BATAAN DIARY…
By Danilo B. Nisay
Balanga City, Bataan
Copyright: December 2006
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Paunang Salita
Ang aklat na may pamagat na BATAAN DIARY (2010) ay mga pinagsama-samang artikulo ukol sa Bataan at sa 12 bayan na bumubuo dito.
Halos lahat ng mga artikulong matutunghayan dito ay sinaliksik at buong tiyagang isinulat ng awtor simula pa noong 2006.
Matatandaan na malaking bahagi ng mga kasaysayan ng Pilipinas, partikular na ng Bataan, ay nauwi sa abo sanhi ng lupit na idinulot ng nagdaang Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig (1941-1945). Ito ang tunay na dahilan kung bakit noong 1951 ay ipinag-utos ni Pangulong Elpidio Quirino na tipunin at muling buuin ang mga ulat, aklat at mga lathalain na may kinalaman sa mga nawalang mahahala-gang kasaysayan ng bawat pamayanan sa bansa.
Noong 1953, sa panahon ni Victor de Leon bilang acting superintendent ng Bataan Schools Division ay nagawa nilang makabuo at makapagpalabas ng isang aklat na may pamagat na HISTORY OF THE BATAAN PROVINCE.
Hindi naging madali ang pagbuo sa nawalang kasaysayan ng Bataan sapagkat karamihan sa mga dokumentong magpapatibay sa katotohanan ay kasamang natupok matapos na ang mga gusaling-pampamahalaan sa mga bayan-bayan, kasama na ang lumang Kapitolyo sa Balanga ay nasunog gawa ng mga bombang ibinagsak ng mga eroplanong Hapones na nagsagawa ng malawakang pamiminsala sa Bataan.
Malinaw na nagsimula sa wala ang mga taong nasangkot sa nasabing proyekto, partikular na ang mga nakatatandang guro ng mga paaralan. Hindi madali ang ginawa nilang pagsasaliksik at paghahanap sa baha-bahagi ng ating kasaysayan sapagkat mismong ang gusali ng Pambansang Aklatan (National Library), gayundin ang National Archive sa Maynila ay malaki rin ang mga tinamong pinsala noong panahon ng digmaan.
Sa kabila ng mga kakulangang nabanggit ay hindi ito naging dahilan para mawalan ng loob ang ating mga bayaning guro. Sama-sama nilang pinagtiyagaan at pinagsikapan na saliksikin ang lahat ng lugar na posibleng pagkunan ng mga nawawala nating kasaysayan. Kumausap sila ng mga taong nakakaalala ng nakaraan. Ang tangi nilang isinaalang-alang ay kailangang mabuo ang ating kasaysayan sa anumang paraan. ito lang ang laging sumaisip sa mga mahal nating guro habang binibigyang-hugis ang nasabing proyekto.
Sa iba’t ibang kaparaanan ay nagtagumpay naman ang mga mananaliksik sa kanilang dakilang adhikain. Nakabuo nga sila ng isang aklat mula sa mga nalikom na dokumento na nagpapatunay ng ating makulay na nakaraan.
Ngunit malinaw na hindi sapat ang nabuong HISTORY OF THE BATAAN PROVINCE para masabing naitala na ngang lahat ang nawalang kasaysayan lalawigan. Marami pa talagang kulang ang nasabing aklat.
Katunayan, kamakailan lamang ay natagpuan ng awtor ang isa pang nalalabing aklat na magbibigay ng dagdag na ulat sa kasaysayan ng Bataan. Ang aklat na ito ay may pamagat na “HISTORICAL SKETCH OF BATAAN AND HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PROGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES”.
Ito ay isinulat naman ni Atty. Eulogio Balan Rodriguez, nagging dating National Librarian ng Pilipinas baging magkadigma. Siya ay tubong-Orani, Bataan at matagal na naglingkod bilang hepe ng lumang National Library. Ang aklat ay kanyang ipinalimbag noong 1916, sa panahon ni dating Gobernador Maximino delos Reyes (1912-1916).
Sa tulong ng dalawang nabanggit na aklat at ng iba pang lathalaing may kinalaman sa Bataan ay saka pa lamang nabuo ang “BATAAN DIARY”. Ang mga orihinal na tala nina Victor de Leon at Eulogio B. Rodriguez ay dinagdagan lamang ng awtor ng mga bagong impormasyon para lalong maging napapanahon at kasiya-siya para sa lahat ang bagong “Bataan Diary”.
Ano-ano naman ang mga karagdagang impormasyon na aking binanggit?
Ang Alamat ng bayan ng Abukay, halimbawa, ay tinalakay sa aklat na HISTORY OF THE BATAAN PROVINCE ang sumusunod…
“… Malinaw na binanggit na ang pangalan ng Abukay ay nagmula sa mga katagang
'Abu' at 'kinaykay' na ang ibig sabihin sa Ingles ay 'digging the debris resulting from a fire.'"
Walang makatatanggi na ito’y isang alamat lamang o isang kathang-isip at walang lohika na masasandalan. Ito’y katulad lang ng paglikha ng ulan kung panahon ng tagtuyot.
Karaniwan na, ang ganitong uri ng kathang-isip ay pinaninindigan na lamang nang husto ng kung sinumang lumikha ng lathalain at mga nagkukunwaring pantas ng kasaysayan. Hindi nila isinaalang-alang na anumang lathalain, kahit na pawang kasinungalingan lamang, ay kadalasang itinuturing bilang katotohanan lalo pa’t kung ang aklat ay naipalimbag na at nabasa na ng mga tao.
Sa makabagong panahon, ang ganitong mga kathang-isip ay walang puwang sa lipunan. Ang kailangan ngayon ng kasalukuyan at susunod pang henerasyon ay pawang katotohanan upang magsilbing gabay nila sa pagtahak sa isang matuwid na landas.
Sa BATAAN DIARY, mas pinahalagahan dito ng awtor kung ano talaga ang Simula ng bawat bayan na bumubuo sa Bataan. Halos lahat ng mga kuwentong mababasa ninyo sa aklat na ito ay ibinatay sa lohika at mga katibayan. Pagkatapos ay Ikumpara ang mga naritong Simula sa mga lumang Alamat na narito rin sa aklat na ito.
Subukan ninyong pag-ubusan ng kahit kaunting panahon na basahin ang bagong aklat na ito.
Danilo Burgos Nisay
Mananaliksik Pangkasaysayan
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BATAAN “Land of Valor, People of Peace”
BATAAN is a strategic peninsula lying in the southwestern part of Central Luzon. Manila Bay and South China are its eastern and western boundaries, respectively.
The present peninsula of Bataan comprised of 11 municipalities and one component city. These are Dinalupihan, Hermosa, Orani, Samal, Abucay, Morong, Balanga (became a city in 2000), Pilar, Orion, Limay, Mariveles and Bagac with a combined land area of 137,296 hectares or about 7.5 percent of Central Luzon. Except for its northern portion, which is bounded by Zambales and Pampanga, Bataan is virtually surrounded by seawater.
The province has a total population of 662,`53 as of year 2007. Population growth is 2.74 percent while the average household size is 4.90. In 1799, Bataan was inhabited by 16,654; it increased in 1850 to 39,008 residents; and in l953, the population was 96,492.
Despite its small size in terms of hectarage, Bataan, despite its small size, is one of the top grossing provinces in the region in terms of human development index, employment, and dollar-earning capability. The province hosts the first export processing zone in the country (BEPZ), the petrochemical complex in Mariveles, the Petron Bataan Refinery complex in Limay and several economic zones, including a big portion of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Area (SBMA).
Bataan, based on existing records, was part of the old Pampanga when the latter was created as a regular province in 1571. Pampanga’s old territorial areas include portions of the provinces of Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Tarlac and Zambales. By the decree issued by Spanish Governor Gomez Perez Dasmarinas in 1574, Bataan became one of the royal land grants and private estates (encomiendas), just like Betis, Lubao and Macabebe (Pampanga), Calumpit and Malolos (Bulacan). The encomiendas of Pampanga at that time had 18,680 whole tributes.
Cavite’s old territorial areas, on the other hand, include Corregidor, Mariveles, Bagac, Morong and the southern part of Zambales.
Origin
In 1573, Bataan, then known by another name, was awarded to and managed by an encomendero named Juan Esguerra. It was he who initially named the province as “Batan District” (Partido de Batan). Esguerra, it turned out, was a Spanish military officer who served under Martin de Goiti during the conquest of Manila, Bulacan and Pampanga. He was a native of Batan, an old residential community lying outside Madrid, capital of Spain.
Esguerra was also the encomendero of the Islands of Batanes and Batan in the northern Philippines which were also placed under the ministration of the Dominican Order. The two islands and the province of Bataan were named as such in order to differentiate one from the others.
The Dominican missionaries arrived in the old Batan District in 1586. They found some 30 coastal villages inhabited by natives who came from Borneo and Sumatra, via Mindanao and Visayas, between the 13th and 14th centuries. These villages, it turned out, were already thriving in Bataan even before the Spaniards came to the country. The natives were predominantly fishermen, farmers and craftsmen. The hillsides, on the other hand, were found to be inhabited by Aetas.
On June 10, 1588, the Dominicans founded Abucay, the first town in the district to be recognized by the Spanish authorities. More towns were established later on, such as Morong (1607), Samal (1641), Orion (1667), Orani and Balanga (1714).
Bataan, with six established towns, was recognized as a regular province in 1754, during the administration of Governor-General Pedro Manuel Arandia. After identifying its territorial boundaries, the old Batan District became formally known as “Bataan.” At the same time, it absorbed the towns of Mariveles and Bagac from Cavite (1754 and 1873), Hermosa and Dinalupihan from Pampanga (1756 and 1865). Pilar and Limay were mere distant barrios of Balanga and Orion, respectively, at that time and only became independent towns of Bataan in 1801 and 1917.
Glorious past
Long before the advent of World War II, Bataan already earned for herself a place in the history of the Philippines. The “Prince” of Filipino Printers, Tomas Pinpin, was from Abucay. He authored and co-authored some of the oldest books in the country and printed them himself between 1610 and 1639 in the printing press located inside the old Abucay parish church.
Bataan was also one of the provinces in Luzon that revolted against the Spaniards. Two of her sons, Tomas del Rosario and Cayetano Arellano figured prominently in the Malolos Convention of l899. Del Rosario served as Bataan congressman from1909-1912. Arellano, who declined President Emilio Aguinaldo’s offer to become the first Secretary of Foreign Affairs, became the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from 1901 to 1920.
Bataan became famous worldwide during World War II (l941-1945). It was in the peninsula where Filipino and American soldiers displayed a gallant defensive stand against the invading Japanese Imperial Army. The USAFFE’s heroic deeds delayed the strategic timetable of the Japanese. It also allowed the Allied Forces to build up their military capabilities which eventually led to the surrender of Japan in l945.
Today, the Shrine of Valor (Dambana ng Kagitingan) stands majestically atop Mount Samat in Pilar as testimony to the heroism and bravery of the men and women who gave their lives in defense of democracy.
Urban legends: How Bataan got its name…
There are three other published versions as to how Bataan got its name:
One. The name was derived from the Vatan, supposedly the name of an ancient datu who ruled over the peninsula before the Spaniards came. The book Balik-tanaw suggested that the province was already known by the same name when Sebastian de Baesa, a Spanish explorer, landed in the peninsula in 1578.
Two. That the name Bataan was derived from the old Tagalog word bata which meant nino, muchacho and rapaz in the Spanish language. “Nino” was translated as Bataan’s exact meaning as the province was formerly part of Pampanga, its mother province. “Muchacho” means a “farm hand” or “slave” which supposedly referred to the 3,500 Moros who worked in the fields of Bataan for rich Pampango landowners starting in mid-1550s, as reported by Governor-General Francisco de Sande in 1574. “Rapaz,” on the other hand, means “mercenary” or warriors who were paid to combat hostile natives harassing peaceful residents living in Hermosa and its surroundings.
Three. That Bataan was derived from the word “butaan,” the nationally-accepted name of the Philippine monitor lizard. Also known as the “lost dragon,” it is generally acknowledged as the closest kin of the “komodo” lizard. Tagalog-speaking people call it “bayawak.” Butaans used to inhabit the province in great number during the past 1,000 years. They became nearly extinct due to indiscriminate hunting some 130 years ago. The last of this monitor lizard can still be found in the Zambales-Bataan mountain ranges, Bicol Region and the Laguna-Rizal area.
Bataan Profile
Town Townhood Area * Population *
(hectares) 1998 2000 2007
Abucay June 10, 1588 7,970 30,161 31,801 38,654
Bagac 1873 23,120 22,321 22,353 24.202
Balanga April 21, 1714 16,560 65,017 71,088 84.105
Balanga City December 20, 2000
Dinalupihan 1865 9,252 69,119 76,145 92,289
Hermosa May 8, 1756 15,700 40,254 41,111 52,484
Limay January 1, 1917 10,362 43,974 46,520 54,782
Mariveles July 1754 15,390 84.095 85,779 102,844
Morong 1607 21,920 21,273 22,059 27,119
Orani April 21, 1714 5,926 51,694 52,501 59,530
Orion April 30, 1667 6,540 41,671 44,067 49,164
Pilar April 10, 1801 3,760 29,901 32,368 43,213
Samal April 20, 1641 5,630 24,896 25,488 33,867
Total: 137,296 662,153
Governors of Bataan
(1901-2010)
No. Governor Origin Year Vice Governor Election date
1 John Gouldman* USA 1901-1903* -none- (Appointment)
2 Tomas del Rosario* Balanga 1903-1905* -none- (Appointment)
3 Lorenzo Zialcita Orani 1905-1907 -none- Jan 15, 1905
4 Pedro Rich Samal 1907-1909 -none- Nov. 5, 1907
5 Mariano Rosauro Balanga 1910-1912 -none- Nov. 2, 1909
6 Maximino delos Reyes Balanga 1912-1916 -none- June 4, 1912***
7 Conrado Lerma** Pilar 1916-1918 -none- June 6, 1916
8 Pedro Rich* Samal 1918-1919 -none- (no election)
9 Alberto Aquino Samal 1919-1922 -none- June 3, 1919
10 Manuel Aguinaldo Pilar 1922-1925 -none- June 6, 1922
11 Gregorio Quicho Orion 1925-1928 -none- June 2, 1925
Gregorio Quicho Orion 1928-1931 -none- June 5, 1928
12 Sabino de Leon Pilar 1931-1934 -none- June 2, 1931
13 Alberto Aquino Samal 1934-1937 -none- June 5, 1934
14 Joaquin J. Linao Morong 1938-1941 -none- Dec. 14, 1937
15 Jose S. Manahan Balanga 1941-1942 -none- Dec. 10, 1940
16 Simeon Salonga* Orani 1942-1945 -none- (war time)
17 Teodoro Camacho* Balanga 1945-1946 -none- (no election)
18 Joaquin J. Linao* Morong 1946-1947 -none- (no election)
19 Emilio Ma. Naval Balanga 1948-1951 -none- Nov. 8, 1947
20 Adelmo Camacho Balanga 1952-1955 -none- Nov. 13, 1951
21 Emilio Ma Naval Balanga 1956-1959 -none- Nov. 8, 1955
22 Pedro R. Dizon Balanga 1960-1963 Faustino Vigo Nov. 10, 1959
Pedro R. Dizon Balanga 1964-1967 Guillermo Arcenas Nov. 12, 1963
23 Guillermo Arcenas Hermosa 1968-1971 Efren B. Pascual Nov. 14, 1967
24 Efren B. Pascual Orani 1972-1976 Rufino Navarro Nov. 8, 1971
Efren B. Pascual Orani 1977-1980 -none- Nov. 8, 1976
Efren B. Pascual Orani 1980-1986 Carolina Beltran Jan. 30, 1980
25 Leonardo B. Roman Balanga 1986-1988 Nelson C. David (no election)
Leonardo B. Roman Balanga 1988-1992 Serafin Roman Jan. 18, 1988
26 Enrique Garcia*** Balanga 1992-1994 Efren Pascual Jr. May 11, 1992
27 Leonardo B. Roman Balanga 1994-1995 Efren Pascual Jr. (Recall election)
-Dec. 20, 1993-
Leonardo B. Roman Balanga 1995-1998 Serafin Q. Roman May 8, 1995
Leonardo B. Roman Balanga 1998-2001 Rogelio Roque May 11, 1998
Leonardo B. Roman Balanga 2001-2004 Rogelio Roque May 14, 2001
28 Enrique T. Garcia Jr. Balanga 2004-2007 Ben Alonzo May 10, 2004
Enrique T. Garcia Jr. Balanga 2007-2010 Serafin Q. Roman May 14, 2007
Enrique T. Garcia Jr. Balanga 2010-2013 Efren Pascual Jr. May 10, 2010
* appointed ** died in office *** 4-year term ****recalled
Note: Not included in the list are those individuals who served in an acting capacity
for a maximum of three months, specifically during election period.
Bataan Congressmen
(1907-2010)
Congressman Origin Congress Term Election Date
Jose Ma. Lerma Pilar 1st Phil Legislature 1907-1909 July 30, 1907
Tomas del Rosario Balanga 2nd Phil Legislature 1910-1912 Nov. 2, 1909
Pablo Tecson Orani 3rd Phil Legislature 1912-1916 June 4, 1912
Maximino delos Reyes Balanga 4th Phil Legislature 1916-1919 June 6, 1916
5th Phil Legislature 1919-1922 June 3, 1919
Antonio Llamas Mariveles 6th Phil Legislature 1922-1925 June 6, 1922
Manuel Banzon Sr. Balanga 7th Phil Legislature 1925-1928 June 2, 1925
Teodoro Camacho Sr. Balanga 8th Phil Legislature 1928-1931 June 5, 1928
Fortunato de Leon* Orion 9th Phil Legislature 1931-1934 June 2, 1931
Teodoro Camacho Sr. Balanga 9th Phil Legislature 1934-1934 June 2, 1931
1st National Asmbly 1934-1938 June 5, 1934
2nd National Asmbly 1939-1941 Nov. 8, 1938
Antonio Llamas Mariveles 3rd National Asmbly 1942-1946 Nov. 11, 1941
War time
Bonifacio Camacho Abucay 1st Congress 1946-1949 April 23, 1946
Medina Lacson de Leon Balanga 2nd Congress 1950-1953 Nov. 8, 1949
Jose R. Nuguid Orani 3rd Congress 1954-1957 Nov. 10, 1953
4th Congress 1958-1961 Nov. 12, 1957
5th Congress 1962-1965 Nov. 14, 1961
Pablo R. Roman Pilar 6th Congress 1966-1969 Nov. 19, 1965
7th Congress 1970-1972 Nov. 11, 1969
Martial Law years (1972-1986).
Antonino P. Roman Jr. Orani Int. Batasan Pmbnsa 1978-1984 June 12, 1978
Antonino P. Roman Jr.* Orani Regular Bat. Pmbnsa 1984-1986 May 14, 1984
Post-Martial Law Years. Bataan gains another congressional district.
Felicito C. Payumo Dinalupihan 8th Congress 1987-1992 May 11, 1987
Enrique T. Garcia Jr. Balanga 8th Congress 1987-1992 May 11, 1987
Felicito Payumo Dinalupihan 9th Congress 1992-1995 May 11, 1992
Dominador Venegas Orion 9th Congress 1992-1995 May 11, 1992
Felicito Payumo Dinalupihan 10th Congress 1995-1998 May 8, 1995
Enrique Garcia Jr. Balanga 10th Congress 1995-1998 May 8, 1995
Antonino P. Roman Jr. Orani 11th Congress 1998-2001 May 11, 1998
Enrique Garcia Jr. Balanga 11th Congress 1998-2001 May 11, 1998
Antonino Roman Jr. Orani 12th Congress 2001-2004 May 14, 2001
Enrique Garcia Jr. Balanga 12th Congress 2001-2004 May 14, 2001
Antonino Roman Jr. Orani 13th Congress 2004 -2007 May 10, 2004
Albert S. Garcia Balanga 13th Congress 2004 -2007 May 10, 2004
Herminia B. Roman Orani 14th Congres s 2007-2010 May 14, 2007
Albert S. Garcia Balanga 14th Congress 2007-2010 May 14, 2007
Herminia B. Roman Orani 15th Congress 2010-2013 May 10, 2010
Albert S. Garcia Balanga 15th Congress 2010-2013 May 10, 2010
*removed from office
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