Municipality of Bagac, Bataan

Bagac General Information

Bagac is the largest municipality in Bataan in terms of land area, with approximately 23,120 hectares (231.2 km²) representing 16.84% of the total land mass of the province. The humble town is located in the southwestern part of Bataan facing the West Philippine Sea. It is bounded in the north by Morong, in the south by Mariveles, in the east by Pilar and Orion, Limay in south-east and city of Balanga in north-east. It was established as a regular town by the Spaniards in 1873, with St. Catherine of Alexandria as its patron saint. 

Etymology

A few years after the Spaniards arrived in the Philippines some of them traveled along the seacoast looking for a place to live in. They had with them an Aeta as guide. Travelling without a fixed direction, they happened to pass by the place which is hidden between two sharp points extending to the sea. In their conversation, the Aeta uttered the word “lumbak” which meant lying between two hills. As they were crossing the place, they sighted a flock of herons flying overhead. When the Spaniards inquired about the white herons from their guide, the Aeta answered “tagak.” From these two syllables, “Bak,” from the word lumbak and “Gak” from the word tagak, was derived the name Bagac. Since then it remained and still is the official name of the town.

Background

Bagac had been in existence for a long time as a distant barrio of Mariveles, formerly a corregimiento (district) under the territorial jurisdiction of the Province of Cavite. After Morong was established as a town in 1607, Bagac became one of its barrios since the latter’s population and income cannot support a municipality. During this period, Bagac comprised of the sitios of Saysain, Banawang, Tiis, Sinapsap, Kabayo, Salmon, Paysawan and Parang na Mahaba. Later on, immigrants from different parts of the archipelago arrived in Bagac and developed its idle lands.

Mariveles and Morong, together with the barrio of Bagac became part of the newly-recognized province Bataan in 1754. Bagac finally became a regular town in 1873.

Bagac’s name was simply derived from the Visayan word “Bagak” and/or “Bagakay.” When translated to Tagalog, “Bagak” literally means “Kawayan.” “Bagakay“ means ‘kawayanan.” Bamboo tree is Bagak’s English transcription.

It is a established fact that men from the southern islands of the Visayas and Mindanao constituted the biggest number of early settlers in Luzon during the pre-Spanish time. The Visayans, specifically the Warays, also travelled north to be part of the booming barter trade in Manila. A big number of these seafarers possibly ended up in the western part of Bataan after missing the North and South Channels leading into Manila Bay. They were the ones who gave Bagac its name based on the great number of bamboo trees growing along its shores and at the foot of Mount Bataan and Mount Mariveles.

“Longos-Kawayan,” a reef jotting out of Biaan (Mariveles) used to be the unloading point and/or stockyard of bamboos cut from the Bagac forest area. The name alone fortifies the actual derivation of the name of Bagac town.

It could also be concluded that these Visayan seafarers were the ones who gave the names of Kinawan, Binuangan, Paysawan. Caibobo, Salamang, Pasinay and Saysain. These names are definitely not common Tagalog words.

Fr. Rodrigo Aganduru y Moriz de San Miguel, an early missionary from Villadolid (Spain) and recognized as the founder of Morong and Bagac, surely found these seafarers already settled in the two distant villages. He merely adapted ‘Bagak’ as the name of the thinly-populated barrio as given to him by the natives. In the case of Morong, it can only be surmised that its name originated from him (Fr. Aganduru because of its Spanish derivation.

The bamboo and other hardwood trees at the foot of Mount Bataan and Mount Mariveles suffered great devastation when the Cadwallder-Gibson Lumber Company started its operation in Paysawan from 1915 to 1928. Another conflagration of the same intensity hit the Bagac and Morong areas during World War II.

Still, the bamboo trees survived the terrible defoliation. Nowadays we still see numerous patches of bamboo groves along the plains and mountainous areas of Bagac and Morong to remind the people of their great history.

Fast Facts

Today, the town is accessible via by land through the Governor Joaquin J. Linao Highway. It is composed of 14 barangays, namely: Bagumbayan, Banawang, Binuangan, Binukawan, Ibaba, Ibis, Pagasa, Parang, Paysawan, Quinawan, San Antonio, Saysain, Tabing-ilog and Atilano Ricardo. These barangays are classified as either town center barangays, coastal and upland barangays.

This town is primarily an agricultural and also a fishing municipality. It sits on top of a vast potential “goldmine” that is rich in natural wonders and historical places. It has high tourism potentials complete with a showcase of pristine coastal and marine marvels. Heartbreaking coral reefs, white sand beaches, seaside resorts and rugged mountains beaming with rainforests, caves, waterfalls, and World War II historical markers are Bagac’s principal tourist attractions. Bagac, as far as history is concerned, is the second starting point of the 1942 Bataan Death March.

The town has a population of 25,568 as of 2010 Census with skilled workers in the field of masonry, carpentry and welding. They are also into garment manufacturing, gift, toys, housewares and lately, on processing of food products.

Demographics

Population Census of Bagac as per 2010

Income Classification:	3rd Class	Registered Voters (2010): 18,131
Urban/Rural:	Population : (as of May 1, 2010): 25,568
District:	2nd
Barangays (Number: 14)
Name	Code	Urban/Rural	Population
			(as of May 1, 2010)
Bagumbayan (Pob.)	30802001	Urban	1,766
Banawang	30802002	Rural	2,690
Binuangan	30802003	Rural	609
Binukawan	30802004	Rural	2,293
Ibaba	30802006	Urban	1,760
Ibis	30802007	Rural	1,407
Pag-asa (Wawa-Sibacan)	30802008	Urban	3,456
Parang	30802009	Rural	3,073
Paysawan	30802010	Rural	680
Quinawan	30802012	Rural	553
San Antonio	30802013	Rural	1,295
Saysain	30802014	Rural	2,539
Tabing-Ilog (Pob.)	30802015	Urban	1,223
Atilano L. Ricardo	30802016	Urban	2,224

Dialect

Tagalog is the major language constituting in Bagac. English is utilized mainly as the means of bargaining in business.

Local Attractions & Land Marks 

Town of Bagac is a tourism destination and rich in historical land marks, include the following:

Bagac Friendship Tower. 

The monument, symbolizing the renewed friendship between Japan and the Philippines after the events of World War II, was erected by Risshō Kōsei Kai, a Japanese Buddhist organization. The tower was inaugurated on April 8, 1975 and is located about 200 m (660 ft) from where the Bataan Death March started. The 27-metre (89 ft) high tower is composed of three pillars interconnected by several multi-layer rings. It located at the junction of the Gov. Linao National Road and the road to the Bagac town proper

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar 

Is a new tourist attraction and heritage park in town of Bagac. This is a private park and features a collection of 27 Spanish Colonial buildings and stone houses (bahay na bato in Tagalog), planned to resemble a settlement reminiscent of the period. These houses were carefully transplanted from different parts of the Philippines and rehabilitated to their former splendor. It also has restaurants, a beach and a pool. In Las Casas, there are also horse rides.

Montemar Beach Resort

This is an exclusive world-class destination in Bagac. People can easily access the Montemar cove by using rental boats. It  is nestled in a private cove, blessed with lush flora and fauna, white sand beaches and pristine waters of the South China Sea. The resort has Mediterranean inspired inns with 70 well-appointed rooms, two (2) swimming pools, a restaurant, conference building, tennis court, motorized bancas for island hopping and a fishing area. They offer a lot of activities for you and your family and friends. Montemar, where the mountains meet the sea.

Related Posts

Where to stay in Bagac


Source & References:

1. Municipality of Bagac.  Retrieved from bataandiary.blogspot.com, 15  February 2013
2. Bagac, Bataan. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org, 13  February 2013
3. Total Population by Province, City,  Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010". 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 13 February 2013.

Last update: 2/16/2013

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Municipality of Abucay, Bataan

Abucay General Information

Abucay is one of the oldest and third class municipality in the province of Bataan, Philippines. The town has a total land mass of 7,972 hectares. Located in the mideastern part of province,  bounded to the north by the town of Samal; to the south by the City of  Balanga; Abucay has a muddy coastal line along the historical Manila bay to the east and home of hundreds flora and fauna of Mt. Natib to the west. Abucay is 119 kilometers from Manila or within a 50-km radius from Manila Bay.

Etymology

The name Abucay originated from "abu-kinaykay" which means digging the debris of fire. According to legend, one day a Spaniard came to this town and was asking for its name. It so happened that his arrival coincided with the just extinguished big fire that burned and destroyed quite a number of houses in the place and so the people were busy digging the remains from the ashes. Digging or shoveling, "kinaykay" in local dialect. So when this Spaniard asked for the name of the place, the residents quickly replied, "abu-kinaykay", thinking that this Spaniard was asking what they were doing. From then on this town was called that way and later on to Abucay.

Another Abucay legend click here

Background

Abucay was the first town founded by the Dominicans on June 10, 1588. It was initially recognized as a pueblo or town of Pampanga. In 1754, when Bataan finally became a regular province, Abucay became part of it. For some years, the town was called Santo Domingo. In 1646, it was called by its original name, Abukay. It became the initial center of the Dominican mission in Bataan which covered the area from Orani to Orion, then known as Partido de Batan (not Bataan).

The town is proud of its colorful history:

• Tomas Pinpin - was a printer, writer and publisher, was a native of Mabatang, Abucay. who was the first Filipino printer and is sometimes referred as the "Patriarch of Filipino Printing." Tomas Pinpin is also remembered for being the first native Filipino to publish and print a book, "Librong Pagaaralan nang manga Tagalog nang Uicang Castilla" in 1610, entirely written by himself in the old Tagalog orthography
• Movable wooden press blocks - was taken within the church of Abucay to be the first printing press in the country and is refuted to be older than any other single press in the United States.
• The old Saint Dominic Church - is the first Catholic Church built in Bataan by Father Geronimo de Belen in the early 1600’s. It was burned in 1870 and rebuilt by Father Jose Diego Pelaez. The Spiritual Ministration of Abucay was entrusted to the Dominicans in 1588.A fierce battle between the Dutch and the Pampango Defenders was fought in this court on June 23, 1647.  Nearly two hundred Pampangos were put to death and forty others together with the Spanish Alcalde Mayor of Pampanga, Don Antonio de Cabrera, Father Geronimo Sotomayor and Father Tomas Ramos were taken to Batavia on June 23, 1647.  The present church was badly damage by the earthquake of September 16, 1852. One of the earliest printing presses in the Philippines was operated in this town as early as 1610 where Father Jose Blancas de San Jose and Juan Vera taught Tomas Pinpin the rigors of writing and printing. This is also the seat of the Partido de Bataan until Balanga became the town and seat of government. The bells donated in 1839/1859 are still housed in this church.
• During World War II - Abucay was made the first line of defense of American and Filipino soldiers against the advancing Japanese Imperial Army. The Layac-Hermosa defense line was merely a “delay phase line.” The Mabatang Defense Line, part of the so-called Abucay-Morong Defense Line, was abandoned on January 24, 1942. It eventually led to the fall of Bataan two months later.

Fast Facts

At present, Abucay has comprised of nine barangays (villages). The coastal barangays of Mabatang, Calaylayan, Wawa, Omboy and Capitangan are involved in agri-aqua business, while Gabon, Laon and Salian are agricultural and pasture lands. Bangkal, an upland village is located at the foot of Mount Natib.

A large portion of Abucay’s land area (about 3,320 out of the total 8,413.65 hectares) is devoted to farming and fishponds. The total agricultural area is 2,293 hectares of irrigated and unirrigated land planted to palay, vegetables and root crops. The existing fishpond lots cover an area of 1,027 hectares. Species raised from these fishponds include milkfish, tilapia, pla-pla, prawns and mud crabs.

These natural resources, including Manila Bay, provide the residents with year-round supply of food, both for local consumption and for export to neighboring towns and provinces.

The residents are also engaged in livestock and poultry. There are six commercial poultry farms, 2 ducks (mulland) and four broiler farms in town. Abukenos, are quite proud of their local products such as dried fish (tuyo, dilis) and salted, fermented shrimps (bagoong). Mussel (tahong) culture is also thriving along the shores of Abucay. The countless bamboo trellises or balag along the shorelines indirectly transformed the municipal waters into a fish sanctuary.

Broom-making is a steady source of income for a number of enterprising residents. "Walis tambo" (broom) in Baguio City actually came from Abucay.  At present, there are three registered broom making shops in Mabatang alone.    

Boat-building has also distinguished Abukeños from other people living in the province. The big number of fishermen in Abucay and neighboring towns made boat-building a lucrative business. Abukeños owe this special skill to their ancestors who knew a great deal about boat-building. They were the ones who made those fast sailing boats called barangays, vireys, kumpits, tapaques, caracaos and lapis which sailed the high seas of the Pacific and China Seas during the early years of Philippine civilization.

Dialect

Tagalog is the major language constituting in Abucay, Kapampangan who speak a different dialect of the Kapampangan language abound in Barangay of Mabatang. English is utilized mainly as the means of bargaining in business.

Demographics

Population Census of Abucay as per 2010 

Income Classification:	3rd Class	Registered Voters (2010): 22,999
Urban/Rural:	Population : (as of May 1, 2010): 37,719
District:	1st
Barangays (Number: 9)
Name	Urban/Rural	Population
		(as of May 1, 2010)
Bangkal	Rural	634
Calaylayan (Pob.)	Urban	4,391
Capitangan	Urban	6,041
Gabon	Urban	5,241
Laon (Pob.)	Urban	2,245
Mabatang	Urban	8,571
Omboy	Urban	3,219
Salian	Urban	2,885
Wawa (Pob.)	Urban	4,492

Source: National Statistic Office

Local Attractions & Land marks

Town of Abucay is still a developing, tourism wise, the famous landmarks, include the following:

Sto. Domingo Abucay Church 

The spiritual ministration of Abucay was entrusted to the Dominicans in 1588. A fierce battle between the Dutch invaders and the Pampango defenders was fought in this court on June 23, 1647. Nearly two hundred Pampangos were put to death, and forty others, together with Spanish Alcalde mayor and two Dominican priests were taken prisoners to Batavia. The present church was badly damaged by the earthquake of 16 September 1852. It is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. Feast Day of St. Dominic (Abucay; last Sunday of October).

Tomas Pinpin Monument 

There are two monument Stands in memory of Tomas Pinpin, the "Patriarch of Filipino Printing". The monument is standing in the centre of Tomas Pinpin Memorial Elementary School, the biggest and the central elementary school in the town and the another one is found in plaza of Barangay Mabatang, Tomas Pinpin's native village.

Maria Canon Statue 

Located at Sibul Spring Resort. Tower erected by the Mie-ken Daiichi Shiēseo of the Japanese Sohyōshin Sports in 1978 to invoke the repose of dead souls from the WWII period.

Pasukulan Falls 

Located at west of Abucay, a natural wonder in the valley of Mt. Natib which remains unexplored and unspoiled. Fresh vegetation abound. Ideal for trekking and picnics.

Sibul 

(West Abucay). A potential prime tourist destination in the province boasting sulfuric swimming pools and a wide area for outdoor recreation. Its main attraction is the natural spring believed able to provide muscle pain relief.

Christmas Village of Mabatang 
(Mabatang, Abucay; December). Christmas celebration in Mabatang extends to the streets of every sitio in the barangay, which are lavishly adorned to rejoice the season. "Walis tambo" (broom) in Baguio City actually came from Abucay.

Palis Lasa Festival

An agro- religious festival held annually in barangay Mabatang. It starts with a thanksgiving mass and a street dancing where participants adorn themselves with colorful costumes made of tiger lass used to make walis tambo. The “Palis-Lasa” is Kapampangan word for broom. “Palis” is Tagalog for walis. “Lasa” is kind of grass called tiger grass which in Tagalog, is referred to as tambo. Therefore “Palis-Lasa” means walis tambo. The brooms that have made Baguio known are actually prepared Mabatang. 

Related Posts

The official seal of Municipality of Abucay
Where to stay in Abucay



Source & References:

1. Biography of Tomas Pinpin. Retrieved from gutenberg.org, 12  February 2013
2. 1st Abucay Catholic Church Retrieved from site.google.com, 12  February 2013
3. Municipality of Abucay Retrieved from bataandiary.blogspot.com, 13  February 2013
4. Total Population by Province, City,  Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010". 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 13 February 2013.

Last update 2/15/2013

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