MUNICIPALITY OF MERCEDES, CAMARINES NORTE, Historical Data of
[The transcription of this page was done using AI technology. There may be some errors in the transcription.]
[p. 1]
MISSING PAGE.
[p. 2]
[p. 3]
[p. 4]
HISTORY OF Mercedes
Today, many still call Mercedes by its old name, “Barra,” which had its origin during the Spanish regime when the town was only a flourishing barrio of Daet and Spanish vessels coming to port were often grounded especially during low tide. The natives were very cooperative and always came to the rescue whenever such occasions arise. Because of this display of good-will and helpfulness, a Spanish captain who was in distress directed his pilot to sail for “Barra” but uttered the word “Mercedes” instead, having in mind perhaps the kindness and mercifulness of the natives; hence the origin of the present name, Mercedes.
With the coming of the Americans in 1898, Spanish sovereignty ended in the islands. Thenceforth, American forces were sent to the different parts of the Philippines including Mercedes. Not long after, this move was followed by the division of the province of Ambos Camarines into two provinces – Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur. This event inspired some prominent residents of the community to send a petition requesting the conversion of the barrio into a town. The movement was headed by Benito Riel, Aurelio Villarico, Antonio de los Reyes, Teogenes Evalla, Valeriano Cuaño, and Lucio Saavedra. According to old persons in the locality, the petition would have met approval had it not been for opposition raised by an influential few in Daet.
After several years, another petition was sent through the initiative of the Union Obrera Malabanan which was then headed by Gabriel Briola, ably assisted by an energetic young man, Eliseo Riel. This petition was sent through Representative Froilan Pimentel, then the favorite politician of the community. The petition however, remained unheard.
The second World War came; it went; but Mercedes still remained a barrio and would have so remained perhaps had it not been for Congressman Esmeraldo Eco, who tried his best to have a bill passed changing the barrio into a town. The bill was approved and signed by His Excellency, the President of the Philippines, Elpidio Quirino, so Mercedes was inaugurated a town on Aug. 8, 1947. At its inauguration, Alfredo de los Reyes became the mayor and Agapito Sabala as vice mayor upon appointment of the Commission on Appointments. In the 1950 elections however, Gideon Brilla, a former teacher, came out as the new mayor with Honorio Guinto as vice-mayor. The other officials of the town are as follows: Mrs. Cipriano Villareal – municipal secretary, Atty. Generoso Obusan – justice of the peace, Mr. Santiago Bernal – chief of police, and Miss Luisa Reyes – postmaster.
If one passes through Briola Street – the street now is called one can still see the ruins of concrete which were once strong, massive walls used for trenches by the Spaniards. These were built to protect them from unexpected attacks of Moros and Chinese pirates. Within the dilapidated walls can be found two age-worn cannons which were used to defend the port from any enemy.
[p. 5]
In the heart of the town can also find the church created during the Spanish period which has survived through the long years of World War I & World War II and the strong typhoons which pounded so much in the Bicol Provinces.
Its construction dates back to the early part of the Spanish occupation when Antonio de los Reyes was the newly appointed barrio Lieutenant. A few months after his appointment he conceived of erecting a church in the locality. Among them was Don Benedicto Moreno, a wealthy Spanish resident. In due time a church was constructed. The newly constructed church, however, needed an image for it to be completed. An amount of two hundred pesos was raised which was not enough so Antonio de los Reyes himself gave the added amount of three hundred pesos thereby he was able to provide the image of St. Anthony from Tayabas. However, during his absence, a well-to-do resident, Dña. Fermina Urbano donated another image of the Patron. This explains why there are two images of which are here in the church.
The coming of Christianity to the life of the people had totally changed a very remarkable effect in the life of the people which morally and spiritually. The people became Christians, learned to hear mass and believe in the Divine Providence which guides the destinies of men and nations.
Mercedes, during the Spanish Regime, did not have a road leading to Daet. The people had to travel on foot or ride on animal’s back. It was not then when the people started to building a narrow small road between Daet and Mercedes. In the people of Daet and Mercedes became friends; they began to trade with one another. With the coming of the Americans the road changed into transportation and communication which have a great influence on the cultural, economic, and social development of the community.
Worthy of mention is the resistance of the people against Japanese domination in the place under the able leadership of one named J. Buenaventura, an ex-PC sergeant. When the Japanese came to Mercedes and asked them to surrender and give up their plan, they attempted to call to Mercedes but Buenaventura and his men refused and at that time they had to turn back and give up their plan.
Many times, the Japanese tried to call to Mercedes and failed especially when they heard that a certain Mr. Aiton, an American, was called each time by Buenaventura and his men. Finally, the Japanese launched a counter-offensive by taking with them a small cannon supported by heavily armed infantry and a plane. The odds were 500 Japanese soldiers against 60. The Japanese succeeded in capturing Mr. Aiton and ordered the people to go back to Mercedes. The people refused to obey and at that time they were forced to open fire on the Japanese. The Japanese remained in the community for sometime until 1944. The world remained in this opportunity for sometime until 1944.
[p. 6]
PART II – FOLKWAYS
The people are abreast with the modern ways although in some ways retain the traditions of their forefathers. In marriage, the young are given the privilege to choose their future spouse. Seldom do parents interfere or select the future husband or wife for their sons and daughters.
When the marriage of the couple is officially announced by the church, they are supposed to confine themselves only in the house for fear that some mishap may befall either one of the couple. When the couple are finally married and arrive at the bride’s home where the wedding party is oftentimes held, they are met by an eager group who throw a handful of rice on the couple with the belief that they (the couple) will find it easy to earn their living.
When somebody dies, the members of the family and close relatives mourn by wearing all-black clothing. The neighbors, friends, and relatives all show their sympathy and cooperation by attending the wake and funeral rites. However, they watch closely when the corpse is placed in the coffin for it is the belief that when the body of the dead doesn’t stiffen completely, another member of the family will die soon.
The people here watch the appearance of a comet with anxiety for it is a sign of the coming of another global war. They believe also that the position of the moon and the star has something to do with the delivery of pregnant woman. When a star is found near the tip of a quarter or a half moon it is a sign that pregnant women will find difficulty and even danger of death in delivery during the month.
There is a belief also that a child brings bad or good luck to the family by having some signs on his body. He brings good luck when the family prosper during his birth and bad luck when the family meets hardships especially so when all the other younger brothers or sisters die at birth or a few days or months later. In this case, the child is sold and taken out of the house when the mother is to deliver another child. The “sale” however, is only “make-believe” for as soon as the mother has successfully delivered, the child is again taken into the house.
Near the harbor of Mercedes, can be seen rock partly rising out of the water. This is known to the people as “Kankilat” which originated during the Spanish Regime. The Moros came to raid the barrio so the people ran to Daet and nearby barrios for safety. The Moros finding the place deserted went directly to the church, took the bell, and threw it into the sea. The people on their return looked for the bell meticulously but their efforts were in vain. On the other hand, some man who hid in Manguisoc saw just where the bell was thrown so with renewed efforts the people scanned the place but to no avail.
One day a man with his small son was sailing and chanced to paddle his banca right into the very spot where the bell was supposed to be. To the surprise of some onlookers the man, boy and banca
[p. 7]
vanished altogether then and there. From that time on nobody ever dared to go near the place again believing it to be enchanted.
Many years passed after that and the people had almost forgotten the incident when one day, upon gazing into the cool, deep sea they saw a rock rising out of the water right in the very place where the bell was believed to lay. The people recalled the story of the mysterious disappearance of the man and his son so they called the rock “Kankilat” meaning the speed of lightning.
PROVERBS AND SAYINGS
- Ang matakot sa duran daing aanihon.
(Those who are afraid of the locust will harvest nothing) - Ang dai maglingoy sa saiyang hinalean dai makakabot sa saiyang padudumanan.
(One who does not look back will not reach his goal) - Ang maniwala sa katamman ning iba ay mayong sadiring isip.
(One who believes in tales has no mind of his own) - Ang maraot saimo ay maraot sa iba.
(What is bad for you is bad for others)
Respectfully submitted:
(SGD). (Mrs.) ALMA M. DASCO
Principal