he died prior to the Second World War. The “normal school” for female teachers was under the management and tutorship of Maestrang Naneng (Mrs. Romana de Oyales).

No one was admitted to the seminary if he had not yet passed the “cartilla,” “caton,” “doctrina,” and “astite.” These were considered the primary schools during the Spanish regime.

In 1900, almost two years after the Americans had taken possession of the Philippines, the Filipinos again rose in rebellion against the new masters. They did not easily give up their new found freedom from the Spaniards. History tells us that they fought against the Americans until 1902 when the last two Filipino generals surrendered.

It was during the landing of the Americans in Legaspi in 1900 that General Pawa, the commander of the insurrectionists in Albay, burned the church and seminary upon learning that the Americans had landed. After transferring his guns and ammunition to Naga, he proceeded to the north, leaving behind him the smouldering

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ruins of the biggest college in the Bicol region. So through the selfishness, lack of foresight, and scorched earth policy of Gen. Pawa, the edifice that should have stood as a bulwark in education was reduced to ashes. The many years that had passed have failed to restore it to its former beauty.

When everything was settled and peace and order restored, Father Julian Ope, the curate who was a native of Guinobatan, spent his own money to rebuild part of the seminary which was just the church and the convent. It was through his unselfishness that we have once more a big church in our town, today a monument was erected in his honor just in front of the church that he had rebuilt. After several years the convent was destroyed by the elements. The present curate, Father Carlos Cadiola, has succeeded to build a wide and spacious convent fit for the bishop.

Despite all these improvements, the old and partial seminary remains in ruins. Only the high bare walls stand– a mute testimony of the grandeur of earlier days.

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THE GARDEN–TERRACE IN GUINOBATAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

On the outside wall, on the left wing of the Guinobatan Elementary School, one will find an inscription: A.D. 1914. It was in 1914 that the people of Guinobatan saw their first concrete elementary school building, painted white and green.

Behind the building, is a small lawn approximately two–hundred seventy square meters. For many years, it was on this small lawn that convocations, afternoon programs, school tea–parties and picture taking were held.

While the pupils, teachers and parents were enjoying themselves in the party or program, they would also see the view a little far beyond them– a hill covered with grass, some coconut trees and a number of banana plants. This hill was owned by Mr. Juan Garcia, a rich proprietor in the town. As years passed, enrollment in the Elementary School increased tremendously. Increase in the enrollment of gardening boys specially, caused the public school authorities to find ways and means to provide the boys adequate ground for gardening. The school, therefore, bought the one and one–half–hectare hill from Mr. Garcia.

In a short time, the trees were felled, the stumps up–rooted, the grass was cut, and the hill was cleared and fenced. Thus the hill became the Intermediate School garden. The garden was planted to onions, cabbage, lettuce, pechay, cullard, beans, corn and peanuts. However, during the rainy season of every year, the soil on the hill eroded. No teacher in the Gui–

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nobetan Elementary School had done more for the improvement and beautification of the hill than Mr. Ignacio Peñaflor, the Intermediate Gardening teacher. He successfully managed his boys to make terraces on the hill.

You need not go to Bontoc to see the beautiful rice terraces of the Ifugaos there. If you like to see the beauty of our garden–terrace, don’t go up the hill, don’t walk on the hill, either. Just stand near the town plaza, in front of the church and look in the direction of the Elementary School building. You would surely exclaim, “What a beautiful garden–terrace Guinobatan Elementary School has! It’s the best and the only one garden–terrace in the whole Bicolandia!”

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HISTORY OF CATHOLICISM IN GUINOBATAN

If Spanish colonization of the Philippines were to be evaluated in terms of their mission of spreading Christianity Spain has succeeded. Not only has she planted the cross in Philippine soil but also in Philippine hearts. For in Guinobatan alone, it is not only the size of the Catholic church and its ruins but the succession of Spanish and Filipino priests which shows that as history is concerned Spain has established her reign.

Since 1752 the spiritual progress of the people of Guinobatan has been left in the hands of the following clergymen:

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GROWTH OF LOCAL INDUSTRY

Guinobatan is a thriving first class town with ten thousand inhabitants in its poblacion only. What placed Guinobatan at the top in town classification, are its industries which has kept money rolling into the municipal coffers.

Previous to the Japanese occupation, farming was the chief industry of the people. Forced by the circumstances of war, many small industries began to sprout.

Of the three important industries which had its beginning during the hazardous days of occupation, only the “bakya” industry has survived. The other two– the cigarette making industry and the soap making industry died a natural death through foreign competition.

The Bakya industry is still a growing one. At present the industry has progressed into the machine stage. Five of the twenty makers of the town are using machine to speed up production. Bakya from the place are shipped to Manila and other provinces in the Islands.

Materials for the “bakya” are softwood called Ilang-ilang and Dita Dita, and plastic or rubber.

[p. 54]

The wood is found locally. The forests near yield a supply of this softwood more than enough for local consumption so that the town even ships the materials to other provinces. The plastic and rubber are ordered from the city. In spite of this, wooden slippers are sold for as cheap as twenty centavos a pair. The best kind sell for one peso.

No gigantic factories rise nor neon lights flash to advertise our growing industry, nevertheless it is a thriving one which feeds and clothes our children, as well as send them and keep them in school.

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BRIEF HISTORY OF THE UNION OBRERA OF
GUINOBATAN, ALBAY

The Union Obrera of Guinobatan was organized in the year 1933 by the humble and civic spirited Guinobataños headed by Mr. Eduardo Ocfemia, who was then the incumbent President.

In view of the favorable geographical condition of the town and the wholesome relation between labor and capital the Union Obrera of Guinobatan flourished.

At the outbreak of the war and during the Japanese occupation the Union Obrera of Guinobatan ceased operating. It started to function again on April 7, 1946.

At present the Union Obrera of Guinobatan has two hundred eighty members. It has a presentable office located in Anacleto del Rosario street, Guinobatan, Albay.

The following is the list of the Presidents of the Union:

[p. 56]

People in the mountain, observed the cries of the Kalaw or the hornbill just as they observed the crowing of the cocks. That is why this kind of bird is called the mountain clock.

The appearance of the “morning star”, to travelers and sailors, meant the approach of morning.

II. Like the methods of measuring time, our early people used to remember or record days and events in several ways. If you ask an old man when he was born, got married, and the like, he will tell you that he was born or got married during the time of “Capitan Tiago” or any other Capitan or who happened to be the mayor of the town at the time he was born.

Today if we want to know the kind of day, the next day, or some future events like rainy days, eclipses, etc. we look at our calendar or Almanac. But in those days future events are known through observations of the nature around them. The approach of the rainy season was known when the frogs croak. When pigs cough they were sure that in a day or two, rain would come. Reddish sunset meant an approach of a rainy day.

The last hour of the last day of the year was watched with earnest. An hour before the first hour of a new year the old men would watch keenly for any sign condition of a new year. If at that time to give a sign was a bird that chirped

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that the year would be characterized by prosperity. On the other hand, if a dog howled, the people become sorry for they knew that the year would be characterized by poverty pestilence and death.

Even the thunder was used to foretell future events. A thunder that occurs on December thirty first is watched with interest. They believed that a thunder that happens in the east would mean death to mostly young men during the year. A thunder heard overhead would mean death to middle aged people. And a thunder that occurred in the west would mean death to old men.

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AN INSIGNIFICANT TREE IN
-GUINOBATAN-

In every age, in every place and among all people, there are significant landmarks which sanction everyone’s interest and admiration. These landmarks, may for one reason or another be a marvel sight to all. As such, they become so well known and therefore closest to every native’s heart.

The town of Guinobatan is not wanting in these significant spots. Its inhabitants, young or old, rich or poor, know so intimately its monuments, its fountains, its kiosko, its water supply, its dikes, its historical ruins and its ancient buildings and homes. Yet, how many inhabitants pay any particular attention to an insignificant tree standing just a few steps behind the Rizal Monument? This “talisay” as it is commonly known, has stood on this particular spot for an enormous period of time. Our great, great, grandfathers saw this tree grow and develop into what it is now. So many storms have threatened to blow it down, but just the same it stands huskily there and defies all tempests.

One may ask, “Why is this tree worth any mention at all?” The answer is simple. Like a grand, peaceful, solemn edifice through which the stormy wind sighs a soothing monotone, it stands resembling a miniature castle which rises in rivalry to all the buildings around it. Many a child has stared at it with infantile delight. Many a weary traveler has found rest beneath its spreading

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branches. Many a sad heart has turned to it for solace and comfort. Like a friend and comforter, it has drawn many a tender and yearning heart more closely to Nature and to God. How many compliments have been aired beneath this shady tree of many generations? How many lovers have pledged their faith under its cool shade on moonlight nights? More than the world dreams of. Every passing cloud and every whispering breeze always find a ready welcome from this friendly and peaceful tree.

On October 21, 1952, after the devastating tricks of Typhoon Trix, this talisay was left without its top half, but all the more, it looked commanding with its spreading boughs and husky trunk. During fiestas and holidays, this tree has been illuminated with multi-colored lights, leaving it a marvelous sight for all. Indeed, this old, old tree deserves everyone’s attention in spite of its being only a tree.

-oooooo-

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TRADITIONS, CUSTOMS AND PRACTICES IN DOMESTIC
AND SOCIAL LIFE

BIRTH:-

1. It is customary among Filipinos, that during the delivery of the child nobody is allowed to enter the room, for his presence may cause the delay in the birth of the child. Only the comadrona is allowed and her helper to stay in the room.

2. When a pregnant woman feels that she will deliver, usually the old folks at home tells her to take a cup of chocolate, for according to them the delivery of the child is easy and immediate.

BAPTISM:-

1. During the baptismal ceremony, it is the duty of the godmother of godfather to pray, so that the child may not have difficulty to pronounce the words correctly and fluently, especially the letter “RR”.

2. Godparents should let the child hold a certain amount of money, as a sign of bright future and easy life.

COURTSHIP:-

1. An uninterested person usually known to both parties, advises the parents of the daughter, that

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