Chapter 3
Gradual Assimilation of Ancient People of Panay
* highlighted in violet is the timeline or date
1600's
"Although anciently there were in this town of Dumangas many people, in the course of time they have very greatly diminished because the natives are the best sailors and most skillful rowers on the whole coast, and so the governors in the port of Iloilo take most of the people from this town for the ships that they send abroad..." Gaspar de San Agustin
"In regard to the people along the coast, they have diminished greatly, for the ravages [of pirates] on that coast are frightful. I cannot understand how the Indians can endure so much, for they have too much toil. " - Juan De Medina of Sevilla telling about Salog Arevalo and Tigbaun, 1623
Unification of Spain and Portugal- destructive to Iloilo
In 1580, Philip II, Hapsburg king of Spain through succession, became also king of Portugal and incorporate it as his kingdom. He is also king of Holland and England through marriage with Catholic Queen, Mary Tudor, his cousin ( Photo Right). It have ended frequent battle with the Portuguese galleons in the Philippines, however, the consequences was disastrous both to Portugal and Spain .
Spain attacked England to suppress them as a naval competitor, to deter its Protestantism and their support with Holland, a Spanish province wanting independence. Spanish warship called "Armada" headed to England unfortunately did not triumph. Once the preeminence on the sea passed to the English and the Dutch, Iloilo suffered as consequences.
Lucky Day for the Dutch
Holland, its growing nationalism wanted an independence from Spanish rule. Fueled with their Protestantism against Spanish Hapsburg who are staunch Catholics, they finally attained sovereignty.
In 1595, Dutch launched its first naval expedition, led by Cornelius Houtman, four galleons had sailed through seas, it rounded the Cape of Good Hope in Africa and entered into the Indian Ocean . The objective point was spice trade in Java in Southeast Asia. Two things were shown by the safe return of this fleet—the great wealth and profit of the Indian trade and the inability of Spain and Portugal to maintain their monopoly, since they are on guard of Malacca Strait. Cornelius Houtman successfully formed a friendly alliance with the Sultan of Banten and with King of Bali. A cargo of pepper was secured and sailed back to sell in Europe.
Dutch dominate Java and Batavia(Jakarta) by Monopolizing International Trade of Spice
Effect of the Success of the Dutch—The exclusive monopoly of world trade over the waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. They found great colonies for political domination. Commerce was their sole object not enforcement of Christian religion. Their policy was to form alliances with native rulers promising to assist them against the rule of the Portuguese or Spaniard in return for exclusive privileges of trade. In this deal they were more than successful. It was the golden age of Holland. Being confident of their success in Indonesia, Dutch vessels constantly navigate upward into Iloilo Strait hoping to capture the natives and colonize the land. They inflict a decades of bombardment and pillaging, setting the town on fire and left it in ruins.
1600 - Unforgettable Battle in Spanish Town - Arevalo
A large Muslim force of 4,000 men in 70 vintas under Datu Sirungan and Sakilala aimed to attack in Iloilo Strait. Their objective was to harvest any slaves they can capture and trade them in Jolo to supply the manpower needs of not only the local datus but also the Dutch merchants who run an active trade in Batavia (Jakarta). An alcalde-mayor of Iloilo Don Juan Garcia de Sierra under his command with the help of his 70 Spanish arquebusiers and 1,000 Ilonggo archers protected the town. They had repulsed the pirates and retreated back to the sea. What complicates the stability of the Augustinian presence in Arevalo was the abandonment of the place in 1587 because of the lack of friars to manage the curacy. However Fr. Antonio Porras, OSA ministered back Arevalo in 1607. Porras was noted for his efforts against the Dutch national Van Noort who attacked Arevalo in 1600.
"As soon as the weather permitted, the Mindanaos and Joloans returned with a large fleet of more than seventy well-equipped ships and more than four thousand fighting men led by the same Silonga and Sali and other Mindanao and Jolo chiefs to the same islands of Pintados with the determination of taking and sacking the Spanish town of Arevalo, which is situated in Oton. Captain Joan Garcia de Sierra, alcalde-mayor of that province having heard of this expedition and of the designs entertained by the enemy took the most necessary precautions and gathering into the town all the Spaniards who lived there and in its neighborhood shut himself up in it with all of them. Then having repaired as well as possible a wooden fort there he gathered there the women and their possessions. He and the Spaniards—about seventy men—armed with arquebuses awaited the enemy. The latter, who intended to attack the river of Panay again, passed Negros Island and made for the town of Arevalo where they anchored close to the native settlement. Then they landed one thousand five hundred men armed with arquebuses, campilans, and carasas, and, without stopping on the way marched against the Spanish town which was the object of their attack. The Spaniards, divided into troops, sallied forth and opened fire with their arquebuses upon the enemy with such vehemence that they forced them to retreat and take refuge on board their caracoas. So great was the enemy's confusion that many Mindanaos were killed before they could embark. Captain Joan Garcia de Sierra, who was on horseback, pursued the enemy so closely to the water's edge that the latter cut off the legs of his mount with their campilans and brought him to the ground where they killed him. The enemy embarked with a heavy loss of men, and halted at the island of Guimaraez, in sight of Arevalo. There they counted their men, including the dead and the wounded, who were not a few, and among whom was one of the most noted chiefs and leaders. Then they sailed for Mindanao, making a great show of grief and sorrow, and sounding their bells and tifas. They made no further delay at the Pintados, deriving little profit or gain from the expedition, but much injury, and loss of men and reputation, which was felt more deeply upon their arrival in Jolo and Mindanao"
Muslim & Dutch Pirates made Iloilo Coast unsafe
1602 - The Dutch obtained permission to establish a factory at Bantam, on the island of Java. This was even then a considerable trading-point.“Chinese, Arabs, Persians, Moors, Turks, Malabars, Peguans, and merchants from all nations were established there,” The principal object of trade of pepper.
Governor Don Pedro Bravo de Acuña - Fort San Pedro Construction
1603 : Governor-General Don Pedro Bravo de Acuña, Knight of the Order of San Juan and who had been governor of Carthagena who became the 11th governor-general of the Philippines in 1602 arrived in Cavite with 4 ships from New Spain on May 1602. He sailed to Iloilo and inspect the garrisons and to make preparations for an expedition, which he intended against the Moluccas; and whilst he was employed in building the fort of Yloylo .
"The governor, without delaying any longer in Manila, hastily started for the island of Panay and the town of Arevalo, in a galleon and other small vessels, to see their needs with his own eyes, in order to provide for them."
Source : Antonio Morga
He ordered to construct the San Pedro Fort. He also stationed two companies of soldiers there for defense as military fortification to prepare Iloilo from any possible captivity from Muslim and Dutch pirates. (Photo above). In March 1604, eight hundred troops arrived from New Spain with which relief Don Pedro de Acuña was enabled to fit out a fleet of thirty sail in the port of Yloylo for the conquest of the Moluccas.
Source : Fr. Juan Fernandez, OSA, Monografias de los Pueblos de Iloilo, (Iloilo: University of San Agustin Publishing House, 2006), 116
Source : An Historical View of the Philippine Islands, Vol I (of 2), by Martinez de Zuniga published in Manila 1803.TRANSLATEDBY JOHN MAVER, ESQ.VOL. I LONDON: PRINTED FOR J. ASPERNE, CORNHILL; AND NONAVILLE AND FELL, NEW BOND-STREET:By T. Davison, Whitefriars.1814.
Governor Don Juan de Silva - Dutch First Attack
1609 - Governor Don Juan de Silva assumed office upon the death of Don de Acuña, Knight of the Order of Santiago, who, at that time was serving in Flanders. He arrived in Cavite at Easter and took possession of his government bringing with him six companies of soldiers which addition to our force was of great importance at this period.
A Dutch admiral Francois de Wittert was given permission by King of Bantam to set up trading post in his place in June of 1609. He sought economic agreement with King of Ternate. By October 1609, he appeared in the waters of Iloilo. It was composed of six ships and a considerable military force, which it was intended to disembark in this province. The battle was well planned by alcalde mayor of Yloylo, three Spanish Infantry and the Ilonggos. They were repulsed. Port San Pedro was instrumental for the victory. He sailed for Manila to do battle with the Spanish there in order to remove the Moluccas from Spanish authority.
1611 - Villages of Passi was reached by Augustinians
Passi has already been explored by the Spanish walking through Jalaur River from Pototan to Laglag and Baong. They reached Passi sometime in 1584. Augustinians missions continue to arrived. Father Hernando Morales of Cordova, Spain - he became minister of Sibucao (1611) and Laglag with Dumalag (1618)
Pedro Del Castillo - conventual of Pototan 1605, Minister of Dingle 1611, Jaro, 1614, Laglag, 1617.
1614 - 2nd Attack of the Dutch
The Siege of Ogtong, Arevalo and Salog
After six years, 10 Dutch galleons under Adm. Georges Spillberg appeared in the waters of Iloilo. But Antonio de Jaréz de Montero , commandant of the town of Arévalo, also its alcalde-mayor and overseer-general, with over 2000 Indians (Ilonggos) and over 200 Spanish military. A signal was sent to Arevalo, Ylong Ylong and Jaro from Ymalus (Guimaras). All soldiers flee away at night and no one was seen the next day including the commandant alcalde- mayor.
Augustinian Friars, Society of Jesus hid in Convent in Baong
Augustinian friar, Juan de Mentrida staying in the convent of Ogtong with father Fray Juan de Lecea was prior (he died in 1618) a most exemplary religious and Father Fray Silvestre de Torres missionary from Japan. The friar ordered to bring valuable things of the convent into the caracoa others were buried which they found later. Some people left in Caracoa in the creeks to guard it. They went to convent in Baong one day’s journey inland from the town, but the group reached it in 2 days. Fray Mentrida was first to arrived. He was welcomed by Father Diego Oseguera. Although the convent was poor, yet they acted as if they were wealthy. They shared all the rice and beef of the convent with all [the fugitives] who kept coming every moment, without taking account of anything.
Society of Jesus hid in Convent in Baong
The rector of their college for boys , A Jesuit Society of Jesus , Francisco Encinas, a man of uncommon holiness. lost much also. He also came to Baong, by short relays, and lived in our convents until his order summoned him.
Church of Ogtong Destroyed, over 500 cattle stolen
It attacked Oton destroying the Church built by Padre Martin de Rada. Otong, besides its building, lost a ranch of cattle which it owned then of more than five hundred head and others of mares of more than one hundred head. For as the cattle were tame and came to their usual resorts, the enemy caught some and shot others
"in the city of Arevalo, they have burning the churches and the convents of the Augustine friars, in the towns of Ogtong and Xaro "
Commandant arrived from Cebu and meet the troops who hid in Passi
The commandant and lieutenant-governor of the Pintados, Don Juan de la Vega, was in Sugbú with two companies of infantry. The news of the enemy’s coming was told to him; accordingly he embarked his men and brought them to Iloilo but when he had arrived, the enemy had burned everything and were away up to the point. Thus, the troops went to the convent of Passi—one-half day’s journey by land.
Demoralized by Spanish Incompetence and Priest great sympathy with people
That same day, Fray Mentrida arrived at Passi after passing the convents of Baong to Laglag, and from Laglag to Passi. The people there were already vaunting themselves very insolently and refused to render any aid; but it appears that with the arrival of those two companies whom they had in the heart of the country they began to become calm. Who can tell what these convents did, and what they gave and supplied? It is incredible, for almost from their shoulders hung all those troops, yet without curtailing anything [of the convent’s usual bounty]. The convents were hostelries for those soldiers and captains, until their substance was gone
Commandant Feasting in Dumangas with soldiers from Otong. ( Oton)
But when that commandant could have collected more than three hundred Indians (or rather, soldiers), and gone to meet the enemy and could have inflicted great damage upon him, he spent the time in scandalous feasting. Afterward he went to Dumangas where all the people of the town of Otóng and the other soldiers were gathered; and there, by surfeiting themselves with cocoa-nuts and sugar-cane, and committing other acts of hoggish greed, more of them died than if they had fought with the enemy
The Dutch left Father Fray Juan de Lecea, as a true father to the end—and what he grieved over was in truth the leading astray of his flock—went down from the mountains, as soon as he learned that the enemy were[84]not in Otóng, and reached (although not without many tears) those sites where had been the convent and where the true God had been worshiped. He began to gather together those dear wretched beings, and gave them alms of the little that he had. Finally, with God’s help, those natives gradually came down from the mountains and assembled in their village, where they began to build their houses anew. Father Fray Juan de Lecea showed so excellent management that he soon had a habitation.
Conversion of Guimbal with help of Jesuits Converts from Tigbaun
Fray Mentrida visited the visita of Guimbal, where the enemy had not been. From that place I sent Father Lecea's men, and what [supplies] I could, so that the work might progress. There by the Lord’s pleasure, the Tinguianes of that visita, who had never consented to build a church, nor have the father visit them, at length, through the Lord’s mercy, ceased their obduracy. They built me a church, and I baptized many of them, both children at the breast and those somewhat older, and adults. If I have done any service to the Lord in that place, I pray His Majesty to receive it as a partial payment for my many acts of disservice.
On my departure from all those mountains, and my return to Otóng, I found already a church and small dwelling-house built, and another under way, larger and more commodious, which was soon finished, until it finally became a very handsome edifice.
1617 - Martin De San Nicolas reached Guimbal accompanied by troops from Ogtong and successfully converted the villages in Guimbal.
The convent of Salóg was being rebuilt in better style; and the Indians were again settling in the village, although not as in the beginning.
(Historia de la Orden de S. Agustin de Estas Islas Filipina By Fray Juan de Medina, O.S.A., Manila, 1893 [but written in 1630]
Dutch 3rd Attack
1616 - The Spanish governor-general Don Juan de Silva died. Audiencia appointed Don Diego de Quinones, as commander-in-chief of the Pintados. The Dutch heard about his death. Now without any fear they were about to return to retrieve their loss and past reputation back in 1610 when 12 Spanish ships crushed their Dutch galleons. While Don Diego was in Cebu heard a news from Otóng about the approach of the Dutch with ten galleons and of their intention to colonize Ilong-ylong.
Rebuilding of Fuerza De San Pedro in 9 days
Don Diego left Cebu in Galleons loaded with bread and cheese. In the nine days’ interval until the Dutch arrived, he built a redoubt of wood and fascines, where he awaited the enemy. The Dutch Pirates arrived September 29, 1616.
Small but courages troops
Don Diego had but few men, although a company from Ternate was there, who happened to come there in a wrecked fragata. They were of no little service. His artillery consisted of small pieces which shot a ball no larger than a very small orange. He had about one hundred men. Lázaro de Torres was their captain,
a man of great courage, and than whom no one, in such opportunities, has been more fortunate. His alférez was Don Pedro Zara, a very courageous soldier. In short, they fought so that it appeared rather rashness than bravery.
3 Friars in Prayer of Holy Rosary
Two Augustinian missionaries, Fray Juan de Morales and Fray Jeronimo de Alvarado were present during the attack besides the parish priest of the town, Bartolomé Martes. They confessed the troops, and encouraged them. The Spanish and the Ilongos hold their ground with their guns and ammunition. An exchange of fires continued in a 2 days of battle .
Spanish Troops wounded
The balls rained down the commander and the alfirez were wounded bathing in their own blood awaiting death nearly two days. In that time the Dutch must have used more than five hundred large balls, the reverberations of which sounded on the heights of that island like thunder. The inhabitants who were trembling in fear ran for their lives inwards.
"The Indians aware of the inadequate force the Spaniards possessed fled to the mountains."
Reinforcement from Baong
Father Fray Hernando de Morales came overland with two hundred Indians from Baong. He was an angel to the people and with the Indians aided them in their greatest necessity. He brought them as much food as he could.
" Don Diego de Quiñones, who, in a wooden fort sustained a siege of ten days during which time the Dutch made four assaults in which many were killed but at last they were compelled to re-embark and they retired to Malacca"
First Street in Iloilo Calle Rosario and Calle Quinones
The Dutch retreated out of Iloilo. Dutch inflicted severe damage in Jaro (Alanga, Lapaz ) however it was rebuilt within a year. The oldest street was constructed and called "Calle Santo Rosario" to connect the plaza to La Fuerza del Santo Rosario (now Fort San Pedro). It was where the first grand religious procession (also in Western Visayas) was held when the Spanish soldiers carried the image of Santo Rosario from the fort to the plaza celebrating their recent victory over the Dutch invaders. The rest were almost swampy and tall grasses grown.
Jaro curate is stretched up to Catmon, Cabatuan and Maasin. Spanish friars have plans to transfer the ministry to Catmon because Jaro Diocese was too large, yet it was never materialized.
Source: Monografias de los Pueblos de la Isla de Pan-ay published in 1899 by Fr. Juan Fernandez, OSA
Source: An Historical View of the Philippine Islands, Vol I (of 2), by Martinez de Zuniga published in Manila 1803.
TRANSLATEDBY JOHN MAVER, ESQ.VOL. I LONDON: PRINTED FOR J. ASPERNE, CORNHILL; AND NONAVILLE AND FELL, NE BOND-STREET:By T. Davison, Whitefriars.814.
1615- Agustinians reached Catmon , Cabatuan and Maasin
Augustinians Missionaries started to journey westward into unsettled villages to bring the Gospel of Christ . They followed the banks past the Salog River , into thick vegetation and rice paddies , a scenery along the river unveils the ilongo life and many of their natural characteristics and customs.They’ve reach many tiny clustered of communities called Catmon . It has rich
and fertile plain producing rice, corn, sugar, mongo and various crops . Going further into rolling hills along Salog River , they reached the village of Cabatuan beside the river. Further west in the frontier into the foot of the mountain , the village was called Maasin. Soon , the local wholeheartedly received Christ and recieved sacramental baptism. These 3 barangays was under the vicariate of Jaro and each was called “Visita Catmon” " Visita Cabatuan " and Visita Maasin ". Padre Juan visited Araut and supervised the construction of wood.
"All of these islanders are extremely fond of the water for bathing purposes, and as a consequence they try to settle on the shores of rivers or creeks, for the more they are in the water the better they like it. They bathe at all times, for pleasure and cleanliness"
Source : Francisco Colin, S.J.; Madrid, 1663. From his book " Labor evangélica."
1615 - Village of Igbaras was reached
1615 - Augustinian Fray Juan de Medina from his convent in Ogtong was accompanied by Ilonggos traveled southern villages of Iloilo meeting people along the way and preached Jesus Christ . They reached somewhere in the vicinity of Binanua-an called Tinogpahan, which later became the first ecclesiastical site. People gathered and listened to the Gospel through the native assistant of Fray Juan. He founded the first Iglesita of Ogtong. Because floods inundated the site, it was decisively moved to new location called Utas, a high rise outside the Kiput Area. It was been a flourishing settlement since ancient wares of Ming and Sung Dynasties in 960 AD were unearthed in that place. The site unproductive by then, thus it was again transferred to Cabubugan however, the area also proved to be flooding hazard. Cabubugan was also under a “dato” and a flourishing settlement in 1223 A.D. a time when Ogtong was the seat of Confederation of Madiaas.
Ancient Chinese geography mentioned Oktong and Ilong
1617 - Dong Xi Yang Kao (東西洋考) dedicated his life the study of geography and history. Wang Qizong 王起宗, subprefectural magistrate of Zhangzhou 漳州, asked him to complete this work because it was important for Chinese officials' knowledge of the economic situations in the overseas countries. His work was " On the [countries] in the Eastern and Western Oceans"mentioned a place called in Panay called 悪党, pronounced Oktong in Hokkien and 怡郎 — pronounced Ilong in Hokkien—which was exactly.The book contains records of Southeast Asian countries in the sixteenth century.
Conquest resumed through Catholic Missions
After two decades of clearing up threats of pirates, Spanish Augustinians resumed planting of churches. Missionary works in Ogtong (Southern Iloilo), Xaro (Jaro), Baong (Duenas), and Pasig (Passi) includes convincing Ilongos that Spanish will protect them from Pirates.
1624 - The two Augustinian Spanish friars Augustinian Fathers Juan de Medina and Alonso Mentrida arrived in Iloilo. They conducted a difficult missionary works in every remote villages of Iloilo teaching them the catholic religion. It was not easy because they often encountered resistance from babaylanes (indigenous pagan priest). Ilongos have long developed fears over the Dutch pirates.
"It is not easy to relate in full the great labors of this religious in the conversion of the Indians in the province of Ogton, when they all, on account of the coming of the Dutch the first time to the point of Iloilo, took refuge in the mountains, forsaking their villages, so that it was difficult for several years to bring them back to a sedentary life" - ( Juan de Medina 1630-4O )
"During that time, this religious traveled, carrying little more than his staff, through all the mountains of Ogton, preaching to the people that they might be converted, and maintaining a continual battle with the devil - who had, through the agency of his ministers the babaylanes, persuaded the people that the Spaniards could not deliver them from the Dutch. Amid those dangers did this religious convert most of the peoples in Ogton, Xaro, Baong, and Pasig. In all places where this minister went, he left an especial reputation for his virtue and apostolic teaching" - ( Juan de Medina 1630-4O )
Spanish culture slowly mixed with Ilongo through the Augustinian monks who brought Spanish way of living from music, food and everything. Churches built were often made of wood or bamboo and soon they were decayed in a decade . Some convents or churches were made of stones and none survived to the present time except those stone slabs as remnants of church in the town of Dumangas
On this century, Spanish words and vocabulary had slowly nourished Ilonggo language. Friars learned to familiarize the local dialect and wrote carefully about Iloilo culture, their pagan religion and their way of living. Friars assigned the corresponding words in roman letters of the Hiligaynon words. Once manuscripts of Ilonggo vocabulary was finished, this became a handbook for their fellow religious to facilitate the indoctrination the same way Spanish monks usually did in their colony in Latin American countries .
Augustinian Alonso de Mentrida learn the local Language of Hiligaynon and Haraia and published a catechism
Augustinian Father Alonso de Mentrida long missionary works in Southern Iloilo made him familiar of local language . He was able to produce the "Bocabulario de la lengva Biscaa Hiligvoyna y Haraia (published in Manila, 1637). This work cost him much labor, and is very useful to the ministers. He left it complete, and after his death it was published by Father Fray Martin Claver . Father Agustin Maria says that he had an opportunity to see these in Panay, about 1770 to 1780. Eventually lost and never published.*
"He (Fray Alonso de Mentrida) composed a brief catechism accurately written in the Bisayan language, which is very useful for instructing those natives in the mysteries of our holy faith; this was printed twice, in order that there might be an abundant supply of a work so important for the welfare of soul"
Source : Ecclesiastical affairs 1630's
*Archived of the University of San Agustin is the first book on grammar of the Hiligaynon language, written by Fr. Alonso de Mentrida, OSA, in 1628.
Apostle of the Ilongos, Padre Juan De Medina
Augustinian Priest in Pasig ( Passi) and its visitas : 3, 3ooo tributes , 9000 Population
Augustinian Priest in Laglag and its visitas: 2 , 1000 tributes , 6000 Population
Augustinian Priest in Baong and its visitas: 2 , 800 tributes , 2,4000 Population
Augustinian Priest in Dumangas and its visitas: 2 , 900 tributes , 2700 Population
Augustinian Priest in Salop ( probably Salog) and its visitas: 2 , 1,500 tributes, 4500 population
Augustinian Priest in Otong and its visitas: 3 , 1000 tributes , 3000 Population
1628 - The burning of Augustinian Convent in Dumangas
" During this same time, I mean in 1628, the house of our convent of Bisayas was burned—the one which I had built with so much trouble. It was the best in the province. It is suspected that the rebellious Indians burned it, as it was not the time when fires are wont to happen, for it was Christmas, when it is always rainy.
During the triennium of our father Fray Juan Enríquez, the church and house of Dumangas were burned. They were fine edifices. Both fires occurred during the night, so that it was a miracle that the religious escaped; for they were asleep, a sign that the fire was set on purpose."
Source : Augustinian Affairs by Juan De Medina 1630
1637 -Cacao was brought in Philippines
1670 - Gaspar de San Agustin records the following —“In the year 1670 a navigator, Pedro Brabo de Lagunas, brought from Acapulco a pot containing a cacao-plant which he gave to his brother, Bartolomé Brabo, a priest in Camarines, from whom it was stolen by a Lipa native, Juan del Aguila, who hid it and took care of it, and from it was propagated all the original Philippine stock.”
1635 - Governor Sebastián Hurtado de Corcuera in Iloilo
Sebastián Hurtado de Corcuera, 22nd Spanish governor-general of the Philippines from 1635 - 1644
Moro raiders had harassed the Spanish and their allies for years. In 30 years, an estimated 20,000 persons were taken captive by the Moro pirates and sold in the markets of Batavia, Ternate, Amboina, Makassar, Java and Madras. A royal decree of 1636 ordered the pacification of Mindanao, where many of these raiders were based.
One of the two greatest Spanish military leader in the Philippines . On the 25th of June 1635, Governor-General Hurtado de Curcuera took possession of government. He gave an order requiring that the residents of La Villa had to be transferred to La Punta on February 2, 1637 when he passed by Arevalo on his way to Mindanao during his campaign against Sultan Kudarat for safety reason due to the frequent incursions of Dutch and Mindanao Muslims. He also stationed two companies of soldiers there for defense and Corcuera wanted also to move the Chinese populace residing in Pariancillo (the present-day Molo) of Arevalo. He said that if the Chinese wanted to revolt against the government they would have to face first the cannons of the fortress. Initially, it was not obeyed by the local residents and by the Alcalde Mayor Don Andres Briones . s.
Depopulation of Arevalo
When Governor Corcuera reappeared in Arevalo after the Mindanao expedition, he reminded the people of his previous order. Don Dionisio Sarria, who was the new Alcalde then, followed the order and, one day, left Arevalo at the sound of trumpets followed by a demolition team. Arevalo was depopulated and, at the time of Gaspar de San Agustin’s testimony in the Conquistas De Las Islas Pilipinas , it was said to hold
“nothing more than the name with very few Spaniards maintaining it, together with a column of stone.”.
Spanish Missionaries in Southern Iloilo
Augustinian Padre Chirino has been dreaming to reach adjacent hamlets of Tigbaun. It was the 2nd friar who came to the Philippines in 1624 and soon settled in Ogtong to evangelize.
"Iloilo was the granary of all the islands in
the archipelago" - Juan De Medina
"For greater convenience in governing it, this island of Panay is divided into two jurisdictions: the territory belonging to that of Panay is all of the northern coast, from the point of Potol to Bulacabi; the rest of the island belongs to the jurisdiction of Oton, the principal [Spanish] post in which, at this time, is at Iloilo-a point which projects into the sea on the southern coast,
between the two rivers of Tigbauan and Jaro; and makes, with the island of Imaras, a strait half a legua wide and an open harbor."
This would make the jurisdiction of Panay correspond to the present province of Capiz; and that of Oton to the provinces of Antique and Iloilo. The boundaries between these present divisions are the rugged mountain chains which fill a great part of the interior of the island, their peaks ranging in height from 3,500 to 7,200 feet; they render traffic between the provinces almost impossible, except as it is carried on by way of the sea. The island of Guimaras is 26^ miles long by 12 miles wide, and has important fishing and agricultural industries. "
"... gathered much fruit in the conversion of those souls, especially in the district of Ogton - which in those times was, in the greater part of its mountain region, shrouded in the darkness of error.
There the devil was well entrenched in those rugged mountains, having solidly established his kingdom and worship among those simple natives -who, influenced more by fear than by any othe consideration, prostrated themselves before that demon, and gave him their worship and adoration. His crafty
designs were successful among them through the agency of many priests and priestesses (in the Bisayan idiom called babaylanes)^ who, being especially assisted by that infernal spirit, concoct certain frauds and delusions, with which they deceive the simple Bisayans. These priests, moreover, secure much advantage from this mode of... "
Cimmarones resistance against Spanish Rule in Suaga
The people living in Suaga were aware of decades of Spanish protection of Arevalo , Octong ang Jaro is very weak. Spanish are too few and using the people for their military. Those places has been intermittently sacked , burned and left in ruins. People realized that their tribute of golds , grains and food to the Spanish will offer them no good . Spanish has been assimilating many ancient villages to them such as Laglag , Baong , Potatan , Catmon , Angoy , Cabatuan , Maasin and Sibucao ( Passi) and asked the people to live within a presidios . Spanish have reached Guimbal since 1611 in christian calendar and pacified the people , their next destination should be As soon as the people of Suaga heard Spanish is coming , they resisted or escaped to the mountians - for them Spaniards are useless.
They moved to Tubungan , under Datu Bantugan. Datu Bantugan narrates to the people how he could have killed Fray Alonzo De Mentrida who is now speaking Karay-a he have learned in Guimbal ang Tigbaun . But Fray Mentrida sacristan Vilango , an native of Guimbal stopped it.
1874 - Father Isidro Badrona was killed in Tubungan by Cimmarones.
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