PIDDIG CELEBRATES CALUYA'S 143RD BIRTHDAY

 Piddig Mayor Engr. Eddie Guillen

 The Guest Speaker Dr. Anunciation D. Pagdilao, and  other guesta and officials

 Dr. Pagdilao, Caluya's Great grand daughter and   GuestSpeaker receives plaque from Mayor Guillen

 Mayor Guillen, Dr, Pagdilao, Pinili Mayor Samuel Pagdilao, Mr. Pepito Alvares and Caluya heirs

 Ilocos Norte's historian Jose Pepito Alvarez

June 22, 2011. 143rd Birthday of Don Claro Caluya, the Prince of Ilocano Poets. The guest of Honor was Caluya's great grand daughter Dr. Anunciation Duldulao Pagdilao of Pinili. Ilocos Norte.  

Also on this day, Mayor Eddie Guillen announced that the Municipal government is embarking an a special project - writing of Piddig's history. Soon our children will be taught in schools that Piddig was once the center of Ilocano poetry, literature and culture; that Piddig produced great leaders, heroes and many people that contributed a lot in our country's history.

         (Pictures used in this blog taken from Gliceria Cayaban's FB upload.)

BASI REVOLT

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The Basi Revolt, also known as the Ambaristo Revolt, was a revolt who started in September 16,1807. It was led by Pedro Mateo and Salarogo Ambaristo and developed in Piddig, Badoc and other towns of Ilocos Norte. This revolt is unique as it revolves around the Ilocanos' love for basi ( sugarcane wine) but last but not least for Ilocanos love for freedom 

       In 1786, the Spanish colonial government manufacture and sale of basi, effectively banning private manufacture of the wine, which was done before expropriation. Ilocanos were forced to buy from government stores. However, wine-loving Ilocanos in Piddig rose in revolt on September 16, 1807.Spanish troops eventually quelled the revolt on September 28,1807, albeit with much force and loss of life on the losing side.

                                           The flag used by the Basi Rebels

                                        http://www.watawat.net/images/p034_1_00.jpg    

Source: http://www.watawat.net/the_basi_or_ambaristo_revolt.html

Himagsikan  Dahil  Sa  ‘Basi’

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  SA dami ng mga himagsikan na ginanap sa Ilocos, pinaka-tangi ng mga tagaruon ang aklasan dahil sa basi, kapantay o higit pa, sa isip ng iba, sa himagsikan ni Diego Silang nuong 1762-1764. Patibay nito: Hanggang ngayon, pinag-aagawan kung kangino talaga ang himagsikan ng basi nuong 1807. Sa mga Español, ang ‘El Alzamiento de Ambaristo’ (‘ang aklasan ni Ambaristo’) ay kagagawan ni Salarogo Ambaristo, isang pinuno ng mga magsasaka (campesinos, peasants). Sa mga taga-Ilocos naman, ang naghimagsik ay si Pedro Mateo, isang dating pinuno ng baranggay (cabeza de barangay) ng Piddig. ‘Kanang-kamay’ (teniente, lieutenant) lamang daw niya si Ambaristo.

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     Matagal nang nag-aklas si Ambaristo, pinatay kasi ang asawa niya ng isang oficial na Español. Maliban sa paminsan-minsang salakay sa bahay ng mga Español, walang nagawa ang kanyang maliit na pangkat ng mga magsasaka kundi magtago-tago sa mga bundok ng Piddig (‘mabundok’ ang kahulugan ng ‘piddig’ sa wika ruon) nuong cabeza pa si Mateo.

     Kahit mula sa angkan ng maharlika (principalia, native elite) duon, hindi natanggap niMateo ang malupit na turing sa tao. Mainit ang ulo, ilang ulit siyang napa-away dahil ayaw tumulong, kinalaban pa, ang pagsamantala ng mga frayle at Español na sinimulang tawagin siyang ‘taksil’ (traidor).

     Bilang cabeza, alam ni Pedro Mateo ang lahat ng lihim saPiddig, pati na kung saan ginagawa at itinatago ng mga tagaruon ang kanilang basi upang hindi mailit (confisca) ng mga Español at principales na nagsisilbi sa kanila. Madalas tumalilis si Mateo sa lalim ng gabi upang makipag-inuman ngbasi sa kanyang mga kanayon.

     Bagaman at hindi siya nabisto kahit minsan ng mga frayle at ng mga alagad nitong principales, lalong nag-init ang mga mata nila kay Mateo na itinuring nilang ‘traidor.’ Kaya nang nasaksak at napatay ang isang taga-Piddig na kaibigan niMateo, siya ang inusig ng mga Español. Pinaratang nilang naglasing silang dalawa ni Mateo at nangnag-away, sinaksak ni Mateo ang kaibigan. Nahatulan na mabilanggo nang 5 taon, nakalabas lamang si Mateo nang tubusin ( fianza, bail) ng kanyang abogado sa halagang 200 pesetas.
Hindi pa rin siya pina-alpas ng mga frayle. Hinabla siya sa pinaka-mataas na hukuman (corte suprema, supreme court) sa salang pagkalaban sa pamahalaan ng España. Humiling si Mateo ng patawad mula sa Manila subalit tinanggihan siya at ipinadakip. Inutos din ng hukuman na ilitin (seize) ang kanyang bukid at mga ari-arian. Pati ang kanyang familia ay inutos na tiktikan (surveillance).

     Naglabas ang mga frayle ng kasulatan (documentos) at iba pang ‘evidencias’ na mag-aaklas si Mateo at ang kanyang mga kainuman. Mayruon pang ‘mapa’ ng mga pinagtaguan ng mga burnay ng basi. Wala nang pag-asa, tumakas si Mateo at nagtago sa mga bundok sa paligid ng Piddig. Duon at nuon niya natagpuan at naka-panalig si Ambaristo. Maliit lamang ang pangkat nila kaya nagkasundo ang dalawa na gamitin angpagsarili sa basi upang yakagin ang mga taga-paligid na sumama sa kanilang mag-aklas laban sa Español.

     Ang San Ildefonso ay 2 nayon na lamang mula sa Vigan. Tinahak ito ng ilog Bantaoay at sa dalampasigan nito tinalo ng mga Español ang mga manghihimagsik nina Mateo at Ambaristo.
Umurong sila sa Badoc subalit sumunod at pinaligiran sila ng hukbong Español hanggang nuong Septiembre 28, 1807, napasuko nila sina Mateo at Ambaristo. Kasama ang dalawa sa mga nabihag, kinaladkad at binitay sa liwasan (plaza) ng Vigan. Hindi pa contento ang mga Español pagkatapos ng pagbitay, sobra kasi ang takot na dinanas nila sa paghimagsik. Pinapugot nila ang ulo ng mga bangkay. Subalit nabigo ang kanilang tangka na hamakin ang mga naghimagsik at takutin ang mga taga-Ilocos sapagkat itinanghal ng mga tao na bayani (caballeros, heros) sina Mateo at Ambaristo, at inalaala ang luwalhati (gloria) at kalayaang idinulot ng 14 araw ng himagsikan. Kahit nagwagi ang mga Español, sa mata ng mga taga-Ilocos, sila pa rin ang ‘contra-vida’ (malditos, villains).

     Pagkaraan ng 14 taon, hindi pa rin napawi ang parangal sa himagsikan ng mga tao saIlocos, kaya nagpundar ang pamahalaan sa Vigan nuong 1821 upang hamakin ang mga naghimagsik, purihin ang mga Español, at takutin ang mga tao na huwag nang maghimagsik uli. Inupahan nila ang isang mestizong pintor sa Vigan, si Esteban Pichay Villanueva , upang ilarawan ang pagkatalo nina Mateo at Ambaristo, 14 larawan ng sunud-sunod na pangyayari nuong himagsikan dahil sa basi.
Source: http://www.elaput.org/chrm1807.htm

PIDDIG

http://chingleen1980.tripod.com/ilocosnorte/id2.html

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Geographical Features

Location and Boundaries

Some seven kilometers east of Laoag City, Piddig lies on a beautiful land of rolling hills against the romantic background of the Cordillera mountain ranges that border it on the northeast. Its other boundaries are Vintar on the north, Carasi on the east, Solsona on the south, and Sarrat on the west and Dingras on the southwest.

Land Area and Topography

The 23 barangays composing it are spread out through a land area of 17,043 hectares. Almost all of its surface are hilly and rugged mountain ranges which are rich in lumber, nito, rattan and cogon grass. There are two rivers that surround the area - the Guisit and Palayan rivers.

Climate

Just like any other town of the province, Piddig has its wet and dry seasons. The long dry season falls on November to April, while the wet season is on May to the early part of October. December to February are the coldest months during the year, while April is the hottest.

Town History

Establishment

The town was settled by a group of Itnegs as early as 1770. These settlers cleared the lands, tilled the soil and raised abundant food supply. A few years later, the people of San Juan, La Union and some towns of Ilocos Sur arrived in the settlement and drove the natives away. The Itnegs fled to the mountains called Anayan and to some other places. As the semi-civilized settlers increased in number, they intermarried with the people of the neighboring towns.

Origin of Its Name

When the settlers increased in number, they founded the town and called it Pidipid, an Ilocano term which signifies a hilly place. Later on, when the Americans arrived in the country and reached the place, they changed the name Pidipid to Piddig, because the hilly place is situated at the foot of the mountains.

Religious History

The people are religious and God-fearing. Many religious sects were established. The Roman Catholic Church pioneered in the town. Augustinian missionaries began the Christianization of the people. Fr. Manuel Madriaga was the first resident priest. The people were easily converted to Christianity as a result of the great zeal of the missionaries.

In 1902 a new sect was organized by Monsignor Gregorio Aglipay, with the cooperation of Rev. Jose Castro, who became the first priest of tbe Philip-pine Independent Church in Piddig. Almost all of the people of the town pledged their faith and became followers of the new sect.

The Protestant church was established in the town in 1905 by an American Misaionary, Mr. William H. Hanna The first minister was Rev. Esteban Salomon,who carried on the ministry with considerable success.

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Places to See              http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1404/1002655703_9ee70ae510.jpg

·         The Baroque-style Church of St. Anne, built atop a moderately elevated hill, has a grand stone stairway from the church to the plaza.  During the Philippine-American War, it was occupied by a 5-man Filipino guerilla team who repulsed early American attacks.  The church was repaired after the March 19, 1932 earthquake toppled the upper level of the bell tower.  During World War II, it was occupied by American forces.  The convent, sacristy as well as parochial records, furniture and statues were burned when Japanese forces raided the town.  In 1965, the facade and interior of the church was restored.  The convent, with its series of arcades, was repaired and converted into a parochial school.The courtyard, enclosed by a stone and brick fence, rises above two lower squares that flank it.  Inside the church are the original wooden pulpit and five Neo-Classic retablos of brick and lime.  The central retablo houses the image of St. Anne supporting Mary on her lap. ·

Brief History                           http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4544831252_9e02243c6c.jpg

·         Piddig was founded in 1732 as a visita of Dingras ·         It became an independent parish in 1770.  ·         The town's name was probably derived from the word pidpideg meaning “corners” due to the first settlers having built their huts on the slopes of mountains.  It was changed to its present name upon the arrival of the Americans.    ADDITIONAL READING:   Excerpt from:  THE ROAD TO ALMAGUER: FLEEING PIDDIG, HAVEN IN BAYOMBONG    http://bigberto.blogspot.com/2006/07/road-to-almaguer-fleeing-piddig-haven.html .       ...Enticed by his cousin Miguel, Lakay Burik decided to migrate to Nueva Vizcaya at around the first decade of the 1900s and settled in a place called Piddigan (later renamed La Torre in honor of the Spanish Governor Ramos de la Torre). Piddigan or La Torre is part of Bayombong that was established as a pueblo in 1739 by the Augustinians. It was, however, a Dominican --- Fr. Juan Crespo --- who started building the present church in 1773 that now serves as the diocesian cathedral and dedicated to Santo Domingo. Only the façade and the bell tower were left of the original structure.             Piddigan was so called because its first settlers were from Piddig, Ilocos Norte. According to family historians from my mother’s side, Miguel Castrovierde Tomas and his brothers killed the cruel Spanish priest of Piddig by stabbing him with a puyod. They then fled to Nueva Vizcaya, founded the barrio of Piddigan, and changed their names into Castros, Vierdes/Verdes, and Tomases. Miguel and his brothers became the Tomas branch. When the Americans invaded, they went back to Piddig to fetch their relatives to join them in Piddigan. That is how their first cousin Lakay Burik joined them.       I visited the church of Piddig (dedicated to Sta. Ana) on the same day I visited Dingras in 17 June 2005. In Dingras, I tried to commune with the spirits of my ancestors. In Piddig, I lighted a candle to hail the bravery of Miguel and his brothers and ask forgiveness for their deed. There are no records on when and who built the church but it is believed to be one of the earliest churches in the province of Ilocos Norte. It served as the headquarters of Filipino revolutionaries during the Filipino-American War, and by American forces during World War II. Piddig is also rich in local history: it was its conscripted skilled Tingguian archers who captured Gabriela Silang in 1762 and was the center of the 1806-1807 Basi Revolt led by Pedro Mateo and Salarogo Ambaristo. Its first Filipino parish priest, Fr. Jose Castro, became the country’s first Aglipayan priest when the Augustinians fled in the aftermath of the Filipino-Spanish War. Piddig is also the birthplace of Claro Caluya --- the “prince of Ilocano poets”, and Sgt. Teofilo Ildefonso --- the country’s only double Olympic bronze medalist.            Miguel did not stay long in Piddigan. At around 1906, he and some settlers relocated in a place near Bantay Sabon --- a forested area they passed along the dacquel nga carayan on their way to Piddigan where pure water bubbles from a spring that feeds into a creek with eels as big as a man’s leg. Lakay Burik again joined his cousin in this place where he cleared his dappat and raised his family. It is called Almaguer.

ILOCOS NORTE

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DEMOGRAPHICS

Demographic Information Location and boundaries Ilocos Norte is located off the northwestern coast of the Philippines, between Luzon Strait on the north and Region III on the south. The China Sea and the Cordillera region border its western and eastern limits, respectively. The capital is Laoag City, which is 463 kilometers away from Manila, 8 hours by land. Travel time by air is 1 hour from Manila, Taiwan and Hong Kong, and less than 2 hours from Singapore, Thailand, Japan and South Korea. Major tourist attractions Marcos Museum and Mausoleum Malacanang of the North Sinking Bell Tower Fort Ilocandia Geography Ilocos Norte has a land area of 3,622 sq. km., bordered by Ilocos Sur (south), Abra (southeast), Cagayan (east) and the South China Sea (west) Cities 1 - Laoag City Towns 22 - Adams, Bacarra, Badoc, Bangui, Banna, Batac, Burgos, Carasi, Currimao, Dingras, Dumalneg, Marcos, Nueva Era, Pagudpud, Paoay, Pasuquin, Piddig, Pinili, San Nicolas, Sarrat, Solsona and Vintar Proximity By air - 45 minutes from Manila, 40 minutes from Kaoshiung, 75 minutes from Hong Kong, 3 hours from Japan and Korea By land - 8 hours from Manila, 4 hours from Baguio Seasons Dry - November to April Wet - May to October Climate Average temperature - 26.8 C (end 1997) Population Total - 491, 312 (end 1997) Average annual growth (1990-1995) - 0.84% per annum Language Iloko (Ilocano) - common language English and Filipino - are also used Religion Roman Catholic - 63% Aglipay - 20% Others - 17 % (end 1997) Largest Area Vintar - 624.85 sq. km. pop. - 27, 460 (end 1995) Nueva Era - 515.02 sq. km. pop. - 6, 224 Marcos - 226.38 sq. km pop. - 13, 688I
HISTORY      Long before the coming of the Spaniards, there already existed an extensive region (consisting of the present provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra and La Union) renowned for its gold mines. Merchants from Japan and China would often visit the area to trade gold with beads, ceramics and silk. The inhabitants of the region, believed to be of Malay origin, called their place "samtoy", from "sao mi toy", which literally meant "our language"       In 1591, when the Spanish conquistadors had Manila more or less under their control, they began looking for new sites to conquer.  Legaspi's grandson, Juan De Salcedo, volunteered to lead one of these expeditions. Together with 8 armed boats and 45 men, the 22 year old voyager headed north.  On June 13, 1572, Salcedo and his men landed in Vigan and then proceeded towards Laoag, Currimao and Badoc. As they sailed along the coast, they were surprised to see numerous sheltered coves ("looc") where the locals lived in harmony. As a result, they named the region "Ylocos" and its people "Ylocanos".      As the Christianization of the region grew, so did the landscape of the area. Vast tracks of land were utilized for churches and bell towers in line with the Spanish mission of "bajo las campanas". In the town plaza, it was not uncommon to see garrisons under the church bells. The colonization process was slowly being carried out. The Spanish colonization of the region, however, was never completely successful. Owing to the abusive practices of many Augustinian friars, a number of Ilocanos revolted against their colonizers. Noteworthy of these were the Dingras uprising (1589) and Pedro Almasan revolt (San Nicolas, 1660). In 1762, Diego Silang led a series of battles aimed at freeing the Ilocanos from the Spanish yoke. When he died from an assassin's bullet, his widow Gabriela continued the cause. Unfortunately, she too was captured and hanged. In 1807, the sugar cane ("basi") brewers of Piddig rose up in arms to protest the government's monopoly of the wine industry. In 1898, the church excommunicated Gregorio Aglipay for refusing to cut off ties with the revolutionary forces of Sen. Emilio Aguinaldo. Unperturbed, he established the "Iglesia Filipina Independiente". Aglipayân's movement and the nationalist sentiment it espoused helped restore the self-respect of many Filipinos.      In an effort to gain more political control and because of the increasing population of the region, a Royal Decree was signed on February 2, 1818 splitting Ilocos into two provinces: Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. Soon thereafter, the provinces of La Union and Abra likewise became independent.
	pop. - 13, 688