BARRIO OF ANGAD, Historical Data

(SGD) (Miss) LAURA VILLAMOR
(SGD) (Mr.) ESPIRIDION BELOY
(SGD) (Mr.) ANSELMO BELENO
(SGD) (Mr.) PIO BERNARDEZ
(SGD) (Mr.) GERMAN BERALDE

The barrio of ANGAD was inhabited after the coming of the Spaniards to Bangued. The first inhabitants were said to have migrated from the lowlands in the southeastern part of Bangued called Dupagan. During the rainy season, Dupagan was often flooded, so that the people moved eastward to an elevated place, a hill east of Bangued. They found the new place where they settled to be full of hard rocks formed like [a] coconut grater. Every time newcomers arrived, they inquired about the name of the barrio. Since they could not give any name, they happened to give the name of "Gadgadan," which was derived from the hard rocks formed like [a] coconut grater. Because of the language differences and inability to have the same pronunciation, it came to pass that what was "Gadgadan” was shortened to "Angad." It is now officially called ANGAD.

The first settlers of Angad were composed of four families, namely, Mr. Gregorio Bringas and his family, Mr. Galvey Balderama and family, Mr. Anselmo Beleno and family, and Mr. Alejo Beralde and family. These families were under a Cabesa de Barangay Don Gregorio Bringas.

In 1893, tenientes del barrio were appointed. The teniente del barrio was an important and privileged person. The tenientas of this barrio of Angad were:

(a) During the Spanish time, religion flourished and showed [a] vital spirit. There was an instruction of the people in religion. Some trained persons who knew how to read and write taught the people the "Cartilla," "Caton", and "Otrecimineto." These tutors were paid by the interested persons themselves. Some of the people in this barrio were members of the insurrectos, whose purpose was to fight against the Spanish Govemment. The instrrrectos fled to the mountains when the Americans arrived in the Phmppines. The Americans fought against the Spaniards. In 1900, a treaty of peace was proclaimed by the Americans, and the insurrectos surrendered.

(b) During the American occupation to World War ll, there was a greatchange in the government. The Cabeza de Barangay was replaced by the councilor and the teniehte del barrio. There was more freedom in religion, and there was free primary education, even in the remotest barrio. This barrio built a temporary schoolhouse in 1920 for one class. As years went, on the enrolment increased and a combined grades classes were organized. But when a complete Elementary School Building was buiilt in Sinalang, the enrolment in Angad decreased, until finally the school was closed. Different factors such as [the] improvement of roads through this barrio contributed to the acceleration of economic activity. Agriculture chiefly was developed. Transportation and communication had been improved. Much had been done in the improvement of health conditions.

(c) During and after World War II, the people of Angad were very much affected. Some of the people joined the Philippine Army, who fought against the Japanese. When the Japanese Army arrived, the people of Angad evacuated to other places for refuge. When the Japanese soldiers found that most of the houses in this barrio were vacated, they burned the houses. The people found in this barrio were tortured by the Japanese for they thought they were members of the guerillas. To distinguish the civilians from the guerillas, the Japanese ordered the civilians to pin Japanese flaglets bearing their names and addresses written in Japanese characters. These flaglets also served as their passport to the town. There was forced labor, and people were orded to bow low to the Japanese soldiers to show respect. When they could no longer resist the bad treatments of the Japanese, all the peopie of Angad fled to the mountains where some joined the guerillas. They fought side by side with the 19^th Infantry and the 121^st lnfahtry of the United States Army against the Japanese. Finally, the Japanese soldiers were driven away or were kiiled. After the war, the people returned to their homes. Very few returned because many of them suffered from malaria fever, dysentery, and other diseases. Then, a vigorous campaign against malaria was waged.

During the years 1896-1900, the insurrectos destroyed all means of communication and transportation between towns and barrios. The Americans burned houses and killed people.

In 1941 -1 945, there were great losses of lives, properties in this barrio. The Japanese burned houses. They killed many civilians and soidiers. It was in the barrio of Angad where the twenty-one Filipino Bataan “Boys” were burned to death by the Japanese soldiers.

(b) Measures and accomplishments toward rehabilitation and reconstruction following World War II.

After the war, people of the barrio of Angad returned to their homes. They were given permisson by the Bureau of Forestry to cut trees tom the communal forests free of charge to rebuild their hornes. Homes and other properties damaged during the war were paid [for] by the War Damage Commission. The people were able to build more bountiful homes. They raised more poultry, goats, and vegetables. Health conditions of the people were improved.

It was the custom of the people of this barrio that when one gave birth, assisted by a midwife, the midwife cuts the cord of the baby as long as what is left will reach the baby's mouth. Then it was powdered with fine ashes from the bottom of the stove. When the cord was detached, it was carefully packed and placed in a safe place. It was their practice to toss the child in a winnowing basket to the floor, to acquaint the child not to be scared by any noise. Then, to protect the child from evil spirits, they tied branches of camanchile under the bed of the mother and child. It was their custom to dress the child with old clothes, not newly sewed. The placenta of the child was buried in front of the stairs.

Since the barrio is far from the church, it the custom of the people to have the child baptized after the child was two or three months old. After baptism, the family concerned may give a party to celebrate it. Some relatives and the godparents attend the party.

In the courtship, they had the practice to write love letters to the girls of their choice. Then, [the] engagement followed the courtship. It may be a parental engagement or secret engagement. It would not take them long to be engaged. As soon as a day was set for the wedding, their marriage followed.

The bridegroom prepared everything for the party. It was their custom to have the party held in the house of the bride. The following day, the bridegroom would take the bride to his house and the party continued. In this barrio, the people were fond of dancing and giving zarzuelas during the wedding party.

When one of the members of the family dies, they mourn for the dead They wear black clothes for the whole year. The relatives of the dead give [a] little help in the form of money or articles to console the bereaved family. It is their practice to say a novena for nine consecutive nights. On the ninth night, they make cakes and suman to celebrate the ninth day.

The dead is buried in the cemetery ater the 24^th hour. It is the custom of the old people that when the dead is brought down, they take care not to touch the wall or steps. Then, the bed used by the dead is brought down and placed downstairs for several days. The dead is accompanied by the relatives and friends to the church and to the cemetery. When the dead is being placed into the hole, the nearest kin ware not allowed to watch it. They go home without looking back. When they reach home, they walk over a burning coal placed at the foot of the stairs. Then the following day the bereaved family goes to the river to take a bath with the belief that all bad luck will be washed away.

It is the practice of the people in this barrio to pay visits to the sick; to the new stranger or visitor of the place who come from other places; to see the newborn child of their intimate friends, relatives, or neighbors; to visit friends who arrive from a journey.

It is the custom of the barrio folks to set a day to invite the to invite the priest to say Holy Mass in this barrio every year. This day is counted as their barrio fiesta, and the people prepare for its celebration. They invite their friends from the other barrios to attend the festival. They prepare a drama or zarsuela to make their fiesta a success.

Stubborn children are reformed or disciplined by their parents or elders by means of the rod. Sometimes, they punishe their children by making them kneel in front of the family altar. Disobedient children are sent to bed without eating their supper as a punishment.

The people believe that the spirits of the dead are lingering among them. So, after the harvest, they offer something for them to eat in a feast called "in-innapet." After the food is offered to their spirits, the food is recooked and served to relatives and neighbors called for the ininnapet.

Interpretations of omens:

Men a hen crows and answered by a rooster, that may mean that an unmarried woman in the neighborhood will become pregnant.

When a cow moos in the middle of the night and no other cow will answer, the mooing announces an epidemic or a big fire.

When a rainbow appears in the west before sunrise, it forecasts the coming of a storm.

When thick clouds appear in the sky and it does not rain, it foretells the coming of strong winds.

When the bamboos bear flowers, they forecast the scarcity of crops.

When a house lizard makes a clapping sound with its tail in front of you, before going down for a journey, don't go down immediately. Stay for a few minutes, then you may proceed.

When you take shelter under a big tree, always say "Cayo-cayo; ban-bari" to drive away the evil spirits under the shade.

When a kingfisher flies switly across your way and makes a fierce sound, give a loud cry in return to counteract the bad omen, and throw something towards the direction to where it flies.

When there is lightning and thunder, do not wear [a] red dress. Cover the mirror with a piece of cloth.

When a rainbow appears in the sky, it is forbidden to point to it.

When there's an eclipse of the moon or sun, expectant mothers wash their hair with burned rice straw at midnight, while all are asleep to counteract [any] misfortune.

If there are thirteen persons sitting at table to eat, one of them will suffer misfortune.

The people's popular songs are: Kundiman, Manang Biday, Dangdungoen Canto Unay Unay. Pamulinawen.

Their amusements are playing cards, "Ripa" for the women, and cockfighting for the men. The children played tops, yo-yo, kite, and a game of tag called Sampedro.

1. No naimut ti caarruban, ensanen a padiguan.

2. Ti napintasa balasang nalaca a maasawaan.

3. Ti mannaturog iti aldaw, mannanacaw.

4. Ti sipupucino nga agayat, narigat a macalipat,

5. Ti adu a cocinero, adu ti pirdienda a digo.

6. Saanca nga agaw-awat ti regregalo ta mabalin nga dagita

agservida nga appan tapno maipalag-ogca iti dakes a gandatda.

(Beware of receiving gifts for they may serve as bait.)

7. Mailasindaca gapu cadagiti cadcaduan.

8. Ti matgidam iti Domiingo, iti Lunes maregregmo.

9. Saan nga ang-angaw ti mangasawa a cas la itay napudot o canen

nga maisacmel a mabalin na iyula.

(Marriage is no joke, not like hot foods put into the mouth which

10. No tarong ti maimulay, tarong met la ti apitem.

(If you sow eggplants, you will reap eggplants.)

The people tell time by the clock, the position of the sun, the moon and stars, and by the crowing of the cocks, or some birds in the mountains.

When the sun is overhead, it is twelve o'dock. When the calso in the mountains shouts its call, it is twelve o'clock. When the rooster crows at night, the first crowing is eleven o'clock, the second is one o'clock, and the third is four o'clock.

They tell the time by the south cross, the moming star, and the constellation of Hercules, etc.

In the preparation of this manuscript, the following wise old men and women were consulted and they furnished all the necesary data and information regarding the place:

Miss Laura Villamor of Bangued gave information about the happenings during the Spanish regime.

Mr. Espiridion Beloy and Mr. Mauricio Beloy of Lipcan furnished some data about Angad.

Mr. Anselmo Beleno, Mr. Pio Bemardez, and Mr. German Berside gave the information mentioned in Numbers 10 to 16.

(SGD.) PIO BERNARDEZ
(SGD.) ANSELMO BELENO
(SGD.) GERMAN BERALDE

Transcribed from:

History and Cultural Life of the Barrio Angad, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections. The pagination in this transcription is as they appear in the original document.