MUNICIPALITY OF BANI (PANGASINAN), History and Cultural Life of

Checked and compiled by:

Mr. CALIXTO MONTERO
Principal
Bani Elem. School

Bounded to the north by Bolinao, to the northeast and East by Anda and Alaminos, respectively, to the south by Mabini and Agno, and to the west by the China Sea, with an area of around 14,000 hectares (excluding lakes) and a population of around 26,000 peaceful souls is the town of Bani.

Running midway through the town from the south to the north is the provincial road going to Agno in the south and to Bolinao in the north. This road almost divides the town into two equal parts. The western portion comprises the barrios and sitios of Panao, Dacap Sur, Dacap Norte, Colayo, and Tiep. This portion of the town is a wide and grassy plateau which is suited for pasturing and grazing. The eastern portion is a wide and fertile plain extending to as far as Alaminos in the east, to Mabini and Agno in the south, and to Bolinao in the north. This land is best for farming where thousands of cavans of rice is produced. It is composed of the barrios of Quinaoayanan, Tipor, Ballag, Ranom Iloco, Banog, San Vicente, San Miguel, Garrita, Masidem, Tugui, and Lambes.

Originally, Bani was part of Zambales. With the other eleven towns of western Pangasinan now, they seceded from the former and joined the latter on May 10, 1903. Their secession was not due to any political motive but because Iba, the capital, was far, and transportation was difficult.

According to records now found in the hands of Don Pablo Sagun, which were handed to him by his grandfather, who was a teniente basal appointed in 1863 (appointment papers intact), and according to the souvenir programs printed every year by the chairman on Program and Publicity Attorney Eudocio Cacho, Bani was not called as it is now. It was originally called San Simon, and it was in a place called Namagbagan, a sitio now two and a half kilometers northwest of the present poblacion. All papers and documents agreeing, it was founded in the year 1762. The founders were men from Ilocos Sur, Zambales, and Pangasinan. Those coming from Ilocos Sur were Andres Osiac, Matias Turba, and Francisco Baltazar. Those from Zambales were Aluiso de Villanueva, Gaspar Baltazar, and Diego Baltazar. From Pangasinan, we have Francisco del Rosario, Pascual Lomboyan, and Domingo Ramos.

As we have seen, the founders of the town were mostly immigrants, but they possessed the natural love for freedom and independence as most Filipinos have at heart. This and other reasons spurred them to form themselves into a community, in order that they could mold their own destiny.

The new town of San Simon prospered very slowly. Transportation was difficult. The Don Cayo River, which was the only means of connection with other towns by water, was far and unnavigable. There was a need for a change for the better. It was during this period of want and desire for advancement that an important event led the people to clamor for the transfer of the town from its site Namagbagan to its present site. How the site was transferred and how it was named Bani is not fully known. There are two versions, however, which in some way or another have something to do with the renaming and transfer of the town. It was fiesta at San Simon (the story runs). Many people from other towns and other provinces participated. One morning, as the priest was saying Mass, he found to his dismay that the Patron Saint was missing. A search was made, and under a big bani tree in that very same place where the altar of the Roman Catholic church is now, it was found by the people unscathed. The next day, during the Mass, it was missing again, only to be found in the same place where it was found previously. The people, being very superstitious and religious, and belieivng that the patron saint wanted the town to be transferred to the place where it was found, transferred it and named it Bani after the tree under whose spreading branches it sought shelter.

The other version was: it was named Bani because there are many bani trees here.

Either of the two may be true and correct, but as it is and has been, Bani came to be the official name of the town. This was in the year 1860.

The present site of the poblacion is between two rivers, namely, Quinaoayanan and the Don Cayo River. The Quinaoayanan River skirts the southern, eastern, and northeastern boundary of the town. The Don Caryo River skirts the northern boundary of the town up to the place where it joins the Quinaoayanan River. When one enters Bani from the east, north, and south, one has to cross a river. The town can only be accessible by entering from the west.

The management of the affairs of the government was so simple that the administration was an easy one.

The highest authority of the town was a priest whose seat was the church.

The gobernadorcillo or the capitan, who was the chief executive of the town, received the authority.

The gobernadorcillo handed the authority to the different cabezas who saw that the authority was obeyed

These offices were held by the well-to-do. They were not compensated. Their duty was to collect taxes of two pesos only from every person every year. If he failed to collect from the people the amount that was to be collected, he would cover up the amount. If collected, he would submit it to the capitan, who would, in turn, submit it to the priest. Any person who could not pay the required tax would be whipped severely. Some persons who could not pay sometimes ran into hiding. The whip was a prepared lash with a crosson [?], the handle of which symbolized authority. More often, the cabezas or the capitan covered up the taxes of the runaway taxpayers.

The first executive officers of the town were called tenientes absoluto. From the foundation of the town to 1774, ten such officers ruled the town. They were:

After 1774, the title teniente absoluto was changed to gobernadorcillo or capitan, and continued to be so-called until 1892, when it was changed to capitan municipal. In all, there were one hundred and one gobernadorcillos who occupied the executive office of Bani.

Below is a list of the gobernadorcillos with their tenures of office.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32.

Pascual Lomboy Gaspar Baltazar Vicente de San Andres Vicente Pangayon Domingo Santiago Francisco Lomboy Francisco de Jesus Vicente de San Andres Bartolome Careon Gaspar de los Santos Vicente de San Andres Bartolome Fernando Tomas delos Santos Pascual Lomboy Francisco de Jesus Filemon Gabril Vicente Pangayon Domingo de la Cruz Francisco del Rosario Julian Lomboy Francisco de Jesus Clemente Domingo Domingo de la Cruz Julian Lomboy Antonio Lorenzo Vicente Lomboy Julian Rodriguez Julian Bautista Serapio Orlanda Vicente Lomboy Serapio Orlanda Inosensio Fernando

1775 1776 1777 1778 1779 1780 1781 1782 1783 1784 1785 1786 1787 1788 1789 1790 1791 1792 1793 1794 1795 1796 1797 1798 1799 1800 1801 1802 1803 1804 1805 1806

33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64.

Julian Lomboy Vicente Juan Jacinto de los Santos Vicente Lomboy Celestino Salvador Juan Rodriguez Jose de la Cruz Antonio Cayabyab Juan Lorenzo Pascual Orlanda Tomas Caraon Juan Lomboy Jacinto Guimban Gelacio de San Simon Vicente Ferrer Jose de San Andres Mariano Veloria Jose Orlanda Antonio Orlino Pedro Orilla Francisco Cabrera Mariano Santiago Mariano Oreas Serapio Orlanda Vicente Lomboy Vicente de los Santos Bernabe Lomboy Eulogio Castrenco de los Angeles Miguel Gabril Ortaleza Manuel del Rosario Nazario Olivares Venancio Orlino

1807 1808 1809 1810 1811 1812 1813 1814-15 1816 1817 1818 1819 1819 1820 1821 1822 1823 1824 1825 1826 1827 1828 1829 1830 1831 1832 1833 1834 1836 1837 1838 1839

65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75. 76. 77. 78. 79. 80.

Sabino Cedre Bautista Vicente Baltazar Francisco Macaraeg Pedro Homildi Miguel Ramos Andres Domingo Sabino Cedre Bautista Manuel dela Cruz Agnes dela Cruz Vicente Olivo Hermogenes Orlanda Juan Obosa Pio Cacho Gregorio Homilde Vicente Orilla Andres Olivo

1840 1841 1842 1843 1844 1845 1846 1847 1848 1849 1850 1851 1852 1853 1854 1855

81. 82. 83. 84. 85. 86. 87. 88. 89. 90. 91. 92. 93. 94. 95. 96.

Pantaleon Olivares Gregorio Humilde Vicente Orilla Antonio V. Zernadas Fausto Orilla Juan Orlino Sabino Cedre Bautista Nicolas Cedre Bautista Esteban Orlanda Helario Orlino Antonio V. Zernadas Hipolito Cedre Bautista Agapito Cave Nicolas Cedre Bautista Domingo Ramos Mariano Cedre Bautista

1856 1857 1858 1859 1860 1861-1862 1863-1864 1865-1866 1867-1868 1869-1870 1871-1872 1873-1874 1875-1876 1877-1878 1879-1880 1881-1882

97. 98. 99. 100. 101

Victorio Olivo Agapito Cave Eugenio Cacho Basilio Garcia Juan Osia

1888-1884 1885-1886 1887-1888 1889-1890 1891-1892

In 1893, the gobernadorcillo was supplanted by the capitan municipal, and the latter title lasted until 1889, when the form of government was changed after the revolution in 1898. Only four capitanes municipal served the town. Those who served as such were:

1. 2. 3. 4.

Felipe Orilla Mariano Castelo Cecilio Castrengcol Clemente Nebril

1893-1894 1895-1896 1897-1898 1899

Upon the establishment of the civil government in the Philippines, the executive official of the town came to be known as the municipal president. This title continued to be so until 1937, when it was changed to municipal mayor. Below is a list of municipal presidents, together with other responsible municipal officials, and their tenures of office.

1901-1902 President Felomino Orilla Vice-President Miguel Bauson Sec. Gregorio Baradi Treas. Mariano Cedre Bautista Sgt. of Police Aluiso Dapuang Councilors Juan Catabay Andres Ontar Liberato Obtinario Emeterio Narciso Macario Ocuaman Dalmacio Nacito Leoncio Cadlaon Juan Dollaga 1902-1905 President Gregorio J. Oblanca Vice-Pres. Miguel Bauson Sec. Gregorio Baradi Treas. Mariano Castelo Chief. Aluiso Dapuang Councilors Martin Rivera Martin Ogana Alberto Olavero Juan Orilla Policarpio Opulencia Florentino Ocuaman Nicolas Sanches Estanislao Medrana 1906-1907 President Ludovico Oboza

1906-1907 Continued Vice-Pres. Paulino Oblanca Sec. Gregorio Baradi - Juan Cave Treas. Tomas de Asis Chief Aluiso Dapuang Councilors Severino Cedre Bautista Domingo Obtinalla Martin Rivera Nicolas Sanches Alberto Clavero Juan Orilla Estanislao Medrana Remegio Camba 1908-1909 President Gregorio Baradi Vice-Pres. Domingo Obtinalla Sec. Cecilio San Juan - Mariano Mangonon Treas. Julio Miranda Chief Aluiso Dapuang Councilors Estanislao Medrana Dalmacio Urbano Martin Ogana Florentino Ocuaman Juan Orilla Nicolas Sanches Alberto Clavero Policarpio Opulencia

1910-1911 President Aniceto Orlino Vice-Pres. Juan Sanches Sec. Jose Vinluan - Cecilio SanJuan Tres. Pio U. Reyes Chief Aluiso Dapuang Councilors Juan Orilla Florentino Ocuaman Policarpio Opulencia Juan Alcantara Mariano Padilla Francisco Fetalver Bernardino Camba Severino Orlanda 1912-1915 President Marcos Orlino Vice-Pres. Felix Nebril - Juan Sanches Sec. Mariano Castelo - Juan Cave Treas. Julio Miranda Chief. Francisco Cabal - Jacinto Baniqued Councilors Marcelino Sanches Cecilio Ochaves Pedro Orilla Julian Abar Segundo Orilla Candido Quesada Nazario de los Santos Anastacio Orlino 1916-1919 President Mariano Castelo Vice-Pres. Cecilio Chavez Sec. Juan Cave - Rufino Guerrero Treas. Julio Miranda Chief Juan G. Orlino Councilors Mariano Catabay Timoteo Tugadi Felix Avelino Pablo W. Sagun Patricio Osia Inocensio Carenio Mariano Ostil Julio Ogana 1920-1922 President Mariano Castelo Vice-Pres. Pablo Sagun Sec. Rufino Guerrero Treas. Julio Miranda Chief Juan G. Orlino Councilors Galicano Catabay Telesforo Fenis Inocencio Catabay Antero Abelon Pioquinto Ceniza Jacinto Camba Pablo Oximana Vicente Bustria 1923-1925 President Gregorio Baradi Vice-Pres. Felix Cabildo Sec. Mamerto Ogana - Isidoro Ceniza Treas. Julio Miranda Chief Juan G. Orlino Councilors Manuel Urbano Luis Catabay Bartolome Bactista

1923-1925 Continued Councilors Marcos Catabay Casemero Postadan Narciso Abungan Pablo Camba Pedro Dollaga 1926-1928 President Gregorio Baradi Vice-Pres. Flaviano Nebril Sec. Benito Lubiano Treas. Julio Miranda Chief Juan G. Orlino Councilors Jose Retivo Esteban Onrada Cirilo Catabay Pio Calixtro Simeon Postadan Marcelino Tabucol Ingracio Cabaluna Fausto Mendoza 1929-1931 President Anecito Orlino Vice-Pres. Martin de los Reyes Sec. Mamerto Ogana Treas. Julio Miranda Chief. Juan G. Orlino Councilors Bernabe Garcia Leofolod Gaerlan Cirilo Catabay Marcelino Taboccol Juan Manilo Florencio Rativo 1932-1934 President Juan Castelo Vice-Pres. Juan Oboza Sec. Pedro Urbano Paulino Camba Florencio Peralta Filemon Camba Treas. Gavino Erfe Chief Juan G. Orlino Councilors Mariano Padama Juan dela Cruz Sixto Avelino Faustino Reniedo Mateo Tobias Ireneo Cafre 1934-1936 President Juan Castelo Vice-Pres. Felix Orilla Sec. Pedro Urbano Treas. Eduardo Rosete Chief Lorenzo Nieto Councilors Isidro dela Cruz Enrique Natividad Anselmo Bustria Roman Bactista Andres Capenia Simeon Nilo

From 1937 up to the present, the title of the chief executive of the town has been called municipal mayor.

Listed below are the names of the municipal mayors who ruled the town together with responsible officials, with their tenures of office.

1937-1940 Municipal Mayor Emeterio Catabay Vice-Mayor Teodoro Raquipezo Sec. Modesto Baina Treas. Eduardo Rosete Chief Lorenzo Nieto Councilors Ignacio Canisa Candido Botardo Jose Dollaga Ciriaco Ordanes Toribio Camba Apolinario Cruz 1941-1945 Mun. Mayor Estanislao Cave Vice-Mayor Sixto Avelino Sec. Modesto Baina - Plegunte Balan Treas. Eduardo Rosete Chief Lorenzo Nieto Councilors Tomas U. Orlino Ambrocio Bactista Potenciano Terrado Victor Conte Fausto Conte Felix Panitan 1946 Mayor Anecito Orlino Vice-Mayor Sixto Avelino Sec. Roman de Guzman Treas. Eduardo Rosete Councilors Tomas Orlino Ambrocio Bactista Potenciano Terrado Victor Conte Fausto Conte Felix Panitan 1947 Mayor Juan Castelo Vice-Mayor Sixto Evalino Sec. Roman de Guzman Treas. Eduardo Rosete Chief Emeterio Catabay Councilors Rufino Peros Miguel Castillo Ambrocio Bactista Felix Panitan Domingo Curpos Victor Conte 1948-1951 Mayor Procopio Nacito Vice-Mayor Justiniano Catabay Sec. Roman de Guzman Treas. Ludovico Mejia Chief Lorenzo Nieto Councilors Agustin Fernandes Pedro Camba Crisostomo Curpos Bartolome Marzan Federico Cara Mariano Prudencio

1952-1953 Mayor Felix Orilla Vice-Mayor Federico Cara Sec. Juan L. [unreadable] Jose Lucero Alfredo Ortaleza Treas. Ludovico Mejia Chief Dionisio Catil Councilors Bartolome Marzan Filemon Osorio Ruben Cabildo Emilio de Asis Alfonso Acar Marcelino Tabacul

For sometime after it was transferred and renamed, the leaders concentrated their attention on its build-up. They were coming to realize the advantages, conveniences, and necessities of living together in a community. More people, and better elements at that, came. Private schools were opened. the subjects offered were Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic. Good Manners and Right Conduct were also taught.

Almost a year after its transfer, an epidemic of cholera broke out. Many people died, but it was soon put out. From 1863 to 1882, nothing worthy of record took place. In 1883, another epidemic broke out. This was during the rule of Victor Olivo as gobernadorcillo. Again in 1888, when Don Eugenio Cacho was the gobernadorcillo, another epidemic broke out. This was the most disastrous because many people died and most of the houses in the barrios as well as in the town were left person-less. Other cases of these diseases broke out again in the years 1902 and 1910, but they were stamped out immediately.

Practically every year, twenty years before the revolution and a few years after, there were cases of smallpox, but not so widespread to cause alarm. The people were so accustomed to it that the disease seemed to be but an everyday happening. It was because the people were so strong-blooded that it did not affect them so much. By the introduction of vaccination, the disease disappeared forever.

For years and years, too, locusts infested Bani. The people did not trouble themselves to eradicate the pest because it was their belief that killing the insects in great numbers would madden San Agustin, the caretaker who would send more of them if angered. So that the people would fully believe such belief, the priest would order the ringing of the church bells whenever swarms of locust would pass over the town. It was a foolish idea, but the people were not much concerned with the lack of food because there were so very few people then that root crops growing wild would be enough to make them live. During the last part of the Spanish era, this belief was discarded. It was, perhaps, due to the increase number of the population which demanded more crops and production that civic-spirited citizens would lead the masses to the fields to kill locusts by sacks, never minding the wrath of San Agustin. Not long after, this nuisance was conquered. Today, locusts are being combatted not only by the people but also by the government, which is spending thousands of money for their eradication.

In education, Bani was never found lagging behind. The private schools which were opened at the early part of its foundation continued to flourish. The teachers worthy of mention who had done much towards the education of the people of Bani were Maestra Carmen and Maestro Domo. The former was responsible for the education of the girls and the latter was responsible for the education of the boys. These schools existed until the early part of the American rule when they died out because of the untimely deaths of the teachers.

As soon as American rule was firmly established in the Philippines, a system of primary education was opened. Teachers were lacking, but the early Americans here in Bani detailed the soldiers for the service. Enthusiasm ran high, even among the older people, to learn the English language. Because of the zeal and spirit of service shown by the detailed soldiers, the sympathy of the masses was won, and there was an earnest response to the call of education in English. This led to the establishment of peace and the spread of democracy, which was the cherished dream of every Filipino. These teacher-soldiers who were left behind stayed here for better or worse. Special mention is due Mr. John Woodson and Mr. James F. Hart, both Niggers, [Note to the reader: in the present day, of course, the word "nigger" is considered politically and culturally inappropriate.] for their educational work. Their first pupils were responsible in opening the first barrio schools in Bani. The three barrios which luckily succeeded in opening schools first were Ranom Iloco, San Miguel, and Lambes. Maestro Pedro Urbano was sent to Ranom Iloco; Don Felix Cabildo was sent to San Miguel; and Don Pablo Sagun was sent to Lambes. Maestro Ambrocio Nazareno taught in the town. The next year, Banog and Ambabaay followed suit, etc., until all the barrios had opened classes. To make these teachers more qualified in their work, they were given Saturday training classes. These Americans who first opened classes became their supervisors and principals.

By the approval of the Osmeña-Gabaldon Act, education was accelerated so that now, fewer people in Bani cannot read and write.

Today, there are seventee barrios having schools. Seven of them have complete elementary, while all the others have classes up to grade four. All these schools have semi-permanent buildings to house the children.

In the town, there is a concrete permanent primary building with 12 standard rooms, one semi-permanent building with seven standard rooms, a modern and permanent Home Economics Building, a standard shop, where children are taught vocations useful to their future lives.

There is also a college here called Western Pangasinan Junior College which offers courses in the following:

Complete Vocational and Academic High School Courses.
Two-year Course leading to an Elementary Teacher's Certificate, E.T.C., and Two Years Liberal Arts General

On December 12, 1938, Bani was visited by the worst conflagration in her history. Twenty-one buildings were razed to the ground, causing a total loss to the tune of twenty thousand pesos (pre-war).

During the Philippine Revolution, Bani played an important part in the war. Many of her sons joined the Katipunan. On March 7, 1898, they encountered the Spanish forces in the plaza. Fighting continued until the following day when the Spaniards were either subdued or ran away. Sixteen of her sons fell martyrs to the cause of independence. It is to commemorate this date in the annals of Bani that the town fiesta was set on March 7^th of every year, only to be transferred to March 27 for no obvious reason. It was during this fight that the newly constructed church, which was done by forced labor for so many years, and which was said to be the biggest in western Pangasinan, was burned to cover the retreat of the fleeing priest.

The outbreak of the Second World War will always be linked with the history of Bani because when that international imbroglio broke out, this town was celebrating the annual fiesta of her patron saint. Immediately, 200-strong of her sons joined the colors to fight side by side with the United States of America against Japanese aggression and barbarism to preserve the world for democracy. And when in the course of time, the Muse of History will write the names of heroes and martyrs of Bataan and Corregidor, many familiar names will appear in letters of gold. The names Oboza, Botin, Orlino, Castelo, Olores, etc. will always speak in eloquent words, that this humble town Bani had done her part and never found wanting when the hour of trial came...

During the last two decades, Bani made rapid strides toward progress. With the opening of the Bani-Alaminos Road, commercial boom came. At this time of writing, which is May 1953, Bani can be proud of the following improvements, not to mention the lesser ones.

Its water system, which was inaugurated on March 7, 1918.
Its complete primary school building, which was completed in 1923.
Its municipal building, which was erected in 1926.
Its fountain, which was finished in 1928.
The two wings of the market, which were completed in 1933.
The completion of the Bani-Bolinao Road in 1938.
The Rizal monument, which was unveiled in 1945.
The construction of extensive fishing culture in 1947.
The establishment of electric light, heat, and power in 1948.
The introduction of mechanized farming in 1949.
The opening of the Municipal Library in 1949.
Artesian well constructed in 1952.
Construction of barrio roads in 1952.
The establishment of barrio markets.
The construction of tennis and basketball courts in 1952.
The construction of another small wing of the market in 1953, etc.

Bani is a third class municipality by virtue of the provisions of Act No. 83, as amended. The financial status of Bani is sound. With this rate of progress, it has a good chance of becoming a second class municipality by the next classification.

It has now an annual income of ₱33,197.10 (1952).

Its principal products are rice, corn, fish, cattle, poultry, eggs, bananas, and maguey.

It is also said to have the biggest deposit of cement in the Philippines. Other mineral products are phosphate, guano, and salt.

Bani is also famous for its natural beauties which are puzzles of the imagination. Those God- and man-made beauties, if only accessible by road, may bring thousands of tourists from any part of the world; but as it is, these places are but the subjects of the imagination. Below is a description of each as reprinted from the Souvenir Program of Bani Town Fiesta under the chairmanship of Atty. Eudocio Caho [Cabo?].

BALIWANGA - If Colorado has her Grand Canyon and Niagara her famous waterfalls, Bani has her Baliwanga, which combines the wonder of the deep and the beauty of the falls. This Philippine Canyon, which is only three kilometers' walk from the Ranao Elementary School, commands a depth of a thousand feet and descends from a waterfall unrivalled anywhere.

ABNTAY TIPOR - Rising to a height of three hundred feet above the surrounding country, this lonely hill stands like a sentinel of God. Legends tell us that, in the olden days, this little Mount Arayat of Bani was guarded by a giant bird called TIPOR, which devoured all animals that roamed within sight. With all the outward appearance of an extinct volcano coupled with the discovery of the Biblical instance, this enchanted hill remains a mystery.

NALSOC - New York has her subways, Palawan her underground streams. Bani has her subterranean river. This hitherto unadvertized wonder of western Pangasinan rises from the beautiful cave of Bonacao and empties into the China Sea passing through miles of a natural archway of stalactites and stalagmites.

ABOT-RIPAY - This combination of a pit, a cave, and an underground stream is really another puzzle for the imagination. Starting from a pit or hole in the earth's crust, an archway many, many meters long leads to an underground stream across which is a cave holding a vast deposit of guano.

ZIGZAG - The famous zigzag roads of Baguio and Bontoc have their rival in Bani. On the newly-opened road to Bolinao, about five kilometers from this town, one ascends a three-kilometer zigzag way carved on the sides of steep precipices. Waterfalls and cascades, running streams, and beautiful panoranamas greet the eyes of the travelers in this God- and manmade wonder.

SONGEY - If you have not seen the wonderful reservoir of Manila's water supply in Montalban, come to Bani and see our Songey, especially famous in beauty and romance. Legend has it that any wandering lover who has once tasted the sweet water of this formerly crocodile-infested spring will surely fall in love with the local belles.

VIRGA - Have you ever looked down from a high mountain at the deep blue sea? If not, come to Virga, that rocky promontory west of Bani and overlooking the China Sea from the dizzying height of two thousand feet. Many an unlucky Viray has met its doom at the food of this fjord by carelessly navigating against it.

CLANEN - If Norway and Sweden have their fjords and deep bays, Bani has her Clanen. Up above the sea on a plateau, one can discern the China Sea immediately below a passing steamboat moving like a smoking cigar. On clear nights, it is rather amusing to hear the deep thundercuts roar of the waves as they pounce heavily on the rocky caverns.

SEMMILLA - This is another work of nature that attracts the imagination. Unlike the wooden horse of the Trojan War, this is a small mountain north of Bani covered by grass, which appears like a huge horse with a saddle on the back from a distance — hence, the name Semmilla (saddle-like).

GAYAMANAN - Have you seen the Centipede Islands? Come to Bani and, at the mouth of the Don Cayo River, you will find a rocky delta in the form of a crawling centipede. Hear, many a weary viray unloads its cargo of palay in its voyage to Ilocos to enable her to pass the sandbar during low tide.

MAMABAG - If Pisa has her leaning tower, Bani has her falling mountain. Year after year, Mamabag has appeared as if it will fall any moment from a height of two thousand feet but to date, it is still holding on. People are afraid to pass at the foot of the concave precipice lest they be buried alive.

Transcribed from:

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