MUNICIPALITY (NOW CITY) OF TABACO, ALBAY, Historical Data of Part 1

PART 1

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About these Historical Data

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[Cover Page]

[p. 2]

BUREAU OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Division of Albay
District of Tabaco
TABACO CENTRAL SCHOOL

Tabaco, May 26, 1953

The Division Superintendent of Schools
Legaspi City
(Through the Supervising Principal
Tabaco, Albay)

Sir:

In compliance with B.P.S. Memorandum No. 34, s. 1952, I have the honor to submit herewith in duplicate copies a report on the history and cultural life of the municipality of Tabaco and its barrios, properly bound.

Incl.:
As stated

1st Indorsement
DISTRICT OF TABACO
Tabaco, May 26, 1953

Respectfully forwarded to the Division Superintendent of Schools, Legaspi City, contents noted.

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HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE
OF THE
TOWN OF TABACO
AND
ITS BARRIOS

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DEDICATIONS

This is humbly dedicated to our beloved Supervising Principal and Principal who in some way or another had inspired and guided us in conducting this survey and report on the Historical Data and Cultural Life of Tabaco. We also dedicate this to the Public Spirited Tabaqueños whose guidance and help have made this report possible.

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FOREWORD

In compliance with Executive Order No. 486, dated December 7, 1951, as embodied in General Memorandum No. 34, s. 1952, this pamphlet containing important Historical Data about the Municipality of Tabaco, Province of Albay, has been judiciously prepared by the Elementary Schools Teachers of Tabaco, under the guidance of their Supervising Principal and Principals. This Pamphlet contains two parts. Part One gives the History of the town, its barrios and sitios. Part Two includes some important data regarding the folkways, customs, and traditions of the people.

The important features and events included in this pamphlet were obtained from old historical records, which are now in the possession of some old folks in the community, direct information from old municipal officials and from old men and women from different barrios and sitios. In other words this information given here represents a cross section of opinion of the people of the Municipality.

In compiling these materials, the compilers do not claim any originality.

Thanks and gratitude are due to those who had a hand in the preparation of this work.

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PART ONE: HISTORY

1. HOW THE TOWN OF TABACO GOT ITS NAME

Many stories, some of them legendary inherited by us from time immemorial were told purporting to show how the town of Tabaco was named Tabaco. Some people ventured to say that its name was derived from a plant called locally “Tabaco” – or Tobacco. Still others from two Bicol words “Taba,” means fat and “Go, means “my”. But the most popular one is of the sixteenth century when Tabaco was still a mere wilderness of Kalinao,

The story as told, said that there was once a couple, who lived in a village now called Matunawan. Their only daughter was beautiful and was considered the queen of the village. One day, while her father was at sea fishing, a vinta was seen approaching the shore. The father who was not far from the shore saw the strange vinta heading toward the shore. Fearing that it was a moro vinta slave traders, the father immediately paddled homeward. At a distance he saw that some of the men were wading toward the shore. He thought that the men would get his only daughter, so in a loud voice he called for his wife to hand him his bolo, shouting in the dialect “tabac–co”, “Tabac–co”, which means “My bolo.”

The strangers, were found out not to be slave traders but Spanish Soldiers and Missionaries sent to explore our region. The Spaniards believed that the fisherman was welcoming them and he was shouting the name of his town, Tabaco, Tabaco!

Henceforth then, the Bicol words “tabac–co” (My bolo) became the adopted name of the town of Tabaco.

[p. 8]

2. BANKILINGAN

There was no popular name for this barrio during the early and past years until after its establishment during the Spanish regime when this barrio was called by its early inhabitants as Bangullingan, a name derived from the word “guilingan” which means rice mill. Later this name became Banguilingan changing g to q for phonetic convenience. At present it is officially spelled Bankilingan changing q to k and dropping the letter u because of the influence of the use of the National Language.

3. BANTAYAN

The official and recognised name of the barrio is Bantayan. There was no popular name for this barrio during those early and past years until the time of its establishment when the barrio was guarded by “cuadrilleros” who made the place their headquarters. Because these “cuadrilleros,” checked the people passing this place of their residence certificate of credential, the early residents called this barrio Bantayan.

4. BOGNABONG

The barrio is officially recognized as Bognabong. “Qmabong” was its name in the past. Presently it is named or called Bognabong. The name of Bognabong is derived from the word “Qmabong”. Qmabong is a peculiar bird. It has short legs, fine feathers, short bill, and almond eyes. It has no tail. The color changes with the years or age of the bird. At an early year it is brown spotted yellow. As the bird advances in years, it is dark brown. It flies briskly. This bird lives in the holes in rice paddies. The Qmabong abounds in this place the Barrio is named Bognabong.

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5. COMON

The present official name of the barrio is Comon. This land is owned by the government, so the Spaniards named it Comon which means for everybody.

6. MATAGBAC

The official name of this barrio is Matagbac. This was the popular name given since it was established. It was derived from the word “tagbac” which is a native plant of the region. Since this place abounded with many “tagbac,” plants when it was still sparsely populated, the place was called Matagbac which means a place having many “tagbac” plants.

7. OSON

The origin of this name could be traced back in 1814. It was in this year that the most destructive eruption of Mayon Volcano took place. During the eruption, a great flood of molten lava flowed through this place causing great damage and destruction to the surrounding region. It is a strange coincidence that it was the same eruption that caused the historical ruins and Cagsawa church in Daraga on the opposite direction of this barrio.

As a result of this flood, this very place came to be called Oson, meaning a place partly buried by a slipping down a mass of rock, earth and boulders from the mountain. Prior to this flood, it was known that this place was a part of the great abaca producing region called officially Boring. This place was then unsettled owing to its mountainous terrain, inhabited only by wild birds, monkeys and other animals.

The barrio was officially established in the year 1938. From this date, it can be safely assumed that this is the newest barrio of the Municipality of Tabaco.

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8. QUINASTILLOJAN

The present official name of the barrio is Quinastillojan. This is the popular name of the barrio both in the past and at present. It is derived from the word “castillo”, which means an arch. The name was given due to a big arch built in this place during the Spanish regime. So Quinastillojan means the place where an arch was built.

9. SAN ANTONIO

“Sogkod” was its name in the past, but at present it is known as San Antonio. The name “Sogkod” was derived from the word “Sogkod”, which means a cane. This cane is a wooden stick used for support of old people while walking.

When the Spaniards came to the Philippines they settled in different places of the Islands. Some of them happened to reach San Antonio, Upon arriving on the place, they saw an old man sitting under a tree with a cane beside him. He was preparing his “buyo” a kind of leaf chewed together with lime and betel nut. The Spaniards asked the old man in Spanish, “Como se llama este lugar?” pointing to the ground, to indicate the place. The old man being deaf and thinking that the Spaniard meant his cane he answered, “Sogkod”. Hence the barrio was called “Sogkod”.

“Sogkod” later on was again changed to San Antonio, being derived from the Patron Saint of the Barrio.

10. SAN CARLOS

In the past years prior to the establishment of this barrio as San Carlos in honor of its patron Saint San Carlos, this barrio was popularly called “Basud”. This name was derived from the term “basud” meaning sand which was due to the nature of the soil in the barrio. This sandy soil was mainly due to a very strong storm that occurred in the early part of the 19th century which washed away the soil from the mountains.

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11. SAN LORENZO

San Lorenzo is the official name given to the barrio. During the early Spanish occupation of the archipelago, missionaries erected chapels in places where they introduced Christianity. Patron Saints were placed in the chapels for the people to worship. In this place an image of Saint Laurence or San Lorenzo was honored in the chapel.

According to stories told by old, old folks, however, a place did not immediately get the name of the saint given to it. The image had to undergo a sort of observation. If it could perform a miracle, the barrio would be named in honor of the saint. This belief was confirmed when a terrific storm laid devastation to the place and the surrounding vicinity. The chapel was no exception to the fate suffered by houses blown down to the ground. The image of San Lorenzo was broken, separating the head from the body. The “hermana,” which means a person taking care of the chapel, took the broken image to her home, where she made her livelihood as a weaver.

One day as she was knotting the ends of abaca fibers together, she was placing them into a small caragomoy basket. When she was through, she took the head of the broken image and put it on the knotted abaca fibers in the basket to lend them pressure. She went out to attend to her other household routine. When she went back to get the knotted abaca fibers she could hardly believe her eyes. For the abaca fibers were completely burned to ashes, but the basket remained unscathed.

Due to the miracle performed by the image of San Lorenzo, the place was permanently named in honor of its patron saint.

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12. SAN MIGUEL

A very long time ago the small island on the bay of Tabaco was not yet called its present name. This legend as told by the people of the old days tells us how the present name originated.

In those days the Moros were found in almost all parts of the Philippines. Some of the Filipinos then, were already converted to Christianity. The Moros had a religion of their own and so although they were hostile to the Christians. Whenever a Moro caught a Christian, he would torture him to death with his spear.

The people living in the said island were Christians. They were a very devout and religious group of people. They spent most of their time praying and adoring God.

One day a “parao” where a family of eight persons were riding, was chased by Moro vintas. This boat was headed toward the small island. When the boat was almost overtaken, a lightning flashed and a winged warrior with a flaming sword was seen with the flash of lightning. The Moros were much frightened. Instead of following the boat, they headed to another direction away from the island where the lightning flashed. The escaping family landed safely along the shores of the island. They had also seen the vision. They knew that it was St. Michael who saved them and the rest of the people. When this family reached the island, they told their experience. The people and the Spanish Missionaries on the island agreed that the island be named after its saviour, St. Michael or San Miguel because were it not for the help of their patron saint, the people in the island would all have fallen into the hands of the Moros, and would have been tortured to death. The priest at once offered a mass and christened the island “San Miguel.”

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13. SAN VICENTE

There was no popular name for this barrio during those early and past years until the year of establishment (1712) when this barrio was named by the early residents as San Vicente which name had been derived from the Saint San Vicente Ferrer for his miracles and saintly prowess.

14. TABIGUIAN

There is no accurate account of how the name of the barrio came about because the people are mostly immigrants from places far and near especially from Bacacay and Ligao. There are no old people from whom accurate information can be gleaned. Some people asserted that the name came from elongated and edible snails which abound plentifully in rivers called tabagwang. Due to poor enunciation and pronunciation of the dialect by the Spaniards and Americans, the name was changed to Tabiguian.

Some asserted the name came from an old and deformed woman of a very mean disposition that people from nearby barrios called the place, the place of “Tabigu” which in the years that followed the place was omitted and an “an” was added, hence “Tabiguian.”

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SITIOS

1. Bognabong

Other sitios are: Macawayan or Bamboo place; Mabatang tubig or smelly water; Catasaan or elevated place now called La Purisima.

2. Matagbac

The sitios in this barrio are only Karagga and Qui–manipuhan.

3. Quinastillojan

There are no sitios within the jurisdiction of this barrio.

4. San Antonio

The sitios included within the territorial jurisdiction of this barrio are: Pili, Tinagman, Boring, Oson, Tinago, Basagan, Fabrika and Parapoto.

5. San Carlos

Sitios included within the territorial jurisdiction of the barrio are: Ilawod, meaning east or the place where the sun rises; Iraya meaning west or the place where the sun sets; and Dorongan, a place where boats usually stop.

6. San Lorenzo

San Lorenzo is so big that it is subdivided into sitios bearing the following names:

1. Mandolon – Because the place remains always dark.
2. Alula – So called after the word “Lolo” or “Lola,” meaning grandfather. It is said that hardly can we find a house in this place without a centenarian.
3. Baybay – Meaning sand, since it is near the sea.
4. Cabagian – A word which means “halfway”. This place is a boundary between the barrios of San Isidro and San Lorenzo.

[p. 15]

1. Sagorong – is the name given due to the fact that the terrain has the shape of a gutter.
2. Agias – is called so because there is a place which is bare. Agias means bald or bare.
3. Rawis – Rawis territorial jurisdiction includes Linambon which is known for its cane just along the seashore and Point Canawayon which is known as the habitat of Canawayon birds, –From which its name was derived. It is at this point where a watch tower was erected by the natives so as to be warned from approaching enemies.
4. Visita – This place is called Visita because during the olden days there was no other sitio with a chapel except Visita. There were but several houses. They were far apart. On Sundays and Holy days of obligation the people come to worship St. Michael in the chapel and they called it a visit or visita to the Patron Saint.
5. Cabaon –(meaning bier, for its location is like a bier) is situated known today as Naghilo–hilo was established around 1800. The pioneers of the place were Basilio, Boticario, the grandfather of the present teniente del barrio of Hacienda and Flaviano Bragais. It was depopulated in 1908 when the people were sent out by Mariano Villanueva as ordered by the Supreme Court of the Philippines.
6. Manggawad – was established around 1850. The Bonto brothers, the Biron brothers, Juan Bonaobra and Petronilo Boncay were the pioneers in settling this place and at the same time making this a sitio.
7. Bahi – was a sitio depopulated just after the liberation. It happened in this manner. The place was peopled by workers of the Hacienda.

8. San Vicente

Sitios included within the territorial jurisdiction of the barrio are: Ilawod, meaning East or towards the place where the sun rises, Basud or Nausonan, meaning sand or sandy place; and Oeste, meaning west or towards the direction of the setting sun,

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DATE OF ESTABLISHMENT

1. TABACO

A. Tabaco – Has no official date when it was established. But according to reliable information it was established during the Pre–Spanish period, when the Malays established their Barangays right on the shores of Tabaco. And it really became established with its present name, when the first Spaniards landed and encountered the man who accidentally gave the name Tabaco.

2. BANKILINGAN

A. There is no official record showing the exact date of the barrio’s establishment, but reliable information gathered from the old and responsible people of the barrio of Panal, when the Cabezas de Barangay formed under the Spanish regime, were first appointed to head groups of people, this place was separated from the barrio of Panal and established as a barrio now called Bankilingan.

3. BANTAYAN

There is no official record showing the exact date of the establishment of the barrio but reliable information gathered from the old people of the barrio says that Bantayan was established in the early days of the year 1800.

4. BOGNABONG

The barrio was officially established after the first and oldest town of Malinao was established in 1660.

5. COMON

During the time of Mayor Bernardino Santillan, a municipal road was built from Tabaco to Comon.

6. HACIENDA

This barrio was established according to the old people when San Miguel Estate was possessed by the Americans after it was sold by Villanueva in 1908.

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7. MATAGBAC

There is no exact date of establishment of this barrio. But according to the oldest man still living in this barrio, this place was already called Matagbac even before 1846.

8. OSON

The barrio was officially established in the year 1938. From this date, it can be safely assumed that this is the newest barrio of the Municipality of Tabaco.

9. PINAGBOBONG

No old person living in the barrio now could remember the date of establishment of the barrio. The old people do not have a record of the date. It was established during the term of a known Capitan. That was during the time of Capitan Andres. More or less about the year 1846 A. D.

10. QUINASTILLOJAN

The exact date of the establishment of this barrio is not known by the residents of the barrio at present.

11. SAN ANTONIO

This barrio was established in 1850.

12. SAN CARLOS

This barrio was established in 1875.

13. SAN LORENZO

The date of establishment is not known.

14. SAN MIGUEL AND SITIOS

1. San Miguel as a barrio was established around 1700 Laghon or Visita (extinct barrio) was established in 1700 Cabaon (depopulated barrio) was established in 1790 Manggawad was established in 1800

2. San Miguel – Centro or popularly known as Pinagbanwa was established 1888 by Father Simeon Oñate.

In 1908 this sitio was almost depopulated.

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Continuation of SAN MIGUEL AND SITIOS

3. In 1911 Centro or Pinagbanwa was made the center of San Miguel Estate management. The whole estate was populated by the workers.

4. Sagorong was established in 1805.

6. Visita has no official record of its establishment.

7. Agias was established in 1805.

8. Rawis has no official record.

15. SAN VICENTE

There is no official record showing the exact date of the barrio’s establishment but reliable information gathered from the old and responsible people of the barrio says that the barrio of San Vicente was established in the early days of the year 1912 or specifically speaking, the official establishment of the barrio occurred on the 8th day of February of the year 1712.

16. TABIGUIAN

Unaccountable.

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NAMES AND SOCIAL STATUS OF THE FOUNDERS

1. TABACO

There is no record available of the original families or founders of the town.

2. BANKILINGAN

At the establishment of this barrio there were only eight (8) families the heads of which are the following:

1. Ciriaco Brusola
2. Francisco Buenconsejo
3. Mariano Burgos
4. Hermenegildo Batial
5. Emiterio Bufi
6. Eulogio Boncodin
7. Prudencio Buenconsejo
8. Enrique Bos

3. BANTAYAN

So far there were only three original families in the barrio – they were:

1. Antonio Borromeo married to – deceased
2. Manuel Caneta “ ” Eugenia Buban
3. Luis Borromeo “ ” Anastacia

4. BOGNABONG

Six families originally put up this barrio. Among them early settlers were Berto Buela and Gabong Eustaquio

5. COMON

The original families are composed of the following:

1. Teodorico Boncolmo and Juliana Borabo
2. Gaspar Boncolmo and Alejandra Boncolmo
3. Silverio Boncolmo and Maxima Boñgalon
4. Miguel Boncolmo and Erminigilda
5. Jose Borjal and Victoriana Buena
6. Antero Boncolmo and Cristina Brillantes
7. Barbaro Braga and Juana Beren

[p. 20]

6. HACIENDA

The following families are considered the very original families to clear the forest for cultivation and for settlement:

1. Juan Bonaobra
2. Petronilo Boarao
3. Simeon Lanon
4. Luis Bonsoy
5. Fausto Bola
6. Marcos Brutas
7. Dionicio Brusola
8. Juan Boticario
9. Leon Bonsoy
10. Francisco Borbe
11. Nicolas Buensalida

7. MATAGBAC

There were only five (5) original families in this barrio,

8. OSON

Originally there were twenty families in this barrio. With the official establishment of this barrio in 1938, the number was increased to sixty families. The early settlers known so far were Valentin Balilan, Alberto Bualoy, Norberto and Arcadio, all surnamed Bolilan.

9. PINAGBOBONG

There were about ten original families in the barrio. They were the Borero, Borlagdan, Bolilan and Bodino.

10. QUINASTILLOJAN

Nemesio Borromeo married to Victorina Caneta
Felipe Box married to Epifania Matias

11. SAN ANTONIO

Three families originally set up this barrio, they were:

1. Doña Potenciana Resurreccion
2. Lucio Almonte

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