Casiguran, Sorsogon
Encyclopedia
Casiguran is a 4th class municipality in Sorsogon Province, Philippines
. This town is on the coast of Sorsogon Bay
. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 28,057 people in 5,381 households.
s.
. When the Spaniards
first set foot in this part of Luzon
in the 1570s, Casiguran was considered as their center of Kabikolan
.
In 1583, the Franciscan
missionaries took over the evangilization work started by the Augustinians.
The name Casiguran is believed to come from the Bicol phrase kasi gurang, meaning, mostly old, pointing to the fact that it was the first parish and therefore to be considered to be populated by senior inhabitants.
It is also believed that the town was named Casiguran because, during the Spanish times, all the young men and ladies were kept hidden and only old people can be seen in the town. The reason of the townspeople for this is that the young people are being abused by the Spaniards, thus, kept them in hiding. One day, Spaniards set foot in the soil of the town and asked for its name. The people did not understand their language. Thinking that the Spaniards were asking why there are no young people, the people answered, "kasi gurang" (because only old people live there). The Spaniards thought that "Kasi gurang" was the name of the town. They left repeating the words "kasi gurang" as not to forget them, until it came to be called as "Casiguran."
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...
. This town is on the coast of Sorsogon Bay
Sorsogon Bay
Sorsogon Bay is a large bay in the southern part of Luzon island, Philippines, at . It costs cover Pilar, Casiguran, Sorsogon City, Castilla and Magallanes....
. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 28,057 people in 5,381 households.
Barangays
Casiguran is politically subdivided into 25 barangayBarangay
A barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward...
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History
Established in the year 1600, Casiguran was the first missionary parish of SorsogonSorsogon
Sorsogon is a province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region; it is the southernmost province in Luzon and is subdivided into fourteen municipalities and one city. Its capital is Sorsogon City and borders the province of Albay to the north...
. When the Spaniards
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
first set foot in this part of Luzon
Luzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
in the 1570s, Casiguran was considered as their center of Kabikolan
Bicol Region
The Bicol Region or Bicolandia is one of the 17 regions of the Philippines. Its regional center is Legazpi City...
.
In 1583, the Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
missionaries took over the evangilization work started by the Augustinians.
The name Casiguran is believed to come from the Bicol phrase kasi gurang, meaning, mostly old, pointing to the fact that it was the first parish and therefore to be considered to be populated by senior inhabitants.
It is also believed that the town was named Casiguran because, during the Spanish times, all the young men and ladies were kept hidden and only old people can be seen in the town. The reason of the townspeople for this is that the young people are being abused by the Spaniards, thus, kept them in hiding. One day, Spaniards set foot in the soil of the town and asked for its name. The people did not understand their language. Thinking that the Spaniards were asking why there are no young people, the people answered, "kasi gurang" (because only old people live there). The Spaniards thought that "Kasi gurang" was the name of the town. They left repeating the words "kasi gurang" as not to forget them, until it came to be called as "Casiguran."