MUNICIPALITY OF JOVELLAR, ALBAY, Historical Data of

About these Historical Data

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FOREWORD

The collection and compilation of the historical data for the municipality of Jovellar was undertaken by the Jovellar Central School Committee composed of the Principal as chairman and the Central School Teachers as members with the help of the Barrio School Committees composed of the Head Teachers as Chairmen and their teachers as members.

Grateful acknowledgement is due to the following persons who rendered invaluable assistance to the different committees:

Mr. Tomas O. Fales
Mr. Osmundo T. Oyales

Special credit is also due to Mr. Vicente Macandog, Principal of the Jovellar Central Elementary School for his efforts in seeking the cooperation of the above-mentioned persons, for the arduous task of preparing the manuscript.

RAMON E. NAVERA
Supervising Principal

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INTRODUCTION

In view of the fact that the manuscript, books and other publications forming the collections of the National Library were almost entirely destroyed during the battle for the liberation of the City of Manila and among the documents destroyed were those manuscripts containing the important data relating to the history and culture of the barrios, towns, cities and provinces, His Excellency, the President of the Philippines, enjoined all agencies of the Government as well as private citizens in possession of any historical data in any form in his Executive Order No. 486, dated December 6, 1951, to extend their full cooperation to the Division Superintendents, District Supervisors, Principals, and teachers entrusted with the executive order, the

The following is the executive order:

MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 486

PROVIDING FOR THE COLLECTION AND COMPILATION OF HISTORICAL DATA REGARDING BARRIOS, TOWNS, CITIES, AND PROVINCES

WHEREAS, the manuscripts, books and other publications forming the collections of the National Library were almost entirely destroyed during the battle for the liberation of the City of Manila from the Japanese;

WHEREAS, among the documents destroyed were those manuscripts containing important data relating to the history and culture of our barrios, towns, cities, and provinces – manuscripts which were collected and preserved by virtue of Executive Order Nos. 2 and 136, dated January 26, 1911, and January 3, 1938, respectively; and

WHEREAS, it is for our advancement that such data be regathered and brought up to date from time to time, to serve as a source of inspirations and guidance for our future generations, as well as source materials for historians, investigators and researchers;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ELPIDIO QUIRINO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order;

That data on the history and culture of each barrio, town, city and province be collected and compiled;

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That the history of each province be written;

That the Division Superintendent of Schools direct the collection of these data and the preparation of the manuscripts, using the outline appearing in the Appendix hereto, which is hereby made an integral part of this Order;

All agencies of the Government as well as private citizens in possession of any pertinent historical data in any form are hereby enjoined to extend their full cooperation to the Division Superintendents, District Supervisors, Principals and teachers entrusted with the execution of the Order.

Done in the City of Manila, this 7^th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the sixth.

(SGD.) ELPIDIO QUIRINO
President of the Philippines

By the President:

(SGD.) MARCIANO ROQUE
Acting Assistant Executive Secretary

A true copy

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE
POBLACION OF JOVELLAR

PART ONE: HISTORY

PRESENT OFFICIAL NAME OF THE TOWN:

Since 1882 the official name of this town is JOVELLAR.

FORMER NAME AND ITS DERIVATION:

This town was formerly called QUIPIA. It was derived from two words, “QUI”, the first word is a Bicol term meaning, “belonging to”, and “PIA”, the second word is a name of a woman. During the early occupation of the Spaniards the present site of the poblacion was a dense forest only occasionally inhabited by wandering negritoes (agta*) who came only while hunting or fishing. It was said that the early settlers of this town came from the coastal region and they first established their homes in sitio Jilian then moved to that level land by the mouth of Quipia river. The leader of this first immigrants was a woman known by the name of PIA. When more people came to join the settlers and a sort of trade among nearby sitios progressed, the people when referring to the settlement of Pia merely called it “Qui Pia” or that belongs to Pia. Even long after that energetic woman died the place was always called Qui Pia and as the years dragged on the two words were merged into one and written as QUIPIA.

The name Quipia remained even when it was officially created a full-fledged town, but in 1882 it was changed into JOVELLAR merely through the efforts of the Spanish residents then more particularly the late Sr. Dn. Cipriano Anduiza. The word Jovellar was derived from a family name of a Spanish military officer, the famous “Capitan General” Jovellar.

DATE OF ESTABLISHMENT:

According to an old book published in 1885 by Missionary priests in the possession of the late Don Cipriano Anduiza who allowed the authors to important data and also according to the unpublished memoirs of the late Sr. Gregorio Oyales, entitled, “Datos Historicos de la Fundacion del Pueblo de Jovellar,” it is said that this town was founded in the year 1649 under the civil and ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the old town of Naga like most towns in the western part of Bicol Peninsula including the present towns of Donsol and Pilar, when the province of Ibalon (Albay) was created, Quipia (Jovellar) became a part of the new province.

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RANK AND SOCIAL STATUS OF THE FOUNDER:

There is no available record as to the names of the founders of this town for the same source cited above merely stated that it was through the efforts of the early missionary priests with the cooperation of the inhabitants that this town was founded. But when the name was changed from Quipia to Jovellar, it was through the influence of the late Sr. Dn. Cipriano Anduiza, and influential and powerful Spanish official then and with the help of the incumbent gobernadorcillo, Sr. Andres Moya; ex-gobernadorcillo Doroteo Macandog; and Victoriano Ry Abilla, Pantaleon Clemente, Felipe Agarin, Eufrasio Rodriguez and Isidoro Peres, all leading citizens of the period.

NAMES OF PERSONS WHO HELD LEADING POSITIONS AND THEIR TENURE OF OFFICE:

Though the town was officially created in 1649, it was governed through a “sub-teniente absoluto” with very loose control on civil affairs. The real governing power then was the “Cura Parroco” who exercised absolute authority over the people. It was in 1811, however, that the first gobernadorcillo was appointed. It was at first a one-year term. Then beginning in 1863, it was made a two-year term. In 1891 the name of gobernadorcillo was changed to capitan municipal.

The following are the gobernadorcillos:

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JAPANESE OCCUPATION:

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LIBERATION PERIOD:

PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC:

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DATA ON HISTORICAL SITES, STRUCTURES, BUILDINGS, OLD RUINS, ETC.

Every political upheaval that struck the Philippines, this town always suffered adverse effects. During the revolutionary days that culminated in the final overthrow of the arrogant and cruel Spaniards, this town did not escape total destruction of buildings and other important edifices, thereby effacing even the slightest trace of ancient landmarks of historical importance, however, there are a few spots now revered by our people as symbols of the toils and patriotism of our forefathers. That unpretentious and neglected

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hill just above the present municipal building is a memorable spot where the gallant Filipino soldiers, (the first American garrison here) ably defended their ground against the equally brave insurgents who at that period represented the ardent desire of the Filipino nation to establish a government of their own. That hill is a symbol of the American power but that precious little level land where now stand the church and the convent is just as much dear to us, being the spot where priceless blood of Filipino patriots soaked the earth in their futile attempt to drive the strong Americans forces here. It is the mute monument of the gallantry, bravery and patriotism of our forefathers.

IMPORTANT FACTS, INCIDENTS OR EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE:

(a.) DURING THE SPANISH REGIME there is today a very little record left that could fully tell us of important events. Like most of our ancestors during those barbaric days of the Spanish Regime, the early leaders of this town as well as the poor people suffered nameless abuses and injustices at the hands of the cruel Spaniards who made use of their absolute power in depriving the early inhabitants of their choicest lands, crops and other properties. The “cura parrocos” were in most cases arrogant and domineering that in 1869 when Sr. Romualdo Ibañes was the gobernadorcillo, he lost his self-control at the unbridled abuses of the priest, so the said town head gathered his men and armed with spears marched to the convent and challenged the priest to a duel. This offense led to the excommunication of the town. Again in 1872 another brave gobernadorcillo Hipolito Macandog had a serious trouble with the local priest. A great flood occurred in 1876 during the incumbency of gobernadorcillo Patricio Paraiso. It was the biggest flood in the history of this town. It covered almost two thirds of land area of the poblacion. The floods of 1915 and 1952 are incomparable with that of 1876.

(b.) During the American regime one of the most lamentable incidents that took place was the alleged accidental shooting of the incumbent Municipal President, Sr. Eleuterio Macandog by one of the officers of the Filipino forces under the American government. It was suspected that the incumbent President was in sympathy with the insurgents. Another gruesome event was the cholera epidemic of 1903. Hundreds died daily that in most instances in one big grave some twenty or more corpses were piled together. Another unforgettable memory was the great famine of 1919. Rice was so scarce and root crops were very limited that hunger was in every door. In 1936, a change in the political status of the Philippines took place. The Commonwealth Government was inaugurated. The town head was called Mayor. On December 12, 1941, Japanese soldiers landed at Legaspi, capital town of Albay, and on December 21, 1941, the first Japanese soldier in uniform appeared in Jovellar with ex-Governor Mariano Locsin and appointed the late Mr. Domaciano C. Arcangel as Municipal Mayor in lieu of the incumbent one, Mr. Leon M. Monilla who deserted his post and preferred to resist the Japanese even to

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the extent of suffering untold tribulations, dangers and hardships in the mountain fastness than to a life of ease and plenty under the Japanese puppetry.

(c.) On June 5, 1942, the first batch of Japanese soldiers with Filipino guides marched into this town causing the people to flee in panic. On July 14, 1942, a band of guerrilla led by the notorious Gregorio Casaul plundered the town. He ordered the houses burned after looting every store and house. On May 2, 1944, a group of unidentified guerrilla soldiers ambushed Arturo C. Macandog, the incumbent mayor under the Japanese sponsored Philippine Republic. October 21, 1945, Jovellar was made a spectacular scene when the first American goods consisting of rice, canned goods and other provisions were air-lifted. Giant flower-like parachutes of red, white and blue came from the plane with their precious cargo to the great delight of the inhabitants. The provisions were intended to an advanced observation post of guerrilla unit under Francisco (Paquito) de Leon. A few weeks later arms and munitions were air-lifted again to this town. American planes of various types hovered over the tranquil sky of Jovellar toward Legaspi where they unloaded their lethal cargo. When the last Japanese fox-hole was destroyed by the combined forces of the Americans and guerrilla soldiers, on November 15, 1945, Mr. Leon M. Monilla assumed his old post as Mayor of this town.

DESTRUCTION OF LIVES, PROPERTIES AND INSTITUTIONS DURING WARS, ESPECIALLY IN 1896-1900 AND 1941-1945:

In view of the fact that no major battle was fought in this town during those two great wars in our country toll on lives was indeed negligible though loss to properties was great. The town being hilly, the people during raids could easily take refuge in the nearby hills and escape death but their properties were either stolen or burned together with their homes.

After World War II through the benevolent help of the government of the United States of America, roads were rebuilt. The civilian populace rehabilitated their homes through the liberal aid of the Philippine-American War Damage Commission which paid private persons of their many damages and losses.

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PART II

FOLKWAYS:

It is a well established practice in this nook of the country that people adore and fear God. There is a very pronounced family tie in every home. Parents and elders are always regarded as superiors and they exercise real power and authority in their homes. Almost every social function of the community has its root in the family.

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BIRTH: This is regarded as a natural thing and always believed to be the starting cycle of life. Minute care is given to prospective mothers. Though most people now are with the benefit of modern facilities for delivery yet most people here prefer the services of midwives to competent physicians for financial reasons. In spite of what meagre education most mother gets from schooling, most of them are highly superstitious during birth.

BAPTISM: The ordinary baptismal rite in a catholic church is performed here, the people being 95% catholics. But being a fiesta-loving people, they even go to debt just to hold a pompous baptismal feast.

COURTSHIP: There are three factors that influenced the method of courtship here. First is the oriental custom: that one typified by the Chinese way. Parents even without the knowledge of their children arrange the match and the children meekly follow the wishes of their parents. Second, is the aristocracy of the Spanish way: that of holding or performing rigid, conventional and elaborate rites during courtship and marriage. Third, is the modern American way where the children have all the freedom of choice. As we see today our present youth runs after his girl and professes his love in exactly the same manner a leading man in a screen-play does. This is due to the American influence. If the girl accepts the advances of the lad and agrees to get married, in most cases the parents of the lad send a letter of proposal to the parents of the girl in the most elaborate style patterned after the conventional form of the Spanish way called “presentacion”. Then they undergo rigid rites, the Spanish influence. Parents of both parties must talk together all the details of the affairs and require the would-be-groom some dowry or labor before marriage in compliance with that age old oriental tradition. Marriage is always looked upon as the big moment of a family reunion. It is always an expensive affair.

DEATH AND BURIAL: It is a fact that every direct kin or relative of a family member shares in the laughter and merriment during pompous wedding feasts and in equal degree shares with them the bitter sorrows at times of death. Corpse is made to lie in state for no more than 24 hours after death and the neighbors and relatives contribute certain sums as financial aid and some stayed in vigil. Of course the owner of the dead entertains the visitors with food and drinks. And after the burial there is a successive ten nights of prayer called “decenario” and at the last night, another pompous feast is celebrated.

FESTIVALS: Our people are ordinarily gay and pleasure-loving ones. They are too highly hospitable. At every excuse they celebrate feast. Aside from the annual fiestas, people every time and again celebrated the so-called “aurora”, “novena”, “pabasa” during Holy Days and never fail to celebrate the May Flower festival the whole month.

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MYTHS, LEGENDS, BELIEFS, INTERPRETATIONS AND SUPERSTITIONS:

This town is not rich in myths and legends. Whatever we have here could not be called really our own. Most of them were but brought by our forefathers from their places of origin. Most of these have already found spaces in many Filipino books on folktales. However, our people are rich in superstitions. When that bird locally called “bareta” persistently sings at your right side, it is a sign of good tidings. But if in the left side, it is a sign of bad tidings. If one bites his tongue or lips accidentally, someone is gossiping against him. If a discordant owl hoots in the dead of the night some relative is going to die. If a colasisi flies at night, there will be a storm. But if it is a “tickline” flying across the sky at night, there is a with around. After marriage ceremony there is usually that race between the groom and the bride, each trying to step first on the doorsill. Whoever steps first is the master of the house. Taking a bath on Tuesday or Fridays is dangerous to health.

At the back of the Central School building, there is a beautiful waterfall. Out of the sound of the falling water in this fall our people can foretell a sunny season or a rainy one. In the dead of the night the sound of the falling water is very audible to the people nearby. Our old folks said that when the sound of the falls is hoarse and heavy, rainy season would follow; but when the falling water has a clear and metallic ting, it foretells of a sunny season. That is a very old interpretation here of season. When the moon wears a ring it also foretells of a rainy season.

POPULAR SONGS, GAMES AND AMUSEMENTS:

“Manang Polana” is a popular old song of the people. It has a lively music with numerous wordings that tells of the mischief of a country lass. Sipa was once a popular game among the men and sungka is still a favorite pastime of ladies in the homes.

PUZZLES AND RIDDLES:

1. “Balay ni Sta. Ana palibot espada.” (House of St. Ana is surrounded by swords) Answer: Pineapple plant.
2. “Balay ni San Gabriel palibot badil.” (House of St. Gabriel is surrounded by guns) Answer: Papaya tree.
3. “Tobig sa ricandican dai na oranan.” (Rain fails to fall in the water of ricandican) Answer: Water in a coconut
4. “Tobig na potos papel, so papel napotos porol.” (Water is bound by paper and the paper is bound by cement) Answer: Egg.
5. “Peripit baga dagom, boclad baga payong.” (Rolled like a needle unfolded like an umbrella) Answer: Gabi leaf.

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PROVERBS AND SAYING:

1. “An tapayas mindi namomgfang bayawas.” (A papaya does not bear guava.)
2. “Anpoon pa an palapala con tigbak na an carabasa.” (What use is the trellis when the squash is dead.)
3. “An naga para pili naca piling tabigud.” (He who is very particular in selecting anything finds the worst at last.)
4. “An simong gawe-gawe simo man sana popoli.” (You reap all your evil deeds.)
5. “An matakot sa doron daing anihon.” (He who fears the locusts reaps nothing.)

PART III

INFORMATION ON BOOKS AND DOCUMENTS TREATING THIS PHILIPPINES:

1. Compilation of important data about Bicoland taken from that book bearing no title but merely a compilation also of the early works of missionary priest published in 1889. In my possession.
2. “Datos Historicos de la Fundacion del Pueblo de Jovellar by the late Sr. Gregorio Oyales”. In my possession.
3. History of Jovellar written by Sr. Donaciano C. Arcangel and Tomas C. Pales, published in 1938. In my possession.
4. “The Development of Philippine Politics” by Maximo M. Kalaw. In my possession.
5. “Lista Cronologica de los que han sido Capitanes Municipales de Jovellar, antes Quipia.” In the possession of Mr. Osmundo Oyales.

THE NAMES OF FILIPINO AUTHORS BORN OR RESIDING IN THE COMMUNITY:

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