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Loboc History - Then and Now
Loboc, in the annals of Philippine history, served as an inland market village since pre-Hispanic times. As the prevalent practice at that time, agricultural goods of the upland regions were brought to Loboc to be bartered with sea produce. It was said to be the domain of Datu Sigala, a contemporary of Datu Sikatuna; the later entered into a treaty of friendship with Spain’s Miguel Lopez de Legaspi with a blood compact in 1565.
Baclayon was the first Christian settlement in Bohol; and in 1596, the Jesuit Fr. Juan de Torres came to Loboc to establish another settlement. On October 26, 1600 however, the Jesuit Missionaries moved the center of their missionary activities to this inland village after suffering an attack wielded by the Moro invaders.
According to Fr. Horacio de la Costa, a Filipino historian, the village of Loboc was established and became a parish in 1602. It became the “Residencia Boholana” or the place where the local superior of the Jesuits lived. From that time until the middle of the 18th century Loboc played host to the “Residencia” then they again moved back to Baclayon. The 1st stone church of Loboc was built then.
The Jesuit missionaries who remained in Loboc eventually established a Seminario-Collegio or boarding school for native boys. This was around the year 1604. It was during that time that the Lobocanons were instructed on music and thus the foundation of the musical culture of the town was established.
Instilled with a great love for music, the Lobocanons were also inculcated with deep love for God, great respect for religious practices, communal cohesiveness, dedication to traditional values partnered with hard work.
In 1768, the Jesuits were expelled and the Augustinian Recollects took over. Upon arrival, their first concern was the renovation of the old stone church. They undertook the work of finishing the arcade facade, building the heavy stone buttresses, establishing the mortuary chapel, building the free-standing bell tower and the 3-storey convent at the back of the church.
Two saintly figures lived, died and were buried in the Loboc Church. One was Fr. Alonso Humanes whose gravesite was often visited by pilgrims after his death in 1633. Many miracles were attributed to this saint and one of them was the miraculous arrest of a fire that would have engulfed the whole church at that time. Another figure was that of Miguel Ayatumo, a student of the seminary who died in the odor of sanctity at the young age of sixteen in 1609.
The early history of Bohol revolved much around the town and church of Loboc. Talking about the history of the church is likewise taking into account the early history of Bohol. The church of Loboc contains many relics that speak of the period that transpired in Loboc’s history.
Decorative stone carvings and friezes on the exterior walls, a relief of St. Ignatius in polychrome stucco hidden behind the main altar, and seven retablos dates back to the Jesuit and Recollect periods. Murals at the church’s ceiling by Cebuano artists Rey Francia and Canuto Avila trace its inception in the year 1920.
A mural depicting the miracles in Loboc thru the heavenly intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Loboc’s second patron, dates back to 1876. There are still lots of ancient materials inside the church that speaks of the periods when they were made such as the carved wooden cornices and decorative corbels shaped as gargoyles or mythical animals and more. Much damage was inflicted to the church due to periodic floods that led to the destruction of its ancient records and other priceless relics.
The Loboc River overflowed its bank on 1847. Next record of overflowing was on November 26, 1876 inflicting much damage to properties and human lives. Subsequent flooding occurs in November 21, 1953, and November 19 to 20, 1964. It has been observed that a period of 8 to 9 years usually elapse before the next flooding.
The town of Loboc also became the temporary capital of the province during World War II as well as the headquarters of the Boholano guerrillas until such time when it was transferred to Carmen to escape the mopping operations of the Japanese. Loboc was occupied by the Japanese forces in 1942 and was liberated in 1945 by the Philippine Commonwealth troops with the help of the Boholano guerrillas.
During the Japanese occupation, the chief means of livelihood of the Lobocanons were farming, sinamay weaving, soap making, tuba gathering and wine making.
1956 - Present
Loboc’s development was unstoppable. In 1956, the National Power Corporation installed a hydro-electric plant near the Tontonan Falls and established a housing project for its engineers up the mountains of Loboc. The power plant provides electricity to the municipality as well as neighboring towns including Tagbilaran City.
1970 to 1985 witnessed the introduction of the making of essential handicrafts such as those of quality native baskets, nipa shingles, furniture making and the implementation of reforestation projects. At present, agriculture remains the most important industry. As land and water transportation improved, the people seriously engaged in copra making, basketry and furniture making.
Irrigation was improved; the jumbo bridge (a monument of stupidity) was started and ironically left unfinished. Schools were constructed even in the inner recesses of the barangays. The Joventino A. Digal Memorial Complex was also constructed.
Positive developments followed for the next 15 years. More barangay roads were opened giving access to and from the neighboring towns enhancing trade and industry. With more accessible roads, enterprising Lobocanons ventured into the transportation industry, providing mini-buses, tricycles and habal-habals; giving its constituents the ease of travelling within the municipality and to other points of Bohol.
The tourism industry flourished with the introduction of a “river cruise” which caught the fancy of foreign tourists. Scenic spots were developed and promoted. Many came to view the 2nd oldest church of Bohol, to see the octagonal belfry and to see the captive tarsiers. “Krus Daku” was constructed as a pilgrimage and tourist site. The three-storey convent at the back of the church now houses the Church Museum.
The Lobocanons also went into commercial production of poultry and other livestock. There was a significant growth in the produce of wood and rattan chairs and the establishment of their market abroad. Loboc is now hailed as the greatest producer of high quality wood and rattan chairs.
The musicality of Loboc metamorphosed throughout the succeeding years and gained recognition as the true “music capital” of Bohol. Bands were created, choirs established. Eventually one of its choirs, the Loboc Children’s Choir, became world renowned after initially garnering the much coveted price of Himig National Champion, not only once but in a row. Aside from local performances, the LCC now performs outside the country.
A most recent development is the lighting up of the Loboc River and the establishment of a night cruise. A modern 120-meter docking port for the floating restaurants was constructed as well as an eco-tourism center; the building of which houses the tourism office, a visitor’s lounge and air-conditioned comfort rooms.
Loboc’s agricultural production dwindled. More and more people went into basket making, other handicrafts making and tourism pursuits for they entail immediate cash rewards. It is a fact that the town now imports rice from a big trader based in Tagbilaran City to sustain the demand for this product.
Loboc recently celebrated its 400th anniversary as a canonical parish. Commemorative activities revolved around the Church of St. Peter the Apostle, its main heritage structure.
How Loboc Got Its Name
The name “Loboc” came from the local dialect “ga loboc” meaning “pounding palay”. When the Jesuit missionaries arrived at the village, they passed by a family pounding rice. They asked for the name of the place and thinking that they were asking what they were doing, the head of the family answered: “ga Loboc”. The name stuck and to this day, the place, and eventually the town, was named Loboc.
Source: Museo de Loboc
Link: http://www.bohol-philippines.com/loboc-then-and-now.html
Mayors of Loboc
Spanish Period
Capitan Macario "Ayong" Tecson
Capitan Pablo Jala
Capitan Melecio Biliran
Capitan Lazaro Suganob
Capitan Claudio Mutia
Capitan Jose Varquez
Capitan Agustin Varquez
Capitan Laurencio Mosqueda
Capitan Midardo Legaspi
Capitan Mariano Varquez
Capitan Matias Mosqueda
Capitan Gregorio Rayo y Sanson
American Period
Alcalde Mariano C. Varquez
Vice Alcalde Mariano Balbido
Alcalde Fermin Mosqueda
Vice Alcalde Victorino Cingco Digal
Alcalde Blas Sarigumba
Vice Alcalde Mariano Bastes Cal
Alcalde Pablo Sarigumba Baquial
Vice Alcalde Catalino Cal Sumampong
Alcalde Bartolome Doria
Vice Alcalde Victoriano Fortich
Alcalde Serapio Alinab Dompor Sr.
(October 16, 1925—October 15, 1931 & July 16, 1947—December 31, 1947)
Vice Alcalde Anacleto Sarigumba
Alcalde Perfecto R. Balili Sr.
(Appointed Bohol Governor: June 01, 1946—December 31, 1947)
Vice Alcalde Delfin Sarigumba Calipusan
Alcalde Pablo O. Bastes (1961—1965)
Vice Alcalde Juan Dango
Alcalde Delfin Sarigumba Calipusan
Vice Alcalde Brigido Sarigumba Jala
Alcalde Petronilo Mandin (Occupation)
Vice Alcalde Antonio Digal (Occupation)
The more meaningful Sigala-Legazpi Blood Compact
by Jes B. Tirol
The Bohol Chronicle
Proem
When the Spaniard Miguel Lopez de Legazpi was in Hinawanan, Loay, Bohol he performed two Blood Compacts on board the flagship San Pedro. The first was with the native chief Sikatuna on March 25, 1565 and the second was with chief Sigala on March 28, 1565.
If you have a colonial mentality the tendency will be to emphasize the Sikatuna-Legazpi Blood Compact. If you have a nationalist mentality the tendency will be to favor the Sigala-Legazpi Blood Compact.
Sikatuna-Legazpi Blood Compact
On 25 March 1565, Chief Sikatuna boarded the flagship San Pedro with four native companions. The records stated that the following natives executed affidavits before the Notary of the Fleet Hernando Riquel. The names are: (a) Magut a Bornean Moro who have been living in Bohol for some time already. (b) Sibumanglar a native Boholano. (c) Ximongoi a native Boholano. (d) Ceilan a Bornean Moro who have been living in Bohol for some time already.
If we want the names of the companions of Sikatuna, then we can assume that Magut, Sibumanglar, Ximongoi, and Ceilan were the companions of Sikatuna. Why would they be in the flagship to execute affidavits?
So we can revise the diorama of the scene of the Sikatuna-Legazpi Blood Compact. In the Boholano side will be Sikatuna, Magut, Sibumanglar, Ximongoi, and Ceilan. In the Spanish side will be Gen. Legazpi, Capt. Juan dela Isla, Capt. De Goite, and Capt. Sanz. The interpreters were Fr. Andres de Urdaneta and Tuasanmalea, the Pilot of the Bornean Parao that was captured by the Spaniards. In other words the scene will have a "balance of power".
The Ceremony
Here is my English translation of the Blood Compact ceremony written in Document 27, page 297 of the Colleccion De Documentos De Ultra Mar: "Sikatuna arrived at the flagship. The General received him graciously with motions of friendship. The Chief said, I want a blood compact with the General. Because we would celebrate a true friendship, we would do the following; extract from each breast two drops of blood. Mix it with wine in a silver cup, after that divide it into two cups equally. After that, each would drink his share of the mixture of blood and wine. After it was done, the Chief motioned that he was satisfied."
It is very clear from the record that the blood was taken from the breast and not from the arm. Therefore Gen. Legazpi was not wearing armor. And why would Legazpi be wearing armor when he was not preparing for battle?
Sigala-Legazpi Blood Compact
On March 28, 1565 Chief Sigala and companions came to the flagship. The record states the following, "One day while we were at the Port, there came to the flagship a native Chief that person motioned that he was a higher Chief and of better quality than Sikatuna. That Chief was named Sigala."
A Blood Compact was performed similar to the previous one. After the ceremony the Chief gave a piglet (lechon) as a present. Then he brought out a cantaro (about 4 gallons) of palm wine (Bis: tuba) and invited the General to drink.
Comparison
The Sikatuna-Legazpi Blood Compact was in the context of the Spaniards. The wine, the cups, and other peripherals used were Spanish.
The Sigala-Legazpi Blood Compact was in the context of the Boholanos. The wine was the native tuba (toddy). You will not drink tuba in a Spanish cup but with the use of the hungot (coconut shell cup). The food eaten was the lechon.
Therefore, if you favor the Sikatuna-Legazpi Blood Compact, it is clear that you have a colonial mentality. However, it you have a nationalist mentality you should favor the Sigala-Legazpi Blood Compact.
Spanish Propaganda
In the year 1596 or 31 years later, two Spanish Jesuit Priests arrived in Baclayon, Bohol. They were Fathers Juan de Torres and Gabriel Sanchez. Fr. Sanchez, who was younger and more active, found in the hinterland of Baclayon the old Chief Sikatuna and his wife Albasea.
Upon learning that the old man was the person who made a Blood Compact with General Legazpi, Fr. Sanchez endeavored to convert him to Christianity. Fortunately or unfortunately, Sikatuna converted and he was baptized. Sikatuna was given the Christian name "Joaquin" and his wife was named "Ana". The new Christianized chieftain helped in the construction of the church at Baclayon. (Note: San Joaquin and Santa Ana, the parents of Mother Mary, are placed prominently at the altar of Baclayon Church.)
The conversion of Sikatuna to Christianity was reported by Fr. Sanchez to his superiors. The Spaniards were very happy. The conversion became propaganda material for the Spaniards and repeated again and again in many Spanish records.
After the lapse of time only the Sikatuna-Legazpi Blood Compact was remembered and given prominence. Sigala, even though he was a "higher chief and of better quality" was forgotten because he did not convert to Christianity. Sigala stayed true to his native religion, which was similar in belief system to the Jewish Cabbala.
Now we are told the legend that Sikatuna was the Chieftain of Bohol when he performed the Blood Compact. The real fact is, Sikatuna was only a minor chieftain.
The leaders of the Bo-ol Kingdom when it was destroyed were Princes Manangkil Way Tupong or known in history books as Pagbuaya and Way Lisang Makabungkag or Dailisan. Sikatuna was only a minor chief living at the shoreline of Guiwanon, Baclayon. (Note: Historian Gregorio Zaide called it "Baclayon".) Sikatuna was wounded during the invasion of the Portuguese and Ternateans and brought to Himilian (tubod), Loboc by Sigala.
Comment
It took me 18 years of consistent writing until the National Historical Institute declared that the actual site of the Sikatuna/Sigala-Legazpi Blood Compacts was Hinawanan, Loay and not Bo-ol, Tagbilaran. I don't know the above facts will be the stock knowledge of every Boholano.
Loboc: Learning to Live with Floods
by Marianito M. Luspo & Ino M. Manalo
Sukaran: The Domestic Architecture of the Towns of Loay and Loboc in Bohol.
Loboc twice served as the capital of Bohol. A notable settlement even before Miguel Lopez de Legazpi arrived in 1565, Loboc was already famous as a strategic barter town. The town leader was Datu Si Gala, described in Spanish records as the more eminent of the chiefs of the island. The other chief was Si Katuna, who gained fame for having made the first blood compact with Legazpi.
Although he stayed mostly in Loboc, Si Katuna's native village was Baclayon. Because of Baclayon's proximity to Cebu, the first Jesuit doctrineros sought out Si Katuna to express their intention of making the town the seat of their missionary endeavor. When the first of many Moro raids hit Baclayon on October 16, 1600, however, the Jesuit missionaries decided to move their headquarters to Loboc.
Loboc became the center of the Jesuit missions in Bohol. For the next hundred and fifty years or so, Loboc was known as Residencia Boolana, where the local Jesuit leader resided. In the mid-eighteenth century, however, for reasons not so clear, the residencia was moved to Dauis. Dauis remained their main base until the Jesuits in Bohol were expelled in 1768. When the Augustinian Recollects arrived shortly after, they made Baclayon the center of their mission.
Despite the prominent role Loboc played during the Jesuit period, the town remained a remote and impoverished settlement for the next hundred and thirty years of Spanish rule. The Jesuits had established the town's first institution of formal learning, the Seminario Colegio de Indios de Loboc. There are indications that the Jesuits built the town's first stone structure. The present stone church in Loboc is dated to 1734, seven years after the older stone church of Baclayon was raised.
Under the Augustinian Recollects, the church of Loboc underwent renovation. A stone belfry was built close to the river. A three-story convento arose from the unfinished stonework at the back of the church. Later, massive timbers were used to replace the beams and trusses of the old church. Stone buttresses were also built in preparation for the tile roof that replaced the one made of nipa.
In its entire four-hundred-year-old history, the town of Loboc never experienced the devastations of war or piratical raids. The town was spared from burning by the Americans during the Philippine-American War when its parish priest, Fr. Cayetano Bastes, convinced the invading soldiers that the town was free of insurgents. During the first phase of the Japanese occupation of Bohol, Loboc was declared the seat of the Bohol emergency government. The seat was later moved to Carmen, sparing the town from a full-scale assault by the Japanese.
In 1876, the river's rampaging floods inundated and devastated the town. Some four hundred people sought refuge at the three-story convento. Lesser in scale but as destructive were the floods of 1964, 1984, and 1990.
The recurring flooding of the river is the reason why the rectory has no records prior to the 1880s, despite being the oldest Catholic parish in Bohol. The floods are also the reason why the locals of Loboc, famous for their musical gifts, rarely keep a piano at home. As an old musician explained, a tuba can easily be carried to higher ground, but a piano cannot be brought up to the roof.
One would expect that as one of the older towns of Bohol, Loboc would have more heritage houses. This is sadly not the case. Many of the older structures have fallen victim to the deluge.
Unlike in most towns in Bohol, the need to renovate houses is more apparent in Loboc. The new mansions are replacements for the older structures and the old structures that still exist are themselves replacements of much older houses that have been severely affected by the floods.
Visiting a Loboc house, one will often be entertained by tales of past inundations. One's host will gladly point out the portions of the residence that had been covered by the flood waters. Interestingly, even the church has not been spared by the rising river. On the walls of the nave, one will notice marks indicating how high the rampaging flood waters had risen in the past.
Meanwhile, on the ceiling of the Loboc Church is a charming painting depicting how the town's patroness, the Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe had spared her devotees from the flood. The painting testifies to the fact that the Virgin is very much present in Loboc. Not surprisingly, the symbol of the townspeople's anguish is a house floating on the tumultuous torrents. Clearly, in the past, as it is today, the people of Loboc identify intimately with their beloved homes.
Loboc Hymn
O lungsod nga Lobocanon
Ning Bohol oh lalawigan
Kapupud-ang Pilipinas
Mutya ka sa sidlakan
O lungsod nga Lobocanon
Ning Bohol oh lalawigan
Kapupud-ang Pilipinas
Mutya ka sa sidlakan
Gilibutan sa mga bukid
Ang kahimtang mo pulos malipayon
Labyanan sa mabugnaw'ng hangin
Yuta sa mga Lobocanon
Gilibutan sa mga bukid
Ang kahimtang mo pulos malipayon
Labyanan sa mabugnaw'ng hangin
Yuta sa mga Lobocanon
Yuta kong mahal
Yuta kong minahal