Bicol Traveler Magazine

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DRAFT PROJECT PROPOSAL (2013 – 2016) SOFT LAUNCHING ON JUNE 2013 PROJECT WILL START ON JUNE 2013 ARAMAG: THE FORMER NAME OF GUBAT, SORSOGON Aramag, the former name of Gubat, is thought to have been adopted by Alamag, a Sitio of Tabi that is bounded on the east by barangay Ariman, and the site of the earliest settlement in the municipality even before the coming of the Spaniards.

The prevailing settlements in the Philippines during the pre-Spanish period were usually located in the mouth of rivers and along the shore.

Aramag was then the name of the first settlement in present day Gubat.

It was located in the mouth of Ariman and Aropag rivers with houses scattered around it. It was the center of the activity since in those times the major means of transportation was by boat through seas and rivers.

The Christianization of Gubat, Sorsogon As soon as Gubat became a separate parish from Bulusan in 1777, Fray Geronimo Cabello was assigned the first Parish priest of Gubat. He initiated the construction of a church made of bamboo and nipa, and when it was destroyed by a typhoon, he decided to build a strong church made of lime and stone.

The church however, crumbled after a strong earthquake that preceded the disastrous eruption of Mt. Mayon in February 1814.

Soon the parish church was built, but it was transferred to the present day site at barangay Pinontingan. It was typical for the Spaniards to construct the church facing the presedencia (municipyo, now Bicol University Gubat Campus). However, in the 50s, the church council decided to transfer the main door for the church from the eastern side to the western side as it now appears. The parish celebrates the fiesta celebration every 13th of June in honor of St. Anthony of Padua, and to commemorate the arrival in Gubat of the first friars.

In 1583 the Franciscans began their evangelical work in Sorsogon in the ancient villages of Ybalon and Yguey. They extended their activities to Calaguimi, in Bagatao Island, making it a visita of Yguey the following 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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year. Their sacrifices and patient efforts bore fruit 16 years later, in 1600, when they established Casiguran as the first parish in Sorsogon.

With Casiguran as their base, the Franciscans extended their evangelical work in Sorsogon, notably in Bacon in 1609. By 1617 Bacon separated from Casiguran as a new parish. In turn the Franciscan missionaries in Bacon formed two new visitas, namely, Sorsogon and Dumanaog. Growth in the number of converts eventually led to Sorsogon’s separation from Bacon, in 1628, as an independent mission with Dumanaog as its visita. (Visita is a religious term referring to a village with a chapel where services were periodically performed by a visiting priest). Dumanaog, in turn, separated from Sorsogon in 1641 and became an independent mission. The same progress in gaining converts occurred in Bulusan. Bulusan was a visita of Casiguran until 1630 when it separated and became another parish. In 1646 the Franciscans formed Gate (Bulan) as a visita of Bulusan until 1690 when Gate (Bulan) became independent, too. In 1649 Quipia was also formed as another parish with Donsol as its visita. As the years passed, Donsol also separated from Quipia and became independent in 1688. The succeeding years would further witness the rise of additional towns, such as Gubat, Juban and Bulan. This town forming activities both by the religious ministers and the people would be arrested by the coming of Moro raids and, in most instances, these raids led to the decline, demise, or death of many towns in Sorsogon during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

Evangelization in Sorsogon went hand in hand with Spanish conquest of the province. Fr. Juan de la Concepcion noted that Fr. Alonso Jimenez succeeded in introducing the Faith in Masbate, Sorsogon, and the Camarines since 1569 because he was “protected by the (Spanish) arms.

From Masbate, Fr. Jimenez was said to have landed at the present town of Sorsogon. Together with Fr. Juan Orta, he held mass at Otavi and at the nearby village of Ibalon built the first chapel in Luzon made of nipa and bamboo. While in the province of Sorsogon, the two friars also established the Abucay-Catamlangan mission in Pilar and another one along the Ginagra River in Magallanes in 1570. From 1571 to 1575 Frays Orta and Jimenez pioneered in the conversion of the Bikolanos and in the founding of towns “under the bells”. In 1575 Fr. Alonso returned to Cebu and became prior of the island while Fr. Orta went to Manila and preached in Paranaque. Both died in 1575.

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After the Jimenez-Orta evangelical activities in the Bikol region there was a lag in the efforts to convert the natives. The lack of missionaries partly accounted for this lapse. Although the Franciscans arrived in the Philippines in 1578, it was not until 1583 that they began to spread the Faith in the Bikol region, especially in Sorsogon. Moreover, it was doubtful whether the evangelical efforts of the Jimenez-Orta team gained permanent converts in the area considering that they undertook the efforts in the company of the exploring parties of the Spanish conquistadores. This could be seen in Governor Dasmarinas’ 1591 account which noted, in particular, that all the encomiendas in Sorsogon were in need of religious ministers because the people there were without instruction. Of the various encomenderos in Sorsogon, it was only Don Alonso Pimentel, the encomendero MANOOK: THE BOHOLANO WARRIOR WHO GUBAT, SORSOGON

FOUNDED

It is interesting to point out that town formation was not solely the work of the friars. The Spaniards also encouraged their native allies to help them in forming towns or settling people in newly conquered areas. This was what the Boholanos, the Spaniards’ first and staunchest ally during the early years of Spanish conquest, seemed to have done when some of them, under Don Pedro Manuel Manook, settled on the shores of Gubat and Bulusan, Sorsogon.

Impressed by Spanish arms when Legazpi’s troops appeared in Dapitan, Mindanao, the native Dapitan chief, Pagbuaya, prudently chose friendship rather than armed confrontation. Thus began his close collaboration with the Spaniards. He then guided Legazpi to Cebu, at that time the emporium of Visayan trade and commerce, becoming Legazpi’s base in exploring nearby islands. From Cebu, Pagbuaya brought Legazpi to Isla de Panglao, an island near Cebu, which was the seat of his father’s realm. Pagbuaya’s father was no other than Rajah Catunao (Raha Sikatuna, to many of us). Catunao and Legazpi’s meeting was sealed by a blood compact.

Legazpi made full use of his Boholano ally, especially the brave son of Pagbuaya named Pedro Manuel Manook. The name “Manook,” 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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according to Combes, meant “one who gets easily heated like iron” (fiero, hombre que facilmente se embravece). With this characteristic, Don Pedro must have been in his twenties, for generally only persons at this stage are impetuously brave.

Don Pedro Manuel Manook distinguished himself in serving the Spaniards. He was with Legazpi in the conquest of Kabikolan and Manila. He was also with the Spaniards in various battles against the inhabitants of Mindanao and Sulu where, in an encounter, he personally defeated the 12 joangas under the Joloan king, almost capturing the latter. He faithfully served the Spaniards, and upon his death, he directed his children to inter him as a Christian and he was buried in the Cathedral of Cebu.

The local history of Gubat, Sorsogon mentioned a Don Pedro Manuel Manook as one of the founders, if not the founder, of the said town and who had done much in developing Gubat during its early beginnings. It may be inferred that he was the Pedro Manuel Manook mentioned by Combes who ably aided Legazpi in the conquest of Kabikolan and Manila. Interestingly, this local Gubat lore also mentioned that he was a Boholano. He settled in Gubat. He must have founded the town from the ruins of the precolonial settlement razed by Capt. Andres de Ibarra’s destructive pacification campaign towards the latter half of the sixteenth century. Considering that Don Pedro’s grandfather, Rajah Catunao, was baptized at the age of 120 shortly before he died in 1597, Don Pedro must have lived long, too. The town’s main street, (Manook street stretches from Cota na Daco to Ariman) was named in his honor because he was the first of the town’s inhabitants to be baptized by the friar-missionaries who evangelized the town.

THE FOUNDATION OF GUBAT The Town of Gubat will be celebrating its 250 th Foundation on June 13, 2014.

On June 13, 1764, Gubat became a new pueblo independent from the town of Bulusan. Don Pedro Manook was chosen as the first alcalde actual de naturales.

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The third Tiniente Mayor and the first gobernadorcillo of Gubat, who was Don Pedro Manook, was not Don Pedro Manuel Manook who was with Miguel Lopez de Legazpi sometime in 1564. The generation between the two great Manooks comprise about 200 years.

Don Pedro Manook first initiated the expansion of the pueblo from Cacogonan (Cogon) to Pinontingan, and Malobago (now Brgy. Rizal).

(*Note: St. Anthony Parish Church, photo taken in 1966)

GUBAT HISTORY COFFEE TABLE BOOK Gubat, Sorsogon 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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An Administrative System Memoirs Researched, compiled and edited by:

VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO

Vladimir Estrellado Estocado – HEAD RESEARCHER of the Book “QUEZON CITY COUNCIL: QUEZON CITY HISTORY AND LEGACY COFFEETABLE BOOK” Vladimir Estrellado Estocado was born in Gubat, Sorsogon – spent his 16 years in life; elementary and high school in this beloved town.

Currently a Doctoral Program student of Public Administration in National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) UP Diliman. The 13th grandson of former Vice-Mayor (1953-1957) Carlos “Tatong” Espiel Estrellado and Veronica “Bongkay” Esporlas Fresnoza of Brgy. Pinontingan. Finished his post-graduate studies, Master of Community Development (Major in Planning and Administration) and Diploma in Community Development in College of Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD) - UP Diliman, where he has an extensive training in qualitative research as the Head Researcher of the published book “Quezon City Council, Quezon City History Coffeetable Book”, and as Research Director and Project Head of nine (9) Documentary Films of the rich history and culture of 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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Quezon City. He attended several training workshops on independent digital filmmaking and multimedia arts.

He spent his 2 years in college at Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT) but later transferred to another school where his passion is in politics.

Finished his AB Degree Major in Political Science from Manuel L. Quezon University (MLQU). A graduate of Gubat National High School (GNHS) Batch 1992, and Gubat North Central School (GNCS) Batch 1988.

Honed his leadership skills as President of GNHS’ Student Council Organization (SCO) in 1991-1992. He represents Sorsogon Province in Palarong Bicol in Daet, Camarines Norte when he emerged as the champion in tabletennis in the Sorsogon Provincial Meet in 1990. His other involvements include membership to Junior Chamber International (JCI) Capitol Jaycees, National Economic Protectionism Association (NEPA) and Gubat National High School (GNHS) Batch 1992 Incorporated. but later dropped-out from school and joined several civil society organizations and engaged in exposure and research programs in the urban poor plights in Tondo, Manila; and farmers in Camarines Sur, Quezon province and Camarines Norte.

AKNOWLEDGEMENT: Facebook Youtube Friendster Surohayon Multiply Creative Commons Google Yahoo Wikipedia Gubat Sorsogon Nan Kararani (Facebook) Gubatnons Everywhere (Facebook) Gubat, Sorsogon (Facebook) 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO *In cooperation with UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization) *National Commission for the Culture and Arts (NCCA) *Tourism Councils *Gubat National High School (GNHS) Batch 1992 *Gubat North Central School (GNCS) Batch 1988 (*Note: Ongoing negotiations and sponsorships)

(A coffee table book is a hardcover book that is intended to sit on a coffee table or similar surface in an area where guests sit and are entertained, thus inspiring conversation or alleviating boredom. Pages consist mainly of photographs colorful pictures and illustrations, accompanied by captions and small blocks of text, as opposed to long prose i.e. Magazines.

With this project we are inviting amateur / professional photographers, ICT experts, journalists, researchers, Anthropologists, Archivists and Ph.D retired teachers to join this collaborative effort.)

(References:< http://www.gubatnon.friendster.com> accessed on December 13, 2010)

F. LIST OF PARTNERS AND SPONSORS: (under negotiations)

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G.BUDGET: ITEMS

AMOUNT

SPONSORSHIPS

a. Personnel Services / Professional Fees a. Project Head B. Executive Producer b. Project Director c. Editors d. Lay-out Artists e. Researchers f. Consultants g. Media Coordinator h. Photographers i. Technical Consultants j. Archivists k. 2D Animators l. 3D Animators m. Website Developers n. Marketing Teams o. Marketing p. Legal Consultant H. MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES NEEDED: 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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a. Laptop b. SLR Camera c. Softwares d. Printing Machine e. Bond Papers f. Work Station / Area g. Video Camera

I. WORK PLAN: OBJECTIVES:

ACTIVITIES:

1. To raise funds for fieldwork interviews 2. Obtain oral histories from local historians

Fundraising Campaigns

TIMETABLE Monthly and Quarterly) January 2012 – December 2012

Fieldwork interviews

January 2012 December 2012

EXPECTED OUTPUTS: A marketing team was organized.

– Respondents were interviewed and shared their oral histories. Records were stored electronically on archives or museums.

3. Establish Gubat Obtain April 2012 – June Website presence History websites sponsorships from 2012 online Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Companies 4. Organize Gubat Workshop on June 2012 An organization of Photographers Photography photographers was Club formed 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com 0919-6433430 Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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on June 2012

6. Obtain pictures Data Gathering June 2012 of Gubat Historical sites 7. Lay-out and Lay-out and December 2012 editing editing 8. Final Draft

March 2013

9. Printing

June 2013

10.

Launching

Book

June 2013

An organization of Gubat Filmmakers was formed Pictures were scanned and taken First Draft was edited and pictures were lay-outed Draft was presented to publishers First draft was printed Small gatherings of the editorial team, sponsors, local historians and academe.

WORK SCHEDULES Jan. - April - July March June Sept.

2012 2012 2012

ACTIVITIES:

-

Jan. Oct. Dec. March 2012 2013

April June 2013

1. Fund raising Campaigns 2.Fieldwork Interviews 3.

Obtain sponsorships from (ICT) Companies 4.Workshop Photography

on

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-

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on

6.Data Gathering 7.Lay-out editing

and

8.. Final Draft 9.Printing 10.

Launching

Book

EDITORIAL TEAM: Atty. Ryan V. Filgueras Vladimir “Budz” E. Estocado Cenon “Noning” Fresnoza Gerry H. Dellosa Bonifacio “Bon” Labora

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: CONTRIBUTORS: Dr. Luis Camara Dery Salvador “Buddy” Espano Roel Encelan Albert Estrellado Isaias Estropigan Eduardo Uy, Jr.

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Bonifacio “Bon” Labora

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ART DIRECTORS: Larry P. Gile Sinebiswal Marie Joan Villanueva Robin Tamonan Kerra Balabis Lorenzo Alinsasaguin

PROJECT DIRECTOR: Vladimir “Budz” E. Estocado

PROJECT CONSULTANT: WEB ADMINISTRATOR: Bonifacio “Bon” Labora Agimat Anino

EDITORS: We will invite Ph.D Graduates teachers, retired College professors, Anthropologists, and Journalists from Gubat to participate in the research)

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Romeo E. Enguerra Gubat Sor Nan Kararani Gubat Photographers Club Romy Mariano Larry P. Gile

LAY-OUT ARTISTS: Renato Espinol Chico Dellosa Cleo B. Villareiz Bon Labora

RESEARCHERS: Vladimir “Budz” E. Estocado Roel Encelan Mary Jane F. Fugen Leonila Encela 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO Clemente Villaroya III Romeo E. Enguerra Researchers / Field Work Researchers / Interviewers: Bicol University Students

MARKETING GROUP: Sara Em Joselito F. Hubilla

LEGAL CONSULTANT: Atty. Ryan V. Filgueras Atty. Alexis Bartolome Atty. Christopher “Kit” Belmonte Atty. Edwin G. Engay

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TEACHNOLOGY (ICT) NETWORKS: Anino Agimat

Sinebiswal Marie Joan Villanueva Robin Tamonan Kerra Balabis Lorenzo Alinsasaguin

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ABSTRACT: Gubat town was established by European conquistadores with the help of a native Visayan warrior named Manook who defeated the Moros in the Moro â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Spain war on slave trading and gold searching era. With an administrative development blueprint of building towns and cities in the mold of Spanish communities, foreign administrators implemented the creation of selected towns in the colony archipelago named after the King Phillip of Spain. Reduccion system was a resettlement policy employed by the Spaniards which was designed for a convenient administration of the colonies. It was a forced relocation, using allied natives, imposed by the colonizers to create land based communities. These new settlements include the master plan of consolidating the school, church, plaza and municipal hall in its surrounding area.

During the pre-colonial period, Gubat communities were part of Asiatic and Austronesian tradition of sa-ilud, sa-raya were barangays were located along rivers, coastal areas, and other water systems. Several minor and ethnic groups live in the hills and mountains of Sorsogon. The Spanish authorities enticed the natives to live near the churches or within hearing distance of church bells (in Spanish: bajo de la campana). Looking back, Christianity was introduced based on the Filipino natives' familiarity in animist belief. The faces of the anito and diwata were changed to that of the great saints. The horrifying creatures, such as aswang and kapre were transformed to devils in Christian faith. Fiestas and festivals, then as native ritual feasting, were celebrated in honor of the town's patron saint. Some natives remained firm, not obeying this Spanish imposition. Such were called vagamundos - people living from one town to another so that they'll be "excused" from paying tribute.

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO The most prominent feature of Spanish cities was the plaza, a central area for town activities such as the fiesta, and where government buildings, the church, a market area and other infrastructures were located. Residential areas lay around the plaza.

During the conquista, the first task of colonization was the reduction, or relocation of the indigenous population into settlements surrounding the plaza.

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BICOL TRAVELER MAGAZINE Maiden Issue October 1-31, 2012

PAGE PLAN AND CONTENT SYNOPSIS PAGE

CONTENT

1

Cover Page

2-3 The Gubat Photographers’ Club (GPC) Editorial Team (photo spread, 2 pages) 4

Copyright page / Creative Commons

5

Dedication – FROM SPONSORS / FRIENDS

6

Staff/ Editorial Board - This section will identify the people/ companies/ departments, etc. responsible for the production of the book and their specific roles.

7

Table of Contents

8-9

Foreword by Major Sponsors (2 pages) - Relay the desired message of Sponsors to his constituents. It will also give credit to the people of Gubat all around the world as significant proponents for the town’s growth and development.

10-11

Preface by Sponsors (2 pages) - Will introduce to the reader what the Bicol Traveler Magazine is all about and why the title was chosen for the project.

12-29

CHAPTER 1: History of Gubat, Sorsogon (18 pages) - Will reveal to readers the historical background of the Gubat, how it was created.

- This particular historical version will start with the present, relating Gubat as a potential growth center in Bicol Region and describing the vibrant areas that make it a viable place for business and leisure, while remaining a popular place of residence.

- It will then trace how the major changes were brought about through time, chronicling the most important events and milestones which have shaped Gubat as it is today.

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO 30-31 PAHARANDABAN SAN MGA SURUYAHON COLUMN BY: ROEL ENCELAN 31-32

GUBAT SOR NAN KARARANI (GSNK) COLUMN

32-33

MYLEEN JAO ESPENIDA COLUMN

34-35 GUBAT PHOTOGRAPHERS’ CLUB 2012 ACTIVITIES i.e. Miss Gubat, Medical Mission, Cosplay, Queen Sofia’s Visit to Albay, GNHS Alumni, 36-37 – GPC ACTIVITIES IN 2013 37-40 – SPONSORS *END HERE… FOR COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS…

JUNIOR CHAMBER INTERNATIONAL (JCI) JAYCESS GOES TO BICOL: The term “Bicol” could have been derived from “Bico”, the name of a river which drains into San Miguel Bay. Possible origins also include the “bikul” or “bikal” bamboo tree which line rivulets, and the ancient native word “bikod” meaning “twisted” or “bent”.

The Bicol language is basically Malayo-Polynesian with adaptations of some Arabic, Indian, Chinese, and Spanish words. An agglutinative language, it has a simple structure and an inflection that retains the meaning of the word. Some parts of Masbate and Sorsogon fall linguistically between Bicol and Cebuano.

The Bicol region was known as “Ibalon” variously interpreted to derive from “ibalio”, to bring to the other side; “ibalon”, people from the other side, or people who are hospitable and give visitors gifts to bring home… or as a corruption of “Gibal-ong” a sitio of Magallanes, Sorsogon where the Spaniards first landed in 1567. The Bico River was first mentioned in Spanish documents in 1572. The region was also called “Los Camarines” after the huts found by the Spaniards in Camalig, Albay.

ARCHITECTURE AND COMMUNITY PLANNING: In precolonial times, many Bicol houses were settled on trees for protection from the sun and insects. Towns later grew from settlements established near rice plantations, which were scattered throughout the valley and coastal plains. The 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com 0919-6433430 Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO villages of Handong, Candato, and Fundado in Libmanan, Camarines Sur are believed to have been the site of “pile villages” or lake homes.

In Sorsogon, towns emerged for various reasons. Dery (1991) cites the repopulation of the coast after the 19th century Muslim invasions (Castilla), the establishment of astilleros or shipyards which generated employment and assured protection (Magallanes), the conflict of economic interests (Barcelona), and the conflict of political interests. By and large, community planning has followed the pueblo layout of most Philippine towns, as seen in Nueva Caceres now Naga City, Old Albay now Legazpi City, and all other towns.

A barangay (village) system was in existence by 1569. Records show no sign of Islamic rule nor any authority surpassing the datu (chieftain). Panga lorded over Bua (Nabua); Bonayog, Tongdo, Magpaano, and Caayao were chieftains of Antacodos, Caobnuan, Binoyoan, and Sabang, respectively. Precolonial leadership was based on strength, courage, and intelligence. The natives seemed apolitical.

Thus the datu’s influence mattered most during crises like wars. Otherwise, early Bicol society remained family centered, and the leader was the head of the family.

SORSOGON HISTORY: When the Spanish conquistador, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, who was then based in Panay Island in the Visayas, dispatched, sometime between 1565 to 1570, to this part of the islands an expeditionary force headed by Capitan Luis Enriquez de Guzman, together with their chaplain, the Augustinian friar, Fray Alonso Jimenez, primarily to gather provisions for the starving Spanish force in Panay, and at the same time, evangelize whatever native villages they might come upon in the course of their foray, the group stumbled upon a small fishing village at the mouth of the Ginning River, in what is now the Municipality of Magallanes.

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This was the village of Gibalong, the very first Christian settlement in the island of Luzon. It was here where the first mass in Luzon was celebrated by the Augustinian friar, Fray Alonso Jimenez.

Thus, the name Ibalong, to refer to the whole of Bikol Region, really came from this small fishing village, Gibalong, which is now a mere sitio of Barangay Siuton, in Magallanes town, where the local parish constructed sometime in the 1970s a small wooden chapel and a concrete historical marker on the site. In some old Spanish maps, the Spanish cartographers even retained the original spelling by identifying, either the whole Bikol Region or parts of it – Tierra de Gibalong. In his book, From Ibalon to Sorsogon: A Historical Survey of Sorsogon Province to 1905 (New Day Pub. QC, Philippines, 1991), Dr. Luis C. Dery writes, “Historical records showed that the Spaniards started using the name Ibalon as early as 1567 to refer variously to a pre-Spanish native settlement in Sorsogon Gulf, to the entire Bicol Region, and sometimes to the entire island of Luzon. The Spaniards’ indiscriminate use of this name was due to their inadequate knowledge of Bicol geography at the outset of their exploration and conquest of the region. Gradually, they were able to delimit Ibalon and the rest of Kabikolan’s territory.”

MAGALLANES, SORSOGON Known to the Spaniards as Encoienda de Yguey, with two visitas - Parina and Caditaan. The present townsite of Magallanes is the, then, visita of Parina. With the approval of the Spanish colonial government, the town was founded on April 30, 1859, upon the initiative of Spanish abaca trader, Don Manuel de Castro. The name of the town was chosen in honor of the first circumnavigator of the world, Ferdinand Magellan. De Castro, who was operating a astillero, became the first gobernadorcillo. Magallanes became an independent parish on December 11, 1863.

It is in Magallanes where Gibalong (now sitio San Isidro) is located, at the mouth of Ginangra River, reputed to be the place where the first Christian mass in Luzon 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com 0919-6433430 Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO was celebrated. The name ibalon or Tiera de Gibalong, which is also used to identify the Bicol region at the time, came from the name of the place - Gibalong.

It is also in Magallanes where Bagatao Island can be found. It is considered as one of the most important and biggest shipyards at the time, where some of the biggest and most magnificent Spanish galleons were built. It was then known as the Real Astillero de Bagatao Sorsogon became a province, separate from the Province of Albay to which it was formerly attached, in 1894. This is the reason why, in 1994 the centennial foundation anniversary of the Province started to be commemorated and celebrated with a festival â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Kasanggayahan Festival â&#x20AC;&#x201C; every October of each year.

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POLITICAL SYSTEM: The Spanish quickly organized their new colony according to their model. The first task was the reduction, or relocation of native inhabitants into settlements. The earliest political system used during the conquista period was the encomienda system, which resembled the political system known as Feudalism in Medieval Europe. The conquistadores, friars and native nobles were granted estates, in exchange for their services to the King, and was given the privilege to collect tribute from its inhabitants. In return, the person granted the encomienda, known as an encomendero, was tasked to provide military protection to the inhabitants, justice and governance. In times of war, the encomendero was duty bound to provide soldiers for the King, in particular, for the complete defense of the colony from 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO invaders such as the Dutch, British and Chinese. The encomienda system was abused by encomenderos and by 1700 was largely replaced by administrative provinces, each headed by an alcalde mayor (provincial governor). The most prominent feature of Spanish cities was the plaza, a central area for town activities such as the fiesta, and where government buildings, the church, a market area and other infrastructures were located. Residential areas lay around the plaza. During the conquista, the first task of colonization was the reduction, or relocation of the indigenous population into settlements surrounding the plaza.

As in Europe, the church always had control over the state affairs of the colony. The friars controlled the sentiments of the native population and was more powerful than the governor-general himself. Among the issues that resulted to the Philippine revolution of 1898 that ended Spanish rule was the abuse of power by the religious orders.

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GUBAT HISTORY: Gubat was originally a small barrio of Bulusan, inhabited by a few Tagalogs, Visayans and Albayanons who travelled on foot to hunt wild animals. These people built their homes close to the shore and called their location Buri, which today is the barrio of Buenavista. In 1764, Gubat finally became a town with Don Pedro Manook, the first Teniente del Barrio, also becoming the first gobernadorcillo.

The word "gĂşbat" means forest in Tagalog. However, the name applied to the town is derived from the verb "guinobat", a term used by the natives which means "raided". In the early days when Christians and Muslims were constantly at odds, Muslim pirates would come in from the southern seas to raid the town. Because of the frequent raids, the town was referred to as "guinobat" which eventually became "Gubat".

Legend has it that during one of those raids, the pastor along with the townspeople held up a statue of St. Anthony to ward off the attack, praying for a miracle. In one account, it was said that the child Jesus in St. Anthony's arms drove back the pirates. St. Anthony of Padua became the town's patron saint and his feast day is lavishly celebrated as an official parish and town holiday every13 June.

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(Moro Pirate) The town settlers had to move a number of times before finally deciding to settle at a place they considered safe and peaceful. Eventually, they began to expand, laying out permanent streets, the first of which are what we now know as Luna and Calderon Streets.

The main parish church itself has an interesting history. In 1768, the people decided to build a church. The locals, being poor, urged the town captain, Don Juan Bonifacio, to require all men to contribute one cubic meter of "talaksan" (coral stone) apiece. It took ten years of preparation and it was not until 1778 that construction finally started.

Although it has since undergone several renovations, the church foundation is still the original one built in 1778. The rectory is the oldest and one of the only two remaining rectories dating back that far in the entire Bicol region.

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(St. Anthony of Padua)

PRE-HISTORIC: 1The Gubatnon forebears could have been those who have settled in Jupi or Tigkiw-na-Saday or Bulacao during the Formative Filipino Period (1,000 BC to 500 AD). These assertions were supported by archeological explorations in Barangays Jupi and Bulacao by a team from the National Museum in the 1960â&#x20AC;˛s. In a museum established by the Sorsogon Arts Council, a primitive stone tool found by Mr. Venancio Funtanares, a Gubatnon, is kept.

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(Ancient stone tools)

(Ancient stone tools)

The excavations made in Jupi unearthed an ancient jar and vessel decorated with strips of clay. It had been concluded that the early settlers in Barangay Jupi had been there by 800 AD. or even earlier. Meanwhile in Tigkiw-na-Saday, also a rural and hilly Sitio of Barangay Tigkiw like Jupi, a burial site was discovered in 1978 which suggested that the group of people that lived there had probably settled in that place between 200 BC. to 200 AD. If this could have happened, it can be estimated that from then on, the settlement in Gubat had already early existed for more than 2,000 years.

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO Recent diggings in Barangay Ariman, the place where the river that originates in Bentuco meets the sea, also reveal that the people who lived in this town were influenced if not actually populated by a number of foreigners. The jars removed underneath revealed that they were used as burial jars as some of them contained necklace beads and some precious stones.

(Burial jars)

THE PRE-SPANISH GUBATNON: A 1572 document mentioned that there were already 41 settlements within Sorsogon during that time, 34 along the Sorsogon Gulf and 7 in eastern Sorsogon.

Gubat belongs to the settlement along the eastern coast the others being Bacon, Bantugan, Danlog, Bulusan, Busaingan and probably Tagdon. When the Spaniards arrived in Sorsogon in 1569, they were surprised to find the inhabitants living peacefully. Fr. Jose Casta単o, a missionary, described the early Bicolanos (including the early Gubatnons) as a race of impetuosity and valor fond of social dealings; more intelligent and vigorous, more active, industrious and warlike, and adjusted to live in compact villages.

THE RAIDS: 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO The prevailing settlements in the Philippines during the pre-Spanish period were usually located in the mouth of rivers and along the shore. Aramag was then the name of the first settlement in present day Gubat. It was located in the mouth of Ariman and Aropag rivers with houses scattered around it. It was the center of the activity since in those times the major means of transportation was by boat through seas and rivers.

(*Note: Pre-Spanish Filipino trading)

It was in this place that another version of why the name of Gubat came about originated.

Several years after Magellan set foot on Mactan Island, Christianity was spread throughout Luzon. In the Eastern part of province of Sorsogon, the Franciscan 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO missionaries established only two churches. One of them was built in Bacon and another one in Bulusan. These two towns developed much earlier than Gubat. It was also the period when the raiders made frequent raids all over Visayas and Luzon Meanwhile, a group of missionaries started their voyage by sea from Bacon to Bulusan. Halfway, they encountered a heavy storm that destroyed their ship forcing them to land at Aramag in the morning of June 13, 1731.

Before reaching the heart of the settlement, the missionaries heard several villagers shout “Gubat!” “Gubat!” (Raid! Raid!) to give warning to the people after a number of Moro joangas were seen nearing the shore for the surprise attack. The friars, thinking that they had made the villagers scamper around, tried to pacify them. The villagers, nevertheless, continued to shout “gubat!” “gubat!” ignoring the friars.

The friars escaped the Moro raid by taking the hills southward until they reached the settlement at Bulusan. Somehow, the name “Gubat” struck and thereafter, it was used whenever the place is being referred to.

Aramag, the former name of Gubat, is thought to have been adopted by Alamag, a Sitio of Tabi that is bounded on the east by barangay Ariman, and the site of the earliest settlement in the municipality.

EARLY SETTLERS AND ORIGIN: As in all parts of the Philippine Archipelago, the early settlers of the town may had been the Aetas who must have came from Central Asia during the Paleolithic Period or some 250,000 years ago.

However, the actual settlers could have been people in the advance stage of civilization because in the archeological find in Barangay Jupi in 1968 revealed that one burial jar unearthed contained some bones and a stone ax. The presence of shreds porcelain and pottery suggested that the early settlers were in constant touch with foreign traders particularly from China In the Tigkiw-na-Saday burial site find suggested that the early settlers that actually lived there thrive between 200 BC to 200 AD.

THE ANCIENT SLAVE MARKET (Before April 7, 1521 when Magellan entered the harbor of Cebu (Sugbu), July 8, 1669 when the Augustinian missionary, Fray Martin de Rada (or Herrada), writing from Cebu to the Viceroy of Mexico, mentioned that “many merchants of Luzon, Bornei, Xolo and other parts travel continually throughout these islands, and the 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com 0919-6433430 Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO object of their search is either gold or slaves”. In 1573 Captain Diego de Artieda, in his Relacion de las Islas del Poniente Ilamadas Filipinas”

For two centuries and a half (before April 7, 1521 and after July 8, 1669), the coastal towns of the Bisayas, Luzon and Mindanao were subject to the devastating raids of either the Maguindanaos of Cotabato or the Maranaos of Lanao or the Tausugs and other ethnic groups of Jolo and the Sulu archipelago. Most of the captives were from the Bisayan Islands, a fact which may explain why in some Muslim areas the word “Bisaya” is taken to mean slave. In other parts of Luzon, slaves may mean “oripon”, olipon, uripon”.

Some of the raids were small, and only a handful of slaves were taken. But there are raids on record which represented a major effort on the part of the captors and a major calamity on that of the captives. In July 1599 the Maguindanaons under two Datus, Sali and Sirongan, with 3,000 men in 50 vessels attacked the island of Panay, destroying and pillaging the villages and carrying off 800 Bisayans as slaves. The following year (1600) an even larger force of 4,000 men in 70 ships carried of 800 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO captives from the island of Bantayan in the Cebu group, and another 600 from Panay.

The Calamianes Islands off Palawan were frequent targets of attack. In one raid 700 captives were taken. Another frequent target of attack were the coastal villages of Leyte and Samar. In the year 1754, the Muslim raiders attacked three times: in March, in June, and in July. Even Luzon was not spared, and there is record of the raiders attacking close to Manila. The coastal villages of Southern Luzon (Batangas, Tayabas, and the Bicol provinces) were often attacked.

ORIGIN OF THE NAME: A. LEGEND: Long ago when people still fear the wrath of "rabrabs" who devour people particularly the newborn, the people of the villages, now called the town of Gubat, was not spared. In fact, the town became the favorite hunting ground of "Tagulipnan" because the settlement was already populated due to the bountiful catch of the fish in the sea. The beast would often lurk during moonlight nights.

Tagulipnan is known to be a nocturnal half-bird and half-man monster that possesses the power of invisibility. It was believed that after devouring a victim 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO Tagulipnan would hibernate for 15 days when the moon does not give light, and would appear as soon as the moon provides its earliest trickle of light.

The early settlers tried to engage the beast to no avail. Many times had they relocated their houses to escape the menace of the beast but many times also they were haunted and caught bringing even more death. And when the people would put a heavy resistance, the beast would use his power of invisibility and would struck with awed anger. The helpless victims would soon learn to hide their babies.

Some of them escaped the death verdict but some of them are caught especially when the Tagulipnan would sneak without being seen.

The people, led by Aramag, Maragadao and Mararag, made a covenant to fight it out to the last man, knowing that they'll die anyway.

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Tagulipnan had foreseen the event and instead of fighting the settlers face to face, inflicted them with more sufferings by driving all the fish in the sea nearby and caused typhoons to destroy the crops.

Helpless as they were when Tagulipnan reigned over the skies, they renewed their faith in the Supreme Being and asked for his blessing and help.

One day, a warrior named Mardawan and flanked by three soldiers appeared before the asthonized villagers. They wondered where the warrior with shining armors came from. Aramag readily informed Mardawan of the sufferings they experienced under the grip of Tagulipnan.

Soon, Mardawan and the three soldiers, accompanied by Aramag, Mararag and Maragadao, kept watch over a hill where Tagulipnan usually wait for the sacrifice.

When the beast showed up the warriors and the local leadership awaited for the attack. The monster, however, eluded them by using his powers. At day break, the 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO warrior heard the news that another have been snatched from the arms of his mother by the unseen beast.

This prompted Mardawan to seek divine help. He requested a day's communication with his Supreme Superior and at day's end, he was ready for the final encounter.

As soon as sun set and the moon gave its reflected light, Mardawan and the three soldiers stood guard on the top of the hill overlooking the settlement, Mardawan sounded the "bodyong" and all the fish in the sea nearby soared above with all their force towards Tagulipnan.

The beast tried to use his powers, but the multitude number of "bugiw", "malasugi" and "manabang" pinned down Tagulipnan before he could use his powers. The once vicious beast now lay prone on the ground with hundreds of "bugiw" and "malasugi" still pinned and in the beast's lump body.

The villager swiftly learned of the raid by school of fish. Soon they were shouting "Ginubat" "Ginubat" with joy and happiness.

At the sound of another "budyong" call, the people came out from their hiding place and buried the remains of the monster along the shore. A merry making was held on that day.

The people, up to now, never fear the resurrection of the Tagulipnan because it was believed that the burial site of the beast is the hilly part of the Barangay Buenavista traversed by the provincial road to Barcelona which now is the Department of Agriculture Breeding Station.

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO The three soldier believed to have stayed on guard over the burial ground in case Tagulipnan is freed from its graveyard and given life again. "Tolonggapo" or the three coral reefs in the middle of Gubat Bay are thought to be the three who came with Maradawon.

Maradawon was believed to have transformed himself to Handawan Island, which until now, is the fish sanctuary and other marine products which continuously provide the Gubate単os with food supply.

B. THE RAIDS: The prevailing settlements in the Philippines during the pre-Spanish period were usually located in the mouth of rivers and along the shore. Aramag was then the name of the first settlement in present day Gubat. It was located in the mouth of Ariman and Aropag rivers with houses scattered around it. It was the center of the activity since in those times the major means of transportation was by boat through seas and rivers.

It was in this place that another version of why the name of Gubat came about originated.

Several years after Magellan set foot on Mactan Island, Christianity was spread throughout Luzon.In the Eastern part of province of Sorsogon, the Franciscan missionaries established only two churches. One of them was built in Bacon and another one in Bulusan. These two towns developed much earlier than Gubat. It was also the period when the raiders sometimes called the "Joloans" made frequent raids all over Visayas and Luzon.

Meanwhile, a group of missionaries started their voyage by sea from Bacon to Bulusan. Halfway, they encountered a heavy storm that destroyed their ship forcing them to land at Aramag in the morning of June 13, 1731.

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO Before reaching the heart of the settlement, the missionaries heard several villagers shout "Gubat!" "Gubat!" (Raid! Raid!) to give warning to the people after a number of Moro joangas were seen nearing the shore for the surprise attack. The friars, thinking that they had made the villagers scamper around, tried to pacify them. The villagers, nevertheless, continued to shout "gubat!" "gubat!" ignoring the friars.

The friars escaped the Moro raid by taking the hills southward until they reached the settlement at Bulusan. Somehow, the name "Gubat" struck and thereafter, it was used whenever the place is being referred to.

Aramag, the former name of Gubat, is thought to have been adopted by Alamag, a sitio of Tabi which is bounded on the east by barangay Ariman, the site of the earliest settlement in the municipality.

EARLY SETTLERS AND ORIGIN As in all parts of the Philippine Archipelago, the early settlers of the town may had been the Aetas who must have came from Central Asia during the Paleolethic Period or some 250,000 years ago.

However, the actual settlers could have been people in the advance stage of civilization because in the archeological find in Barangay Jupi in 1968 revealed that one burial jar unearthed contained some bones and a stone ax. The presence of shreds porcelain and potteries suggested that the early settlers were in constant touch with foreign traders particularly from China.

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In the Tigkiw-na-Saday burial site find suggested that the early settlers that actually lived there thrive between 200 BC to 200 AD.

THE LEGEND OF THE TEN BORNEAN DATUS: The legend says that in the 13th century, 10 datus or chieftains from Borneo left their land together with their families and friends to escape the cruelty and injustice of Sultan Makatunaw, the ruler of Borneo.

The ten datus were: Datu Puti (the leader), Datu Bangkaya, Datu Dumalugdog, Datu Sumakwel, Datu Lubay, Datu Paiburong, Datu Dumangsil, Datu Balensusa, Datu Paduhinog and Datu Dumangsol.

They sailed on their balangays (vintas or boats) without knowing where to go.

Finally they reached Panay Island. They bought the island from the chieftain of the Atis or Aetas who were then occupying the island. The chieftain's name was Marikudo and his wife was Maniwantiwan.

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO Three of the datus decided not to settle in Panay but to sail northward. The three were: Datu Puti, Datu Balensusa and Datu Dumangsil. They settled in some parts of Luzon. When Sultan Makatunaw was no longer in power, Datu Puti returned to Borneo.

The seven datus who stayed in Panay divided the island into three areas: Hamtik (now Antique), Irong-Irong (now Iloilo), and Aklan (now Aklan and Capiz). Hamtik was under Datu Sumakwel, Irong-Irong was under Datu Paiburong, and Aklan was under Datu Balangkaya.

THE FIRST GUBATNON WITH A NAME: After the legendary ten Datus from Borneo bartered Panay Island with a Golden Salakot from the native Negrito ruler, Marikudo, the two Bornean datus named Datu Dumangsil and Balkasusa sailed North and settled in Kumintang (now Batangas) and Kaliraya (now Quezon) and later migrated to the Kabikolan.

Gat Silo, a direct descendant of one of the two datus established settlement in Aramag. His reign was inherited by his direct descendant, Bintolan. Bintolan's time was full of misfortunes as his reign marked the frequent Moro raids forcing him to evacuate his people to Malobago (now Rizal), Cacogonan (now Cogon) or Bulalacao (now Bulacao).

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DON PEDRO MANUEL MANOOK: THE FOUNDER The municipality of Gubat has a street in the poblacion named after Manook, and a barangay also called Manook.

Similarly, the town's history recounts the Pedro Manook's. Discussed in this section is Don Pedro Manuel Manook, the Founder.

Fr. Francisco Combes, in his writings during the middle of the 17th century, relayed that when Juan Miguel Lopez de Legazpi visited Bohol, it was Pagbauya, son of Raja Catona (Sikatuna), as the first native to befriend Legazpi. Pagbauya was instrumental to the famous blood compact of Legazpi and Sikatuna as he was the one who introduced the two to each other.

Combes wrote that Legazpi made full use of his Boholanos "ally" especially the brave son of Pagbauya who was Christianized and named Pedro Manuel Manook.

According to Combes, the name "Manook" meant to one who gets easily heated like an iron. Don Pedro was then in his twenties, for generally, only person at this stage, are impetuously brave.

Don Pedro Manuel Manook distinguished himself in serving the Spaniards. He was with Legazpi in the conquest of Kabikolan and Manila. He was also with the 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO Spaniards in various battle against the raiders from Mindanao and Sulu, where, in an encounter, he personally defeated the twelve joangas under the Joloan king almost capturing the latter. Don Pedro settled in Gubat and was one of the founders of the Municipality of Gubat. He must have rebuilt the settlement in Gubat from the ruins of the pre-colonial destruction during the half of the 16th century. He faithfully served the Spaniards, and upon his death, he directed his children to inter him as a Christian and he was buried in the Cebu Cathedral.

DON PEDRO MANOOK IN ILIGAN CITY: Sometime later a certain Pedro Manook, a protege of Legaspi, with his men from the already Christianized Dapitan in Zamboanga, lay seize to the settlement.

Manook and his men were remarkable fighters and in no time subdued the settlement. Those that refused subjugation especially the Maranaos took to the hills.

This marked the establishment of the first Christian settlement in the fabled land of the Maranaos, as the springboard of the initials efforts to Christianize Lanao.

The year suggested was 1557 or 1609, reckoning from the year the Recollects, the first of the Missionaries that came, were assigned to Iligan. The Jesuits followed 1939.

After the demise of Manook, his son-in-law Gonzalo Maglinte and grandson Pedro Cabilin whose mother was supposed to be the legendary Maria Uray, carried on with his zeal and courage. Their tenacity withstood the onslaught of the Muslim natives to regain the lost settlement. Iligan in the ear became the staging points of the long and futile efforts of the Spanish Commander Francisco de Atienza and Fray A. Agustin de San Pedro.

SUBDUING THE NATIVES It was customary policy of the Spaniards colonialist to achieve their ends whatever means they employ. The Spaniards initial moves when they chance upon a village or provincial settlements was to send interpreters, not with gifts or presents, not to preach to them or speak to them things venerable about God, but to order them to submit to the Spaniards conquistadores and pay tribute immediately, and to be friendly with the Castillans.

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Since the Spanish will was new to the inhabitants, it led to confusion which later drove them to the hills. The angered Spaniards follows and mercilessly kill them.

It was instinct that made the natives of Sorsogon to resist the Spaniards. Although they never attacked the Spaniards, still they defend themselves in all then villages and would not surrender unless cornered by a force of arms.

So in 1569, Spanish Captain Luis Enriquez de Guzman sent Captain Andres de Ibarra the following year to Kabikolan to subdue the inhabitants.

THE ATTACKS OF THE MINDANAOANS AND JOLOANS The first major attacks of the Moro raiders in Ibalon and other provinces started in the year 1616 and continue almost every year thereafter. The heaviest raid by the Moro attacks happened in 1740 and 1746 giving heavy destruction to Gubat.

Whenever Moro raiders attacked the province of Sorsogon, almost all developed towns or villages that the raiders knew were attacked.

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO The fiery battle participated in by a Gubate単o was recorded on October 25, 1818, when a naval squadron composed of the launches of Albay Viejo, Gubat, Malinao and Casiguran, intercepted more than 20 pancos of raiders near Tabogon Bay. The squadron was led by Don Jose Blanco; Don Bernardo Hantelman, Chief of the launch of Casiguran; Don Pedro Vera, chief of the launch of Albay; and Don Pedro Luis (Cabang), chief of launch of Gubat. The squadron was able to defeat the raiders at sea.

The raiders brought havoc to many villages and the natives. Most affected by the pillage is the development of the town because the people were forced to move inland to escape being captured or killed.

The population of Gubat from 1782 onwards shows some considerable decreases in number. Example was in 1783. In 1790 the population decreased by 139 from 3023 in 1789 and 2884 in 1789. The decrease was noticeably prevalent until 1793 when the municipality counted 2484 residents. From 1794 to 1799 there was an increase in population but would decrease again in 1800 and 1801. Again there was a decrease in 1812 by 387 persons, and 1823-1824. This was perhaps caused by Moro raids.

Year Population Year Population 1782 - 2,550 1797 - 2897 1783 - 2,296 1798 - 2957 1784 - 2,474 1799 - 3215 1785 - 2,682 1800 - 3164 1786 - 2,825 1801 - 3129 1787 - 2,865 1802 - 3200 1788 - 2,985 1811 - 4449 1789 - 2,985 1812 - 4060 1790 - 3023 1813 - 4073 1791 - 2884 1814 - 4173 1792 - 2519 1815 - 4397 1793 - 2484 1816 - 4597 1794 - 2604 1817 - 4692 1795 - 2757 1818 - 4907 1796 - 2776 1819 - 5105 1820 - 5273 1830 - 5458 1821 - 5371 1831 - 5356 1822 - 5011 1855 - 7759 1823 - 4972 1856 - 8083 1824 - 4896 1857 - 8113 1825 - 5104 1858 - 8147 1827 - 5374 1859 - 8369 1828 - 5339 1860 - 8693 1829 - 5490 1886 - 10499 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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The Spanish war against the Moro raiders was too costly for them that on January 1, 1799, a commander of the Spanish Naval fleet recommended that the war against the Moros could be undertaken by the native inhabitants themselves but directed and assisted by the colonial government. Subsequent, the various towns in the Kabikolan held their "juntas celebradas" (general meeting) where the inhabitants committed themselves to contribute men and vessels and participate actively in the war against the Moro raiders.

The town of Gubat held their meeting on April 21, 1799 and decided also to build two (2) "lanchas" which incidentally were commanded by Capitan Pasados Don Juan Alexo and Don Juan Phelipe Prado, both well-known for their bravery against the Moros.

The impact of the Moro raids in Gubat and vicinity, due to its exposed location along the San Bernandino Strait, was manifested by the numerous baluartes and castillos that dotted its coastlines. By 1799, then the seven towns comprising 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO Sorsogon (Bacon, Bulusan, Casiguran, Donsol, Juban, Gubat and Sorsogon) dotted their coastlines with baluartes.

The town of Gubat and its four visitas of Tagdon, Danlog (Barcelona), Ariman and Bagacay had their respective baluartes and castillos. Bagacay has one baluarte, Gubat, 4; one watch tower (castillo); and one baluarte each for Tagdon and Danlog.

The defenses of Gubat centered on its church. The church was surrounded by four baluartes de piedra and a castillo. The stockpile of arms for these baluartes included 6 bronze (caliber 0.5, 1, 2, 4), and 5 ca単ones de fierro (caliber 2, 3, 4).

POLITICAL ORGANIZATION: ENCOMIENDA 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO When the expeditionary forces of Juan de Salcedo and Captain Chavez reached the Kabikolan, as Father Francisco Colin, writes, they observed that the ancient Bicolano society was called the Barangay composed of three distinct classes the datu, or principal; the dulujan or workers which constitute the majority of the society; and the oripon or slaves.

Immediately after the villages in the Kabikolan were subdued by the conquistadores, the native political organization called the barangay was replaced by the encomienda system.

The encomienda system was the first form of political organization that the Spaniards established in the province of Sorsogon. It was the cheapest means by which the Spanish rulers could reward the faithful service rendered to them by the conquistadores.

On May 16, 1572, Legazpi divided Sorsogon into various encomiendas. On May 23, he assigned the villages of Bacon, Bantogan (Prieto Diaz), Ariman (Gubat), Danlog (Barcelona), Bulusan and Busaingan (Sta. Magdalena) to Pedro Arnedo. In 1582, the encomienda had a population of 2940. It was called the Encomienda de Bacon y Busaingan.

This encomienda was then taken over by Captain Antonio de Vera in 1627, who later gave it up to Ayudante Martin de Adaro in the same year. Adaro and his wife, Do単a Ynes de la Pe単a supervised the encomienda until 1673 when, after the death of de la Pe単a, it was next awarded to Captain Miguel de Castelu. The encomienda or the villages particularly, were freed from the encomiendero's rule in 1695.

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CHRISTIANIZATION The establishment of the encomiendas in the province was not only for the purpose of collecting tributes (taxes) from the inhabitants but also for the evangelization through the Franciscan Friars.

As soon as Gubat became a separate parish from Bulusan in 1777, Fray Geronimo Cabello was assigned the first Parish priest of Gubat. He initiated the construction of a church made of bamboo and nipa, and when it was destroyed by a typhoon, he decided to build a strong church made of lime and stone.

The church however, crumbled after a strong earthquake that preceded the disastrous eruption of Mt. Mayon in February 1814.

Soon the parish church was built, but it was transferred to the present day site at barangay Pinontingan. It was typical for the Spaniards to construct the church facing the presedencia. However, in the 50s, the church council decided to transfer the main door for the church from the eastern side to the western side as it now appears. The parish celebrates the fiesta celebration every 13th of June in honor of St. Anthony of Padua, and to commemorate the arrival in Gubat of the first friars.

The friars did not only concentrate on the christianization of the Gubate単os but also helped in the proper identification of inhabitants. The reason why the majority of Gubate単os are surnamed with the Letter "E" as the first letter, as in other towns with the respective letter-assignments, was attributed to an order of Alcalde Mayor Narciso Claveria. Following that order, Don Juan Fernando, the gobernadorcillo of Gubat in 1849; assigned surnames to the people of Gubat with the help of Father 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO Ramon de Sta. Ana. The surnames assigned to Gubat begins with a letter "E", as in Bacon/Prieto Diaz, "D"; and Bulan, "G".

LOCAL ADMINISTRATION When the encomienda system was installed, the first thing that friars did was divide it into various cabecerias or barangays each headed by a cabeza de barangays or district chief. Gubat, as a visita of Bulusan for almost 150 years, was headed by a Cabeza de Barangay. From 1750, the visita was headed by a Tiniente Mayor under the following persons.

Don Francisco Sioson - 1750 Don Juan Olivares - 1751 Don Pedro Manook - 1752-53 Don Pedro Bergara - 1754 Don Luis Gulaybar - 1755 Don Francisco Olivares - 1756 Don Juan Magbanua - 1757-58 Don Juan Olivares - 1759 Don Pedro Demayo - 1760 Don Pedro Acacio - 1761 Don Juan Hermogildo - 1762-63

THE FOUNDATION OF GUBAT On June 13, 1764, Gubat became a new pueblo independent from the town of Bulusan. Don Pedro Manook was chosen as the first alcalde actual de naturales.

The third Tiniente Mayor and the first gobernadorcillo of Gubat, who was Don Pedro Manook, was not Don Pedro Manuel Manook who was with Miguel Lopez de Legazpi sometime in 1564. The generation between the two great Manooks comprise about 200 years.

Don Pedro Manook first initiated the expansion of the pueblo from Cacogonan (Cogon) to Pinontingan, and Malobago.

The list of presidentes of Gubat and their terms are: Don Pedro Manook - 1764 Don Francisco Diason - 1765 Don Domingo Espiritu - 1766 Don Juan Olivares - 1767 Don Francisco Bergara - 1768 Don Andres Bonifacio - 1769 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO Don Juan Mariano - 1770 Don Juan Sacay - 1771 Don Juan Hermogildo - 1772 Don Pedro Demayo - 1773 Don Pascual Magpayo - 1774 Don Francisco Cristobal - 1775 Don Francisco Clemente - 1776 Don Juan Olivares - 1777-78 Don Juan Bonifacio - 1779 Don Sixto Fajardo - 1780 Don Juan Bonifacio - 1781 Don Francisco Nicolas - 1782-83 Don Juan Bonifacio - 1784 Don Juan Mariano â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1785

ELECTORAL SYSTEM UNDER THE SPANISH RULE Leadership during the Spanish Era was one wherein the Cura Paroco pulls the strings. Prevailing them was the manner of choosing who would be the gobernadorcillo of the town. And in most cases, when there were no oppositions or contradiction against a candidate coming from the principales, and the Guardia Civil, a mere certification from the cura paroco, will catapult a prospective leader into the seat of gobernadorcillo. This form of favoritism occurred in the towns of Magallanes, Barcelona, Pilar and Gubat.

In this town during the 1881 Local elections, Don Juan Guardian topped the election with Don Juan Escurel in second place. What the Cura did was to issue a certification that Don Juan Guardian was ignorant of the Spanish language and that Don Juan Escurel speak the language fluently.

The Alcalde Mayor of Albay had no choice but to concur with the Cura. Don Juan Escurel was recommended and he was appointed as gobernadorcillo of Gubat for the 1881-1883 term.

During the period, the manner of selecting a gobernadorcillo did not include the participation of all people in the town. Only a few, actually twelve (12) local residents, were chosen to form the electorate. The members of the electorate then choose, by majority vote the gobernadorcillo form among the candidates.

The 1881 election in Gubat, besides the Cura Paroco, centered on the following persons: Don Juan Guardian- Candidate Don Juan Escurel- Candidate Don Rafael Hernandez- Candidate 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO Don Paulino Escobedo- Electorate Don Pedro Espe単o- Electorate Don Estevan Sta. Ana- Electorate Don Florentino Jason- Electorate Don Valentin Pura- Electorate Don Liverato Estrellado- Electorate Don Antonio Solano- Electorate Don Juan Escurel- Electorate Don Vicente Enciso- Electorate Don Antonio Escosa- Electorate Don Remigio Estavillo- Electorate Don Ambrosio Escobedo- Electorate The list of Gobernadorcillos that headed the town of Gubat are as follows: Don Diego Fajardo - 1786 Don Agustin Benoso - 1787 Don Juan Bonifacio - 1788-89 Don Gregorio Pura - 1790 Don Agustin Benoso - 1791 Don Juan Eugerio - 1792 Don Francisco Nicolas - 1793 Don Fernando Rosales - 1794 Don Francisco David - 1795 Don Andres Camacho - 1796 Don Juan Alejo - 1797 Don Felipe Prado - 1798 Don Jose San Buenaventura - 1799 Don Juan Domingo - 1800 Don Agustin Benoso - 1801 Don Juan Eugerio - 1802 Don Juan Bergara - 1803 Don Francisco Antonio - 1804 Don Jose San Buenaventura - 1805-06 Don Pedro Asia Lonasco - 1807 Don Jose San Buenaventura - 1808 Don Nicolas Baldovino - 1809 Don Esteban Mariano - 1810 Don Jose San Buenaventura - 1811 Don Pedro Asia Lonasco - 1812 Don Juan Eugerio - 1813 Don Feliciano Roberto - 1814 Don Francisco Ygnacio - 1815 Don Luis Pura - 1816 Don Agustin Benoso - 1817 Don Francisco Semeon - 1818 Don Juan Ygnacio - 1819 Don Francisco Paulino - 1820 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com 0919-6433430 Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO Don Nasario Casta単eda - 1821 Don Pedro Benedicto - 1822 Don Gregorio Pura - 1823 Don Juan Paulino - 1824 Don Pedro Luis Cabang - 1825 Don Francisco Quinto - 1826 Don Juan Francisco - 1827 Don Juan Gregorio Millano - 1828 Don Gervacio Fajardo - 1829 Don Lorenzo Pura - 1830 Don Nicolas Baldovino - 1831 Don Rodocindo Cleto - 1832 Don Santiago Solano - 1833 Don Basilio Micael - 1834 Don Aurelio de Guzman - 1835 Don Mariano Romualdo - 1836 Don Martin Marcelino - 1837 Don Micael Leonardo - 1838 Don Roman de Jesus - 1839 Don Andres Salazar - 1840 Don Nazario Quinto - 1841 Don Juan Lamberto - 1842 Don Mariano Faustino - 1843 Don Fabian Simeon - 1844 Don Roman de Jesus - 1845 Don Clemente Pura - 1846 Don Francisco Sator - 1847 Don Juan Simeon - 1848 Don Juan Fernando - 1849 Don Andres Salazar - 1850 Don Servando Escurel - 1851 Don Mariano Endeno - 1852 Don Mariano Espinola - 1853 Don Camilo de Lelis - 1854 Don Esteban Fajardo - 1855 Don Pantaleon Lelis - 1856 Don Tiburcio Besid - 1857 Don Vidal Ere単o - 1858 Don Camilo de Lelis - 1859 Don Domingo Ere単o - 1860 Don Pablo Enaje - 1861 Don Vicente Ensisco - 1862 Don Tiburcio Besid - 1863-64 Don Esteban Fajardo - 1865-66 Don Pio Enaje - 1867-68 Don Remegio Estavillo - 1869-70 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO Don Juan Escurel - 1871-72 Don Tomas Endeno - 1873-74 Don Juan Bautista Pura - 1875-76 Don Gavino Encela - 1877-78 Don Rafael Hernadez - 1879-80 Don Juan Escurel - 1881-82 Don Rafael Hernadez - 1883-86 Don Juan Escurel - 1887-88 Don Eugenio Espedido - 1889 Don Cirilo Fajardo - 1890-91 Don Antonio Camara - 1892-94 Don Rafael Hernadez - 1895-97 Because of the municipal reforms made in 1893, the title given to the head of the town was changed from gobernadorcillo to capitan municipal. In this case, Don Antonio Camara and Don Rafael Hernadez were the first and last capitan municipal, respectively.

Some the more important accomplishments during this period include the construction of the municipal building.

In 1861, Don Pablo Enaje, the gobernadorcillo, formulated a development plan for the poblacion. His plans consisted mainly of the physical arrangement/ structure of the town residential center which was readily approved by the Alcalde Mayor of the Province of Sorsogon.

Enaje proceeded with the construction of the poblacion streets and named them after Christian saints.

In 1882, Don Rafael Hernandez implemented the clearing and opening of the long poblacion street which he named Calle Real (now Quezon St.).

The completion and success of a self-help project for the reconstruction of the parish church prompted Don Gavino Encela in 1878 to construct a municipio through similar means. So that in that year, the needed materials such as coral stone, lime, tangguli and others were provided by the Gubate単os is exchange for the cedula. The municipio, however, was completed several years after Encela initiated the construction in 1878.

GUBATNONS AND THE REVOLUTION The participation of Gubate単os in the fight for freedom from Spanish rule was not well documented except for a few whose exploits mirrored the desire of Gubate単os for freedom.

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO The Spaniards' disrespect to the Gubate単os capability was again demonstrated in 1892. It was the year when the liberalism spread in the Kabikolan probably because of the writing of Dr. Jose P. Rizal and other patriots.

In 1892, Don Juan Escurel topped the election in the election for gobernadorcillo.

However, he was disqualified because the Guardia Civil and the Administracion Depositaria de Hacienda of Albay certified that he was known for his anti-Spanish views. His disqualification made Don Antonio Camara the town's gobernadorcillo.

To preempt the natives of Sorsogon and Albay from joining the revolutionary movement, able-bodied residents were enticed to enlist in the guardia civil. One such recruit was Baldomero Escobedo who witnessed the execution of Dr. Jose P. Rizal at Bagumbayan field.

Also during that period, a company of native volunteers and militants was organized in effort by the Spaniards to quell dissent. So on February 11, 1897, just over a month after the execution of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the governors of Albay and Sorsogon sent over 500 Bicolano volunteers to Cavite and Central Luzon to reinforce the Spaniards fighting off the Katipuneros.

In July 1897 however, these men who served the Spanish Army's campaign against the Katipuneros in Central Luzon returned to Bicol and spread the news that the fight for independence is growing in the countryside.

Two months later, during the first week of October 1898, two Filipino generals sent

by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo liberated Albay and Sorsogon from the hands of the Spaniards. The two generals were Ananias Diokno and Riego de Dios.

On October 6,1898 Gen. Diokno, through Don Mariano Adriatico supervised the first election of the revolutionary government. The elected leaders were: Jefe de Pueblo/Presidente - Angel Camara Vice Presidente - Faustino Escurel Delegado de Rentas - Santiago Camara Delegado de Policia - Luis Silvestre Delegado de Justicia - Rafael Silvestre Cabeza de Malobago - Luis Esteller Cabeza de Payawin - Vidal Floranda Cabeza de Carriedo - Antonio Camara Cabeza de San Ignacio - Ramon Hernandez Cabeza de Jupi - Bonifacio Adao Cabeza de Tiris - Lorenzo Estargo Cabeza de Bagacay - Florencio Espedido Cabeza de Calao - Florentino Joson 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO Cabeza de Buenavista - Esteban Esperida Cabeza de Bulacao - Andres Pura Cabeza de Sta. Ana - Ciriaco Endeno Cabeza de Bentuco - Juan Bon Cabeza de Union - Potenciano Ere単o Santiago Camara , right, Delegado de Rentas

UNDER THE AMERICAN RULE When the shooting incident on February 4, 1899 in Sta. Mesa, Manila precipitated the Filipino-American war, Sorsogon and the Bicol peninsula were not immediately drawn into the war. But in May 1899, when the Americans blockaded the gulf of Sorsogon, Col. Armando Arian, then the military governor, convened all the town presidentes, and enjoined them to fortify their towns and arm their ablebodied men with bolos, and arrows.

The Americans came to Sorsogon on January 20,1900 under Brig. Gen. William A. Koabbe and established many garrisons in the province. Koabbe located Company "C","I", and "L" in Gubat. The other companies were stationed in Donsol, Bulan and Sorsogon.

Col. Arian, instead of engaging the Americans, opted to withdraw to Albay and then to Nueva Caceres where he became sick. The soldiers under him suffered the same fate because of the long walk, and the exposure to rain and the hot weather. It was in Naga where a Gubate単o sergeant wrote to his father about their plight. The letter reads: "Cuidadano Sr. Fernando Escota, Sa awa ng mahal na Dios, wala na anumang balakid ang aking paglakad kaya ngayon ay narito na kami sa Naga.

Gayon pa man Tatay, walang ibang pakay itong aking sulat kundi huwag ninyo akong kalilimutan sa paghingi ng patnubay sa Mahal na Dios, at sa kay Sr. Antonio de Padua, pati na kay Nuestra Sra. de Salvacion na iligtas ako sa anumang mga kapahamakan at hindi ako magkasakit pati na ang akoy makauwi nang maluwalhati sa bayang nilakhan.

Kaya Tatay, ikaw ang nakakaalam diyan sa lahat at si Serapia at Lucena, mag-ingat sila sa mga kasamaan dito sa mundo, lalo na ang huwag madagtaan ang kanilang pagkababae. At huwag kayong makalilimot sa Mahal na Dios sa pagde"devocion".

Raymundo Escota

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO Mr. Citizen Fernando Escota By the grace of God, our travel was peaceful and we are now in Naga (City). Yet, Father, the purpose of this letter of mine is for you there not to forget me in praying for Almighty God, to protect me as well as to St. Anthony de Padua and Nuestra Sra. de Salvacion to presence me against any harm and sickness that I may able to return home safely: So, Father, you are the one who knows everything there, also with Serapia and Lucena, that they be careful against all worldly evils, especially in preserving their womanhood. Please do not forget praying before Almighty God.

Raymundo Escota Col. Amando Arian's flight to Nueva Caceres when the American Forces stepped on Sorsogon soil delegated the command to Lt. Col. Emeterio Funes as politico military governor.

In March 1900, Colonel Funes' forces attacked the garrison in Gubat and burned part of the town in an attempt to drive away the Americans and also to arrest the spreading pro-American sentiment in the town. The attack, however, failed because they were poorly armed. Besides, a part of the attacking forces was sent to Bacon to besiege the town and execute its American-appointed town presidente. The attacked also failed.

Because of the superior power of the Americans, Col. Funes finally surrendered on February 21, 1901.

The Sorsogue単os however did not stop their fight for freedom. Shortly after Funes has surrender, Francisco de la Cruz, a lieutenant under Funes, established a Katipunan society to carry on the resistance against the Americans. He immediately organized 400 armed men and, until his capture in November 1901, posed a threat to the occupation force.

Antonio Colache reorganized the insurgents and he was assisted by his comrades-inarms like Isaac Gimao, Esteban Di単o, and Francisco Estipona, a Gubate単o.

The exploits of Colache and his men included the killing of a pro-American police sergeant in Bulusan, the ambush by Colache himself on a detachment dispatch to locate him, he was a hero.

Like Funes, Colache was also captured by the Americans together with his assistants like Captain Isaac Gimao and Pablo Encinares on May 24, 1903.

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO The following persons served the American regime as Presidente of Gubat: Don Angel Camara - 1898-1900 Don Florentino Escurel - 1901-1903 Don Cipriano Rocha - 1904-1905 Don Ireneo Rocha - 1906-1907 Don Getalio Escurel - 1908-1909 Don Antonio Rocha - 1910-1911 Don Procopio Fajardo - 1912-1915 Don Valentino Fajardo - 1916-1919 Don Pascual Escurel - 1920-1922 Don Clemente Villarroya - 1923-1925 Don Justino Encinas - 1926-1931 Don Cayetano Garcia - 1932-1934 Don David Lelis - 1935-1937 The following municipal leaders were called Mayors: Don Esteban Escalante - 1938-1940 Don Angel R. Pura â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1941

THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION At the outbreak of World War II, Gubat was immediately occupied by the Japanese Army. In fact on December 14, 1941, six days after the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor, the Japanese under Lt. Naito established their garrison in the munisipio.

Three months after, on March 18, 1942, the first enemy engagement occurred when Rafael Padrique a PC soldier, tried to free Lt. Demdam, a prisoner of the Japanese.

The gunbattle occurred in sitio Balig-ang, in barangay San Ignacio. Padrique was able to kill four Japanese before being himself killed by the Japanese.

Fortunately, the Gubatnons did not experience Japanese atrocities mainly because the majority of the Gubatnons soldiers saw action in Bataan and vicinity where the heavy fighting is concentrated. Most of the Gubatnons then saw frequent dogfights between American fighter planes and Japanese Kanikaza fighters which fought over the control of San Bernardo strait. The pass where navies of the war protagonist usually traverse en route to Manila from the Pacific.

The Gubatnons also experienced the in-fighting of guerrillas who, instead of fighting only the Japanese aggressors, quarreled with another guerilla unit. Because of the many guerilla units organized within the province, they often times maneuver things to gain political control. Among the units organized were those under the commands 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO of Gov. Salvador Escudero; Maj. Licerio Lapuz, former Provincial Commander; one by Lt. Manuel Escudero, one by Ceferino Malig and one by Manuel Olondriz.

One casualty by the intramurals between the guerilla units was the abduction and summary execution of Captain Osmundo Espaldon, a native of barangay Buenavista. Espaldon caught the ire of Escudero's group when he refused to join the latter. He died on December 30, 1943.

Another incident was the killing of Clemente Villarroya by the guerrillas on suspicion that he was supporting another unit. Villarroya was the former presidente municipal who served in 1923-1925.

In 1969, Congressman Salvador R. Encinas honored with a monument located in the municipal compound the following Gubatnon soldiers who, like himself, fought the Japanese army.

SORSOGON WAR VETS RECALL BLOODY FUED Almost six decades after the Philippines was liberated from Japanese forces in 1945, war veterans in Gubat, Sorsogon are still disturbed by a bloody rivalry that had hounded the guerilla movement during that period of turmoil.

Retire US Army Colonel Rafael F. Holazo, 90, who stays in Gubat, said the rivalry involved two groups fighting the Japaneseâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;one organized by a former Sorsogon governor, and another formed by a former Philippine Constabulary officer.

Ex-Gov. Salvador Escudero initiated the formation of one group in April 1942, while an ex-PC commander known only as Lapuz formed another unit, which operated in the entire Bicol.

Holazo said he was then amnsargant major of the Philippine Scouts Regiment of the US Army when he was sent to Sorsogon to look into the matter. He found out the 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO two factions demanded loyalty from the recruits, thus splitting the guerilla movement in the province.

The rivalry is a historical scar that is bitter left untouched and forgotten, he said.

Veterans’ Accounts But candid accounts made by several veterans revealed a story of power struggle, a battle for supremacy and official recognition from Allied command between Escudero and Lapuz.

Escudero, whose members were mostly civilians, earned recognition from the Allied command from the Allied forces under Gen. Douglas McArthur and assumed leadership of the resistance movement in Sorsogon in the latter years of the war.

The Lapuz group, organized by “Moting” Espaldon in Gubat in April 1942, was composed mostly of survivors of the infamous Death March, police and military personel who were active before the war broke out.

EDUCATION AND CULTURE As recounted by the Ibalong Epic, the education of the Bicolanos probably begun after the visit into the region of some foreigners but necessarily be not this Spaniards. The Handyong or the epic, tells about the white men (tawong-lipod) who came from the Botovara settling and ruling Bicolandia and its natives. The group was headed by Handyong who gave the Bicolanos wise laws and government.

Handyong's friend include Kimantong who taught the people how to make boat rudder (timon) and sail (layag), the flow (arado) and harrow (surod), the ganta, the yoke, bolo and hoe; Hablom, who taught the art of weaving (hablon); Dinahong, who taught pottery, and Sural, who taught the art of writing (surat).

Centuries before the Spaniards landed on Philippines soil, the people of Sorsogon have been using a native 1433 calendar divided into twelve months of 30 days each, except the last calendar which had 36 days. The early Bicolanos themselves had also developed their own system of writing. The historian Antonio de Morga observed that the language used in Manila extend not only in Camarines but also to the rest of Bicolandia. The early Bicolanos use three vowels (a/e/i/o/u) and twelve consonants. De Morga noted "that all natives write in this language".

Five years after Miguel Lopez de Legaspi landed in the Spaniards. The subjugation was began in 1569 by Spanish Captain Luiz Enriquez de Guzman and finished by Capt. Andres de Ibarra in 1570. The fury of the Spanish arms left a lasting impression in the minds of natives that most of them took the hills to flee. In 1583 the Franciscan friars began their evangelical work in the province and won the hearts of the people. So the inhabitants would learn Christianity and they stated to worship and pray. The children aged up to 14 would start their day with a mass, then to the "convento" to learn.

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO In Gubat, the "caton or the cartilla" was introduced during the middle part of the 18th century. When the Parish of Gubat was separated from Bulusan in 1771, Fray Geronimo Cabello was assigned as the first parish priest. He continued the cartilla in the convento until during the middle of the 19th century when classroom teaching was introduced. A year after the Americans took the reign of government in 1900, Dr. Bernardo Monreal was elected Provincial Governor of the Sorsogon.

Immediately, he implemented the construction of the first concrete school building made of lime and stone in Gubat that now bears his name. Years later the Gabaldon and Alonzo building were added to the Monreal building. The school building catered only to elementary pupils. High School students then would have to go to Sorsogon to enroll.

In 1924, Father Tomas Dernales opened the Gubat Catholic School but due to lack of funds and the introduction of free elementary education, this folded up in 1936.

THE MUNICIPALITY OF GUBAT The Municipality of Gubat occupies 15,431 square hectares of land located in the East Coast of the province of Sorsogon. It is bounded on the north by the municipalities of Bacon and Prieto Diaz, on the south by municipality of Barcelona, on the west by the City of Sorsogon and Casiguran and on the east by the vast Pacific Ocean. Majority of its people speak the local dialect known as Gubatnon, which many say is a cross between the Bicol Language and the languages in the Visayan Region. In the town is known to be inhabited by people whose surnames begin with the letter â&#x20AC;&#x153;Eâ&#x20AC;? (Estocado, Estrellado, Esporlas, Espaldon, Espiel).

Among its tourist attractions are Rizal Beach, Dancalan Beach, Kalayukay Beach, the Liyang Caves (one in Barangay Paco, another in Barangay Bagacay), the weeklong Fiesta Celebration, the Semana Santa church rituals and ceremonies, the 18th century edifice of the Catholic Church and the export-quality handicraft products. Gubat is a 3rd class municipality (as of 2002) with a population of 55,000, where 75% are living in 34 rural barangays. The rest live in the eight barangays located in the town center. Gubat has about 97% literacy rate with a highly significant number of its people having reached secondary education. The average family income is less than that of the national poverty level and it is estimated that 35% of the number of families derive their income from agriculture, 32% from services and self-employment activities, 20% from labor, 5% from fishing, 4% from employment in the government, 3% from small-scale businesses, 2% from trades and crafts, and 1% from private employment. Agriculture, in effect, is the main source of income for a great number of people.

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HOW GUBAT, SORSOGON GOT ITS NAME: Gubat got its name from the many raids it suffered during the early days of its existence. (Gubat in the local dialect means “invasion”, “raid”, or “attack”).

It was in Ariman where the Spanish missionaries founded the village on June 13, 1731. These friars who were on their way from Bacon to Bulusan landed on the shores of Aramag after a heavy storm had wrecked their ship in the Aramag Gulf (now called Alamag) the previous night. Coincidentally, Moro vintas that had presumably sought refuge in the gulf during the storm were also seen that June 13 morning near Malobago (now Rizal) mangrove. After landing, the friars followed a trail brought them to the Ariman settlement.

Upon seeing them, the villagers mistook them for the Moros and started to run away shouting “gubat!” “gubat!” (a raid! a raid!) fearing that another raid was being launched by the Moros who had been regularly raiding the village. The astonished friars, thinking that the people were afraid of them, tried in vain to explain their mission, but the people continued running away and shouting “gubat!” “gubat!”.

The friars’ question (which the people did not understand anyway) as to the name of the place got the same word “gubat” for an answer. The missionaries somehow made their way to Bulusan and made a report to the authorities, saying that they had found a new village named “Gubat”. Some of the missionary founders returned to Gubat to Christianize the people.

WHY THE SURNAMES IN GUBAT BEGIN WITH “E” (by Isaias Estropigan) …Following an order of Governador Narciso Claveria, Don Juan Fernando, Gubat’s Governadorcillo in 1849, assigned surnames to the people of Gubat with the help of Father Ramon de Sta. Ana. The list of surnames which began with the letter “E” was brought by Spanish soldiers and missionaries who had just left with the authorities in Bacon all surnames beginning with the letter “D” for distribution to the people of Bacon and Montufar (now Prieto Diaz).

ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA PARISH, A LITTLE EARLY HISTORY: (By: Isaias Estropigan0 June 13 of every year has always been a special day for Christianized Gubatenos / Gubatnon since June 13, 1731 when the missionary founders dedicated Gubat to God in honor of St. Anthony of Padua. Thirty-three (33) years later, on June 13, 1764, Gubat officially became a Pueblo independent of Bulusan.

Although the missionaries were instrumental in the creation of Gubat into a Pueblo, Gubat became a parish separate from that of Bulusan very much later. In 1777 the 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO parish of Gubat was finally separated from Bulusan and Fray Geronimo Cabello, a Franciscan missionary, was assigned as the first parish priest.

Fray Cabello immediately constructed a church of bamboo and nipa in Cacogonan (now Barrio Cogon), but this was destroyed by typhoons. With the help of tributes given by the people, which amounted to no more than 600 pesetas a year, he constructed another church of lime and stone which he dedicated in honor of another Franciscan missionary of world renown – Saint Anthony of Padua – most probably in commemoration of that June 13 morning 1731 when the first missionaries first set foot on Gubat. Fray Cabello did not limit his attention to the construction of the new church. Noting how fearful his flock was of Moro raids, he worked hard with the civil authorities and constructed a stone watchtower at the mouth of the Handauan River which led to Cacogonan (now Cogon).

While the new church was strong enough to withstand typhoons, it was not so as earthquakes were concerned. During the earthquake which preceded the disastrous eruption of Mayon Volcano in 1814, this new church crumbled. Its reconstruction fell on the shoulders of Father Eulalio Prudencio who opted to transfer it to the site of the Pueblo chosen earlier by Don Pedro Manooc, and this was the place called Pinontingan which was protected by a thick mangrove and thorny bamboo called “marurugi”. But because the place was quite swampy Father Prudencio chose to build a church, also of lime and stone, on the outskirts of Pinontingan, where it still stands to welcome all worshippers to its fold…

CONTEMPORARY GUBATNON LOCAL GOVERNANCE Mr. Roman G. Enguerra Mr. Juan Oscillada Mr. Jose L. Espenida Mr. Juan Farenas Mr. Juan Quiñones Mr. Gregorio Oliva Mr. Eugerio Floranda Mr. Alejandro Escota Mr. Antonio G. Fulay Mr. Juan D. Fajardo Mr. Jose L. Espenida Mr. Carlos Espiel Estrellado – Vice Mayor 1953-1957 (father of Councilor Elena “Nanette” Estrellado Estocado Mr. Francisco de Leon Mr. Angel Escurel Mr. Tito Escandor Mr. Dionisio Fajardo 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com 0919-6433430 Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO Mr. Patronilo Estropia Mr. Pascual Entico Mr. Cornelio Eco Mr. Antonio G. Fulay Mr. Roger de Monteverde Political Eagles of 1934 Mayor Angel Pura, Sr. Mayor Alejandro Encinas

BARANGAY HISTORIES 1. ARIMAN Ariman is derived from the name of a river which originates from sitio Ariman (Odoc) of Barangay Bentuco, this municipality. The river's mouth to the Pacific Ocean is where barangay Ariman is located.

The historic Ariman is believed to have been the place of early settlers in the town.

One version of the origin of the name "Ariman" was that instance when the Spaniards, looking for the route inland, asked the villagers which river will lead to the mountains. The villagers replied "Arin man", meaning "whichever" route one takes, all will lead up to the mountains.

A former sitio of Barangay Buenavista, Ariman officially became a barangay in 1906 in honor of Nuestra Se単ora del Carmen and San Francisco de Asis. The First Teniente del Barrio was Custodio Estrellado. The breeding station as seen from the picture above was constructed in this barangay. Today, what remains is the foundation still visible from the road.

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO It was in Ariman where the Spanish missionaries founded the village on June 13, 1731. These friars who were on their way from Bacon to Bulusan landed on the shores of Aramag after a heavy storm had wrecked their ship in the Aramag Gulf (now called Alamag) the previous night. Coincidentally, Moro vintas that had presumably sought refuge in the gulf during the storm were also seen that June 13 morning near Malobago (now Rizal) mangrove. After landing, the friars followed a trail brought them to the Ariman settlement.

2. BAGACAY Elders oftentimes related that the early settlers in Tan-awan, the previous name given to Bagacay, were composed mainly of people who came from the island of Samar. These Samare単os occupied themselves by clearing lands, through "kaingin". Stories handed down to the present inhabitants tell that these Samare単os came to the place to flee the marauding pirates during the early 17th century.

Nevertheless, Tan-awan was one of the places in Gubat that was frequently raided by the Moro pirates who came to loot, capture men and women and children to be sold as slaves. Because of the frequent raids, the natives, with the aid of the Spaniards, built a watch tower near the seashore to serve as a warning post in case of Moro attacks. On this watch tower which was called Moro de Centencion, was raised a red flag whenever there was an attack to warn the people of Tan-awan, Montufar and Gatbo.

The word "bagacay" was attributed to a man from Calao who went to the poblacion to pay his tribute. But when asked from what place he had came from, the man failed to recall the name of the place. He, however, explained that the place is noted for the plant "borobagacay", a species of bamboo thriving well beside the river banks. From then on, the old Tan-awan name was replaced by the new name Bagacay.

3. BALUD DEL NORTE AND BALUD DEL SUR "Balud" to the Gubatnon means wave, and oftentimes this was referred to the place where huge waves as high as a tree would threaten the residents thereat.

The story tells about properties in the place being destroyed and engulfed by the big waves. It was on a time when the residents were on performing their daily routine when three huge waves appeared in the horizon posing a threat to the place.

Out of the three waves, only one was able to hit land. The wave however, was not that strong to cause heavy damage. The religious attributed their safety to the miraculous acts of Se単or Sto. Ni単o, then the Patron Saint of the town.

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO Originally, there was only one place called "Balud". In 1965, when Republic Act No. 3590 was enacted by Congress, the place was divided into Balud del Norte and Balud del Sur. The first Teniente del Barrios for Balud del Norte and Balud del Sur were Constancio Billones and Loreto Flestado, respectively.

4. BENGUET Barangay Benguet was formerly known as Enob-oban, a sitio of barangay Malobago (Rizal). The progress of barangay Benguet started first as an "ermita", on the place of religious worship and activities. The ermita was established to relieve the early inhabitants of the inconvenience in observing every religious activity in the mother barangay which was Rizal.

Before the establishment of the ermita, religious activities were held in different places in the sitio. This prompted the residents to look for a permanent place where the patron saint could be housed. With the benevolent gesture of Alfonso Estavillo, a hectare of land was donated for the construction of the chapel and the place of religious activities.

The establishment of the ermita attracted the residents to build their houses near the chapel. Soon they initiated the separation from barangay Rizal to create a new barangay. The group of residents who wanted the creation of a new barangay was composed of Marcelo Escalante, Domingo Estorninos, Alfonso Estavillo, Rufino Escasinas, Juan Encela, Mariano Federeso, and Gervacio Endraca. Endraca became Benguet's first Teniente del Barrio.

Barangay Benguet was established in 1896 during the time of Presidente Municipal Valentin Fajardo. The name "enob-oban" was retained until the year 1908 when it was changed to Benguet through a suggestion by Presidente Municipal Clemente Villarroya who compared the place to that of Benguet in the Mountain Province because the settlement is on a plateau.

5. BENTUCO The name Bentuco was coined from the name of a tree "Boro-bentuco", which during the early day thrived abundantly in this place. As the settlers increase in numbers, a settlement was established. The growth of the settlement resulted to the cutting down of trees, boro-bentuco among them, the needed space.

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO Bentuco was officially recognized as a barangay in August 10, 1920 and its first administrator of Eduardo Dellosa, Teniente del Barrio.

Cadaop in 1926

6. BERIRAN Before 1937, the residential houses of this community were claimed to be part of several barangays like San Ignacio, Sta. Ana, Cogon and Cota na Daco.

Because of this situation, the residents were subject to different governmental decisions that often bring misunderstanding. So in 1937, the inhabitants of sitio Beriran, through the initiative of Apolonio Erlano, Segundo Escuriaga and Ignacio Espallardo decided to establish their own barangay.

The first Teniente del Barrio of Beriran was Apolonio Erlano who administered the affairs of the barrio until the outbreak of World War II in 1941. In 1958, Barangay Beriran was officially recognized as a separate political unit.

This barangay was so named after a big beriran tree which grew at the center of the barangay a the time of the establishment of the community.

7. BUENAVISTA Barangay Buenavista is among the earliest settlement that existed in Gubat, it being along the shore. The name Buenavista was adopted and used by the inhabitants after it was uttered by a Spaniard.

When the Spaniards came to rule over the islands, and when these lorded over Gubat, the trail used by Spaniards going to Bulusan was via Malobago and Danlog.

Before reaching Malobago a settlement had to be passed. This was the settlement at Buenavista.

Three Spanish soldiers on horseback departed for Bulusan via Malobago. As the three reached the top of the trail, they notice that the eastern side provide a scenic view. The Spaniards commented "Muy bien es este lugar-buena vista". The other added, "Si, Si, muy bien pasar otro este calle para vista la blanco de agua mar".

The conversation was overheard by a native and repeated if throughout the settlement. Since, then, the inhabitants called their beautiful place Buenavista. The barangay was host to a national Boy Scout jamboree held in 1958.

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8. BULACAO Bulacao is a shortened word derived from bulalacao (bulalakaw) or meteor.

According to stories told by the elders, the early settlers were a group of nomadic hunters headed by a woman named Maria Boncala. The hunters chose the place because it provided them bountiful game and fertile land.

One night, while some of the hunters were waiting for their traps to catch wild animals, a "bulalacao" or meteor, which shot from above, landed nearby. The hunters saw this and started to look for the bulalacao for they believed that the possession of the anting-anting (amulet) will give them powers.

They continue their search day and night until a stranger passed by and asked them the name of the place. The hunters readily replied "bulalacao" not understanding the language the stranger was using.

After a few weeks, the stranger returned accompanied by some couples together with their belongings. The strangers who were from Albay sought the permission of Maria Boncala to stay in the place and was granted.

Barangay Bulacao is one of the oldest barrio or barangay in Gubat. It was believe that Bulacao was recognized as a barrio in 1870 and its first head was Tomas Escurel.

9. CABIGAAN Barangay Cabigaan had been a sitio of Bulacao. The sitio was headed by a "Segundo Teniente del Barrio" whose appointment came from the Teniente del Barrio of Bulacao was Leon Funelas, then a 60-year old resident and assistant to the Teniente del Barrio of Bulacao with respect to the administration of the sitio.

In January 1952, Leon Funelas called a community assembly and there discussed various matters affecting their sitio. Among the thing approved and given priority attention was the establishment of their own Ermita, a center for religious activities which at that time is the dominant pre-occupation of the people. Not long after the community assembly, the barrio folks through self-help, constructed a barrio chapel to house their patron saint San Isidro.

The construction of the barrio chapel and later the construction of a temporary school building, caused the concentration of regular activities in the sitio that they seldom go, if ever, to their mother barangay for their religious and other activities.

A few months later, Mr. Eutiquio Esquillo donated a one-hectare lot to the sitio to be used as a school campus.

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO The concentration of activities in their own sitio lead to the severance of this sitio from their mother barangay and eventually to its registration as a separate barangay.

Barangay Cabigaan derived its name after a plant of the giant gabi family known locally as "Biga", which, at that time and even up to the present, thrived abundantly along the sides and banks of creeks. "Cabigaan" means a place Biga is abundant.

10. CABIGUHAN Barangay Cabiguhan was named after a palm tree known locally as "bigo".

The bigo tree thrived abundantly in that place during the early days. "Cabiguhan" means a place where bigo is abundant.

Before 1940, Cabiguhan was a sitio of barangay Jupi. It was declared a separate barangay on May 15, 1940 and its first Teneiente del Barrio was Andes Heron.

11. CARRIEDO Barangay Carriedo, total land area was originally part of Barangay Payawin and Barangay San Ignacio. In fact, both barangay claims Carriedo as their sitio.

In 1860, a group of fine elders spearheaded the move to separate their place from the two barangays. The group made a success and named their barangay Carriedo from the letters of their family names - Camara, Sarmiento, Buenaobra, Esparas and Fajardo.

Not long after this barrio have been established, they vote to elect their first barangay administration and their Hermano. As a result of that election, two of the five elders were elected to the following positions. Esparas as Teniente del Barrio and Camara as Hermano. During those times, these two position positions are associated with each other.

The first patron saint of Carriedo was Sra. de Salvacion, however, during the Filipino-American War, the chapel was burned including the image of the patron saint. After the war, the people replace the burnt image with a new one, but this time they called it Sra. Dela Paz de Buenviaje. Others recall that the origin of the name of the barangay was through the image of Patron Saint Sra. Dela Paz de Buenviaje because below the image is engraved "Carriedo, Quiapo, Manila", the place where the image was made.

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12. CASILI Barangay Casili derived its name from a freshwater fish belonging to the eel family known locally as "Casili". This fish u to now, can be chance upon in the barangay creeks and rice fields.

The terrain of the barangay is hilly and between these are creeks with water that do not dry up even during summer.

Barangay Casili had been a sitio of Payawin until June 1948 when it finally became a separate and distinct political unit. On the elections held in the barangay immediately after its creation, Mr. Jose Nicolas was elected as its first Teniente del barrio.

13. COGON The name "cogon" was derived from the name of the plant belonging to the grass family known locally as "cogon". Its first name was "Cacogonan" meaning grassland.

Cacogonan was first inhabited by Gubate単os who stayed after fleeing from the Moro raids on the poblacion and other places. The place was such a refuge because they were concealed by the high and abundant cacogonan.

Cogon had been a sitio of Barangay Tiris and it became an official barangay only in the year 1914. Barjildo Estabaya was the first Teniente del Barrio.

14. COTA NA DACO The word "cota" or "kuta" in the local dialect denotes a concrete structure.

The origin of the name of this barangay was derived from such word.

Before the poblacion was divided into eight (8) barangays, Cota-na-Daco was a purok located on the northern part of the poblacion. The purok was being distinguished by a landmark called the "cota-na-daco", which in actuality, was the concrete remnants of a bridge on the Mararag river constructed during the Spanish time. The "cota" has now been replaced by a modern bridge constructed on the same location.

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO There also existed the cota-na-saday which is not far from where the "dako" is located. It is, however, a box culvert installed for a creek. The box culvert is not within the jurisdiction of the poblacion.

When Republic Act No. 3599 otherwise called the Revised barrio Charter, purok Cota-na-Daco became a full pledged barangay. The first Barangay Captain of Cotana-Daco was Cesar Estillero.

15. DITA Barangay Dita was formerly a sitio of Barangay Jupi. Before it became a barangay, the sitio was named Caragomoy, After a plant called the same name which was abundant in that time. But because of a big "Dita" tree that have grown at the center of the sitio, the people change the name of their sitio to Dita.

16. JUPI Barangay Jupi is said to be the oldest village in the municipality of Gubat.

The settlement thereat began long before the coming of the Spaniards. In 1968, a group of archaeologists from the National Museum unearthed a jar in Jupi. It was found out that the jar was a burial; vessel that contain porcelain beads. Other materials dug out from the site revealed that the settlers of Jupi had been there between 1000 BC to 500 AD. The name of the barangay is derived from a plant locally called "jupi". The plant "jupi" belongs to the water lily species which, during the early days, grew abundantly in the place.

17. LAPINIG Barangay Lapinig got its name from a huge lapinig tree that use to serve as its landmark.

Lapinig has been a sitio of Barangay Jupi until 1939. The sitio is about three and a half kilometers from the "visita" of Barangay Jupi. Because of the distance, the inhabitants found it very difficult to observe both civic and religious activities in the area. So in 1937, the people of this place decided to separate and create their own barangay. The recognition, however, was delayed so that the actual realization came only in 1939. The first Teniente del Barrio was Leoncio Deblois.

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18. LUNA-CANDOL Luna-Candol is coined from Luna Street, a street in the poblacion, and Candol, a sitio of Sta. Ana. Before 1967, the place was made a purok of the poblacion. I t was headed by Teniente del Barrio Esteban Escobedo. His successors were Mauricio Endonela and Pedro Din. When the place was recognized as official barangay in 1967, the position title of the Teniente del Barrio was change to Barangay Captain. The first Barangay Captain of Luna-Candol was Rufino Gabuyo.

The barangay serves as the transportation center of the town ever since. The Altaco, a bus company that served Gubat and its adjoining towns, park along the streets of Luna Candol.

19. MANAPAO This barangay derived its name from a bird call.

According to old stories, during the early years when the place was still a forest, birds of various species inhabited the place. While other birds provide the early inhabitants with pets, one such bird annoy the people - the bird called Lucpao.

Lucpao is a nocturnal bird that only a few have chance to see the bird. The bird seldom cry, but when it begins to cry or starts its bird call, the annoying/disturbing call ends at daylight. The bird's cry sounds like "Pao-Pao" and its loud and awful cry is feared by children.

As the years passed by, more settlers come to this place. Soon they have cleared a place and concentrated therein houses. Meanwhile the Lucpao continued its disturbance to the people. Soon the place was attributed as the place with "mga paopao". Soon the people decided to call their place Manapao.

Barangay Manapao had been a sitio of Barangay Sta. Ana. Due to the far distance to the center of their mother barangay, the people thought of separating and forming a new barangay. On September 4, 1955, Manapao was declared as a new barrio. In the election that followed, Francisco Esperanzate was elected as the first Teniente del Barrio.

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20. MANOOK Barangay Manook derived its name from a street name, which also got its name from Pedro Manook who in 1752 became a Teniente and the first gobernadorcillo of Gubat.

After the first World War, and during the term of Presidente Municipal Valentin Fajardo, the name of the longest streets in the poblacion were changed. Real Street became Quezon Street and Taft Street became Manook Street.

Although Manook Street lies in the barangays of Panganiban, Pinontingan, Paradijon, Luna-Candol, Manook and Cota na Daco, the name Manook refers to the place of Barangay Manook.

Before its recognition as a barangay, it was called Purok Seven and its first Teniente del Barrio was Tomas Detera.

In 1967, pursuant to the provision of R.A. No. 3590, otherwise known as the Revised Barrio Charter, the puroks in the poblacion of Gubat was created into barangays.

Jose Sarmiento, Jr., was elected as its first Barangay Captain.

21. NAAGTAN Barangay Naagtan had been a sitio of Barangay Bulacao until its establishment in 1947.

The barrio was originally called "Naabotan". Naabotan is a Gubate単o word meaning "caught by surprise". According to the elders, the was without a name.

However, one day, a group of people passing a portion of the place unintentionally caught by surprise two young romantic sweethearts. The news of the incident spread around. When people would go to and from the sitio, the would often pass by way of the "Naabotan". Throughout the years, the place was called Naabotan.

As timer passed, the people realized that the name somehow caused some embarrassment. Later, they adopted the word "Naagtan", a more pleasing word.

The first Teniente del Barrio of Naagtan was Alberto Endeno.

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22. NATO Before the year 1901, Nato was a sitio of Barangay Jupi (then called San Vicente) which at the time is under the jurisdiction of Pueblo Bulusan.

This place was named after a tree called "nato" which the early inhabitants used as materials in the construction of their chapel. As a sitio of Barangay Jupi, the people were grouped into a "Cabohan" under Cabeza Eustaquio Castillo who, at that time, has 21 families under him.

In 1901, Presidente Municipal de Gubat Capitan Cirilio Fajardo, allowed the sitio of Nato to separate from Barangay Jupi, However, it was in 1903 that Nato was officially recognize as a barrio. Its first Teniente del Barrio was Pedro Escoto.

23. NAZARENO Barangay Nazareno had been a sitio of Barangay Rizal and was formerly known as Tagaytay.

The establishment of the barangay was influenced by religious fervor of the inhabitants of this place, because although a sitio, they have their own Ermita where they conducted their religious activities. With the concentration of their activities which were usually associated religiously, the inhabitants decided to create their own barangay.

In 1971, the people of the sitio passed a petition addressed to the Provincial Board of the Province of the Sorsogon requesting that a new barangay be created. Because the name Tagaytay is already a name of one of the barangays of Gubat, the favored the named Nazareno to honor their patron saint.

On September 1,1972, Nazareno was created by virtue of Provincial Board Resolution No. 351, which implemented the provision of R.A. 3590. Juanito Escueta served as the first Barangay Captain.

24. OGAO Barangay Ogao has been a sitio of Barangay Tiris. During the Second World War, in October, 1943, the resident s led by some respected leaders decided to secede from their mother barangay and thus established their own. This decision to secede was put in effect in October , 1943 when the inhabitants grew in number.

They have chosen on e of its residents by the name of Dionisio Fajardo as first Teniente del Barrio.

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO Not long after the establishment of their barangay, the inhabitants started their next activity which was the establishment of the Ermita. To them, the Ermita was equally important with their barangay government not only because they have to house their patron saint Dolorosa which came from Danao, A sitio of Barangay Bagacay, but also because th Ermita was the center of their religious activities. So, by November of the same year, through bayanihan, the people were able to establish their Ermita and construct their barrio chapel. After the completion of their barrio chapel, the first mass held in the barangay.

Immediately after the end of the war, the residents constructed their first school house and Grade I class was organized.

Barangay Ogao was named after a locally known as "Ogao" which thrived abundantly in this place during the earlier times. This barangay was located at the eastern part of the municipality and it is bounded on the North by Barangay Paco, on the South by Barangay Tiris, on the East by Barangay Tiris and on the West by Barangay Tagaytay.

Although this barangay established in 1943, it become an official barangay only after the liberation in 1945.

25. PACO The name of the barangay was derived from a vegetable plant locally known as "Paco". The plant belongs to the fern family. According to old folks, the "paco" plant grew abundantly elsewhere in the place until harvested by the people for food purposes. But at present, the plant still thrive in the place.

Paco was formerly a sitio of Barangay Tiris. Although only a sitio, it possesses its own Ermita and Patron Saint. Because of these religious facilities, more and more religious activities were being held in the sitio. The people begun to observe these activities in their own ermita rather than in the visita because of the distance between the two centers.

As elsewhere in these days, a place can only be declared a fully-pledge barrio if it had a barrio site. Because of the people's desire to separate from their mother barangay, cousins Carlos and Benito Espenocilla donated two hectares of land to be used as two visitas and school campus. In April 1932, when there were already 30 house holds in the barangay site, the people decided to separate from Tiris to form their own barrio. In the election held that year, Benito Espenocilla was elected Teniente del Barrio, and Carlos Espenocilla, Hermano.

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26. PARADIJON Barangay Paradijon started as a cluster of houses whose occupants were fabricators of clay materials such as "coron" the forerunners of the "kaldero" or kettle; "caraja" or frying fan; or jar, and clay toys. This occupation is perhaps the oldest means of earning a living beside farming in this town.

The coron was bartered with food from Samare単os who came purposely for the clay product. The clay utensils were loaded in a "paraw" and transported to Biri and other parts of Samar. It is safe to presume that this practice had been copied from foreign traders that came to this place if not invented by themselves.

"Paradijon" is the local word for coron makers. Because the people then used this clay utensils until the metal utensils overtook its popularity, they always refer to the cluster of houses as the "paradijon" or coron makers. Other local word associated with "paradijon" are " Para-kalot" or clay gatherers; "Paradusang" or clay refiners/clay purers; and "parabayang" or clay product polishers.

Paradijon became a purok like the other poblacion barangays and was recognized as a barangay by virtue of R.A. 3590.

27. PANGANIBAN People used to call the place "Dancalan" because of its abundance of dancalan trees that use to dot along the lines near the shore. In 1950 it was declared a barrio with Pio Esperida as the first Teniente del Barrio. Later on, it was referred to a purok when only 33 barrios were officially registered. The poblacion barangay were all called "puroks".

By virtue of R.A. No. 3590, the place was declared as a barrio and it used Panganiban a Bicolano World War II hero. The barangay came to life in the early 50s during the Magsaysay regime. Panganiban was the site of a rock causeway aimed at converting the town into a major seaport. In 1968, however, after years of construction and waiting for the first big ship to call, Typhoon Welming came and pounded repeatedly the structure. It was destroyed partially but it succumb to more and stronger typhoons that visited Gubat later on.

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28. PATAG Patag is so named because of its geographical location in a plateau.

The place was a sitio of Barangay Nato and it officially become a separate and distinct political unit on March 1945. Carlos Dematera Sr. was the first barangay head.

29. PAYAWIN When the Spaniards came to this place, they discovered that the people already lived in cluster with houses built near each other. This lead to naming the place "Visita", a Spanish word which means a center for activities. The Spaniards noted that the people were very superstitious who believed in the "anitos". This belief became a forgotten activity especially after the Spaniards gave the "visita" an image of St. Rafael. With constant "christianization" the inhabitants were convinced enough that the built their own small chapel to house the image of the saint. Later on, the place was known as San Rafael in honor of the image of a saint the Spaniards originally gave.

The Americans then built the road to Sorsogon and along with it the bridge in its jurisdiction. During the construction of the road from the town of Sorsogon to Bulusan, the American recruited mans laborers from this place. An afternoon while the Americans "capataz" was inspecting the workers along the "visita", he noticed a native with a bunch of "payaw" leaves carried on his head. The curious American asked the native the source of the leaves. The native, unable to reply in the foreign language, but can comprehend the question, replied, "Payawan" (from the payaw plantation). Later on, the "Payawan" was change to Payawin.

Payawin is among the original barangays of Gubat. In the election held on October 6, 1898, Vidal Floranda was elected Cabeza de Payawin.

The succeeding barangay heads include Isidro Estipona, Vicente Espedido, Agustin de Chavez, Benito Dogillo, and Celenido Estopin.

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30. PINONTINGAN "Pinontingan" is a synonymous with "pondohan", a dialect which means a place for anchorage.

In the early years when Gubat was not yet connected to other towns of Sorsogon, the major means of transportation was through the sea. The traders were the frequent users of this "pondohan". The â&#x20AC;&#x153;pondohanâ&#x20AC;? became popular later as pantalan.

Prior to becoming a barangay, Pinontingan serves as a purok of the poblacion Gubat and like other puroks, it was headed by a Teniente del Barrio. Jorge Bagacay served as the first Teniente del barrio of Pinontingan and he was succeeded by Fausto Estaras. Ciriaco Escandor succeeded Estaras.

In 1967, the existing puroks in the poblacion of Gubat was recognized as full-pledge barangays. However, Pinontingan was not included because of a some requirements the barrio officials would have to submit. Eventually, in May 20, 1974, Pinontingan was officially recognized as a barangay. The first Barangay Captain was Quirico Funtanares.

31. RIZAL BEACH (GUBAT, SORSOGON) Barangay Rizal, whose original name was Malobago, had already existed or the settlement thereat had already flourished before the Spaniards came in 1731.

Malobago is derived from the malobago tree that once thrived in this area. Rizal was used to honor the National hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal.

The old name of the barangay was notoriously spread because of its connotation. In the Spanish word "Malobago" was implied to mean "malo vago" or bad whip because strangers were often whipped when they would stroll in the place. The practice continued until 1916 when the respected Villarroya family initiated the move in changing the name Malobago to Rizal.

In 1830, Malobago became a barrio. Gregorio Estiller stood as the Cabeza de Malobago. In 1895, the barangay was officially recognized as a barrio. The barangay is well-known for its white beach. The picture presents the beach attire of the 30s.

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32. SANGAT Sangat was once a forested area where wild monkeys and animals lived.

Among the monkeys, grown ups became so big that children and adults who settled in this area fear the monkey's presence.

The early settlers of this place were "Kaingeros" who cleared the forest to plant various kinds of crop plants. Their produce were well enough due to the fertile soil.

However, they were not free from problems because often times the monkeys became pests which destroy their crops. The posed a threat to the children.

On e day, while the father was clearing the portion of a thicket, his young son was snatched by a big monkey and roosted or perched high on tree branches. The young son, however, was saved by his own father after chasing away the monkey.

The incident was circulated around the settlement and sooner, the people were beginning to use the word "sang-at" (roost) to refer to the place.

Sangat had been a sitio of Barangay Union. In 1952, Sangat became a new barangay and its first Teniente del Barrio was Juan Qui単ones.

33. SAN IGNACIO San Ignacio is one of the original barangays of Gubat. It is believe that the barangay was founded long before the town of Gubat was established. It was said that the San Ignacio was founded at the time when Barangays Buenavista and Payawin was established sometime between the 17th and 19th centuries. It was said that San Ignacio was recognized as a barrio in 1800.

According to the old folks, San Ignacio was administered politically by a series of baders belonging to the Flestado clan. It was believe that the first barangay head was Catalino Flestado and succeeded by person coming from the same clan until Ponciano Flestado being the last member of the clan to head the barangay.

Sometime in 1914, after the death of Ponciano Flestado, the title of the position of the barangay head was changed to Teniente del Barrio. So, the people held an election to elect their barangay head. Pedro Espallardo was elected as the first Teniente del Barrio. He served for one term of two years.

After the term of Pedro Espallardo, the succeeding Teniente del Barrio that serve San Ignacio were, Lorenzo Jarabejo, 1916; Ireneo Jerusalem, 1918; Juan Ervas, 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO 1920; Valentine Escartin, 1922; Antonio Berosa 1924; Angel Joven, 1926; Juan Demonteverde, 1928; Leonardo Fellone, 1930; Leoncio Escanilla, 1932; Carlos Estremera, 1932-42; Anacito Jerusalem, 1944; Wilberto Pura, Jesus Sunga, 1948; Ernesto Jarabejo, 1950-62; Antonio Escarcha, 1964; and Bienvenido Espedido, 1966-88; Rafael Enaje, 1989-92; Salvador Pura, 1992 to present.

Barangay San Ignacio was named after their Patron Saint, St. Ignacio de Loyola, the image of which came from Barcelona, Spain. It was given to the barangay by the pueblo of Bulusan sometime in 1600.

34. STA. ANA Sta. Ana is one of the few original barangays of Gubat and the oldest which has not has change its name.

In 1830, Sta. Ana was still a sitio of Gubat. As the year passed, more and more people established their residences in the place. Later on it became a barrio and named it Sta. Ana. The inhabitants of the barangay believed that the early settlers of the place was headed by a woman named Ana. Her major responsibility was to settle disputes of the residents. When she became old and weak, she gathered the people to a meeting and asked them to remember her name even after her death. She suggested that the people should venerate the image of Saint Ana and be made the patron saint of their barangay. The people obliged and to this date, the barangay celebrate its fiesta in honor of its Patron Saint Sta. Ana.

35. T A B I Tabi was once a sitio of Barangay Buenavista. Perhaps it is the oldest settlement in the municipality since it was named "alamag". Before Gubat had a new name and change from Ariman, the original name of Ariman was Aramag.

The barangay fit its present name from the Tagalog word meaning "at the side".

The settlement in Barangay Tabi are located in such a way that all of them are located beside the river. In Tagalog, "ang mga bahay ay nasa tabi ng ilog". So, whenever the houses were referred, they simply say "sa tabi ng ilog". Later on "sa tabi" were frequently used meaning at Tabi.

During the American occupation in the beginning of the 20th century, the people of this barangay who fled to hide from the Americans were encouraged to return to their settlement. So in 1901, Tabi began its organization as a barrio through the 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO efforts of Cabeza Esteban Esperida, Cabeza Simon Encinas, and Cabeza Victor Bagasala. In 1902, Barangay Tabi became an independent barangay, Eduardo Erlano was appointed as the first Teniente del Barrio.

Formal education in Tabi begun in 1902, Through the benevolence of Victor Bagasala, 3.5 hectares of land was donated by him to became the school site. He also donated the lot which now become the barangay site. The first class was organized

by Mr. Arsenio Rocha in a self-help school building.

36. TAGAYTAY "Tagaytay" is another local word meaning plateau. The inhabitants called their barangay as such because the barrio site in which they choster their houses is situated on a plateau stretching from Barangay Tiris to the boundary of its adjoining barangays.

It was told that during those years when this place was still a thick forest, settlers from another town came to stay. a man from Labo, Camarines Sur, came to settle.

He was Mamerto Panuga. He cleared enough area to plant various crops. As the years passed the settlement on the top of the plateau grew bigger. It became a sitio of Barangay Tiris.

Although it is nearer for the inhabitants to go to Barangay Nato than to go to Barangay Tiris, Tagaytay remain a sitio of Barangay Tiris until March 27, 1941 when the place was officially recognized as a barangay. After a year, on April 5, 1942, an election was held and Porferio Panuga, a son of Mamerto, was elected as the first Teniente del Barrio.

37. TIGKIW The name "Tigkiw" was given to this barangay by an American who happened to come to this place sometime in the year 1890. According to the stories of elders, sometime in that year, The American reached the place and chanced upon a man watching a bird perched on top of a big tree. When the American asked the old man the name of the place, the old man, thinking that he was being asked about the name of the bird, replied "tique na tama" which means a bird species belonging to the family. The American understood the answer as "tigkiw". The word spread and later on, the place was known as Tigkiw.

Tigkiw is comprised of the Tigkiw-na-Daco (Tigkiw major) and Tigkiw-na-Saday (Tigkiw minor). The first settlement, however, was in Tigkiw-na-Saday where burial 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO site was discovered. It was estimated that Tigkiw-na-Saday was inhabited since 200 B.C.. The first official administrator of Tigkiw was Hilario Hermogino.

38. TIRIS In the year 1889, this village was named Pe単afrancia in honor of its Patron Saint Nuestra Sra. de Pe単afrancia. After the Spanish American War, the people of this village was obliged by the government to pay land and personal taxes. As a result, the name Pe単afrancia was registered in the tax registry records of the municipality, implying recognition of the village as a barrio with territorial jurisdiction that include Ogao and Tagaytay. At the time, the houses are located at the foot of a hill and near the river. It was headed by Andres Espenocilla as the Teniente del Barrio.

In 1905, a new Teniente del Barrio was chosen in the person of Benito Espinola. It was also the year when a very strong typhoon hit the village causing the river to overflow causing heavy flooding and erosion or landslide. The residents evacuated the place in favor of the poblacion, a safer place then.

After the flood, the residents return to the barangay and begun to rehabilitate the place. In 1910, the people moved a top the hill, in the present location, for fear of another flooding.

The name Tiris was derived from the local meaning of landslide which is "Tiris".

The people continued to develop their barangay and in 1918,they were able to establish their first school class with Florentino Roldan as its first teacher.

39. TOGAWE Barangay Togawe was named after a giant tree locally known as Togawe.

The elders tell stories about the giant togawe tree that once stood directly on the source of Maragadao river. It was said that the creek/river was abundant with fish and thrived by shrimp called locally as "pukot".

Whenever the inhabitants catch fish and shrimps in the river, they would always start downstream and would end up at the source near the togawe tree. So that when asked "Where will you end up?", the answer would be, "Until the Togawe tree".

Barangay Togawe is formerly a sitio of Barangay Tabi and it became an official barangay in 1937. Its first Teniente del Barrio was Crispin Encinares.

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40. UNION The earliest recorded history of Barangay Union was way back in 1898 after the Philippine Revolutionary Government under Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo sent Gen. Ananias Dideno to supervise the government in Sorsogon. In the election held on October 6, 1898 supervised Gen. Mariano Adriatico, Potenciano Ere単o was elected as Cabeza de Union.

Before the later part of the 19th century, Union served as a sitio of Barangay Sta. Ana. Because of the desire of the inhabitants of the sitio (union) to established their own barangay, the inhabitants organized into groups and conducted an inventory of houses to determine whether their sitio can qualify and become a new barrio. The survey revealed that their sitio had forty houses built in its jurisdiction. Using this number, the people hurried downtown to ask the permission of the Presidente Municipal to let them establish their own barrio. Convince that the residents were determined to pursue their desire, the Presidente Municipal granted their request on condition that a lot of one hectare be donated as barangay site.

The Funtanares family readily donated the required lot and no sooner, the barrio was formally established and named as such by the Presidente Municipal to commemorate the unity of the people in their desire.

41. VILLAREAL Barangay Villareal, before it became a barangay, was known as Maragadao and it was a sitio of Malobago (Rizal). It was recognized as a barangay in 1918 during the term of Presidente Municipal Clemente Villarroya.

The name Villareal was first used in lieu of Maragadao after the first set of barrio officials was inducted to office. The officials adopted the name Villareal in Honor of Presidente Municipal Clemente Villarroya as their gesture of gratitude for making sitio a separate barangay.

The first set of barrio officials were Anacleto Encela as Teniente del Barrio; and Rufo Espenida, Vidal Encinares, Francisco Escandor, Leoncio Estrellado and Eugenio Encinares as barangay councilors.

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30-53

CHAPTER 2: The Present Mayor (24 pages) - Will feature a more in-depth profile of the Mayor. It will chronicle the Mayorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s achievements, his vision for the town, and other goals for his term.

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CHAPTER 3: The Vice Mayor (24 pages) - As head of the Municipal Council, the article will show how the Vice Mayor has led the City Council and preview what he thinks is his greatest accomplishment with the present council.

- Will also mention his profile, vision and goals.

78.89

CHAPTER 4: The Municipal Council (12 pages) - The article will answer why there is a need for a council, what is its function, importance and relevance from the time it was formed. It will also reveal the council’s major contributions to Gubat through the years. Trivia and other interesting details about the history of the Municipal Council will be included, such as political clans, prominent figures, rags-to-riches stories who became councilors, and other noteworthy events.

90.125

CHAPTER 5: The Municipal Council: - This chapter will feature the 8 incumbent Councilors of Gubat.

-

Each Councilor will be featured in at least 5 pages, and appear based on the way their names appear on the official list of councilors.

-

Each Councilor’s section will contain their achievements, accomplishments, civic duties and projects. Their pages will be photo intensive and will have a list of ordinances they have passed or supported.

-

As a “breaker” whole-page photos of tourist spots will be used to separate the previous councilor to the next

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BREAKDOWN: 90

91.95 96 97.101

Photo of Bulusan Volcano â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The first administrative System was created in Bulusan where the Spanish Colonizers spotted the Volcano that attracted their sights.

Councilor 1 Photo of Gubat Church Councilor 2

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Photo of Gubat Church Bells Councilor 3

108 109.113

Photo of Gubat Market Councilor 4

114 115.119

Photo of Bicol University, GNCS and GNHS Councilor 5

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120 121-125

Photos of Brgy. Pinontingan Councilor 6

BREAKDOWN: TOURIST SPOTS AND BARANGAYS IN GUBAT, SORSOGON 126 127-131

Photos of Ariman Councilor 7

132 133-137

Photo of Jupi Councilor 8

138 139-143

Photo of Encinas Pavillion and Encinas Hall Councilor 9 (ABC President)

144 145-149

Photo of Welcome Marker in Gubat Councilor 10 (SK Federation)

150 151-155

Photo of Bacagay Incumbent Barangay Captains

156

Photo of the Youth in Gubat

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Incumbent SK Officials

246.251

CHAPTER 10: BREAKER ARTICLE (6 pages) Options: Monuments and Statue

252

PHOTO FROM THE ERA

253-259

CHAPTER 11: 1st Municipal Government (7 pages) - This section will feature the appointive officials of the first Municipal Officials. It will include profiles of the Mayor, ViceMayor, and Councilors.

BREAKDOWN: 253 254.256 257-259 260

Title Page â&#x20AC;&#x153;1ST Municipal Officials with representative photo Acting Mayor (3 pages) Vice Mayor and Councilors

PHOTO FROM THE ERA

261-267

CHAPTER 12: 2ND Municipal Officials (7 pages) This section will feature the appointive officials of Gubat. It will include profiles of the Mayor, Vice-Mayor, and Councilors.

268

PHOTO FROM THE ERA

269-275

CHAPTER 13: 3RD Municipal Officials (7 pages) This section will feature the appointive officials of the Gubat. It will include profiles of the Mayor, Vice-Mayor, and Councilors.

276

PHOTO FROM THE ERA

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CHAPTER 14: 4TH Municipal Officials (7 pages) This section will feature the appointive officials of Gubat. include profiles of the Mayor, Vice-Mayor, and Councilors.

284

PHOTO FROM THE ERA

285-293

CHAPTER 15: 5TH Municipal Officials (9 pages) This section will feature the appointive officials of Gubat. include profiles of the Mayor, Vice-Mayor, and Councilors.

It will

It will

294

PHOTO FROM THE ERA

295-303

CHAPTER 16: 6TH Municipal Officials (9 pages) This section will feature the appointive officials of Gubat. It will include profiles of the Mayor, Vice-Mayor, and Councilors.

304

PHOTO FROM THE ERA

305-311

CHAPTER 16: 7TH Municipal Officials (7 pages) This section will feature the appointive officials of Gubat. It will include profiles of the Mayor, Vice-Mayor, and Councilors.

312

PHOTO FROM THE ERA

313-319

CHAPTER 17: 8TH Municipal Officials (7 pages) This section will feature the appointive officials of Gubat. include profiles of the Mayor, Vice-Mayor, and Councilors.

320

PHOTO FROM THE ERA

321-327

CHAPTER 18: 9TH Municipal Officials (7 pages) This section will feature the appointive officials of Gubat. include profiles of the Mayor, Vice-Mayor, and Councilors.

It will

It will

328

PHOTO FROM THE ERA

329-341

CHAPTER 19: 10TH Municipal Officials (13 pages) This section will feature the appointed officials of Gubat. It will include profiles of the Mayor, Vice-Mayor, and Councilors.

342

PHOTO FROM THE ERA

343-355

CHAPTER 20: 11TH Municipal Officials (13 pages) This section will feature the appointed officials of Gubat. It will include profiles of the Mayor, Vice-Mayor, and Councilors.

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO 1990’s Mr. Florentino Escurel – Municipal Mayor 1901 – 1903 Mr. Cipriano Rocha – Municipal Mayor 1904 – 1905 Mr. Yrineo Rocha – Municipal Mayor 1906 – 1907 Mr. Getulio Escurel – Municipal Mayor 1908 – 1909 Mr. Antonio Rocha – Municipal Mayor 1910 - 1911 356

PHOTO FROM THE ERA

357-367

CHAPTER 21: 12TH Municipal Officials (11 pages) This section will feature the appointed officials of Gubat. It will include profiles of the Mayor, Vice-Mayor, and Councilors.

1910’s Mr. Antonio Rocha – Municipal Mayor 1910 – 1911 Mr. Procorpio Fajardo – Municipal Mayor 1912 – 1915 Mr. Valentin Fajardo – Municipal Mayor 1912 – 1919 Mr. Pascual Escurel – Municipal Mayor 1920 - 1922 368

PHOTO FROM THE ERA

369-379

CHAPTER 22: 13TH Municipal Officials (11 pages) This section will feature the appointed officials of Gubat. It will include profiles of the Mayor, Vice-Mayor, and Councilors.

1920’s Mr. Pascual Escurel – Municipal Mayor 1920 – 1922 Mr. Clemente Villaroya – Municipal Mayor – 1923 – 1925 Mr. Justino Encinas – Municipal Mayor 1926 – 1928 Mr. Angel R. Pura – Municipal Mayor 1929 - 1931 380

PHOTO FROM THE ERA

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO 381.385 CHAPTER 23: 14TH Municipal Officials (5 pages)???

This section will feature the appointed officials of Gubat from the Spanish Era. It will include profiles of the Mayor, Vice-Mayor, and Councilors.

1930’s Mr. Angel R. Pura - Municipal Mayor 1929 – 1931 Mr. Cayetano Garcia – Municipal Mayor 1932 – 1934 Mr. David E. Lelis – Municipal Mayor 1935 – 1937 Mr. Esteban Escalante – Municipal Mayor 1938 - 1940 386

PHOTO FROM THE ERA

387-391

CHAPTER 24: 15TH Municipal Officials (5 pages)???

This section will feature the appointed officials of Gubat during the Japanese Occupation. It will include profiles of the Mayor, ViceMayor, and Councilors.

Mr. Ireneo Erestain – Municipal Mayor 1944 – 1945 Mr. Angel R. Pura – Municipal Mayor 1945 – 1946 Mr. David E. Lelis – Municipal Mayor 1946 Mr. Cayetano Garcia – Municipal Mayor 1946 – 1947 Mr. Roman G. Enguerra – Municipal Mayor 1948 - 1951 PHOTO FROM THE ERA CHAPTER 25: THE MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS AFTER THE WORLD WAR 2 This section will feature the Municipal Officials after the World War 2 and Japanese Occupation.

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PHOTO FROM THE ERA: (1950’s to 1960’s) CHAPTER 26: THE MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS IN THE 1950s – 1960s This section will feature the Municipal Officials in the era of 1950’s to 1960’s.

Mr. Roman G. Enguerra – Municipal Mayor 1948 - 1951 Mr. Jose L. Espineda – Municipal Mayor 1952 – 1955 Mr. Carlos “Tatong” Espiel Estrellado – Vice-Mayor 1952 -1955 (father of Elena “Nanette” Estrellado Estocado) Mr. Angel Pura – Municipal Mayor – 1956 - 1963 PHOTO FROM THE ERA (1960’s to 1970’s) CHAPTER 27: THE MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS IN THE 1960s to 1970s Mr. Alejandro B. Encinas – Municipal Mayor 1964 - 1980 PHOTO FROM THE ERA (1970’s to 1980’s) CHAPTER 28: THE MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS IN THE 1970’s to 1980’s) PHOTO FROM THE ERA (1980’s to 1990’s) 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO CHAPTER 29: THE MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS IN THE 1980’s to 1990’s) Mr. Angel R. Pura, Jr. – Municipal Mayor 1980 – 1986 Mr. Antonio D. Encinas – Municipal Mayor 1986 – 1987 Dr. Romeo P. Lelis – Municipal Mayor December 1987 – January 1988 Mr. Deogracias B. Ramos, Jr. Municipal Mayor 1988 – 1992 Mr. Angel Escandor, Vice Mayor Mr. Deogracias B. Ramos, Jr. Municipal Mayor 1992 – 1995 Angel Escandor, Vice Mayor Mr. Deogracias B. Ramos, Jr. Municipal Mayor 1995 – 1998 Cesar “Usok” Esperida Vice Mayor 1998 – 2001 Hon. Nilo T. Ereno – Municipal Mayor 1998 - 2001 Hon. Jesus E. Fulay – Vice-Mayor Sangguniang Bayan Members (Municipal Councilor) 1. Merly E. Escurel 2. Bienvenido “Bembe” Q. Encinares 3. Eleonor “Enol” P. Ermino 4. Elena “Nanette” Estrellado Estocado 5. Alvin E. Rosales 6. Ramon G. Encinares 7. Juanito “Juaning” E. Escandor 8. Danilo “Dan” J. Pura 2001-2004 Mr. Deogracias B. Ramos, Jr. Municipal Mayor 2001 - 2004 Engr. Rodolfo “Rudy/Taraw” Q. Hapa – Vice Mayor 2001 - 2004 Sangguniang Bayan Members (Municipal Councilor) 2001 - 2004 1. Danilo “Dan” J. Pura 2. Ma. Theresita Escandor 3. Dominador Vivo 4. Elena “Nanette” Estrellado Estocado 5. Eduardo Flores 6. Eleonor P. Ermino 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO 7. Ramon Encinares 8. Sixto Estareja PHOTO FROM THE ERA (1990’s to 2000’s) CHAPTER 30: THE MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS IN THE 1990’s to 2000’s)

392-393

The Municipal Government looks ahead - Will discuss the future goals of the Municipal Government and the Gubatnon based on the direction they wish to implement for our beloved town.

394-395

Index

396.397

Bibliography

397

Credits

399

Acknowledgments 400

REFERENCES

Dery, Luis Camara. “From Ibalon to Sorsogon: A Historical Survey of Sorsogon Province to 1905”. New Day Publishing. Quezon City, Philippines. 1991 Espano, Salvador “Buddy”. History of Gubat, Sorsogon. Buddy Espano. (http;//facebook.com) <Accessed on February 21, 2011> Estropigan, Isais. “How Gubat Got Its Name?” Gubat Town Fiesta, June 6-13, 2002.

Balik Gubat 2002, Gubat is for LIFE. Souvenir Program. 2002.

Websites: <http://www.royalquesttours.com/bicol-history/24-sorsogon-history.html> (accessed on November 17, 2010) <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gubat,_Sorsogon> (accessed on November 17, 2010) <http://discovergubat.wordpress.com/2009/12/14/history-of-gubat-sorsogon/> (accessed on November 17, 2010) <http://discovergubat.wordpress.com/blogs/> (accessed on November 17, 2010) 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com 0919-6433430 Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO <http://gubathistory.blogspot.com/?spref=fb> (accessed on November 23, 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magallanes,_Sorsogon> (accessed on November 24, 2010) <http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_legend_of_the_10_Bornean_datus#ixzz1 C7i3V5KJ> (accessed on January 26, 2011) <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Philippines_ %281521%E2%80%931898%29> (Accessed on Feb. 17, 2011) <http://discovergubat.wordpress.com/2009/12/14/history-of-gubat-sorsogon/> (Accessed on Feb. 17, 2011) <http://gubathistory.blogspot.com/2010/01/history-of-gubat-sorsogon.html> (Accessed on March 3, 2011) <http://biklish.com/2011/02/13/revisiting-gubat-sorsogon/> (Accessed on March 3, 2011) <http://discovergubat.wordpress.com/2009/12/14/history-of-gubat-sorsogon/> (Accessed on March 3, 2011) <http://wikimapia.org/1643956/Gubat-Sorsogon> (Accessed on March 3, 2011) <http://biyahero.net/index.php? option=com_sobi2&sobi2Task=sobi2Details&catid=43&sobi2Id=296&Itemid=56> (Accessed on March 3, 2011) <http://alfonsoereve.blogspot.com/2007/06/on-road-to-manhood.html> (Accessed on March 3, 2011) <http://unjobs.org/duty_stations/philippines/sorsogon/gubat/photos> (Accessed on March 3, 2011) <http://unjobs.org/duty_stations/philippines/sorsogon/gubat/photos> (Accessed on March 3, 2011

MAGAZINES: 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO Souvenir Program. Town Fiesta 1999. USWAG (Unified Socio-Economic & Welfare Action for Gubatnons) Gubat!. June 12-13, 1999.

APPENDICES: Gubat is a second class municipality in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines. As of 1 August 2007 the town has the population of 55,501 based on National Statistics Office. Gubat is pronounced with the accent on the second syllable.

This town's white-sand beaches to the east that faces the Pacific Ocean are wellknown in surrounding towns and cities. One famous beach resort here is the Rizal Beach Resort which hosts the PhilHobie Challenge. Also lots of tourists come here locally or internationally. Gubat was in the news in November 2006 when it became the site of a scientific expedition by astronomers Dr. Armando Lee, Bamm Gabriana, and Rochelle Derilo to observe the rare Mercury transit. Gubat was the best town in Luzon to observe the event. Results of the expedition were published in international astronomy publications such as Sky & Telescope.

Tucked into the south-eastern part of the island of Luzon and carved out of a thick forest on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, Gubat is the third largest town in the province of Sorsogon.

Economic activity The main livelihoods of the people, then and now, are agriculture and fishing.

Harvest times for rice crops are from April to May, and December. Fishing is yearround.

Gubat has its own credit cooperative that helps its people, the Gubat Saint Anthony Credit Cooperative, one of the outstanding cooperative in Bicol Region and had gained recognition nationwide.

Transportation Gubat can be reached mostly through land transport from Manila by bus for about 12 hours. There are about 5 bus companies operates daily from Manila to Gubat and vice versa.

Communications 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

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2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO The town has modern and efficient communications facilities including cellular mobile phone (Sun Cellular, Globe and Smart), Cable facility, internet cafes and internet service providers. There is also a radio station within the downtown area.

Surfing Gubat is slowly being recognized as the only beginner friendly surfing spot in the province of Sorsogon. The sand bottom beach breaks of Barangays Ariman and Buenavista produce 2 to 5 feet waves from September to May. With the formation of Gubat Bay Surfers by Bidge Villarroya and surfboards donated by the Local Government Unit under Mayor Ding Ramos, surfing is more accessible to the local population and tourists alike.

Festivals The town celebrates its Ginubat Festival annually every 13 June in honour of its patron, St. Anthony of Padua. Its is also the foundation of the town.

HISTORY OF GUBAT NORTH CENTRAL SCHOOL (GNCS): (1915-1946) The first supervising teacher appointed to head the Gubat Central School (now Gubat North Central School) was Mr. Alvaro Cover, an American. The Principal Teacher was Mr. Antonio Rocha and the pioneer teacher were Miss Ursula Escurel, Mr. Juancho Esquivias, Mr. Victorino Pura, Miss Clotilde Fellone and Mr. Placido Geva.

In 1915, Mr. Herbert Helpert, an American, was appointed supervising teacher.

His staff include Mr. Miguel Escarcha as principal teacher and teachers Ms. Filomena Erpe, Mr. Leon Fajardo, Ms. Maria Pura, Ms. Maria Escober, Ms. Maria Maligaso, Ms. Genoviva Holazo, Ms. Ines Esporlas, Mr. Damian Espe単o, Mr. Antonio Enaje and Mr. Lucas Hapa. In 1916, Mr. Helpert was succeeded by Mr. Dicker. Mr. Escarcha remained as principal teacher. Mr. Ditan and Mr. Antonio Derpo were as new teachers.

In 1917, Mr. Miguel Escarcha was promoted to supervising teacher. Mr. Anacleto Apostol was appointed principal teacher to succeed him. The fooling year, Mr. Leon Tiansay succeeded Mr. Apostol until 1921. In 1922, Mr. Escarcha was succeeded by Mr. Leon Buitizon. Mr. Sagnip became the principal teacher. During this year, the new teachers were ms. Sulficia Fajardo, Ms. Eugenia Espedido, Ms. Vicenta Escober, Rosendo Ines Valero, Hilaria Pareja, Trinidad Figueras, Benita Bri単ola, Salvador Holazo, Simeon Dineros, Honorato Ordillos, Marcelo Barrameda, Cenon Escoto, Eulogio Ve単osa and Narciso Escandor.

In 1935, Mr. Getulio Ferreras became the supervising teacher and Ceferino Ladioray was the principal teacher. The following year, 1936, Mr. Ladioray was 2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com 0919-6433430 Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

2/27/2013 Follow on Facebook VLADIMIR E. ESTOCADO transferred and was succeeded by a lady principal; Ms. Natalia Dag単alan. Her teachers were Ms. Gloria Enciso, Avelina Endaya, Encarnacion Escarcha, Dolores Espaldon, Honorata Esporlas, Sulficia Fajardo, Trinidad Figueras, Benigna Gozon, Correa Luna, Gumercinda Sape, Lourdes Encinas, Presentation Garcia, and Messrs. Mariano Aytona, Timoteo Escultura, Hose Espaldon, Gregorio Estonanto, Isaias Estropigan, Sr., Florencio Fresnoza, Miguel Grafilo, and Mr. Crisologo Ragos. The same teaching staff continued to serve the Gubat Central School up to the beginning of World War II. In 1938-1941, however, Mr. Graciano Perez succeeded Mr. Getulio Ferreras who was transferred to another place. Mr. Moises Barrameda, Mr. Jose Dionesa and Ms. Maria Rempillo were the new teachers.

The postwar years, 1945-1946 saw Mr.Getulio Ferreras, tasked as Gubat Central School Supervising Principal while Miss Natalia Dag単alan remained.

2/27/2013 Vladimir E. Estocado vlad_estocado@yahoo.com Calderon St. Brgy. Paradijon, Gubat, Sorsogon

0919-6433430