BRIEF HISTORY
TIWI ALBAY
Originally named Tigbi by the Spanish religious community in 1658, the gem of a town was once a barrio of Malinao, Albay, before it became formally organized as a town in 1696. The name, Tigbi, was derived from the name of a plant, a gabi look-alike, which grew abundantly in the area. However, this name was later changed to Tivi, and then finally, to its present name, Tiwi. The Historical Commission of the National Library described Tiwi, in its early stages a town with a gobernadorcillo and a secular parish priest under the Diocese of Nueva Caceres. It had some 1,105 houses in its barrios, a parish house and church, a primary school funded by the community and a cemetery outside the town proper. The products were rice, corn, sugarcane, indigo, fruits, and vegetables. Its industries were agriculture and weaving abaca clothes. Legend however has it, that long before the establishment of this municipality by the Spaniards, the present Poblacion, including the barangays of Libjo, Cararayan and Naga, and the hills Bolo and Putsan were part of the Pacific Ocean, as an island. The filling up of this part of the sea with alluvial deposits came about during the volcanic eruption of Mt. Malinao, now long since extinct. Geothermal drilling in the barangay of Cale, which extracted sand at sea, level has established proof that the legend could be true. The municipality, since Lorenzo Mancilla, the first gobernadorcillo, to the present Mayor JAIME C. VILLANUEVA has had 119 town executives.
MALINAO ALBAY
The Municipality of MALINAO was founded in year 1600 or 79 years after Magellan landed in Cebu and planted the first Christian Croos. Between Year 1600 to year 1616, Malinao was then part of the Diocese of Cagsawa (now Daraga). It became an independent bisita or sitio attached to Sawangan (now Legazpi Port) until the year 1619 when separate religious administration was exercised with Rev. Francisco de Sta. Ana, OFM as first pastor.
Local folklore speaks of a plant once abundant in this town called “ALINAO”. The prefix “Ma” which denotes abundance of something in local dialect was affixed by the natives in referring to the place abundant with Alinao, thus, Ma-Alinao and later corrupted to Malinao. Ironically, said plant is nowhere to be found in this locality. It was however in Year 1916 when according to legendary account, Malinao got its name. A siege by Moros on the town resulted in the abduction of seven women. Miraculously, the boat sank within the jurisdictional waters of Malinao and on that same spot in the sea across the island of Natunawan because of the Women’s fervent prayers in canticles and tarahades or clear thoughts for the Blessed Virgin to sink the boat. From these “clear thoughts” of the seven women translated in the Bicol dialect as “Malinao na isip”. The name of Malinao was given to the Municipality. It has since then the tradition among the residentrs particularly the women to sing the canticles or tarahades in times of crisis or calamities or when they want to drive away epidemics and misfortunes.
The people of Malinao took active part in the uprisings both during the Spanish and American revolt which produced heroes like Rev. Gabriel Prieto who was martyred in Bagumbayan, Manila together with thirteen other residents for participating in revolution against Spain and Corporal Eusebio Capuz of Barangay Tuliw who died in the Battle of Maturao against the American invasion.
During the duration of year 1600 up to year 1850, parish priests served the people of Malnao as administrators. From 1850, civilian administration through a Capitanes took over in the administration of the town until 1900 where Municipal Presidents replaced Capitanes as administrator of the town’s affairs and lasted up to year 1932. The first appointed Municipal President was Don Maximo Chavez in Year 1901 and was the construction of wooden municipal building.
The resiliency of the people of Malinao was again brought to the fore when the Japanese occupied the town during World War II. Organized guerilla units fought the Japanese occupation forces through hit and run tactics and nearly cause total execution of residents of Tanawan, Libod and Balza if not for the timely intervention of Incumbent Mayor Teodoro R. Regalado. An “On Guard Monument” built on March 5, 1955 stand as testimony to the courageous guerilla fighters of Malinao.
From the Commonwealth Period in 1933 to 1946, succession of the Municipal Mayors administered the town with the present Acting Mayor, Hon. Emiliana T. Kare.
The present functional role of the Municipality of MALINAO is that of an agricultural procedure in the First District of Albay Province and is a Fourth Class Municipality. Under the Settlements Plan of the Albay Provincial Physical Framework Plan, Year 1993 – 2002, the Municipality of MALINAO shall become a MEDIUM TOWN from its present settlement category of a Small Town.
Local folklore speaks of a plant once abundant in this town called “ALINAO”. The prefix “Ma” which denotes abundance of something in local dialect was affixed by the natives in referring to the place abundant with Alinao, thus, Ma-Alinao and later corrupted to Malinao. Ironically, said plant is nowhere to be found in this locality. It was however in Year 1916 when according to legendary account, Malinao got its name. A siege by Moros on the town resulted in the abduction of seven women. Miraculously, the boat sank within the jurisdictional waters of Malinao and on that same spot in the sea across the island of Natunawan because of the Women’s fervent prayers in canticles and tarahades or clear thoughts for the Blessed Virgin to sink the boat. From these “clear thoughts” of the seven women translated in the Bicol dialect as “Malinao na isip”. The name of Malinao was given to the Municipality. It has since then the tradition among the residentrs particularly the women to sing the canticles or tarahades in times of crisis or calamities or when they want to drive away epidemics and misfortunes.
The people of Malinao took active part in the uprisings both during the Spanish and American revolt which produced heroes like Rev. Gabriel Prieto who was martyred in Bagumbayan, Manila together with thirteen other residents for participating in revolution against Spain and Corporal Eusebio Capuz of Barangay Tuliw who died in the Battle of Maturao against the American invasion.
During the duration of year 1600 up to year 1850, parish priests served the people of Malnao as administrators. From 1850, civilian administration through a Capitanes took over in the administration of the town until 1900 where Municipal Presidents replaced Capitanes as administrator of the town’s affairs and lasted up to year 1932. The first appointed Municipal President was Don Maximo Chavez in Year 1901 and was the construction of wooden municipal building.
The resiliency of the people of Malinao was again brought to the fore when the Japanese occupied the town during World War II. Organized guerilla units fought the Japanese occupation forces through hit and run tactics and nearly cause total execution of residents of Tanawan, Libod and Balza if not for the timely intervention of Incumbent Mayor Teodoro R. Regalado. An “On Guard Monument” built on March 5, 1955 stand as testimony to the courageous guerilla fighters of Malinao.
From the Commonwealth Period in 1933 to 1946, succession of the Municipal Mayors administered the town with the present Acting Mayor, Hon. Emiliana T. Kare.
The present functional role of the Municipality of MALINAO is that of an agricultural procedure in the First District of Albay Province and is a Fourth Class Municipality. Under the Settlements Plan of the Albay Provincial Physical Framework Plan, Year 1993 – 2002, the Municipality of MALINAO shall become a MEDIUM TOWN from its present settlement category of a Small Town.
TABACO CITY – by Kevin
Tuesday, 04 December 2007
As recorded in the Estado Geografico Estadistico Historico written in 1805 by Father de Huerta, the recorded history of the city began in 1587 through the missionary work of the Franciscan Fathers. In 1616, Fr. Pedro de Alcareso became the permanent minister and built a church which was dedicated to the glorious Precursor of our Saviour, St. John the Baptist. Up to the present, St. John the Baptist remained the patron saint.
The President on record, however, was only in 1731, Martin Aguirre. The incumbent, Hon. Krisel Lagman-Luistro, from whom we address as City Mayor is the 177th to hold the postion.
Hon. Krisel Lagman-Luistro introduced House Bill No. 7581, converting the municipality of Tabaco into a component city of the Province of Albay. Senate Bill No. 2244 was sponsored by Sen. Sergio Osmeña III and Sen. Franklin Drilon as its counterpart in the Senate. The Republic Act No. 9020, An Act Converting the Municipality of Tabaco into a Component City of the Province of Albay was signed into Law by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last February 5, 2001. The municipality was finally converted into a city after the Plebiscite conducted last March 4, 2001.
The Official Seal was conceived from the legend of how the name "Tabaco" came about. It was officialy adopted thru Municipal Council Resolution No. 29 on February 23, 1966.
One of the many versions on how the City got her name is the Legend of Pagkamoot which tells about a woman who was well-loved by her people because she was their healer, prophetess and servant. She was called Pagkamoot, meaning Love. One day, a Spanish vessel arrived asking about the place's name. A middle-aged man, some say, the healer's father, feared that his daughter would be taken captive by the foreigners, shouted at the top of his voice, "Tabak ko! Tabak ko!", which means, "My bolo! My bolo!". The Spaniards thought their question was answered and went their way believing that the place they had just left was called Tabaco.
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 04 December 2007 )
STO. DOMINGO ALBAY -- The Legend of Sto. Domingo
Tuesday, 04 December 2007
As recorded in the Estado Geografico Estadistico Historico written in 1805 by Father de Huerta, the recorded history of the city began in 1587 through the missionary work of the Franciscan Fathers. In 1616, Fr. Pedro de Alcareso became the permanent minister and built a church which was dedicated to the glorious Precursor of our Saviour, St. John the Baptist. Up to the present, St. John the Baptist remained the patron saint.
The President on record, however, was only in 1731, Martin Aguirre. The incumbent, Hon. Krisel Lagman-Luistro, from whom we address as City Mayor is the 177th to hold the postion.
Hon. Krisel Lagman-Luistro introduced House Bill No. 7581, converting the municipality of Tabaco into a component city of the Province of Albay. Senate Bill No. 2244 was sponsored by Sen. Sergio Osmeña III and Sen. Franklin Drilon as its counterpart in the Senate. The Republic Act No. 9020, An Act Converting the Municipality of Tabaco into a Component City of the Province of Albay was signed into Law by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last February 5, 2001. The municipality was finally converted into a city after the Plebiscite conducted last March 4, 2001.
The Official Seal was conceived from the legend of how the name "Tabaco" came about. It was officialy adopted thru Municipal Council Resolution No. 29 on February 23, 1966.
One of the many versions on how the City got her name is the Legend of Pagkamoot which tells about a woman who was well-loved by her people because she was their healer, prophetess and servant. She was called Pagkamoot, meaning Love. One day, a Spanish vessel arrived asking about the place's name. A middle-aged man, some say, the healer's father, feared that his daughter would be taken captive by the foreigners, shouted at the top of his voice, "Tabak ko! Tabak ko!", which means, "My bolo! My bolo!". The Spaniards thought their question was answered and went their way believing that the place they had just left was called Tabaco.
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 04 December 2007 )
STO. DOMINGO ALBAY -- The Legend of Sto. Domingo
Sto. Domingo, originally named Libog, is a former barrio of Ibalon (Legazpi City) and was established in the year 1749. This even took place through the efforts of its inhabitants under a secessionist leader Don Domingo Castellanos who took up the issue with the Bishop of Nueva Caceres and the civil authorities in Manila.
The name “Libog” appears to be a corruption of the term “libot” meaning roundabout. As it is, the Poblacion was off the main route between the trade center of Legazpi and Tabaco but had to be included in the route for trading and governance purposes, thus, a roundabout road had to be constructed.
Another version of where the name of the town originated is the word “labog” or jelly fish which abound in the coastal waters of the pueblo. Accordingly, one day a group of children were frolicking at the shores of the town when a number of boys got in contact with the deadly “labog.” There was panic among the inhabitants of the village as the victim was brought ashore. A group of Guardia Civil happened to pass by and inquired about the commotion. The crowd chorused “Na-labog, na-labog!” And when asked where’s the town of Tabaco, the crowd shouted “Libot, libot!” Hence, the Spaniards called the place “Libog.” For more than two centuries, the quaint and peaceful locality came to be known as Libog.
In 1957, during the term of Mayor Hilario Balilo the council adopted Resolution No. 57 changing the name Libog to Sto. Domingo because of the negative connotation of the word especially among the Tagalogs.
In 1959, the change of the name of the town to Sto. Domingo became official with the approval of the Congress of the House Bill No. 554 sponsored by then Congressman Tecla San Andres Ziga based on the Municipal Resolution No. 57. The bill was enacted into law under Republic Act 2520. On April 4, 1959 the name, Sto. Domingo, was finally inaugurated.
In 1786 the Spanish galleon "Nuestra Sra. De Guia" sunk off the coast of what is now known as Barangay Buhatan. For years, the only attention it got was probably from local diver/fishermen who may have been cannibalizing the wreck over the years
DARAGA ALBAY
The name “Libog” appears to be a corruption of the term “libot” meaning roundabout. As it is, the Poblacion was off the main route between the trade center of Legazpi and Tabaco but had to be included in the route for trading and governance purposes, thus, a roundabout road had to be constructed.
Another version of where the name of the town originated is the word “labog” or jelly fish which abound in the coastal waters of the pueblo. Accordingly, one day a group of children were frolicking at the shores of the town when a number of boys got in contact with the deadly “labog.” There was panic among the inhabitants of the village as the victim was brought ashore. A group of Guardia Civil happened to pass by and inquired about the commotion. The crowd chorused “Na-labog, na-labog!” And when asked where’s the town of Tabaco, the crowd shouted “Libot, libot!” Hence, the Spaniards called the place “Libog.” For more than two centuries, the quaint and peaceful locality came to be known as Libog.
In 1957, during the term of Mayor Hilario Balilo the council adopted Resolution No. 57 changing the name Libog to Sto. Domingo because of the negative connotation of the word especially among the Tagalogs.
In 1959, the change of the name of the town to Sto. Domingo became official with the approval of the Congress of the House Bill No. 554 sponsored by then Congressman Tecla San Andres Ziga based on the Municipal Resolution No. 57. The bill was enacted into law under Republic Act 2520. On April 4, 1959 the name, Sto. Domingo, was finally inaugurated.
In 1786 the Spanish galleon "Nuestra Sra. De Guia" sunk off the coast of what is now known as Barangay Buhatan. For years, the only attention it got was probably from local diver/fishermen who may have been cannibalizing the wreck over the years
DARAGA ALBAY
The word DARAGA (with accent on the last syllable) according to legend, refers to a kind of tree which grew in abundance especially on the top of a hill where now stands its famous church.
The term Daraga, means maiden. During the 12th century, most of the migrants are traders and settlers. When the Spaniards came headed by Juan Salcedo, they name the village Budiao, then giving birth to Cagsawa. In 1857, evangelization of the place and improvements were undertaken by the Franciscan missionaries. In 1595, Cagsawa was raised to the category of a ?visita?, but attached to the town of Camalig. Fr. Alfonso de Jadraque was the first Parish priest of Cagsawa. On June 12, 1872, the Spanish Governor General Simon de Anda transferred Cagsawa to a new settlement once called Salcedo and later renamed Daraga. In 1815, a government for the town was formally organized with Venancio Espiritu Salomon as first appointed captain. Under the Becerra Law of 1892, Daraga became a district of Legazpi City. In 1922, Daraga regained her autonomy as ordered by the Philippines Assembly and eventually on December 15, 1948 Republic Act 306 was enacted.
Recent archeological findings within the municipality shows that Camalig had been inhabited by people with developed social attributes of cultural, religious, social-political and economic relationship and organizations as as the years 200 B.C. to 900 A.D., the period referred to as early Iron Age in the Philippines.
According to Father Cayetano Sanchez, OFM who made researches on Bicol History at the Franciscan Archives in Pastrana, Spain. In 1569, a Spanish galleon led by Capt. Luis Enriquez de Guzman came to Bicol Region accidentally as they were scouting the neighboring island in search for food supplies badly needed northward inalnd and went as far as Camalig where they came upon a thriving and prosperous agricultural settlement (rancheria) whose inhabitants kept their farm products in little hut grass roofs without walls called KAMALIG in the local language. De Guzman and his men stayed then for a brief rest and the friars started civilizing the natives.
So it is easy to deduce that Camalig got its name from this native hut used for storing harvest or crops. It is also noted that its hispanization from camarin especially the plural camarines was soon used by the Spanish forces in referring to the subsequent areas they explored and conquered a year later, the present Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte. This led to a plausible though still unverified conjective that Camalig in fact comprised the entire Bicol mainland in the minds of the Spanish colonizer in the early part of 1570.
Camalig was founded as a town in 1579 by the Franciscan missionaries, Father Pablo de Jesus and Father Bartolome Ruiz, who continued the catholization drive by the Augustinian Chaplain during the early spanish expedition to the region
According to Father Cayetano Sanchez, OFM who made researches on Bicol History at the Franciscan Archives in Pastrana, Spain. In 1569, a Spanish galleon led by Capt. Luis Enriquez de Guzman came to Bicol Region accidentally as they were scouting the neighboring island in search for food supplies badly needed northward inalnd and went as far as Camalig where they came upon a thriving and prosperous agricultural settlement (rancheria) whose inhabitants kept their farm products in little hut grass roofs without walls called KAMALIG in the local language. De Guzman and his men stayed then for a brief rest and the friars started civilizing the natives.
So it is easy to deduce that Camalig got its name from this native hut used for storing harvest or crops. It is also noted that its hispanization from camarin especially the plural camarines was soon used by the Spanish forces in referring to the subsequent areas they explored and conquered a year later, the present Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte. This led to a plausible though still unverified conjective that Camalig in fact comprised the entire Bicol mainland in the minds of the Spanish colonizer in the early part of 1570.
Camalig was founded as a town in 1579 by the Franciscan missionaries, Father Pablo de Jesus and Father Bartolome Ruiz, who continued the catholization drive by the Augustinian Chaplain during the early spanish expedition to the region
GUINOBATAN ALBAY
There is no document found to support how Guinobatan got its name. Analyzing the word, its root word "Gubat" has a substantive form in Bicol idiom meaning barren and uncultivated. When used as a verb, it connotes grave physical encounter. These physical encounters emanated from the moros who frequently plundered the town of Guinobatan. When the native could no longer withstand those attacks, they organized resistance against these moros. Hence, the name "Guinobatan" was given due to the armed clashes between the native and the moros that often occurred plus the actual physical condition of the settlement.
In 1578, the Franciscan missionaries of Camalig came to evangelize Guinobatan, then considered a barangay of Camalig, populated by indigenous tribes inhabiting the Albay Gulf. Upon acceptance and recognition of Christianity by the native, the missionaries gathered the converts in Binanuaan, a place located between Mabalod and Tandarora. From 1672 to 1678, the settlement expanded to a greater number and was designated as Christianity Station of the sector known as the Mayon District.
Meanwhile, Mauraro, a distant settlement with a population 217 persons was also considered a temporary religious station as reported by Don Sinibaldo de Mass in 1843. During these years, the civil government was under the reign of the tenientes and the chief was Don Francisco Bagamasbad, considered to be the founder of Guinobatan. Together with other Dons, they initiated a petition to the Governor-General through the Franciscan Missionaries requesting that the settlement be declared an independent town. The request was granted ten years after it's filing (1680), through a decree making Guinobatan an independent town.
Before 1963, the territorial boundaries of Guinobatan extended as far as the southern coast of the Province of Albay, with Malacbalac (now Pioduran) as its most progressive barangay as its outlet to the sea. With the enactment of R.A. 3617 on June 22, 1963 of the defunct Philippine Congress creating the municipality of Pioduran; Malacbalac as its seat of government together with the barangays of Malidong, Basicao, Malapay, Nablangbulod, Buyo, Rawis, Mamlad, Oringon, Cagbatano, Nacasitas, Sukip and Tibabo of the municipality of Guinobatan were separated and constituted a part of the newly created municipality of Pioduran. This separation not only decreased the number of barangays to 43 but was also economically felt by the municipal treasury of Guinobatan, since Malacbalac has a great bulk of share in the town's income being a fishing village and a center part of the coastal province of Masbate and a portion of Sorsogon.
In 1578, the Franciscan missionaries of Camalig came to evangelize Guinobatan, then considered a barangay of Camalig, populated by indigenous tribes inhabiting the Albay Gulf. Upon acceptance and recognition of Christianity by the native, the missionaries gathered the converts in Binanuaan, a place located between Mabalod and Tandarora. From 1672 to 1678, the settlement expanded to a greater number and was designated as Christianity Station of the sector known as the Mayon District.
Meanwhile, Mauraro, a distant settlement with a population 217 persons was also considered a temporary religious station as reported by Don Sinibaldo de Mass in 1843. During these years, the civil government was under the reign of the tenientes and the chief was Don Francisco Bagamasbad, considered to be the founder of Guinobatan. Together with other Dons, they initiated a petition to the Governor-General through the Franciscan Missionaries requesting that the settlement be declared an independent town. The request was granted ten years after it's filing (1680), through a decree making Guinobatan an independent town.
Before 1963, the territorial boundaries of Guinobatan extended as far as the southern coast of the Province of Albay, with Malacbalac (now Pioduran) as its most progressive barangay as its outlet to the sea. With the enactment of R.A. 3617 on June 22, 1963 of the defunct Philippine Congress creating the municipality of Pioduran; Malacbalac as its seat of government together with the barangays of Malidong, Basicao, Malapay, Nablangbulod, Buyo, Rawis, Mamlad, Oringon, Cagbatano, Nacasitas, Sukip and Tibabo of the municipality of Guinobatan were separated and constituted a part of the newly created municipality of Pioduran. This separation not only decreased the number of barangays to 43 but was also economically felt by the municipal treasury of Guinobatan, since Malacbalac has a great bulk of share in the town's income being a fishing village and a center part of the coastal province of Masbate and a portion of Sorsogon.
LIGAO ALBAY
In July 1575, Juan de Salcedo, the Spanish Conquistador, founded in the province of Albay the
town Santiago de Libong, now known as Libon. One of Libon’s big sitios was Polangui which was made a municipality in 1585, with Oas as a Sitio. In 1587, Oas was also made into a municipality. The thriving settlement of Cavasi was made a sitio of Polangui in 1608. In 1614, it was annexed as a sitio of Oas. Cavasi’s developing place of detour thrived and was made a municipality known as Ligao in 1665 with Cavasi as a sitio.
The present official name of the town Ligao, a word said to be derived from the name of a tree called "TICAU". This tree with leaves used to poison fishes was known to abound in Ligao.
Long ago a group of Spanish soldiers passed by the place and took shelter from the heat of the sun under the "ticau" tree. They asked the natives for the name of the place. The natives thinking they were asking for the name of the tree answered, "TICAU". The Spaniards mispronounced "ticao" to "LIGAO" and since then the place was called LIGAO.
A more logical version says that Ligao comes from a Bicol word "LICAW" which means detour or a by road substituted for part of the main road temporarily impassable.
During the earliest settlement period of the town, Chinese traders called the place along the riverbank "Cavasi" mispronounced to "Cavasi" meaning a commercial center or leader.
The early inhabitants and traders from Libon, Polangui and Oas passed Cavasi on their way to the port of Legazpi to transport abaca fibers and other products. During rainy days transportation to Cavasi became difficult for they had to pass by lowland places called Bobonsuran and Ranao-Ranao.
Whenever the road to Cavasi becomes flooded, the traders would order their cart drivers to "Licaw" or detour to a trail on a higher plain. After sometime the place of detour was known as "Licaw". Licaw was rnispronounced to Ligao and developing place of detour became known as Ligao. The earliest settlement of Cavasi was made only a sitio when Ligao was made a municipality.
The present official name of the town Ligao, a word said to be derived from the name of a tree called "TICAU". This tree with leaves used to poison fishes was known to abound in Ligao.
Long ago a group of Spanish soldiers passed by the place and took shelter from the heat of the sun under the "ticau" tree. They asked the natives for the name of the place. The natives thinking they were asking for the name of the tree answered, "TICAU". The Spaniards mispronounced "ticao" to "LIGAO" and since then the place was called LIGAO.
A more logical version says that Ligao comes from a Bicol word "LICAW" which means detour or a by road substituted for part of the main road temporarily impassable.
During the earliest settlement period of the town, Chinese traders called the place along the riverbank "Cavasi" mispronounced to "Cavasi" meaning a commercial center or leader.
The early inhabitants and traders from Libon, Polangui and Oas passed Cavasi on their way to the port of Legazpi to transport abaca fibers and other products. During rainy days transportation to Cavasi became difficult for they had to pass by lowland places called Bobonsuran and Ranao-Ranao.
Whenever the road to Cavasi becomes flooded, the traders would order their cart drivers to "Licaw" or detour to a trail on a higher plain. After sometime the place of detour was known as "Licaw". Licaw was rnispronounced to Ligao and developing place of detour became known as Ligao. The earliest settlement of Cavasi was made only a sitio when Ligao was made a municipality.
OAS ALBAY
History reveals scant details on the origin and foundation of the Municipality of Oas which can be related to the early Spanish Colonization of the Bicol Peninsula. It tells of the creation of this Municipality into some kind of a rural community of rather. Provisionary character in year 1595 or approximately 64 years after discovery of the Philippines by Magellan in Year 1521. The zealous work of a missionary, Father Baltazar de los Reyes y Miranda or de la Magdalena which resulted to conversion to Christianity of the twelve (12) leading natives in one single day became the foundation or nucleus of the community now known as the municipality of Oas.
How the name of the Municipality of Oas evolved, speaks of three (3) different versions attributed to constant traditions of uncontroverted value. The first version mentions the existence of numerous lagoons or pools of water abounding the place which prompted early colonizers to give it to the name of "OASIS". The natives soon called the place by this name and later abbreviated it to "OAS". A second version relates to the existence of a dam across the narrowest portion of a river traversing the place. This dam solely irrigates the vast fields of the place including those of nearby town of Libon and results to good harvest. People are wary of any cracks or leaks on the dam walls during months of heavy rains. A crier would shot "NAWASWAS" giving the call to the people for immediate action in groups. From then on, the natives coined this name to the place and later shortened it to present from in times of this kind emergency. A third version and perhaps the most logical version of how the municipality derived its name gives an account of early Spanish Colonozers reaching this particular section of the Bicol Peninsula. The Spaniards, inquired the name of the place from the about 600 natives found living there, "COMO SE LLAMA ESTE SITIO?" with gesture of their hands. The natives mistakenly thought the question to be, "ONAN KADING LUGAR DALI MAIWAS?" in their native dialect. In response, the natives answered, "SI SENORS, MAIWAS. LABI NIKADING IWAS. LABI NIKADING IWAS". From then on the early Spanish Colonizers adopted in their Official census the existence of a rich fertile valley with verdant fields of grain which is a little town of OAS in Bicol.
The present role of the municipality of OAS is a SMALL town. However, its projected role under the Albay Provincial Framework Plan (1993-2002) is now as a MEDIUM TOWN. Under the Legazpi - Iriga - Naga - Daet Growth Corridor, the municipality is projected role that of a RURAL SERVICE CENTER whose functions includes: Morning Wet Market, Barber Shop, Eateries, Sari-Sari Stores, Drug Stores, Blackmuth and Municipal Hall. These indicators aptly describes the projected role of the municipality of OAS for its preferred development strategy for the planning period Year 2000-2004 which are combination of AGRICULTURE, LIGHT INDUSTRY, COMMERCE and TOURIST DEVELOPMENT.
How the name of the Municipality of Oas evolved, speaks of three (3) different versions attributed to constant traditions of uncontroverted value. The first version mentions the existence of numerous lagoons or pools of water abounding the place which prompted early colonizers to give it to the name of "OASIS". The natives soon called the place by this name and later abbreviated it to "OAS". A second version relates to the existence of a dam across the narrowest portion of a river traversing the place. This dam solely irrigates the vast fields of the place including those of nearby town of Libon and results to good harvest. People are wary of any cracks or leaks on the dam walls during months of heavy rains. A crier would shot "NAWASWAS" giving the call to the people for immediate action in groups. From then on, the natives coined this name to the place and later shortened it to present from in times of this kind emergency. A third version and perhaps the most logical version of how the municipality derived its name gives an account of early Spanish Colonozers reaching this particular section of the Bicol Peninsula. The Spaniards, inquired the name of the place from the about 600 natives found living there, "COMO SE LLAMA ESTE SITIO?" with gesture of their hands. The natives mistakenly thought the question to be, "ONAN KADING LUGAR DALI MAIWAS?" in their native dialect. In response, the natives answered, "SI SENORS, MAIWAS. LABI NIKADING IWAS. LABI NIKADING IWAS". From then on the early Spanish Colonizers adopted in their Official census the existence of a rich fertile valley with verdant fields of grain which is a little town of OAS in Bicol.
The present role of the municipality of OAS is a SMALL town. However, its projected role under the Albay Provincial Framework Plan (1993-2002) is now as a MEDIUM TOWN. Under the Legazpi - Iriga - Naga - Daet Growth Corridor, the municipality is projected role that of a RURAL SERVICE CENTER whose functions includes: Morning Wet Market, Barber Shop, Eateries, Sari-Sari Stores, Drug Stores, Blackmuth and Municipal Hall. These indicators aptly describes the projected role of the municipality of OAS for its preferred development strategy for the planning period Year 2000-2004 which are combination of AGRICULTURE, LIGHT INDUSTRY, COMMERCE and TOURIST DEVELOPMENT.
POLANGUI ALBAY
OYANGI-- a name of a tree in abundance when Father Baltazar de la Magdalena found the Municipality, was the origin of the name of Polangui. The town was then a place called “BINANUAAN”. Its foundation started with the baptism of its about twenty-five elderly citizens. The town then consisted of five hundred people. Binanauaan’s location was a low place and such was prove to floods. The people then moved to where the town now exists, an elevated area less exposed to flood.
The construction of the parish church which took a period of ten years to its completion is one of the significant highlights in the history of Polangui. The church was started in 1654 by Fr. Juan Bautista. It is also during this regime that Polangui gave birth to a martyr Camilo Jacob, a photographer who together with other Bicolanos was executed in January 1897. A year later, the “Guardia Civil” in Naga City led by Don Elias Angeles mutinied against Spaniards. This ended the Spanish rule in Bicol Region. By 1899, the whole country was free from the pang’s of the Spanish rule.
OYANGI-- a name of a tree in abundance when Father Baltazar de la Magdalena found the Municipality, was the origin of the name of Polangui. The town was then a place called “BINANUAAN”. Its foundation started with the baptism of its about twenty-five elderly citizens. The town then consisted of five hundred people. Binanauaan’s location was a low place and such was prove to floods. The people then moved to where the town now exists, an elevated area less exposed to flood.
The construction of the parish church which took a period of ten years to its completion is one of the significant highlights in the history of Polangui. The church was started in 1654 by Fr. Juan Bautista. It is also during this regime that Polangui gave birth to a martyr Camilo Jacob, a photographer who together with other Bicolanos was executed in January 1897. A year later, the “Guardia Civil” in Naga City led by Don Elias Angeles mutinied against Spaniards. This ended the Spanish rule in Bicol Region. By 1899, the whole country was free from the pang’s of the Spanish rule.
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