A Mother’s Stuff

Piat municipality in Cagayan Province

Piat is known throughout the Philippines because of its Lady of Piat (Nuestra Señora de Visitacion). Pilgrims and land tourists from all walks of life pay homage in her shrine in Piat. In the “Historia de Nuestra Señora de Piat”, Father J. Malumbres tells us that the image of our Lady of Piat was brought from Macao, a colony of Portugal in China.

The year 1600 saw the massacre of Spanish settlers who made the mistake of abusing the impartial friendship offered them by the Kalingas and Negritos. This incident made the Spaniards realize the danger of coming back to live in Piat. It was only in 1604 that an intrepid missionary succeeded in pacifying the belligerent Piateños. With these, the Spaniards returned to the town. The only resentment of the natives after the said incident was when the authorities compelled them to wear hats, shoes and formal dresses during holidays.

The Spaniards had left when the Americans came led by Captain William Hawkins. Except for the almacinero (warehouseman) and two Spanish priests, Hawkins and his men were proffered a cordial welcome by Gobernadorcillo Vicente Oñate. They occupied Piat for a year only, after which Hawkins married Señorita Esperanza Gannaban.

Historical landmarks in Piat are the following; brick watchtower (for fear of invaders a sentinel used to stay on guard there), concrete bridge bordering the Centro and Maguilling was constructed in 1911, the “Gabaldon” school building was built in 1922, and many others.

Piat is a 4th class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 22,211 people in 3,975 households.

The following are the 18 barangays of Piat:

Apayao / Aquib / Dugayung / Gumarueng / Macapil / Maguilling / Minanga / Poblacion I / Santa Barbara / Santo Domingo / Sicatna / Villa Rey (San Gaspar) / Warat / Baung / Calaoagan / Catarauan / Poblacion II / Villa Reyno

The Pamplona municipality

Pamplona is the result of the fusion of two villages; Abulacan (now barrio San Juan) and Masi. Abulacan was founded by the ecclesiastical authorities on April 30, 1757 with San Juan Nepomuceno as the patron saint. Sometime in 1842, Vicar Pedro Montenegro, O.P. convinced the people to unite the two towns. The vicar named it “Pamplona” in memory of his hometown Pamplona in Spain.

After the fusion, an agreement was made that there would be two patron saints of Pamplona: San Juan Nepomuceno and San Pedro de Martir. This is the reason why the town fiesta is celebrated for two days and the images of the two patron saints are carried during religious processions. The town fiesta is celebrated every April 29.

In 1919, some of the prominent people of Pamplona recommended the transfer of the same to Bidduang, a barrio of Pamplona. The transfer was made on November 16, 1919, during the administration of municipal president Esteban Meneses by order of General Wood. In 1928, on the sixth year of the administration of municipal president Paulino Ifurung, one of his last acts was the transfer of the municipal government back to its old site, Pamplona, by then called “Albano .”

Most interesting spot is the mouth of the Pamplona River. It saw history in the making for it was the starting point of Salcedo and his conquistadores when they explored Cagayan in 1572. Because of the river’s strong current and unpredictable floods, Mayor Nicolas B. Aquino built in 1955 a steel level and an irrigation system. It was the first of its kind in Cagayan.

The town is also noted for its Malagabavi Cave. It is located at the foot of a mountain virtually shaped like a pig. Legend has it that this cave was used by a giant as an entrance to his abode. It is said that he was a normal being like a human until his transformation to a giant by a goddess who fell in love with him.

Pamplona is a 4th class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 21,889 people in 3,787 households.

The 18 barangays of Pamplona are the following:

Abanqueruan / Allasitan / Bagu / Balingit / Bidduang / Cabaggan / Capalalian / Casitan / Centro (Pob.) / Curva / Gattu / Masi / Nagattatan / Nagtupacan / San Juan / Santa Cruz / Tabba / Tupanna

Lallo, Cagayan Province municipality

Lallo has a rich historical background. During the early part of the 16th century, Lallo was the hub of religious, trade and commercial activities of Northern Luzon. One of the first four cities in the Philippines (others were Manila, 1571; Cebu, 1565; Naga, 1575), Lalloc, old name for Lallo, benefited and enjoyed the gifts from the Papal Throne. Named Nueva Segovia by Juan Pablo Carreon in 1581, the town was the seat of the Diocese on August 15, 1595 following the order of Pope Clement VIII, until it was transferred to Vigan, Ilocos Sur in 1755, and it was the capital of Cagayan up to 1839 when the provincial government was moved to Tuguegarao. Very famous among the missionaries at that time was Bishop Miguel de Benavides, O.P., the first bishop elected to the Diocesan home of Nueva Segovia. He later founded the University of Santo Tomas.

In those years, Lallo had three parishes. The parish of the Cathedral was served by the Seculars up to 1786. This was located in the “Centro” where the present Santo Domingo church now stands. The parish of Bagumbayan was entrusted to the Dominicans by Bishop Diego de Soria in 1613. The third, the parish of Tucalana, also under the Dominicans, was located in the present site of the “Compania Tabacalera,” the ruins of which were used by the said company as foundations for their buildings and warehouses.

The Tabacalera (Compaña General de Tabacos Filipinas) which was founded in 1881 played a vital role in the economy of the town. This firm had developed the Philippine Tobacco and stabilized the Philippine economy.

During the last World War, Lallo was made the central office of the “Gunmai” (Naric) which was controlled by the Imperial Army of Japan. The big warehouse and buildings of the Compaña Tabacalera were used by the said Japanese-controlled corporations as offices, bodegas and arsenals. These were all destroyed when the Unites States Air Force bombed the town on January 6, 1945.

After the war, her inhabitants worked hard to make their historical town retain the luster and prestige it enjoyed during the Spanish regime. Lallo has been known also as the only town in Cagayan where clams (cabibi) abound. This is one of the sources of income to many of its town people.

Some of the historical and interesting spots which is still existing today is the “cotta,” a kind of fortress similar to the walls of Intramuros.

Lal-lo is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 39,607 people in 7,443 households.

During the Spanish colonization times, Lal-lo was known as the city of Nueva Segovia and was the seat of the Nueva Segovia diocese before it was moved to Vigan, Ilocos Sur. There is a recent move in the congress to rename Lal-lo back to its former name and re-classify the municipality as a component city.

Below are the 35 barangays of Lallo:

Abagao / Alaguia / Bagumbayan / Bangag / Bical / Bicud / Binag / Cabayabasan (Capacuan) / Cagoran / Cambong / Catayauan / Catugan / Centro (Pob.) / Cullit / * Dagupan / Dalaya / Fabrica / Fusina / Jurisdiction / Lalafugan / Logac / Magallungon (Sta. Teresa) / Magapit / Malanao / Maxingal / Naguilian / Paranum / Rosario / San Antonio (Lafu) / San Jose / San Juan / San Lorenzo / San Mariano / Santa Maria / Tucalana

Buguey, Cagayan Province

Buguey was formerly a part of Camalaniugan. Most of the early inhabitants were the Ybanags. Buguey grew out of these inhabitants and through immigration from neighboring places including the Ilocos towns.

Buguey carried the name “Cagayan” for a time and was later changed to “Navugay-ira” then to “Mission” and lastly “Buguey.” According to the accounts of Fray Julian Malumbres, O.P., before Juan Salcedo, there was a battle ensued between the pirates (moros) and the inhabitants with some Spanish soldiers. The pirates relieved the inhabitants of their earthly belongings including the brass bell of the church which is said to be the largest bell in northern Cagayan. The bell was called Sta. Barbara. To enable them to bring it home, they placed five small vintas side by side and fastened them. With all the stolen loot loaded, the pirates shoved off. Barely recovered from their shock, the inhabitants ran to the shore invoking curses on the pirates. Above the din of their angry shouts, the winds howled, the sea thundered and the vintas of the pirates capsized. And with them went down the bell.

“Navugay-ira! Navugay-ira! (meaning “they capsized!”) chorused the inhabitants and the Spanish soldiers who survived the raid. Since their village had no official name, they decided to perpetuate the memory of the bell by calling it “Navugay-ira.” Sometime later, they deleted “Na” and “Ira” to spell out “Vugay.” Much later, the letter “V” was changed to “B” and the word pronounced “Buguey.”

The sea has been a benevolent employer and fishing a lucrative job. Music, as revealed by the adaptive of the people in the use of musical instruments, like the harp, violin and guitar, were commonly found in the home of every Bugueyeno.

The principal products are coconut, tobacco, rice, fish and timber, and one of the tourist spot is Bantay Pukis.

Buguey is a 4th class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 28,129 people in 5,113 households.

Below are the 30 barangays of Buguey:

Ballang / Balza / Cabaritan / Calamegatan / Centro (Pob.) / Centro West / Dalaya / Fula / Leron / Antiporda / Maddalero / Mala Este / Mala Weste / Minanga Este / Paddaya Este / Pattao / Quinawegan / Remebella / San Isidro / Santa Isabel / Santa Maria / Tabbac / Villa Cielo / Alucao Weste (San Lorenzo) / Minanga Weste / Paddaya Weste / San Juan / San Vicente / Villa Gracia / Villa Leonora

Municipality of Ballesteros in Cagayan Province

Ballesteros came about when some barangays of Aparri and Abulug were merged to make a new town. It was formerly a barrio of Santa Cruz of Abulug. Executive Order No. 79 issued on December 18, 1911 by Governor General William Camoron Forbes sliced the barrios of Santa Cruz, Palloc and Ammubuan from the municipality of Aparri; the barrio of Santa Cruz, Cabuluan and Cabaritan from the municipality of Abulug to form an independent municipality now known as Ballesteros, named after a kind priest, Fr. Gregorio Ballesteros, who spent the better years of his life with the residents. The inhabitants are Ibanags but the Ilocano migrants who intermarried with the natives made Ballestros an Iluko-speaking town.

On January 1, 1912, the new political subdivision was formally inaugurated into a new municipality, taking the barrios of Payagan, Fugu and Mabuttal of the municipality of Aparri . And again on October 15, 1945, the town acquired additional territory by virtue of Commonwealth Act No. 692 which annexed to Ballesteros the Sitios of Nararagan, Cabayu, Tulang, Silangan, Cabaggawan, Lappiad and Batolin from the newly created municipality of Allacapan .

On January 1, 1912, Ballesteros was inaugurated as a municipality.

In 1913, Governor-General Francis Burton Harris issued an executive order further annexing some barangays of Aparri to Ballesteros. To further expand it, sometime in October 1945, from the newly created town of Allacapan were chopped some barangays and annexed to Ballesteros, resulting to 19 barangays being attributed to Ballesteros.

Now, the residents are predominantly Ilocanos though there are sparingly Itawes still. The Negritoes often go down to conduct business on a barter basis.

Ballesteros is a 4th class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines and has a 12,000 hectare land. According to the latest census, it has a population of 31,044 people in 2,270 households.

The following are the 19 barangays of Ballesteros:

Ammubuan / Baran / Cabaritan East / Cabaritan West / Cabayu / Cabuluan East / Cabuluan West / Centro East (Pob.) / Centro West (Pob.) / Fugu / Mabuttal East / Mabuttal West / Nararagan / Palloc / Payagan East / Payagan West / San Juan / Santa Cruz / Zitanga

Baggao, Cagayan municipality

It was once a barangay of Amulung but due to a Royal Degree on November 27, 1896, it was separated from Amulung. Don Rafael Catolico became its head in 1899 making Baggao automatically a “pueblo.”

Bounded by the Sierra Madre Mountain and the Pacific Ocean, Baggao also boasts of several scenic spots like the seven Steps at Gimuno, Duba Summer Resort and the hot spring at Intal, to name a few.

The inhabitants were from the early Indonesian immigrant to the present-day Ybanag, Kalingas and the migrant Ilocanos who introduced the tobacco crop.

As more settlers poured in, a Spanish Missionary was assigned in the person of Fray Pedro Vicandi, O.P. He directed the construction of a chapel atop the hill overlooking the village.

The most important products are rice, corn, tobacco, mongo and lumber. The chief occupation of the people is farming.

Baggao is the birthplace of Msgr. Teodolfo S. Domingo, D.D. He is the first native bishop of the Tuguegarao Diocese, and was consecrated on July 2, 1957 by Msgr. Egidio Vaquozzi, Papal Nuncio.

Baggao is a 1st class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines with an area of 92,060 hectares.. According to the latest census, it has a population of 73,048 people in 13,039 households.

It has 48 barangays namely:

Adaoag / Agaman (Proper) / Alba / Annayatan / Asassi / Asinga-Via / Awallan / Bacagan / Bagunot / Barsat East / Barsat West / Bitag Grande / Bitag Pequeño / Bunugan / Canagatan / Carupian / Catugay / Poblacion (Centro) / Dabbac Grande / Dalin / Dalla / Hacienda Intal / Ibulo / Imurong / J. Pallagao / Lasilat / Masical / Mocag / Nangalinan / Remus / San Antonio / San Francisco / San Isidro / San Jose / San Miguel / San Vicente / Santa Margarita / Santor / Taguing / Taguntungan / Tallang / Temblique / Taytay / Tungel / Mabini / Agaman Norte / Agaman Sur / C. Verzosa (Valley Cove)

The municipality of Aparri, Cagayan

The municipality of Aparri has the coveted title “Cleanest Town in Cagayan.” It is located at the northernmost part of Cagayan, near Babuyan Channel. One of its 42 barangays, Fuga, is one dot of an island on the Babuyanes. The 42 barangays are distributed on its 26,460 hectare area, most of which are across the temperamental Cagayan River.

On May 11, 1680, Aparri town was officially inaugurated and was granted ecclesiastical recognition having for patron saint, Peter Thelmo. It is the only town which celebrates its town fiesta for 10 to 15 days with daily activities and nightly dancing, a showcase of the fun loving and frivolous traits of the Ibanags.

It is believed that Aparri got its name when the civil and religious authorities in Nueva Segovia (now Lallo) decided in 1604, to erect a church there for the evangelization of the natives. The many priests who celebrated the first mass there remained to supervise the construction of the church and continue their evangelization work subsequently, the natives referred to their place as “Aparrian,” an Ybanag word meaning “where priests resided.”

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Amulung, Cagayan Province

Amulung was officially founded on December 15, 1734 by Manuel Romero who was then alcalde mayor of the province. Romero gave an image of “Our Lady of Victory” to the inhabitants of the town, then a barrio of Iguig. It was enshrined in its first church built somewhere in 1746.

Predominantly populated by the Ilocanos and Itawes, it is in this municipality where quaint dialects are spoken. Some Spanish precede the Itawes translation so that the same sentence or question is substantially stated or asked twice. Amulung is a mere 25 minute ride to Tuguegarao for it is only 26 kilometers away. It is a 4th class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 44,367 people in 7,874 households.

Amulung has 47 barangays namely:

Abolo / Agguirit / Alitungtung / Annabuculan / Annafatan / Anquiray / Babayuan / Baccuit / Bacring / Baculud / Balauini / Bauan / Bayabat / Calamagui / Calintaan / Caratacat / Casingsingan Norte / Casingsingan Sur / Catarauan / Centro / Concepcion / Cordova / Dadda / Dafunganay / Dugayung / Estefania / Gabut / Gangauan / Goran / Jurisdiccion / La Suerte / Logung / Magogod / Manalo / Marobbob / Masical / Monte Alegre / Nabbialan / Nagsabaran / Nangalasauan / Nanuccauan / Pacac-Grande / Pacac-Pequeño / Palacu / Palayag / Tana / Unag

Allacapan, Cagayan Province

Allacapan is situated in the northwestern periphery of Cagayan, boarding lower Kalinga-Apayao. It has its beginning as a small village in the jungle vastness, inhabited by Negritos. Daring Ilocanos, mainly from Ilocos Sur, discovered it in quest for greener pasture, and eventually dominated the place.

It was founded as a municipal district of Tawit, Mountain Province in 1926 and ceded to Cagayan in 1928, and finally became a regular municipality in 1945 by virtue of Commonwealth Act No. 590 authored by Congressman Miguel Pio.

The history of Allacapan has a series of existing episodes and transitions. During the Japanese occupation, the Japanese forces established a garrison in the heart of the community from where echoed moars of torture inflicted upon prisoners of war, most often, innocent civilians. Later on, the Japanese burned the municipal hall, including the school building in the old site of Daan-Ili. The incident aggravated the fear of the civilians and they fled to the mountains.

After liberation, some disgruntled ex-Army men who were not satisfied with their backpay checks took to the hills with their rifles and joined the underground movement. Allacapan then became a hotbed of the Huks (HUKBALAHAP or Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon). Their atrocities resulted in the kidnapping of then Mayor Agustin Gorospe in September 1951, the burning of the newly constructed town hall, and the looting of the local treasury.

Destiny shaped its own course for Allacapan. The construction of the highway from Magapit, Lallo to Bangag, Aparri traversing Allacapan and the opening of the Magapit Bridge to traffic, facilitated mobility of trade and commerce. Allacapan suddenly became a local point. It is now very accessible from all points and is fast becoming an urban community.

How Allacapan got its name? In his continuing saga, the curiosity of Francisco Umengan, an ex-municipal president from Aparri, was aroused to the point of annoyance by the skittering of dried leaves heaped within the vicinity. On his inquiry about the significance of the noise, his Negrito guide told him “alla-appan” meaning “trap.” Umengan then named the place “Allacapan” and the name struck to the present.

Allacapan is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 29,821 people in 5,260 households.

There are 27 barangays in Allacapan:

Bessang / Binobongan / Bulo / Burot / Capagaran (Brigida) / Capalutan / Capanickian Norte / Capanickian Sur / Cataratan / Centro East (Pob.) / Centro West (Pob.) / Daan-Ili / Dagupan / Dalayap / Gagaddangan / Iringan / Labben / Maluyo / Mapurao / Matucay / Nagattatan / Pacac / San Juan (Maguininango) / Silangan / Tamboli / Tubel / Utan /

Alcala, Cagayan Province

Alcala is an old town situated in the middle of Cagayan some 38 kilometers north of Tuguegarao. It was originally called “Fulay“, an Ybanag word for red, because of the distinct reddish color of the soil. When the Diocese of Nueva Segovia (at Lallo) was established in August, 1595, Fulay fell under its jurisdiction and it was not until July 20, 1789 that it was officially proclaimed a township. It was renamed “Alcala” in honor of Don Francisco Paulo de Alcala sometime in 1843.

It is noteworthy to mention that the brick church built by Fray Casimiro Gonzales proved to be the biggest church within the Diocese of Nueva Segovia (30 meters in width and 90 meters in length) and it was in this church shortly before the fall of the Spanish regime to the Americans in the late 1800s that Bishop Gregorio Aglipay, then a Catholic priest and then later founder of the Philippine Independent Church, was proclaimed Ecclesiastical Governor of Cagayan.

With the establishment of American Military Government in the Philippines at the turn of the century, the people of Alcala geared themselves in adjusting to a new ideology under democracy.

Alcala has 25 barangays and has a total land area of 18,720 hectares. It is located on a plateau overlooking the winding Cagayan River. Its original Ibanag inhabitants were from Cabagan, Isabela, Tuguegarao and Tuao. One of good places to visit is the Saint Philomene Church, regarded as the widest church in the Cagayan Valley. Alcala Milk Candy is a famous product of this municipality.

Alcala is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 35,694 people in 7,025 households.

There are 25 barangays that comprises the municipality of Alcala namely:

Abbeg / Afusing Bato / Afusing Daga / Agani / Baculod / Baybayog / Cabuluan / Calantac / Carallangan / Centro Norte (Pob.) / Centro Sur (Pob.) / Dalaoig / Damurog / Jurisdiction / Malalatan / Maraburab / Masin / Pagbangkeruan / Pared / Piggatan / Pinopoc / Pussian / San Esteban / Tamban / Tupang

Abulug municipality in Cagayan Province

Abulug is a 4th class municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 28,769 people in 5,297 households.

The municipality of Abulug lies between the municipalities of Ballesteros and Pamplona on the Northwestern part of Cagayan along the China Sea. Tulug, the original name of Abulug had been a flourishing fishing village long before Don Juan Salcedo sailed to the mouth of Abulug River in 1572. In 1629, the name “tulug” was changed into Abulug, including two barangays of Totol and Capitana.

It is a typical Ybanag town. The immigrating Ilocanos had contributed to large extent to the progress of the town.

Silk weaving at one time flourished in Abulug but with the abdication of Spanish rule and the absence of Spanish friars who introduced the industry, silk culture, has been totally forgotten.

Its important agricultural products are rice, vegetable and industrial products are lumber and fish. Its native craft, cottage and trade are mat-weaving, pottery, nipa shingle and native winemaking.

Favored with many attractions, the majestic bend of its namesake river, immensely fertile agricultural areas, unspoiled back-country scenes and friendly people. A trip down the river to the sea in the late afternoon, the magnificent sunset in all its splendor can be viewed and you can listen to the eternal sea-wishing you would be as close to nature to Abulugueños.

The 20 barangays of Abulug are:

Piat Sambali Festival of Cagayan Province

The “Piat Sambali Festival” of Cagayan province held on June 23-30 features a reenactment of the “sambali,” a war dance of tribes that were united and converted to Christianity through the intersection of the Lady of Piat (known also as the Black Mary). Said festival is followed by the “Feast Day of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Piat” on July 1-2 with activities centered at Piat Basilica Minore which houses the Image of Mary.

Aggao Nac Cagayan Festival

Every June 23-29, Cagayan province celebrates a province-wide festival called “Aggao Nac Cagayan” which commemorates the establishment of the civil government in Cagayan on June 29, 1583.

Lallo Cabibi “Clam” Festival

Cabibi (clam) Festival is being held in Lallo every August which depicts the “cabibi” as an enduring major source of livelihood for those living along the banks of Cagayan River.

Buguey’s Crab Festival

In Cagayan province, it is the municipality of Buguey that holds a Crab Festival every May 14-20 to celebrate its more modern achievement in crab aquaculture.