MUNICIPALITY (NOW CITY) OF LIGAO, 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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[p. 2, Foreword]

FOREWORD

This book is a compilation of data on the history of the town of Ligao, Albay, together with its barrios. The materials were gathered by all the teachers of Ligao from old books, documents, and records found in the hands of old residents, the church and the municipal government officials. Most of the legends, proverbs, riddles, and superstitions were furnished by cooperative old folks of each community.

The compilation of this book was made possible through the invaluable services rendered by the teachers, municipal and church officials, and other people in each community who furnished most of the data.

(SGC) Hilarion Orbeta
Supervising Principal I

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HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN OF LIGAO

Part One: History

Present official name of the town: Ligao

The history of the origin and their meaning or derivations:

Mr. Mariano Goyena, a Filipino historian and author of the Bicol Region in his Spanish book entitled Ibalon pages 205 – 207 tells about the history of the origin of the town of Ligao thus:

“Some people derive the origin of the name Ligao from a small tree called ‘licau,’ the leaves of which kill the fishes when thrown into the water. (See: ‘Vocabulario dela Lengua Bicol’ por Rev. Fr. Marcos de Lisboa, O.F.M., Manila, 1875.)”

“Most of us believe that the word Ligao comes from the Bicol term ‘licau,’ which means to go around and applied as a substantive means to go by deviating from the ordinary or usual way.”

“Ligao is separated from Guinobatan by the mountains of Banao and Binogsacan. Between them is a deep valley where flows the Banao river, a tributary of the Bicol River. It is also separated from Tabaco, the east seaport, about 25 kilometers of good road, by mountains of Labnig, Masaraga, and Tabigulan whi[page torn] rise to the source of the abundant flow of water what is now called the River of Nasisi.”

“Father Huerta says that Ligao was divided five ‘barangays’ which were ruled by ‘maguinoos’ or chiefs whose names were: Pakilatan, Maabau, Sampongan, Makabongoy, and Hokoman. Hokoman was their head and he too had the full control of the barangay in Cabasi, a barrio noted for its abaca plantation.”

“Father Huerta says also that a Spanish Chieftain had the ability to pacify the disputes among maguinoos, who were the leaders in their barangays and who threatened the peace and tranquility of the town. With the consent and approval of the other datus maguinoos, Pakilatan was designated by the other datus to be the head to shoulder the control of the different heads of the barangays. Because of the solution to this peace and order problem the Spaniards succeeded in making the maguinoos submit to the light of the new rule.”

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“Founded as a barrio of Polangui in the year 1606, Ligao was incorporated to Oas in 1665; and in 1666 given its independence. It is a town excellent in the production of abaca. It has good roads, big concrete buildings, and its church is the biggest and most beautiful in the region!”

Reference: Ibalon, Pp. 206–207.

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Date of Establishment

In 1606, under the Spanish regime, Ligao was a sitio of Polangui, known as Cabasi, a place where abaca grew in abundance. Cabasi was formed by five “rancherias” o “baligay” ruled by “maguinoos” namely: Pakilatan, Maabau, Sampongan, Makaboingay and Hokoman. Hokoman, the last and the chief of them all reigned supreme.

These rulers enjoyed the same rights and privileges in their respective “rancherias”. But in the free exercise of their powers, each tried to outdo or subdue the other owing to their hostile nature. Consequently, there arose bitter disputes among them, a threat to the peace and order of the sitio.

A worthy Spanish leader played host to the amicable settlement of the dispute. After having gained the consent of all, Pakilatan was designated chief among the rulers, with the supremacy of mandate over all others. The “maguinoos” were pacified in time, thereby, doing justice to the settlers in their respective rancherias.

This peaceable settlement marked the beginning of a new era of civilization.

In 1665, Ligao was annexed to Oas, a year later, it became a separated town independent of Oas, and Polangui.

Reference: Monographia Historica de la Region Picolana by Mariano Goyena del Prado, p. 206.

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SOCIAL STATUS OF THE FOUNDERS OF LIGAO

Early in 1606 there existed a small tribe that settled in one of the sitios of Polangui. This tribe lived peacefully and in abundance. Nobody was designated to lead or rule them but each family contributed to the peace and tranquility of the sitio.

Owing to their peaceful plight, some settlers came and joined them. The inhabitants increased in number. This time troubles arose. Old people, born to be leaders, interfered and subdued settlers who were aggressive. The old people were unschooled but were respected, and looked upon as leaders. There were five of them responsible for the founding of the sitio called Cavasi, now known as Ligao. They were Maaban, Sompongnan, Makabongay, Pagkilatan, and Hokoman. They helped together rule the sitio.

Reference: Monografia de la Historia de la Bicolandia by Mariano Goyena y Prado p. 206

Compiled by:

(Mrs.) Isidra F. Aldea

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NAMES OF PERSONS WHO HELD LEADING OFFICIAL POSITIONS IN THE COMMUNITY. DURING THE SPANISH TIME THE LEADING OFFICIALS WERE GOBERNADORCILLO, CAPITAN MUNICIPAL, TENIENTE ABSOLUTO, CURA PARROCO, JUECES DE SEMENTERA Y DE POLICIA and MAESTRO MUNICIPAL.

GOBERNADORCILLO

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CAPITAN MUNICIPAL

TENIENTE ABSOLUTO

1. Sr. Francisco Viniegras
2. Sr. Francisco Cabrera
3. Sr. Ramon Calvo
4. Sr. Basilio Torrecillos

CURA PARROCO

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JUECES DE SEMENTERA Y DE POLICIA

1. Don Antonio Sanchez Muñoz
2. Don Martin Achaval, Sr.
3. Don Cipriano Anduiza
4. Don Lorenzo Lopez

MAESTRO MUNICIPAL

1. Sr. Hugo Cordial
2. Sr. Antonio Garcia
3. Sr. Gil de la Fuente
4. Sr. Nicomedes Quintana
5. Sr. Felipe Asuncion
6. Sra. Brigida Placides
7. Sr. Clemencia Vejerrano
8. Sr. Maximina Ola
9. Sr. Exequiela Vilches
10. Sr. Juana de Peralta

AMERICAN REGIME

JAPANESE OCCUPATION

AFTER LIBERATION

VICE-PRESIDENTS & VICE MAYORS

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COUNCILORS

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE

1. Mr. Esteban Delgado
2. Mr. Emeterio Lopez
3. Mr. Lorenzo Lopez
4. Mr. Felipe Imperial
5. Mr. Vicente Tuazon
6. Mr. Luis Llacer
7. Atty. Marcelo Pecuenco
8. Mr. Bernardino Reniva
9. Mr. Alipio Arcilla

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(Justice of the Peace cont.)

10. Atty. Antonio de los Reyes
11. Atty. Alfredo Nebueno
12. Atty. Justino Casimiro
13. Mr. Isaac Monasterial
14. Atty. Reginaldo Torres
15. Atty. Ludolfo Muñoz

MUNICIPAL SECRETARY

1. Mr. Gerardo General
2. Mr. Juan Mella
3. Mr. Manuel Grante
4. Mr. Eustaquio Ros
5. Mr. Isaac Monasterial
6. Mr. Serapion Ruivivar
7. Mr. Juan Rayala
8. Mr. Apolonio Muñoz
9. Mr. Jose Cervantes
10. Mr. Pablo Balana

MUNICIPAL TREASURER

1. Mr. Severino Monasterial
2. Mr. Jose Sarte
3. Mr. Policarpo Ordiz
4. Mr. Melquiades Raginio
5. Mr. Emiliano Armero
6. Mr. Francisco Armeña
7. Mr. Jose Thomas
8. Mr. Sofio Serviño

CHIEF OF POLICE

SOURCES OF INFORMATION:

1- Cronologia in the hands of Mr. Antonio Balana.

2- Records in the Office of the Municipal Secretary.

3- Records in the Parish Convent of Ligao, Albay.

[Note to the reader/researcher: There is a missing page before the next one, page 14 as to this transcription. No explanation is provided by the National Library of the Philippines.]

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orders were dealt with severely, the punishment consisting of lashes with a leather “LATIGO” or whip or excessive fines if the guilty party was of some influential status in the community or sometimes imprisonment or death. A Spanish engineer who had been imported from Spain usually was in charge of the construction.

MATERIALS

Just as the Filipinos had learned much in the art of construction from the Spaniards so did the Spaniards learn many minor details in the uses of different native materials. Stone had to be hewn laboriously into slabs or blocks in place of bricks and tiles which were in abundant in Spain but nowhere may be found in the Islands. It was not until more than half a century that the Spaniards found in this province a similar clay substance that could be moulded and kilned into bricks and tiles that they stopped importing these from Spain. Wood was used for floors in the second story while hewn slabs or flat faced stones or rocks were used for the main floor of most public and even private buildings. The Spaniards had brought modern tools—augers, hammers, saws, etc. from Spain including nails, bolts and screws. With all these modern conveniences and free labor, it still took them months and even years to build a church or municipal building.

METHODS

The early method of construction was far from modern. They had obscure and poorly sketched plans. They started more or less systematically although the frequent changes in engineers, foremen and administration in the construction wreaked havoc with the time schedule of the completion of the building. They had one large group hewing stones, another to transport them to the building site, another group having rough loss to shape and still another group to bake the clay brought from Tiwi that made up the chief bulk of roofing materials. Pottery had already existed before Magellan, but it never occurred to the natives to have houses built of this material. There were from twenty to fifty different groups assigned to different tasks. Great scaffoldings had to be built all around the construction area. The big square hewn stones had to be brought up to these scaffoldings manually and placed on top of each other. Earthquakes usually occurred two or three times a year and shook these walls of rocks and stone down or precariously out of place. They would have to start all over again so that a church would be completed after four or five years. The Spaniards in Mindanao and the eastern coastal town of Luzon had chanced upon some stone structures used as look out towers by ancient Filipinos seeking protection from Moro piratical raids. They found them glued together by an odd mixture of fine sand and clay. Upon further investigation, the ancient Filipinos, still alive during that time, told them that “tanguli” of honey from bees had been mixed with fine clean sand and “malipap” a kind of very sticky clay. Forthwith after a little experiment, they the

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Spaniards found the correct measurements of quantities to make the best mortar possible to cement rocks and stones together. (From Fr. Miguel de Lesboa – preface pp. iv Vocabulario Bicol-Español – 1716).

EARLY SPANISH BUILDINGS
QUARTEL

This was one of the first permanent buildings constructed by the followers of the great Spanish Conquistador, Legazpi, in the presidio of Ligao. It was a stone building to house the Spanish soldiers assigned to this town. It was built about 20 meters from the present location of the Ligao Motor Works owned by Mr. Luis Peciller. The present ruins that can be seen there are what remain of the second building that housed the “quartel” and the “carcel” (headquarters and jail) built after the original building was destroyed by an earthquake in 1821.

PRESIDIO

This was first begun in the dry season of 1596. It was abandoned for a quarter of a century then began again in 1621. After a year, progress was so slow that it was abandoned again for another quarter of a century. In 1655 work was resumed and in 1691 when it was near completion, work was stopped, partly due to another construction going up at that time: the church. The “frailes” (Friars) and the military began to bicker and quarrel until at last the religious won and caused the general shift of labor from the presidio to the church. In 1671 the military were in power again but the church continued to be built under the direction of the new friar assigned there. The presidio was completed first on January 8, 1678. This big building housed the offices of the Gobernadorcillo, Capitan municipal, jueces de sementera, and the Jefe de Guardia Civil. It also had a big jail housing more than four hundred convicts. A year later the convicts staged a riot and looted, burned and gutted the building. Before it could be repaired, a series of strong earthquakes razed it to the ground. A wooden structure replaced it which withstood the elements for a full century. At the close of the 18th century, there were plans to build a permanent construction of masonry. In 1821 plans were drawn. Approval came fifteen years later. Construction began in 1837 and in 1851 it was completed. It was one of the biggest presidios in the Bicol Region. The destructive eruption of Mayon causing the complete burial of Daraga in 1814 caused a series of earthquakes which destroyed this beautiful building. Ten years later it was rebuilt. The years of the revolution saw its demolishment. It was again reconstructed in 1903 destroyed again during an earthquake and eruption of Mayon in 1906. It was again rebuilt partly again and lasted up to World War II when the whole building was destroyed. In 1948 it was rebuilt as it stands today.

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Important Facts, Incidents or Events that Took Place in Ligao During the Spanish Occupation

In the year 1702 the municipal government of Ligao was organized, with Don Miguel Tuagnon appointed as the first gobernadorcillo by the Spanish Alcalde who lived in Albay. Albay then was already the capital of the province. The following year, Fernando Dayangon took the place of Don Miguel, as at that time the appointment for such an office had to be renewed yearly. But if the actual gobernadorcillo had satisfactorily served, he continued his office for successive years, until his service was no longer needed and another man was appointed to take his place. In the following chronology of the gobernadorcillos or capitanes municipales (municipal captains) you will notice that some of them remained in office for several years. During their terms of office, important events took place. These were written in line with their names. At that time the Filipinos loathed the Spaniards as the government was not democratic. Oftentimes people were imprisoned, tortured and killed without the chance of a fair trial.

All public buildings in Ligao, like the church, municipal and school buildings, bridges and roads were constructed under forced labor. Workers who failed to come were punished publicly and sometimes died in jail. The Cabezas de Barangay or the Barrio Lieutenants who failed to turn over to the gobernadorcillo the tributes they collected from their followers, were tortured and their properties confiscated by the municipal government. Because of this tyranny and cruelty, the people revolted against the Spaniards and won their cause. The Philippines became a republic with General Emilio Aguinaldo as the first president.

At this time in Ligao, there were still many Spanish soldiers who were called cazadores. The people who hated them most revolted one day in 1898 when Capitan Santos, who was then the municipal president, armed themselves with clubs, bolos, bows and arrows, spears and a few shotguns, attacked and killed those whom they met. Those who escaped took refuge in the houses of kindly Ligaoans who hid and sheltered them for months until the people’s hatred subsided. Those who lived longer preferred to remain and die among Ligaoans.

Before 1895 murderers and thieves were influential, were hidden by Spanish officials. In those days teachers were called the maestro. One of the prominent teachers of the time was Sra. Cortial. Others were Conrado Sto. Tomas and Gil de la Fuente. Bicol and Spanish were among subjects taught. There were no

[Note to the reader/researcher: There is another missing page before the next one, page 17 as to this transcription. No explanation is provided by the National Library of the Philippines.]

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Basilio Torrecillas – Lieutenant of the guardia civil.
Jose Jauro –
Mariano Majares – Journalist.
Cipriano Anduiza – Justice of the peace.
Martin Achaval – “ “ “
Martin Mainit – Doctor of Medicine.
Constancia Benito – Watch Repairer.
Jose Sevilla – Land Surveyor.
Isidro Diaz – Bookkeeper.
Vicente Novo – Fisher Inspector.
Manuel Jonsayro – Internal Revenue Collector.
Anastacio Hementeria – Merchant.
Estanislao Villegas – Land Owner.

Incidents That Took Place During the American Occupation

On January 5, 1900, the Americans first landed in Legaspi. Most of the people in the province including those from Ligao who feared the newcomers, fled to the mountains, leaving their houses in the Poblacion. Some of those people formed themselves into groups (insurrectos, which are similar to our guerillas, and engaged in guerilla warfare. They defied and fought the Americans whenever they had the chance to. Esteban Delgado who remained in the Poblacion was made head of the town. Even after two years the people continued to stay in the distant hill. What is tragic to note was the cholera epidemic in 1902. The people who knew very little, if at all, of fighting diseases, suffered tremendously. Hundreds died during the plague.

Jose del Rosario Sr. then was the mayor from 1901 to 1903. During his last year in office “the Reconcentracion” took place. The people were asked to return to the Poblacion.

Next to occupy the mayoralty was Lorenzo Lopez. The later days of his rule (1904-1905) were days of crisis, brought about by a destructive typhoon on September 25, 1905.

Successor to Mr. Lopez was Roman Jaucian (1906-1907). Next came Tomas Luna (1908 – 1909). His reign saw the eruption of Mount Mayon.

The mayor to hold that office for six successive years was Paulino Pulvinar. He occupied that position from 1910 to 1915. Mr. Pulvinar made several improvements in the town. Constructed artesian wells, market place, the Legaspi highway and the Via Ferdinaria.

From 1916 to 1921, Jose Delgado became the mayor. Sometime in 1917, the Americans put up the electric plant, now owned and operated by the local electric plant. During his time, the first Alator Office was made. With the improvements, there was also a shortage in rice. People took bread for their meals.

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In 1922, Mariano Ros became mayor. The next year it was Roman Jaucian. He was instrumental in the construction of the Ligao Public School at Tinag-an in 1924. Mr. Jaucian served as mayor until 1926. When Jaucian died in 1927, Maximo Prellamante took over. He is to be credited for the construction of the fountain just facing the municipal building then.

The next three years it was Salvador Jaucian. In 1927, the railroad trip from Ligao to Manila was inaugurated. To safeguard the public's health, the first water system was constructed. The source comes from Banial.

When President Jaucian's term expired Jose Sadilla Jr. was elected in 1931. He took that position until 1939. His term saw the opening of the Ligao-Tabiran road. Soon to follow was the exploration of mountain wealth in the establishment of mining grounds. Credit for the latter was given to Representative Pedro Sabido. In 1930, there was another eruption of Mayon volcano. The angry volcano once more brought destruction to both properties and lives. The next mayor was Jose Parlade Sr. Jose Zulu inaugurated the Ligao-rangani-ran road.

Other Important Personnels and Events

1. Consecration of Bishop Casimiro Lladoc of Ligao in Naga, Cam. Sur. He was assigned to Negros with Bacolod city as his residence.
2. Jecillo Sentila of Ligao was consecrated assistant bishop of Nueva Caceres.
3. Tomas Luna was elected representative of the third district of Albay.
4. The late Francisco Querol donated a part of the land where our intermediate building is located now. Mr. Querol also donated a partial of land on the Barayong-Ligao road.
5. The first intermediate school in the third district was established in Ligao. Students from Oas, Polangui and Libon came to study. The school was housed in Achaval's residence in Dona.
6. Two native sons of Ligao, Hon. Francisco Rumbo and Hon. Jose Jonsayro represented the third district in the Constitutional convention which drafted our Constitution on July 30, 1934.
7. Our famous men in the military field:
   1. Col. Jose Solotan
   2. Col. Francisco Laita
   3. Col. Alejandro Tresesos
   4. Col. Benito Gapay
   5. Capt. Vicente del Rosario
   6. Capt. Zuelo Quitsol
   7. Capt. Engineer Arturo Flores
   8. Capt. Salvador del Rosario
   9. Capt. Jose Ma. Sarte Jr. of the navy

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Important Facts, Incidents or Events That Took Place During and After World War II

When the Japanese forces landed in Legaspi on December 12, 1941, the civilian population of Ligao fled to the hills. Some went to the nearby barrios. Ran-san then became the sub-town during the early part of the enemy occupation. Very much later on the people returned back to their homes. Three or four months after the enemy occupied Ligao, a garrison was stationed. Buildings that were occupied were the Intermediate School building in Tinag-an, the Primary School building and Hall's building. The people became used to the Japanese ways, though the hard way. Everyone went on with his trade as usual. Prices of commodities went sky-high. The Japanese money was in circulation. Many became rich overnight.

Under this puppet government, primary education was resumed. The Japanese language or Nihonggo was now a part in the curriculum. From 1942 up to 1943, Ligao enjoyed a life of peace. Attorney Florentino Jaucian was designated as mayor at the time. The rest of the people who were still in hiding in the barrios, returned to town and enrolled their children. In the early part of 1944 news began to spread that the Americans were going back to liberate the Philippines from the Japanese. Again the people evacuated and classes were to be stopped. The Japanese soldiers became wise to the people's movement coupled by the frequent encounter of their soldiers with Filipino guerrillas, began to kill people suspected of being a guerilla. Elies Abor was appointed mayor of Ligao by the Japanese officials. Japanese authorities were responsible for the atrocities committed in the town. Namely Tanashita, Yamasaki, Yamamoto and Makido. Ligawenos suspected as guerrillas were brutally tortured when caught. By this time guerilla units under the commands of Major Sandico, Capt. Jaucian, Capt. Salvador del Rosario and Lieutenant Silvestre Villasor made daring exploits. It was during one of the encounters with the enemy that Capt. del Rosario was fatally wounded and succumbed later on.

Mr. Salvador Nepada was the only Ligaweno who could talk Nipongo with a deft tongue and so he was made the Japanese interpreter of the town. Japanese officials who knew very little of English found him very helpful when they want to translate the confessions of prisoners.

Long before the war, three Japanese families were among the residents of this town. They found the people kind and friendly. Put up a business and when it prospered, this added to their firm belief that Ligao was the place for them. Months later they got married and their children could not be mistaken as one of our people. With the passing of the years, these children of the Oba family, Makido and Morota earned themselves the good reputation of being worthy sons of Ligao. In school and learned at heart what was there to learn.

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When the Japanese soldiers came to Ligao, those people served as guides. They showed the Japanese soldiers the way to the barrios and soon enough the soldiers began to conduct patrols in the hope that they could catch better those engaged in guerrilla activity. In some of these patrols, a few women fell victims to the desires of the small eyed beasts.

In March 1942, Mayor Jose Saride Jr. resumed office. He appointed Mateo Olivares as Chief of Police. Members of his force were Benito Bolanos, Pedro de Paula, Jacob Jogno, Margarito Ritañit (deceased) and Justino Dayandante, another deceased.

Before the war, the Chief of Police was Zosimo Pulvinar. During the early part of the occupation, he was killed in Bolinao by people who call themselves guerrillas. These people believed that he was a collaborator responsible for the death of many prisoners and therefore a menace to the people that his liquidation became a must among guerrilla officers. For his sins, the ex-police chief paid the penalty of death.

During the war, several organizations were formed. One of these was the WAS – Women’s Auxiliary Service which was patterned after the Americans. Only women volunteers became members of that organization. They gave first aid to the wounded soldiers... lifted the morals of the guerrillas.

On September 17, 1944, Ligao had its first taste of American bombs. Those who were at the market that day will always remember the event that claimed five Filipino lives. To us Ligaweños it was a most tragic thing to happen and yet in our hearts was a secret rejoicing that after all the years of hope and prayer we will be free once more.

As the days wore on, conditions grew worse. The Japanese, sensing the danger they were in, became more fierce and barbarous. Some people who were then very close to the Japanese officers or who had a queer way of knowing the enemy’s insidious plans, regale with horror in their eyes the story of what could be the end for many of us. Those who were to be caught will be herded in the prepared foxes covering a large portion of the plaza and were to be shot like dirty animals. This was their plans.

When Mayor Jose Saride, Jr. learned that liberation was not far, he and family fled to Ilawod where he could be far from the clutches of the barbarous Japanese. Elias Tibor, whose eldest daughter was married to a Japanese officer, took over. His good work saved many a policeman’s head from either the Samurai sword or by the firing squad.

In January 1945, several raids were made by American planes stationed in Leyte. This went on for days and caused a lot of trouble among the Japanese. The continued bombing in Malacbalac had the Japanese believe that the Americans were to land there, but they were wrong. For on April 1, 1945, just as the people of Ligao were celebrating Easter Sunday, wave by wave of American planes

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