Almeria Biliran
Brief history
The first emigrants of Almeria came from Jagna, Bohol. Their great
grandparents traveled bound for Oquino, somewhere in Samar Island,
purposely to visit their parents and relatives. On the course of their
trip they met a strong typhoon, so they were forced to find a haven for
their safety and landed on a place which they did not know.
In their stay while waiting for a fair weather they liked
very much the place having a very fertile soil suitable for farming, so
they decided to discontinue their journey. Because they felt that this
is a better place to live in, they started building their houses and
tilled the land for their living.
In 1834, a missionary was sent from Almeria, Spain
(presently one of the beautiful cities in Spain) composed of Spanish
soldiers who went around in an inspection trip to the Visayan Island.
The Spaniards like this place so much that they made a strong
recommendation to the Church and Military Authorities that a watch tower
be erected on the same place.
Later, when the missionary came back to the place, they
decided to build a watch tower at the top of Baluarte Hill. Thru the
missionary's representation to the spanish Government, the Governo
Militar de Leyte issued a decree naming the place Pueblo de Almeria, in
honor of the Birthplace of the discoverer, the missionary from Almeria
Spain. Thus, the Municipality of Almeria derived its name.
Almeria was one of the barangays of the Municipality of
Kawayan. Later on September 1, 1948, Executive Order No. 162 was issued
by then President Elpidio Quirino naming Barangay Almeria as one single
local government unit to be called as the Municipality of Almeria.
The Municipality of Almeria is located on the West Coast of
Biliran Island, bounded on the North by the Municipality of Kawayan ;
on the south by the Municipality of Culaba; and on the west by Biliran
strait with a total area of 65.69 sq. km. Presently, the Municipality of
Almeria consists of 13 barangays which includes the Barangay Poblacion.
Endowed with a very rich natural resources and tourist
spots consisting of water falls, such as the Tungauihan Falls and
Bagongbong Falls in Barangay Iyusan; Kinaraha Spring; and the Agta Beach
Resort in Brgy. Talahid. Having an abundant supply of water, the
Municipality of Almeria has its own rice terraces overlooking the whole
Municipality located in Sitio Barubohan, Barangay Iyusan.
Attuned with the land are the beautiful and hospitable
people of the Municipality whose bright smiles and warm welcome
fittingly complement the enchanting land.
The most unforgettable experience will be the exuberant faces of the people of Almeria
Biliran Biliran
Brief History
Biliran was derived from the name of a native grass called
"borobiliran" which was in abundance during the Pre-Spanish period.
Seafarers who used to pass narrow straits of Biliran which separate the
province of Leyte and the island of Biliran would admire the fertile
plains and lush green hills of the island.Settlers from nearby villages which were plundered by moro pirates started moving towards the plains of Biliran. As the settlement grew, it became known as Biliran.
The municipality of Biliran was formally establish the year 1878. It is the historical center and gateway to Biliran island as well as to the northern municipalities of Leyte Province.
At the first municipality in the island, the town used to be religious, cultural and political center of the island province until 1960 when the town of Naval became the capital town and the commercial, educational and government center.
Biliran continued to be the provincial hub because of its land and sea transport. Plying through the town are buses, jeepneys, v-hire and other vehicles coming from and going to the provinces of Leyte, Cebu, Samar, Luzon, and Mindanao which are located in the east coast of Biliran province and going as far as Culaba and the west coast of the province.
Pumpboats also regularly serve passengers going to Calubian ports where ships ply to and from manila. The newly constructed provincial airport, still not operational as of this writing, is located near the boundary of Naval and Biliran.
Of the eleven barangays, ten barangays are energized. Power sources come from the Tongonan Geothermal Power Plant in Ormoc and is distributed through the Biliran Electric Cooperative (BILECO). Biliran has abundant water supply for agricultural and drinking purposes. One hundred percent of the population is served with potable water supply.
For its communication network, the municipality has radio-telegraph system and every barangay is equipped with a portable handheld radio set with a radio base at the Municipal Mayor's Office. Telecommunication and postal services are also available.
Biliran has eleven schools: nine barangay elementary schools, one central elementary school and the Biliran National Agricultural College (BNAC) which offers secondary and tertiary education and twelve Day Care Centers.
Cabucgayan Biliran
Brief history
The first settlers, who founded Cabucgayan were Fulgencio, Cesario, Anselmo and Lonrequito , all bearing surname Cordeta, from the Poblacion of Biliran, Toribio Dematawaran, Inocentes Perol and Marquez Maala from the Poblacion af Barugo, Leyte. These persons were responsible in the erection of the Tower, which shaltered and protected from their enemies, the Moro pirates, in the year 1850, and the tower is still seen in front of the old chuch, along the coast of Cabucgayan.
These pioneers, called the place Ezperanza. They produced abundant rice, corn, abaca and other root crops, which lured many family immigration from the neighboring municipalities and settled permanently in Ezperanza. Commerce in the village progressed and a brach of Casa Warner, and English Firm, was established under the management of Don Pascual Casaos.
Under the leadership of Miguel Cordeta, they approached the Provincia; Governor of Leyte, then General Ambrocio Mojica, for a Municipal Government. General Mojica granted them from their request, under the name of Gobierno Municipal de Esperansa. The Municipal officials were: Miguel Cordeta, as Jefe Local; Luciano Oledan as Teniente Mayor; Macario De Lara, as Delegado Justicia; Vicente Cordeta, as Delegado de Rentas; Escolastico Palconit, as Delegado de Policia.
The Municipal Government of Esperanza lasted until the end of the war, between the United States and Spain. The American Government recognized the municipal government of Esperanza. When the civil government was established in the Philippines, another move was organized by the local leaders and petitioned the Executive Secretary of the Civil Government, the continuation of the Municipal Government of Esperanza, but the name of Esperanza be changed to Cabucgayan, as a symbol of shells that were found abundantly in the River called Bucgay.
The Municipal Officials of Cabucgayan, as approved by the civil government were: Tarcelo Sulla, as Presidente Municipal; Pastor Mendoza, as vice Presidente; Felix de Lara, as Tresorer Municipal; Pastor Mendoza,as Juesde Paz, ex-officio; Pedro Roldan, as Juez de Paz Auxiller. Consejales: Francisco Dematawaran, Escolastico Paconit, Felix Dadizon, Placido Pelen, Estanislaao Igano and Calixto Mendoza.
Due to Pulahan warfae against the American and inhabitant and that many inhabitants were killed by the Pulahan around the Island of Biliran, the Civil Government stopped the operation of the Municipal Government of Cabucgayan in the year 1904 and Cabucgayan was annexed to the Caibiran and Biliran was annexed to Municipality of Naval. In the year 1910, Biliran again granted her municipal government and Cabucgayan was transferred to Biliran from Caibiran.
Due to political harassment, the people of Cabucgayan formed a Commission to petition the National Government, to grant the Municipal Government of Cabucgayan,in the year 1915. Hundreds of moneys were spent. Carabao and Sampana were sent to Tacloban as regalo, but in vain. The move failed to political sharks.
In October 1948, another attempt was created by Mr. Filemon Badoria, and the Macabugwas society was born, with the following officials: Mr. Teodoro Cordeta as President; Mr. Lorenzo Cordeta Sr., as Vice President; Mr.Domingo Lipango Sr., as Treasurer; Mr. Daniel Penas as Secretary; and Members of the Board: Mr. Eusebio Juntilla, Mr. Cornelio Lenante; Mr. Simforoso Cordeta; Mr. Luciano Mendoza; and Mr. Arcadio Lebajo. Mr. Dionisio Badoria, as Second Honorary President.
Fearing the political venture of the Macabugwas society shall also the futile, the Macabugawas secretary, changed the method of sending political resolutions. The sending of our polical petition for municipal independence, were not sent thru channeld, but sent directly to the President of the Philippine. President Elpidio Quirino, to the Honorable Secretary interior, to the Senate President, Hon, Jose Avelino, to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Eugenio Perez, to our advocates Senator Carlos S. Tan and to Mr. Felix Badoria.
A mission was sent to Manila, headed by Mr. Primo B. Cordeta Sr., and assisted by Mr. Luciano Mendoza and with the financial help at Manila Mr. Filemon Badoria. As the Macabugwas Society was short of fund, the two members of the mission were satisfied of fifty pesos cash, for their pocket money and expenses. The rest, were shouldered by Mr. Filomon Badoria.
By the Magnetic personality Mr. Primo B. Cordeta, Sr. , He was able to secure the sincere help and cooperation of the Finance Secretary, Hon. Pio Pedrosa, and also the Secretary of Interior, Hon. Sotero Baluyot. Thru recommendation of the Honorable, Secretary of the Interior for the approval of the petition fot Municipal Independence from the municipality of Biliran, His excellency President Elpidio Quirino, upon Executive Order No. 271, on September 29, 1949, approaved our Municipal Independence to Function on November 25, 1949.
Caibiran Biliran
Brief history
The town of Caibiran started from a group of immigrants from Leyte
mainland. They settled near the mouth of the river four kilometers from
the present town site. The river was teeming with a fish and abounded
with lizards called "Ibid" which suggested the name Caibiran ( a place
where there are plenty of "Ibid" ).
Caibiran gained the status of a pueblo. Erected were a limestone church and a watchtower . One day, due to excessive rains, the river overflowed its banks and destroyed the town, claiming lives and properties. Caibiran lived under the threat of the river.
In 1882, Captain Bebiano Maderazo led the people to a new site. The new settlement became a town while the previous site became a barrio of "Binongohan" meaning the place where the river overflowed its bank.
In 1950 part of the bounderies of Caibiran were incorporated into the other new municipalities. Three Barrios in the north were annexed to Kawayan. Culaba took with her a number a barrios and three southern barrios went to Cabucgayan.
Administration has been in succession since 1883 by seven "Capitanes", seven "Presidentes" and ten Municipal Mayors.
http://www.biliranisland.com/bilirantownhistory.php
Culaba Biliran
Before the 19th century, Culaba had gained the status of a town. It was then annexed to Caibiran as a barrio when the Pulahans raided and completely burned the town in 1901. After the destruction, the barrio leaders Pacifico Amable and Gervacio Abanilla started the reconstruction of the town. In 1918, the barrio leaders, realizing the former town was fully reconstructed, claimed for independence from Caibiran. Dr. Mariano Jasminez, a red cross supervisor, wrote to senator Avelino in 1953, requested for the issuance of Circular No. 321, proclaiming Culaba a municipality. On October 13, 1953, Pres. Elpidio Quirino signed the papers transforming Culaba as a full - fledged municipality. Objections for the separation of Culaba from Caibiran were encountered and final proclamation and inauguration was delayed. Finally, President Quirino, signed the documents making Culaba a municipality and set the inauguration on January 16, 1954. Mr. Gerardo Sabarre became the first mayor of the newly created municipality.
The ancestors of Culaba were settlers from the nearby towns of Caibiran, Carigara and Barugo in Leyte and from the province of Samar and Cebu. The town was first a barrio located at the northern part of Amambahag River (where now stands the remains of a Catholic Church and Cemetery). Due to constant floods, it was relocated near Culaba brook from where its name originated. The old town site became known as Binongtoan.
http://www.biliranisland.com/bilirantownhistory.php
Kawayan Biliran
Brief history
The origin of the town probably dates back between the 6th and the 7th century when the moro marauders were rampant in the vicinity of the Visayas seas. The Natives of Cebu, Bohol and the neighboring islands were frequently threatend by same of Lapu-lapu's Christian converted descendants settled along the seashore beside a rocky hill. This settlement was called Telegrapo . More group of people came in, specially Cebuano speaking for safety.
The name Telegrapo was later changed to San Clemente when General Mojica happend to pass by the place in going to mainland Leyte. The name San Clemente was derived from the name of the general's only son. Subsequently raided by the Moros, the folks had to post guard atop the hill overlooking the sea. To protect the guards from hostile elements, they planted bamboo trees around the area which become the dence in no time. The dense growth of bamboo trees, "Kawayan" in local terminology, impressed travelers that the settlement's name was associated with and revolved to Kawayan. Hense, Kawayan is the name up to the present.
Kawayan and the neighboring barrios in the north were once part of the town of Almeria, the older settlement. Sometimes in 1906, just few years after the Philippine-American Roman Catholic churches affected the Parish of Almeria. The usual procedure of the spanish sonquistadors was to have a church built near the town hall. The church played and important role in the affair of the government. When the progressive town of Naval was established, the Almeria parish was transferred to the former.
The vacuum worried the Almerian councils engaged in a heated debate, over the proposals of some councils members to bring the Aglipayan priest. The northern councilors were against the idea. Finally, Mayor Margarito Sabornido decided with some councilors to accept the Aglipayan priest to administer religious affair. The decision infuriated devout Catholics in the north that they filed a protest with the military Governor of Leyte who decided to suspend the mayor and appointed Matthew MacFarland to replace him.
It was during the administration of Macfarland that the township of the municipality was transferred to Kawayan being 31 yrs. after, when township has been granted to Almeria. Kawayan's area in the south was reduced to Tabunan north of the river, as the boundary line between Almeria.
http://www.biliranisland.com/bilirantownhistory.php
More photo @
http://biliran.boards.net/thread/1026/traditional-ancestral-houses-kawayan?page=1&scrollTo=3522
Maripipi Biliran
Sambuan Maripipi
Brief history
Maripipi is one of the eight towns of Biliran Province. It is an island-municipality province. It was named after Maria and Pepe who were believed to be the first settlers of the island-municipality. They were followed by the people of Samar, Masbate, and other neighboring provinces.
Being an island-municipality, it has been a constant prey to roving pirates and bandits. Its existense dates back during the Spanish Regime in the Philippines, alcades and mayores. They assumed their office by election or appointment.
With the coming of the Americans, and Spaniards losing hold of the island, Maripipi was fused with Almeria and Kawayan with the former being seat of the Municipal Goveernment. Later, a civil government was organized by the American colonizers. The seat of Government was transferred to Kawayan which us geographically nearer to Maripipi and Almeria. Maripipi and Almeria became barrios of Kawayan.
In 1915, with the people's clamor for Philippine self-government, Maripipi became an independent town, and Mr. Victoriano Salas was the first appointed Municipal President.
On May 11, 1992, throug a Plebiscite with the majority votes, Biliran became a full pledge Province separated from the mainland of Leyte Province and Maripipi is now part of the Province of Biliran.
The foundation of this barrio dates back in the year 1765. This barrio was previously called Isla De Rosa . In previous years the houses in the barrio were razed by fire in such a way that all the residents left the place. Only after five years had passed that a group of settlers returned and settled in the said island once again. It was also known that in 1768, the Moros that holed-in in the Sitio called Guihum of the Province of Masbate, once a week attacked Maripipi.
Being full of deprivations caused by the ravages of the Moros, the people agreed to wage war against the enemies. In Sitio Awang, the inhabitants dug up a trap of some nine feet deep and covered with bamboo leaves as a camouflage for the purpose of capturing the individual Moros. With this idea, the were able to kill fifteen Moros, and the rest ran away after the bloody fight staged but the inhabitants. In order that they maybe able to protect themeselves from the attack of the Moros, they built a bulwark to serve as a watch tower( lantawan ) in Ermita. This bulwark was guarded by warriors, among them were Capitanes valle, Radam, Rosanto, Toraldo, Florentino, Gahodo, and Ignacio curut.
The island was enclosed with rough terrain. its shores likewise but short by the rampaging wave of the sea in the East and Northeast. The principal mountain of this island superior to the cement used was taken from powdered burned shells an wood mixed with other ingredients.
Way back in 1860, Maripipi was a town located at Danao (present name of barangay) up to 1870. In 1871, it was transferred to Daan Bungto. two kilometers away from seashore. This was located at the Mount Borobatidor, present weathervane af Maripipi.
The town was established at this site to safeguard the populace from the fierce Moros at the time who looted houses near the shore and captured men, women and children for their trade to Borneo. In 1899, Maripipi became a barrio of Kawayan and later in 1915 became a town again, composed of eight(8) barrios namel; Ermitam Binalayan, Burabod, Viga, Agutay, Danao, Bantas, and Binongto-an.
Maripipi island has four(4) anchorage. Two of these are located in the Poblacion (Ermita and Binongtoan) and the other two were located in Barangay Binalayan East and West. During low tide, motorboat took up position offshore. Its shores were clear and steep-to. Cliff details shows the shores to be approachable with the least depth of 10 fathoms at a distance of more than a quarter oa a mile offshore.
Population of Maripipi was 6,934 as of 1990 census. The most populated barangay was Ermita with total of 934 inhabitants and the least populated barangay was Trabugan with a total of 188 inhabitats. The first Cura Parroco was Father Fernando Pardo in 1874 to 1897.
More photos @http://www.panoramio.com/photo/28708220
Naval Biliran
Naval Port
Brief history
In this revisionist paper we present theories on our town’s geologic origin, push back its recorded history by 250 years, and clarify certain controversial issues related to Naval’s founding in the 1850s.
For the natural history of Naval, a "delta-formation theory" has been proposed to explain its geologic origin. A geologic survey of Leyte published in 1954 also described the "coastal alluvial plains in Naval (as) the largest in (Biliran) island," an exception from that of the surrounding regions of the island which are characterized by broken hills and mountains.
For the recorded history involving the present territorial jurisdiction of the town of Naval (see map), there was already an unnamed village here in 1600, the one described as the nearby base of the Spanish, native and other workers in the first known Spanish shipyard in the Philippines on Isla de Panamao (the present Biliran Island), and which had been visited by Jesuit missionaries based in Carigara starting in 1601. We postulate that the site of this village was located in the present Sitio Ilawod (a sitio is a cluster of few houses, ilawod refers to the seaward portion) of Barangay Caraycaray, along the southern bank and near the mouth of the Caraycaray River; that the first hospital in the Visayas region was established here in this village by the Jesuits in 1601; and the the shipyard was initially located at the nearby Sabang beach across Inagawan.
On 10 September 1712 the pueblo which had become known as Biliran filed a formal petition for becoming a separate pueblo and parish. This pueblo of Biliran included the settlements in the different areas and islets of Biliran Island, excluding Maripipi Island.7 We also postulate that the poblacion of Biliran pueblo was situated in the present Sitio Ilawod, on the same site that we had just postulated as the village base of the workers in the Spanish shipyard on Panamao in 1600, or 112 years earlier.
To support our claim for Sitio Ilawod as the poblacion of Biliran pueblo, we argue that the lantawan or watch tower on this site was erected long before 1712, as the previous requirement for this pueblo’s formation. We surveyed on 3 February 1990 the remaining traces of coral stone blocks of this watch tower (called trinchera sa Moros, the local reference to this fort against the historical Moro raiders). We found them at ground level overlooking the Caraycaray River in a neglected state. Flooding had apparently caused this relic to gradually sink into the swamp through the years. It was barely two meters above the water level at low tide and had been overgrown with weeds and nipa palms.
http://www.biliranisland.com/navalhistory3.php
More photos @http://www.flickr.com/photos/bowakon/318916491/
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