Alimodian Town Mayor - Atty. Cipriano Cabaluna, Sr.

Atty. Cipriano Cabaluna, Municipal Mayor 1937 - 1941

Atty. Cipriano Cabaluna, Sr.

(1895 – 1970); Mayor 1937 – 1941

        Atty. Cipriano Cabaluna Sr. was the Alcalde Municipal of this town from 1937 to 1941. He occupied various positions in the government before he was elected town executive.

        He was born in Leon, Iloilo to Pedro Cabaluna and Concepcion Yuson on October 11, 1895. He had two brothers, Ricardo and Salvador, who are both deceased now.

       Atty. Cabaluna finished his elementary education at Leon Elementary School and his secondary education at Seminario de Iloilo. He acquired the degree of Bachelor of Laws from Manila Law School and hurdled the bar examination right after the graduation passing the bar on December 31, 1925.

       He had been high school teacher at St. Catherine Parochial School before he became the Justice of Peace of Alimodian. In 1936 he launched his candidacy as Alcalde Municipal and won over his opponent, Felix Altura. He served a term of four years from 1937 to 1941.

      As the town head he had some achievements which will make the present generation remember him:

1. He had a foot bridge constructed joining Alegria and San Modesto Street.
2. He had schoolhouses constructed in Atabay, Tarug and Sinamay.
3. A feeder road was constructed from the poblacion to Sulong.
4. He made possible the cadastral survey of property in this town thereby settling land boundary controversy.
5. He caused the settlement of boundary disputes between Maasin and Alimodian and Leon and Alimodian.
6. He improved drainage by construction canals in the town proper.
7. He made Bagumbayan a barrio instead of just an extension of the town.
8. He made use of friar land in town as market place and recreation center.


      After the war he rose as Deputy Governor in the Province of Iloilo from 1949 – 1954. He was
promoted Clerk of Court, Court of First Instance of Iloilo from 1955 – 1960 and retired in that position. He met his Maker on December 10, 1970 almost 10 years after his retirement from public office.

Alimodian Municipal President (now called Municipal Mayor) Jose G. Alvior

Jose G. Alvior, Alimodian Municipal President - 1934- 1937

Jose G. Alvior

(1906 – 1944); President 1934 – 1937

       Jose Gregorio Alvior is the sixth child of Gregorio Alvior and Sofia Velez of Mandurriao, Iloilo. He was born on May 6, 1906.

       He took his elementary education at Iloilo Central School and secondary education at Jaro Industrial School, now CPU and at Guimbal Institute. He graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Laws from National Law School in 1932.

      While preparing for the bar examination, he was asked by the late Ruperto Montinola to lead the Partido Democrata in Alimodian. He got involved in politics and became president of our town from October 15, 1934 to 1937.

       He married Castora Gavilangoso of San Joaquin, Iloilo with whom he has two children, Gilda and Teresita.

      When the war broke out, he was called to active duty with the rank of first lieutenant. Later he was promoted to major.

      Major Alvior showed his bravery when he encountered the Japanese at Balwa Creek near the ANCHS while he was on mission. Single-handed he fought the enemies killing two of them. However, the other patrol members in another direction fired and killed him on the spot.

      The Japanese recognized his rank and they even saluted his dead body. The following is an excerpt of the eulogy of Lt. Col. Relunia in his honor:



“Brave Major Alvior, the Almighty claimed your life early. Your heroic and valorous death will however not pass in vain, for in the minds of all people your memory will linger. We will continue waging the fight – for the noble cause for which you heroically gave your life, your brave act will always be a mirror for us to carry on the fight to victory. Your death will be avenged.”



       In the 1934 elections, his vice president was Ambrocio Amaguin. Among his counselors were Gelacio Allones, Justo Puga, Manuel Anino, Jose Aligaen, Alejandro Amiscua and Wenceslao Anino.

       Alvior was an outspoken and dynamic town head. He was a friend to all and he was very cordial to the masses so that he was very much loved by them.

       He died during the encounter with the Japanese soldiers on March 3, 1944 at Sitio Balwa of this town.

Alimodian Municipal President (now called Municipal Mayor) Ruperto Rodriguez

Ruperto Rodriguez
6th President of Alimodian

Ruperto Rodriguez

6th President of Alimodian

(1880 – 1957); President 1932 – 1934

                President Ruperto Rodriguez was born to the spouses Eusebio Rodriguez and Bernabela Amatorio on March 27, 1880 in San Eusebio Street, now R. Rodriguez Street. He attended the Spanish escuela elementaria under maestro Justo Puga.

             Upon reaching the age of 22, he married Simeona Barredo and resided in Alimodian. Six children were born to the spouses namely: Engracia, Florita, Santiago, Daniel, Marcelo and Antero.

             In 1907, Ruperto enlisted in the Philippines Constabulary and served as constable for 12 years. Then in 1921 he was became a policeman. He had various jobs until the municipal and provincial elections in 1922 when he was elected councilor which he served for six years.

             In the June 1928 elections he won as vice president of Gelacio Allones. Then in the June 1931 elections, he won as president under the Democrata Party banner.

As president of Alimodian he had these improvements:

1. The installation of electric light plant which made the life of the people easier and convenient.

2. The construction of the tennis court in front of Rizal monument at the town plaza.

3. The construction of the first wooden bridge that spans Soledad – Inocencio Street.

4. Improvement of roads and bridges.

5. Improvement of the town plaza by energizing the whole place.

            It was the tenure of Rodriguez that the plan of the concrete public market was made and approved by the municipal council. It was during the administration of Jose G. Alvior that the construction of the market was effected.

            After his political defeat by Jose G. Alvior in his bid for reelection in 1934, Rodriguez retired from public office and devoted himself to farming and his family.

            He met his Maker on July 1, 1957 and was given a necrological service in front of the Municipal Hall.

Alimodian Municipal President (now called Municipal Mayor) Gelacio Allones

Gelacio Allones (1885-1961); 6th Municipal President 1929-1931

Gelacio Allones

6th President of Alimodian

(1885 – 1961); President 1929 – 1931

Gelacio Allones Y Amarra was born on November 10, 1885 to Emeterio Allones and Alejandra Amarra. Young Gelacio was bright, active and interested in education. His mother was his first teacher who taught him the ABC and the “the caton.” When Mr. Wilford Nichols, the American teacher, arrived in Alimodian in 1902, Gelacio was already 17 years old. He started his education and his first teachers were Mrs. Felicidad Alingasa Sta. Cruz, Venancia Sta. Cruz Edurese and Mrs. Concepcion Alfante Akol.

From Alimodian he continued his studies in Iloilo Central School. After finishing Grade III he became a teacher first in Sulong and later in the Central School.

Mr. Allones married Rosario Sta. Cruz, a member of a prominent family in Alimodian, with whom he had seven children: Desamparados, Adelaida, Priscilla, Rebecca, Alejandra and two boys all named Nicasio.

Mr. Allones aside from being a teacher was also a farmer and a politician. He was involved in the affairs of the government. He was a municipal councilor in 1919. During the June 6, 1922 election he won again as municipal councilor under the banner of the Democratic Party with Gregorio Alvior as president and Tomas Algallar as vice president.

In the 1929 election Mr. Allones won as president under the Democratic Party with Ruperto Rodriguez as vice president. He was the 6th president of Alimodian since its separation from Leon on December 31, 1918.

Dedicated to the improvement of his town, he was able to have roads and bridges repaired. Peace and order was maintained. He served as president of the municipality until 1931. After his term as president, Mr. Allones continued to serve the municipality as councilor. In the election of December 10, 1940 he again won as councilor with Felix Altura as president and Anacleto Amparo as vice president. In 1946 he was also one of the councilors of Simeon Canonero.

After serving his town as a teacher, councilor, and president he got sick and died on May 4, 1961 at the age of 75.

In his memory the Sangguniang Bayan of Alimodian named the street where the family resides as Gelacio Allones Street. His picture as a former town head hangs in the Municipal Hall.

Separation of Alimodian from Leon

*Separation of Alimodian from Leon

National Library, Manila – Official Gazette Vol. 16, No. 50

Page 1949

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 45,

Manila, November 22, 1918

Municipalities of the Province of Iloilo have to increase, from 29 to 30 by separating the barrio of Alimodian from the present municipality of Leon and organizing the same into an independent municipality to take effect on January 1, 1919.


The election of the new set of officials was held on New Year’s day, 1919. Reelected to the town’s presidency was Gregorio Alvior with Ramon Libo-on as vice president. Ten other people made it as concejales. They were Tomas Algallar, Florencio Alinsangan, Ambrocio Amaguin, Anacleto Amparo, Telesforo Alminaza, Pablo Amarra, Anastacio Penas, Felipe Mediana, Timoteo Ambong and Clemente Alibango.


Leon Candolada was chosen treasurer while Gregorio Amoraco filled the post secretary.


The elementary school which was originally housed in the Municipal Hall was transferred to its present location in Magtanong Street on November 15, 1922. The municipal government whose offices were once housed in the residence of Leon Alderete, took over the Municipal Hall on the same date.


Border Rift Between Alimodian and Maasin



A border rift between Alimodian and the nearby town of Maasin in the early part of 1923. Originally, the boundary between the tow municipalitie was fixed at Mt. Igcaratong the boundary proceeded to Butacan then followed the course of the Aganan River until the Pianda-an Brook. The boundary turned upward to Atabay and Bokbok.


But the municipal government of Alimodian wasn’t amenable to the change. It wanted the original Igcaratong-Maniporon boundary to be retained, so that Siwalo, a progressive barrio, would be within the town’s territorial limits.


The border problem necessitated the coming over of Governor Tiburcio Lutero on May 22, 1922. However, the visit did not resolve the conflict, so a hearing of witnesses was scheduled on the 7th of June 1923.


On that date, Presidents Gregorio Alvior and Cayetano Mandario of Alimodian and Ma-asin respectively presented their witnesses to the provincial court. Those who testified for Alimodian were Placido Anasarias, Gervacio Almira and Andres Amonoy. Because of the expense involved in bringing the witnesses to Iloilo City for the hearing, the Alimodian delegation proposed that further hearings be held in the town. This gained the approval of the provincial court.


On November 9, the governor and the members of the provincial court arrived for the hearing. Those who testified on the side of Alimodian were Tomas Borja from Atabay, Regino Amante from Laylayan and Pedro Bustillos from Punong. On July 21, 1923, the testimonies of President Gregorio Alvior and that of the immediate past president Justo Puga were heard.


In February the verdict of the provincial court was made public. The division worked against Alimodian as Siwalo was placed under the jurisdiction of Maasin. It was ruled that the territory of Alimodian would extend until Manguining and Igcaratong, which means that Mambawi, another thriving barrio would be under Alimodian, but not Maasin.



Education, Economic and Beautification Programs under Alvior Administration



In February 1922 the intermediate school was put up in Concepcion Street (now Magtanong Street). It was finally completed on November 14, 1922 under President Ramon Libo-on and stared when Gregorio Alvior was the president. The total amount spent was P700.


President Gregorio Alvior also undertook the gigantic job of putting up a beautiful town plaza which will be the center of attraction in the Poblacion. It was completed in August 1924.


President Alvior did not leave out the economic development of the citizens. He encouraged all to plant bananas on their backyard and also in their farms because he was of the belief that it could be of much help in their livelihood.


To avail the citizens of secondary education, the town executive put up the Alimodian Institute at the residence of Mr. Rito Tolentino in Plaza Libertad Street. The first teacher was Mr. Florentino Capitulo and some of the students were Asuncion Allin, Antonia Ambong, Trinidad Aldep, Socorro Tabiana, Epifania Altura, Agaton Alfiscar, Trinidad Aniago, Clara Ambe, Felisa Ambe, Caridad Alvia, Felicidad Algallar, Custodia Loredo, Primo Amodia, Federico Ambata, Severo Aldep, Cipriano Alderete, Jose Amparo, Salvador Aliboso, Nicolasa Amaguin and Herminigildo Alcudia. After a year the institute was closed because of lack of qualified teachers.


On December 1, 1922 the construction of the public market in Nichols Street was started. Its site was later transferred to Canonero Street (formerly Taft Street) in 1937 when the town executive was Jose G. Alvior.


The streets in the town underwent repair in February 1928. Those which received most attention were the streets of San Gelacio, San Rufino and Sto. Tomas. Concrete bridges were also constructed in places where they were needed.


Under the administration of President Gregorio Alvior the people were encouraged to change the cogon roofs to galvanized iron in order to lessen fire hazards/ This was evidenced by the fact that before the last war almost all homes in Alimodian had galvanized iron roof.


On February 1, 1929 Ex-President Gregorio Alvior died at St. Paul Hospital in Iloilo City and was interred at the Alimodian Municipal Cemetery the following day. Because of his countless improvements, he was acclaimed the father of his town in the Proclamation No. 2 series of 1970 under mayor Miguel Anas.


During the term of Alvior the town of Alimodian was a happy recipient of 29 volumes of Encyclopedia Britanica, which was the donation of Maximo Alonzaga. It was his gift to his native town upon arriving from California.

Alimodian During the Forty Years of American Rule

Governor General Francis Burton Harrison, governor-general of the Philippines 

 American High Officials in the Philippines During The American Occupation

Introduction

When the Treaty of Paris was signed on December 10, 1898, many Filipinos felt that they were cheated by the Americans. The American behavior toward the Filipinos was the behavior of the conqueror. They had no intention of leaving the country. They showed that they meant to stay and be masters, the successors of the Spaniards. This marked the beginning of Filipino disillusionment with the Americans.

Meanwhile there was no instruction to invade Iloilo. The Iloilo patriots under Martin Delgado decided to fight. To prevent enemies from capturing the city, Delgado ordered his men to burn it. The Americans landed in force and on February 20, Jaro fell, followed by Sta. Barbara, Oton and Mandurriao.

Then the Filipino leaders surrendered to Commander Vacker and they were made to take their oath of allegiance to United States.

The Coming of the Americans

In Alimodian the coming of the Americans was not felt very much as the towns nearer the city were already occupied. This marked the start of American occupation of the islands. Although the Philippines was under the American rule, still there were many tragedies that befell her.

September 1900 was another tragedy-infested year in the history of the town. Starting on the 8th day of the month, cholera took its toll on the residents. Deaths reminiscent of the plague of 1882 occurred. The official death count was placed at 700 but this did not include those in the barrios.

A strange thing happened at about the same time cholera was raging in Alimodian. In Iloilo City, several people were arrested for possession of bottles containing poison. Some residents ventured to say that the numerous deaths of September were not entirely due to cholera. Some of them were due to some inexplicable reasons.

Start of Public School System

One of the greatest achievements of the Americans in the Philippines was the introduction of the public school system. After the mock battle of Manila, schools were established. American teachers were brought to the Philippines aboard the USS Thomas, hence the first American teachers were called Thomasites.

In 1902 an American teacher, Wilford Nichols came to Alimodian to teach the English language. Those who could read and write Spanish were made to attend schools first so that they could in turn teach the other citizens of the town to read and write in English. 

Chosen to be the principal teacher was Mr. Justo Puga and the first three teachers were Mrs. Felicidad Alingasa Sta. Cruz, Mrs. Venancia Sta. Cruz Edurese and Mrs. Concepcion Alfante Akol.

This was the beginning of the public school system in Alimodian. 

From then on the people began to realize the importance of education.

In the executive branch of the government, the president Municipal at that time, 1902 to 1904, was Leonardo Libo-on. His vice was Catalino Alisla and his councilors were Sixto Tabiana, Silvestre Amargo and Ciriaco Amarillo.

In 1903 President Leonardo Libo-on died and Don Catalino Alisla, who was his vice-president, became acting president of our town until it was fused with the Municipality of Leon.

Fusion of Alimodian and San Miguel

In January 1904 an important legislation was passed by the provincial government. It ruled that small towns be incorporated under the jurisdiction of larger ones. Thus, Alimodian and San Miguel that were much smaller municipalities were placed under Leon, a much larger town. Head towns in such arrangement were called “cabeceras” or capital towns. Subordinate towns like Alimodian and San Miguel were called “arabales” or territorial colonies.

*FUSION ALIMODIAN, LEON AND SAN MIGUEL

Enacted on April 4, 1903

By the authority of the U.S. it was enacted by the Philippines Commission that 51 municipalities of Iloilo be reduced to 17. The Municipality of Leon shall come to its present territory and that of Alimodian and San Miguel with the seat of the government at the Municipality of Leon. This shall take effect on its passage.

Due to the change in the territorial set up, a new set of officials were installed into office. The president was Evaristo Capalla from Leon and the vice president was Gelacio Tabiana from Leon. Concejal Inspector was Solomon Algallar from Alimodian.

From 1906 to 1907 Alimodian was still under Leon and the president was Gelacio Tabiana of Leon; vice president, Tomas Algallar, Alimodian; councilors, Catalino Alisla, Ciriaco Amarillo, Ambrocio Amaguin, Luis Tabiana, Leon.

In 1908 to 1909 the president was Nicolas Cambronero of Leon; vice president, Sixto Tabiana and councilors were Tomas Algallar, Ciriaco Amarillo, Ambrocio Amaguin and Ramon Libo-on, secretary was Gregorio Alvior.

On May 22, 1910 a zarzuela entitled “Filipinas” was presented at the town plaza. The zarzuela was penned by Gregorio Alvior with music by Paulino Altura.

On June 4, 1912 an election was held to choose the municipal officials, governor and representative to the Philippine Assembly. This election was significant because it revoked the earlier ruling that fixed Election Day on the first Tuesday of November. Among those elected were Adriano Hernandez, governor and Ernesto Gustilo, diputado in Assemblea Filipina for the third district.

Starting January 1, 1916, San Miguel was given the status of an independent municipality when the order making her an arabal under Leon was lifted. Alimodian was not so lucky at that time, as Alimodian was not separated from Leon.

In the election of June 1916, the post of presidente and most of the concejales went to Alimodian candidates. In January 1917 the Leon candidates, finding it hard to admit that they were defeated by those in a subordinate town, filed a letter of protest with the Juzgado de Primera Instancia de Iloilo. The judge upheld the validity of the votes of the people and restored the power of the elected officials.

The case was elevated to the Supreme Court. Still the highest court of the land sided with the Alimodiananons.

In June 1917 the provincial governor suspended from office Presidente Gregorio Alvior because of a case filed against him by the president of the newly independent municipality of San Miguel, Damiano Saclauso. Saclauso alleged that Alvior barred the patadiong weavers from Alimodian from selling their woven materials in San Miguel every market day. Vice President Cajilig temporarily assumed the position of president.

On July 7, 1917 an investigative body led by Provincial Governor Gregorio Yulo came to look into the Saclauso complaint. Yulo came together with Tercer Vocal and three attorneys, Don Ruperto Montinola, Don Jose Locsin and Don Cresenciano Lozano. After an exhaustive investigation of witnesses, power and office were restored to the suspended Alimodian president.

Alimodian Separated from Leon with Alvior as First President

At the end of Christmas day 1918, Governor Yulo returned to Alimodian but with good news this time. He had with him Executive Order No. 45 signed by Governor General Francis Burton Harrison and confirmed by the Provincial Board, that ordered the separation of Alimodian from Leon effective the 31st of the month. Alimodian would then be elevated from mere arrabal to a full-fledged municipality.

Alimodian Central School 1960s

* Fusion of Alimodian, Leon and San Miguel. Enacted on April 4, 1903.

Alimodian During The Revolutionary Period

Philippine revolutionaries during the Spanish period
Introduction


        There were many reasons advanced by the Filipinos in revolting against Spain. The Spaniards refused to introduce reforms in the government to make it efficient. They committed cruel acts against the Filipinos. The greed and abuses of officials and employees, intolerance of the friars who refused to recognize other religions but the Roman Catholic religion aggravated the situation.

        There year 1896 holds a prominent place in Philippine history as it was during this year when, through the concerted effort of the Filipinos, an unprecedented revolution exploded.

        The Katipuneros, with Andres Bonifacio at the helm of the fight, started the Philippine Revolution. It was the year of the revolution and it did win for the Filipinos independence from the clutches of the Spanish rule.

        The people of Alimodian, away from the battle arena, that centered in Central Luzon, felt soft repercussions of the independence victory.



The Outbreak of Revolution in Alimodian

         In the town, meanwhile, the first concerted insurrection against the Spanish rule took place on October 31, 1898, a Monday.

         Before that day, about 400 revolutionarios or insurrectos converged in Barrio Buhay, some four kilometers from the Poblacion, to wage a nationalistic battle against the Spanish government in the town. Some of those revolutionaries were Tagalogs who came all the way from Luzon to spread the Anti-Hispanic sentiments among the relatively complacent Visayans. The rest of the 400 were made up of Alimodian nationalists. The leader of this belligerent group was a certain Don Pedro Torres, a Tagalog speaking revolutionario.



Assault in the Convent

         Words of the impending attack reached Don Timoteo Alvior, the Capitan Interno at that time at about 4:00 o’clock in the morning. The Capitan immediately informed Fray Lorenzo Labiana, the Spanish parish priest assigned in the town at that time. However, the priest still confident of his hold on the God-fearing people of Alimodian, did not believe in the news, so he opted instead to wait for further developments.

          Don Timoteo Alvior was more realistic. After he got hold of the notice of the convergence in Buhay, he immediately called on the citizen volunteers to the Municipal Hall and briefed them for any eventuality.

         When the revolutionaries reached the Poblacion at 6:00 o’clock in the evening, the voluntaries were at the plaza to meet them. But when the volunteer group saw how ferocious the revolutionarios were, they realized how futile their effort of suppressing the onslaught would be. Their machetes or pickaxe were nothing compared to the rifles and guns of the insurrectos.

          Demoralized by fear, they immediately took their uniforms and ran home to their wives and children and informed them about the impending danger.

         When the revolutionarios reached the town plaza, they immediately surrounded the convent because the target of their fury was actually the clergy in there. But they did not know that when the padre cura saw the throng nearing the convent, he left the convent and sought refuge in the house of Silvestre Amargo, a friend and supporter in Concepcion Street, now Magtanong Street. When the revolutionarios got in the convent, all they found was Fray Celestino Fernandez, an old and retired priest, who was too weak to escape with Fray Labiana. They brought the feeble priest to the Municipal Hall, locked him inside the prison cell and tortured him for hours. The friar nearly beaten to death by the angry insurrectos, pleaded that he be spared of their fury as he was already old and weak. With the intervention of Capital Interino Don Timoteo Alvior, Don Pedro Torres, the leader of the attackers, was finally convinced to free the old man.

         Fray Jose Labiana, meanwhile, stayed for two nights, fearing for his life, in the house of Silvestre Amargo before he was transported via raft to Iloilo City together with his co-adjutor, a Filipino priest Padre Ramon Amparo. When they reached Iloilo City, they immediately took refuge with the religious community at Colegio de San Agustin where Fr. Celestino Fernandez was also brought several days before.

        The revolutionarios, unable to locate the padre cura, vent out their anger by plundering the convent and the Municipal Hall, burning all the invaluable legal and religious papers there.

        The Tagalog fighters stayed in the town for about one week during which time they made foot paths leading to San Miguel and Maasin towns immediately bordering Alimodian, so they could recruit Filipino soldiers and sympathizers from these two neighbors.

        From the original number of about 400, the size of the group swelled with the joining into the Alimodian insurrection of Filipino soldiers from adjacent places. The group was ready to face not only the clergy, but the Spanish military forces as well.



The Victory and Defeat of the Revolutionarios

        When the Spanish authorities in Iloilo City heard about the insurrection in Alimodian and the subsequent evacuation of the three priests to the Colegio de San Agustin, they immediately dispatched a group of Spanish soldiers to reinforce the meager military might in the town. This reinforcement brigade arrived at about 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon of November 2, 1898, a Wednesday, three days after the fateful attack of the convent and the Municipal Hall.

         But the Spanish soldiers, uncertain about the number and capacity of the revolutionaries, decided to stop in the boundary of Barrio Banag, part of the town of San Miguel.

         The Tagalog revolutionaries, together with their Ilonggo comrades, banking on their success a few days before, advanced to the boundary, ready to fight the Spanish agitators.

        When the Spanish authorities got wind of the plan to attack them, they changed the course of their journey and instead of following the road, found an alternative path through Pacol, a sitio of Sulong, Alimodian from where they could ascend Igcaras Hill and proceed to the Poblacion. They were led through this unexpected change of course by a sympathizer from San Miguel.

        Unknown to the newcomers, the Filipino soldiers in town got information about their move, so when the Spaniards reached Igcaras Hill, the Filipinos were already positioned for their onslaught.

        Surprised but undaunted, the Spaniards faced the Filipinos on the slopes. Decidedly, lacking weapons and tactics, vis-à-vis their foes sustained with sophisticated guns and military tactics, the Filipinos learned that their initial enthusiasm and bravery could not get them through the lethal bullets of the men from the West. Downhearted, they retreated to Sitio Taban at the foot of the hill where the Spaniards caught up with them and drove them to the Poblacion.

        When the townspeople heard of the defeat of their brave men in Igcaras Hill, they packed their things and proceeded to their farms, afraid that once the Spaniards had infiltrated the Poblacion, they would go on a rampage and kill the people.

         The victorious Hispanics, on the other hand, wearied after that day, decided to take rest and spend the night on the slopes of Igcaras Hill. When they finally entered the Poblacion early in the morning of the next day, they found it virtually deserted as the people had scampered to their farms. Confident that the battle had been won, the troops left the town for the city the next day.

         Barely two hours after they had left, a fresh batch of Filipino soldiers who were to aid their battered Alimodian comrades came. Numbering a big 1,000 and coming mostly from the northern towns, they discovered that they were late as the enemy had already gone back to camp.

         When words spread that the Poblacion had returned to normal, the people started returning to their homes. From the experience, they learned a precious lesson that though their might may be meager compared to the white men, all they needed was more organization on the part of the revolutionaries, if not to win the war, at least to have their voice heard.

          Since the Filipinos did not have sufficient arms and preparation to challenge the mighty Spanish force in the islands, the revolt of the Alimodiananons came to an end. From then on, the Filipinos showed resistance to all foreign invaders including the Americans.