Balilihan, Bohol
Encyclopedia
Balilihan is a 4th class municipality in the province of Bohol, Philippines
. Balilihan is located 22 kilometers northeast of Tagbilaran City
via Cortes (thru CPG North Avenue) and 19.7 kilometers northeast via Corella (thru J.A. Clarin Street). It holds the fourth (4th) largest land mass of the province, having 15,022 hectares/150.22 square km of its land area. According to the 2008 health survey, it has a population of 18,380 people and 9, 176 registered voters as for May 2010 elections.
Year Established : September 29, 1828
Income Class : 4th class
Area : 15, 022 hectares
Number of Barangays : 31
Number of Puroks : 186
Population : 17, 131 (2007 NSCB) / 18, 380 (2008 Health Survey)
Number of Household : 3, 101 (2000 NSO count)
Average Household Size : 5
Annual Income
(1995) : P 10, 237, 000.00
(1996) : P 10, 367, 000.00
(1997) : P 11, 661, 321.00
(1998) : P 12, 833, 723.24
(1999) : P 15, 942, 548.42
(2000) : P 17, 660, 293.00
(2001) : P 18, 835, 219.00
(2002) : P 23, 037, 037.33
(2003) : P 23, 868, 760.00
(2004) : P 21, 302, 269.00
(2005) : P 22, 977, 902.00
(2006) : P 25, 191, 220.00
(2007) : P 27, 790, 154.00
(2008) : P 31, 120, 314.00
(2009) : P 36, 477, 589.00
Before the beginning of the 19th century, Balilihan was a barrio of the town of Baclayon and an old settlement where the families of Orig, Dangoy, Racho, Maniwang, Lacea and Pongase were the first inhabitants. When the Dagohoy revolt was suppressed by the Spaniards, the authorities established a garrison in Datag (one of its barrios) to discourage and stamp out further uprisings on the part of the natives. When Balilihan was separated from its mother town (Baclayon) on September 29, 1828, the Spanish government, represented by Friar Tomas, formally established a settlement or “pueblo” in the sitio “Bay sa Iring” named so for the network of caves from where cats go into hiding which was about two kilometers from the Spanish garrison. Serafin Pongase was appointed as the first captain, but his administration was short-lived because he met his death in the hands of Manuel Danila with whom he had an altercation.
Later, due to the scarcity of water, the seat of government was transferred to its present site which is amply supplied with water from various springs such as Tan Pero, Ka Dadoy, Boho, Ka Boro, Bulingit, Komon and Abaca. The elevated land also made a low hill a good viewing point to keep watch over all nearby towns. Thus the construction of a Spanish Belfry similar to the watch towers of the shores atop the hill. This tower is made of adobe stones gathered by foot from the rock deposits of the mother town Baclayon. It was erected in the year 1835 under the able management of Friar Tomas and Capitan Placido Andoy. It was inaugurated in 1846 when Capitan Gabriel Racho was the gobernadorcillo. In 1888, Friar Benito Grayoa, who at that time exercised control over local governments, ordered the transfer of the municipio to Cabad, a barrio four kilometers west of the poblacion. The padre’s plan met vigorous opposition from the people and through the able leadership of Capitan Bartolome Racho, they filed the protest before the Spanish Military Governor Linares who disapproved the proposal causing Friar Grayoa’s ire who then plotted for the consequent punishment of the captain by dragging him with the Friar’s horse through the streets causing his death in jail. Fearing reprisals from the clergy, some of the people migrated to Surigao, Leyte and Misamis. Not long afterwards, Friar Grayoa was transferred to Siquijor.
The Spanish era flourished with the construction of Spanish church at the foot of the Spanish watchtower where a large patio became the hall for social affairs and the friar’s convent a school for the cartilla, with the municipio across. With the guidance of the local appointed leaders under the control of the Spanish friar, the town slowly progressed peacefully until the outbreak of the Revolution in1898.
On November 12, 1900, American soldiers were known to be coming from Antequera. All officials of the town led by Capitan Antonio Racho came out to meet the soldiers with a brass band, but when the Americans arrived, they gathered all the officials in the municipal hall building and placed them underguard, for the Americans had heard that the town officials had been supporting the insurgents. The supplications of spokesman Segundo Racho not to burn the town was of no avail and the sounds of the welcoming brass band turned into valleys of gunshots. The officials were ordered to move toward Sevilla while the civilians ran for safety to the out skirts of the town. The town was razed down to the ground. The Americans burned the church, the convent, the municipal building, the school building for boys and girls as well as private houses. The only structure that was spared was the Belfry on the top of the hill.
Years later, the people, or the first time of their lives, witnessed an election of their local leaders wherein Manuel Diamante was elected president. It was during the administration of these elected local leaders that remarkable progress was achieved. Streets were constructed, peace and order was restored and then the houses and the population of the central area (Poblacion) increased remarkably.
In 1904, there was a move to fuse Balilihan with Antequera in order to meet the requirements of a municipality under the American regime. The people under the able leadership of President Manuel Diamante vehemently objected to the plan, so the following year the Philippine Commission finally ruled in its Act. No. 350 abolishing the municipality of Catigbi-an and instead annexing it to Balilihan as one of its barrios.
During World War II, the town residents went into hiding in their mountain hideouts for fear of the Japanese. Balilihan was a haven of refugees from other places who lived a life of deprivation in the mountains. Many innocent civilians were either tortured or put into death by the enemies on mere suspicions of guerilla activities. Ex-Mayor Patricio Ibarra was put up by the people as war time mayor to defend them from their enemies.
The Japanese atrocities gave rise to the organizations of the guerrillas into full combat force under the supreme command of Mayor Ismael Ingeniero. The people helped the guerilla movement by feeding the troops in the front lines as well as those in the headquarters in “Behind the Clouds”, in Maitum which was the famous concentration camp of the war. Enemy collaborators were tried here and those found guilty of high crimes were liquidated. Those with slight offenses were imprisoned for the duration of the war. Another concentration camp was at Hanopol where prisoners were kept.
The liberation from Japanese atrocities was a cause for a happy celebration. The people moved down from their hiding places in the mountains and celebrated with the evacuees the joys of freedom under the tutelage of the Americans. Some evacuees remained for reason of marriage or others. Everyone worked hard to rehabilitate and repair their homes. Schools were opened, public offices functioned, peace and order maintained and life became normal once more.
Independence Day was celebrated on July 4, 1946 with the gathering of war babies and children at the town plaza with the Rizal Monument as the focal point and place of assembly – an act that symbolizes a new tomorrow for the new generation.
In 1948, Balilihan suffered a great loss of territory when the biggest barrio (Catigbi-an) was given its town charter in spite of the strong representation against the move by town Mayor Balbino Chatto and Gerardo Racho who personally went to Malacañang to see President Elpidio Quirino. Catigbian was the given away to be on its own.
s.
Kabalilhan diha sa imong ngalan,
Duyog ang kusog sa yanong buhilaman,
Kapatagan, kabukiran nga malunhaw,
Panalangin ni Bathala wa n’ya ihikaw;
Dinagayday sa imong kasugiran,
Diwa ni Dagohoy hunis kaliwatan,
Ngalan mo nakulit na sa mga bungtod,
Diha sa sabakan mo garbo ug bantayog;
Balilihan, Balilihan
Among lungsod, among yutawhan,
Gabayan ka sa mga tinguha,
Ikaw maoy mutya, among himaya,
Balilihan, Balilihan
Among lungsod, among yutawhan,
Gugma’g kadasig ikaw halaran,
Balilihan sa kahangturan
Balilihan, Balilihan
Among lungsod, among yutawhan,
Gabayan ka sa mga tinguha,
Ikaw maoy mutya, among himaya,
Balilihan, Balilihan
Among lungsod, among yutawhan,
Gugma’g kadasig ikaw halaran,
Balilihan sa kahangturan.
, however, there are other barangays (Hanopol - composed of 10 barangays) celebrate their fiesta in honor of their patron Santo Niño de Cebú
on the 16th of January. To utter, Balilihan does its fiestas every 6 months. Another celebration is done during the last week of September, this gives way for making September 29 of every year as a non-working holiday in Balilihan.
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. Balilihan is located 22 kilometers northeast of Tagbilaran City
Tagbilaran City
Tagbilaran City is a 2nd class component city in the island province of Bohol, Philippines and serves as its capital. Tagbilaran lies on the southwestern part of the province, and has a total land area of 32.7 km², with about 13 km of coastline...
via Cortes (thru CPG North Avenue) and 19.7 kilometers northeast via Corella (thru J.A. Clarin Street). It holds the fourth (4th) largest land mass of the province, having 15,022 hectares/150.22 square km of its land area. According to the 2008 health survey, it has a population of 18,380 people and 9, 176 registered voters as for May 2010 elections.
Municipal Profile
Name of Municipality : BalilihanYear Established : September 29, 1828
Income Class : 4th class
Area : 15, 022 hectares
Number of Barangays : 31
Number of Puroks : 186
Population : 17, 131 (2007 NSCB) / 18, 380 (2008 Health Survey)
Number of Household : 3, 101 (2000 NSO count)
Average Household Size : 5
Annual Income
(1995) : P 10, 237, 000.00
(1996) : P 10, 367, 000.00
(1997) : P 11, 661, 321.00
(1998) : P 12, 833, 723.24
(1999) : P 15, 942, 548.42
(2000) : P 17, 660, 293.00
(2001) : P 18, 835, 219.00
(2002) : P 23, 037, 037.33
(2003) : P 23, 868, 760.00
(2004) : P 21, 302, 269.00
(2005) : P 22, 977, 902.00
(2006) : P 25, 191, 220.00
(2007) : P 27, 790, 154.00
(2008) : P 31, 120, 314.00
(2009) : P 36, 477, 589.00
History
The place is a panorama of verdant hills, rugged mountains and green fields. It is said to have been so named because of the grass “balili” which grew in abundance in the locality. Balilihan means a place where plenty of “balili” grows.Before the beginning of the 19th century, Balilihan was a barrio of the town of Baclayon and an old settlement where the families of Orig, Dangoy, Racho, Maniwang, Lacea and Pongase were the first inhabitants. When the Dagohoy revolt was suppressed by the Spaniards, the authorities established a garrison in Datag (one of its barrios) to discourage and stamp out further uprisings on the part of the natives. When Balilihan was separated from its mother town (Baclayon) on September 29, 1828, the Spanish government, represented by Friar Tomas, formally established a settlement or “pueblo” in the sitio “Bay sa Iring” named so for the network of caves from where cats go into hiding which was about two kilometers from the Spanish garrison. Serafin Pongase was appointed as the first captain, but his administration was short-lived because he met his death in the hands of Manuel Danila with whom he had an altercation.
Later, due to the scarcity of water, the seat of government was transferred to its present site which is amply supplied with water from various springs such as Tan Pero, Ka Dadoy, Boho, Ka Boro, Bulingit, Komon and Abaca. The elevated land also made a low hill a good viewing point to keep watch over all nearby towns. Thus the construction of a Spanish Belfry similar to the watch towers of the shores atop the hill. This tower is made of adobe stones gathered by foot from the rock deposits of the mother town Baclayon. It was erected in the year 1835 under the able management of Friar Tomas and Capitan Placido Andoy. It was inaugurated in 1846 when Capitan Gabriel Racho was the gobernadorcillo. In 1888, Friar Benito Grayoa, who at that time exercised control over local governments, ordered the transfer of the municipio to Cabad, a barrio four kilometers west of the poblacion. The padre’s plan met vigorous opposition from the people and through the able leadership of Capitan Bartolome Racho, they filed the protest before the Spanish Military Governor Linares who disapproved the proposal causing Friar Grayoa’s ire who then plotted for the consequent punishment of the captain by dragging him with the Friar’s horse through the streets causing his death in jail. Fearing reprisals from the clergy, some of the people migrated to Surigao, Leyte and Misamis. Not long afterwards, Friar Grayoa was transferred to Siquijor.
The Spanish era flourished with the construction of Spanish church at the foot of the Spanish watchtower where a large patio became the hall for social affairs and the friar’s convent a school for the cartilla, with the municipio across. With the guidance of the local appointed leaders under the control of the Spanish friar, the town slowly progressed peacefully until the outbreak of the Revolution in1898.
On November 12, 1900, American soldiers were known to be coming from Antequera. All officials of the town led by Capitan Antonio Racho came out to meet the soldiers with a brass band, but when the Americans arrived, they gathered all the officials in the municipal hall building and placed them underguard, for the Americans had heard that the town officials had been supporting the insurgents. The supplications of spokesman Segundo Racho not to burn the town was of no avail and the sounds of the welcoming brass band turned into valleys of gunshots. The officials were ordered to move toward Sevilla while the civilians ran for safety to the out skirts of the town. The town was razed down to the ground. The Americans burned the church, the convent, the municipal building, the school building for boys and girls as well as private houses. The only structure that was spared was the Belfry on the top of the hill.
Years later, the people, or the first time of their lives, witnessed an election of their local leaders wherein Manuel Diamante was elected president. It was during the administration of these elected local leaders that remarkable progress was achieved. Streets were constructed, peace and order was restored and then the houses and the population of the central area (Poblacion) increased remarkably.
In 1904, there was a move to fuse Balilihan with Antequera in order to meet the requirements of a municipality under the American regime. The people under the able leadership of President Manuel Diamante vehemently objected to the plan, so the following year the Philippine Commission finally ruled in its Act. No. 350 abolishing the municipality of Catigbi-an and instead annexing it to Balilihan as one of its barrios.
During World War II, the town residents went into hiding in their mountain hideouts for fear of the Japanese. Balilihan was a haven of refugees from other places who lived a life of deprivation in the mountains. Many innocent civilians were either tortured or put into death by the enemies on mere suspicions of guerilla activities. Ex-Mayor Patricio Ibarra was put up by the people as war time mayor to defend them from their enemies.
The Japanese atrocities gave rise to the organizations of the guerrillas into full combat force under the supreme command of Mayor Ismael Ingeniero. The people helped the guerilla movement by feeding the troops in the front lines as well as those in the headquarters in “Behind the Clouds”, in Maitum which was the famous concentration camp of the war. Enemy collaborators were tried here and those found guilty of high crimes were liquidated. Those with slight offenses were imprisoned for the duration of the war. Another concentration camp was at Hanopol where prisoners were kept.
The liberation from Japanese atrocities was a cause for a happy celebration. The people moved down from their hiding places in the mountains and celebrated with the evacuees the joys of freedom under the tutelage of the Americans. Some evacuees remained for reason of marriage or others. Everyone worked hard to rehabilitate and repair their homes. Schools were opened, public offices functioned, peace and order maintained and life became normal once more.
Independence Day was celebrated on July 4, 1946 with the gathering of war babies and children at the town plaza with the Rizal Monument as the focal point and place of assembly – an act that symbolizes a new tomorrow for the new generation.
In 1948, Balilihan suffered a great loss of territory when the biggest barrio (Catigbi-an) was given its town charter in spite of the strong representation against the move by town Mayor Balbino Chatto and Gerardo Racho who personally went to Malacañang to see President Elpidio Quirino. Catigbian was the given away to be on its own.
Balilihan (Clean and Green Municipality)
Barangays
Balilihan is politically subdivided into 31 barangayBarangay
A barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward...
s.
|
|
|
Elementary schools
- Balilihan Central Elementary School
- Baucan Elementary School
- Boctol Elementary School
- Boyog Primary School
- Cabad-Candasig Elementary School
- Cantomimbo Primary School
- Cogon-Tagustusan Elementary School
- Datag Elementary School
- Dorol Elementary School
- Haguilanan Grande Elementary School
- Hanopol Elementary School
- Magsija-Maslog Elementary School
- Sagasa Elementary School
- Sal-ing Elementary School
- San Isidro Primary School
- San Roque Elementary School
Secondary Schools
- Congressman Pablo Malasarte National High School (CPMNHS)
- Carmel Academy (CA)
- Hanopol High School (HHS)
Balilihan Hymn
Balilihan sa KahangturanKabalilhan diha sa imong ngalan,
Duyog ang kusog sa yanong buhilaman,
Kapatagan, kabukiran nga malunhaw,
Panalangin ni Bathala wa n’ya ihikaw;
Dinagayday sa imong kasugiran,
Diwa ni Dagohoy hunis kaliwatan,
Ngalan mo nakulit na sa mga bungtod,
Diha sa sabakan mo garbo ug bantayog;
Balilihan, Balilihan
Among lungsod, among yutawhan,
Gabayan ka sa mga tinguha,
Ikaw maoy mutya, among himaya,
Balilihan, Balilihan
Among lungsod, among yutawhan,
Gugma’g kadasig ikaw halaran,
Balilihan sa kahangturan
Balilihan, Balilihan
Among lungsod, among yutawhan,
Gabayan ka sa mga tinguha,
Ikaw maoy mutya, among himaya,
Balilihan, Balilihan
Among lungsod, among yutawhan,
Gugma’g kadasig ikaw halaran,
Balilihan sa kahangturan.
People and Culture
The municipality of Balilihan holds its annual town fiesta every 16th of July in honor of the Our Lady of Mount CarmelOur Lady of Mount Carmel
Our Lady of Mount Carmel is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary in her role as patroness of the Carmelite Order. The first Carmelites were Christian hermits living on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land during the late 12th and early to mid 13th centuries...
, however, there are other barangays (Hanopol - composed of 10 barangays) celebrate their fiesta in honor of their patron Santo Niño de Cebú
Santo Niño de Cebu
The Santo Niño de Cebú is a Roman Catholic figure of the Child Jesus highly similar to the Infant Jesus of Prague. Like the image's counterpart in Prague, the figure is clothed in expensive textile robes mostly donations from fervent devotees in the Philippines and abroad...
on the 16th of January. To utter, Balilihan does its fiestas every 6 months. Another celebration is done during the last week of September, this gives way for making September 29 of every year as a non-working holiday in Balilihan.