Municipality of Bacarra, Historical Data Part II
PART II
PART I | PART II
[p. 10]
the popular person, rich and brave, who happened to begin that barrio or the name of a popular one who happened to be the head of the barrio, or the one who owned most of the land or fields in the barrio. Like that of Barrios 8 and 9. They were called San Agustin in honor of the late Ex-President Augustin Albano, who had been the head of the barangays in that barrio in the past years. Thus, the school established in the western part is named San Agustin School.
The Economic Condition of the Town
One of the most progressive and richest towns of Ilocos Norte is the town of Bacarra. It has a vast land, fertile plains with few hills. The lands were divided among families in the town as we could hardly find a family without a piece of land to cultivate or grow rice. However, the "Apos" have accumulated more lands for themselves. The town has become the rice granary of northern Ilocos Norte.
The people are engaged in farming. The products raised are rice, tobacco, mangoes, beans, sugarcane, vegetables, cotton, corn, and onions. Rice and tobacco produced in Bacarra are the best in Ilocos Norte. Wine manufactured called "basi" is the best kind in the province. Onions which bring now the limelight account for the wealth of the community of ₱200,000 worth flourished very much.
The farmers are proud for having planted the best system of irrigation ditches to irrigate the fields. They were made even during the Spanish time. The farmers organized themselves into an organization called Zanjeros. They have shown their spirit to preserve their work, the excellent irrigation system which is the pride of today when compared with the work of the government for the advancement of farming.
The waters of the town keep the town's wealth. The mouth of the river and its branches are noted for catching "bugi" or tiny bangos. This gave 121,000 worth to the municipality at present.
The hardworking Bacarreños have not stayed at home to till the soil. Due to the increase of population, the land has become so small that expansion became impossible. So, they had to migrate to the Cagayan Valley, Central Plains of Luzon,
[p. 11]
Visayas, Mindanao and to Hawaii in the United States. The people or laborers who went to Hawaii and the United States have made good earnings and became rich. They have built big houses and bought the lands of the "Apos." Thus, the "Apos" now have few lands.
(SGD.) Mrs. Maria R. Guillermo
[p. 12]
The two-room Gabaldon building was built in 1901. The Home Economics Building, the Shop Building, and the Roxas Building were erected between 1938 and 1940. These buildings were intact after the war, except the Gabaldon building which was bombed by the Japs.
During the outbreak of the Second World War, the provincial government evacuated and sought refuge in this town. The Roxas Building was made the offices of the different departments and bureaus. The Army Headquarters stayed in this town for several months, too.
After the war, because the school buildings were intact, a regional high school was established here. It offered a complete high school course under the Capiz High. Mr. Alberto Martinez was the principal. It lasted for only two years because of the difficulty of the students in crossing the river, especially during rainy days.
Little was mentioned about the destruction of lives during the war between 1896-1900. The war of 1941-1943 [more correctly, 1945] brought more destruction. One school building was bombed. Around twenty houses were bombed by the enemies. Several houses were burned by the Japs, too. On January 16, 1943, the Japanese planes bombarded the town, including Bun-od. This town suffered a great loss in property, although no lives were lost.
Through the War Damage claims, almost all who submitted their claims received their benefits.
The provincial road was fixed and two bridges were constructed. Special mention is given to Representative Ramon Arnaldo Vicente Fabuna for the erection of a new bridge in the [page torn] The bridge in Badbaran that connects Cuartero and [page torn]
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NI BUISEC KEN NI PILAY
Idi ununana nga aldao adda kan maysa a pilay nga lalaqui nga agtutugao iti sirok ti meysa ngakayo. Nakitana ti meysa nga lalaqui nga bulsec ng ar-aricapenna ti dalan na.
"Adin no ti papanam bulsec," quinuna ni pilay.
"Kayat ko koma ti mapan ta ili ngam diac met makita ti dalanko," insungbat di bulsec.
"Kayat ko koma met ti mapan ta ili ngem diac met makapagna," kinuna met ni pilay.
"No agcaay ka nga matac agpaayac met nga Sakam," kinuna ni Bulsec.
"Nasayaat nga aramid," kinuna ni Pilay. Binaklay ni Bulsec ni Pilay. Ni Pilay inturong na ti di nalan ni bulsec. Napalalo nga ragsacda nga nakadanon ti ili.
(SGD.) DOROTEA T. LAZO
[p. 14]
WHY THE MOSQUITO SINGS BEFORE IT BITES
(A Legend)
In the days of old, the mosquito just bites a person or a fellow animal without singing or humming. Each time it took a bite, it would be noticed only after some moments.
One night, it went again biting peoples and animals. This time, it was a monkey who was its victim. The monkey was angered by the bite of the mosquito that he reported the matter to their judge — a fierce lion. The judge at once sent his policemen to notify the mosquito about the charges made by the monkey.
When they were already in the court of the lion, the judge had not yet said a word when the mosquito asked, "Did you call for me, Your Honor?"
"Yes, and will you explain why you should not be punished for biting the monkey and doing so without his knowledge?"
"I cannot explain it, Your Honor, but I simply like to bite others," the mosquito said, trembling.
"Well," said the lion, "I, your wise judge, will now give your sentence. From now on, mosquito, never approach anyone without first humming or singing near his ears so he may know you are near him and about to bite him. And when he sees or hears you, he shall kill you, hence be careful."
The mosquito bowed low and accepted the verdict of the court. "I will do that thing as you have commanded me to do, Your Honor," he said as they all quietly went out of the courtroom.
That is the reason why all mosquitoes, before they bite, sing or hum.
Will you, dear reader, catch one mosquito which does not sing or hum before it bites you, so that I can take it to the lion for proper judgement and punishment?
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THE LEGEND OF BANTAY PULTAK
As one travels along the national highway between Bacarra and Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, the sight of a towering mountain towards the northeast is vivid. This is Bantay Pultak or Balheaded Mountain. The peak is very barren so [it] is called Bantay Pultak. The story will explain why.
Years and years ago, Bantay Pultak was inhabited by a rich tribe of Itnegs (Negritoes). The peak, then, was not as barren as it is now. Chief Katuredan, the boldest chief, occupied the top of the mountain and watched over all his subjects who lived in huts below. In times of war, too, it was an advantage for him, for the war-like neighbors could not reach Chief Katuredan's house. So, its fame spread far and wide.
During those years of prosperity, all roads led to the mountain town. By this time, the lowlanders had almost consumed their January harvest and the Itnegs had just harvested their rice. Up the mountain, the lowlanders brought their choices t 'ipon' baggong, their big red crabs, their eggs, etc. The mountaineers relished the food of the lowlanders and, in return, they repaid the lowlanders with palay. There was never a more perfect example of cooperative and harmonious relationship than this which existed between the Itnegs and the lowlanders.
But this state of affairs did not last long. Hatred and jealousy were developed. The lowlanders despised the way the mountaineers clothed themselves. They made fun of their red teeth, their molasses-black skin, and their strange anting-anting. On the other hand, the mountaineers fell back to their savage ways, hacking any lowlander they came across as their 'kampilan.'
The worst came one September night. There was not a single grain of harvest that year in the lowland. Up in the mountains, the lands were golden with ripening grains. Chief Kasipakan, the wiliest of the lowlanders, sent three of his men to make friendly arrangements with them, but now no one has returned. Hoping very much that love would conquer the most deep-seated of hatred, Chief Kasikapan sent his beautiful and only daughter and two of his lovelier
[Note to the reader: The above legend is also incomplete in the original and cannot, therefore, be completed.]
[p. 16]
LEGEND OF CAL-LAGUIP
Iddi ununana nga aldao adda maysa nga lalaki nga adani ti Carayan. Manang calap daytoy nga tao qet ti nagan na Juan. Iti naminsan nga rabii nga napan nagcalap awan ti nacalapan na qet calpasan ti adu nga saclap nautuyanen iti napalalo nga bannogna. Intugao na iti dackel nga bato qet nagpakita metten ti nalibnos nga balasang. Napalalo nga siddao ni Juan. "Dica agsiddao Juan," kinuna ni babai siac ti Reina ti daytoy nga lugar. Nagpagayam da Juan qen toy a balasang qet cadarato agdanonda idiay nga lugar. Dimtong ti tiempo nga napilit nga agcasar ni Juan qet inidian nan ti panagpaspasiar na idiay nga lugar. Iti naminsan nga ilalabas ni Juan iti daydiay nga bato nakita na manen di balasang qet nagsarita da no apay nga dida agkitkitan. Inbaga ni Juan ti gapuna.
Inkeddeng di balasang, gaput ta tinalicudan ti pinag-pagayam ta nga dica imbagbaga caniac manga ramidac to iti pacalag-laguipan yo caniac iti cada taoan.
Ita tinaoan nga maitappang dayta nga lugar qet cadarato ada malmos gaputta adalem latta dayta nga lugar. Nagtungpalan na managan iti Cal-Laguip.
[p. 17]
TI NACANAGANAN TI ILI NGA BACARRA
Idi nabiit pay daguidi Cacastila oanno Español nga immay nagturay ditoy Filipinas bassit pay met laeng cadaguidi Filipino ti makaawat ken makasao ti sang ca bassit nga Español nga pagsasao daguidi Cacastila.
Naunget ket naturay da. Daguidi Filipino nangruma no napanglao napalalo nga pinagbutengda cadacuada. Senias ti pakisaoda no saan patpatanganda ti isungbatda gapu ti butengda.
Iti naminsan nga aldao napan nagburac ti conocon ti meysa nga lakay. Iti nagburacan na madalanan no umay ti umay ditoy ili no aggapu sadi Laoag.
Di mabayag lumabas daguidi Cacastila yandi yanna nga agburburac. Idi ruggian da ti agpabaliw ti caballo da nagsardeng da ket nagsaludsud da iti deydi lakay no ana nga ili ti masungadanda. Piman ta deydi lakay dina met naawatan ngem ti pannangipagarupna saludsoden da no ania ti lames nga maburaccana kinunana, "Bacbacarra Apo!" Nagtung-ad deydi meysa nga Castila ket kinunana, "Bacarra."
Idin isu metten ti nangruguian daguidi Cacastila nga in nagan deytoy nga ili ti Bacarra. Naipa canayon deydin isu nga ita ti ili agnagan Bacarra.
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