The Japanese Occupation

The Japanese soldiers advances on Philippines soil with their flag

The Japanese troops in the Philippines

Japanese soldiers relaxes



Introduction


         The Second World War started when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, an American military installation in Hawaii on December 8, 1941. The Philippines also received a sizeable portion of Japan’s misdirected fury because of the presence of back up bases in the country.

        At the outbreak of World War II, Alimodian was designated an evacuation center for civilians from Iloilo City. There was an influx of city residents into the town. Many of them were Chinese businessmen who had to close their business establishments because of the lethal danger of an impending Japanese attack. With the sudden swelling of the population, the local residents enjoyed a temporary business boom, selling their agricultural produce to the new arrivals.

        The first Japanese attack of the city occurred on December 18, 1941. Many soldiers and civilians were killed during the preliminary aggression.

        To avoid similar tragedies in the future, it was prearranged that should the enemy forces land in Iloilo City, church bells would be rung to warn the people so that they would have enough time to flee to the outskirts of the Poblacion before the slit-eyed aggressors could infiltrate the town.

        The Japanese troops landed in Oton on April 16, 1942 and reached the city proper two days later. Most of the residents in the Poblacion packed up their necessities and took them to their hideouts in the barrios. A few more optimistic souls, most of them Chinese businessmen, who frowned on the thought of more austere life in the remote hills preferred to stay in the poblacion (town capital). However, sooner or later, they became helpless victims of looting, so that most had to follow the first batch of evacuees to the barrios.

        Although food supply was relatively abundant on the hillsides, if people were only willing enough to scout for anything edible, there was an acute shortage of clothing. To remedy the situation, The Philippine Army Quartermasters depot was opened to the people so they could secure whatever supply they could salvage. The Quartermasters depot, located at the old central school at the side of the plaza, (where today stands the building housing the Alimodian Water District Administration and the Kilusang Bayan for Credit offices), was the place where army uniforms were cut and sewed for distribution to the different units in Panay. In a few hours, the whole depot was emptied of maong, khaki, de hilo (threads) and other kinds of clothing materials. For some lucky beneficiaries, the clothing they got lasted them through the bleak years of the war.

        The Japanese forces passed Alimodian on April 19, 1942 via Maasin aboard their trucks and bicycles. They left the town without any incident because no combat forces were stationed in the area as they concentrated in the mountains, like those in Cabacanan, even before the Japanese landing.

        Only the intelligence operatives of the G-2 section and other units were in the Poblacion to monitor covertly the enemy movements. Among the operatives were Sgt. Marcelo Tolentino, Conrado Norada, a former Iloilo governor, and Sgt. Alfredo Galon.

        Because intelligence reports gathered by the Military had it that the evacuees at the convent of Fr. Mariano Perez, then the parish priest at the time, had Japanese sympathizers, Sgt. Galon was planted at the convent as a houseboy. The information he gathered was relayed to Maj. Rafael Almacen, chief of the Intelligence Section G-2 operative during the war years, and it was only decades after that this activities were revealed.

Alimodian Municipal Mayor - Felix G. Altura

Felix Altura, Alimodian Town Mayor, 1940-1945

Felix G. Altura
(1890 - ?); Mayor 1941-1945

Felix G. Altura was the Alcalde Municipal of Alimodian before and during the war. It was his greatest ambition in life to serve his beloved town so that he overcame all odds and won the coveted post in his third try.

Alcalde Altura was born on May 15, 1890 in this town to Paulino Altura and Isidra Garay. He completed his elementary education in Alimodian Elementary School and his secondary education in the Iloilo High School.

Later he pursued his musical studies in Chicago Conservatory of Music.
Coming from the music-minded family, Alcalde Altura has loved music all his life. He has toured some cities in the United States and Hongkong giving concerts.

Alcalde Altura is married to Felicidad Jimenea with whom he had eight children, four girls and four boys.


His Political Career

Alcalde Altura first threw his hat in the political arena when he launched his candidacy for the top local post against Jose Alvior. Unluckily, he lost. In his second bid for the same post, he lost to Atty. Cipriano Cabaluna, Sr. Then in 1940 he launched his candidacy for the third time against Simeon Canonero and came out victorious. His vice mayor was Anacleto Amparo and his councilors were Wenceslao Anino, Gelacio Allones, Salvador Aligaen, David Tolentino, Ignacio Amparado and Clara Alegrado.

Altura took his oath of office on January 1, 1941. He had only almost a year of incumbency since the Japanese bombed the Pearl Harbor on December 8, 1941. He then became the town head during the Resisntance Movement that had its headquarters in the mountains of Panay with Governor Tomas Confesor.
Alcalde Altura is life member for continued service to the Craft Masonic Fraternity under the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Philippines.

This grand old man who turned 95 years old last May 15, 1985, still loves to play beautiful and melodious pieces on his violin. It is music that prolongs his life? Many think so.

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.