tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74830575948299309872024-03-05T03:36:42.505-08:00AMAZING OCCIDENTAL MINDOROROWELYN VERDIN MERCADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09575581693964613498noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483057594829930987.post-11943826312553222932012-03-11T04:45:00.000-07:002012-03-11T04:45:02.117-07:00HISTORY OF CALINTAAN<div class="sites-layout-tile sites-tile-name-header">
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<span style="color: #996633; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Town of Calintaan</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #33cc00; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;"><strong>HISTORY OF CALINTAAN</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> <span style="color: #cc9933; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: x-small;"><strong>By Rudy Candelario</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #663333;">Translated in English by Benjamin Walata</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I – DURING THE SPANISH OCCUPATION OF MINDORO </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The name of the village which was mentioned first in the history of the places under the Municipality of Calintaan at present is Ililin.<span> </span>Local historians believe that the name of the village now is Brgy. Iriron for in the old map drawn by Fr. Murillo, SJ during the Spanish regime, Ililin was indicated in the spot where Iriron is presently located.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1666, Jesuit records mentioned that two missionaries of this religious congregation baptized adults 20 to 24 years old in Ililin.<span> </span>The old Spanish document also mentioned that in 1733, this village was a part of the Parish of Mangarin.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref1" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[1]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>On October 23, 1739 four o clock in the morning, the guard at the watchtower of the Ililin fort saw one hundred Moro pirates aboard five bancas approaching their village.<span> </span>He blew his <i>tambuli</i> or crude trumpet fashioned from carabao horn to warn the villagers.<span> </span>Residents of the place escaped but a few of them including Fr. Leon de San Jose, a missionary friar assigned in Mangarin who was only visiting Ililin were captured by the pirates.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The pirates burned the convent and church of Ililin.<span> </span>They stole the important materials inside the house of worship and brought the captives to Jolo.<span> </span>In 1740, the head of the Order of Augustinian Recollects received the tragic news that Fr. Jose was killed by the pirates.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1749, changes were made in the divisions of parishes in Mindoro.<span> </span>Ililin was put under the jurisdiction of the Parish of Calavite.<span> </span>That year, two hundred eighty persons were residing in this village.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In August 1754, Moro pirates aboard six swift bancas attacked Ililin.<span> </span>However, this time the people valiantly defended their village.<span> </span>When the pirates found out that they could not defeat the defenders, they retreated.<span> </span>They sailed towards Dongon, believed to be Brgy.San Nicolas at present and attacked it.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Until the year 1800, aside from the paragraph written by Augustinian missionary Fr. Joaquin Martinez de Zuñiga in his book, that he visited Ililin which according to him was a village destroyed by the Moros, no other historical record was written about this community.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Due to their extreme fear pf the Moro pirates, the families who were formerly living in Ililin settled on the plains and mountains a few kilometers away from the coast.<span> </span>In 1810, a certain Jose de Silva of Mansalay visited the people scattered in various settlements and convinced them to live again in one place.<span> </span>The people were convinced and the barrios of Idamay and Nayayos were formed.<span> </span>That same year, it was mentioned in the baptismal books of Naujan that Fr. Pedro de Sta. Rita visited the abovementioned barrios and baptized thirty six (36) adults, including the Mangyans.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1819, a new parish was created at the old village of Ililin which during that time was already called Iriron.<span> </span>Placed under the jurisdiction of this parish were the barrios of Abra de Ilo, Mamburao, Dongon, Nayayos, Idamay, Mangarin and Iling.<span> </span>The total population of the parish was one thousand three hundred (1,300) persons.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref2" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[2]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Fr. Aniceto dela Concepcion was appointed as the first parish priest of Iriron.<span> </span>He arrived in this parish in 1821.<span> </span>His father and mother were Spaniards but he was born in the Philippines.<span> </span>Although the government provided him with a banca and armed guards every time he visited the different parts of his parish, he found the work extremely difficult.<span> </span>Fr. Aniceto got sick of malaria and on March 25, 1824 he died in the island of Iling.<span> </span>In the meantime, since no replacement could be found, Iriron was placed again under the jurisdiction of the Parish of Naujan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Based on Spanish records, the population of Iriron in 1829 was one hundred fifty (150).<span> </span>It was also recorded that this village has two cannons used by the residents in defending themselves against Moro pirates.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Due to the frequent incursions of the pirates to their village, the people of Iriron transferred to other places.<span> </span>What remained in the settlement were the church, convent, prison and a few houses.<span> </span>Years later, visitors who entered the church were surprised to see the three chandeliers fashioned out of the backbone of a large whale.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref3" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[3]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">II – ESTABLISHMENT OF <i>EL PUEBLO DE MAGARANG</i> AND THE </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>REVOLUTION AGAINST SPAIN </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In the latter part of 1871, with its acquisition of fast sailing boats, the Spanish authorities were able to control piracy in the different parts of the Philippines, including the island of Mindoro.<span> </span>Gradually, the people returned to their devastated villages.<span> </span>Other communities appeared and one such settlement was Magarang.<span> </span>A rich Spaniard, Señor Pascual Ledesma established a cattle ranch in this place.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref4" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[4]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1894, the Order of Augustinian Recollects bought the cattle ranch of Señor Pascual Ledesma.<span> </span>The Spanish friars in Zambales, who were members of the said congregation, hired Espiridion Jimenez as administrator of the ranch and convinced him to live in Magarang.<span> </span>Together with his family and relatives who would help him take care of thousands of cattle, Mr. Jimenez settled in Magarang.<span> </span>After two years, the center of the cattle ranch became a Spanish <i>pueblo</i> and Mr. Jimenez was appointed as the <i>capitan del pueblo</i>.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref5" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[5]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Later on, Capitan Jimenez and the Spanish friars disagreed on some matters.<span> </span>The leader of the <i>pueblo</i>, together with his family and four other families looked for vacant land which they could cultivate and call their own.<span> </span>Temporarily, they stayed at Iriron.<span> </span>A few kilometers south of this settlement, they found a forested land suitable for agriculture.<span> </span>The vacant land was near two lakes full of leeches during rainy season.<span> </span>In their dialect, the place where leeches abound is called <i>Calintaan,</i> thus, they called the area by that name.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The group of farmers who cleared the forested area of Calintaan and settled there were composed of the families of Jimenez, Pascual, Labrador, Pudan and Isidro.<span> </span>They were acknowledged as the founders of this community.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When the Filipinos revolted against the Spaniards, Capitan Espiridion Jimenez formed a group of revolutionaries.<span> </span>The three <i>capitanes</i> of Iriron, Isidro Zamora, Pedro Dapil and Marcelino Vitang were among its members.<span> </span>They coordinated their activities with the group of revolutionaries from Sablayan led by Capitan Pedro Fernandez.<span> </span>The prominent members of the other group were former <i>cabezas de barangay</i>:<span> </span>Vicente Gallembas, Tiago Dangeros, Carpo Urieta, Docoy Eniega, Vicente Dangcoding, Tiago Dantayana and Paeng Dawatis.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In the latter part of 1897, with the approval of Capitan Marianito Abeleda of Paluan, who was the acknowledged leader of the revolutionaries in West Mindoro and Capitan Daniel Sambong, assigned as one of the heads of the revolutionary government in Calapan, the combined forces of Capitan Pedro Fernandez and Capitan Espiridion Jimenez composed of seventy five men, went to <i>El Pueblo de Magarang</i> to capture the Spaniards staying there, including the missionary friars.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref6" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[6]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Based on the history written by Antoon Postma, a Dutch researcher, the revolutionaries temporarily detained their captives at Magarang, sent them to Paluan and finally imprisoned them at Taysan, Batangas.<span> </span>They were set free in 1904, during the American occupation of Mindoro.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref7" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[7]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">III – DURING THE AMERICAN OCCUPATION OF MINDORO</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Calintaan became a progressive community after the Spanish regime.<span> </span>Mr. Eligio Jimenez was appointed as the first <i>cabeza de barangay</i> of this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Under the American regime, Sablayan was created as a municipality.<span> </span>Iriron and Calintaan were among the barrios placed under its jurisdiction.<span> </span>The voters of Calintaan saw to it that every election time, the candidate from their barrio would win and would serve as their representative in the municipal council.<span> </span>Among their representatives were Leoncio Panganiban, Benigno Lontoc, Juanito Gonzales, Juan Credo, Pedro Credo, Agustin Esmelo, Francisco Esmelo, Eriberto Lineses, Atanacio Encomio, Constancio Villarosa, Cornelio Gasmin, Aniceto Apigo, Alberto Obispo, Amador Ulay and Vicente Isidro.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref8" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[8]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In the early part of 1914, the first primary school in Calintaan was opened.<span> </span>The first teachers who were assigned there were Remedios Jimenez, Leoncio Panganiban and Primitivo Zamora.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref9" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[9]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Since Calintaan was far from the seat of the municipal government of Sablayan, the inhabitants of this barrio sent a petition to the municipal government requesting that their community be created as another municipality.<span> </span>During that time, the whole island of Mindoro was only one province and Calapan was the seat of the provincial government.<span> </span>Members of the municipal council of Sablayan endorsed the said petition to the Provincial Council of Calapan.<span> </span>The petition was not approved because according to the provincial treasurer, the income of Calintaan would not suffice to finance the operation of a municipal government.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>In the latter part of 1940, Mr. Pedro Gonzales was convinced by the voters of Calintaan, led by <i>Teniente del Barrio</i> Tirso Jimenez to run for mayor of Sablayan.<span> </span>He won by a wide margin over his political opponents.<span> </span>He earned the distinction of being the first leader from Calintaan to serve as municipal mayor of Sablayan.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref10" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[10]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">IV – DURING WORLD WAR II UNTIL THE LIBERATION OF MINDORO FROM </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>JAPANESE OCCUPATION </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Hon. Pedro Gonzales has only served for eleven months as mayor of Sablayan when World War II broke out.<span> </span>Almost all people of Calintaan evacuated to other places.<span> </span>With his family, Mayor Gonzales evacuated to Looc, the place of birth of his wife.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref11" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[11]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In April 1942, the Japanese soldiers occupied Calintaan.<span> </span>They burned all houses left unoccupied by families who evacuated to other places.<span> </span>During their stay in this place, they forced all male residents to work in their military camp at San Jose.<span> </span>They obliged Remedios Jimenez to teach Niponggo to the elementary pupils of Calintaan.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Great joy was felt by the people of Calintaan when the U.S. led Allied Forces under the command of Brig. Gen. William Dunckel arrived on December 15, 1944 and liberated the whole island of Mindoro from Japanese occupation.<span> </span>The Japanese soldiers who stayed in this place retreated to the mountains.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the liberation of Mindoro and the whole Philippines from Japanese occupation, from December 1944 up to May 1943, a radar station was built by the Americans on a hill at Sitio Bulangcog, Barrio Iriron.<span> </span>They used the facilities of the said station in detecting the movements of the warplanes of the enemies.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref12" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[12]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">V – AFTER THE WAR UNTIL THE CREATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY<span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When peace was restored, the inhabitants of Calintaan who evacuated to other places returned.<span> </span>In addition, families of farmers from Central Luzon and the island of Panay who were looking for land to till migrated to this place.<span> </span>New sitios were formed in the area between Lumintao and Busuangan Rivers.<span> </span>Years later, the sitios became barrios of Tanyag, New Dagupan and Concepcion.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>On November 15, 1950 the formal creation of the provinces of Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro took effect.<span> </span>Starting that year, rapid migration to Mindoro of people from other provinces of the Philippines took place. Gradually, the sitios and barrios surrounding Calintaan were cleared of forests.<span> </span>Two groups of farmers built communal irrigation systems for their ricefields.<span> </span>Members of the Tau-Buhid or Batangan tribe who formerly lived in the lowland transferred to the mountains.<span> </span>However, the names they have given to their former settlements remained --- proofs that they were the original inhabitants of those places.<span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The people of Calintaan pursued their request to local officials of Occidental Mindoro that their barrio be created as a municipality.<span> </span>When Congressman Pedro Medalla, Sr. was elected as representative of Occidental Mindoro to the Philippine Congress, he filed a bill for the creation of the Municipality of Calintaan.<span> </span>On June 18, 1966 by virtue of Republic Act No. 4732, Calintaan was separated from Sablayan and created as another municipality.<span> </span>Placed under its jurisdiction were the barrios of Concepcion, Iriron, New Dagupan and Tanyag.<span> </span>The total land area of the new municipality is thirty eight thousand two hundred fifty (38,250) hectares.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref13" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[13]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>That same year, due to the urgent request of the parents and teachers of elementary school graduates, a barrio high school was opened at Poblacion, Calintaan.<span> </span>Temporarily, classrooms of the elementary school being administered by Mr. Feliciano Pajayon were also used as classrooms of the barrio high school.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref14" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[14]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In the election held on November 14, 1967 Hon. Felomino Jimenez was elected as the first municipal mayor of Calintaan.<span> </span>With the assistance of Congressman Pedro Medalla, Sr., the municipal building, roads and bridges of the new municipality were constructed.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">VI – DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWN UNTIL THE MARTIAL LAW PERIOD</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1970, under the management of Mrs. Lucila Viaña, the barrio high school of Calintaan was elevated to the status of a municipal high school.<span> </span>After ten years, when Mrs. Iluminada Remo served as the principal of the said school, he opened extension classes of Calintaan Municipal High School at Tanyag, Iriron and Concepcion.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref15" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[15]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Results of the census conducted by the National Statistics Office in Calintaan on May 6, 1970 showed that the total population of the communities under the jurisdiction of Calintaan was seven thousand nine hundred forty nine (7,949).</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref16" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[16]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Meanwhile, due to the continuous arrival of families of farmers from other provinces and nearby towns, two barrios were added to the jurisdiction of the municipality of Calintaan.<span> </span>These are Poypoy and Malpalon.<span> </span>The indigenous people of Clintaan lived on the hilly sitios of these two barrios now called as barangays.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In order to protect the endangered species of plants and animals in Occidental Mindoro, the mountains of Poypoy, Calintaan and the municipality of Sablayan were declared as national park by the national government.<span> </span>Hunting and killing of the tamaraw, the wild animal found only in Mindoro is strictly prohibited inside this wildlife sanctuary, known as Mt. Iglit Parks & Wildlife Reservation.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the early part of Decade Eighties, the irrigation canal, roads and other facilities of the communal irrigation system formed by groups of farmers were improved by the National Irrigation Administration or NIA.<span> </span>The total area of ricefields irrigated at Brgy. Tanyag, Malpalon, Iriron, New Dagupan and Poblacion increased.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1971, after the term of office of Mayor Jimenez, Hon. Amador Sison was elected as municipal mayor of Calintaan.<span> </span>During his first year in office, martial law was declared in the Philippines.<span> </span>He implemented in his town the development projects of the national government, like the concreting of the plaza and the streets in front of the municipal building, construction of the road in Sitio Cambiswer, Brgy. Iriron and Malpalon.<span> </span>In addition, the irrigation system was improved by deepening and widening the main canals.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref17" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[17]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In April 1977, Mayor Sison died.<span> </span>Vice Mayor Romeo Calabio served as the town’s chief executive.<span> </span>His term of office lasted for three years.<span> </span>He was able to construct the health center and the first phase of the water system at the town’s center.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During martial law period, the national government’s electrification program was implemented in Calintaan.<span> </span>The construction of concrete roads and bridges in Occidental Mindoro was hastened.<span> </span>Concrete bridges were built over the rivers of Anahawin, Iriron and Busuangan.<span> </span>The municipalities of Rizal and Calintaan were joined by a concrete bridge over Lumintao River.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In the election held on January 30, 1980 Mayor Felomino Jimenez regained his position as municipal mayor of Calintaan.<span> </span>He worked for the completion of the irrigation system project and the concreting of the streets at the town’s center.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>An important religious event happened on July 1, 1983.<span> </span>It made the descendants of the founders of Calintaan proud.<span> </span>On that date, Bishop Vicente Manuel, SVD, DD a great grandson of Capitan Espiridion Jimenez was formally installed by Papal Nuncio Bruno Torpiglianni, DD as the first vicar apostolic of the newly created Apostolic Vicariate of San Jose at St. Joseph Cathedral, San Jose. Occidental Mindoro.<span> </span>The significant occasion was witnessed by hundreds of families from Calintaan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Bishop Manuel and his clergy implemented pastoral programs geared towards raising the living condition of the Catholic faithful in Occidental Mindoro.<span> </span>The said programs were vigorously implemented in Calintaan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>On August 30, 1985 Mayor Jimenez died.<span> </span>He was succeeded by Vice Mayor Apolinario Bullagay.<span> </span>He renovated and beautified the municipal hall of Calintaan.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref18" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[18]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">VII - AFTER THE PEACEFUL REVOLUTION AT EDSA <span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1986, after the peaceful revolution at EDSA, all local officials in the Philippines were replaced by President Corazon Aquino.<span> </span>OIC Mayor Edgardo Gagtan was appointed as the chief executive of the municipality of Calintaan.<span> </span>He constructed the public market at the town’s center.<span> </span>He served as municipal mayor for thirteen months.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In December 1987, during the campaign period for local elections, OIC Mayor Gagtan resigned as the town’s chief executive.<span> </span>First Municipal Councilor Hoverto Isidro took over as municipal mayor.<span> </span>His term of office lasted for four months.<span> </span>He was able to improve the municipal plaza.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>That same year, elements of the New People’s Army (NPA) conducted daring raids at the different municipalities of Occidental Mindoro.<span> </span>They attacked the police headquarters and the municipal hall of Calintaan.<span> </span>They confiscated two guns from the police station; typewriter and other equipment from the municipal office.<span> </span>Luckily, nobody was hurt during the incident.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref19" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[19]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>In the 1988 elections, Atty. Eric Labrador was elected as the municipal mayor of Calintaan.<span> </span>He worked for the improvement of the roads going to the different barangays and constructed additional rooms in the municipal building.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref20" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[20]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>That same year, a group of NPA rebels ambushed a combined force of Philippine Constabulary (PC) and Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) at Brgy. Iriron.<span> </span>Six members of the government’s forces were killed in that tragic incident.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref21" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[21]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Elements of the government’s armed forces intensified their campaign against the NPA.<span> </span>Aside from intensive military operation, the Philippine Constabulary conducted seminars at the countryside concerning the advantages of a democratic system of government.<span> </span>Amnesty was granted to rebel returnees.<span> </span>Those who returned to the government’s side were given agricultural land at the resettlement site for rebel returnees at Sitio Kantoroy, Brgy. Manoot, Rizal.<span> </span>After a few years, the influence of the rebel movement to the people of Calintaan weakened.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In the meantime, the school campus of Calintaan Municipal High School was transferred on top of the hill between Brgy. New Dagupan and Poblacion.<span> </span>With the assistance of Governor Peter Medalla, Jr., the buildings left by the company which constructed the roads in Calintaan were converted into classrooms.<span> </span>Additional structures were also built.<span> </span>Under the management of its principal, Mr. Lorenzo Isidro, the number of students in the secondary school increased.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1991, Mayor Rolando Sison was elected as the municipal mayor of Calintaan.<span> </span>He constructed the garage and canteen of the municipal hall including the multi-purpose building and beautified the municipal compound.<span> </span>He strived to maintain peace and order in the municipality.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref22" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[22]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>By virtue of an executive order of President Corazon Aquino, the secondary school which was formerly supported by the municipal government became Calintaan National High School (CNHS).<span> </span>At the same time, the barangay high schools at Tanyag, Iriron and Concepcion were elevated to the status of national high schools.<span> </span>Through the assistance of Governor Josephine Ramirez-Sato, a school bus was given to CNHS by a group of kind hearted Japanese.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In the 1995 elections, Atty. Eric Labrador regained the mayoralty post.<span> </span>With the concurrence of the members of the municipal council, he bought heavy equipments for the infrastructure projects of the municipality.<span> </span>He granted scholarships to poor but deserving students.<span> </span>He built the municipal storehouse.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref23" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[23]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The hierarchy of the Catholic Church in the province worked hand in hand with the municipal government of Calintaan for the betterment of the living condition of the farmers.<span> </span>A farmers’ cooperative was formed in this municipality by the livelihood movement of the Apostolic Vicariate of San Jose.<span> </span>Trainings were also conducted by the said movement to different groups of farmers regarding Integrated Pest Management method of agriculture and organic farming.<span> </span>Aside from the said activities, a group of religious sisters belonging to the Congregation of the Daughters of Charity helps and lives with the indigenous people who are members of the Tau-Buhid tribe or Batangan at Sitio Balangabong, Brgy. Malpalon.<span> </span>They are trying to uplift the living condition of the indigenous people and encourage them to fight for their rights.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref24" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[24]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Members of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Calintaan proposed the changing of the official name of their town during the latter part of 1996.<span> </span>However, when they conducted a series of consultations in the different barangays, an overwhelming majority of their town mates rejected the proposal of changing the official name of their municipality to San Miguel.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref25" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[25]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>In the early part of 1997, a group of farmers at Sitio Gutad, Brgy. Tanyag succeeded in having the lease contract between the government and two families of cattle ranchers in San Jose, cancelled.<span> </span>The plain lands, formerly parts of the cattle ranches which were occupied by members of the group, were awarded to them after a long period of negotiation with the national government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref26" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[26]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>Through the initiative of the municipal government, a fishermen’s cooperative whose members help in protecting marine life was organized in Calintaan.<span> </span>At the same time, concerned youth assist a wildlife friendly group in conserving the tamaraw and its natural habitat.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref27" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[27]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>To keep their town mates aware of what are happening in their area and to ensure their involvement in the development projects being sponsored by the municipal government and different groups, SB members Arsenio Boy Samson and Dante Esteban always report to DZVT, a Catholic radio station at San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the May 1998 elections, Hon. Renato Paulino was elected as the municipal mayor of Calintaan.<span> </span>With the assistance of the national and provincial government, he continued implementing the infrastructure projects in this municipality.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">VIII – CALINTAAN, AFTER THE START OF THE NEW MILLENIUM</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Mayor Paulino tried his best to help his constituents who sought his assistance.<span> </span>He attended to their needs.<span> </span>The people were satisfied with his performance as the head of the municipal government that in the 2001 & 2004 elections he was reelected as mayor of Calintaan.<span> </span>He was the first mayor of this municipality to be reelected twice.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref28" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[28]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Despite the government’s effort to attract members of leftist groups to the democratic system of government, a group of rebels still operate in Calintaan.<span> </span>Bloody clashes between government soldiers and members of the New Peoples Army (NPA) occurred at the hilly portion of Brgy. Poypoy.<span> </span>The Philippine Army intensified their anti-insurgency drive in this municipality.<span> </span>For more than a year now, no bloody encounter was reported between elements of the Phil. Army and the NPA. <span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>To maintain peace and achieve prosperity for his town mates, Mayor Paulino did his duty as chief executive of the municipality.<span> </span>Among his many visible accomplishments were the establishment of a municipal nursery, the construction of concrete roads within Poblacion, Calintaan, the construction of a concrete public market, an office for the municipal agriculturist and the still unfinished municipal gymnasium.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref29" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[29]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Since Mayor Paulino has completed the three term limit, during the 2007 National & Local Elections he decided to run as vice mayor of Hon. Lily Estoya, his running mate in 2004.<span> </span>Both of them won.<span> </span>At present, Hon. Lily Estoya is the municipal mayor of Calintaan.<span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">HISTORY OF THE SEVEN BARAMGAYS OF CALINTAAN</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">1.<span> </span>CONCEPCION</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The indigenous people named the river passing through this place as <i>Bingag.</i><span> </span>It also became the name of their community near the river.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The bigger portion of <i>Bingag</i> was still a forest when World War II broke out.<span> </span>To avoid the Japanese soldiers, the indigenous people belonging to the <i>Tau-Buhid</i> tribe hid on the mountains.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After the war, the indigenous people returned to their kaingin.<span> </span>Four years later, Olivar family from Cebu, Zamora family from Calapan and Impacta family from Iling arrived.<span> </span>They cleared the forested area of Bingag.<span> </span>Later on, families of farmers from the island of Maningning, province of Antique, including families from Romblon who were looking for land to till, settled in this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When farmers from other provinces flocked to Bingag, the Tau Buhids transferred to the mountains.<span> </span>Eventually, Bingag became a sitio of Iriron which in 1949 was a barrio of the municipality of Sablayan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Heeding the request of the residents, Bingag was created as a barrio of Sablayan in 1951.<span> </span>In the same year, the government opened an elementary school here.<span> </span>Through the leadership of <i>Teniente del Barrio</i> Juan Francisco, the residents constructed a schoolhouse made of nipa and lumber.<span> </span>After many years, with the help of the provincial officials, a concrete structure for the school was built.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When Fr. Erich Stottok, SVD served as parish priest of Calintaan during the latter part of 1950’s, he built a chapel in Bingag.<span> </span>They Catholic faithful enthroned there the image of their patron saint, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.<span> </span>They were able to convince their leaders to change the name of their barrio to Concepcion, in honor of their patron saint.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When Calintaan was created as a municipality in 1967, Concepcion was one of the barrios which was placed under its jurisdiction.<span> </span>The following year, through the initiative of <i>Teniente del Barrio</i> Martin Zamora, the barrio site was surveyed.<span> </span>Lots were set aside for residential purposes, plaza, market, school campus, barangay hall and other public buildings.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During martial law period, the national highway connecting the different municipalities in mainland Occidental Mindoro was constructed.<span> </span>It passed through Concepcion.<span> </span>It greatly helped in the economic progress of the community.<span> </span>The restaurants in this barrio now called a barangay, serve as stopovers of travelers from San Jose to other municipalities in the northern portion of Occidental Mindoro.<span> </span>Many enterprising boys and girls sell foodstuffs and refreshing drinks to the passengers of buses and jeepneys which rest momentarily in this barangay.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1976, Calintaan Municipal High School opened an extension class for first year students in Concepcion.<span> </span>Years later, due to the increase in enrolment and the construction of concrete buildings, what started as extension classes became Concepcion Barangay High School.<span> </span>In 1993, it was elevated to the status of a national high school.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The barangay hall of Concepcion was built during the term of office of Brgy. Captain Marcelo Gallardo.<span> </span>It was improved and made bigger by his successor, Brgy. Captain Rogelio Francisco.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Aside from the aforementioned leaders, those who served as <i>teniente, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Concepcion were Martin Narciso, Sesinando Olivar, Sr., Hulian Macawile, Sr., Angel Zamora, Villardo Macawile, Roque Batolio, Gregorio Quinton, Leonor Batolio, Exequiel Batolio, Eulogio Quiñones and Rogelio Francisco.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Francisco Julian, Sr.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref30" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[30]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">2.<span> </span>IRIRON</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In the map drawn by Fr. Murillo, SJ during the Spanish regime, the village of Ililin was indicated in the place where Iriron is located at present, thus, we could assume that this barangay was the first community of lowlanders who settled in the area between the rivers of Lumintao and Busuangan.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>It was stated in the old record of the Spaniards that missionary priests visited and baptized many adults at Ililin in 1666.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1739, Moro pirates attacked Ililin and they captured Fr. Leon de San Jose who happened to visit this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The pirates again attacked Ililin in 1754.<span> </span>This time, the natives ferociously defended their village.<span> </span>The marauders were forced to retreat.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1819, Ililin was already known as Iriron.<span> </span>It was made as the center of a parish, the area of jurisdiction of which encompassed Abra de Ikog & Mamburao in the north and<span> </span>Mangarin & Iling in the south.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1896, the families of Mr.Espiridion Jimenez and his relatives stayed temporarily in Iriron, when they left Magarang, a progressive community at the southwestern portion of Lumintao River.<span> </span>In 1898, the said leader organized a group of revolutionaries and they captured Fr. Calixto Moral del Pilar, the parish priest of Iriron.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After the revolution, Mr. Jimenez and his relatives left Iriron.<span> </span>They founded the village of Calintaan on a wide plain near two lakes full of leeches, a few kilometers south of Irison. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Iriron was again mentioned in the report sent by Fr. Julian Duval to Bishop Alfredo Verzosa of Lipa, in 1920.<span> </span>It was stated in the report that the person who managed the land where the church was built during the Spanish times, was Mr. Ricardo Jimenez.<span> </span>The priest also reported that he saw in the house of Mr. Pascual Malanan the bell of the chapel with the year 1907 engraved inside it and the statue of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of the barrio.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1921, a strong typhoon devastated Iriron.<span> </span>Many houses in the barrio, including the big trees in its forest were felled by the strong winds.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Before the outbreak of World War II, Iriron was one of the big barrios of Sablayan.<span> </span>The sitios of Concepcion, Malpalon and Poypoy were under its jurisdiction.<span> </span>By that time, the old church built by the Spaniards was reduced to ruins.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the war and up to the time when the Allied Forces were liberating Occidental Mindoro from Japanese occupation, Iriron was the temporary headquarters of the American soldiers.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When Calintaan was created as a municipality in 1967, Iriron was one of the barrios which was placed under its jurisdiction.<span> </span>In 1995, the services of Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative or OMECO reached this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In her desire to help the youth of Iriron acquire secondary education, Mrs. Iluminada Remo, principal of Calintaan Municipal High School opened extension classes in this community.<span> </span>The extension classes evolved into a full fledged high school.<span> </span>In 1993, the said high school became Iriron National High School. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Based on the information gathered by the charitable institution, PLAN International, Mr. Edilberto Lineses was the first <i>teniente del barrio</i> of Iriron.<span> </span>During his term of office, the elementary school in this community was established.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Aside from Mr. Lineses, the persons who served as <i>teniente, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Iriron were Melencio Oliquiño, Domingo Bautista, Rodolfo Pajayon, Benita Ibuna and Maximino Guevarra.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Merlita Ildefonso.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref31" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[31]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">3.<span> </span>MALPALON</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Malpalon was the name given by the indigenous people belonging to the Tau-Buhid (Batangan) tribe to the river flowing through this place.<span> </span>They also called the community founded by the lowlanders near the bank of the river by that name.<span> </span>This place was once a pastureland full of tall grasses.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Malpalon is located at the foot of a mountain.<span> </span>Members of the Tau-Buhid tribe were its first inhabitants.<span> </span>Their culture remained intact, despite the Spanish, American and Japanese occupation of Mindoro.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">During the early part of Decade Fifties, when hundreds of families from other provinces flocked to the southern part of Occidental Mindoro, two groups of farmers settled in Malpalon.<span> </span>The first group were Visayan farmers led by Artemio Prado.<span> </span>The second group led by Efraim Tejada were farmers from the Ilocos region.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>At first, members of the two groups used to fight each other.<span> </span>Avoiding involvement in any kind of conflict, the indigenous people transferred to the mountains.<span> </span>Fortunately, through frequent dialogue, the two groups reached an agreement as to the specific location of the agricultural land each member should occupy.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1955, Malpalon became a sitio of Sablayan.<span> </span>After five years it was elevated to the status of a barrio. Artemio Prado was elected as the first <i>teniente del barrio</i>.<span> </span>It was during his term when the elementary school in Malpalon was opened.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Despite being a barrio, many people from other places did not want to go to this community in the past, for aside from being not accessible to land transportation vehicles, a traveler has to cross a winding river seven times.<span> </span>Before, every time the river overflow its bank, a visitor has to ride on a horse or carabao.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1967, through the efforts of the late Congressman Pedro Medalla, Sr., Calintaan the progressive barrio where the indigenous people of surrounding communities buy their basic needs, was elevated to the status of a municipality.<span> </span>Malpalon was one of the barrios which was placed under its jurisdiction.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>A few months after Calintaan was created as a municipality, a school for the Tau-Buhid was opened by the Department of Education at Sitio Balangabong, the hilly area where the indigenous people who left Malpalon transferred their community.<span> </span>Mr. Domingo Tagare was assigned as teacher in that school.<span> </span>He liked so much the community of the indigenous people that when he retired he did not leave the place.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Through cooperative labor, the farmers of Malpalon were able to construct an irrigation system for their farm.<span> </span>The source of water for irrigation purposes are the rivers of Nagapi and Malpalon.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When members of a rebel group in Mindoro became active in fighting the government, they frequently visited Malpalon.<span> </span>Some prominent residents of this place, fearing that the rebels might harm them, stayed temporarily at Poblacion, Calintaan and Poblacion, San Jose.<span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Active members of a religious sect and the Catholic Church helped uplift the living condition of the indigenous people of Malpalon.<span> </span>At present, a group of religious sisters belonging to the congregation of the Daughters of Charity are living with the Tau-Buhid at Sitio Balangabong.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The municipal government is also trying to uplift the living condition of the indigenous people.<span> </span>The road going to Barrio Malpalon, now called a barangay, was improved and bridges were built over the winding river.<span> </span>They encouraged the indigenous people to plant fruit bearing trees, particularly coffee.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>Aside from <i>Teniente del Barrio</i> Artemio Prado, the leaders who served as <i>teniente, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Malpalon were Martin Balaleng, Ephraim Tejada, Sr., Fermin Boaquin and Rudelito Barrientos.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Capt. Samson Tejada.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref32" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[32]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">4.<span> </span>NEW DAGUPAN</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>This place was a part of the wide pastureland of the Order of Augustinian Recollects, during the Spanish occupation of Mindoro.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the American regime, this was a part of the abandoned friar land being sold by the government to the farmers.<span> </span>A community of farmers gradually appeared in this area.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When Calintaan became a barrio of Sablayan, a few years before the outbreak of World War II, one of the sitios which was put under its jurisdiction was the community of farmers in this place.<span> </span>Due to the reddish color of its soil, the community was called Sitio Pulang Lupa.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1953, the families of Herminigildo Gomez and Felimon Verzola from Pangasinan bought agricultural land in this place and decided to settle here permanently.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The following year, a group of farmers from La Union, led by Emiliano Caraso, Godofredo Ramos and Teofilo Garcia arrived in this place.<span> </span>Other members of the group were the families of Domingo Garcia, Moises Buccat, Laurencio Garcia, Isabelo Balmonte, Jose Mabalot, Dorotea Cariaso, Juan Bocobo and Serapio Viduya.<span> </span>The group of farmers from Tarlac led by Tomas Rapisura, Candido Cudamos and Castor Rosete came next.<span> </span>These persons were the first settlers who built houses at the surveyed residential site of the sitio.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1956, the group of farmers from Central & Northern Luzon led by Desiderio Bullagay, Lorenzo Bullagay and Efraim Tejada arrived.<span> </span>Other members of the group were the families of Francisco Andres, Juan Aguinaldo, Federico Arellano, Modesto Lopez, Bruno Mabitasan, Alfredo Balmonte, Francisco Domingo, Adriano Bucsit, Maximo Domingo and Diosdado Sabado, Sr.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The residents of Pulang Lupa strived to open a primary school in their sitio.<span> </span>With the guidance and assistance of District Supervisor Mariano Ramirez, extension classes for Grades I & II were opened in their community.<span> </span>They were able to convince San Jose Municipal Health Officer Ricardo Pascasio, Sr., to look after their health by visiting their sitio once a month.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">To make their agricultural land more productive, the farmers through cooperative labor constructed an irrigation system from Marilao River up to their farms.<span> </span>They formed a farmers’ group.<span> </span>Mr. Emiliano Cariaso prepared and submitted to the proper authorities the documents which made their group legal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The residents sent a petition to the municipal council of Sablayan and the provincial board of Occidental Mindoro requesting that Sitio Pulang Lupa be elevated to the status of a barrio.<span> </span>The petition was approved in 1957 and Pulang Lupa became a barrio of Sablayan.<span> </span>.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Immediately after Pulang Lupa was made a barrio, the inhabitants agreed to change its name.<span> </span>Two names were proposed by the people. <span> </span>The first one was <i>La Pantar</i>, the combined first letters of the names of the three provinces where the residents came from:<span> </span>La Union, Pangasinan and Tarlac.<span> </span>The second one was New Dagupan, for the word <i>Dagupan,</i> in the Ilocano dialect means a place where the Ilocanos from the different provinces of the Ilocos Region met.<span> </span>The word <i>New</i> was added to the name because a city in Pangasinan named Dagupan already exists.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Through the combined efforts of its inhabitants and leaders, Barrio New Dagupan now called a barangay became progressive.<span> </span>The individuals who served as <i>teniente, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of this community were Desiderio Bullagay, Francisco Andres, Bartolome Rapisura, Bruno Mabitasan, Candido Cudamos, Francisco Domingo, Rodrigo Novelozo, Guillermo Racca and Ernesto Mabitasan.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Luz Lopez.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref33" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[33]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">5.<span> </span>POBLACION<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The indigenous people belonging to the Tau-Buhid or Batangan tribe were the first inhabitants of this place.<span> </span>Aside from few patches of kaingin, forests and two lakes full of leeches could be found in this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1894, a group of families from Zambales led by Mr. Espiridion Jimenez settled in the <i>pueblo</i> of Magarang which is now a part of the municipality of Rizal.<span> </span>In that community, Mr. Jimenez was elected as the <i>capitan del pueblo.</i><span> </span>Years later, disagreements occurred between the Jimenez family and the priests whom they served. The group decided to transfer to another place where they could settle permanently.<span> </span>At first, they settled in Iriron where Capitan Jimenez was again elected as <i>capitan del pueblo.</i><span> </span>Later on, they transferred to the forested plains south of Iriron, near two lakes full of leeches.<span> </span>A few families from Iriron joined their group.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The farmers who cleared the forest and built huts in the place they called Calintaan were Eligio Jimenez, Martin Gonzales, Severo Iculin, Victor Pudan, Isidro Obispo, Simeon Picarzo, Agapito Picarzo, Apolonio Pica, Basilio Urdanza, Faustino Alejandro, Joaquin Isidro, Hilarion Isidro, Simplicio Pudan, Vicente Alivanza, Clemente Pudan, Anastacio Encomio, Tomas Picarzo, Ciriaco Alejandro, Timoteo Ladringan, Florencio Ladringan, Cipriano Garlitos and Agapito Bautista.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>No school for formal education existed during that period.<span> </span>The children were taught <i>cartilla</i> and <i>caton,</i> together with Arithmetic which consisted of <i>somar, restar, multiplicar</i> and <i>dividir</i> at the convent of the missionary priest.<span> </span>Fr. Javier Sesma, the roving missionary who took care of Calintaan during that time, assigned Remedios Jimenez, the daughter of Capitan Espiridion Jimenez as teacher of the children.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When the Filipinos revolted against the Spaniards, Capitan Jimenez formed a group of revolutionaries.<span> </span>They joined the group formed by Capitan Pedro Fernandez of Sablayan and Capitan Marianito Abeleda & Agustin Liboro of Paluan.<span> </span>They captured the Spanish priest assigned in Magarang and sent him to the prison for missionary friars in Taysan, Batangas.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1902, during the American occupation of Mindoro, Calintaan was made as a barrio of Sablayan.<span> </span>After twelve years, an elementary school was established in this place.<span> </span>Remedios Jimenez, Leoncio Panganiban and Primitivo Zamora were appointed as the first elementary schoolteachers.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The barrio of Calintaan grew and it slightly moved away from the lakes full of leeches, to the area where it is located at present.<span> </span>In 1966, through the efforts of Mr. & Mrs. Feliciano Cajayon, together with Mr. Mariano Labrador, a barrio high school was established here.<span> </span>The following year, by virtue of Republic Act No. 4732, sponsored in Congress by the late Congressman Pedro Medalla, Sr., Calintaan was separated from Sablayan and created as another municipality.<span> </span>The center of the new municipality was placed at the community formed by Capitan Jimenez and the twenty two members of his group, during the Spanish times.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>Those who served as <i>cabeza de barangay</i> of Calintaan were Eligio Jimenez and Ricardo Jimenez.<span> </span>Those who served as <i>teniente</i> and <i>capitan del barrio</i> were Vicente Alivansa, Leoncio Panganiban, Jacinto Gonzales, Constancio Villaroza, Tirso Jimenez, Mariano Labrador, Manuel Labrador, Vicente Ariola, Sr., Aniceto Apigo, Alberto Obispo and Vicente Ariola, Jr.<span> </span>Those who served as barangay captain were Esteban Gagtan, Victorio Gasmin, Eliseo del Rosario, Eufrocino Ulay, Renato Paulino and Miguel Calabio.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Miguel Isidro.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref34" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[34]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">6.<span> </span>POYPOY</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The indigenous people belonging to the tribe of Tau-Buhid or Batangan were the first inhabitants of this place.<span> </span>Since the area is hilly and far from the communities of their fellow indigenous people, upon reaching this place, the Tau-Buhid frequently uttered the word <i>Malapoy,</i> meaning <i>Its tiring</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The farmers who pioneered in cultivating the agricultural land in the area belonged to the families of Ulay and Lineses.<span> </span>They were members of the group who founded the community of Calintaan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1950, group of farmers from Ilocos Norte, belonging to the families of Quimoyog, Morella, Magno, Guilas and Tolentino arrived in this place.<span> </span>They cleared the forest and converted it into productive land.<span> </span>Since they always hear the indigenous people uttering the words <i>malapoy, malapoy,</i> when tired of walking, they agreed to call<span> </span>their community <i>Poypoy,</i> the last syllables of the repeated word.<span> </span>Later on, Poypoy<span> </span>became a sitio of the barrio of Calintaan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After a few years, families who were seeking for vacant lands settled in Poypoy.<span> </span>The community grew.<span> </span>Its inhabitants requested the municipal council of Sablayan to elevate their sitio to the status of a barrio.<span> </span>Members of the municipal council granted their request and on June 6, 1956 Poypoy became a barrio of Sablayan.<span> </span>Mr. Eufrocino Ulay was elected as the first <i>teniente del barrio.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Since the lowlanders occupied the land which were formerly their kaingin, the indigenous people transferred to the mountains.<span> </span>Sometimes they descend from the highlands to work as farm laborers in the ricefields of the lowlanders.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1958, a primary school was opened by the government in Poypoy.<span> </span>After many years, the schoolhouse which was made of bamboo, cogon and lumber was replaced with concrete buildings.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When the local government unit led by the late Governor Arsenio Villaroza, constructed the provincial highway joining Mamburao to San Jose, it passed through Poypoy.<span> </span>As a result, in 1966 many passenger buses and jeepneys passed in this barrio.<span> </span>Unfortunately, landslides frequently occur at the portion of the highway by the mountainside.<span> </span>After a few years, drivers of land transportation vehicles decided to use the old highway near the coast of Occidental Mindoro. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1967, Calintaan was created as a municipality.<span> </span>Poypoy was one of the barrios which was placed under its jurisdiction.<span> </span>Gradually, the roads from the barrio to the sitios were improved by the municipal government.<span> </span>When the national government declared Mt. Iglit as a tamaraw conservation park, a wide mountainous area under the jurisdiction of Poypoy was included in the park.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Since its difficult for the schoolchildren from Sitio Nilapso to walk from their community to Poypoy to attend classes in the public school of the barrio, the government opened an elementary school in the said sitio in 1978.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1995, an irrigation water system was constructed by the National Irrigation Administration or NIA in Poypoy.<span> </span>The source of water for irrigation purposes was Anahawin River.<span> </span>That same year, Calintaan National High School opened extension classes in the barangay.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Aside from Mr. Eufrocino Ulay, the individuals who served as <i>teniente, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Poypoy were Matias Quimoyog, Samuel Casabar, Bonifacio Gongora, Victor Mamaril, Lucila Magno, Eufrocino Baldos and Freddie Aglipay.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Henry Quimoyog.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref35" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[35]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">7.<span> </span>TANYAG<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The farmers called this wide plain near Lumintao River as <i>Kabulanbulanan.</i><span> </span>The name came from <i>bulan-bulan,</i> a kind of plant which abound in this place.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The first settlers of Kabulanbulanan came from the provinces of Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Cavite and Pangasinan.<span> </span>Among them were the families of Alejandro, Balolua, Malilay, Gonzales and Garcia.<span> </span>They cleared the forested plain and converted it into productive agricultural land.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Kabulanbulanan became a sitio of the barrio of Calintaan in 1955.<span> </span>After six years, a class for Grade 1 pupils was opened in this community.<span> </span>Years later, the school offered a complete elementary course and its classrooms which were made of light materials were replaced by concrete structures.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1967, when Calintaan was created as a municipality, the residents of Kabulanbulanan requested the municipal council that their community be elevated to the status of a barrio.<span> </span>After meeting all the requirements, the request was granted and in 1968, Kabulanbulanan became a barrio of Calintaan.<span> </span>Mr. Venancio Malilay was elected as the first <i>teniente del barrio.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The inhabitants decided to change the name of their barrio.<span> </span>From among the proposals, <i>Kanyag</i> was favored, the name given by the indigenous people to the big, white stone in a mountain near the barrio which any person entering Kabulanbulanan could easily see.<span> </span>However, majority of the barrio folks wanted to change the first letter of the name, thus, Kanyag became Tanyag.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When Calintaan Natonal High School opened extension classes in Concepcion and Iriron, a first year class for high school students was also opened in Tanyag.<span> </span>After a few years, complete classes for high school students were offered in the barrio now called a barangay.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Families of farmers continued to arrive in Tanyag, particularly in Gutad which was one of its sitios.<span> </span>They occupied the plain lands which were former portions of the pastureland of some well off families.<span> </span>They petitioned<span> </span>the Department of Environment & Natural Resources to re-classify the said lands and distribute it to the farmers.<span> </span>After a few years of fighting for their rights which sometimes led to violent clashes, the petitioners succeeded in acquiring certificates of ownership for the land they occupied and tilled.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The erosion of some portion of their land every rainy season became a problem of the farmers of Tanyag.<span> </span>As a result, they requested Gov. Josephine Ramirez- Sato to divert the flow of water in Lumintao River.<span> </span>In 1994, the chief executive of the province sent a heavy equipment operator with a bulldozer to this place to deepen the river, construct a dike and divert the flow of the river.<span> </span>Since that time, the erosion of some portions of productive land was somehow lessened.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>Aside from Mr. Malilay, the individuals who served as <i>teniente, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Tanyag were Anastacio Garcia, Feliciano Gelacio, Fernando Jaravata, Jose Aquino, Damaso Lopez, Salvador de Vera, Dante Pugal, Rosendo Sabado, Manuel Halog and Orlando Garcia.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Roberto Alejandro.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref36" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[36]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Families of farmers continued to arrive in Tanyag, particularly in Gutad which was one of its sitios.<span> </span>They occupied the plain lands which were former portions of the pastureland of some well off families.<span> </span>They petitioned<span> </span>the Department of Environment & Natural Resources to re-classify the said lands and distribute it to the farmers.<span> </span>After a few years of fighting for their rights which sometimes led to violent clashes, the petitioners succeeded in acquiring certificates of ownership for the land they occupied and tilled.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The erosion of some portion of their land every rainy season became a problem of the farmers of Tanyag.<span> </span>As a result, they requested Gov. Josephine Ramirez- Sato to divert the flow of water in Lumintao River.<span> </span>In 1994, the chief executive of the province sent a heavy equipment operator with a bulldozer to this place to deepen the river, construct a dike and divert the flow of the river.<span> </span>Since that time, the erosion of some portions of productive land was somehow lessened.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>Aside from Mr. Malilay, the individuals who served as <i>teniente, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Tanyag were Anastacio Garcia, Feliciano Gelacio, Fernando Jaravata, Jose Aquino, Damaso Lopez, Salvador de Vera, Dante Pugal, Rosendo Sabado, Manuel Halog and Orlando Garcia.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Roberto Alejandro.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historycalintaan" name="_ednref37" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[37]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
</span></div>ROWELYN VERDIN MERCADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09575581693964613498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483057594829930987.post-78203900561095641932012-03-11T04:43:00.004-07:002012-03-11T04:43:58.277-07:00HISTORY OF MAMBURAO<div class="sites-layout-tile sites-tile-name-header">
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<span style="color: #996633; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Town of Mamburao</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;"><strong>HISTORY OF MAMBURAO</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> <strong><span style="color: #336666;">By Rudy Candelario</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Translated in English by Benjamin Walata</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">I – DURING THE SPANISH REGIME</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The name of the municipality came from <i>May Bulao,</i> an expression of the indigenous people which means <i>There’s Gold</i>. The expression was oftentimes uttered by the indigenous people, during the early days, every time they found pieces of gold after sifting the sands from the bed of a river near their settlement. They called the river where they discovered gold as <i>May Bulao</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The group of lowlanders who first lived near < xml="true" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" prefix="st1" namespace=""><i>May</i><i> Bulao</i> River also called their settlement by that name. Years later, the name became Mamburao.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref1" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[1]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Prior to the coming of the Spaniards in the Philippines, Mamburao was already a progressive community, a center of commerce where Muslim traders lived. The old potteries and kitchen utensils dug from this place showed that Chinese traders used to visit this community during the 10<sup>th</sup> century. Their sea vessels could enter the deep river of Mamburao and during stormy weather they dropped anchor at the sheltered coast of what is known now as Brgy. Tayamaan.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Written history stated that on the 1<sup>st</sup> day of January 1570, a company of warriors from Panay, led by Captain Juan de Salcedo, aboard fifteen sailboats, passed by the villages of Iling and Mamburao before proceeding to Lubang. In Mamburao, they defeated and drove away the Muslim warriors who were reported to the Spanish authorities as pirates. It was also stated in the report of a Spanish historian that in 1572, the Spanish soldiers confiscated two Chinese <i>champans</i> or sea vessels full of goods at Bato River, approximately five miles <i>from the town of Mindoro</i>. Local historians believed that <i>the town of Mindoro</i> mentioned in the report was actually Mamburao, since the distance of Bato River of Sta. Cruz from this municipality, at present, is approximately five miles.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref2" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[2]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">During the Spanish regime, the government controlled trade in the different parts of the Philippines. They sent an expedition to Sulu to vanquish the Moros and place them under the jurisdiction of the Spaniards. However, the Moros fought back and one of the methods they used in resisting Spanish domination was to attack the communities which were under the control of the foreigners. As a result, the former Muslim traders became pirates. It was mentioned in history that Mamburao was one of their headquarters in Mindoro. When they were defeated and driven out by the Spaniards from the community, as vengeance, they raided and looted repeatedly the coastal communities in Mindoro, including their former headquarters.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">When Calavite was erected as a parish in 1580, one of the communities placed under its jurisdiction was Mamburao. It was mentioned that in 1679, this community was one of the places visited by Fr. Diego dela Resureccion, the Spanish missionary belonging to the Order of Augustinian Recollects, who was assigned as parish priest of Calavite.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1757, the <i>corregidor</i> of Mindoro reported to the Governor General of the Philippines that Mamburao was one of the villages which disappeared from the map due to the frequent plundering and burning of this place by the Moro pirates. In 1766, it was reported that the Spanish soldiers drove out the pirates who used Mamburao as their temporary resting place.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1772, it was stated in another report that the Spanish soldiers attacked the pirates who were based in Mamburao. Many pirates escaped and hid in the mountains. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The last plundering and burning of Mamburao by the pirates happened in 1842. Fr. Miguel Claro, the Spanish friar assigned in this place was able to escape to the mountains. Unfortunately, due to the hardships he experienced in the mountains, and the extreme depression he felt because of the burning of the church and convent he painstakingly built, he lost his mind. When the Spanish soldiers found Fr. Claro in the mountains, they brought him to Manila for medical treatment. Nevertheless, the said missionary was not able to recover from his mental illness.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref3" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[3]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">To avoid the pirates, many families evacuated to other places. It was mentioned in the history written by a teacher from Talaotao, one of the barangays in Golo Island, municipality of Looc, that the ancestors of the inhabitants of this place were from Mamburao who left their original village due to the frequent raids of Moro pirates.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref4" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[4]</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">When the pirates stopped raiding the villages in Mindoro, Mamburao was made a <i>pueblo</i> by the Spaniards. A wide territory was placed under its jurisdiction. It included the territories which are now under the municipalities of Paluan, Abra de Ilog and Sta. Cruz.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In a book written by Dr. Remigio Agpalo, a noted professor and former chairman of the Political Science Department of the University of the Philippines, he mentioned that his great, great grandfather, Simeon Agpalo, together with some relatives from San Marcelino Zambales, settled in Mamburao in 1865. The first time they arrived here, they found only ten houses near the seashore. Through hard work and perseverance, they were able to clear the forest near their settlement.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref5" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[5]</span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Years later, the number of inhabitants increased when settlers from the provinces of Batangas and Cavite, followed by families from the municipalities of Paluan, Looc and Lubang of Occidental Mindoro, came and stayed in this place. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo mentioned in his autobiography that he bought a big sailboat and bartered goods with the inhabitants of Mindoro, together with his brothers Benigno and Crispulo.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref6" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[6]</span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> This business activity of the late general might have started in 1885 for the <i>capitan municipal</i> of Paluan, Capitan Mariano Abeleda and the leader of Sablayan, Capitan Pedro Fernandez became his friends. Although, it was not mentioned in his autobiography, it was believed that Gen. Aguinaldo set foot in Mamburao for the wide plain under Brgy. Balansay at present, became his property.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">It was mentioned in an old document of the Order of Augustinian Recollects (OAR) that one of the members of their congregation whom they want to be included in the list of saints of the Catholic Church, Fr. Vicente Soller, was assigned as parish priest of Mamburao in 1891. The said priest was able to build a convent and a church in this pueblo.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref7" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[7]</span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> He served the people of this place until the year 1898. It was also mentioned in the records of OAR that Mamburao was one of the places visited by St. Exequiel Moreno when the former head of the Spanish friars in Mindoro, visited the parishes in the island.. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1898, Mamburao was one of the places where the Filipino revolutionaries led by Capitan Mariano Abeleda and Capitan Agustin Liboro searched for Spanish friars and soldiers whom they would capture and imprison.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">II – DURING THE AMERICAN REGIME</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> The independence gained by the Mindoreños lasted only for two years. During the last part of 1901, American troops under the command of Major William Pitcher, attacked Mamburao and burned all houses and buildings, including the church and convent built by Fr. Vicente Soller. Some foreign soldiers abused the civilians and the people who sought shelter at the headquarters of the soldiers were truly pitiful to look at.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref8" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[8]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When Captain Robert Offley was appointed as governor of Mindoro by American authorities, in 1902, he established a village for the indigenous people at Sitio Tii which is now Brgy. Fatima. He opened a school and appointed a president & councilor to manage the place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1905, by virtue of Act 1280, the American government ordered that the number of municipalities in the island of Mindoro be reduced from fifteen to eight. Mamburao remained as a municipality. Placed under its jurisdiction were Paluan, Abra de Ilog and Sta. Cruz which were reverted to their former status as barrios. However, in 1910, by virtue of Executive Order No. 31, Paluan and Abra de Ilog were again created as municipalities. In 1949, by virtue of Executive Order No. 210, Sta. Cruz was separated from Mamburao and elevated again to the status of a municipality.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref9" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[9]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In the early part of the American occupation of Mamburao, they opened a primary school in this municipality. In the beginning, classes were only form Grade 1 to Grade IV but in 1916, classes were opened for pupils from Grade V up to Grade VII. The elementary school graduates who pursued secondary education, enrolled at Mindoro High School in Calapan, then the capital of the province of Mindoro.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1936, still under the American regime, the spiritual care of the inhabitants of Mindoro was entrusted to the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) after more than three hundred years of being under the Order of Augustinian Recollects. Mamburao remained as a parish. It was one of the towns visited by Bishop William Finnemann, SVD, DD during his second year of being the prefect apostolic of the Apostolic Prefecture of Mindoro.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref10" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[10]</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The American government appointed municipal presidents in Mamburao. After a few years, the municipal presidents were elected by the people. Those who served as municipal presidents were Luis Villar, Sinforoso Mercene, Mariano Villarosa, Jose Mercene, Vicente Sison and Pascual Castillo.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In the history of Sta. Cruz written by a teacher in 1950, it was mentioned that one politician from Brgy. Mulawin served as a member of the municipal council of Mamburao. He was Councilor Petronilo de Borja who also served, temporarily, as municipal president of Mamburao.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref11" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[11]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">III – DURING & AFTER WORLD WAR II</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When World War II broke out, Mamburao was occupied by the Japanese soldiers. During that period, Francisco Niebres continued serving as municipal president of Mamburao under the supervision of Japanese authorities.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> The people of Mamburao experienced extreme fear and hunger during the Japanese occupation. The support given by the inhabitants to enemy soldiers and members of the group of freedom fighters aggravated the problem of shortage of food. Some families were tortured by soldiers of either of the two opposing groups, on mere suspicion that they were supporters of the Japanese or the Filipinos.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> The people of Mamburao were very happy when the U.S. led Allied Forces landed in San Jose, on December 15, 1944. That same year, Mamburao was liberated from Japanese occupation. The group of guerrillas in this town helped the soldiers of the Allied Forces in liberating other towns of West Mindoro from the enemies.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When peace was restored in 1945, a group of educators in Mamburao established West Mindoro Academy (WEMA). The said school gave opportunity to the youth to acquire secondary education. After a few years, WEMA was sold by its founders to the Society of the Divine Word.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref12" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[12]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> That same year, the American authorities appointed Eduardo Arguelles as the municipal president of Mamburao. When an election was held in 1947, Mayor Agaton Cosuco was elected as the head of the municipal government.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Life was difficult for the people of Mamburao during that time. Many got sick of <i>malaria</i>. Only few stores, big houses and school buildings could be seen at the town’s center. Aside from the roads which connected this town to Sta. Cruz, Abra de Ilog and Paluan, no highway linked Mamburao to the towns at the southern part of West Mindoro. Sailboats were the usual means of transportation when going to Manila, Palawan and Batangas. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> On June 13, 1950 President Elpidio Quirino signed Republic Act No. 505 which divided Mindoro into two provinces --- Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro. The formal division of the two provinces took place on November 15, 1950 when Mayor Damaso Abeleda of Paluan was appointed by President Quirino as the first governor of Occidental Mindoro. San Jose was designated as the first capital of Occidental Mindoro but since January 1, 1951 Mamburao became the capital of the province.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref13" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[13]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In the election held on November 13, 1951 Mayor Hospicio Pacal was elected as the head of the municipal government of Mamburao. With the assistance of the provincial and national government, he started development projects which were continued by his successors, Mayor Domingo Niebres and Mayor Raymundo Regudo. Those projects were the building of an airport in this town and the improvement & construction of roads and government structures.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Due to inadequate funds and fast succession of provincial governors, the capitol was not immediately constructed in Mamburao. The site where it should be constructed was also frequently changed. According to the book written by Dr. Agpalo, in 1952 when Hon. Federico Castillo was the governor of Occidental Mindoro, the proposed site of the capitol was the lot located north of Mamburao River, on the land owned by Jaime Rosales. However, in 1956 when Gov. Mariano Tajonera was the chief executive of the province, the proposed site of the building was the land owned by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo at Balansay. The construction of the capitol was only realized in 1960, during the first year of administration of Governor Arsenio Villaroza, on the site which he himself selected. With the support of Congressman Felipe Abeleda, the provincial government was able to get funds and the building was constructed on a place called Dapi. Through a resolution, members of the Provincial Board expressed the gratitude of the provincial government to the benevolent individuals who donated the land where the capitol was constructed. They were Marcelino Cosuco, Luciano Flores, Raul Flores, Francisco Alcaide and Joaquin Villaroza.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref14" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[14]</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1964, Governor Villaroza was reelected as the chief executive of the province. Again, with the support of Congressman Felipe Abeleda, he worked for the construction of a provincial hospital and public high school in Mamburao. The following years, with the cooperation of Mayor Cesar Servando and Congressman Pedro Medalla, Sr., additional buildings for government offices were built in Mamburao, the concrete pier in Tayamaan was constructed and concrete roads and bridges at the town’s center were built.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> During this period, Hon. Ricardo Quintos, one of the two delegates of Occidental Mindoro to the 1970 Constitutional Convention, established Golden Country Farms, Inc. The said corporation put up a cattle ranch, poultry and mango farm in Mamburao. It became the supplier of double yolk eggs in different parts of the Philippines. Unfortunately, the operation of the said corporation stopped during martial law period.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref15" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[15]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Due to the uncontrolled cutting of trees in the mountains northeast of Occidental Mindoro, a great calamity hit Mamburao, in 1970. That year, after days of heavy rains, Mamburao River destroyed the dikes which controlled its flow and floodwaters rushed to the town’s center. Many domesticated animals were carried away by the current, concrete bridges and roads were eroded, big houses & buildings were destroyed and some persons died.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref16" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[16]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Due to their extreme fear that a similar calamity would occur in the future, many families in Mamburao constructed houses on higher grounds. As a result, the number of houses increased at the lower portion of the hill where the provincial capitol was constructed.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> During martial law period, electricity flowed into many houses and buildings of Mamburao from the power plant of Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (OMECO) at Sitio Pulang Lupa, Central, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. Portions of the national highway connecting Mamburao and other towns of the province were widened and covered with concrete. A system for potable water was established in this town.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> The implementation of the infrastructure projects and the electrification program of the government contributed greatly to the progress of Mamburao. The flow of goods and services became fast and different commercial establishments appeared in this town.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1980, Hon. Bienvenido Ignacio was elected as municipal mayor of Mamburao. He repaired and improved the municipal hall built by Ex-Mayor Cesar Servando. With the support of Assemblyman Pedro Mendiola, Sr., he built the public market at the western part of the town’s center and started the construction of a river wall at Mamburao River. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1983, by virtue of the papal bull of Pope John Paul II, Occidental Mindoro was created as another ecclesiastical territory known as the Apostolic Vicariate of San Jose. That year, the first vicar apostolic, Bishop Vicente Manuel, SVD, DD visited Mamburao. Through the cooperation of Fr. Ramon del Rosario, SVD formation and training of lay leaders were intensified by Bishop Manuel in this municipality.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref17" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[17]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> After the term of office of Mayor Ignacio, the people of Mamburao again entrusted to Hon. Cesar Servando the reins of the municipal government. The said mayor completed the construction of the river wall at Mamburao River.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">IV – AFTER THE PEACEFUL EDSA REVOLUTION</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1986, when President Corazon Aquino ordered the replacement of all municipal mayors in the country, appointed as OIC Mayor of Mamburao was Hon. Natividad Simbulan. She served for ten months.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> During the first election held after the peaceful EDSA revolution, Mayor Esmenio Verdera was elected as the head of the municipal government. Two of his visible accomplishments were the improvement and beautification of the municipal hall and the construction of the fence around the municipal compound.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1993, the public high school opened by the late Gov. Arsenio Villaroza became a national high school and was called Occidental Mindoro National High School. Occidental Mindoro Community College which was opened by the association of parents and teachers was made as a branch of Occidental Mindoro National College of San Jose.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In the election held last 1994, Mayor Allan Aquino was elected as the head of the municipal government of Mamburao. In coordination with the provincial and national governments, more concrete roads were constructed in this municipality. Trucks for hauling garbage were also purchased by the municipal government. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Two tragic incidents shocked the people of Mamburao in 1997 & 1998. The first one was the killing of Tayamaan Brgy. Captain Michael Quintos and his brother Paul, by unidentified gunmen. The second one was the shooting of Vice Mayor Roger Abeleda. Many believed that politics was the motive behind the crimes.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref18" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[18]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Despite the trials and difficulties it encountered, Mamburao is becoming progressive. At present, this town has telephone lines, cable television, passenger jeeps going to different municipalities of the province and beach resorts for both foreign and local tourists. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 2004, Joel Panaligan was elected as municipal mayor of Mamburao. The town’s chief executive is confident that with the cooperation of the people and the support of the local and national officials, his municipality would become more progressive. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">HISTORY OF THE SEVEN BARANGAYS OF MAMBURAO</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">1. BALANSAY</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Residents of this place believe that the name of their community originated from one of these two Iraya words: <i>bansay</i>, a buri palm; and <i>balingasay</i>, a kind of tree. After years of constant use, the word evolved to <i>Balansay</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Like the old communities of Mamburao, the indigenous people belonging to the Iraya tribe were the first settlers of this place. Some families built their huts near the bank of the big river found here. The said river was used as a port during the Spanish occupation of the Philippines. In one report of a Spanish friar to the head of his congregation in 1666, he mentioned that like Mansalay and Dangay which are now parts of Oriental Mindoro, Balansay is also a <i>puerto</i> or port. The said missionary reported that he was able to baptize some indigenous people in this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In the history written by a teacher in 1950, it was stated that the inhabitants of Balansay grew when many families from the <i>pueblo</i> of Mamburao transferred to this community due to the frequent raids conducted by Moro pirates.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was still bartering goods with the people of Mindoro in 1885, he might have gone to Balansay or his sailboat dropped anchor in this port for he was able to acquire a wide agricultural estate within the area of jurisdiction of this community.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> During the American regime, two groups of families of farmers and fishermen from Lubang and Boac, Marinduque settled in this place. Farming, fishing and working as sawmill laborers were their means of livelihood.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> It was mentioned in the history of Balansay, written by a teacher in 1950, that the first leaders of this community were Simeon Custodio, Felipe Fernandez and Agustin Custodio.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1916, many inhabitants of Balansay died due to a smallpox epidemic. Despite the outbreak of the deadly disease, the survivors decided to stay in this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When World War II broke out, the people of Balansay hid in the mountains. The indigenous people taught them how to survive in their hiding places.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> After the war, the people returned to their homes. They tried to make their farms more productive. In order that their children could acquire education, they requested the government to open a primary school in Balansay. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1947, a class for Grade 1 was opened in Balansay. The number of pupils steadily grew, additional teachers were assigned here and after many years, the primary school became a complete elementary school. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1951, the people requested government authorities that Balansay be created as a barrio. The municipal councilors of Mamburao approved the request. It was also approved by the members of the provincial board of Occidental Mindoro. In 1952, Balansay was elevated to the status of a barrio.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> During martial law period, the national highway from Mamburao to other municipalities in the southern part of Occidental Mindoro, which passes through Balansay was widened and improved. Electric service also reached this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Although members of the rebel group or the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) strengthened their anti-government activities in the remote areas of Balansay, during martial law period, the people of this community remained loyal to the government. They strived to raise their economic situation, despite some disruptions in the peace and order condition of their community.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Through the cooperation of the inhabitants, leaders of the barangay and local & national officials, a barangay hall, day care center, plaza, concrete stage and multi-purpose pavement were constructed in Balansay.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Aside from the aforementioned personalities, those who served as leaders of Balansay were Guillermo de Lemos, Fedencio Panaligan, Mario Custodio, Eliseo Custodio, Emilio Tarcena, Iluminado Bulalacao, Juanito de Vera, Libertador Custodio and Armando Ramirez. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Ariel Castigador.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref19" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[19]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">2. FATIMA</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Tii was the original name of this community. According to the story told and retold by old residents of this place, a foreigner asked the name of this community from a man fishing in the river. The man thought that the foreigner was asking for the name of the fish he was trying to catch. He answered <i>TIGI</i>. The foreigner heard the word <i>TII,</i> hence, he called this place by that name. It so happened that their community has no name yet, thus, inhabitants called it <i>TII</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Tii was a forest during the Spanish occupation of the Philippines. Aside from a few families of indigenous people who built huts in their <i>kaingin,</i> no other group of people settled in this place. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> During the early part of the American regime, government authorities established communities which would be the permanent settlements of the indigenous people. To encourage the Mangyans belonging to the Iraya tribe to stay in one place, the government opened a school for their children. A school was built in Tii. The governor of Mindoro during that time, Captain Robert Offley, appointed a president and a councilor who would manage the affairs of the indigenous people in Tii.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> At first, many children of the Iraya tribe, some of which came from the nearby communities of Talabaan and Balansay, attended classes in the school of Tii. However, after a few years, their number decreased until the government was forced to close it. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When Talabaan was created as a barrio in 1905, Tii became a sitio under its jurisdiction. As years passed, families of Ilocano farmers from Luzon arrived and settled in this place. Among them were the families of Gallardo, Alafriz, Ignacio and Pamanilay. They cleared the forests and converted it into cornfields and ricefields. The indigenous people who tilled <i>kaingins</i> in the lowland transferred to the mountains.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When World War II broke out, in order to avoid the Japanese soldiers, the inhabitants of this place hid in the mountains. Within a period of almost three years, in order to survive, they have learned to eat root crops and dried sap of buri trunk.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> After the war, the inhabitants of Tii returned to their homes. Some of their relatives decided to settle also in this place. In addition, families from other towns of Occidental Mindoro bought farmlands in this sitio.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1965, Tii was created as a barrio of Mamburao. Heeding the request of the inhabitants, the government opened an elementary school in this barrio. The school building was constructed inside the lot donated by Gaudencio Gallardo.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Due to his active leadership in the cooperative labor done in the barrio and his being kind to those who asked his help, when an election was held in Tii, Gaudencio Gallardo was elected as its first barrio captain. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> The farmers thought of irrigating their ricefields. They dug deep wells and every summer, by means of motorized water pumps, they irrigate their farms.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> During martial law period, electric service reached this place. Moreover, the national highway connecting Mamburao with Sta. Cruz was improved. The said highway passes through this barrio, now a barangay.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> The families in Tii agreed that their patron saint will be Our Lady of Fatima. They also decided to change the name of their community with the name of their patron saint. As a result, in 1979, Tii became Brgy. Fatima.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Through the cooperation of the residents, leaders of the barangay, national & local officials, a day care center, barangay hall, concrete stage and multi-purpose pavement were constructed in Brgy. Fatima.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Aside from Gaudencio Gallardo, those who served as leaders of Fatima were Ricardo Alafriz, Dominador Gallardo, Arturo Alafriz and Roman Paguio. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Alberto Quiñonez.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref20" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[20]</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">3. POBLACION</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> This place started as a village of the municipality of Mamburao. Its name came from <i>May Bulao,</i> an expression of the indigenous people which means <i>There’s Gold.</i> The expression was oftentimes uttered by the indigenous people, during the early days, when they found pieces of gold after sifting the sands from the riverbed near their settlement. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Before the Spanish occupation of the Philippines, due to their extreme fear of the Moro pirates, the indigenous people of this village, then known as Mamburao transferred to the mountains. The pirates established their headquarters in this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1570, a large group of Spanish and Filipino warriors under the command of Capitan Juan de Salcedo drove the pirates out of Mamburao. Nevertheless, since the Spanish soldiers did not stay in this place, the pirates returned after a few months.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When Calavite Parish was entrusted to the Order of Augustinian Recollects in 1679, Mamburao was one of the villages visited by the missionaries assigned in the said religious center. However, due to the frequent raids of the pirates, the lives of the Spanish missionaries were oftentimes put in danger.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> A Spanish friar mentioned in his report that in 1757, Mamburao disappeared from the map because this village was burned by the pirates. When people again settled in this place, Fr. Miguel Claro, a Spanish missionary built a convent here. Unfortunately, after a few years of silence, the pirates again raided Mamburao. Fr. Claro was able to escape and hide in the mountains. However, due to the destruction of his church & convent and all the improvements in the village, the said priest became despondent and eventually lost his mind.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In a book written by Dr. Remigio Agpalo, he mentioned that his ancestor Simon Agpalo, together with some relatives from San Marcelino, Zambales settled in Mamburao, in 1865. The first time they arrived here, they found only ten houses near the seashore of this village. Through hard work, they were able to clear the forest around their settlement. Years later, the number of inhabitants increased until the village became a <i>pueblo</i> or town.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When the Filipinos revolted against the Spaniards, Mamburao was one of the places where the revolutionaries led by Capitan Mariano Abeleda and Capitan looked for the Spanish soldiers.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1901, the American soldiers occupied the center of the <i>pueblo</i> of Mamburao. When they entered the pueblo, they burned all the houses and buildings, including the church. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1905, under Act 1280 which reduced the number of municipalities in Mindoro, the former towns of Paluan, Abra de Ilog & Sta. Cruz were placed under the jurisdiction of the municipal officials based in what was already known as Poblacion, Mamburao. The American authorities opened a primary school here and in 1916, it became an elementary school with classes from Grade I to Grade VII.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When World War II broke out, the people of Poblacion, experienced hunger. The farmers could not plant palay in their farm, fearing that upon harvest, the Japanese soldiers or members of the pseudo guerrilla group would confiscate the grains.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When peace was restored in 1945, the people of Poblacion tried to make their place progressive. Groups of families engaged in farming, fishing, trade and industry, from Lubang and Batangas settled here.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1951, a few months after Mindoro was divided into two provinces, Mamburao was made as the capital of Occidental Mindoro. Provincial offices of the different government agencies were established at the town’s center.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> The economic progress of Poblacion happened, gradually. The construction of concrete roads which were started in Decade 60’s was vigorously pushed through in the middle part of Decade 80’s. Commercial enterprises were established.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"> In 1975, upon the order of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, the town’s center or Poblacion were divided into barangays. Poblacion, Mamburao was divided into eight barangays. The leaders of each political unit strived to make their barangay progressive. The present leaders of the eight barangays, namely; Brgy. Captain Emmanuel Olfato of Brgy. 1, Rolito de Jesus of Brgy. 2, Ronaldo Flores, Sr. of Brgy. 3, Rex Servando of Brgy. 4, Randy Fontanilla of Brgy. 5, Alejandro Montealegre of Brgy. 6, Enrique Pantoja of Brgy. 7 and Laudelino Sison, Jr. of Brgy. 8, continue to implement their own programs for development, including the projects started by their predecessors.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref21" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[21]</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">4. SAN LUIS </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Lig-ang was the original name of this barangay. According to the story of old residents of this community, many years ago, a housekeeper cooked rice on a makeshift stove made of three stones placed near each other. The stones were not firmly planted on the ground, thus, when the water with rice boiled, the kettle shook and the stones moved. As a result, the kettle tipped sideward. In the dialect of people from Batangas, the shaking of the content of the kettle which would result to its tipping, is called<i> lig-ang.</i> Due to that incident, this place was named Lig-ang.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Lig-ang was a forest during the Spanish occupation of Mindoro. The indigenous people belonging to the Iraya tribe used to get here root crops for food and lumber for their huts.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> During the American regime, the vacant land in this area was bought by a well off individual known only as Don Luis. However, he did not develop the land, hence, it remained a forest.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1930, the families of Lastre and Mulingbayan from Balayan, Batangas settled in Lig-ang. To be able to plant palay and corn, they cleared the forest. Their relatives came and also farm in this place. The number of inhabitants increased until Lig-ang became a sitio of Mamburao.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Five years before the outbreak of World War II, the road joining the town of Abra de Ilog and Mamburao was constructed by the national government. It passed through Sitio Lig-ang. Nevertheless, no passenger jeep regularly plied the Mamburao-Abra de Ilog route. The residents of Lig-ang traveled by hiking and riding on horseback. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When World War II broke out, like the people of other communities, the inhabitants of Lig-ang hid in the mountains to avoid the Japanese soldiers.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> After the war, the people returned to Lig-ang. They tended their farms and made it more productive. They requested the government authorities that a primary school be opened in their community. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1948, the primary school in Lig-ang was opened. Years later, it became a complete elementary school.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The population of Lig-ang grew when many families of farmers from Central Luzon migrated to Mindoro, during Decade 50’s. The said migration took place due to the intensified campaign of the government soldiers against members of the Hukbalahap movement. The peace loving farmers of Central Luzon avoided any kind of conflict.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">When the required number of inhabitants for the elevation of a barrio to a sitio was met, the people of Lig-ang requested government authorities that their community be created as a barrio. The request was granted and in 1951, Lig-ang was created as a barrio of Mamburao.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In order that Lig-ang would have a barrio site, Don Luis sold a portion of his land to the barrio officials at a much reduced price. Moreover, he donated the lot needed for the barrio plaza and other projects of the community.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">To perpetuate the memory of his benevolence, the people of Lig-ang decided to register San Luis as the official name of their barrio. It was the custom during that period that whenever the name of a benevolent person is being used as the name of a barrio, the word <i>San</i> is affixed to his name although the person being honored is not a saint.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">After many years, electric service reached the households in San Luis. With the cooperation of the residents of this community and the support of local and national officials, the leaders of this barangay were able to construct the barangay hall, day care center, waiting shed and plaza. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The persons who served as leaders of San Luis were Francisco Mulingbayan, Eduardo Mulingbayan, Luderio Paglicawan, Mariano Mulingbayan and Sancho Mulingbayan. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Oscar Olleros.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref22" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[22]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">5. TALABAAN</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> The original name of this barangay was <i>Talabahan</i>. The persons living in nearby sitios gave this name for they used to gather oysters or <i>talaba</i> and other marine life in the swamp of this place. As years passed and for unknown reasons, the letter h disappeared from the name of the barangay and only Talabaan remained.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Like other communities at the northwestern part of Mindoro, a few families of the indigenous people belonging to the Iraya tribe were the first settlers of this place. The missionaries were not able to visit them, during the Spanish occupation of Mindoro due to the thick forest surrounding their settlement.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> A few years before the American occupation, the families of Anoba, Tadeja and Pajayon from Zambales; Tañedo from Tarlac and Cortuna from Abra de Ilog, West Mindoro settled in this place. They occupied the vacant land and converted it into cornfields and ricefields. Later on, Talabaan became a sitio of Mamburao. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> The population grew when people from other places transferred to this community and permanently settled here. In 1900, this sitio was made as a barrio of Mamburao.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1910, the American government organized a settlement of the indigenous people in the nearby sitio of Tii, Brgy. Fatima at present. They opened a school for the Iraya in the said community.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Since Tii was near Talabaan, the families of indigenous people living in Talabaan sent their children to the school established by the Americans. However, due to poverty and the culture of the indigenous people to transfer from one place to another, their children stopped going to school. As a result, after a few years, the elementary school in Tii was closed by the government.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> The inhabitants of Talabaan requested the authorities of the American government to open a primary school in their barrio in order that their children would not hike for hours to attend their classes at the elementary school of Mamburao. The government granted the request and in 1935, a primary school was opened in Talabaan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Meliton Anoba donated a portion of his farm to the government for the buildings and campus of the primary school. When the said benevolent person learned that the Catholic Church needs a lot for its chapel and cemetery, he also donated a portion of his farm to the church. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Due to the generosity of Meliton Anoba, his barrio mates elected him as municipal councilor of Mamburao, during the American regime. In the desire of Councilor Anoba to facilitate the flow of transportation from Mamburao to his barrio, he allowed the construction in his farm of a portion of the feeder road from the national highway to Talabaan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Aside from Meliton Anoba, the leaders who served as <i>teniente del barrio, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Talabaan were Liberato Cortuna, Lolito Tapales, Blas Cortuna, Amado Bernardo, Recaredo Tadeja and Rex Alfaro, The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Arlene Crisostomo.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref23" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[23]</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">6. TANGKALAN </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> During the early days, it was in this place where the travelers from Mamburao to Abra de Ilog would always see chicken cages or <i>tangkalan.</i> When asked as to their place of residence, people who built huts here would answer <i>In Tangkalan.</i> As a result, the early settlers who formed a community here, called this place by that name.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Tangkalan was a forest during the Spanish occupation of the Philippines. This was one of the areas where the indigenous people belonging to the Iraya tribe used to hunt wildlife and gather root crops & fruits during lean months. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> During the American regime, the families of Daprosa, Eje and Villanueva from Calapan, Oriental Mindoro and the family of Contreras from Balayan, Batangas settled in this place. Government authorities allowed them to occupy this forested area as their homesteads. After they have cleared the forest and made the land productive, many of their relatives and friends decided also to settle in this place. The community grew until it became a sitio of Mamburao.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1935, when the Department of Public Works and Highways constructed the road connecting Abra de Ilog with Mamburao, it passed through Tangkalan. Despite the said development project, whenever a resident of this sitio wanted to go to the center of any of the two towns, they have to hike or ride on horseback because no passenger jeep regularly ply the Abra de Ilog-Mamburao route.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When World War II broke out, many residents of Tangkalan hid in the mountains to avoid the cruelties of the Japanese soldiers.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> After the war, groups of farmers together with their families from Central Luzon arrived and settled in this community.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Since their children have to hike for hours in order to attend their classes at Mamburao Elementary School, the parents requested the government authorities that a primary school be opened in their sitio. Their request was granted and in 1950, a Grade 1 class was opened in Tangkalan. That same year, this community was made as a barrio of Mamburao. After six years the primary school in this barrio became Tangkalan Elementary School.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When the trips of passenger jeeps plying the Mamburao-Abra de Ilog route became regular, many residents of Tangkalan built their houses along the national highway. Their leaders constructed a few waiting sheds on both sides of the main thoroughfare.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When Congressman Pedro Medalla, Sr. was the representative of Occidental Mindoro to the Philippine Congress, he worked for the widening of the national highway and the construction of concrete bridges in the province. This project was continued by Asemblyman Pedro Mendiola, Sr. The farmers benefited from the project for they could easily bring their agricultural products to the public markets.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The rebel group known as New Peoples Army intensified their anti-government activities in the barrios during martial law period. Occasionally, they would invite some barangay leaders to their hideout. Unfortunately, Brgy. Captain Venancio Camonino who was invited to the hideout of suspected members of the rebel group, during the last days of martial law, was not able to return to his community.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Through the cooperation of the inhabitants, barangay leaders and national & local officials, a barangay hall, day care center, concrete stage and multi-purpose pavement were constructed in Tangkalan. At present, the gravel & sand portion of the national highway which passes through Tangkalan was turned into concrete by the provincial government.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Aside from the aforementioned leaders, those who served as <i>teniente del barrio, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Tangkalan were Fidel Ablan, Juan Ablan, Jose Umali, Cora Abeleda and Villardo Umali. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Percival Lemos.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref24" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[24]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">7. TAYAMAAN </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> The name of the barangay came from a medicinal plant called <i>tayam</i> which grew abundantly in this place during the early days. To cure chest pain and cough, the medicine man of the indigenous people used to boil the roots of the said plant and tell the sick person to drink the solution. When asked as to where did he get that medicinal plant, the medicine men would answer <i>From Tayamaan.</i> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Due to the inward shape of the coast of this place which made it a good harbor, the Chinese traders bartered goods with the indigenous people living in this area during the pre-Spanish era. They avoided the pirates who also sought shelter at the coast of Tayamaan during stormy weather. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When the pirates made Mamburao as their headquarters during the height of their piratical activities in the Philippines, they used to unload in Tayamaan the goods they have forcibly taken from the places they raided.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> The indigenous people left Tayamaan when the pirates used this place as harbor for their <i>vintas</i>. With the exception of its coast, the wide plains of this place became a forest again.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Since the sea near Tayamaan is a good fishing ground, a few families from Lubang, Romblon, Panay and Cebu decided to settle in this place. They built huts along the coast. Aside from fishing, they engaged in logging and farming. Despite the presence of malaria, they stayed in this settlement until the Japanese soldiers occupied Mindoro in 1942. The people evacuated to other places, to avoid the foreign invaders.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When peace was restored, the families who evacuated to other places returned to Tayamaan. Years later, families of Ilocano and Bicolano farmers also migrated to this place. The community grew until it became a sitio of Mamburao.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1949, the people of Tayamaan requested the Municipal Council of Mamburao that their sitio be created as a barrio. The request was granted. Tayamaan was elevated to the status of a barrio in 1950. Sario de Luna was elected as the first <i>teniente del barrio</i>. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In order that their children would not walk for kilometers to be able to attend classes at Mamburao Elementary School, the parents requested the government authorities to open a public school in Tayamaan. The Department of Education granted their request. In 1960, an elementary school was opened in this place. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Due to his benevolence, active service and good relationship with the people, <i>Teniente del Barrio</i> de Luna served as the leader of Tayamaan for twenty five long years. He retired in 1975, during martial law period. He was succeeded by Brgy. Captain Rolando Rosales. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> During martial law period, when Hon. Cesar Servando served as municipal mayor of Mamburao, a concrete pier was constructed in Tayamaan. The number of sea vessels which loaded and unloaded goods & passengers in this pier increased.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> During the administration of Brgy. Captain Segundo Maguad, a number of school buildings were constructed in Tayamaan. It included the building donated by the officers and members of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1998, a tragic incident happened when Brgy. Captain Michael Quintos of Tayamaan and his brother Paul, both sons of former Assemblyman Ricardo Quintos, were killed by unidentified armed men in a party which they attended. A group of men, together with a well known politician of Occidental Mindoro were tried before the court and sentenced with the maximum penalty for allegedly committing the crime. The case is presently on appeal before the Supreme Court. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Aside from the aforementioned leaders, those who served as barangay captain of Tayamaan were Silverio Taroma, Salus Sanchez, Domingo Umeres and Tita Aguilar. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Norberto Inmenzo.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref25" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[25]</span></span></a></div>
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</div>ROWELYN VERDIN MERCADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09575581693964613498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483057594829930987.post-73373979433457562502012-03-11T04:43:00.003-07:002012-03-11T04:43:39.319-07:00HISTORY OF RIZAL<div class="sites-layout-tile sites-tile-name-header">
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<span style="color: #996633; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Town of Rizal</strong></span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #999900; font-size: x-large;">HISTORY OF RIZAL</span></strong></div>
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<span style="color: #993300;"><strong>By Rudy Candelario</strong></span></div>
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Translated in English by Benjamin Walata</div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">I - PRE-SPANISH & SPANISH TIMES </span><br />
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Before the coming of the Spaniards to the Philippines, the area which comprises the municipality of Rizal, at present, is covered with forests. Later on, a few families of tribal Filipinos, known as <i>Ratagnons,</i> settled near the mouth of a river which was called </span><i><span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Bogsanga.</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">According to the Hanunoos, another group of tribal Filipinos, living on the hills, about ten kilometers west of Bogsanga, the original name of the river is <i>Bisanga</i> a word from their dialect which means <i>It branched out.</i> They gave the river that name for the said body of water came from two sources. Viewed from the top of a hill, one would see two rivers merging into one, like crooked branches of a single tree, a few kilometers from the mountains where it came from.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The Ratagnons named their settlement after the river, thus, in the old map drawn by a Spanish friar, in 1734, the name Bogsanga appeared.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Another settlement appeared in an area, north of Bogsanga, which is near another river called Lumintao, at present. Since the type of soil found in the area, during that time was coarse, and in the dialect of the Ratagnons, the term they used for describing that kind of soil was <i>magarang, </i>they called the place by that name. It could be said that other small settlements, composed of five or seven houses, appeared between the first two villages and between the rivers of Bogsanga and Lumintao, for when the Spanish missionaries intensified the propagation of the Catholic faith in Mindoro and decided to establish ecclesiastical territories, they made Bogsanga a mission station.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">By virtue of Royal Decree No. 103 of the king of Spain, dated February 25, 1878, Bogsanga was made a mission station, together with Paluan, Mamburao, Irirum, now Iriron, and Lumitaw, the old name of Lumintao. Spanish friars, belonging to the congregation of the Augustinian Recollects, visited the tribal Filipinos in Bogsanga and the other settlements between the present Busuanga and Lumintao Rivers and taught them the Catholic faith.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Unfortunately, due to hardships of travel and the semi-nomadic way of life of the tribal Filipinos in Mindoro, Bogsanga as a mission station was abandoned in 1890. The area was placed under the jurisdiction of the Parish of Mangarin.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">An enterprising Spaniard, Señor Pascual Ledesma, saw that the wide plain at the western side of the land between Busuanga and Lumintao Rivers was ideal for raising cattle. He bought the land from the Spanish government, hired workers to take care of the cattle and made Magarang the center of his ranch. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1893, Fr. Crisanto Azpilcueta dela Santisima Trinidad, an Augustinian Recollect, was assigned in Magarang, to take care of the spiritual needs of the people residing inside the <i>La Hacienda de San Jose,</i> the more than twenty thousand hectares of agricultural land, from Caguray to Iriron, which was entrusted by the Spanish government to the Order of the Augustinian Recollect, for cultivation and development. The following year, the Augustinian Recollects bought the ranch of Senor Pascual Ledesma in Magarang. Fr. Isidro Sanz de San Jose was given the task of attending to the spiritual welfare of the families working in the ranch, thus, Fr. Crisanto transferred to another coastal settlement, more than ten kilometers south of Magarang, which is called Bubog at present.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The Spanish friars convinced Mr. Espiridion Jimenez of San Marcelino, Zambales and his relatives to work in the ranch. They took care of more than one thousand cattle. As the cattle multiplied in number, more workers were hired. The settlement pf Magarang grew. It became a <i>pueblo</i>. Mr. Espiridion Jimenez became the leader of the inhabitants, with the title of <i>Capitan del Pueblo</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">A time came when the Spanish friar assigned in Magarang and Capitan Espiridion Jimenez disagreed on some matters. The family of the said leader and those of his relatives decided to transfer to Iriron. Later on, he founded a group of Filipino freedom fighters which the Spaniards called as <i>insurrectos</i>. They joined the group of freedom fighters formed by Capitan Pedro Fernandez of Sablayan. The two leaders planned to capture the Spaniards who are living in Magarang, including the Spanish friar. Before implementing the plan, they asked the permission of Capitan Marianito Abeleda of Paluan, the acknowledged leader of the freedom fighters in West Mindoro and Capitan Daniel Sambong, another leader from East Mindoro who later on become the head of the revolutionary government, based in Calapan, which was formed by General Emilio Aguinaldo to take charge of the whole island of Mindoro.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Based on the history written by Antoon Postma, a researcher from Holland, the Spanish friar was captured by the freedom fighters, from Calintaan and Sablayan, in 1897. Together with the other Spanish friars in Mindoro, they were imprisoned in Taysan, Batangas and were released only, in 1904, when the Americans colonized the Philippines.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The Order of the Augustinian Recollects abandoned their cattle ranch in Magarang, during the revolution. Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo’s troop confiscated the ranch and slaughtered hundreds of cattle to feed the Filipino freedom fighters which were called <i>revolucionarios</i> by the historians.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">After the revolution, the cattle ranch in Magarang was abandoned totally. The cattle which were not slaughtered, escaped from the enclosed area, lived in the forests and became wild animals. Gradually, the church built by the Spaniards, the <i>convento</i> of the friars and the houses of the families who used to work in the cattle ranch were destroyed by the forces of nature. The once progressive <i>pueblo</i> became a forested area. Only the ruins of the church and the <i>convento</i> were seen by individuals who visited the place, many years after the revolution. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">II - DURING THE AMERICAN OCCUPATION</span><br />
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The Americans occupied the island of Mindoro in 1901. They assigned Captain Robert Offley as governor of the island. Calapan, a progressive municipality in East Mindoro was made as the seat of the military government.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1904, under the new land policy of the Americans, <i>La Hacienda de San Jose</i> was bought by the government and it was called San Jose Estate. A part of the estate was leased to a group of American capitalists who made it as a sugar cane plantation. A sugar central was established in an area which is now called Barangay Central. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">When San Jose was created as a municipality in 1910, the area between Busuanga and Lumintao was placed under its jurisdiction. Municipal presidents who were appointed by the provincial governor of Mindoro, visited the settlements found between the two rivers. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1911, Mindoro Sugar Company, later called Philippine Milling Company, which was dubbed as the first sugar central in the Far East, started its operation. The wide area planted with sugar cane, included the agricultural land which are now occupied by Brgys. Pitogo, Sto. Nino, San Pedro and Adela. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The sugarcane plantation was divided into sections. The site of the sugar mill belonged to D-7. Since in Spanish, the official language during that time, 7 is <i>siete</i> and it so happened that the <i>sugar central</i> was a part of that division, the place became known as <i>Siete Central</i>. The name stuck up to the present times although to many people the area is popularly called now as Central.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Since Central was the most progressive area in West Mindoro during that time, the center of the Parish of Mangarin was transferred here. The priests who were appointed as chaplains of Mindoro Sugar Company acted as the parish priests of the ecclesiastical territory. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In a map drawn by Fr. Julian Duval, the chaplain assigned by Bishop Alfredo Verzosa of Lipa, Batangas to Philippine Milling Company, in 1919, the railroad from the company’s center which reached up to Danupa, now a sitio of Brgy. Pitogo, was clearly indicated. Sitio Bogsanga was also indicated as a part of the company’s sugarcane plantation In the report of Fr. Duval to Bishop Verzosa, he mentioned that one hundred twenty (120) families of migrant workers from Romblon stayed at Bogsanga. In Danupa, also called Frietas Camp, during that time, twenty five (25) Ilocano and one hundred twenty (120) Visayan families were residing.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Old residents of Sandulayan, now called Brgy. Sto. Niño, still remember the bridge made of concrete and steel, joining their place and Central, which was constructed by Atlantic Gulf Construction Company for Philippine Milling Company over Busuanga River. Using the name of the construction firm for identification, the people called the bridge <i>Atlantic</i>. Unfortunately, the structure was destroyed by a great flood which occurred in the said river, in 1929.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Based also on the accounts of old residents of Brgy. Aguas, their place was the cattle ranch of the owners of Mindoro Sugar Company. It was there where the managers of the company got the cattle which they butchered whenever there were celebrations of significant occasions in Central or a feast for an important guest.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">With the exception of the families of laborers working at the sugar cane plantation, the Ratagnons were the few settlers of the plains which are now part of the municipality of Rizal. They were the ones who gave the names of Sitio Cambaruang, Cambaog, Candague, Malabnig, Caniwal, Cantoroy and Sandulayan. Patches of kaingin could be found in these places. It is interesting to note that with the exception of Malabnig and Sandulayan, the abovementioned sitios were named after its occupants, the Ratagnons who were called <i>Baruang, Baog, Dague, Iwal </i>and<i> Toroy</i>. The prefix, <i>Kang</i>, signifying ownership was attached to their names. Later on, the prefix became <i>Cam</i> or <i>Can</i>. On the other hand, Malabnig came from a word of the Ratagnons which means <i>a place where there are plenty of rattan</i>. Sandulayan came from the word <i>sanduguan</i> for it was in this place where blood compacts between the tribal leaders and the settlers from other villages, took place. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">About the year 1930, the owners of Philippine Milling Company decided to limit the area planted to sugarcane. In Bogsanga, the area managed by Mr. Geronimo Huissing remained as a part of the plantation. Mr. Huissing and his wife Adela were kindhearted. They helped the laborers in times of need and gave them opportunities to work in the sugarcane plantation.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Unfortunately, after a few more years, due to the continuous financial losses suffered by the sugar central, the sugarcane plantation in Bogsanga was also abandoned. Families of migrant workers and Ratagnons settled in the abandoned area. To differentiate the identity of their settlement with that of the river, they decided to call it as Ponda.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">While changes were taking place in Philippine Milling Company, a new settlement appeared a kilometer away north of the former site of <i>El Pueblo de Magarang</i>. It was formed by families of farmers from Panay. It was called Magui due to the abundance of maguey plants in the area.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1936, relatives of settlers in Magui came to look for vacant land to be cultivated. They decided to settle in the forested area three kilometers south of the settlement, in a place where there were plenty of edible root crop called <i>burot</i> by the Visayan people. Narrated below is the English translation of a general description of the place by one of the pioneers:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">It is dangerous to live in this place because aside from the thick</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">outgrowth of nipa palms in the river, big trees abound in the forested area,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">particularly ‘balete’ and ‘mulawin.’ Monkeys and different kinds of birds </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">live here.. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">At the center of the present barrio site lived the different animals, like</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">deer, wild pigs, cows and carabaos called ‘simaron.’</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The river is also dangerous because ferocious sharks and crocodiles </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">enter the mouth of this deep body of water.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Despite the danger, the pioneers built huts at the bank of the river, called Rumbang by the Ratagnons. Through hard work and persistence, they were able to clear the forested area and make it productive. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The following year, a group of families from Panay settled in Ponda. Another group settled in the plains four kilometers east of Magui, near a creek which was called Mag-asawang Tubig. They were followed by a group of families from Agutaya, Palawan who settled in an area, near Rumbang River, about three kilometers north of Ponda, </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Meanwhile, enterprising individuals from other parts of the country established cattle ranches at the eastern portion of the area between the rivers of Busuanga and Lumintao. Men from Panay were hired to work in the ranch. Gradually, the relatives of the ranch helpers, together with their families arrived, and settled in the vacant land around the pastureland. The indigenous people who have kaingin in the area transferred to the nearby hills.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Gradually, the settlements between Lumintao and Busuanga grew. In 1939, Ponda became a barrio. The pioneers of the place thought of a more beautiful name for their barrio. Since all of them have worked as migrant workers in the sugarcane plantation managed by Mr. Huissing and his wife, they remembered the kindness of the couple. To show their appreciation to the benevolence of their former administrator, they decided to change the name of their barrio to Adela. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1940, St. Joseph Parish was created. Its center was placed in Central. The parish priest assigned in this parish took care of the spiritual needs of the inhabitants of the settlements between Lumintao and Busuanga Rivers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Meanwhile, in their desire that their children could acquire formal education, the residents of Adela petitioned the government that a primary school be opened in their community. Under the leadership of their first barrio lieutenant, Mr. Simeon Saulong, they built a school building made of bamboo and buri leaves, through bayanihan. A Grade 1 class was opened and the following year, class in Grade 2 was about to start when World War II broke out. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1941, almost the same time when World War II broke out, the sitio of Mag-asawang Tubig became a barrio. Residents of this place decided to change the name of their barrio to Magsikap, to remind themselves that they should exert effort to make their life better.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">III - DURING THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1941, World War II broke out. More than a year later, Japanese soldiers occupied Central. They stopped the operation of Philippine Milling Company. Majority of the people who were residing in the sitios which are parts of Rizal, at present, evacuated to their places of origin. Others hid at the forests of Sitio Malabnig, Burot, Malawaan and Alogbate. They survived by eating the edible root crop called <i>nami</i> by the natives and <i>yuro</i> the dried juice from the trunk of buri. Some brave men joined the group of guerrillas formed by Captain Vincent Fortune & Captain Lawrence Cooper, former employees of the sugar central. A few families remained in the sitios but they lived in anxiety and fear, specially every time Japanese soldiers visited their place. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">One incident which residents of Burot, could not forget was when Japanese soldiers looked for a group of guerrillas who entered the river, which served as the boundary between their sitio and Rumbang, riding in a big sailboat owned by Emilio Sta. Maria. When the Japanese soldiers could not find the guerrillas, they held as captives the men in the sitio and hung upside down, Mr. & Mrs. Cornelio and Emilia Calado. Although they feared for their lives, the people prayed before the image of <i>Nuestra Señora de Salvacion</i> in the house of Mrs. Basilia Torres. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The Blessed Virgin heard the petition of the people. After forty eight hours, the captives were released, including the couple who were hung upside down. To show their gratitude to the Blessed Virgin, residents of Burot decided to change the name of their place to Salvacion.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In Adela, the second leader of the community after Mr. Simeon Saulong, Barrio Lieutenant Fernando Candelario, Sr. was summoned by the Japanese soldiers for questioning at their garrison in Central. They pressured him to reveal the whereabouts of the brave men from Adela who joined the guerrilla unit headed by Captain Fortune. When he refused to give information, the barrio leader was imprisoned in the garrison. Fortunately, Mr. Saito, a Japanese civilian from Burot who was a friend of the barrio lieutenant, pleaded to the commander of the soldiers to release the imprisoned leader, testifying that he was a good man. After two days, Barrio Lieutenant Candelario was released. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The first settlers of Magui stated that aside from the Japanese soldiers, they feared the group of bandits led by Pedro Concepcion. The said group killed Mayor Maximino Papa of Sablayan. They also forcibly got the products of the farmers, including their poultry and livestock. The people avoided them by hiding in the forests and mountains.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The group of guerrillas led by Captain Fortune & Captain Cooper fought the Japanese troops but due to limited firearms and ammunitions they resorted to sporadic ambuscades in the garrisons of the enemies.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">When the Allied Forces, led by American soldiers came to liberate Mindoro from the Japanese, on December 15, 1944 the wide sea west of Adela, Rumbang, Salvacion and Magui was filled with warships. The long stretch of seashore of these places was part of the area called as blue beach by the Americans. Before the soldiers landed, their warships shelled the plains to drive away the Japanese soldiers. Unfortunately, many civilians who were not informed beforehand of the shelling, died.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">IV - AFTER WORLD WAR II</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">After the war, hundreds of families from Palawan, Luzon and the Visayas, who were looking for vacant lands to cultivate, flocked to the sitios located at the northern and western side of Busuanga River. They applied for homestead at the land owned by the government, including the abandoned sugarcane plantation of Philippine Milling Company. They cleared the forests and converted it into ricelands. It was during this time when the families of future political leaders of the area between Busuanga and Lumintao Rivers, specifically the Miranda and Liabres families settled in Sto. Niño. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The farmers of Sto. Niño and Danupa, benefited from the irrigation system established by the owners of Philippine Milling Company. The two tunnels dug at the said places are still being used up to the present time, to get water from Busuanga River to irrigate the ricefields not only of Sto. Nino and Danupa but also of the nearby sitios and barrios. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1945, when the government decided to resume classes in the primary and elementary grades, Adela was one of the barrios in San Jose where classes in the primary grades were opened. Children from nearby sitios like Rumbang, San Pedro and Magsikap studied in the school of this barrio. To make up for the school years lost during the war, promotion of bright students was done, thus, it was normal for an intelligent pupil to graduate after four years in the elementary grades. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">After a year, Salvacion became a barrio and a primary school was opened there. Later on, classes from Grade IV to Grade VI were also opened in this place. Pupils from Magui studied there. They walked the few kilometer distance from their barrio to the school to be able to attend classes. Meanwhile, children from Sto. Niño attended classes in Central, for that barrio is nearer to their place than Adela.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1946, the barrio of Magui was created. The name of the community remained for many years, until a great flood occurred which forced the residents to transfer the site of their barrio to higher grounds where plenty of <i>lawaan</i> trees could be found. As a result, the name of the barrio was changed from Magui to Malawaan.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">As years passed, Rumbang, San Pedro and Sto. Niño, the sitios of Adela became barrios. Moreover, the barrios of Pitogo, San Andres and Limlim were formed at the abandoned sugar cane plantation, south of Central. The name of Barrio Pitogo was taken from a kind of tree, San Andres, from the first name of the leader of the settlers and Limlim, from a Pilipino word which describes a stage in the life of a crocodile, a reptile which thrived in the creeks and swamps of the area. Due to the abundance of water in San Andres and in Spanish language, the word used for water is <i>aguas</i>, the name of the barrio was changed to Aguas.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Aside from farming and fishing, logging became the occupation of the settlers in the northeastern part of the present municipality of Rizal.. In the western part of the territory, specifically Rumbang and Salvacion, weaving nipa shingles became the secondary source of income of the residents, for wide nipa swamps could be found in this area. However, when well to do families resided in these places, the nipa swamps were converted into fishponds.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">V - THE GROWTH OF THE BARRIOS BETWEEN TWO RIVERS</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Gradually, the ten barrios between Lumintao River and Busuanga River grew. At the same time, under a new government policy on land use, the pasturelands at the southeastern part of San Jose were transferred to the nearby hills. The wide plains vacated by the cattle raisers were occupied by farmers from the Visayas. Later on, families from other regions of the country joined them. The sitios of Manoot, Amaling and Cantoroy were formed. The number of inhabitants grew. The once forested area became productive. </span></div>
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<a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/river1.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/river1-large.jpg" /></a><span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">To irrigate their ricefields, farmers of Magsikap, Malawaan, Rumbang and Salvacion formed an association under the leadership of former District Supervisor Eusebio Lim. From the first letters of the names of their barrios, they called their group as MAMARUSAL Farmers’ Association. They dug a big canal from the side of a hill at Lumintao River to their ricefields. They managed the irrigation system until the late 1970’s when the management of the said project, including the irrigation system established by Philippine Milling Company was turned over to the National Irrigation Administration (NIA). </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">During the early years, roads were built by means of bayanihan or batarisan of people in the community. Leaders emerged among the inhabitants of the ten barrios. They engaged in politics. Many of them became well known political leaders; Barrio Lts. Luis Aguirre, Sr., Epifanio Dumalaog, Arsenio Tolentino, Sr., Marciano Espartero, Isidoro Andres & Ermelito Balleza. Some were elected as municipal councilors of San Jose like Barrio Lt. Fernando Candelario, Sr., Dr. Angel Pechon, Atty. Eriberto Palomar & Mr. Tranquilino Ramos. Through their efforts, roads, bridges and other infrastructure projects were made in the communities. Two of them were the concrete bridge joining Sitio Bato-ili, Monteclaro, San Jose and Sitio Manoot, Aguas, Rizal which was constructed when Hon. Arsenio Villaroza was the governor of Occidental Mindoro and the road from Brgy. Aguas to Sitio Manoot which was made when Hon. Pedro Mendiola, Sr. was the representative of the province to the Batasang Pambansa. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Pioneers of the ten barrios valued the education of their children. They requested the government that elementary schools be opened in their communities. By means of bayanihan, they built school buildings made of light materials so that classes could be held. Magnanimous individuals donated lots for school campuses. Some mentors volunteered to teach without pay for months or sometimes for almost a year. Later on, school buildings made of concrete and steel were built by the government.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1966, through the concerted efforts of P.T.A. president Emilio Miller, Sr. and then District Supervisor Aniceto Elveña, a barrio high school was established in Sitio Sudlon, Adela. It was called San Jose North High School. Two years later, the school became Rizal Municipal High School and after fifteen more years it was converted into a national high school. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">VI - THE BIRTH AND EARLY YEARS OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF RIZAL</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Political leaders of San Jose and Occidental Mindoro felt that the barrios between Busuanga and Lumintao River should be created as another municipality. In anticipation of the creation of a new town, residents of Barrio Limlim, decided to change the name of their community to Rizal. They expressed their desire that their barrio would be made as the center of the town. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">However, residents of the coastal barrios wanted that the town’s center or poblacion would be placed in Sudlon, a sitio between Adela and Rumbang. Magnanimous individuals like Benisto Pechon, Sr., Pilar E. Venus, Celsa M. Lim, Salustiana vda. De Arca, Merlina Lim, Tomas Soriano, Pedro Saulong, Narciso Janairo, Lucia L. Roldan, Arnulfo Dimalaluan, Cornelio Española, Jr., Ruperto Naungayan, Laureano Apilado and Elias Abayon, donated portions of their land for the town site. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1965, when Hon. Pedro Medalla, Sr. was elected representative of Occidental MIndoro, one of the bills he filed in Congress was the creation of the municipality of Rizal. Through his effort, Republic Act No. 5460, was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos. Rizal became a municipality on April 3, 1969. Ten barrios composed the new town. They were Adela, Rumbang, Salvacion, Magui, Magsikap, San Pedro, Sto. Nino, Pitogo, Aguas and Rizal (Limlim).</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">A special election was held during that year. Elected as first municipal officials of Rizal were Hon. Rufino Liabres – Mayor; Hon. Andres Pablo – Vice Mayor; Honorables Edward Miller, Wilfredo Monoso, Valeriano Malunes, Reymundo Camacho, Leonido Dona, Leonardo Valdez, Crispin Fabelona & Arsenio Balatico – Councilors. In a simple ceremony held on December 27, 1969 they took their oath of office at the residence of the first elected municipal mayor.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Undoubtedly, the elected municipal officials of Rizal, from the first ones to the present, tried their best to serve the people and to make the municipality progressive. Not all of their achievements, however, were recorded. The accomplishments narrated here are what were considered as significant ones and were based on interviews with their contemporaries and the perceptions of the people whom they have served. Hopefully, the documented achievements in the appendices of this write-up would provide a more detailed knowledge on what each administration has accomplished. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Like all new towns, Rizal underwent birth pains. Due to limited funds, the pioneering employees received meager salaries. Each member of the municipal council was given only Fifteen Pesos (PhP15.00) per session. Nevertheless, in their ardent desire to serve the people, the first municipal councilors and those who succeeded them in the regular election of 1972, did not mind receiving the abovementioned measly sum every time they met to discuss and pass ordinances and resolutions for the good of the municipality. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Since there was no existing municipal building during that time, the municipal mayor and his council including the employees of the new municipality, used the house of Mayor Liabres as their temporary office. Later on, with the assistance of the national government, a municipal building was constructed at Sitio Sudlon, the poblacion of the town. After a year, upon the completion of the building, the office of the municipal government was transferred to Sudlon. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">To make it more convenient for people of Sto. Niño, Magsikap, San Pedro and other barangays in the eastern part of the municipality to go to the municipal building, a municipal road was constructed from Sudlon to San Pedro where the highway is located.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1972, when a regular election was held, the following were elected as the second set of municipal officials of Rizal: Hon. Bartolome Miranda – Mayor; Hon. Wilfredo Monoso – Vice Mayor; Honorables Arsenio Balatico, Rosita Urbina, Florentino Aban, Amado Tuason, Bidhel Magsino, Domingo Clemente, Crispulo Palacpac & Camilo Balangatan –Councilors.</span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">THE FIRST MIRANDA ADMINISTRATION </span></li>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Like his predecessor. due to the municipality’s meager resources, during his first term as the town’s chief executive, Mayor Miranda asked the assistance of the provincial and national officials. He was able to improve the municipal building, built a waiting shed and a solar dryer, repaired the school building at the poblacion and constructed the feeder road from Brgy. Sto. Niño to Brgy. Rizal (Limlim).</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Due to the meager salary received by the town officials during that time and aware of the growing financial needs of his family, Vice Mayor Monoso resigned from his position and worked as an agriculturist at the Bureau of Plant Industry. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In August, 1972 or a few months after the second set of municipal officials assumed office, a great flood occurred at Barrio Magui. Lumintao River destroyed a wide area of agricultural land including the barrio site, forcing the people to evacuate to higher grounds. They built their houses at Sitio Payompon. Later on, the sitio became the center of the barrio which was now called Malawaan by the residents. The old barrio site became known as Sitio Tibag.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">When martial law was declared, Mayor Miranda remained as the municipal mayor of Rizal. This municipality benefited from the infrastructure projects implemented by the national government in Occidental Mindoro. Among them were the construction of concrete bridges over Lumintao River, Busuanga River and Mag-asawang Tubig Creek; the widening and graveling of the highway which passed at Brgy. Magsikap, San Pedro & Sto. Niño and the improvement of the existing communal irrigation systems by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA). Unfortunately, the concrete overflow bridge built at Busuanga River was twice destroyed by flood that major repairs were done in the structure to make it passable again during rainy season. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Rural electrification program was intensified during martial law. An electric cooperative was formed in Occidental Mindoro. Known as Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (OMECO) thousands of households in Rizal enjoyed the benefits brought by electricity generated by its power plant in Sitio Pulang Lupa, Central.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1974, by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 86-A of President Ferdinand Marcos, the barrio, the smallest political unit in the Philippines became known as barangay. Big poblaciones were divided into small barangays. The title of Barrio Captain was changed to Barangay Chairman, Barrio Councilors were called Sangguniang Barangay members and Municipal Councilors became known as Sangguniang Bayan (SB) members. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The youth were given active roles in barangay governance. Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairmen and SK council members were elected. Federation of SK members were formed in every municipality and youth leaders who were elected as chairmen automatically became members of the Sangguniang Bayan. Youth leaders emerged in Rizal. Ferdinand Lopez became the first youth leader of this municipality who became an SB member. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">On June 7, 1977 the Barangay Council of Aguas passed a resolution creating a barangay high school in their place. The first school building made of light materials was built by the barangay folks, through bayanihan, on a piece of land donated by the owner of Hacienda Yap, a sitio west of the barangay proper. The residents gave financial assistance to the school, during its early years of existence. After five years, the secondary school was elevated to the status of a national high school.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">During martial law, graduates of Nursing course were required by the government to render service in the rural areas. A group of them served in Rizal. One of them was Miss. Sonia Cabaluna of Iloilo. She met Councilor Ernesto Pablo who later on became her husband. She served as a public health nurse of the municipality, a position which became her stepping stone to her political career; first as vice mayor of Rizal and later on as municipal mayor.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">It was also during the period of martial law when an area of more or less fifty hectares was planted with soybeans at Sitio Manoot. It was managed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Unfortunately, after almost a decade, the project proved to be unprofitable. As a result, the planting of soybeans was stopped and the area was abandoned. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In the early 1980’s in his desire to make it more convenient for majority of the residents of Rizal to transact business with the local officials as well as employees of the municipal and national governments, Mayor Miranda used the building vacated by a construction firm in Sto. Niño as extension offices of government agencies. Later on, the greater bulk of government employees held offices at the said barangay. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The leftist movement became more active in 1983. Its military arm, the New People’s Army (NPA) tried to control some barangays in Rizal, particularly Brgy. Rizal (Limlim). In its desire to neutralize the power of the NPA, the Armed Forces of the Philippines trained members of the Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) not only in the said barangay but also in other places. However, the forming of CAFGUs did not deter the growth of the rebel forces.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The peaceful revolution at EDSA took place in February 1986. Months after the historic event, all local officials in the country were changed. Officers in Charge were appointed in the provinces and municipalities. Mayor Miranda was replaced as mayor of Rizal, first by Hon. Jose Lopez, Jr., then by Hon. Mario Miranda and finally by Hon. Efren Talactac.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">C) THE TALACTAC ADMINISTRATION</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Aside from the municipal mayor, the vice mayor and some members of the municipal council were also changed in Rizal. The records of the municipal government showed that from 1987 to 1988, Hon. Efren Talactac served as Mayor; Hon. Vicente Lim – Vice Mayor; Honorables Fausto Pablo, Noemi Clavel, Pedro Miano, R.S. Palacpac, A.C. Tuazon, R.B. Gamboa, P.B. Labindao, A. Lachica & R. Lilagan – SB Members. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Due to the political reforms implemented by the national government during the post-EDSA period, much time was spent by the appointed municipal officials to win the confidence of the people. Meetings were held with the barangay leaders, people’s organizations (POs) and non-government organizations (NGOs). </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">During this period, specifically in 1988, two bloody clashes occurred between the combined forces of PNP-CAFGU and the NPA at Brgy. Rizal (Limlim) in 1988. In the encounter at Sitio Mayupang of the barangay, among the reported casualties on both sides was the leader of the rebel forces known as Ka Adong. However, the report was not confirmed for the military was not able to see the body of the leader who was allegedly killed. In another encounter that year, an innocent civilian, Mr. Carlos Enriquez, the father of a diocesan priest, Fr. Alvin Enriquez, was killed during the crossfire. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The unstable political situation and the fiscal crisis suffered not only by the national government but also by local government units (LGUs) during this period hampered the implementation of infrastructure projects in Rizal. In addition, the term of office of the appointed officials was too short. As a result, the people felt that the municipal officials have not accomplished much. After a year, when local elections were held, a change of administration took place.</span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">THE MALUNES ADMINISTRATION </span></li>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The following municipal officials served from 1989 to 1992: Hon. Valeriano Malunes – Mayor; Hon. Nestor Perez – Vice Mayor; Honorables Ernesto Pablo, Ferdinand Arca (up to Jan. 1991), Federico Ocampo, Ricardo Pechon, Renato Jimena, Crispulo Palacpac, Leonidas Janairo, Winnerio Paguia (March 1991 to June 1992 – Appointed) and Carlos Imbien (March 1992 to June 1992 – Appointed) – SB Members. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Mayor Malunes removed the great bulk of extension offices of the municipal and national governments at Sto. Niño. With the financial assistance of the national government, he constructed a bigger and stronger municipal building. In his desire that the residents of nearby coastal barangays would buy their basic needs from a municipal market, he constructed a talipapa in the poblacion. Unfortunately, the talipapa did not prosper. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">It was during the administration of Mayor Malunes, when the people of Sitio Manoot, Brgy. Aguas petitioned the municipal and provincial government that their sitio be elevated to the status of a barangay. The petition was granted and on February 27, 1992 after undergoing the legal procedure of elevating a sitio to a barangay, Manoot was made as the 11<sup>th</sup> barangay of Rizal. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1992, to encourage members of the rebel forces to return to the law, a resettlement area at Sitio Kantoroy, Brgy. Manoot was reserved for them by the provincial government. With the assistance of the different government agencies, some former NPA members became farmers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">That same year, in line with the government’s tamaraw conservation program, a gene pool for the rare animal of Mindoro was established at Kantoroy, Manoot. In this place, experts in tamaraw conservation study the animal and breed them under captivity. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">As much as possible, despite the limited resources of the municipal government, Mayor Malunes attended to the needs of his constituents. He implemented infrastructure projects. However, aside from the aforementioned tangible projects, the list of the other infrastructure projects implemented by the honorable mayor are not available from the records of the municipal government. Nevertheless, information gathered from Vice Mayor Perez revealed that the visible accomplishments made by this administration were: concreting of portions of barangay & municipal roads in Adela, Malawaan, Sudlon, San Pedro, Salvacion & Sitio Culili; solar dryers in Adela, Malawaan and Pitogo; concrete multi-purpose pavements in Sitio Malabnig and Brgy. Malawaan; basketball court in Brgy. Pitogo; day care center in Sto. Niño; and brgy. health center in Rumbang.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">E) THE SECOND MIRANDA ADMINISTRATION</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Honorable Bartlome Miranda was again installed as municipal mayor of Rizal after the elections held in 1992. Elected with him were the following leaders who composed the Sangguniang Bayan: Vice Mayor Sonia Pablo – Presiding Officer; Honorables Joel Fojas, Ricardo Pechon, Arnulfo Dimalaluan, Jesus Valdez, Yasmin Robles, Renato Jimena, Bernilido Mapili and Dionisio Gonzales – SB Members.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Tangible projects implemented by Mayor Miranda, during his second administration, included the construction of a building for the Sangguniang Bayan, concrete stages, bridges, waiting sheds, multi-purpose pavements, health & day care centers and solar dryers; completion of a barangay auditorium; fencing of a barangay plaza; installation of water systems; concreting, repair and maintenance of roads and the irrigation system in Sto. Niño and San Pedro; and fencing of the municipal plaza.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The municipal government bought big trucks during this time for hauling sand and gravel needed in their infrastructure projects. A new road joining Brgy. Salvacion and Rumbang was constructed to avoid conflict with the owner of the land where the old road connecting the two barangays passed.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The building in Brgy. Sto. Niño which was formerly used as extension offices of the national & municipal government was converted into a community hospital. Government doctors, nurses and midwives were assigned there. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The road from Sto. Niño to Pitogo which was constructed during his first administration was improved by Mayor Miranda. It became easier for residents of the barangays located at the eastern part of Rizal to go to the municipal building and to the commercial center of San Jose.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">During his second administration, Mayor Miranda was reelected twice as the town’s chief executive. When his term of office ended in the year 2000, he became ineligible to run for the same position, thus, he retired from politics. Up to the present time, he is the longest serving mayor of the municipality of Rizal, having served the people for twenty three years. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">F) THE PABLO ADMINISTRATION </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In the 2001 elections, Hon. Sonia C. Pablo was elected as the municipal mayor of Rizal. Elected as Sangguniang Bayan members were Vice Mayor Nestor Perez – Presiding Officer; Honorables Edgardo Tamboong, Edgardo Aban, Julio Caspe, Ricardo Pechon, Rosario Laredo, Jimuel La Madrid & Avelino Malayas. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Among the numerous significant accomplishments of Mayor Pablo with the cooperation of the municipal council are the following: repair and improvement of the municipal and SB building; installation of lights and construction of pathways inside the municipal compound; improvement of the municipal park & plaza and start of the construction of the municipal gymnasium. She also bought a lot for the market site.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">For the barangays, the honorable mayor and her council, with the assistance of the provincial and national government, provided funds for the construction of school stages, rural water system and concrete fence of the barangay hall in Adela. She continued the concreting of municipal roads.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In her desire to improve the economic condition of farmers, Mayor Pablo initiated and supported the agricultural development program. Farmers’ groups and cooperatives were given assistance in the form of cash and farm inputs. Being a farm owner herself, she served as an example to farmers by winning the national competition for palay production. Part of the cash prize she won was used in her project of constructing solar dryers in the different barangays of the municipality. In her desire to improve the service of water irrigation system in the barangays of Sto. Niño, San Pedro & Adela, she initiated the transfer of the management of the irrigation system from the SANPEDELA Irrigators Association to the local government unit. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The town’s lady chief executive did not forget the fishermen. She extended financial assistance to fishermen’s group in order that they would be able to build fish shelters or payaw. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In the field of education, Mayor Pablo, despite the municipal government’s limited funds, managed to build classrooms for schoolchildren. In 2004, she extended financial assistance in the construction of concrete classrooms in an annex of Rizal National High School which was opened in Manoot, on June 5, 2001. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">To get financial assistance for her projects in Rizal, Mayor Pablo did not hesitate to approach provincial and national officials. She sent project proposals to funding agencies abroad. She established linkages with government agencies, officials and financial institutions which could help her improve the economic condition of her constituents.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Frequent meetings and dialogues were conducted by the lady mayor with the different sectors of the people of Rizal in order that she could get their cooperation and attend to their needs. She served the people, regardless of political color, ideology and religious belief. Although a devout Catholic, even leaders of different religious sects were able to get her assistance in building their houses of worship. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">It was during the second year of the first term of office of Mayor Pablo when a Korean firm, the Han Jin Construction Corporation won the bidding for the construction the national highway from San Jose to the road junction going to the municipal building of Rizal. In this project, the highway was widened, a more spacious and stronger bridge over Busuanga River was built and a two lane concrete highway was constructed. As a result, travel became faster and more convenient. In addition, comfortable land transportation vehicles plied the route from the center of the town of San Jose to Brgy. Adela & Rumbang, Rizal. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The people’s faith and trust in the administration of Mayor Pablo was affirmed when she was reelected in the last 2004 elections. The inhabitants of the municipality have high hopes that under her leadership, Rizal would become more progressive.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">VII – OTHER SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AND DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">There’s no doubt that Rizal became progressive since its creation. Barangay leaders, specially the pioneers played a great part in its development. Through bayanihan or batarisan, they encouraged the people to construct school buildings, roads and irrigation systems. The municipal, provincial and national officials extended moral and material assistance to their projects.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Nevertheless, the progress of Rizal was made possible not only through the efforts of the barangay, municipal, provincial and national officials but also of the farmers cooperatives, people’s organizations (P0s) and non-government organizations (NGOs). The NGO which has contributed much to the development of Rizal up to the present time is PLAN International. The benevolent foreign sponsors and benefactors of this charitable institution helped the poor families in the different barangays of Rizal send their children to school, constructed or repaired their houses, provided financial assistance to income generating projects of small entrepreneurs, built barangay halls, health centers and schools, donated recreational and sports facilities, and install water pumps and sanitary latrines. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Farmers groups and cooperatives also helped uplift the economic condition of their members. Foremost of them are the Samahang Nayon of Aguas and the PAKIKIBAGAI of Magsikap which were given awards as outstanding farmers’ cooperatives in the municipality of Rizal.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Priests, ministers and religious leaders assigned in Rizal contributed to the development of the municipality. Through their initiative and efforts, chapels were built in the different barangays. Cooperatives were formed and financial assistance from sponsors and benefactors in other countries were extended to poor families.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Due to population growth and the active participation of the laity in church activities, Bishop Vicente Manuel, SVD, DD then Vicar Apostolic of the Apostolic Vicariate of San Jose decided to separate the ten barangays between Lumintao and Busuanga Rivers from St. Joseph Parish-Central and create a quasi-parish in the area. After two years, during the administration of the second Vicar Apostolic of AVSJ, Bishop Antonio Palang, SVD, DD the quasi-parish was elevated to the status of a parish. The creation of St. Peter Parish-Rizal took place, officially, on February 22, 2002. Its center was placed at Brgy. San Pedro. A parish church and a convent was constructed there. With the exception of Manoot, the barangays of the municipality were placed under the spiritual care of the parish priest who was assigned to the new parish. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">. Mayor Pablo and the municipal council dream of making Rizal a primary fish and rice producing municipality in Occidental Mindoro. To realize that dream they implement programs for the upliftment of the economic condition of the population’s farming and fishing sector. Agricultural and fishing support services were being prioritized like the improvement of farm to market roads, continuous although gradual construction of concrete roads & bridges and installation of post harvest facilities like solar dryers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Despite the limited funds of the municipal government, financial assistance are being extended to the barangay officials for the construction of health centers, schoolbuildings, barangay halls, concrete stages and the fencing of barangay plazas. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">To develop the potentials of local athletes and to serve as a spacious and comfortable venue for sports competition, a municipal gymnasium is being constructed at present near the municipal compound of Rizal. Mayor Pablo and the municipal council hope that through the cooperative efforts of the people themselves and the assistance of higher government officials, as well as funding agencies and friends abroad, more development projects would be implemented in this town. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><strong>HISTORY OF THE ELEVEN BARANGAYS OF RIZAL</strong></span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">ADELA</span></li>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Long before the coming of the Spaniards in the Philippines a group of indigenous people belonging to the tribe of Ratagnon settled near the mouth of a river which they called Bogsanga. Since their settlement was near the sea and the river, aside from planting palay, corn and rootcrops in their kaingin, they strived to learn how to fish.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">When the Spaniards came, one of the friars made a map of the villages in the Island of Mindoro. The village of Bogsanga was indicated in that map which was drawn in 1734. The location of the said village of the Ratagnon is the present site of Barangay Adela.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Other villages were formed by the Ratagnons which settled in the land between Bogsanga and Lumintao River. The Spanish friars saw the need of evangelizing this tribe of indigenous people, thus, they recommended to the higher authorities the creation of a mission station in this part of West Mindoro.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">On February 27, 1878 by virtue of Royal Decree No. 103, Bogsanga was made a mission station, together with other villages in West Mindoro. Spanish friars spread the teachings of Christ to the Ratagnons living in this place and the other settlements. Unfortunately, due to the semi-nomadic life of the indigenous people, there were times when the friars after many hours of walking, would find a whole village abandoned by its inhabitants. Discouraged, the friars abandoned the mission station of Bogsanga in 1890.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">When the Spanish government entrusted the vast tract of land from the present site of Caguray to the present site of Iriron to the Order of the Augustinian Recollect for agricultural development and called it La Hacienda de San Jose, Bogsanga became a part of the hacienda.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">During the American regime, a group of American capitalists founded Mindoro Sugar Company. They acquired a portion of La Hacienda de San Jose and made it as a sugarcane plantation. They also encouraged well to do families to lease parcels of land from the government and plant it with sugarcane which would be milled by the company. The vacant agricultural land in Bogsanga was leased by a wealthy family with Spanish blood and was planted with sugarcane.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1911, when Mindoro Sugar Company started its operation, migrant workers from Panay and Romblon came to West Mindoro to work at the sugarcane plantation. Some of them brought their families. The administrators of the company encouraged them to build their houses in the village of Bogsanga.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In a map drawn in 1919 by Fr. Julian Duval, the chaplain of Mindoro Sugar Company, Bogsanga was indicated as a part of the sugarcane plantation. In the report sent by the chaplain to his superior, Bishop Alfredo Verzosa of Lipa, Batangas, he stated that one hundred twenty families from Romblon lived in Bogsanga. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">As years passed, the number of families of migrant workers living in Bogsanga grew. Since the river near the settlement where they lived used to change its course every time its flooded, the workers transferred to a place hundred of meters north of the river which the Ratagnons called as Ponda. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Mr. Geronimo Huissing managed a portion of the sugarcane plantation of Mindoro Sugar Company, now known as Philippine Milling Company, in Ponda. He was friendly and generous. His wife Adela was kindhearted too. The laborers loved them. They requested the couple to stay with them for a long time. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Unfortunately, Mr. & Mrs. Geronimo Huissing transferred to another place. The laborers felt sad. To perpetuate their manager’s name, the marsh near Bogsanga River now called Busuanga River was named Huissing by the laborers..</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Due to heavy financial losses, the administrators of Philippine Milling Company decided to reduce the area planted to sugarcane. The wealthy landowner in Ponda decided not to plant sugarcane anymore. He returned the land to the government. Rendered jobless by the decision, the families of migrant workers transferred to other plantation sites. Ponda was abandoned. Two families of Ratagnons, headed by Tikong and Siyano decided to settle here.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In the later part of 1935, the family of Simeon Saulong arrived in Ponda. Since the agricultural land, formerly used as sugarcane plantation has no owner, Celso dela Serna, a former employee of the municipal government of San Jose, persuaded his relative Simeon Saulong to petition the government to subdivide the abandoned land. Simeon Saulong made the petition in 1936. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">On February 16, 1937 Simeon Saulong, Pedro Saulong, Victoriano Malunes and Salvador Benedicto brought their families to Ponda. They were the first to occupy the place and the surveyors of the Bureau of Lands stayed here for six months. On the later part of the year, the family of Raymundo Candelario and other settlers from Sibay, Caluya, Antique arrived and occupied the land which were already surveyed by the government and offered for sale to industrious farmers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">On March 12, 1939 when Ponda became a barrio of San Jose, leaders of the families who settled here decided to change its name. They remembered Adela, the kindhearted wife of Mr. Geronimo Huissing. They agreed that Adela would be an appropriate name for their place, thus, they registered it as the official name of their barrio. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Mr. Simeon Saulong was appointed by then San Jose Mayor Isabelo Abeleda as the first <i>teniente del barrio</i> or barrio lieutenant of Adela. He served for four years. During his term, the first schoolbuilding of Adela was built and a portion of the barrio plaza was cemented.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1942, Mr. Fernando Candelario, Sr. was elected as the barrio lieutenant of Adela. He encouraged his barrio mates to construct by means of bayanihan, the road from the barrio to Sitio Cambaruang in the east and to Sitio Burot, now Salvacion, in the north. It was during his term that the first Catholic chapel in the barrio was built.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">When World War II broke out, a great number of the inhabitants of Adela evacuated to other places. Some of the barrio’s brave men joined the guerrilla group led by Captain Vincent Fortune and later on by Captain Lawrence Cooper. During the Japanese occupation, the people survived by eating <i>yuro</i>, the dried sap from buri trunk and <i>kayos</i>, an edible root crop.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">To identify the members of the guerrilla movement, the barrio lieutenant during that time, Mr. Fernando Candelario, Sr. was inteerogated and detained by the Japanese soldiers in their garrison at Central. The soldiers failed to get any information from him. After two days he was released.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">On December 15, 1944 the U.S. led Allied Forces liberated San Jose from the Japanese Imperial Army. Adela was one of the barrios which was shelled by U.S. warships. Unfortunately, many civilians died during the shelling. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">When peace was restored, many families from Panay migrated to Adela. In 1950, during the height of the Hukbalahap movement in Luzon, settlers from the Ilocos Region migrated to this barrio. Together with the pioneers, they transformed the abandoned sugarcane plantation into productive ricefields. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Adela was the oldest and biggest barrio of the town of Rizal when it was separated from the municipality of San Jose in 1969. It was the mother barrio of Rumbang, Magsikap, Salvacion and San Pedro.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Up to the early 1980’s Busuanga was located more or less five hundred meters south of Adela. The marsh which was named in memory of Mr. Huissing could be found near the mouth of the river. Unfortunately due to the rampant destruction of the forest in the mountains where the river came from and the indiscriminate cutting of trees on both sides of its bank, soil erosion occur every rainy season. With no massive intertwined roots of trees to control its movement, Busuanga River moved towards the barrio site of Adela. As a result, wide areas of agricultural land including residential lots were eroded and many families transferred their houses to safe places, north of the barangay. In addition, the marsh named Huissing disappeared.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">River control projects were constructed in the river but, every rainy season, floodwaters destroy whatever structure the government has put up. At present, the uncontrolled flow of water from Busuanga River towards Adela, every rainy season, remains as the biggest problem not only of the barangay officials but also of the local government of Rizal. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Aside from Simeon Saulong and Fernando Candelario, Sr. the other pioneers who became teniente del barrio and barangay captain of Adela were Luis Aguirre, Sr., Benisto Pechon, Jose Monoso, Ricardo David, Valeriano Malunes, Alberto Aguirre, Sr. and Violeta Clemente. The barangay captain at present is Brgy. Captain Ferdinand Arca.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Among the aforementioned leaders, Brgy. Captain Luis Aguirre, Sr. has the longest term of office, having been reelected many times. He served the people of Adela for more than twenty years.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">2. AGUAS</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">This place was a forest during the Spanish regime and the early part of the American occupation of the Philippines. Only a few families of indigenous people belonging to the Buhid tribe lived here but their huts were located far apart.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">When Mindoro Sugar Company was established in Central and started its operation in 1911, its owners decided to raise cattle. A cattle ranch was put up in a portion of the present site of Aguas where grasses grew abundantly.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">When the administrators of the sugar company later known as Philippine Milling Company abandoned its cattle ranch in Aguas after World War II, the families of Isidoro Andres, Ceferino Tamayo and Francisco Ancheta from Pangasinan came and settled in this place. Later on, their relatives from Pangasinan and a group of farmers from Iloilo arrived. They cultivated the plain land and made it productive. Since Mr. Isidoro Andres was their leader, the residents called the place as San Andres. Later on, they changed the name to Aguas when they heard a group of Spanish visitors commented <i>muchas aguas</i> upon seeing the abundance of water in the area. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1950, Aguas was made as a barrio of the municipality of San Jose. Mr. Isidoro Andres was elected as the first teniente del barrio or barrio lieutenant. Among the projects he implemented were the construction of a road from his barrio to Pitogo and the opening of a primary school. In 1951 a class in Grade I with thirty one enrollees opened. Mr. Cayetano Felipe volunteered to teach. The first school building constructed by the parents of the pupils was made of kugon and bamboo. After six years the primary school became Aguas Elementary school. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">As years passed, as more families arrived to settle in Aguas. The well to do family of Alberto Yap bought from the government a wide vacant but hilly land, northwest of the barrio site. It was called hacienda Yap by a group of families who settled here. It was in this area where the religious sect Iglesia ni Cristo built their chapel. It was also here where the parents-teachers association built a barrio high school in 1977. It became a national high school in 1982.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">During the term of the late Governor Arsenio Villaroza, a feeder road was constructed from Aguas to Manoot, one of the sitios of the barrio. The provincial highway joining the municipalities of San Jose and Calintaan passed through the said sitio. To facilitate travel, a concrete bridge was built over Busuanga River which serves as the boundary between the municipalities of San Jose and Rizal and separates Manoot from Brgy. Monteclaro, San Jose.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">When the municipality of Rizal was created on April 3, 1969, Aguas was one of the ten barrios which were made as part of the new town. During the census conducted by the National Statistics Office in 1975, Aguas emerged as the biggest barangay of Rizal in terms of population and land area. However, on February 27, 1992 when Manoot was made as a separate barangay, the population and land area of Aguas was reduced considerably. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">During the term of Hon. Bartolome Miranda as mayor of Rizal, the road joining Sto. Niño to Pitogo and Aguas was constructed. Travel from Aguas to the center of the municipality became possible without passing through Brgy. Central, San Jose.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Aside from Teniente del Barrio Isidoro Andres, other barrio leaders of Aguas who served as barrio lieutenant and barangay captains were Tranquilino Ramos, Ceferino Tamayo, Procopio Benitez, Rodolfo Estacio, Rodrigo Ramirez, Valeriano Jovenal and Federico Tolentino. The barangay captain at present is Brgy. Captain Remegio Ramirez.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">3. MAGSIKAP</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">During the Spanish occupation of the Philippines, Magsikap was a forest. Only a few families of indigenous people belonging to the tribe of Ratagnons cultivated patches of kaingin in this place. They were the ones who gave the name of Caniwal to a portion of their kaingin which became a sitio of Magsikap, later on.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">When Mindoro Sugar Company started its operation in 1911, migrant workers from Panay came to work in a portion of the sugarcane plantation northwest of Busuanga River which was leased by the government to a well to do family with Spanish blood. When the administrators of the company reduced the area of its sugarcane plantation, many workers found themselves jobless. However, instead of returning to their home province they decided to bring their families to this part of San Jose, live here and cultivate the vacant land north of Mag-asawang Tubig Creek. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The pioneers of this place led by Mamerto Paredes, Sr. and Arsenio Tolentino, Jr. agreed to call their place as Mag-asawang Tubig, from the name of the creek where fresh water and salty water mixed. When the number of families who settled in the area reached twenty, then San Jose Mayor Bonifacio Gomez appointed Mamerto Paredes, Sr. as auxiliary barrio lieutenant of Mag-asawang Tubig. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">When the pioneers decided to register the official name of their barrio, they agreed to change it to Magsikap, to remind themselves that they should strive hard to improve their living condition. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">After two years, Barrio Lieutenant Paulino Panganiban was appointed as the successor of Auxiliary Barrio Lieutenant Mamerto Paredes, Sr. By that time, more families from Panay and Luzon came and settled in this place. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">When World War II broke out, some of the people in Central and Adela hid in the thick forest of Magsikap, particularly in Malabnig, one of the sitios of the barangay at present. Some of them joined the group of guerrillas founded by Captain Lawrence Cooper. They survived by means of eating <i>yuro</i>, the dried sap from buri trunks and <i>nami</i> or <i>kayos</i>, the shredded meat of an edible root crop.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Sometimes, a team of Japanese soldiers passed by Malabnig on their way to Burot or Salvacion, from Central. Once, a group of people led by Agapito Francisco or <i>Balengkong</i> were praying inside the chapel when the Japanes soldiers passed by. The enemies did not see them and they considered it a miracle. Fearing for their lives, they transferred to the forested area of the land owned by Felimon Pastor, Sr., Mamerto Paredes, Sr. and Vicente Caasi, Sr. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">When peace was restored, Barrio Lieutenant Arsenio Tolentino, Sr. was appointed as the third leader of the barrio. It was during his term when residents of the barrio agreed to honor San Vicente Ferrer as the patron saint of their barrio. They believed that their patron saint saved them from the enemies during the war. They set the celebration of the barrio fiesta every 5<sup>th</sup> day of April. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1946, Barrio Lt. Tolentino and the parents requested the government to open Grade I & II classes in Magsikap. It was granted and in 1946 Magsikap Primary School was opened. Mr. Jose Muñoz, Sr. was appointed as the first teacher. As years passed, the number of schoolchildren and teachers grew that in 1961, the former primary school became Magsikap Elementary School.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1967, Mr. Glicerio Corpuz was elected as the Barrio Captain of Magsikap. With then District Supervisor Eusebio Lim and the barrio leaders of Rumbang Malawaan and Salvacion, they were able to encourage the farmers of the abovementioned barrios to construct an irrigation system, with Lumintao River in Magsikap as the source of water. Two years letter, water for irrigation flowed in the network of canals built by the farmers. To manage the irrigation system, the farmers formed the MAMARUSAL Irrigators Association, Inc.</span></div>
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<a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/busuanga1.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/busuanga1-large.jpg" /></a><span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">When Rizal was created as a municipality in 1969, Magsikap was one of the barrios placed under its jurisdiction. During martial law, when the national highway from San Jose to Mamburao was constructed, it passed through the barrio site of Magsikap. The said infrastructure project helped improve the lives of the barrio folks. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1992, Brgy. Captain Antonio Orejola, Sr. and the Brgy. Kagawad of Magsikap passed the resolution drafted by Brgy. Secretary Arsenio Tolentino, Jr., requesting the government to open a vocational high school in their barangay. A copy of the resolution was forwarded to then Congressman Jose Villaroza who immediately sponsored House Bill No. 1833 in Congress. The bill was approved and became a law. Magsikap Vocational High School was opened. Its building was constructed on top of a hill north of the barangay proper. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Aside from the aforementioned barangay leaders, those who served as barrio lieutenants and barangay captains of Magsikap were Lorenzo Guevarra, Victor Pascua, Alfredo Gonzales, Engracio Ambulo, Renato Jimena, Sr., Sabino Aguilar, Sr., Arsenio Tolentino, Jr., Ricardo Paredes, Sr. and Florito dela Torre. The present barangay captain is Brgy. Captain Milagros Santarin.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">4. MALAWAAN</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">During the Spanish times only two or three huts of indigenous people of indigenous people belonging to the tribe of Ratagnons could be found in this place. When the Americans came, a group of farmers composed of Julian Cadlaon, Hugo Pajado, Isidro Villadares, Anastacio Gusi and Enaro Nazareno decided to settle in this place. They cleared the forested area and planted it with palay and corn. Since there were plenty of maguey plants in the area, they called this place as Magui. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">After many years, the number of families in Magui grew. The place became a sitio of Salvacion. Barrio Lieutenant Epifanio Dumalaog of Salvacion appointed Victoriano Dalisay as sitio leader.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Since Magui is near the sea, some of its male members became fishermen. During rainy season, they worked as seasonal laborers of the sugarcane plantation of Philippine Milling Company in Central.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">When World War II broke out, while many of the inhabitants of Magui evacuated to other places, some remained in this sitio. Unfortunately, a group of bandits led by Pedro Concepcion who killed Mayor Maximino Papa of Sablayan, frequently asked food from them, despite the fact that food was scarce during that time.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">After the war, the people petitioned the municipal government of San Jose that Magui be made as a barrio. The petition was granted. Magui became a barrio in 1945. Mr. Victoriano Dalisay was appointed as the first teniente del barrio or barrio lieutenant. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">That same year, Grade I class was opened in Magui. The first schoolbuilding, made of light materials, was constructed by the people themselves, through bayanihan. The following year thereafter, classes in the higher levels were opened. In 1950, the barrio has a complete elementary school. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Barrio Lieutenant Dalisay served for two years. The next two leaders after him also served for two years each. They were Barrio Lieutenants Proceso Chavez and Luis Fernandez, Sr. who served from 1946 to1947 and from 1947 to 1948, respectively. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1948, Angel Pajado was elected as the teniente del barrio. His barrio mates either loved him or liked his style of leadership that he served as barrio lieutenant for eleven long years.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Mr. Teotimo Francisco succeeded Angel Pajado as barrio lieutenant of Magui. He served from 1959 to 1962. After his term, the next barrio leader was called as capitan del barrio. He was Barrio Captain Telesforo Balagtas. Elected as his assistant was Vice Barrio Captain Felix Cadlaon.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Barrio Captain Laureano Domingo succeeded Telesforo Balagtas as the leader of Magui in 1964. He served for five years. In 1968, Telesforo Balagtas and Felix Cadlaon were again elected as barrio captain and vice barrio captain, respectively. They were the leaders of the barrio when the municipality of Rizal was created in 1969 and Magui was placed under its jurisdiction.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1972, Typhoon Rosing hit Magui. The schoolbuilding was destroyed. The heavy rains brought by the typhoon made Lumintao River overflow its banks. Its strong current entered the irrigation canal built by the farmers and caused massive soil erosion. Many houses were destroyed and a wide area of productive agricultural land was transformed into a riverbed. The people evacuated to Sitio Payompon and made it as the new barrio site. The old site of Magui became known as Sitio Tibag. Later on, after Lumintao River changed its course, the place became a part of Sitio Lumintao.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">That same year, Mr. Celestino Tuapen was elected as the barangay captain of Magui. Since the barrio site was transferred to another place, he called an assembly meeting and asked the people to suggest a new name for their barangay. A few names were suggested but majority of the residents favored the name Malawaan, since tall lawaan trees grew abundantly in the area.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1981, Brgy. Captain Celestino Tuapen got sick. First Brgy. Councilor Bibiano Pajado succeeded him. He served for one year. The following year Mr. Celedonio Dolojan became the barangay captain. Through his efforts, a wealthy businessman did not succeed in claiming the agricultural land being cultivated by the people as his private property and peace & order in Sitio Lumintao, which was disrupted by the activities of a group of smugglers, was restored. Unfortunately, on May 23, 1998 a year after his reelection as barangay captain of Malawaan Brgy. Captain Celedonio Dolojan was gunned down by an unknown assailant.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">First Brgy. Kagawad Crispin Escanilla, Jr. succeeded the late barangay captain as the leader of the barangay. He continued implementing the projects started by his predecessor. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Through the industry of the barangay leaders, support of the municipal and provincial officials and the cooperation of the residents of the barangay, infrastructure projects were implemented in Malawaan. Some of them were the improvement of the road from the barangay to Magsikap in the east and to Salvacion in the south; the construction of school buildings, barangay hall, waiting sheds and day care center; the concreting of the barangay plaza and stage; and the improvement of the irrigation system.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The present barangay captain of Malawaan is Brgy. Captain Eliseo Tacuyo, Sr. who, for the second time, won the confidence of his barrio mates in the election held last 2002. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">5. MANOOT</span><br />
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">A few families of indigenous people belonging to the Buhid tribe were living in this place when ranchers from Luzon decided to raise cattle in this area in 1935. One of them was the late Antonio delas Alas who built a big house in his ranch.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Mr. delas Alas hired Doroteo Vicente to take care of his cattle. The area where the ranch was located was then known as Sitio Cangganga. It has a brook which was called Manoot by the indigenous people because before reaching it they have to weave their way through the intertwining branches of trees and vines.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Seeing the wide area of uncultivated land, Doroteo Vicente thought of bringing his relatives to Cangganga. However, due to the outbreak of World War II and uncertainties of the times, he was not able to do it until the year 1958. Among his relatives from Panay Island who decided to migrate to San Jose were Francisco Bajala, Anastacio Mondia, Hospicio Piccio, Jeremias Esparar, Rafael Belbar and Emilio Laron. While clearing the forest and cultivating the land, they stayed temporarily in the big house of Mr. delas Alas. Gregorio Anahaw, Nawnaw and Inggo, the heads of the three families of indigenous people who have kaingin in Cangganga became their friends.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From thirty inhabitants of six huts, the number of people living in Cangganga grew. It became a sitio of Batasan, San Jose in 1960. The people living in the sitio decided to change the name of the place from Cangganga to Manoot. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Hon. Johnny Santos, Sr., the mayor of San Jose during that time, built a road from Barrio Batasan to Cangganga. It became easier for the cattle raisers to visit their ranches not only in Manoot but also in the wide plains north of the sitio, which were called Cantoroy, Tangon and Amaling by the Buhids.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1966, when Monteclaro one of the sitios of Batasan became a barrio, Manoot was placed under its jurisdiction. After four years, Barrio Captain Ruperto Celestino appointed Francisco Bajala as the sitio leader. He served for seven years. His successors and their respective terms of office were Esteban Espuerta (1976-1982); Anastacio Mondia (1982-1986); and Jose Piccio (1986-1991). The said sitio leaders submitted and followed up their petition to the national government that Manoot be created as a barangay. No action was taken by the government on their petition. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1973, the jurisdiction over Sitio Manoot was transferred from Brgy. Monteclaro to Brgy. Aguas, Rizal. That same year, Manoot Primary School which later on became Manoot Elementary School was opened. Due to the rapid growth of population, another primary school which after a number of years was elevated to the status of an elementary school opened in Sitio Amaling II in 1992.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">During the barangay elections held in 1987, three candidates from Sitio Manoot were elected as barangay kagawad of Aguas. They were Diego Bajala, Andres Baldonado and Hospicio Piccio. That same year, Mr. Decleto Ceriaco wrote ex-President Ferdinand Marcos inquiring why no action was made on their petition to make Manoot a barangay. The reply from the Office of the President described in detail the process to be followed before a sitio could be made a barangay. Mr. Ceriaco gave the letter to the three barangay kagawad from Manoot and Brgy. Kagawad Diego Bajala submitted it to the late Mayor Valeriano Malunes of Rizal. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The leaders of Manoot followed the process stated in the letter from the Office of the President. In 1990, Brgy. Kagawad Diego Bajala was appointed by Mayor Malunes as Brgy. Capatain of Manoot. On February 27, 1992 Manoot was registered as the 11<sup>th</sup> barangay of the municipality of Rizal.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Brgy. Captain Diego Bajala served as leader of Manoot until 1994. He was succeeded by Brgy. Captain Remigio Nicart who was elected in 1994. He won again in the barangay elections of 1997. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">It was during the term of Brgy. Captain Remigio Nicart that an annex of Rizal National High School was opened in Manoot, in the year 2000. With the assistance of the municipal and provincial officials, a concrete schoolbuilding was constructed.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">On October 25, 2002 Brgy. Captain Remigio Nicart died. First Brgy. Kagawad Melinda Torres succeeded him. She is still the barangay captain of Manoot at present. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">6. PITOGO</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The name of the place came from a huge towering tree which grew at the center of the settlement of the families of migrant workers from Luzon and the Visayas. It was also the name given by the indigenous people to the creek which surrounds this place and serves as its natural boundary with Brgy. Aguas.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1911, when Mindoro Sugar Company started its operation, Danupa which is a sitio of Pitogo at present, was made a part of the sugarcane plantation. Based on the report submitted to Bishop Alfredo Verzosa of Lipa, Batangas by Fr. Julian Duval, the chaplain of the sugar company, in 1911, Danupa was also called Frietas Camp during that time, where one hundred twenty Visayan families and twenty five Ilocano families lived. The railroad for the train which was used to haul cut sugarcane was constructed from the center of the sugar central to this place. In the map attached by the chaplain to his report, the hospital for the laborers of Danupa was indicated, including the steel bridge constructed by American engineers over Busuanga River.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">When Mindoro Sugar Company, later known as Philippine Milling Company, closed due to heavy financial losses, the abandoned sugarcane plantation in Danupa was occupied by the families of migrant workers who opted to stay in this place. They were able to use the irrigation system which was constructed by the engineers in this part of the plantation. Unfortunately, they were not able to use the hospital building which was destroyed by the elements and the steel bridge over Busuanga River which was carried away by a great flood which occurred in 1929.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">When World War II broke out, people living in Pitogo evacuated to other places. They returned when peace was restored. In 1950, families of farmers from Luzon who were looking for vacant lands to cultivate, came to this place. The population grew and Pitogo became a sitio of Barrio Sto. Niño.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Due to the request of the leaders of this sitio, Pitogo was made as a barrio of San Jose in 1954. Elected as its first teniente del barrio or barrio lieutenant was Mr. Emilio Hernandez. He served for four years. Towards the end of his term, Grade I & II classes were opened in the barrio. After five years, the primary school became a complete elementary school.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">When the municipality of Rizal was created on April 3, 1969, Pitogo was one of the barrios which was placed under its jurisdiction. The politicians from this barrio participated actively in the electoral process. Two of them were elected as vice mayors of the municipality. They were Vice Mayor Andres Pablo and Vice Mayor Arsenio Balatico whose terms of office were 1969-1971 and 1981-1987, respectively.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The annual flooding of Busuanga River caused great damage to the properties of residents of Pitogo. Hundreds of hectares of land planted to palay and corn were carried away by the strong current of the river. A great part of the barrio site was destroyed by the flood. As a result, many families transferred to other places. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The provincial government constructed a dike in Busuanga River to prevent floodwaters from entering the barrio every rainy season. Unfortunately, the structure was destroyed. Succeeding dikes built in the river were also washed out by the strong current. Luckily, these past years, the river changed its course and Pitogo was spared from further damage.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Aside from Teniente del Barrio Hernandez, other leaders who served as barrio lieutenants & barangay captains of Pitogo with their respective terms of office are: Clodualdo Conde, Sr. (1957-1960); Feliciano Cornejo (1960-1964); Fernando Lansangan (1964-1967); Andres Pablo (1967-1968); Victor Javier, Sr. (1968-1970); Joseph Felipe (1970-1984); Eduardo Lansangan (1984-1986); Fortunato Pablo (1986-1989) and Victor Javier, Jr. (1989-2002). The barangay captain at present is Brgy. Captain Jesus Rodrigo. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">7. RIZAL (LIMLIM)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The old name of the barangay came from a stage in the life of crocodiles which used to abound in the creek near this place. Like mother hens, mother crocodiles roast on the fertilized eggs they have laid before it would hatch. In Tagalog, the term being used to describe the roasting stage is limlim. The indigenous people which have patches of kaingin in this area called the settlement which appeared near the creek as Limlim.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Old residents of this place also believed that the name came from the shades thrown by big trees which grew around the creek.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">During the Spanish and American regime, this place was a forest. When World War II broke out, the group guerrillas led by Captain Lawrence Cooper established their headquarter in Alogbate, a forested area which is a sitio of Limlim at present. The said place played an important part in the struggle of the guerrillas to liberate San Jose from the Japanese soldiers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">After the war, the families of Basilio Tupas, Teodorico Daduros, Ambrocio Paclibar and Eladio Balleza from Passi, Iloilo came to settle in this place. They cleared the forested area, cultivated the plain land and made it productive.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">After a few years, relatives of the families which decided to settle in this place arrived to join the first settlers whose lives changed for the better. Limlim became a sitio and in 1950 the residents, led by Dr. Ricardo Pascasio, Sr., petitioned the government that their place be made as a barrio of San Jose. Their petition was granted and that year Sitio Limlim became a barrio. Saturnino Caleze was appointed as its first barrio lieutenant.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1953, in answer to the request of the people, Grade I class was opened. The first schoolbuilding was made of light materials wand constructed by the parents of the schoolchildren by means of bayanihan. After six years, the primary school became a complete elementary school. Classrooms made of concrete and steel were built when the first structure made of light materials was destroyed. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1959 a great flood occurred in Limlim. Floodwaters from Lumintao River entered the barrio bringing with it the soil which was eroded from the mountains. It covered a large area of cornfields and ricefields, including the deep creek where mother crocodiles used to roast. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1969, before the creation of the municipality of Rizal, the late Congressman Pedro Medalla, Sr., proposed that Limlim be made as the center of the proposed town. The residents changed the name of the barrio to Rizal. However, on April 3, 1969 when the municipality of Rizal was officially created, the townsite was transferred to another place which was a sitio between Adela and Rumbang.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The declaration of martial law did not stop the spread of the leftist movement in Rizal (Limlim). In 1988, bloody encounters between government soldiers and members of the New People’s Army occurred in this barangay. Some of the innocent civilians who became victims of the firefights were Mr. Carlos Enriquez, the father of Fr. Alvin Enriquez , Eduardo Aguasito and Jimmy Boy Guevarra.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Aside from Teniente del Barrio Caleze, those who served as barrio lieutenants of Rizal (Limlim) and their terms of office were: Eladio Balleza, St. (1955-1958); Nicolas Aguasito (1958-1960) and Ambrocio Paclibar (1960-1964). Those who served as barangay captains were Anacleto Tupas (1964-1966); Teodorico Daduros (1966-1967); Leonardo Valdez (1967-1970); Ermelito Balleza (1970-1982); Salvador Paclibar (1982-1990, 1997-2000); Jesus Valdez (1990-1991); Romulo Rollan (1991-1994); Pedrito Tupas (1994-1997) and Lorenzo Bangsoy (2000-2001). The barangay captain at present is Brgy. Captain Pedrito Tupas.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">8. RUMBANG</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The name of this place came from a kind of tall tree which grew near the river which serves as its boundary with Brgy. Salvacion, at present. The indigenous people called the tree Rumbang. They used it as the name of the river and the area where they built their huts.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Before the outbreak of World War II, the families of Felipe Maat, Sulficio Maat, Jose Bautista, Crispin Fabelona, Alejandro delos Angeles, Narciso Janairo, Modesto Adion, Rosendo Bacuel and Alfredo Bermejo settled in this place. They came from the islands of Sibay, Panay, Palawan and the province of Zambales. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Life was good for the pioneers of Rumbang, Wide areas of vacant lands could be cultivated and planted with palay and corn. Fishes and other marine life were abundant in the sea, river and creeks which surround the settlement. Nipa palms for their houses could be obtained easily from the swamps near their place.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">After a few years, hearing that the lives of the pioneers improved in Rumbang, their relatives decided also to migrate and settle in this place. The indigenous people called Ratagnons who have kaingins in the area, transferred to the hills of Sandulayan, almost seven kilometers east of their former place of residence.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">During the war, Rumbang was already a sitio of Adela, one of the barrios of San Jose. To avoid the Japanese soldiers, the inhabitants of this place evacuated to their home province or hid in forested areas. They returned when they heard that the liberation of Occidental Mindoro from the Japanese by U.S. led Allied Forces which started on December 15, 1944 was completed.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The residents of Rumbang requested the municipal government of San Jose to make their sitio a barrio. On January 25, 1949 then Municipal Councilor Fernando Candelario, Sr. filed a resolution at the municipal council of San Jose elevating Rumbang to the status of a barrio. The resolution was approved.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">That same year, a class in Grade I was opened in the barrio with Mr. Eduardo Muñoz as its teacher. The first schoolbuilding was constructed by the parents of the pupils through bayanihan. Additional classrooms made of nipa and bamboo were built when classes in the higher levels were opened and it was only in 1965 that the first concrete schoolbuilding was built. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">As years passed, sitios appeared around the barrio. The sitios and the individuals who settled there with their families were: Bayang – Pedro Saulong; Malabnig – District Supervisor Eusebio Lim; Monte Carlo – Augustine Francisco; Tiwing – Mr. Eleuterio Hayag; and Cambaog – Dra. Purificacion Medina Ortega.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">On April 3, 1969 when the municipality of Rizal was created, Rumbang was one of the barrios placed under its jurisdiction. Some of the landowners in this barrio donated a portion of their land as school campus, plaza, market and site where the municipal building would be built.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1995, to avoid conflict with the owner of the land where the old road from Rumbang to Salvacion passed, the municipal government of Rizal through Mayor Bartolome Miranda bought strips of land from different owners and constructed a new gravel filled road.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The leaders who served as sitio leader and teniente del barrio or barrio lieutenant of Rumbang and their respective terms of office were: Mateo Lagrada (1945-1947); Alfredo Bermejo (1947-1949); Sulficio Maat (1949-1951); Jovelio Dimalaluan, Sr. (1951-1954); Rodrigo Maglunob (1954-1958); Crispin Fabelona (1958-1964); and Narciso Janairo (1964-1967). Those who served as barangay captain were Crispin Fabelona (1967-1970); Rogelio delos Angeles(1970-1982, 1992-1994); Alexander Norella (1982-1989); Alejo Bermejo (1989-1991) and Ruby Plaquino (1994-1997). The barangay captain at present who started serving since 1997 is Brgy. Captain Bernilido Mapili. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">9. SALVACION</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">During the Spanish times, this place was a part of El Pueblo de Magarang. The people who lived here were working in the wide cattle ranch owned, first by Señor Pascual Ledesma and later on by the Order of the Augustinian Recollects. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1898, when the Filipinos revolted against Spain, the cattle ranch was confiscated by the revolutionaries. The cattle raised here were used to feed the freedom fighters. After the revolution, the ranch was abandoned. It remained abandoned during the American regime and a result, it became a forest.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1935, a group of farmers from Sibay, Caluya, Antique, aboard a sailboat called in the Visayan dialect as lanson was carried by strong winds to the mouth of Rumbang River which serves as the natural boundary between Brgy. Rumbang and Brgy. Salvacion at present. They decided to enter the river, docked on its northern bank where tall trees abound and repair their sailboat before proceeding to their destination, Magui, the sitio where their relatives lived. They liked the place where they stayed for three days while repairing their sailboat and decided to return there in the future.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The farmers who were aboard the lanson were Emilio Sta. Maria and his son Pedro; Agustin Torres; Geronimo Cabanig and his two sons; Antipas Ero; and Nasario Asuncion, Sr. The following year, with their families, they returned to this place.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">At first, the pioneers only work as harvesters of the palay and corn which their relatives and provincemates planted in their farm in Adela, Rumbang and Magui. Later on, like what the indigenous people have done before, they cleared the forested area and used the kaingin system of agriculture in planting palay, corn and vegetables. While waiting for harvest, they ate burot, an edible rootcrop which grew in the area. Due to the abundance of this kind of rootcrop around their kaingin, they called the place as Burot.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">As more people came to Burot, the forests were cleared. The number of huts increased and this place became a sitio of Barrio Adela. Some of the pioneers found the ruins of the old houses and the church in El Pueblo de Magarang. They were also able to capture a few wild cows which were once raised inside the cattle ranch of the friars.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">When World War II broke out, a group of guerrillas entered Rumbang River, aboard the sailboat of Emilio Sta. Maria. A team of Japanese soldiers went to this sitio to look for them. The freedom fighters, together with the young men of Burot hid in the forest. Unable to find the guerrillas, the Japanese soldiers tied Cornelio Calado and his wife and hung them on a big tree, upside down. Terrified, the women of the sitio, gathered inside the house of Agaton Torres and prayed fervently before the image of Blessed Virgin Mary, the Nuestra Señora de Salvacion for the safety of the couple.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In answer to the non-stop praying of the women, after forty eight hours, the Japanese soldiers left. Lorenzo Calado and his son David untied Cornelio and his wife. The people of Burot were so grateful to the Blessed Virgin that they decided to make her the patron saint of their place. They also agreed to make Salvacion the official name of Burot. Under the leadership of Mr. Emilio Sta. Maria, they started to celebrate the fiesta in honor of Nuestra Sra. de Salvacion every 8<sup>th</sup> day of December. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">After the war, Pedro Pineda succeeded Emilio Sta. Maria as the leader of Burot. He arranged the sites for the houses of the inhabitants, the school campus, plaza and Catholic church. Grade I class was opened during his term. The first teachers were Benisto Pechon and Jose Muñoz. Temporarily, classes were held inside the Catholic church.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1947, Salvacion was officially registered as a barrio of San Jose. Cornelio Calado was appointed as its first teniente del barrio. He served for five years. He was succeeded by Teniente del Barrio Epifanio Dumalaog who initiated the construction of the first schoolbuilding made of light materials, through bayanihan. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Pablo Jugo served as barrio lieutenant of Salvacion from 1956 to 1961. He was a disciplinarian. Salvacion became peaceful during his term. One of his project was the construction of a concrete basketball court and stage in the barrio plaza. He died in 1961, unable to complete his second term as barrio lieutenant. He was succeeded by Hermogenes Figueroa who served for three years. In 1963, Cornelio Calado, the first appointed teniente del barrio was elected as the barrio lieutenant. Like his predecessor, he also served for three years.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">When the municipality of Rizal was created on April 3, 1969, Salvacion was one of the barrios which was placed under its jurisdiction. With the financial support from the municipal and provincial government, a concrete bridge was built over the river linking this barrio with Brgy. Rumbang and a new road leading to the center of the town was constructed. Many residents of this barrio worked voluntarily in the construction of the said municipal road </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Aside from the aforementioned names, leaders of Salvacion who served as barrio lieutenants and their respective terms of office were: Dr. Angel Pechon (1965-1966) and Hermogenes Baliguat (1966-1967). Those who served as barangay captain were: Venancio Dantay (1967-1982). Wenceslao Aban (1978-1979); Avelino Episioco (1982-1985); Vivencio Lacquiores (1985-1987); Rodolfo Colesio, Sr. (1987-1988); and Wilfredo Carpentero (1988-1994). The present barangay captain is Brgy. Captain Rodolfo Colesio, Sr. who first served as leader of the barangay by succession in 1987, elected in 1994 and reelected in 1997.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">10. SAN PEDRO</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Like other parts of the municipality of Rizal, before the Spaniards came to the Philippines, the indigenous people belonging to the tribe of Ratagnons lived in this place. They were the ones who gave names to Cambaog, Malabnig and Mangat, three of the sitios of San Pedro at present.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">During the Spanish regime, this area became a part of La Hacienda de San Jose, the wide agricultural land from Caguray to Iriron which was entrusted by the government to the Order of the Augustinian Recollect for development. A man named Don Pedro was appointed by the Spanish friars as administrator of this place. He supervised the group of farmers from Panay who worked in the hacienda. He was kindhearted that the people loved him.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Unfortunately, Don Pedro got sick of malaria and died. His bereaved wife and children left this place. The workers who were deeply saddened by his death, decided to call this part of the hacienda as San Pedro. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">When Mindoro Sugar Company, later known as Philippine Milling Company started its operation in 1911, the government leased a portion of this place to well to do individuals who planted it with sugarcane. Some of the employees and laborers of the sugar central decided to live here. Among them were the Fernandez, Perez, Lida, Soriano, Miller, Tordesillas, Villalobos, Mendoza, Quisote, Ramos, Suero, Talitalian, Palomar, Enion, Bacaylan, Rojero and Payo families.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">After twenty years, when When Philippine Milling Company stopped its operation due to heavy financial losses, the well to do individuals who planted sugarcane in this area, decided to return the land to the government. The government sold it to farmers from Panay and the Ilocos Region who were looking for vacant land to cultivate.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Before the outbreak of World War II, when Adela was created as a barrio of San Jose, San Pedro became one of its sitios. The children from this sitio walked the distance of four kilometers to be able to attend classes in the primary school of Adela.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1947, San Pedro was separated from Adela and was made as one of the barrios of San Jose. Appointed as its first teniente del barrio was Emiliano Fernandez who served for three years. A year after his appointment, the residents of San Pedro petitioned the government for the opening of Grade I class in their barrio. With the help of then Municipal Councilor Fernando Candelario, Sr. and District Supervisor Federico Gonzales, the petition was granted. Mr. Fausto Pablo volunteered to become the first Grade I teacher. Since there was no existing schoolbuilding, Barrio Lt. Fernandez offered the use of his house as temporary classroom.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The site of the primary school was transferred three times; first to Sitio Mangat in 1960, next to the land of the Villalobos family in Sitio Cambaog after a few years and finally to the land donated by District Supervisor Aniceto Elveña in 1966. It was only in 1995 when the primary school became a complete elementary school.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1962, the national highway from San Jose to Mamburao passed through San Pedro. During martial law, the road was improved, together with the irrigation system which was constructed by the engineers of Philippine Milling Company, forty years ago.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The total land area of San Pedro is wide but it has no barrio site. It was one of the reasons why another primary school was opened in Sitio Mangat in 1974. One of the owners of the agricultural land in this sitio, the late Atty. Jose Lopez, donated two hectares for the school site. To honor him and to perpetuate his memory, the school was called Jose Lopez Elementary School. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Aside from Teniente del Barrio Emiliano Fernandez, the leaders who served as barrio lieutenants of San Pedro and their terms of office were Emilio Lida (1949-1955); Pedro Mendoza (1955-1958); Raymundo Camacho (1958-1960) and Andres Palacpac (1960-1964). Those who served as barangay captains were Francisco Clemente (1964-1967); Josue Regala (1967-1970); Ricardo Mendoza (1970-1972); Jose delos Santos (1972-1986); Rufo Barte (1986-1989); Benedicto Espartero (1989-1990); Jose Laredo (1990-1994) and Florencio Reynon (1994-2001). The barangay captain at present who was elected last 2001 is Brgy. Captain Nestor Laredo. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">11. STO NIÑO</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The old name of this place was Sandulayan. It came from sanduguan, the word used by the indigenous people who first settled in this place, to describe the blood compact which they made among themselves as an affirmation of their friendship.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">During the Spanish regime and the early part of the American occupation of Mindoro, a few families of indigenous people belonging to the Ratagnon tribe and Buhid tribe were the ones living in this place. The Ratagnon cultivated their kaingins on the plains while the Buhid took care of their kaingin on the hilly portion of the area. They were the ones who gave the names of Culili, Candague and Cambaog to certain portions of this place which later on became sitios of Sandulayan. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">When Mindoro Sugar Company later known as the Philippine Milling Company started its operation in 1911, the government leased the plains of this place to a well to do family who planted it with sugarcane. An irrigation system was constructed in this place by the American engineers who worked in the company. A steel bridge linking Sandulayan and Central was also built. On this bridge, the railroad track being used by the train which hauled cut sugarcane from the plantation in Danupa was laid. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">A great flood occurred at Busuanga River in 1929. The steel bridge fondly called Atlantic by the people, after its builder Atlantic Gulf Corporation, was destroyed. The owners of Philippine Milling Company decided not to rebuild it. It was one of the reasons why the leaseholders stopped the planting of sugarcane at Danupa, Sto. Niño, San Pedro and Adela. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The farmers occupied the land which was abandoned by the leaseholder in Sandulayan. The number of families which settled in the area grew. This place was already a sitio when World War II broke out.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">After the war, Sandulayan was one of the places where people from Luzon decided to migrate. They requested the government that the sitio where they settled be made a barrio. It was granted and in 1947, Sandulayan became a barrio of San Jose. Its name was changed to Sto. Niño, in honor of their patron saint. Benevolent farmers like Felomino Lara, Eleuterio Lara, Ramon dela Cruz and Jose Pascua donated portions of their land to the barrio for residential, commercial and other purposes.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1947, a primary school was opened in Sto. Niño. Miss Guadalupe Villalobos was its first teacher. Its first schoolbuilding was made of light materials constructed by the parents of the pupils through bayanihan. In 1960, the primary school became a complete elementary school.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">On April 3, 1969 when Rizal was created as a municipality, Sto. Niño was one of the barrios which was placed under its jurisdiction. The first two mayors of the municipality, Hon. Rufino Liabres & Hon. Bartolome Miranda came from this barrio.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">During martial law, the national highway constructed by the government from San Jose to Mamburao passed through Sto. Niño. A concrete bridge was built over Busuanga River. The said bridge was destroyed by the flood, including the second and third one which were constructed later on. Luckily in the year 2004, a long, tall concrete bridge expected to last for many years, was built by Han Jin Construction Co.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The leaders who served as teniente del barrio of Sto. Niño were Geminiano Besas, Manuel Bañas, Manuel Villanueva, Amado Tuazon, Sr., Celso Gonzales, Felomino Lara and Bartolome Miranda. Those who served as barangay captains with their respective terms of office were Urbano Zausa (1968-1971); Marciano Espartero (1971-1974; Emiliano Macoroy (1974-1979); Agustin Felipe (1979-1981); Jolly Pascua (1981-1994) and Federico Quijano (1994-2002). The barangay captain at present who was elected last 2002 is Brgy. Captain Marcelino dela Cruz. </span></div>
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</div>ROWELYN VERDIN MERCADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09575581693964613498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483057594829930987.post-68844206440531781042012-03-11T04:42:00.000-07:002012-03-11T04:42:04.831-07:00HISTORY of the TOWN of SAN JOSE<div class="sites-layout-tile sites-tile-name-header">
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<span style="color: #996633; font-size: x-large;">HISTORY of the TOWN of SAN JOSE</span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #666600; font-size: x-large;">HISTORY OF SAN JOSE</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>By Rudy Candelario</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">I – PRE-SPANISH & SPANISH TIMES</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The history of San Jose had started even before the Spaniards arrived in the Philippines. The inhabitants of the two old barrios of this town, Iling and Mangarin were already trading with the Chinese merchants as early as the 14<sup>th</sup> century. This is proved by the various kinds of jars, figurines and artifacts of the Yuan or Ming dynasty excavated and found in different sitios and in a cave in the middle of Iling Island. It can be added that one other proof is that two places in the southern part of San Jose are of Chinese names: Kuomintang which is near the sitio of Cusol, Brgy. Mapaya; and Mandarin which is now Brgy. Mangarin.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">An old Spanish document of 1572 stated that an expedition composed of fifteen boats loaded with Filipino and Spanish warriors led by Captain Juan de Salcedo reached the Island of Iling or Elem. The people, according to the record, were quiet and kind and believed to belong to the Ratagnon tribe.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In the early months of the 17<sup>th</sup> century, several Chinese records mentioned one special kind of tree (brazil-wood) which was a source of dye for cloths. This and other things which attracted the Chinese to go to Iling were exchanged for the Chinese jars, utensils and figurines.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Also mentioned in an old Spanish document was that in 1666, a group of Jesuit priests baptized some people in Iling. In 1683, Mangarin became the center of religious activities when the Order of Augustinian Recollects established a parish there.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The old settlements of Iling and Mangarin were then very slow in progress because of the frequent Moro attacks. The results of the Mindoro census of 1749 showed that two hundred eighty five people only lived in Mangarin and its sitios.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In a report of Mindoro Provincial Governor Francisco Fernandez in 1871, mention was made that he visited the Island of Iling and discovered that there were only four houses there. The people even left their houses because when they saw the boat of the governor approaching, they ran to the mountains. They thought that the Moro pirates had come.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1765, the Order of Augustinian Recollects left Mindoro because of the lack of missionaries, difficulty of the work and the fear of Moro attacks. The people of Iling and Mangarin then sent a petition to the Spanish government to send them a priest and some weapons, that they may be able to defend themselves against the pirates. It was possible that their petition was granted because in 1829, an old document of the Spaniards recorded that Iling had already two cannons and Mangarin had one and another weapon used to hurl stones.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">An old map of the Island of Mindoro in 1800 clearly indicated where to find the locations of Iling and Mangarin. This clearly proved that it was only in these two places where the people had settled.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1804, the governor of Mindoro, Nicolas de Torres together with Fr. Fabian Macapagal, went to Mangarin and convinced the twenty three Mangyan families who lived separately from the Christians, to transfer to the lowlands within the barrio. The following year, Governor Torres returned and persuaded the Mangyans of Mangarin and Iling to join his soldiers to search for the Moro pirates. One hundred sixty (160) Mangyan armed with arrows, then joined the governor’s soldiers. They went to Sta. Cruz and in the river there, found the pirates. In a bloody encounter, they eventually defeated the Moros.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">During those times, aside from the Moro pirates, there were also groups of bandits molesting and killing people in different places in Mindoro, including Mangarin. One of these groups was that led by Agustin Tilano. It took many years of searching by a Spanish captain and his Filipino soldiers before they were able to find and kill Agustin Tilano.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">According to a census conducted by the Spanish government in 1829, Mangarin had a population of one hundred seventy five, while Iling had three hundred fifty.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">On January 12, 1843 four boatloads of Moro pirates invaded Mangarin. Nevertheless, with their four cannons provided by the government, the people of Mangarin fought with all courage and might. When the pirates saw that two of them were killed, they retreated back to sea.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The Augustinian Recollect missionaries returned to Mindoro on August 23, 1843 and assigned one priest in Mangarin. On February 12, 1844 Fr. Pedro Soto de San Juan Bautista arrived. He urged the people to construct a fort. When the fort was finished, a guard was assigned there to watch day and night and announce if some pirates were sighted. The remains and ruins of that old fort could still be seen today in the old barrio site of Mangarin.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1850, Fr. Pablo Bienzobas de San Antonio de Padua was assigned as parish priest of Mangarin. With the help of the people, he built a stronghold near the river of Palanghiran, particularly on the spot that at that time was called Kuomintang by the residents of Mangarin. Up to the present, the remnants of that structure and the place where it used to stand are now a part of Brgy. Mapaya.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Mangarin was a busy port for merchant ships by 1860. Even General Emilio Aguinaldo who at that time was but a young merchant, came to trade in Mangarin. Beforehand, his large sailboat named San Bartolome, loaded with such merchandise as salt and bolos made in Kawit, would sail from Cavite to Mindoro and sold his goods to the people of Mangarin. In return, he would buy cattle and carabaos, <i>nigeng pandampol</i> (used for dyeing fishnets), rattan and <i>diliman</i> (a vine like product used in tying together the bamboo pieces of the fish trap and <i>pagkit</i> that is used to light the images of saints in the towns. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In May of 1866, Fr. Valentin Diaz delos Sagrados Corazones de Jesus y Maria was assigned in Mangarin. After seeing the situation of the settlement and knowing the problem of the people, he, together with the people requested the Spanish government for permission to transfer Mangarin to a better site because it was between two rivers that often flooded their place. Their request was granted by the government, hence, Mangarin was relocated on the site where it is at present.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1886, the Order of the Augustinian Recollects asked the government that the vast tract of land between Mangarin and Iriron be entrusted to their management. This area was composed of twenty three thousand, two hundred sixty six (23,266) hectares. They then named this <i>La Hacienda</i> or <i>Hacienda de San Jose</i>. Migrants from Luzon and the Visayas began to settle here and the settlements of Bubog and San Agustin came about.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">When the Filipinos rose in arms in a revolution against the Spaniards in the Philippines in 1898, all Spanish priests in Mindoro, including Bernardino Vasquez del Rosario who was assigned in Mangarin; Father Crisanto Azpilcueta dela Santisima Trinidad who was assigned in San Jose but lived in Bubog; and Fr. Isidro Sanz de San Jose, the spiritual caretaker of the workers in the ranch of the friars in Magarang, were arrested by the revolutionaries from Sablayan and Calintaan. They were affiliated with the group led by Captain Mariano Abeleda and Captain Agustin Liboro. The priests were imprisoned in Taysan, Batangas and were released only in 1900.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">II – DURING THE AMERICAN REGIME</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In the later part of 1901, after the Americans had conquered Eastern Mindoro, they proceeded to invade Western Mindoro where they burned Mangarin and placed all settlements in this part of Mindoro under their control.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The Filipinos under the Americans by 1904, had to abide by a new land regulation imposed on them. The <i>La Hacienda de San Jose</i> was bought by the Spanish government from the Archdiocese of Manila and called it the San Jose Estate. After the ownership of this land was transferred to the Americans, a group of capitalists organized the Mindoro Development Company. They bought a portion of San Jose Estate and made it a sugarcane plantation. They constructed an irrigation system with Busuanga River as the source of water. They then built a sugar mill and a railroad track that ran between the sugar central and Caminawit. They purchased trains that transported workers and supplies from their wharf in Caminawit to Central.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Near the wharf at Caminawit, the company built a canteen and storehouse for sugar. Sugar was shipped out whenever the ships anchored at the wharf. To facilitate matters, the company expanded the railroads, reaching plantations where sugarcane had to be loaded and brought to the sugar mill in Central. Aside from the trains, the company also owned trolleys for the transportation of employees from Central to Caminawit. .</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">When the Mindoro Development Company which was later on renamed Mindoro Sugar Company or Philippine Milling Company was established, many seasonal workers known as <i>sacadas,</i> from different places came to Mindoro to work in the <i>haciendas.</i> The areas planted to sugarcane by that time were what is now Adela, San Pedro, Sto. Niño, Pitogo and Aguas in the town of Rizal. In the south, the plantations were in such places now as San Agustin, Bubog, Bagong Sikat and San Isidro in the town of San Jose. Added to these, there were landowners who were sugarcane producers. They supplied the sugar mill with sugarcane; hence, the railroads had to be extended to reach these places, such as: what is now Murtha, Magbay, La Curva and Mabini. That time, Central, the center of the company was the most progressive barrio in San Jose.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Meanwhile, as written in a book authored by Professor Macario Landicho, when San Jose was still only a <i>presidencia</i>, Agustin Quijano was designated president. The <i>presidencia</i> or government building that was located in Mangarin during the Spanish times, was transferred to Sta. Teresa. This happened in 1908 during the American occupation. The following year, the <i>presidencia</i> was transferred to Caminawit.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">According to some elderly, at the time when the government under the Americans was still not yet fully organized, Narciso Salazar was appointed president of San Jose. He was one of the acknowledged leaders of a group of migrants from Antique who settled in Brgy. Caguray during the last years of the Spanish times.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1910, <i>Pandurucan</i> which was only a sitio was made the seat of the municipal government. (<i>Pandurucan</i> is a Mangyan word that means a place where felled trees including their stumps are gathered and piled up prior to their burning as in a <i>kaingin</i>.) Don German Ramirez was designated as the first <i>alcalde</i> of San Jose under the Americans. One memorable achievement of the <i>alcalde</i> was the preservation and maintenance of peace and order. He however found so much difficulty in improving the town because of the lack of sufficient income.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">At about this time, the term <i>alcalde</i> was replaced by the term mayor. When Mayor Ramirez term ended in 1919, Juan Abique became tha mayor. Mayor Abique endeavored to establish a primary school in Pandurucan, hence, Grade I and Grade II were opened.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">During Mayor Abique’s time, the municipal cemetery was located on the spot where now stand the San Jose Gymnasium, the swimming pool, the tennis court, the office of the Department of Agriculture, the Multi-Purpose Hall and the station of the fire department.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The succeeding mayor of San Jose was Lino Macalalad. During his term, the road between Pandurucan and Caminawit was proposed. He did not succeed in its construction, however, for lack of funds. He transferred the post office from Central to Pandurucan. One big achievement attributed to him was the construction of the municipal building.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1929, Maximino Papa was elected for a four year term. His term being over in 1933, he transferred to Sablayan where, again, he became mayor. Sad to say, however, since Mayor Papa had a Japanese friend, he was assassinated by a Filipino guerrilla.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The next mayor of San Jose was Mayor Bonifacio Gomez of Caminawit. His one great concern was helping poor inhabitants. He is well remembered for his dedication to service and for being a hard working mayor.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Mayor Fermin Barretto succeeded Gomez. He lived in Pandurucan and was well loved by the people specially the Visayans who came from the region where he came from. He managed to construct an imposing municipal hall. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">San Jose used to be a vast municipality. It encompassed the present towns of Magsaysay and Rizal. Travel was difficult and was to be by boat, horses or by walking. The only barrios with schools were Iling Proper, Caminawit, Sta. Teresa, Caguray and Central. Central was the most developed, it being managed by the Philippine Milling Company. It boasted of its hospital, movie house, chapel, electric plant, swimming pool, bowling house, tennis courts, cockpits and schools. Prior to its transfer to Pandurucan, the Post Office was in Central in 1911 and stayed there for fifteen years. The company, also, had an airstrip where small airplanes were used by high ranking employees in going to and from Manila.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Part of the policy of attraction used by the company was the frequent holding of dances, cockfighting, athletic competitions and film showing. To top them all was the Annual Harvest Festival, which amidst its pomp, visitors from Negros and Iloilo enjoyed. It was observed that more and more <i>sacadas</i> flocked to Central. They worked as sugarcane planters and, later on, cutters.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">It was noted that the trains used by the company to transport people, sugarcane, sugar and others, were ran by carbon. The means of passenger transportation was called <i>diesel</i>. It was probably because, by some later time, diesel was already used to run the engine. On the other hand, it was the <i>kalamazoo</i> that was used by the high officials of the company like the manager. Unlike the diesel, this was smaller but quite fast. If the officials or visitors did not exceed four, it was the <i>booda</i> that was used. This was the fastest means of transportation then, although it was topless.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">From various different places in San Jose, horses, carabaos and cows were used to transport products to Central. On land, when one had nothing heavy to carry, people traveled by foot. They used small boats when traveling by sea. Usually they landed at San Agustin and traveled by land to Central.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">A very significant event took place in 1934 because of the visit in Central of Bishop William Finnemann, SVD, DD then the Auxiliary Bishop of Manila. He was warmly received by the more than seven thousand laborers of the company. Within three days, His Excellency, together with Father Roos and Fr. Beck, busied himself by celebrating holy masses, hearing confessions and administering the Sacrament of Confirmation.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Malaria, the scourge of the migrants from other places, were in most cases the reason why many <i>sacadas</i> left Central and found new homes along the coast of San Jose. Here, they either worked as fishermen, farmers or loggers. Railroad ties (<i>traviesa</i>) were a good source of income, specially by concessionaires like Pedro Cuden, Isabelo Abeleda and Vivencio Ronquillo. These businessmen had their logging concessions in the island of Iling.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Those laborers who suffered from malaria in Central and who, with their families found new homes near the shores, constituted largely the population of the sitios of Bubog, Caminawit, Labangan Iling, Ambulong, Adela and Sta. Teresa.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">III – DURING WORLD WAR II</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">On December 7, 1941 Japanese planes bombed the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The United States immediately declared war against Japan and the Philippines being a U.S. colony was involved. The horror of World War II had started. Barely three months after Pearl Harbor, on April 16, 1942 Japanese soldiers landed in Caminawit and San Agustin. They imprisoned the Filipinos whom they suspected as guerrillas or those whom collaborators or <i>makapili</i>s pointed. They made the Caminawit Elementary School their garrison. They converted Siete Central Farm School not only as their second garrison but also a prison. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The Philippine Milling Company was ordered to stop operation in April 1942, so much so that all the people of Central, employees and laborers alike, were rendered helpless and jobless. Life for them and for all people in San Jose for that matter became miserable and under constant fear. All houses in Pandurucan were set on fire. It is a mystery up to now that the Japanese did not burn the two room schoolhouse and the beautiful municipal hall.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Mayor Fermin Barretto were among those whom the Japanese imprisoned in Central. He was maltreated and forced to reveal the whereabouts of his four sons and other guerrillas he knew. Despite the threat and the torture, he remained steadfast in his silence and not betraying his sons’ and his countrymen’s cause. This being so, Mayor Barretto and his fellow prisoners whom the collaborators and <i>makapilis</i> had betrayed, were herded towards the bank of the Busuanga River and ordered to dig a large grave, ordered to stand beside that hole and were all shot to death. This was on the fateful day of April 29, 1942.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Later on, the Japanese assigned as temporary mayors Celso Lobregat, the manager of the Philippine Milling Company. His assistant manager was Cecilio Jimenez. Both served for only a few months and former Mayor Bonifacio Gomez was designated mayor. He had the very difficult task of governing because he was caught between the will of the Japanese and the suspicion of the guerrillas in the mountains. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">It being wartime and even before the coming of the Japanese in San Jose, several guerrilla groups were already organized. Three of the guerrilla organizations were led by Flaviano Ramirez of Pandurucan, Vincent Fortune of Bubog and Lawrence Cooper of Central. When Fortune was assassinated, Jose Garcia of Caguray took over and continued their cause in Oriental Mindoro. All three groups had their camps in the hills and mountains. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Of the three groups, it was Fortune’s guerrillas who were aggressive in the fight against the enemies. It was the Fortune guerrillas who attacked the Japanese garrison in Caminawit and they also tried to ambush a supply train plying its route from Caminawit to Central. However, not much had been said about those two sorties. It was said that they sank a Japanese motorboat in the Caguray River. This boat was supposed to load some vegetables from the hacienda of Yutivo & Sons Corporation in the place now called Sitio Toong of Magsaysay. This ambush killed the machinist of the boat and blinded one eye of his companion – a certain officer named Captain Kimar.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In retaliation, the Japanese soldiers in Caminawit rushed to Caguray and burned all the houses there. Then, they proceeded to Pandurucan and burned all the houses.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">It is sad to note that while all three guerrilla organizations were one in their goal, they were jealous of each other, if not having some misunderstanding among themselves. As a result, Captain Vincent Fortune was treacherously shot while bathing in a river near Sitio Nalwak which is now under Brgy. Purnaga, Magsaysay. August 15, 1943 marked the end of the courageous guerrilla leader, Captain Vincent Fortune.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">IV – AFTER WORLD WAR II</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Liberation Day came on December 15, 1944. The long awaited Allied Armed Forces under Brigadier General William C. Dunckel landed in San Jose from Leyte. There were about one hundred twenty (120) warships involved. Along the shores of Caminawit, Pandurucan, Bubog and San Agustin were lined the landing crafts or LSTs. All other warships anchored nearby, while the large aircraft carriers loomed in the distance. Before the actual landing of men and supplies, the bombardment took place. The warships directed their guns towards Caminawit, Pandurucan, Bubog and San Agustin and started strafing these places to kill the Japanese. The Japanese garrison which was the Caminawit Elementary School was demolished almost entirely. The San Jose Municipal Hall and the primary school in Pandurucan were also demolished. The Japanese soldier numbering about two hundred (200), including those in Central, ran for their lives in the mountains, only to surrender or be captured later on. Only two of them were killed in Caminawit.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In the almost eight month stay of the Allied Forces in San Jose, they constructed many roads and bridges. The longest road they built was between Caminawit and Central. Next to this was the road leading to Murtha. Pandurucan was crisscrossed with roads that was never there before. The airbases built in San Jose served as the launching area of warplanes that bombed Iwo Jima and Okinawa, Japan. There had been a time that the men of the Allied Forces in San Jose numbered about seventy five thousand (75,000). What constituted this big number of men were those of the marines, navy, infantry, army, air force and health care.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">At this time that the Americans were in San Jose, the local government which totally died during the American occupation was restored and was temporarily aided by the Philippine Civilian Affairs Unit of PCAU. There was a time when this unit was chaired by the late Sgt. Reynaldo Curva.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Meantime that the Philippines was not yet entirely liberated, the Americans designated some temporary mayors in San Jose in the persons of former Mayors Bonifacio Gomez, Isabelo Abeleda and Pedro Cuden, Sr.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The Allied Armed Forces put up a supply base and airstrips in San Jose. Two small airfields were constructed for light planes at Sitio Sta. Fe of Brgy. Central and Little Baguio on a plateau southeast of Lower Mangyan or Canwaling which is now Brgy. San Isidro.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The present San Jose Airport, a little north of San Roque, used to be the McGuire Airstrip which was primarily the base for four engine heavy bombers or B-24’s. The airbase for the two engine bombers was built near Upper Mangyan, now Brgy. Murtha, while that of the fast pursuits like the P-51’s and P-47’s was the strip between Sta. Monica and El Progresso.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The Japanese air raids early in the liberation of San Jose caused very little damage to the Allied Forces. The construction of airports, roads and bridges and other infrastructures continued unhampered. Military camps with tents and quonset huts for shelter filled San Jose – from Caminawit, Pandurucan, Magbay, Murtha, La Curva, San Roque, Bagong Sikat, Bubog, San Isidro, Central and San Agustin. These places nurtured the seventy five thousand (75,000) servicemen of the Allies.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">As a significant help in the complete liberation of Occidental Mindoro and other provinces still under the Japanese, the guerrillas led by Captain Lawrence Cooper were formally trained for combat by Captain Chiongco, one of the officers of the Allied Forces. The Cooper guerrillas became the "A" Company of the Romblon Special</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Liberation Forces. They joined in the liberation of Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro; Coron, Palawan; and the islands of Sibuyan and Tablas in Romblon. Unfortunately, on March 23, 1945 Capt. Cooper was killed when he tried to save his men from a Japanese grenade. This was in a bloody encounter near Sitio Cogon and Sawang, Romblon.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In the middle of 1945, a group of educators led by Gabriel Fabella, Sr., Felix Gabriel and Federico Castillo founded a high school at Central. They named it the Southern Mindoro Academy (SMA), the first high school in Western Mindoro. World War II being over, the Allied Forces left San Jose and the founders of SMA bought a lot and a large quonset building in Pandurucan. The new high school was then transferred. Students delayed by the war and new elementary graduates had their chance to acquire secondary education without going to Manila or elsewhere.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Before the Allied Forces eventually departed from San Jose, they sold their buildings, machineries and other materials. The several quonset huts, sold or donated, were afterwards used as chapel, municipal building, schoolhouses, hotel and residences. An electric generator was donated to the municipality of San Jose.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">San Jose progressed rapidly since Liberation Day specially because farm families flocked to this town from various provinces. Ilocano families with their carabaos, carts and farm implements came for good. The Visayans from Panay, Negros and Iloilo arrived in droves too. They applied for homesteads. In addition, they petitioned the government to award to them the lands abandoned by Sebastian Dylo, and Yu Kee Tay which is now Magsaysay and Hacienda Waterous in Brgy. Mapaya. Not long after, in granting the petitions of various farmer groups’ desire to own land they could call their own, and in keeping with the land for the landless program of the government, said lands were purchased by the government and subsequently allotted to the settlers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1946, in the very first election held after the war, Isabelo Abeleda, Sr. was elected as the mayor of San Jose. One of his accomplishments was the improvement of the pier at Caminawit and the municipal plaza. He also helped the migrants in their problems regarding lands to own and attracted more settlers. His term lasted up to 1951.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">As regards the propagation of the Catholic religion, the church leaders decided to divide into two the vast territory within the scope of the San Jose-Central Parish – in the north, the Parish of San Jose-Central; and in the south, the San Jose-Pandurucan. This was in 1950 and the first parish priest of San Jose-Pandurucan was the German missionary, Fr. Carlos Brendel, SVD.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The Philippine Milling Company reopened its sugar central in 1950. The new managers were Francisco Gomez and Hector Torres. In order to have ample capital to finance the operation, the two acquired a loan from the Philippine National Bank. Nevertheless, the hacienda planted to sugarcane was no longer as wide as before. The holding of parties and expensive fiestas were regulated. What continued was the hiring of <i>sacadas</i> from Palawan and Panay during harvest season.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">V – AFTER THE CREATION OF THE PROVINCE OF OCCIDENTAL MINDORO</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">On June 13, 1950 President Elpidio Quirino signed the bill that divided Mindoro into two provinces – Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro. Thereafter, the headquarters of the Philippine Constabulary (PC) was allocated a seven hectare lot near the shore of Brgy. San Roque. Major Olegario de Joya was the first commander of the PC in San Jose.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In the election of 1950, a citizen of San Jose, Federico Castillo, emerged winner for the governorship of Occidental Mindoro. In the first months of his term, San Jose was the temporary capital of the province. After a few months or in January 1951, due to its strategic location, Mamburao was chosen capital of Occidental Mindoro.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The erstwhile McGuire Airstrip was made into the San Jose Airport. The national government renovated it and was inaugurated by President Quirino in 1951.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Another high school in San Jose was opened by Fr. Carlos Brendel, SVD in July 1951. Named St. Joseph School, its mission was the teaching of Christian education, good moral conduct and the giving of a high level education to the students.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">1951 also was the year when Bibiano Gaudiano Gaudiel was elected mayor of San Jose. Mayor Gaudiel was subsequently chosen president of the Mayors’ League of Occidental Mindoro. Unfortunately, however, hardly had he served for five months when he died of heart failure. His vice mayor, Ricardo Pascasio, Sr., succeeded and within the two years of his term, the health welfare of the people had been his primary concern.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">1955 saw Mayor Isabelo Abeleda, Sr. back to office, serving his second term. One of his achievements was the construction of a new municipal building, although it was not finished up to the end of his term. <br /><br />The Salt Industry of the Philippines or Salt Phil. Inc. was established on April 27, 1955. It rented the eight hundred hectares land of the Philippine Milling Company. It was situated between Bubog and San Agustin. Aside from refined salt, Salt Phil. also produced milkfishes and prawns. It built a factory for industrial vacuum pan salt. By 1958, Salt Phil. had produced and exported to Manila nineteen thousand (19,000) metric tons of refined salt.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">A market building was built in the early part of 1956. After two years of its existence, it was gutted by fire. Meantime, the market vendors used the <i>papag</i> temporarily to sell their goods.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The third high school in San Jose was founded by Fr. Tomas Pacano, SVD and he named it Holy Family Academy (HFA). This is a Catholic school in Central. Students in Central and nearby barrios had an opportunity to study here. Unlike the Southern Mindoro Academy and the St. Joseph School, the HFA still exists and continue giving secondary education in Central. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Dr. Felix Gabriel became mayor in 1959. During his term, the streets in San Jose were given their names, lifted from the names of heroes and national & local prominent officials. He finished the municipal hall and transferred there all the government offices formerly lodged in the quonset municipal building. A new market building was one of his projects.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1960, the SVD bought the Southern Mindoro Academy. After a year, it was renamed Divine Word College which offered complete elementary, high school and different courses in college. Its high school department was exclusively for boys while St. Joseph School was exclusively for girls.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The Philippine Milling Company continued to be a losing proposition, and its managers could not pay their loan with the Philippine National Bank (PNB). So in 1960, the company was foreclosed by the PNB. Alfredo Gaborro, Jr., who was a sugarcane plantation owner in Murtha was designated by the bank as its new manager.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">A new and impressive church was constructed by the successor of Fr. Brendel as parish priest of San Jose, Fr. George Koschinski, SVD. Before this, the chapel of San Jose was a quonset hut of the Allied Forces vintage. The new parish church was built with the help of German and Filipino Catholics. It was blessed by the vicar apostolic of Mindoro, Bishop William Duschak, SVD, DD on September 30, 1962.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1964, Tirso Abeleda was elected mayor of San Jose. He transferred the cemetery to the southwestern part of Brgy. San Roque. He also transferred some people who lived near the old cemetery. They were relocated somewhere in what is now Brgy. Pag-asa. He constructed a basketball court where basketball leagues were held and occasionally served as a venue for town affairs such as the coronation of queens and princesses.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">When Pedro Medalla, Sr. was elected congressman of Occidental Mindoro in 1965, one of his projects in San Jose was the construction of the concrete Pandurucan bridge. The bridge made possible the smooth and fast flow of traffic between Pandurucan and the places in the north.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Meanwhile, Alfredo Gaborro, Jr. failed to save the Philippine Milling Company, so much so that in 1966, the National Investment Development Corporation (NIDC) took over. Jose dela Cruz was assigned as the new manager and the planting of sugarcane was renewed although at a smaller scale. A portion of the <i>hacienda</i> was rented out to farmers who paid their dues to the NIDC.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">With the proliferation of barrio high schools in the Philippines in 1966, the Parents Teachers Association in Pandurucan (Poblacion) petitioned the government to establish a public high school at the town’s center. This being so, a building owned by the San Jose Pilot School was used. Remedios Cacho was its first officer in charge. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">That same year, by virtue of Resolution No. 23 passed by the municipal council and approved by Mayor Tirso Abeleda, the new public high school was named San Jose Municipal High School Its interim principal was Bernabe Macarig, Sr.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Also in 1966, the NIDC stopped the planting of sugarcane. The hacienda of sugarcane was converted into ricefields. NIDC purchased agricultural machineries and also built a hospital for the workers in Central.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In a hotly contested election in 1967, Juan Santos, Sr., emerged victorious as the new mayor. His first achievement among others was the improvement and concreting of roads within the town.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">As fate would have it, the public market building put up during Mayor Gabriel’s time was razed to ashes. As a temporary measure, an agreement was arrived into by Mayor Santos and the market vendors association that the latter will each construct their market stalls and their expenses will be shouldered by the local government by their not paying market fees.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1969, through the initiative of Congressman Pedro Medalla, Sr., two new municipalities were created in localities formerly owned by San Jose. These two towns were Magsaysay and Rizal – the former was created by Republic Act No. 5459 and the latter by Republic Act No. 5460. Both were established as independent municipalities on April 3, 1969. Because of the separation of these two localities, the former land area of San Jose which was 98,785 hectares was reduced to 44,870 hectares. San Jose lost more than one half of its land area. However, its population of 44,761 increased in the year 1970 by 24% compared to its population in 1960.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In the same year (1969), by virtue of Republic Act No. 6568, sponsored by Congressman Medalla, San Jose Municipal High School was converted into the San Jose National High School. At the same time, a new college was founded – the San Jose Community College – through the coordinated efforts of Teofilo Lacibar, Sr., Bernabe Macaraig, Sr., Gaudioso delos Santos, Sr., and Sergio Manongol I. The new college was to offer a Midwifery course aside from a few other courses. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Congressman Medalla planned that offices under the national government in Pandurucan should be transferred to Brgy. Murtha. Buildings were constructed in this regard, such as those of the District Hospital, Bureau of Lands and Bureau of Plant Industry. In this connection, since Mindoro was to host the athletic competition sponsored by the Southern Tagalog Athletic Competition (STAA) in 1970, Congressman Medalla constructed a grandstand in Murtha. Except for the District Hospital, the two bureaus did not stay long in Murtha and returned to Pandurucan.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Late in 1960, an altruistic organization, the World Vision International started to hold office in San Jose. It helped poor people in the islands of Iling and Ambulong. They also financed livelihood projects and gave financial capital to some islanders. However, despite its good performance in the management of projects, the World Vision International saw it fit to transfer to some other places in 1970.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Meanwhile, the teachers and parents in Iling and Ambulong felt the pressing need for a high school in Iling Proper. As a result, a barrio high school was established there in 1970, giving a chance to the elementary graduates of both islands to acquire a secondary education without having to go to other places.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In the same year, the DZYM, a radio station owned by the Philippine Radio Corporation was opened in Caminawit. After several years, its transmitter and broadcast studio were transferred to Brgy. Pag-asa.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Then, too, in the year 1970, two companies owned by Japanese businessmen joined a group of investors which established a sugar factory in Calinog, Lambunao, Iloilo. They bought the old machineries and other equipment of the Philippine Milling Company. These and the iron rails that formerly were the railroad tracts were brought to the new sugar mill in Iloilo.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Another institution was founded in 1971. This was the San Jose National Agricultural and Industrial School (SJNAIS). This agricultural school is government owned and located in Murtha. Students whose inclination is agriculture and other industrial courses enroll here. They may also acquire expertise in scientific ways of taking care of animals and plants.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">1971 also was the year when the Salt Industry of the Philippines stopped operation. Instead, Filipinas Aquaculture, Inc. or Aqua-Phil., its new owner, invested in the production of prawns and a prawn nursery.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">VI – THE MARTIAL LAW PERIOD </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">When Martial Law was declared in 1972, Mayor Santos was still in power and managed to continue the cementing of roads and beautification of the municipal plaza.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The NIDC management decided to stop operation sometime in 1972. Their ricefields were laid idle in what formerly were sugarcane fields of Central. They hired guards to watch the abandoned fields and other property of NIDC. Despite this, farmers started to enter and till the fields. Later on, several farmer groups petitioned the government to apportion the lands to them. After a long negotiation and after, at times, bloody encounter among rival farmers themselves, the land was finally apportioned to the petitioners.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The military rule was hardly felt in San Jose, it being a peaceful town and of peace loving people. An electric cooperative was organized to light Occidental Mindoro. The National Electric Administration or NEA located its power plant in Sitio Pulang Lupa, Central. The new cooperative was and still is, the Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative or OMECO.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Through the request of Mayor Santos, Retired Col. Zoilo Perez established the San Jose Water District (SJWD). Funded by a loan with the government and largely through its manager, Col. Perez, the SJWD succeeded in supplying potable and healthful water to the households of San Jose.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In the election of 1980, Ernesto Jaravata succeeded Mayor Santos. Mayor Jaravata’s term was characterized by his helping students to take up midwifery and agriculture. He also constructed one more building of the public market.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">St. Joseph School which was founded and headed by its director Fr. Carlos Brendel and was transferred to the management of the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS) in 1960 was closed. Many parents and alumni lamented this sad ending of a school that had established a good reputation and had given quality education to its students.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">With the advice and guidance of the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), the Senior Citizens Association of San Jose was organized by the former Vice Governor Felix Gabriel in April, 1982. After two months, he established the National Federation of Senior Citizens Associations in Manila. He was outright elected as its president. The federation agitated for a legislation benefiting the old citizens of the entire Philippines; and Congress heeding the need, passed a law that now gives due importance, help and benefits to the senior citizens.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1982, Congressman Pedro Mendiola, Sr. and Mayor Ernesto Jaravata persuaded Col. Perez of the San Jose Water District to also manage the OMECO. Agreeing, the retired colonel improved the servicing of electricity in San Jose and other towns. He likewise stabilized the financial status of the electric cooperative.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">On Januray 27, 1983 the late Pope John Paul II approved the division of the island of Mindoro into two vicariates – the Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan covering all the towns in Occidental Mindoro and the Apostolic Vicariate of San Jose which is composed of the twelve parishes in the eleven towns of Occidental Mindoro. The spiritual welfare of the Catholics in Oriental Mindoro remained under the governance of Bishop Simeon Valerio, SVD, DD but that of Occidental Mindoro was entrusted to Bishop Vicente Manuel, SVD, DD. Bishop Manuel was officially installed on July 1, 1983 in a ceremony officiated by the representative of the pope in the Philippines, Archbishop Bruno Torpiglianni, DD. From that time, the parish church of San Jose was converted into a cathedral.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">By virtue of Republic Act No. 531, sponsored by Congressman Pedro Mendiola, Sr., the San Jose National High School was elevated to a step higher and made into the present Occidental Mindoro National College or OMNC on June 24, 1988. Part of the services of the OMNC is to bring to the barrios the same education it renders in the town. In pursuance, the Damayan Center in Brgy. San Isidro was opened the following year and started providing high school students learning in agriculture.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">VII – AFTER THE EDSA I REVOLUTION</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">After the bloodless EDSA Revolution in 1986, Alvin Arevalo was appointed Officer in Charge (OIC) of San Jose by President Corazon Aquino. Mayor Arevalo’s achievement among others was the concreting of roads within the town and the construction of two buildings of the public market. He proposed to the municipal council to give the right of catching bangus fries at the mouths of rivers in San Jose to cooperative for that purpose but his proposal was disapproved.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">When another election was held in 1987, Mayor Santos was voted back to office. It was during this time that Peter Medalla, Jr., was appointed governor. With funds coming from the national government, Governor Medalla ordered the concreting of the road linking Pandurucan and Caminawit and improved & built a concrete pier at Caminawit.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">That same year, 1987, the New People’s Army (NPA) became more aggressive in their struggle against the government. Some NPAs raided the police station of Abra de Ilog, Sablayan and Calintaan. From then on, the number of soldiers of the Philippine Constabulary in San Jose was increased. When the reinforcements arrived, they were sent to various places in the province to preempt the spread of the NPAs. There were bloody encounters between the military and the rebels. One instance was the four hour fight in Brgy. Murtha, where several casualties were inflicted on the rebel’s side. One of the major casualties on the government side was the death of Captain Antonio Alinarte, the commanding officer of the Regional Special Action Force or RSAF.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Because of the disorder created by the encounter by the government forces and the NPAs in Quezon and other provinces, many families from these places decided to migrate to San Jose. They built their houses near the shores of Bubog and Ambulong. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">On March 7, 1988, the building of the St. Joseph College Seminary in Labangan Poblacion was blessed and inaugurated by His Excellency Bruno Torpiglianni, DD the representative of Pope John Paul II in the Philippines. The seminary was founded by Bishop Manuel during his second year as head of the church in Occidental Mindoro.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Two powerful typhoons, Unsang and Yoling, one after the other devastated hundreds of hectares of rice in San Jose, in November, 1988. Aside from this damage, the town of San Jose was flooded causing destruction to many houses in Riverside, Brgy. 4, Poblacion. To give shelter to the victims of the typhoons, the Department of Social Welfare and Development built small houses in Brgy. Bagong Sikat.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1989, due to the conversion of the public high school in the center of Pandurucan into the Occidental Mindoro National College, Congressman Mario Gene Mendiola founded another school – the Pedro T. Mendiola Sr. Memorial Technical and Vocational School on Bagong Sikat, in memory of the two time representative of Occidental Mindoro, Congressman Pedro T. Mendiola, Sr. The succeeding year, one more high school was founded by Governor Peter Medalla, Jr. and named it the San Jose National High School, also in Bagong Sikat.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 1990, Bishop Vicente Manuel started to establish a Catholic radio station in San Jose. This radio station became possible because of the Catholic population of San Jose, the country and other countries. The following year, on March 6, 1991 amidst the joyful participation of the whole Christian community or the <i>Pamayanang Kristiyano,</i> Radio Station DZVT was blessed and inaugurated by the Archbishop of Cebu, His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, DD. It started broadcasting in Labangan Poblacion.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Sometime in 1992, the public market of San Jose was again burned. Since the local government have not enough funds for the construction of a new building, Mayor Santos permitted the market vendors whose stalls were burned to put up their own respective stalls.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In the election held in 1992, Mayor Santos was reelected and for the first time in the history of Occidental Mindoro, the elected governor was born in San Jose – Governor Josephine Ramirez-Sato. For congressman, Jose T. Villarosa was chosen by the people.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Mayor Santos, meanwhile, continued making improvements in San Jose. One of them was the expanding of the municipal hall. He ordered the concreting of other streets in the poblacion and transferred the slaughterhouse near the market to Brgy. Pag-asa. The provincial government, on the other hand, made the dirt road from San Roque to Bagong Sikat concrete. Also concreted was the highway in Labangan Poblacion, a thoroughfare for vehicles from the poblacion to the neighboring town of Magsaysay and barangays to the northeast.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The former fishpond of the Philippine Milling Company in Sitio Curanta which was used by SaltPhil in the production of salt, and utilized by AquaPhil for nursery of prawns and prawn production, was transformed into milkfish fishpond of the Mindoro Aquatic Resources Corporation or MINARCO. By means of modern technology, MINARCO produced boneless bangus which it exports to Manila and other provinces.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">The Island Power Corporation (IPC) came to existence when in 1994 its electric plant was built in Bubog. Now, a large portion of the electricity supplied by OMECO to households and business establishments in Occidental Mindoro came from IPC.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Once again, San Jose reelected Mayor Santos in 1995. He constructed the new building of the public market. The Hall of Justice started to rise in front of the municipal hall at the plaza, but it was discontinued after the people protested.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Mayor Santos has to face a case filed with the Provincial Board. This stemmed from the fact that in 1996, the owner of the land where the municipality has been dumping garbage, sued him. Pending the final resolution of the case, the Provincial Board suspended him for six months. Vice Mayor Dennis Sy took over. President Fidel Ramos, thinking that the suspension of six months was too long, commuted it to three months. When the case was brought to its final resolution, Mayor Santos was absolved by the Provincial Board.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Another improvement in San Jose was the San Jose Gymnasium which was jointly funded by the provincial government and the local government of San Jose. Finished in 1996, the gymnasium is the venue for basketball competitions and other community affairs.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Sometime in the middle of 1997, due to the joint endeavor of the local government and the charitable institution of PLAN International, the new building of the Rural Health Unit was built. The Health Center serves the poor people by rendering medical services and giving advice that these poor people may maintain their health and physical welfare.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In March of 1996, the first ever historical society in the province was organized; the Occidental Mindoro Historical Society or OMHS. It had its inception when Dr. Felix Gabriel, its adviser, Governor Josephine Ramirez-Sato and Gil Manuel decided to call a meeting for the purpose. When it assembled at the Sikatuna Beach Resort, the meeting was so effective that right there the officers were elected. Gil Manuel was chosen president. The provincial board with Governor Ramirez-Sato at the helm, provides the OMHS with initial funds for its functions. One of the several aims of the Society is to write and publish the history of Occidental Mindoro and all its towns and barangays. On August 15, 1997 the OMHS and Philippine Centennial Movement (PCM) of Occidental Mindoro Chapter were temporarily merged in making preparations in line with the centennial celebration of Philippine Independence. The officers of the PCM are also the officers of the OMHS and they were sworn into office by former Vice President Salvador Laurel, chair of the National Centennial Commission. This was held in the San Jose Gymnasium.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In the election held in May, 1998 Mario Gene Mendiola was elected as mayor of San Jose. Among the tangible accomplishments during his term were: with the assistance of the provincial government, the Municipal Hall was renovated and improved. A session hall for the Sangguniang Bayan was added at the back of the building. In addition, the farm to market road from Brgy. San Agustin to Central was improved and the Aroma Beach Resort was beautified.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">Gaudencio Espiritu succeeded Mario Gene Mendiola as mayor of San Jose in 2001. Among his visible accomplishments as chief executive of the municipality were the intensification of the cleanliness drive at the center of the town, market and the municipal beach resort; transfer of the slaughterhouse from Brgy. Pag-asa to Brgy. Magbay, improvement of the farm to market road from Brgy. San Agustin to Central and the strict implementation of the municipal ordinance concerning the operation of the market.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;">In 2004, Romulo Festin was elected as mayor of San Jose. He continued constructing the infrastructure projects started by his predecessors. Since his installation as mayor, he saw to it that the celebration of the fiesta in honor of the patron saint would be joyful and memorable. He is the chief executive of the municipality up to the present time.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #663300; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: medium;">HISTORY OF THE THIRTY EIGHT BARANGAYS OF SAN JOSE</span></strong></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">1. AMBULONG</span><br />
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The name of the barangay or the island where it is located came from a kind of plant which is similar to a nipa palm. Other old residents insist that the name came from <i>Ang Bulong,</i> two words from the Visayan dialect which mean <i>The Medicine</i>. They called the island by that name for during the early days, a big tree grew here, the leaves of which were used as medicine by the islanders.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The potteries, utensils and figurines dug in some parts of this place show that people already lived here during the period when our ancestors were bartering goods with Chinese traders.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In the history written by Antoon Postma, a Dutch researcher, he mentioned that this island became a part of the Parish of Mangarin which was erected by the Order of the Augustinian Recollects in 1683. This island was one of the places which was visited by the Spanish missionaries who went around West Mindoro during the Spanish regime.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1849, Ambulong was mentioned in an article which was published in a magazine in Singapore. It was stated there that warships of the Spanish soldiers visited Iling and Ambulong, annually, for the canals of these two islands were made as hiding places of the <i>vintas</i> of Moro pirates.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1901, during the American regime, the government constructed a lighthouse in Ambulong. In 1910, when many families of fishermen from Palawan and Panay settled here, this place was made as a barrio.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">It was mentioned in the report to Bishop Alfredo Verzosa of Lipa, by Fr. Julian Duval, the second chaplain of Philippine Milling Company that in 1920, the second week of January, 1920 he visited Ambulong. In the map which he sketched and attached to his report, the priest wrote that twelve houses could be found in Ambulong and ten were in Palag, one of the sitios in the island.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1921, the primary school in Ambulong was opened. The youth in this island were given the opportunity to learn how to read and write. After several years, the elementary school was completed and at present extension classes were held in Sitio Minanga and Bulwang. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1925, through the cooperative effort of the Catholic faithful, a chapel made of nipa, bamboo and wood was built in Ambulong. It was used for a long time. In 1970, it was repaired, made bigger and stronger by Fr. George Koschinski, SVD.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">During the Japanese occupation, although the soldiers rarely visited Ambulong, the inhabitants of this place still hid in the forests of the island. To survive they also ate <i>nami,</i> a kind of rootcrop and <i>yuro</i> the dried juice from the trunk of buri palms.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When peace was restored, the people of Ambulong tried to make their barrio progressive. The Catholic Church helped by organizing a cooperative. A Japanese missionary, Fr. Ryu Ishikawa, SVD requested his benevolent friends abroad to dinate an electric generator and to finance the construction of a potable water in the barangay. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The leaders who served as <i>teniente, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Ambulong were Joaquin Pandiño, Melecio Ero, Lino Macalalad, Lucio Encila, Jose Garcia, Sr., Jacinto Erandio, Aulfiano Ero, Demetrio Abos, Sr., Gabriel Ramos, Recto Encarguez and Magie Pacaldo. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Rodelo Abos.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">2. ANSIRAY</span><br />
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</i><span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The name of the barangay came from a tall tree which grew in this place. Every summer, this tree was full of flowers. Old residents of the area called the tree <i>Siray</i>. Its colorful flowers were visible from afar. It served as signpost to fishermen, specially during inclement weather. The often uttered the words <i>Ang Siray</i> every time they passed by the sea near the area. Later on, the name of the tree became the name of the place where it grew.</span> <div align="justify">
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In a map drawn by Fr. Julian Duval in 1920, Sitio Angsiray was indicated and it was written that one house could be found in this place.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When World War II broke out in 1940, a few families who lived in Barrio Caminawit hid in Angsiray due to their great fear of the Japanese soldiers. Since thick forests surrounded the sitio, the Japanese soldiers did not visit this place.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Among the families who hid in Anssiray during the war was the family of Angel Casidsid. He liked this place that after the war he decided to stay here. He applied for a homestead in this sitio. When his relatives and the fishermen from Leyte, Samar, Masbate and Antique came, he let them till portions of the homestead which he could not clear and cultivate. Since Angsiray was a hilly and rocky area, they planted bamboos, coconuts, sineguelas and other fruit bearing trees.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">As years passed, the letter "g" was removed from the name of the sitio and it became Ansiray. Since this place was a sitio of Iling Proper, the leaders of the said barrio were the ones who looked after the welfare of the people living here. When Labangan Iling was made a barrio of San Jose, Sitio Ansiray was placed under its jurisdiction.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The children of the inhabitants of Ansiray have to walk almost four kilometers to be able to attend classes at Labangan Iling Elementary School. Seeing the hardships being endured by their children, the parents petitioned the government that an elementary school be opened in their sitio. In 1957, when Ansiray became a barrio of San Jose, a primary school was opened in this place.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The first barrio lieutenant of Ansiray was Armando Malanao. With the cooperation of his barrio mates, he was able to construct a school building made of nipa, bamboos and lumber. Later on, a building made of strong materials was constructed by the government in this barrio.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1964, Mr. Delfin Deyta became the leader of the barrio. Through his initiative, a deep well where the barrio folks could draw drinking water was dug. During his term, a concrete chapel was built by Fr. George Koschinski, SVD in Ansiray.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Through the efforts of the next barrio leader, Mr. Victorino Enano, a small concrete pier for motorboats was constructed in this place, in 1968. An additional deep well was dug, a donation of a small electric generator was received from the local government and a day care center and barrio hall were built during his term of office.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Barrio Ansiray was already called a barangay when Mr. Florentino Sampilo became its leader. The title of barrio captain was changed to barangay captain. Among his visible accomplishments were the building of a concrete road in one portion of the barangay and the construction of the chapel of the Salvation Army Ansiray Corps.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In the year 2003, Brgy. Captain Esmeraldo Casidsid was elected. He worked for the concreting of the road going to the artesian well at the southern portion of Ansiray and the construction of a barangay outpost at the small pier for motorboats. Up to the present time, he is still the leader of the barangay. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">3. BAGONG SIKAT</span><br />
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">During the Spanish regime, this place was also a part of <i>La Hacienda de San Jose,</i> the wide agricultural land which was entrusted by the government to the Order of Augustinian Recollects in 1886. However, aside from a few indigenous people, belonging to the tribe of <i>Ratagnons</i> who sometimes cultivated their small patches of <i>kaingin</i> in this area, no other group of people inhabited this place. A river called <i>Tubaon</i> by the <i>Ratagnons</i> passed through this place, thus, the indigenous people called the location of their <i>kaingin</i> by that name. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1910, when Mindoro Sugar Company was established, the railroad track which was laid by the American engineers from Central, the main office of the company, to the port of Caminawit, passed through <i>Tubaon.</i> A few families of seasonal workers who worked in the sugar cane plantation settled here. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">After ten years, a certain Angel Delano asked the Bureau of Lands to make <i>Tubaon</i> his homestead. He submitted the necessary application papers and complied with the requirements of the bureau. His application was approved. However, Delano did not cultivate his homestead. It remained a forested area.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1938, a group of families from Laur, Nueva Ecija decided to settle in <i>Tubaon</i>. It consisted of the families of Panugao, Eugenio, Sagsagat, Bañaga and Baydid. They cleared the forested area and converted it into ricefields and cornfields.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When the group of settlers found out that Tubaon was a homestead of Delano, they requested the Bureau of Lands to cancel the approved application of the said person for he did not cultivate the area. After several months, the request of the group was granted. They immediately applied for ownership of the land.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The first harvest of the farmers in <i>Tubaon</i> was bountiful. It was great news to other group of settlers in the neighboring areas and their system of farming became the topic of conversation in other villages of San Jose. In addition, the children of the families in <i>Tubaon</i> who were studying in the elementary schools of Caminawit and Caguray became famous due to their intelligence. In Tagalog, the equivalent of the word famous is <i>sikat</i>, thus, the new settlers decided to change the name of <i>Sitio Tubaon</i> to <i>Sitio Bagong Sikat.</i> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1943, during Japanese occupation, soldiers of the enemy visited <i>Bagong Sikat</i> to ask for food. The residents provided them food for fear that the Japanese soldiers might imprison or punish them. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When peace was restored, relatives and friends of the group of farmers in <i>Bagong Sikat</i> arrived. The population grew. In 1950, it became a barrio of San Jose. Mr. Basilio Bernardo served as its first <i>Teniente del Barrio</i>. He strived that an elementary school be opened in <i>Bagong Sikat</i> and it was realized after two years.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1965, when the construction of the highway from Mamburao to San Jose was completed, it passed through <i>Bagong Sikat</i>. The highway greatly contributed to the rapid progress of this barrio for rice traders built rice mills and warehouses here.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In the early part of Decade Nineties, two public schools; the Pedro T. Mendiola Sr. Technological & Polytechnic College and San Jose National High School was opened in <i>Bagong Sikat</i>. The provincial government constructed concrete roads in this barrio, now called as <i>Barangay Bagong Sikat</i>. Additional commercial establishments which were built in this place contributed to its progress.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Aside from Mr. Bernardo, the leaders who served as <i>teniente, capitan del barrio</i> and <i>barangay captain</i> of <i>Bagong Sikat</i> were Saturnino Torres, Mamerto Castillo, Lazaro Castillo, Silvestre Macabeo, Reynaldo Sagnip, Lee dela Fuente, Felipe Castillo, Gregorio Pille and Julito Lucero. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Antonio Espiritu.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">4. BANGKAL</span><br />
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</i><span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The name of this place came from a kind of tree called <i>bangkal</i> by the Visayan settlers of the area. Like some parts of the island of Iling, this place might have been one of the cemeteries of the natives who have contact with Chinese traders due to the presence of potteries and kitchen utensils made in China during the 10<sup>th</sup> century which had been excavated here. At the boundary of this barangay and Brgy. Inasakan, a cave could be found where rows of wood shaped like coffins were arranged inside. It was believed that the remains of the first inhabitants of this place were interred here.</span> <div align="justify">
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In the map of Iling Island drawn by Fr. Julian Duval in 1920, the location of Sitio Bangkal was indicated. The said map was attached by the missionary priest in his report to Bishop Alfredo Verzosa of the Diocese of Lipa. In that report, Fr. Duval narrated his visits to the different communities of Iling Island on January 9, 1920.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">It was also mentioned in the report that only a few children were baptized by Fr. Duval because a year ago, Fr. Javier Sesma who was assigned at the eastern side of Mindoro visited the communities of Iling Island.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">During World War II the Japanese soldiers were not able to reach Bangkal, thus, the inhabitants of this place were spared from the cruelty of the enemies.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">After the war, other inhabitants of Ambulong Island transferred to Bangkal. They also formed another community at the lower portion of the sitio and they called it as Pagi, the name of a kind of fish which they used to catch within the territorial waters of the place.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The inhabitants of the two sitios of Bangkal and Pagi petitioned the municipal government of San Jose for the opening of an elementary school in their place. In the early part of 1950, the petition was approved by the municipal council. The residents of the two places built a school building made of nipa, lumber and bamboos at Sitio Bangkal. Mr. Ranulfo Frias, the first teacher who was assigned there, lived at Sitio Pagi. He found it hard to traverse the more than one kilometer distance from Sitio Pagi to Sitio Bangkal, specially during rainy season. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Four years before the year 1960, the municipal government of San Jose sent iron sheets, steel bars and cement for the construction of a concrete school building in Bangkal. Mr. Frias, the teacher who was assigned there, convinced the residents of the two sitios that the structure be built at Sitio Pagi. The people were in favor of the idea. The school building was built at Sitio Pagi and it was called Bangkal Elementary School. As a result, when Sitio Pagi became a barrio in 1957, its official name was registered as Bangkal.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">After securing the necessary permits from the government, the swamps in Bangkal were converted into fishponds by well-off families who live in other places. As a result, the number of mangrove trees which served as protection of the barrio from big waved was further reduced. In an attempt to restore the environment to its original state, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources sponsored the planting of mangrove seedlings by non-government organizations and residents of the barrio at the shallow portion of the swamp which was not converted into fishponds.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The leaders who served as <i>teniente del barrio</i>, <i>capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Bangkal were Bernardino Robles, Feliciano Barrios, Teofilo Serna, Melecio abos, Sr., and Leopoldo Gozar. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Melecio Abos, Jr. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">5. BATASAN</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The indigenous people belonging to the Buhid tribe were the first inhabitants of this place during the American regime. According to two Buhid elders, Ama Laureano and Ama Abo, their huts were built at the banks of Busuanga Rivar and Manus Creek, the two sources of irrigation water for the agricultural land of farmers at present. Baltas was the leader of their tribe.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Baltas was a kind and just leader. The people who lived or happened to visit this sitio during that time, when asked where they came from usually answered "<i>from the territory of Baltas</i>."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1916 a cholera epidemic broke out. Many indigenous people got sick in this sitio. They called the epidemic <i>balentong</i>, a Buhid term which means "<i>fell down</i>" for this was what happened to every person who got sick of cholera.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The indigenous people believe up to the present time that sickness occur when their gods are angry. To avoid the anger of their gods, when they got sick they leave their huts and transfer to other places. This was what happened to the sitio of Baltas. The indigenous people left the place after the cholera epidemic and transferred to the mountains.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1932, a group of forty farmers led by Mr. Manuel Romero decided to settle in the sitio left by the indigenous people. Many got sick of malaria. Some families who feared the dreaded disease left the place. Those who survived malaria remained. They continued clearing the forest and converted it into productive agricultural land.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In the early part of 1940, many families from the Visayan region came and settled in this place. They called this old sitio of the Buhid as Batasan, in memory of Baltas, the leader of the indigenous people. They also selected the name because in the Visayan dialect, the meaning of the word <i>batasan</i> is <i>manners</i> and usually when used to describe a person, it means <i>good manners</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When World War II broke out, the people living in Batasan hid at the sitio of the indigenous people in the mountains. The Japanese soldiers did not reach their hiding place due to the dense forest which separated Batasan from the other barrios of the municipality of San Jose, particularly Upper Mangyan, now called Barangay Murtha.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1955, Batasan was made as a barrio of San Jose. Elected as its first leader was <i>Teniente del Barrio </i>Santiago Romero. He requested the municipal government of San Jose to assign a teacher in his barrio in order that somebody would teach the children who were of school age.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Since there was no school building yet when a teacher came to Batasan in 1957, <i>Teniente Del Barrio</i> Romero allowed the use of the rooms in his house as temporary classrooms. It lasted for two years. In 1959, during the term of office of <i>Capitan del Barrio</i> Juan Laquiores, a concrete school building was built by the government in Batasan. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The provincial government constructed the road in this barrio, during the latter part of Decade Sixties when the highway from San Jose to Mamburao passed through this place. Later on, a concrete bridge was built over Busuanga River, the natural boundary between the municipalities of Rizal and San Jose. The said bridge was located at Bato-ili, a sitio of the indigenous people which during that time was still a part of Batasan.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">During the term of office of Brgy. Captain Juan Javier, the electrification of Batasan was realized.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Aside from the abovementioned leaders, those who served as <i>capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captains of Batasan were Bienvenido Gernalin, Teodoro Lacibar, Joselito Cruz and Wilfredo Reyes. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain June Palmares. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">6. BAYOTBOT</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">A few families of indigenous people belonging to the Hanunoo tribe were living in this forested and rolling area during the Spanish occupation of Mindoro. Food was not a problem for wildlife and fishes abound in the forests and creeks of this place. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">During the American occupation, families of lowlanders arrived. However, a few of them only bought land or applied for homestead but did not settle here permanently. They were afraid of malaria, the dreaded disease during that time. Two of the well-off individuals who bought land in this place belong to the Dela Roca and Ramirez Family.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Before the outbreak of World War II, a group of families of farmers from the Ilocos Ragion arrived in this place. Among them were the Olarte and Vallejos Family. They cleared the forest and converted it into agricultural land planted with palay, corn and vegetables.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Viand was not a problem to the settlers for small fishes abound in the creeks found in this place. In the Ilocano dialect, the small fishes are called <i>botobot</i>. Their settlement became known as the area where there were plenty of <i>botobot</i>. Later on, the word <i>botobot</i> evolved to <i>bayotbot</i> and it became the name of their settlement.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1942, when the Japanese soldiers occupied San Jose, some residents of the municipality hid in Bayotbot which during that time was already a sitio. Like the indigenous people who transferred to the hills of this place, the lowlanders survived during the war by eating <i>nami</i> and other root crops.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">After the war, the inhabitants of Bayotbot increased in number. They requested the municipal councilors of San Jose that their sitio be elevated to the status of a barrio. Their request was granted and in 1947, Bayotbot became a barrio of San Jose.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">That same year, the government assigned a teacher in this barrio in order that the seven year old children could study in Grade 1, instead of going with their older brothers and sisters who were attending classes at Brgy. Magbay. Through cooperative effort or <i>bayanihan</i>, the parents of the schoolchildren built a schoolhouse. After a few years, the primary school became a complete elementary school.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Life was peaceful for the residents of this place. They did not expect that there would come a time when their barrio would become the center of bloody encounters between government soldiers and a group of rebellious youth whose parents were perceived to be victims of injustices. These regretful incidents happened in 1981</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In one encounter, two officers of the Philippine Constabulary (PC), Major Coloma and Captain Marasigan, were killed by Boy Clarin, a sharpshooter and ex-sergeant of the Philippine Marines. The said ex-soldier was killed by the members of the military unit where he was once a respected leader. The tragic event happened after almost a day of fighting at Brgy. Magbay, months after the two PC officers were killed by Clarin.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Despite the abovementioned untoward incidents, the individuals who served as leaders of this community worked for the improvement of their barangay. They beautified the plaza of Bayotbot, constructed the barangay hall and day care center, improved their roads and built the concrete bridge which connected their place to the adjacent barangay of Magbay. They were assisted by the officials of the municipal and provincial government. The Catholic Church also helped them by organizing farmers’ cooperatives.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The leaders who served as <i>teniente, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Bayotbot since its creation were Abelardo Olarte, Sr., Herminigildo Obaña, Sr., and Pedro Refugia. The head of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Bituin Manguerra.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">7. BUBOG</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">A big tree grew at the seashore of this place, during the Spanish times. The said tree served as the signpost of the fishermen who were returning to shore, specially during inclement weather.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The settlers who came from the Visayan region called the tree <i>bubog</i>. It eventually became the name of the coastal area where it grew. Its location, during that time, was about two hundred meters where San Jose Airport is located today.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In an article written by Antoon Postma, a researcher from Holland, it was mentioned that in 1894, Fr. Crisanto Azpilcueta dela Santisima Trinidad, a Spanish missionary who was assigned at El Pueblo de Magarang, a progressive settlement located about two kilometers south of Lumintao River, resided in Bubog. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When Mindoro Sugar Company started its operation in 1911, the seasonal workers at the sugarcane plantation who got sick of malaria, stayed in this place, for they believed that the breeze from the sea helped cure the dreaded disease.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1930, a group of farmers from Camiling, Tarlac, led by Pedro Luis came to this place. He was the one who convinced his fellow farmers to make San Isidro Labrador the patron saint of Bubog.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When World War II broke out, twenty two lepers who escaped from Culion, Palawan came to this place. Unfortunately, they were captured by the Japanese soldiers and were shot to death. They were buried inside a big hole in one part of Bubog which is called Purok Sto. Niño at present.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">On December 15, 1944 the battleships of the Allied Forces appeared at the southern part of Mindoro Strait, to liberate San Jose from Japanese occupation. A battalion of soldiers landed in Bubog. They cleaned this place and encamped here. Unfortunately, among the trees they felled was the big tree called <i>bubog</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When peace was restored, a great number of families from Antique and Nueva Ecija settled in Bubog. They petitioned the government that this place be made as a barrio of the municipality of San Jose. In 1949, San Jose Mayor Isabelo Abeleda, Sr. approved their petition. Pedro Luis was appointed as the first barrio lieutenant. With the assistance of his barriomates, he converted as schoolhouse the house of an American couple who settled in this barrio, for years.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1955, when Salt Industry of the Philippines or SaltPhil was established, a portion of Bubog was converted into saltbeds and fishpond. Many male residents of the barrio were employed as company workers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In the middle part of 1968, big waves destroyed the chapel of Bubog, including the houses of twenty five families. Gripped by fear, the residents of the barrio asked the administrator of SaltPhil to allow them to build houses on the land owned by the company which is far from the seashore. They were given permission and after ten years the land were given to the occupants.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1987, a number of families from Quezon province who avoided the bloody clashes between the government soldiers and rebel groups, transferred to Bubog and settled in the coastal area at the southern end of the barrio.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1994, the big power plant of the Island Power Corporation was constructed in Bubog. As years passed, dozens of houses were built near the power plant.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The leaders who served as barrio lieutenant, barrio captain and barangay captain of Bubog were Leoncio Chan, Ernesto Espiritu, Enrique Perez, Sr., Teofilo Tumpalan, Mateo Alorro, Pantaleon Novio, Magno Corpuz and Nemesio Yap. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Aquino Acla, Jr. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">8. BURI</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The name of the barangay came from <i>buri</i> plants which grew abundantly in this settlement which is presently located at a higher portion of Iling Island. Families from the Visayan region were the first settlers of this place.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Chinese merchants were already bartering goods with the ancestors of the residents of this place, prior to the arrival of the Spaniards in Mindoro. This was proved by the figurines, potteries and other utensils of the Chinese which were excavated from this settlement.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">According to the stories of the old folks in the island of Iling, Buri was one of the hiding places of their ancestors, during the time when the communities in the island were attacked by the pirates. The guards who warned the islanders, every time they saw from afar the <i>vintas</i> of the pirates, were stationed here.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The Villaram & Enelda Families from Agutaya, Palawan and Caluya, Antique, respectively, were the first inhabitant of this place during the American occupation of Mindoro. Although they have to walk the one kilometer distance to get drinking water from the eastern part of the island, they decided to stay here due to the productive wide plains atop the hills found in this place. Aside from raising domestic animals they could plant fruit bearing trees and during rainy season, palay and corn.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The inhabitants of Buri increased in number when additional families from other parts of San Jose settled here. Like other settlers in various parts of the island, aside from farming and fishing, cutting of trees which they convert into railroad ties, charcoal and firewood, were the source of livelihood of the people living in the area.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Before the outbreak of World War II, Buri was already a sitio of Iling Proper. Whenever the inhabitants of the sitio have important matters to discuss with the barrio leaders, they have to walk for one half hour. The pupils did this, almost daily, so that they could attend classes at Iling Primary School. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When World War II broke out, although the Japanese soldiers did not go to Buri, the people of the sitio experienced eating rootcrops and <i>yuro</i>, the dried sap from the trunk of <i>buri</i> plants.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Five years after the war, Buri became a barrio of San Jose. Among its sitios were Ipil which is now a barrio and Bunlao, the place where almost all inhabitants of the four barangays at the eastern side of Iling Island get their drinking water.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1952, the government opened a primary school in Buri. After several years, the primary school became a complete elementary school. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Through the efforts of the barrio leaders, a concrete mini-pier was constructed by the local government of San Jose in Bunlao, a sitio of Buri. It also installed pipes at the spring in the upper portion of the sitio. The pipes hastened the flow of fresh water from its source. As a result, it became easier for the islander to get drinking water from Bunlao.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In their desire to restore the seacoast of Buri to its original state, the leaders of the barrio now called barangay, formed a group of fishermen who planted and took care of mangrove trees. At present, mangrove trees grow abundantly at the seacoast of Buri, providing shelter to small fishes and other marine lives.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The leaders who served as barrio lieutenants, barrio captains & barangay captains of Buri were Espiridion Asuncion, Generoso Orgercia, Felimaco Orsos, Nicolas Villaram, Clemente Enelda and Recedillo Indap. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Reynaldo Villaram.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">9. CAMBURAY</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The indigenous people belonging to the Hanunoo tribe were the original inhabitants of the wide plains at the eastern part of San Jose. Since there was no title or other proof of ownership over the land they occupied, the Hanunoo just agreed among themselves the area of the kaingin which they would till. As a sort of title, they affix the word <i>kang</i> to the name of the occupant and the kaingin would be identified that way. For example, the name of the occupant is <i>Biswer,</i> his kaingin would be called <i>Kangbiswer,</i> if it is <i>Waling,</i> it would be <i>Kangwaling</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #993300;"><i>Buray</i> was the name of the Hanunoo whose kaingin is the site of Brgy. Camburay at present. The place was called <i>Kangburay</i>. Later on, the name became Camburay.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1910, when the American capitalists established Mindoro Sugar Company which later on became Philippine Milling Company, Camburay became a part of the sugarcane plantation. Aside from the seasonal workers or <i>sacadas</i> from the Visayan region, some of the laborers in the sugarcane plantation were the Hanunoo who lived at Upper Mangyan or Brgy. Murtha at present, and Lower Mangyan, the old name of what is known as Brgy. San Isidro today.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1930, the management of Philippine Milling Company reduced the area planted to sugarcane. Camburay was one of those places not planted with sugarcane anymore. As a result, some families of former laborers of the company occupied this place.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Like Murtha which is located nearby, Camburay became a part of the military camp of the Allied Forces which liberated Occidental Mindoro and other parts of the Philippines. The flight and landing of fighter planes at the airfield of Murtha were considered ordinary events by the first settlers of Camburay.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">After the war, the inhabitants requested the municipal council of San Jose that Camburay be elevated to the status of a barrio. In 1947, their request was granted. Camburay was registered as the official name of the barrio. That year, Emeterio Personal was elected as the first barrio lieutenant. The said leader opened a primary school in the barrio.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In the latter part of Decade Sixties, a building which served as training center of farmer-leaders was constructed by the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) atop a hill of Camburay. The FFF used the training center for a few years but when martial law was declared in 1972, the building was abandoned. It was eventually destroyed by termites and the elements of nature.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When Bishop Vicente Manuel, SVD, DD was installed as the vicar apostolic of the Apostolic Vicariate of San Jose in 1983, one of the first projects he implemented was the renovation and beautification of the former farmer-leaders training center. When the building was blessed in 1988, it was called San Lorenzo Ruiz Formation Center.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The Catholic Church and PLAN International, an altruistic group, helped the farmers of Camburay in organizing a cooperative. PLAN also helped in sending poor pupils to school and in building the barangay hall. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Aside from the aforementioned first leader, those who served as barrio lieutenant, barrio captain and barangay captain of Camburay were Clemente Supetran, Mario Santos, Mario Cruz, Benigno Sorel, Norma Cariazo and Abelardo Zapanta, Jr. The leader of this community at present is Brgy. Captain Ernesto Juan. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">10. CAMINAWIT</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Although Caminawit was not mentioned in historical records during the Spanish regime, it was a part of the pier in Mangarin which was already well known to Muslim and Chinese traders who bartered goods with our ancestors, since the 10<sup>th</sup> century.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The late Juan Zubiri, an old resident of this community, mentioned that the big sailboat or <i>batel</i> of Gen. Amilio Aguinaldo, loaded with merchandise from Cavite used to drop anchor near the wooden wharf built in this place, in 1890. That year, the said general was just a young merchant.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Caminawit which during that time was also called Mangarin, became known during the American occupation of Mindoro. A lighthouse was built here by the government. Together with Iling Proper, Central and Sta. Teresa, the American government opened an elementary school in this place. Old folks still remember that this community became the <i>presidencia </i>or center of the municipal government in 1910.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Before Mindoro Sugar Company started its operation in 1911, American engineers built a railroad track that ran between the sugar central and Caminawit. This was done to facilitate the transport of supplies from Caminawit wharf to the company’s warehouse in Central and of thousands of bags of sugar from the sugar mill to the wharf. Near the wharf, the company built a canteen and storehouse for sugar.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">This place got its name as a result of the inconvenience suffered by passengers from Manila who have to wait for the train that would bring them to Central. While waiting, the Americans used to remark <i>"You come and wait."</i> Those words were frequently uttered that, eventually, <i>"come and wait"</i> merged and became Caminawit. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1942, Japanese soldiers occupied Caminawit. They converted the canteen of Mindoro Sugar Company into a garrison. In 1943, a group of guerrillas led by Captain Vincent Fortune attacked the garrison but they retreated upon realizing that the enemies outnumber them and have superior weapons. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">On December 15, 1944 warships of the Allied Forces bombarded Caminawit and destroyed the garrison of the Japanese soldiers. Two soldiers of the enemies were killed.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When peace was restored, the pier in Caminawit became busy because thousands of families of farmers from Luzon and other parts of the country, who decided to settle permanently in West Mindoro, disembarked here. Due to its great importance in trade and commerce, the concreting of the pier became one of the priority projects of the local officials of San Jose and Occidental Mindoro. After several years, the project was implemented and the concrete pier became a reality.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1964, when Philippine Milling Company stopped its operation due to heavy losses, the railroad track connecting Caminawit and Central was dismantled.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">As years passed, the coastline of Caminawit changed. As a result, the lighthouse was destroyed due to the continuous battering of big waves.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1970, Radio Station DZVT was built in Caminawit. After a few years, it was transferred to Brgy. Pag-asa. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Before the term of office of Governor Peter Medalla, Jr. ended in 1991, the concrete pier in Caminawit was dredged and expanded. The concreting of the road from Poblacion, San Jose to the pier, followed.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The leaders who served as barrio lieutenant, barrio captain and barangay captain of Caminawit were Andres Barboza, Angel Reyes, Florentino Reyes, Francisco Evangelio, Crispin Mariano, Leah Mariano, Dominador Pastrana, Emmanuel Agustin and Leonardo Quirante. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Danilo Centeno. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">11. CATAYUNGAN</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Plenty of sea urchins could be gathered from the coast of this barangay during low tide. In the Visayan dialect, sea urchins are called <i>tayong</i>, hence, due to the abundance of this kind of marine life in this place, its name became Catayungan. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Like other parts of the island of Iling, Chinese potteries, figurines and kitchen utensils were excavated from this place, proofs that our ancestors bartered goods with merchants from China, prior to the coming of the Spaniards in Mindoro.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">During the Spanish occupation of Mindoro, due to their extreme fear of pirates, the first settlers of Catayungan transferred to other villages. The settlement became a forested area again.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">During the American regime, the forest of Catayungan was a part of the logging concession awarded by the government to the families of Cuden, Abeleda and Ronquillo. Some laborers of the concessionaires built their huts here, while cutting trees which were converted into railroad ties and firewood.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Those who settled in Catayungan during the American regime belonged to the Serna, Pacaul, Alvarez and Fausto Family. Later on, fishermen from Panay and Palawan came, the number of inhabitants increased and Catayungan became a sitio of Iling Proper.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #993300;">In 1942, during the Japanese occupation, Catayungan was elevated to the status of a barrio. Mamerto Serna, one of the pioneers and founder of the barrio was appointed as the first <i>teniente del barrio.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The people of the barrio immediately petitioned the government that a primary school be opened in their place. The petition was approved but it was implemented only in 1945, a year after the U.S. led Allied Forces liberated San Jose from the Japanese soldiers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The fourth leader of Catayungan, <i>Teniente del Barrio</i> Maximo Fausto donated a piece of land for the school campus and barrio site.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Drinking water was a problem in Catayungan, thus, leaders of the barrio sponsored the digging of a deep well. Unfortunately, water drawn from the well was salty and could only be used for bathing and washing clothes. Up to the present time, the people of Catayungan still get their drinking water from Sitio Bunlao.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When Pascual Serna was the barangay captain of Catayungan, a small but concrete wharf for motorboats was constructed in this place. Together with the members of the municipal council, he initiated the massive reforestation of mangrove swamps. At present, the trees they planted are already providing shelter to small fishes and other marine life.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Several years ago, the people of Catayungan discovered that culturing seaweeds, popularly called <i>tambalang</i> was a good source of income. Businessmen buy this type of seaweeds, when properly dried, for it can be processed into fertilizers and industrial chemicals. As a result of this discovery, families of fishermen culture <i>tambalang</i> at the shallow portion of the sea every summer season.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Aside from the aforementioned leaders, those who served as barrio lieutenant, barrio captain and barangay captain of Catayungan were Severo Pacaul, Pedro Pacaul, Cecilio Alvarez, Ramon Pacaul and Andres Pacaul. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Eddie Eguillon. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">12. CENTRAL</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1904, the American government bought from the Spanish authorities <i>La Hacienda de San Jose,</i> a vast agricultural land which at present is from Brgy. Caguray, Magsaysay up to Brgy. Iriron, Calintaan. Six years later, a group of American capitalists formed Mindoro Sugar Company, registered it as a corporation in New Jersey, U.S.A and bought a portion of the agricultural land. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The American capitalists converted the agricultural land into a sugarcane plantation. They bought machineries and sent engineers to San Jose who would manage the construction of an irrigation system, a sugar central and a railroad track that ran between the center of the company and the wharf in Caminawit. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The sugar cane plantation was divided into sectors. The area where the sugar mill, main office, hospital, recreation center & residential houses of employees are located fell under Sector 7. In addition, since it was the center, it was called Central. In Spanish, 7 is <i>siete,</i> thus the area became known as <i>Siete Central</i>. After a few years, the name was shortened to Central.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">During that time, Central was the most progressive and most exciting part of Mindoro. People from other places came here to witness the annual fiesta celebration and sports competitions. Families of foreigners who held important positions in the company decided to settle here. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">However, Central was dubbed as <i>the white man’s grave.</i> A number of Americans, Spaniards, English, Germans, Portuguese and Australians who worked in the sugar company got sick of malaria and died in this place. Even the migrant workers or <i>sacadas</i> got sick of the dreaded disease but luckily majority of them survived. To persuade them to return the following year, the administrators of the company have to offer some incentives such as free transportation fare and frequent recreational activities.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1920, in a map drawn by Fr. Julian Duval, it was indicated that the railroad from the sugar mill reached the old sites of Brgys. San Agustin, Caminawit and Pitogo, at present. By that time, the name of Mindoro Sugar Company was changed to Philippine Milling Company.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1942, during the Japanese occupation of San Jose, Philippine Milling Company stopped its operation. The Japanese soldiers converted the elementary school building of Central into a garrison.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">After World War II, Philippine Milling Company resumed its operation but the new owners, mortgaged the sugar cane plantation and sugar mill to Philippine National Bank in order that they would have enough capital for its rehabilitation. Nevertheless, the company incurred heavy losses and it was foreclosed by the bank in 1964. It was converted into a palay plantation by National Investment Development Corporation, a subsidiary of PNB. Unluckily, the project was not productive and it was stopped in the late 1970’s. As a result, groups of farmers petitioned the government that the abandoned ricefields be distributed to them under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. The government approved their petition and the former sugar cane plantation was subdivided and awarded to the petitioners.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Central became a barrio when the sugar company stopped its operation in 1964. After eleven years, together with other barrios, it was made a barangay.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The persons who served as managers of Central were George Fairchild, Nelson Van Sinclair, Patrick Pretchet, Luis Yangco, Celso Lobregat, Cecilio Jimenez, Francisco Gomez, Alfredo Gaborro, Jose dela Cruz, Benjamin Benedicto, Benjamin Samala, Jaime Fajardo, Alfredo Arabit and Ricardo Sanchez.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The persons who served as <i>teniente, capitan del barrio</i> and <i>barangay captain</i> of Central were Ricardo Pascasio, Sr., Antonio Espenelli and Anado Tan, Sr. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Rizalino Pablo, Jr. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">13. ILING PROPER</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #993300;">The islanders believed two incidents that could have been the origin of the name of their barangay. The first one was the story of an old man that he always saw the movement or the shaking of a big rock at the shore of the barangay every time strong waves hit it. It resembled the shaking of a man’s head. In the Pilipino dialect, the sideward movement of the head is called <i>iling.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The other incident was the recollection of another story by an old man that when their ancestors were bartering goods with the Chinese, during the tenth century, the islanders used to request for additional items from the foreign traders. In the Pilipino dialect the words they used while requesting were <i>pahiling naman.</i> Some old folks believed that the name of the island evolved from the word <i>pahiling</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In an old Spanish document, it was stated that in 1572, the expedition led by Captain Juan de Salcedo made a brief stopover in Iling Island when they attacked the stronghold of the Moro pirates in Mamburao. It was also mentioned by two Jesuit missionaries in their report to their superiors that in 1666, they were able to baptize many adults in Iling.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1781, Señor Francisco Fernandez, then the governor of Mindoro, visited the island. The said governor mentioned in his report that when the inhabitants saw their ships at sea, they hid in the mountains thinking that the pirates came to attack their settlement.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">It was also mentioned in history that in 1824, Fr. Aniceto dela Consolacion, an Augustinian Recollect missionary, got sick of malaria and died in Iling. During that year, Iling was considered as a Spanish <i>pueblo.</i> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1829, in order that the islanders would be able to defend themselves against the Moro pirates, the Spanish government gave two bronze cannons to the leaders of the <i>pueblo.</i> They installed the cannons on top of a high hill by the seashore called <i>baluarte</i> by the islanders. It proved to be an effective deterrent to piracy. Unfortunately, the two cannons which were mementos of the Spanish occupation of the island got lost. What remained was the broken church bell which a Spanish friar installed at the belfry of the <i>pueblo’s</i> chapel in 1843.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When the Americans occupied Mindoro in the early 1900’s they opened an elementary school in Iling. Children from the neighboring island of Ambulong, as well as from other settlements of the island studied in this school.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">During the Japanese occupation, old residents of the island remembered an incident which they considered as a miracle. The Japanese soldiers were about to round up all male residents of Iling but for an unknown reason, big waves appeared at the peaceful sea around the island. Fearing that they would be stranded in the island, the enemies immediately boarded their motorboat, hurriedly left Iling and returned to their garrison in Caminawit.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When Mindoro became free from foreign domination, the number of people in Iling increased. However, since the primary occupation of the people who transferred to this place from the islands of Panay and Palawan was fishing, they built their houses along the seashore. They left the original site of their settlement which was on top of a hill. At present, the old site of their settlement is called <i>Ingbanwahan</i>, a word in the Visayan dialect which means <i>the old town site</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The parents felt that due to the increasing number of graduates from their elementary school, a secondary school should be opened in Iling. In 1973, under the leadership of Mr. Reynaldo Agnas, a barrio high school was established. After more than twenty years, the said school became Iling National High School.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The persons who served as <i>teniente, capitan del barrio</i> and <i>barangay captain</i> of Iling were Potenciano Encarguez, Damaso Soberano, Abdon Pandiño, Agapito Pandiño, Pio Malanao, Anastacio Agnas, Tomas Pandiño, Lino Pandiño and Rosauro Pandiño. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Adelardo Declito.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">14. INASAKAN</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The name of the barangay came from <i>Ginasakaan,</i> a word in the Visayan dialect which means a place being climbed at. The early settlers gave that name to this place for it was here where they climbed the rocks to reach other parts of the barrio.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Like other barrios in the island of Iling, people from the Visayan region were the early settlers of this place. Fishing, farming and cutting of tree which were made into railroad ties and firewood were their means of livelihood. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Chinese potteries and kitchen utensils were dug from this place. It was assumed that long before the coming of the Spaniards, inhabitants of this place were already bartering goods with traders from China. Another assumption was that this area was made as a cemetery of the foreign traders for it was part of their culture to bury their dead with some implements and kitchen utensils which they believed would help the soul of the departed in its journey in the afterlife.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When World War II broke out, the people of Inasakan did not experience the cruelty of the Japanese soldiers for the enemies did not reach this place. Nevertheless, they also experienced eating wild rootcrops and the dried sap from the trunk of buri plants during this period.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Additional families settled at Inasakan after World War II. This place became a sitio of Iling Proper. Children of school age walked for almost half an hour to be able to study in the elementary school of Iling Proper.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Due to the hardships experienced by the pupils, specially during rainy days, their parents requested the municipal government of San Jose to open an elementary school in Inasakan. Their request was granted and in 1950, a primary school was opened in the sitio. Residents of the place through cooperative efforts constructed the first school building which was made of bamboo, wood and nipa. After ten years, when Inasakan became a barrio, the school was elevated to the status of a complete elementary school. The school buildings at present were made of strong materials. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Inasakan has beaches of white sand. In 1990, Elizabeth Chang, wife of the owners of a hotel at Brgy. Pag-asa, San Jose opened a beach resort here. She invited tourists who stayed in their hotel to bathe and rest in the resort. They called their establishment as Mina de Oro Beach Resort.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Aside from the government, the Catholic Church and non-government organizations (NGOs) like World Vision and PLAN International helped uplift the living condition of the poor people of Inasakan. Workers of the said institution and organizations taught the parents and youth various skills for income generating projects and emphasized to them the value of cooperation and care of the environment.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">At present, workers and volunteers of the abovementioned institution and NGOs left the management of the livelihood projects which they started in Inasakan to the residents of this place, for they transferred to other areas. They hope that the people with whom they worked with for years would continue strengthening their unity and cooperative effort in order to improve their living condition.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The persons who served as teniente, capitan del barrio and barangay captain of Inasakan were Alejo Venturina, Floremia Alorro, Jolly Serna and Cornelio Flores. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Ruben Ermino.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">15. IPIL</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">This place was once a forest where the inhabitants of Iling Island got a kind of wood called Ipil as material for building their house. It was also in this area where workers of the logging concession operated by the families of Ronquillo, Abeleda and Cuden cut hard wood which were converted into railroad ties, during the American regime.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Among the first inhabitants of this place were the Saulong brothers and their families from Antique. They also worked for the logging concession but they applied for homestead in the forested area which they called Ipil. When almost all of the big trees were cut, they planted palay and corn in the limited area of plain land and bamboo, coconut, sineguelas and other fruit trees on the rolling land.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Ipil was only a sitio of Iling Proper when World War II broke out. This was one of the places where the inhabitants of San Jose and other adjacent municipalities hid to avoid meeting the Japanese soldiers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">There were also plenty of mangroves along the seashore of Ipil which protected the oysters, shells, small fishes and other marine life. Unfortunately, in their desire to earn more by selling firewood, the fishermen indiscriminately cut the mangroves that only a few small tree remained. Alarmed by the great loss, the leaders of Ipil launched a mangrove planting project. Gradually, the mangrove trees increased in number.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When the nearby sitio of Buri became a barrio in 1949, Ipil was placed under its jurisdiction. In their desire to learn, children of school age on Ipil, persevered walking everyday for half an hour to be able to attend their classes in Buri.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The parents of the school children of Ipil requested the municipal government that a primary school be opened in their sitio. They waited for almost ten years before their request was granted. In 1958, a primary school was opened in this place. The first school building which was built through the cooperative effort of the residents was made of cogon, wood and bamboo strips. It took long years of representation and negotiation with the municipal & provincial officials by sitio leaders Meliton Saulong & Jesus Saulong and then Teniente del Barrio Ferlimaco Orsos, before the school building made of light materials was replaced by a concrete structure.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Since 1958, the residents of Ipil were already asking the local officials that their sitio be made a barrio. However, the required number of inhabitants was not met, thus, members of the municipal council of San Jose did not grant the request.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In the meantime, the sitio was managed by the barrio leaders of Buri. Then, Capitan del Barrio Nicolas Villaram and Clemente Enelda frequently visited this place. With the financial support of the municipal council of San Jose, they developed and improved the spring of fresh water in the nearby sitio of Bunlao in order that the people of Ipil, Buri and the other barrios of Iling Island could easily get drinking water.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Due to its slow population growth, Ipil became a barrio only in 1969. Based on population, up to the present time Ipil is the smallest among the ten barangays of ILing Island.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In order that it would have a barrio site, a charitable resident of Ipil named Diosdado donated a one hectare land to the government. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The other persons who led Ipil aside from the ones mentioned earlier were Ader Andradan, Bernabe Saulong and Dominador Beato. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Eleuterio Orsos.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">16. LABANGAN ILING</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The name of the barangay came from a wooden trough which was brought by the waves to the shore of this community during the American regime. Old residents of the place also said that wild animals used to graze here. In the Visayan dialect a wooden trough and a grazing place are both called <i>Labangan,</i> hence, the name of the place. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The pioneers of Labangan were the families of Deyta, Serna and Encila from Palawan ang Montemayor from Batangas. Fishing was their main occupation. When they could not go fishing, they worked in the logging concession of Cuden, Abeleda and Ronquillo, three families who were given permit to cut trees in the whole island of Iling.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When Mindoro Sugar Company started its operation in Central, many migrant workers or <i>sacadas</i> from Leyte, Cotabato, Ilocos, Cebu and Bohol worked in the sugar cane plantation. Unfortunately, almost all of the <i>sacadas</i> got sick of malaria. As a result, since the temperature and the breeze from the sea helped alleviate the suffering of a person sick with malaria, many migrant workers left Central and settled in the barrios near the sea; like San Agustin, Bubog, Caminawit, Caguray, Sta. Teresa and Labangan.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The inhabitants of Labangan increased in number until it became a sitio of Barrio Iling Proper. When World War II broke out, some members of prominent families in San Jose hid in this place for fear of being maltreated by the Japanese soldiers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">After the war, the inhabitants of this sitio requested the municipal government that an elementary school be opened in their place. Their request was granted and in 1946, a teacher for Grade 1 pupils was assigned in Labangan. One of the rooms in the house of Mr. Alipio Deyta was temporarily used as a classroom. After many years, through the cooperative effort of the parents, teachers and municipal officials, school buildings were built in the sitio. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1950, Labangan was separated from Iling Proper and created as a barrio. However, since another barrio of San Jose has the same name, the word Iling was added after Labangan to distinguish it from the other community.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Aside from the government, residents of this place were assisted by the church and charitable organizations. World Vision, a humanitarian group, extended seed capital to poor families for their livelihood project. The Rotary Club of Japan, through Governor Josephine Ramirez-Sato helped the provincial government in constructing a water system for potable drinking water. Church workers organized and gave trainings to the indigent families in order that they, themselves would strive to uplift their living condition.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The project for potable drinking water was implemented when Brgy. Captain Inocencio Fabular was the leader of this barangay. The other important projects which he implemented were the massive planting of mangrove seedlings, construction of the multi-purpose pavement and barangay hall which was also used as day care center of the barangay.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The persons who served as <i>teniente, capitan del barrio</i> and <i>barangay captain</i> of Iling Proper were Jaime Fabular, Alberto Deyta, Anatolio Prado, Victorino Enano, Honorio Verdin and Aldino Cabantugan. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Inocencio Fabular. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">17. LABANGAN POBLACION</span><br />
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In the Tagalog dialect, <i>Labangan</i> means <i>eating place</i>. Like another barangay in the island of Iling with the same name, this place was called Labangan, for it was here where the wild animals grazed during the early days.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">This place was also a part of the wide hacienda which was entrusted by the government to the Order of the Augustinian Recollects for agricultural development, during the Spanish regime. A tribe of indigenous people known as <i>Ratagnon</i> lived here.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When a group of American capitalists bought the hacienda and founded Mindoro Sugar Company, later known as Philippine Milling Company, a portion of this place was planted to sugarcane.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When World War II broke out, Labangan was one of the areas where the inhabitants of other villages hid. According to Sotero Montajes, an old <i>Ratagnon,</i> during that time, this was an ideal hiding place, for tall trees and mangroves abound here,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1944, when San Jose was liberated by the Allied Forces from Japanese occupation, this place was one of the areas where the soldiers built their military base. The people started to clear the forests. They converted the plains into ricefields and the swamps into fishponds. The portion of the hacienda planted to sugarcane, which was abandoned by its owner, was occupied by migrant farmers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When peace was restored in Occidental Mindoro, a great number of families of farmers from Luzon and the Visayas came to settle in this place. The forests gradually disappeared and the wild animals which used to graze in this place retreated to the hills and mountains. The abandoned land became productive.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Due to the continuous construction of buildings in Poblacion, San Jose, groups of families built their houses in areas within the jurisdiction of Labangan. Subdivisions for teachers and employees appeared. Some businessmen built rice mills and big warehouses for palay and salt. The buildings for the provincial office, machineries and grains’ storage of the National Food Authority were constructed here. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1967, Labangan was created as a barrio. Mr. Ruben Rea was appointed as its first barrio lieutenant. In the early part of martial law, it became a barangay and Mr. Emilio de Vera who succeeded Mr. Rea as the leader of this place, was called as Barangay Captasin. Due to its proximity to the town’s center, and to distinguish this place from another barangay in the island of Iling with the same name, the word Poblacion was affixed to the official name of this barangay.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1970, Fortune Tobacco Corporation, a cigar & cigarette company, built a buying station in Labangan Poblacion. The owners of the tobacco company encouraged the farmers to plant tobacco after harvesting their palay.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When Brgy. Captain de Vera retired, Mr. Joaquin Magsipoc became the leader of the barangay. He designated as barrio site a part of Labangan Poblacion which was located at the southeastern portion of the barangay, near the salt farms of a prominent family in Occidental MIndoro. An elementary school was opened there.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Before 1990, Acorda Agri-Business, Inc., a big company engaged in palay trading, constructed a rice mill and warehouse in a spacious lot adjacent to Fortune Tobacco Corporation. The two aforementioned companies provided employment to the youth of San Jose, every summer season.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1991, Bishop Vicente Manuel, SVD, DD established Radio Station DZVT in this place. After five years, the main building and school campus of Occidental Mindoro National College were transferred here.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Mr. Agripino Aringa, Jr. succeeded Mr. Magsipoc as barangay captain of Labangan Poblacion. Among his many accomplishments were the construction of roads, building of barangay hall and the acquisition of a truck for hauling garbage. Up to the present time, he is still the barangay captain of Labangan Poblacion. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">18. LA CURVA</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The area under this community was once a part of <i>La Hacienda de San Jose</i> of the Order of Augustinian Recollects. In 1910, when the American government bought the hacienda and established Mindoro Sugar Company, later on known as Philippine Milling Company, this place was a part of the sugarcane plantation. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The meaning of the Spanish word <i>La Curva</i> is curve. This place was given that name for it was here where the railroad built by the company curved. In addition, it was also here where the road from Central to Murtha, then known as Upper Mangyan, curved. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In the report sent to Bishop Alfredo Verzosa of the Diocese of Lipa by Fr. Julian Duval, the chaplain of Philippine Milling Company in 1920, it was stated that he baptized fifty six persons in La Curva, from January 5 to June 30 of that year. It was not mentioned in the report if the baptized persons were indigenous people or migrant workers (<i>sacadas</i>). However, compared with the number of persons baptized in other parts of the sugarcane plantation, the greatest number was that of La Curva. It could be deduced that this community has many inhabitants during that time.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When the owners of Philippine Milling Company stopped the planting of sugarcane in La Curva, many migrant workers decided to occupy the idle land. Under the leadership of Mr. Jerry Balagot, Sr., they petitioned the government to sell to them the land which they occupied.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">After many years, the petition of the farmers was approved by the government. As a result, the number of families who resided in La Curva, increased, specially when the farmers and their families from Luzon and the Visayas arrived.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1941, before the outbreak of World War II, the people of La Curva requested members of the municipal council of San Jose that their community be created as a barrio. Their request was granted. The following year, Barrio La Curva was born. Mr. Jerry Balagot, Sr., was elected by his barriomates as the first <i>teniente del barrio.</i> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When the Japanese soldiers occupied San Jose during the latter part of 1942, La Curva was one of the places which they visited. They were able to see only a few residents of the barrio because many of the people who lived here evacuated to other places.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1944, when the Allied Forces liberated San Jose from Japanese occupation, La Curva was one of the places where they built a military base. As a result of being a part of the base, the roads and bridges going to this community were constructed by the engineers of the liberators.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Elements of the Allied Forces left La Curva in 1945. The families who evacuated to other places returned to their farm </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The people of La Curva requested the municipal government that a primary school be opened in their barrio. In 1950, a school for primary education was established. School buildings made of strong materials were constructed. Gradually, the primary school became a complete elementary school. The residents of this barrio strived to improve their lot and with the help of their leaders and the intercession of their patron saint Our Lady of Lourdes, many of them prospered. The barangay hall was built and numerous projects were implemented in the barrio.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Aside from Jerry Balagot, Sr., the leaders who served as <i>teniente del barrio, capitan del barrio </i>and barangay captain of La Curva were Jose Encarnacion, Timoteo Sagun, Emilio Magtoto, Manuel Acosta, Sr., Tomas Fariñas, Agapito dela Fuente and Jerry Balagot, Jr. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Cirilo Reyes. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">19. MABINI</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The old name of this community was Labangan. However, since two other barrio of San Jose have the same name, the residents of this place changed the name to Mabini, in honor of one of the heroes of our country. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">This place was once a part of the vast tract of land entrusted by the Spanish government to the Order of Augustinian Recollects in 1890. Indigenous people belonging to the tribe of Ratagnons lived in this area during that time.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When Mindoro Sugar Company started its operation in Central, in 1911, a part of Mabini was made as a sugarcane plantation by Mr. Arrozal. Tons of sugarcane harvested from his land were hauled by train and milled at the sugar central.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Due to heavy losses, the ownership of Mindoro Sugar Company was transferred from one group of capitalists to another. The business firm was renamed as Philippine Milling Company. A limit was imposed on the area of land to be planted with sugarcane. Due to this development, Mr. Arrozal discpntinued planting sugarcane.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When World War II broke out and the Japanese soldiers occupied San Jose in 1942, only a few families lived in Mabini. Among them were the families of De Mesa and Ramirez who purchased the land which in the past was planted with sugarcane.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">After the war, families of Visayan and Ilocano farmers arrived in Mabini. They cleared the forested area of the place and converted it into cornfields and ricefields. They requested the government that the road from the town’s center up to their community be constructed. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1952, Mabini was created as a barrio of San Jose. Mr. Anacleto Pagsuguiron was appointed as the first <i>teniente del barrio.</i> After two years, a primary school was opened in the barrio and Mrs. Virginia Cruz was assigned as the first teacher.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1958, Mr. Pagsuguiron and Mr. Leon Obo, donated a portion of their farm to the government so that a school building made of strong materials could be built in Mabini.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">During the term of office of Mr. Cornelio Wagan as <i>teniente del barrio</i>, a pre-fabricated school building was constructed by the provincial government in Mabini. Mrs. Iluminada Fariñas was assigned here as teacher.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Mr.Manuel Fariñas succeeded Mr. Wagan as <i>teniente del barrio</i> of Mabini. By initiating fund raising activities, he tried to generate enough funds for the construction of a building with two classrooms. This project was realized before Capitan del Barrio Fariñas was succeeded by Mr. Mariano Obo as barrio leader in 1963.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When Mr. Benjamin Cruz was assigned as the principal of Mabini Elementary School in 1965, Mr. Benito Gamboa was elected as <i>capitan del barrio</i>. Through the cooperative effort of the barrio council and the parents teachers association, the two leaders were able to construct an office for the school, a vocational shop, a concrete toilet and a building with two classrooms.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">After the imposition of martial law, rapid construction of roads and bridges specially the road going to the municipality of Magsaysay was realized in Mabini.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Aside from those who were already mentioned, the other leaders who served as barangay captain of Mabini were Mr. Engracio Babas, Mr. Claudio Valdez and Mr. Jessie Pagsuguiron. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Alejo Difuntorum. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">20. MAGBAY</span><br />
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Like other places of Occidental Mindoro, the indigenous people were the first inhabitants of Magbay during the time when our ancestors were bartering goods with Chinese traders. When the Spaniards came, this place became a part of the vast tract of agricultural land which was entrusted by the government to the Order of Augustinian Recollects. However, a large part of it remained a forest for the farmers who dared cultivate the land in this area transferred to other places when they got sick of malaria.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">After many years, Mr. & Mrs. Sison bought the idle agricultural land which is under Brgy. Magbay at present. When Mindoro Sugar Company was established in 1910, they planted their land with sugarcane. They hired migrant workers or <i>sacadas</i> from the Visayan region.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Every morning, Mr. & Mrs. Sison inspect their sugarcane plantation. While going around, Mr. Sison & his wife usually put their arms on each other’s shoulder. In Pilipino language, the term for this gesture is <i>magkaakbay.</i> The migrant workers called them as <i>mag-asawang magkaakbay</i> or husband & wife whose arms are on each other’s shoulder. The name Magbay originated from those words. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1941, when World War II broke out, the early settlers of Magbay evacuated to other places. They returned during the early months of 1945, when the Allied Forces liberated San Jose from the Japanese soldiers. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">That same year, while the Allied Forces were liberating other parts of the country from Japanese occupation, they established their military base in San Jose. The vast area used as base by the liberators included Magbay. Due to this development, a road was constructed from Pandurucan, the town’s center, up to Magbay. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">After the war, Don Francisco Esteban or Don Paco bought the sugarcane plantation of Mr. & Mrs. Sison. He invited the migrant workers from the Visayas to settle permanently in their place. He built houses for them, gave each family a carabao and farm implements. He continued the planting of sugarcane in his land and sell his harvest to the sugar mill at Central. He and his children managed the plantation until Philippine Milling Company of Central stopped its operation.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Don Paco subdivided his land and distributed it to his workers. The former sugarcane plantation became productive ricefields. Gradually, the number of families of farmers increased in Magbay. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1960, Magbay was created as a barrio of San Jose. Mr. Domiciano Magbanua was elected as the first <i>teniente del barrio.</i> Among his achievements as leader of the barrio was the opening of a primary school in Magbay.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In the latter part of Decade 60’s, when cigarette manufacturers opened tobacco buying stations in San Jose, the farmers of Magbay planted tobacco in their farm during summer. They dug deep wells and installed water pumps in order that they could irrigate their farm in summertime. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1967, during the term of Hon. Pedro Medalla, Sr. as representative of Occidental Mindoro, he put the provincial jail and the nursery of the Bureau of Plant Industry in Brgy. Magbay.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Aside from Mr. Magbanua, the persons who served as <i>teniente, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Magbay were Felipe Garay, Felipe Dimal, Sr., Zoilo Hipolito, Alfredo Pablo, Edgardo Gabao, Virgilio Santiago and Aderiano Cambel. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Francisco Vergara. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">21. MANGARIN</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #993300;">Before the arrival of the Spaniards in the Philippines, the early inhabitants of Mangarin were already bartering goods with the Chinese traders. According to old residents of the barrio, the name of their community originated from the Chinese word <i>Mandarin.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When the Spaniards came and the spiritual care of the island of Mindoro was entrusted to the Order of Augustinian Recollects, a parish was erected in Mangarin. It happened in 1683. Placed under the jurisdiction of the said parish were the islands of Iling, Ambulong, Semirara, Sibay and Caluya, including the communities in Bulalacao and Mansalay of Oriental Mindoro.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Moro pirates frequently attacked Mangarin. Four Spanish missionaries who led the natives of this community in defending themselves against the pirates, died in this place. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1737, due to malaria, difficulty of work and Moro attacks, the Augustinian Recollects left Mangarin. They only returned to this place in 1843.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When Fr. Soto de San Juan Bautista was appointed as parish priest of Mangarin on February 12, 1844 the first thing he did with the support of the government was the construction of a fort. The inhabitants of Mangarin used it in defending themselves against the pirates.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1851, a stronghold or <i>baluarte</i> was built by Fr. Pablo Bienzobas de San Antonio de Padua in one sitio of Mangarin called <i>Kuomintang</i> by people living there. At present, the ruins of the said stronghold could still be seen in the place where it was constructed.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">General Emilio Aguinaldo mentioned in his autobiography that in 1860, when he was still trading goods with the people of Mindoro, his commercial boat called <i>batel</i> during that time, used to drop anchor in Mangarin. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Since the site of the barrio of Mangarin was frequently flooded, the inhabitants, led by Fr. Valentin Diaz delos Sagrados Corazones de Jesus y Maria requested the government to transfer it to another place. The government granted their request. In 1866, the barrio site of Mangarin was transferred to the place where it is located at present.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When the Filipinos of Mindoro revolted against the Spaniards in 1898, Fr. Bernardino Vasquez del Rosario, the parish priest of Mangarin was captured by the revolutionaries and imprisoned at Taysan, Batangas. He was set free in 1900.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">During the American occupation of Mindoro, Mangarin became the center of the municipal government. When the municipality of San Jose was created in 1910, the seat of the municipal government was transferred to Pandurucan, where it is located up to the present time.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When World War II broke out, many inhabitants of Mangarin evacuated to other places. The Japanese soldiers visited this barrio and encouraged the people who were left behind to cooperate with what was known among the nationalists during that time as a puppet government. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The people of Mangarin rejoiced when the U.S. led Allied Forces came on December 15, 1944 to liberate San Jose from Japanese occupation. San Jose was made as a military base of the liberators. Knowing that it was already safe to return home, people who evacuated to other places came back.. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When hundreds of families of farmers from Luzon and the Visayas migrated to San Jose, in 1950, Mangarin was one of the places where they settled permanently.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The persons who served as <i>teniente, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Mangarin were Lorenzo Patricio, Miguel Hermoso, Pedro Tadeo, Sr., Eleuterio Cruz, Dominador Embanecido, Zosimo dela Cruz, Benito Javier, Jr., and Francisco Egaña. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Marjorie Sales.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">22. MAPAYA </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Residents of this place were not sure of the origin of the name of their barangay. However, because papaya was one of the plants being taken care of by the indigenous people who made their kaingin here, during the early days, they believed that the name of their community came from the abridged version of <i>Mapapaya</i>. On the other hand, some residents believed that the name of their place evolved from <i>Mapayapa</i>, the equivalent in Tagalog of the word peaceful.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The territory under the jurisdiction of Mapaya at present was a part of the vast tract of land called <i>La Hacienda de San Jose</i> which was entrusted by the Spanish government to the Order of Augustinian Recollects in 1890. According to Sotero Montajes, an old farmer belonging to the Hanunoo tribe, his fellow indigenous people were the ones who cultivated the land in this area.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Since the area of <i>La Hacienda</i> was so vast, the management of some parts were entrusted to the persons whom the Spanish friars knew very well. The area of Mapaya nowadays was entrusted to Mrs. Teodorica Endencia or Señora Kikay. However, due to the shortage of farm workers, except for some parts which the indigenous people used as their kaingin, the greater portion of Mapaya was not tilled.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1902, during the American occupation of Mindoro, Dr. Waterous and Yu Kee Tay bought a portion of <i>La Hacienda</i> which is Mapaya today. They planted sugarcane, tobacco, palay, cashew, mango and other fruit bearing trees. They also utilized certain portions as pastureland.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When World War II broke out, Dr. Waterous and Yu Kee Tay abandoned their land. They were not able also to cultivate their hacienda although peace was restored after three years, thus, some parts of their land were occupied by farmers from Luzon and the Visayan region. Nevertheless, a portion of the hacienda was planted with tobacco for a few years by Johnny Cheng and Domingo Lao, two stockholders of FILASEDECO a corporation which has a branch in San Jose, in the late 50’s.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The group of people who settled in this place after the war were composed if the families of Valera, Tuason, Velasco, Jondonero, Mejia, Pendon, De Vera and Gaudiel. The leaders of two groups of farmers who petitioned the government to buy the abandoned plantation of Dr. Waterous and distribute it to them under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program were Tranquilino Velasco and Salvador Olis.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1950, the municipal council of San Jose approved the request of the inhabitants of Mapaya that their place be made as a barrio. In 1956, the government opened an elementary school here.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The swamps of Mapaya were converted into fishponds and saltfarms by well off individuals. Families of workers who were employed in the abovementioned two industries became permanent residents of the barrio.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The concreting and widening of the provincial road from San Jose to Magsaysay and Oriental Mindoro, during the latter part of Decade 70’s helped in the progress of Mapaya. The farmers found it faster and easier to transport their farm products to the public market, now than before.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The persons who served as <i>teniente, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Mapaya were Medardo Valera, Florentino Reyes, Agustin Gatchalian, Ismael Tuason, Elpidio Embanecido, Sr., Albino Valera, Matias Jakosalem, Jr., Leopoldo dela Cruz, Letecia Medina and Edwin Beltran. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Eddie Palacio. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">23. MONTECLARO</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The indigenous people belonging to the Buhid tribe were the first settlers of this place. They formed a community at Bato-ili, a mountain shaped like a letter L near the Busuanga River.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When World War II broke out, some residents of San Jose hid in this place. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1942, during the Japanese occupation of Mindoro, a Spaniard visited this place. He was attracted by the high pointed mountains which are pleasant to look at, thus, he called this community of the indigenous people as <i>monte claro,</i> two Spanish words which mean <i>clear mountain.</i> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">After World War II, a group of families arrived in this place. They were composed of the families of Felix Bentibano, Sr., Apolonio Belandres, Emiliano Malunes, Clifford Ross, Dominador Garingan, Angel Agbulos, Juan Pancho, Alejandro Ramos, Sr., Teodoro Arival, Francisco Rendon, Rosa Adap, Luis Bocobo, Rosa Alata and Jose Crisostomo. They came from the islands of Panay and Negros and from the provinces of Ilocos and Tarlac. They cleared the forests which were not turned into kaingin by the indigenous people and converted it into productive agricultural lands. They built huts near the land which they cultivated. Despite the presence of malaria, they remained in this place. Later on, their community became a sitio of Brgy. Batasan.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Since the greater portion of Monteclaro was declared as a forestal zone by the Department of Environment & Natural Resources or DENR, residents of this community petitioned the government to declare the area as arable agricultural land in order that they would be given contracts or documents that would prove that they have the right to manage the land.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In the early part of Decade 60’s, a long concrete bridge was built by the government over Busuanga River which serves as the natural boundary between Brgy. Manoot, Rizal and Brgy. Monteclaro, San Jose. The road in these place were widened and improved for passenger vehicles from San Jose to Mamburao passed through here.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Monteclaro was separated from Batasan and made as a barrio in 1968. That same year, teachers were assigned here by the Department of Education Culture & Sports or DECS and the government constructed school buildings for pupils in Grade 1 up to Grade III. After five years, classes from Grade IV to Grade VI were opened.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In addition, DECS opened a school for the indigenous people belonging to the Buhid tribe in Sitio Bato-ili. Mr. Alfredo Martinez was assigned as the first teacher there. The indigenous people who transferred to the mountains returned to the sitio in order that their children could study. With the help of the Catholic Church, a concrete school building was built for the Buhids in this place.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The petition submitted by the farmers of the forestal zone of Monteclaro to DENR was approved in 1984, during the term of office of Brgy. Captain Cesario Pulgar. DENR Region IV Director Agaloos awarded Integrated Social Forestry (ISF) Contract to the tillers of the land which was once a forest.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">That same year, the National Irrigation Administration or NIA constructed an irrigation water system in Monteclaro. As a result of this project, the farmers were able to plant palay even during summer season. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The persons who served as <i>teniente del barrio, capitan del barrio </i>and barangay captain of Monteclaro were Ruperto Celestino, Cesario Pulgar, Ricardo Baldonado and Deosito Ambay. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Emelita Ventura. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">24. MURTHA</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Upper Mangyan was the old name of this community which was a part of the sugarcane plantation of Mindoro Sugar Company or Philippine Milling Company in 1915. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When World War II broke out, residents of other barrios of San Jose who voided the Japanese soldiers hid in this place. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1945, the year when the soldiers of the Allied Forces were liberating Occidental Mindoro and other parts of the country from Japanese occupation, Upper Mangyan was made as an airbase of the liberators. An airfield for two-engine bombers was constructed in this place. The warplanes which attacked Iwo Jima of Okinawa, Japan came from this airfield.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">One of the pilots of the warplanes who used the airbase of Upper Mangyan was Col. Wilfred Murthough of the U.S. Air Force. Sometime in 1945, the B-24 bomber which he piloted encountered a number of Japanese warplanes over Leyte Gulf. In the ensuing dog fight, the warplane of the American pilot was hit by enemy gunfire. Col. Murthough decided to return to the airbase n Upper Mangyan. Unfortunately, when the aircraft touched the ground, it blew up, killing everybody except a tail gunner who was able to bail out before the crash landing. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The airbase commander of the Liberation Forces in the area named the airfield after Col. Murthough. Eventually, Murthough became Murtha. When peace was restored and Upper Mangyan was created as a barrio of San Jose, Murtha was registered as its official name.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">After the war, a greater portion of the agricultural land in Murtha was purchased by Don Francisco Esteban or Don Paco and Alfredo Gaborro. They planted it with sugarcane. They sold their product to the sugar mill of Philippine Milling Company in Central. Unfortunately, the said company ctopped its operation due to heavy losses, in 1966.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When hundreds of families of farmers from Luzon and the Visayas flocked to San Jose from 1950 up to 1965, they occupied the abandoned sugarcane plantation of Don Paco and Gaborro family in Magbay and Murtha. They requested that the government buy the wide agricultural land and subdivide it to the actual tillers under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. After years of negotiation, the wide plains in Murtha were subdivided and distributed to the farmers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">During the term of office of Hon. Pedro Medalla, Sr., as representative of Occidental Mindoro, he constructed a government hospital and other public offices in Murtha. The athletic competition of the members of the Southern Tagalog Athletic Competition or STAA was held in this barrio in 1970. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1971, San Jose National Agricultural and Industrial School was established in Murtha. The said school gave opportunity to the youth to learn the modern method of animal & plant care from two to four years.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The mountains near Murtha were made as hiding places of the rebels in 1990. That year, a four hour bloody encounter between government soldiers and members of the New People’s Army or NPA occurred. In that unfortunate incident, Captain Antonio Alinarte, the commanding officer of the Regional Special Action Force perished.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">A place hidden by the mountains of Murtha was also made as the headquarters of Noel Verdadero, the leader of a group of armed men who introduced themselves as defenders of the oppressed but were considered as extortionists by the families from whom they demanded money. The griup was dismantled when Verdadero was killed at Poblacion, Magsaysay in 1991.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The persons who served as teniente, capitan del barrio and abarangay captain of Murtha were Murco Tacderan, Antonio Manuel, Pepito Jaravata, Jun Monterey, Pacifico Santos, Igmidio Espinas, Sr., Juan Beri, Pedro Nicolas, Benjamin Vidal, Larry Callos and Danilo Corpuz. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy, Captain Edgardo Sangalang. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">25. NATANDOL</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Based on the accounts of old residents if this place, during the early days a big sailboat or <i>batel</i> used to haul <i>traviesa</i> or hard wood converted to railroad ties from this coastal village. One deckhand of the sailboat was named Nathan. He was always assigned to stand at knee deep seawater below the boat and lift the wood to the level where his fellow deckhands could reach it and put it aboard. To hasten the completion of the work, his co-workers would instruct him in the Visayan dialect: <i>Nathan! Duhol!</i> which means <i>Lift it Nathan! </i>Residents of the coastal village always hear those words, thus, they named their place <i>Nathan Duhol.</i> Gradually the words were connected, shortened and became Natandol.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The practice of the Chinese traders to bury their dead with food and kitchen utensils was also assimilated by the residents of this place. Bowls, plates, spoons and forks were dug from some parts of this village.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">During the Spanish occupation of Mindoro, when pirates were still plundering the once progressive village known as Iling Proper at present, a few villagers transferred to Natandol and hid there.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1920, in the map drawn by Fr. Julian Duval, Natandol was one of the places in the island of Iling which was visited by the said priest when he was assigned as chaplain of Mindoro Sugar Company or Philippine Milling Company of Central.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1941, the American government gave permission to Ramon Leido, a farmer from Agutaya, Palawan to occupy the area which is Brgy. Natandol at present, as his homestead and to make it productive. Since the said farmer could not clear the area by himself, he asked the help of some farmers from other places. Since World War II was going on, a few farmers waited for the restoration of peace before they transferred to Natandol. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Among the farmers who transferred to Natandol in 1945 were the families of Edep, Isug & Paz from Palawan and Antique; Abeleda and Paglicawan from Lubang; and Pacaul from the nearby village of Catayungan. The population of Natandol grew that in 1949 it was made as a barrio of San Jose.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">That same year, the government opened a Grade 1 class in this place. Every year, as the number of schoolchildren grew, additional teachers were assigned to this barrio. After six years, Natandol has a complete elementary school. School buildings made of concrete and iron replaced the school building which was made of light materials.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Potable water was a problem of the residents of Natandol that their leaders initiated the digging of deep wells at San Roque, a sitio of this barrio. At present, the people residing at the center of the barangay has to walk one kilometer to be able to draw drinking water from the deep wells of the said sitio.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When Advinculo Pacaul, Sr., who was a former teacher and <i>teniente del barrio</i> of Natandol became a member of the municipal council of San Jose, he initiated the construction of a small concrete wharf in his barangay. A concrete road was also constructed at the center of Natandol during his term of office.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Like Catayungan, aside from farming and fishing, the culture of a kind of seaweed, locally known as <i>tambalang</i> during summer is the source of income of the residents of Natandol.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Aside from SB Kagawad Pacaul, the persons who served as <i>teniente, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Catayungan were Sancho Pacaul, Zacarias Pacaul, Modestico Edep, Francisco Abeleda, Felomino Chavez, Juanito Isug, Alfredo Isug, Pablo Paz, Alfredo Paglicawan, Wening Isug and Clarita Pacaul. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Florante Edep. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">26. PAG-ASA</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">During the American occupation of Mindoro, this place which is between Caminawit and Poblacion, San Jose was only a wide coastal plain and swampy area where mangroves and thorny bushes of aroma grew. This was the place where some residents of the abovementioned communities fished, made charcoal and gathered seashells.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When Mindoro Sugar Company was established in 1910, the railroad constructed by American engineers from the sugar plantation and sugar mill in Central up to the wharf in Caminawit, passed through this place.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When World War II broke out, the Japanese soldiers who were returning to their garrison in Caminawit after fulfilling their duties in other communities passed through this place.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1945, while soldiers of the Allied Forces were liberating the Island of Mindoro and other parts of the Philippines from Japanese occupation, they made this place as their military camp, including the communities of Caminawit, Poblacion, Bubog and the areas which were then parts of Mindoro Sugar Company or Philippine Milling Company.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When the Allied Forces left San Jose in 1945, the fishermen and parents of the youth who were high school students in Poblacion, San Jose built houses at the sit of the former military camp.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">After a few years, well off families converted into fishponds and saltfarm the swamps in this place. During the latter part of Decade 50’s, when the operation of Philippine Milling Company stopped, the railroad in Pag-asa was dismantled.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1965, when Hon. Tirso Abeleda was the mayor of San Jose, the families who were residing in the old cemetery of San Jose, at the site where San Jose Municipal Gymnasium is located today, was transferred to the present location of Pag-asa. Later on, when a big church was constructed by the Iglesia ni Cristo in this place, followers of the religious sect built their houses around the structure which became the center of their faith in San Jose. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Before 1970, the Municipal Council of San Jose ordered that all beerhouses of San Jose be placed in the area between Caminawit and Poblacion, San Jose. As a result, more houses were built in Pag-asa.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1971, DZYM, a radio station which was built in Caminawit was transferred in Pag-asa. Since the right to operate the said radio station was acquired by Ex-Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco, Sr., it was not closed during the martial law period. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1974, President Ferdinand Marcos ordered the revival of the barangay as the smallest political unit in the Philippines. In compliance with the decree, the Municipal Council of San Jose created Brgy. Pag-asa and divided nearby Poblacion, San Jose into eight barangays. Mr. Eliseo Lising, Sr. was elected by the residents of Pag-asa as their first barangay captain. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The residents agreed among themselves that Pag-asa would become the official name of their barangay. It was a translation to the Tagalog dialect of <i>Inanama,</i> the name of the wife of an official of the barangay and coincidentally, an Ilocano word which means hope or pag-asa.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1995, residents of the progressive part of Pag-asa requested the municipal government that the barangay be divided into two. However, when a plebiscite was held that year, majority of the voters of Pag-asa did not favor the division of the barangay.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When Brgy. Captain Eliseo Lising, Sr. died, the persons who succeeded him as leaders of Pag-asa were Eduardo Malabay, Jr., Deogracias Pineda and Patria Gaudiel. During the term of office of Brgy. Captain Gaudiel, she strictly implemented the law against illegal fishing in the portion of the sea which is under the jurisdiction of Pag-asa. She implemented many projects in this barangay. However, in the 1997 election, Eliseo Lising, Jr. was elected as the barangay captain of Pag-asa, a position he holds up to the present time. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">27. PAWICAN</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The name of the barangay came from a turtle shaped big stone found in this community. Moreover, old folks believed that the name originated from the fact that during early times when nobody was living in this part of the island of Iling, turtles or <i>pawikan</i> used to lay eggs in its sandy beaches.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The practice of the Chinese traders to bury their dead with food and kitchen utensils was also assimilated by the residents of this place. Bowls, plates, spoons and forks were dug from some parts of this village.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Old residents also narrated that during Spanish times, their ancestors hid in the forests, every time they saw approaching Pawican the swift seagoing vessels or <i>vintas</i> of the pirates. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">During the American occupation of Mindoro, like other parts of the island of Iling, big trees with hard wood abound in this place. Some well off individuals requested the government to give them permission to cut trees which would be converted into <i>traviesa </i>or railroad ties and <i>raja</i> or firewood.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Mr. Pedro Cuden, Sr., was one of the persons who was given permission to cut trees in Pawican. Together with his workers and their families, he lived in this place. Here, he supervised the work of his loggers who came from Antique and Palawan. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Mr. Cuden built a big sailboat or <i>batel</i> which would transport his <i>traviesa</i> and <i>raja</i> to Manila. He hired as sailors & deckhands in his <i>batel</i>, some able bodied men from Tingloy, Batangas. He sold the railroad ties to the owners of Mindoro Sugar Company in Central and the Philippine National Railways or PNR in Manila, a government agency which during that time was constructing the railroad from Manila to the Ilocos & Bicol Regions.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1920, in an old map drawn by Fr. Julian Duval, the chaplain of Mindoro Sugar Company and acting parish priest of the Parish of Mangarin, the ten houses in Pawican were indicated. The said map was drawn by the missionary priest after his visit in the island of Iling. He mentioned in his report to Bishop Alfredo Verzosa of Lipa, Batangas that the houses were near the kaingin and the main occupation of the household heads was logging.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Gradually, the population of Pawican grew in number until the community became a sitio of Iling Proper. In order that their children could study, the parents requested the municipal government in San Jose that a school be opened in their sitio. In 1927, when their request was granted, they constructed classrooms made of bamboo, nipa and lumber. Mr. Pedro Cuden, Sr. became the first teacher of the school children. After many years, through the efforts of the teachers who succeeded him, a complete elementary school became a reality in Pawican. In the year 2001, due to the great number of pupils who graduated from the elementary school, Iling National High School established extension classes in this place.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Pawican was created as a barrio in 1945. Aside from the government, the Catholic Church, Seventh Day Adventist and World Vision International helped the families living here to uplift their living condition.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Aside from Mr. Pedro Cuden, Sr., the persons who served as <i>teniente, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Pawican were Potenciano Endencia, Alfredo Isug, Pedro Hubayan, Sr., Teodoro Cantor, Gil Roldan, Eduarco Cuden, Jolly Maximo and Daniel Paralijas. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Ernesto Erandio. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">28. POBLACION (BRGY. 1-8, POB.)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">This place was only a forested area during the Spanish occupation of Mindoro. Although it was a part of <i>La Hacienda de San Jose</i> which was entrusted by the government to the Order of Augustinian Recollects, this was not cultivated because aside from being sandy, thick cogon grasses and thorny aroma & <i>camachile</i> trees abound here.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1910, only ten houses could be found in this area when the engineers of Mindoro Sugar Company built the railroad from the sugar mill of Central up to Caminawit. That same year, although there were only few houses in this sitio which was called <i>Pandurucan</i> by the indigenous people, the seat of the municipal government or <i>presidencia </i>was transferred by the American government from Mangarin to this place. They appointed municipal presidents and they built a municipal hall here.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1942, to avenge the death of one of their companion in Caguray River, the Japanese soldiers burned the houses in Pandurucan.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In the early part of 1945, soldiers of the Allied Forces built their military camp in Pandurucan and the neighboring villages. When they left, they sold to the people their equipments, machineries, transportation vehicles and quonset huts. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In the latter part of 1945, a group of educators established Southern Mindoro Academy (SMA) in this place. After five years, about two hundred meters away from SMA, Fr. Carlos Brendel, SVD opened St. Joseph’s School. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">There was a rapid rise in the number of inhabitants of Pandurucan in 1950. Roads were constructed and repaired, schoolhouses, stores and temporary structures in the market were built.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In the latter part of the abovementioned year, this place was made as the temporary capital of the newly created province of Occidental Mindoro. However, in January 1951, the capital was transferred to Mamburao.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Since 1960, rapid growth took place in Pandurucan. Southern Mindoro Academy was bought by the SVD fathers and grew as Divine Word College-San Jose. San Jose Municipal High School which became Occidental Mndoro National College was established. San Jose Community College was opened.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">One of the important events which happened in this place was the staging of the Southern Tagalog Athletic Association (STAA) in 1970.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1974, Pandurucan or Poblacion, San Jose was divided into eight barangays. The residents of each barangay elected their own set of leaders. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1981, St. Joseph’s School was closed. After two years, the church which was built by Fr. George Koschinski, SVD was elevated to the status of a cathedral due to the creation of the Apostolic Vicariate of San Jose and the installation of Bishop Vicente C. Manuel, SVD, DD as the first vicar apostolic of the said ecclesiastical territory.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The persons who led each barangay of Poblacion, since its creation up to the present time are:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Barangay 1 – Dr. Apollo Liboro, Antonio Yaptengco and Jimmie Festin. Barangay 2 – Rodolfo Cajayon, Julio Colangoy, Efren Reyes, Felicidad Cajayon and Danilo Viguilla. Barangay 3 – Leonardo Carlos, Restituto Dimson, Ed Palomar, Ricrdo Magtoto, Roberto Nuque, Juanito Dimaano and Erwin Palomar. Barangay 4 – Gaudencio Espiritu, Leon Sebastian, Adelaida Benoza, Teodoro Espinosa and Zenaida Guerrero. Barangay 5 – Leonardo dela Fuente, Augusto Camandang, Proserfina delos Trinos and Gerry dela Fuente. Barangay 6 – Rogelio Guevarra, Rosita Rodil and Wilfredo Lanuza. Barangay 7 – Senen delos Reyes, Cirilo Paulino, Pascual Macawile and Leonilo Paulino. Barangay 8 – Atty. Albino Arevalo, Juan Santos, Jr. and Raul Peñaflor. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">29. SAN AGUSTIN</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Like other parts of La Hacienda de San Jose, only a few families reside in this coastal village during the Spanish occupation of Mindoro. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When Mindoro Sugar Company was established in 1910, some migrant workers or <i>sacadas</i> who worked in the sugarcane plantation of the company stayed in this place. A wooden wharf was constructed here and it was used to load and unload thousands of sacks of sugar in the barges which dropped anchor a few meters away from the seashore.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Mr. Agustin Segovia managed the sugarcane plantation in this part of Mindoro Sugar Company. He treated his laborers well that when he died, this village was named Agustin. After many years, for unknown reasons, the name became San Agustin.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Later on, when changes occurred in the list of stockholders of Mindoro Sugar Company, it was renamed Philippine Milling Company. One of the priests who was appointed as chaplain of this company was Fr.Julian Duval. In the report which he submitted to his superior, Bishop Alfredo Verzosa of the Diocese of Lipa, Fr. Duval stated that San Agustin was the most progressive part of the sugar company. Living in this community were one thousand two hundred (1,200) workers from the island of Cuyo and one hundred twenty (120) families from Pampanga and the Ilocos Region. The map attached by the priest to his report showed that the railroad from the sugar mill in Central reached up to the seashore of San Agustin.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When World War II broke out and the Japanese soldiers occupied San Jose, San Agustin was one of the communities visited by the foreign invaders. Luckily, they did not maltreat any resident of this place for Apo Martin, the acknowledged leader of the people showered them with typical Filipino hospitality.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">On December 15, 1944 before the soldiers disembarked at the shores of San Jose, San Agustin was one of the places which was shelled by the warships of the liberators. Unfortunately, due to the unexpected shelling, seven residents of the barrio died. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When peace was restored, the operation of Philippine Milling Company was restored. The sugarcane plantation in San Agustin was managed by Mr. Brigido Constantino, Sr. Almost all of the workers in this part of the plantation were residents of the barrio.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1958, the operation of Salt Industry of the Philippines, Inc. started in Curanta, a sitio of San Agustin.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When Philippine Milling Company ceased to operate due to heavy financial losses in 1965, the farmers of San Agustin occupied the portion of the abandoned sugarcane plantation which was near their barrio. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1970, when Fr. Enrique Schmitz, SVD was assigned as parish priest of St. Joseph Parish-Central, he asked the support of his friends and benefactors in Germany in order that he could construct houses for the poor families at the western part of the barrio, one kilometer away from the seashore. Many families in San Agustin benefited from the housing project of the benevolent missionary priest.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1995, a group of families from Mindanao belonging to the religious sect called Tinagong Pulong settled in a nearby sitio at the southern part of San Agustin.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The persons who served as teniente, capitan del barrio and barangay captain of San Agustin were Apo Martin, Brigido Constantino, Sr., Gelacio Sualog, Sr., Suprimida Sualog, Joaquin Bulaqueña, Ceferino Mosquera, Sr. and Victory Sualog. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Renato Oquindo. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">30. SAN ISIDRO</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">During the Spanish occupation of Mindoro, a family of indigenous people lived in this place. The name of the head of the family was <i>Waling.</i> It was the custom of the indigenous people during that period that whoever occupies the land and till it, it would be considered as his property. For example, if the occupant of the land was named <i>Turoy,</i> his kaingin would be called <i>Kang Turoy,</i> if it was <i>Saliw,</i> it would be called <i>Kang Saliw</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #993300;">Since the tiller of the place where San Isidro is located at present was <i>Waling,</i> they called the area as <i>Kang Waling</i>. Later on, the two words got connected and became <i>Canwaling.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1911, during the American regime, the sitio which today is a part of Canwaling became a portion of the sugarcane plantation of Mindoro Sugar Company, later on renamed as Philippine Milling Company. In its first year of operation, some of its workers were indigenous people. However, after a few years, the indigenous people transferred to the nearby hills and mountains.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When the Japanese soldiers occupied San Jose in 1942, Canwaling was just a forested sitio of Barrio La Curva. The foreign invaders did not bother to go to this place, thus, the people who hid here were spared from the cruelty of the enemies.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">After the war, some families of farmers from Luzon and the Visayan region settled in this sitio. Among them were the families of Gamboa, Gonzales, Dulay, Sajol, Rivas and Arongayan. They occupied and cultivated the plains which were formerly kaingins of the indigenous people and they requested the government to sell the land to them so that they would have proof of ownership.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1969, residents of Canwaling petitioned the municipal government that their sitio be made as a barrio of San Jose. The following year, the petition was approved. Mr. Antonio Gamboa was elected as the first <i>teniente del barrio.</i> The deceased former SB Kagawad Mamerto Castillo of San Jose donated three hectares for the barrio site of Canwaling.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #993300;"><i>Teniente del Barrio</i> Gamboa worked for the establishment of a primary school in Canwaling. At the same time, Fr. Enrique Schmitz, SVD built a chapel in the barrio and enthroned there San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint agreed upon by the residents. After the enthronement of their patron saint, barrio leaders with the concurrence of their constituents decided to register San Isidro as the official name of their barrio.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1984, the parents and teachers strived for the opening of a high school in their place. Through cooperative effort or <i>bayanihan,</i> they built a one classroom structure made of nipa and lumber at the hilly portion of San Isidro, on a piece of land owned by Mr. Romy Lumbo who donated it to the government as school site. The said school became the extension class of Occidental Mindoro National College and after a few years, a building made of strong materials was constructed there. Many youth of San Isidro were given the opportunity to study tertiary education in the school which was later on called as <i>Damayan Center.</i> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When the former sugarcane plantation of Philippine Milling Company was subdivided and distributed to groups of farmers, the Samahang Bagong Anyo Development Cooperative or SABADECO constructed a big palay warehouse at Brgy. San Isidro. They also implemented livelihood projects in this barangay.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Aside from Teniente del Barrio Gamboa, other persons who served as leaders of San Isidro were Mr. Dominador Gonzales and Mr. Crispiniano Nuesca. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Loida Santiago. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">31. SAN ROQUE</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">This coastal barangay was a wide plain full of thorny bushes during the Spanish occupation of the Philippines. When the American colonizers came, they found few houses in this area which was then called <i>Tabing Ilog</i> by the early settlers. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1910, when Mindoro Sugar Company was organized, the railway from Central to Caminawit pier passed through this place. A steel bridge for the railroad track was built over Pandurucan River, the body of water which serves as the natural boundary of <i>Tabing Ilog</i> and the town site of <i>Pandurucan,</i> the old name of the poblacion of the municipality of San Jose. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When the American led Allied Forces liberated San Jose on December 15, 1944 <i>Tabing Ilog </i>was one of the place where the soldiers built their military base. An airstrip for warplanes, called as McGuire Airstrip was constructed in this place by the American soldiers. Aside from the airstrip, they also constructed a wooden bridge over Pandurucan River and roads which linked San Jose with its barrios.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When the Allied Forces left in the middle part of 1945, only a few families which used to work in the military camp were left in <i>Tabing Ilog</i>. Later on, more families from Luzon and the Visayas settled here. When the island of Mindoro was divided into two provinces on June 13, 1950 this place was already a sitio. The inhabitants decided to change its name to San Roque, after the name of their patron saint.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Right after the creation of the province of Occidental Mindoro, the provincial headquarters of the Philippine Constabulary was placed in San Roque. Families of soldiers who were assigned here decided to construct their houses around the military camp. The number of inhabitants grew when fishermen and farmers from the Island of Lubang, mainland Luzon and the Visayas came to live here permanently.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1955, upon the request of parents, an elementary school was opened in the northeastern part of San Roque. The children who used to study in the elementary school of the town proper transferred here. That year, this place became a barrio of San Jose. Elected as its first leader with the title of <i>teniente del barrio </i>was Mr. Timoteo Guerrero.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">After a few years, a sectarian school called as San Jose Adventists School was opened in the northeastern part of San Roque, near the elementary school. Graduates of the elementary school and members of the Adventists Church from other municipalities study here.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">The McGuire Airstrip which was abandoned by the Allied Forces in 1945 was converted into a commercial airport by the government. Commercial planes regularly ply the San Jose-Manila route, giving additional income to the residents of the barrio and the municipality of San Jose. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">In 1965, another elementary school was opened by the government in the southwestern part of San Roque. The teachers called it as San Roque 2 Elementary School to distinguish it from the first school which was called San Roque 1 Elementary school. That same year, the municipal cemetery which was located at the site where San Jose Gymnasium is located at present was transferred by then San Jose Mayor Tirso Abeleda to the northwestern end of San Roque. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Since the airport is located in San Roque, a concrete road from the center of San Jose to the runway was constructed by the national government. In addition, the road at the center of the barrio and other parts of the place was made concrete by the late Congressman Pedro Mendiola, Sr.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Through the efforts of the late Congressman Pedro Medalla. Sr., the wooden bridge over Pandurucan River was replaced with a concrete one, in 1967. The bridge hastened the economic growth of San Roque.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Two businessmen who lived in San Roque, built rice mills and warehouses here. They were Mr. Ricardo Dinglasan and Mr. Felix Bernales. They helped and provided employment to their barriomates, thus, both of them were elected as <i>teniente del barrio</i>. Mr. Dinglasan succeeded the first leader of San Roque and after his term of office, Mr. Bernales took his place.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">When the barrio, the smallest political unit, was officially called a barangay after the imposition of martial law, the title of its leader became barangay captain. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-size: x-small;">Aside from the aforementioned three leaders, those who served as barangay captain of San Roque were Jose Mangahas, Vicente Guerrero, Edmundo Vergel, Estelito Ballesa, Manolita Tria, Felomino Santos and Emilio Mariano. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Ruben Insigne.</span> </div>
</div>ROWELYN VERDIN MERCADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09575581693964613498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483057594829930987.post-75707787332740632882012-03-11T04:40:00.000-07:002012-03-11T04:40:15.189-07:00HISTORY OF LOOC<div class="sites-layout-tile sites-tile-name-header">
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<span style="color: #996633;">Town of Looc</span></div>
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<span style="color: #663300; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;"><strong>HISTORY OF LOOC</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #009900; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><strong> <span style="color: #663366;">By Rudy Candelario</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span><span style="color: #663300;">Translated in English by Benjamin Walata</span> </div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">I – DURING THE SPANISH REGIME </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The name of this town came from its wide bay which up to the present time is being used as place of refuge by sea vessels during stormy weather.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylooc" name="_ednref1" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[i]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Based on the Chinese potteries and utensils which were excavated from the islands of Golo and Ambil of this municipality, it could be assumed that the first inhabitants of these places came into contact with Chinese traders or were influenced by the culture of the foreign merchants.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1760, the island of Ambil was mentioned in an old document of the Spaniards.<span> </span>It was stated there that this community was made as the temporary headquarters of Moro pirates.<span> </span>The raids conducted by the pirates in other villages of the island was the reason why the ancestors of the inhabitants of now Brgy. Maligaya, Lubang constructed a stone fort in their settlement.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: black;"><span> </span>Although the number of inhabitants in many villages of Mindoro decreased due to piracy, this was the reason why more people settled at Bulacan, Looc.<span> </span>It was stated in the history written by a teacher in 1950, that the families who settled at <i>Sitio Kay Batico</i> were the people from Mamburao who left the place due to frequent raids conducted by the pirates.<span> </span>It was also described in the said history how some of the weak bodied captives of the pirates were tied around wooden posts and left to endure the intense heat of the sun in a place which the people of Looc called </span><i><span style="color: black;">Presuhan.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylooc" name="_ednref2" title=""><span><span><span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[ii]</span></span></b></span></span></span></a></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Ambil was again mentioned in an old Spanish document in 1819.<span> </span>It was stated there that an Englishman who traveled to the different parts of the country mentioned that a deposit of copper was discovered in this island.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>According to the historical account of the people of Burol, their ancestors were Ilocano farmers who looked for vacant land to till in this place in 1850.<span> </span>They were led by Pascual & Pranada family.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylooc" name="_ednref3" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[iii]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>It was also mentioned in the history of Brgy. Burol that there were teachers who cared to teach the youth in the different villages of Looc how to read, write and compute.<span> </span>During the period that government authorities were not yet opening primary schools in the island, the teachers taught the youth, <i>cartilla</i> and mathematics.<span> </span>Three of the teachers who were mentioned in the history of the barangays of this town were Wenceslao Fajardo of Talaotao, Cornelio Maninang of Bulacan and Estanislao Pascual of Burol.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylooc" name="_ednref4" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[iv]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>Aside from the Ilocanos, some families from Batangas migrated to Looc during the Spanish regime.<span> </span>One of the families was that of Vicente Abeleda who bought the vast agricultural land where Brgy. Talaotao of Golo Island is located at present.<span> </span>The said landowner was appointed as capitan del pueblo of Talaotao.<span> </span>However, twenty years before the Filipinos revolted against the Spaniards, the said leader and his family migrated to Paluan which during that time was only a wide forest.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylooc" name="_ednref5" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[v]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1882, an epidemic of cholera occurred in the village of Lubang.<span> </span>Fearing that the people of Looc would get sick of the dreaded disease, <i>Gobernadorcillo</i> Agustin Liboro did not allow Fr. Tomas Roldan, the priest assigned in Lubang to enter Looc.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>In 1890, when Gen. Emilo Aguinaldo was still a young businessman, he bartered goods with the people in the different towns of Occidental Mindoro.<span> </span>Don Justino Zubiri or Kabesang Tinong of Brgy. Bulacan became his friend.<span> </span>He used to stay at the house of the said <i>cabeza de barangay</i> while trading with the people of Golo Island.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylooc" name="_ednref6" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[vi]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In his autobiography, the general mentioned that Kikong Kastila, the owner of the island of Ambil also became his friend.<span> </span>According to old residents of Looc, the full name of the friend of Gen. Aguinaldo was Francisco Muñiz.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>In 1896, when the Filipinos revolted against the Spaniards, Kabesang Tinong joined the Katipunan movement, Aguinaldo faction.<span> </span>One of his barrio mates, Pedro dela Fuente or Kabesang Pendong also joined the Katipunan, Bonifacio faction.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylooc" name="_ednref7" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[vii]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Other members of the Katipunan in Looc under the leadership of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo were Ramon Trajeco, Januario Aguilar, Anacleto Basco and Isidro Magat.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Meanwhile, a courageous leader from Balikyas, Emiliano Cajayon, organized a group of revolutionaries in his place.<span> </span>He was fondly called <i>General Barog</i> by the members of his group.<span> </span>With the help of the group of Esteban Quijano of Lubang, they captured the Spanish friars and soldiers at the center of the municipality, in 1898.<span> </span>That same year, when General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed Philippine independence, Emiliano Cahayon and Esteban Quijano led the group which administered the whole island of Lubang.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">II – DURING THE AMERICAN REGIME </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When the American soldiers put Lubang Island under their jurisdiction in 1900, a group of foreign soldiers under the command of Captain Samuel occupied Looc.<span> </span>That same year, the leader of the community, Capitan Lino Liboro, established <i>Colegio Filipino de Looc</i>.<span> </span>He recruited teachers in Manila.<span> </span>Two of the well known personalities who finished the elementary grades in this school were Cipriano Liboro and Mateo Virola who became governor of the whole island of Mindoro and the chief executive of the province of Occidental Mindoro, respectively.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylooc" name="_ednref8" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[viii]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1902, the first public school was opened in Looc.<span> </span>Old folks of this municipality still remember the teachers who taught in this school:<span> </span>Agustin Craig, an American and one who was known only by the name of Maestrong Carlos.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When Lubang was created as a municipality, in 1905, by virtue of Act 1280 of the Philippine Commission, Looc was registered as one of its barrios.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylooc" name="_ednref9" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[ix]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the early years of American occupation in the Philippines, the authorities encouraged the people to develop vacant agricultural land as their homestead.<span> </span>As a result, many families were encouraged to occupy the vacant land in Looc.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>It was also during this time when Aglipayan priests, Fr. Alejandro Albano and Fr. Victorio Limano arrived in Looc.<span> </span>Since no Catholic priest was assigned in this town, many inhabitants were convinced to join the religious faith led by <i>Obispo Maximo</i> Gregorio Aglipay.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylooc" name="_ednref10" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[x]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Aside from farming, fishing and weaving of <i>sinamay</i> or clothes made of abaca fibers, building of big sailboats was the occupation of many families in Looc.<span> </span>This town became well known, not only in Mindoro but also in other parts of the Philippines, as the place where sturdy and fast sea vessels are being made.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When elementary schools were opened in Looc, the first one was established at Agkawayan, the most developed barrio during that time.<span> </span>Gradually, as years passed, all big communities in this town opened elementary schools </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1916, Looc was separated from Lubang and created as another municipality.<span> </span>Placed under its jurisdiction were the barrios of Talaotao, Bulacan, Ambil, Burol, Balikyas and Agkawayan.<span> </span>Calixto Liboro was appointed as the first municipal president.<span> </span>Temporarily, Agkawayan was made as the seat of the municipal government.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylooc" name="_ednref11" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xi]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1922, during the administration of Hon. Macario Adriatico as representative of Mindoro to Philippine Congress, he strived to construct a sturdy schoolhouse in Looc.<span> </span>It was followed by the building of schoolhouses during the terms of office of Hon. Raul Leuterio and Hon. Cipriano Liboro as representative and governor of Mindoro, respectively.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When Juan Calabio was appointed as municipal president of Looc, the center of the municipal government was transferred to the place where it is located at present.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylooc" name="_ednref12" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xii]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Since the strait between Golo Island and the village of Calavite of mainland Mindoro is dangerous for sea travel, especially at night, a lighthouse was constructed by the American government at the tip of the first aforementioned island.<span> </span>Up to the present time, the lighthouse still serves as guide of sea vessels passing through that part of the sea what is popularly called as Calavite Strait.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Aside from the abovementioned leaders, those who served as municipal presidents of Looc during the American regime were Mario Villa, Diosdado Liboro, Nicolas Villar, Luis Vega and Pedro Alfaro.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">III – DURING THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION OF MINDORO<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When World War II broke out, many families from mainland Mindoro who avoided the Japanese soldiers evacuated to Looc.<span> </span>The Japanese soldiers rarely visited this place for there were still thick forests around the villages where the people could hide or where the Filipino freedom fighters could ambush them.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylooc" name="_ednref13" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xiii]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>A radio transceiver was secretly installed by a group of American soldiers and Filipino guerrillas at Ambil Island, during the war.<span> </span>By means of this radio communication equipment, the group was able to report to their main headquarter the movements of the warships of the enemies at the sea around the island, including the activities of the Japanese soldiers at the center of the municipality of Lubang.<span> </span>One of the guerrillas who manned the radio transceiver was Florante Tria.<span> </span>After the war, the said member of the guerrilla movement served as mayor of Sta. Cruz for many years.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When the U.S. led Allied Forces came to liberate Lubang from the Japanese soldiers in 1945, its warships shelled Barrio Agkawayan, thinking that there were Japanese soldiers hiding in the community.<span> </span>Unfortunately, two fishermen of this place were killed and many houses were burned.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylooc" name="_ednref14" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xiv]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Three Japanese soldiers led by Lt. Hiroo Onoda did not surrender to the American soldiers.<span> </span>Although his companions died one after the other during sporadic armed encounters with the Filipino soldiers who hunted them, the said leader did not surrender.<span> </span>He hid at the forests of Looc and Lubang for almost thirty years.<span> </span>While hiding, nobody dared cut the big trees in the mountains of the island.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Within the thirty year period that the three soldiers, dubbed as Japanese stragglers by the Philippine government, hid at the mountains of Looc, they killed three civilians whom they mistook as their enemies.<span> </span>The unfortunate victims were Pedro Trambulo, Alfredo Villacete and Modesto Garcia.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylooc" name="_ednref15" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xv]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After the war, Fr. Benito Rixner visited Looc.<span> </span>He was the first SVD missionary to reach this place.<span> </span>The following year, another SVD missionary, Fr. Matias Buendgen, built a chapel at Balikyas.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1947, Fr. Carlos Brendel, SVD was assigned by the superiors of his congregation as parish priest of Looc.<span> </span>He established Sacred Heart Academy in this town.<span> </span>The said secondary school closed when Fr. Brendel was assigned to another parish in 1950.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylooc" name="_ednref16" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xvi]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In the latter part of Decade 50’s, the swamps at the barrios of Bulacan, Balikyas and Poblacion, Looc were converted into fishponds by well off families.<span> </span>During summer season, the fishponds were used as salt beds.<span> </span>Up to the present time, tons of white salt,<span> </span>produced from the salt beds, are being sold to retailers at the provinces of Batangas, Cavite and the city of Manila.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Those who served as municipal mayors of Looc strived to construct schoolhouses in this municipality.<span> </span>Old residents of this town remembered Mayor Federico Tividad and Mayor Mariano Macalalad for their project of constructing school buildings.<span> </span>Mayor Onofre Aguilar and Mayor Isabelo Villaroza were remembered for constructing the old municipal hall and the streets at the town proper.<span> </span>According to the old residents, it was during the time of Mayor Agustin Aguilar when the new municipal hall being used at present, was built.<span> </span>The old municipal hall was used as offices of employees of the national government.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylooc" name="_ednref17" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xvii]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">An important event happened in Looc in 1962.<span> </span>During that year, the engineering battalion of the Philippine Army constructed the national road connecting the center of this town with Tilik, the barrio where the port of the island is located.<span> </span>Due to this development, passenger jeeps started plying the Tilik-Looc route, every time ships drop anchor at the pier of Tilik.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">It was also during that year when irrigation systems were built by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in Looc.<span> </span>One of the barrios which benefited from this project is Burol.<span> </span>At present, the farmers of this place harvest palay twice a year.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1966, when barrio high schools were opened in different parts of the Philippines, the parents and teachers of Looc strived to open one at the town proper.<span> </span>The following year, Looc Community High School accepted enrollees.<span> </span>Years later, this secondary evolved into a municipal high school and finally into a national high school.<span> </span>It is known at present as Looc National High School.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylooc" name="_ednref18" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xviii]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">With the objective of developing the fishing industry in Occidental Mindoro, Ex-Congressman Pedro Medalla, Sr. opened another secondary school at Agkawayan, Looc.<span> </span>The said school was inaugurated on August 18, 1971.<span> </span>It is known at present as Looc National School of Fisheries.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylooc" name="_ednref19" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xix]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1972, when Fr. Karl Barbian, SVD was assigned as parish priest of Looc, with the financial assistance of his friends and benefactors abroad, he built a water system for clean drinking water at the town’s center.<span> </span>After a few years, the management of the water system was entrusted to the municipal government.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Fr. Bernhard Kassellmann, SVD continued the community project of Fr. Barbian.<span> </span>When he was assigned as parish priest of Looc, he built a water system for clean drinking water in the island of Ambil.<span> </span>The said project was a blessing to the islanders who used to get water from faraway springs.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Meanwhile, the almost thirty years of hiding of Lt. Hiroo Onoda in the forests of Lubang Island ended in 1974. That year, the Japanese straggler decided to surrender.<span> </span>However, before he surrendered to General Rancudo of the Philippine Air Force, he conferred with his countryman, Yukio Suzuki in one part of the riverbank of Burol.<span> </span>The said historic place was named <i>Wakayama Point</i> by government authorities.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylooc" name="_ednref20" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xx]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">In 1977, during martial law period, the management of Lubang Electric Cooperative (LUBELCO) strived that electricity could reach many houses in Looc.<span> </span>The people of Looc felt happy with the benefits brought by electricity to their lives. <span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">V – AFTER THE PEACEFUL REVOLUTION AT EDSA</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After the peaceful revolution at EDSA, Frank Velandria was appointed OIC Mayor of Looc by President Corazon Aquino.<span> </span>A year after, when local elections were held, Felesteo Telebrico was elected as municipal mayor.<span> </span>He implemented many infrastructure projects in his municipality.<span> </span>Some of them were the construction of concrete roads and bridges, digging of deep wells for irrigation purposes and buying of an electric generator for lighting the town’s center every time LUBELCO, the electric cooperative, fails to supply electric current.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>On May 21, 1996 former Japanese straggler Lt. Hiroo Onoda, now an owner of a cattle ranch in his native land, visited Looc.<span> </span>He asked forgiveness from the people whom he have hurt or have given fear & anxiety during his almost thirty years of hiding in the forests of Looc and Lubang.<span> </span>He promised to help the provincial government in the implementation of its development projects for the people of the municipality.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylooc" name="_ednref21" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xxi]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Mayor Felesteo Telebrico was reelected twice as municipal mayor of Looc.<span> </span>He served his town mates faithfully until he has completed the three term limitation imposed by the Philippine Constitution to elected government officials.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>On the May 10, 2004 Elections, the people entrusted the rein of the municipal government of Looc to Mayor Ariel Telebrico.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>Aside from the aforementioned leaders, those who served as mayor of Looc were Bonifacio Villaluna, Mamerto Villaroza, Francisco Liboro, Theseus Mercader and Isabelo Villaroza.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylooc" name="_ednref22" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xxii]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">HISTORY OF THE SEVEN BARANGAYS OF LOOC</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">1.<span> </span>AGKAWAYAN</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Bamboos grew profusely in this place during the early days.<span> </span>Members of few families who inhabited this place, were often asked by residents of other villages this question:<span> </span><i>“From where are you?”</i><span> </span>They would answer in the Tagalog dialect:<span> </span><i>“Taga-Kawayan.”</i><span> </span>As a result, their village was called <i>Tagakawayan</i>.<span> </span>Years later, the name became shorter when due to constant use, two letters disappeared.<span> </span>Tagakawayan evolved to Agkawayan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Based on the stories of the old residents of Agkawayan, the pioneers of this place were Muslim converts.<span> </span>It was believed that the culture of the traders from China influenced them for in their burials grounds, Chinese potteries and kitchen utensils had been excavated. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Based also on the stories of old residents of Agkawayan, the people who inhabited this place, when the Muslims transferred to other villages, were the families of Ilocano farmers.<span> </span>They were members of the group who cleared the forested area where Brgy. Burol is located at present.<span> </span>At the same time, the families of Villas, Trambulo, Quiñones, Viaña, Calabio and Tria arrived in this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the Spanish occupation of Mindoro, Miguel Quiñones was appointed as <i>cabeza de barangay</i> of Agkawayan.<span> </span>Although the main duty of the said leader was to collect taxes from the inhabitants of his place, he also tried to facilitate the travel of his fellow villagers to nearby sitios, particularly Burol.<span> </span>With the cooperation of the leader & inhabitants of Burol, a hanging bridge was built by the people of Agkawayan over the river between the two places.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1916, under the American regime, Looc was separated from Lubang and created as another municipality.<span> </span>The municipal hall was placed in Agkawayan.<span> </span>Municipal Presidents Calixto Liboro and Julian Calabio served as heads of the municipal government of Looc, during the period that Agkawayan served as the town’s center.<span> </span>After the term of office of Municipal President Julian Calabio, the seat of the municipal government was transferred to the place where it is located at present.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In order that their children could study, the inhabitants of Agkawayan requested the government that a primary school be opened in their community.<span> </span>In 1922, with the assistance of Hon. Macario Adriatico, then the representative of Mindoro to Philippine Congress, a school building was constructed in this community.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When World War II broke out, some people from the provinces of Bataan, Batangas, City of Manila and the municipality of Sablayan, evacuated to Agkawayan.<span> </span>They found out that the Japanese soldiers rarely visited this place, for it was surrounded by forested hills.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After the war, many young men & women of Agkawayan were convinced by their relatives and friends to look for vacant land to till or engage in other occupation in other municipalities of Occidental Mindoro or the City of Manila.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Within the long period that the Japanese stragglers made the forests of Lubang as their hiding places, the illegal cutting of trees at the mountains of Agkawayan stopped.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1962, with the help of the engineering battalion of the Philippine Army, the national road from Tilik, Lubang to the center of the municipality of Looc was constructed.<span> </span>The road passed through Agkawayan.<span> </span>The government also constructed concrete bridges, including the replacement of hanging bridge between Agkawayan and Burol.<span> </span>The following year, small irrigation systems were built by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1979, through Lubang Electric Cooperative (LUBELCO), electricity reached the households in Agkawayan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the term of office of Hon. Pedro Medalla, Sr., as representative of Occidental Mindoro to Philippine Congress, a National School of Fisheries was opened in Agkawayan.<span> </span>It was blessed and inaugurated on August 18, 1971.<span> </span>At present, it is known as Looc National School of Fisheries.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Aside from <i>Cabeza</i> Miguel Quiñones, those who served as leaders of Ahkawayan were Regina Tajonera, Timoteo Navarro, Pedro Cajayon, Adriano Villaflores, Rafael Dizon, Jr. and Anastacio Viguilla.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Reynaldo Trambulo.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylooc" name="_ednref23" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xxiii]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">2.<span> </span>AMBIL<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Ambil is a small island located at the northwestern part of the Island of Lubang.<span> </span>Nobody could provide information as to the origin of the name of the island, although it was already mentioned in history during the Spanish occupation of Mindoro.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The people who first inhabited Ambil were from the island of Lubang.<span> </span>They chose to build houses in one part of this small island where a kind of bamboo, known in the Tagalog dialect as <i>tambo,</i> grew abundantly.<span> </span>When the number of families increased in this part of the island, they called their settlement as Sitio Tambo.<span> </span>Later on, another sitio appeared in another part of Ambil.<span> </span>The people who settled there called it as Sitio Tabaw.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In his autobiography, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo mentioned that when he was still bartering goods with the people of Mindoro, Kikong Kastila, the owner of the island of Ambil became his friend. <span> </span>According to the general, his friend helped him in convincing the parents of a beautiful lady he courted for quite a time, to accept him as the husband of their daughter.<span> </span>Unfortunately, the parents of the beautiful lady of Looc turned down his marriage proposal.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">During the latter part of the American occupation of Mindoro, a primary school was opened by the government authorities in Ambil.<span> </span>At first, the schoolchildren were taught in private houses.<span> </span>However, the parents strived to build a schoolhouse.<span> </span>Due to few enrollees, it took many years before the primary school evolved into a complete elementary school.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">During the Japanese occupation, although the Japanese soldiers did not occupy Ambil, the people of this island felt the hardships of life.<span> </span>They experienced using ash and the sap of a kind of tree, called <i>gogong batete</i> in their native dialect, as substitute for soap in washing their clothes.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">After the war, many families needed lumber for building their houses.<span> </span>Able bodied males of Ambil engaged in cutting big trees on the mountain of the island.<span> </span>Others built boats for fishing and transporting goods from Calatagan, Batangas and other towns of Occidental Mindoro.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Due to the limited area of agricultural land in Ambil, many families from this island migrated to other places. A great number who left this place were able to buy and occupy arable land in the municipality of Magsaysay.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Those who remained in the island strived to improve their living condition.<span> </span>In the past, they diligently rowed their bancas for almost four hours, to cross the sea between Ambil and Agkawayan in order to buy goods.<span> </span>At present, there are already stores in their community which sell merchandise transported by motorboats from Batangas.<span> </span>Their fishing boats now have ice boxes, thus, they could fish for weeks at the fishing grounds of Mindoro and Palawan.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The parish priest of St. Raphael the Archangel Parish-Looc, Fr. Bernhard Kassellmann, SVD helped the inhabitants of Ambil.<span> </span>In 1981, he built a water system in this island where clean drinking water could be drawn.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The leader who served as <i>cabeza de barangay</i> of Ambil was Actoradio dela Torre.<span> </span>Those who served as <i>teniente del barrio, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain were Ignacio Verdera, Antonio Tañedo, Regino Viaña, Alejandro Verdera, Josue Verdera, Juan Mercader, Pedro Verdera, Francisco Verdera and Maximino Torreliza.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Federico de Lemos.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylooc" name="_ednref24" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xxiv]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">3.<span> </span>BALIKYAS<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>According to the old-timers of this barangay, even before the Spanish regime, people who first inhabited this place repeatedly left and returned to this place.<span> </span>When they shared stories, they mentioned that what they are doing is what they called in their native dialect as <i>balik-layas</i>.<span> </span>They called their community as the residence of people who repeatedly left and returned or <i>balik-layas</i>.<span> </span>Years later, the name was shortened and became Balikyas.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Like Agkawayan, the first inhabitants of this place were Muslim converts.<span> </span>Chinese potteries and kitchen utensils were also excavated from the burial grounds of this community, thus, the people believed that their ancestors have associated with traders from China, if not in this village in the settlements where they came from. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When the Muslims were driven out of this place by the Spaniards, families of farmers and fishermen from Luzon and other villages of Lubang arrived in this place aboard a number of sailboats. They built houses near the seashore and they cleared the lowlands of the place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1846, the five historic encounters on the sea between <i>La Encarnacion</i> & <i>Rosario,</i> two galleons of the Spaniards and the fifteen Dutch frigates occurred.<span> </span>Writers of Philippine History dubbed it as the Battle of Manila Bay.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">One of the encounters took place at the sea near Balikyas.<span> </span>An unknown painter painted a part of the historic battle which the Spaniards won.<span> </span>His painting was displayed inside the chapel of Balikyas where it remained up to the present time.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">One of the local heroes of Occidental Mindoro was from Balikyas.<span> </span>He is Emiliano Cahayon.<span> </span>He led a group of Filipino revolutionaries capture the Spanish friar and soldiers who were at the center of the municipality of Lubang in 1896.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1901, Emiliano Cahayon, fondly called <i>General Barog</i> by members of his group, was captured by the American soldiers.<span> </span>Together with other Filipino revolutionaries, he was imprisoned in Calapan.<span> </span>After almost a year of imprisonment, he was allowed to return to Balikyas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">During the American regime, a primary school was opened in Balikyas.<span> </span>Whenever a pupil of this village wanted to study Grade V & VI, he has to attend classes at the elementary school of Agkawayan or at the center of the municipality of Lubang.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1916 when Looc was created as a municipality, Balikyas was registered as one of its barrios.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">When World War II broke out, although the Japanese soldiers did not make Balikyas as its headquarters, the inhabitants of this place were not able to cultivate their farm.<span> </span>They worried that the enemies would come any time and confiscate their products.<span> </span>As a result, they also experienced hunger and deprivation.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">After the war, the primary school in Balikyas became a complete elementary school.<span> </span>Years later, through the efforts of the provincial government, the engineering battalion of the Philippine Army constructed the road connecting Tilik, Lubang and the center of the municipality of Looc.<span> </span>The said road passed through Balikyas.<span> </span>The flow of transportation became fast, especially when ships drop anchor at the pier of Tilik.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Two families from other barangays of Lubang converted into fishponds the swamps in Balikyas.<span> </span>During summer season, they turn portions of their fishponds into salt-beds.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">When Fr. Bernhard Kassellmann, SVD was assigned as parish priest of Looc, he built a water system for clean drinking water in Balikyas.<span> </span>The source of water was Kalanda River.<span> </span>At present, almost all of the houses in this community have water faucets.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1979, through Lubang Electric Cooperative (LUBELCO), electricity reached Balikyas.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Those who served as leaders of Balikyas were Faustino Villaluz, Juancho Aguilar, Dalmacio Arellano, Binong Villaluz, Canoy Pag-ilagan, Victorino Aguilar, Lando Salaysay, Pablo Villaluz, Carmen Ramirez and Pedro Aguilar.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Reynaldo Villaluz.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylooc" name="_ednref25" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xxv]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">4.<span> </span>BULACAN</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Aside from Talaotao, another barangay in the island of Golo of the municipality of Looc is Bulacan.<span> </span>Residents of this place believe two anecdotes concerning the origin of the name of their barangay.<span> </span>According to the first anecdote, ten families decided to settle in this place.<span> </span>While thinking of the appropriate name for their settlement, they saw the white cotton balls of the plants which grew abundantly in the area.<span> </span>In their dialect, the equivalent of the word cotton is <i>bulak</i>.<span> </span>They decided to call their community as Bulakan or the place where plenty of white cotton balls could be found.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>According to the second anecdote, the first couple who lived in this place was <i>Bulanog</i> and <i>Akansala.</i><span> </span>Due to their kindness and industry, the families who arrived later learned to love them.<span> </span>When they died, their neighbors decided to name their settlement <i>Bulakan,</i> from the first four letters of <i>Bulanog</i> and <i>Akansala</i>.<span> </span>Years later, letter <i>k</i> was changed to <i>c</i> and the name became Bulacan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Before the arrival of the Spaniards in the Philippines, whoever occupied a piece of land in Bulacan, it would be named after him.<span> </span>The prefix <i>Kay</i> denoting ownership in Tagalog dialect is added to his nickname.<span> </span>As a result, sitios or parts of the barangay at present have names like <i>Kay Bunga, Kay Batico, Kay Platoon, Kay Uwako </i>at <i>Kay Itay.<span> </span>Kay Platoon</i> is a mountain where the inhabitants used to evacuate every time the pirates attacked their village, during the early days.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the Spanish regime, only three families owned the lowlands of Bulacan.<span> </span>The title <i>Don</i> was added to their name as a sign of respect.<span> </span>They were Don Justino Zubiri, Don Pedro dela Fuente and Don Leon Tarcena.<span> </span>They were also appointed as <i>cabeza de barangay</i> by the Spanish authorities, thus, they were also known as <i>Kabesang Tinong, Kabesang Pendong</i> and <i>Kabesang Leon</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Aside from farming and fishing, another occupation of the workers of the three landowners in Bulacan was cutting trees which they turned into lumber and charcoal.<span> </span>The women were making brooms from a kind of plant which they called <i>dayunaka</i> and weaving mats from the leaves of <i>buri</i> and <i>pandan</i> plants.<span> </span>They sold their products in the provinces of Batangas, Cavite and the city of Manila.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The Spanish authorities did not open schools for the Filipinos in Looc.<span> </span>In order that the people of Bulacan would learn the Spanish language, a teacher named Cornelio Maninang taught them.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1884, there was an outbreak of cholera epidemic in Bulacan.<span> </span>Since the remains of those who died had to be brought to Looc for burial, Kabesang Tinong donated a portion of his land and converted it into a cemetery.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was still a young man, he traded goods with the three aforementioned <i>kabesa</i>.<span> </span>They became his friends.<span> </span>When the Filipinos revolted against the Spaniards in 1896, Kabesang Tinong joined the faction of the Katipunan headed by Gen. Aguinaldo.<span> </span>On the other hand,<span> </span>Kabesang Pendong joined the faction of the Katpunan headed by Andres Bonifacio.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1920, during the American regime, government authorities opened a primary school in Bulacan. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Although the Japanese soldiers did not occupy Bulacan during World War II, the people of this place experienced shortage of food.<span> </span>They were not able to plant palay and corn.<span> </span>They were always worrying that the enemies would come and they have to evacuate to other places immediately.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Fifteen years after the war, a few families in Bulacan constructed fishponds and salt beds.<span> </span>At present, culturing milkfish and salt making are two industries which help improve the living condition of the people of this community.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Aside from the three aforementioned <i>cabeza de barangay</i>, those who served as leaders of Bulacan were Pedro Paglicawan, Martin Paglicawan, Ciriaco dela Fuente, Rafael Tarcena, Catalino Paglicawan, Tiburcio Paglicawan, Enrique Torreliza, Ciriaco Telebrico, Potenciano Paglicawan, Benito Venturero, Mariano Sales, Lorenzo Ramirez, Juan Zubiri, Juan Torreliza, Victorino Torreliza, Abrenaldo Paglicawan, Ariston Paglicawan, Adelon Telebrico and Valerio de Luna.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Emma Verdera.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylooc" name="_ednref26" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xxvi]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">5.<span> </span>BUROL<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The Ilocano families of Pranada and Pascual from Luzon, were the first inhabitants of this place in 1850. <span> </span>To be able to plant palay and corn, they cleared the lowland where bamboos and a kind of tree called <i>tag-araw,</i> grew abundantly.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When the number of inhabitants increased, an Aglipayan priest called Fr. Victorio suggested that their settlement be called San Victorio.<span> </span>The people agreed.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1902, in order that the nearby sitio of Agkawayan would become a barrio, its leaders encouraged the families of San Victorio to transfer to their community.<span> </span>The families of Ilocano farmers transferred to Agkawayan.<span> </span>However, after a few years, when their relatives arrived from Luzon, they returned to San Victorio.<span> </span>This time, they built houses on the hills and called their new community as Burol.<span> </span>When their sitio was elevated to the status of a barrio, they registered Burol as its official name.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Some residents of the place strived to learn how to read and write.<span> </span>They were taught by Estanislao Pascual how to read the Spanish words in the <i>caton,</i> reading material during that time.<span> </span>When Maestro Pascual retired, he was succeeded by Mr. Arce and then by Mr. Escutillo.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1927, the aforementioned successors of Maestro Pascual began to teach at the primary school opened by the government in Burol.<span> </span>However, they only borrowed the books which their pupils used from the nearby public school of Agkawayan.<span> </span>The first pupils still remember that the titles of their first books were <i>Planting Rice</i> and <i>Caton</i>.<span> </span>The public school of Burol was able to acquire its own books and construct its own school buildings made of strong materials, after thirty years.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When World War II broke out, Burol was one of the hiding places of the people who avoided the abuses of the Japanese soldiers.<span> </span>After the war, many families of farmers were convinced by their relatives to transfer to the municipality of Calintaan, Sablayan and San Jose.<span> </span>However, after a few years, some families returned to Burol.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Through the cooperative labor of the people of Agkawayan and Burol, a hanging bridge was built over the river between the two barrios.<span> </span>During that time, since no road existed, carabaos and horses were used as means of transportation.<span> </span>It was only in 1962 when the national road connecting Tilik, Lubang and the center of the municipality of Looc was constructed.<span> </span>At the same time, a concrete bridge which replaced the hanging bridge, was built over the river between Burol and Agkawayan.<span> </span>Subsequently, a feeder road from Burol to the national road was also constructed, making it easier for the farmers to transport their products.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1972, Fr. Karl Barbian, an SVD missionary who was assigned in Looc, built a water system for clean drinking water in Burol.<span> </span>With the help of his friends and benefactors from Germany and the provincial government of Occidental Mindoro, pipes were installed at the houses of the families in the community.<span> </span>The source of water was the spring at the upper portion of the hills of Burol.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When Lt. Hiroo Onoda, a Japanese straggler who hid for almost thirty years at the forests of Lubang, conferred with his countryman Yukio Suzuki, before he surrendered to Gen. Rancudo in 1974, the incident happened in a place near the river of Burol.<span> </span>That historic meeting place is now called <i>Wakayama Point</i> by government authorities.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1979, through Lubang Electric Cooperative (LUBELCO), electricity reached many houses in Burol.<span> </span>The said service and the construction of an irrigation system,<span> </span>by National Irrigation Administration (NIA) for the agricultural land in Burol helped in the gradual elevation of the economic condition of the people in this barangay.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Aside fro, Estanislao Pascual, those who served as leaders of Looc were Pastor Quiñones, Dalmacio Pascual, Maximino Trambulo, Alfredo Villacite, Candido Reyes, Tirso Quiñones and Avelino Sales.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Rogelio Villaflores.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylooc" name="_ednref27" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xxvii]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">6.<span> </span>POBLACION<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The name of this place came from its wide bay which was used as landing area of sea vessels and hiding place of ships during stormy weather.<span> </span>Bay is the Tagalog dialect is <i>look</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The first inhabitants of this place were the families from the different villages of Lubang who looked for rich fishing grounds and vacant lands to cultivate.<span> </span>They built houses near the seashore in order that it would be easier for them to go to other places by means of sailboats.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Looc was mentioned in history in 1882.<span> </span>It was stated that the <i>gobernadorcillo</i> of this place was Agustin Liboro.<span> </span>It was also written that due to the outbreak of cholera epidemic in Lubang, the said leader did not allow Fr. Roldan, the Spanish friar who was assigned in Lubang to enter his community.<span> </span>He feared that the virus of the deadly disease would enter Looc through Fr. Roldan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The Spanish government established a school in Looc.<span> </span>They named it as <i>Colegio Filipino de Looc.</i><span> </span>Two graduates of this school were Hon. Cipriano Liboro and Hon. Mateo Virola, who served as governor of Mindoro in 1919 and of Occidental Mindoro in 1951, respectively.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">When Lubang was created as a municipality in 1905, one of the barrios registered under its jurisdiction was Looc.<span> </span>It was difficult to reach this place during that time, due to the absence of a road connecting this barrio with Tilik which was the center of the municipality.<span> </span>During stormy weather when travel by means of sailboat was not possible, the people have to travel by foot, to reach the center of the town of Lubang.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">During the early part of the American regime, government authorities opened a primary school in Looc.<span> </span>From 1921 to 1928, the primary school evolved to an elementary school, gradually.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Aside from farming and fishing, construction of big sailboats was one source of income of the people of Looc, during the American regime.<span> </span>Building of this type of sea vessel was stopped only during the outbreak of World War II.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1916, Looc was separated from Lubang and created as another municipality.<span> </span>Agkawayan was made as the first center of the municipal government.<span> </span>It was only in 1925, during the administration of Municipal President Juan Calabio, when the seat of the municipal government was transferred to its present site.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">When World War II broke out, many families from other municipalities of Occidental Mindoro evacuated to Looc.<span> </span>Thick forests still surrounded the villages of this town and the Japanese soldiers rarely patrolled the place.<span> </span>When the U.S. led Allied Forces liberated Occidental Mindoro from the Japanese soldiers, Japanese stragglers led by Lt. Hiroo Onoda hid in the forests of Lubang Island.<span> </span>For almost thirty years, while Onoda was hiding in the mountains, nobody dared to cut big trees in the forests of the municipalities of Looc and Lubang. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">When Fr. Carlos Brendel, SVD was assigned as parish priest of Looc, he opened a secondary school at the poblacion or center of the municipality.<span> </span>He named it Sacred Heart Academy.<span> </span>Unfortunately, after two years, when Fr. Brendel was transferred to another parish, the Catholic school was closed.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1967, a barangay high school was opened in Piblacion, Looc.<span> </span>After five years, it was made as a municipal high school by virtue of Resolution No. 19 of the Municipal Council of Looc.<span> </span>During the administration of President Corazon Aquino, the high school which was supported by the municipality was elevated to the status of a national secondary school known as Looc National High School.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">When Fr. Karl Barbian, SVD was assigned as parish priest of Looc, he built a water system for clean drinking water at Poblacion, Looc.<span> </span>With the assistance of his friends and charitable institutions in foreign countries, pipes and water faucets were installed at the town’s center.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">In 1975, President Ferdinand Marcos ordered that the barrios be called as barangays.<span> </span>In addition, the town’s center was divided into barangays.<span> </span>As a result, Poblacion, Looc was divided into three --- Bonbon, Gitna and Kanluran.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Those who served as leaders of the three barangays of Poblacion, strived to develop their respective communities.<span> </span>At present, they are Brgy. Capt. Ponciano Villas of Gitna; Brgy. Captain Joselito Limjoco who succeeded Pepito de Lara of Bonbon; and Leandro Villarosa who succeeded Felipe Villar of Kanluran.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylooc" name="_ednref28" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xxviii]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">7.<span> </span>TALAOTAO</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>This place is one of the two barangays in the island of Golo which is a part of the municipality of Looc.<span> </span>This community is near the tip of the island, the part where the seashore suddenly curved outward.<span> </span>In the native tongue of the inhabitants, the sudden curving of a thing, whereupon its shape becomes pointed is called <i>mataotao</i>.<span> </span>They called their settlements by that name.<span> </span>Later on, <i>Mataotao</i> became <i>Talaotao</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>This place was a forest during the Spanish occupation of Mindoro.<span> </span>When Vicente Abeleda decided to settle in this part of the island, the Spanish authorities entrusted to him this place as his homestead.<span> </span>He hired laborers who would clear and cultivate the land.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The laborers of Vicente Abeleda who cleared and cultivated his homestead were Segundo Vidal, Ramon Terrenal, Teodulo Ambrocio, Eugenio Pag-ilagan and Fermin Nuñez.<span> </span>Through perseverance and industry, they were able convert the land into ricefields and cornfields.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">During the period when Moro pirates frequently attacked the different villages in Mindoro, some families from the pueblo of Mamburao evacuated to Talaotao and decided to settle in this community permanently.<span> </span>The number of inhabitants increased, especially when their relatives from other provinces migrated to this place.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Vicente Abeleda, the acknowledged founder of Talaotao was called Capitan Vicente by his laborers and the people of the community.<span> </span>During the latter part of 1870, together with Capitan Pablo Tria, another leader of Talaotao, they crossed the sea between the small island of Golo and the big island of Mindoro, to look for uncultivated vacant land in Paluan.<span> </span>His two sons, Mariano and Regino, inherited his homestead in Talaotao.<span> </span>When Mariano followed his father in Paluan, Regino became the sole owner of the homestead.<span> </span>Since Regino has no child, he bequeathed his land to Cipriano Liboro, his nephew.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">When Cipriano Liboro became active in politics, until he was elected governor of Mindoro and then delegate to the 1935 Constitutional Convention, he sold his landholdings in Talaotao.<span> </span>The buyers of his land subsequently sold it to the farmers.<span> </span>As a result, many families now own the land which at first belonged to only one man, Capitan Vicente Abeleda.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1898, one man devoted his life in teaching <i>Cartilla</i> and Mathematics to the people of Talaotao.<span> </span>He was Wenceslao Fajardo.<span> </span>When he retired from teaching, his son, Manuel Fajardo succeeded him.<span> </span>Since there was no school building during that time, classes were held at private houses.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">When Looc was created as a municipality in 1916, Talaotao was registered as one of its barrios.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1930, through the efforts of Congressman Raul Leuterio and Governor Cipriano Liboro, a school building was constructed in Talaotao.<span> </span>Regino Abeleda donated the lot where the school was built.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">During the Japanese occupation of Mindoro, Donato Liboro built a sailboat which he used to transport logs for lumber and fuel to other provinces.<span> </span>The said sea vessel, together with small bancas and sailboats greatly helped the people of Talaotao in fishing and selling their products of mats and clothes made of abaca fiber or <i>sinamay</i>.<span> </span>However, their occupation of fishing became profitable only when they started using motorboats in 1956.<span> </span>The fishermen of Talaotao reached the fishing grounds of Palawan and Naic, Cavite in their effort to catch large quantity of fishes and sell it at a price much higher than the prevailing price in their community.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">During the American regime until 1961, when the people started to elect the barrio leaders, those who were appointed as <i>teniente del barrio</i> of Talaotao were Eugenio Pag-ilagan, Fermin Nuñez, Matias Juaño, Sudano Alindugan, Crisanto Tampilic, Primitivo Valles and Ciriaco Juaño.<span> </span>Some of those who were elected as barangay captain were Dionisio Nuñez, Remigio Nuñez, Eusebio Ambrocio and Romeo Nuñez.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Emilio de Lara, Jr.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">29 </span></span></span><div>
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</div>ROWELYN VERDIN MERCADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09575581693964613498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483057594829930987.post-80414786823833997892012-03-11T04:38:00.002-07:002012-03-11T04:38:44.620-07:00HISTORY OF LUBANG<div class="sites-layout-tile sites-tile-name-header">
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<strong><span style="color: #33cc00;">Town of Lubang</span></strong></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;"><strong>HISTORY OF LUBANG</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> <strong><span style="color: #666600;">By Rudy Candelario</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #663333; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Translated in English by Benjamin Walata</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">I – DURING THE SPANISH REGIME</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The name of this town came from <i>lumbang,</i> a kind of tree which grew profusely in this island during the early days.<span> </span>Due to constant use for so many years, the name became Lubang.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref1" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[1]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Lubang was already a progressive community in 1570, when Captain Juan de Salcedo and his Spanish soldiers, together with Visayan warriors, visited this place.<span> </span>The said leader was surprised when he saw the stone fort of the natives and a device for hurling stones to the enemies.<span> </span>The male inhabitants of this place defended themselves against the Spaniards but due to the superior weapons and expertise of the invaders in combat, the defenders surrendered after hours of fighting.<span> </span>That year, Salcedo put the < xml="true" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" prefix="st1" namespace="">island of Lubang under the jurisdiction of Spain.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref2" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[2]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>According to some historians, the ancestors of the inhabitants of Lubang might have learned how to construct a stone fort and a device for throwing stones from Chinese merchants who bartered goods with them, prior to the arrival of the Spaniards to the Philippines.<span> </span>The potteries and kitchen utensils excavated from some parts of the island proved the existence of active trading between the people of Lubang and China.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1572, Miguel Lopez de Lagazpi, the appointed governor general of the Philippines, declared Lubang as an <i>encomienda</i> of Felipe de Salcedo, the younger brother of Captain Juan de Salcedo.<span> </span>As an <i>encomendero,</i> Felipe de Salcedo has the right to collect taxes from people living within his <i>encomienda</i> or the vast tract of land entrusted to him.<span> </span>However, the government expected him to develop his <i>encomienda</i>.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref3" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[3]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When the Spanish government organized <i>Corregimiento de Bonbon</i> in 1574, Lubang, together with Batangas and the island of Mindoro, became parts of the <i>corregimiento,</i> a civil territory which was equivalent to a province at present.<span> </span>However, after a few years, Lubang was separated from Mindoro and made as a part of Cavite.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref4" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[4]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In a report of a Spanish missionary to the head of his congregation, he mentioned that in 1591, Lubang, the <i>encomienda</i> of Felipe de Salcedo has a population of two thousand from whom the <i>encomendero</i> was able to collect five hundred <i>tributos</i> or taxes.<span> </span>It was also stated in the report that the island needs a priest who would teach the Catholic faith to the people </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Even during that time, the sea vessels going to other parts of the Philippines and to foreign countries passed the sea around the island of Lubang.<span> </span>Sometimes, sea vessels going to foreign countries dropped anchor in this island to complete its preparation for its long voyage.<span> </span>An example of this was the expedition composed of three ships and one hundred fifty men with some Dominican priests bound for Cambodia, which dropped anchor in Lubang in 1596, to prepare a few things needed for the long voyage.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The island of Lubang is also near Manila Bay, thus, any battle of warships in the said bay during that time, reached the sea around Lubang.<span> </span>An example was the Battle of Manila Bay in 1600.<span> </span>In the said battle, the Spanish warships defeated the Dutch frigates and foiled the attempt of the latter to colonize the Philippines.<span> </span>In the report of a missionary friar, it was mentioned that <i>Almirante,</i> the battleship of Oliver Van Noordt was captured by the Spaniards and brought to Lubang for repairs.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Lubang was also mentioned in a report about the trade blockade made by the Dutch & British battleships at the sea near Manila.<span> </span>It was mentioned that on April 29, 1622 a Chinese sea vessel was burned by the Dutch and the British in Lubang.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1654, Fr. Domingo Navarette, a Dominican missionary, visited Lubang and other communities in Mindoro.<span> </span>In his book, he mentioned that the island was beautiful; two hundred taxpayers were living there; has plenty of coconut and cotton plants; and has a stone fort and deep canal which the inhabitants used in defending themselves against a band of marauders called <i>camucones</i>.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref5" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[5]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The missionary narrated that it was December when he visited Lubang.<span> </span>A few days after Christmas, a Chinese <i>champan</i> was battered by a storm at the sea near the island.<span> </span>Two Augustinian Recollect priests and a woman slave jumped to the sea hoping that they could save themselves by swimming towards the shore.<span> </span>Unfortunately, the three drowned.<span> </span>Their companions who were left aboard the ship survived for the sea vessel did not sink.<span> </span>It ran aground the shore of Lubang.<span> </span>The survivors were taken care of by Fr. Bernardo Ramirez, the missionary priest in the island. <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the height of Moro piracy in the different villages of Mindoro, one of their victims was Fr. Antonio de San Agustin, an Augustinian Recollect missionary who visited Lubang.<span> </span>The said missionary was returning home after visiting Cuyo and the neighboring islands when the sea vessel where he was aboard was intercepted at the sea near Lubang by thirteen <i>vintas</i> full of <i>datus</i> and warriors from Jolo.<span> </span>Being sick, the missionary was not able to escape.<span> </span>He was mercilessly killed by the pirates in captivity.<span> </span>The tragic incident took place in 1658.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref6" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[6]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Lubang was also mentioned as a place where erring government officials were exiled.<span> </span>An example was the banishment of Fiscal Diego de Corbera and his wife, to this island, in 1556.<span> </span>After a few months, the said official died.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The people of Lubang feared a certain government official.<span> </span>He was Justo de Tierra Alta who was assigned here in 1795.<span> </span>The said official was cruel and the inhabitants were very glad when government authorities transferred him to another place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Lubang was known during the Spanish regime as a peaceful community.<span> </span>However, its reputation was tarnished when <i>Corregidor</i> Benito Garcia del Mazo, who served as one of the administrators of Mindoro, was killed in Tagbac, a sitio of the <i>pueblo</i> of Lubang, in 1795.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In the desire of the leaders of the Catholic Church to propagate Christianity in Lubang, the Archbishop of Manila assigned parish priests to this island.<span> </span>One of them was Fr. Muriel who built a church at the center of the parish in 1865.<span> </span>Some able bodied males of Lubang were forced to work by the Spanish authorities in order that the house of worship would be finished.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Aside from the aforementioned missionaries, some of the friars who served in the island during the Spanish regime were Frs. Francisco Bazan, Joseph de Montemayor, Francisco Xavier de Castro, Paulino Saret, Lorenzo Lopez, Silverio dela Paz, Timoteo Sanchez, Tomas Roldan, Luis Reyes and Victor Lopez.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1882, there was an outbreak of cholera in Lubang.<span> </span>Many people died.<span> </span>Fearing that the people under him would also get sick, the leader of Looc did not allow Fr. Tomas Roldan, the parish priest of Lubang, to enter his territory.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref7" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[7]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1896, since the ships from other parts of the Philippines and foreign countries passed through the sea around Lubang, the Spaniards constructed a lighthouse in Cabra, a small island under the jurisdiction of this pueblo.<span> </span>The said lighthouse is still being used at present.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was still a young businessman, he bartered goods with the people of Lubang.<span> </span>He befriended some leaders of this island.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">II – DURING THE REVOLUTION AGAINST THE SPANIARDS <span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>When the <i>Katipunan</i> movement spread in the different parts of the country, a local chapter of the said movement was organized in the house of Mariano Aguilar or <i>Kabesang</i> Nano in Tilik, a village of Lubang.<span> </span>Those who were mentioned as Katipunan members were Emiliano Cajayon, Pio Cajayon, Quintin de Lemos, Angel Surita, Gregorio Tria and Candido Aguilar.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref8" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[8]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>From Tilik, the movement spread to the community which is now the center of the municipality of Lubang.<span> </span>Esteban Quijano was the acknowledged leader of the <i>Katipuneros</i> in this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1898, when the Filipinos revolted against the Spaniards, the group of <i>Katipuneros</i> led by Emiliano Cajayon and Esteban Quijano captured the Spaniards, including the priest in Lubang.<span> </span>The captives were detained in the house of Angel Surita in Tilik, forced to work under the intense heat of the sun and then transferred to Taysan, Batangas, the detention center for all Spaniards captured in Mindoro.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Under the revolutionary government organized by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo in 1898, a <i>revolutionary junta</i> was formed to administer the island of Lubang.<span> </span>Brigido Cajayon was appointed as head of the <i>junta</i>.<span> </span>He was assisted by Fructuoso Zubiri and Balbino Tameta.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref9" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[9]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Manuel Alveyra of Lubang was appointed by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo as head of the revolutionary government of Mindoro in 1899.<span> </span>Unfortunately, the said leader was killed by the soldiers from Cavite who were under his command.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref10" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[10]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">III – DURING THE AMERICAN REGIME</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1901, the American soldiers landed in Tilik and Sitio Binasal of Barrio Vigo, two communities of Lubang.<span> </span>They burned Tilik and captured the Katipuneros who revolted against the Spaniards.<span> </span>They placed the whole island under the jurisdiction of American authorities.<span> </span>They organized a military government and appointed Toribio Aguilar as its head.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The Katipuneros who were captured by the American soldiers were imprisoned in Calapan.<span> </span>Among them were Emiliano Cajayon, Domingo Castillo, Candido Aguilar, Mariano Aguilar, Gregorio Tria, Francisco Muñiz, Quintin de Lemos and one who was known only as <i>Kabesang</i> Tubing.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When Mindoro was made as a sub-province of Marinduque on June 23, 1902 by virtue of Act 423, Lubang was separated from Cavite and made as a part of Marinduque.<span> </span>Nevertheless, the administration of the island proved ineffective due to the complex system of communication from Boac, Marinduque which was the center of the provincial government.<span> </span>As a result, the Philippine Commission which was administering the Philippines during that time in the name of the United States, decided to make Mindoro a <i>free but not a regular province</i>.<span> </span>Lubang was removed from Marinduque and made as a part of Mindoro on November 10, 1902 under Act 500.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref11" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[11]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1905, a public elementary school was established by the American government in Lubang.<span> </span>Agustin Craig was the first American mentor who was assigned to teach the schoolchildren in this island.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>On June 4, 1905 by virtue of Act 1280 of the Philippine Commission, Lubang was created as a municipality.<span> </span>Tilik was made as the center of the municipal government.<span> </span>Those who served as municipal presidents of Lubang, when the seat of the municipal government was in Tilik, were Juan Villamar, Agaton Abeleda, Mariano Zubiri and Juan Villaflores.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref12" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[12]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Governor General Leonard Wood visited Lubang in 1912.<span> </span>During his visit, he inspected the houses and yards of the Filipinos to find out if the executive order for cleanliness and orderliness is being followed.<span> </span>He found out that sixty families were not following the order.<span> </span>To discipline them and to serve as examples to those who did not observe cleanliness and orderliness in their home, Gen. Wood ordered the imprisonment for twenty four hours of the father or mother of the families who have dirty yards and houses.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref13" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[13]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>That same year, Secretary of the Interior Dean C. Worcester also visited Lubang.<span> </span>As a result of his visit, the government constructed the pier in Tilik, its public building, bridges and the main road of the island.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1916, Looc was separated from Lubang and made as a separate municipality.<span> </span>Tilik remained as the seat of the municipal government of Lubang. Agkawayan became the center of the municipality of Looc.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref14" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[14]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>A strong typhoon battered Lubang in 1918.<span> </span>It brought great damage to the crops of the farmers.<span> </span>Many houses and buildings were destroyed, including the church built by Fr. Muriel, fifty three years ago.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>It was also in the year 1918 when the seat of the municipal government was removed from Tilik and transferred to the place where it is located at present.<span> </span>Municipal President Juan Villaflores finished his remaining one year term of office in the new center.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The farmers of Lubang remembered the municipal president who encouraged them to plant different kinds of crops in their farms.<span> </span>He was Mariano Zubiri who was fondly called <i>Marianong Gubat</i> by his constituents due to his interest in agriculture and forestry.<span> </span>Twice, he served as leader of Lubang.<span> </span>The first one was from 1912 to1913 and the second one was from 1925 to1928.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Even before the spiritual care of the inhabitants of Mindoro was entrusted to the congregation of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), the leaders of the said religious order have already sent Fr. Enrique Demond, SVD to Lubang.<span> </span>Seeing the need of a Catholic school in the island, the said priest established Stella Maris School.<span> </span>A year later, he entrusted the management of the school to the Mission Congregation of the Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS) sisters.<span> </span>Stella Maris School holds the distinction of being the first Catholic school in Mindoro.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref15" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[15]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When Fr. Benito Rixner, SVD was assigned as parish priest of Lubang, he worked for the construction of a church in the island, to replace the old one which was destroyed by a typhoon.<span> </span>In 1935, a concrete church was built at Poblacion, Lubang.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1937, the vicar apostolic of the Apostolic Prefecture of Mindoro, Bishop William Finnemann, SVD, DD visited Lubang.<span> </span>He was warmly welcomed by the people, led by Mayor Leandro Abeleda, Sr. and Fr. Demond who at that time was reassigned as parish priest of the island.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref16" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[16]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Aside from the aforementioned leaders, those who served as municipal mayors of Lubang, from the time the seat of the municipal government was transferred to what is now known as Brgy. Poblacion, up to the Japanese occupation of the island, were Eulogio Zubiri, Hilario Tria, Vicente Valbuena, Andres Tapales, Augusto Abeleda, Domingo Valbuena, Octavio Masangkay and Cipriano Torreliza.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">IV – DURING THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION OF THE ISLAND </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>A few months after the outbreak of World War II, a group of Japanese soldiers aboard thirteen motorboats, under the command of Captain Ichi, landed in Tilik.<span> </span>They put up a garrison in this place.<span> </span>They obliged the male inhabitants cut the big trees in the forests of the island.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref17" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[17]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>In March 1942, thinking that it was a battleship, Japanese warplanes bombed <i>La Estrella del Caltex,</i> an American ship at the sea near Sitio Tangway, Tagbac.<span> </span>Some bombs which did not hit the target exploded at the part of the sitio where there were many houses.<span> </span>As a result, the houses were burned.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref18" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[18]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>War broke out when Fr. Juan Weber, SVD the successor of Fr. Demond was the parish priest of Lubang.<span> </span>Perhaps due to old age and extreme anxiety, he died in 1942.<span> </span>He was buried at the cemetery near Brgy. Poblacion and after the war, his remains were exhumed and brought to Germany.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref19" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[19]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Based on the stories of the old-timers in the island, the Japanese soldiers who were assigned in Lubang were not cruel to the inhabitants.<span> </span>However, they obliged the people to farm so that the soldiers would have food.<span> </span>They also obliged the male inhabitants of the island to cut big trees and construct the airstrip for the warplanes of the Japanese.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Driven with their desire to regain the independence of Lubang, a group of guerrillas was formed by Major Alberto Abeleda and Captain Carlos Valbuena of Lubang.<span> </span>Nevertheless, the existence of the said group remained secret for its members didn’t have enough weapons to fight the enemies.<span> </span>The group waited for the arrival of the U.S. led Allied Forces which liberated Mindoro from Japanese occupation.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Like what happened in other parts of Mindoro, due to their uncertain future and the extreme anxiety felt by islanders, the schools in Lubang including Stella Maris School ceased to operate.<span> </span>In addition, vast farmlands were not planted with crops for many of the farmers evacuated to other places or hid in the mountains.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>On October 24, 1944 American warplanes bombed the Japanese warplanes at the airstrip of Lubang.<span> </span>The explosion of bombs was heard at Barrio Maliig which was three kilometers away from the airstrip.<span> </span>The warplanes also bombed the Japanese battleship which passed by the sea near Barrio Vigo<span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After paralyzing Japanese airpower, the U.S. led Allied Forces landed in Tilik on February 28, 1945.<span> </span>The Japanese soldiers retreated to the mountains.<span> </span>While retreating, they burned the houses at the western part of the town’s center.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The group of guerrillas helped in liberating the island from Japanese occupation.<span> </span>After a day of fighting, the Japanese soldiers were driven to the mountains.<span> </span>On March 1, 1945 the group of American soldiers under the command of Lt. Campbell occupied Poblacion, Lubang.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The Japanese soldiers hid in the forests of Lubang for more than a year.<span> </span>They were hunted down by the combined Filipino and American troop.<span> </span>In 1947, thirty of them surrendered to Lt. Tyler Holland, the commanding officer of the U.S. Task Force Division.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref20" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[20]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Despite the surrender of their companions, three Japanese soldiers led by Lt. Hiroo Onoda continued hiding in the forests of Lubang.<span> </span>They killed four inhabitants of Vigo whom they accidentally encountered while looking for food.<span> </span>The victims were Melecio Telebrico, Felipe Tanglao, Domingo Tanglao and Servando Tanglao.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref21" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[21]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1958, the road from the pier of Tilik up to the center of the municipality of Looc was constructed by the engineering battalion of the Philippine Army.<span> </span>The following year, they improved the airstrip which was constructed during the Japanese occupation.<span> </span>As a result of the implementation of these projects in the island, transportation became faster.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref22" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[22]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Since the pier in Tilik became busy, the government constructed a lighthouse was constructed in this place.<span> </span>The following year, recognizing the strategic location of Lubang Island, the government constructed Gozar Air Station on the mountain overlooking Barrio Ambulong which is now called Brgy. Sorville.<span> </span>Expert members of the Philippine Air Force watch the airspace at the central southwestern part of our country, by means of radar and other sophisticated equipments of the station.<span> </span>The families living at Sorville and a sitio of Binacas benefited from the services of the electric plant and the potable water system built by the radar station.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When barrio high schools proliferated in our country, two schools were opened in Lubang.<span> </span>They were Tilik Barrio High School and Cabra Barrio High School.<span> </span>The secondary school at Tilik grew and it is now called Tilik National High School.<span> </span>On the other hand, after six years, the barrio high school in Cabra was closed due to lack of enrollees.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref23" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[23]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>To provide better health services to the people, the government established a hospital in Lubang in 1969.<span> </span>The said hospital was a great help to the poor patients, especially those who need immediate medical attention.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>A sea vessel full of Vietnamese refugees was stranded in the shore of Barrio Tangal in 1970.<span> </span>The municipal government took care of them for a few weeks before sending them to the refugee processing center in Bataan.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref24" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[24]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1971, Kozuka, the Japanese straggler who was the companion of Lt. Onoda in the forest of Lubang for twenty seven years, was killed during a bloody encounter with a group of Filipino soldiers who were hunting them.<span> </span>His remains were buried in the cemetery of Tilik.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref25" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[25]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>The Catholic Church helped solved the problem of clean drinking water in Cabra.<span> </span>In 1972, with the financial assistance of his friends in other countries, a windmill which drew water from a deep well was constructed by Fr. Bernhard Kassellmann, SVD in this island.<span> </span>Moreover, Fr. Lois Ortner, SVD dug two wells in this place when he was assigned as the parish priest of Lubang in 1992.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref26" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[26]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Within the period after the war up to the declaration of martial law, those who served as municipal mayors of Lubang were Aurelio Orayani, Sr., Juan Villaluz, Francisco Sanchez, Leandro Abeleda, Jr., and Raul Virola.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Old residents of Lubang remembered Hon. Francisco Sanchez as the municipal mayor who encouraged the farmers to dig deep wells and buy motorized water pumps in order that they could farm their land during summer.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>With the assistance of Gov. Arsenio Villaroza and Congressman Felipe Abeleda, Mayor Sanchez built the municipal grandstand and multi-purpose social hall and started the concreting of roads at the town’s center.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Mayor Raul Virola built a fence around the municipal plaza which was installed with electric lights by his predecessor Mayor Leandro Abeleda, Jr.<span> </span>Moreover, he constructed a building for the offices of the different agencies of the national government.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">VI – DURING MARTIAL LAW PERIOD</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When the implementation of Mindoro Integrated Rural Development Project (MIRDP) was intensified during martial law period, Lubang Electric Cooperative (LUBELCO) was organized in Lubang.<span> </span>Electricity flowed to a great number of houses not only in this municipality but also in Looc.<span> </span>In addition, water systems were established by National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in some barangays, thus, the farmers were able to harvest palay twice a year.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The vocational high school which was established in Tilik in 1971 was transferred to Poblacion, in 1972.<span> </span>After three years, the government was able to buy a lot near the town’s center.<span> </span>The buildings of the vocational school were constructed there.<span> </span>At present, the vocational school now known as Lubang National High School holds extension classes in the island of Cabra.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref27" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[27]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>On March 10, 1974 the thirty years hiding of Lt. Hiroo Onoda in the forest of Lubang came to an end.<span> </span>On that day, he heeded the request of his countryman Yukio Suzuki and the order of Commanding Officer Taniguchi to surrender.<span> </span>The Japanese soldier surrendered to Major Gen. Jose Rancudo, chief of the Philippine Air Force at Gozar Air Station, Brgy. Sorville.<span> </span>He was brought to Manila and he formally surrendered his samurai to President Ferdinand Marcos.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref28" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[28]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>It was also during martial law period when water systems for clean drinking water were established in the barangays of Lubang.<span> </span>In addition, the concreting of the main road of Lubang was done and a concrete pier was built in Tilik through the efforts of Assemblyman Pedro Mendiola, Sr., the representative to the Batasang Pambansa of Occidental Mindoro.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">VII – AFTER THE PEACEFUL EDSA REVOLUTION <span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After the non-violent EDSA Revolution, President Corazon Aquino removed all municipal mayors in Occidental Mindoro and replaced them with OIC mayors.<span> </span>In Lubang, the first OIC Mayor was Antonio Orayani.<span> </span>However, less than a month afterwards, he was replaced by OIC Mayor Amancio Dimaranan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When elections were held in 1987, the people of Lubang entrusted to Mayor Alfredo Lim the rein of the municipal government.<span> </span>With the assistance of Congressman Jose Villaroza, he constructed the roof of the municipal playground and the social hall of Lubang.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When Fr. Lois Ortner was assigned as parish priest of Lubang, he worked for the construction of a water system for potable water and for irrigation purposes at Brgy. Binacas.<span> </span>His congregation and friends abroad helped him solicit funds for the said project.<span> </span>It was finished and people started to use it in 1992.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref29" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[29]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1998, Mayor Policarpio Tesorio succeeded Hon. Alfredo Lim as municipal mayor of Lubang.<span> </span>Being an active leader of religious organizations and movements, aside from implementing the infrastructure projects in his town, he also helped in the formation of Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) in the parish.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Col. Juan Sanchez, a retired military officer and son of a former mayor of Lubang, was elected municipal mayor of this town in 2001.<span> </span>He strived to preserve the customs and traditions of the people, especially the religious celebration in honor of Blessed Virgin Mary every month of May. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the May 10, 2004 Elections, Hon. Policarpio Tesorio and Col. Juan Sanchez both ran for municipal mayor of Lubang.<span> </span>Mayor Tesorio was declared winner.<span> </span>Col. Sanchez protested the election of his political opponent.<span> </span>A division of the Commission on Election (COMELEC) declared Col. Sanchez as the duly elected municipal mayor.<span> </span>He replaced Tesorio as the head of the municipal government.<span> </span>Tesorio appealed the decision to Comelec en banc.<span> </span>Up to the present time, no final decision was promulgated by the election body regarding the protest and counter protest filed by the two politicians who are eager to serve their town mates, as municipal mayor of Lubang.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><strong>HISTORY OF THE TEN BARANGAYS OF LUBANG</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">I.<span> </span>BINACAS</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The name of the barangay came from the Tagalog word <i>bakas,</i> meaning footprints.<span> </span>In the rocky portion of the seashore of this place, one could find numerous footprints of a man, a woman and a horse.<span> </span>According to old residents of this barangay, their ancestors told them the story of two lovers from the center of the island of Lubang who eloped.<span> </span>The parents and relatives of the lady pursued them.<span> </span>Riding on horseback, the lovers reached the shore of this place.<span> </span>When the pursuers arrived, they saw the footprints of the lovers and the horse on the rocky shore, but the couple, including the horse disappeared.<span> </span>They searched for hours but they were not able to find the lovers.<span> </span>They assumed that the couple preferred to drown themselves in the sea than to be separated from each other.<span> </span>Since that time onwards, in memory of the lasting love of the couple whose footprints were found on the rocky shore, this part of the island of Lubang was called Binacas..<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the Spanish regime, a few ships sank at the sea of Binacas. A number were disabled by typhoons.<span> </span>One was a Spanish battleship which was greatly damaged by the fusillade of a Dutch frigate during the historic Battle of Manila Bay.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Binacas was one of the villages attacked by Moro pirates during the Spanish regime.<span> </span>The Spaniards assigned a watchman on the hill near the seashore of this place to warn the villagers every time the <i>vintas</i> or fast sailboats of the pirates appear in the horizon.<span> </span>The Spaniards also appointed the defenders of the village whom they called <i>cuadrilleros</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The hill of Binacas was called <i>Bantayan</i> by the people.<span> </span>It served as the lookout area, during the American occupation of the island of Lubang.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The people who decided to settle permanently in Binacas were composed of the families of Martin Cueva, Benito Cueva, Tranquilino Cueva, Undo Tovillo, Segundo Garcia and Francisco Garcia.<span> </span>Later on, their relatives from other places arrived, hence, during the early part of the American occupation of Lubang, they requested the government authorities that their community be elevated to the status of a barrio.<span> </span>In 1910, Binacas was created as a barrio.<span> </span>Soriano Villaluna was appointed as its first <i>teniente del barrio</i>. The said leader worked for the establishment of an elementary school in his community.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When World War II broke out, the Japanese soldiers rarely visited Binacas.<span> </span>According to the survivors of the war, the soldiers whom they have met in this barrio were not cruel.<span> </span>Compared to residents of other barrios, they did not experience constant fear and anxiety.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After the war, many families of fishermen decided to live in this barrio for its sea abound with fishes.<span> </span>Some farmers were also encouraged to cultivate the lowlands and planted it with palay and corn.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Through the efforts of the people, leaders of the barrio and the local government officials of Lubang, the road and bridge connecting Binacas and the nearby barrio of Ambulong or Sorville were constructed, including the barangay hall, day care center, multi-purpose pavement and concrete stage in the plaza.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When the national government established Gozar Air Station in 1957, electricity reached one sitio of Binacas which was near the radar station.<span> </span>The road going to the center of the barrio was also improved.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When Fr. Lois Ortner, SVD was assigned as parish priest of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish-Lubang, in 1992, one of his projects was the building of a water system in Binacas.<span> </span>With the financial assistance of his foreign friends and charitable institutions abroad, the project was completed.<span> </span>As a result, potable water flowed to Binacas.<span> </span>The project also helped irrigate the farms with water coming from a spring in the mountain of the barangay.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Aside from Soriano Villaluna, those who served as leaders of Binacas were Lucio Cueva, Adriano de Lara and Angel Tangi.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captaun Faustino Tamares.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref30" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[30]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">2.<span> </span>CABRA<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Cabra is a small island at the north-westernmost part of Lubang, Occidental Mindoro.<span> </span>The name of the island was given by the first Spanish soldiers who reached this place.<span> </span>According to the story heard by old residents of this place from their ancestors, when the foreigners arrived in this island, they saw the herds of goats, majority of which were females.<span> </span>In the Spanish language, a female goat is called <i>cabra</i>.<span> </span>They called the place as <i>La Isla de Cabra</i>.<span> </span>Years later, the name was shortened to Cabra.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The Spaniards established the community of Cabra in 1885.<span> </span>Since the ships going to Palawan, Mindanao and other countries, passed the sea surrounding the island, the Spanish government built a lighthouse here, in 1889.<span> </span>Up to the present time, the lighthouse still guides the ships & motorboats passing the sea around the island, especially during stormy weather.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Due to their strong connections with Spanish authorities, Manuel Alveyra and Antonio Muñiz were able to get land titles showing that the whole island of Cabra was their property.<span> </span>However, since they did nothing for the development of the island, they were not able to prevent the people from settling in this place.<span> </span>Among the first settlers were the families of Simeon de Lemos, Melecio Sales, Joaquin de Lemos, Domingo Insigne, Buenaventura de Lara, Pedro Villas, Jacinto Tulaylay and Paterno Martinez.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1917, during the American regime, an elementary school was opened in Cabra.<span> </span>The first teacher in this place was Mr. Sixto Masangcay.<span> </span>After seven years, Mrs. Susana Tameta was also assigned here.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During World War II, the Japanese soldiers rarely visited this island for the waves of the sea between Cabra and Lubang oftentimes grew big.<span> </span>Despite the rare visits, the farmers were not able to cultivate their farm due to the prevailing uncertain situation in the country during that time.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After the war, the population of Cabra increased.<span> </span>Four sitios appeared in the island; namely, Libis, Kay Sameon, Buli and Kalsada.<span> </span>Each sitio has its own patron saint:<span> </span>St. Joseph of Libis; Our Lady of Antipolo for Kay Sameon & Kalsada; and Holy Family of Buli.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>A barrio high school was opened in Cabra in 1966.<span> </span>However, after six years, it was closed due to few enrollees.<span> </span>In 1977, a group of Protestants led by Mr. Albano and Eduvigis de Vera founded Magnificat Academy.<span> </span>The said secondary school lasted only for five years.<span> </span>At present, Lubang National High School, the former vocational school at the center of the municipality, holds extension classes in the island.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>On December 6, 1966 the alleged apparition of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception on top of a hill in Cabra, hugged the headlines of major newspapers in the country for a week.<span> </span>Many devotees of the Blessed Virgin from different parts of the country went to this island to visit the hill of the alleged apparition.<span> </span>A chapel was built by the Catholic Church on the hill aptly called Burol by the families residing around it.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Potable water was the problem of the people of Cabra for years.<span> </span>In 1972, Fr. Bernhard Kassellmann, SVD built a windmill in the island.<span> </span>However, the quantity of water drawn by the windmill was not enough for the needs of the inhabitants, thus, when Fr. Lois Ortner, SVD was assigned as parish priest of Lubang, he dug two deep wells: at Sitio Kay Sameon on January 2, 1991 and at Sitio Buli on February 8, 1992.<span> </span>The said priest also helped solicit financial assistance for the improvement of a small pier for motorboats in the island.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The leaders who served as <i>teniente del barrio, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Cabra were Tomas Sales, Leandro Pacheco, Feliciano de Lara and James de Lara.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Wilbert Sales.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref31" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[31]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">3.<span> </span>MALIGAYA<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Life for the first settlers of this place was happy and peaceful, thus, they decided to call their community <i>Maligaya,</i> a Tagalog word which means happy.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The ancestors of the inhabitants of this place were already trading with Chinese merchants, even before the arrival of the Spaniards in the Philippines.<span> </span>From the merchants and sailors of Chinese junks, the ancestors learned how to weave clothes, construct a stone fort and make more advanced weapons for warfare.<span> </span>Their culture was influenced by some aspects of the Chinese culture, an example of which is great respect and obedience to their parents.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Since during that time, groups of men were already attacking and plundering communities, the people of Maligaya decided to build a stone fort where they could hide and defend themselves.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>One of the deckhand of Captain Juan de Salcedo wrote that when they visited Lubang Island in 1571, they found out that the civilization of the people living in this island was more advanced, compared with the people of other communities which they have visited during that time.<span> </span>He narrated that they were surprised when the defenders of the island hid inside the stone fort and fought the Spanish soldiers using more advanced weapons for warfare.<span> </span>Nevertheless, the Spanish soldiers defeated the defenders of the island and put Lubang under the jurisdiction of Spain.<span> </span>It was believed that the ancestors of the inhabitants of Brgy. Maligaya were the ones who fought the Spaniards for the stone fort in the island of Lubang could be found in this community.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Maligaya was one of the communities visited by the Spanish missionaries, when they propagated the Christian faith in Lubang.<span> </span>The inhabitants of this place helped in the construction of a wooden church and belfry in the area which is now the center of the municipality of Lubang.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the American regime, they called the fort in Maligaya as Fort of Sta. Catalina.<span> </span>At first, the people used to visit this place but after many years, since nobody took care of the historic structure, it was destroyed by the elements and thick bushes grew around it.<span> </span>At present, a well known individual in the area claims that he is the owner of the land where Fort of Sta. Catalina was built.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Since Maligaya was adjacent to the center of the municipality of Lubang, the children in this community studied at the elementary school opened by American authorities at the town’s center.<span> </span>When Fr. Enrique Demond, SVD established Stella Maris School in 1923, it gave opportunities to elementary school graduates of Lubang to acquire secondary education.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">During the Japanese occupation, some inhabitants of Maligaya were among the laborers who were forced to work by the soldiers at the airstrip of Lubang.<span> </span>Although the Japanese soldiers were strict, they were not cruel to the laborers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">After the war, the number of inhabitants of Maligaya increased until it was made as a sitio of Poblacion, Lubang.<span> </span>The municipal government was able to improve the roads in this community.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1962, when Hon. Francisco Sanchez was the municipal mayor of Lubang, Maligaya was created as a barrio.<span> </span>NemesioTerrenal, Jr., was elected as the first <i>capitan del barrio</i> of this place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">During martial law period, a concrete road was constructed at the center of Maligaya, which by that time, like other barrios was already called a barangay.<span> </span>Lubang Electric Cooperative (LUBELCO) was able to supply electricity to the houses found in this community.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The people of Maligaya helped in taking care of the Vietnamese refugees who were stranded in Lubang, during the latter part of Decade 70’s.<span> </span>Deeply religious, they became active members of the different religious organizations and movements.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">With the cooperation of the inhabitants, leaders of the barangay and the support of the provincial & national officials, a barangay hall, day care center, stage, plaza and children’s playground were constructed at Brgy. Maligaya.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Aside from <i>Capitan del Barrio </i>Terrenal, those who became leaders of Maligaya were Tirso Oliva, Agustin de Lara, Aristoteles Viguilla and Romeo Pag-ilagan.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Conrado Verdera, Jr.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref32" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[32]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">4.<span> </span>MALIIG</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>According to old residents of this place, the name of their community came from a tragic incident which happened during the height of Moro piracy in the island of Mindoro.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Since Lubang was a progressive community during that time, it was frequently attacked by Moro pirates.<span> </span>Great damage was brought to lives and properties by the piratical raids, thus, the inhabitants thought of constructing a fort.<span> </span>In addition, they trained hard in armed combat.<span> </span>When the pirates attacked again, they valiantly defended their community.<span> </span>They were able to defeat the enemies and they captured some pirates.<span> </span>To avenge the death of their town mates in the past years due to piratical raids, they brought their captives to a forested area in one part of Lubang.<span> </span>In that place, they cut the necks of the pirates.<span> </span>Since that time, the forested area was called <i>Pinagputlang Leeg</i> or <i>the place where necks were cut</i>.<span> </span>Years later, the name was shortened and it became Maliig.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Families of farmers and fishermen from Cavite, Bulacan, Batangas and Bataan who settled in other parts of Lubang transferred to Maliig, during the Spanish occupation of Mindoro.<span> </span>They cleared the forested area and converted it to ricefields and cornfields.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The first settlers of Maliig were composed of the families of Eustaquio Aguilar, Maria Insigne, Poten Villaluz, Modesto Torregoza, Ildefonso Torregoza, Aniceto Aguilar, Graciano Torregoza and Telesforo Zapata.<span> </span>The Spanish authorities designated Aniceto Aguilar as the <i>cabeza de barangay</i>.<span> </span>He was succeeded by Telesforo Zapata and Graciano Torregoza.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The people of Maliig could not forget the three calamities which happened in their place.<span> </span>The first one was the cholera epidemic which happened in 1879, when like other places of Lubang, many people died in this community.<span> </span>The second one was the strong earthquake which occurred in 1902 and the third one was the super typhoon, on October 16, 1918 which destroyed many houses.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the American regime, the authorities opened a primary school in this place.<span> </span>Cirilo Tarriela donated a piece of land where the schoolhouse was built.<span> </span>Through cooperative labor, the parents of the schoolchildren were able to build classrooms.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Before World War II broke out, a few families of Maliig evacuated to the mountains and forests of Lubang.<span> </span>They avoided the Japanese soldiers, especially when a warship of the enemies was bombed and sank by the warplanes of the Filipinos and Americans on the sea which was under the jurisdiction of Maliig.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The able bodied males who were left in this community were among the laborers who were forced to work by the Japanese soldiers at the airstrip of Lubang.<span> </span>Although the soldiers were strict, they were not cruel to the laborers.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Before the arrival of the U.S. led Allied Forces in the Philippines, American warplanes bombed the airstrip built by the Japanese at the center of the municipality of Lubang.<span> </span>Due to the loud explosions, the people of Maliig were greatly afraid.<span> </span>They thought that the bombs would be dropped in their community.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After the war, the people strived to improve their lives.<span> </span>The number of inhabitants increased, gradually, and the total land area planted to palay, corn and fruit trees widened.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>With the assistance of the municipal government, the leaders of the barangay were able to build farm to market roads, electric service was extended to many houses, a water system was established and tanks for potable water were installed.<span> </span>The leaders were also able to construct a barangay hall, day care center, concrete stage and playground at the plaza of the barangay.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Aside from the aforementioned <i>cabezas de barangay,</i> those who served as leaders of Maliig were Ricardo Aguilar, Juan Villas, Rufino Masangkay, Simpracio Aguilar, Anastacio Samonte, Simon Villaflores and Rufino Navarro.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Roberto Terrenal, Sr.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref33" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[33]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">5.<span> </span>POBLACION<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Big trees called in the native dialect as <i>lumbang</i> grew in this place, before the coming of the Spaniards in Mindoro.<span> </span>The ancestors of the inhabitants of this community named their settlement after the tree.<span> </span>After many years one letter disappeared from the name and it became Lubang.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In the history written by a teacher in 1950, it was mentioned that this community was established by Bernardo de Guzman, the leader of families of farmers from Bulacan who decided to settle in this place permanently.<span> </span>1750 was written as the date of the establishment of this community.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>It was also mentioned in the said history that Muslim traders bartered goods with the first settlers of this place.<span> </span>When the Spaniards occupied the Philippines, as a sign of protest against their subjugation of the natives, the Muslim traders became pirates.<span> </span>Lubang was one of the islands of Mindoro which they raided and plundered.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>From old baptismal records, it was learned that Fr. Timoteo Sanchez was assigned as the missionary priest of Lubang in 1863.<span> </span>The following year, Fr. P. Muriel succeeded him.<span> </span>The said priest built a church made of strong materials in this community.<span> </span>Through the power of the <i>gobernadorcillo </i>of this place, they obliged the inhabitants to work without compensation, for weeks, in order that the house of worship would be finished.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1882, there was an outbreak of cholera epidemic in Lubang.<span> </span>Fearing that his fellow villagers would also get sick of the dreaded disease, the <i>cabeza de barangay </i>of Looc did not allow anybody from Lubang to enter his village, including Fr. Tomas Roldan, the parish priest.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The public elementary school was established in Lubang in 1905, during the American regime.<span> </span>Agustin Craig, a teacher from the United States, was assigned by<span> </span>government authorities to teach in the public school.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1918, the center of the municipal government which was formerly located in Tilik was transferred to this place.<span> </span>That same year, the church built by Fr. Muriel was destroyed by a strong typhoon.<span> </span>It was rebuilt by Fr. Benito Rixner, SVD in 1935.<span> </span>After thirty years, it was improved and widened by Fr. Bernhard Kassellmann, SVD.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When Fr. Enrique Demond, SVD was assigned in this community in 1922, he founded a private school, Stella Maris School.<span> </span>It was the first Catholic school in the whole island of Mindoro.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When World War II broke out, an airstrip was constructed by the Japanese soldiers in Lubang.<span> </span>American warplanes bombed the Japanese warplanes in the said airstrip in 1944, prior to the arrival of the U.S. led Allied Forces in Mindoro.<span> </span>When American soldiers led by Lt. Campbell liberated the town’s center from Japanese occupation, the houses at the western part of the Poblacion were burned.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Years after the war, elected municipal officials of Lubang strived to develop the town’s center.<span> </span>A public hospital was opened here in 1969.<span> </span>After four years, Lubang Vocational High School which was established in Tilik in 1971 was transferred here.<span> </span>Later on, this school was renamed Lubang National High School.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1975, by virtue of a decree of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, Poblacion, Lubang was divided into different barangays.<span> </span>The barangays were named as <i>Araw at Bituin, Bagong Sikat, Banaag at Pag-asa, Likas ng Silangan, Maginhawa</i> and <i>Ninikat ng Pag-asa.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During martial law period, concrete roads were built at Poblacion, the houses were provided with electricity and a water system for clean drinking water was established.<span> </span>Through the cooperative effort of the municipal & provincial officials as well as leaders of the national government, the municipal hall and the plaza were improved.<span> </span>Buildings for the different agencies of the government were also constructed.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>At present, the leaders of the different barangays of Poblacion are Brgy. Capt. Leonardo Villas who succeeded Joselito Villas of <i>Araw at Bituin</i>; Brgy. Capt. Colito Bobadilla, Jr.; the successor of Cesar Villamar of <i>Bagong Sikat</i>; Brgy. Capt. Wilbert Daulat of <i>Banaag at Pag-asa</i>; Brgy. Captain Antonio Aguilar who replaced Lorencito Dueñas of <i>Likas ng Silangan;</i> Brgy. Capt. Roberto Tabor who succeeded Morito Tabor of <i>Maginhawa;</i> Edilberto Masangkay of <i>Paraiso</i>; and Juan Masangkay of <i>Ninikat ng Pag-asa</i>.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref34" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[34]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">6.<span> </span>SORVILLE </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The original name of this village was Ambulong.<span> </span>The name came from a kind of plant which grew abundantly in this hilly area, before the outbreak of World War II.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the war, the forests of Ambulong became the hideout of a group of guerrillas and individuals who avoided the Japanese soldiers.<span> </span>This was one of the places where the people gathered a kind of root crop which served as substitute for rice.<span> </span>Some old-timers of Lubang mentioned that the Japanese soldiers hid in its forest for many years.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When peace was restored, a great part of Ambulong was bought by the family of Juana Torreliza.<span> </span>The lowland was converted into ricefields and the grassy hills were made as pastureland.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>On the 1<sup>st</sup> day of July, 1957 on a high mountain near Ambulong, the Philippine government started the construction of Gozar Air Station which would serve as guard on the air space at the central southwestern part of the Philippines.<span> </span>To hasten the delivery of construction materials, the engineering battalion of the Philippine Army built the road from the highway of the island of Lubang to the air station.<span> </span>After four years or on November 16, 1961 the construction of the air station was finished and it started its operation.<span> </span>Many soldiers were assigned at the military facilities and some of them married the maidens of Ambulong. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the latter part of Decade 60’s, Col. Romulo Soriano was assigned as the commanding officer of Gozar Air Station.<span> </span>The said official requested from the authorities of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) that the government buy the land owned by Juana Torreliza and convert it as a housing subdivision for soldiers.<span> </span>The request was approved, thus, many soldiers who were assigned at Gozar Air Station bought lots and built houses in the subdivision.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Since Col. Romulo Soriano was the PAF official who strived that the soldiers could own house and lots, the housing subdivision was named Soriano Village.<span> </span>Later on, the name was shortened and became Sorville.<span> </span>After two years, there were more families living in this place than other parts of Ambulong.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In the early part of 1970, due to the increasing number of inhabitants, a complete elementary school was established by the government at Sorville.<span> </span>The soldiers who retired while assigned at the air station, decided to settle in this place.<span> </span>They requested the municipal government that their place be made a barrio.<span> </span>Members of the municipal council approved the request and Sorville was elevated to the status of a barrio in the latter part of 1971.<span> </span>In the first election held at the new barrio, a retired soldier, Aurelio Ventura was elected as the first <i>capitan del barrio</i>.<span> </span>The sitios under the jurisdiction of Ambulong were placed under his jurisdiction.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Even before the national government actively promoted the electrification program at the different parts of the Philippines, during martial law period, electric current already flowed to the houses of Sorville, through the electric plant at Gozar Air Station.<span> </span>With the help of the said station, a water system for clean drinking water was constructed by the municipal government in this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Through the efforts of Brgy. Captain Ventura and the leaders who succeeded him, additional school buildings were constructed at Sorville.<span> </span>The inhabitants were able to construct a playground and barangay hall at the plaza.<span> </span>It was easy to maintain peace and order in the community for almost all household heads were retired soldiers or are in active duty.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When Japanese straggler Hiroo Onoda surrendered to the commanding officer of Gozar Air Station in 1995, many residents of Sorville witnessed the official turn-over of the old soldier by PAF officers to the Japanese government.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Aside from Aurelio Ventura, those who served as barangay captain of Sorville were Saturnina Geronimo and Evaristo Quinan.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Domecito Bote.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref35" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[35]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">7.<span> </span>TAGBAC</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The name of the barangay came from a medicinal plant which looks like ginger that grew profusely in this place during the early days.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In the early days, anybody who passed this area, when asked by people whom he would met <i>as to the place</i> <i>where he come from, </i>would answer: <i>In the area where there are plenty of tagbak.</i><span> </span>When the Spaniards occupied Lubang, the spelling of the name of the place was changed, thus, when the foreigners listed the communities found in the island, they listed Tagbac.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>According to stories of old-timers of this place, in one part of Tagbac which the people called <i>Kabila,</i> the seashore of <i>Sitio Kusangloob</i> at present, the <i>champans</i> or ships of Chinese merchants who bartered goods with their ancestors, used to anchor.<span> </span>It was mentioned in history that from those merchants, the people of Lubang learned how to make more advanced weapons for warfare which they used in fighting the Spanish soldiers who landed in the island in 1572.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Old folks also frequently mentioned that in the middle part of the Spanish occupation of the Philippines, a ship of the foreigner ran aground the shores of Tagbac when it was buffeted by waves.<span> </span>Some passengers who were rescued were members of the family of Maria Papa.<span> </span>The inhabitants of this community took care of them for weeks before they were able to return to the place where they came from.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The first settlers of this place were composed of the families of Dinoy Tarras, Mariano Legazpi, Domingo Villas and Calixto de Lara.<span> </span>Despite the dreaded disease of malaria, they persevered in clearing the forested area and converted it into productive farms.<span> </span>They also helped the Spanish friar assigned at the center of the island, in building a chapel in their community.<span> </span>The materials used in building the house of worship were not durable, thus, at present no ruins could prove that during the early days a chapel existed in this place.<span> </span>It would have served as proof to the spread of Christianity in the island of Lubang.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During World War II, Japanese warships bombed in the sea of Tagbac, <i>La Estrella del Caltex,</i> an American ship.<span> </span>The said ship sank, but a few bombs which did not hit it, exploded on the shore and caused the burning of some houses in the community.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">A group of guerrillas made Tagbac as one of their hideouts, during the war.<span> </span>The group was under the command of Major Alberto Abeleda and Captain Carlos Valbuena..<span> </span>Among their soldiers were Juan Aguilar, Felipe Rason, Salvador Muñiz, Santiago Abeleda and Juan Tobillo.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">After the war, there was a rapid increase in the number of inhabitants in Tagbac.<span> </span>This community was made as a sitio of Lubang before it was officially created as a barrio in 1952.<span> </span>Esteban Tejoso was elected as the first <i>teniente del barrio.</i><span> </span>With the assistance of the municipal government and the people, an elementary school was opened and a schoolhouse was constructed </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Years later, the roads and bridges connecting Tagbac with other barrios were constructed.<span> </span>Electricity also reached the houses in this place.<span> </span>In addition, a day care center, barangay hall, concrete stage and the playground in the plaza were constructed.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The Catholic Church also helped in improving the life of the people in Tagbac.<span> </span>As a result of the formation program implemented in this barangay by the priests and religious sisters assigned at the town’s center and the visits of Bishop Vicente Manuel, SVD, DD to this place, the Basic Ecclesial Community (BEC) of Tagbac became active.<span> </span>Through the efforts of its members, the chapel constructed by Fr. Bernhard Kasellmann, SVD was made bigger.<span> </span>At the start of the new millennium, when San Isidro Labrador Parish was created as a parish, Tagbac was made as its center.<span> </span>The chapel was again made bigger by BEC members.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Aside from Esteban Tejoso, those who served as <i>teniente del barrio, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Tagbac were Felipe de Lara, Sesinando de Lara, Segundo Morales, Donato Saballo, Rodolfo Tarras and Redentor de Lara.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Isagani Tamayosa.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref36" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[36]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">8.<span> </span>TANGAL<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The name of the place came from a kind of tree, the powdered bark of which is being mixed with <i>tuba</i>, a wine extracted from the juice of coconut flowers, in order that its taste would become more potent and easily intoxicate the person who would drink it.<span> </span>The powdered bark of that tree is called <i>tangal,</i> hence, the name of the place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>This place was a forest during the Spanish occupation of Mindoro.<span> </span>It has a swamp where nipa palms abound, the leaves of which were being woven into shingles and used as roof of houses.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The part of the sea facing Tangal, like that of Tagbac and Binacas was also a part of the historic Battle of Manila Bay.<span> </span>According to the story handed down for generations by the ancestors of the inhabitants of Tangal, the battle of the Dutch and Spanish warships which started at Manila Bay reached the sea of this barangay.<span> </span>A part of the story stated that a galleon of the Spaniards sank at the sea near the area.<span> </span>For years, there were groups of divers who searched for the treasure chest which was allegedly a part of the cargo of the sunken galleon.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the American regime, the farmers cleared the forest of Tangal and turned it into farmland.<span> </span>Some of them built huts near the seashore, together with families of the fishermen.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When World War II broke out, although the Japanese soldiers were civil in dealing with the inhabitants of Tangal, the lives of the latter were also affected.<span> </span>Due to the uncertain condition of the whole country during that time, majority of the farmers were not able to plant palay, thus, food became scarce.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">After the war, the number of inhabitants of Tangal increased.<span> </span>It became a sitio of Tagbac.<span> </span>A few years later, the sitio grew.<span> </span>The inhabitants requested the members of the municipal council of Lubang that Sito Tangal be elevated to the status of a barrio.<span> </span>Their request was granted.<span> </span>In 1950, Tangal was created as a barrio.<span> </span>Manuel Cajayon was elected as the first <i>teniente del barrio</i>.<span> </span>Under his administration, an elementary school was opened by the government in this community.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">With the cooperation of the people, leaders of the barangay and local officials, the road and bridges connecting Tangal with Binacas and Tagbac were constructed.<span> </span>According to old-timers of this place, most of the wooden bridge or those structures called <i>Bailey bridges</i> were constructed during the administration of Hon. Francisco Sanchez as municipal mayor of Lubang.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Since Tangal is facing China Sea, a sea vessel full of Vietnamese refugees was stranded in this community, in 1970.<span> </span>The inhabitants and the local government of Lubang helped them.<span> </span>After staying in Tangal for a few months, they were sent to the refugee processing center in the province of Bataan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">In 1971, a calamity occurred in Tangal.<span> </span>That year, big waves from the sea destroyed the houses near the seashore.<span> </span>Fortunately, the inhabitants were able to evacuate to higher grounds.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Fearing that a similar calamity would occur again, no family dared to build a house near the seashore of Tangal for three years.<span> </span>They only built shelters in that place when a concrete chapel was constructed by Fr. Bernhard Kassellmann, SVD in the area damaged by big waves.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During martial law period, through Lubang Electric Cooperative (LUBELCO), electricity reached the houses of the inhabitants of Tangal.<span> </span>A multi-purpose pavement, day care center, concrete stage and barangay hall were also constructed.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>At present, barangay leaders and fishermen were helping members of the local police force in driving away illegal fishermen at the part of the sea under the jurisdiction of Tangal.<span> </span>They were driven by their desire to preserve the marine resources in their barangay.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Aside from Manuel Cajayon, those who served as <i>capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Tangal were Marcelino Tarras, Fructuoso Tarras, Francisco de Lara, Emiliano Torres, Estelito Pag-ilagan, Eugenio Guimba and Eduardo Tarras.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Richard Insigne.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref37" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[37]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">9.<span> </span>TILIK<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Families of farmers and fishermen from the provinces of Batangas, Cavite, Quezon and Bataan were the first settlers of this place.<span> </span>Among them were the families of Aguilar, Cajayon, Tria, Castillo and de Lemos.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The original name of this community was <i>Bantayan</i>.<span> </span>However, during the Spanish occupation of Mindoro, a few foreign soldiers landed on the seashore of this place.<span> </span>Since they could not locate the trail, they forced their way through the thorny branches of aroma trees.<span> </span>Some thorns were embedded in their pants and shirts.<span> </span>While removing the thorns, some settlers of Bantayan saw them.<span> </span>In the Spanish language, the foreigners asked the settlers the name of their settlement.<span> </span>Since they did not understand what the Spaniards said, the settlers thought that the foreigners were asking them to identify the thorns embedded in their pants.<span> </span>They answered <i>TINIK. </i><span> </span>Perhaps the foreigners did not hear the answer clearly or they could not pronounce the word properly, thus, what they repeated as the name of the place was <i>TILIK</i>.<span> </span>From that time onwards, the place became known as Tilik.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In the history written by a teacher in 1950, it was mentioned that Tilik was created as a <i>pueblo</i> in 1750.<span> </span>It was also mentioned that when the Filipinos revolted against the Spaniards, a local chapter of the Katipunan was organized in Tilik, at the house of Mariano Aguilar, known during that time as <i>Kabesang </i>Nano.<span> </span>Active members of the movement were Pio Cajayon, Quintin de Lemos, Mariano Aguilar, Angel Surita, Gregorio Tria and Candido Aguilar.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1897, the group of revolutionaries surrounded the church & convent in Lubang and captured the Spanish priests & soldiers staying there.<span> </span>They detained their captives in the house owned by Angel Surita.<span> </span>They forced their prisoners to work under the heat of the sun for a few months.<span> </span>They sent their captives to Taysan, Batangas where other priests and soldiers captured in Mindoro were imprisoned until 1901.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1898, Alejandro Albano, an Aglipayan minister arrived in Tilik.<span> </span>Since there were no priests in the whole island of Lubang during that time, many islanders were convinced to join the religious sect.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1905, under the American regime, Lubang became a municipality and the seat of the municipal government was placed in Tilik.<span> </span>However, in 1918, the center of the municipal government was transferred to the place where it is located at present.<span> </span>Tilik became a barrio.<span> </span>The former municipal hall was made as a post office and after a few years it was converted into a school building.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the American regime, when Gov. Gen. Leonard Wood was the administrator of the Philippines, he strictly implemented cleanliness in all communities.<span> </span>Mrs. Maria Castillo, an old settler of Tilik, recalled that when the said governor general visited Tilik, he ordered the imprisonment of ten persons for twenty four hours because their houses and yards were dirty.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1922, a pier made of wood was built by the Americans in Tilik. <span> </span>It was repaired in 1938.<span> </span>When the late Assemblyman Pedro Mendiola, Sr. was elected as the representative of Occidental Mindoro to the Philippine Congress during martial law period, a concrete pier was constructed in Tilik.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When World War II broke out, thirteen motorboats full of Japanese soldiers under the command of Captain Ichi, arrived in Tilik.<span> </span>They established a garrison in this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>On February 28, 1945 the American soldiers liberated Tilik from Japanese occupation.<span> </span>With the restoration of peace, this community progressed, gradually.<span> </span>The first graduation ceremony for elementary school graduates was held in 1949.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">To serve as guide for sea vessels, the government built a lighthouse in Tilik in 1959.<span> </span>In order that their children could acquire secondary education, a barrio high school was opened by the association of parents and teachers in this place in 1966.<span> </span>Sto. Niño Nursery & Kindergarten was established, the following year. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">During martial law period, concrete roads and bridges were built in Tilik, electricity reached most of its houses, a barangay hall and day care center were constructed and a water system for clean drinking water was established.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Those who served as leaders of Tilik were Lorenzo Valenzuela, Jorge Balibay, Cleto Zurita, Julio de Lemos, Emilio Quiñones and Reynan Balibay.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Rustico Tria.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref38" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[38]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">10.<span> </span>VIGO<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The name of the barangay came from a tree called <i>malabrigo</i> by the families who first inhabited this place.<span> </span>After so many years of constant use, the name grew shorter and became Vigo.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Families of farmers from Batangas, Bataan and Cavite were the first inhabitants of this place.<span> </span>A public school teacher who wrote the history of this place in 1950, mentioned that among the original inhabitants of this place, the family of Fausto Tanayan was the first family who stayed here permanently.<span> </span>The teacher also mentioned that Vigo became a community in 1353 and Dangay, one of its sitios at present, started as a small settlement in 1796.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the Spanish occupation of Mindoro, a missionary friar built a chapel in Vigo.<span> </span>Government authorities also tried to educate the people through a system called <i>cartilla</i>.<span> </span>Old-timers of this community mentioned the names of the first teachers of <i>cartilla.</i><span> </span>They were <i>Maestrong Tolo, Ani</i> and <i>Enbin</i>.<span> </span>Moreover, according to them, the teacher who actively taught the Spanish language was <i>Maestrong</i> Jose Cueto.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The Spanish authorities imposed high taxes, a repressive law which the inhabitants of this place refused to obey.<span> </span>Many inhabitants, majority of them indigenous people, preferred to transfer from one place to another or lived in the mountains, to avoid paying taxes.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1901, the American soldiers landed in Tilik and Sitio Binasal of Vigo, before occupying Lubang.<span> </span>The whole island was placed under their jurisdiction.<span> </span>In 1902, a primary school was opened in this community.<span> </span>At first, classes were held in a privately owned house.<span> </span>It was only in 1904 when the American government constructed a schoolhouse in this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The chapel built by the missionary friar was destroyed by a typhoon in 1905.<span> </span>Through cooperative labor, the inhabitants built a temporary house of worship.<span> </span>It was replaced by a concrete chapel when the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) missionaries took care of the spiritual welfare of the people of Lubang.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The people of Vigo raised carabaos and cattle.<span> </span>Unfortunately, their livestock did not increase in number due to a disease called <i>rinderpest</i> by the old-timers which repeatedly killed large number of domesticated animals from 1904 to 1922.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In April 1909, almost all houses in Vigo were razed to the ground by a big fire which occurred in this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Two projects which the American government implemented in Vigo were the construction of the provincial road through this community in 1925 and the bridge over its river in 1940.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During World War II, Japanese soldiers occupied Lubang.<span> </span>Old-timers of Vigo stated that the enemies were not cruel to them.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When the U.S. led Allied Forces came to Mindoro, the Japanese soldiers in Lubang hid in the mountains.<span> </span>Nevertheless, in 1947, thirty of the so called <i>stragglers</i> surrendered to 1<sup>st</sup> Lt. Tyler Holland, the commanding officer of U.S. Task Force Division.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The Japanese stragglers who did not surrender continued hiding in the mountains.<span> </span>Within the seven year period of struggling to avoid the government soldiers who were hunting them down, coupled with stealing food from the farm of the inhabitants in order to survive, four men of Vigo became the victims of the stragglers.<span> </span>They were Melecio Telebrico and Felipe Tanglao whom they killed in 1945; Domingo Tanglao in 1949; and Servando Tanglao in 1952.<span> </span>The farmers of Vigo collectively heaved a sigh of relief when the last Japanese straggler of Lubang, Lt. Hiroo Onoda, surrendered to Phil. Air Force Chief Major General Jose Rancudo, on March 10, 1974 at Gozar Air Station.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The people of Vigo strived to make their barangay progressive.<span> </span>At present, their barangay is one of the progressive places in Lubang.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Among the leaders who served Vigo were Raul Villaflores and Dante Poblete.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Manuel Villaflores.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historylubang" name="_ednref39" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[39]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
</div>ROWELYN VERDIN MERCADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09575581693964613498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483057594829930987.post-12120233201984147452012-03-11T04:37:00.002-07:002012-03-11T04:37:38.233-07:00HISTORY OF ABRA DE ILOG<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #336666; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;"><strong>HISTORY OF ABRA DE ILOG</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><strong><span style="color: #996633;">By Rudy Candelario</span></strong> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #663333; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Translated in English by Benjamin Walata</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">I – DURING THE SPANISH REGIME</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Sto. Tomas was the first village in this community which was mentioned in the history written by Dutch researcher Antoon Postma, about the Parish of Calavite.<span> </span>According to the aforementioned researcher, Sto. Tomas was one of the mission stations being visited by Spanish missionaries in 1679.<span> </span>That same year, the parish priest of Baco also mentioned in his report that in the barrio of Ylog, he baptized fifteen (15) children and seventy eight (78) adults.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Mr. Postma also mentioned in his historical pamphlet <i>Mindoro Missions Revisited</i> that in 1722, a community for the indigenous people belonging to the Iraya tribe was established by the Augustinian Recollect missionaries in Talasungan, one of the places under Abra de Ilog at present.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1739, a group of Moto pirates attacked Talasungan.<span> </span>They burned the houses, after divesting it of its valuable objects.<span> </span>They captured many inhabitants of the village and sold them as slaves.<span> </span>The following year, they again plundered the village.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1750, a Spanish missionary reported that Talasungan was a mission station where three hundred fifty (350) baptized Irayas and one thousand (1,000) catechumens being taught by Fr. Tomas de < xml="true" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" prefix="st1" namespace="">San Jose of the Catholic faith, resided.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historyabradeilog" name="_ednref1" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[1]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>It was mentioned in an old document of the Spaniards that in 1765, Fr. Jose de San Antonio, the missionary assigned in Dongon, a village which was located at the present site of Brgy. San Nicolas, Sablayan was transferred to Ilog, the old name of the municipality of Abra de Ilog.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Due to the continuous attack of Moro pirates, the mission station of Talasungan was totally destroyed in 1788.<span> </span>Fr. Juan dela Concepcion, a Recollect missionary wrote that <i>“even the beautiful garden of flowers was mercilessly trampled and destroyed by the Moros.”</i><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1803, the Spanish missionary again established Abra de Ilog.<span> </span>In this place, they gathered, taught and baptized the indigenous people who lived in the mountains.<span> </span>In 1807, a missionary described in his report that in Mission San Rafael de Ylog, there were twenty nine (29) houses and one hundred thirty nine (139) baptized Irayas. <span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>A priest assigned in Calapan, who visited Abra de Ilog in 1827, stated in his report that Domingo Pangilinan was the <i>gobernadorcillo</i> of this village.<span> </span>It was stated in an old map drawn in 1829 that this place was a <i>visita</i> of Calapan, with sixty two taxpayers and has a <i>baluarte</i> or fort where a <i>pedrero</i> or a mason worked.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1832, when the people of Sablayan filed a complaint against the parish priest of Iriron due to his harsh treatment of his parishioners, the <i>castillano </i>or Spaniard who lived in Abra de Ilog helped them approach the concerned government officials in Calapan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Before the Filipinos revolted against the Spaniards, the families of Zoleta from Marinduque and Leyco from Batangas arrived.<span> </span>Almost all public land in Abra de Ilog were bought by these two families.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historyabradeilog" name="_ednref2" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[2]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1898, a group of revolutionaries from Abra de Ilog helped the group of Filipino freedom fighters who attacked Calapan, particularly the capitol where Mindoro Governor Rafael Morales held office.<span> </span>After one month, with the support of Col. Alfonso Panopio of Batangas, the revolutionaries of Mindoro forced Governor Morales to surrender.<span> </span>The formal surrender of the Spanish governor took place at the spacious plaza of Calapan, on July 1, 1898.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historyabradeilog" name="_ednref3" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[3]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">II – DURING THE AMERICAN REGIME</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The independence gained by the Mindoreños from the Spaniards lasted only for almost four years.<span> </span>In August 1901, the American soldiers under the command of Major R.K. Evans attacked Mindoro.<span> </span>A company led by Captain F.B. Shaw attacked Calapan and Abra de Ilog.<span> </span>A group of revolutionaries under the command of Col. Deogracias Leyco gallantly defended Abra de Ilog.<span> </span>Although the defenders of Calapan surrendered, the group of Col. Leyco continued resisting the American soldiers using the guerrilla style of fighting.<span> </span>Their armed resistance lasted for almost a year before they finally surrender due to the superior weapons of the enemies.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historyabradeilog" name="_ednref4" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[4]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1902, under the American government, Abra de Ilog was created as a municipality.<span> </span>Rosalio Miciano was appointed as the first municipal president. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>To lessen the expenses in administering the local government, the American authorities reduced the number of municipalities in Mindoro.<span> </span>On January 4, 1905 by virtue of Act 1280, Abra de Ilog was made as a barrio of Mamburao.<span> </span>After five years or in 1910, it was again created as a municipality.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>From 1908 to 1912, during the administration of Captain Louis J. Van Schaick as governor of Mindoro, only four barrios were under the jurisdiction of Abra de Ilog.<span> </span>The barrios were Balao, Camurong, Baluguhan and Kabignayan.<span> </span>However, from 1914 up to 1969, during the administration of Filipino governors, more barrios were created and added to the original four.<span> </span>The additional barrios were San Vicente, Cabacao, Tibag, Wawa, Lumangbayan and Matabang.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historyabradeilog" name="_ednref5" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[5]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The first building for the primary school was constructed at the center of the municipality of Abra de Ilog in 1916.<span> </span>The following years, the government appointed teachers and built schoolhouses at the different barrios of the town.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The road connecting Abra de Ilog and Mamburao was constructed by the Americans.<span> </span>It was finished in 1935.<span> </span>Due to this development, many schoolchildren of Abra de Ilog were able to study at the elementary school of Mamburao.<span> </span>It became easier for the people of Mamburao to go to Abra de Ilog and board the big sailboat plying the Batangas-Abra de Ilog route.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historyabradeilog" name="_ednref6" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[6]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In the book written by Professor Remigio Agpalo in 1971, with the title of <i>The Political Elite and the People,</i> he mentioned that a school for the Iraya tribe was established by the American government at Sitio Tara, Brgy. Balao, Abra de Ilog on January 11, 1939 by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 369.<span> </span>The classes opened for the children of the indigenous people at Tara Settlement Farm School were from Grade I to Grade IV.<span> </span>Unfortunately, World War II broke out and the school was closed.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historyabradeilog" name="_ednref7" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[7]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>One of the incidents which the people of Abra de Ilog, particularly of Brgy. Wawa could not forget, was the visit of President Manuel Quezon to this town in 1941.<span> </span>The president was aboard his yacht which dropped anchor near the shore of Wawa.<span> </span>He conferred with the local officials of Abra de Ilog inside his yacht.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historyabradeilog" name="_ednref8" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[8]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The leaders who served as municipal presidents of Abra de Ilog during the American regime were Gavino de Jesus, Jose Zoleta, Ricardo Zoleta II, Francisco Isla, Leon Venturanza, Estanislao Vasquez and Ireneo Cortuna.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">III – DURING THE JAPANESE REGIME</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1942, when the Japanese soldiers under the command of Captain Gashawara occupied Abra de Ilog, they burned the buildings t the town’s center.<span> </span>They converted into a garrison the old house of Ricardo Zoleta, the richest person in that town.<span> </span>In the said garrison, they killed twenty suspected members or supporters of the guerrilla movement and tortured fifty civilians in their intense desire to find the hideout of the group of communication experts led by Major Philips.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>A group of guerrillas was formed by Sgt. Ciriaco Ramos and Sgt. Mateo Serra in Abra de Ilog.<span> </span>They joined it with the group of freedom fighters in Paluan under the leadership of Lt. Pedro Nitura.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historyabradeilog" name="_ednref9" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[9]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1942, a big fire believed to be started by the Japanese soldiers razed to the ground almost all the buildings and houses in Abra de Ilog.<span> </span>Those who lost their homes evacuated to the mountains and other municipalities.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the war, suspected of being a supporter of the enemies, Col. Deogracias Leyco, the former leader of the Filipino revolutionaries who was appointed as municipal judge by the American authorities was killed by the guerrillas.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>In 1943, a group of soldiers who were experts in communication and led by Major Lawrence Phillips, built an underground radio communication network at Mt. Calavite.<span> </span>One of the places which the said group often visited was Abra de Ilog.<span> </span>The group was a big help to the combined Filipino-American forces who were fighting the Japanese for it reported the activities and movements of the Japanese warplanes and warships on the sea surrounding the island of Mindoro, including Manila Bay.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historyabradeilog" name="_ednref10" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[10]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After months of intensive manhunt and with the help of their spies, the Japanese soldiers were able to locate the hideout of Major Phillips.<span> </span>In March 1944, the enemies riddled with bullets Major Phillips and his companions while they were taking a bath at Kabilugan River, Abra de Ilog.<span> </span>Luckily, Lt. Ruben Siongco and Sgt. Benjamin Harder, survived the treacherous assault.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When Major Phillips died, Major Ramsey, an American official accompanied by twelve scout rangers arrived in Abra de Ilog.<span> </span>Within their three hour stay in this town, they gathered information on the incident which led to the assassination of Major Phillips.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In July 1944, Commander George Rowe and his group arrived in Abra de Ilog.<span> </span>They continued the mission of Major Phillips --- monitoring the movement of the Japanese soldiers in Mindoro, Southern Tagalog and Manila, through the messages intercepted from the radio network of the enemies.<span> </span>They established their headquarters and radio communication equipment at Barrio Matabang.<span> </span>The information they gathered were of great help to the Filipino guerrillas and American soldiers who continued the fight against the Japanese Imperial Army while they were waiting for the return to the Philippines of the liberation forces led by General Douglas McArthur.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>On December 15, 1944 members of the Allied Forces landed at the municipality of San Jose.<span> </span>Before the end of the said month, the liberating forces freed from the hands of the Japanese Imperial Army all the towns in West Mindoro, including Abra de Ilog.<span> </span>The enemy soldiers who were occupying Abra de Ilog retreated to the mountains of Paluan.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historyabradeilog" name="_ednref11" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[11]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> <span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">IV – AFTER THE WAR</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After the war, Mayor Francisco Leido served as the leader of Abra de Ilog.<span> </span>He strived for the economic and moral recovery of the people of this municipality from the great damage brought by World War II.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1950, a member of the municipal council of Abra de Ilog, Councilor Rafael Licera, tried to reopen Tara Settlement Farm School, the school for the indigenous people belonging to the Iraya tribe.<span> </span>Fred Sumbad, an Igorot who was appointed as field representative of the Commission on National Integration (CNI) in Sablayan, helped him.<span> </span>Their request for the reopening of the school was endorsed by the CNI to the Superintendent of Schools and Congressman Felipe Abeleda.<span> </span>Unfortunately, since no funds were available for the reopening of the school, the request was not granted.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historyabradeilog" name="_ednref12" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[12]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Mayor Vicente del Mundo succeeded Mayor Leido as the town’s executive.<span> </span>He also worked for the moral and economic recovery of his people from the damages brought by war.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The next chief executive of the municipality was Mayor Dionisio Cortuna.<span> </span>During his administration, the office of the municipal government was placed at the building which is now being used as rural health center.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After the term of office of Mayor Cortuna, Honorable Apolinario Zoleta was elected as the mayor of Abra de Ilog.<span> </span>He constructed the building for the public market building in this municipality. <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Dr. Jose Rubio, a dentist, was the next municipal mayor of Abra de Ilog.<span> </span>Through his efforts and with the support of the national and provincial government, the municipal building was built.<span> </span>In connection with his public health program, canals were dug on both sides of the roads at the center of the municipality of Abra de Ilog.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Motorboats for passengers and cargoes started plying the Abra de Ilog – Batangas City route in 1955.<span> </span>The aforementioned sea vessels dropped anchor near the seashore of Sitio Matabang.<span> </span>Due to this development the flow of goods and services became brisk and many families from other provinces migrated to Abra de Ilog.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Another politician from the Zoleta clan was elected as mayor of Abra de Ilog after the term of office of Mayor Rubio.<span> </span>He was Mayor Ricardo Zoleta II.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>When Fr. John Fisher, SVD was assigned as parish priest of this municipality in 1965, he founded San Rafael High School.<span> </span>Many youth of Abra de Iog were given the opportunity to pursue secondary education due to the presence of this Catholic high school.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historyabradeilog" name="_ednref13" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[13]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1969, Hon. Apolinario Zoleta was again elected as municipal mayor of Abra de Ilog.<span> </span>He succeeded Mayor Ricardo Zoleta II.<span> </span>Some of the projects he implemented were the repair of the municipal building, construction of a building for the offices of different government agencies and the concrete stage at the municipal plaza.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1972, when Mayor Gonzalo Zoleta was the local chief executive, a system for potable water was established in Abra de Ilog.<span> </span>Electricity supplied by the electric cooperative of Oriental Mindoro reached this municipality.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>For the third time, Hon. Apolinario Zoleta was elected as the municipal mayor of Abra de Ilog.<span> </span>In 1986, during his last year in office, the municipal building of Abra de Ilog was burned.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">V – AFTER THE PEACEFUL EDSA REVOLUTION </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After the peaceful revolution at EDSA in 1986, President Corazon Aquino appointed Ricardo Reyes as OIC Mayor of Abra de Ilog.<span> </span>He did his duty well that during the 1987 Elections, his town mates decided to extend his term as mayor of this municipality.<span> </span>Under his administration, a new building was constructed to house the different offices of the municipal government, concrete roads and municipal plaza were built, including a center for the senior citizens of this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Despite the peace process advocated by the government, during the last part of Decade Eighties, the rebel group belonging to the New Peoples Army (NPA) strengthened their force in Occidental Mindoro.<span> </span>In 1987, a big group of NPA rebels entered the town’s center.<span> </span>They gathered the people, including the policemen in front of the municipal hall.<span> </span>They explained to the crowd the ideology of the communists.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When the commanding officer of the Philippine Constabulary (PC) detachment in Mamburao learned about the presence of the NPAs in Abra de Ilog, a group of soldiers led by Lt. Leonides Ortiz was sent to this place.<span> </span>Unfortunately, another group of NPA rebels ambushed the soldiers in a sitio of Brgy. Armado, near Brgy. Cabacao.<span> </span>Lt. Ortiz died during the ambush.<span> </span>The eighteen soldiers and a civilian who were with him in the military truck were wounded in that treacherous attack.<span> </span>The communication facilities of the soldiers were totally destroyed.<span> </span>The rebels took with them the twelve high caliber firearms of the soldiers when they retreated to the mountains.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historyabradeilog" name="_ednref14" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[14]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>To avoid the occurrence of similar incidents in the future, the government intensified the giving of seminars to the people in the rural areas, highlighting the advantages of a democratic form of government.<span> </span>They also strengthened the implementation of the peace process in the province.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1988, during the administration of Occidental Mindoro Governor Peter Medalla, Jr., a concrete pier was constructed in Abra de Ilog.<span> </span>The travelers started using it in 1992.<span> </span>Due to this development project, the number of sea vessels plying the Abra de Ilog – Batangas City route increased.<span> </span>Roll-on roll-off ships carried not only passengers and cargoes but also passenger jeeps and cargo trucks from other municipalities of Occidental Mindoro.<span> </span>The number of passenger jeeps and buses going to Abra de Ilog from other towns of the province increased.<span> </span>The roads and bridges joining Abra de Ilog and Mamburao were repaired.<span> </span>However, due to the uncontrolled cutting of trees on the mountains of this town, every rainy season, flood frequently occurred and the roads and bridges were oftentimes destroyed.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In answer to the request of parents & teachers, a public high school was opened by the Department of Education in Abra de Ilog, in 1992.<span> </span>As a result, two schools offering secondary education could be found in Abra de Ilog; San Rafael High School and Abra de Ilog National High School.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historyabradeilog" name="_ednref15" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[15]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the 1998 Elections, Atty. Ma. Gloria Montenegro was elected as municipal mayor of Abra de Ilog.<span> </span>Among her visible accomplishments were the concreting of roads and bridges.<span> </span>He attended to the needs of her constituents, including the indigenous people belonging to the Iraya tribe.<span> </span>With the support of the national & provincial government, the highway joining Abra de Ilog and Mamburao was widened and turned into concrete.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Despite the effort of Mayor Montenegro to maintain peace & order in Abra de Ilog, the NPA rebels continued to sow fear to the people of this municipality.<span> </span>On October 18, 2002 SPO4 Christopher Pacaul was killed by NPA hit men while he was on his way to his boarding house.<span> </span>The soldiers immediately hunted the perpetrators of the crime but up to the present time, they were not able to capture the assassins.<span> </span>Due to that fateful incident, military checkpoints were put up in some portions of the highway linking Abra de Ilog and Mamburao.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historyabradeilog" name="_ednref16" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[16]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Mayor Ma. Gloria Montenegro was reelected as <span> </span>the local chief executive of Abra de Ilog during the 2004 Elections.<span> </span>She continued implementing the development projects in this municipality. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><strong>HISTORY OF THE NINE BARANGAYS OF ABRA DE ILOG</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">I – ARMADO</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The indigenous people belonging to the Iraya tribe were the first settlers of this place.<span> </span>They lived by hunting and farming using the <i>kaingin</i> system of agriculture. As much as possible, they avoided contact with the lowlanders.<span> </span>They also avoided the Spanish missionaries during the Spanish regime.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the last part of the Spanish regime, families from Batangas and Marinduque who were looking for vacant land to farm, landed at the seashore of Abra de Ilog.<span> </span>Some of them reached this sitio.<span> </span>They bought the <i>kaingin</i> of the Iraya and occupied the wide vacant land.<span> </span>The indigenous people transferred to the mountains.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Life was peaceful and simple for the families who settled in this part of Abra de Ilog.<span> </span>However, when the Filipinos revolted against the Spaniards, men of this place joined the revolutionary forces.<span> </span>The freedom fighters hid their arms in this sitio.<span> </span>During that time, the male inhabitants of this place carried weapons or were armed.<span> </span>In Spanish, armed men were called <i>armado</i>.<span> </span>The sitio got its name from that word.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1901, during the American occupation of Mindoro, people from other places arrived and lived in Armado.<span> </span>As a result, in this sitio, one could hear not only Tagalog but also Ilocano, Bicolano and Visayan dialects.<span> </span>Barrio officials of Cabacao were the ones who administered this sitio.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">For years, the children of Armado attended classes at the elementary school of Cabacao.<span> </span>In 1974, through the efforts of Franco Mercene, the Department of Education opened Grade I & Grade II classes in this sitio.<span> </span>Many pupils enrolled in the primary school.<span> </span>After two years, the primary school became a complete elementary school.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">After the establishment of Armado Elementary School, the farmers formed a cooperative.<span> </span>It was called Armado Multi-Purpose Cooperative.<span> </span>Seventy (70) members joined the group.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">On August 21, 1991 Armado was elevated to the status of a barangay.<span> </span>Appointed as its first barangay captain was Lauro Damiray.<span> </span>The first members of the Sangguniang Barangay were Ellen Mauleon, Villardo Zoleta, Bayani Quiñones, Larry Belen, Hermogenes Dimasacat and Yolito Cortuna.<span> </span>Appointed as barangay secretary and barangay treasurer were Evelyn Quiñones and William Cordis, respectively.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">During the election held in May 1994, Sancho Quiåones was elected as barangay captain.<span> </span>The members of the Sangguniang Barangay were Myrna Manalo, Loreto Manalo, Isidro Bumatay, Arturo Fajardo, Manolo Villalobos, Yolito Cortuna and Adolfo Damiray.<span> </span>Appointed as secretary & treasurer of the barangay were Rudemson Fajardo and William Cordis respectively.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Through the efforts of the abovementioned officials, a day care center, health center, waiting shed, basketball court and meeting hall were constructed in Armado.<span> </span>Two classrooms were built and the comfort room of the school was repaired.<span> </span>In addition, the road connecting Armado with its eight sitios were improved.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">On May 11, 1997 Sancho Quiñones was reelected as barangay captain of Armado.<span> </span>Elected as members of the Sangguniang Barangay were Ronnie Manalo, Edwin Manalo, Aser Cabarles, Yolito Cortuna, Evelyn Quiñones, Adolfo Damiray, Rodrigo Basilio, Luis Deladia and SK Chairman Rhodora Fajardo.<span> </span>Luisito Daprosa was appointed as barangay secretary.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The leader of Armado at present is Brgy. Captain Yolito Cortuna.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historyabradeilog" name="_ednref17" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[17]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">2.<span> </span>BALAO</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The indigenous people used to get from this place a kind of grass the roots of which were used to make fishes dizzy so that it could easily be caught.<span> </span>In their dialect, they called that kind of grass as <i>balao</i>.<span> </span>They also called by that name this place where the said kind of grass grew abundantly.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the Spanish regime, only the kaingins of the indigenous people could be found in this place.<span> </span>Like other settlements in Abra de Ilog, when families of farmers from Batangas and Marinduque arrived, the indigenous people transferred to the mountains.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The place where Balao is located at present was a former sitio named <i>Tulay Bulo</i>.<span> </span>It got its name from an improvised bridge built over its wide river.<span> </span>The bridge was made of a specie of bamboo known in the Tagalog dialect as <i>bulo</i>.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The place originally called Balao was the wide plain near <i>Tulay Bulo</i> where Cortuna Family lived.<span> </span>However, when the said family transferred to <i>Tulay Bulo,</i> they changed the name of the sitio to Balao.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In the early part of the American regime, a group of families from Marinduque and Batangas settled in Balao.<span> </span>The group was composed of the families of Quirino de Guzman, David Masangcay, Felix Palma and Federico Damiray.<span> </span>They cleared the forests and converted it into agricultural land.<span> </span>The sitio grew and when Abra de Ilog was created as a municipality in 1910, Balao was included in the list of barrios under its jurisdiction.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When World War II broke out, Cortuna Family hid in the original sitio of Balao. The Japanese soldiers did not reach this place.<span> </span>The old men who did not leave <i>Tulay Bulo</i> recalled that the individuals who made their lives difficult were not the Japanese soldiers but those who pretended to be members of a group of guerrillas in Abra de Ilog.<span> </span>The said group demanded food from the people and those who disobeyed them were either tied on anthills or under the scorching heat of the sun.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After the war, the people of Balao tried to make their barrio progressive.<span> </span>In order that their children would be able to study, they requested the municipal officials that a teacher be assigned in their community.<span> </span>In 1948, Mayor Dionisio Cortuna assigned Mr. Crisostomo Paras as the first teacher of Balao.<span> </span>The house of Luis Guna in Lutic, a sitio of Balao, was made as the temporary classroom of the first twenty pupils in Grade I.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>That same year, the Municipal Council of Abra de Ilog officially approved the request of the inhabitants of Balao that their place be created as a barrio.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1949, the primary school of Balao was transferred to the lot of Ricardo Zoleta, on the place where the center of the barangay is located at present.<span> </span>Under the leadership of Norberto de Leon, the parents of schoolchildren built a school house made of lumber, bamboos and nipa shingles, through cooperative labor.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1952, under the administration of Mayor Ireneo Cortuna, a school building made of strong materials was constructed in Balao.<span> </span>The lot where it was built was donated by Cortuna Family.<span> </span>After a few years, the primary school became a complete elementary school.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Through the cooperation of the inhabitants, barangay leaders and local officials, a concrete bridge was built in Balao, the road connecting the barangay with nearby places was constructed, the barangay plaza was improved and the barangay hall and concrete stage were built.<span> </span>Moreover, some of the projects implemented by the national government in this place were the Core Housing at Sitio Magnot and the Day Care Center at Sitio Lutic.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The leaders who served as <i>teniente del barrio, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Balao were Pedro del Mundo, Quirino de Guzman, Jose Mendoza, Norberto de Leon, Venancio Cortuna, Agapito Arellano, Eugenio Cortuna, Gervacio Cortuna, Ambrocio Salagubang and Crisogono Ulayao.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Flocerpido Reyes.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historyabradeilog" name="_ednref18" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[18]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">3.<span> </span>CABACAO</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The indigenous people belonging to the Iraya tribe named this place as <i>Baluguhan</i> because it was here where a kind of tree they called <i>balugo</i>, grew abundantly.<span> </span>However, the name was changed to Cabacao when people from Lemery, Batangas and Marinduque arrived and settled in this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The change of name was due to a question of a Batangueño which was misunderstood by an Iraya.<span> </span>The said member of the tribe of indigenous people thought that the Batangueño was asking the name of the bird which was singing during that time, instead of the name of the place.<span> </span>He answered <i>bacao</i>.<span> </span>The Batangueño thought that it was the name of the place.<span> </span>He told the group of families which settled here that Bacao was the name of their settlement.<span> </span>Years later, the name became Cabacao </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When more families from Lemery, Batangas and Boac, Marinduque arrived and settled in this place, the indigenous people transferred to the mountains.<span> </span>The group of people who decided to live here was composed of the families of Venturanza, de Joya, Ramos and de Jesus.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The number of inhabitants of Cabacao increased, gradually.<span> </span>In 1933, during the American regime, the parents requested the municipal government that a primary school be opened in their community.<span> </span>The municipal councilors approved their request.<span> </span>In 1934, Mr. Venancio Cortuna was assigned as the first Grade I teacher in Cabacao.<span> </span>Temporarily, the house of Jose Acbang was used as classroom.<span> </span>After three years, the government constructed the school building on the lot donated by Deogracias Leyco.<span> </span>It took thirty three years before the primary school became a complete elementary school and Mrs. Lourdes Balanza was assigned as its administrator.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When World War II broke out, the people of Cabacao experienced anxiety and hunger.<span> </span>Some of those who did not evacuate to other places became victims of the atrocities of the Japanese soldiers.<span> </span>A few men were forced to join the group of freedom fighters in order to avoid being tortured by the enemies.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">`<span> </span>When peace was restored, the inhabitants of Cabacao who evacuated to other places returned to their sitio.<span> </span>In addition, families of farmers from other municipalities of the province came and settled in this place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1961, the inhabitants of Cabacao petitioned the municipal government that their sitio be elevated to the status of a barrio.<span> </span>The members of the Municipal Council of Abra de Ilog endorsed the petition to the provincial government and when it was approved, by means of a plebiscite, the officials of the local government asked the people of Cabacao if they would like that their sitio be made as a barrio.<span> </span>Overwhelmingly, the people answered in the affirmative, thus, Cabacao was created as a barrio in 1962.<span> </span>Santiago Garcia was elected as the first <i>teniente del barrio.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Unity and cooperation among clan members was strong in this community.<span> </span>When one member has a problem, the clan as a whole worked for its solution.<span> </span>Although this trait was laudable, sometimes, it caused the unending conflicts and tensions between the clans.<span> </span>In his desire to maintain peace and order in this barrio, the municipal mayor requested that a detachment of the Philippine Constabulary be placed in Cabacao.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Some of the good things which happened in Cabacao, these past years, were the employment opportunities given by Dizon’s Farm, the opening of extension classes of Abra de Ilog National High School in this barangay and a group of families were chosen as beneficiaries of the Tilapia Fry Dispersal Project of Mayor Meg Montenegro, the present head of the municipal government of Abra de Ilog.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Two tragic events which brought sadness and anxiety to the people of Cabacao were the killing of Brgy. Captain Nicomedes Pagara in 1992, and the assassination of Brgy. Captain Antonio de Jesus in 1998.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>With the cooperation of the people, barangay officials and the municipal & provincial government, the roads connecting Cabacao with other barangays and the town’s center were improved; the barangay hall, day care center, concrete stage and barangay plaza were constructed.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Aside from the aforementioned leaders, those who served as <i>teniente del barrio</i>, <i>capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Cabacao were Rodolfo Venturanza, Raymundo Dayandayan, Recaredo Venturanza, Romeo de Joya and Vedasto de Jesus.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Oscar Santileces.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historyabradeilog" name="_ednref19" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[19]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">4.<span> </span>LUMANGBAYAN </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The name of the place came from its being the center of the municipality of Abra de Ilog, during the latter part of the Spanish regime and the early part of the American occupation of Mindoro. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Like some communities in Abra de Ilog, the indigenous people belonging to the Iraya tribe were the early inhabitants of this place.<span> </span>However, since the sea vessels going to Calavite from Calapan passed through this coastal settlement, travelers from Batangas and Marinduque saw that a greater opportunity for their families’ economic progress existed in this place than in their home province.<span> </span>The families who first settled here were composed of the families of Balanza, Santos, Arile and de Mesa.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In the early part of the American occupation of Mindoro, since flood frequently occurred in their settlement, some families transferred to a higher place, which is now the location of the present center of the municipality of Abra de Ilog.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When World War II broke out, aside from harassing the people by means of brandishing their bayonets, kicking and other threatening gestures, the people of Lumangbayan did not experience the cruelties of the Japanese soldiers.<span> </span>Almost all male adults of this community joined secretly the group of guerrillas which established their headquarters at Sitio Urilan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1948, under the administration of Mayor Dionisio Cortuna, members of the municipal council of Abra de Ilog decided that for every two kilometer interval of communities, a primary school would be opened.<span> </span>As a result of that decision, two primary schools were opened at Lumangbayan: the first one was at the center of the barrio and the second one was at Sitio Matabang.<span> </span>The primary schools are now complete elementary schools.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The important projects which were implemented at Lumangbayan and its sitios are the following:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1991, under the administration of Governor Peter Medalla, the concrete pier at Matabang was opened.<span> </span>Due to this development, two ships regularly ply the Batangas City-Abra de Ilog route.<span> </span>Exchange of goods and services became more brisk between Occidental Mindoro and Batangas.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span><span> </span>The following year, two primary schools for the indigenous people were opened at Sitio Matabang and Urilan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1996, the barangay hall which was formerly located at one sitio of Lumangbayan was constructed at the center of the barangay.<span> </span>When the said project was finished, the National Irrigation Administration built the Alatin-Naujan Irrigation Project.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In order to help poor families, in 1997, Lumangbayan was placed under the CIDSS program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).<span> </span>After two years, DSWD built ten houses built for poor families.<span> </span>In addition, the national government constructed the health center of the barangay.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1999, Lumangbayan won two contests.<span> </span>The first one was the Clean & Green Program sponsored by the local government and the second one was the <i>Katarungang Pambarangay</i> Implementation Program sponsored by the provincial government.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The persons who served as leaders of Brgy. Lumangbayan were Vicente Enriquez, Inocencio Reyes, Fausto Taligatos, Pedro Balanza, Lorenzo Arile, Antonio Arile, Extanislao Reyes, Ludegario Balimbin and Leonardo Riano.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Herminio Arile.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historyabradeilog" name="_ednref20" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[20]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">5.<span> </span>POBLACION<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>This place was a forest during the Spanish occupation of Mindoro.<span> </span>The indigenous people belonging to the Iraya tribe sometimes came to this place to hunt for wildlife and to look for food.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the Spanish regime, the families of Panganiban and Rubio from Marinduque and Zoleta family from Lemery, Batangas decided to settle in this place.<span> </span>They cleared the forest and converted it into agricultural farm.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Years later, the number of inhabitants in this community increased.<span> </span>Moreover, the population rapidly grew when the center of the municipality of Abra de Ilog was transferred from Lumangbayan to this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1910, through the efforts of Mayor Augusto Zoleta of Abra de Ilog, a primary school was opened in this place.<span> </span>Its first schoolhouse was made of bamboos and nipa shingles.<span> </span>Only twenty pupils were enrolled in Grade I.<span> </span>Nevertheless, after six years, the primary school became a complete elementary school.<span> </span>Its concrete building was constructed by Mayor Ricardo Zoleta on the lot donated by Deogracias Leyco.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When World War II broke out, two big houses in this community were converted into garrisons by the Japanese soldiers.<span> </span>They obliged the inhabitants who did not evacuate to other places to exercise every morning at the town plaza.<span> </span>A few individuals whom they suspected of being members of the guerrilla movement were tortured.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After the war, many people who evacuated to other provinces returned to this community.<span> </span>Gradually, this place became progressive.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>A missionary priest felt the need for a secondary school in this community.<span> </span>He convinced his superiors at the Society of the Divine Word to open a Catholic school here.<span> </span>In 1969, classes for first year students formally opened at the Catholic school named San Rafael High School.<span> </span>Its founder was Fr. John Fischer, SVD.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During martial law period, the important roads in this community were turned into concrete.<span> </span>The municipal officials continued this kind of infrastructure project up to the present time.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1985, for unknown reasons, the municipal building of Abra de Ilog was razed by fire.<span> </span>The succeeding municipal mayors tried to construct again a concrete building and it was realized after eight years.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>With the financial assistance of the Department of Health and the cooperative effort of the local government & a non-government organization, a community hospital for the indigenous people was built at the town’s center in 1991.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Although there was already an existing secondary school, the association of parents & teachers and the municipal government worked for the opening of another high school in this community.<span> </span>They wanted that the poor students would have an opportunity to study in high school.<span> </span>With the help of the Department of Education, Culture & Sports, Abra de Ilog National High School was established in 1992.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Another calamity happened in Abra de Ilog in 1998.<span> </span>This was the burning of the public market building which was constructed a year ago.<span> </span>As a result, the stores on both sides of the main road of the town became the center of the public market.<span> </span>Brisk sale of the commodities from the said stores was realized, when a concrete pier was built at the nearby sitio.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>That same year, the multi-purpose plaza at the town’s center was improved.<span> </span>Aside from serving as a playground, the important gatherings sponsored by the local government were held here.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>The persons who served as leaders of Poblacion, Abra de Ilog were Reymundo Ituralde, Moises Sangalang, Atanacio Zoleta, Ernesto Miciano, Sr., Guillermo Ituralde, Atanacio Zapata, Nicanor Balanza, Isidoro Padua and Barolito Nieva.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Rouseller de Jesus.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historyabradeilog" name="_ednref21" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[21]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">6.<span> </span>SAN VICENTE</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The first name of this place was Sablay Uway.<span> </span>It was due to the abundance of rattan in this area, during the early days, that every time a person gets out of here, rolls of rattan vines are hanging on his shoulders.<span> </span>In the Tagalog dialect, the hanging of rattan vines is called <i>sablay uway,</i> thus, it became the name of this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Sablay Uway was a forest during the occupation of Mindoro by foreign powers.<span> </span>Some families permanently settled in this place only after World War II.<span> </span>Its first inhabitants were spouses Gregorio Bonifacio & Fructosa Alfaro and Francisco Aquino & Gabriela Cabral.<span> </span>After a few years, the families of Tano, Bacay, Bunyi, Anilao & de Chavez from Cabangisan, Isla Verde and Tingloy, Batangas arrived.<span> </span>The population grew until this community became a sitio of Barrio Tulay Bulo or Brgy. Balao at present.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Since a wide area of this place was a forest during the early days, a Chinese businessman from Batangas City built a saw mill here.<span> </span>Many able bodied males of Sablay Uway worked as laborers in the saw mill.<span> </span>The big trees disappeared, gradually, that after ten years, the saw mill stopped its operation.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The farmers, through the leadership of Pedro Manzano, built an irrigation system for their ricefields.<span> </span>They formed an association and it was named Tuay Farmers Irrigators.<span> </span>Through cooperative labor, they constructed canals in order that water from Tuay River would reach their farms.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The first primary school opened by the government in a place under the jurisdiction of the barangay at present was at Sitio Tara, a settlement of the indigenous people.<span> </span>The said school accepted enrollees in 1939.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1960, when Mayor del Mundo was the head of the municipal government of Abra de Ilog, he worked for the elevation of Sablay Uway to the status of a barrio.<span> </span>When the municipal council approved the petition of the people that this sitio be made a barrio, Mayor del Mundo immediately submitted the petition to the provincial board of Occidental Mindoro.<span> </span>When the petition was approved by higher authorities, the sitio leaders proposed that Vicente, the first name of their mayor, be made as the official name of Sablay Uway.<span> </span>Since it was the custom, during that time, that whenever the name of a person is being used as the name of a place, the word <i>San</i> is added, thus, Barrio Vicente became Barrio San Vicente.<span> </span>During martial law period, President Ferdinand Marcos ordered that all barrios be called barangays.<span> </span>From that time onwards, Barrio San Vicente was called Brgy. San Vicente.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Spouses Estanislao Bacay and Ceferina Fernandez were two of the settlers of San Vicente.<span> </span>They felt that a primary school should be opened in their barangay.<span> </span>They spearheaded the request of the parents to the municipal government and the Department of Education for the opening of<span> </span>San Vicente Primary School.<span> </span>With the assistance of Division Superintendent Purificacion Abeleda, a class for Grade 1 pupils was opened in this place and Nita Bacay, the daughter of the leader of the petitioners, was assigned as its first teacher.<span> </span>The schoolhouse was built on the lot donated by the parents of the first teacher.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>At present, the former primary school is a complete elementary school and the teachers assigned here are Ms. Evarista Manongsong Abante, Ms. Lita Hernandez Clarito, Ms. Marcelina C. Baquero, Ms. Gemma Balanza Dote, Ms. Myrna Ramos Reyes and Ms. Estela Andaya.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1986, through the active teaching and guidance of Fr. Rod Advincula, SVD the Basic Ecclesial Community in San Vicente was formed.<span> </span>Since that year up to the present time, the Roman Catholic religion is the only religion of the inhabitants of San Vicente.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>According to the people, the important things which happened in San Vicente were the construction of the barangay hall, plaza, concrete stage, day care center and the feeder roads which joined the center of the barangay with Tara, Kadilawan and Pambuhay, the sitios of the indigenous people.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Those who served as leaders of the barangay were Estanislao Bacay, Melquiades Belen, Feliciano Ramos, Efren Larez, Pacifico de Chavez and Benito Luzon.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Seming Hernandez.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historyabradeilog" name="_ednref22" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[22]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">7.<span> </span>TIBAG<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The name of the barangasy came from the erosion of the bank of the river flowing through this place, every rainy season.<span> </span>In the Tagalog dialect, soil erosion is called <i>tibag,</i> hence, the name of the place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>This place was a forest during the Spanish regime.<span> </span>In the early part of the American regime, from Lemery, Batangas, the family of Zoleta arrived and settled at the center of the municipality of Abra de Ilog.<span> </span>They bought the forested plains of Tibag.<span> </span>However, they did not develop the area, thus, when other families of farmers from their hometown came and lived in Tibag, the Zoleta family sold to the newcomers their uncultivated farm.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The persons who first settled in this place were the families of Antonio Encarnacion, Salvador Dayandayan and siblings Felicidad & Praxedes Dayandayan.<span> </span>They turned into productive farm the uncultivated land of Tibag.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1910, when Abra de Ilog was created as a municipality, Tibag was already a sitio.<span> </span>Progress came to this sitio, gradually.<span> </span>After almost thirty years, when the sitio leader thought that the number of inhabitants of this place was already sufficient for its elevation to the status of a barrio, he led the petition of the families to the municipal council of Abra de Ilog that Tibag be created as a barrio.<span> </span>Their petition was approved.<span> </span>Tibag became a barrio in 1939.<span> </span>Guillermo Cayetano was elected as the first <i>teniente del barrio.</i><span> </span>He has only served for one year when World War II broke out.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the war, the old residents of the place revealed that what made life difficult for the people were the individuals who pretended to be freedom fighters or guerrillas. The said pseudo-freedom fighters were the ones who confiscated domesticated animals and anything they would like to get from the homeowners.<span> </span>They were suspected of killing two or more persons who did not follow their rules and regulations.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When peace was restored, through the leadership of <i>Teniente del Barrio</i> Cayetano, the people requested that a primary school be opened in their community.<span> </span>However, some requirements were not met and their petition was denied.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1973, through the leadership of <i>Capitan del Barrio</i> Luis Tupas, the people of Tibag reiterated their request to the members of the municipal council for the opening of a primary school in their place.<span> </span>This time, their petition was granted.<span> </span>A Grade I class was opened and through Principal Efigenia Liceria, Miss Nazurka dela Fuente was assigned as the teacher of the pupils.<span> </span>A schoolhouse was built on the lot donated by Gavino Garcia, Sr.<span> </span>At present, two teachers are teaching the pupils who are studying at Tibag Primary School.<span> </span>They are Ms. Peny Caliwara Oropesa and Ms. Glenda Ramos Marasigan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Through the guidance of their parish priests, the Catholic faithful of Tibag built their own chapel.<span> </span>In 1995, the house of worship was blessed by Bishop Vicente Manuel, SVD, DD.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>With the assistance of local government officials and the cooperation of the people, the leaders of Tibag were able to build the barangay hall, concrete stage, multi-purpose pavement, day care centers at Sitio Aluyan and Sitio Labac and a municipal telecommunication system at Sitio Aluyan.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Aside from the aforementioned leaders, those who served as barangay captain of Brgy. Tibag were Mariano Dayandayan, Francisco Tupas, Eustaquio dela Fuente, Bayani Corona, Gonzalo Zoleta, Jr., and Quirino Rebato.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Iluminado Ricalde.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historyabradeilog" name="_ednref23" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[23]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">8.<span> </span>UDALO</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>This barangay is composed of two communities, namely; Udalo and Camurong.<span> </span>The name of the two places came from the plants which could be found there.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the Spanish regime, Udalo and Camurong were forests.<span> </span>Big trees abound there.<span> </span>When the Americans occupied Mindoro, a certain Mr. Gibbs was given permission by the government to operate a logging concession in this area.<span> </span>As a result, Gibbs Timberland started to cut trees on the hills of Camurong. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Adventurers from Batangas and Marinduque were the first workers at Gibbs Timberland.<span> </span>When they got married, they decided to settle permanently inside the logging concession.<span> </span>Two communities were formed and according to old residents of the area, those who first settled in Udalo were composed of the families of Dimasacat and Tupas.<span> </span>On the other hand, those who settled in Camurong were the families of Conte, Gregorio and Caballero.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1910, when Abra de Ilog was created as a municipality, the list of barrios under its jurisdiction included Camurong.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When World War II broke out, the people of Camurong experienced the cruelties of the Japanese soldiers.<span> </span>Some patriotic men who joined the guerrilla movement were killed by the enemies.<span> </span>They were reported to the Japanese authorities by their barrio mates who acted as spies of the enemies.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Three years after the war, a primary school was opened at Camurong.<span> </span>Unfortunately, after four years, a destructive flood occurred and the primary school building was destroyed.<span> </span>The government authorities transferred it to higher grounds, on the lot donated by Spouses Antonio & Vicenta Villamin.<span> </span>The primary school which was transferred to this place became a complete elementary school in 1955.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The sitio where the primary school was transferred was named Bugtong but at present, it is called Camurong.<span> </span>The place where it was originally located is now called Hulo. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Since Udalo was also a big community, another primary school was opened in this place in 1951. The school building was constructed at the lot donated by Tupas Family.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1970, although the community of Camurong was bigger than Udalo, during the administration of Mayor Apolinario Zoleta, Udalo was registered as one of the barrios of Abra de Ilog.<span> </span>The decision was made due to two reasons: the first was the fact that the leader of the barrio lived in Udalo; and the second was the claim of Villamin family that the land where Camurong is located at present is their property.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The people of Udalo could not forget the two events which happened in their barangay.<span> </span>The first one was the bloody encounter which occurred between the government soldiers and members of the rebel group in 1987.<span> </span>The second one was the opening of extension classes of Abra de Ilog National High School at Sitio Camurong, in 1999.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Those who served as leaders of the barangay were Jose Tupas, Ananias Bacay, Antonio Manongsong, Restituto Bronda, Teresa Anilao, Federico Pav, Ciriaco Bunquin, Hilario Silan, Pedro Manongsong and Domingo Sepillo.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Bonifacio Dimayacyac.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historyabradeilog" name="_ednref24" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[24]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">9. WAWA<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The name of the barangay came from its being near the mouth of the river.<span> </span>In the Tagalog dialect, the mouth of the river is called <i>wawa</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In an old map drawn during the Spanish regime, at the place where Wawa is located at present, the old village of Ilog was indicated.<span> </span>In the history written by Antoon Postma, a Dutch researcher, it was described as a community of the indigenous people belonging to the Iraya tribe which was frequently visited by missionary priests.<span> </span>It was then under the jurisdiction of the Parish of Calavite.<span> </span>It was also narrated that this was one of the places often plundered by Moro pirates.<span> </span>In 1757, Ilog disappeared from the map because the pirates burned the houses of the villagers who hid in the mountains.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Even before the coming of the Americans in Mindoro, a group of families decided to settle in this village.<span> </span>The group was composed of the families of Leyco, Rodriguez, Enriquez, Castillo, Reyes, Malaluan, Marasigan, Cacait, Carpio and Landicho from Taal, Lemery and other towns of Batangas.<span> </span>They cleared the forests and converted it into agricultural farms.<span> </span>Others decided to become fishermen.<span> </span>They again formed the old community of the Iraya near the mouth of the river.<span> </span>Rosalio Miciano served as their leader when the community became a sitio.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Inn 1901, patriotic men of this sitio joined the group of revolutionaries led by Col. Deogracias Leyco of Taal, Batangas.<span> </span>They defended the town of Abra de Ilog against the American soldiers.<span> </span>Unfortunately, due to superior manpower and ammunitions, the American forces under the command of Captain Robert Offley and Captain Shaw were able to defeat the revolutionary forces.<span> </span>As a consequence, Abra de Ilog was occupied by the American soldiers.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Sitio Wawa was elevated to the status of a barrio in 1914.<span> </span>After two years, the primary school for Grade 1 & Grade 2 pupils, were opened.<span> </span>The primary school became a complete elementary school in 1920.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When Abra de Ilog was formally created as a municipality by American authorities in 1902, Rosalio Miciano, the leader of Wawa, was appointed as the first municipal president.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>One important event which the old folks of Wawa could not forget was the sudden visit of President Manuel Quezon to this municipality, in 1941.<span> </span>The president was aboard his yacht.<span> </span>He talked with the local officials of Abra de Ilog while his yacht was anchored near the shore of Wawa.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When World War II broke out, many inhabitants of Wawa evacuated to other places in order to avoid the cruelty of the Japanese soldiers.<span> </span>They only returned when peace was restored.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Before the concrete pier at Matabang was constructed, the ships and motorboats plying the Abra de Ilog-Batangas City route dropped anchor at the seashore of Wawa.<span> </span>Almost all able bodied men of this barrio worked as porters.<span> </span>Many of them continued with that kind of work even though the pier was transferred to another place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>Aside from Rosalio Miciano, those who served as <i>teniente del barrio</i> of Wawa were Tomas Enriquez, Sr., Pedro Reyes, Florencio dela Rosa and Juan Cacait.<span> </span>Those who served as <i>capitan del barrio</i> were Tomas Enriquez, Sr., Gregorio Subong, Armando Arile and Conrado Leyco.<span> </span>Those who served as barangay captain were Lupita Andaya Enroquez, Ediser Castillo and Jimmy Falqueza.<span> </span>The present leader of Wawa served as the chief of police during the administration of Mayor Apolinario Zoleta --- Brgy. Captain Floro Castillo.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historyabradeilog" name="_ednref25" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[25]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>ROWELYN VERDIN MERCADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09575581693964613498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483057594829930987.post-57227238848869127522012-03-11T04:36:00.002-07:002012-03-11T04:36:29.268-07:00HISTORY OF PALUAN<div class="sites-layout-tile sites-tile-name-header">
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<span style="color: #663366; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Town of Paluan</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #000066; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;"><strong>HISTORY OF PALUAN</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #999900;"> <strong>By Rudy Candelario</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #663333; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Translated in English by Benjamin Walata</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">I – DURING THE SPANISH REGIME</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The old village of Paluan mentioned in history was Calavite.<span> </span>The said village could be found near the sea at the north-westernmost part of Occidental Mindoro.<span> </span>Its original name was <i>kalawit,</i> from the shape of the mountain behind the settlement of the people.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref1" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[1]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1580, the island of Mindoro was a part of the <i>Corregimiento</i> of Bonbon or Batangas.<span> </span>The missionaries belonging to the Franciscan Order were the ones taking care of the spiritual welfare of the people living inside the <i>corregimiento</i>.<span> </span>They created the Parish of Calavite and constructed a big church at the center pf the parish.<span> </span>The names of Fr. Juan de Porras and Fr. Esteban Ortiz were mentioned as two Franciscan friars who were assigned here.<span> </span>Among the duties of the priests assigned on Calavite was to visit the people in other parts of West Mindoro.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: black;"><span> </span>Aside from being the center of the Catholic faith, Calavite was mentioned in history due to shipwrecks which oftentimes occurred in its rough seas.<span> </span>Elders of the Iraya tribe still remember a Chinese ship which sank at the sea near Calavite.<span> </span>The place where the waves brought the remnants of the ship is now called </span><i><span style="color: black;">Sitio Purao.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref2" title=""><span><span><span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[2]</span></span></b></span></span></span></a></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1613, six Spanish ships which were gong to Terrenate, Moluccas, loaded with rice, money and other supplies, sank near Calavite.<span> </span>According to Fr. Francisco Collin, a Jesuit historian, the passengers of the ship were saved with the assistance of St. Ignatius, but according to Fr. Diego Aduarte, OP it was due to the help of the Blessed Virgin.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1666, then Jesuit missionary but now St. Diego Luis de Sanvictores, together with lay brother Donado Marcos dela Cruz, went to Calavite during the last leg of their mission in Mindoro.<span> </span>They found no priest in the parish, thus, they preached and baptized the people whom they met.<span> </span>In the sitio of Paluan or Paloang, as it was written, they were able to baptize forty adults.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The visit of Fr. Diego and his companion which was supposed to last only for a few days lasted for weeks. <span> </span>It was due to the strong easterly winds which made it dangerous for them to travel by sea.<span> </span>Nevertheless, they were able to convince many <i>zimarrones</i> or Christians who were hiding in the mountains to live normally in the lowlands.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>It could be mentioned here that according to Dutch historian Antoon Postma, the people called the sitio of Paluan as Paloang because the farther the boat of a fisherman sails to the sea, the wider the bay where he came from becomes.<span> </span>In the Tagalog dialect, becoming wider is <i>paluwang</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>On the other hand, the old folks of Paluan believe the story that the name of their village came from its being the place where the pirates who were captured by their ancestors were severely whipped as punishment for the crimes they committed against the people.<span> </span>Whipping place in the Tagalog dialect is <i>paluan</i>.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref3" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[3]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When the island of Mindoro was placed under the spiritual care of the Order of Augustinian Recollects, Fr. Diego dela Resureccion was appointed as the parish priest of Calavite.<span> </span>Aside from visiting the far flung places under the parish, like Ililin, Dongon, Tubili, Sto. Tomas, Talasungan and Camurong, Fr. Diego founded also a community at the foot of the nearby mountain of Minuangan.<span> </span>Seventy three (73) houses were built at the said community and one hundred nineteen (119) persons, including the indigenous people were converted to the Catholic faith by the good missionary.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Work was very difficult for the Spanish missionaries during that time.<span> </span>In order to reach a village, they walked for hours or days, rode on horseback or sailboat.<span> </span>Their lives were always in danger due to the attacks of Moro pirates.<span> </span>Many of them got sick of malaria and died.<span> </span>Four of those who got sick & died were the missionaries assigned in Calavite.<span> </span>They were Fr. Agustin dela Concepcion, Fr. Ignacio de San Bernardo, Fr. Bernardo dela Santisima Trinidad and Fr. Francisco de San Miguel.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>One of the priests assigned in Calavite, Fr. Jose de San Agustin, served as chaplain of the Spanish soldiers who manned the steamship patrolling the sea between Palawan and Mindoro with the objective of preventing the attack of Moro pirates to the villages under the jurisdiction of the two islands.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Between 1730 up to 1734, great damage was brought by the attacks of the pirates to Mindoro.<span> </span>They burned the convent of Calavite.<span> </span>In addition, in two separate occasions, all the personal belongings of the priests were lost when the pirates attacked and carried all the things which might be of value to them.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Despite the dangers brought by the pirates and the difficult living condition of the people during that time, the Parish of Calavite grew.<span> </span>In 1749, based on the census conducted by the Spanish government, the total population of Sto. Tomas, Mamburao, Sta. Cruz, Dongon, Ililin, Mangarin and Iling, the villages which comprised the Parish of Calavite, during that time, reached two thousand one hundred ninety (2,190).<span> </span>It appeared that during the said year, Calavite, the ecclesiastical territory which was under the spiritual care of Fr. Francisco de San Miguel, was the biggest parish in the whole island of Mindoro.<span> </span>It was only disheartening to note that after ten years, less than one third of the said number of people was left in Calavite.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In November 1742, the pirates attacked Calavite.<span> </span>Together with his acolyte and the people, Fr. Francisco escaped to the mountains.<span> </span>Nearing the mountain, the missionary thought that the distance between them and the pursuing pirates was so great.<span> </span>He took a rest to eat and pray.<span> </span>The acolyte who accompanied him hid in the nearby bushes.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>While praying, Fr. Francisco did not hear the pirate who approached him from behind.<span> </span>The pirate speared him.<span> </span>He died instantly.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The acolyte saw what happened to the missionary whom he faithfully served.<span> </span>He even heard what the pirate said:<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> </span></span><i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;">“A Spaniard killed my father.<span> </span>Now, I am killing a Spaniard.”</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref4" title=""><span><span><span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[4]</span></span></b></span></span></span></a></span></i></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The mortal remains of Fr. Francisco were left in that place by his companions who hid in the mountains.<span> </span>Many days have passed before it was found by the Filipinos who gave it a decent burial.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1753, Fr. Agustin de Sto, Tomas de Villanueva was assigned in Calavite.<span> </span>The life of the said missionary was always put at risk every time he visited the different villages.<span> </span>In August 1754, he was almost captured by the pirates at Dongon.<span> </span>His escape was considered as a miracle.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The destructive attack of the pirates in Calavite was the reason why the inhabitants of this village transferred to other places.<span> </span>The authorities of the Order of Augustinian Recollects also decided to stop the assigning of priests in this parish, after the period of service of Fr. Damian dela Madre de Dios as parish priest, in 1767.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The former residents of Calavite transferred to Calapan and Subaan, the town of San Teodoro at present.<span> </span>However, they continued visiting the ricefields which they left behind, during planting and harvest season, despite the danger of being captured by the pirates.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The abandoned village of Calavite was transferred to the spiritual care of the parish priest of Calapan.<span> </span>Sometimes, this place was visited by the missionaries.<span> </span>In 1778, Fr. Jose dela Virgen del Olmo was captured by the pirates at the sea near Calavite.<span> </span>Luckily, the superior of the Order of Augustinian Recollects was quick in giving the ransom money for the missionary that after a few months he was released and allowed to return to Calapan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When the Dutch soldiers tried to occupy Manila in 1780, the battle between the Spanish and Dutch warships reached the sea of Calavite.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1783, a group of indigenous people who was transferred to a place near Calapan sent a petition to <i>Corregidor</i> Gregorio Ladero, the administrator of Mindoro during that time.<span> </span>They attached to their report the map of the once prosperous <i>pueblo</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The Irayas were requesting that they be allowed to return to Calavite for they found life difficult at Subaan, the town of San Teodoro at present.<span> </span>According to the indigenous people, within the twenty year period that they lived in another place, they were still going to Calavite to get honey and beeswax which they used for paying government taxes.<span> </span>In their travels to Calavite, their lives were in constant danger.<span> </span>A few translated excerpts of the second petition go as follows: </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>“During these twenty years, the hardship we are suffering when it starts</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>to be <span> </span>month of <span> </span>April, is our going to Calawit, looking for the means to pay</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>our <span> </span>taxes <span> </span>to <span> </span>the <span> </span>Lord <span> </span>King (May <span> </span>the <span> </span>Lord <span> </span>God <span> </span>Protect <span> </span>Him) <span> </span>and <span> </span>the</span></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span> </span>subsistence of our families and other needs</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> …</span></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“And when we are going there (or coming back), many are captured by</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>the <span> </span>Moros, together with <span> </span>the beeswax <span> </span>and <span> </span>honey we collected, and other</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>important things we bring back to our homes.<span> </span>All of these are being stolen</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>by the Moros as well.<span> </span>Those captured have been almost thirty people from</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>from Calawit.<span> </span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span><span> </span>“It is because of this deplorable situation we are in,that we are begging </span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>begging and beseeching our Leader and Lord Don Gregorio Ladero, Judge</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>and Army Captain of this Island of Minolo, taking care <span> </span>of <span> </span>all those within</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>within his <span> </span>jurisdiction like our real father, who is saddened, and is pitying</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>us in our plight as long as we are staying here in Subaan, that <span> </span>we<span> </span>may<span> </span>be </span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>free to return to our former homes.”</span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref5" title=""><span><span><span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[5]</span></span></b></span></span></span></a></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Although Corregidor Ladero indorsed the petition to the office of the Governor General in Manila, the said leader did not allow the Irayas to return to their old settlement because the Spanish government would find it difficult to defend them against the pirates who continued to plunder Calavite.<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The last official report about Calavite was made last 1791 by Governor Ladero.<span> </span>The petition made by the indigenous people was mentioned there.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Calavite was not indicated anymore in the map drawn by the Spaniards in 1800.<span> </span>What would be seen by the travelers, who happened to pass through this place during that time, were the ruins of the big church.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>With the disappearance of Calavite, Paluan which was one of its sitios, was the community where people from other places settled.<span> </span>Among the people who migrated to this place from the Island of Lubang, particularly from Barrio Talaotao were the families of Capitan Vicente Abeleda and Capitan Pablo Tria.<span> </span>The two leaders were the acknowledged founders of Paluan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Aside from farming, taking care of domesticated animals and logging were the occupation of the people of Lubang who transferred to Paluan.<span> </span>The carpenters of this place became famous as builders of quality sea vessels.<span> </span>Sitio Ipol of Paluan was known during that time as the place where sturdy and beautiful big sailboats were built.<span> </span>The construction of this kind of sea vessels stopped only in 1980.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref6" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[6]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In an old Spanish document, it was mentioned that Sitio Pamutusin was founded in 1829.<span> </span>It was also mentioned in another document of 1843 that Paluan was one of the four mission stations erected by the government.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1844, the authorities of the Catholic Church again sent a missionary priest in Paluan, in the person of Fr. Miguel Caro del Salvador.<span> </span>He was a secular priest.<span> </span>He took care of the spiritual welfare of the people of Paluan for two years.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In the census conducted by the Spanish government in 1850, it was learned that there were fifty four (54) houses in Paluan and its population reached three hundred twenty five (325).<span> </span>It was mentioned in the report of the priest assigned there that in this barrio, then a part of the municipality of Lubang, a prison, convent, church and a cemetery near the house of worship could be found.<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In the autobiography of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, he mentioned that as a young man, he bought a big sailboat.<span> </span>He bartered goods with the people of Lubang, Paluan, Sablayan and Mangarin.<span> </span>Fr. Julian Llorente, the parish priest of Paluan became his friend.<span> </span>According to records of the Catholic Church, Fr. Llorente was assigned in Paluan from 1887 to 1894.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>It was also mentioned in the autobiography of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo that he and his brother Crispulo have his big sailboat, called San Bartolome, repaired in Paluan.<span> </span>They made it bigger so that it could carry more weight than its former capacity of ten tons.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The general also mentioned that he was encouraged to put up a pastureland in Paluan where he raised sixteen pregnant cows.<span> </span>The number of cattle in his pastureland, increased but the animals disappeared during the revolution.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Gen. Aguinaldo stopped bartering goods with the people in the Island of Mindoro when Patricio Solis, his relative and one of the sailors of his big sailboat accidentally fell to the sea between Golo Island and Calavite Point.<span> </span>A few translated excerpts of the narration of the general go as follows:</span></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>“A sudden gust of wind made the sails swing and it struck the rope held</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">by Patricio Solis.<span> </span>He lost his balance and fell to the sea.<span> </span>He shouted ‘Wait’ </span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">and when <span> </span>he surfaced in the water I threw him a piece of bamboo where he</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">could<span> </span><span> </span>hold <span> </span>on.<span> </span>Although <span> </span>the <span> </span>waves <span> </span>were <span> </span>big <span> </span>and <span> </span>our <span> </span>sailboat <span> </span>almost </span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">capsized, we <span> </span>turned <span> </span>around <span> </span>to <span> </span>rescue him but what bad luck!<span> </span>We did not</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">see <span> </span>him <span> </span>anymore.<span> </span>Due <span> </span>to <span> </span>our great sorrow on what happened, we stayed </span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">for three days at Calavite Point but we’re not able to see his remains.<span> </span>May</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;">May he rest in peace!</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span> </span><span> </span>“</span></span><i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;">Afterwards, we proceeded to Paluan to inform the authorities on what </span></span></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">occurred<span> </span><span> </span>and <span> </span>to <span> </span>request <span> </span>for <span> </span>the <span> </span>necessary <span> </span>document <span> </span>as <span> </span>proof on what </span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">happened<span> </span><span> </span>to<span> </span><span> </span>our <span> </span>luckless<span> </span><span> </span>companion <span> </span>and <span> </span>relative <span> </span>Patricio <span> </span>Solis.<span> </span>We</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">proceeded <span> </span>to <span> </span>Sablayan and Mangarin to look for a kind of rattan, dye and</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">some heads of cattle which we could bring back to Cavite.<span> </span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span><span> </span>This <span> </span>was <span> </span>our last voyage to Mindoro.<span> </span>It lasted only for less than three</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;">months and we immediately returned to our hometown . . . ”</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref7" title=""><span><span><span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[7]</span></span></b></span></span></span></a></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In his years of bartering goods with the people of Mindoro, Gen. Aguinaldo befriended Capitan Mariano Abeleda and Capitan Agustin Liboro who both served as <i>capitan municipal</i> of Paluan.<span> </span>Capitan Mariano Abeleda was the son of Capitan Vicente Abeleda, one of the founders of Paluan.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>It was mentioned in a document of the Spaniard that Paluan reached what would be considered as the apex of its prosperity in 1886.<span> </span>It was due to the great volume of trees cut & turned into logs in this pueblo and transported to other provinces and countries. <span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The result of the census conducted in 1887 showed that the population of Paluan was one thousand four hundred fifty four (1454).<span> </span>Its highest population recorded during the Spanish regime was two thousand eight (2008) in 1894.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>When the Katipunan was founded, Capitan Mariano Abeleda and Capitan Agustin Liboro joined the secret society.<span> </span>When the Filipinos revolted against Spain in 1896, the two leaders formed the group of revolutionaries in Occidental Mindoro.<span> </span>They captured Fr. Bruni Capanagan, the parish priest of Paluan during that time.<span> </span>Capitan Abeleda burned the records of the Catholic Church.<span> </span>They marched towards the south and with the assistance of other members of the revolutionary movement on other pueblos, they captured the Spanish missionaries in Mamburao, Abra de Ilog, Sablayan, Magarang and Mangarin.<span> </span>The two leaders imprisoned the priests in Paluan, let them work under the intense heat of the sun and afterwards transferred them to Taysan, Batangas.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref8" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[8]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In June 1898, the revolutionaries of Oriental Mindoro attacked the seat of the Spanish government at Calapan.<span> </span>After a month of fighting or in July 1898, the Spanish soldiers under the command of Governor Rafael Morales surrendered to the Filipino revolutionaries at the plaza of Calapan.<span> </span>General Emilio Aguinaldo declared Mindoro as a free province and appointed Capitan Agustin Liboro as the governor of the island.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref9" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[9]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The independence gained by the people of Mindoro lasted for three years only.<span> </span>During the last part of 1901, the American soldiers attacked the different towns of Mindoro.<span> </span>The Filipino revolutionaries resisted the attack but they were defeated by the enemies.<span> </span>Mindoro was occupied by the American soldiers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Aside from Capitanes Abeleda and Liboro who served as leaders of Paluan from 1883-1885 and 1885-1887, respectively, those who were appointed as <i>capitan municipal </i>of this municipality and their respective terms of office were Valentin Costa (1887-1889), Jacinto Bernardo (1889-1891), Leonardo Tria (1891-1893), Mariano Ramos (1893-1895), Jose Villar (1895-1897), Santiago Gonzales (1897-1899), and Macario Daseco (1899-1901).</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref10" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[10]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">II – DURING THE AMERICAN REGIME</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The municipal officials of Paluan stated that this town was created on January 5, 1901 by virtue of a resolution passed by the members of the Municipal Council of Mamburao.<span> </span>When the Americans occupied Mindoro, they appointed the chief executives of the town.<span> </span>Even during the period that Paluan was reverted to its old status as a barrio of Mamburao, the inhabitants continued to call the appointed leaders of their place as municipal presidents.<span> </span>Those who were appointed as municipal presidents of Paluan and their respective terms of office are the following:<span> </span>Braulio Villaflores (1901-1903), Mariano Tria (1903-1905), Jacinto Villar (1905-1907), Lorenzo Abeleda (1907-1909), Mateo Tajonera (1909-1912), Estanislao Pag-ilagan (1912-1915), Luciano Fineza (1915-1918), Fernando Cuisia (1918-1921), Bernardino Velandria (1921-1924), Framcisco Tria (1924-1930), Antonio Virola (1930-1933), Amando San Agustin (1933-1936) and Vicente Sanchez (1936-1939).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>On January 4, 1905 by virtue of Act 1280 of the Philippine Commission, Paluan was reverted to its former status as a barrio and placed under the jurisdiction of Mamburao.<span> </span>However, in 1910, by virtue of Executive Order No. 31, Paluan was again created as a municipality.<span> </span>Mindoro Administrator John Adams widened the land area under the jurisdiction of this town.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1914, the historic visit of American Governor General Francis Burton Harrison at the town of Paluan took place.<span> </span>The said leader hunted for tamaraw at Mt. Calavite.<span> </span>He was met at the seashore of Sitio Pula by the people of Paluan under the leadership of Municipal President Estanislao Pag-ilagan.<span> </span>Due to that historic visit of the governor general, the inhabitants of Sitio Pula agreed to rename their settlement as Harrison once it was elevated to the status of a barrio.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref11" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[11]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1919, by virtue of the resolution approved by the municipal council, the seat of the local government was transferred to Lipa, a sitio which was named after a medicinal plant. <span> </span>Years later, the people got used to calling the place Paluan.<span> </span>The former center of the town was renamed Lumangbayan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>One of the distinguished sons of Paluan was Hon. Cipriano Liboro.<span> </span>The said leader, like his father, Capitan Agustin Liboro also became the governor of the whole island of Mindoro.<span> </span>He served from 1919 to 1925.<span> </span>During his first term of office, he was elected as the president of the League of Governors of the Philippines.<span> </span>He was also elected as one of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1934.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref12" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[12]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>Fr. Julian Dival mentioned in his report to Msgr. Alfredo Verzosa of the Archdiocese of Lipa, Batangas that he visited Paluan in January 1925, and he was able to baptize sixty nine (69) adults.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref13" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[13]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Five years thereafter, or in 1930, Fr. Bernardo Roos, the SVD missionary who was assigned in Looc, visited Lumangbayan and Lipa, the old name of the center of the municipality of Paluan.<span> </span>He found in Lumangbayan a wooden chapel which was built by the people and in Lipa he received the document of the lot donated by a charitable Catholic faithful for the chapel.<span> </span>Fr. Roos also mentioned in his report that the population of Paluan was three thousand five hundred (3,500).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Since many ships sank at the sea near Calavite, a lighthouse was built by<span> </span>American authorities in Sitio Calangigan, Harrison, Paluan in 1933.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">IV - DURING THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION OF MINDORO<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In March 1942, after the outbreak of World War II, the Japanese soldiers landed in Paluan.<span> </span>It was mentioned in a historical document written by teachers that during that year, a ship owned by Dela Rama Shipping Lines, named Don Esteban, was mistakenly identified by the Japanese as an American warship.<span> </span>They riddled it with bullets and dropped bombs on it until it sank at the sea of Paluan.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref14" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[14]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The Japanese soldiers occupied Paluan.<span> </span>On April 27, 1942 Captain Ishii and Mindoro Governor Felipe Abeleda arrived in Paluan and confirmed the appointments of the municipal officials.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Paluan was one of the places where the group of guerrillas under Major Esteban Beloncio recruited members.<span> </span>The said leader arrived in this town on July 19, 1942 and encouraged the male family members to continue the fight for freedom.<span> </span>Captain Alfonso Umali, the military officer given by Major Beloncio the responsibility as leader of the group of guerrillas in West Mindoro, also made frequent visits to this town.<span> </span>The said captain married Alberta Villar, the daughter of one of the leaders of this place.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref15" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[15]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Since Mt. Calavite was located at a strategic place in Paluan, it was here where the communication experts led by Major Lawrence Phillips installed their communication equipment on October 23, 1943.<span> </span>Through the information sent by the experts from Mt. Calavite, together with the messages relayed by the guerrillas of Lubang by means of their radio transmitter in the island of Ambil, the American military leaders were able to monitor the movements of Japanese warships in Manila Bay, including the vessels passing by the sea between Batangas and Mindoro, known as Apo West Pass and Verde Island Passage.<span> </span>The role played by the communication system at Calavite during the war was very vital for through the information it sent to the headquarters of the American navy, many warships of the enemies were destroyed by American submarines.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Unfortunately, with the help of their spies, the Japanese soldiers were able to find out the location of the radio transmitter of the Americans.<span> </span>On February 16, 1944, a motorboat full of Japanese soldiers from Batangas landed at the shores of Paluan and herded the people of this municipality at the school building of the town’s center.<span> </span>They searched for Major Phillips and in March 1944, they were able to kill the said military officer, including some of his soldiers, while taking a bath at Kabilugan River, Abra de Ilog.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref16" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[16]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>On December 15, 1944 the liberating force of the U.S. led Allied Forces under the command of Brig. Gen. William Dunckel landed at the shores of the municipality of San Jose.<span> </span>Company B of the 503<sup>rd</sup> Paratroopers Infantry was sent to Paluan to liberate this town from Japanese occupation.<span> </span>On January 5, 1945 after a day of fighting, the combined forces of the American soldiers and Filipino guerrillas defeated the Japanese Imperial Army stationed in this municipality.<span> </span>Other soldiers of the enemies who escaped were encountered by the guerrillas led by Lt. Pedro Nitura at Sitio Mananao.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref17" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[17]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The American soldiers made Lumangbayan as their headquarters while they were pursuing the Japanese soldiers.<span> </span>They constructed a wooden bridge over Paluan River.<span> </span>The structure connected Lumangbayan and Lipa which are the old and new center of the municipality of Paluan, respectively.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">V – AFTER WORLD WAR II</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1946, a group of educators led by Judge Jesus Abeleda and Mrs. Maura Liboro founded Paluan Academy, a secondary school for the youth of this municipality.<span> </span>Judge Abeleda served as director of the school for a number of years.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>On November 15, 1950 when Mindoro was formally divided into two provinces, Mayor Damaso Abeleda of Paluan was appointed by then President Elpidio Quirino as the first governor of Occidental Mindoro.<span> </span>He was succeeded by Judge Mateo Virola of Lubang who served as governor on August 15, 1951.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref18" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[18]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the election held on September 13, 1951 Judge Jesus Abeleda, the founder of Paluan Academy and one of the sons of Capitan Mariano Abeleda was elected as the first congressman of Occidental Mindoro.<span> </span>He served as the representative of the province to the Philippine Congress from that year up to 1953.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1956, another son of Paluan, Hon. Mariano Tajonera was elected as governor of Occidental Mindoro.<span> </span>He stated in his autobiography that during his administration, the construction of roads in the different barrios of the province started.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref19" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[19]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>A municipal hall was constructed for the local government of Paluan when Hon. Nestor Abeleda was the mayor of the municipality.<span> </span>It was converted into a building of the public market by Mayor Amando San Agustin, who was elected in 1960.<span> </span>The said mayor constructed a new municipal building, near the church of the Catholic faithful.<span> </span>He also constructed a school building at the southern portion of the town’s center and transferred there the classrooms of Paluan Academy.<span> </span>The old building of the secondary school was converted into a convent of the priest.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref20" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[20]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In the 1959 Elections, Governor Mariano Tajonera was defeated by Atty. Arsenio Villaroza, his town mate.<span> </span>The said leader of the province served as governor of Occidental Mindoro for more than twenty (20) years.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Although those who were elected as congressmen and governors of Occidental Mindoro were from Paluan, they did not concentrate the implementation of the<span> </span>infrastructure projects in this municipality.<span> </span>The construction of concrete roads and bridges in this town was done gradually.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Aside from farming, fishing and logging, the people of Paluan have no other sources of income.<span> </span>The total area of agricultural land in this town was limited and time came when the sturdy species of trees in the mountains were all felled.<span> </span>As a result, many families of Paluan transferred to other towns of Occidental Mindoro, like Sta. Cruz and San Jose where they saw greater opportunities for improvement.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The Catholic Church and the government joined hands to improve the living condition of the people belonging to the Iraya tribe.<span> </span>It was mentioned in the history written by German researcher Volker Schult, that during the time when the late Hon. Cipriano Liboro was still the governor of Mindoro, he convinced the American authorities to rent for ten pesos a month, a house & lot at Anduyanan, a sitio located east of Paluan.<span> </span>The house was used as a school for the children of the indigenous people.<span> </span>A lowlander was appointed as teacher of the Irayas.<span> </span>Aside from the lessons taught to pupils in the lowland, the children of the Irayas were taught physical and environmental cleanliness.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref21" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[21]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The rein of the municipal government was entrusted by the people of Paluan to Mayor Pablo Quiñones in 1967.<span> </span>Among the projects he implemented during his twenty eight (28) years reign as municipal mayor of this town were the construction of the municipal hall, improvement of Calawagan Resort and the road going to that tourist spot, electrification of the town’s center, establishment of a water system in Poblacion, converting Paluan Academy into Paluan Municipal High School in 1973, and building concrete roads with the help of Assemblyman Pedro Mendiola, Sr.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref22" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[22]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1979, during martial law period, the National Irrigation Administration improved the communal irrigation system of the farmers at Brgy. Alipaoy, Tubili and Sitio Pamutusin.<span> </span>At present, farmers of the aforementioned places could plant palay in their farm during rainy season.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After the peaceful EDSA revolution in 1986, Hon. Abelardo Pangilinan was appointed as OIC Mayor of Paluan.<span> </span>Within the eleven month period that he served this municipality, one of the projects he implemented was the construction of a swimming pool at Calawagan Resort.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1988, the rein of the municipal government was entrusted by the people of Paluan to Mayor Anacleto Terrenal.<span> </span>The said mayor constructed the second building for the public market and the hanging bridge at Calawagan Resort.<span> </span>He also improved the natural bathing place of the resort.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After the term of office of Mayor Terrenal, former OIC Mayor Abelardo Pangilinan was again elected as the town’s chief executive.<span> </span>He improved the new municipal building and built additional structures in it.<span> </span>He also constructed the seawall from Barangay 1 up to Barangay 6, Poblacion.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref23" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[23]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1993, Paluan Municipal High School became Paluan National High School.<span> </span>The government constructed new buildings for the students of this educational institution.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The provincial officials helped the municipal mayors in the implementation of the infrastructure projects.<span> </span>With the assistance of former Congressman Jose Villarosa, barangay halls were constructed at the different barangays, including the elementary school buildings for the indigenous people.<span> </span>Governor Josephine Ramirez-Sato built concrete bridges and covered with asphalt, portions of the main road from Paluan to the municipality of Mamburao.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>On May 1, 1998 Mayor Pangilinan was reelected as the chief executive of Paluan.<span> </span>On January 5, 2001 he spearheaded the celebration of the 100<sup>th</sup> Founding Anniversary of this municipality.<span> </span>Among the numerous accomplishments he reported to the people during the celebration was the award given to Calawagan River as the Cleanest Inland Body of Water in the Philippines for three consecutive years or from 1996 to 1998.<span> </span>In addition, Calawagan River was enshrined in the country’s Clean and Green National Hall of Fame.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref24" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[24]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">After holding office for nine consecutive years, Hon. Pangilinan stepped down from his post and supported his wife Shirley, who ran and won as mayor of Paluan during the May 2001 Elections.<span> </span>Mayor Shirley Pangilinan continued implementing the projects of her husband in this municipality.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">On the May 10, 2004 Elections, Hon. Abelardo Pangilinan was again elected as the municipal mayor of Paluan.<span> </span>When he took his oath of office, he revealed his dream of making Paluan a favorite destination of both local and foreign tourists, a dream which he said, he hopes to realize during his administration.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>Aside from the aforementioned leaders, those who served as municipal mayors of Paluan, with their respective terms of offices are the following:<span> </span>Lope Trajeco (1950-1951), Vedasto Pangilinan (1951-1955) and Rosalio Tadalan (1955-1957).</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref25" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[25]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><strong>HISTORY OF THE SEVEN BARANGAYS OF PALUAN</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">1.<span> </span>ALIPAOY</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The old name of the barangay was <i>Camposanto</i>.<span> </span>However, its inhabitants, upon knowing that the meaning of that Spanish word is <i>cemetery,</i> decided to change it.<span> </span>They held a meeting which started in the afternoon.<span> </span>It was already dark and they have not yet agreed on the appropriate name.<span> </span>Suddenly, one of the local leaders saw the fireflies around a tree covered with vines.<span> </span>He suggested to the group of settlers, to name their settlement from syllables taken from the equivalent in the Tagalog dialect of fireflies - <u>Ali</u>taptap; name of the vine – Li<u>pa</u>y; and tree – Kah<u>oy</u>.<span> </span>Thus, they called their community, ALIPAOY.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the Spanish and American occupation of Mindoro, Alipaoy was a thick forest.<span> </span>Sometimes, the indigenous people and hunters looking for tamaraw and other wildlife reached this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When the forests of Paluan were made as logging concessions by families who were very influential to government authorities, the Abeleda family was given permission to cut big trees at Alipaoy.<span> </span>Many able bodied males of the Iraya tribe worked as laborers at the saw mill established by the aforementioned family in this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span><span> </span>Sitio Anduyanan of Alipaoy was mentioned in a book written in 1991, by Volker Schult, a German historian.<span> </span>It was stated that in 1922, when Honorable Cipriano Liboro was still the governor of the Province of Mindoro, he rented a house and lot in the said sitio and converted it into a school for the children of the indigenous people.<span> </span>Due to shortage of funds, only eighteen (18) schoolchildren were allowed to study in Grade I and II, annually.<span> </span>Aside from the lessons taught by the teachers from the lowlands, during that time, physical & environmental cleanliness was added as subjects to be studied and applied by the children belonging to the Iraya tribe.<span> </span>The school lasted only for a few years due to few enrollees.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When World War II broke out, Alipaoy was one of the places where the people who avoided the cruelties of the Japanese soldiers hid.<span> </span>They learned from members of the Iraya tribe how to eat wild root crops and how to live safely in the forest.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After the war, some families from the lowland, who transferred to Paluan from Lubang decided to stay permanently at Alipaoy.<span> </span>Among them were the families of De Lara, Aguilar, De Veas, Virola, Tarcena, Villas, Pangilinan and Paglicawan.<span> </span>They were able to buy the kaingin of the indigenous people.<span> </span>After a few years, the number of families in this community increased until Alipaoy became a sitio of Poblacion, Paluan.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>One member of the Iraya tribe, Anduyong Banter loved to compose poems and songs in the dialect of the indigenous people.<span> </span>His poems and songs were translated to Tagalog.<span> </span>Some old folks of Paluan used to quote it during the early days.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Since many indigenous people live in Alipaoy, the employees of the government agencies which were established to look after their welfare visit them, sometimes.<span> </span>In 1959, it was the employee of the Commission on National Integration (CNI) who visited them.<span> </span>In 1976, it was the employee of the Presidential Assistant of National Minorities (PANAMIN) and in 1985, it was the employee of the Office of Muslim Affairs and Cultural Minorities (OMACC).<span> </span>However, despite the visitations, the economic condition of the indigenous people remained the same.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Before martial law period, the people of Alipaoy requested members of the municipal council that their sitio be elevated to the status of a barrio.<span> </span>After undergoing the required legal process, this community became a barrio of Paluan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">During martial law period, through the workers of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), an irrigation system was constructed in this place.<span> </span>Due to the said development project, the farmers of Alipaoy were able to plant and harvest palay twice a year.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">With the cooperation of the inhabitants, leaders of the barangay, local and national government, a barangay plaza, barangay hall, concrete stage and day care center were constructed at Alipaoy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The persons who served as leaders of Alipaoy were Pablo de Ocampo, Antonio Velandria, Jose Velandria, Adelaida Velandria and Gerry Ungria.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is a member of the Iraya tribe, Brgy. Captain Armando Parisan.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref26" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[26]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">2.<span> </span>HARRISON<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The original name of this community was <i>Pula</i>.<span> </span>It came from the name given by the indigenous people to a kind of worm found here.<span> </span>It also came from the color of the soil near the seashore where sea vessels used to land.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>A few families of indigenous people lived in this place during the Spanish occupation of Mindoro.<span> </span>Due to the thick forest found on the hills surrounding this place, it was made as a hideout of the individuals who did not want to subject themselves to Spanish rule, refused to be baptized to the Catholic faith and who committed crimes against the foreign invaders.<span> </span>They were called <i>tulisanes</i> by the Spaniards.<span> </span>In 1888, it was mentioned in the report of a Spanish missionary that a group of <i>tulisanes</i> from this community entered Poblacion, Paluan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The indigenous people belonging to the Iraya tribe were the ones who gave the names of the sitios of this place.<span> </span><i>Sitio Calangigan</i> where the lighthouse is located at present was named after the turtles or <i>cala</i> which used to lay eggs in the seashore of this place.<span> </span><i>Sitio Hinugasan</i> was named for its being the location of a river where the Irayas washed the blood of the pigs which they used to offer to their anitos in order that their gods would allow them to gather plenty of honey.<span> </span><i>Sitio Aglimasan</i> was the place where, for hours, they continuously drew muddy water from the newly dug wells to make it clear and potable.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Two sitios of the indigenous people of Harrison were mentioned in the report submitted by a missionary priest to the head of his congregation, during the Spanish occupation.<span> </span>One of the sitios was <i>Pamutusin</i> which he visited in 1825 to convince the Irayas to receive the Sacrament of Baptism.<span> </span>The second sitio was <i>Ignonoc</i> which was created as a barrio by the foreigners and named as San Francisco.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the Spanish regime, the families of Garcia, Felipe, Casil, Poblete, Zambales, Castillo, Montemayor, Solomon, Villas and De Veas arrived in this community.<span> </span>Majority of the said families came from the nearby island of Lubang.<span> </span>Aside from farming and fishing, cutting of big trees from the nearby hills were their means of livelihood.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During that time, there were plenty of tamaraw in Mt. Calavite, Paluan and the American officials used to hunt there.<span> </span>One of them was Governor General Francis Burton Harrison who sponsored the Filipinization Policy which gave Filipinos the chance to govern their own country.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1914, the said official arrived at Pula.<span> </span>He was met by Municipal President Estanislao Pag-ilagan who was the leader of Paluan during that time.<span> </span>Mun. Pres. Pag-ilagan invited Gov. Harrison to visit the center of the municipality of Paluan before hunting for tamaraw at Mt. Calavite.<span> </span>A grand celebration was held in Paluan as a gesture of the warm welcome given by the people to the foreign leader.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Due to the historic visit of the governor general to Pula, when the community was elevated to the status of a barrio in 1916, by virtue of a municipal resolution, Harrison was registered as its official name.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When World War II broke out, the forest near Harrison was made as one of the hideouts of the Filipino guerrillas.<span> </span>A group of Japanese soldiers sometimes visited the barrio, especially during the period when they hunted for Major Phillip, the leader of the group of Filipino-American guerrillas who were experts in operating communication facilities.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1942, pilots of Japanese warplanes thought that MV Don Esteban, a cargo ship of Dela Rama Shipping Lines was an American warship.<span> </span>They riddled the sea vessel with machine gun bullets and bombed it until it sank.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After the war, a primary school was opened in Harrison.<span> </span>Many years passed before it became a complete elementary school.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>One of the problems of the municipal mayors of Paluan was how to construct the road from the town’s center up to this community.<span> </span>Since Harrison is surrounded by hills and it is far from the poblacion, the road could not be constructed due to insufficient funds.<span> </span>However, projects like barangay hall, day care center, plaza and concrete stage were constructed in this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Those who served as leaders of Harrison were Casamero Viaña, Amador Tagumpay, Rudy Dimapilis, Apollo de Lara and Renato Ramos.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Benito Cababay.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref27" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[27]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">3.<span> </span>LUMANGBAYAN<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The indigenous people belonging to the Iraya tribe were the first inhabitants of this place.<span> </span>It was stated in the old Spanish documents that this village was made as a mission station in 1843.<span> </span>It was also mentioned that Fr. Miguel Caro del Salvador was the missionary who was assigned here.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The old name of Lumangbayan was Paluan.<span> </span>According to the old residents of this place, it was here where the defenders of the village punished the Moro pirates whom they captured.<span> </span>They whipped the pirates at the plaza, thus, the village became known as the whipping place or in the Tagalog dialect, <i>paluan</i> of wicked men.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1850, the census conducted by the Spanish government showed that there were fifty four (54) houses in this place with a population of three hundred twenty five (325).<span> </span>The priest assigned to this community stated in his report to his superior that Paluan was a barrio of the municipality of Lubang and a prison, convent, church & cemetery near the house of worship could be found here.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the latter part of 1870, many families from Talaotao, Looc led by Capitan Vicente Abeleda and Capitan Pablo Tria transferred to this place and settled here permanently.<span> </span>The number of inhabitants in this settlement grew.<span> </span>The Spanish authorities appointed leaders with the title of <i>cabeza de barangay.</i><span> </span>Appointed as leaders of this place were Mariano Abeleda, Mateo Tajonera and Felipe Tunay.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>It was stated in the autobiography of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo that when he was still a young man, he bought a big sailboat and bartered goods with the people in the different villages of Mindoro, including Paluan.<span> </span>Fr. Julian Llorente, the parish priest of Paluan who according to old records of the Catholic Church was assigned here, from 1887 to 1894, became his friend.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Capitan Mariano Abeleda & Capitan Agustin Liboro, the son & nephew, respectively, of Capitan Vicente Abeleda also became the friends of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.<span> </span>The two gentlemen served as leaders of Paluan.<span> </span>When the Filipinos revolted against the Spaniards, Capitan Mariano Abeleda & Capitan Agustin Liboro served as the leaders of the Filipino revolutionaries in the western part of the island of Mindoro.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1910, Paluan was created as a town by the American government.<span> </span>The center of the municipal government was placed at the site of Lumangbayan at present.<span> </span>Among the leaders who were appointed by the American governor general as municipal presidents and who held office in this place were Braulio Villaflores, Mariano Tria, Jacinto Villar, Lorenzo Abeleda, Mateo Tajonera, Estanislao Pag-ilagan and Luciano Fineza.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the middle part of the term of office of Municipal President Fernando Cuisia, in 1919, a resolution was approved by the municipal council transferring the center of the municipal government to Sitio Lipa.<span> </span>Due to the said transfer, the people started calling the old center of the town as Lumangbayan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>A primary school was opened at Lumangbayan in 1939.<span> </span>However, since this barrio is near the town’s center and the pupils studied Grade V and Grade VI there, it took twenty six years before the primary school evolved to a complete elementary school.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When World War II broke out, the sailors under Basilio de Lara of Lumangbayan were the ones who loaded to his big sailboat the communication equipment which were used by a group of Filipino American soldiers in the communication system they put up in Mt. Calavite.<span> </span>Basilio de Lara also served as the guide of the American soldiers when they liberated Paluan from the Japanese soldiers.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After the war, like other barrios of Paluan, through the cooperation of the inhabitants, efforts of the barangay & local government officials, the road at Lumangbayan was improved and the barangay hall, day care center, plaza and concrete stage were constructed.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>Aside from the aforementioned <i>cabezas de barangay,</i> those who served as leaders of Lumangbayan were Gaudencio Fineza, Felix dela Luna, Remigio Arellano, Loreno Zulueta, Amado Quiñones, Leoncio Mercado, Menandro Casil, Amparo Reyes, Renato Escalona, Jr., and Nestor Quiñones.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Ricardo Zulueta.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref28" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[28]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">4.<span> </span>MANANAO</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The indigenous people belonging to the Iraya tribe who first inhabited this place established a community in one part of the lowland near the sea, where at the back a part of the mountain protruded, as if watching and looking for somebody in the area where they lived.<span> </span>In their dialect, the equivalent of the word looking is <i>mananao</i>, hence they called their settlement by that name.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Mananao was a forest of big trees where the honeybees lived.<span> </span>The Irayas used to gather honey from the forest and sell it to the lowlanders.<span> </span>Sometimes, the lowlanders used honey to pay the taxes the government imposed on them, during the Spanish occupation of the Philippines.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Big rocks which look like caves could be found in one part of the seashore of Mananao.<span> </span>The Spaniards called it <i>Calaboso</i> for they used to imprison here the criminals and enemies they captured during those days.<span> </span>At present, the inhabitants of the barangay call the cave like rocks as <i>Underpass</i>. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the early part of the American occupation of Mindoro, a few families of farmers and fishermen from Talaotao, then a barrio in the small island of Golo, transferred to this place.<span> </span>They crossed by means of sailboats, the rough sea between the small island of Golo and the big island of Mindoro.<span> </span>The community of Mananao grew until it became one of the sitios of Paluan in 1905.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When Abra de Ilog and Paluan were created as municipalities in 1910, their boundary was placed at Agsigan, a sitio near Mananao.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When the American government granted permits to logging concessionaires, Mateo Tajonera was given the right to cut logs at the forests of Mananao.<span> </span>Big sailboats transported the logs and lumber to Batangas and Manila.<span> </span>In addition, lumber from this logging concession was used for building big sailboats which was the occupation of the families living in a sitio near the center of the municipality of Paluan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When World War II broke out, a group of Filipino-American communication experts installed a communication system on the mountain at the back of Mananao called <i>Alopa</i> by the indigenous people and Mt. Calavite by the lowlanders.<span> </span>The group was led by Major Phillips.<span> </span>The messages sent by the experts to their headquarters, provided information to the combined Filipino-American Forces about the movements of the Japanese warships at the sea between Batangas and Mindoro, including Manila Bay.<span> </span>As a result, the Americans could make the necessary maneuvers in order that the Japanese warships could not inflict damage to their seagoing vessels.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>For months, the Japanese soldiers looked for the exact location of the communication system installed by the Filipino-American experts.<span> </span>They could not get any information from the people of Mananao for many of the able bodies males of this place joined the group of guerrillas led by Lt. Pedro Nitura.<span> </span>Unfortunately, through their spies, the enemies found the location of the radio transmitter and they were able to kill Major Phillips at Kabilugan River, Abra de Ilog.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In December, 1944 when the soldiers of the Allied Forces liberated Paluan from Japanese occupation, the enemies retreated to the forest of Mananao.<span> </span>However, they encountered the group of guerrillas led by Lt. Nitura at the mouth of the river of Mananao,<span> </span>The enemies were killed after a bloody fight.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After the war, the people of Mananao strived to improve their community.<span> </span>They intensified their farming, fishing and logging activities.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1968, upon the request of parents and teachers, the primary school of Mananao was opened.<span> </span>During that time, Mr. Elias Garay was the Division Schools Superintendent of Occidental Mindoro, Mr. Mariano Ramirez was the District Supervisor of Paluan and Mrs. Purificacion Abeleda was the School Principal.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Through the cooperation of the inhabitants, leaders of Mananao, local and national officials, a barangay hall, plaza, concrete stage, plaza and day care center was constructed in this community.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The persons who served as leaders of Mananao were Fermin Nuñez, Vicente Robles, Antonio Nuñez, Hilarion Garcia, Victorino Ornilla, and Danilo Robles.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Elorde Marasigan.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref29" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[29]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">5.<span> </span>MARIKIT<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span><i>Baluga</i> was the first name given by the people to this place for its soil is a combination of mud and sand.<span> </span>After a few years, it was changed to <i>Narra</i> because a big narra tree grew in one part of the place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span><i>Baluga</i> or <i>Narra</i> was a forest during the Spanish occupation of Mindoro.<span> </span>It was only during the American regime when a few families from the island of Lubang settled in this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>It was not easy for the early settlers to own a farm in Narra.<span> </span>Oftentimes, after clearing and cultivating a piece of land, somebody would inform them that the land was a part of a logging concession or had been awarded to an influential person.<span> </span>Conflicts arouse on the ownership of the land. Destruction of crops, killing of domesticated animals and abuses against men & women were committed.<span> </span>After years of struggle, conflicts came to an end and the right to the land they cultivated was awarded by the government to the farmers.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>One of the traditions brought by the settlers from Lubang to this community was called <i>Mayuhan</i>.<span> </span>This is the nightly dancing activity during the month of May.<span> </span>Like the <i>Flores de Mayo</i>, this is one way of honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Young men and women from the nearby sitios and barrios of Paluan, like Mariil, Tambo, Camias, Lumangbayan & Poblacion, flocked to Narra every evening during the month of May, to participate in the <i>Mayuhan</i>.<span> </span>The ladies who attended the occasion were beautiful, thus, Pedro Cabrera, the acknowledged leader of Narra during that time proposed to change the name of their community to <i>Marikit,</i> a Tagalog word meaning beautiful.<span> </span>The inhabitants were in favor of changing the name, thus, when Narra became a barrio in 1960, Marikit was registered as its official name.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The following year, the government opened a primary school in Marikit.<span> </span>Mrs. Chancha Trajeco-Terrenal, who was still unmarried during that time, was appointed as the first teacher.<span> </span>Since there was no existing building for the primary school, classes were held at the residence of Mrs. Piring Cajayon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">One of the important events that happened in Marikit was the arrival from Bataan and the Visayan region of the group of Major Generoso Maceda, one of the persons who was given permission by government authorities to cut trees in one portion of the forests of Paluan.<span> </span>It happened just after the end of World War II when it was very difficult to go to Mamburao.<span> </span>During that time, to reach Mamburao from Paluan, a person has to walk or ride on horseback.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Since they have to transport the logs from Paluan to Mamburao, Major Maceda and his laborers constructed a road connecting the two municipalities.<span> </span>They maintained and repaired the road during the entire period of their logging operation.<span> </span>Although the road the logging firm constructed was not the planned provincial road, the engineers of the Department of Public Work & Highways and the Provincial Engineers Office just improved and followed its route.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">During martial law period, when the National Irrigation Administration constructed irrigation systems in Occidental Mindoro, an irrigation system was built in Marikit.<span> </span>After the peaceful revolution at EDSA, electric service reached this place, the barangay hall, day care center, concrete stage and plaza were constructed.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Aside from Teniente del Barrio Pedro Cabrera those who served as leaders of Marikit were Pedro Zapata, Sr., Ernesto Castillo, Rodolfo Cajayon, Alfredo Zapata, Rogelio Mariño, Joemari Velandria and Arsenio Cabrera.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Renato Estoy.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref30" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[30]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">6.<span> </span>POBLACION</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">During the early days, wild plants or ferns called <i>lipa</i> in the Tagalog dialect grew abundantly in this place.<span> </span>The pioneers named the settlement they founded after the plant.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Aside from the indigenous people belonging to the Iraya tribe, families from the small island of Golo, in the municipality of Looc at present, were the early settlers of Lipa.<span> </span>The ancestors of the families who migrated and settled permanently in this place came from the provinces of Cavite and Batangas.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Years later, Lipa became a sitio of the center of the municipality of Paluan which, at present is Brgy. Lumangbayan..<span> </span>However, in 1919, during the term of office of Fernando Cuisia as municipal president of Paluan, the center of the municipal government was transferred to this sitio.<span> </span>From that time onward, the name Lipa was changed to Poblacion, Paluan.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">An elementary school was opened by the American authorities in this place.<span> </span>Pupils who have finished Grade IV in the nearby barrios of Alipaoy, Lumangbayan and Marikit studied Grade V & VI in this community.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1942, during the Japanese occupation of Mindoro, the elementary school building of Poblacion was converted into a garrison of the enemies.<span> </span>Those who were suspected of being guerrillas or supporters of the group of freedom fighters were imprisoned in this building.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Captain Alfonso Umali, the leader of a group of guerrillas under the company of Major Esteban Beloncio, frequently visited Poblacion during the war.<span> </span>The said leader who later on became the governor of Oriental Mindoro in 1968, married Alberta Villar, a native of Paluan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">After liberating the town of San Jose, Company B of the 503<sup>rd</sup> Paratroopers Infantry of the Allied Forces proceeded to Paluan on January 5, 1945 and liberated this town from Japanese occupation.<span> </span>To hasten the operation, the liberators constructed the wooden bridge between the town’s center and Lumangbayan.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1946, a group of educators led by Judge Jesus Abeleda and Mrs. Maura Liboro founded Paluan Academy.<span> </span>This private school gave opportunities to the youth of this town who were graduates of the elementary school to pursue secondary education.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Since this place is the center of the municipal government of Paluan, many projects were implemented by the municipal mayors here.<span> </span>Some of them were the first municipal hall built by Mayor Nestor Abeleda in 1957; the new concrete municipal hall and the school building of Paluan Academy which were constructed by Mayor Amando San Agustin in 1960; the lighting of the town’s center, construction of the potable water system, and concreting of the roads during the administration of Mayor Pablo Quiñones which started in 1967; and the construction of the seawall and expansion of the municipal hall by Mayor Abelardo Pangilinan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">On September 20, 1974 by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 557, the barrios were called barangays.<span> </span>Consequently, the town’s centers were divided into smaller barangays.<span> </span>With the exception of Lumangbayan which is sometimes called by some politicians, as Brgy. 7,<span> </span>Poblacion, Paluan was divided into six barangays with corresponding names.<span> </span>The barangays are Brgy. 1 - Mapalad; Brgy. 2 – Handang Tumulong;<span> </span>Brgy. 3 – Silahis ng Pag-asa; Brgy. 4 – Pag-asa ng Bayan; Brgy. 4 – Bagong Silang and Brgy. 6 – San Jose.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Those who served as leaders of the six barangays of Poblacion were Julian Calabio, Amador Viaña, Leonardo Abeleda, Redentor Tinamisan, Carlito Amayan and Juan Aguilar of Mapalad; Crisanto Tagumpay, Reynaldo Tria, Senando Bernardo, Siona Viaña and Roseller Paglicawan of Handang Tumulong; Leonardo Cadahin, Leonardo Tendido and Birgilio Viguilla of Silahis ng Pag-asa; Ruperto Tendido, Abelardo Abeleda and Cesar Dueñas of Pag-asa; Carlos Capinpin, Pedro Mendiola, Jr., Manuel de Veas, Josemari Calabio and Richard Capinpin of Bagong Silang; and Sisenando Insigne, Pablo de Ocampo, Reynaldo Crisostomo, Leonardo Villas, Ronaldo Torreliza & Teodocia Paguagan of San Jose.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The leaders of the barangays in Poblacion who continue implementing the development projects of their predecessors are Joe Losito of Brgy. 1, Zaldy Tagumpay of Brgy. 2, Benito Dueñas of Brgy. 3, Ofelia Diaz of Brgy. 4, Lynette Torreliza of Brgy. 5, and Leonardo Villas of Brgy. 6.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref31" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[31]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">7.<span> </span>TUBILI<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The original name of the community was <i>tubli</i>. However, after years of constant use, it evolved to Tubili.<span> </span>The name came from a kind of plant which grew abundantly in this place.<span> </span>It was called <i>tubli</i> in the dialect of the indigenous people.<span> </span>A kind of chemical, harmless to man but poisonous to fishes, could be extracted from the roots of this plant.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the Spanish occupation of Mindoro, Tubili was a forest.<span> </span>It was one of the sources of sturdy lumber, used as materials for constructing big sailboats, locally known as <i>batel</i>.<span> </span>The Spanish missionaries did not reach this place for its forest was believed to have been made as a hideout of men who did not want to be baptized to the Catholic faith and who have transgressed the laws of the Spanish authorities.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the early years of the American occupation of Mindoro, Tubili was a part of the logging concession which was awarded by the government to an influential family of Paluan.<span> </span>Big logs were taken out of this place.<span> </span>In addition, hunters looking for tamaraw, wild pig and deer frequently roamed its forest.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Before World War II broke out, a few indigenous people belonging to the Iraya tribe cultivated patches of kaingin in Tubili.<span> </span>They built huts and planted fruit tress in their kaingin.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The war did not affect the families of the indigenous people residing at Tubili.<span> </span>Since no road was connecting Tubili with the center of the municipality of Paluan, the Japanese soldiers were not able to visit this place.<span> </span>As a result, the Filipino guerrillas frequently visited the Irayas in the area.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After the war, many families of fishermen from the Visayan region settled at the coastal areas which are under the jurisdiction of Tubili at present.<span> </span>Years later, some families of farmers from Lubang arrived.<span> </span>Despite the presence of malaria and the hardships they encountered in clearing the area, the farmers & fishermen decided to settle in this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span><span> </span>Five sitios were formed out of the areas where the farmers & fishermen from the Visayan region and Lubang settled.<span> </span>The sitios are Tinangra, Igsuso, Absukot, Maslud, and Tiquian.<span> </span>More houses could be found in these sitios than the supposed barrio site of Tubili.<span> </span>As a result, the barangay hall, day care center, plaza, playground, schoolhouses and chapels were built in the sitios,<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Additional families settled in Tubili when Major Generoso Maceda, the owner of a logging concession in Marikit constructed a road from his sawmill to Mamburao.<span> </span>The road passed near the sitios of this community.<span> </span>The flow of transportation became fast. Moreover, the basic services of the government from the center of the municipality of Paluan could now reach the sitios of this barangay.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1950, the people of Tubili and its sitios requested the members of the municipal council of Paluan that their place be elevated to the status of a barrio.<span> </span>Seeing that all the legal requirements had been met, the municipal councilors of Paluan granted the request.<span> </span>That same year, Tubili was created as a barrio.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>A primary school was opened by the government in a sitio of Tubili.<span> </span>Through cooperative effort, the inhabitants of the barrio built a schoolhouse made of nipa and bamboos.<span> </span>After a few years, simultaneous with the completion of the elementary school, a concrete school building was constructed.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Years later, the municipal government of Paluan was able to construct the road linking the sitios of Igsuso and Tinangra to the road connecting Paluan and Mamburao.<span> </span>Electric service also reached most households of Tubili.<span> </span>Moreover, with the cooperation of the people, barangay & local officials, infrastructure projects were implemented in the sitios of this community.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Those who served as leaders of Tubili were Jose Velandria, Basilio de Lara, Theodosio Miñon, McDonald Maderazo and Jaime de Lara.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Lolito Zapata.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historypaluan" name="_ednref32" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[32]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
</div>ROWELYN VERDIN MERCADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09575581693964613498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483057594829930987.post-80103852655677582432012-03-11T04:35:00.002-07:002012-03-11T04:38:02.345-07:00HISTORY OF MAMBURAO<div class="sites-layout-tile sites-tile-name-header">
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<span style="color: #996633; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Town of Mamburao</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: x-large;"><strong>HISTORY OF MAMBURAO</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> <strong><span style="color: #336666;">By Rudy Candelario</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666600; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Translated in English by Benjamin Walata</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">I – DURING THE SPANISH REGIME</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The name of the municipality came from <i>May Bulao,</i> an expression of the indigenous people which means <i>There’s Gold</i>. The expression was oftentimes uttered by the indigenous people, during the early days, every time they found pieces of gold after sifting the sands from the bed of a river near their settlement. They called the river where they discovered gold as <i>May Bulao</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The group of lowlanders who first lived near < xml="true" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" prefix="st1" namespace=""><i>May</i><i> Bulao</i> River also called their settlement by that name. Years later, the name became Mamburao.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref1" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[1]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Prior to the coming of the Spaniards in the Philippines, Mamburao was already a progressive community, a center of commerce where Muslim traders lived. The old potteries and kitchen utensils dug from this place showed that Chinese traders used to visit this community during the 10<sup>th</sup> century. Their sea vessels could enter the deep river of Mamburao and during stormy weather they dropped anchor at the sheltered coast of what is known now as Brgy. Tayamaan.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Written history stated that on the 1<sup>st</sup> day of January 1570, a company of warriors from Panay, led by Captain Juan de Salcedo, aboard fifteen sailboats, passed by the villages of Iling and Mamburao before proceeding to Lubang. In Mamburao, they defeated and drove away the Muslim warriors who were reported to the Spanish authorities as pirates. It was also stated in the report of a Spanish historian that in 1572, the Spanish soldiers confiscated two Chinese <i>champans</i> or sea vessels full of goods at Bato River, approximately five miles <i>from the town of Mindoro</i>. Local historians believed that <i>the town of Mindoro</i> mentioned in the report was actually Mamburao, since the distance of Bato River of Sta. Cruz from this municipality, at present, is approximately five miles.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref2" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[2]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">During the Spanish regime, the government controlled trade in the different parts of the Philippines. They sent an expedition to Sulu to vanquish the Moros and place them under the jurisdiction of the Spaniards. However, the Moros fought back and one of the methods they used in resisting Spanish domination was to attack the communities which were under the control of the foreigners. As a result, the former Muslim traders became pirates. It was mentioned in history that Mamburao was one of their headquarters in Mindoro. When they were defeated and driven out by the Spaniards from the community, as vengeance, they raided and looted repeatedly the coastal communities in Mindoro, including their former headquarters.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">When Calavite was erected as a parish in 1580, one of the communities placed under its jurisdiction was Mamburao. It was mentioned that in 1679, this community was one of the places visited by Fr. Diego dela Resureccion, the Spanish missionary belonging to the Order of Augustinian Recollects, who was assigned as parish priest of Calavite.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1757, the <i>corregidor</i> of Mindoro reported to the Governor General of the Philippines that Mamburao was one of the villages which disappeared from the map due to the frequent plundering and burning of this place by the Moro pirates. In 1766, it was reported that the Spanish soldiers drove out the pirates who used Mamburao as their temporary resting place.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1772, it was stated in another report that the Spanish soldiers attacked the pirates who were based in Mamburao. Many pirates escaped and hid in the mountains. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The last plundering and burning of Mamburao by the pirates happened in 1842. Fr. Miguel Claro, the Spanish friar assigned in this place was able to escape to the mountains. Unfortunately, due to the hardships he experienced in the mountains, and the extreme depression he felt because of the burning of the church and convent he painstakingly built, he lost his mind. When the Spanish soldiers found Fr. Claro in the mountains, they brought him to Manila for medical treatment. Nevertheless, the said missionary was not able to recover from his mental illness.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref3" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[3]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">To avoid the pirates, many families evacuated to other places. It was mentioned in the history written by a teacher from Talaotao, one of the barangays in Golo Island, municipality of Looc, that the ancestors of the inhabitants of this place were from Mamburao who left their original village due to the frequent raids of Moro pirates.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref4" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[4]</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">When the pirates stopped raiding the villages in Mindoro, Mamburao was made a <i>pueblo</i> by the Spaniards. A wide territory was placed under its jurisdiction. It included the territories which are now under the municipalities of Paluan, Abra de Ilog and Sta. Cruz.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In a book written by Dr. Remigio Agpalo, a noted professor and former chairman of the Political Science Department of the University of the Philippines, he mentioned that his great, great grandfather, Simeon Agpalo, together with some relatives from San Marcelino Zambales, settled in Mamburao in 1865. The first time they arrived here, they found only ten houses near the seashore. Through hard work and perseverance, they were able to clear the forest near their settlement.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref5" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[5]</span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Years later, the number of inhabitants increased when settlers from the provinces of Batangas and Cavite, followed by families from the municipalities of Paluan, Looc and Lubang of Occidental Mindoro, came and stayed in this place. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo mentioned in his autobiography that he bought a big sailboat and bartered goods with the inhabitants of Mindoro, together with his brothers Benigno and Crispulo.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref6" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[6]</span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> This business activity of the late general might have started in 1885 for the <i>capitan municipal</i> of Paluan, Capitan Mariano Abeleda and the leader of Sablayan, Capitan Pedro Fernandez became his friends. Although, it was not mentioned in his autobiography, it was believed that Gen. Aguinaldo set foot in Mamburao for the wide plain under Brgy. Balansay at present, became his property.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">It was mentioned in an old document of the Order of Augustinian Recollects (OAR) that one of the members of their congregation whom they want to be included in the list of saints of the Catholic Church, Fr. Vicente Soller, was assigned as parish priest of Mamburao in 1891. The said priest was able to build a convent and a church in this pueblo.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref7" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[7]</span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> He served the people of this place until the year 1898. It was also mentioned in the records of OAR that Mamburao was one of the places visited by St. Exequiel Moreno when the former head of the Spanish friars in Mindoro, visited the parishes in the island.. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1898, Mamburao was one of the places where the Filipino revolutionaries led by Capitan Mariano Abeleda and Capitan Agustin Liboro searched for Spanish friars and soldiers whom they would capture and imprison.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> The independence gained by the Mindoreños lasted only for two years. During the last part of 1901, American troops under the command of Major William Pitcher, attacked Mamburao and burned all houses and buildings, including the church and convent built by Fr. Vicente Soller. Some foreign soldiers abused the civilians and the people who sought shelter at the headquarters of the soldiers were truly pitiful to look at.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref8" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[8]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When Captain Robert Offley was appointed as governor of Mindoro by American authorities, in 1902, he established a village for the indigenous people at Sitio Tii which is now Brgy. Fatima. He opened a school and appointed a president & councilor to manage the place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1905, by virtue of Act 1280, the American government ordered that the number of municipalities in the island of Mindoro be reduced from fifteen to eight. Mamburao remained as a municipality. Placed under its jurisdiction were Paluan, Abra de Ilog and Sta. Cruz which were reverted to their former status as barrios. However, in 1910, by virtue of Executive Order No. 31, Paluan and Abra de Ilog were again created as municipalities. In 1949, by virtue of Executive Order No. 210, Sta. Cruz was separated from Mamburao and elevated again to the status of a municipality.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref9" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[9]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In the early part of the American occupation of Mamburao, they opened a primary school in this municipality. In the beginning, classes were only form Grade 1 to Grade IV but in 1916, classes were opened for pupils from Grade V up to Grade VII. The elementary school graduates who pursued secondary education, enrolled at Mindoro High School in Calapan, then the capital of the province of Mindoro.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1936, still under the American regime, the spiritual care of the inhabitants of Mindoro was entrusted to the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) after more than three hundred years of being under the Order of Augustinian Recollects. Mamburao remained as a parish. It was one of the towns visited by Bishop William Finnemann, SVD, DD during his second year of being the prefect apostolic of the Apostolic Prefecture of Mindoro.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref10" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[10]</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The American government appointed municipal presidents in Mamburao. After a few years, the municipal presidents were elected by the people. Those who served as municipal presidents were Luis Villar, Sinforoso Mercene, Mariano Villarosa, Jose Mercene, Vicente Sison and Pascual Castillo.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In the history of Sta. Cruz written by a teacher in 1950, it was mentioned that one politician from Brgy. Mulawin served as a member of the municipal council of Mamburao. He was Councilor Petronilo de Borja who also served, temporarily, as municipal president of Mamburao.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref11" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[11]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When World War II broke out, Mamburao was occupied by the Japanese soldiers. During that period, Francisco Niebres continued serving as municipal president of Mamburao under the supervision of Japanese authorities.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> The people of Mamburao experienced extreme fear and hunger during the Japanese occupation. The support given by the inhabitants to enemy soldiers and members of the group of freedom fighters aggravated the problem of shortage of food. Some families were tortured by soldiers of either of the two opposing groups, on mere suspicion that they were supporters of the Japanese or the Filipinos.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> The people of Mamburao were very happy when the U.S. led Allied Forces landed in San Jose, on December 15, 1944. That same year, Mamburao was liberated from Japanese occupation. The group of guerrillas in this town helped the soldiers of the Allied Forces in liberating other towns of West Mindoro from the enemies.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When peace was restored in 1945, a group of educators in Mamburao established West Mindoro Academy (WEMA). The said school gave opportunity to the youth to acquire secondary education. After a few years, WEMA was sold by its founders to the Society of the Divine Word.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref12" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[12]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> That same year, the American authorities appointed Eduardo Arguelles as the municipal president of Mamburao. When an election was held in 1947, Mayor Agaton Cosuco was elected as the head of the municipal government.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Life was difficult for the people of Mamburao during that time. Many got sick of <i>malaria</i>. Only few stores, big houses and school buildings could be seen at the town’s center. Aside from the roads which connected this town to Sta. Cruz, Abra de Ilog and Paluan, no highway linked Mamburao to the towns at the southern part of West Mindoro. Sailboats were the usual means of transportation when going to Manila, Palawan and Batangas. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> On June 13, 1950 President Elpidio Quirino signed Republic Act No. 505 which divided Mindoro into two provinces --- Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro. The formal division of the two provinces took place on November 15, 1950 when Mayor Damaso Abeleda of Paluan was appointed by President Quirino as the first governor of Occidental Mindoro. San Jose was designated as the first capital of Occidental Mindoro but since January 1, 1951 Mamburao became the capital of the province.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref13" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[13]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In the election held on November 13, 1951 Mayor Hospicio Pacal was elected as the head of the municipal government of Mamburao. With the assistance of the provincial and national government, he started development projects which were continued by his successors, Mayor Domingo Niebres and Mayor Raymundo Regudo. Those projects were the building of an airport in this town and the improvement & construction of roads and government structures.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Due to inadequate funds and fast succession of provincial governors, the capitol was not immediately constructed in Mamburao. The site where it should be constructed was also frequently changed. According to the book written by Dr. Agpalo, in 1952 when Hon. Federico Castillo was the governor of Occidental Mindoro, the proposed site of the capitol was the lot located north of Mamburao River, on the land owned by Jaime Rosales. However, in 1956 when Gov. Mariano Tajonera was the chief executive of the province, the proposed site of the building was the land owned by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo at Balansay. The construction of the capitol was only realized in 1960, during the first year of administration of Governor Arsenio Villaroza, on the site which he himself selected. With the support of Congressman Felipe Abeleda, the provincial government was able to get funds and the building was constructed on a place called Dapi. Through a resolution, members of the Provincial Board expressed the gratitude of the provincial government to the benevolent individuals who donated the land where the capitol was constructed. They were Marcelino Cosuco, Luciano Flores, Raul Flores, Francisco Alcaide and Joaquin Villaroza.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref14" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[14]</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1964, Governor Villaroza was reelected as the chief executive of the province. Again, with the support of Congressman Felipe Abeleda, he worked for the construction of a provincial hospital and public high school in Mamburao. The following years, with the cooperation of Mayor Cesar Servando and Congressman Pedro Medalla, Sr., additional buildings for government offices were built in Mamburao, the concrete pier in Tayamaan was constructed and concrete roads and bridges at the town’s center were built.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> During this period, Hon. Ricardo Quintos, one of the two delegates of Occidental Mindoro to the 1970 Constitutional Convention, established Golden Country Farms, Inc. The said corporation put up a cattle ranch, poultry and mango farm in Mamburao. It became the supplier of double yolk eggs in different parts of the Philippines. Unfortunately, the operation of the said corporation stopped during martial law period.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref15" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[15]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Due to the uncontrolled cutting of trees in the mountains northeast of Occidental Mindoro, a great calamity hit Mamburao, in 1970. That year, after days of heavy rains, Mamburao River destroyed the dikes which controlled its flow and floodwaters rushed to the town’s center. Many domesticated animals were carried away by the current, concrete bridges and roads were eroded, big houses & buildings were destroyed and some persons died.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref16" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[16]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> During martial law period, electricity flowed into many houses and buildings of Mamburao from the power plant of Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (OMECO) at Sitio Pulang Lupa, Central, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. Portions of the national highway connecting Mamburao and other towns of the province were widened and covered with concrete. A system for potable water was established in this town.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> The implementation of the infrastructure projects and the electrification program of the government contributed greatly to the progress of Mamburao. The flow of goods and services became fast and different commercial establishments appeared in this town.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1980, Hon. Bienvenido Ignacio was elected as municipal mayor of Mamburao. He repaired and improved the municipal hall built by Ex-Mayor Cesar Servando. With the support of Assemblyman Pedro Mendiola, Sr., he built the public market at the western part of the town’s center and started the construction of a river wall at Mamburao River. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1983, by virtue of the papal bull of Pope John Paul II, Occidental Mindoro was created as another ecclesiastical territory known as the Apostolic Vicariate of San Jose. That year, the first vicar apostolic, Bishop Vicente Manuel, SVD, DD visited Mamburao. Through the cooperation of Fr. Ramon del Rosario, SVD formation and training of lay leaders were intensified by Bishop Manuel in this municipality.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref17" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[17]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> After the term of office of Mayor Ignacio, the people of Mamburao again entrusted to Hon. Cesar Servando the reins of the municipal government. The said mayor completed the construction of the river wall at Mamburao River.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">IV – AFTER THE PEACEFUL EDSA REVOLUTION</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1986, when President Corazon Aquino ordered the replacement of all municipal mayors in the country, appointed as OIC Mayor of Mamburao was Hon. Natividad Simbulan. She served for ten months.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> During the first election held after the peaceful EDSA revolution, Mayor Esmenio Verdera was elected as the head of the municipal government. Two of his visible accomplishments were the improvement and beautification of the municipal hall and the construction of the fence around the municipal compound.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1993, the public high school opened by the late Gov. Arsenio Villaroza became a national high school and was called Occidental Mindoro National High School. Occidental Mindoro Community College which was opened by the association of parents and teachers was made as a branch of Occidental Mindoro National College of San Jose.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In the election held last 1994, Mayor Allan Aquino was elected as the head of the municipal government of Mamburao. In coordination with the provincial and national governments, more concrete roads were constructed in this municipality. Trucks for hauling garbage were also purchased by the municipal government. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Two tragic incidents shocked the people of Mamburao in 1997 & 1998. The first one was the killing of Tayamaan Brgy. Captain Michael Quintos and his brother Paul, by unidentified gunmen. The second one was the shooting of Vice Mayor Roger Abeleda. Many believed that politics was the motive behind the crimes.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref18" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[18]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Despite the trials and difficulties it encountered, Mamburao is becoming progressive. At present, this town has telephone lines, cable television, passenger jeeps going to different municipalities of the province and beach resorts for both foreign and local tourists. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 2004, Joel Panaligan was elected as municipal mayor of Mamburao. The town’s chief executive is confident that with the cooperation of the people and the support of the local and national officials, his municipality would become more progressive. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">HISTORY OF THE SEVEN BARANGAYS OF MAMBURAO</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">1. BALANSAY</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Residents of this place believe that the name of their community originated from one of these two Iraya words: <i>bansay</i>, a buri palm; and <i>balingasay</i>, a kind of tree. After years of constant use, the word evolved to <i>Balansay</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Like the old communities of Mamburao, the indigenous people belonging to the Iraya tribe were the first settlers of this place. Some families built their huts near the bank of the big river found here. The said river was used as a port during the Spanish occupation of the Philippines. In one report of a Spanish friar to the head of his congregation in 1666, he mentioned that like Mansalay and Dangay which are now parts of Oriental Mindoro, Balansay is also a <i>puerto</i> or port. The said missionary reported that he was able to baptize some indigenous people in this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In the history written by a teacher in 1950, it was stated that the inhabitants of Balansay grew when many families from the <i>pueblo</i> of Mamburao transferred to this community due to the frequent raids conducted by Moro pirates.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was still bartering goods with the people of Mindoro in 1885, he might have gone to Balansay or his sailboat dropped anchor in this port for he was able to acquire a wide agricultural estate within the area of jurisdiction of this community.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> During the American regime, two groups of families of farmers and fishermen from Lubang and Boac, Marinduque settled in this place. Farming, fishing and working as sawmill laborers were their means of livelihood.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> It was mentioned in the history of Balansay, written by a teacher in 1950, that the first leaders of this community were Simeon Custodio, Felipe Fernandez and Agustin Custodio.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1916, many inhabitants of Balansay died due to a smallpox epidemic. Despite the outbreak of the deadly disease, the survivors decided to stay in this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When World War II broke out, the people of Balansay hid in the mountains. The indigenous people taught them how to survive in their hiding places.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> After the war, the people returned to their homes. They tried to make their farms more productive. In order that their children could acquire education, they requested the government to open a primary school in Balansay. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1947, a class for Grade 1 was opened in Balansay. The number of pupils steadily grew, additional teachers were assigned here and after many years, the primary school became a complete elementary school. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1951, the people requested government authorities that Balansay be created as a barrio. The municipal councilors of Mamburao approved the request. It was also approved by the members of the provincial board of Occidental Mindoro. In 1952, Balansay was elevated to the status of a barrio.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> During martial law period, the national highway from Mamburao to other municipalities in the southern part of Occidental Mindoro, which passes through Balansay was widened and improved. Electric service also reached this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Although members of the rebel group or the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) strengthened their anti-government activities in the remote areas of Balansay, during martial law period, the people of this community remained loyal to the government. They strived to raise their economic situation, despite some disruptions in the peace and order condition of their community.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Through the cooperation of the inhabitants, leaders of the barangay and local & national officials, a barangay hall, day care center, plaza, concrete stage and multi-purpose pavement were constructed in Balansay.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Aside from the aforementioned personalities, those who served as leaders of Balansay were Guillermo de Lemos, Fedencio Panaligan, Mario Custodio, Eliseo Custodio, Emilio Tarcena, Iluminado Bulalacao, Juanito de Vera, Libertador Custodio and Armando Ramirez. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Ariel Castigador.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref19" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[19]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">2. FATIMA</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Tii was the original name of this community. According to the story told and retold by old residents of this place, a foreigner asked the name of this community from a man fishing in the river. The man thought that the foreigner was asking for the name of the fish he was trying to catch. He answered <i>TIGI</i>. The foreigner heard the word <i>TII,</i> hence, he called this place by that name. It so happened that their community has no name yet, thus, inhabitants called it <i>TII</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Tii was a forest during the Spanish occupation of the Philippines. Aside from a few families of indigenous people who built huts in their <i>kaingin,</i> no other group of people settled in this place. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> During the early part of the American regime, government authorities established communities which would be the permanent settlements of the indigenous people. To encourage the Mangyans belonging to the Iraya tribe to stay in one place, the government opened a school for their children. A school was built in Tii. The governor of Mindoro during that time, Captain Robert Offley, appointed a president and a councilor who would manage the affairs of the indigenous people in Tii.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> At first, many children of the Iraya tribe, some of which came from the nearby communities of Talabaan and Balansay, attended classes in the school of Tii. However, after a few years, their number decreased until the government was forced to close it. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When Talabaan was created as a barrio in 1905, Tii became a sitio under its jurisdiction. As years passed, families of Ilocano farmers from Luzon arrived and settled in this place. Among them were the families of Gallardo, Alafriz, Ignacio and Pamanilay. They cleared the forests and converted it into cornfields and ricefields. The indigenous people who tilled <i>kaingins</i> in the lowland transferred to the mountains.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When World War II broke out, in order to avoid the Japanese soldiers, the inhabitants of this place hid in the mountains. Within a period of almost three years, in order to survive, they have learned to eat root crops and dried sap of buri trunk.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> After the war, the inhabitants of Tii returned to their homes. Some of their relatives decided to settle also in this place. In addition, families from other towns of Occidental Mindoro bought farmlands in this sitio.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1965, Tii was created as a barrio of Mamburao. Heeding the request of the inhabitants, the government opened an elementary school in this barrio. The school building was constructed inside the lot donated by Gaudencio Gallardo.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Due to his active leadership in the cooperative labor done in the barrio and his being kind to those who asked his help, when an election was held in Tii, Gaudencio Gallardo was elected as its first barrio captain. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> The farmers thought of irrigating their ricefields. They dug deep wells and every summer, by means of motorized water pumps, they irrigate their farms.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> During martial law period, electric service reached this place. Moreover, the national highway connecting Mamburao with Sta. Cruz was improved. The said highway passes through this barrio, now a barangay.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> The families in Tii agreed that their patron saint will be Our Lady of Fatima. They also decided to change the name of their community with the name of their patron saint. As a result, in 1979, Tii became Brgy. Fatima.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Through the cooperation of the residents, leaders of the barangay, national & local officials, a day care center, barangay hall, concrete stage and multi-purpose pavement were constructed in Brgy. Fatima.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Aside from Gaudencio Gallardo, those who served as leaders of Fatima were Ricardo Alafriz, Dominador Gallardo, Arturo Alafriz and Roman Paguio. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Alberto Quiñonez.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref20" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[20]</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">3. POBLACION</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> This place started as a village of the municipality of Mamburao. Its name came from <i>May Bulao,</i> an expression of the indigenous people which means <i>There’s Gold.</i> The expression was oftentimes uttered by the indigenous people, during the early days, when they found pieces of gold after sifting the sands from the riverbed near their settlement. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Before the Spanish occupation of the Philippines, due to their extreme fear of the Moro pirates, the indigenous people of this village, then known as Mamburao transferred to the mountains. The pirates established their headquarters in this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1570, a large group of Spanish and Filipino warriors under the command of Capitan Juan de Salcedo drove the pirates out of Mamburao. Nevertheless, since the Spanish soldiers did not stay in this place, the pirates returned after a few months.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When Calavite Parish was entrusted to the Order of Augustinian Recollects in 1679, Mamburao was one of the villages visited by the missionaries assigned in the said religious center. However, due to the frequent raids of the pirates, the lives of the Spanish missionaries were oftentimes put in danger.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> A Spanish friar mentioned in his report that in 1757, Mamburao disappeared from the map because this village was burned by the pirates. When people again settled in this place, Fr. Miguel Claro, a Spanish missionary built a convent here. Unfortunately, after a few years of silence, the pirates again raided Mamburao. Fr. Claro was able to escape and hide in the mountains. However, due to the destruction of his church & convent and all the improvements in the village, the said priest became despondent and eventually lost his mind.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In a book written by Dr. Remigio Agpalo, he mentioned that his ancestor Simon Agpalo, together with some relatives from San Marcelino, Zambales settled in Mamburao, in 1865. The first time they arrived here, they found only ten houses near the seashore of this village. Through hard work, they were able to clear the forest around their settlement. Years later, the number of inhabitants increased until the village became a <i>pueblo</i> or town.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When the Filipinos revolted against the Spaniards, Mamburao was one of the places where the revolutionaries led by Capitan Mariano Abeleda and Capitan looked for the Spanish soldiers.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1901, the American soldiers occupied the center of the <i>pueblo</i> of Mamburao. When they entered the pueblo, they burned all the houses and buildings, including the church. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1905, under Act 1280 which reduced the number of municipalities in Mindoro, the former towns of Paluan, Abra de Ilog & Sta. Cruz were placed under the jurisdiction of the municipal officials based in what was already known as Poblacion, Mamburao. The American authorities opened a primary school here and in 1916, it became an elementary school with classes from Grade I to Grade VII.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When World War II broke out, the people of Poblacion, experienced hunger. The farmers could not plant palay in their farm, fearing that upon harvest, the Japanese soldiers or members of the pseudo guerrilla group would confiscate the grains.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When peace was restored in 1945, the people of Poblacion tried to make their place progressive. Groups of families engaged in farming, fishing, trade and industry, from Lubang and Batangas settled here.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1951, a few months after Mindoro was divided into two provinces, Mamburao was made as the capital of Occidental Mindoro. Provincial offices of the different government agencies were established at the town’s center.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> The economic progress of Poblacion happened, gradually. The construction of concrete roads which were started in Decade 60’s was vigorously pushed through in the middle part of Decade 80’s. Commercial enterprises were established.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"> In 1975, upon the order of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, the town’s center or Poblacion were divided into barangays. Poblacion, Mamburao was divided into eight barangays. The leaders of each political unit strived to make their barangay progressive. The present leaders of the eight barangays, namely; Brgy. Captain Emmanuel Olfato of Brgy. 1, Rolito de Jesus of Brgy. 2, Ronaldo Flores, Sr. of Brgy. 3, Rex Servando of Brgy. 4, Randy Fontanilla of Brgy. 5, Alejandro Montealegre of Brgy. 6, Enrique Pantoja of Brgy. 7 and Laudelino Sison, Jr. of Brgy. 8, continue to implement their own programs for development, including the projects started by their predecessors.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref21" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[21]</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">4. SAN LUIS </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Lig-ang was the original name of this barangay. According to the story of old residents of this community, many years ago, a housekeeper cooked rice on a makeshift stove made of three stones placed near each other. The stones were not firmly planted on the ground, thus, when the water with rice boiled, the kettle shook and the stones moved. As a result, the kettle tipped sideward. In the dialect of people from Batangas, the shaking of the content of the kettle which would result to its tipping, is called<i> lig-ang.</i> Due to that incident, this place was named Lig-ang.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Lig-ang was a forest during the Spanish occupation of Mindoro. The indigenous people belonging to the Iraya tribe used to get here root crops for food and lumber for their huts.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> During the American regime, the vacant land in this area was bought by a well off individual known only as Don Luis. However, he did not develop the land, hence, it remained a forest.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1930, the families of Lastre and Mulingbayan from Balayan, Batangas settled in Lig-ang. To be able to plant palay and corn, they cleared the forest. Their relatives came and also farm in this place. The number of inhabitants increased until Lig-ang became a sitio of Mamburao.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Five years before the outbreak of World War II, the road joining the town of Abra de Ilog and Mamburao was constructed by the national government. It passed through Sitio Lig-ang. Nevertheless, no passenger jeep regularly plied the Mamburao-Abra de Ilog route. The residents of Lig-ang traveled by hiking and riding on horseback. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When World War II broke out, like the people of other communities, the inhabitants of Lig-ang hid in the mountains to avoid the Japanese soldiers.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> After the war, the people returned to Lig-ang. They tended their farms and made it more productive. They requested the government authorities that a primary school be opened in their community. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1948, the primary school in Lig-ang was opened. Years later, it became a complete elementary school.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The population of Lig-ang grew when many families of farmers from Central Luzon migrated to Mindoro, during Decade 50’s. The said migration took place due to the intensified campaign of the government soldiers against members of the Hukbalahap movement. The peace loving farmers of Central Luzon avoided any kind of conflict.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">When the required number of inhabitants for the elevation of a barrio to a sitio was met, the people of Lig-ang requested government authorities that their community be created as a barrio. The request was granted and in 1951, Lig-ang was created as a barrio of Mamburao.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In order that Lig-ang would have a barrio site, Don Luis sold a portion of his land to the barrio officials at a much reduced price. Moreover, he donated the lot needed for the barrio plaza and other projects of the community.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">To perpetuate the memory of his benevolence, the people of Lig-ang decided to register San Luis as the official name of their barrio. It was the custom during that period that whenever the name of a benevolent person is being used as the name of a barrio, the word <i>San</i> is affixed to his name although the person being honored is not a saint.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">After many years, electric service reached the households in San Luis. With the cooperation of the residents of this community and the support of local and national officials, the leaders of this barangay were able to construct the barangay hall, day care center, waiting shed and plaza. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The persons who served as leaders of San Luis were Francisco Mulingbayan, Eduardo Mulingbayan, Luderio Paglicawan, Mariano Mulingbayan and Sancho Mulingbayan. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Oscar Olleros.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref22" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[22]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">5. TALABAAN</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> The original name of this barangay was <i>Talabahan</i>. The persons living in nearby sitios gave this name for they used to gather oysters or <i>talaba</i> and other marine life in the swamp of this place. As years passed and for unknown reasons, the letter h disappeared from the name of the barangay and only Talabaan remained.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Like other communities at the northwestern part of Mindoro, a few families of the indigenous people belonging to the Iraya tribe were the first settlers of this place. The missionaries were not able to visit them, during the Spanish occupation of Mindoro due to the thick forest surrounding their settlement.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> A few years before the American occupation, the families of Anoba, Tadeja and Pajayon from Zambales; Tañedo from Tarlac and Cortuna from Abra de Ilog, West Mindoro settled in this place. They occupied the vacant land and converted it into cornfields and ricefields. Later on, Talabaan became a sitio of Mamburao. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> The population grew when people from other places transferred to this community and permanently settled here. In 1900, this sitio was made as a barrio of Mamburao.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1910, the American government organized a settlement of the indigenous people in the nearby sitio of Tii, Brgy. Fatima at present. They opened a school for the Iraya in the said community.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Since Tii was near Talabaan, the families of indigenous people living in Talabaan sent their children to the school established by the Americans. However, due to poverty and the culture of the indigenous people to transfer from one place to another, their children stopped going to school. As a result, after a few years, the elementary school in Tii was closed by the government.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> The inhabitants of Talabaan requested the authorities of the American government to open a primary school in their barrio in order that their children would not hike for hours to attend their classes at the elementary school of Mamburao. The government granted the request and in 1935, a primary school was opened in Talabaan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Meliton Anoba donated a portion of his farm to the government for the buildings and campus of the primary school. When the said benevolent person learned that the Catholic Church needs a lot for its chapel and cemetery, he also donated a portion of his farm to the church. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Due to the generosity of Meliton Anoba, his barrio mates elected him as municipal councilor of Mamburao, during the American regime. In the desire of Councilor Anoba to facilitate the flow of transportation from Mamburao to his barrio, he allowed the construction in his farm of a portion of the feeder road from the national highway to Talabaan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Aside from Meliton Anoba, the leaders who served as <i>teniente del barrio, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Talabaan were Liberato Cortuna, Lolito Tapales, Blas Cortuna, Amado Bernardo, Recaredo Tadeja and Rex Alfaro, The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Arlene Crisostomo.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref23" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[23]</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">6. TANGKALAN </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> During the early days, it was in this place where the travelers from Mamburao to Abra de Ilog would always see chicken cages or <i>tangkalan.</i> When asked as to their place of residence, people who built huts here would answer <i>In Tangkalan.</i> As a result, the early settlers who formed a community here, called this place by that name.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Tangkalan was a forest during the Spanish occupation of the Philippines. This was one of the areas where the indigenous people belonging to the Iraya tribe used to hunt wildlife and gather root crops & fruits during lean months. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> During the American regime, the families of Daprosa, Eje and Villanueva from Calapan, Oriental Mindoro and the family of Contreras from Balayan, Batangas settled in this place. Government authorities allowed them to occupy this forested area as their homesteads. After they have cleared the forest and made the land productive, many of their relatives and friends decided also to settle in this place. The community grew until it became a sitio of Mamburao.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1935, when the Department of Public Works and Highways constructed the road connecting Abra de Ilog with Mamburao, it passed through Tangkalan. Despite the said development project, whenever a resident of this sitio wanted to go to the center of any of the two towns, they have to hike or ride on horseback because no passenger jeep regularly ply the Abra de Ilog-Mamburao route.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When World War II broke out, many residents of Tangkalan hid in the mountains to avoid the cruelties of the Japanese soldiers.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> After the war, groups of farmers together with their families from Central Luzon arrived and settled in this community.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Since their children have to hike for hours in order to attend their classes at Mamburao Elementary School, the parents requested the government authorities that a primary school be opened in their sitio. Their request was granted and in 1950, a Grade 1 class was opened in Tangkalan. That same year, this community was made as a barrio of Mamburao. After six years the primary school in this barrio became Tangkalan Elementary School.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When the trips of passenger jeeps plying the Mamburao-Abra de Ilog route became regular, many residents of Tangkalan built their houses along the national highway. Their leaders constructed a few waiting sheds on both sides of the main thoroughfare.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When Congressman Pedro Medalla, Sr. was the representative of Occidental Mindoro to the Philippine Congress, he worked for the widening of the national highway and the construction of concrete bridges in the province. This project was continued by Asemblyman Pedro Mendiola, Sr. The farmers benefited from the project for they could easily bring their agricultural products to the public markets.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The rebel group known as New Peoples Army intensified their anti-government activities in the barrios during martial law period. Occasionally, they would invite some barangay leaders to their hideout. Unfortunately, Brgy. Captain Venancio Camonino who was invited to the hideout of suspected members of the rebel group, during the last days of martial law, was not able to return to his community.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Through the cooperation of the inhabitants, barangay leaders and national & local officials, a barangay hall, day care center, concrete stage and multi-purpose pavement were constructed in Tangkalan. At present, the gravel & sand portion of the national highway which passes through Tangkalan was turned into concrete by the provincial government.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Aside from the aforementioned leaders, those who served as <i>teniente del barrio, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Tangkalan were Fidel Ablan, Juan Ablan, Jose Umali, Cora Abeleda and Villardo Umali. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Percival Lemos.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref24" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[24]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">7. TAYAMAAN </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> The name of the barangay came from a medicinal plant called <i>tayam</i> which grew abundantly in this place during the early days. To cure chest pain and cough, the medicine man of the indigenous people used to boil the roots of the said plant and tell the sick person to drink the solution. When asked as to where did he get that medicinal plant, the medicine men would answer <i>From Tayamaan.</i> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Due to the inward shape of the coast of this place which made it a good harbor, the Chinese traders bartered goods with the indigenous people living in this area during the pre-Spanish era. They avoided the pirates who also sought shelter at the coast of Tayamaan during stormy weather. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When the pirates made Mamburao as their headquarters during the height of their piratical activities in the Philippines, they used to unload in Tayamaan the goods they have forcibly taken from the places they raided.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> The indigenous people left Tayamaan when the pirates used this place as harbor for their <i>vintas</i>. With the exception of its coast, the wide plains of this place became a forest again.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Since the sea near Tayamaan is a good fishing ground, a few families from Lubang, Romblon, Panay and Cebu decided to settle in this place. They built huts along the coast. Aside from fishing, they engaged in logging and farming. Despite the presence of malaria, they stayed in this settlement until the Japanese soldiers occupied Mindoro in 1942. The people evacuated to other places, to avoid the foreign invaders.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> When peace was restored, the families who evacuated to other places returned to Tayamaan. Years later, families of Ilocano and Bicolano farmers also migrated to this place. The community grew until it became a sitio of Mamburao.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1949, the people of Tayamaan requested the Municipal Council of Mamburao that their sitio be created as a barrio. The request was granted. Tayamaan was elevated to the status of a barrio in 1950. Sario de Luna was elected as the first <i>teniente del barrio</i>. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In order that their children would not walk for kilometers to be able to attend classes at Mamburao Elementary School, the parents requested the government authorities to open a public school in Tayamaan. The Department of Education granted their request. In 1960, an elementary school was opened in this place. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Due to his benevolence, active service and good relationship with the people, <i>Teniente del Barrio</i> de Luna served as the leader of Tayamaan for twenty five long years. He retired in 1975, during martial law period. He was succeeded by Brgy. Captain Rolando Rosales. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> During martial law period, when Hon. Cesar Servando served as municipal mayor of Mamburao, a concrete pier was constructed in Tayamaan. The number of sea vessels which loaded and unloaded goods & passengers in this pier increased.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> During the administration of Brgy. Captain Segundo Maguad, a number of school buildings were constructed in Tayamaan. It included the building donated by the officers and members of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> In 1998, a tragic incident happened when Brgy. Captain Michael Quintos of Tayamaan and his brother Paul, both sons of former Assemblyman Ricardo Quintos, were killed by unidentified armed men in a party which they attended. A group of men, together with a well known politician of Occidental Mindoro were tried before the court and sentenced with the maximum penalty for allegedly committing the crime. The case is presently on appeal before the Supreme Court. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> Aside from the aforementioned leaders, those who served as barangay captain of Tayamaan were Silverio Taroma, Salus Sanchez, Domingo Umeres and Tita Aguilar. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Norberto Inmenzo.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymamburao" name="_ednref25" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[25]</span></span></a></div>
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</div>ROWELYN VERDIN MERCADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09575581693964613498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483057594829930987.post-19698946640095979042012-03-11T04:34:00.002-07:002012-03-11T04:34:24.582-07:00Santa Cruz History<div class="sites-layout-tile sites-tile-name-header">
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<span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Santa Cruz History</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #000066; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><strong>History of the Town of Santa Cruz</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3366ff; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><strong>By Rudy Candelario</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">1 – DURING THE SPANISH REGIME</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>The original name of Sta. Cruz prior to the coming of the Spaniards to the Philippines was <i>Talabasi</i>.<span> </span>In the old map of Mindoro presumably sketched by an unknown Chinese trader, this name appeared in the place where Sta. Cruz is located at present.<span> </span>According to the indigenous people, in their dialect, <i>talabasi</i> was the name of a kind of medicinal plant during the early days.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>The name Sta. Cruz was believed to be given by Captain Juan de Salcedo to the small village he found near the area where the mouths of Ramayan, Salagan and Pola Rivers merged.<span> </span>The said Spanish leader found the place when he made his first journey to the western coast of Mindoro, in May 1570.<span> </span>The thick foliage of the trees at the mouth of the river near this village served as protection to the small sailboats of his warriors from Panay.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historysantacruz" name="_ednref1" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000099;">[1]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Another story which up to the present time is being narrated by old residents of Sta. Cruz, traces the origin of the name of their community.<span> </span>Based on the story, the original name of this place was <i>Bugo</i>.<span> </span>It came from the name of a tree.<span> </span>A small community composed of the families of Benedicto Flores, Francisco Bernardo, Felix Gatdula, Eulalio Isidro and Damian Fernandez was formed here.<span> </span>The leader of the group was Francisco Bernardo.<span> </span>The community members <span> </span>drew water for household use from the stream of <i>Timalon</i>.<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>One day Eulalio Isidro found in the stream a wooden cross, one foot long.<span> </span>He showed it to his companions.<span> </span>The group considered the discovery of the cross as a miracle.<span> </span>Since they were religious by nature, they built a chapel and at the altar of the house of worship, they enthroned the cross.<span> </span>From that time on, Sta. Cruz became the new name of Bugo.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historysantacruz" name="_ednref2" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000099;">[2]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Sta. Cruz was first mentioned in an old Spanish document in 1666, in the report sent by a Jesuit missionary to his superiors.<span> </span>In that report, the priest stated that he visited and baptized many adults in the villages of the Mangyans in Ilin, Dongon, Sta. Cruz, Mamburao and Paluan.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Since 1663, Sta. Cruz officially belonged to the Parish of Calavite which could be found at the north-westernmost part of Mindoro.<span> </span>The ecclesiastical territory was managed by Fr. Martin Diaz, a secular priest. <span> </span>However, it was not mentioned in the document if this priest has gone to Sta. Cruz even once.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historysantacruz" name="_ednref3" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000099;">[3]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>In 1679, the Spanish friars belonging to the Order of Augustinian Recollects were entrusted with the mission of spreading the Catholic faith in Mindoro.<span> </span>Fr. Diego dela Resureccion was appointed as the parish priest of Calavite.<span> </span>It was possible that he or any of the forty one missionaries who succeeded him in Calavite until 1767, when the parish was completely destroyed by the pirates, had visited the small village of Sta. Cruz.<span> </span>Again, the old documents did not mention it.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>In an important manuscript written by Fr. Jose dela Concepcion in 1751, he mentioned that Calavite Parish was under the management of Fr. Francisco de San Miguel de San Clemente and that the population of Sta. Cruz was one hundred eighty five (185), bigger than the population of Mamburao by eighty (80).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>In 1754, the king of Spain ordered the construction of two forts in Mindoro which the inhabitants could use in defending themselves against the pirates.<span> </span>The forts would be built in Balete, East Mindoro and Sta. Cruz, West Mindoro.<span> </span>However, due to unknown reasons, the order was implemented only after fifteen (15) years.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>In the report of the administrator of Mindoro, <i>Corregidor</i> Gregorio Ladero to the governor-general of the Philippines in 1791, he mentioned that the forts in Balete and Sta. Cruz were used by the people in defending the villages against the pirates.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Due to the frequent raids of the Moro pirates in Mindoro, the Spanish government decided to assign a group of soldiers to Sta. Cruz to defend West Mindoro against the marauders.<span> </span>Nevertheless, the group composed of twenty five (25) soldiers led by a captain was not able to prevent the nefarious activities of the pirates.<span> </span>As a result, the people in the lowlands, decided to hide in the mountains.<span> </span>The people of Sta. Cruz might have done the same thing because within a period of more than a hundred years, this place was not mentioned as a village.<span> </span>Its name was only indicated in the map, during that time, for its river provided good harbor and shelter to small boats.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>From the old documents of 1803 and 1805, we could read how Don Nicolas de Torres, the Spanish governor of Mindoro, captured the pirates who hid in their boats while resting in the river of Sta. Cruz.<span> </span>Although many of the pirates managed to escape to the mountains, the Mangyans armed with bows and arrows shot them.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In connection with the aforementioned incident, a story handed down for generations narrated that in Sitio Naghumbak, Brgy. Carumbac at present, the bloody encounter between the Spanish soldiers and the Moro pirates took place.<span> </span>The pirates escaped and they passed by Sumague which is Brgy. Casague at present.<span> </span>When the Spanish soldiers were about to catch them, some pirates dived at the river of Sitio Timalon but many of their companions were killed by the pursuing government soldiers at Sitio Pula.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historysantacruz" name="_ednref4" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000099;">[4]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>It was only in 1876 when Sta. Cruz was again mentioned as a developing community.<span> </span>The people who hid in the mountains went down to the lowlands and lived in their villages.<span> </span>Sablayan was already established during that time and since 1844 has its own parish priest.<span> </span>The priest assigned there managed a very wide territory, for the northern part of West Mindoro, including Sta. Cruz was under the Parish of Sablayan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>The Recollect missionary who was parish priest of Sablayan (1870-1876), Fr. Pedro Muro de San Agustin, noticed in his occasional visit to Sta. Cruz that the number of inhabitants in this place was increasing in number and they were interested to become progressive.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>In 1875, Fr. San Agustin wrote the governor of Mindoro who was in Calapan.<span> </span>He explained that it would be advantageous to the church and government if Sta. Cruz would be created as a town.<span> </span>He attached in his petition letter the list of the Mangyans living in Sta. Cruz who requested him to teach and baptize their children.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>This petition was strongly recommended by the governor of Mindoro to the higher authorities in Manila.<span> </span>He added that two or three towns should be created in West Mindoro for the development of the Mangyans who were being exploited by the lowlanders.<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>The central government in Manila was in favor of the petition which was recommended by the governor.<span> </span>It was also supported by the highest official of the church.<span> </span>After numerous communications and meetings, the supporters of the petition agreed that instead of three, six towns should be created in West Mindoro and in each town the Archbishop of Manila would assign one missionary who would give true education to the Mangyans for their development and for a deep understanding of the Catholic religion.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In December 1876, the petition, plans and proposals were sent to the king of Spain for his approval and Royal Decree.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>In April 1877, the king of Spain approved the establishment of a new town in Mindoro which would be called <i>Santa Cruz</i><i> de Mindoro.</i><span> </span>Due to his successful efforts, we could say that Fr. Pedro Muro de San Agustin was the founder of the town of Sta. Cruz.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>After a year, by virtue of Royal Decree No. 103 dated February 25, 1878 the king of Spain approved the establishment of six new mission stations which would be selected by the Recollect Vicar of Calapan.<span> </span>One of the six was Sta. Cruz.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>From the 1884 Census record, the population of Sta. Cruz de Mindoro was one hundred thirty nine (139).<span> </span>Tagalog was the common dialect.<span> </span>The villagers used sailboat when going to other places and it usually took them four days to reach Calapan, the capital of the province.<span> </span>Capitan Valeriano Balaong was the <i>capitan del pueblo,</i> during that time.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>In February 1887, the first parish priest who stayed in Sta. Cruz was Fr. Domingo Cabrejas del Sto. Cristo dela Columna.<span> </span>With the help of the people he was able to build a chapel made of nipa and cogon.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Fr. Domingo did not stay long in Sta. Cruz.<span> </span>In July 1887 he was transferred to Sablayan.<span> </span>After a year, the position he vacated was entrusted to Fr. Antonio Diego delos Dolores.<span> </span>Fr. Antonio stayed in this town until 1890.<span> </span>He contacted a serious illness and on March 1, 1890 he was brought to Manila where he died.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>The successor of Fr. Antonio as parish priest of Sta. Cruz was Fr. Manuel Tarasona del Pilar.<span> </span>He too did not stay long in this town for the Recollect Provincial Superior decided to transfer the mission stations in Lumitaw, Busuanga and Sta. Cruz of West Mindoro to Pola, Bongabong and Bulalacao of East Mindoro.<span> </span>As a result, Sta. Cruz was placed under the jurisdiction of the Parish of Mamburao.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>According to the report of Fr. Vicente Soller, the parish priest of Mamburao in 1895, Sta. Cruz was attacked by the bandits on November 28, 1895.<span> </span>They killed <i>Teniente</i> Eusebio Basit, the barangay leader and wounded Ponciano Esguerra, the former <i>teniente</i>.<span> </span>Due to that tragic incident, many inhabitants of Sta. Cruz transferred to Mamburao.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historysantacruz" name="_ednref5" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000099;">[5]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>In 1898, the Filipinos revolted against the Spaniards.<span> </span>The Filipino revolutionaries, under the leadership of Capitan Mariano Abeleda and Capitan Agustin Liboro captured the Spanish friars in the different towns of West Mindoro.<span> </span>They temporarily detained the friars in Paluan before sending them to Taysan, Batangas for imprisonment.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historysantacruz" name="_ednref6" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000099;">[6]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>During the period when there were no Spanish friars in Mindoro, two secular priests from Batangas tried to keep the faith alive in the island.<span> </span>One of them was Fr. Vicente Romero who visited all the towns in West Mindoro.<span> </span>On June 17, 1900 he visited Sta. Cruz which at that time has a population of 300.people.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>The names of four places in Barahan, Sta. Cruz remind the people of the Spanish occupation of Mindoro.<span> </span>The names given to the places by the Tagalog speaking people and their corresponding translation in English are:<span> </span><i>Tulay Bato</i> (Stone Bridge), <i>Punduhang Kastila</i> (Spanish Port), <i>Pinagbitinang Kanyon</i> (Hanging Place of Cannon) and <i>Pinagpihitang Barko</i> (Turning Area of Ship).<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span><i>Tulay Bato</i> is a high but not so wide bridge made of stone, across the river of Barahan.<span> </span>The Spaniards ordered the natives to build it in order that the pirates who entered the river aboard their swift <i>vintas</i> would not be able to return to the sea.<span> </span>At present, the makeshift stone bridge is already submerged in the water.<span> </span><i>Punduhang Kastila</i> is an area in Barahan which was used as port by the Spaniards.<span> </span><i>Pinagbitinang Kanyon</i> is the place where a big tree with iron rings used as cradle of a cannon, could be found.<span> </span><i>Pinagpihitang Barko</i> is a portion of the river in Barahan where the Spanish sailors dug its banks, to enable their ship to turn and return to the sea.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historysantacruz" name="_ednref7" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000099;">[7]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">II – DURING THE AMERICAN REGIME</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>During the American occupation of Mindoro, many families from the island of Lubang and the town of Paluan transferred to Sta. Cruz.<span> </span>They occupied the wide vacant land.<span> </span>Some of them became financially well off.<span> </span>They acquired wide pastureland and bought vast agricultural estate.<span> </span>They hired able bodied men from other provinces to work as farmhands and cattle raisers.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">On January 4, 1905 by virtue of Act 1280, Mamburao which was established as a <i>pueblo</i> by the Spanish government was retained as a town by the Americans.<span> </span>The former municipalities of Paluan, Abra de Ilog & Sta. Cruz were again returned to their old status as barrios and placed under the jurisdiction of the municipal president of Mamburao.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historysantacruz" name="_ednref8" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000099;">[8]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">That same year, the American government established <i>Banganay,</i> a village for the indigenous people.<span> </span>They opened a primary school and assigned a teacher in this community.<span> </span>In 1907, another American official with the name of Mr. Brown established another community of the indigenous people in <i>Calamintao</i>.<span> </span>A school called <i>Calamintao</i><i> Settlement Farm School</i> was opened here.<span> </span>The American teacher taught the indigenous people how to farm, build houses and sew clothes.<span> </span>Unfortunately, due to the shortage of pupils, the school closed after a few years.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historysantacruz" name="_ednref9" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000099;">[9]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>In 1937, Bishop William Finnemann, SVD, DD the first prefect apostolic of the island of Mindoro, visited Sta. Cruz.<span> </span>In his autobiography, Fr. Miguel Wittler, the SVD missionary from Argentina and one of the companions of Bishop Finnemann, narrated what happened during their visit to this municipality, from April 29 to May 2, 1937.<span> </span>He said that the people living here were very poor.<span> </span>Nobody took care of their spiritual needs except for the priest from Lubang who visited them occasionally.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Fr. Wittler described the chapel as small and made of nipa, but an old woman took care of it as if it was his own house.<span> </span>According to the priest, a long steel pipe served as the bell of the chapel.<span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>While Bishop Finnemann was visiting Sta. Cruz, he stayed at the house of Don Mauricio Rodriguez.<span> </span>He blessed the house where he stayed before he proceeded to Mamburao.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historysantacruz" name="_ednref10" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000099;">[10]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>After the historic visit of Bishop Finnemann to Sta. Cruz, no mention was made in the documents of the church and the government as to what happened to Sta. Cruz until World War II broke out.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Like the inhabitants of other towns of Occidental Mindoro, the people of Sta. Cruz experienced untold hardships during the war.<span> </span>Barahan was made as the headquarters of a group of freedom fighters under the leadership of Captain Alfonso Umali.<span> </span>Some patriotic men who helped the guerrillas were tortured by the Japanese soldiers.<span> </span>One of them was Francisco Tria.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historysantacruz" name="_ednref11" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000099;">[11]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Some brave men of Sta. Cruz joined the guerrilla movement.<span> </span>Old residents of this place mentioned the name of Florante Tria.<span> </span>According to them, the said patriotic young man was a member of the group of guerrillas who built the radio transmitter facilities of the American soldiers at the island of Ambil, Looc.<span> </span>He also served as one of the operators of the secret radio communication system.<span> </span>Through the said communication facilities, the guerrillas were able to report to the group of Major William Phillips in Calavite, Paluan the activities of the Japanese soldiers in Lubang Island.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historysantacruz" name="_ednref12" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000099;">[12]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">III – AFTER WORLD WAR II</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Four years after the war or on April 1, 1949 by virtue of Executive Order No. 210 of President Elpidio Quirino, Sta. Cruz was separated from Mamburao and created as another municipality.<span> </span>Francisco Tria was appointed by the American authorities as the first municipal president.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historysantacruz" name="_ednref13" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000099;">[13]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>The said leader made the old building near the church as the temporary seat of the municipal government.<span> </span>He appointed the <i>teniente del barrio</i> in each barrio of Sta. Cruz.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historysantacruz" name="_ednref14" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000099;">[14]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>In 1951, Santiago Vidal was elected as mayor of Sta. Cruz.<span> </span>Together with the members of the municipal council, he named the streets at the town’s center.<span> </span>He worked for the construction of the wooden bridge which joined Barahan and Poblacion.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Mayor Teodoro Malabanan was elected as the next father of the municipality of Sta. Cruz.<span> </span>Among the visible accomplishments of the said mayor were the maintenance of peace and order in this town and the cooperative labor of the inhabitants in constructing roads from their sitios or barrios to the national highway;<span> </span>The roads<span> </span>facilitated the transport of agricultural products from the farms to the public market.<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>The next head of the municipal government of Sta. Cruz was Mayor Marta Abeleda vda. de Viaña.<span> </span>She tried to increase the income of the town by requiring the registration of each head of cattle raised in the pasturelands of Sta. Cruz.<span> </span>She encouraged the development of the cattle raising industry in Sta. Cruz.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>In 1963, the people of Sta. Cruz entrusted to Mayor Florante Tria the reins of the municipal government.<span> </span>With the financial support of the provincial and national government, the main road at the town’s center was converted into a concrete thoroughfare.<span> </span>In addition, concrete bridges were constructed in the different barangays; electric service reached the municipality; and a local water district was established.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>When Mayor Nestor Abeleda was elected as the chief executive of the municipality, he worked for the construction of a new municipal building.<span> </span>He encouraged the propagation of the modern method of farming.<span> </span>It was during his time when the volume of palay produced in Sta. Cruz began to increase.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>It was during this period, Decade 60’s, when a big piggery was established in Lumangbayan, Sta. Cruz by Atty. Mauro Castro and Captain Wilfredo Calabio, both sons in law of then Secretary Cornelio Balmaceda of the Department of Agriculture.<span> </span>To manage the piggery, they established Mindoro Management Corporation (MIMACOR).<span> </span>The said piggery, considered as the biggest in the Philippines during that time, gave jobs to many residents of Sta. Cruz.<span> </span>Unfortunately, after ten years, MIMACOR suffered financial losses and its properties were foreclosed by the Philippine National Bank.<span> </span>The land occupied by the company at Lumangbayan was used as training center by agriculture students.<span> </span>Its main office was used as headquarters of the <i>Palayan ng Bayan</i> Project of the national government.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historysantacruz" name="_ednref15" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000099;">[15]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>In 1966, two public high schools were opened by groups of parents & teachers at Poblacion and Barahan.<span> </span>The institutions started as barrio high schools but after a few years, the municipal councilors decided to convert the public secondary school at the town’s center into Sta. Cruz Municipal High School.<span> </span>In 1993, by virtue of an executive order of President Corazon Aquino, the two secondary schools were elevated to the status of national high schools.<span> </span>At present, Sta. Cruz National High School has two buildings at Brgy. Pinagturilan, where extension classes for high school students from first year to fourth year are being held.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historysantacruz" name="_ednref16" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000099;">[16]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Hon. Florante Tria was again elected mayor of Sta. Cruz in 1968.<span> </span>He served as the head of the municipality until the martial law period when the government vigorously implemented the infrastructure projects in the province.<span> </span>Two of the projects implemented during his time were the construction of the long concrete bridge over Amnay River, the natural boundary of the towns of Sta. Cruz & Sablayan; and the irrigation systems of National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in the different barangays of Sta. Cruz.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>In 1976, after coordinating with the Japanese government, then Occidental Mindoro Governor Arsenio Villaroza, established a training center for the youth who were studying the modern method of farming.<span> </span>The training center was under the Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA) Program of Japan.<span> </span>Through this program, some young men of Occidental Mindoro were given the opportunity to go to Japan to deepen their knowledge and skills in the field of agriculture.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historysantacruz" name="_ednref17" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000099;">[17]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>During this period, since wide areas of swamps could be found in Sta. Cruz, a few well off individuals converted some of the swamps into fishponds.<span> </span>However, the following years, flood frequently occurred and fishpond owners suffered financial losses.<span> </span>As a result, they abandoned the development of the said industry, temporarily.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>In 1977, when Fr. Wim Leijendekker, SVD served as the parish priest of Sta. Cruz, he promoted the formation of Basic Ecclesial Communities in the parish.<span> </span>Assisted by the lay missionaries from Mindanao and his former catechists in Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro, they gave seminars and trainings to the people in the barrio.<span> </span>They helped form the farmers’ cooperative in Dayap.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>In one meeting with the officers of Jaycees, a civic organization, the need of a hospital for the poor people of Sta. Cruz was discussed.<span> </span>The officers told Fr. Wim that they have prepared a project proposal for the construction of a community hospital.<span> </span>They asked him where to submit it and after determining the proper funding agency, they sent the project proposal.<span> </span>After waiting for months, the fund needed for the project arrived.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>In December 1980, after overcoming some obstacles the construction of the hospital was finished.<span> </span>The hospital was managed by the Jaycees but after a year, its administration was transferred to the municipal government.<span> </span>Upt to the present time, the hospital greatly helps the poor patients.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>The rebel group belonging to the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) intensified their anti-government activities during martial law period.<span> </span>They controlled some sitios of Sta. Cruz.<span> </span>They detained some well known personalities for a few days while investigating the complaints lodged against them.<span> </span>Some personalities who were detained were able to return home but some were not as lucky as the others.<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">IV – AFTER THE PEACEFUL EDSA REVOLUTION </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>In 1986, after the peaceful EDSA revolution, Atty. Jesus Abeleda, Jr. was appointed as OIC Mayor of Sta. Cruz.<span> </span>However, after serving only for less than a month, he was replaced by Manuel Miclat.<span> </span>When OIC Mayor Miclat campaigned during the 1987 Elections, Marceliano Morales served temporarily as the head of the municipal government.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Mrs. Purificacion Abeleda won as mayor of Sta. Cruz during the first post EDSA election.<span> </span>During his term of office, the former division schools superintendent worked for the construction of enough school buildings in her municipality.<span> </span>The construction of a building for the public market was also realized under her administration.<span> </span>In her desire to maintain peace and order and to in order to facilitate the release of some individuals who were captured by NPA members, Mayor Abeleda held for a few days, a dialogue with the head of the rebel group at their hideout in the mountains.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historysantacruz" name="_ednref18" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000099;">[18]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>In 1992, Mayor Artemio Abeleda was elected as the chief executive of Sta. Cruz.<span> </span>With the support of the provincial and national government, he constructed the municipal gymnasium & children’s playground and beautified the municipal compound.<span> </span>His town mates were satisfied with his performance that in 1997, he was reelected as mayor.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>The school buildings and roads of Sta. Cruz were repaired and improved, gradually.<span> </span>The flow of goods and services became fast.<span> </span>The farmers increased the size of their cornfields when buyers from other places came to buy their harvest.<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>In 2001, Felimon Galsim, a lay leader, was elected as mayor of Sta. Cruz.<span> </span>Under his administration, the municipal hall and the town plaza were improved and beautified.<span> </span>With the financial assistance of the provincial government, the concrete roads were built and improved.<span> </span>He maintained peace and order in the whole town.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historysantacruz" name="_ednref19" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000099;">[19]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Mayor Leonardo Abeleda won the mayoralty race in 2004.<span> </span>This time, the provincial government vigorously implemented the project for the concreting and widening of the highway from Abra de Ilog to Sta. Cruz.<span> </span>The building for the public market was improved and made bigger.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Despite the efforts exerted by the local and national government, the municipality of Sta. Cruz has not yet attained lasting peace.<span> </span>A tragic incident happened in this town on December 24, 2004.<span> </span>SB Kagawad Francisco Pingko Gatdula was killed by unidentified armed men, a few meters from his house, while going to church.<span> </span>The killing shocked his town mates and relatives, specially his sin, Fr. Jojo Gatdula who was ordained a few months ago.<span> </span>A dialogue was held between local officials and the officers of the Philippine Army (PA) contingent assigned in Sta. Cruz.<span> </span>The PA officers promised to solve the case immediately but up to the present time, the crime remains unsolved.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historysantacruz" name="_ednref20" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000099;">[20]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>At present, the local officials and people of Sta. Cruz cooperate with each other to make their municipality more peaceful and progressive.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">HISTORY OF THE TEN BARANGAYS OF STA. CRUZ</span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">1.<span> </span>Alacaak</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>The name of the barangay was given by the indigenous people belonging to the Alangan tribe.<span> </span>It came from the name of a big tree which grew in this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>During the Spanish occupation, this area was a forest.<span> </span>Only patches of kaingin of the indigenous people could be found on the wide plain.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>During the American regime, the government awarded to Mariano Abeleda, a logging concessionaire, the right to cut big trees in this area.<span> </span>When all the big trees were felled, coconut and other fruit bearing trees were planted on the plains.<span> </span>Other portions were converted into cornfields and ricefields by the logging concessionaire.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>The families of the laborers hired by the heirs of Mariano Abeleda in their coconut, palay and corn plantation, stayed on the piece of land they cultivated.<span> </span>Their relatives who also looked for land to till, built huts near the national highway passing through this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>The number of families living in Alacaak grew until it became a sitio of Barangay Mulawin.<span> </span>The leaders of Mulawin as well as that of the sitio petitioned the government authorities that a primary school be opened in this place.<span> </span>Their petition was granted.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>During the early part of 1967, the people of Alacaak requested the municipal councilors of Sta Cruz that their sitio be elevated to the status of a barrio.<span> </span>The councilors discussed the merits of the request, approved it and after undergoing the legal process, Alacaak was created as a bariio on December 10, 1967.<span> </span>Anastacio Cuzon was elected as the first barrio captain.<span> </span>Together with the members of the barrio council, he took his oath of office on February 2, 1968.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>In 1970, three important events happened in Alacaak.<span> </span>The first one was the workshop of the members of UPSCA, an association of students of the University of the Philippines.<span> </span>The second was the demolition of the huts near the national highway, on the land owned by the Abeleda Family.<span> </span>The third was the firing of unidentified men on the service vehicle of Ex-Governor Damaso Abeleda, one of the heirs of Mariano Abeleda.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Due to the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program or CARP, conflicts erupted between the occupants of the farm and the owner of the land. <span> </span>Many farmers stopped cultivating the land, temporarily.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>In 1972, after numerous dialogues between the owner of the land, employees of the Department of Agrarian Reform and the group of farmers, peace was restored at Alacaak.<span> </span>The farmers returned to the farms which they used to cultivate and many of them built huts on the designated barrio site of the community.<span> </span>The leaders of the barangay encouraged the complete attendance of the farmers to the barrio development course seminar which was held in this place.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>A water system was constructed by the National Irrigation Administration in Alacaak.<span> </span>When the project was finished, it enabled the farmers to plant and harvest palay twice, annually.<span> </span>As a result, they became active in church activities, as a sign if their gratitude to the Almighty God.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>When the country experienced a crisis in energy, in 1979, an <i>ipil-ipil</i> plantation was put up in Sitio Bisay, in order that the trees would be used as fuel to a dendrothermal plant.<span> </span>However, the said electric plant was abandoned after it was discovered that it will cause the rapid denudation of the forests on the mountains.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>In 1981, during the war game conducted by the American soldiers in Occidental Mindoro, some houses and properties in Sta. Cruz were damaged.<span> </span>Due to that incident, many families demanded for compensation to the damages on their properties.<span> </span>It was embarrassing to note, however, that many families who were not affected by the war game also asked for compensation.<span> </span>It included some families in Alacaak.<span> </span>The person in charge of the war game discovered the fake damage claims, thus, no payment was made to the claimants.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>In July 1982, a marijuana farm was discovered by the government soldiers at Sitio Kaibong.<span> </span>The following year, while the feast in honor of the patron saint was being celebrated at Sitio Kurtinganan, a policeman was shot by members of the New Peoples’ Army (NPA) at the plaza.<span> </span>It started a few bloody encounters between government soldiers and NPA members.<span> </span>The armed conflict in Alacaak stopped only when Gen. Fidel Ramos became the president of the Philippines.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Aside from Barrio Captain Anastacio Cuzon, the persons who served as leaders of Alacaak were Andres Alcantara, Teofilo Mendez, Panfilo Katigbak who was detained by the NPA in their hideout for a month, Laurel Alcantara and Angelito Lopez.<span> </span>The leader of Alacaak at present is Brgy. Captain Lorigen Isidro.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historysantacruz" name="_ednref21" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000099;">[21]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;">2. BARAHAN<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Old residents of Barahan could not tell exactly which of the two stories concerning the origin of the name of their barangay is true.<span> </span>Both stories happened during the Spanish occupation of the Philippines.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>The first story was about a galleon which was battered by a typhoon while passing the sea on this part of Mindoro.<span> </span>Due to the incessant lashing of the waves and the force of the wind, the sailors lost control of the vessel and it ran aground the shore of this place.<span> </span>In the Tagalog dialect, the word used to describe what happened is <i>bumara</i> and the place where the incident happened is <i>barahan</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>The other story was about the <i>vinta</i> or swift boat of the pirates which entered Bato River to raid the community along its banks, three kilometers away from the mouth of the said body of water or stream.<span> </span>When the <i>vinta</i> was already inside the river, the people living near the seashore piled big stones across the stream in order that the swift boat could not return to the sea.<span> </span>However, the piled stones have not yet reached the surface of the water when the <i>vinta</i> returned.<span> </span>The people hid immediately and the <i>vinta</i> ran aground<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>From that time on, this place became known as Barahan or the place where sea vessels ran aground.<span> </span>The village established in this place was called by that name.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Fishermen and farmers who were looking for vacant land to cultivate were the first settlers of this place during the American regime.<span> </span>In the history written by a teacher in 1950, it was mentioned that the leaders in Barahan were Adriano Ramos, Pedro Danhembro, Petronilo Gatdula, Francisco Incina, Pablo Ramos, Mariano Bolasco and Mariano Alfaro.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>During World War II, Barahan served as the headquarter of a guerrilla group headed by Captain Alfonso Umali.<span> </span>Some of the members of his group were Lt. Rigor, Unson, Jamilla and Nitura.<span> </span>Due to the assistance extended by the people, the Japanese soldiers who hunted the guerrillas were not able to capture them. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>After the war, the number of settlers in Barahan increased.<span> </span>The government opened a school in this place.<span> </span>From a group of pupils in Grade 1, the number of schoolchildren increased until the educational institution became a complete elementary school.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>On April 1, 1949 Barahan was created as a barrio by virtue of Executive Order No. 210.<span> </span>Narciso Barrales was appointed as its first <i>teniente del barrio</i>.<span> </span>The said leader also served as municipal mayor of Sta. Cruz.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>In 1966, when barrio high schools were opened in different parts of the country, the parents and teachers of Barahan decided to open a public secondary school in their community.<span> </span>The school grew and after years of<span> </span>trials and difficulties, it became Barahan National High School.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Through the cooperative effort of the people, barangay leaders and local officials, the road going to Barahan from the national highway was improved and many projects were implemented in the barangay, like the construction of the barangay hall, health center, multi-purpose pavement and plaza.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Due to the deep religious faith of their families and friends, three young men of Barahan became priests.<span> </span>They are Fr. Nards Mercene, Fr. Edu Aquino and Fr. Dennis Manzano.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Aside from <i>Teniente del Barrio</i> Barrales, those who served as leaders of the barangay were Sergio Telebrico, Juan Calingasan, Wilson Tomas and Rafael Corpuz.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Gideon Victoriano.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historysantacruz" name="_ednref22" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000099;">[22]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">3.<span> </span>CASAGUE</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>In the past, lowlanders often heard the indigenous people uttered the word <i>casague</i>, meaning very narrow, every time they passed this place.<span> </span>It was believed that they used the word to describe the very narrow trail between the tall trees or the limited area of the plain land between the mountains.<span> </span>Nevertheless, this place was known by that name, thus, when the indigenous people who settled here were asked where they lived they would answer, <i>“In Casague.”</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>After World War II, Casague became a part of a logging concession.<span> </span>The big trees in the area quickly disappeared and only the tall grasses remained.<span> </span>When some well off families from other provinces came, they put up pasturelands in this place.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Ten years after the war, when many families of farmers arrived in Sta. Cruz, they occupied some parts of Casague which were not used as grazing grounds of cattle.<span> </span>They converted it into ricefields and cornfields.<span> </span>Despite the presence of malaria, they persevered in tilling the land.<span> </span>At first, the indigenous people lived with the lowlanders but later on, they transferred to the mountains.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Although Casague was a remote place, the number of people who lived here increased until it became a sitio of Sta. Cruz.<span> </span>As years passed, the farmers gradually occupied the lowlands which were parts of pasturelands.<span> </span>Despite the guidelines issued by government authorities that only rolling areas could be used as pasturelands, ranch owners would not give the plains utilized as grazing grounds of their cattle to the farmers.<span> </span>It took years of negotiation and dialogue, sporadic outbreak of violence and complicated legal process before the farmers were able to own the land they have occupied.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;">In the beginning, a portion of the national highway from Abra de Ilog to San Jose passed through Casague.<span> </span>However, during martial law period, a concrete road going to Poblacion, Sta. Cruz was constructed from the intersection of the national highway and the road leading to Barahan.<span> </span>As a result, passenger jeeps and buses plying the San Jose-Abra de Ilog route used this road.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;">Before President Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law in 1972, the inhabitants of Casague requested members of the municipal council of Sta. Cruz to elevate their place to the status of a barrio.<span> </span>The municipal council granted their request.<span> </span>On February 15, 1972, Casague was created as a barrio.<span> </span>Jose Fernandez was elected as its first barrio captain.<span> </span>The said leader worked for the opening of an elementary school in his community.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">During the period when the rebel group became active in Occidental Mindoro, Casague was one of the barrios in Sta. Cruz which they frequently visited.<span> </span>Government soldiers often went to this place also.<span> </span>The residents of Casague lived in anxiety, fearing that bloody encounters between the two groups would occur, one day.<span> </span>Luckily, it did not happen. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>The leaders of the barangay, with the cooperation of the people and the support of the local officials were able to construct a multi-purpose pavement in their plaza, barangay hall and day care center.<span> </span>They were able to implement also other projects in Casague.<span> </span>In addition, they strived to maintain unity and cooperation among the community members.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Aside from Jose Fernandez, other persons who served as leaders of Casague were Rolando Torreliza, Pablo Bernabe and Constancio Pilar.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Rolando Manuel.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historysantacruz" name="_ednref23" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000099;">[23]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">4.<span> </span>DAYAP</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>The name of the barangay came from thorny trees with sour tasting fruits which grew abundantly in this area during the American occupation of the Philippines. In the Tagalog dialect that kind of tree is called <i>dayap</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Only few families from the island of Lubang lived in this place during the early part of the American regime.<span> </span>It was only after World War II when the relatives of the first settlers came and settled in this community.<span> </span>Later on, families of farmers from other provinces who were looking for vacant land to till arrived also.<span> </span>The new settlers cleared the forest and converted it into productive agricultural land.<span> </span>Aside from farming, weaving of nipa shingles and fishing were their sources of livelihood.<span> </span>Swamps near their community abound with fishes, crabs and shrimps, hence, food was not a problem for the industrious pioneers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Years later, due to the continuous increase of the number of inhabitants in Dayap, this place became a sitio of Barahan.<span> </span>Since the sitio is almost surrounded by swamps, during that time the farmers used banca in transporting their products from their farm to the public market of Sta. Cruz.<span> </span>Through the efforts of the barrio officials of Barahan, a wooden bridge was built over the river which serves as the natural boundary between this barrio and Dayap.<span> </span>It facilitated the transport of products especially during rainy season when the current is strong. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">When an elementary school was opened in Dayap, the father of Ex-Congressman Jose Villarosa was one of the teachers assigned there.<span> </span>His family resided in this community.<span> </span>While the former representative was still a boy, he studied at Dayap Elementary School.<span> </span>He was not able to finish the elementary grades in this place for his father was transferred to another barrio and school.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;">During the early part of 1962, the people of Dayap requested the members of the municipal council of Sta. Cruz that their sitio be elevated to the status of a barrio.<span> </span>Their request was granted.<span> </span>On August 7, 1962, by virtue of the resolution passed by the municipal council of Sta. Cruz, Dayap was created as a barrio.<span> </span>Emerenciano Moreno was elected as the first <i>teniente del barrio.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The first leader of Dayap and the other barrio officials who succeeded him worked for the construction of the plaza, barangay hall, health center and the roads going to the sitios at the southern and eastern part of the barrio.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Before the year 1970, a barrio high school was opened at the nearby barrio of Barahan.<span> </span>Due to this development, many young men & women who have graduated from Dayap Elementary School were able to pursue secondary education.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1978, a calamity struck Dayap.<span> </span>A great flood occurred in this place and the ready to harvest palay of the farmers were carried away by the flood.<span> </span>To survive, they repeated what they did during the war --- digging wild root crops and eating <i>yuro</i> or the dried sap extracted from the trunk of <i>buri</i> palms.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The Catholic Church, through missionary priest Fr. Wim Leijendekker, SVD helped the farmers recover from their losses.<span> </span>A<span> </span>cooperative was formed and through the assistance of benevolent donors abroad, the farmers were provided with financial capital for farm inputs.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">During martial law period, the national highway connecting Abra de Ilog and San Jose was widened and improved.<span> </span>A portion of the highway passed through a sitio near Dayap.<span> </span>It facilitated the marketing of the products of the farmers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Aside from Emerenciano Moreno, the persons who served as leaders of Dayap were Felix Ramos and Remigio Vidal.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Loreto Daprosa.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historysantacruz" name="_ednref24" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000099;">[24]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">5.<span> </span>KURTINGANAN</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Like other barangays of Sta. Cruz, this place was a forest during the Spanish occupation of Mindoro.<span> </span>The indigenous people were living here and they survived by hunting wildlife and the kaingin system of agriculture.<span> </span>In addition, they fished at Lake Lanas which could be found at the eastern portion of the forest.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>During the American regime, the forest in this area became a part of the logging concession awarded to an influential family.<span> </span>Since it was in this part of the logging concession where big trees were being sawed into lumber, it was referred to as the place known in Tagalog as <i>pangurtihan</i>.<span> </span>The name Kurtinganan originated from that word.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>When all the big trees were felled and the logging permit of the concessionaire was canceled, the laborers decided to settle in this place. At first, the indigenous people lived with the lowlanders but later on,<span> </span>they transferred to the mountains.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Among the first settlers of Kurtinganan were the families of Pablo Mendez, Rufo Valdez, Anastacio Cuzon, Honofre Viray, Farcon Acosta, Nemesio Villaroza and Estanislao Pag-ilagan.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>The population of Kurtinganan grew until it became a sitio of Barrio Mulawin.<span> </span>When Alacaak was created as a barrio in 1967, Sitio Kurtinganan was placed under the jurisdiction of the officials of the said barrio.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>The two kilometer feeder road from Sitio Kurtinganan up to the national highway was constructed with the help of the municipal government, during the term of office of Brgy. Captain Andres Alcantara of Alacaak.<span> </span>The said road made it easier for the farmers to bring their products to the public market.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Since their community has grown, the people of Kurtinganan requested members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Sta. Cruz, through Barangay Resolution No. 84-9 of Brgy. Alacaak, that their sitio be elevated to the status of a barrio.<span> </span>In connection with their request, the sitio leaders determined the exact boundaries of Kurtinganan.<span> </span>In 1984, with the financial support of Antonio Azurin, Sr. and Fausto Ventura, Sr., a survey team from the Department of Public Works and Highways, together with Provincial Census Officer Brigido Bagui, inspected and pinpointed the boundaries between this community and the barrios adjacent to it.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>That same year, the municipal council of Sta. Cruz, approved through Municipal Resolution No. 84-47, the resolution of the barangay officials of Alacaak creating Brgy. Kurtinganan.<span> </span>The resolution of the municipal council was forwarded to the provincial council for approval.<span> </span>Unfortunately, the said resolution was not discussed during the next session of the provincial board for it was misplaced and could not be found.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>In 1986, when Manuel Miclat was appointed as OIC Mayor of Sta. Cruz, he earnestly requested members of the provincial board to help him find the resolution.<span> </span>Luckily, Willie Fajardo, an employee of the provincial board found the document.<span> </span>The resolution was approved and on February 18, 1987 Kurtinganan was officially created as a barangay.<span> </span>Antonio Azurin was appointed as OIC Brgy. Captain.<span> </span>The said leader worked for the opening of an elementary school in this community.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>When an election was held in Kurtinganan, Crispulo Sandoval was elected as the barangay captain.<span> </span>He took his oath of office on March 18, 1987.<span> </span>The first thing he did was to donate a portion of his land for the campus of the elementary school of the barangay.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Engr. Jose Guce, another good hearted individual of Kurtinganan, donated a lot where the basketball court, barangay hall and church were constructed.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>In 1992, Kurtinganan did not receive its Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA).<span> </span>When the barangay officials inquired about it, they discovered that authorities in the national government did not know that Kurtinganan was already a barangay because the documents attesting to its creation were not sent to the proper government office.<span> </span>Brgy. Captain Crispulo Sandoval immediately sought the assistance of the congressman and governor of the province.<span> </span>Necessary follow-ups were made and after a short period of time, Kurtinganan received its IRA.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Brgy. Captain Sandoval served Kurtinganan from 1987 up to 2001.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Jurnito Roda.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historysantacruz" name="_ednref25" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000099;">[25]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">6.<span> </span>LUMANGBAYAN</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>This settlement was the center of Sta. Cruz, during the Spanish occupation of Mindoro.<span> </span>In an old map drawn by a Spaniard, <i>Talabasi</i> was written as the original name of the village.<span> </span>According to the indigenous people, the name came from a kind of medicinal plant which could be found here.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>The name Sta. Cruz was given to this place by Captain Juan de Salcedo.<span> </span>This<span> </span>coastal village located near the area where the mouths of Ramayan, Salagan and Pola Rivers merged, gave shelter to the small boats of the warriors from Panay, who were recruited by the Spanish government to drive away the pirates living in Mamburao..</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Sta. Cruz was created as a town during the Spanish regime but due to the frequent raids of Moro pirates, the number of inhabitants in this place did not increase, hence, it was reclassified as a barrio of Mamburao.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>On April 11, 1950 by virtue of Executive Order No. 210, Sta. Cruz was separated from Mamburao and was again created as a municipality.<span> </span>However, from the community near the mouth of the river, the town’s center was transferred to <i>Sitio Bugo</i>.<span> </span>As a result of the said transfer of location, the old center of Sta. Cruz was called Lumangbayan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>During Decade 60s, when Hon. Cornelio Balmaceda was appointed as Secretary of Agriculture, his two sons-in-law, Atty. Mauro Castro and Captain Wilfredo Calabio established a big piggery in Sta. Cruz.<span> </span>They established a company to manage it --- Mindoro Management Corporation (MIMACOR).<span> </span>They borrowed capital from Philippine National Bank (PNB).<span> </span>Within a period of ten years, many adults of Sta. Cruz were given work in what was considered as the biggest piggery in the whole Philippines, during that time.<span> </span>Since the main office of MIMACOR was in Lumangbayan, this barrio became an exciting and progressive place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Unfortunately, MIMACOR incurred financial loses and its properties were foreclosed by PNB.<span> </span>The land which it occupied in Lumangbayan was temporarily used as training center of agriculture students.<span> </span>Its building was used as office of the <i>Palayan ng Bayan</i> Project in Sta. Cruz.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>From 1972 to 1982, cattle raising became a profitable industry in Lumangbayan, However, when rebel groups intensified their collection of revolutionary tax and other anti-government activities in this place, the ranchers stopped raising cattle.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>In 1991, the training center of agriculture students, known as Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA) which was sponsored by the Japanese government, stopped its operation.<span> </span>Farmers who were looking for vacant land to cultivate and later on claim as their own, occupied the abandoned agricultural land.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>When Lumangbayan was declared as a barangay on December 3, 1971 Francisco Tria was elected as its barangay captain.<span> </span>He was succeeded by Jesus Templanza, a year after the peaceful revolution at EDSA.<span> </span>Since 1989 up to the present time, the barangay captain of Lumangbayan is Hon. Marianito Tria, Sr.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historysantacruz" name="_ednref26" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000099;">[26]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"> <span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;">7.<span> </span>MULAWIN<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>The name of the barangay came from a kind of tree which grew abundantly in this area, during the Spanish occupation of Mindoro.<span> </span>This was one of the places where the indigenous people hunted for wildlife and the source of hardwood used for building the houses of the elite or <i>ilustrado</i> in the province.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>During the American regime, this place became a part of the logging concession of Capitan Mariano Abeleda, a well known Filipino revolutionary leader in Mindoro.<span> </span>When the big trees were all felled, one of his heirs, Vicente Abeleda, converted the former logging concession into a pastureland.<span> </span>He hired workers.<span> </span>Among them were Marcos Tumaguinting Bautista or Nunong Angko, Domingo Acosta, Luis de Borja, Petronilo de Borja and Apolonio Memdez.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Years later, Vicente Abeleda removed his pastureland in one portion of Mulawin.<span> </span>The people occupied the abandoned land.<span> </span>The community grew until it became a sitio of Sta. Cruz, then, a barrio of Mamburao.<span> </span>In response to the request of the inhabitants, a primary school was opened in this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>The families who first settled in Mulawin actively engaged in politics.<span> </span>One of them was Petronilo de Borja who was elected as a member of the municipal council of Mamburao and appointed by American authorities as municipal president of the said town.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>In 1949, Sta. Cruz was separated from Mamburao and created as a municipality.<span> </span>Right after its creation, due to the request of its inhabitants, Mulawin was elevated to the status of a barrio.<span> </span>Condeno Bautista was appointed as its first <i>teniente del barrio</i>.<span> </span>Among the sitios placed under his jurisdiction were Alacaak, Kurtinganan and San Vicente, then known as Payompon.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>When the provincial government constructed the road from Mamburao to Sta. Cruz, it passed through Mulawin.<span> </span>The road helped in the progress of the barrio and the increase of the inhabitants in the adjacent areas.<span> </span>After a few years, the sitios placed under the jurisdiction of Mulawin were created as barrios --- Alacaak in 1967; San Vicente in 1970; and Kurtinganan in 1987.<span> </span>However, new sitios emerged and were placed under the jurisdiction of the barangay captain of Mulawin.<span> </span>The sitios were EEA Crossing, Carumbac, Urubugan, Porbis and Kabungahan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>During martial law period, the government improved the road in Mulawin.<span> </span>Electric service reached the barangay through Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (OMECO) and its agricultural lands were irrigated by means of the irrigation system constructed by National Irrigation Administration (NIA).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>The leaders of the barangay, through the cooperation of the people and local government officials constructed the barangay hall, day care center and playground.<span> </span>They also tried to maintain peace and order in Mulawin.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Despite the occasional flooding of the barangay due to the water overflowing from the nearby rivers, after weeks of heavy rains, no great calamity occurred in Mulawin.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Aside from Condeno Bautista, the persons who served as leaders of Sta. Cruz were Teofilo Mendez, Crispin Bautista, Ismael Mercader, Pedro Cajayon, Sr., Lorna Arandela, Orlando Diamante and Flordeliza Panganiban.<span> </span>The leader of tha barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Rolando Rayo, Sr.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historysantacruz" name="_ednref27" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000099;">[27]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">8.<span> </span>PINAGTURILAN</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>The name of the place came from an enclosure made of sturdy posts and barbed wire where herds of cattle are being kept at night.<span> </span>In Tagalog dialect, the enclosure is called <i>turil,</i> hence, the area where it was built in the past is called <i>Pinagturilan</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>After Mindoro has been liberated by the Filipino revolutionaries from the Spaniards and Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was declared as the president of the Philippine Republic, a Caviteño named Juan Daño bought an agricultural estate in Occidental Mindoro.<span> </span>A land title was issued to him and one part of the estate was the wide plain where Pinagturilan is located at present.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>After a few years, Dr. Benito Leviste bought a portion of the wide agricultural estate of Juan Daño and developed it into a coconut plantation known as El Dorado Coconut Plantation.<span> </span>Among the laborers who worked in the plantation was the group led by Artemio Azurin.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>The group of Artemio Azurin dreamed of cultivating their own land.<span> </span>When they saw that only a few individuals sere occupying the wide plains of Pinagturilan, they left El Dorado Coconut Plantation and built houses at the former cattle ranch.<span> </span>They joined the early settlers of this place who were composed of the families of Diego Almero, Bansoy Daprosa and a farmer known only as Tampolino.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>The group of farmers requested government authorities that the uncultivated agricultural estate of Juan Daño, near El Dorado Coconut Plantation, be distributed to them.<span> </span>They applied for homesteads and those who signed the application papers were Artemio Azurin, Maximo Azurin, Teofilo Azurin, Cenon Quiming, Luis Gaston, Mariano Iniego, Floresto Valdez, Felipe Iniego, Mariano Azurin, David Iniego, Marcelino Cortez, Taurino Soliven and Vicente Cortez.<span> </span>After a few years, government authorities granted their request.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>In 1957, many families from Gen. Natividad and Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija arrived and settled in Pinagturilan.<span> </span>Ten years after, due to the rapid growth of their sitio, the inhabitants petitioned the municipal government that Pinagturilan be created as a barrio.<span> </span>Members of the municipal council of Sta. Cruz approved the petition.<span> </span>By virtue of Municipal Council Resolution No. 40, series of 1965, Pinagturilan was elevated to the status of a barrio.<span> </span>Mariano Iniego was elected as its first barrio captain.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>The municipal councilors of Sta. Cruz tried to change the name of Pinagturilan.<span> </span>By virtue of Municipal Resolution No. 6, Series of 1968, they changed the name of the barrio to San Pedro, in honor of the good service rendered to Sta. Cruz by the late Congressman Pedro Medalla, Sr.<span> </span>However, they restored the name Pinagturilan when letters for the residents of this barrio were sent to other places bearing the name San Pedro.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>The leaders of Pinagturilan worked for the opening of an elementary school in their community.<span> </span>Through cooperation, coordination and proper representation, many projects were implemented by the government.<span> </span>Among the projects were the improvement of the road from the center of Sta. Cruz to Sablayan, the construction of the barangay hall, day care center, basketball court and the school building for the extension classes of Sta. Cruz National High School.<span> </span>Due to the opening of a public secondary school in this place, many elementary school graduates from nearby sitios and barangays were given opportunities to study high school.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Aside from Mariano Iniego, other persons who served as leaders of Pinagturilan were Domingo Cortez, Wendelino Valdez, Fermin Arenas and Rosendo Azurin.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Ignacia Arenas.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historysantacruz" name="_ednref28" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000099;">[28]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;">9.<span> </span>POBLACION 1 & 2<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span><i>Bugo</i> was the name given by the first settlers to this coastal community, due to the presence of a kind of tree bearing that name in this place.<span> </span>The indigenous people were the ones living here until the last phase of the Spanish occupation of Mindoro.<span> </span>When groups of farmers and fishermen from other places arrived and settled in this community, the indigenous people transferred to the mountains.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>During the American regime, the number of inhabitants of Bugo increased.<span> </span>A few of them who were relatives of well known families in Paluan, bought wide agricultural land in nearby places and converted it into coconut plantation and pastureland.<span> </span>They hired as laborers some lowlanders and members of the tribe of indigenous people.<span> </span>Due to the rapid growth of its population, Bigo became a sitio.<span> </span>A primary school was opened by government authorities in this place. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>When Sta. Cruz was again created as a municipality in 1949, its center was removed from Lumangbayan and transferred to Sitio Bugo.<span> </span>Francisco Tria was appointed as its firs municipal mayor by then President Elpidio Quirino.<span> </span>The roads in this place were improved and a municipal building was constructed.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Years later, this center of the town of Sta. Cruz grew in population and area.<span> </span>Through the help of Fr. Wim Leijendekker, SVD a community hospital was built here.<span> </span>When barrio high schools were opened in many parts of the country in 1966, a barrio high school was also opened at the center of the municipality.<span> </span>The school grew, became a national high school in 1991 and in 1997, opened extension classes in Brgy. Pinagturilan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>In 1976, the late President Ferdinand Marcos ordered the dividing of the <i>poblacion</i> or town centers into barangays.<span> </span>As a result, Poblacion, Sta. Cruz was divided into two --- Poblacion 1 & Poblacion 2.<span> </span>Bienvenido Rodriguez served as the first leader of Poblacion 1 and it was Abdon Hernandez in Poblacion 2.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>With the help of the national government, concrete roads were constructed at Poblacion 1 & 2.<span> </span>The public market was improved and a concrete bridge was built over the wide river at the entrance of the southern portion of the town’s center.<span> </span>In addition, the national highway from Mamburao to San Jose passed through Poblacion, Sta. Cruz.<span> </span>The said infrastructure project greatly helped the town’s center to become progressive.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Since this place is the center of the municipality of Sta. Cruz, many meetings and trainings sponsored by the government, non-government organizations and the Catholic Church were held here.<span> </span>Included were the trainings of lay leaders who helped the priests and religious sisters in implementing the apostolate for indigenous people, family life, youth, formation of the Catholic faithful and integral human development.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Aside from Bienvenido Rodriguez, the leaders who served as barangay captains of Poblacion 1 were Budoy Tapales, Reynaldo Torreliza and Leonardo Abeleda, the present municipal mayor of Sta. Cruz.<span> </span>The leader of Poblacion 1 at present is Brgy. Captain Hernando Alipustain.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>After having been elected twice as barangay captain of Poblaion 2, Abdon Hernandez was succeeded by Redentor Viaña.<span> </span>The people’s faith in their barangay captain was affirmed when during the 2002 elections, Brgy. Captain Viaña was again elected as the leader of this barangay.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historysantacruz" name="_ednref29" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000099;">[29]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">10.<span> </span>SAN VICENTE</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>This place was a forest during the Spanish occupation of Mindoro.<span> </span>The indigenous people were the ones who occasionally gathered here the forest products being sold to the lowlanders.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>During the American regime, Capitan Mariano Abeleda, one of the leaders of the Filipino revolutionaries in the province, was awarded a logging concession by American authorities.<span> </span>The forest in this area was a part of his logging concession.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Aside from the big trees, a kind of vine called <i>hagnaya</i> in Tagalog, abound in this place.<span> </span>The said vine was used for tying together the bamboos in a fish corral during the early days.<span> </span>The indigenous people used to gather the vines and sell it to the fishermen.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>When all the big trees were felled, Vicente Abeleda, one of the heirs of Capitan Mariano Abeleda, put up a cattle ranch in this area.<span> </span>Family members of the laborers in the logging concession and the cattle ranch were the first settlers of this place.<span> </span>They called their community as Payompon.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>After World War II, the population of Payompon grew until it became a sitio of Mulawin.<span> </span>A primary school was opened by government authorities in this sitio. After many years, the primary school became a complete elementary school.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>When Vicente Abeleda removed his cattle ranch in this place, the vacant land was occupied by the farmers.<span> </span>They requested the members of the municipal council of Sta. Cruz that Sitio Payompon be elevated to the status of a barrio. The municipal councilors approved the request and they endorsed it to the provincial board of Occidental Mindoro.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>On October 9, 1970 by virtue of Provincial Board Resolution No. 34, Series of 1970, Payompon was created as a barrio.<span> </span>The inhabitants agreed among themselves<span> </span>to perpetuate the memory of the goodness of Vicente Abeleda. They registered San Vicente as the official name of their barrio.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>A special barrio election was held at San Vicente on June 27, 1971.<span> </span>Godofredo Mendez was elected as the first barrio captain.<span> </span>Together with the elected other barrio officials, he took his oath of office on August 2, 1971.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>During martial law period, the main road of San Vicente was improved by the national government.<span> </span>Electric service reached this place through Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (OMECO).<span> </span>The ricefields of the farmers in this barrio now called a barangay, were irrigated when an irrigation system was built by National Irigation Administration (NIA) in this area.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span>Like other barangays of Sta. Cruz, during martial law period, San Vicente was one of the places frequently visited by groups of people espousing a different ideology.<span> </span>Despite the fears felt by residents of this place, they remained loyal to the government.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="color: #000099;"><span> </span><span> </span>With the cooperation of the inhabitants, support of local officials and government authorities, the leaders of San Vicente were able to improve the barangay, construct the barangay hall, day care center, health center, multi-purpose pavement and the barangay plaza.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #000099; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Aside from Brgy. Captain Godofredo Mendez, those who served as leaders of San Vicente were Artemio Abeleda, Bernabe Espinol and Rosendo Viaña.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Ruben Abeleda.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historysantacruz" name="_ednref30" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000099;">[30]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
</div>ROWELYN VERDIN MERCADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09575581693964613498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483057594829930987.post-14556887086480835692012-03-11T04:33:00.000-07:002012-03-11T04:33:21.250-07:00Sablayan History<div class="sites-layout-tile sites-tile-name-header">
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<strong><span style="color: #009900; font-size: x-large;">Sablayan History</span></strong></div>
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<span style="color: #cc6600; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><strong>HISTORY of the TOWN of SABLAYAN</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #663333;"><strong>By Rudy Candelario</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">I – DURING THE SPANISH REGIME</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The place which is a part of Sablayan at present where people first settled prior to the coming of the Spaniards to the Philippines was <i>Dongon</i>, a coastal village named after a kind of hardwood which grew in this area.<span> </span>In an old map drawn by Fr. Murillo Velarde, this village was indicated in the place where Brgy. San Nicolas is located at present.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref1" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[i]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>It was stated in one document stored in the archives of the Order of Augustinian Recollects, researched by Dutch researcher Antoon Postma, that in 1665, a group of adults from this village hiked towards Naujan to receive the Sacrament of Baptism from a Jesuit priest doing mission work there.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1666, in a report of the Jesuit priest to the head of his congregation, it was stated that they visited Dongon during the last leg of their five month mission work around Mindoro.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1670, the parish priest of Baco who was a Recollect missionary, reported that he was able to baptize sixty two (62) Mangyans in Dongon.<span> </span>In 1749, based also on the report of a missionary, Dongon appeared to be the biggest village in the whole island of Mindoro in terms of population, since the total number of inhabitants in this place was six hundred ninety five (695), bigger than the population of Bongabong which was six hundred forty five (645), Calapan, five hundred sixty five (565) and Naujan, four hundred (400).</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref2" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[ii]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>It was only in 1733 when Sablayan was mentioned in the old documents of the Spaniards.<span> </span>It was stated in the report of a missionary that many people from Panay settled in this place which could be found north of Dongon.<span> </span>To answer their spiritual needs, a temporary convent and church were built in that place by the Order of Augustinian Recollects.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When Fr. Jose dela Concepcion was assigned in Dongon in 1750, he convinced the villagers to build a stone fort in order that they could defend themselves against the Moro pirates.<span> </span>However, he was not able to convince the people on the importance of the project.<span> </span>As a result, it was the head of the Order of the Augustinian Recollects who requested the Spanish government to construct a fort in Dongon.<span> </span>No action was taken by the government on the request.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1752, it was reported that a Spanish missionary, Fr. Joseph dela Asuncion, died of <i>tabardillo</i> or high fever in Dongon.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>In 1754, month of August, great damage was brought by the pirates to Dongon.<span> </span>A group of them aboard six <i>bancas</i> attacked this small village.<span> </span>They burned the church after divesting it of its books and ornaments made of silver.<span> </span>They cut off the head and arms of the statues of the saints, destroyed the ready to harvest palay in the fields, mercilessly killed the forty five (45) men and women and captured the ninety eight (98) able bodied men.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref3" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[iii]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1768, it was mentioned in a report that a certain Jose de San Antonio was able to construct a fort in Dongon.<span> </span>The exact place where the fort was constructed could not be determined because even its ruins could not be found in San Nicolas, the barangay existing now at the place where Dongon was located in the past.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>From more than six hundred inhabitants, the population of Dongon decreased to ninety eight (98) in 1791 due to the attacks of pirates.<span> </span>After four years, it increased by thirteen (13) only.<span> </span>It was reported that in 1795, the total number of inhabitants in this village reached one hundred eleven (111).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">II – DONGON BECAME THE CENTER OF THE GOVERNMENT </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>IN WEST MINDORO<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>In 1800, the C<i>orregidor</i> or head of the island of Mindoro based in Calapan, proposed that Dongon be made as the residence of a <i>Comandante Subalterno</i> who would manage the whole West Mindoro or the villages from Iling up to Calavite.<span> </span>The said <i>comandante</i> was second only to the <i>corregidor</i> in power and placed under him were a sergeant, two corporals and twelve soldiers.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1802, it was mentioned that Diego Martinez, the <i>Teniente Corregidor</i> of West Mindoro was residing in Dongon.<span> </span>With his soldiers, he attacked the Moro pirates in their hideouts on the mountains.<span> </span>He ordered the construction of <i>bancas</i> which they used in pursuing the pirates in Amnay River.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Perhaps due to their frequent crossing of the rivers, hardships encountered in traversing the forests and mountains and the dreaded malaria disease, the soldiers of <i>Teniente Corregidor</i> Martinez died after a few years.<span> </span>The young soldiers who were appointed as replacements refused to be assigned in Dongon for fear that they would also die.<span> </span>When a few of them were forced to go to Dongon they decided to resign from military service.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1802, <i>Corregidor</i> Nicolas de Torres requested the head of the Spanish government in the Philippines to send persons with no permanent jobs to Dongon in order that its number of inhabitants would increase.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The following year, Diego Martinez, who during that time was in charge of men of the navy in West Mindoro, requested <i>Corregidor</i> de Torres that one of the <i>falua</i> or sea vessel of the Spaniards be stationed in Dongon in order that it could be used to visit the newly created <i>pueblo</i> of Mamburao, including the villages of Iling and Mangarin.<span> </span><i>Corregidor</i> de Torres indorsed the request to the Governor General of the Philippines and it was approved.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>That same year, <i>Corregidor</i> Torres visited Dongon and assigned there a troop of marines under the command of a captain.<span> </span>He ordered them to go up the mountains, force the Mangyans to come down and settle permanently in Dongon.<span> </span>After three days the marines returned empty handed.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1806, <i>Corregidor</i> Torres reported that the climate in Dongon was not favorable to good health that’s why many soldiers died there, including a <i>teniente corregidor</i>.<span> </span>He added that the soldiers refused to be assigned there and when forced they decoded to resign from military service.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The following year, <i>Corregidor</i> de Torres recommended to the national government the appointment of Blas Ortiz as <i>teniente corregidor</i> of West Mindoro.<span> </span>The government approved the recommendation but Ortiz did not accept the position stating that his poor health could not withstand the unfavorable climate of Dongon.<span> </span>With the refusal of Ortiz, <i>Corregidor</i> de Torres recommended Joseph de Silva.<span> </span>The governor general approved the recommendation.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>That same year, de Torres recommended that Mansalay be made as the residence of the <i>teniente corregidor</i> instead of Dongon.<span> </span>He reasoned out that the climate in Dongon was unhealthy for a person sick of <i>calenturas</i> or malaria.<span> </span>He added that the few inhabitants of Dongon often got sick.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref4" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[iv]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">III – DONGON DURING THE EARLY PART OF THE 19<sup>TH</sup> CENTURY<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>It was mentioned in a Spanish document that <i>Gobernadorcillo</i> Francisco Magluay, the leader whose rank is similar to a barangay captain at present, requested the Governor General to send women who would become the wives of the men in Dongon.<span> </span>He explained that since there were more women than men in Boac, Marinduque the excess women should be sent to Dongon in order that they would become useful to God and the King.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The Governor General rejected the request that the excess women in Boac, Marinduque be forced to live in Dongon in order that the men in the last mentioned village would have wives.<span> </span>He explained that a woman would not want to marry that way.<span> </span>Instead the government hinted that it would favor the request if the prostitutes in Tondo and women with criminal records would be sent to Dongon in exchange for the removal of their responsibility before the law.<span> </span>It was not mentioned in the document if such kind of request was made by the <i>gobernadorcillo</i> and granted by the governor general.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>On April 21, 1812 the <i>gobernadorcillo justicia</i> of Dongon reported to <i>Corregidor</i> de Torres that pirates who destroyed the coastal village in the island of Semirara passed West Mindoro aboard nine <i>vintas</i>.<span> </span>De Torres ordered the soldiers of the Spanish Navy to search for the pirates who might be hiding in the rivers at the western part of the island.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>That same year, Juan Cobarrubias, the <i>teniente corregidor</i> of Dongon died.<span> </span>He was succeeded by Jose de Silva.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1813, Agustin Tilano of Dongon organized a group of bandits.<span> </span>They robbed and sowed extreme fear to the residents of the village.<span> </span>As a result, many villagers transferred to other places.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span><i>Teniente Corregidor</i> de Silva immediately led his soldiers in hunting Tilano and members of his group.<span> </span>After months of tracking down the chief bandit, they caught him. <span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1814, when the <i>gobernadorcillo</i> of Dongon died, its inhabitants started to transfer to Sablayan.<span> </span>The new <i>corregidor</i> of Mindoro, Joseph Manuel Gruet, did not like what happened.<span> </span>He ordered the burning of the houses in Sablayan and the arrest of the officials of Dongon for they had been lax towards the people.<span> </span>However, the order of <i>Corregidor</i> Gruet was not carried out.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>On August 28, 1815 <i>Corregidor</i> Gruet reported through the Spanish authorities in Manila his visit in Dongon, due to the escape of Tilano and his fellow bandits.<span> </span>The <i>corregidor</i> sent messages to the leaders of the different communities and he left in Dongon seven soldiers led by a sergeant.<span> </span>It was not reported if Tilano and the other bandits were recaptured.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref5" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[v]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">IV - THE DISAPPEARANCE OF DONGON AND THE APPEARANCE </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>OF THE VILLAGE OF SABLAYAN</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The following years, the inhabitants of Dongon left the place, gradually, due to their extreme fear of the Moro pirates, the bandits and the dreaded malaria disease.<span> </span>This place was last mentioned on a map drawn in 1829 where the following words were written -- a <i>visita</i> of Calapan no longer inhabited by people.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref6" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[vi]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>With the disappearance of Dongon, the village of Sablayan grew.<span> </span>According to a story of the old pioneers of this place, their big sailboat or <i>batel</i> from Panay was about to enter the river of Sablayan when they saw the big waves breaking over the rocks on the shore. They likened the white waves on the rocks to white clothes being hung on a clothesline.<span> </span>Since in their dialect, the act of hanging clothes is <i>sablay</i> and the place where clothes are being hung is called <i>sablayan,</i> they named the village which they established in this area as Sablayan.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref7" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[vii]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Years later, well-off individuals from Cavite who were looking for vacant agricultural lands and grassy areas where they could raise cattle arrived in Sablayan.<span> </span>Two of them were Pedro Fernandez and Juan Daño. They two bought agricultural estates and pasturelands.<span> </span>The herds of cattle raised by them multiplied in number that they employed workers from Cavite and Palawan.<span> </span>Unfortunately, in 1904, an epidemic of animal disease broke out in Mindoro and hundreds of their cattle died.<span> </span>Discouraged by what happened, Pedro Fernandez and Juan Daño sold portions of their estates to the families of Aguinaldo and Leviste, respectively.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1832, the missionary friar who was assigned in Sablayan requested the head of the Spanish government that the people of this place be exempted from paying taxes within a period of two to three years because they were building a church, convent and fort.<span> </span>The request might have been granted for the cannon of the fort could still be found on the hill where it was installed and the old Spanish church which was repaired by the Catholic faithful is still being used at present.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The names of some leaders or <i>cabeza de barangay</i> of Sablayan were mentioned in a written complaint of the people against a priest which was submitted to the government authorities.<span> </span>They were Josef Leonardo, Agustin del Rosario, Eusebio de Leon, Leocario Manuel, Ignacio Carpio, Juan Salvador, Vicente Salvador, Juan Solit, Estanislao dela Cruz and Remigio Valenciano.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref8" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[viii]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Based on the researches of Antoon Postma, some of the Spanish friars who were assigned in Sablayan were Fr. Fulgencio Blanco de San Jose, Fr. Pedro Muro de San Agustin, Fr. Domingo Cabrejas del Santo Cristo dela Columna and Fr. Pedro de San Vicente.<span> </span>It was also mentioned that in 1896, the bells for the church of Sablayan were brought there by Fr. Javier Sesma, an energetic missionary assigned in Naujan who was always going around the island of Mindoro.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">V – GEN. EMILIO AGUINALDO TRADING WITH THE PEOPLE OF SABLAYAN <span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In his autobiography, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo wrote that he traded with the people in the different communities of Mindoro, including the inhabitants of Sablayan.<span> </span>In one portion, here is the author’s translation of what the general originally wrote in Tagalog:</span></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“We <span> </span>thought <span> </span>of <span> </span>buying <span> </span>a <span> </span>big sailboat weighing ten tons in Malabon, Tambobong <span> </span>which during that time was a part of Manila.<span> </span>Together with </span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>my two elder brothers, Benigno and Crispulo, we sailed towards Paluan,</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Mindoro.<span> </span><span> </span>When <span> </span>we <span> </span>arrived <span> </span>in <span> </span>Sablayan, <span> </span>my brother Benigno was left</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>behind to buy ‘nigeng pandampol,’ rattan and ‘diliman’ which were used </span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>in<span> </span>sea<span> </span>corrals<span> </span>and<span> </span>beeswax<span> </span>used as candles for lighting the <span> </span>statues of</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span><span> </span>saints in the towns.”</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref9" title=""><span><span><span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[ix]</span></span></b></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>However, the general mentioned sadly that as a result of their trade with the people of Mindoro, one of his brothers got sick. Written below was the author’s translation in English of what the general originally wrote in Tagalog:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span><span> </span><i>“Afterwards we returned to Sablayan and <span> </span>here we fully loaded the </i></span></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>sailboat <span> </span>with ‘nige, diliman’ and beeswax. <span> </span>Although <span> </span>this occupation </span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>could <span> </span>be <span> </span>considered <span> </span>as <span> </span>a <span> </span>lucrative <span> </span>one, <span> </span>we <span> </span>have <span> </span>to <span> </span>stay there for </span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>more than a month.<span> </span>Its so sad to say that we brought back our brother</span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Benigno <span> </span>seriously <span> </span>afflicted <span> </span>with <span> </span>malaria <span> </span>which <span> </span>caused his death in </span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>Pilar, Bataan, his wife Esperanza and his children by his side.”</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref10" title=""><span><span><span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[x]</span></span></b></span></span></span></a></i><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">VI – REVOLT OF THE FILIPINOS AGAINST THE SPANIARDS</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Due to his business dealings with the people of Sablayan, Gen. Aguinaldo befriended <i>Capitan</i> Pedro Fernandez who was the <i>capitan del pueblo</i> of the place in 1896.<span> </span>When the Filipinos revolted against Spain, the said leader organized a group of revolutionaries.<span> </span>Among the members of the group formed by Capitan Fernandez were <i>cabezas de barangay</i> Vicente Gallembas, Tiago Dangeros, Carpo Urieta, Docoy Eniega, Vicente Dangcoding, Tiago Dantayana and Paeng Dawates.<span> </span>They coordinated with the group of revolutionaries in Iriron and Magarang which were composed of seventy five (75) men.<span> </span>The group of revolutionaries in Iriron was led by <i>Capitan</i> Isidro Zamora, Pedro Dapil and Marcelino Vitang while the group in Magarang was led by <i>Capitan</i> Espiridion Jimenez.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref11" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xi]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The group of revolutionaries from Sablayan, Iriron and Magarang joined forces and they captured the Spanish friars in their respective places of assignments, including those from Bubog and Mangarin.<span> </span>The missionaries captured by the revolutionaries were Fr. Pedro San Vicente of Sablayan, Fr. Pedro Sanz de San Jose of Magarang, Fr. Crsanto Azpilcueta dela Santisima Trinidad of Bubog and Fr. Bernardino Vasquez del Rosario of Mangarin.<span> </span>They were temporarily imprisoned in Paluan and afterwards were brought to Taysan, Batangas.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The independence attained by the people of Mindoro in 1898 was short-lived.<span> </span>In 1901, the American soldiers occupied Sablayan and this pueblo was made as a barrio of Mamburao.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref12" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xii]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">VI – ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF SABLAYAN</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1902, by virtue of Act 547 of the Philippine Commission, Sablayan was created as a municipality.<span> </span>The leaders appointed as municipal presidents by the American government were <i>Capitan</i> Pedro Fernandez, Juan Daño, Rufino Papa, Santiago Dangeros, Policarpio Urieta, Benigno Lontoc, Maximino Papa, Pedro Gonzales, Lucas Fernandez, Hermogenes Daño and Primitivo Zamora.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref13" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xiii]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">During the American regime, the government opened an elementary school in Sablayan.<span> </span>The first school building was constructed in Lumangbayan, then, the center of the municipal government.<span> </span>Although it took many years, primary schools were gradually opened in the different barrios of Sablayan.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In the report he sent to Bishop Alfredo Verzosa of Lipa, Batangas, Fr. Julian Duval, the chaplain of Philippine Milling Company in Central, narrated his visit to Sablayan on January 18, 1920.<span> </span>According to him, on the said date he boarded a sailboat in Calintaan at nine o’clock in the evening.<span> </span>However, since there was no wind, it was already four o’clock in the afternoon of the following day when they arrived in Sablayan.<span> </span>He described the old chapel there as made of nipa and there were four bells on the belfry.<span> </span>He also reported that the books of the church, including some of its materials were brought by Fr. Javier Sesma to Lubang.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The missionary reported that when he arrived in Sablayan, the people were celebrating the fiesta in honor of San Sebastian, their patron saint.<span> </span>Municipal President Policarpio Urieta took charge of the decoration of the church and the fiesta celebration.<span> </span>The said town leader also led the procession.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Included in the report of Fr. Duval was his sketched map of Sablayan, including the sitios under its jurisdiction.<span> </span>Indicated there were the sitios of Balababoc which has 8 houses; Tulaon, 5 houses; Jalaojawan, 12 houses; Pasugui, 4 houses; Bonsoungan, one house; and Bignac, 2 houses.<span> </span>Barrio Iriron was also indicated in the map.<span> </span>Written at the lower portion of the map was the number of hours a traveler has to walk from one sitio to another.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref14" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xiv]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">When the title of the highest official of a municipality was changed from municipal president to municipal mayor, Hon. Paulino Legaspi was the first leader elected to this position in Sablayan.<span> </span>It was difficult for the said mayor to visit the barrios under his jurisdiction, during that time, for there were no good roads and included among the far flung barrios of Sablayan is the present barangay of Poblacion, Calintaan.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">VII – DURING THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION OF MINDORO</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In the election held in December 1940, Pedro Gonzales was elected as the municipal mayor of Sablayan.<span> </span>He has only served his town mates for eleven months when World War II broke out.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref15" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xv]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>Mayor Gonzales narrated that during the war, one of the leaders who served as mayor of Sablayan, Hon. Maximino Papa was killed by the guerrillas for he was suspected of being a collaborator of the enemies.<span> </span>He added that after he has brought his family to Looc, he was caught by the Japanese soldiers upon his return to Sablayan.<span> </span>He was imprisoned by the enemies, forcing him to reveal the identities of the members of the guerrilla movement in Sablayan.<span> </span>The said mayor insisted that he knew nothing, for the enemies of the Japanese soldiers who visited his town came from other places.<span> </span>Mayor Gonzales got sick of dysentery inside the garrison but despite his illness he was able to escape and return to Sablayan.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref16" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xvi]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In the history written by a teacher about Brgy. Ligaya, Sablayan, it was mentioned that a bloody encounter occurred between a troop of Japanese soldiers and a group of guerrillas at Sitio Kabigunan of the aforementioned barangay in 1943.<span> </span>The Japanese killed Lt. Sergio Barretto, the leader of the guerrillas.<span> </span>The slain leader was one of the sons of Mayor Fermin Barretto of San Jose who was also killed by the Japanese soldiers at the bank of Busuanga River, in 1942.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref17" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xvii]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">IX – AFTER WORLD WAR II</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">When peace was restored, Mayor Gonzales worked for the survey of the wide public land in Sablayan in order that land titles could be issued to the buyers.<span> </span>He convinced the farmers from other places to live in this municipality.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">In 1951, Mayor Loreto Urieta was elected as the mayor of Sablayan.<span> </span>During his term of office, a lighthouse was constructed by the government on top of the hill where the Spaniards installed the two bronze cannons used by the people of Sablayan in defending themselves against the Moro pirates.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Mayor Urieta strived to increase the number of inhabitants in his municipality.<span> </span>He went to other towns and provinces like Antique, Bulacan, Ilocos Sur, and Pangasinan and convinced the people there to live in Sablayan for it has wide vacant lands which could be made productive by industrious farmers.<span> </span>As a result of the mayor‘s one man campaign, the following years, many families of farmers from Luzon and the Visayas transferred to Sablayan.<span> </span>Additional barrios were created in this municipality.<span> </span>Some of the barrios were Pag-asa, Burgos, Lagnas and San Agustin.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref18" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xviii]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1954, Fr. Adeodato Malabanan and Fr. Erich Stottok, both SVD missionaries were assigned in Sablayan.<span> </span>With the help of the Catholic faithful, they were able to repair the old church constructed by the Spaniards at Lumangbayan and it was used again as a house of worship.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref19" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xix]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In line with the program of the government for the rehabilitation of the prisoners, the late President Ramon Magsaysay signed on January 15, 1955, Proclamation No. 72 which established Sablayan Penal Colony and Farm (SPCF).<span> </span>That same year, the first batch of sixty eight (68) prisoners from New Bilibid Prisons was transferred to the place reserved for them located northeast of Poblacion, Sablayan.<span> </span>Appointed by Prisons Director Alfredo Bunye as the first administrator of SPCF was Supt. Candido Bagaoisan.<span> </span>In this place the prisoners studied handicrafts, raised domesticated animals and planted various plants.<span> </span>They also helped in taking care of the forests and wildlife inside SPCF, including the tamaraw.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref20" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xx]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1955, when Fr. Albert Cook became the parish priest of Sablayan, he opened in this place a kindergarten and high school called San Sebastian High School.<span> </span>When the said priest was transferred to another parish in 1958, Fr. Luis Halasz, SVD succeeded him.<span> </span>Under the management of Fr. Halasz, additional school buildings were constructed and the Catholic school grew.<span> </span>It is now known as Colegio de San Sebastian.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref21" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xxi]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In the election held in 1956, the post of the municipal mayor was entrusted by the people of Sablayan to Leoncio Ordenes.<span> </span>From Lumangbayan, the said mayor transferred the seat of the municipal government to Buenavista.<span> </span>With the assistance of the provincial government, he was able to construct in the said barangay a new municipal building.<span> </span>He improved the plaza and the road at the town’s center.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref22" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xxii]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">After the term of office of Mayor Ordenes, the people of Sablayan reelected Mayor Loreto Urieta as the head of the municipal government.<span> </span>Under his administration, a concrete pier was constructed at Lumangbayan and bridges were built at the town’s center.<span> </span>He declared as historical park the hill where the two cannons of the Spaniards were installed, including the area where the old church was built.<span> </span>A concrete fence was constructed around the historical park.<span> </span>Moreover, Mayor Urieta worked for the official registration of the barrios formed by the pioneers and those established by the new arrivals from other provinces.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref23" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xxiii]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">During this period, families from other towns of Occidental Mindoro looking for vacant land to cultivate, transferred to Sablayan.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The wide agricultural estates owned by Aguinaldo, Suntay, Leviste and Baluyot which for many years remained uncultivated, were occupied by the farmers.<span> </span>The poor farmers requested the government to buy the land from its owners and distribute it to them, in compliance with the Land for the Landless program of the government.<span> </span>Although it took years for the farmers to fight for the right to own the uncultivated land which they occupied, they succeeded in their endeavor.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref24" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xxiv]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">On June 18, 1966 by virtue of Republic Act No. 4732 which was sponsored in Congress by Congressman Pedro Medalla, Sr., Calintaan was separated from Sablayan and created as another municipality.<span> </span>Despite the creation of Calintaan, among the municipalities in Occidental Mindoro, Sablayan remained as the town with the biggest land area --- bigger than the provinces of Bataan and Cavite.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref25" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xxv]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Despite the existence of a secondary school in their town, the parents and teachers still requested the authorities at the Department of Education Culture & Sports for the opening of a public high school in Sablayan.<span> </span>In 1970, Sablayan Barrio High School was opened.<span> </span>A few years later, barrio high schools were also opened at Ligaya, San Vicente and Victoria.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1970, Mayor Gonzales was again elected as mayor of Sablayan.<span> </span>He implemented the national government’s program of building roads and bridges from the town’s center to the barrios.<span> </span>Through the assistance of Congressman Pedro Medalla, Sr. and Assemblyman Pedro Mendiola, Sr. concrete bridges at the portion of the provincial highway which passed through Sablayan were constructed.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref26" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xxvi]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">X – MARTIAL LAW PERIOD</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After the declaration of martial law by the late President Ferdinand Marcos in 1972, Mayor Gonzales remained as the head of the municipal government of Sablayan.<span> </span>During this period, the government intensified the implementation of the infrastructure projects for the widening and improvement of the roads in the different municipalities of Occidental Mindoro, including the construction of concrete bridges.<span> </span>Sablayan was one of the municipalities which benefited from the infrastructure projects.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref27" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xxvii]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The management of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) established a palay plantation at Sitio Balocbaloc.<span> </span>Despite the dike constructed by the government at Amnay & Patrick Rivers to protect the plantation from flood, it suffered financial losses.<span> </span>As a result, the project was stopped.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>The people of Sablayan extended the term of office of Mayor Gonzales when election was held in 1980.<span> </span>The mayor worked for the opening of municipal offices of<span> </span>national agencies like the Department of Environment & Natural Resources which took care of Apo Reef and the forest; Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform and National Irrigation Administration which constructed irrigation systems for the farmers.<span> </span>Among the barangays which benefited from the irrigation systems were Pag-asa, San Francisco, San Vicente, Sta. Lucia, Ligaya, Lagnas and Burgos.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref28" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xxviii]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the last part of the term of office of Mayor Gonzales, the national government was able to build the long bridge over Amnay River, the natural boundary of Sablayan and Sta. Cruz.<span> </span>Bridges were also built over the rivers of Patrick, Mompong and Busuangan.<span> </span>The last mentioned river is the natural boundary of Sablayan and Calintaan.<span> </span>As a result, the fast flow of land transportation vehicles, goods and services between Sablayan and other municipalities of the province brought economic progress.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref29" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xxix]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The active leaders and members of the different religions helped improved the standard of living of the people of Sablayan, particularly the indigenous people belonging to the Tau-Buhid and Alangan tribes.<span> </span>Some religious ministers, priests and nuns lived with the indigenous people in the mountain.<span> </span>They encouraged the indigenous people to preserve their culture and be proud of it.<span> </span>They supported some tribe members who fought for their rights over their ancestral lands.<span> </span>They encouraged the Mangyan youth to study and unite in activities which would improve their standard of living.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref30" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xxx]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The Catholic Church also tried to help the poor of Sablayan.<span> </span>Through the financial assistance of a funding agency abroad, a hospital was constructed at Brgy. Lumangbayan and it was placed under the management of the Dominican sisters.<span> </span>The lay workers of the livelihood movement of the church formed cooperatives and gave appropriate seminars and trainings to the members.<span> </span>They trained the farmers in Integrated Pest Management, a system of farming which does not use poisonous chemicals.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref31" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xxxi]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Mayor Gonzales served the people of Sablayan until President Cory Aquino ordered the replacement of all local officials in the country, in June 1986.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">XI – AFTER THE PEACEFUL EDSA REVOLUTION </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>President Aquino did not immediately appoint the replacement of Mayor Gonzales in Sablayan.<span> </span>For a period of one month, Mrs. Mila G. Cipriano, head of the office of the Department of Interior & Local Government in this municipality performed the duties of the municipal mayor.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>OIC Mayor Godofredo Mintu was appointed by President Aquino as replacement of Sablayan Mayor Pedro Gonzales.<span> </span>OIC Mayor Mintu did his job well that in 1987, the people of Sablayan voted to retain him in his position as chief executive of the municipality.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Mayor Mintu worked for the reclassification of the town of Sablayan.<span> </span>From a fourth class municipality, he was able to raise it to second class.<span> </span>Through his efforts, additional buildings were constructed inside the compound of the municipal hall and offices of the different government agencies were housed there.<span> </span>A sports complex was built and it was called Sablayan Astrodome.<span> </span>He improved the municipal plaza.<span> </span>Concrete roads were constructed at the town’s center and Lumangbayan.<span> </span>With the assistance of the provincial government, the portion of the national highway which passed through Sablayan was asphalted.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Due to the progress attained by Sablayan under the administration of Mayor Mintu, the businessmen opened groceries, rice mills, warehouses and other commercial establishments in this town.<span> </span>A tourist resort was opened by a foreign capitalist in Pandan, an island of Sablayan.<span> </span>At present, this island and Apo Reef are two favorite tourist destinations in Occidental Mindoro.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref32" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xxxii]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Like other municipalities of Occidental Mindoro, members of the rebel group were also active in Sablayan.<span> </span>In 1987, a group of them popularly known as New Peoples Army (NPA) composed of forty (40) armed men attacked the police station of this municipality.<span> </span>Caught unaware, the policemen were captured and one M60 machinegun was confiscated from them.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref33" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xxxiii]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The NPA threat on peace and political stability of Sablayan lasted for a few years.<span> </span>However, like other towns in the island of Mindoro, the influence of the said rebel group was weakened by the intensified armed campaign of the law enforcers and the frequent giving of seminars regarding the advantages of a democratic system of government to the people living in the remote sitios and barangays.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1991, in answer to the appeal of President Corazon Aquino, a resettlement area was set aside by the provincial government for the victims of the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo at Sitio Yapang, Brgy. Batongbuhay, Sablayan.<span> </span>More than a hundred families transferred to this place.<span> </span>The provincial government helped them recover by constructing an irrigation system, opening schools for the elementary & secondary level and by teaching them skills for livelihood projects.<span> </span>Nevertheless, years later, almost all of them returned to their hometown or transferred to other progressive places.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref34" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xxxiv]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1993, by virtue of an executive order of President Aquino, each barrio or barangay high school in the Philippines was elevated to the status of a national high school.<span> </span>As a result, five high schools in Sablayan benefited from the executive order, namely; the public high schools in Brgy. Ligaya, Sto. Niño, San Vicente, Victoria and Yapang.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>That same year, a private high school was opened by the Seventh Day Adventist Church at Brgy. Sta. Lucia, Sablayan.<span> </span>It was D’Shep Foundation Academy.<span> </span>Although the secondary school was established for the youth who are members of the said religious sect, it also accepted students who professed other religions.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref35" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xxxv]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In his desire that the people could avail of the fastest means of transportation from Manila to Sablayan, Mayor Mintu constructed an airfield for small airplanes at Sitio Payompon Brgy. Sta. Lucia.<span> </span>At present, the airfield is being used, sometimes, by businessmen with small airplanes who visit Sablayan.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref36" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xxxvi]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1998, Mayor Mintu ran for the position of vice governor of Occidental Mindoro.<span> </span>Mayor Andres Dangeros succeeded him as head of the municipal government of Sablayan.<span> </span>The said mayor continued the implementation of the development projects in this municipality.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In the election held in 2001, then Vice Governor Mintu ran again as mayor of Sablayan.<span> </span>Once more, the people entrusted to him that position.<span> </span>Like in the past years, he showed his worth as head of the municipal government by constructing a much bigger municipal hall, building concrete roads and improving the town plaza.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>At present, Mayor Mintu is still the chief executive of the municipality of Sablayan. <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">HISTORY OF THE TWENTY TWO BARANGAYS OF SABLAYAN</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">1.<span> </span>Batong Buhay</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The indigenous people lived in this place during the Spanish regime.<span> </span>They were the group of people seen as settlers in this area by the Igorots and Ilocanos, the first workers at the cattle ranch of the Arellano family.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Years later, the indigenous people transferred to the mountains.<span> </span>Left behind were the Ilocanos and Igorots who cultivated the land in some parts of the pastureland.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Ten years after World War II, farmers from the Visayas, as well as the Tagalog and Ilocos Regions came to this place.<span> </span>Since the family of Arellano was the owner of the land which they occupied, they called their community as Arellano.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">On September 26, 1954 by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 72, Sablayan Penal Colony & Farm or SPCF was created by President Ramon Magsaysay.<span> </span>On June 15, 1955 the first group of officials and employees, including the sixty eight (68) prisoners of SPCF from Iwahig Penal Colony arrived.<span> </span>The institution was managed by Superintendent Candido Bagaoisan.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The center of the said institution was established in one part of Arellano.<span> </span>At the census conducted in 1960, the prisoners of SPCF were included in the population of the barrio.<span> </span>It continued until 1982 when Brgy. Malisbong was created.<span> </span>Since the newly created barangay was nearer to SPCF than Arellano, the number of prisoners in this institution was included in the population of Malisbong.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In the early part of 1960, Arellano became a barrio.<span> </span>The inhabitants decided to change its name to Batong Buhay due to the huge stone in one part of Mompong River which serves as protection of the barrio, every time floods occur.<span> </span>That same year, the primary school for children was opened at Batong Buhay.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Placed under the jurisdiction of Batong Buhay was Sitio Tuban, one of the oldest settlement in the island of Mindoro where Muslim traders bartered goods with the indigenous people, prior to the arrival of the Spaniards in the Philippines.<span> </span>At first, the total land area of Batong Buhay was wide but when Brgy. Malisbong and Brgy. Tibag were created, its land area was greatly reduced.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">During martial law, under the Comprehensive Land Reform Program or CARP, Hacienda Arellano was bought by the government and distributed to the farmers.<span> </span>Members of a rebel group frequently visited the inhabitants of this place. Luckily, the life of the residents of Batong Buhay remained peaceful.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">When Mt. Pinatubo erupted in 1991, Sitio Yapang of Brgy. Batong Buhay was made as a resettlement area of the victims of the said calamity.<span> </span>Many families transferred to this place.<span> </span>The national government constructed houses, school buildings and other structures for them.<span> </span>It also constructed an irrigation system and improved the national highway which passed through this sitio.<span> </span>In order that the children of the victims of Mt. Pinatubo could study, the Department of Education Culture & Sports opened Yapang National High School.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The individuals who served as leaders of Brgy. Batong Buhay were Salvador Domocmat, Archangel Cadapan, Maria Comde, Romy Ramile, Henry Domocmat, Juliana Esmelo, Hilario Pascual, Samson Domocmat and Richard Mitra.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Alex Conde.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref37" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xxxvii]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">2.<span> </span>BUENAVISTA</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the Spanish regime, Payompon was the name of the area where Buenavista is located at present.<span> </span>The wide land was owned by well off families and the biggest landowner was Don Daniel Alvarez.<span> </span>Only a few families settled in this grass-covered land, thus, this place was made as grazing ground of goats, cows and carabaos.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1916, when Don Santiago Dangeros was appointed as municipal president of Sablayan, he and his brother in law, Don Daniel Alvarez donated one and a half hectare for the primary school of Payompon.<span> </span>However, it was only in 1928 when the first schoolhouse made of nipa and bamboo was constructed in this place. It happened when Don Hermogenes Daño was the municipal president of Sablayan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1931, the next municipal president of Sablayan, Don Lucas Fernandez, constructed a bamboo bridge for the primary school pupils of Payompon.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When Don Maximino Papa was the municipal president of Sablayan, he led the<span> </span>municipal councilors in requesting members of the Philippine Congress that Payompon be created as a barrio and its official name be changed to Buenavista.<span> </span>The request was granted.<span> </span>On Septmber 8, 1936 by virtue of Commonwealth Act No. 28, Buenavista became the official name of Barrio Payompon.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the term of office of <i>Teniente del Barrio</i> Celestino Dapito, he talked with the leader of the adjacent barrio of Sto. Niño and they set the boundary between the two communities.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When Hon. Leoncio Ordenes was the mayor of Sablayan, he built the new municipal hall at Buenavista.<span> </span>Due to this development, roads and bridges were constructed in the barrio and small stores appeared in the area.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1961, Hon. Crispin Ordenes was elected as the leader of Buenavista.<span> </span>By that time, the title of barrio leaders was changed to <i>capitan del barrio</i>.<span> </span><i>Capitan del Barrio </i>Ordenes talked with the leader of Sto. Niño and they changed the border of the two places, the boundary which is being followed up to the present time.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When barrio high schools were opened throughout the country, parents and teachers of Sablayan requested officials of the education department to establish public high schools in the municipality.<span> </span>It was realized in 1970.<span> </span>The first building of the barrio high school of Buenavista was constructed inside the municipal compound.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During martial law, under the administration of Mayor Pedro Gonzales, the concrete highway constructed by the national government in Sablayan, passed through the center of Buenavista.<span> </span>Concrete bridges were built in this barangay.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When Hon. Godofredo Mintu served as the mayor of Sablayan, rapid progress took place in Buenavista. This barangay became the new center of the municipality.<span> </span>New buildings were constructed inside the municipal compound.<span> </span>A municipal gymnasium was built, the plaza, market and wharf for motorboats were improved.<span> </span>Due to these developments, big stores and commercial establishments appeared in Buenavista.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1994, during the term of office of Brgy. Captain Narciso Fernandez, a barangay hall, day care center and fish port were constructed in Buenavista.<span> </span>He opened new roads in the sitios under the jurisdiction of the barangay and he tried his best to make Buenavista a constant winner in the Clean & Green Program of the municipality.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>Aside from the aforementioned leaders, those who served as barangay captain of Buenavista were Pacifico Dañopoc (1968-1982) and Diomedes Dangeros (1983-1993).<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Narciso Fernandez.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref38" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xxxviii]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">3.<span> </span>BURGOS</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the American regime, the indigenous people belonging to the Batangan or Tau-Buhid tribe established a settlement near the bank of a river, almost fifteen kilometers north of Calintaan.<span> </span>They named their settlement <i>Buswangan,</i> since in their dialect, the word means <i>a flowing river.</i><span> </span>The patches of kaingin near their settlement were planted with rootcrops, palay and corn.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The leader of the indigenous people in Buswangan were Victor Baclawman and Gorio Yakama.<span> </span>Since they were good leaders, the families of indigenous people in this place increased in number.<span> </span>Later on, Buswangan became a sitio of Barrio Ligaya.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1931, a group of Visayan settlers led by Herbacio Damiray arrived in this sitio.<span> </span>They cleared the forested area and planted it with palay and corn.<span> </span>They peacefully co-existed with the indigenous people in this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When World War II broke out, the Visayan settlers and the indigenous people hid in the forested hills of this sitio.<span> </span>The Japanese soldiers who sometimes hunted the group of guerrillas headed by Sgt. Sergio Barretto did not discover their hiding place<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Five years after the war, the first group of farmers from the Ilocos Region, composed of the families of Adsuara, Obtinalla, Castil, Nagal, Bergonia, Perlata and Fabrigas arrived in Buswangan.<span> </span>The once forested wide plain at the sitio of the indigenous people was converted into ricefields and cornfields.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1952, the Tau-Buhid left the plains of Buswangan.<span> </span>They established another settlement on the distant hills of the sitio.<span> </span>Since their new settlement was also near the river, they again called it Buswangan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1954, the Visayan and Ilocano settlers of Buswangan decided to change the name of the sitio.<span> </span>They agreed to name it Burgos, in honor of the three patriotic Filipino priests who were executed by the Spaniards.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The inhabitants of Burgos sent a petition to the municipal council of Sablayan, requesting that their sitio be created as a barrio.<span> </span>In 1956, members of the municipal approved the petition. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">One of the first action of the barrio council was to request the national government that the portion of the wide agricultural land reserved by the late President Ramon Magsaysay for the rehabilitation of prisoners in Sablayan Penal Colony & Farm which they have cleared and cultivated be distributed to them.<span> </span>After experiencing much tension brought by years of negotiating with the proper authorities, the parcels of land which the petitioners tilled were awarded to them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Through cooperative labor, the farmers were able to build an irrigation system for their farm.<span> </span>The said irrigation system was improved by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During martial law period, the provincial government widened and improved the highway linking Mamburao to San Jose.<span> </span>The said major thoroughfare passes through Burgos.<span> </span>In addition, the wooden bridge over Buswangan River was replaced by a concrete one.<span> </span>Due to these improvements, the number of buses and passenger jeeps passing through this barangay increased.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The leaders who served as <i>teniente del barrio</i> of Burgos were Andres Adsuara, Gregorio Pascua and Macario Bergonia.<span> </span>Those who served as barangay captain were Juancho Dangeros, Domingo Laderas, Eusebio Lampa, Conrado Jubilado, Tomoy Nilo, Benjamin Morena, Francisco Obtinalla and Plaridel Daprosa.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present, Brgy. Captain Aurora Castil, has served Burgos before but was again entrusted with the same responsibility by his barrio mates.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Since many indigenous people belonging to the Tau-Buhid tribe are living on the hills of Burgos, the inhabitants of the barangay give them a chance to be represented in the barangay council.<span> </span>At present, the representative of the Tau-Buhids to the barangay council of Burgos is Eddie Peregrina.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref39" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xxxix]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">4.<span> </span>CLAUDIO SALGADO</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>A big tree which the indigenous people called <i>Baloc-Baloc</i> grew in this forested plain near the sea.<span> </span>It later on became the name of the community established by the first settlers in the area.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Five years before the outbreak of World War II, Dr. Benito Leviste bought this coastal plain and converted it into a coconut plantation.<span> </span>He hired forty five laborers from Romblon, Masbate and Cebu City and convinced them to live in his plantation.<span> </span>He also encouraged them to plant palay in one portion of his agricultural estate which the indigenous people still called <i>Baloc-Baloc</i> but he named it as <i>El Dorado</i><i> Plantation.</i><span> </span>He built a palay warehouse which could store three thousand cavans of rice.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the war, majority of the laborers of <i>El Dorado Plantation</i> returned to the provinces where they came from, or evacuated to other places.<span> </span>Only eight families were left and when peace was restored, they settled permanently in this place.<span> </span>They were the families of Nicodemus Danhembro, Leonardo Mangarin, Rosario Eldama, Teresa Osorio, Rufino Dangeros, Buenaventura Acosta, Fruto Romero and Arsenio Romero.<span> </span>Leonardo Mangarin was appointed as the administrator of <i>El Dorado</i><i> Plantation.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Years later, the number of inhabitants of <i>El Dorado</i> or <i>Baloc-Baloc </i><span> </span>increased.<span> </span>An elementary school was opened by the government in this place.<span> </span>Mr. Benjamin Cansino was one of the teachers assigned here.<span> </span>Later on, he became the teacher in charge (TIC) of the elementary school.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Residents of this place still remember that when smuggling became rampant in the later part of Decade 60’s, the school building of Baloc-Baloc was made as a warehouse of smuggled items by the smugglers.<span> </span>TIC Cansino couldn’t prevent this unlawful practice, for the smugglers have firearms.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>It was also during this period when Baloc-Baloc became a part of the logging concession of a certain Mr. Camacho, Leonardo Daplas and Lee de Dios.<span> </span>The big trees in the area were felled and as a result, flood occurred frequently in this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Another coconut plantation was bought by Mr. Claudio Salgado in Pandan, a sitio adjacent to Baloc-Baloc.<span> </span>The said owner of the plantation was benevolent, thus, when the residents of Sitio Pandan and Sitio Baloc-Baloc agreed to form a barrio in this place, they decided to name it Claudio Salgado.<span> </span>They petitioned the municipal government to approve the creation of a barrio in the area.<span> </span>It was approved during the martial law period.<span> </span>Hon. Armando Insigne was appointed as the first barangay captain.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During martial law period, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) bought El Dorado Plantation and converted it into a palay plantation.<span> </span>Due to the frequent occurrence of flood in this place, the late President Ferdinand Marcos ordered the construction of a flood control dike.<span> </span>Unfortunately, floodwaters from Amnay River destroyed the dike and not only Claudio Salgado but also other barangays were affected by the flood.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Dr. Leviste sold to Mr. Fernando Arrascuso another portion of his agricultural estate which he did not sell to PLDT.<span> </span>Unluckily, Mr. Arrascuco failed to visit the land frequently.<span> </span>It was included in the area occupied by groups of farmers who lived inside the palay plantation of PLDT when the said company abandoned the land due to heavy financial losses.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Armando Insigne served as barangay captain of Claudio Salgado for almost twenty years.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Ferdinand Urieta.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref40" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xl]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">5.<span> </span>GEN. EMILIO AGUINALDO</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>This place was once a part of the vast agricultural estate of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.<span> </span>However, when the said military leader was still alive, he failed to make this land productive, thus, it remained a forest where thorny bushes abound.<span> </span>Plants locally known as <i>tambo</i> and <i>dungon</i> grew abundantly in this area.<span> </span>When fishermen from Panay came and built huts near the seashore, they called this place as <i>Tambungon,</i> from the words <i>tambo</i> and <i>dungon.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The fishermen noticed that nobody took care of this agricultural estate.<span> </span>They dared to clear the forests and gradually a wide portion of it was planted to palay and corn.<span> </span>One day, Gen. Aguinaldo, aboard a helicopter, arrived.<span> </span>He ordered the farmers not to cultivate the land.<span> </span>The farmers followed but after a few months, since nobody was taking care of the land, they continued cutting the trees in the area.<span> </span>They converted the forest into productive ricefields and cornfields.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The first settlers of Tambungon were the Bernabe and Montillano families from Panay; the Terrado and Guarda families from Manila.<span> </span>Despite the presence of the deadly disease of malaria, they remained in this place and encouraged their relatives to live here.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>It was in the year 1967 when the number of settlers in Tambungon increased.<span> </span>Since Aguinaldo Estate was a part of the wide plain where Barrio Sta. Lucia is located, Tambungon was made as a sitio of the said barrio.<span> </span>The residents of this sitio requested the officials of the Department of Education to open a primary school here.<span> </span>The farmers petitioned the Department of Agrarian Reform to buy Aguinaldo Estate and distribute it to them since they are the actual occupants and tillers.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After three years, the Department of Education assigned Mr. Federico Pacheco as the first teacher of Tambungon.<span> </span>Through cooperative labor, the parents were able to build a schoolhouse made of lumber, cogon and bamboo.<span> </span>In 1974, the primary school became a complete elementary school and a concrete building was constructed by the government.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During martial law period, the irrigation system constructed by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) at Brgy. Malisbong reached Tambungon.<span> </span>However, the group of farmers in this sitio constructed other irrigation systems.<span> </span>Their sources of water were the springs at the hills which protect their community from the strong easterly wind.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Since Tambungon is near Sablayan Prison and Penal Farms, many ex-convicts decided to lead a new life in this place.<span> </span>They convinced their families to settle here permanently.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Although Tambungon was not yet a full fledged barrio, the former mayors of Sablayan assigned here <i>teniente del barrios</i>, the title of the barrio leaders during that time.<span> </span>The first barrio leader assigned here was Vicente Ofema.<span> </span>He was followed by Rosalina Tiburana and Diosdado Terrado who served twice.<span> </span>It was during his term of office when the barangay hall was constructed.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Tambungon was separated from Sta. Lucia and was made as a barangay in 1982.<span> </span>Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was registered as its official name.<span> </span>Jerry Esteves was elected as its first barangay captain.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1994, the leader of the barangay was Sotero Salazar.<span> </span>During his term of office, the number of teachers at Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Elementary School increased.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Escolastico Francisco.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref41" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xli]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">6.<span> </span>IBUD<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>This place was a forest when Mindoro was under foreign domination.<span> </span>Persons who entered the forest in this area, to cut big trees or hunt for wildlife, oftentimes caught monkeys and wild pigs.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After World War II, the leaders who served as mayors of Sablayan tried their best to convince people to settle in this municipality.<span> </span>One of them was Mayor Loreto Urieta who went to the provinces of Antique, Bulacan, Ilocos Sur and Pangasinan, to convince the people there to transfer and live permanently in Sablayan, since there were plenty of vacant lands which could be made productive by industrious farmers.<span> </span>The following years, as a result of Mayor Urieta’s campaign, many farmers from Luzon and the Visayas transferred to Sablayan.<span> </span>The number of barrios in this municipality increased.<span> </span>Some of the places where the families settled were Sitio Katuray and its adjacent communities.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When Sitio Katuray became Barrio San Vicente in 1954, a few Ilocano and Igorot families who transferred to Sablayan from Central Luzon and Mountain Province settled in a wide plain near the barrio where buri plants abound.<span> </span>One day, they saw a group of Visayan youth who were cutting buri plants to get its pith.<span> </span>When asked what they were removing from the buri plants the youth answered:<span> </span><i>UBOD</i>, meaning <i>its pith</i>.<span> </span>What the Ilocano and Igorot heard was <i>IBUD</i>.<span> </span>From that time on, they called their settlement Ibud. Years later, it became a sitio of Brgy. San Vicente.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>A few years before the declaration of martial law in our country, due to the hardships endured by their children who walked from Ibud to the elementary school of San Vicente, in order to attend classes, the parents petitioned the officials of the Department of Education to open a primary school in their sitio.<span> </span>Their request was granted and from a group of pupils in Grade I, the number of schoolchildren increased gradually until the primary school became a complete elementary school.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1975, the inhabitants of Ibud requested the municipal government of Sablayan that their sitio be elevated to the status of a barangay.<span> </span>The request was granted and the following year, Barangay Ibud was created.<span> </span>Simeon Bitongan was elected as its first barangay captain.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Through the efforts of Brgy. Capt. Bitongan and the succeeding leaders of the barangay, the road from the provincial highway to Ibud was improved.<span> </span>Moreover, the barangay hall, day care center and children’s playground at the plaza of the community were constructed.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>Aside from Brgy. Capt. Bitongan, those who served as leaders of Ibud were Eufemio Ramos, Jaime Ramos, Pio Cologan and Jelson Javillonar.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Capt. Virgilio Baoan.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref42" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xlii]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">7.<span> </span>ILVITA<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>This place was a wide plain full of cogon and other tall grasses when Sablayan was created as a municipality by the American government.<span> </span>John Howell, an American landowner, purchased this agricultural estate.<span> </span>He registered this particular property in the land registration office of Sablayan as Selina Estate.<span> </span>However, like many landowners during that time, he was not able to cultivate and plant his agricultural estate with fruit bearing trees or other productive plants.<span> </span>As a result, wild pigs, deer, tamaraw and other wild animals lived and freely roamed this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Ten years after World War II, families of farmers from other parts of the country arrived in this abandoned estate.<span> </span>They cut the tall grasses and cultivated the land.<span> </span>Since municipal records stated that the name of the wide plain was Selina Estate, when the number of its inhabitants increased and it became a sitio, the settlers called it as Selina.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1964, led by Domingo Estrada, the inhabitants of this sitio requested the government to buy Selina Estate from its owner and distribute it to the actual occupants and tillers of<span> </span>the land.<span> </span>After a few years, their request was granted. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After establishing their rights to their respective farms, the farmers under the leadership of Domingo Estrada requested the Department of Education to open a primary school in their sitio.<span> </span>The education officials, through the municipal government, granted their request.<span> </span>A primary school was opened and a concrete schoolhouse was built in Selina.<span> </span>The number of pupils increased and years later, the primary school became Selina Elementary School.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>As a sitio, Selina was placed under the jurisdiction of the barangay officials of Victoria.<span> </span>Due to the desire of the barangay captain that a leader residing in Selina would take care of the needs of his fellow community members, he appointed a sitio leader.<span> </span>Juan Ramirez was appointed to this position.<span> </span>He served as the leader of Selina until 1970, when the sitio was separated from Victoria and created as another barangay.<span> </span>Elected as the first barangay captain of Selina was Avelino Umalla.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>That same year, the residents held a general assembly and they decided to change the name of their barangay.<span> </span>From the various names suggested by the people, a great majority favored Ilvita --- from the first two letters of the three types of inhabitants of the barangay:<span> </span>the Ilocanos, Visayans and Tagalogs.<span> </span>The name was unanimously approved and starting year 1970, Selina was officially known as Ilvita.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During martial law period, an irrigation system was constructed by National Irrigation Administration (NIA) at Ilvita and its adjacent barangays.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Two events caused great stress to the people of Ilvita during the martial law period.<span> </span>The first one was the occasional visits of members of a rebel group to the community and the second one was the great flood which occurred in the municipality of Sablayan in 1976.<span> </span>In the said flood, a wide area of ricefields was eroded and covered with sand.<span> </span>Nevertheless, the farmers tried to regain what they lost by working hard and showing unwavering faith in the Divine Providence.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Aside from the aforementioned leaders, those who served as barangay captain of Ilvita were Norberto Capillo, Celso Gonzales, Ester Alfaro, Domingo Estrada and Yolanda Zurita.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Capt. Apolinario Fajada.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref43" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xliii]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">8.<span> </span>LAGNAS</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Lagnas is located between two rivers -- Amnay and Balingkawing.<span> </span>The wide fertile plain of this place was formed, through the years, by tons of eroded soil from the mountains which were carried by the strong current of the said rivers.<span> </span>Residents of the community considered the eroded soil as a part of the natural resources of the mountains.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The indigenous people belonging to the Alangan tribe were the first settlers of the wide plain.<span> </span>Usually, in their dialect, they call the plain formed by eroded soil from the mountains as <i>Lagnas,</i> hence, the name of their settlement.<span> </span>They selected some portions of this place as sites of their kaingin.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Before the outbreak of World War II, this wide plain was bought by Sotero Baluyot, one of the influential people during that time.<span> </span>People started calling Lagnas as Baluyot Estate. However, like other owners of vast agricultural estates, Sotero Baluyot did not develop his land.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After the war, families of farmers from Central Luzon arrived. They occupied Baluyot Estate, cleared the forested areas and turned it into ricefields and cornfields.<span> </span>They petitioned the government to buy the estate and distribute it to the actual occupants and tillers.<span> </span>Since the main program of the government during that time was <i>Land for the Landless,</i> the public officials helped the farmer leaders in negotiating with the owner of the estate.<span> </span>After seeing that the provisions of the Land Reform Law were strictly followed by the group of petitioners, Sotero Baluyot sold his agricultural estate to the government for distribution to the farmers.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The farmers again called the wide plain as Lagnas. They were able to turn into productive farms the more or less one thousand hectares in the area.<span> </span>They built an irrigation system for their farm.<span> </span>At present, during summer, they could irrigate twenty five percent of their ricefields.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When farmers from Central Luzon arrived in Lagnas, the indigenour people transferred to the nearby hill, called <i>Guitong.Hill</i> by the lowlanders.<span> </span>The said hill served not only as home for the indigenous people but also as protection of the residents of Lagnas from the strong easterly wind.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After a few years, families of farmers from Panay arrived, followed by groups of settlers from other provinces.<span> </span>The number of inhabitants in Lagnas increased.<span> </span>The people decided to choose their leader.<span> </span>In 1970, Leonardo Abon was chosen.<span> </span>As leader of Lagnas, he served until 1975.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Lagnas became a sitio of Paetan during the term of office of Brgy. Captain Juan de Jesus.<span> </span>The said barangay leader appointed five sitio leaders in Lagnas.<span> </span>They were Virgilio Daguinotas, Sr., Tomas Hermosa, Antonio Bonus, Mauro Sison, Sr., and Leopoldo Samillano.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>On September 1, 1975 through the cooperative labor of the residents of this place, the first building of Baluyot Elementary School was constructed.<span> </span>Only fifteen pupils, from Grade I to Grade V were the first enrollees of this school.<span> </span>Nevertheless, as years passed, the number of enrollees increased gradually.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When Sitio Lagnas was elevated to the status of a barangay in 1981, Mauro Sison, Sr., was elected as its first barangay captain.<span> </span>The said leader served for six years.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After the peaceful EDSA revolution, Rogelio Arquero was appointed as OIC Brgy. Captain.<span> </span>He was succeeded by Brgy. Captain Tomas Ramos who won during the 1988 elections.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>Since 1994 up to the present time, the leader of Lagnas is Brgy. Captain Virgilio Daguinotas, Sr.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref44" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xliv]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">9.<span> </span>LIGAYA</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The first name given to this place by the indigenous people belonging to the Tau-Buhid tribe was Pianga, from the name of the river located at the southern portion of their settlement.<span> </span>When farmers from Panay arrived, years before the outbreak of World War II, they called this place as Sampaloc due to the abundance of tamarind trees in the area.<span> </span>It was only in 1948 when Ligaya was adopted as the official name of this community.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Aside from the indigenous people, the lowlanders who were the first settlers of this place were the families of De Dios, Mateo, Cervantes and Francisco from the island of Panay; and Lastra family from Abra de Ilog.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When the Japanese soldiers occupied Mindoro in 1942, a group of guerrillas established their headquarters at Bangcoro, one of the sitios of Ligaya at present.<span> </span>A group of Japanese soldiers were sent to hunt them.<span> </span>Unexpectedly, the two groups met at Sitio Kabigunan.<span> </span>A bloody encounter took place.<span> </span>With superior firepower, the Japanese troop defeated the guerrillas.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After the war, many families of farmers from other provinces arrived in Ligaya.<span> </span>Due to the great increase in the number of inhabitants, the residents requested the municipal government of Sablayan for the elevation of their settlement to the status of a barrio and the opening of a primary school for their children.<span> </span>Their requests were granted and in 1948, upon the creation of Barrio Ligaya, a primary school was opened in the community.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Crispulo de Dios was elected as the first <i>teniente del barrio</i> of Ligaya.<span> </span>During his term of office he worked for the completion of an elementary school in his community.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1958, the third wave of settlers arrived in Ligaya.<span> </span>Additional sitios along the coast were formed.<span> </span>Among them were Buswangan, Tambungon and Garo-Garo which became Brgys. Burgos, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo and San Nicolas, respectively.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When barrio high schools were opened in different parts of the country, with the approval of the officials of the Department of Education, teachers and parents in Ligaya also opened the same type of school in their barrio.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During martial law period, the national government vigorously implemented the construction of roads and bridges in Occidental Mindoro.<span> </span>One community which benefited from the infrastructure projects was Ligaya because the road from the highway to the barrio was widened and improved </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Ligaya was one of the barangays which was frequently visited by members of the New Peoples Army (NPA), in the early part of Decade 80’s.<span> </span>Luckily, no violent encounter occurred between government troops and rebel groups in the barangay.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>A few years before the peaceful revolution in EDSA, an irrigation system was constructed by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in Ligaya and its adjacent barangays.<span> </span>Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative (OMECO) was able to provide electricity for lighting, cooking and other purposes to households of members of the cooperative in Ligaya.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Aside from <i>Teniente del Barrio</i> de Dios, the leaders who served as <i>teniente, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Ligaya were Segundo Belamide, Policarpio Palomo, Servillano Santos, Maximiano Belamide, Someo Dawates and Salvador Cadiao.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Mariano Ani, Sr.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref45" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xlv]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">10.<span> </span>MALISBONG<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>This place was a part of the agricultural estate of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo during the American regime.<span> </span>However, the wide plain was not cultivated for the laborers of the late military leader refused to live in this forested area for fear of malaria, the dreaded disease during that time.<span> </span>Only a few families of indigenous people belonging to the Tau-Buhid tribe dared to settle here.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Three of the indigenous people who engaged in the kaingin system of agriculture in this place were <i>Maliksi, Malisol</i> and <i>Tembong</i>.<span> </span>When five families of farmers from Panay came and settled here, the three Tau-Buhids continued tilling their kaingin and lived with the lowlanders.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>According to Alfonso Samonte, the leader of the five families, the three Tau-Buhids became their friends.<span> </span>Their group took care of the indigenous people and when the three died, they buried their remains at the southwest portion of their kaingin.<span> </span>Years later, the ground where the three were buried rose until it became a hill.<span> </span>To perpetuate the memory of <i>Maliksi, Malisol and Tembong,</i> the place where they lived was called <i>Malisbong.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The group from Panay who first settled in Malisbong were the families of Samonte, Blancaflor, Francisco, Castillo and Cadapan.<span> </span>They cleared the forest and turned it into productive farms.<span> </span>When large groups of families from Luzon and the Visayas region arrived and settled in this place, Malisbong became a sitio of Barrio Ligaya.<span> </span>The inhabitants decided to elect a delegate to the barrio council of Ligaya.<span> </span>Alfonso Samonte was elected to this position.<span> </span>The said leader did his job for many years.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1972, based on the provisions of the Agrarian Reform Law, the land occupied by the farmers was surveyed.<span> </span>It was only during that tine when the settlers of Malisbong knew that the land they cultivated was part of Aguinaldo Estate.<span> </span>Due to this discovery, the jurisdiction of the sitio was removed from Brgy. Ligaya and placed under Brgy. Sta. Lucia, since the latter community was also a part of the said estate.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">During the early years of martial law, officials of the Department of Education assigned teachers who would teach the children of Sitio Malisbong.<span> </span>Through cooperative labor, parents built the first schoolhouse which was made of cogon, bamboos and lumber.<span> </span>The Catholic faithful also constructed their chapel.<span> </span>They agreed to enthrone San Blas as the patron saint of their sitio.<span> </span>The residents decided to celebrate the first fiesta in honor of their patron saint in 1985.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Although Malisbong was not yet a full fledged barangay, the residents elected a <i>teniente del barrio.</i><span> </span>They entrusted this position to Alfonso Samonte.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1982, The people of Malisbong requested the government authorities to separate their community from Sta. Lucia and elevate it to the status of a barangay.<span> </span>They also requested for the construction of a concrete school building ant the assignment of additional teachers.<span> </span>That same year, their requests were granted.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Since Malisbong is near Sablayan Prison & Penal Farm, many prisoners who reformed their lives decided to settle in this place, together with their families.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">With the assistance of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), the ricefields of the farmers of Malisbong were irrigated.<span> </span>It greatly helped towards the betterment of the living condition of the people in the community.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Aside from the aforementioned leader, those who served as barangay captains of Malisbong were Ethel Yasay, Merlinda Rodrigues and Teodorico Samonte.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Milagros Teña.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref46" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xlvi]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">11.<span> </span>PAETAN<span> </span>.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>This place was a forested plain land where tamaraws and wild pigs abound when Sablayan was created as a municipality during the American regime.<span> </span>The indigenous people and farmers from other sitios used to hunt for wildlife here.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the Japanese occupation of Mindoro, the enemies did not find any settler in this area.<span> </span>No bloody encounter between the Japanese soldiers and Filipino guerrillas took place in this part of Sablayan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After the war, the forest in this plain land became a part of the logging concession awarded by the government to an influential individual of Sablayan.<span> </span>Truckloads of lumber used by the pioneers in building their houses at the center of the municipality came from the forest of this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In the early part of 1960, families of farmers from Bulacan who were avoiding the conflict between a rebel group and the government troops settled in this place.<span> </span>Despite the presence of malaria, they stayed in this forested but quiet area.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The farmers cleared the forests and converted it into ricefields and cornfields.<span> </span>Once, while looking for food, a group of farmers came near Viga River.<span> </span>They found out that the river abound with a kind of fish locally known as <i>paet</i>.<span> </span>They could easily catch the fishes using a system of fishing known to the indigenous people as <i>atas</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Since the fish called <i>paet</i> served as food of many families during months of scarcity, they agreed to call their settlement as Paetan.<span> </span>Like other communities, this settlement started as a sitio.<span> </span>With the continuous growth of the number of inhabitants, this community was elevated to the status of a barrio in 1968.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Almario Manzon was elected as the first <i>capitan del barrio</i> of Paetan.<span> </span>Through his efforts and with the cooperation of the inhabitants, an elementary school was opened in the barrio.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1970, the number of settlers in Paetan grew due to the arrival of families of farmers from the Ilocos and Visayan region.<span> </span>Aside from planting palay, corn and vegetables, fishing was the main source of livelihood of the settlers.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In recognition of the great role played by <i>paet</i> for their survival, the residents decided to carve the image of the fish on the stone which they displayed above the steel gate of their school.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During martial law period, a group of rebels frequently visited Paetan, convincing the residents to join the leftist movement.<span> </span>Nevertheless, the farmers decided to remain loyal to the government and lived as peace loving citizens.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Years later, through the efforts of the barrio leaders, the assistance of the local officials and the people as a whole, a road linking Paetan with the national highway was constructed.<span> </span>A barangay hall and children’s playground were also built.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>Aside from <i>Capitan del Barrio</i> Manzon, those who served as barangay captain of Paetan were Juan de Jesus, Domingo Castro and Rodolfo Pablo.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Fernando de Jesus.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref47" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xlvii]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">12.<span> </span>PAG-ASA</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The indigenous people belonging to the Alangan tribe gave the name <i>Tuong</i> to this place.<span> </span>It was the term they used to describe the merging of the waters of Amnay and Rayusan River at the western portion of the plains in this area.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>A few years after World War II, many families of farmers from the Ilocos region who were looking for vacant lands to till, arrived in this place.<span> </span>They occupied Tuong and they requested the national government to distribute the land to them.<span> </span>Since during that time the main program of the late President Ramon Magsaysay was <i>Land for the Landless,</i> the agricultural land occupied by the farmers were awarded to them.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The population of Tuong grew until it became a sitio of Brgy. Victoria.<span> </span>The number of inhabitants continued to multiply and in 1958 the settlers requested the municipal council of Sablayan to separate their community from Victoria and elevate it to the status of a barrio.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When the people of Tuong decided to change the name of their barrio, an old man suggested calling the place Magsaysay.<span> </span>Another old settler proposed <i>Rang-ayan</i>, an Ilocano word which means <i>Hope</i> in English and <i>Pag-asa</i> in Tagalog.<span> </span>The settlers agreed on <i>Rang-ayan</i> but when their leaders were about to register the name at the municipal office, the late Mayor Leoncio Ordenes suggested that since majority of the people of Sablayan understand Tagalog, its much better if Pag-asa would be the official name of their community.<span> </span>The barrio leaders were convinced by the suggestion of the late mayor.<span> </span>Nevertheless, up to the present time, some inhabitants of this place still call their community as <i>Rang-ayan.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The creation of the barrio and the opening of an elementary school in Pag-asa happened simultaneously.<span> </span>The number of schoolchildren grew until the administrators of Sablayan National High School decided to open extension classes of their secondary school in this barrio.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>At the time of its creation as a barrio, Pag-asa has six sitios, namely; Guitong, Selina, Tiloy, Manamlay, Pulong Gugo and Lagnas.<span> </span>At present, since Selina (Ilvita) and Manamlay (San Agustin) were created as separate barangays, Pag-asa has only three sitios left, namely; De Leon, Guitong and Villacruz.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When the improvement of the national highway from Mamburao to San Jose took place, it passed through Pag-asa.<span> </span>Due to this development, the barrio became a temporary resting place of the drivers and conductors of passenger jeeps and buses.<span> </span>The farmers were able to sell their agricultural products to the passengers of the land transportation vehicles.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Pag-asa was also one of the places heavily damaged by the flood which occurred in Sablayan in 1989.<span> </span>The crops of the farmers were destroyed.<span> </span>A wide area of ricefields and cornfields were eroded by the strong current of the river and were covered with sand.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During martial law period, Pag-asa was one of the communities frequently visited by members of a rebel group.<span> </span>Fortunately, no bloody encounter occurred between the government soldiers and the rebels in this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>A training center for the indigenous people was constructed by the Catholic Church in Pag-asa in 1995.<span> </span>The said building also served as training center for lay leaders and catechists after St. Joseph the Worker Parish-Pag-asa was created in 2002.<span> </span>Through the efforts of its first parish priest, Fr. Edgar Javier, SVD a concrete road from the national highway to the center of the barangay was constructed.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>The leaders who served as <i>capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Pag-asa were Pedro Tarinay, Marcelino Tarinay, Bonifacio Pimentel, Prudencio Gadiano, Juanito Bicera, Sr., Eduardo Gadiano and Juanito Esteban, Jr.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Samuel Agualin.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref48" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xlviii]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">13.<span> </span>POBLACION<span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>This place which was then the center of the municipality of Sablayan was first mentioned in the old documents of the Spaniards, in 1779.<span> </span>It was mentioned as a community of the Mangyans, the indigenous people of Mindoro.<span> </span>However, when the farmers from the island of Panay and the province of Cavite arrived, the indigenous people transferred to the mountains.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1829, it was indicated in an old map drawn by a Spanish missionary that the persons living in this place have two cannons which they used in fighting the Moro pirates.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1832, the missionary friar assigned in this community requested the governor general that the people in this community be exempted from paying taxes for two or three years since they were building the church, convent and fort.<span> </span>It was presumed that the request was granted for the cannons of<span> </span>fort were still on the hill where the weapons were<span> </span>installed and the old church was repaired by the Catholic faithful and is still being used at present.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>That same year, in a written complaint against a priest which was sent by the people to the head of the Spanish government, the names of those who served as cabeza de barangay of this community were mentioned.<span> </span>They were Josef Leonardo, Agustin del Rosario, Eusebio de Leon, Leocario Manuel, Ignacio Carpio, Juan Salvador, Vicente Salvador, Juan Solit, Estanislao dela Cruz and Remegio Valenciano.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In one part of the autobiography of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo he mentioned that he exchanged goods with the people of Sablayan.<span> </span>Once when they went to this community the general recalled:<span> </span><i>when we arrived in Sablayan, my brother Benigno was left there to buy ‘nigeng pandampol’, rattan and ‘diliman’ used in fish corrals and beeswax used for lighting the saints in towns.</i><span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When the Filipinos revolted against the Spaniards in 1896, a group of revolutionaries was formed in this place by Capitan Pedro Fernandez, the capitan del pueblo of Sablayan.<span> </span>His group arrested Fr. Pedro Vicente, the Spanish friar who was assigned to this community during that time.<span> </span>The said priest, together with the other Spanish friars in West Mindoro was imprisoned in Taysan, Batangas and was only released when the Americans occupied the Philippines.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1901, during the American regime, this place was made as a barrio of Mamburao.<span> </span>After a year, the community was made as the center of the municipality of Sablayan which was created by virtue of Act 1280 of the Philippine Commission.<span> </span>The municipal building of the town was constructed in this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1955, Fr. Albert Cook, SVD opened in the Poblacion a kindergarten and high school.<span> </span>The school grew rapidly under the management of his successor, Fr. Luis Halasz, SVD.<span> </span>At present, it is called Colegio de San Sebastian.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When Hon. Leoncio Ordenes served as mayor of Sablayan, he constructed a new municipal building for the local government at the adjacent barangay of Buenavista.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the term of office of Mayor Loreto Urieta, a concrete pier was constructed<span> </span>in Poblacion.<span> </span>A hospital was built by the Catholic Church in this place.<span> </span>At present, the said hospital is under he management of the religious sisters who are members of the Dominican Sisters of Sienna.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The persons who served as leaders of Poblacion, Sablayan were Andres de Jesus, Lucio Martinez, Aurelio Gonzales, Avelino Zamora and Rosauro Pasajol.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Amable Urieta, Sr.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref49" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[xlix]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">14.<span> </span>SAN AGUSTIN</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span><i>Manamlay</i> was the name given by the indigenous people belonging to the Alangan tribe to this forested area which abound with wild pigs and giant bats called <i>million fruit bats</i> by hunters and environmentalists alike..</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1958, the families of Benavidez, Felipe, Acosta, Diaz and Martin arrived in this place from Tarlac, followed by the families of Gomintong, Tayaben, Gordulan, Patingan and Inogacio.<span> </span>These groups petitioned the Bureau of Forestry to reclassify as agricultural land the wide forested area of Manamlay.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>It was in the year 1960 when Manamlay became a sitio of Barrio Rang-ayan, the present Brgy. Pag-asa.<span> </span>The old residents of this place, led by Federico Martin requested Rang-ayan <i>Teniente del Barrio</i> Prudencio Gadiano to separate Manamlay from Rang-ayan and elevate it to the status of a barrio.<span> </span>In 1964, the barangay council of Rang-ayan approved the request and it was confirmed later on by the municipal council of Sablayan and the provincial board of Occidental Mindoro.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>That same year, Federico Martin was elected as the first <i>teniente del barrio </i>of this community.<span> </span>During his term of office a private school for elementary pupils was opened by the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Manamlay.<span> </span>Nevertheless, the parents still requested then Congressman Pedro Medalla, Sr. to open a public school in this place.<span> </span>Not long afterwards, the first elementary school building was constructed and a teacher was assigned in this community.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1966, Agustin Cuaresma was elected as <i>teniente del barrio</i> of Manamlay.<span> </span>Upon the recommendation of Sablayan Mayor Loreto Urieta, the name of the barrio was changed to San Agustin.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1970, Florendo Banite won the election for <i>teniente del barrio</i>.<span> </span>During his term of office, some of the roads going to the farm were constructed and many families from Central & Northern Luzon flocked to this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In the election held for <i>Kabataang Barangay</i> in 1975, Yolanda Baagin was elected as <i>Sangguniang Kabataan</i> (SK) Chairman.<span> </span>Rosemia Gatchalian succeeded her in 1978.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>On May 17, 1982 Dionisio Dupagan the position of barangay captain was entrusted by the people of San Agustin.<span> </span>He formed the group of unmarried youth and it was led by Tito Diasan.<span> </span>The next leader of the group was Florentino Villanueva.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During martial law period, a long concrete bridge was built over Patrick River. Due to this development, the national highway passed through San Agustin.<span> </span>The main road in the barrio was widened and improved.<span> </span>The people greatly benefited from the fast flow of goods and services in their barangay.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>It was during the last year of service of Brgy. Captain Dupagan, specifically the month of September 1987, when Typhoon Unsang wrought havoc to the barangay.<span> </span>Water overflowed from the banks of the rivers, the land was eroded and a great portion of the once productive farm was turned to gravel filled land.<span> </span>As a result, many families transferred to other barangays.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1988, Samuel Agualin was elected as barangay captain of this community.<span> </span>Through his efforts, concrete roads and a concrete basketball court were constructed and the building of the barangay hall was started.<span> </span>However, it was during his term of office when the hunting of the million fruit bats at the lake of San Agustin was intensified.<span> </span>As a result, the giant bats transferred to other forested areas.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In the election held for <i>Kabataang Barangay</i> on December 4, 1992 Noli Pascua won as SK Chairman.<span> </span>He and his council were able to build a concrete waiting shed and public toilet and sponsored a sports tournament.<span> </span>After his term of office, he was succeeded by Edwin Eugenio. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Yolanda Baagin Patingan served as the barangay captain of San Agustin from 1997 to 2001.<span> </span>She continued implementing the development projects for her barangay.<span> </span>She was succeeded by Brgy. Captain Siodor Ponceja.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>A tragic incident happened in San Agustin during the 2004 Elections.<span> </span>A week before actual voting took place, Brgy. Captain Ponceja was shot by unidentified gunmen.<span> </span>Many believed that it was a politically motivated killing.<span> </span>Unfortunately, the crime remained unsolved up to the present time.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>The leader of San Agustin at present is Brgy. Captain Edwin Dangeros who assumed office by right of succession, being the incumbent first Sangguniang Barangay member during the term of office of the late Brgy. Capt. Ponceja.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref50" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[l]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">15.<span> </span>SAN FRANCISCO</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The indigenous people belonging to the Alangan tribe were the first inhabitants of this place.<span> </span>They built their huts around the lake found here which they called <i>Lalaguna</i>.<span> </span>Hunting, fishing and the kaingin system of agriculture were their sources of livelihood.<span> </span>Since a kind of grass locally known as <i>bacong-bacong</i> grew abundantly in the area, they called their settlement as <i>Cabacungan</i>.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Aside from the lake, a small river could be found in Cabacungan.<span> </span>The tamaraw and other wild animals quenched their thirst here, thus, the river was called <i>Turawan</i> by the indigenous people.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After World War II, a great number of families of farmers from other provinces of the Philippines came to Cabacungan.<span> </span>They occupied the kaingin of the Alangan.<span> </span>Being peace loving people, the indigenous people transferred to the mountains.<span> </span>The new arrivals cleared the forests, cultivated it and turned it into ricefields and cornfields.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The settlement grew and Cabacungan became a sitio of San Vicente.<span> </span>After a few years, a member of the barrio council named Francisco Sarzate tried his best to elevate the sitio to the status of a barrio.<span> </span>When it was realized in 1970, the residents of Cabacungan showed their appreciation by registering San Francisco as the official name of their barrio.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Another benevolent individual of San Francisco, Carlos Quiton, donated the land where the classrooms of the elementary school were constructed.<span> </span>When he died, some residents proposed to change the name of their barrio to San Carlos.<span> </span>However, the proposal was turned down by the municipal council for aside from being its registered name, San Francisco was already widely known by people not only from Sablayan but also from other places.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">After a few years, the number of houses in San Francisco increased.<span> </span>Building concrete houses was not costly for gravel and sand abound in this barrio.<span> </span>The tax that the barrio officials charged for every truckload of gravel & sand hauled by contractors from the riverbed within the jurisdiction of their community constitutes the main source of fund being spent for the projects of San Francisco.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Every summer season, buses and passenger jeeps going to Mamburao from Sablayan and other municipalities at the southern part of Occidental Mindoro, passed by San Francisco.<span> </span>The frequent passage of land transportation vehicles greatly helped the farmers in marketing their products.<span> </span>It also contributed to the progress of the barrio now called a barangay.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">During martial law period, the road and bridges in the barrio were improved.<span> </span>The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) constructed an irrigation system for the ricefields of the farmers.<span> </span>As a result, production of palay and corn increased.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Since San Francisco is located near Patrick River, when a wide area of the municipality of Sablayan was flooded in 1989, a great portion of this barangay was submerged in water.<span> </span>The ricefields of the farmers were heavily damaged.<span> </span>Some families evacuated to higher grounds.<span> </span>Nevertheless, after the calamity, the residents strived hard to recover what they lost.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Through the efforts of its local officials and the cooperation of the people in the community, the barangay at present has an improved plaza, a concrete stage, multi-purpose pavement, barangay hall and day care center.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The leaders who served as barangay captain of San Francisco were Joaquin Santos, Armando Amores, Carlos dela Cruz and Cesar Pascual.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Romeo Mara, Jr.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref51" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[li]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">16.<span> </span>SAN NICOLAS</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In an old map drawn by Fr. Murillo Velarde, a Spanish friar, the place where the progressive community of Dongon was located during the Spanish regime is also the location of Brgy. San Nicolas at present.<span> </span>The map showed that people were already living in this place, even before the creation of the province of Mindoro.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Based on the researches of Antoon Postma, Dongon was first mentioned in history in 1665.<span> </span>It was mentioned in the report of an Augustinian Recollect missionary that a group of men living in this village walked for days towards Naujan to receive the sacrament of Baptism from the Jesuit priest doing mission work there.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1749, based on the report of a missionary, it appeared that Dongon was the biggest village in the island of Mindoro, since the number of people residing here reached 695, bigger than the population of Bongabong which was 645, Calapan – 565 and Naujan – 400.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1754, month of August, a big group of pirates aboard six boats attacked the progressive village of Dongon.<span> </span>They burned the church after removing there the books and materials made of silver.<span> </span>They cut off the heads and arms of the statues of saints, destroyed the ricefields of the farmers, mercilessly killed 45 men and women and captured 98 able bodied inhabitants.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Despite the danger brought by piratical raids, in 1802 Dongon was made as the residence of the <i>Comandante Subalterno</i>.<span> </span>The power of the <i>comandante</i> was second only to the <i>corregidor</i> which is equivalent to the governor of the island of Mindoro, at present.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Dongon as residence of the <i>Comandante Subalterno</i> lasted only for more than twenty years.<span> </span>People gradually disappeared from this village due to their extreme fear of Moro pirates, the fugitives from the law and the dreaded disease of malaria.<span> </span>This place was last mentioned in a map drawn in 1829, where the following words were written:<span> </span><i>Dongon, a visita of Calapan no longer inhabited by people</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the American regime, a group of fishermen from Maningning, an island of the province of Antique, lived in the former village of Dongon.<span> </span>However, since the indigenous people belonging to the Tau-Buhid tribe called the river near the place where they built huts as <i>Garo-Garo,</i> they also called their settlement by that name.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Years later, Garo-Garo became a sitio of Barrio Sta. Lucia since like the said barrio, Tambungon and Malisbong, this place was also a part of Aguinaldo Estate.<span> </span>It lasted for many years.<span> </span>However, the people of Garo-Garo found it hard to go to Sta. Lucia especially during rainy season when Mompong River usually overflow its banks.<span> </span>They requested the local officials of Sablayan that the jurisdiction over their sitio be transferred to Barrio Ligaya.<span> </span>Their request was granted.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The Department of Education opened an elementary school in the sitio.<span> </span>In 1982, since it met the requirements needed for the elevation of its status to a barrio, Garo-Garo was separated from Ligaya and created as another barrio.<span> </span>The residents agreed to change the name of their community to San Nicolas, in honor of a teacher who was assigned in this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1989, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) constructed an irrigation system in San Nicolas.<span> </span>The said government agency also helped in the construction of the road from the barrio to the highway.<span> </span>The said infrastructure projects helped in the progress of the community.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The persons who served as barangay captain of San Nicolas were Lorenzo Evangelista, Leopoldo Martinez, Resureccion Ibuna and Lucrecia dela Cruz.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Bruno Calcaña.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref52" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[lii]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">17.<span> </span>STA. LUCIA</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The part of Sta. Lucia where people first settled before the outbreak of World War II was Halawhawan.<span> </span>The name of the settlement came from a significant meeting which took place in this community.<span> </span>During the said meeting, the group of people from Capiz and Antique thoroughly discussed and laid the policies which they would follow in their new settlement.<span> </span>In the Tagalog dialect the said activity was called <i>halaw</i>, thus, the place where it happened was called <i>Halawhawan</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In the map drawn by Fr. Julian Duval, the chaplain of Mindoro Sugar Company who visited this place in 1920, it was indicated that the number of houses in Halawhawan was twelve.<span> </span>Two sitios, namely; Idarag, a sitio of the indigenous people and Buswangan, now Brgy. Burgos, were placed under the jurisdiction of Halawhawan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the American regime, Halawhawan together with the wide plains where Tambungon, San Nicolas and Malisbong are located at present became the agricultural estate of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.<span> </span>When the general died, the estate was inherited by her daughter Cristina Aguinaldo Suntay.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Since the heiress could not take care of the estate tall trees and grasses grew on the wide plains.<span> </span>Families of fishermen from Palawan and the island of Maningning, Antique arrived and built huts along the coastal areas of the sitios of Tambungon, Garo-Garo, Payompon and Halawhawan.<span> </span>They cleared the forests and converted it into ricefields and cornfields.<span> </span>The heiress of Gen. Aguinaldo was not able to prevent the entry of the settlers into her agricultural estate.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When World War II broke out, the people of Halawhawan evacuated to the sitios of Ligaya, Borot-borotan and Concepcion.<span> </span>After the war, many of the evacuees did not leave the place where they hid.<span> </span>As a result, a new settlement was formed in Borot-borotan, in the land owned by Nicasio Urieta.<span> </span>The name of the said settlement came from a kind of rootcrop which served as food of the evacuees when rice was scarce.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm (SPPF) was established during the early part of 1955, the prison officials received at the coast of Halawhawan the first batch of prisoners from Manila.<span> </span>Since from that time up to the present, the reception of prisoners happens annually, the name Halawhawan was changed to Receiving.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1955, due to the big number of families living at Sitio Borot-borotan, a primary school was opened in this place.<span> </span>It was named Sta. Lucia Primary School.<span> </span>During the latter part of the same year, Borot-borotan became a barrio.<span> </span>Sta. Lucia was registered as its official name.<span> </span>Elected as its first <i>teniente del barrio</i> was Benedicto Urieta.<span> </span>Placed under his jurisdiction were the sitios of Payompon and Receiving, including Idarag, Barucan, Sahing and Lulo which are settlements of the indigenous people.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When Cristino Urieta was the barangay captain of Sta. Lucia, he opened an extension of Sta. Lucia Elementary School at Sitio Receiving.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1994, the authorities of a Protestant sect, the Seventh Day Adventist, opened D’Shep Academy at Receiving.<span> </span>The said private school offered complete secondary education not only to members of their religion but also to the youth professing other religious beliefs.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Aside from the aforementioned leaders, the persons who served as <i>teniente del barrio, teniente consejal</i> and barangay captain of Sta. Lucia were Ruperto Urieta, Eduardo Lastra, Alejandro Daprosa, Miguel Lastra, Faustino Urieta, Gervacio Magbanua, Leoncio Soriano, Montano Lastra, Silvino Diomante, Lucio de Dios, Nicasio Urieta, Leoncio Urieta, Nuadulado Urieta, Anastacio Maranas, Amable Urieta and Rufio Lastra.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Napoleon Silva.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref53" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[liii]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">18.<span> </span>STO. NIÑO </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Only a few individuals owned the wide plains in this place during the American regime.<span> </span>They were Vicente Gatchalian, Paulino Legazpi, Sr., Casiano Salvo, Vicente Poblete, Jesus Poblete, Raymundo Gallimbas and the families of Cabantugan and Caballes.<span> </span>The laborers of the abovementioned owners settled in this place.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The community got its name when two young men who were rivals for the love of a beautiful maiden decided to settle their rivalry by means of a duel.<span> </span>Armed with bolos, they fought.<span> </span>Unfortunately, both of them died.<span> </span>Due to that tragic incident, people called the area where the duel took place as <i>Pinagtag-an</i>.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Pinagtag-an was already a sitio when Sablayan was created as a municipality in 1902.<span> </span>However, people from other settlements could only reach this place by means of man made trails. After many years, groups of farmers from other provinces came and settled here. They were composed of the families of Nicanor, Acosta, Caballes, Daquingquing, Dapat, Romaquin, Danseco, Aguilar, Cabantugan, Dawan, Apolinario and Iniego.<span> </span>Since they settled in a remote area, whenever a member of their family got sick, they would call Felicisimo Acosta, an herb doctor, to treat the sick person.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Despite the hardships they encountered, the families of farmers persevered. Through the assistance of the local officials of Barrio Buenavista, they requested the government for the opening of a school in their sitio. Despite the absence of a schoolhouse, the first teacher of Pinagtag-an, Emily Tangcalles, was assigned to teach Grade 1 pupils.<span> </span>Temporarily, classes were held in the house of Cabantugan family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">In 1939, although Pinagtag-an was not yet officially created as a barrio, Feliz Dawis was appointed as its first <i>teniente del barrio</i>.<span> </span>Since during that time, this community was still under the jurisdiction of the barrio officials of Buenavista, <i>Teniente del Barrio</i> Dawis coordinate coordinated with them in managing the affairs of his sitio.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">During the war, the people of Pinagtag-an hid in the forested areas of their barrio.<span> </span>They survived by eating <i>nami,</i> a kind of rootcrop, and <i>yuro,</i> the dried sap from the trunk of <i>buri</i>.<span> </span>Luckily, the Japanese soldiers were not able to reach their hiding places.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1949, Hilarion Cabantugan was appointed as the second <i>teniente del barrio</i> of Pinagtag-an.<span> </span>A second teacher for primary school pupils, Lorenzo Torregoza was assigned in this place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">A Catholic chapel was built in Pinagtag-an in 1952.<span> </span>Mariano Aguilar was appointed as its <i>teniente del barrio.</i><span> </span>Through District Supervisor Primo Poblete, Pablo Silva, a benevolent farm owner, donated a one hectare land for the schoolhouse and campus of the primary school.<span> </span>Additional teachers were assigned and they were Emelie Sumbad and Miguela Catalino.<span> </span>Eight years later, the primary school became a complete elementary school.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1955, Pinagtag-an was separated from Buenavista and officially created as a barrio.<span> </span>Five sitios were placed under its jurisdiction, namely; Bisay, Tulaong, Agsuli, Balud and Macambang.<span> </span>In honor of its patron saint, Sto. Niño was registered as the official name of the community.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">When the highway linking Mamburao to San Jose was constructed during the term of office of Governor Arsenio Villaroza, it passed through Sto. Niño.<span> </span>The said highway was widened and improved during martial law period and concrete bridges were constructed.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">During the second term of office of Hon. Godofredo Mintu as mayor of Sablayan, the main road of Sto. Niño was covered with asphalt.<span> </span>He constructed in this barangay the building of Sablayan National High School and the Sablayan Sports Complex.<span> </span>Due to these improvements the number of commercial establishments in this place increased.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Aside from the aforementioned leaders, the individuals who served as barangay captain of Sto. Niño were Ludovico Nicanor, Roberto Aguilar, Ricardo Silva and Jose Lising.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Leonilo Nicanor.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref54" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[liv]</span></span></span></span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">19.<span> </span>SAN VICENTE</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">This place was a forested area which served as sanctuary of the tamaraw during the American regime.<span> </span>In one part of the forest, a big tree locally known as <i>katuray</i> grew.<span> </span>The indigenous people who hunted for wildlife in this area used to rest under the shade of the big tree.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">A year after World War II, many families of farmers from Luzon and the Visayas arrived and settled in this place.<span> </span>They cleared the forested area and converted it into ricefields and cornfields.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Since the pioneers of this place also used to rest under the shade of the <i>katuray</i> tree, they named their settlement as Katuray.<span> </span>It became a sitio of Sablayan.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1946, heeding the request of its inhabitants, the municipal council of Sablayan elevated Katuray to the status of a barrio.<span> </span>Teodulo Urietawas appointed as the first <i>teniente del barrio.</i><span> </span>During his term of office he strived for the opening of a primary school in this barrio although its first classrooms were made of lumber, bamboo and cogon.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1958, District Supervisor Vicente de Guzman of the Bureau of Public Schools visited Katuray.<span> </span>He was the first high ranking official of the Department of Education to visit this place, thus, the people felt extremely happy and honored.<span> </span>Due to that memorable visit, when the people through the leadership of <i>Teniente del Barrio</i> Victoriano Bernabe requested the municipal council of Sablayan to change the name of their barrio, they agreed to call it San Vicente.<span> </span>The request was granted and starting that year Katuray became San Vicente.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">When the highway from Mamburao to San Jose was constructed during the early part of Decade 60’s, it passed through San Vicente.<span> </span>The highway was widened and improved during martial law period.<span> </span>Concrete bridges were constructed.<span> </span>As a result, passenger jeeps and buses frequently pass through this place.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">In 1970, when barrio high schools were established in different parts of the Philippines, a public high school was opened in San Vicente.<span> </span>The number of students increased that, years later, San Vicente Barrio High School became San Vicente National High School.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">That same year, National Irrigation Administration (NIA) established its municipal office in San Vicente.<span> </span>The said agency constructed an irrigation system for the ricefields not only in this barrio but also in other adjacent barangays and sitios.<span> </span>The said project brought progress to the farmers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">A tragic incident happened in San Vicente in April 1986, when the representative of Occidental Mindoro to the Interim Batasang Pambansa, Assemblyman Pedro Mendiola, Sr. was shot and killed by an unidentified gunman while delivering his speech at the plaza of the barangay.<span> </span>The residents and leaders of the barangay were deeply shocked and saddened with that unfortunate incident.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">With the assistance of the local and national officials, the plaza of the barangay was improved and the barangay hall, day care center and children’s playground were constructed.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Aside from the aforementioned leaders, the persons who served San Vicente were Federico Biagtan, Florentino Fernandez, Benjamin Clarin, Cesar Urieta, Pablo Perez, Teodulo Gordulan, Jose Nazareno, Aquilina delos Reyes and Ronilo Mateo.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Catalino Antolin, Jr.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref55" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[lv]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">20.<span> </span>TAGUMPAY<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span><i>Manamok</i>, the old name of this place came from <i>lamok,</i> the Tagalog word for mosquito.<span> </span>The pioneers of this community said that when they arrived in this place, swarms of mosquitoes greeted them.<span> </span>In order that they would not get sick of malaria, they drained the stagnant water from the breeding places of mosquitoes and drove out the insects by means of thick smoke coming from bonfires of fresh twigs and leaves.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Until 1945, a great portion of this place was a thick forest where wild pigs, monkeys, tamaraws and deer abound.<span> </span>Only a few families dared to live at the undeveloped homesteads granted to them by the government.<span> </span>The group was composed of the families of Salgado, Advincula, Dantayana, Eniego, Daprosa, Damiray and Macalalad.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1950, led by Ignacio Lorenzo, thirty seven families arrived at Balagbag Damo, the wide plain adjacent to Manamok.<span> </span>The group cultivated the grassy plain and cleared the forest of Manamok.<span> </span>Ricefields and cornfields gradually appeared.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Six years later, groups of farmers from other parts of the country arrived in Manamok and Balagbag Damo.<span> </span>They occupied the vacant land not only of the two settlements but also near the rivers of Balingkawing, Viga and Asis.<span> </span>The population of the two places grew until Manamok and Balagbag Damo became sitios of Barrio Claudio Salgado.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In order that their children would be able to study, the parents requested the local officials of Sablayan that a primary school be established in Manamok.<span> </span>Upon the approval of their request, the parents, through cooperative labor constructed a schoolhouse made of cogon, lumber and bamboo for the <i>multi-grade school</i>.<span> </span>Through the passing of years, the number of pupils increased until the <i>multi-grade school</i> in Manamok evolved into a complete elementary school.<span> </span>The first schoolhouse of light materials became concrete school buildings.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1963, with the approval of Republic Act No. 3590, popularly known as the Revised Barrio Charter, Sitio Manamok was separated from Claudio Salgado and created as another barrio of Sablayan.<span> </span>Aniceto Abistado was appointed as its first <i>teniente del barrio.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Aside from the barrio proper, placed under the jurisdiction of Manamok were the sitios of Balagbag Damo, Bulawan, Libho, Viga and Pinagtapunan.<span> </span>The farmers of the said places tried their best to increase their palay harvest and they were able to achieve it.<span> </span>Due to their bountiful harvest, Manamok was dubbed as the <i>rice granary of Sablayan</i>.<span> </span>The farmers were greatly pleased with the title given to their barrio that they decided to change the name of Manamok to <i>Tagumpay</i> a Tagalog word which means <i>Victory</i>.<span> </span>They registered it as the official name of their barrio.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During martial law period, a dike was constructed by Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) along Amnay River to prevent the frequent overflowing of the floodwater at the palay plantation of the company in Claudio Salgado.<span> </span>Unfortunately, when rainy season came, the floodwater from the river entered the adjacent barangays, including Tagumpay.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The most disastrous flood occurred in this place in 1989.<span> </span>The barrio proper of Tagumpay was destroyed by the strong current of the water.<span> </span>Due to that unfortunate incident, many families transferred to other places.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>Aside from <i>Teniente del Barrio</i> Abistado, the persons who served as leaders of Tagumpy were Carlos Fabros, Francisco Tangalin, Samuel dela Cruz and Fernando Bautista.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Benigno Garces.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref56" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[lvi]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">21.<span> </span>TUBAN<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>According to the story which was handed down orally from one generation to another by the old residents of Tuban, prior to the coming of the Spaniards to the Philippines, the Muslim traders were already bartering goods with the ancestors of the indigenous people living in this place.<span> </span>Since the two groups used to meet here, they called this settlement as <i>Tutuban</i> which means <i>meeting place</i>.<span> </span>Many years later, the name was shortened and became Tuban.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the American regime, the number of indigenous people living in Tuban decreased.<span> </span>On the other hand, the wide plain adjacent to this settlement became the agricultural estate of Arellano family.<span> </span>Herds of cattle and carabaos were raised in the estate.<span> </span>Some indigenous people were hired as helpers of the cattle raiser.<span> </span>Nevertheless, after a few years they transferred to the mountains.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After World War II, groups of Igorot and Ilocano farmers arrived at Arellano Estate.<span> </span>Due to the increase in the number of inhabitants, the estate became a barrio called Arellano and Tuban was classified as a sitio under its jurisdiction.<span> </span>Later on the name of Barrio Arellano was changed to Batong Buhay.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When bloody encounters between government troops and members of the Hukbalahap movement erupted in Central Luzon many families of farmers from Central Luzon transferred to Sablayan.<span> </span>Tuban was one of the places where they settled.<span> </span>Families of Igorots and those from the Visayan and Tagalog regions who were looking for vacant lands to till also arrived and settled here.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>As the population of Tuban grew, some leaders of the community talked with the local officials of Sablayan and requested to elevate the sitio to the status of a barangay.<span> </span>Among the leaders who requested the separation of this community from Batong Buhay were Solon Dantay, Pablo Malano, Alberto Cacho and Felipe Magno.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>For various reasons, the dream of the said leaders of the sitio to separate Tuban from Batong Buhay was not realized.<span> </span>During the latter part of 1990, two other leaders of the sitio revived the said request to the municipal officials of Sablayan.<span> </span>They were Pedro dela Cruz and Alberto Cacho.<span> </span>This time the request was given attention.<span> </span>On February 8, 1991, on motion of Councilor Lising seconded by Councilor Silva, members of the Municipal Council of Sablayan approved the resolution creating the barangay of Tuban.<span> </span>The said resolution was approved by Mayor Godofredo Mintu.<span> </span>When it was forwarded to the provincial government, it was immediately approved by the members of the provincial board and Governor Pedro Medalla, Jr.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In the 1991 Election, Pedro dela Cruz was elected as the first barangay captain of Tuban.<span> </span>The sitios placed under his jurisdiction were Buscad, Parang, Magsaysay, Tuban Proper, Cayatas, Tagbungan and Tabtaban.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the term of office of Brgy. Captain dela Cruz, a survey was conducted on the barangay site where residential houses were constructed.<span> </span>The building of the barangay hall was started and the wooden bridge in Cayatas was constructed.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>When Brgy. Captain dela Cruz suddenly died, Brgy. Kagawad Delia Cachola succeeded him as the leader of the barangay.<span> </span>In 1994, she was elected by the people.<span> </span>Among her visible accomplishments were: the completion of the construction of the barangay hall; the building of Phase I of the Brgy. Health Center, two waiting sheds, basketball court, double barrel box culvert, barangay road and flagpole.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Ligaya National High School opened extension classes in Tuban during the early part of Decade 90’s.<span> </span>Years later, the school became independent and is now known as Tuban National High School.. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>In 1997, Rolando Perez was elected as barangay captain of Tuban.<span> </span>Some of his projects were the painting of the barangay hall, construction of classrooms for the public high school and the day care center.<span> </span>Brgy. Capt. Perez was reelected as the barangay captain of Tuban, the position he holds up to the present time.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref57" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[lvii]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">22.<span> </span>VICTORIA</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During the American regime, this place was one of the sources of bamboos and lumber used by the people of Sablayan in building their houses.<span> </span>This was also one of the areas which served as sanctuary of wild animals.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Three years before the outbreak of World War II, a few families of farmers from Panay dared to live here.<span> </span>They called this place as <i>Barobo,</i> the name of a towering tree in the area.<span> </span>Since their settlement was near a river, the settlers used banca in going to the center of Sablayan. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>After World War II, some relatives of the pioneers of Barobo decided to settle in this place and converted the forested area into productive agricultural land.<span> </span>The number of inhabitants increased and the settlement became a sitio of Pandan, now known as Claudio Salgado.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>In 1955, during the term of office of Hon. Loreto Urieta as mayor of Sablayan, he elevated Barobo to the status of a barrio.<span> </span>At the same time, he constructed the building for a primary school in this community.<span> </span>While the building was under construction, the wife of the mayor gave birth to a baby girl.<span> </span>The child was named Victoria.<span> </span>When the leaders of Barobo decided to register the official name of their barrio, they agreed on the name Victoria, as a gesture of gratitude to the projects implemented by Mayor Urieta in their community.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>Through the cooperation of the inhabitants and Ms. Elena Maycong, the first teacher assigned in this place, the number of pupils increased until the primary school became a complete elementary school.<span> </span>In 1966, when barrio high schools were opened in various parts of the country, through the leadership of Ms. Mila Villena, the parents and teachers requested the Department of Education to open a barrio high school in Victoria.<span> </span>The request was approved and as a result, elementary school graduates of Victoria and the nearby sitios were given opportunity to acquire secondary education.<span> </span>In 1996, the barrio high school became Victoria National High School.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>During martial law period, an irrigation system was constructed by National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in this place.<span> </span>When their ricefields were irrigated the farmers were able to harvest palay twice a year.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The rapid economic growth of Victoria was cut short by the great flood which occurred on the barrios north of Sablayan, in 1976.<span> </span>That year, the water of Balingkawing & Rayusan Rivers merged.<span> </span>The cornfields and ricefields which were not eroded were covered with sand.<span> </span>Due to that calamity, many families left Victoria and transferred to other communities.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>The river near Victoria became shallow after the flood.<span> </span>Motorboats could no longer pass through it.<span> </span>Hence, the transport of their agricultural products from the barangay to the center of Sablayan emerged as a problem of the farmers.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span>The persons who served as leaders of Victoria were Antonio Dangeros, Laureano Urieta, Mariano Pasion, Mariano Valdez, Joselito Alfaro, Andres Mendoza, Artemio Manzano, Angel Cadic, Angel Dangeros and Manuel Tadeo.<span> </span>The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Severino Martinez.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/histroysablayan" name="_ednref58" title=""><span><span><span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple;">[lviii]</span></span></span></span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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</div>ROWELYN VERDIN MERCADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09575581693964613498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7483057594829930987.post-56069924323214675822012-03-11T04:31:00.000-07:002012-03-11T04:33:47.999-07:00HISTORY OF MAGSAYSAY TOWN<div class="sites-layout-tile sites-tile-name-content-1">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #33cc00;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>HISTORY OF MAGSAYSAY TOWN</strong></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><strong>By Rudy Candelario</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #993300; font-family: trebuchet ms; font-size: small;"><em>Translated By Benjamin Walata</em></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">I – DURING THE SPANISH AND AMERICAN REGIME</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> One could start the history of this municipality with the history of its two oldest communities --- Caguray and Sta. Teresa.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Caguray was mentioned in the report of a Jesuit missionary to the head of his congregation in 1666. The missionary reported that he baptized many adults in the villages of Cagulay and Ililin</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref1" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[1]</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Sta. Teresa was mentioned in history in April, 1903 when the American government established a community for the indigenous people of Mindoro, the Mangyans, in one of its sitios. The community was called <i>Lalawigan.</i> Captain Robert Offley, the governor of Mindoro during that time, appointed a president and councilor who would manage the indigenous people living there.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref2" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[2]</span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <i>Lalawigan</i> existed only for a few years for the Mangyans who were freedom loving people transferred to other places. The former community of the indigenous people is now called Sitio Cagaring of Sta. Teresa.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Sta. Teresa was again mentioned in the history written by Antoon Postma, a Dutch researcher and historian, who wrote that the missionary who was assigned in this place in 1912 was Fr. Bernabe Peña Reta dela Imaculada Concepcion.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref3" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[3]</span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The said missionary was also celebrating mass in the chapel of Toong. During that time, Toong was the center of <i>La Hacienda de San Jose,</i> the vast agricultural land in Occidental Mindoro which was entrusted for development by the Spanish government to the Order of Augustinian Recollects.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> It could be mentioned here that the land within the municipality of Magsaysay at present could be divided into three sections during that time. The first section was the <i>La Hacienda</i> of the Augustinian Recollect missionaries. The second section was the private land which was the property of Felix Lopez,</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref4" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[4]</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"> a well off individual living in another province. The third section was the public land owned by the government.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> A great part of <i>La Hacienda </i>and the land owned by Mr. Felix Lopez was utilized as pastureland. Only a small part was planted with various plants, including coconut and vegetables. When Mr. Lopez sold his land to Yu Kee Tay and Mrs. Richelle Kelly Dewalt, the two businessmen widened the area planted with vegetables. During that time, a small launch used to enter the mouth of Caguray River where the vegetables harvested by the two businessmen and the Spanish friars were being loaded and transported to Manila. The said launch was used to deliver the merchandise in the grocery of Sebastian Dylo, a Chinese merchant who was living at Brgy. Caguray.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref5" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[5]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In 1920, in the report sent by Fr. Julian Duval, chaplain of Mindoro Sugar Company and acting parish priest of St. Joseph Parush-Central to Bishop Alfredo Verzosa of Lipa, Batangas, he narrated his visit to Barrio Sta. Teresa on January 5, 1920. He said that there were twelve houses and a chapel made of lumber and nipa in the barrio. He mentioned that former laborers of Mindoro Sugar Company of Central decided to live in Sta. Teresa.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref6" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[6]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Fr. Duval also narrated that on January 6, 1920 he visited Caguray. There were thirty houses in the barrio and the leader of the inhabitants was Capitan Eduardo Lualhati. The missionary wrote to his superior that among the words engraved in the bell installed by a Spanish missionary in the chapel were the words <i>Año 1896.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The old residents of Caguray still remember that a convent for the priest was built in Sitio Toong. According to them, a certain missionary priest popularly called Fr. Isidro died in the said sitio and was buried there.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Before the outbreak of World War II, the hacienda owned by Mrs. Dewalt was sold to Yu Kee Tay of Yutivo & Sons Corporation. Old timers of the indigenous people belonging to the Hanunoo tribe said that in a portion of the hacienda called Bagaas, the site of Poblacion, Magsaysay today, big hogs were raised by the workers of the said corporation.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref7" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[7]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> During that period, families of fishermen from the islands of Agutaya, Palawan and Panay settled in Alibog.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref8" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[8]</span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Later on, the settlement became a barrio. Farmers from the island of Lubang who were looking for land to till also came and settled in this place. Some of them decided to settle permanently in the sitios of Laste, Panaga and Bulo.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Other inhabitants of Sta. Teresa and Caguray transferred to vacant lands near the mountains and cleared the forested areas there. As years passed, the sitios of Paclolo, Purnaga and Lourdes appeared. Among the families who transferred to Lourdes was the family of Nazario Dimailig, a farmer from Batangas. He first settled in Caguray but since he was able to acquire a farm in Lourdes, he transferred to this place and stayed here permanently. He served as <i>teniente del barrio</i> of Lourdes and the first vice mayor of the municipality of Magsaysay.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref9" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[9]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Aside from farming, logging was another source of income of the pioneers of Magsaysay. The logs were converted into <i>traviesa</i> or railroad ties and <i>raja </i>or firewood. Hard wood whish were converted into railroad ties came from the mountains of Alibog, while firewood came from the mangrove trees which abound in the swamps of Laste, Sibalat, Sta. Teresa, Caguray, Sitio Toong and Sitio Talaba.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref10" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[10]</span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">When World War II broke out, the mountains and forests of Magsaysay became the hiding places of the <i>boluntaryo</i> or the guerrillas who fought the Japanese invaders. They ambushed the small launch of the Japanese soldiers in Caguray River which was loaded with vegetables from the hacienda of Yu Kee Tay. Killed during the ambush was the machinist of the launch and Captain Kimar, the commanding officer of the soldiers who escorted the water vessel, lost his left eye. Angered by the ambuscade, the Japanese soldiers burned the houses in Caguray and in the town site of San Jose.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref11" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[11]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Unfortunately, the treacherous killing of Captain Vincent Fortune, the brave leader of a group of guerrillas, by a member of a rival group, happened at Sitio Nalwak, Purnaga, Magsaysay. The tragic event took place on August 15, 1943 while Captain Fortune was taking a bath at <i>Mantangkob</i><i> River</i> pf the aforementioned sitio.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref12" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[12]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Jose Garcia, one of the members of the group led by Captain Fortune, succeeded the slain official as leader of the guerrillas. However, he transferred the operation of his band of freedom fighters in Oriental Mindoro.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref13" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[13]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> During the Japanese occupation of Mindoro, there were only three barrios in the area which was under the town of Magsaysay today. They were Alibog, Sta. Teresa and Caguray. The Japanese soldiers visited those barrios, asked its inhabitants on the identities and whereabouts of the guerrillas and convinced them to cooperate with the Japanese government. Despite the threats of torture and execution, the pioneers of the three barrios remained loyal to their flag and people.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> After the war, families of farmers from Central Luzon, Panay and Palawan who were looking for land to cultivate, flocked to Occidental Mindoro. Gradually, the forests in the areas which are under Magsaysay at present were cleared. The plains were turned into ricefields and cornfields. The swamps were converted into fishponds by well off families. More than two thousand hectares was the total area of the swamps in this municipality, that at present, Magsaysay has the biggest fishpond area among the eleven towns of Occidental Mindoro.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref14" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[14]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Fifteen years after the war, eight were added to the original three barrios of Magsaysay. They were Laste, Sibalat, Calawag, Nicolas, Lourdes, Paclolo, Purnaga and Gapasan. Two of the abovementioned barrios, Gapasan and Nicolas were founded by Mr. Epifanio Nicolas. The said leader served as <i>teniente del barrio</i> of the two barangays and later on as member of the municipal council of Magsaysay.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The vast agricultural land of Yu Kee Tay, called <i>Hacienda Caguray,</i> was abandoned by the Chinese businessman after the war. Tall trees and grasses grew in the area. As a result, different groups of farmers sent petitions to the president of the Philippines, requesting him that the said hacienda, be purchased by the government, afterwards, subdividing and distributing the land to the petitioners. The first to petition was the group of farmers led by Ex-Governor Mariano Tajonera; the second was the group led by San Jose Ex-Mayor Isabelo Abeleda, Sr.; the third was the group of Ex-Judge Leandro Reyes; and the fourth were the farmers led by a certain Mr. Mariano. The four groups did not succeed in acquiring the vast tract of land.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref15" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[15]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Despite the failure of the four groups of farmers, Mr, Urbano Olivares, Sr., together with his relatives, friends and acquaintances sent a petition to the president of the Philippines in 1955. He personally sought an audience with President Ramon Magsaysay and urgently requested for the approval of their petition.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Since the primary program being implemented by President Magsaysay during that time was <i>Land for the Landless,</i> he ordered Chairman Manuel Castañeda of Land Tenure Administration or LTA to attend to the petition of the farmers in Hacienda Caguray. Mr. Olivares and Chairman Castañeda met several times and the leader of the petitioners learned the process which he would follow. He formally formed the group of petitioners and called it OLIMA Farmers Association from the first letters of the surnames of its president and vice president; Urbano Olivares and Onofre Madrid, respectively. The said leaders were able to convince LTA Chairman Manuel Castañeda to visit San Jose during the latter part of 1956 to see the living condition of the farmers.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Despite feelings of discouragement among many members of the group, difficulties of travel, length of time spent in negotiating with authorities in Manila and the limited budget of the association, Mr. Olivares succeeded in his objective of convincing the government to purchase the abandoned land. LTA bought the hacienda from Yu Kee Tay. The total area of the agricultural land released to the petitioners was two thousand, nine hundred thirty six point eight hectares (2,936.8 has.). It included the one hundred twenty six hectares (126 has.) for residential purposes.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref16" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[16]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">IV – FORMATION & DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOWN SITE</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> President Magsaysay signed the executive order of subdividing and distributing the land to the farmers, on March 15, 1957. Two days after that date or on March 17, 1957, President Mgsaysay died when the presidential plane with him aboard crashed at Mt. Manunggal, Cebu.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Mr. Olivares and members of his group were deeply saddened by the sudden death of President Magsaysay. However, they continued following up the implementation of his order. As a result, in September 1957, President Carlos Garcia went to San Jose and formally witnessed the formal transfer of the vast tract of land from LTA to OLIMA Farmers Association. That same date, based on the provision of Republic Act 1402, the group of farmers gave a down payment of nine hundred thousand pesos (PhP900,000.00) to the LTA. As provided by the said law, the remaining balance to the price of the land they occupied would be paid by installment within the period prescribed also by R.A. 1402. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> From three huts, the number of houses in the area which is Poblacion, Magsaysay today, increased. This community became a barrio of San Jose in 1962. Dr. Felix Gabriel, then the mayor of San Jose, constructed school buildings and assigned teachers in the elementary school.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref17" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[17]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In 1966, the parents & teachers of Magsaysay under the leadership of Mr. Cenon Facunla, petitioned for the opening of a high school in their barrio. With the assistance of Congressman Pedro Medalla, Sr., the barrio high school was established and it was managed for a number of years by Mr. Victorino Galindo. In 1975, the institution was elevated to the status of a municipal high school. Mr. Zosimo Panahon was appointed as its principal. At the same time, the school site inside the elementary school campus was transferred to another area of the poblacion. In 1993, the high school which was being supported by the municipal government became Magsaysay National High School (MNHS). After four years, the enrolment reached two thousand. It opened an extension class for first year high school students in Brgy. Purnaga.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref18" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[18]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Meanwhile, in 1968, Mr. Reynaldo Agnas opened a high school in Barrio Sta. Teresa. Graduates of the elementary school in this barrio studied here but after two years, the school was closed due to lack of funds. It was reopened in 1976 through the efforts of Mrs. Yolanda Tividad and Mrs. Ofelia Soberano. After thirteen years, the school became Sta. Teresa National High School.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref19" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[19]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The same year that a school for secondary education was opened in Sta. Teresa, a businessman established a company which would mine the rich deposit of limestone in this place. He started the construction of the wharf & buildings and purchased the machineries for a mining project. Unfortunately, after the election in 1969, for still unknown reasons, the project was stopped.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref20" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[20]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Another historic event happened in Magsaysay on 1968. That year, the bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan created Sta, Teresa de Avila Parish and its center was placed in Barrio Sta. Teresa. Fr. George Koschincki, SVD was appointed as its first parish priest. The Catholic faithful living in almost all barangays of Magsaysay, including those who are residing in Iling and Ambulong were under the jurisdiction of the said missionary priest. Through Fr. Koschinski, the Catholic Church helped the government in improving the living condition of the people in this part of Occidental Mindoro.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref21" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[21]</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">V – CREATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF MAGSAYSAY</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> When Congressman Pedro Medalla, Sr. was elected as the representative of Occidental Mindoro in 1965, he strived to separate Magsaysay and Rizal from San Jose and created those places as independent municipalities. On April 3, 1969 by virtue of Republic Act 5459 which Congressman Medalla sponsored in Congress, Magsaysay was elevated to the status of a municipality. Placed under the jurisdiction of the new town were the barrios of Alibog, Laste, Caguray, Sibalat, Sta. Teresa, Calawag, Nicolas, Gapasan, Purnaga, Paclolo and Lourdes. The total land area of the new municipality was twenty nine thousand six hundred seventy (29,670) hectares. Its population during the May 1970 census was eleven thousand four hundred seventy five (11,475).</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref22" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[22]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> A special election was held in the new municipality on November 8, 1969 to elect the first mayor, vice mayor and councilors. The voters of Magsaysay elected Basilio Quilit as their first mayor. During his term of office, with the assistance of Congressman Medalla, roads in the town’s center were improved and the municipal hall was constructed.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref23" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[23]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In the election held in 1971, Mr. Leonardo Jovenal was elected as municipal mayor of Magsaysay. He initiated the construction of the municipal plaza and the building of the public market. Unfortunately, he was not able to finish his term of office. His town mates were shocked when he suddenly died on December 1, 1978. After three days, Vice Mayor Cesar Tria took his oath of office as the third mayor of Magsaysay. He constructed the concrete fence around the plaza and repaired the roads in the different barrios of the municipality.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref24" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[24]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Meanwhile, the provincial government under the leadership of Gov. Arsenio Villaroza assisted in funding the construction of the roads in Magsaysay. The road from Paclolo to Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro was finished and passenger vehicles used it every summer season.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref25" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[25]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In 1982, a road for the irrigation system was constructed by the National Irrigation Administration or NIA at the part of Caguray River which is between Paclolo and Purnaga. The total length of the canal built by NIA for irrigating the farms was forty five kilometers. Twenty one percent (21%) of the agricultural lands in Magsaysay benefited from the irrigation system project.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref26" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[26]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In 1984, the elected representative of Occidental Mindoro, Assemblyman Pedro Mendiola, Sr., constructed the concrete bridge over Caguray River. He also assisted the municipal government in funding the construction of schoolhouses and other public buildings in Magsaysay. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Five months after the peaceful revolution in EDSA and the installation of Hon. Corazon Aquino as president, the municipal officials of Magsaysay were replaced. On July 1, 1986 Jose Norella, Sr., took his oath of office as mayor of this municipality. He endeavored to maintain the peace and order situation in his town by strengthening the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU), police force and groups of <i>barangay tanod.</i></span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref27" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[27]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> OIC Mayor Norella served for ten months. After this period, local elections were held and Mayor Cesar Tria was again elected as chief executive of Magsaysay. During that period, rebels belonging to the New Peoples Army (NPA) intensified their military activities in Mindoro.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In 1988, a group of NPA rebels attacked the police headquarters and the municipal hall of Magsaysay. They stopped the hearing presided by Judge Josefino Garillo in the municipal hall and captured two members of the police force. The policemen were released after a lengthy negotiation between the leader of the NPA and the relatives of the victims, together with the municipal officials. That same year, a group of government soldiers was ambushed by the rebels at Brgy. Gapasan, resulting to the death of Philippine Constabulary Captain Victor Narciso.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref28" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[28]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The Armed Forces of the Philippines intensified its military operation against the rebels and its information campaign in remote areas regarding the advantage of having a democratic system of government. As a result, the influence of the NPA in Magsaysay greatly diminished. The projects of the government were implemented in this municipality, like the reforestation project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the electrification project of the National Electrification Administration. As a component of the last project mentioned above, a thermal plant was built in Sitio Emoc, Brgy. Paclolo. However, the operation of the thermal plant was stopped because after three weeks, all the tress around the sitio were cut and used as fuel of the plant’s electric generator.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref29" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[29]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> During the term of office of Mayor Cesar Tria, he transferred the market site to the northeastern side of Poblacion, Magsaysay. With the assistance of Governor Peter Medalla, he constructed the municipal gymnasium and the seawall which serves as protection against the big waves of Brgy. Sta. Teresa. When Governor Josephine Ramirez-Sato was elected as chief executive of Occidental Mindoro, she built a more than one kilometer concrete road near the town’s center.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">Dr. Franco Barrera was elected municipal mayor of Magsaysay during the national and local elections held in 1995. Among his many accomplishments were the purchase of a big truck for hauling garbage, construction of buildings to be used as municipal police station, offices of different agencies and public library. He also improved the municipal plaza and constructed additional rooms in the municipal hall.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref30" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[30]</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">So solve the problem regarding potable drinking water of residents of Brgy. Calawag and Laste, a water system was constructed by Congressman Jose Villarosa in the two barangays. The source of the drinking water is the spring at nearby Sitio Bukal, Brgy. Nicolas.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">Congressman Villarosa also improved the provincial highway connecting Brgy. Nicolas, Magsaysay and Brgy. Milagrosa, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro. Up to the present time, the road is being repaired and improved to make it passable even after days of heavy rains.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref31" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[31]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">A year before the end of his second term as chief executive of Magsaysay, Mayor Barrera died. He was succeeded by Vice Mayor Hernando Aban. The said mayor continued the implementation of the projects of his predecessor.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">During the 2001 Elections, Marleo Barrera, the son of the late Mayor Franco Barrera was elected as mayor of Magsaysay. Under his administration, improvements in the infrastructure projects started by his father were made. He attended to the needs of his constituents, thus, he was reelected during the election held in 2004.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">The Catholic Church and non-government organizations helped in the improvement of the living condition of the people. Since the creation of Mabuting Pastol Parish in 1974, the parish priests assigned here helped the indigenous people. Deserving Mangyan youth were sent to school through the financial assistance of benevolent individuals here and abroad. A water system for safe drinking water was installed at the community of the indigenous people in Sitio Malutoc, Brgy. Gapasan. A farmers’ cooperative was formed and a reforestation project was implemented in the mountains of Magsaysay. On the other hand, PLAN International, a charitable organization, extended financial assistance in the construction of barangay halls, health centers and school buildings, It financed the studies of hundreds of elementary pupils and high school students. The said institution also improved the road going to Brgy. Caguray.</span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref32" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[32]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">At present, under the leadership of Mayor Marleo Barrera, the local officials and the inhabitants are trying their best to make Magsaysay known not only as the municipality with the widest area of fishpond and salt farm in Occidental Mindoro byt also as a leading producer of agricultural products. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"><strong>HISTORY OF THE TWELVE BARANGAYS OF MAGSAYSAY</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">1. ALIBOG</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The old residents of Alibog believe that their barangay got its name from a humorous event which happened during the American occupation of Mindoro. One day two American soldiers took a walk at the beach of this village. They met a Visayan speaking farmer who could not understand English. The soldiers asked the farmer: “What’s the name of this place?” The farmer merely looked at the foreigners. The soldiers asked the question repeatedly. Exasperated with the insistent questioning of the foreigners, the Visayan speaking farmer blurted: <i>Galibog ang ulo ko</i>, meaning, <i>I am confused.</i> One of the soldiers mistook the word <i>Galibog</i> to <i>Alibog </i>so he said to his companion: “The name of this place is Alibog.” </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The first inhabitants of Alibog were the indigenous people belonging to the tribe of Ratagnons. Years later, fishermen from the island of Agutaya, Palawan and belonging to Zabanal family settled here. They built huts near the seashore and lived by means of fishing and the kaingin system of farming.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The second group of settlers who settled in Alibog was composed of the families of Delos Santos, Paz and Patricio who came from Sibay, Caluya, Antique. Like the first group of settlers, they lived by fishing and farming. Sometimes, they worked in the logging concession of Mr. Arturo Salas, a well off Spaniard who resided in Bating, a village which was a part of the municipality of Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Despite the presence of the dreaded malaria illness and the difficulties encountered by the pioneers, the population of this village grew. Alibog was already considered a barrio when World War II broke out. This was one of the places visited by the Japanese soldiers who were looking for members of the guerrilla movement.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In 1950, the people of Alibog requested the officials of the provincial government and the authorities in the education department that a teacher be assigned in their place. Their request was granted. As years passed, the number of teachers increased and from a primary school, the institution of learning in this barrio became an elementary school.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Since the sea near Alibog abound with fishes, fishermen from Samar and Masbate came to fish here. Their income grew that they decided to stay permanently. As a result, even the formerly uninhabited island of Garza which is a part of Alibog became a settlement of fishermen. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In order that visitors from the town proper of Magsaysay could reach Alibog by land, the municipal & provincial government continued the construction of the existing road from Brgy. Nicolas to Alibog. However, only motorcycles could pass through the extended road during summer.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The Catholic Church also helped the people living in this barangay. At present, the electric generator which the barangay officials use in lighting Alibog was a donation of kind hearted Japanese who were friends of Fr. Ryu Ishikawa, SVD the former parish priest of Sta. Teresa de Avila Parish, the ecclesiastical territory which has jurisdiction over this community with regards to spiritual matters.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The persons who served as <i>teniente, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Alibog were Agustin Zabanal, Romano delos Santos, Alejandro Patricio, Casiano Liboro, Pedro Roldan, Arsenio Saulong, Cenon Paz, Alejo Zabanal, Ross Paz, Isidro Paz, Gaudioso delos Santos, Jovencio delos Reyes, Angelo delos Santos and Ericson Paz. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Rolly Rosas.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref33" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[33]</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">2. CAGURAY </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Caguray was one of the oldest barrio in Occidental Mindoro. In an old Spanish document, it was mentioned that the Jesuit priests baptized many adults in this place, in 1666. Historians believed that the persons who were baptized belonged to the tribe of Ratagnon, the indigenous people who, during that time, were living in the plains of the southwestern portion of the island of Mindoro. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Before World War II broke out, Caguray was a part of the hacienda owned by Yu Kee Tay of Yutivo & Sons Corporation. Various plants were grown in that vast tract of land which was called Hacienda Caguray.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In the latter part of 1920, in the report sent by Fr. Julian Duval, the chaplain of Mindoro Sugar Company and acting parish priest of St. Joseph Parish-Central, to Bishop Alfredo Verzosa of Lipa, Batangas, he mentioned that he visited Caguray on January 6, 1920. He reported that he only saw thirty houses in the barrio and that he stayed in the house of Sebastian Dylo. He reported also that he saw the bell of the chapel at the house of Capitan Eduardo Lualhati. Among the Spanish letters engraved at the interior of the bell were <i>Año 1896.</i> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The area which was selected to be the barrio site of Caguray was called by the natives as <i>Kasiitan.</i> It got its name from the thorny bushes growing there. However, when an American named Engr. Watt, surveyed this place in 1901, he called it as Caguray, from the name given by the indigenous people to the river, the mouth of which could be found in this community. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> A primary school was opened in Caguray in 1937. The children from the nearby sitios studied there, including the offspring of the laborers in the hacienda owned by Yu Kee Tay.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> During the Japanese occupation of Occidental Mindoro, Caguray was one of the barrios which was frequently visited by the patrolling soldiers of the enemy. On April 11, 1942 a group of guerrillas, locally known as <i>boluntaryo</i> ambushed the launch which would get vegetables from the hacienda of Yu Kee Tay, in the place known today as Sitio Toong, Magsaysay. The ambush resulted to the sinking of the water vessel, the death of the machinist and the blinding of an eye of Captain Kimar, its commanding officer.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> After the war, Yu Kee Tay abandoned Hacienda Caguray. In 1955, a group of farmers from Luzon who were looking for vacant land to till, petitioned then President Ramon Magsaysay that the hacienda be bought by the government, subdivided and distributed to members of their group. In 1957, the president approved the purchase of the hacienda by Land Tenure Administration, its subdivision and its sale by installment to legitimate farmers. As a result of that historic event, the number of families living in the former hacienda increased, including that of the main barrio of Caguray.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> When Magsaysay was created as a municipality on April 3, 1969 Caguray was one of the barrios which was placed under its jurisdiction.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The persons who served as <i>teniente, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Caguray were Pioquinto Dimailig, Pablo Decena, Deogracias Rea, Celestino Lualhati, Guillermo Salazar, Pedro Ladero, Modesta Lualhati, Porfirio Diamilig, Ramon Decena, Armando Prangue and Israel Decena. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Samuel Barrios.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref34" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[34]</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">3. CALAWAG</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Residents of this barangay are not sure of the origin of the name of their community. Some said that it came from the Tagalog word <i>kalawang</i> or rust, a corrosive substance the color of which is the same as the color of the water drawn from this place. Others believed that the name was taken from a kind of rootcrop, called <i>calawag</i> by natives of the province of Quezon,</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Like other areas in the southern portion of the island of Mindoro, the indigenous people belonging to the Ratagnon tribe were the early inhabitants of this place. However, when World War II broke out, Sebastian Dylo, a Chinese merchant, used this area as grazing ground for his cattle. The indigenous people transferred to the mountains. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> After the war, some wealthy businessmen abandoned their landholdings in West Mindoro. One of them was Sebastian Dylo. They sold their land to the government and in turn it would be sold to the people. Groups of farmers from the Visayan Region decided to purchase agricultural land in this southwestern portion of Occidental Mindoro and settled here. Later on, Calawag became a sitio of the barrio of Sta. Teresa.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Since the water drawn from the wells of Calawag was like rust in color, the second group of pioneers from the island of Ambil, municipality of Looc built their houses at the nearby sitio of Panaga. The name of the sitio came from the term used to describe the offering of the indigenous people to their gods or <i>anitos.</i> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In 1960, the residents of Calawag requested the municipal government of San Jose that their community be made as a barrio. At the same time, they requested for the opening of a primary school in their place. Their requests were approved. That same year, the municipal government opened a primary school in this community and Calawag was registered as one of the barrios of San Jose.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> As years passed, the number of houses in Calawag and Panaga increased and the two communities were joined as one. At present, the barrio site of Calawag could be found in an area which was formerly under the jurisdiction of Panaga.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Meanwhile, the swamps which are parts of this barrio were converted into fishponds by well off families who are living in other places. As a result, many fishermen who used to fish in the swamps were not allowed to fish in the fishponds.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> When Magsaysay was created as a municipality on April 3, 1969 Calawag was one of the barrios which was placed under its jurisdiction. Gradually, roads were constructed and improved and the basic services were extended to the residents of this place. PLAN International, a charitable institution helped in sending children of poor families in Calawag to school. With the support of the said institution, the leaders of the barrio were able to construct school buildings and barangay hall.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In 1994, due to the problem of potable water in Calawag and the adjacent barangay of Laste, the residents of the two barrios now called barangays, requested Congressman Jose Villaroza to construct a water system in their place. The said official was able to construct the project and the source of drinking water was from a spring at the hilly portion of nearby Brgy. Nicolas. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The persons who served as <i>teniente, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Calawag were Pedro Barrios, Gregorio Tabor, Cristituto Garzon, Isaias Monding and Domingo Praxidio. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Antonio Aldave.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref35" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[35]</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">4. GAPASAN</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> This barangay was once an abandoned pastureland at the eastern portion of Barrio Sta. Teresa, municipality of San Jose. At the northern portion of this place, big trees could be found and in the south, thick cogon and other wild grasses. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The indigenous people belonging to the Hanunoo tribe used to cut bamboos and cogon in this place. They called this area as <i>Nahugutang Kugon</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In the early months of 1948, Mr. Epifnio Nicolas, called <i>Reverend</i> by the followers of the religious sect which he founded, frequently cut cogon in this place. Since the indigenous people saw him here cutting cogon, almost daily, they gave this area another name and that was <i>Gapasan,</i> meaning <i>the place where cogon are being cut.</i> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Mr. Nicolas saw that the area of the abandoned land was vast and it could be planted with palay. He went home to Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija and convinced his relatives to settle in this portion of the municipality of San Jose. Thirty families went with him when he returned to Occidental Mindoro. They applied for homesteads, cleared the forests and converted it to productive land.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Mr. Nicolas served as the leader of the group of farmers. In 1950, he requested the Bureau of Lands to give them a barrio site. His request was granted and the following year, the barrio site was surveyed and subdivided into three hundred residential lots, aside from the spaces which were set aside as school campus and barrio plaza. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In 1952, Mr. Nicolas was elected as the first <i>teniente del barrio</i> of Gapasan. Under his leadership, the residents were able to build schoolhouses and chapel. In recognition of the valuable service rendered by their first leader, members of the barrio council, approved the motion of Kagawad Lorenzo Bautista that the official name of their barrio would be <i>Gapasan</i> instead of <i>Nahugutang Kugon</i>.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The indigenous people who frequently went to the barrio when this place was still an area full of bamboos and wild grasses lived on the mountains which are at the eastern portion of Gapasan. Their community became a sitio of the barrio. They called it as <i>Malutok,</i> a Hanunoo word meaning <i>muddy</i>. Fr. Wim Leijendekker, an SVD missionary, installed in the said sitio a water system for potable water and helped the indigenous people uplift their living condition.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> On April 3, 1969 when Magsaysay was created as a municipality, Gapasan was one of the barrios which was placed under its jurisdiction.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The residents of Gapasan decided to celebrate the fiesta of their barrio now called barangay, every 25<sup>th</sup> day of April. Upon the suggestion of Fr. Pedro Medina, SVD San Marcos was selected as the patron saint of the barangay.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Gapasan was one of the places where a group of people with different ideology became active. The ambush by members of the New Peoples Army or NPA of the group of government soldiers led by Captain Victor Narciso occurred in this place. The said military official died in that tragic incident.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Aside from Mr. Epifanio Nicolas, the persons who served as <i>teniente, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Gapasan were Pedro Bautista, Solomon Navaluna, Agapito Bautista, Eufracio Bautista, Eusebio Bautista and Raul Tria. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Diosdado Navaluna.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref36" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[36]</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">5. LASTE</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> A few years before the outbreak of World War II, the area where the barangay is located at present was a part of the wide pastureland of Sebastiasn Dylo. However, through the persistent efforts of farmers who were looking for land to till, the pastureland was returned to the government and declared as public land. As a result, families settled permanently in this place. It included the indigenous people belonging to the tribe of Ratagnon.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> During the early days, mangrove trees abound at the river and swamps of this place. From the sea, boats could enter the area through Bulalo River. The said river got its name from the huge eyes of the crocodiles living here which according to settlers from Lubang were as big as <i>bulalo</i> or kneecap.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> One source of income of the first settlers of this community was the cutting of trees which they converted to <i>raja</i> or firewood. Big sailboats or <i>batel</i> from Lubang were used to transport it to other places. Before entering Bulalo River, boatmen load big stones to the sailboat to make it more stable. In Tagalog dialect the stones were called <i>lastre</i>. Upon reaching the portion of the river where firewood would be loaded to the big boat, the boatmen would unload the <i>lastre</i>. The spot where the <i>lastre</i> were unloaded served as signpost of the boatmen who took time to go around the community and nearby areas. When asked on where would they see each other on the date of the departure of the big boat, the boatmen would answer: <i>At the lastre.</i> After a few years, the word <i>lastre</i> became <i>laste</i>. It was used as the name of the community. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Aside from the indigenous people, the first settlers of Laste were the Salde Family from Mindanao, Tañedo from Lubang and Delos Angeles from the Visayas. As years passed, the number of families from Lubang increased and Laste became one of the sitios of Barrio Sta. Teresa.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> When World War II broke out, the inhabitants of Sitio Laste evacuated to their respective places of origin and to the mountains of Magsaysay. They only returned to this sitio after four years.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In 1950, due to the desire of the parents that their children would be able to study, they requested the provincial government that a primary school be opened in their place. It was granted. At first, the house of the leader of the barrio was used as a schoolhouse. After two years, Jesus Tañedo and Pablo Insigne donated portion of their lands as school campus. In 1960, the first school building was constructed in Laste and after seven years, the first graduation ceremony for Grade Six pupils was held in the elementary school of the barrio.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In 1961, together with many communities in Occidental Mindoro, Laste was registered at the provincial capitol as a barrio of San Jose.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">When Magsaysay was created as a municipality on April 3, 1969 Laste was one of the barrios which was placed under its jurisdiction. Through the efforts of the barrio leaders, the support of the local and provincial officials, roads were constructed & improved and the basic services of the government reached the barrio which during martial law period was called as barangay. With the financial assistance of PLAN International, leaders of Laste were able to construct a barangay hall.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The persons who served as <i>teniente, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Laste were Jesus Tañedo, Antonio Tañedo, Rondeo Laudet, Beato dela Torre, Jesus Villeza, Ernest Zurita, Enoly Aguilar, Prudencio dela Torre, Marcial Bacani and Ednor Legazpi. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Yennie Tañedo.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref37" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[37]</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">6. LOURDES</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The name of the barangay came from the title of the Blessed Virgin who was selected as patron saint of the people who settled here in 1950: Our Lady of Lourdes. The image of the saint was brought to this place by Mrs. Florentina Mangubat Chan. Fr. Carlos Brendel, SVD then the parish priest of St. Joseph Parish-Pandurucan helped her get the image from his fellow priests in Manila.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The original name of the barangay was <i>Otuyan.</i> According to old residents of Lourdes, ir came from the couple <i>Otuy & Iyan</i> who with fellow Hanunoo tribe members, lived in this place for a long time.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> A few years before the outbreak of World War II, a group of families from Caguray transferred to this settlement. The leader of the group was Mr. Nazario Dimailig who was appointed by the provincial government of Mindoro as the governor of the indigenous people. The early settlers of this place transferred to the mountains when the <i>damoong</i> or lowlanders came.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The settlers from Caguray and the next group of families who came from the Ilocos Region, Zambales, Panay and Mindanao cleared the forested plains of Lourdes and planted it with palay and corn. They planted with fruit trees the hills around the sitio. They placed the barrio site on higher grounds.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Mr. Narciso Dimailig who was elected as the first <i>teniente del barrio</i> of Lourdes strived to open an elementary school in this place. At first, classes were up to Garde IV only but due to the efforts of the succeeding barrio leaders and the increase in enrolment, classes reached up to Grade VI.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The population of the barrio grew. Settlers from the Bicol Region settled on the hills near the barrio. At present, the community of the Bicolanos is already a sitio of Lourdes and is called Sto. Cristo.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In 1969, when Magsaysay was separated from San Jose and created as another municipality, Lourdes was one of the barrios which was placed under its jurisdiction. In the election held after the creation of the new town, Mr. Nazario Dimailig was entrusted by the people to serve as their first vice mayor.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The residents of Lourdes cooperated with the work of the missionary priest who took care of their spiritual welfare. Due to their cooperation, Fr. George Koschinski, SVD constructed a concrete chapel in the barrio during the latter part of 1960’s. The said missionary also opened a kindergarten in the barrio. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Since Lourdes was a secluded place surrounded with mountains, during the time of President Marcos this settlement was frequently visited by a group of people with a different ideology. Government soldiers also visited this place, thus, the residents of the barrio now called a barangay feared that one day a bloody encounter between the two groups would occur. Luckily what they feared did not happen.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The farmers on the barrio strived to build an irrigation sustem for their farm. Through cooperative work or <i>bayanihan</i>, they succeeded in irrigating the ricefields which are located in the lowland.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The persons who strived to improve their barangay and served as <i>teniente, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Lourdes were Nazario Dimailig, Eufemio Fernandez, Eusebio Rozon, Damaso Guarin, Leoncio Chan, Agripino Serrano, Teofilo Festin, Paulino Serrano, Jose Serrano, and Alejandro Eje. The present leader of the barangay who is trying to improve the living condition of the people of Lourdes is Brgy. Captain Rogelio Mangubat.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref38" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[38]</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">7. NICOLAS</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Before the outbreak of World War II, in the area where Brgy. Nicolas is located at present, a small community of the indigenous people could be found. The settlement was called <i>Madlingin</i>, the name of a Mangyan couple who lived there. Although there were patches of kaingin in the area, a great part of it was a forest.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> A few years after the war, the families of Saulong, Roldan and Jover from the Visayan Region settled in this place. They cleared the forests and converted it into cornfields and ricefields.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Meanwhile, in a sitio near Madlingin, the families of Aldave, Insigne, Poblete, Tañeca and Villaflores from the island of Lubang came to settle permanently. Aside from cultivating riceland, they took care of domestic animals, mostly baby carabaos which in the Tagalog dialect are called <i>bulo.</i> Later on, the name of their sitio became Bulo.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In 1960, Mr. Epifanio Nicolas, the acknowledged founder of Brgy. Gapasan lived in Bulo. He put up a pastureland on a piece of land which he had bought from the government, in the nearby sitio of Madlingin.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In 1965, the residents of Bulo requested the municipal government of San Jose that an elementary school be opened in their sitio. Since there was no vacant lot in the sitio, the school campus was placed in Madlingin on the land donated by Mr. Nicolas. That same year, the people requested that the municipal officials of San Jose create Bulo as a barrio. The request was granted but no landowner in the sitio wanted to donate a portion of their ricefield as barrio site. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> When Mr. Nicolas heard about the problem, he contacted Congressman Pedro Medalla, Sr., when the latter visited the newly created municipality of Magsaysay in 1969. He told the representative that he is willing to donate his seven hectare land in Madlingin as barrio site of Bulo. Congressman Medalla accepted the donation, thus, the barrio site of Bulo was placed in Madlingin. When Bulo was registered as a barrio, its official name became Nicolas.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Gradually, the number of families who built houses in Madlingin increased. The barrio is known today as Barangay Nicolas. The tribe of Ratagnon who lived there transferred to the mountains.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Since Nicolas is near the mountains, this barangay was frequently visited by groups of people with a different ideology, specially during the martial law period. The teachers who were assigned here lived in anxiety. Luckily, no bloody encounter between the government soldiers and the armed leftist group occurred in this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> To solve the probem of the residents of Brgys. Laste & Calawag concerning potable water, ex-Congressman Jose Villaroza installed a water system and the source of drinking water is Sitio Bukal of Brgy. Nicolas. Aside from the said project, the aforementioned representative hastened the construction of the national road connecting the two Mindoro provinces which passed through Brgy. Nicolas.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The charitable institution PLAN International and the Catholic Church helped in forming a cooperative in the barangay. PLAN also extended financial assistance in the construction of a concrete stage and barangay hall.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The persons who served as teniente, capitan del barrio and barangay captain of Nicolas were Isidro Saulong, Epifanio Nicolas, Pedro Buenaventura, Jerry Lualhati and Tomas Enero, Sr. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Gregorio Billones, Sr.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref39" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[39]</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">8. PACLOLO</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The name of the barangay was given by the indigenous people belonging to the Hanunoo tribe who were the first settlers of this place. The meaning of the word in their dialect could not be ascertained by the tribe members. They believed that the word has an important meaning a very long time ago, that’s why their ancestors used it in naming a river near their settlement. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Before the outbreak of World War II, the families of Gauran, Sanglitan and Moises from the Visayan Region arrived and settled in this place. They cleared the forest which was not occupied by the indigenous people and converted it into riceland. They befriended <i>Tokak</i>, a Hanunoo farmer, and his relatives in the nearby sitio of Emok. They also befriended the family of <i>Dagyan</i> in another nearby sitio of Canabang which is popularly known at present as Lablabog.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> When World War II broke out, the greater portion of Paclolo was still a forest. Members of the guerrilla movement hid here. With the help of the indigenous people, they have learned how to survive in the forests and mountains.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Five years after the war or in 1949, ex-President Elpidio Quirino published in the newspapers that public lands in Mindoro and Mindanao are now open to people who would like to cultivate it. That same year, the families of Alvaro & Madrid from Nueva Ecija and Pangasinan, together with the Montilla Family from the Visayan Region, came to Paclolo and applied for homesteads. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The number of settlers in Paclolo increased. In 1950, they requested the municipal council of San Jose that their sitio be created as a barrio. When it was granted, the barrio folks requested again that an elementary school be opened for their children and the offspring of the indigenous people.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> When the national government constructed the first national road connecting the provinces of Occidental & Oriental Mindoro, during the term of office of President Diosdado Macapagal, it passed through the barrio of Paclolo. The project gave employment opportunities to the residents of this place. When the dam of the irrigation system was constructed in Caguray River, the natural boundary between the barrios of Paclolo and Purnaga, during the incumbency of President Ferdinand Marcos, many able bodied men of Paclolo also worked there. The irrigation system benefited not only Paclolo & Purnaga but also other barangays of the municipality of Magsaysay.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In 1988, the government put up an electric power plant in a sito of Paclolo. The generator of the said plant used wood as fuel. However, the government realized that the operation of the power plant could not be sustained when after only two weeks, almost all of the trees around the sitio were cut and used as fuel. The power plant was closed and the project was abandoned.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Through the initiative and hard work of the barangay officials and inhabitants, including the indigenous people, Paclolo at present has a health center, barangay hall, concrete stage and a complete elementary school. In addition, a concrete fence was constructed around the barangay plaza. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The persons who served as <i>teniente, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Paclolo were Onofre Madrid, Juan Alvaro, Lutgardo Cabrera, Dominador Sanglitan, Alfredo Gonzales, Bonifacio Alvaro, Glicerio Gaspar, Sujito Mina, Esperidion Montilla and Apolonio Rivera. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Edgardo Eliscupidez.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref40" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[40]</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">9. POBLACION</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The site where Poblacion, Magsaysay is located at present was once a part of Hacienda Caguray. The hacienda was owned by Yu Kee Tay of Yutivo & Sons Corporation. This place was called Bagaas. After World War II, the hacienda was abandoned by its owners. Four groups of petitioners, led by Ex-Governor Mariano Tajonera, Ex-Mayor Isabelo Abeleda, Sr., Ex-Judge Leandro Reyes and a certain Mr. Mariano requested the president of the Philippines that the abandoned land be bought by the government and distributed to the people. The members of the four groups of petitioners did not succeed in acquiring the vast tract of land.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In 1955, despite the failure of the four groups of petitioners to acquire the land, Mr. Urbano Olivares, together with his relatives, friends and acquaintances also filed a petition requesting the president of the country that Hacienda Caguray be subdivided and distributed to them. He personally talked with President Ramon Magsaysay. After many months of seemingly discouraging results, difficulties of travel, weeks spent in negotiating with the authorities and almost dried up financial resources, Mr. Olivares succeeded in having the hacienda released and distributed to the farmers through the Land Tenure Administration or LTA. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> President Magsaysay signed the executive order distributing the land to the farmers on March 15, 1957. His successor, President Carlos Garcia personally witnessed the transfer of the management of Hacienda Caguray from the LTA to OLIMA Farmers Association in September, 1957. The historic event took place in the town hall of San Jose. To show their profound gratitude to the chief executive who helped them, members of OLIMA Farmers Association, named the portion of the hacienda formerly known as Bagaas, as Magsaysay. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Meanwhile, the number of residents at the other side of Caguray River, where the agricultural land is located, increased. They constructed a structure made of cogon, bamboos and wood which would be used as classrooms of their children. At the same time, under the leadership of Mr. Cenon Facunla, the parents requested the government that the materials from the abandoned warehouse of the Chinese merchant be used in building classrooms. When their request was granted, through cooperative effort or <i>bayanihan,</i> they were able to construct at the site where the town center is located today, a schoolbuilding made of strong materials. Teachers were assigned in this place by then San Jose Mayor Felix Gabriel. The said mayor constructed additional buildings and as a result, the school at the other side of Caguray River was transferred to the present location of Magsaysay Central School.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In 1962, the residents of Magsaysay requested the municipal government of San Jose that their community be created as a barrio. Their request was granted. In the first election held in the new barrio, Mr. Cenon Facunla was elected as the first <i>teniente del barrio.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Through the efforts of <i>Teniente del Barrio</i> Facunla and the support of Congressman Pedro Medalla, Sr., Magsaysay Barangay High School was established in 1965. It was elevated to the status of a municipal high school in 1972 and a national high school in 1993.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> On April 3, 1969 Magsaysay was separated from San Jose and created as another municipality. The sitio formerly known as Bagaas became the poblacion of the new town.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Aside from Mr. Facunla, the persons who <i>served as teniente, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Poblacion were Santiago Reyes, Rafaek Kirio, Manuel Galindo, Maximo Quilit and Rudy Ramos. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Julio Moralla.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref41" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[41]</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">10. PURNAGA</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> A group of indigenous people belonging to the Hanunoo tribe were the first settlers of this place. Narra trees abound here during that time, thus, the early settlers called their settlement <i>Poro Naga,</i> meaning a forest of narra. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The indigenous people converted the nearby forested hills into kaingin where they planted corn, palay and fruit trees. However, when a group of farmers composed of the families of Norella, Bagay and Lizada came to settle in Poro Naga, the indigenous people transferred their huts to the kaingin on the hills.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> When World War II broke out, the mountains and forests of Poro Naga served as hiding places for members of the guerrilla movement and the individuals who avoided contact with Japanese soldiers. Unfortunately, the treacherous killing on August 15, 1943 of Captain Vincent Fortune, a brave guerrilla leader, by a member of another group who opposed his leadership, happened in Nalwak, a sitio of Purnaga today. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> After the war, many families who were searching for land to till flocked to this place. The newcomers were composed of four groups; Bisaya, Ilocano, Tagalog and from Pangasinan.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In 1954, the residents of Poro Naga requested the municipal government of San Jose that their place be created as a barrio. The request was granted. The residents agreed that since there are four groups of settlers in their barrio, its official name would be Purnaga.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Through the efforts of the inhabitants and the barrio leaders, an elementary school was opened in Purnaga. Since there was a continuous increase in the number of graduates in the elementary school of this place, in 2001, the principal of Magsaysay National High School decided to open here an extension class for first year students. The enrolment grew that at present there are classes for first year up to fourth year students in Pyrnaga. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> When Magsaysay was separated from San Jose and created as another municipality, in 1969, Purnaga was one of the barrios which was placed under its jurisdiction. The local officials and the administrator of National Irrigation Administration or NIA constructed a road from Poblacion, Magsaysay up to this barangay.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> When NIA implemented the irrigation system project in Magsaysay in 1982, a spillway type irrigation dam was constructed in one part of Caguray which is between Brgy. Purnaga and Paclolo. As part of the project, the construction of irrigation canals in the different barangays of Magsaysay followed. The total length of the irrigation canal constructed by NIA in this municipality is forty five kilometers. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The hills and mountains of Purnaga were chosen as sites of the reforestation project of the Department of Environment & Natural Resources or DENR. The employees of the said government agency requested the assistance of the indigenous people in taking care of the remaining forest in the area. However, for unkbown reasons, the implementation of the said project was stopped. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The persons who served as <i>teniente, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of DENR were Pedro Agmata, Angel Lizada, Gregorio Macadaeg, Marcelino Torres, Inocencio Guarin, Geronimo Panugao, Gerardo Maliwat, Emeterio Torres, Emiliano Layco and Armando Decena, Sr. the leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Loreto Nicolas.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref42" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[42]</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">11. STA. TERESA</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The name of this community came from the patron saint of its inhabitants, Sta. Teresa de Avila. According to pioneers of this place, Sta. Teresa was created as a barrio in 1901.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Before the occupation of the Spaniards of Mindoro, the settlers of Sta. Teresa were indigenous people belonging to the tribe of Ratagnon.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In 1901, Captain Robert Offley, the American army officer who was appointed as governor of Mindoro established a community of Ratagnon in Sta. Teresa. He called the community as <i>Lalawigan</i> and he appointed two officials who would manage the place. He also built a school for the Ratagnon. However, after a few years the community was dissolved for its residents, being free loving indigenous people, transferred to other places. The once thriving community of the Ratagnon is now called Sitio Cagarin by the inhabitants of Sta. Teresa.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> After many years, the families of Casidsid, Endencia, Aguilar and Barrios from the nearby island of Iling transferred to this place. From the island of Lubang, Tria family arrived.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In his report to his superior, Bishop Alfredo Verzosa of Lipa, Batangas, Fr. Julian Duval chaplain of Mindoro Sugar Company and acting parish priest of St. Joseph Parish-Central, narrated his visit to Sta. Teresa on January 5, 1920. He mentioned that there were twelve houses in the barrio and a chapel made of wood.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Fr. Duval also reported that Sta. Teresa was also visited by Fr. Javier Sesma, the missionary priest assigned in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. However, the last visit of Fr. Javier occurred, five years before the visit of Fr. Duval to this place.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> When World War II broke out, Sta. Teresa was one of the barrios which was visited by Japanese soldiers. This barrio served as the Japanese interrogation center of nearby sitio leaders who were asked concerning the identity and whereabouts of members of the guerrilla movement. The zoning and possible torturing of some men in this barrio almost happened. It was only prevented by the sudden arrival of tha U.S. led Allied Forces which liberated the municipality of San Jose from Japanese occupation on December 15, 1944.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> After the war, hundreds of families looking for land to cultivate, flocked to the southwestern part of Occidental Mindoro. Many sitios emerged in Sta. Teresa. Some of those sitios were Laste, Sibalat, Calawag, Nicolas and Gapasan which later on were created as barrios.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The engineers of the Bureau of Mines discovered that rich deposits of limestone, the raw material for manufacturing cement exist in the mountains of Sta. Teresa. A mining company started to build a wharf and other structures for its mining operation during the latter part of Decade Sixties but for an unknown reason, the project was stopped.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In their desire that the youth of this barrio could acquire secondary education, the parents and teachers of Sta. Teresa petitioned the authorities of the education department that a barrio high school be opened in their community. The petition was approved and in 1968, Sta. Teresa Barrio High School opened a class for first year students. Its first administrator was Mr. Reynaldo Agnas. Unfortunately, in 1970 due to lack of funds the school was closed. In 1976, in response to the request of the parents and the representations made by Mrs. Ofelia Soberano and Mrs. Yolanda Tividad, the high school was reopened. Under the management of Mrs. Yolanda Tividad, the enrolment of the school increased and in 1993 it became Sta. Teresa National High School.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The persons who served as <i>teniente, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Sta. Teresa were Cosme Tria, Alejandro Aguilar, Lucas Endencia, Carlos Tividad, Agustin Tividad, Servando Sy, Felix dela Cruz, Isidro Roldan and Andran Dizon. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Jesus Serna, Sr.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref43" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[43]</span></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">12. SIBALAT</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Based on the story of the old folks in the barrio, during the early days in the place where Sibalat is located at present, there lived a beautiful maiden with a big birthmark on her face. The birthmark was prominent that instead of calling the maiden by her name, the people would refer to her in the Tagalog dialect as <i>Si Balat</i>. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">Every morning, the maiden would walk along the seashore. Whenever fishermen saw her approaching they would say: <i>Si Balat is coming! Here comes Si Balat!</i> These words were frequently heard that later on, the place where the maiden lived was called Sibalat.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">The group of people who first settled in this place were composed of the family of Cipres from Sta. Teresa and the families of Zabanal, Serna and Prangue from Palawan. Fishing and farming were their means of livelihood. They cleared this area from trees and turned it into cornfields and ricefields. They converted into fishponds the swamps found here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Before the outbreak of World War II, Sibalat was already a sitio of Sta. Teresa. This sitio has no school, thus, the pupils have to walk the two kilometer distance from their houses to Sta. Teresa to be able to study. To reach San Jose, the people rode on sailboats. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: small;">During World War II, many inhabitants of Sibalat evacuated to the islands of Iling and Panay. To avoid the Japanese soldiers, those who remained in the sitio, hid on the nearby mountains.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">After the war, those who evacuated to other places returned to the sitio. The Ilocanos and Tagalogs from Luzon also arrived. Gradually, the number of families in the sitio increased. The leaders of Sibalat felt that their place should be separated from Sta. Teresa and created as another barrio. It was realized in the middle part of Decade Sixties. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> When Magsaysay became another municipality, Sibalat was one of the barrios which was placed under its jurisdiction.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In 1969, the inhabitants of Sibalat, led by Mr. Filoteo Barrios requested the municipal government of Magsaysay to help them acquire a barrio site. Their request was granted and during the first week of January, upon the order of President Ferdinand Marcos, Mr. Filoteo Barrios was paid two thousand pesos for the two hectare land which he sold to the government as barrio site of Sibalat. Sixty six residential lots were surveyed for the families who stayed at the center of the barrio. One half hectare was set aside as campus of the elementary school. Lots were also segregated for the plaza and the chapel.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Progress came gradually to Sibalat. Charitable institutions helped the leaders of the barrio like PLAN International which extended financial assistance for the construction of the barrio hall now called barangay hall. Through the efforts of the residents and the assistance of the government, the barangay captain was able to build a day care center, repair the stage and construct a concrete fence around the plaza. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> On January 10, 1997 under the leadership of Brgy. Captain Jesus Baco, the residents of Sibalat celebrated the first barangay day of their place. The said occasion which commemorated the foundation day of Sibalat was declared by the barangay council as an annual celebration.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The persons who served as <i>tenuente, capitan del barrio</i> and barangay captain of Sibalat were Filoteo Barrios, Zenecio Barrios, and Fernando Cipres. The leader of the barangay at present is Brgy. Captain Jesus Baco.</span></span></span><a href="http://sites.google.com/site/occidentalmindorohistory/historymagsaysay" name="_ednref44" title=""><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: purple; font-family: georgia;">[44]</span></span></a></div>
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</div>ROWELYN VERDIN MERCADERhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09575581693964613498noreply@blogger.com0