Beginnings of Naval Evolution of Church Building Pictorials of Fiesta Activities Meaning of Bagasumbul
Celebrating 150 Years
NAVAL TOWN FIESTA / October 1-2, 2010
NAVAL, BILIRAN
Beginnings of Naval, Biliran Island (A Revisionist Account, Updated)
By Rolando O. Borrinaga, Alberto M. Bago, Bienvinido H. Granali, Jose Gahum, and Antonio A. Abilar
T
.he history of Naval on Biliran Island goes much deeper into the past than the “from Bagasumbul to Naval” theme that our folklore, folksongs, the 1961 Naval Centennial Celebration, and the first printed history written by the 1966 Naval Municipal Historical Committee would make us believe to have started around the 1850s. In this revisionist paper we present theories on our town’s geologic origin, push back its recorded history by 250 years, and clarify certain controversial issues related to Naval’s founding in the 1850s. For the natural history of Naval, a “deltaformation theory” has been proposed to explain its geologic origin.2 A geologic survey of Leyte published in 1954 also described the “coastal alluvial plains in Naval (as) the largest in (Biliran) island,” an exception from that of the surrounding regions of the island which are characterized by broken hills and mountains. For the recorded history involving the present territorial jurisdiction of the town of Naval (see map), there was already an unnamed village here in 1600, the one described as the nearby base of the Spanish, native and other workers in the first known Spanish shipyard in the Philippines on Isla de Panamao (the present Biliran Island), and which had been visited by Jesuit missionaries based in Carigara starting in 1601. We postulate that the site of this village was located in the present Sitio Ilawod (a sitio is a cluster of few houses, ilawod refers to the seaward portion) of Barangay Caraycaray, along the southern bank and near the mouth of the Caraycaray River; that the first hospital in the Visayas region was established here in this village by the Jesuits in 1601; and the shipyard was initially established across the mouth of the river from the village, when this was located around the area some 400 meters south of the present Caraycaray Bridge, and when most part of the present Ilawod was a separate delta island or islands at the time. On 10 September 1712 the pueblo which had become known as Biliran filed a formal petition for becoming a separate pueblo and parish. This pueblo of Biliran included the settlements in the different areas and islets of Biliran Island, excluding Maripipi Island. We also postulate that the poblacion of Biliran pueblo was situated in the present Sitio Ilawod, on the same site that we had just postulated as the
NAVAL, BILIRAN
village base of the workers in the Spanish shipyard on Panamao in 1600, or 112 years earlier. To support our claim for Sitio Ilawod as the poblacion of Biliran pueblo, we argue that the lantawan or watch tower on this site was erected long before 1712, as the previous requirement for this pueblo’s formation. We surveyed on 3 February 1990 the remaining traces of coral stone blocks of this watch tower (called trinchera sa Moros, the local reference to this fort against the historical Moro raiders). We found them at ground level overlooking the Caraycaray River in a neglected state. Flooding had apparently caused this relic to gradually sink into the swamp through the years. It was barely two meters above the water level at low tide and had been overgrown with weeds and nipa palms. (Note: As of 2010, the so-called lantawan seemed to have been the ruins of a seventeenthcentury church built by the Jesuits, as indicated by an ancient cemetery nearby.) In May 1735 a government document published in Manila directed the natives residing in Biliran to have “peopled” jurisdiction within five years. This implies that it had attained the required number of tributes, namely 500. That document probably constituted the conditional government
Padre Juan Inocentes Manco Garcia Founder of Naval
Celebrating 150 Years
October 1-2, 2010 / NAVAL TOWN FIESTA
recognition of the people’s petition to be recognized as a pueblo back in 1712. The condition was probably met in due time, there being no subsequent document or folk information to indicate a demotion in status of the pueblo of Biliran. The diminution of Biliran pueblo’s population between 1712 and 1735 could be attributed to the effects of the Moro raids and the government-promoted migration to more central areas of Leyte and Samar to keep the people “under the bells” of the church. On 10 October 1765 a government document published in Manila appointed a certain Don Gaspar Ignacio de Guevara as “cura” (parish priest) of San Juan Nepomuceno in Biliran pueblo.11 A secular priest who hailed from Samar,12 he turned out to be deluded and heretical. Padre Gaspar (as Guevara is known to folklore of the present-day Biliran town) created a new poblacion by transferring it away from its original site in Sitio Ilawod to a hilltop in what is presently known as Barangay Hugpa. He called this new site Albacea (testamentary executor). Here he set up a sanctuary, enthroned himself in the “chair of Peter” with the royal throne in Biliran Island, and styled himself as the “first of the priests of the world.” From his sanctuary, Padre Gaspar spread his doctrines, granted indulgences, spread news of miracles in the Leyte-Samar region, recruited and sent out disciples to incite revolts, conferred sacred orders, gave out offices, legislated, threatened those who opposed him and, together with an “alcalde mayor” of Biliran whom he appointed, fought against the Franciscan friars in Samar and the Augustinians in Leyte. He ordained sub-deacons, and attracted a great number of followers, especially among the women. He was also cordially treated and sheltered by the Alcalde Mayor (governor) of Samar (which included Leyte until 1777), who also worked with him. Padre Gaspar was captured by Moro raiders and was drowned to death near Tagasipol Islet shortly before 1775, about 10 years after his appointment as cura of Biliran. He was succeeded by a Father Lorenzo Rivera (sic, Rivera was the alcalde-mayor of Leyte at the time, and not a priest. He seemed responsible for rehabilitating the pueblo after Padre Gaspar’s death). The Old Site As a result of the transfer of the poblacion to the new hilltop location (Albacea), the old site (in Sitio Ilawod) became known as Binongtuan (i.e., “towned,” the past tense of bungto, the Waray word for town in verb form). According to local folklore, either during Padre Celebrating 150 Years
Gaspar’s tenure as cura or at the time of his death, a maldicion (curse) was pronounced over the people in Biliran pueblo’s old poblacion (in Sitio Ilawod): that no male-born child of this place should ever become a priest; that whosoever should defy this curse risked insanity, death or failure as a person. However, while the concrete effects of defying such maldicion has been told through the generations, folklore is not clear about its premise. Why was the curse pronounced? Was it because of the defiance and resistance of the villagers of the old poblacion (in Sitio Ilawod) against Padre Gaspar’s manipulations, particularly the removal and transfer of the pueblo’s altar to Albacea? Or was it their apparent refusal to ransom Padre Gaspar from his Moro captors, which act led to his undignified death? Both speculations could be inferred from available documentary sources. Whatever may be the cause of the maldicion, the remaining villagers or their leaders in the old poblacion (in Sitio Ilawod) who did not follow Padre Gaspar became known as Bagasumbul or “obstacle to enemies,” who waged territorial border disputes against their “deserters” and “usurpers” in the new poblacion in Albacea. With Padre Gaspar’s transfer of the poblacion, the geographical area that is now known as Naval was reduced to the status of a visita of Biliran pueblo. However, many residents of this visita also moved to a more elevated location two kilometers northeast of the old poblacion (in Sitio Ilawod). They named their new settlement Caraycaray. The reasons for this move were probably to secure themselves from sneak Moro attacks along the Caraycaray River, and to avoid the curse on the old poblacion (in Sitio Ilawod), which had also been renamed as Bagasumbul. However, the most probable physical reason was to avoid the effects of the more frequent river floods, the most direct results of the decades of forest denudation (starting with the rampant log-cutting during the galleonmaking years) and the attendant threat in a swampy village of attacks by man-eating crocodiles. Naval The Naval of folklore and folksongs and of the late 19th century owes its beginnings to Father Juan Inocentes Manco Garcia, who was the assistant parish priest and later parish priest of Biliran pueblo from around 1848 to 1861. By then the pueblo of Biliran had been reduced to the western half of the island, with the creation of Caibiran as a separate pueblo in 1828. And the place that would become Naval (the area around the old poblacion in Sitio
NAVAL TOWN FIESTA / October 1-2, 2010
NAVAL, BILIRAN
Ilawod) was already called Bagasumbul. According to folklore, Padre Inocentes (as Father Garcia was known) would make trips to Almeria, the northernmost outpost of his assignment, from his parish base in Biliran poblacion. Passing by the site of the present poblacion of Naval, he would pause in his journey to admire the beautiful sweeping plains of the area. Struck by the flatness and fertility of the land, he invited his relatives and friends from Dimiao, Bohol, and Danao, Cebu, to come and settle in this place. The new migrants settled on an area near Tubod (spring), some two hundred meters north of the present town plaza of Naval, and about three kilometers northwest of the village of Bagasumbol (in Sitio Ilawod), the poblacion-turned-visita of Biliran pueblo. They were followed by other migrants from Panay and Negros. In the early years, Padre Inocentes divided the land among the members of three regional migrant groups: the Cebuanos, the Boholanos, and the Hilonggos. He also initiated the efforts to build the first church and convento of the new settlement and to dig irrigation canals for the ricefields of Bagasumbul. The name Bagasumbul, which sounded war-like, was changed to the more peaceful name, Naval, in 1859. On 26 May 1860 Naval was granted Superior approval to exist as a parish separate from Biliran, its mother church. This was officially erected on 26 September 1860, under the invocation
NAVAL MUNICIPAL MAYORS SPANISH REGIME (1860-1900) Gobernadorcillos Pablo Machete Agustin Garcia Severino Saberon Francisco Sabenorio Victoriano Casas Buenaventura Corvera Victor Abad Alejandro Abutin Felipe Castin Mariano Machete Patricio Casas German Caneja Enrique Saberon Ciriaco Delfin Simon Saberon Melecio Caneja Victoriano Ballesteros
Policarpo Redaza (1913-16) Ysidoro Vicentillo (1917-19) Ysidoro Vicentillo (1920-22) Policarpo Redaza (1923-25) Policarpo Redaza (1926-28) Francisco D. Enage (1928-31) Leoncio Limpiado (1932-35) Restituto Copuaco (1936-41) POST-AMERICAN PERIOD Municipal Mayors Ysaias Icain (1942-46) Fidel Limpiado (1946) Pablo Caneja (1947-51) Absalon Sablada (1952-55) Brigido Caneja (1956-71) Arturo Velasquez (1972-80) Niceto Z. Limpiado (1980-86) POST-EDSA
Municipal Mayors Fortunato Casas, OIC (1986-87) Gorgonio Contredas, OIC (1987) Municipal Presidents Francisca Bangcoyo, OIC (1988) Melecio Caneja (1901-02) Victoriano Ballesteros (1902-03) Simeon Pitao (1988-98) Gerardo Espina, Jr. (1998-2004) Melecio Caneja (1904-05) Gerardo Espina, Sr. (2004-07) Luis Vicera (1906-08) Susan Parilla (July 2007- Present) Justo Caneja (1909-10) Ysidoro Vicentillo (1910-12) AMERICAN PERIOD
NAVAL, BILIRAN
The much older and dilapidated Municipal Building shown on the background with the Municipal Officials in 1941.
The old Naval Town Hall built in 1953 was demolished in November 2002 along with other structures to give way to the construction of the Naval Gymnasium
of Nuestra Señora del Rosario (Our Lady of the Rosary). In August 1861 Father Santos de Santa Juana took up formal residence as the first parish priest of Naval, and served the town for 21 years until 1882. Padre Inocentes was known to have named the new pueblo Naval, in honor of its adopted patroness, Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, whose miraculous intercession assured the Spanish victory over the Dutch Navy during the historic “La Guerra Naval de Manila” in 1646. The senior author of this paper, however, is of the opinion that Padre Inocentes may have also entertained the idea of commemorating the successful defense of Bagasumbul, which he led as parish priest of Biliran, against three waves of Moro attacks on this settlement. This was supposed to have occurred in the 1830s, but more probably between 1848 and 1858, the latter being the benchmark year for the cessation of the Moro attacks in the Visayas. Celebrating 150 Years
October 1-2, 2010 / NAVAL TOWN FIESTA
Evolution of the Naval Church Building
T
he first known church building in the vicinity of Naval was described by Fr. Pedro Chirino, a Jesuit missionary and chronicler, in a report published in Rome in 1604. The unpublished details of his report were quoted by another Jesuit chronicler, Fr. Francisco Colin, in 1663. This church building was theorized to have been located in the vicinity of Sitio Ilawod in Barangay Caraycaray. Fr. Colin, citing facts recorded by Father Chirino, mentioned about a church and a convent that were constructed through free labor of the inhabitants. The church had posts and walls made of pampango wood (teak) and had the following dimensions: 27 fathoms (162 feet) in length, 7 fathoms (42 feet) in width, and 3-1/2 fathoms (21 feet) in height. This church building and its improvements were probably razed during a Moro raid on May 26, 1754, when only two (sic) of the entire inhabitants of Biliran Island were reported to have escaped capture by the raiders. LOST RELIC, LOST SCENERY. This photograph was probably taken in the late 1950s from the window of the choir loft of the church. The scenery has been lost forever. The facade of the pre-1900 church (shown from the back) stood until 1966, when a crane leveled it to the ground, allegedly because this hampered the construction work in the TWO FACADES. This picture shows two facades of the Naval new church. Parish Church. The front facade belonged to that of the pre-1900 Of course, concrete church, the main building of which was destroyed by this structure a strong typhoon in 1912. The facade that can be seen through archway belonged to that of the church in the late 1950s. was not an the This church building was in turn destroyed to give way for the o b s t r u c t i o n . construction of the present church. The American Franciscans just had other thoughts in mind. Across the street from the church facade was the old town plaza, now part of the compound of the Cathedral School of La Naval. Playground demonstrations were held here during fiestas. A small patch of clean ground to the right is part of the local tennis court, which still exists. The two structures across the plaza to the left are the back portion of an old movie house and the Ecarma house (towards the street). Both buildings are gone. NAVAL CHURCH IN 1938. These two pictures show the facade and the well-decorated interior of the church, photographed on January 27, 1938. The date fell on a last Thursday of January, a day that coincided with the vesperas of the Naval fiesta in modern times. I am speculating, but these pictures probably marked the first time the town fiesta was ever celebrated on a January, instead of the usual commemoration on the first Sunday of October. The latter is still celebrated with appropriate religious activities, but without the usual fiesta fanfare. Celebrating 150 Years
NAVAL TOWN FIESTA / October 1-2, 2010
NAVAL, BILIRAN
October was at the tail-end of the famine season (tinggutom) in those days, with the rice harvesting season still weeks away. Because of food shortage, our folks therefore could not have a wholesome celebration. Thus, they proposed to the parish priest to move the fiesta to January, just after the planting season when the residents also still have stocks of rice. (Basic information provided by the late Alberto Bago, nephew of Msgr. Felix Sabenicio, parish priest of Naval for 25 years: 1922-1930; 1931-1947.)
COMPLETED RENOVATION. The two pictures taken in 1958 show the completed facade of the previous church building and its interior. WORK ON NEW FACADE. A picture of the church taken in 1950 shows the beginnings of a new facade, the construction of which was initated by Fr. Deodato Esplanada (who served from 1948 to 1950). After his transfer, the work was continued by Fr. Emerardo Ladrera, the last Filipino priest who was replaced by American Franciscans.
Parish Priests of Naval (1861 - present)
Santos de Santa Juana (1861-82) Julian Evangelista (1882 & 1892) Maximo Conzon (1882-92) Pablo Pardo (1892-97) Juan Mate (1897-98) Martin Trani (1898-1906) Sergio Eamiguel (1906-22) Felix Sabenicio (1922-30 & 1931-47) Sixto Montero (1930-31) Sabino Abrera (1947-48) Deodato Esplanada (1948-50) Emerardo Ladrera (1950-57) Miles E. Pfalzer, OFM (1957-62) Carl Kemphues, OFM (1962-63) John Brinkman, OFM (1963-68) Joques Engelhart, OFM (1968-68) Bertram Tiemeyer, OFM (1968-72) Samuel Hermes, OFM (1973-78) Carl Kemphues, OFM (1978-80) David Turnbull, OFM (1980-85) Teddy Gaquit (1985-86) Msgr. Silas Florencio (1986-93) Msgr. Filomeno G. Bactol (1993-Present)
NAVAL, BILIRAN
OLD CONVENT. A photograph of the old convent of Naval, located at the corner of Castin and Padre Inocentes Streets, across from the present Botica Velasquez.
NEW AND EXISTING CHURCH. Construction of the present church started around May 1965. This was first used for services during the Holy Week of 1966. Several weeks later, the transfer was made from the temporary chapel to the new church building. The formal blessing of the new church took place on October 2, 1966.
Celebrating 150 Years
October 1-2, 2010 / NAVAL TOWN FIESTA
2010 Naval Fiesta Executive Committee (EXECOM) Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary
General Schedule of Activities September 22, 2010 4:00 AM - Aurora/Novena/Holy Eucharist – Cathedral Church of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary September 23, 2010 4:00 AM Aurora/Novena/Holy Eucharist – Cathedral Church of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary September 24, 2010 4:00 AM Aurora/Novena/Holy Eucharist – Cathedral Church of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary September 25, 2010 4:00 AM Aurora/Novena/Holy Eucharist – Cathedral Church of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary September 26, 2010 (PUEBLO DAY CELEBRATION) 4:00 AM Aurora/Novena/Holy Eucharist – Cathedral Church of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary 6:30 AM Mass - Cathedral Church of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary 7:00 AM Lumba Sa Lakaw (Per Cluster/Barnagay) 8:00 AM Parade (with Suman Float) 9:00 AM Opening Program “Suman Festival” Suman Inspired Houses Decoration Contest Suman Making Contest Souviner Item Making Contest (Galleon Inspired) Suman Eating Contest 9:30 AM Peoples Day - Government Services One-Stop-Shop 10:00 AM Drag Racing (National Road going to Caray-caray, Naval) 7:00 PM Pueblo Night Celebration Awarding & Presentation of Clustered Department & Barangay September 27, 2010 4:00 AM Aurora/Novena/Holy Eucharist – Cathedral Church of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary 5:00 AM 5K Fun Run for A Cause September 28, 2010 4:00 AM Aurora/Novena/Holy Eucharist – Cathedral Church of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary 7:00 AM Marching Band Competition “Banda Hudyaka” 7:00 PM KARAMBOLA SA FIESTA (BILIRAN GENERAL HOSPITAL) September 29, 2010 4:00 AM Aurora/Novena/Holy Eucharist – Cathedral Church of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary 6:00 AM NSU Alumni Homecoming ( Mass, Parade, Registration ) 7:30 PM NSU Alumni Homecoming Night Celebration ( NSU Gymnasium )
Celebrating 150 Years
September 30, 2010 4:00 AM Aurora/Novena/Holy Eucharist Cathedral Church of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary 7:00 PM CORONATION NIGHT MATRON QUEEN POPULARITY CONTEST/ CULTURAL SHOW COMPETITION October 1, 2010 - VESPERS DAY
4:30 AM
Mass – Cathedral Church of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary
6:00 AM PARADE 8:00 AM Pasundayag sa mga Kabataan / Playground Demonstration (NSU Grounds)
9:30 AM Baptism
11:00 AM Baptism 1:00 PM
Fluvial Procession
5:00 PM
Vespers Mass
7:00 PM Vespers Night / Takong Party (Recognition of Board/Bar Passers) October 2, 2010 - FEAST DAY OF OUR LADY OF THE HOLY ROSARY 4:30 AM Low Mass 9:30 AM PONTIFICAL MASS 1:00 PM
Bagasumbul Festival: Halad sa Birhen; Ritual Dance Competition (NSU Grounds)
Low Mass
4:00 PM
5:00 PM
Procession of the Image of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary
TSINELAS PARTY
7:30 PM
October 3, 2010 Sunday – Commemoration of the Poor Souls in Purgatory
(Special intention in all Masses today shall be the eternal repose of the souls of all dead Navaleños )
NAVAL TOWN FIESTA / October 1-2, 2010
NAVAL, BILIRAN
Diocese of Naval CATHEDRAL PARISH OF OUR LADY OF THE HOLY ROSARY Naval, Biliran, 6543 Philippines
FEAST OF OUR LADY OF THE HOLY ROSARY Novena Days : September 22, 2010 - September 30, 2010 Schedule : 4:00 AM Aurora/Novena/Holy Eucharist
General Theme:
Stewarship of God’s Creation: The Call and the Challenge of the Basic Ecclesial Communities through Maternal Intercession of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.
September 22, 2010, Wednesday (First day of Novena) Theme: Sponsors: Coordinators: Offerers: Priest Sponsors: Presider: Choir:
September 25, 2010, Saturday (Fourth day of Novena)
Creation is the beginning and foundation of all God’s works. BEC Catmon Cluster (Brgy. Catmon, Sitio Mocalbocal, Sitio Baras, Brgy. Borac, Brgy. Anislagan, Brgy. Haguichican, Sitio Casipit, Sitio Bagacay, Sitio Rosales) Salvacion Caico Bro. Marcelo / Sis. Benita Espinosa Most Rev. Filomeno G. BActol, DD Parish Choir
The natural environment is God’s gift to all people. BEC Villa Caneja Cluster (Brgy. Villa Caneja, Sitio Lawaan, Brgy. Libtong Daku, Sitio Libtong Gamay, Brgy. Cabungaan, Sitio Ilaya) Haide Jamin Bro Melchor/ Sis. Anilda Erejer Rev. Fr. Kenneth P. Hendricks One Voice
September 24, 2010, Friday (Third day of Novena)
Theme: Sponsors: Coordinators: Offerers: Priest Sponsor: Presider: Choir:
The goods of creation belong to the humanity BEC Calumpang Cluster (Brgy. Calumpang, Sitio Mangga, Sitio Lupa,Sitio Puro Tugas, Sitio Puro, Bliss, San Juan Village, Sitio Lomboy) Bro. Demostenes/ Sis. Elisa Morillo Bro. Alfredo/ Sis. Rubie Bollido Rev. Fr. Edelino Suyom Calumpang/Lomboy Choir
September 26, 2010, Sunday (Fifth day of Novena)
September 23, 2010, Thursday (Second day of Novena)
Theme: Sponsors: Coordinators: Oferers: Presider: Choir:
Theme: Sponsors: Coordinators: Offerers: Priest Sponsors: Choir:
The Relationship Between: Creator, Human Beings and the Created order. BEC Caraycaray Cluster (Brgy. Caraycaray, Sitio Ilawod, Sitio Upper Bigaa, Sitio Riverside, Brgy. San Pablo) Bro. Renato / Sis. Helen Curso Bro. Eduardo/ Sis. Rosario Gahum & Family
Theme: Sponsors: Coordinators: Offerers: Priest Sponsor: Pesider: Choir:
Technology as a way and tool in protecting the earth BEC Larrazabal & Talustusan Cluster (Brgy. Larrazabal, Sitio Cogon, Sitio San Roque, Brgy. Talustusan, Sitio Magtaran-an, Sitio Kawayanan) Sis. Alicia Cairo / Sis. Lolita Dumas Bro. Alfredo/ Sis. Avelina Abunales Rev. Fr. Hipolito A. Remandaban III YOUFRA Choir
September 27, 2010, Monday (Sixth day of Novena)
Theme: Sponsors: Coordinators: Offerers: Priest Sponsor: Presider: Choir:
Man’s responsibility for the protection of the earth BEC Agpangi Cluster (Brgy. Agpangi, Sitio Anas-Agpangi, Brgy. Sabang) Sis. Rosita Bagalay Bro. Candelario/ Sis. Lourdes Bernal Rev. Fr. Rena Durante BCBP Choir
Rev. Fr. Edwardo Veloso Caraycaray Choir
NAVAL, BILIRAN
Celebrating 150 Years
October 1-2, 2010 / NAVAL TOWN FIESTA
September 28, 2010, Tuesday (Seventh day of Novena) Theme: Sponsors: Coordinators: Offerers: Priest Sponsor: Presider: Choir:
The Church’s responsibility towards creation BEC Atipolo Cluster (Brgy. Atipolo, Sitio upper & Lower Anas, Sitio Lower Basak, Dangkalan-Maribuhok) Sis. Rosita Bagalay Bro. Edwin/Sis. Genevere Daver
October 2, 2010, Saturday
Rev. Fr. Benjamin Pantas Atipolo Choir
The relationship between man and the environment. BEC Poblacion Ilaya Cluster (Brgy. Ilaya BECs. Brgy. Sto. Niño, Sitio Tagumpay, Sitio Sabang) Sis. Rubilita Adobo Bro. Eufronio/ Sis. Nita Quial Rev. Fr. Fidel Dandan CFC Choir
September 30, 2010, Thursday(Ninth day of Novena)
Theme: Sponsors: Coordinators: Offerers: Priest Sponsor: Presider: Choir:
Contemplation of Nature leads to lasting peace BEC Poblacion Smo. Rosario Cluster (Brgy. Smo. Rosario BECs, Brgy. Mabini, Brgy. Libertad) Sis. Rizalde Maria Mangco Bro. John/ Sis. Crisantima Pastor
4:30 A.M.: 9:30 A.M.:
Low Mass Pontifical Fiest mass
Presider:
Most Rev. FilomEno G. Bactol, DD Bishop of Naval
Concelebrants: Clergy of the Diocese of Naval Visiting Clergy
September 29, 2010, Wednesday (Eight day of Novena)
Theme: Sponsors: Coordinators: Offerers: Priest Sponsor: Presider: Choir:
(Feast of our lady of the holy rosary)
Sponsors:
All BECs/Parishioners/ Devotees to our lady of the Holy Rosary
Choir:
BCBP/ One Voice Choir
4:00 P.M.:
Low Mass
5:00 P.M.:
Procession of the Image of the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Singing of the Salve Regina Final Blessing Singing of the Hymn to our Lady
October 3, 2010, Sunday
Commemoration of the poor souls in purgatory • Special intention in all masses today shall be the eternal repose of the souls of all dead Navaleños.
Rev. Fr. Antonio Sevilla BCBP Choir
October 1, 2010, Friday (VESPERS) 4:30 A.M.: 9:30 A.M.: 11:00 A.M.: 1:00 P.M.:
Mass Baptism Baptism Fluvial Procession
5:00 P.M.: Presider: Concelebrants: Lead Sponsor: Sponsors: Choir:
Vespers Mass Rev. Msgr. Silas Florencio, HP Clergy of the Diocese of Naval Visiting Clergy Cofradia Virgen del Rosario All Confradias, Religious and renewal Movements/ Organizations NSU Choir
Celebrating 150 Years
NAVAL TOWN FIESTA / October 1-2, 2010
NAVAL, BILIRAN
150th Pueblo Day Celebration The town of Naval turned 150 years old on this day since it first became a town in September 26, 1860. The activities of the occasion are made simple yet meaningful for every Navaleño. The one-day celebration started with a Holy Mass at the Naval Cathedral at 6:30 in the morning with no less than Msgr. Filomeno Bactol, Bishop of Naval, as the main celebrant. This was followed by a parade around the town, a short program and the “people’s day” held at the Naval municipal grounds. One of the highlights of the 150th Naval Pueblo Day was the “Suman” Festival which aimed to promote the town’s local delicacy. Other activities include Galleon Inspired Souvenir Items Contest, Lumba sa Lakaw, 5K Fun Run and the Motocycle Drag Race. The celebration was capped by a Cultural Night and the Coronation of the Matron Queen of Naval 2010. The Cultural Night featured Filipino folk dances, Kundiman and choral numbers presented by local talents coming from the LGU-Naval, barangay officials, teachers, national government agencies as well as the religious and business sector. Crowned Matron Queen of Naval 2010 was Mrs. Cristy Mangco-Huang, representing the Academe and Religious Sector. While Mrs. Marites Avila-Cuadra of the LGU, and Mrs. Adora Caneja-Gabisay of the National Government and Business Sector, got the First Runner-up and Second Runner-up titles respectively.
NAVAL, BILIRAN
Celebrating 150 Years
October 1-2, 2010 / NAVAL TOWN FIESTA
150th Pueblo Day Celebration
Pueblo Day Lecture
Pueblo Day Lecture. As part of the commemoration of the 150th Pueblo Day of Naval, Prof. Rolando O. Borrinaga of the University of the Philippines, a native Navalian, delivered a lecture titled “Naval at 150 Years: Historical Updates and the Meanings and Contexts of Its Barangay Names and Associated Place-Names.� The lecture last September 25, 2010, organized and spearheaded by AGAK Biliran, a local advocacy group, was attended by a huge audience that filled the Audio-Visual Hall of the Naval State University (NSU). Celebrating 150 Years
NAVAL TOWN FIESTA / October 1-2, 2010
NAVAL, BILIRAN
150th Pueblo Day Celebration First Suman Festival in Naval Naval is one of the best producers of tasty and delicious suman in the region and even in the whole country. Suman is a delicacy made of malagkit rice cooked with coconut milk and wrapped with a choice of banana leaves, young coconut leaves or anahaw leaves. The first ever Suman Festival in the province included the Search for Naval’s Best Suman, Best Suman Decorated Street, Suman Float and the Suman-Eating Contest.
NAVAL, BILIRAN
Sixteen (16) suman producers in the municipality participated in the search for Naval’s Best Suman. On the other hand, the winner of the Best Suman Decorated Street received P15,000; second prize – P10,000 and the third prize winner got P5,000. Nonwinning entries received P2,000 each as consolation prize. LGU-Naval distributed some 3,000 pieces of Suman to those who attended the celebration.
Celebrating 150 Years
October 1-2, 2010 / NAVAL TOWN FIESTA
150th Pueblo Day Celebration Search for Naval’s Best Suman The top five (5) finalists for the “Search for Naval’s Best Suman were: 1. Filemon S. Abecia 4. Nellie C. Gudmalin 2. Emilia Dacara 5. Cerlita Reforma 3. Jacinta N. Cavite
The adjudge winners were:
First - Filemon S. Abecia of Wincofel Suman Special (the registered business name at DTI) - PI Garcia St. Second - Emilia Dacara (no business name yet) Brgy. Caraycaray Third - Nellie C. Gudmalin Nezzies Home Made Products, Brgy. Caraycaray
Celebrating 150 Years
NAVAL TOWN FIESTA / October 1-2, 2010
NAVAL, BILIRAN
150th Pueblo Day Celebration Peoples Day ( Free Haircut, Massage and Manicure/Pedicure Services )
Lumba sa Lakaw
NAVAL, BILIRAN
Celebrating 150 Years
October 1-2, 2010 / NAVAL TOWN FIESTA
150th Pueblo Day Celebration Motorcycle Drag Race
Galleon Inspired Souvenir Items Contest Rekindling Our Maritime Tradition
FIRST place
third place
Celebrating 150 Years
second place
WINNERS: First Place - Alexander Noquera (Lucsoon) Second Place - Andrew Noquera (Lucsoon) Third Place - Aldwin Saniel, (P.I. Garcia)
NAVAL TOWN FIESTA / October 1-2, 2010
The settlement that became the town of Naval was previously situated in the present Sitio Ilawud of Barangay Caraycaray, the site of a large Spanish shipyard in the late 1500. The vicinity has an abundant source of fair and straight timber fit for making excellent masts for all sorts of ship. A total of six galleons were reported to have been built here including the galleons Santo Tomas and San Antonio. This shipyard was later transferred to Cavite (probably after 1604) due to the onset of Moro raids in Leyte during the first decade of 1600.
NAVAL, BILIRAN
150th Pueblo Day Celebration 5K Fun Run for a Cause The 5K Fun Run for a Cause was overwhelmingly participated by over a hundred runners coming from the LGU, NSU, PNP and other organizations. This activity organized by Agak Biliran, a local civic organization, was one of the highlights of the 150th Naval Pueblo Day Celebration. The Fun Run started at 6:00 AM in Brgy. San Pablo where a short orientation was given by Atty. Mario Opeña followed by a prayer for God’s blessings and guidance led by Rev. Fr. Alcon Delano Mocorro. And there…the first shot was fired in the air where the participants started the 5 kilometer run along the national highway marshaled by some members of
NAVAL, BILIRAN
Agak Biliran and Tribu Ugtok, a local mountaineering group. The run ended at the Naval Municipal Hall, followed immediately with the awarding of winners by Mayor Susan Parilla and Vice-Mayor Redentor Villordon, the Committee Chairperson for the 150th Pueblo Day celebration. In her inspirational message, Mayor Parilla expressed her gratitude and appreciation to the Fun Run organizers and participants. The Fun Run dubbed as “Race for Our Children” is expected to support the on-going feeding program of Agak Biliran.
Celebrating 150 Years
October 1-2, 2010 / NAVAL TOWN FIESTA
Cultural Night
A Showcase of Local Talents LGU-Naval officials and personnel display their talents in singing and dancing at the Naval Gym. Clad in Filipiniana attire, ViceMayor Redy Villordon led the SB members in singing their beautiful version of an old Filipino Medley, while Mayor Susan Parilla gracefully led the department heads in a dance intermission. Their presentation served as an offering number to the newly crowned Matron Queen of Naval 2010. The Cultural Night also showcased other talents coming from the different schools and other offices. Celebrating 150 Years
NAVAL TOWN FIESTA / October 1-2, 2010
NAVAL, BILIRAN
Cultural Night
Kundiman Singing Contest
Winners of the Kundiman Competition First Placer – Ms. Melinda Yuzon (Villa Consuelo Elem School) Second Placer – Ms. Jasmin Perdugas (Naval Night High School) Third Placer – Mylene Real (Naval State University)
Winners of the Folk Dance Competition First Placer – Cathedral School of La Naval Second Placer – Naval State University Third Placer – DepEd- Naval North District
Folk Dance Contest
NAVAL, BILIRAN
Celebrating 150 Years
October 1-2, 2010 / NAVAL TOWN FIESTA
Matron Queen of Naval 2010
Christy Mangco-Huang
HER MAJESTY MATRON QUEEN 2010
Marites Avila-Cuadra FIRST RUNNER-UP
Celebrating 150 Years
NAVAL TOWN FIESTA / October 1-2, 2010
Adora Caneja-Gabisay SECOND RUNNER-UP
NAVAL, BILIRAN
Matron Queen of Naval 2010 Pictorials
NAVAL, BILIRAN
Celebrating 150 Years
October 1-2, 2010 / NAVAL TOWN FIESTA
Matron Queen of Naval 2010 Pictorials
Celebrating 150 Years
NAVAL TOWN FIESTA / October 1-2, 2010
NAVAL, BILIRAN
Naval Institute of Technology (now, NSU) Alumni Homecoming
NAVAL, BILIRAN
Celebrating 150 Years
October 1-2, 2010 / NAVAL TOWN FIESTA
Banda Hudyaka/Marching Band Competition First Placer: Naval Central Elementary School
Second Placer: Cathedral School of La Naval
Third Placer: Naval Sped Center
Celebrating 150 Years
NAVAL TOWN FIESTA / October 1-2, 2010
NAVAL, BILIRAN
Banda Hudyaka/Marching Band Competition Fourth Placer: Caray-caray Elementary School
Fifth Placer: Calumpang Elementary School
Special Awards
Best band majorette – Cathedral School of La naval Best band major – Calumpang Elementary School Most punctual – Calumpang Elementary School
NAVAL, BILIRAN
Celebrating 150 Years
October 1-2, 2010 / NAVAL TOWN FIESTA
Vespers Night
Recognition of the Board and Bar Passers and Takong Party
Celebrating 150 Years
NAVAL TOWN FIESTA / October 1-2, 2010
NAVAL, BILIRAN
Tsinelas Party The fiesta closed with the Tsinelas Party in the evening of Oct. 2. It was attended by a huge crowd filling the streets with people coming from all ages and different walks of life. As in the previous years, Tsinelas Party is one of the most awaited and wellattended activity from among the myriad of Fiesta activities, a party-cum-disco, ballroom, singing for all, in people’s most comfortable attires.
NAVAL, BILIRAN
The concept of wearing Tsinelas (Slippers) democratized the public’s fun during the fiesta night, breaking an old practice of “putting-up barbed-wire fences” to isolate sandal-wearing common folks from well-heeled fiesta revelers and VIPs . Thanks to Atty. Edna Pitao-Honor and the members of Agak Biliran for spearheading the fun.
Celebrating 150 Years
October 1-2, 2010 / NAVAL TOWN FIESTA
Pontifical Mass and Fluvial Procession The Pontifical Mass celebrated by Bishop Filomeno Bactol on the feast day overflowed with people. Priests under the Diocese of Naval plus visiting priests concelebrated with the bishop. With the long but very inspiring homily, and the queuing of people for offertory and communion, the Mass which started at 10:00AM took two hours to finish. At 5:00 in the afternoon was the procession of the image of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary around the town. The procession remained solemn despite the large number of devotees who joined. The over-all theme of the celebration was “Stewardship of God’s Creation.”
The Fluvial Procession was held in afternoon of the Vesper Day wherein the image of the Blessed Virgin was paraded in the local waters following a specified route. The boats were decorated with buntings and flaglets for a more festive look.
Celebrating 150 Years
NAVAL TOWN FIESTA / October 1-2, 2010
NAVAL, BILIRAN
The Meaning of Bagasumbul By Dr. Rolando O. Borrinaga The settlement that became the town of Naval was formerly called Bagasumbul. It was situated in the present Sitio Ilawud of Barangay Caraycaray, which was also called Binungtuan (old town site) by my Waray-waray speaking paternal grandparents. The name Naval and its intended meaning remained fixed and clear through time. It has connection with the sea and with ships and shipping. And it was adopted to commemorate the great victory of the Spanish Navy against the Dutch Armada during the historic La Guerra Naval de Manila in 1646, which was attributed to the miraculous help of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, the chosen patroness for our town.
An artist’s conception of an ancient karakuwa war-boat. A representation of a sumbul is encircled in the prow of the boat.
However, recorded folklore also suggest that Fr. Juan Inocentes Manco Garcia, the founder of our town, used the name Naval to also commemorate the successful defense of Bagasumbul that he had led against three waves of Moro attacks in the 1930s.
conquest” or “an embarrassment to the enemies”? Were these the “war-like” meanings that repelled the colonial authorities from approving Bagasumbul as the name of the new town?
The Spanish colonial authorities appeared to have refused the Bagasumbul name for the new pueblo to be separated from Biliran, when proposed in 1859, because of its “war-like” meaning. Thus the alternative name, Naval, which was legitimized by the erection of the new parish of Naval on September 26, 1860.
Another key word is Karaykaray. Its modern meaning refers to aspects of shallow river water, including its wavelets and ripples and the noise of water rushing down the shallows. Incidentally, the same meaning is associated with Anas, which refers to the ground eroded by the shallow river water.
For some reasons, including sheer forgetfulness and some degree of miseducation, the alleged “warlike” meaning of Bagasumbul got lost in the collective memory. When put down in writing by our elders in 1966, its meaning had been reduced to physical geography, to a “somewhat pointed place (parece punta).” The new meaning referred to a point of land known as Inagawan to the people of Caraycaray, Banderahan to the poblacion residents, and Punta Saban[g] in the 1899 map of Leyte.
But the oldest meaning of karaykaray also referred to people and to a place. The oldest Bisayan dictionary, compiled around 1616 and published in 1711, described the word as “to walk behind the steps [of somebody], and a place for stopover.”
Bagasumbul is a fusion of two Bisayan words, baga and sumbul. It literally means “like or similar to a sumbul.” The oldest known meaning of Sumbul, recorded in 1668, is “a plumage which they tie to the prow [of their war boats] as a sign of their victory or as the greatest sign of conquest.” Until 1957, the word Bagasumbul referred to people, not to geography. A 1954 master’s thesis claimed that Bagasumbul was also the name of the founder of this settlement. A book on Leyte, published in 1914, defined the word as an “embarrassment to the enemies.” Now what caused the settlement, its people, or its founder to be called “like a symbol of a great victory or
NAVAL, BILIRAN
The old meanings of three key words associated with our identity as Navalians raise a set of intriguing questions: Who were the people who did caraycaray, that is, walked behind the steps [of somebody] in a place that also served as a stopover? Were they the followers of the person labeled as Bagasumbul (like a symbol of a great victory or conquest)? What was this great victory or conquest represented by a sumbul in the folk mind? These were the questions that led me to theorize that the great victory suggested by the folk mind was probably the native victory over the Spaniards in the Battle of Mactan in April 1521, that the person referred to as Bagasumbul was Lapulapu of history, and that the people who walked behind his steps were the legions of Lapulapu followers who were among the earliest settlers of Barangay Caraycaray. Celebrating 150 Years
October 1-2, 2010 / NAVAL TOWN FIESTA
Bagasumbul Festival: Halad sa Birhen The “Bagasumbul Festival: Halad sa Birhen” is a dance-ritual portraying the successful defense of Bagasumbul (old name of Naval) led by Fr. Juan Inocentes Manco Garcia and his lieutenants, Pablo Machete (the capitan of Bagasumbul, nicknamed ‘Maglinti’) and Agustin Garcia, Father Garcia’s right hand man, against the three waves of Moro attacks in 1830s. The victory against the Moros was attributed by the natives to the miraculous intercession of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, the chosen patroness of the town. This year’s festival was opened to other delegations outside of Naval, namely: Ibid festival of Caibiran, Tribu Kabatok of Tacloban City, and Lubilubi festival of Calubian.
The Festival started with the traditional street dancing in the major thoroughfares of the town eliciting cheers and support from the excited crowd. The parade ended at the oval of the Naval State University where the competition proper was held. Tribu Kabatok was declared the First Prize winner, besting the other contingents: Lubi-lubi festival, 2nd place and Ibid festival, 3rd place. The contigent from Tacloban City was also adjudged as the best in Musicality and Costume for the colorful attire and props they had. The equally talented contingent of the Naval State University and Cathedral School of La Naval also performed as “guest”.
Naval State University Contingent – Guest performer Celebrating 150 Years
NAVAL TOWN FIESTA / October 1-2, 2010
NAVAL, BILIRAN
Bagasumbul Festival: Halad sa Birhen
The contingent from Cathedral School of La Naval in their best form
Cathedral School of La Naval - Guest performer
NAVAL, BILIRAN
Celebrating 150 Years
October 1-2, 2010 / NAVAL TOWN FIESTA
Bagasumbul Festival: Halad sa Birhen
Tribu Kabatok – First Prize Winner The contingents, rare sturdy movements, uniformly rhyming with the strident catching beat of the drums and the chiming sounds of xylophones, made Tacloban’s pride the grand slam winner in the Bagasumbul Festival.
It was also adjudged as the Best in Musicality and Costume.
Tribu Kabatok was participated in by 140 out-of-school youths (OSY) and students of Marasbaras high school.
Celebrating 150 Years
NAVAL TOWN FIESTA / October 1-2, 2010
NAVAL, BILIRAN
Bagasumbul Festival: Halad sa Birhen
Lubi-Lubi Festival – Second Prize Winner The Lubi-lubi dance festival of Calubian extols the many uses of the coconut parts as costumes, props, and accessories. The dance is also in homage to the town’s patron saint, Our Lady of Fatima.
NAVAL, BILIRAN
Celebrating 150 Years
October 1-2, 2010 / NAVAL TOWN FIESTA
Bagasumbul Festival: Halad sa Birhen
Ibid Festival – Third Prize Winner Ibid Festival of Caibiran town portrays how the town of Caibiran got its name from the species of monitor lizard locally known as “ibid”.
Celebrating 150 Years
NAVAL TOWN FIESTA / October 1-2, 2010
NAVAL, BILIRAN
NAVAL, BILIRAN
Celebrating 150 Years
October 1-2, 2010 / NAVAL TOWN FIESTA