MUNICIPALITY POLANGUI, ALBAY, Historical Data of Part 1

PART I

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About these Historical Data

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[Cover page]

Historical Data
of the
Municipality of Polangui

[p. 2, Foreword]

F O R E W O R D

In order to instill in our progeny some justifiable pride in our cultural heritage, the cultural and historic past of the municipality of Polangui has been dug up.

The Committee does not claim completeness of the materials herein. As a matter of fact, the Committee feels that if by them they have made a modest contribution in dispersing the gloom which has veiled the past of Polangui, then they would feel amply rewarded in their humble efforts.

Humble thanks are hereby proffered to Don Elias Ma. Ataviado for the wide use of his book, “La Revolucion en las Tierras Albayanas,” to Very Rev. Fr. Luis Dimarumla for the use of the Book, “Ibalon” which is now in his possession, to Rev. Fr. Vidal Rompis for his copy of the Parish Priests of Polangui since 1823, to Misters Juan Florin, Juan Sarte, Domingo Salalima, Dioscoro Salting and many others for their valuable information.

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THE LOCAL COMMITTEE

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

UNIT I – HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE POBLACION OF POLANGUI

UNIT II – FOLKWAYS OF THE POBLACION OF POLANGUI

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UNIT III – HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE BARRIOS OF POLANGUI

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- o0o -

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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE TOWN OF POLANGUI

Derivation of “POLANGUI.” The name Polangui, was taken from the name of a tree, “oyagñi,” which was abundant in the area where the town was founded. When the Spaniards came to this town, one of them inquired from an old man about the name of the tree. The man answered “oyagñi” but the Spaniards must have understood “Polagñi” and wrote “Polagñi” in his memorandum notebook. It was hard for the Spaniards to pronounce “Polagñi” so they said Polangui (with a hard “g”) to suit their tongue. From that time the town was named after the tree which was its distinguishing landmark.

Foundation of the town. The foundation must have taken place in the latter part of 1583 or in the early part of 1584, because according to an old manuscript still preserved in the archives of Manila, this town already existed in the latter part of 1584. The foundation of this town is attributed to the fervent zeal of the Reverend Friar Baltazar de la Magdalena.

This town was formed by joining five barrios of about one hundred persons each, under this unusual circumstance; the first persons baptized on the day of foundation were twenty-five men who were apparently 60 years old or over.

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Former name of Polangui. The town was first located in a place called “Binanuaan” but because the area was often flooded, it was transferred to a small hill toward the north of Binanuaan. Much later it must have been transferred to another place, because the town now is found in a beautiful valley.

Geographical Sketch. Polangui is located at 130 17’ 30” latitude, on a plain or spacious valley at the right of Bilibig River. On the north it is confined along an extension of three leagues by the town of Buhi, belonging to the province of Camarines Sur, on the East by Masaraga mountain, and on the west by the Villa de Libon, along an extension of one league.

Its climate is temperate and healthful, especially on the northern and southern sides. It is irrigated by the river that passes through it, the water of which is good. There are two roads towards Oas and Libon on which may be found two stone bridges constructed around 1832 under the direction of the Reverend Friar Jose Arnau. There is also a horsepath to the town of Buhi, rather difficult to pass during rainy season. Mail is received, on the northern part every Tuesday, and on the western part, on Thursday, and sent on the same day.

The town in 1865. In 1865 the whole town counted with around two hundred-thirty wooden houses, and almost one thousand houses made of nipa, including three barrio chapels (visitas) in Ponso, Balinad, and Lanigay.

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The Parish in 1865. The parish was administered by Reverend Friar Isidro Pons, and assisted by a cleric as coadjutor. The status of the parish of Polangui in 1865 was:

Economic condition in 1865. The confines of this town extend from north to south, a matter of six leagues, and from east to west, about two leagues. It covers extensive plains with good pasture, and on the north, may be found an abundant supply of wood and a good lime quarry. The cultivated area which is fertilized by irrigation, produces much rice, abaca, a small supply of sugarcane, and various fruits and vegetables. Its inhabitants are given to farming and the production of abaca and the women to the weaving of sinamay. The woven cloth together with the excess farm products are brought to the markets of Ligao, Oas, and Albay (Old Albay).

Reference. Thus far was the report of the Discalced Franciscan Friars in 1865 entitled, “Estado Geografico, Topografico, Historico Religioso de la Santa Apostolica Provincia de S. Gregorio Magno.”

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THE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT DURING THE SPANISH REGIME

Important Offices. During the Spanish regime the leading officials of the towns, then know as “pueblos,” were the governadorcillo, the capitan municipal, teniente absoluto, cura parroco, jueces de sementera y policia and the maestro mayor.

Town Officials and their tenures. The only extant records simply reveal the names of the “capitan municipal” (the Spanish time counterpart of our present municipal mayor) since 1750. They are:

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Role of Parish Priests:- The most influential man of the town during the Spanish regime was the parish priest.

He was veritably the “man behind the throne.”

Parish Priests Since 1823:- The list of parish priests which is found in our parish church is incomplete. It only begins with 1823.

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Chronological order of events:- The march of time in Polangui during the Spanish Regime:

1654 - Father Alonso de San Juan initiated the building of the present Catholic Church.

1664 - The church was finished by Father Juan Bautista.

1832 - Two roads were opened (one leading to Oas and the other leading to Libon) by Father Jose Arnau. Six stone bridges were also constructed by the same priest.

1847 - Polangui was declared a town of Albay. Don Juan Eusebio was then the “capitan” of this town.

1850 - “Capitan Camilo Mella Silva named the “sitio” on the other side south of the river, “Obaliw” meaning” on the other side of the river”. Two roads were built in this site. The western end of this side was called “Buayacudus” or “Buhay na Cruz” the vernacular of “liming cross.” The story runs that green leaves sprang forth from the short beam of the wooden cross which was planted here.

1851 - Don Jose Duran repaired the irrigation dams.

1856 - Father Francisco Cabrera directed the construction of our present day cemetery at the foot of the mountain, a kilometer north of the church. To the town of Polangui belongs the distinct honor of having the oldest cemetery in the province of Albay. He also directed the construction of eight stone bridges.

1857 - The roads in Centro Occidental were widened by Don Sacramento Salvo.

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1860 - Capitan Gabriel Salaver ordered that the lands west of the church be levelled.

1867 - Father Manuel Crespo directed the construction of the road from Polangui to Bato, Camarines Sur. Two roads were also opened (one leading to Buhi, Camarines Sur and the other to the so called “Abacalero Barrio de Ponso.”

1873 - A strong flood swept over the town, some drowned persons were found near the foot of the bamboo trees in the “sitio” of Nacascasen.

1876 - (October 22nd) A big fire razed most of the town. It began from Mr. Juan Diaz' house now (Lo Suyco's house) to the barrio of Quinali.

1884 - The road to Buhi was finished.

1886 - Father Eusebio Platero had the Quinali river dug to facilitate the water transportation from Polangui to Nueva Caceres, now Naga City.

1887-1889 - Don Margarito Sadueste ordered each poor family to have a pair of carabaos (male and female) and a pair of horses (male and female.)

Mayon Volcano errupted. The day became so dark that the people lighted their lamps and the chickens came home to roost at noon.

1891 - There was a typhoon (nicknamed “Incoy-Incoy”) because the people had been dancing “Incoy-Incoy” before it came) Which old people say, was stronger than Typhoon “Trix.” It unroofed the church and the

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convent.

Jewish traders from Jerusalem reached this town selling beads and jewelry. Turks from Lepanto came to ask for alms.

1893 - Father Mateo Atienza had three stone bridges constructed.

1895 - Father Andres Prieto had three stone bridges constructed, too.

1895-1898 - During the incumbency of Don Agaton Saba a decree came from Queen Maria Cristina of Spain ordering every landowner to acquire a title (“expediente”) to his land.

1897 - (January 4) Camilo Jacob, a photographer of Polangui was executed together with the other Bicolano martyrs.

1898 - (Sept. 18) The Spanish rule ended in the Bicol Region when some “guardia civil” with Don Elias Angeles on the lead, rose against the Spaniards in Naga.

1899 - The Filipinos were at long last masters of their own land. But this happy state was short lived for another race was to conquer them.

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THE COMING OF THE AMERICAN EXPEDITION ARMY FORCES TO POLANGUI

Beginning of American-Fil. hostilities:- Around February 4, 1899 hostilities between the American and Filipino forces broke out. War was soon declared. In the face of an impending invasion of Albay by the American forces was Legaspi, the civilian population of Legaspi, Old Albay, and Daraga evacuated to the interior towns. The provincial government of Legaspi under the incumbent governor, Domingo Samson, was transferred to Polangui and remained here until the fall of Malabog on February 20, 1900. The provincial government was then taken to Pagianiran, a distant barrio of Ligao. The arsenal and munition plant of the revolutionary forces which was then housed in Albay (proper), was also transferred to Ponso, a barrio of Polangui. Much later it was evacuated to Talisay, a barrio of Oas.

Invasion of Albay Province:- The American invasion of Albay finally came on January 23, 1900. It was composed of two battleships and two transport ships. Because of the superiority of the American guns, the Filipino battery emplacement at Capunturan Hill was silenced after three hours' fight. The Americans were finally able to subdue the defenses of Legaspi Port after heavy fighting. General Vito Belarmino, the over-all commander of the Filipino forces in Albay, then established his headquarters in Malabog.

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Bolo Wielders are Organized:- In the face of Americans' initial gain by the fall of Legaspi, Albay, and Daraga, General Belarmino reorganized his forces and trained them to fight as guerilla units. Moreover, an order was issued to the effect that an additional battalions of “Sandatahanes” or bolo-wielders be sent to the headquarters. Polangui had also its own battalion of bolo-wielders. An outstanding part of this battalion was the unit of Negritos in G-strings, armed with bow and arrows.

Send off of Polangui Contingent: - On February 2, 1900, feast of the Purification, a solemn field mass was celebrated in the plaza of Polangui for the success of the Polangui contingent. After the mass, the battalion was honored at a popular banquet and immediately after they were given a rousing send-off as they marched to the battlefront under Commander Agaton Saba.

Fall of Malabog: - The addition of more soldiers and bolo-wielders did not however turn the tide of the battle in favor of the Filipinos. In fact when the Americans received reinforcement they decided to advance. The defense at Malabog cracked down on February 20, 1900. With the fall of Malabog the Americans occupied Camalig and Guinobatan.

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