Bangar, La Union
Encyclopedia
Bangar is a 3rd class municipality in the province of La Union
, Philippines
. According to the latest census, it has a population of 36,189 people in 6,936 households.
It is composed of an area approximately 3,729.17 of land lies on the northern tip of La Union. It is bounded by the China Sea on the western side, Tagudin Ilocos Sur on the north, Sudipen on the east and Balaoan and Luna on the southwestern side. The fabled Amburayan River flows along the border separating Bangar from Tagudin, Ilocos Sur.
Sub-Political Units
The old town was made of three "pueblitos" (small towns) namely: Villa-Cruz, San Rafael and San Anastacio. Near this "pueblitos" were small communities of "Igorotes Infieles" who paid tribute to the Governor.
Through the "Superior Decreto"-(Executive Decree) signed by Governor General Antonio Maria Blanco on March 2, 1850, the town of Bangar was made a part of La Union, the newly created province. Before that Bangar, Purao (Balaoan) and Namacpacan (Luna) were part of Ilocos Sur. As years passed by, barrios were formed.
Education during the Spanish time consisted of the learning of the "Cartilla" and the "abecedario". Roman Catholic Religion was taught hand in hand with good manners. However, formal education was being taught to students belonging to the higher class of the society. Spanish social life had greatly affected the "Indios" and in no time, Castilian manners were very evident among them.
The social class of an individual was easily distinguished by the kind of attire one wore. The male peasant was distinguished by the simple "camisa de chino" and loose pants tied to the waist by braided strings. Female peasant wore simple loose blouse and ankle length skirts, underneath she wore "camison" which was made from cotton textile. The peasantry was usually barefooted and if there was anything worn on the feet, it was the "kammadang" (wooden shoes) or a pair of slippers.
Male on the upper class of the society was distinguished by barong and "camisa de chino" made of fine fabric.He used pants cut along the westers style. He wore socks and leather shoes and on the head was a hat which was usually plumed. A walking cane in various styles and colors and encased in gold, silver or bronze was indispensable. He never smoked without using pipes.
The upper class lady was very fastidious. She had her hair done in a brushed up coiffure. Curly hair was artificially effected by the use of the stem of the papaya leaf and iron rod which was heated over burning charcoal. However, so much care was given in using this method. Other women preferred to tie their hair in curls in the evening and untie these in the morning. Ladies wore Maria Clara or the camisa which had embroidered and stitched butterfly sleeves and matching "panuelo". They used "alfiler" (pins) made of gold or silver. A comb called "peineta' usually fan shaped and encrusted on silver or gold adorned their hair. The skirt, which usually billowy, was made from very fine fabric from China. Underneath she wore a long "camison" and over it the "nuagas." The outer skirt was still topped by a beautiful imported lace. Perfumed fan and a big handkerchief trimmed with lace and hanging on the right side of the skirt tucked to her waist line was a part of the attire. On Sundays and holidays of obligation, a "mantilla" made of lace which covered the head down to the waist and tucked to the hair by a gold pin was a must for the Holy Mass. On the feet, the lady wore a "zapatilla," usually half heeled, adorned with artificial rhinestones. A gold pendant hanging from a gold necklace around the neck was also part of the attire. The "tamborine," a gold necklace with intricate designs was also worn on special days.
American type of education was felt with the coming of the Americans in 1898. education had a very high standard so that one who finish grade four could teach those who were in the lower years.
The beginning of World War II was felt in Bangar on December 8, 1941, the feast of the Immaculate Conception. A lantern competition which was sponsored by Rev. Jose Brillantes, the parish priest was hastily cancelled and the church goers had to hurry home after the offering of the Holy Mass and immediately prepares for the evacuation.
December 20, 1941 marked the entry of the Japanese Army to Bangar. They put up entries along the national road and they had one at the Municipal building and another at the plaza. The Japanese occupation required all the citizens to display and pin small Japanese flag outside the pocket of the shirt or blouse with the name of the holder written in Japanese. According to them, this was to distinguished peaceful citizens from guerillas.
During the part of 1944, on the day Bangar was celebrating the birthday of Emperor Hirohito with a program at the town plaza, a truck load of Japanese soldiers arrived with a lone Filipino who was said to have been captured somewhere in Bacnotan. It was told that the Japanese took the Filipino behind the southern school building and ordered him to dig what was to be his own grave. Upon sensing that his hours on earth were counted, the Filipino suddenly grabbed and unheated the sword of the officer who was standing nearby and in one hit motion with the sword, the officer almost got beheaded. Ths stuned the Japanese soldiers and the Filipino was able to escape unhurt. The whole town was gripped into terror. Japanese reprisal was foremost in the mind of the people.
On December 28, 1944, the Japanese burned many houses in the town proper and raided the camp of the guerillas in barrio San Cristobal.
Underground movement was very strong during the Japanese occupancy in Bangar. Many residents joined the guerillas which had put up camps in San Cristobal. Further in the mountains at Lonoy, they also joined Camp "121". Colonel Volkman and Major Agtarap led the guerilla movement. Arms which are supplied ro guerillas were landed at Paraoir and bolo men had to carry these arms during night time.
The first Americans to reach Bangar during the liberation were a certain Captain Roberts with his men.
During the Northern Luzon Campaign, when the Filipino soldiers of the Philippine Commonwealth Army units of the 2nd, USAFFE 11th, 12th, 13th, 15th and 16th Infantry Divisions and the USAFIP-NL 121st Infantry Regiment was started the liberation in Bangar, La Union in 1945 and helping guerrilla resistance fighters and the U.S. liberation forces against the Japanese Imperial Army forces and ended in World War II.
Below are the schools in Bangar, La Union.
La Unión
La Union or La Unión may refer to:-Colombia:*La Unión, Antioquia*La Unión, Nariño*La Unión, Sucre*La Unión, Valle del Cauca-Peru:*La Unión Province, Peru...
, Philippines
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...
. According to the latest census, it has a population of 36,189 people in 6,936 households.
It is composed of an area approximately 3,729.17 of land lies on the northern tip of La Union. It is bounded by the China Sea on the western side, Tagudin Ilocos Sur on the north, Sudipen on the east and Balaoan and Luna on the southwestern side. The fabled Amburayan River flows along the border separating Bangar from Tagudin, Ilocos Sur.
Etymology
The town Bangar got its name from the bangar tree which was growing abundantly in the place where the town now stands. The bangar tree which is more known because of the foul odor that emanates from its fruits.Sub-Political Units
- Agdeppa - A certain notorious criminals are often executed with their arms outstretched. Because of this practice, this place have been known to be "agdeppa", meaning outstretched arms.
- Alzate - name of a Spanish officer Alzate who manned the garrison in that place against the local "revolucionarios" (revolutionaries). It is said that the Amburayan River which flowed to the part of Bangar was favorite swimming spot of Spaniards and the early "illustrados".
- Bangaoilan - Anonang was the old name but it was changed to Bangaoilan because of the abundance of a poisonous plant called bangaoil.
- Barraca - Tha barrio was merging of two sitios called Binyadura and Nagpalcan. Barraca was adopted as the common name after a pact has been signes by the residents who used to be very warlike.
- Cadapli - This wa taken from the word "cadcadapa" which means crawling and "apli" which means mat. This name was adopted after the capture of the robbers who hid in the forests near this barrio. They were captured sleeping in straw mats (apli) and severely whipped and punished until they were crawling (cadapa). Since then, the place was known as cadapli.
- Caggao - Named after a parasite called "cagaw" which infested the place.
- Luzong - This place was formerly made of three sitios:Pideng, Butak and Dalimuno. Quicksand which caused the disappearance of working animalWorking animalA working animal is an animal, usually domesticated, that is kept by humans and trained to perform tasks. They may be close members of the family, such as guide or service dogs, or they may be animals trained strictly to perform a job, such as logging elephants. They may also be used for milk, a...
s has been found in the lower places of these sitios. This place then was called Luzong which was derived from the Ilocano word "lusong" which means stuck.
- Maria Cristina - It is said that once an American asked for the name of the place from a beautiful girl. Thinkingthat tha stranger wes asking her name, she answered "Maria Cristina". Since then, the place was called Maria Cristina.
- Mindoro - The name was derived from the Spanish term "Minas de Oro" which means "Gold Mine". At that time there are gold dusts and granules in the river besides the barrio. People used to pan these and sold them to the rich. General Alzate who was manning the garrison there, gave the name which later on become Mindoro.
- Nagsabaran - This name was given to the place because the national road branched out to that barrio. "Nagsabaran" meand place where the road branched out.
- Paratong - The old name was Libtong which means "lagoon". During the Spanish time, the prefix "lib" was changed into "para" which literally means "for". this was added to "tong" hence the present name "Paratong".
- Quintarong - The old name of the place was "Daya ti Sabangan" (East of the mouth of the river). The place was reputed to be the hide out of "tirong" meaning pitares and the people oftentimes saw these pirates running ("kinnamat" in Ilocano) after one another. The present name now is "Quintarong".
- Reyna Regente - The place was named after a certain native queen named Reyna Regente who live before the arrival of the Spaniard. It is said that she was a rushless ruler but her youngest daughter who eventually took over mother later on, ruled wisely.
- Rissing - The old name "pa-o" was taken after a big tree. How it become Rissing is not known.
- San Blas - Tha place was named after a man who was reputedly known for his wisdom and who has San Blas for his namesake.
- San Cristobal - Named after the town patron saint.
- Sinapangan - Named after the sapang tree which grew abundantly in the place.
- Ubbog - The term "ubbog" means spring. During the early days, water would surface even without a little digging on the ground.
History
1700 marked the official foundation of Bangar under the patronage of Saint Christopher when it became a ministry. However, Christianity was brought as early as in the later part of 1500 when Bangar was still a vista of Tagudin with a community of 2,800 inhabitants was already in existence. The highly skilled, industrious and peace loving people were primarily engaged in rice and cotton planting. The beautiful and sturdy handwoven products made by the ladies of that time even found their way to Europe and it was said that some of this materials were used as boat sails by the European sailors. Among the more famous handwoven products made by them were blankets bearing different designs, clothing materials and mosquito nets. Since chemicals for coloring were very scarce those days, bark of trees and fruits were used to dye all those handwoven products.The old town was made of three "pueblitos" (small towns) namely: Villa-Cruz, San Rafael and San Anastacio. Near this "pueblitos" were small communities of "Igorotes Infieles" who paid tribute to the Governor.
Through the "Superior Decreto"-(Executive Decree) signed by Governor General Antonio Maria Blanco on March 2, 1850, the town of Bangar was made a part of La Union, the newly created province. Before that Bangar, Purao (Balaoan) and Namacpacan (Luna) were part of Ilocos Sur. As years passed by, barrios were formed.
Education during the Spanish time consisted of the learning of the "Cartilla" and the "abecedario". Roman Catholic Religion was taught hand in hand with good manners. However, formal education was being taught to students belonging to the higher class of the society. Spanish social life had greatly affected the "Indios" and in no time, Castilian manners were very evident among them.
The social class of an individual was easily distinguished by the kind of attire one wore. The male peasant was distinguished by the simple "camisa de chino" and loose pants tied to the waist by braided strings. Female peasant wore simple loose blouse and ankle length skirts, underneath she wore "camison" which was made from cotton textile. The peasantry was usually barefooted and if there was anything worn on the feet, it was the "kammadang" (wooden shoes) or a pair of slippers.
Male on the upper class of the society was distinguished by barong and "camisa de chino" made of fine fabric.He used pants cut along the westers style. He wore socks and leather shoes and on the head was a hat which was usually plumed. A walking cane in various styles and colors and encased in gold, silver or bronze was indispensable. He never smoked without using pipes.
The upper class lady was very fastidious. She had her hair done in a brushed up coiffure. Curly hair was artificially effected by the use of the stem of the papaya leaf and iron rod which was heated over burning charcoal. However, so much care was given in using this method. Other women preferred to tie their hair in curls in the evening and untie these in the morning. Ladies wore Maria Clara or the camisa which had embroidered and stitched butterfly sleeves and matching "panuelo". They used "alfiler" (pins) made of gold or silver. A comb called "peineta' usually fan shaped and encrusted on silver or gold adorned their hair. The skirt, which usually billowy, was made from very fine fabric from China. Underneath she wore a long "camison" and over it the "nuagas." The outer skirt was still topped by a beautiful imported lace. Perfumed fan and a big handkerchief trimmed with lace and hanging on the right side of the skirt tucked to her waist line was a part of the attire. On Sundays and holidays of obligation, a "mantilla" made of lace which covered the head down to the waist and tucked to the hair by a gold pin was a must for the Holy Mass. On the feet, the lady wore a "zapatilla," usually half heeled, adorned with artificial rhinestones. A gold pendant hanging from a gold necklace around the neck was also part of the attire. The "tamborine," a gold necklace with intricate designs was also worn on special days.
American type of education was felt with the coming of the Americans in 1898. education had a very high standard so that one who finish grade four could teach those who were in the lower years.
The beginning of World War II was felt in Bangar on December 8, 1941, the feast of the Immaculate Conception. A lantern competition which was sponsored by Rev. Jose Brillantes, the parish priest was hastily cancelled and the church goers had to hurry home after the offering of the Holy Mass and immediately prepares for the evacuation.
December 20, 1941 marked the entry of the Japanese Army to Bangar. They put up entries along the national road and they had one at the Municipal building and another at the plaza. The Japanese occupation required all the citizens to display and pin small Japanese flag outside the pocket of the shirt or blouse with the name of the holder written in Japanese. According to them, this was to distinguished peaceful citizens from guerillas.
During the part of 1944, on the day Bangar was celebrating the birthday of Emperor Hirohito with a program at the town plaza, a truck load of Japanese soldiers arrived with a lone Filipino who was said to have been captured somewhere in Bacnotan. It was told that the Japanese took the Filipino behind the southern school building and ordered him to dig what was to be his own grave. Upon sensing that his hours on earth were counted, the Filipino suddenly grabbed and unheated the sword of the officer who was standing nearby and in one hit motion with the sword, the officer almost got beheaded. Ths stuned the Japanese soldiers and the Filipino was able to escape unhurt. The whole town was gripped into terror. Japanese reprisal was foremost in the mind of the people.
On December 28, 1944, the Japanese burned many houses in the town proper and raided the camp of the guerillas in barrio San Cristobal.
Underground movement was very strong during the Japanese occupancy in Bangar. Many residents joined the guerillas which had put up camps in San Cristobal. Further in the mountains at Lonoy, they also joined Camp "121". Colonel Volkman and Major Agtarap led the guerilla movement. Arms which are supplied ro guerillas were landed at Paraoir and bolo men had to carry these arms during night time.
The first Americans to reach Bangar during the liberation were a certain Captain Roberts with his men.
During the Northern Luzon Campaign, when the Filipino soldiers of the Philippine Commonwealth Army units of the 2nd, USAFFE 11th, 12th, 13th, 15th and 16th Infantry Divisions and the USAFIP-NL 121st Infantry Regiment was started the liberation in Bangar, La Union in 1945 and helping guerrilla resistance fighters and the U.S. liberation forces against the Japanese Imperial Army forces and ended in World War II.
Early Parish Priest Assigned in Bangar
- Fr. Francisco de Alvear, OSA(Order of Saint Augustine) - 1696-1698
- Fr. Manuel Miranda, OP (Orders of the Preachers popularly known as Dominicans) - 1805-1809
- Fr. Benito Tesauro, OSA - 1853-1864
- Fr. Evaresto Guadalupe, OSA - 1866-1887
Barangays/Districts
Bangar has 33 barangays, 4 are coastal barangays namely Paratong Norte, 3 and 4 and Mindoro, an island barangay, 11 barangays are along the Amburayan River namely Bangaoilan East and West, Gen. Prim East and West, Maria Cristina East and West, Consuegra, Gen. terrero, Alzate, Quintarong and Caggao. Barangay Rissing is the largest barangay in Bangar in terms of land area and population. The different barangays of Bangar are rouped into 9 districts, as follows:- ABCQM District
- Alzate
- Barraca
- Caggao
- Quintarong
- Mindoro
- Ag-Na District
- Agdeppa
- Nagsabaran
- CadaLuSan District
- Cadapli
- Luzong Norte
- Luzong Sur
- San Cristobal
- Centro District
- Central East No. 1
- Central East No. 2
- Central West No. 1
- Central West No. 2
- Central West No. 3
- GenPriBa District
- General Prim East
- General Prim West
- Bangaoilan East
- Bangaoilan West
- Paratong District
- Paratong Norte
- Paratong No. 3
- Paratong No. 4
- RUS District
- Reyna Regente
- Ubbog
- San Blas
- SinapRis District
- Sinapangan Norte
- Sinapangan Sur
- Rissing
- TerConMaCris District
- General Terrero
- Consuegra
- Maria Cristina East
- Maria Cristina West
Schools
The town has 16 public elementary schools, 2 national high schools, 1 private school offering complete pre-elementary, elementary, and high school, 1 specialized high school, 1 technical-vocational school, and 1 tertiary school.Below are the schools in Bangar, La Union.
- Public Elementary schools
- Ag-Na Elementary School
- Bangaoilan Elementary School
- Bangar Central School
- Cadapli Elementary School
- Caggao SRlementary School
- Gen. Prim Elementary School
- Luzong Norte Elementary School
- Luzong Sur Elementary School
- Ma. Cristina Elementary School
- Mindoro Elementary School
- Paratong Elementary School
- Pudoc Elementary School
- Rissing Elementary School
- RUS Elementary School
- Sinapangan Elementary School
- Ter-Con Elementary School
- Public High Schools
- Dona Francisca Lacsamana de Ortega Memorial National High School
- Casacristo National High School
- Private Schools
- St. Christopher Academy - founded in 1945, it is the oldest school in Bangar, La Union.
- St. Bernard College of Health Service - is the only school in Bangar, La Union offering tertiary level.
- Specialized School
- Regional Science High School for Region I
-
- It is a magnet school established during the school year 1994-1995 by virtue of DECS Order No. 69,s.1993. The school, with a curriculum that specialize in science and research (different from Special Science Program/ Engineering and Science Education Program schools) is operated and supervised by the Department of Education.
- Vocational schools
- TSI Technical Institute
-
- It is the only technical/vocational school in Bangar. It is located in Rissing, Bangar, La Union.
Trivia
- The patron saint of Bangar is St. Christopher. Bangarenos celebrates the feast of their patron saint every July 25.
- Town fiesta of Bangar is celebrated every December 26 and 27.
- Abel-Panday festival was first celebrated during 2005 town fiesta of Bangar. However, the festival was discontinued. It is continued again last December 2008, during the town fiesta.
- Bangar's main product is abel (handwoven cloth) and panday (blacksmithing).
- Agricultural products includes rice, corn, sugar cane, penuta,sweet potato, vegetables such as the PINAKBET, and viginia tobacco.
Places of Interst
- Saint Christopher Church - construction was started in 1696 by Fr. Francisco Alvear, a learned Spanish Augustinian priest born in Liaño, Santander, Spain who died in Bangar in 1698. It is the only church with three bell towers.
- Saint Christopher Convent - It was built by Fr. Francisco Guadalupe sometimes between 1866-1887. It is still stands up to the present.
- Amburayan River - It become the setting of the Ilocano epic "Biag ni Lam-ang" penned by the Prince of Ilokano Poet, Pedro Bukaneg.
- Imelda Cultural Stage - A gift to the art-loving people of Bangar by the former president of the Philippines, His Excellency Ferdinand E. Marcos through the sponsorship of the former Minister of Tourism Hon. Jose D. Aspiras and constructed by Engr. Bernardo Vergara then General Manager of the Philippine Tourism Authority.