Translated
from Spanish to English by Dominador N. Marcaida Jr.
D.
Adolfo Puya y Ruiz’s CAMARINES SUR- Descripcion General de esta
Provincia en Luzon (Acompañada
de un Plano del Territorio que la Provincia ocupa). Manila:1887 (From http://bdh-rd.bne.es).
MR. D. RAMÓN FECED TEMPRADO:
My dear friend: No one better than you to whom is
so much indebted has to the province of Camarines Sur, that I can dedicate the
description of the same which as now I gave you to publish that you received as
sample of deference to your knowledge and as proof of the true affection that they
profess.
Your very devoted S. S.
Q. B. S. M.
Adolfo Puya.
TO THE READER
It is known by all
that the scarcity of news relating to this archipelago is noticed, not only in
this country, but the motherland and abroad. It would be, therefore, of great
interest that some of the Spaniards living in these Islands to devote
themselves to describe at least the different provinces in which they are
based, a work that might one day serve to form an idea, if not exact,
approximate at least of what the Archipelago is.
Nothing would be
difficult, as I said, to those Spaniards that are settled in this or that
province, to consolidate themselves respecting the production, industry,
commerce, animal husbandry, population, climate, language, geographical and
topographical situation of peoples, distances of each other in leagues or
kilometers as means to verify the travel and cost of the same, the rates of
prices, that would be of interest to the traveler, who arrives in this country
without a guide, and without direction that takes you to go to the point of his
destination, employment, industry, art or craft.
Guided by this end,
some time ago published a pamphlet in which I broadly described the province of
Cagayan, and later I did the same of Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya in Luzon; while these
latter two provinces I have not yet published. Encouraged by the good reception
that the public, always forgiving, have treated my first booklet, I have
decided to publish this work without the claim that it is not without fault,
but at least it will be something useful.
I will not hide to the
reader, that I could say something more about the province that I describe, but
keep in mind that it does not attempt to make a masterpiece because it could
not, and if only a small reference for the traveler.
If any of you who read
this booklet notice any imprecision, I would be grateful if you would let me know
this, either in writing or by means of the press, on the assurance that it will
not offend me but will make me a favor, because my desire is to learn and not
to teach.
I express most of my
thanks to the public in general, and to my fellows in the Corpse in particular,
by the good reception that have been accorded to my first booklet concerning
the province of Cagayan, and I hope that this is agreeable to all.
THE
AUTHOR
CAMARINES SUR
Located in the Southeast part of
Luzon Island, it was named “Camarines” because when the first Spaniards arrived
here, the soldiers and missionaries constructed by putting up large barracks of
bamboo and nipa, called “camarines”
in Manila. It was created during the time of Guido de Lavezares who became the
interim governor of these Islands; and he awarded the discovered territories in
the Southeast part of the Island to Juan de Salcedo. Salcedo, by order from
Lavezares, proceeded to their conquest and establishment, for which, he founded
a village he named “Santiago de Libon”, today in the province of Albay, and he
put Pedro de Chaves there as chief with several soldiers in order to govern it.
Understand that during the time of the segregation of Camarines, all the
territory that were between the mouth of the river Cabibijan, in the cove of Guinayangan, and the one of the river
Tabagon in the cove of Sogod, determining then the course of the two rivers,
its limit by its northwest part, and he separated it from Tayabas. In the same
date, he disposed, from the summit of Mount Albay, or where Mayon Vulcano is,
determined the limits of this province from the Eastern part, he awarded to the
province of Albay the eastern part of this mountain, and to Camarines the
western part.
As has been said, Santiago de
Libon was the town chosen to be the capital of the province, and it came to
pass for some time up to that of D. Francisco de Sande, the second governor of
Manila, he ordered the said captain Pedro de Chaves to establish a city in the
land of Naga and beside the river of San Felipe, a tributary of the Bicol
River, afterwards the Spaniards called Naga, as indeed he did, and he put the
name Nueva Caceres in remembrance of the native land of the governor.
In 1829, in view of the numerous
population which the province had, and the large territory it occupied,
considering up to a certain point the difficultyof governing and administering
so extensive a land, he decided to form another province also called Camarines,
but he denominated it as Norte, both from the effect of the geographic
situation of the territory which he is transferringas to distinguish it from
the one we are occupying. In effect, he removed from it the towns of Daet,
Talisay, Indan, Labo, Paracale, Mambulao, Capalonga, Ragay, Lupi and Sipocot,
that happened to form the new province of Camarines Norte, to which he pointed
out their corresponding limits to separate it from Camarines Sur, and that they
were: the mount of Labo or the lands of Polantuna that extends to the East
Southeast whose mountain range is known as Colasi mountain, and the detachments
of the same mountain that extends to the South Southwest.
In 1846, the towns of Sipocot,
Lupi and Ragay were awarded anew to this province, and Siruma was ceded to
Camarines Norte in exchange, and to Albay those of Camalig, Guinobatan, Ligao,
Oas, Polangui, Libon, Murarao, Quipia and Donsol, and in exchange of these it
acquired those of Sangay, San Jose, Lagonoy, Siruma and Caramoan, which previously
belonged to the province of Albay.
The actual
geographic situation is: between 127o51'
and 129o39'
longitud East., and between 13o18' and
14o9'
latitud North of the meridian of San Fernando; and their limits are: by the North,
with Camarines Norte; by the South, with
the province of Albay; by the West, with the great Ragay ór Guinayangan Gulf,
and by the East, with the Pacific ocean. It occupies an area of 545.000
hectares, a mountainous and rough terrain for most of its part.
MOUNTAINS
Foremost in this province are: Isarog,
which one climbs at its center and between the San Miguel Bay and Lagonoy Gulf;
its height is 1,966 meters above sea level, and its belt or perimeter is 12
leagues (1 league is 4.86 kms.): its summit is uneven, and all of it is covered
with much beautiful and lush vegetation, one encounters living in its slopesseveral
escaped natives.Around it, or found on its skirts, are nestled the towns of
Calabanga, Mangirin, Goa, Tigaon, Mabatobato, Pili, San Jose and Lagonoy, more
than several shanty towns and various settlements, barrios and hamlets. From it
are born infinite streams that irrigate the areas of the towns already
mentioned, and some will be joined to the abundant Bicol River that drains into
the great San Miguel Bay; and others carrying their waters to the bosom of
Lagonoy Gulf. Iriga, situated to the Northeast of the town of the same name:
its height is 1,120 meters above Lake Buhi, and 1,212 meters above sea level,
its summit is craggy and stony, and both this and its slopes are covered by
much abundant and valuable forest products. On its skirts are the towns of
Buhi, Iriga and Baao, many various hamlets, and in its slopes, one can see
several small houses or dirty charred log houses inhabited by wild runaway
negritos. Hantu, that is to the South West of Libmanan, more rocky and
rough, of enough elevation, and covered with thick and tall forest. According
to the narratives of the natived of the place, in its summit there is a lagoon
where comes various rivers that goes down through all the slopes of the
mountain, enriching the flow of the Bicol River. Bantuin, to the Northwest
of Lupi, rough enough and covered with beautiful vegetation. In its skirt are
the towns of Lupi and Ragay, and its slopes flows several streams, one of those
becomes a tributary of the Labo river, and others drains to the sea through the
cove of Ragay and Bugatayon. Elisario,situated to the North of
Buhi and to the South of Sangay, with enough elevation and covered with forest.
In its Northwestern direction are found the town of Sangay and various hamlets,
forming its slopes East and Northeast to the Sangay point and the small cove of
the same name. Buhi, to the Southeast of the town with the same name,it is of
small elevation, and is covered with high and low forest: its summit divides
the provinces of Camarines Sur and Albay. More of those mountains mentioned,
each town has their own more or less importance, many are with many major hunt
and abundant wood for construction.
RIVERS
This province is irrigated with 48
rivers and 296 springs. Foremost of the firsts is the one named Bicol,
which has its source from lake Bato and flows to the Southeast going to the
Northwest passing through the towns of Bula, Minalabac, Milaor, Nueva Caceres,
Camaligan, Gainza and the barrio of Cabusao, draining through its bar of this
name in the San Miguel Bay.This river is very fast flowing, with many of its
tributaries are united to it, and during the time itusually comes out of the
riverbed, and flooding the lands nestled in its peripheries, destroying with
much frequency the sowed palay, and causes much damage to the livestock. It is
navigable for small boats, from its mouth to its source, for the majority, between the bar of Cabusao up to Nueva
Caceres. Labo, which has its source from the mountain of the same name,
and running to the Southeast, going to Lupi from where the name of this town is
derived, and swell in flow through its tributaries where it unites, passing
around Sipocot from where its name is taken arriving at Libmanan, where its
flow is considerable and its current violent, taking the name of this last
town, and drains to the Bicol river through two mouths that forms an islet with
little extension. This river, in times of watering, comes out of its channel
and brings much damages to the fields of Libmanan. For the small boats it is
navigable up to the height of Lupi. Barit, which has its source from
lake Buhi and flows to the Southwest running to the Eastern skirt of mount
Iriga, continues to the South, arriving to the Northwest, then to the East,
coming to the town of Nabua, and continues with the name of Barit, until it
unites itself to the Bicol river to the South of the swamps of Baao: it is
navigable only up to Iriga for bancas or boats of shallow draft, and abundant
in fishing.Baras, with its source from the swamps of Baao and baths the
jurisdiction of this town, drains at Barit to the Northwest of Nabua.Pawili,
which has its source at the Southern slopes of Mt. Isarog, flows to the West,
arrives to the Southeast, and board its waters with those of the Bicol river
near Bula. Anayan, where the anterior is sourced in Mount Isarog and baths
the lands of Pili drains its waters to the Bicol river through the South is
this town. Lagonoy, with its source in the slopes of the mountain range of
Caramoan passes near the town of its name, and drains in Lagunoy gulf. San
Jose or Salong, with its source from the Eastern slopes of Mount
Isarog, running itself to the East, and baths the lands of Goa, San Jose and
Lagonoy, and drains in the gulf of the last namethrough the Salong bar. Much of these rivers, has
others, but of little importance, and whose names are detailed in their
respective section.
LAKES
That one of Bato, which is near to
the town that gave it its name and to the South of the same. It perimeter or
circuit is of ones 4 leagues; its depth of 3 to 5 meters, and which is 111
meters above sea level: from it flows several rivers, having those of more
importance are the Quinali, Libon, Dagat, Alongong andthe Matacla: it drains on its western part, where rises a river known by the name of
Bicol. From August to November which is the rainy season, its waters extend to
the Southwest because its banks are lower in this part, and during the dry
season its water level decreases noticeably:
in them are many seaweeds and abundant fishes. Around its banks, more at
the town of Bato, there are established many settlements and hamlets among
those that figure are Agos, Buga, Buluang and others of less importance.
That
of Buhi,
located in the North of the town to which it gave its name and near to it: its
perimeter is of 3 leagues; its depth varies from one and 15 meters, and is
elevated by 92 meters above sea level. From it flows eight rivers of lesser
importance, and its drains through its Southwest part, where rises the river
named Buhi or Barit. In therainyseasonit extends enough, and in the dry season
its level decreases much: it is abundant with fishes and mountain ducks.
At
the North of Baao, there existswamps of great width, which during the rainy
season is converted into real lakes that are navigable by bancas and boats:
majority of the water that it forms disappear during the dry season, and there
are only some swamps of little depths and its bottom are fairly muddy.By their
banks, the natives have developed a road from where they come and go to Bula
from Baao.
CLIMATE
The
province, in general, even though húmid,
it is wholesome. During the months of November up to January it experiences an agreeable
coldness, and during the remaining is warm: its temperature is 22° á 28oor30°
centigrade. During the months of May up to August, it exhibits some
thunderstorm which generally forms in Isarog and other high mountains,
accompanied by electrical discharges which sometimes bring damages to persons
and animals. The towns most affected by this wheather are those of Bato, Iriga,
Buhi and Baao. By May starts the rains accompanied by strong winds that often
degenerate into typhoons, developing these with enough force, which oftentimes reduces
the province into a more lamentable estate. By November the rains stop, and the
temperature becomes agreeable. In the interior, mountainous and elevated part
of the province, the rains are often continuous and its terrain is constantly
saturated with humidity, which never ceases, producing its emanations of dark sunset
clouds and feverish emotions that are the distinct characters of its natives.
CAVES
AND CAVERNS
In
the jurisdictiónof Lupí exists a cave with twoentrances,the one to North with14 meters of opening, and the other to the South, with
an entrance of 8 meters: ignoring its extension, for it is not possible to
enter her because it is habituated by flocks of small bats and furry spiders,
which are animals that the natives said to be poisonous. By the North entrance,
flows a stream which according to several travelers that visited it, and the
author of this booklet believes, begins a spring that is from behind this cave,
and which forms the water filtrations that gather at the summit of the mountain
where the above-mentioned cave is. Near it there are two caverns of 3 to 5
meters extension respectively. In the outskirt of Ragay has eleven caves; the
two major ones has an entrance of 5 meters and the first has 26 extension, and
the other one 3 by 27. In the jurisdiction of Bula one encounters another cave
called Manlapuit, which is 140meters long by8 meters wide and a depth of80
meters: its entrance is from the East, and in itsinterior one encountersmany
arches, altars, chandeliers and courts formed by stalactites: in the last cave,
or in its western part, there is a well
whose depth seems to be about 50 meters.
The
cavern Orocosoc cannot be seenin its interior, because of its atmosphere being
so poisoned, that the one who is daring enough had penetrated only a few meters
but because of the stench in the atmosphere that he breathed he fell one his
back. There is another cave in the jurisdictionof Libmanan called Calapnitan at
the North of Mount Hantú, and the same is1,670 meters long, onlyin the explored part, and
this ishabitated by batsand various insects whichtheysayare harmful. Then is
another cave in Pasacao that is sure to connect
with the one at Calapnitan, and will not be so strange as it is, therefore the mountain
in which this last one is called, forms a rangewith mount Hantú
andwithCalapnitan. This
cannotpass as a suppositión, since nobody, it is known, has penetrated theCalapnitan fartherthanthose
of 1,670meters which, as we have said, is the explored part.
MINES
ANDQUARRIES
In
the jurisdiction of the town of Baao, exists a quarry of calcareous stone, but no
one has exploited. In theperiphery of Bato, there are breeding grounds ofgypsum
plasters and neither are still being exploited. In the lands of Caramoan there
are mines of copper oxide and arsenical, accompanied by iron oxide, and veins
of gold, but are not being exploited. In Goa there are also a mine of gypsum
that is neither is exploited. In Libmanan exists a quarry of good stone and
various mines of plasters, these last ones without beingexploited. In Minalabac
there is a quarry of sandstone, and another quarry which is being exploited by
the natives. In Nabua there is another quarry being exploited; and in Pamplona
and Tinambac there are several quarries being exploited by the natives. In the
periphery of Bato, to the South, at the Patac settlement, there is a vein of
carbon stone and much iron, but are not being exploited also.
WAYS
OFTRANSPORTATION
The
principal and of major importance, is the one that leads to the partition called
Rinconada, which departs from Nueva Cáceres, passing through the towns of Pili,
going to Baao, arrives at Iriga and ends in Buhi. Near Pili, branches another road
that goes to Bula. From Baao and Iriga springs another two roads that lead to
Nábua and Bato, and from this last town leaves another road that goes to the
province of Albay. From Pili, springs a path
that, going around Mount Isaroc, passes through the towns of Mabatobato,Tigaon,
Goa, San José, Lagonoy and Manguirin,
ending in Calabanga, where one may transfer already to a road or path and go to
Quipayo, Bombón and Magarao, ending in Nueva Cáceres the capital of the province.
From Tigaon departs another road that passes through the town ofSagnay, ends in
the barrio of Tambo, to the Northof Lake Buhi, of which townspringsanother road
which leads to the province of Albay. From Lagonoy departs a bad path, which passes
through the beachSouthof the Caramoan peninsula leading to the town of the same
name. From Manguirin departs another path that leads to the towns of Tinambac and
Siroma. From the Southof Nueva Cáceres springs another road that passes through
the towns of Milaor and San Fernando, endsin Pasacao.In Magarao, springs
another road that leads to Libmanan, Sipocot, Lupi and Ragay, continuing between
this last town to Guinayangan of the province of Tayabas. Between the towns of Sipocot
and Lupi, springs a bad path that leads to Camarines Norte. Most of these
roads, there are others that lead to various settlements, barrios and hamlets.
In as much as the state of the conservation of these roads, I will only say,
that during the dry season some routes are
provided to be passed bycarriage, but as soon as four drops of water, the majorityof theseare impassableup to the pointthat it
is impossible to pass neither by horse but only by foot or carabao. In the map
that is attached are indicated the trajectories that one can travel around in
carriages at all times, those that lend themselves to this in the dry season
and those that can be crossed solely by horse. Apart from these land
transportation, there are several riverine ways in the province that can be
accounted for. Of these, the principal one is the Bícol River that
puts in communication with the head of the towns of Bato, Bula, Minalabac,
Milaor,Gainza and Camaligan, more the river of Libmanan that pass through Sipocot
and is navigable up to the upper reaches of Lupi.
PUBLIC
EDUCATION
This,
outside of the capital that has two schools for children of both sexes you can
say that it is not so bad. In every town that make up the province there are
two small schools served by teachers coming from the Normal, and they are
attended by a large number of children only in the rainy season, because during
the dry season, or during the time of the harvest of palay and abaca, they go
to the fields to help their parents in agricultural works and until these are
not finished, they do not send those to continue learning; this however, the
education of children is quite enough and the general instruction of the
province gave a result of 4,324 children of both sexes that know how to read
and write.
BISHOPRIC OF NEW CACERES
It was founded by Bull of Clement
VIII on in August 14 of 1594, and has since its foundation 25 prelates as will
be seen in the following list: D. Fr. Francisco Ortega, took possession in the
year 1600, D Fr. Baltasar Covarrubias, in 1604. D. Fr. Pedro Matias, in 1613.
D. Fr. Diego Guevara, in 1618. D. Fr. Luis de Cañizares, not ruled. D. Fr.
Francisco Zamudio, in 1633, D. Fr.
Nicolas Zaldibar, in 1642. D. Fr. Antonio S. Gregorio, in 1653. D. Fr. Baltazar
of Herrero, in 1674. D. Fr. Andrés González, in 1679. D. Domingo Valencia, in
1713. D. Felipe Molina, in 1723. D.
Isidoro Arévalo, in. 1742. D. Fr. Manuel Las Matas in 1756.D. Fr. Antonio Luna,
at 1773.D. Fr. Francisco Monegra, did not take possession. D. Fr. Juan Antonio
Gallegos, in 1780. D. Fr. Domingo Collantes, in 1800. D. Fr. Fernando Perdigon,
in 1816. D. Fr. Juan Antonio De Lillo, in 1833. His Excellency and Illmo.Fr.D.
Thomas Ladrón de Guevara, in 1842.His Excellency and Illmo. D. Fr. Manuel
Grijalvo, on June 15. 1848. The Exc. and Illmo. D. Fr. Francisco Gainza, on
March 19,1863. His Excellency and Illmo. Fr. D. Casimiro Herrero, current
bishop of the Diocese, on 18 February. . 1881.
Its jurisdiction extends to the
provinces of Camarines Sur and Norte, Tayabas, Albay, Masbate, Ticao and Burias
and Catanduanes, more Baler and Casiguran in the District of Principe, Polillo
Island and Binangonan of Lampon or district of the Infanta. The ecclesiastical
curia of this bishopric consists of: a Bishop, a secretary of the camara and
government and two chaplains de solio. The court is constituted: a provisor and
vicar general, a promotor fiscal and a notary. The pontifical and
ecclesiastical delegation and sub-delegation of Manila: a subdelegate, a fiscal
and a notary. Account with 11 foreign vicars distributed throughout his
ecclesiastical jurisdiction. For the service of the Cathedral, there is a
master of ceremonies, a master of the chapel, and 44 individuals more between
sacristans, musicians and singers.
SEMINARIO CONCILIAR OF NEW CACERES
This establishment is under the
direction of the Padres Paules (Vincentian Priests) since 1865. The superior teaching
staff is composed of: a Rector, a Vice-Rector and six professors who teach 1.0
, 2.0 , 3 0 and 4.0 year of latin; 1.0 ,
2.0 and 3.0 year of philosophy, theology, and moral. The interns pay 6 pesos per
month and have the right to maintenance only: the other costs for clothing,
laundry room, books, and others, are being paid out by their families. The externs
pay a peso per month, and only have a right to instruction that is given by the
establishment.
COLLEGE AND NORMAL SCHOOL OF SANTA
ISABEL IN NUEVA CACERES
It was created by Superior decree of
9 June 1875. The general direction of the establishment is under the charge of
R. Bishop of the Diocese, and the internal direction is entrusted to eight
Sisters of Charity. In this college, are the young girls studying who wants to be teachers, and those who did
not, attend only the primary instruction and learn some work. There are intern
and extern schoolgirls, the first paying six pesos a month, with the right to maintenance
only; all the other costs for clothing, laundry, books, household items and
other sewing, are handled by their parents; and the latter, pay a peso per
month, only for the instruction they receive.
INFIRMARY OF NAGA
In consideration of the great
distance between the province and the capital of Manila, in 1583 the Franciscan
fathers founded an infirmary, that was built first in Camalig of the province
of Albay, and after, or in the following year 1660, it was transferred to Naga,
today New Cáceres, in order to that, as the most central point, the patients
who are sick in the provinces that make up this bishopric could come with
greater ease. This infirmary is installed in a beautiful and solid stone
building with iron roof, beautiful and ventilated rooms, good views, medium furniture,
and spacious garden: it is served by a father who cares for sick parents, and is
accountable for the administration of the same.In a word, the establishment is perfectly
so beneficial for the poor sick people, some of them already have withdrawn to
it to conclude the days of their life on earth, as Providence grant them.
HOSPITAL OF LAZARINOS OF PALESTINE
This establishment is located a few
8kilometers to the E. of New Cáceres, and was founded in 1872, thanks to the
piety and untiring zeal of Msgr. Gainza, Bishop of the Diocese by then. The
building is of stone, wood and iron, spacious and well distributed. At the head
of itthere is a franciscan father that assists physically and spiritually the
many sick people suffering with San Lazaro’s disease, and zeal of St. Anthony they
lodged in the houses, sustained with 500 pesos that are paid as legacy by those
who favor such an establishment, more than 300 pesos as subsidy granted by the
Government out of local funds of the provinces of both Camarines, Tayabas and
Albay, which are only the ones that have the right to send their sick of this
kind.
SANCTUARY AND FEAST OF OUR LADY OF
PEÑA OF FRANCIA IN NUEVA CACERES
This beautiful sanctuary, is located
a kilometer from the town of New Caceres and the bank of the river San Felipe.
I will make a short description of it, however you have already done intensely the
Illmo. Sr. D. Fr. Francisco Gainza, a Bishop of this Diocese for a long time.
By 1712, there was a student at the college of Sto. Tomas of Manila one named Don
Miguel Robles of Covarruvias, a deeply devout of Our Lady of Peña of France, becauseof
the so many favors that he received from this exalted Lady, that he offered to
build a hermitage on the banks of the Pasig river in Manila; more, in this, he
was called to New Caceres by the Bishop of that Diocese, and seing that he was
far away from Manila and that he could not fulfill the vow to the Virgin,
requested for a commutation of that in regard to the site, and founded the
sanctuary in the vicinity of New Caceres. In effect, the pious gentleman
started and finished a small chapel of bamboo cane and cogon, because the few
pecuniary resources would not allow him to do so with other more solid materials;
he commanded to carve an image of Ntra.Sra. de Peña de Francia, and placed it
in a poor altarpiece as an addition to the chapel. Later, the construction of bamboo
cane was replaced with masonry, and with the help of people of the town and the
tireless zeal of the just man, the chapel was completed. Time passed, and in
1741, as a Bishop of the Diocese, the Illmo. Sr.Arévalo, rebuilt the current sanctuary
and thus it was for many long years, sometimes it was well cared, and at others
abandoned completely, up to the year of 1863 when the Illmo. Sr. D. Fr.
Francisco Gainza arrived and took possession of the Diocese, which, when he saw
the Sanctuary in this sad state proposed to improve it, as indeed it did. The
façade of the building, which then the chapel had, was ugly and was cracked,
so, he made a new one, which is the one that it currently has; he reinforced the walls and gave it altarpieces and other improvements
for which several landowners of Nueva Caceres contributed with alms somein ready
cash, others in ready materials. Up to here is the history of the sanctuary:I
would now like to describe it in detail that my bad cut pen can do so. It is
this chapel of masonry with an attractive facade adorned with three doors that
open between four beautiful columns; in the central door there is a small niche
in which is placed an image of the Virgin in the chapel that she is worshipped;
and on the two side doors, around windows, or openings, with balconies and
closures, or cancels, of colored glass; in the center of the triangle that
forms the crowning of thebuilding, there is a large circular skylight, and on
the vertex of this triangle, rose anice and airy templete that served as a bell
tower: this façade is painted with taste and seriousness. The roof of the
building today is new and of galvanized iron, due to the initiative of the
Illmo. Sr. D. Fr. Casimiro Herreros current Bishop of the Diocese, and the
untiring zeal of the Chaplain of the chapel D. Zechariah Leza nephew of Fr.
Gainza. Its interior is a single nave, and its ceiling are large sheets of zinc
that are perfectly flat. On its front, or in the presbytery, stands out a
beautiful altarpiece of natural tindalo, that is to say,coloredbrightly with
varnish and the moldings, cornices, spires and other adornments are brown, that
on the dark red color that serves them as the background, it will stand out and
make a marvelous effect. In the two canvases of the main arc, there are other
two altars of the same make, wood and style that the largest is as described above.
In the central altarpiece, is positioned the image of Our Lady of Peña de
Francia luxuriously adorned, and the two sides, one a nice image of the Sto. Niño
of Cebu, and in another an image of La Purisima Concepcion, both with the face
and hands of ivory, and elaborately dressed in gold embroidery. At the nave are
hang lamps and capricious chandeliers of glass and metal.The floor is wood, the
tiles socket and the paint work of Mr. Alberoni, are very good. The presbytery
is closed by a beautiful iron gate, and the sacristies are spacious and well
distributed.
Every year from 15 to 20 September
is celebrated in the city of Nueva Cáceres a fiesta or pilgrimage of Ntra. Sra.
de Peña de Francia, and the devotion is so great that the inhabitants of the
provinces that make up the bishopric profess to a miraculous image, which is
attended by both Spaniards and indios alike, not only from Camarines Sur, but from
Camarines Norte, Albay Tayabas, Masbate and Ticao, Burias and other provinces:
some revere the image; others to fulfill promises that were made; others to ask
for this or that favor, and others to enjoy the festivities that for three days
are to be celebrated.
I will not pass forward without
making a light overview of the feast mentioned above, feeling not to possess an
imagination capable of painting it as it deserves, but my readers shall treat
me in grace to my good wish. From the antevispers of the fiesta, there is
noticeale already a widespread livelinessamong the people, because people who are
coming from the towns of this and other provinces are crossing the streets
wearing their clothes, shopping and visiting to friends and acquaintances.
Atfive in the afternoon, the Virgin is driven from his sanctuary to the
Cathedral. The day before, a twelve noon, the bells are rang and a number of
rounds of mortars, bombs, and missiles are heard. In the afternoon, the town
will appear to be adorned with arches and banners, hangings in bright colors;
the streets are littered with walking men, and the liveliness is taking on with
greater proportions. Sounds like another general tolling of bells at four in
the afternoon, and residents of all kinds, that is, the rich and poor, are
decorating their balconies and windows with ornate drapes and lanterns of
paper, colored vases, booms and crystal windows: the streets are crossed by
many carriages and carromatas, and everywhere there is heard the laughter, pomp
and cries of joy. At this time, the principalías and most of the people are
directed to the Cathedral, and after a nice Sung prayer, the sacred image is
carried in procession to the Bicol river at the Tabuco bridge, where an immense crowd is
waiting; in the middle of sacred chants, of a general ringing of bells, accompanied
by music, from the boom of bombs and an infinite number of rockets that are
fired, the image is placed in a beautiful pagoda, enteredby her clergy, the authorities,
employees, individuals, principalias and some college seminarians. At a given
signal, this pagoda is driven by hundreds of men, dressed voyadores shout: “Long
live the Virgin! Viva Ntra.Sra. de Peña de Francia! Viva Ntra. Patron!” and
crosses the river accompanied by infinite barotos and crowdsof people on the
benches along the river banks are seen with flags, streamers and colored
lights. In a little while the procession is started, even if it is night, but
it is not noticed, because the light from the Sun is replaced by thousands of
lights which, as if by enchantment, turned to either side of the River, from
which is crossed by countless rockets, broke out from the ordnance, flooding
the space with so precious fireworks and lights from so bright sparks, which
does not appear like one but because heaven rejoiced that men show love to his
blessed mother that it spilled on them abundant divine grace that they are
converted as rain of gold. In this way, and under the more frenetic joy, comes
the sacred image being transferred to the next sanctuary, where the Illustrisimo
Bishop covered with a cape and assisted the sacred Ministers await; receive the
venerated image riding that andasover the shoulders of hundreds of devotees is
carried to the Chapel, where a nice salve is sung and the religious feast of
the day before ended.
At eight in the evening of the same
day, gather the Spaniards and principalias of both sexes in the Court of the barrio
of Peña of France, which is beforehand arranged with two hangings in red and
yellow cundiman on their doors and windows, and a profusion of red brown lights
that were made to the andas of some Saint, with which to illuminate the dance
halls, and this begins with a picturesque rigodon, next follow dances, polkas,
waltzes and havanera concert, in which the gentlemen that look its good and
capricious European suits and mestizo, while in the arms of good-looking ladies
and gentlemen, as everything there, and listen to the beat of lively and
beautiful pieces, the lullabies of love that this or that young love directs
them. In this way passed the first hours until the midnight, sitting around the
magnificent plaza is a well prepared table, in which all are presented with a
sumptuous dinner. After this, they return to resume dancing until the moms and
dads say: “Enough girls”, and putting their foot, waving their men with great
sorrow, and women with not less sentiment, they march each one to his house,
and the secular part of the eve of the feast has concluded.
The next day, or that of the fiesta,
held a solemn mass at the shrine; in the afternoon the salve is sung; and in
the evening, meets people in a good mood at the
court; they dance, have dinner, they converse and pass the time, until
one or two in the morning, which after dancing, drinking, eating, smoking and
see and watch the women, but without desiring it, of course, to not incur the
ninth, each withdraws or rest, to engage in the next day to work in chores,
ending completely the feast of Ntra. Sra. de Peña de France.
URBAN CONSTRUCTION
The majority of the people of this
province still retain the primitive names of the settlements or groupings of
indigenous population that were formed with which they were known to the bikol language,
and only two of them are named after saints; three of the towns or capital
cities of Spain, and one, the surname of one of the Bishops who ruled this
Diocese. Time is that these bikol names, unpleasant to the ear and difficult to
pronunce in Spanish, will gradually disappear, replaced by our beautiful
villages of the Peninsula, and by many noble and illustrious men that are
contained in the pages of our glorious history.
The
layout of the poblacions, it can almost be said that this was cut by the same
pattern: all of them are crossed by the pavements or general road, other crisscrossing
strretswhich are more or less long, depending on the conditions of the terrain
because what extends in the center or,better, in the plaza square are the
Church, the parish house, the court, schools, and some houses of good materials
and the property of the wealthy: the other houses are distributed at both sidewalks
or sides of the streets that make up the town.
The houses are the same as of the
tagalogs: big drop; spacious room, with walls or partitions, some of removable,
for case of the dance; small rooms, and other necessary facilities. In regard
to its construction, they used for her good woods; shells for windows; silong
or closed stone, planks or bamboo cellar, roof of nipa, cogon and anahao, and ceiling
of woven cane or buri. The many typhoons that the inhabitants of this province
have suffered forced them to adopt the systemthat each post, are put vertically
inside the silong and from the height of the floor, some round-points or levers
of much thickness are placed to give them great strength and to prevent the house
from moving when the wind is strong. For these supports or torna-puntas, they used large molave timbers or another very solid
and slightly curved wood. The furniture of the houses is in relation to the
position of their owners, and in none of them, that is however small, lacks a
picture of Saint or Santa and some religious pictures, to which pray the oracion
and almost all the rosary at night. I have not seen at home in this province a
painting or unseemly picture, as books and paperwork of this genre, fortunately
these not have entered them, thanks to the constant surveillance that, on this
point, are exercised by the pastors of the people: on the other hand, the
bicolano is so little or amateur to these obscene paintings and papers that
some foreign merchants has offered them for sale but they did not succeed. It
is desirable that such vigilance are doubled by priests and authorities,
severely punishing those that tried to introduce those elements to the crowd which
both damage the moral, and, in particular, this society that is still in an embryonic
state.
THE INHABITANTS
When they arrivedat this province,
Salcedo found therein a large population, which he saw characteristic features
that were completely identical with the other indios of the part of Luzon until
then they had conquered, although they spoke a language other than those. More of
the Indian breed, they found also in the thick of the forests, numerous tribes
of negritos, more hostile than theindios and of acharacter not conducive to
enter into the developing civilization, as per their way of life and its
special customs was certainly understood that it wasn't easy to submit them to
obedience, given how entrenched they were, and still is, in the spirit of
jungle independence. Thanks to the Augustinian Fathers, the first missionaries
that came to these lands, and by the effect of its apostolic action united
always with the military force and supported by the authorities of that time, they
were able to submit and baptize great masses of the people, which formed the
first towns. After they started this work, and in view of the surprising
results that were achieved, using the more pure moral principles and the rules made
simpler for them to enterthe way to civilization, by conviction more than by
force, they were left to the care of the Franciscan fathers, who then arrived
in Manila, found the crowning of the solid principiala building already.In
effect; these religious established in so extensive territory several missions
and attracting twenty Indians today, in the morning a hundred, past more, and
little, by little, with patience and resignation, by morally and physically
suffering endless hardship and work, managed to submit and evangelize the
population that lived in the plains, and a large part of it lived in the thickness
of forests, forming the towns of Naga, Nabua, Bula, Quipayo, Iriga, Milaor,
Libmanan, Canaman, Buhi and Minalabac, from the date on which the first
Augustinian arrived in this region until the year 1600. After, or from 1600 to
1700, they founded the towns of Sangay, Baao and Siroma, and later Lupi,
Manguirin, Tigaon, Goa, Ragay, Calabanga, Magarao, Bato, Bombon, Pili,
Mabatobato,Tinambac, Sipocot and Camaligan, all in the course of a century, or
from 1700 to 1800, and from the latter date to the present, the remaining
villages have been formed, or better said, the visitas have been erected in civilian towns that were formed and
that from of very old were dependent on the earlier towns.
During the time that we took of
domination in these islands, the missionaries of this province have worked
untold suffering to get the insurgents of Isarog, Iriga, Elisario and other
mountains, submitting and taking them into the life of the town, which has
given them quite a remarkable result, because in that the townsbefore were of
negligible population, but today theyhave a respectable contingent.
In 1881, and in view of the excesses
that was continuously committed by the insurgents, the runaways or escapees of
Isarog and other mountains, he commanded an expedition; it went into the
mountains where they lived; take their fields; burned down their homes; killed
their animals; and reduced it to such narrow limits, which forced them to abandon
their ideas of independence, and submitting to the will of the armed forces,
persuaded by the missionaries of the advantages that the new method of life would
bring them; and animated by the offers made to them and complied by Sr. Don
Ramón Feced, a Spanish peninsular who had been established in this province for
long years, and extremely knowledgeable of their ways and customs by the
continuous work with them in hisestate, came down from the mountains and
settled in three barrios made up of many small houses of lightweight materials,
whose construction was almost by the account and direction of that Mr. Feced,
and called Novelda, Feced and Santa Isabel, that although they are not a town,
not taken seriously, given its large population, the fertility of its soil and
the magnificent topographic situation that for them was selected.
As a result of the work being
carried out by the missionary priests, and as a result of the military expeditions
that was mentioned before, today there are only in the mountains of Isaroc,
Elisario, Iriga and Buhi, some families of runaway indiosand negritos that have
not yet been subjugated, but they will be subjugated, as may be ensured,given
the constant persecution that the majority of these indios were already
undergoing for many years ago by living in civilized towns, but the crime and
the fear of the justice made them go back and live in the thicket of the
forests, which does not take too long to be clean of this people, for the
strength of civil guards established in the vicinity of them, are constantly in
vigil, avoiding bad misdeeds and helping much to reduce them.
With regard to the physical and
moral qualities of the subjugated or civilized indios in this province, in
general, they are of short stature, of weak constitution, dark color, spli or
flat nose, big mouth, thick lips, and bristle - black hair. In regard to their
intellectual development they have progressed very little and will take many
years to catch up with the Tagalog indios. The women are more intelligent and of
good disposition than the man: these, only dealing with the tough work of the
field, and those are the ones that take care of the chores of their homes and
the benefit or handling of the produce that constitute their wealth. Generally,
and with few exceptions, the india bicolana, although more active and
intelligent that the bicolano, is of fairly medium build and is little concerned
about dressing well or badly: for the rest, both they and them are friendly,
very hospitable, selfless, friends of the Spaniards, religious, sometimes
argumentative and fairly docile, but loves to gamble. Theirways and customs, in
regard to how you eat and other acts of life, little or nothing is different
from the Tagalogs. His greatest aspiration is to own a piece of land, sow of
abaca or palay, and taking money in gambling houses on account of the fruit
that they hope to collect, they spend happily in a few days, and they spend the
rest of the year suffering deprivation that does not bother them too much in
view of their few needs and to the indifference with which they seeeverything.
The Indios like to enter servant service, preferring to do this at homes of spanisheuropeans,
or single men, and if they have business in the movement of money or products,
so much the better.
ISLANDS
Lagui: located at the
N. E. of the province, and as one and four leagues from the coast. Laja:
located at the N. E, in the province. It has half a mile long and little less in
width. Lamit: located at the N. E. province. It is long, fromN. to. S.
some three leagues and a quarter of a mile wide. Lugsulim: located in the
N. E. province. It has like half a League long by a quarter wide. San
Miguel: on the West coast of the province and in the Bay of its name.
It has a mile long and three-quarter mile width. Patonpo: on the eastern
coast of the province. They are four, and very little far from the
aforementioned coast. Palumbanes: in the northern coast of
the province. They are three almost equal in extension and which is far less,
three leagues from the aforementioned coast.Paniqui: on the N. E. coast
of the province; it has half a league long by a quarter wide, and is located a
half mile from the coast. Pitogo: N. E. Coast: they are two
and are at the west of Catanduanes and very close to the aforementioned coast,
facing thetown of Caramoan. Quinabuyan, on the southern coast of
the province; it has a mile long and a mile wide and is located about two miles
from the aforementioned coast. Quinatasan: in the N. coast
province:the N. of the port of Siairan; it has one and a half mile long by one
wide, distant from this coast and half a league. Refugio or Daruanac:
adjacent to the S. W.coast of the province, opposite the barrio ofBalogo,
jurisdiction of Pasacao. Sabon, adjacent to theS.W. coast of
the province in the Guinayangan gulf and some l00 fathoms to the S. of the Octo
tip. Sibauan,
in the N.E. coast of the province; hasone mile long and a half wide, fall short
of a mile coast. Siroma, adjacent to the N. W.coastof the province, to the
entrance of the Bay of San Miguel, and about 200 fathoms distant from the
coast; It has a league long and half a mile wide. Solitario, island adjacent
tothe S.W.coast Tanclad: on the West coast of the province and that is far too little.
More than these, there are other small islets that are of little importance that
I do not mention.
COASTS AND PORTS
Calabanga.
In the bay of San Miguel, to the N. of the people and the distance of about 4
kilometers.It is dirty, stony and surrounded by the bay. Combated against the
N. and S.
Caramoan.
The N. E. of the province; it is of sand and stony beach. The port is located
in the visita of Guialo, lack shelter and is not largely shielded from the S.
The bottom is 10 to 20 fathoms.
Libmanan.
Its coast on Ragay Gulf is combated by the winds of the monsoon season of the
S.W. without having more shade than the little that is offered by the Caima Bay to the N.W.
Ginalmud exceeded the Calvaneytip; very notable about this tip is a conical
stone figure and much elevation in its outgoing rocky areas to the sea. It is
up to the quite cliffycoast of Guinalmud, something in their rocky shores,
allowing anchoring in it during the monsoon from the N. E. by S. W. to 12
fathoms, in sand and mud, offering good beach to the distance of one to two
cables of the coast, must give more guard to the entrance of theGuinalmud river
bar that emits a long distance away.
Lupi.
Its coast on the Ragay Gulf where has the visitaof
Baugon next to Binajian, which is of Sipocot, offers no anchorage for boats of
some porte, because only they will be able find some shelter from the winds of
the monsoon S. W. in the Caima Bay, which has its shores of sand and stone, by
12 to 15 fathoms to regulate distance of punta Calvanay, delaying the stone
that has the S.S.W. but with much care, since there are in this cove some
patches of coral.
Lagonoy.
To the E. of the province, between the cape which forms the mountain range of
Caramoan to the N., and the island of San Miguel to the S., the line formed by
the islands Cacrarag, Batang and Rapu-rapu to continuation of San Miguel, with
a small projection at the E. S. E., and the island of according, in front of
cape Caramoan, determine the input of Lagonoy Gulf. Between the tip of Sialat of
the island of Catanduanes, and the punta Bungus of Caramoan, there is a
spacious channel, albeit with numerous pitfalls next to the Caramoan coast and
several small islets that narrow the top port on this gulf. The interior and
exterior mouth is between the coast of S. Catanduanes and N of the expressed
line of islets. Inside the mouth, is narrowed by the Minso point to N., and
Sibauan to the S. In this gulf drains the rivers of Lagonoy, San Miguel, Sapan
and Sangay. This spacious within is a verdadere sea, between the ends of this
coastal province and Albay.
Pasacao.Continues
from Ragay from the E. is located at about 27' coast of the western tip of
Pasacao, of enough height, and that abutts a rock reef until about 2 to 2 and a
half kilometers to the direction of the S. To round this tip to make an
anchorage, one must be careful of not anchoring very next to it, because
although the reef comes out shortly for the E., there are some some other rocks
and in the large tides, it is surely be;lieved to overflow.
To take this anchorage at night, or
with time closed, it is the best between theheads of Bondoc, head to the N. 400
E. but take precaution the influence of the tides, to be close to the islet Daruanac
or Refugio, where you can drop anchor until the tip mentioned above, in the
braceage that is more appropriate, up to near the town, where three fathoms are
reached by increasing the bottom toward outside, taking 18 to 25 in the leading
tothe Refugio with the western tip mentioned above: all the Ensenada is fine
sand next to the coast, and without mud. The islet Refugio is of enough height
and very cliffy in its shores, and there are only a few loose stones very close
to it.
All this inlet is countered by the
winds of the third quadrant, lifting the little tidal wave of 2.0 , and still sheltered from the 1.0 and
4.0 . It is good beach for anchors, and when in the Manila Bay to resist a
cyclone, you can suffer this more than them. To the N. of the Refugio, or be in
the step that way with the coast, and we often entertain of the S. O. some
boats, but also many leave there the anchors, because there is that largarlas
in 20 to 25 fathoms stone fund and with much filament, according to the entire
island as much as you can, because if not, there is no shelter. The shore
opposite the islet, arreja reef, dragging in the direction of the as to a
kilometer, and recently they say have been two stones almost in the outsides of
the channel, with little water.
Ragay.
Its bay has the entrance to the west, and is formed by the Omon point to the south, and coast outgoing to the northwest is
small, but can offer some cover and to anchor in it by six fathoms sand vessels
of any size.
The river Pacolago of Ragay, has
today at its opening 9 feet of water in the low tide, but it has strong currentduring
times of rain, varies with frequency.
Siroma.
This bay formedby the tip of the same name to the south, and to tip the
Sapenitan to the North. This is combated by the north and southwest winds and
close it is the island of Siroma leaving two entries to the bay, one to the
north and the other to the northwest.
FOREST PRODUCTS.
In the mountains of this province
there abound the wood for construction and cabinet-making, but the merchants
who devote themselves to exploit them are small. As collection points and cutting,
we can cite only Ragay and another two or three towns near the coasts and on
the banks of the big rivers that facilitate the extraction of these products.
Let's see the main classes of wood
that these forests produce, uses that are assigned to them, and the names with
which they are known in the dialect of the locality, more with which they are
named in tagalog, those that the Examination of Mounts uses to name them.
Acle. In tagalog,
acle. - large trunk. Its wood is dark-red colored, little porous, odorless and
little combustible. It is used for construction of buildings and boats. It is produced
in the towns of Siroma, Sipocot, and Lupi.
Baticulin, in tagalog,
baticulin.- Trunk of great magnitude. Its wood is yellowish-white, loose, easy to
carve and fragrant. Used forceiling planks, partition and cabinet-making. It is
produced in the towns of San Fernando, Bula, Sipocot, Siroma and Minalaoac,
Batitinan. In tagalog,
batitinan. Large and very right trunk. Its wood is fairly compact and ashy-red colored.
It is used for posts, floor planks and partition, joints, screed boards, screws,
and decking of ships. It is produced in the towns of Minalabac, Sipocot, Lupi,
Pasacao, Iriga, Tinambac, Pili, San Fernando and Bula, but in this last town it
is much scarce already.
Betis. In tagalog,
betis. Pretty thick trunk. Its wood is dark red, solid and little porous
texture. Used for partitions and keels of boats. It is produced in the villages
of Bula, Pasacao and Siroma.
Lanipga. In tagalog, calantas.
- thick trunk. Its wood is light red, or colour of flesh, texture somewhat
loose, pretty porous, and pleasant smell. It is used to make boats and benches,
ceiling planks and boxes. It is produced in the towns of Iriga, San Fernando, Pamplona,
Pasacao andSipocot.
DITA. In tagalog,
dita. – Trunk of regular proportions. The wood is white, unpleasant odor, and of
so loose consistency, which used only for ceiling boards. It occurs in several towns
of the province.
Dongon. In tagalog,
dongon. - trunk of great dimentions. Its wood is red-dark blue color, solid
texture and unpleasant odor. It is used for posts, straps, sleepers, rails and
screws of houses, bridges and other works, as well as for shipbuilding, for
gear wheels, and screw presses for tobacco and abaca, it has no price. It is
produced in the towns of Siroma, Sipocot and Pasacao.
Guiso. In tagalog,
gui-o,-oversized trunk. Its wood is reddish light, flexible and quite porous.
It is used for construction of carriages and carts, floor and partition boards,
shipbuilding, and for all manner of work. It is produced in the towns of
Siroma, Sipocot, Lupi, Libmanan, Pasacao, Baao, Sagnay, Iriga, Pamplona, Tinambac,
San Fernando and others.
Ipil. In tagalog,
ipil. Large trunk. Its wood is color chocolate, strong texture and pleasant
smell. Used for posts, because it resists the action of the earth and lime, for
reinforcement of carts, and all sorts of strong works. It is produced in the towns
of Siroma, Sipocot, Lupi and Ragay.
Mangachapuy.
In tagalog, mangachapuy, large trunk. Its wood is colored ash-yellow, soft,
easy to carve and somewhat odorous. Used for floor boards, partition and ceiling,
for screws and other parts in the civil construction and below deck of boats.
It is produced in the towns of Minalabac, Pasacao, Libmanan, Sagnay, Pili and
San Fernando.
Jamuraon. In tagalog,
molave. - very thick and usually twisted trunk. Its wood is light yeloow in colour,
tight texture, little porous and almost odorless: both because of its size and
being almost of eternal duration and resists the action of the water, the earth
and lime, can be considered the Queen of Philippine hardwoods; is used for
railings of balconies, for the floor boards of the same, for pillars and posts,
for frames of doors and windows, bridges and pontoons, for shipbuilding and
many works left to the action of the weather. It is produced in the towns of
Minalabac, Siroma, Sipocot. Lupi, Bato, Bula, Pasacao, Libmanan, Baao, Sagnay,
Pamplona, Tinambac, Pili and San Fernando.
Naga pula. In tagalog,
tells mápula. - trunk of colossal dimensions. Its wood is ornage-red in color
with beautiful streaks more or less clear dark, compact texture, and smell
nice. It is used for furniture, frames and doors, floor boards, and other
various works: they must never be painted, and just polish and varnish it. It is
produced in the towns of Tinambac, Sipocot, Libmanan, Sagnay, Lupi and
Minalabac.
Naga puti.
In tagalog, it tells puti-trunk as above, of great thickness. Its wood is
yellow, sometimes dark-streaked brown, somewhat porous and fragrant. It is used
in cabinetmaking, but it is little much appreciated; also used for door boards
and table. It is produced in the same towns as the previous.
Barayong. In tagalog,
undalo. - beautiful trunk. Its wood is dark-red color, very solid texture and
pleasant smell. It is used in joinery and also for posts, for frames and boards
for doors and windows, floor boards and altarpieces of saints. In Nueva Caceres
Cathedral and the sanctuary of Peña de Francia there are several retablos of
this precious wood, which should never be painted if only to polish and varnish
it. It is produced in the towns of Lupi, Sagnay, Iriga, Tinambac, Pili and San
Fernando. Calabanga
Guiso Calabanga. In tagalog,
yacal. - thick trunk. Its wood is yellow - dark blue, solid texture and
pleasant smell. Used for pillars, posts, straps, screed boards and sleepers,
and is also used in cabinet making and shipbuilding. It is found in Sipocot and
several towns in the province.
Camagong.
In tagalog, camagong. - regular-size trunk. Its wood is black with
chocolate-colored streaks, little porous, heavy and difficult to style. It is
used in joinery and other applications. It is produced in the villages of
Sipocot, Sagnay and Siroma.
More hardwoods as detailed above are
also found in the province which are: Banaba, Ebony, Alintatao, Palomaria,
Tiroron, Nato, Banul, Camuning, Yapnit, Anahao, Atnuguis, Apitong, Tamban,
Banites, Arana, Canableng, Binolo, Motonboton, Tamahoyan, Maguiroro, Carogcog,
Cadauang, Malasoro, Cadabdab, Lombang and others.
Solid wheels which are used in the
carts are the roots of large trees called Dao, Guiso, Lanipga and Balete,
produced in the villages of Bula, Minalabac and Pamplona.
Woods intended more to be be used as
telegraph poles are called Binolo, Carogcog, Mangachapuy, Tamajuyan, and Guiso.
At the same time, woods occur also
in abundance in the forests of this province are the gogo, the sugarcane, the anahao,
coconut, the bonga, the sibucao, honey, wax and resins.
As medicinal plants, the Dita,
Malunggay, Tauataha, sarsaparilla, Albutra, Sibucao, Macabuhay, Bonga,
Alpasotes, Yervabuena, Tarampunay, Herbs of Sta. Maria, and others, are produced.
More common medicinal and ornamental
flowers are the Gumamela, roses, Kaballero, D. Diego de noche, Ajito, Estrella del
Mar, Constancio, Calachuchi, Mileguas, Sampaguita,Rosal, Lily, Azucena, Cadmon,
Champaca, Cresta de gallo, Camantigui, Girasol (sunflower), Botoncillos (Buttonwood),
dahlias, Zapatitos and others.
More of these flowers, there are
countless plants, which, although they do not produce them, their foliage and
leaf litter is very nice and intended to decorate flower pots, trays, vases:
among these, are to be counted the ones called Buenavista, species of Oleander,
the Papua and Manto de Reina.
In other provinces like this they
will have such abundance of flowers and foliage, because all effect is
produced, its soil, rustic and urban farms would be surrounded by beautiful little
gardens that they are both enjoyable and distract the view; but in this, is
that its inhabitants lack taste to it, is that they look with remarkable
disregard everything that does not produce, and are not fixed the least in the ornamental
public and private, is very rare to see some pots and flower boxes with flowers
and foliage.
FIESTAS
The fiestas of the towns of this
province are celebrated in a completely different way as that of the tagalog
towns.
Days before the fiesta of the Holy
Patron of the town, the principalía meets under the presidency of its
gobernadorcillo, and together they determine to impose a small voluntary
contribution (that has tints of compulsariness) to the headsof the barangayand
well-off residents. After collecting the sum, they pay the the church the
amount for the religious functions, and the rest is destined to buy the rockets,
payment for the musicians and acquisition of sweets, wines and eatables from
Europeand of the country. All these eatable articlesare taken to the court, and
the previously elected cooks and kitchen directors, prepare multitude of
plates, of which very few can take, for the spices called saffron, sanqui, canelon,
achuete and some other of China abound in them. The products of Europe are generally
taken from some Spanish store, with the precise condition that after the fiesta
is finished, they return to him those articles that have not been consumed, of
which the trader gains access, because otherwise he would not do this sale.
The day of the Saint comes finally,
and there appears the town adorned with infinite flags of all the existing
nations and for having, appearing between those, stamped, embroidered
handkerchiefs, and pieces of cloths of varied colors, that are mixed with
branches of green follage and paper lanterns, that do a nice effect. At four
o'clock of the morning, the residents of the town are woken up by a noisy
reveille, in which comes first of all the drums and side drums; to this noise,
they get up, wind up the mat, open its ancient and extraordinary arks and cavanes, and from the bottom of these,
they extract the skirts of silk, the shirts of pineapple, the embroidered
handkerchiefs, the slippers, and the golden,brass and copper plated jewelry,
and with everything there is to dress up better, theygo direct to the church. When
the religious function is finished, the principalia and the wealthy go up to
the convent to invite the priest, and all in two hierarchical lines of the religious
order, preceded by music, they go to the court, where they take chocolate with
soups and some biscuits, and other more solid and succulent things.Shortly
thereafter, couples of toddlers dressed in angels, archangels, Seraphim,
cherubim,kings and barons, dance the dances of the country and pantomines that
are better or worse executed. In this way they spend the rest of the day, until
the night, when the spaniards invited in advance through luxurious tickets where
the agenda of the religious and profane fiesta are written on green paper, red
or yellow, arrive and then the dance begins with a ceremonial rigodon, which play
the waltzes, polkas, dances and habaneras. At the time designated by the board
of celebrations, there is the voice of "to dinner, gentlemen" and thepeninsulares and insulares go to sit around of a well-prepared table, where the town
councillors are presented with vegetables, jams and liqueurs; after-dinner
dances are resumed for another little while, and so early in the night everyone
withdraws to retirein order to engage to their farm work or industry the next
day, but the majority of the people would to do nothing because their “body is tired ": the rest of the people
take some rest for the week, others the entire month, and others throughout the
year.
At the end of the fiesta, they pick
up everything that was not opened and arereturned to the merchant that lent it,
and therefore were subtracted from the invoice. It happens frequently that there
is some ill-intentioned person that comesto these fiestas, that when he goes to
the court, he takes the corkscrew and tries to taste this or that liquor so
much so that he opens and uncovers so many bottles, which therefore cannot be
returned anymore to the store that lent it, and, as it is, the natives are
required to pay for them all.
Apart from the meal and the dance at
the court, in other houses of the town they neither do anything, nor have
another thing with which to offer, except that of little water with sugar lump
and some cigaret. In short; the holidays of the towns of this province compared
to those of the tagalos andIlocano towns, are discouraged, slightly crowded,
and not splendid at all, except as for the above mentioned, the convents, in
which, all the persons penetrate its stairs, they are given the attention and
delicacy, which distinguishes the Franciscan priests.
In these fiestas, it is where only
some quite dressed indios are seen, but in its houses they would not be known
by those who saw them and entertained in the lounges of the dance that they
prepare for the celebration of its fiestas and the splendor of its finery.
Both within and outside of the small
towns, there are very few bicolanas spend on skirt and only a short shirt of the coarsest guinaras
and an ugly patadiong consisting of a
piece of percal or other cloth, that wind to the hips covering them from these
up to the knees. The feet are barefooted, the caballera is loosed and poorly
arranged, and in all its type the biggest abandonment and apathy is observed.
The house furnitures that is
scattered by the roadsis poor and miserable,being very rare to find a home
where the European traveller can take food, nor much less rest for the night.
To give the fiesta more animation, like
that with the Tagalogs who usually put up their theaters with bamboo canes and
nipas, decorating them grotesquely with red, yellow, blue and green fabrics: they
present in them comedias in the
language of the locality, which consists of much talk, much management of
sables and terrible fights between kings and great moors and Christians, that
from a balcony or preferred seat in the
same scenario, witness the queens and princesses, gaily dressed with many colors
and flashy jewelry. There are so many bicolanos that like this fun, that some
of them spend many hours, or since the mass ends, until the twelve of the
night, under the sun and in the cold and without eating, witnessing this show
or without equal attraction to them.The script of these comedies that they present
are usually written or composed by a school teacher, by the director of the
court, or by some man, whose instruction has been accredited, having spent a
couple of years in a college of Manila, and studied some latin, for any reason is
known in the village with the pompous name of philosopher, he was proud that
both, without which this remove that barely know the spanish. The argument of
these comedies, usually deals with issues of love, which after they are much
debated, they end up with a great battle in which you always lose the moros,
leaving the field covered with corpses that speak and laugh with the spectators
nearest to the place of the fight.
The natives of this province, the same
as the tagalogs, are obsessed with an extraordinary passion for the game cocks.
There is no home in which they are not some cocks that they nurture with great
care, and in case of typhoons, fire or other calamity, before saving their clothes
and furniture they save the rooster first: they passlong hours of the day
squatting in front of their houses holding their animal, by blowing air over it
in the head, throwing the smoke of its tobacco, and telling the scales on the
legs, by whose number know if it promises to fight or not. The cockpits are
smaller and of worst materials than those of the Tagalogs towns, and they bet
less money.
The white rooster is called Puti; the red, buiso; the white with black spots, talisayon; the red with black tail and wings, dignorong; the black, itom; the black and white, binabay; the ashy, abujon; and the black and white with black legs, talaodo.
MINERAL WATERS
There are in the province three
springs: one at the end of Pasacao; another in the Goa, and the other for
Sipocot. Let us see what are with regard to these waters, as said by the
commission studying the minerals of Luzon.
PASACAO.
HOT SPRING IN PUNTA-MAINIT. Going along the
coast from Pasacao toward the east, one rounds off first the Balugo tip and
then the Mainit. Between the two, though much closer to the latter, there is an
area of approximately one hundred meters in length in the which and in isolated
spots overlooks a small slightly sulfurous thermal springs.
One finds these springs located in
the Northeast of the small islet called the Refugio, and far from the sea by the
town of Pasacao shortly an hour by boat, emerging between volcanic rocks,
coming from, without doubt, the old volcano nearby Mount Isarog that cover a
large part of that coast and hinder the surge of the waters. It would be
necessary, if one was to use these springs to choose the point of greatest
abundance and clean the extension that are deemed desirable from the rocks that
cover them, some of whom are ejected by probably the use of powder or dynamite
to dissipate them. It would be as well to discover the points of flow that
could easily meet in a single tank whose flow would be enough for spas of a
small establishment.
CHEMICAL PHYSICAL CHARACTERS OF THE WATER. Colorless,
smell slightly hepatic, tastessalty.Reaction. - Slightly alkaline. Clear
bubbles of gas.Temperature. - -varies in the various springs, from 40C
to 560C. Density, reduced to 00C and 760m|m barometric
pressure,- 1 '013507.
Notes
-1.a. Total fixed substances per liter 13’526 grams.
2.a.
The volume of the gases is reduced to 0°C and 760 m|m barometric pressure.
3.a.
The principal processes have been calculated in the anhydrous state.
GASES
GIVEN OFF FROM THE SOURCE.
|
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
|
|
|
100.ccis composed of:
|
|
|
Carbónic
Acid………….
|
5'oo.cc
|
|
Nitrógen……….………..
|
95'oo.cc
|
|
Total……………………….
|
1oo'oo.cc
|
CLASSIFICATION.Thermal
Waters sodium chloride and calcium bicarbonate, and odorous.
THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS. These waters are used
by the natives to cure rheumatic diseases and parasitic infestations of the
skin, some of them use them only in lotions. Drink in small amounts or diluted
in drinking water, they can be used by taking advantage of the curative effects
of the gas and salts that fall within its composition.
SPECIAL INDICATIONS.Rheumatism,
Lymphatism, Escrofulismo, syphilis.
COMMON INDICATIONS.Abdominal
Petora, hemorrhoids, infarctions of abdominal viscera, dyspepsia, constipation.
SECONDARY INDICATIONS.
Goiter, menstrual disorders, leukorrhea, chronic urethritis,
CONTRA-INDICATIONS.In
the advanced degenerations of the
digestive organs and annex glands and in the acute period of the disease.
USE OFSPAS.In
baths and drink.
Bathing Season
-From October to May.
FERRUGINOUS
SPRING OF LALO.
It has not been possible for the Commission to recognize
the ground of this spring as you pass by New Caceres because the path that leads from this capital is
impassable in ten or twelve hours to Goa, in the division of Lagonoy; turning
out to be required, with great feeling, given the importance of the spring, to
limit their observations and studies to the samples of water collected for it
with the appropriate instructions. The spring is in the skirt N. of the volcanic
Mount Isarog, under the jurisdiction of the town of Goa and between the
neighborhoods of Payatan and Lalo: flow is plentiful and used in the locality
in baths, whose temperature is variable, but always hot, sometimes to be so
high that the human body cannot tolerate it.
CHEMICAL PHYSICAL CHARACTERS. Water clear,
transparent, colorless, odorless, acidulated spicy taste pleasant, somethingatramentario.
Weak acid reaction in the reagent papers. Density, reduced to 0oC
and a pressure of 760 mjm. 1 '006014.Temperature higher than that of the human body.
2.The volume of the gases is reduced to 0oC
and 760 mjm. barometric height.
3.The principal processes have been calculated
in the anhydrous state.
CLASSIFICATION.
Thermal Waters-carbonic-mixed bicarbonated
ferruginous.
THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS
The carbonic acid gas that these waters contain
dissolved in abundant proportion favors the absorption of the ferrous
bicarbonate that enters your composition, thus rendering them preferential use
in cases where there is an intention to the regeneration of the red blood
cells.
SPECIAL APPLICATIONS.
Anemia, chlorosis, stomach pain,
dispepsias.
COMMON INDICATIONS.
Chronic conditions of the afor-to
respiratory, infarctions of abdominal viscera. SECONDARY indications.Menstrual
Disorders; chronic diarrhea.
CONTRA-INDICATIONS.
Organic injury of the heart and
great vessels.
USE IN SPAS.
In bathroom and drink.
BATHING SEASON.
From
March to October.
SULFUROUS
SPRING OF SIPOCOT
Starting from the village of Libmanan
and following the upward course of the river of the same name, a tributary of
the Bicol River to the west, it can be reached in about seven hours of
navigation in a boat to the town of Sipocot, and about thirty minutes, up river
from this town, and on the left bank of the river, there is a spring whose
presence can be felt from afar by the characteristic smell of hydrogen sulfide
that it exudes with great abundance. Springing up in the same riverbed of the
river and two or three meters from the shore, is quite cliffy; so that the
waters from the spring, was mixed with those of the river, which in this site
has 2 to 3 meters deep, depending on the seasons; and gases, in great
abundance, forming a hotbed that extends two to three square meters that determines
the true situation of the spring.
This river, which was born in the
mountains of Labo and collects, by its left margin, a large part of the waters
of the southern slopes of the mountain range of Colasi, runs deep in the
vicinity of the spring, very steep slopes between eight to ten meters in height
composed of recent flood.
As the spring is now hidden by the
great mass of water of the river, it is not possible to identify its flow, or
the nature of the rocks that make up the outlet duct, nor even the true
composition of their waters that the exit is already mixed with the waters of
the river and weaken almost completely. It is assumed, however, that the waters
are very rich in substances mineralizadoras when, despite being so diluted near
the surface of the river, which is the site where they could be taken for the
analysis, they tell of very large amounts of those substances. If by means of a
semicircular dam of 4 or 5 meters of diameter radio by taking the left margin
of the river, which could perhaps be done economically through a double lurch,
earth shadowing scary this spring, it would be probably of great importance by
its temperature and strong mineralization sulfhidrica carbonates.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERS OF THE WATER. The water for
the tests, and analysis was collected about sixty centimeters of the surface of
the river, and it should be noted that the substance of this at the site where
flows the spring, it was two and a half meters. Colorless, transparent, of hepatic
smell and taste slightly sulfur dioxide. Neutral reaction with the reagent
papers.Shows abundant gas bubbles. Temperature 290C being the
atmosphere of the 260C on October 23 of the 86 to 5 in the morning.
Density to 00C and 760 m/m from pressure 1 '004139.
has
been reduced to o.o c 760 m|m barometric height.
2.The
principles processes have been calculated in the anhydrous state.
3.a
Total fixed substances per liter - 0 '31 grams.
|
GASES ARISING FROM SPONTANEOUSLY OF THE SPRING.
|
|
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
|
|
|
100.cc is componed of:
|
|
|
Sulfide hídric………….
|
4’oo.cc
|
|
Carbónic Acid
|
34 cc
|
|
Nitrógen……….………..
|
62’oo.cc
|
|
Total……………………….
|
1oo'oo.cc
|
THERAPEUTIC
APPLICATIONS
The
natural used these waters in bath, as a means curative in the various forms of
rheumatism and in some diseases of the skin, especially the parasitic in
nature. The waters of this spring, even mixed with those of the river, not
being very considerable your flow, have enough mineralization and temperature
to comply with the guidelines that corresponds to those of its class.Malaria
reigns in this town, most of the year, a circumstance highly unfavorable for
the creation of a health spa establishment while not improve their health
conditions.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
Herpetismo
dermatoses, herpes, chronic colds of the airway, dispepsias and gastralgias
herpes by metastasis, infarctions of the viscera abdonimales.
COMMON INDICATIONS
Linfatismo, Escrofulismo, syphilis,
chronic diarrhea, chronic colds apparatus of the genito-urinary.
SECONDARY INDICATIONS
LEUKORRHEA, chronic metritis, ulcers
and wounds rebels to any treatment.
CONTRA-INDICATIONS
In the acute period of all diseases.
USE IN SPAS.
In bathroom and drink.
BATHING SEASON.
From
March to October.
ZOOLOGY
For further illustration of this
booklet, I thought it appropriate to give an idea, without being exact,
approximate at least, of the classes of animals that are bred in the mountains,
rivers, lakes, and coasts of this province, without tiring me in describing them,
as this is a more important task than my strength may allow.
The names with that were appointed
them are; first: the ones that are known in the dialect of the locality or in Bikol,
and for betterknowledge of the reader, are also the namesin tagalog, as well as
in Spanish, which they aregenerally known in the country.
Cabalang,
in Bicol: tsongo, matsing, in Tagalog, and mono
in Spanish.-Abounds in the mountains of this province, and in particular in the
coconut fields, for this fruit constitutes one of their main food. This mammal
is known by all who resided in this country for some time.
Canding,
Bicol: kambin in Tagalog, and cabra
in Spanish.- There are herds in almost all the towns of the province which
arenumerous more or less. This animal is bred very well everywhere due to the
many pastures that there is to feed it, and it is believed that within the next
few years will be a good number of this livestock of the province, given the
prodigious ease with which they multiply.
Orig-orig sa bukid,
Bicol; baboy in Tagalog, and cerdo de
monte in Spanish.-Abundant in many towns of the province, and in particular
those near the forest. The Indios hunt them with nets and chasing them on
horseback by killing with a spear, or with a trap with particular form in which
the animal falls. Its meat is delicious and is a great food.
Orig-orig,
Bicol: Baboy in Tagalog, and cerdo in
Spanish. - Abounds in all the towns in the province. This livestock is well
cared for, since it is fed well and is enclosed in large tancalesof bamboo cane in order not to eat unclean matter because
it is fat, healthy and good looking. Its flesh, given its food, is good.
Singalong or Amid,
Bicol: Musan or goto montes, in Tagalog, and Spanish. -- Grows up in the
mountains of the province, and it is a terrible enemy of hens. The natives hunt
it, either with networks, or with ties, or with dogs.
Damulag,
Bicol: carabaoor buffalo in Tagalog and Spanish. - This animal is known by everyone
who has been or is in this country, and how useful it is for agriculture.
Kino,
Bicol: Daga or Rata, in Tagalog and Spanish. - Very plentiful in the fields of
corn and palay, as well as in the tambobongs
or granaries. Some reach an extraordinary size that seem like small cats.
Paniki,
Bicol: murcielago in Spanish.-Abounds
in forests and in the vicinity of the towns. They spend the day hanging from
the coconut trees, bongas, reeds or other trees, and by the night they come down
to eat fruit and whatever they can in the field. Theirskin are coarse and ugly,
so that their benefits are taken for nothing, and only its meat is eaten by some
indios.
Usa,
Bicol: venado in Spanish.- There are
many of these in the forests of the province. The natives hunt them through the
nets, the loop, or from the trap, and are chased riding on horseback and spearing
them when they are given space. Its flesh is very rich, and made as tapa (salt beef) and is a great food for
the traveler.
Culago,
in Bicol: lawin or Gabilan in Tagalog
and Spanish.-It is found in the forests, on the roads and in the vicinity of
the towns. They feed on dead meat and domestic birds that they catch. The native
rejoice much when some hunter kills one of these birds of prey, which defour their
hens and chicks: also feed on fish that they catch in flight in the lagoons,
estuaries and seedbed.
Balod,
Bicol: Baloc or paloma, in Tagalog,
and Spanish. -- Abounds in the forests of the province, and it feeds on wild
fruits and grains. Its flesh is very tasty. The natives hunt them with the net,
with belt loop, or with similar to the leash for the same object as used in
Spain.
Agbaan,
Bicol: Bato-bato or Tortola, in Tagalog and Spanish. -This bird is very common
in all the forests of the province: it feeds on wild fruits and grains. The natives
hunt them in large number, which they then sell at the Capital at very low
prices.
Manoksabukid,
in Bicol: gallo of monte, in Tagalog,
and Spanish. - Very abundant in this province, and are in the interior of
forests unreachable to man, so they cannot hunt.
Dignos,
in Bicol: maya, in Tagalog, and
Spanish. - Abounds in forests, in the seedbed and in the vicinity of the towns.
They feeding of palay, and sometimes gather in such flocks, which almost
completely devastate seedbed on that which they roost. The natives catch them
with the nets.
Kalaw,
Bicol,Tagalog and Spanish. -This bird abounds in the mountains of the province,
but it costs a lot of work tocatch, it is harmless and not pursued by the native.
Guiao,
Bicol: Quiao in Tagalog, and cotoras (Golden Oriole) in Spanish. – Most
abundant in the forests of the province, in the seedbed and the coconut palms
and other trees close to the town, the
natives do not hunt them, as it is of extremely tough meat.
Uwak,
Bicol and Tagalog, and cuervo in Spanish.
-This animal is in all parts: his food are dead meat, grain and wild fruits.
The natives donot hunt it in any case to be harmless and his flesh isrepugnant.
Perikos,
Bicol: Culasisiin Tagalog, and loros or cotorras (parrots) in Spanish.- There
are many in the mountains of the province. In general, they are small and of ugly
plumage, which can compare with those whichare found in the mountains of
Mindanao.
Abucay,
Bicol: Català or guacamayo (Macaw)in Tagalog, and Spanish.- There are many in the
forests of the province. In the season of the palay, they descend to the
seedbed and the natives hunt them with the garter or loop, making use of others
already domesticated, and serve them to claim.
Talaod,
Bicol: Tagakin Tagalog, and Garsa in Spanish. - It is located on the
shores of lakes and rivers, and on the beaches of the province. The natives do
not hunt it because the birdhas little
meat, and this is black, hard and bad,
Buaya,
Bicol and Tagalog, and Caiman in Spanish.– Much abundant in the rivers and lakes
of the province, particularly in lake Bato and Buhi, and in the Bicol River and
others ofstrong current.
Goto,
Bicol: Bayawak in Tagalog, and or Iguana
in Spanish. - There are many on the shores of the rivers and lagoons of the
province and in wet areas. They are the terror of the chickens and other
domestic birds, but harmless to man: their eggs are very appreciated by the
natives.
Tabili,
Bicol: Butiki in tagalog and lagartija (Lizard) in Castellino –It is
located on the roofs of the houses and is harmless.
Remoranon or Aguason Bicol: Dajumpalay
in Tagalog, and culebra venenosa
(poisonous snake) in Spanish. - Abounds in the seedbed of palay when this grain
is in season: the bite is poisonous and causes fever.
Toco,
Bicol; Chacon or Lagarto (Lizard) Tagalog and Spanish. - It is in all the roofs of
houses, in the crevices or holes of posts; in the trunks of the trees, and in
the openings or slots of large stones. It is harmless to man. Its singing is
clumsy or toco.
Pagui,
Bicol: Raya inspanish - Abounds in
the seas surrounding the province, and in particular in the bay of San Miguel
and Lagonoy.
Rompecandado,
Bicol: bonito in Spanish.- The same
as the previous one.
Taraquito,
Bicol: Like the previous ones.
Turubog,
Bicol: Dalag, in Tagalog, and Spanish. - Rearing in the lakes, in the rivers,
in the seedbed and in the marshes or mudflats.
Kasili
or Burirawan: Anguila, in Spanish. –
The same as the previous one.
Pasayan,
Bicol: Camarón de Mar, in Spanish. –Much
abundant on the shores of the province.
Balaw,
Bicol: camaroncillo de mar in
Spanish. - As the previous: taken and eaten much by the natives andmade into bagoong.
Buyud,
Bicol: camaron de rio o de agua dulce (river or freshwater
shrimp) in Spanish. -It is very common in all the rivers of the province, and
in the lakes of Bato, Buhi, Bula and Baao.
Tamban,
Bicol: sardinas in Spanish.-Caught much
in all the coasts of the province, and in particular in the bays of San Miguel
and Lagonoy.
Ani-it,
in Bicol: cangrejo (crab) in
Spanish.-They are breeding in the coasts, rivers and lakes in the province.
Bulinao,
Bicol: Dilis in Tagalog, and boqueron
in Spanish. –They are fished much in the rivers and lakes of the province.
Alupihan,
Bicol: cien-pies(hundred-foot) in
Spanish. - There is no home that they do not have them in the roof or a ceiling:
their bite is poisonous and causes fever.
Linta,
Bicol: Alilinta in Tagalog, and sanguijuela
(leech) in Spanish.-They are found in all the forests of the province, and in
particular in Ragay and Caramoan.
Aninipot, Bicol: Alitap-tap, in
Tagalog: luciernaga (Firefly) in
Spanish. - Abounds in forests of this province, and in the trees and plants
that surround the houses inside and outside of the towns.
Kuracha
in Bicol: Cuca or Cucaracha (cockroach) in Tagalog and
Spanish. – It is found in all the houses, in the wineries and in wet and poorly
ventilated places. To banish them, it isnecessary to burn some of them.
AGRICULTURE
The production of this province does
not tally with the extensiveness of its territory. The part of land utilizedfor
cultivation is estimated to be about 35,000fertile hectares that are being
irrigated by a large number of canals and rivers. The main reason why
agriculture in this provincial is not as advanced as it should be is the (falta
de brazos)lack of arms and the natural laziness of the bicolano that, as it has
few needs and these are satisfied with little thing, they are not properly encouraged
or motivated to work. Let's look at the annual production of the 35,000
hectares that are devoted to work.
352.484
cavans of palay at about 60 cents per cavan, imported. . . . …..211.490
52.410
picols of abaca that approximately 6 pesos the picol give……… 314.460
8,000
jars of honey to 3 pesos to Tinaja, imported…………………….. $ 24.000
300
kilos of essence of ilangilang to 50 pesos per kilo………………….. 150,000
20,000
pounds of alcohol from the country made of sugar cane
and coco tuba to 1 weight and half pound, give…………………………… 30,000
2.910
picols of sugar, the most refined, to 7 pesos per picol…………… 20.370
400
picols seedling to 6 pesos picol………………………………………... 2.400
Value
of garlic for a few ………………………………………………………
2.000
112
cavans cocoa that worth…………………………………………………
5.000
113
cavans of coffee to 6 pesos Cavan …………………………………….. 678
523
cavanes corn to 1 weight Cavan…………………………………………
523
100
cavanes of wehat flour at 3 pesos………………………………………. 300
Various
Products ………………………………………………………………. 10,000
Total. …. 71.2100
As seen in the previous list, the
main products of the province are palay, abaca and ylang-ylang, the fruit whose
work and benefit provide less care and attention, and in that being the chosen products
by these natives clearly reveal their condition of character as little workers
and nothing conducive to the advancement of agriculture and industry, which if exploited
would have provided a beautiful comfort, being inexhaustible sources of wealth.
The 352.000 cavans of palay; the
52.000 picols of abaca; the 8,000 jars of honey from sugar cane, and the amount
of other fruits harvested in the last year are insignificant, if one takes into
account the immense field that could have been utilized, however respectable,
taking into account the low number of their inhabitants, since they barely
reach the fourth part of that it could live by the commodity, the main cause
without doubt, as I said earlier, is that agriculture is not as developed as it
should be.
In the province, abaca is well
cultivated and grows according to the nature of the land. The cultivation of
this beautiful and useful plant is extremely simple. To grow them, virgin lands
are generally selected, well in the foothills of the mountains shaded by large
trees, well flat and dry land, but in the latter the plants thrive less. The
plantations are made in two ways: transplant the suckers or young shoots, or
planting the seed that is given by the fruit of the plant. In the first case,
if the soil is of good quality, suckers or seedlings are placed 10 feet from
plant to plant, and if the ground is bad, only six feet. The work is reduced by
burning the plantation area to remove the grass during the first period: and in
the second, the fruits are cut, dried without letting them mature too much, so
that the seeds do not lose their seed germination power. Two days prior to
planting, seeds are removed from the fruit, soaked in water for one night, and
the next day they are dried in the shade; in the third day the are planted by
opening holes in the ground for an inch-deep and distant between of six inches
between holes. The year that the seedlings are transplanted they do not need any
care that outbreaks of the first case. At 3 or 4 years the fiber has reached
its full maturity.
In the first harvest only a short
stem is cut, and then after every two months, and in some areas, by cutting another,
without exhaustung the planting, because the suckers are such in abundance that
come out of each plant, and grow very fast the planting is never extinguished.
The best thread is that given by the plant that is cut off by the time it
flowers. When the plant comes from a good field it gives about two pounds of
fiber each, but if it is bad it only gives as little of a pound each.
The classification of the fiber is as
follows: 1.a; white thread; 2.a, less white, and 3.a, the red. Of these three
classes come out four other finer fibers, and the thicker and of worse color is
used for riggings of vessels and making rope.
The importance of cultivating this
plant will increase from year to year. In 1870 the province only benefited from
32.000 picols that were worth approximately 182.000 Pesos; and the latest crop
of the year 1885 it benefited from 52,410, or 20,410 picols more, whose value
is estimated at 314.000 pesos, or nearly double from the previous figure. In
another country that is very much advanced in agriculture, this increase in the
course of 15 years would be negligible; but in this country that barely accounts
with real agricultural settlers and is almost incomplete with apparatuses and
farm implements; and in which the employment of machines for the benefit of
this rich textile is null and void since although it has tried to introduce
some of this or that system but it has not obtained the desired object, having
to resort to primitive systems, this increase is quite important.
The planting of the rice in this
province starts in June or July depending on the entry of the rainy season;
seedbeds are carefully prepared. In the months of August or September is the
transplanting, and in December or January is reaping of the grains. The grounds
are so fertile, that it does not need to fertilize them or needs another
preparation to remove the weeds and remove a little earth with the rake, but
they produce in abundance. At the time of harvest, the owner gives to the
people who want to harvest the fruit a 10, to 20, and up to 50 percent of what they
reap, having such a shortage of labor, that many times for not having to lose
much of the crop. For cutting the palay the use a small knife in the shape of a
half-moon with a small handle, and when they are deprived of this instrument, they
use the shell of a mollusk whose cutting edge makes up for a knife.
In each four topones (equivalent to four loanes) is planted a ganta of seeds and
reap 100 bundles for each of a half ganta. They kept the palay, some in bundles,
as well as in grains, using for the threshing a skin of a cow or carabao that is
spread out on the floor, on which they put the bunches and tread on it in a
particular form to ensure that the grains are detached from the spine; and when
the amount of grain that have that they had threshed is substantial, our procedure
in Spain is used or the re-threshing of them. The cleaning of the rice is done
as in all the provinces of the Philippines; this is, they are piled up, but in
small piles and in which there is only one half ganta; but there are also some blood,
hydraulic, and steam mills. After millig the rice, they allow the carabaos,
horses and other animals to enter the fields, have been conscious of doing what
in Spain which we call "gleaning" or to rush on some spikelets of
palay that the reapers left.
As he left are expressed in the
state of production above, in this last year we collected 352,484 cavanes of
palay, whose value amounted to 211,490 pesos, or are more than 150,000 cavanes
in the harvest of 1870. This fruit is not only sufficiently produced for the
needs of the province, but there is still plenty of a respectable amount, that
is exported to the neighboring provinces and for Manila, where it is very appreciated
for its quality.
With regard to the ylang-ylang, I
can only say, that these flowers are plentiful in the province and, in
particular in the towns of Lagonoy, Tinambac, Sipocot, San Fernando,
Mabatobato, Iriga, Bula and Buhi, in which there are 10 or 12 mills that work
at the time of the flowering season, to distill some 300 kilos of essence, that
is to be exported abroad, and that at the rate of 50 pesos per kilo, given in
the times of production, it is possible that the province to have annually
between the respectable sum of 150,000 pesos, whose number could be double and
even triple, if it were possible to collect all the flower that it produces.
The flowers are collected by cutting the branches of the trees that gives it, despoiling
it, and leaving some abandoned. The vegetative force of these precious trees is
such, that a day would surely come in which this industry is very important in
view of the great acceptance that this essence is given in Europe. Aside from
the many fruits already stated above, produced in abundance are the gabe and
ube, which the indios use as food when rice harvest is scarce; enough onions,
some almond they call “pili” that are used to make sweets and candies, a lot of
garlic, some peanuts or peanut butter, various kinds of bananas, jackfruits,
mangoes, atis and other infinite number of fruits, as well as various
vegetables.
Of the land utilized for production,
the biggest area is the one that constitutes the beautiful rustic estate of the
Feced Brothers called “Causip”, and situated between the villages of Pili,
Mabatobato, Bull and Baao. The extent of the farm is 673 hectares of arable,
flat and fertile land, cuased to be watered by a flowing river and several
streams. In one of the limits or boundaries of this estate and to the bank of
the Pauili river is nestled the hacienda house, built of stone, wood and iron,
as well as several sheds to deposit the fruits, installation of machines, and
workshops for the construction of tillage implements. From the balconies of
this beautiful home the viewer's eye is presented with a grandiose panorama. To
the N. is the mount Isaroc; to the N. E. is mount Iriga; to the E. is the Masaraga
mountain; and in the same direction, but further away, is the imposing Mayon or
volcano of Albay or, on whose top of its immense cone leaves a beautiful plume
of white smoke, that rises to heaven, is going to be confused with the clouds
until it dissipates; and lastly, that beautiful plain which is almost like a closed
immense horseshoe, by a great mountain range of mountains. The rising and setting
of the sun that is contemplated from this picturesque site are more surprising
that can be seen in the Philippines. The refered house is furnished with
simplicity, and given the inexhaustible kindness and the fineness of its
owners, nothing is lacking.
The 673 hectares that, as I have
said, constitute this estate is devoted to the cultivation of sugarcane, rice,
maize and various vegetables, plus a good part of it to the pasture for the
many farm animals that their exploitation requires. It accounts with 150
tenants or casamas with their respective families, who live scattered in a
multitude of cottages around the plowed land. For its cultivation there are
devoted about 600 head of carabaos and large number of cattle. They have a good
mare that gives them beautiful horses, a good herd of goats and sheep, endless
poultry of pigeons, ducks, geese, chickens and other species.
The industrial side of this hacienda
is properly mounted with near to the last. For the manufacture of sugar the have
a magnificent reservoirs and evaporator that uses both steam and the Dubrantant
system; pans to the Derosne vacuum; centrifuges, and exhaustion of the bagasse
by maceration, Delimal system; and many appliances tha are required to submit
this product in the form which can compete as first in quality with Europe and in
America. For the manufacture of alcohols, they have mounted beautiful
continuous destilleries by the Egrot system; rectifier that produces 380
Cartier alcohol, and other apparatuses for the fermentation, which is done with
the destillery, and other operations that executes the exploitation of this
industry; their products being so excellent, that of continuing them makes
large orders of alcohols which can only be used by not wanting to serve over
this business. They also manufacture essence of ylang-ylang, for which possess
a good destillery. Needless to say, that in a farm that is installed with as
much machineries cannot lack a good workshop of construction and repair, fitted
with hearths, anvils, and many tools that are required for the case. The most
particular of these devices, is, that while some are imported from Europe,
there are many others that have been built in the same hacienda, filling the
object to which they are intended, and having proved immensely cheaper than
that of equal class that are made in London.
The state of advancement in that the
property is located; the order and wisdom with which all the agricultural and
industrial operations are executed; and good governance that is observed,
clearly reveals, the intelligence and practice of the people in front of it are
encountered.
What step more advance to prosperity
would give the Philippines, if each one of its provinces establish several
agricultural and industrial enterprises which I have just described!
CATTLE
As for cattle, this province accounts
with 98,717 heads, of which 30,608 are cows; 36,244 are carabaos; 14,409 are horses;
16,181 sows, and 1275 are goats.
The number of sheep and rams is so
insignificant, that it almost does not deserve to be mentioned.
With regard to the dairy cattle, it
is good, and thanks to the plentiful grasslands, it feeds well and its meats
are tasty and thin.
The carabaos are also good, and that
of this one is dedicated to farming and
shot, strong and beautiful.
The horse, although its majority is
dedicated to the load and badly taken cared of, that's why her magnificent examples are
not seen that are not dedicated
to the chair. This province accounts with many and
beautiful horses, so much so, that for it has conquered the good name that it
has for this class of cattle, the reason for which, there was established in
her the mount for horseriding, which was
extracting beautiful colts, and they are ordering for themselves continuously from
Manila horses for teaming and for races, giving some and the other magnificent
results. In a word, this class of cattle is excelent, and it would be even
better, if you take care that the mares have robust and beautiful parents to always
cover them with horses, but unfortunately most of the times this do not happen
this way.
What contributes also to the fact that
this cattle is not endeared very much is the custom that the native has of
dedicating them to the load and to agricultural chores before the are developed.
It is very common in this province, to see a foal that scarcely counts two
years which are loaded with four ór six 25 pounds in weight.
More to this, most of this class of cattle,
is killed and filled with ulcers in the loin, the effect of the worst collar
with which they are harnessed. Generally this collar consists, in a tackle
formed by two little plllows done with the sucker or young shoot of the banana,
over that they place for every side a wooden sadle in the shape of a U, then
they join the two coming superiors in the shape of a cross, and they hold to
the pillows with mooring ropes. In the interval of two crosspieces that form
the ends of two saddles, the ginete is placed, and of the crosspieces there
hang the baskets or bundles that constitute its load ór commerce, serving for
stirrups the curved part or the inferior of the above-mentioned saddle. The
animal is guided by a bad morsel of ring, from which the bridles separate, made
generally from abaca or reed thread.
The bicolanos call this mount the quiñoros, but whatever they call it, it
kills the horses.
The cattle is quite medium-sized,
and its meat is good.
INDUSTRY
This consists in the distillation of
alcohols, for which approximately 20 apparatuses work in the province, most of
these by the ancient procedure, or with destilleries of the country called alquitaras; manufacture of current and
refined sugar; distillation of extract of ilang-ilang in 10 or 12 destilleries
that work with modern procedures; some textiles of pineapple and abaca in looms
of primitive use; construction of coarse furniture of wood; some rice mills;
construction of big bankas called barotos; wooden court; hunting and fishing. Added
to these industries in big scale, are several coachbuilder’s shop, carpentries,
blacksmithing, silversmithing, shoe shops, tailorings, potteries and other
industrial establishments, but all, except that of the Feced Brothers, are so
badly mounted, that almost do not deserve the pompous name of workshops with
which they are named. Of all the products that are given by the industry of the
province, only there is exported for the interior some sugar, alcohol,
ilang-ilang, abaca and rice, reserving the others for the consumption of the
same; and since there is not enough for its needs, there is a big import of
textiles, cheap metalwares, eatables of Europe and China, about which commerce are
speculated by some Europeans and all the Chinese that it has taken root in her,
without these lasts they being the only one who are dedicated to agriculture, are
greatly contributing to this fértile and beautiful province is not today a
wealth center. Experience has demonstrated, that, while the Chinese in this
country is dedicated to the monopoly of industry and commerce, far from moving
forward from it, it will be traveling giant steps that will be finally more
ruinous as it had in some colony. See, if not, the state of wealth of some towns
who have not allowed the entry in them of this race of speculators, that only came
to this country with the pronounced intention of exploiting its inhabitants, of
prospering, and of taking the metals from its ground, without leaving here any
more than vices, bad customs, immorality, and the four rags that it brought,
any more of other things that are not of this place.
TRADE
This constitutes the export of rice,
abaca, ylang-ylang, sugar, hides and alcohols, and the import of several
articles that are not produced in the province. Based in the majority of the towns
of this province, there are several european who are dedicated to the
exploitation of the products referred above, whose trading houses, which are
contained in the first place, are branches of the Muñoz Brothers and Nephews of
Manila, and the Mr. Aramburu of the province of Albay, engaged in the import of
articles from Europe and export of fruits of this country. These two houses have
some ships, beautiful buildings for the storage of the products, superb presses
for abaca, a lot of staff, and in the end, which are located near the trading
houses. The importance of trade in this province is estimated at 1,600.000
pesos, almost half of which is in the hands of the Chinese who hoard everything
and the way that things are going, it will not be long that they will be the owners
of all the money in this province.
MILITARY FORCE
What
exists in this province is the civil guard and it is distributed in the following
positions:
|
POSTS
|
Officials
|
Sargeants
|
Heads
|
Guards
|
Total
|
|
Nueva
Cáceres
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
14
|
17
|
|
Pili
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
10
|
11
|
|
Mabatobato
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
12
|
14
|
|
Baao
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
11
|
12
|
|
Iriga
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
11
|
14
|
|
Buhi
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
10
|
12
|
|
Calabanga
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
12
|
14
|
|
Boraboc
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
11
|
12
|
|
Mabalodbalod
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
10
|
14
|
|
Payatan
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
10
|
11
|
|
San Jose
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
16
|
19
|
|
Sangay
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
11
|
13
|
All this
force is supervised by a captain, Chief of the District.
Aside from this force, there is in the capital some
carabineers of the orders of a head, which in addition to the pursuit of the
frauds in the Hacienda, they guard
the wealths deposited in the Administration of Public Hacienda of the province,
and that this money are sent to Pasacao to embark them in the direction of the
general Treasury of Manila.
GOVERNMENT
The province is controlled by a
civilian governor, in addition is a subdelegate to local funds and port
captain. In addition, there are an Administrator of the depositary, a Judge of the
first instance, a Promotor prosecutor, a commander and a captain of the civil
guard and several officers of this same, some employees of public works,
forestry, and telegraph, a titular physician, several employees of the
government and Hacienda, the staff of the Bishopric, the conciliar Seminary,
the girls' school and a large number of Spaniards dedicated to the trade.
TRAVEL FROM
MANILA TO CAMARINES SUR
This can be done in two ways: by
land, traversing the provinces of Laguna and Tayabas, that should not be undertaken
more than in cases of urgent need, or by sea, embarking in Manila in the steam ship
for Pasacao that comes out every 15 days, and disembarking at the said port,
from here go by land to New Caceres, the capital of the province.
The traveller comes to Pasacao, where
he can stay in the Tribunal in the meantime that arrangements are being made
for the trip to the capital. For this, you must ask Gobernadorcillo of that town
for his luggage carts and horse, whose help are given soon more or less,
because this depends on the condition or character of the employee or the particular
with which the traveler presents himself. When this had been done, one sets out
to Pamplona where he arrives after two hours by road. If any of the travellers
is a lady who does not know or who can not ride a horse, one must prepare at
the tribunal of Pasacao a hammock (talabon),
that is, by fixing to the legs of a chair or chair, two long bamboo canes in the
horizontal direction, in the andas
style of a saint, and cover the seat with a tarpaulin also made with strips of
cane and a blanket or rug to avoid the sun. In this kind of vehicle will sit a lady
traveler, resting her feet on a step or support that also put themselves. This
apparatus is loaded on the shoulders of four men who march to a particular step
and measure, to make the lady traveler go perfectly well.
The traveler comes to Pamplona, who
can be billetted and stay well in the tribunal, or in the house of some of the residents
of the town, whose hospitality can never be denied to them, and have the necessary
things in order to continue their journey to the capital. In the said town of
Pamplona, there are several people who have big boats they calls barotos and
that can be rented for low price. Availing one of these barotos, the traveller
can embark with his luggage, and down the river, in two hours reaches Tabuco bridge
or New Caceres. By the banks of the river, there are always the porters who
with a small gratification can lead the equipments to the city.
Aside from a voyage by land from
Pasacao to Pamplona, as from the last town to the capital, there is no need to
obtain food, because the trip is short. If you prefer to do overland travel
from Pasacao to New Cáceres, it can be, without the need of going to Pamplona;
for that reason, there is already prepared a vehicle in San Fernando, since from
the road he is presented with a carriage to take him. From Pasacao to the capital
one can only travel by road in dry weather.
The cost of the trip is a little
more or less, is the following:
By
a cart from Pasacao to Pamplona ………………..………………………..$ 1'00
By
a horse riding. . ……………………………………………………………….
0'50
By
a baroto manned by five men from Pamplona to the Capital…………… 2'00
Gratification
to porters for the loading and unloading of the equiptments…. 1'00
Driving
a hammock if you are a lady……………………………………………. 2’00
Aside from the steam-mail, there are
continuously advertised other vaporcitos that make travel directly from Manila
to New Cáceres, in which the traveller can embark, thus avoiding the voyage of
Pasacao to the capital, that in time of the rainy season is very painful due to
the poor condition of the roads. However, I would advise the reader that you
prefer to embark on the steam-mail and disembark in Pasacao, to do so in the small
vaporcitos, since these, in addition to not having some of the necessary
amenities for passengers loaded by the vessels, they have to go through the
strait of San Bernardino to enter in the Bicol River, and in that Strait most
of the times the travellers suffer horribly by the dizziness that the bad state
of the sea provides them.
The traveler who needs some help,
both at the tribunal of the capital as well as the towns, should ask them many
hours in advance, if you do not want to significantly delay your trip.This
delay, sometimes is not the fault of the local authorities, but because of
their subordinates. Let's see what happens
in almost all the tribunals in the Philippines.
The traveller arrives at one of
these; he speaks to the Gobernadorcillo, and in the more political form and
better education, requests will be made available to mount a horse, a guide,
food or other assistance either, for that it is answered: "Yes sir."
When he comes out of the tribunal on the understanding that the relief would be
at the time that you were promised, the gobernadorcillo gives the charge to the
first lieutenant; this, to the official of the week; this, to the high bailiff,
and this, to a cuadrillero, that after answering with the sacramental words
"yes sir," because the Indio does not know the word ‘no’, when you
are sending something, by more than they don't do it, and stalls the blouse,
and wearing the salacot, touches a vanilla as insignia of command, and exits so
diligently, and it does not seem to be but that willingly goes to comply with
the mandate that it be given; but !oh misery! four steps to the tribunal there
is a stand of wine, buyo and other sweets, which is for you; take a seat, take
a buyo; masticate; light up a cigarette; take a short while of bichara with the shopkeeper, and after
one hour with the cabo, coming out
there with the best intentions to comply with the mandate that they gave him: after
a short while, to find another puestesillo
with another babay; does the same as in
the previous, and finally, after eight or ten hours he appears in the tribunal,
that most of the times without the commission that was entrusted, by saying
that, "the one thing, nothing can be found."
Knowing, therefore, to the traveller
of what happens, let me advise you, you prefer in the towns of this province provided for yourself the aid
that you need through private individuals although you pay more expensively, than
to order get from the tribunals, since this will avoid disappointments and
considerable delays in their travels.
Second Part
CITY OF NEW CÁCERES
It is the capital of the province,
located in the S. of Canaman; to the N. of Milaor; to the E. of Camaligan and
Gainza; next to the western skirt of mount Isarog, on the banks of the river
San Felipe tributary of the Bicol; on level ground and cleared. It has a good
and solid stone cathedral with roof tiles and two beautiful towers: this temple
is painted with taste and seriousness; a good parish house, also of stone with
iron roof; a beautiful episcopal palace of stone and wood with metal cover; a
large building erected as conciliar Seminary; another strong materials also
built for girls' school; a good school for children; their lovely Government
house; good prison; beautiful tribunal with rooms for travelers; and management
of public haciendas. The civil guard barracks, is in a beautiful house on the
property of the Capital, in that aside from the force, lives the captain of the
company, and for the telegraph station, serves a particular house in a regular
estate. In regard to this particular house, is fairly medium, because there is
abundance of strong housing materials, while the majority of these are of ugly
aspect, without paint on the outside and many of them even on the inside. Also
contributes much to the town that is does not present a good sight that it
could be, that between the houses of good materials, there are a number of bamboo
cane and nipa, and large number of small, dirty and ugly thatch houses. The streets
are well charted, but completely abandoned and filled with weeds and underbrush,
which, together with the almost complete lack of fences in the yards, houses,
give the town quite an unpleasant aspect. It has several squares, one of them
is that of the Cathedral that is the most spacious and beautiful; because while
the one in front of the Government house has at its center a large spacious square,
enclosed by a fence and that apparently was a garden, and is surrounded by good
buildings, and much the sleeping quarters that are in one of its sides are ugly
and so are miserable little shops, servant’s den of reared and vicious vagrant
people, which only takes care of the game and to pervert some other servant who
comes out well.
As the capital, it is the residence
of the Chief of the province and the other employees of the Government; and as
the headquarters of the Bishop of the Diocese and other dependents upon it. In
addition to these, there are many Spaniards dedicated to the trade, about 186
Chinese with 45 retail stores of assortment of fabrics, hardwares and edible of
the country. There are two bakeries that supply bread, cakes and other pastries
daily. The waters are taken from the site called Borabod on the right bank of
the river of San Felipe, and are good: it is necesary to watch it very much,
because of less oversight, the servants take them to the Bicol River, that are
dirty and bad.
In New Caceres there is no inn: as
it is, I advise the traveller who has to stay there a few days, looking for
accommodation with some anticipation of his arrival, because of failure to do
so, would have to be accommodated in the tribunal. I warn you also, the homes
are quite scarce and that they cost much; by some reason, the first thing you
should do is go to a family that you can be installed at the head, is to cable
in advance to any friend or acquaintance to this you will have to prepare an accommodation.
A house of wood with nipa or cogon roof and with two or three rooms, cost of 10
to 16 pesos a month; and more amenities, from 16 to 30.
The bunch of servants is awful: to find
a faithful and industrious servant, is a success; and to be given a chef who
knows how to make three or four dishes, is a problem that is rarely resolved. A
servant of service, costs two pesos a month, and a cook, four; but more than
these salaries are accepted or not by these last, depending on the amount that
is given to them daily for their purchase; or it maybe the same: the importance
of the salary is directly with what can be taken in more or less.
The grass for the forage of the
horses is so abundant, that for a couple of pesos a month you can sustaon a
pair, plus the cost of palay that you want to give, and this costs cheap.
With regard to food, is good. The
edible of Europe are bought in several stores that has in perfect assortments, and above all, Messrs.
Muñoz brothers and nephews have put up this business in a very particular way,
that in spite of the freight, hauling and breakage, the selling price is almost
as in Manila. The articles of the country, which are meat, fish, vegetables,
poultry, eggs, chickens, fruits and other, are bought in a permanent and
outdoor market that exists in one of the squares of the town. This market, is
depopulated in the morning and are there only for the servants and cooks; but
at night and particularly on Wednesdays and Saturdays, are very crowded with
the myriad of people that come, some to buy what they need, and others to court
the young storekeepers, that sitting on the floor and in the light of the
classic juepe, selling tobacco, buyo,
country wine, sinamais, bolos, buri, nito, wallets, salacots, hats, salted duck
eggs, dried fish, putos, bibincas and other articles. In all the days they kill
several cows and pigs, and fish is plentiful and cheap. In order to form an
idea of what the life costs at the capital, see the following.
|
RATES OF PRICES
|
Reals.
|
Centavoos.
|
|
1 pound
of beef
|
|
12
|
|
1 Chicken
|
1
|
10
|
|
1 Rooster
|
|
10
|
|
1 Egg
|
|
2
|
|
1 Bread
|
|
4
|
|
1 Fish
(regular size)
|
|
12
|
|
1
Ganta of Lard
|
10
|
|
|
1 laddle
of coconut oil
|
10
|
|
|
1 bottle
of vinegar
|
2
|
|
|
1
laddle of olive oil
|
4
|
|
|
1 pound
of chocolate.
|
4
|
10
|
|
1 can
of coffee
|
2
|
|
|
1 can of margarine
|
4
|
|
|
1 bottle
of red wine
|
2
|
|
|
1 can
of meat or fish
|
4
|
|
|
1
Id. of vegetables
|
2
|
10
|
|
1 Bottle
of milk
|
|
12
|
|
1
Id. of kerósene
|
1
|
|
|
1 caramel
ór sugar
|
|
2
|
|
1 frasco
of ginebra
|
4
|
|
If you have the habit of shaving, you
must be provided with razors and other tools for doing this, because in the capital
there is no more than a barber that cuts hair badly and shave worse,
disappearing perhaps and leaving their customers planted until it feels like to
return to the Figaro.
The laundrywomen are scarce, and the
few that are there, wash badly, and iron worse, charging for every hundred pieces,
without counting cuffs or collars, three pesos. They prefer to wash at home,
since the water is plentiful.
In terms of amusement, I don't know
what happens in this capital, which very rarely has an occasion where to get a
cane to the air; and when this happens, everything is reduced to dance a little
while, dinner and nothing more. The dance hall is filled with six or eight
young daughters of the country fairly graced, kind and well educated, plus a
few young boys with honors from the men that boast when they find timely
opportunity for this. Otherwise, it's a quite sad and lonely capital.
But for the natives it is different,
they have always a reason to feast: well because if a baby boy is born he will have
a compadre or relative; either because they are at home with a friend; or
because there dies a relative. In this province, such as in the rest of the
Archipelago, the funerals are celebrated with great feasting and merriments, so
it is perfectly applied that with "the duels, the bread are less."
In relation to the dresses of the
wealthy natives, it is quite simple and economical, without neither between they
or between them, with a few exceptions, are seen the beautiful shirts and
scarves of pineapple nor the silk skirts and magnificent jewelry that are in
the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga, Batangas and other tagalas.
There is a shoe shop, a blacksmith
shop, two carriage repair shops, a silversmith, two tailoring, a carpentry shop,
a spinning mill, two bakeries and various industrial establishments. A
well-stocked apothecary provides medicines and perfumery articles to the capital
and other towns of the province.
POPULATION - Accounts
with 6,530 inhabitants distributed in the capital and in several visitas, settlements
and hamlets that has within its jurisdiction.
AGRICULTURE
- In their land are found palay, some sugarcane, corn, anahao, much gabe and
some fruits and vegetables.
INDUSTRY
AND COMMERCE - This consists of the fruits of the natural
products, distillation of essence of the ylang-ylang, manufacture of country wine,
abaca and cotton threads, and others which are held in the establishments that
are mentioned. Its trade is the sale of 4,500 cavans of palay that are exported
to other provinces and to Manila annually.
LIVESTOCK AND
FISHERY- Accounts with 5,700 head of cattle; 1800 carabaos;
500 horses; some goats and 1,000 pigs.
LANGUAGE. - Bikol and Tagalog
are commonly spoken.
CLIMATE.
- A little bit damp, but healthy. In the mornings in the months of rains, the town
appears wrapped between a fog so dense, that to a distance of twenty steps it
is difficult to distinguish the objects; but at eight o’clock the sun
dissipates the fog, the atmosphere is pure, and the sky clarifies. In the
months of July to October there are some storms that form in the nearest mount
Isarog and that sometimes cause damage to people and animals. The atmospheric
pressure is 7550 to 7650 Fortin; and the temperature of
250 to 320 Celsius. The parish of Naga with his church and
convent, served by a Franciscan religious is located in the capital.
Nueva
Caceres to Milaor. Take the path of the South, that at all times
is for carriages; soon you will arrive at the bank of the Bicol River, where
there are raft always prepared and served by rowers; cross this river, and by a
good road in a short time you arrive in Milaor which is far from the capital of
about 4 kilometers. For the rental of a carriage you pay out a peso; by that of
a horse two reals; and by a foot guide a real. The rowers are given a small tip.
Nueva
Caceres to Camaligan. By the road to the West, that at all times is
for carriages, walk to about a half legua, and enter the town. For the rental
of a carriage one pays 4 reals; for a horse, a real; and the same for a guide.
This trip can also be made on the river; for this reason, you are renting at
the capital a boat manned by two rowers and a pilot, and an embark at Tabuco
bridge, sail down river, in one hour you reach the town. For the rental of this
boat manned by three men, is paid a peso.
Nueva
Caceres to Canaman. On the road to the North, that at all times
is for carriages, in about twenty minutes you can reach Canaman. For the rent
of a carriage one pay four reals; for a horse, a real; and the same for a foot guide.
Nueva
Caceres to Magarao. Go out on the road to Canaman whose town is
left to the West, and soon you will enter in Magarao, that the capital is only half
an hour away. For the rental of a carriage one pays four reals; for a horse, a
real; and the same for a foot guide.
Nueva
Caceres to Libmanan. This trip may be done in two ways: by the
river, or by land. To do so by water, one embarks on a boat that goes down
river and in about five hours one reaches Libmanan. For the rental of a boat
manned by two rowers and a pilot one pays two pesos. By land, going out on the raod
to the North, you will arrive soon at Magarao; you leave this town to the East,
and taking the path to the West, or follow the telegraph line, in one hour one
reaches the bank of the Bicol River
where there are rafts; cross this river, and, after about a fifteen minute walk
on a good road, one enters Libmanan. For the rental of a carraige one pays
three pesos; a horse, a peso; and by a guide, four reals. In the crossing with
the raft one pays: by riding a carriage, two real; by a horse, a real; and by one
person without a load, two quarters.
Nueva
Caceres to Pili. Get out on the path of the E. that in all
times is for the carriage; soon you will arrive at the vicinity of Palestina,
and going to the Southeast, in little while one arrives at Pili, which is far
from the capital of about 15 kilometers. For the rental of a carriage one pays
two pesos; for a riding horse, six reals; and by a foot guide, half a peso.
MILAOR.
Located at the North of Minalabac, to
the Northeast of San Fernando, to the S. of Nueva Cáceres, on a flat ground and
next to the Bicol River. It was founded in 1579. It has a good church of stone masonry
with iron roof, and a good tribunal-house, a school, and approximately 2000
houses, within its barrios and visitas, of which about 800 are from wood planks
and the remaining of lightweight materials. As everywhere, there are several
chinese shops that sell textiles, hardwares, groceries and wines of the
country, plus some other similar little things. They don't kill cows except
when they have festivals in the town, when they celebrate a novenario for some wealthy
deceased, or when they accommodate another resident in their homes, and if only
some pigs are slaughtered. There is no bread, but both this as meats can be bought
daily by going to the capital which is near. The water is good.
POPULATION - 5012 souls
spread over the town that forms it; 6 visitas and 7 barrios.
AGRICULTURE
- This town has a good rice field, but so low-lying,
but the flooding of the river near it inundates it quite frequently that they
often lose their crops. In them occurs much and excellent rice, some corn,
sweet potatoes, anahao, gabe, ube, various fruits, and vegetables.
INDUSTRY
AND COMMERCE - Besides the benefit of the agricultural
products, fisheries, the breeding of cattle and carabaos, for which it has very
good pasture, and of some rude fibers of abaca, it supports the construction of
wooden furniture, where it devotes a great number of men and that gives them a
good and sure income, by supplying all the towns of the province. These pieces
of furniture, even if they are somewhat crude, are very strong and at fixed prices.
It also has in its jurisdiction a destillery for the distillation of wine of
the country. Its trade consists in the annual sale of about 5,000 cavans of
palay.
LIVESTOCK AND
FISHERY -
230 cattle; 2004 class carabaos; 263 of the horses, and 300 pigs.
LANGUAGE - Bikol.
CLIMATE - Wet and warm,
but healthy.
From Milaor to Nueva Caceres. Take the path from
the North that is at all times good for carriages; you walk a quarter of a
league and reach the bank of the Bicol River that passes a raft that is always
ready; you walk a small path and enter Nueva Caceres. For the rental of a carriage
one pays out a peso; by horse, 2 reals; and by a guide, a real. The rowers are
given a small tip.
From Milaor in Minalabac. By the way to the South
that is good at all times for carriages and walk an average of a Legua, and
arrive at Minalabac. By a carriage one pays 4 reals; by a horse, a real; and
the same for a guide.
From Milaor to San Fernando. Get out on the
road from the Southwest. that is good at all times for carriages; and walk to a
Legua passing some rivers provided with all bridges, two of which are made of
stone and it is a pity that they are abandoned, and you arrive to San Fernando.
Pay for the rental of a carromata, half a peso; by a horse, 2 reals; and by a
guide, one real.
SAN FERNANDO
San Fernando is located to the south
of Nueva Caceres and Gainza; the west of Minalabac; to the east of Pamplona; to
the southwest of Milaor; on the bank of a creek; on flat and clear land. It is
crossed by a stream called Agos, and was founded in the year 1813. It has good
church and convent both of stone, wood and nipa; quite medium tribunal-house;
schools, and approximately 1,200 houses, of which 500 are of of wood planks and
the remaining of lightweight materials. There are 12 Chinese settled in the
five shops of second class, in which sell fabrics, hardwares and edible of the
country. They don't kill more than a few pigs, and only during weddings and
funerals of wealthy people they butcher a calf; but they can eat fresh cow’s meat
daily that are bought in the capital which is near. Seldom they have bread, but
you can get it daily by taking it in the way as that of the meat. The water is
bad, and only one can have a good water to drink from the site called Inarian in
the vicinity of Calabanga.
POPULATION – 2,707 souls in
the town and its 5 barrios, 3 visitas or hamlets.
AGRICULTURE.
- In their land which is very fertile because it is watered by infinite
streams, but it is prone to be flooded in the months of February to December, it
produces much and excellent rice and abaca, sugarcane, sweet potatoes, anahao,
cocoa, coffee, cotton, vegetables and several fruits. In their mountains abound
the timber, which include the Hapuit, Anajaon, Carogcog, Cadanag, Bindo,
Batitinan, Antipolo, ex officio, Malasoro, Panaguitunan,barbel, Guijo,
Malatongon, Anagop, Matamata, Donlogbonlio, Talolo, molave, Tiroron,
Mangachapuy, Barayong and others, as well as the honey, wax and big game hunting.
INDUSTRY
AND COMMERCE – Aside from the benefits of the agricultural
products, some fibers from abaca, and timber-cuttings of the magnificent woods
that are found in their forests. Its trade consists of the sale of
approximately 10,000 cavans of palay and 1,500 picols of abaca that it annually
sells to the towns of this and other provinces.
LIVESTOCK AND
FISHERY -The compose 2,100 head cattle; 800 carabaos;
200 of the horses; and about 160 pigs.
LANGUAGE - Bikol.
CLIMATE - Temperate and
healthy.
From
San Fernando to Pamplona. Take the western path that in the
dry season you can go horseback riding but in time of the rains is only by
carabaos and with work; walk to a Legua and arrive at Pamplona. For the leasing
of a horse one pays two reals; and by a foot guide, a real.
From
San Fernando in Milaor. By the northeastern way that is good
for carriages at all times, in a quarter of an hour one arrives at Milaor which
only is only a Legua distant. For the rental of a carriage one pays four reals;
by a horse, two reals; and by a foot guide, a real.
From
San Fernando to Gainza. Get out on the northern path that
you can only pass on horseback in dry season, because in the water is
impossible, and after walking a Legua one reaches Gainza. For the leasing of a
horse, one pays two reals; and by a guide, a real.
From
San Fernando in Pasacao. Go on the southwestern path, it is
only on horseback because although in the dry weather you can go in a carriage
up to the barrio of San Gabriel, not always the way leads to this: when you
arrive at the mentioned barrio of San Gabriel, it is left to the Northwest the
path that leads to Pamplona, walk a Legua and three-quarters and Pasacao can be
reached. For the rental of a carriage from San Fernando to the barrio of San
Gabriel, one pays out six reals; for the leasing of a horse riding from San
Fernando to Pasacao, four reals; and by a foot guide, two reals.
PAMPLONA
Located at the west of San Fernando;
to the north of Pasacao; to the southwest of Gainza; in a flat terrain, and on
the shore of a creek that takes the name of the town. It was founded in 1817. It
has a small church of lightweight materials, as well as a bad convent, since
both that and this, were destroyed by a typhoon: a tribunal of wood planks, and
the schools of bamboo cane and nipa. In addition to these buildings, there are
about 200 houses some of which are of wood with metal roofs, others of wooden planks
with nipa roofs, and the majority of lightweight materials. There are based or established
in this village 20 Chinese with several
shops that sell fabrics and edible of the country. They butcher a calf weekly,
and often pigs. They have bread daily, and the water is bad, because it is
taken from the nearby river that is dirty and of low current: this river, it
serves as a waterway that puts one in immediate communication and trade with
the towns of Gainza, Camaligan, Milaor and Nueva Caceres.
POBLACION
. – 3,117 souls spread all over the town and in the 6 visitas and 5 barrios
that it has in its jurisdiction.
AGRICULTURE
- In the fields, rice, corn, abaca, a
bit of sweet sugar cane, vegetables and fruits are produced, and in the
mountains there are many and beautiful wood for construction and cabinet-making.
INDUSTRY
AND COMMERCE. - Apart from the benefit of the agricultural
products, has about 20 looms to make abaca and cotton fibers for its use; a destillery
for the distillation of spirits; and timber-cutting mill. Its trade is the sale
of 5,000 cavans of palay and 700 picols of abaca annually.
LIVESTOCK AND
FISHERY - 750 cattle heads; 500 carabaos; 130 horses;
60 goats; and 100 pigs.
LANGUAGE.- Bikol.
CLIMATE.- Temperate and
healthy.
From
Pamplona to Pasacao. Take the path of the S. it is only by horseback;
soon you will leave the eastern the path that leads to San Fernando, and
following the footpath to the south, in little time Pasacao is reached that is far
from Pamplona only about 2 Leguas away. For the leasing of a horse, one pays
out four real; and by a guide, two.
From
Pamplona to S. Fernando. By the way to the east that only
in dry weather you can go on horseback riding, because in the rainy season it
is impossible to make because of flooding, walk a Legua and you arrive to San
Fernando. Pay for the rental of a horse for two reals; and by a guide, a real.
From
Pamplona to Gainza. By the way to the northeast, it is only on
horseback that this can be done and in dry weather, because in the rainy season
it can only be passed on carabao in a slow pace, walk a Legua and arrive at
Gainza. For the leasing of a horse, it pays out two real; and by a guide, a
real. It can also be made with a trip by water, or engaging a boat in Pamplona,
and ride down the river to reach Nueva Cáceres, passing by the towns of Gainza
and Camaligan, disembarking at the point that best suits them.
PASACAO
Located to the south of Pamplona, in
hilly terrain and at the port of that name. It was founded in the year 1878,
has a small church of stone and wood with roof of anahaw; a convent of wood and
nipa; a medium-sized tribunal of wood; a beautiful private house of stone,
brick and iron; several wooden houses, of fairly good looks; and about 200 more
of lightweight materials. There are three or four stores of seven Chinese that
sell fabrics and edible of the country. They kill some pigs weekly, and very
rarely a cow. The fish is plentiful. There is no bread, and the waters are good
when taken from a source called Busay that is close to the village.
POPULATION. - 949 souls.
AGRICULTURE.-
In their fields occur abaca, some rice, anahao, sweet potatoes, fruits and
vegetables. In their mountains abound the molave, Guijo, Batitinan, Mangachapuy
and others, as well as the wax, honey, canes, reed, major hunting and much
sarsaparilla, are so good, that has nothing to envy to another that may be
found in any part of the world.
INDUSTRY
AND COMMERCE. - Benefit of agricultural products, fishing,
hunting, and loading and unloading of the products that are brought and leaves
the province, the steam-mail. His trade is represented by the sale of approximately
400 annual picos of abaca and that it sells to the town of this province.
LIVESTOCK AND
FISHERY-The
comprise 200 cattle; 100 carabaos; 50 horses; 30 goats; and 50 pigs.
LANGUAGE.- Bikol.
CLIMATE.- Temperate and
healthy.
From
Pasacao to Pamplona. By the way on the north, it is only done on
horseback, walk of one Legua and about a quarter; it departs to the east of the road that goes to San
Fernando, and followed by one of the northwest that is three-quarters of legua
more and one can reach Pamplona, which is far from Pasacao about two leagues.
By the leasing of a horse, one pays out four real, and by a guide, two.
From
Pasacao to S. Fernando. Get out on the path on the north,
or is on the road that also leads to Pamplona and it is only done for horseback;
walk one Legua and a quarter; you leave this path to the northwest , and taking
the one of the northeast one reaches the barrio of San Gabriel in a short while,
where the road is good for a carriage in dry weather, and following the northeast,
in a little while one will arrive at San Fernando, which is far from Pasacao
about two leagues and a half. For the rental of a carromata one pays 2 pesos;
by that of a horse, six real; and by a guide, four. The traveller who has to
make the journey must request in advance at Naga for a carromata so it can wait
in the barrio of San Gabriel; failing to do so, one will have to do the trip on
foot or on horseback because in San Fernando there is no one who rents
carromatas, and, much less, in San Gabriel.
MINALABAC
It is situated at the south of
Milaor; the east San Fernando; in a beautiful plain and to the left bank of the
Bicol River. Its foundation dates from 1580 to 1583. It has a nice church of
stone and wood, roofed with iron; a good convent of masonry and wood but with
nipa roof; a tribunal of wooden planks and two schools both of lightweight
materials. In addition to these buildings, found in the town is a good wooden
house with iron roof; 200 of wood and nipa; and about 80 or 90 of simple construction.
Its layout is very nice and its streets, flat, wide and very straight. It has
its good stone pier and is irrigated by several small canals fitted with well-cared
bridges. In the town, there are distributed four shops owned by ten chinese
that are settled there. They not kill a cow except when they have a fiesta, and
a some pigs are slaughtered weekly. Nor do they make bread, but both this as well
as meat can be taken fresh from the capital which is not very far. The waters are
taken from the nearby Bicol River.
POPULATION - 3287 souls in
the town and in its 9 barrios and visitas.
AGRICULTURE
- Its beautiful fields are fertilized as they
are irrigated by several canals when the lucky ones are not flooded by the
Bicol river in its appalling overflows, which unfortunately happens with much
frequency, harvesting much and excellent rice, a little sweet cane, some corn,
cocoa, coffee, sweet potato and some anahao, more vegetables and fruits. In
their mounts to the south are found some timbers for construction and cabinet-making,
which include the molave, Narra or Naga, Tiroron, Mangachapuy, Camagon, Barayon
or Tindalo, and others, plus some big game hunting, honey, wax and resins.
INDUSTRY
AND COMMERCE. - Aside from the benefits derived from its
agricultural products, it accounts with 150 looms that make guinaras of abaca for use and sale,
timber-cuttings that are sold to the capital and other neighboring villages,
and manufacturing of lime in large scale; therefore, they are supplied to the capital
and other towns of the outlying areas. Its trade is represented by the sale of
20,000 cavanes of rice annually to other towns of this and other provinces; by
which causes the timber-cutting; and leaves them the lime industry that is
considerable, as elaborated in the year about 12,000 cavans that they produced
three to 4,000 pesos.
LIVESTOCK
AND FISHERY - Account with 712 cattle; 3014 carabaos; 800
horses; and 500 pigs.
LANGUAGE- Bikol.
CLIMATE - Despite being a town that is ventilated from
all parts, especially the North that predominates most of the year, it is humid
and unhealthy. The most frequent diseases are the fever, rheumatism and tuberculosis.
From
Minalabac to Milaor. Take the path to the North which has a good
all weather road for carriages especially when the Bicol River overflows during
flood, and after having walked an average of a Legua one arrives in Milaor. For
the rental of a carromata, one pays two reals, by a horse, a real, and a guide
by the same. This trip can also be done by the river and it costs a half peso.
GAINZA
Located to the northwest of Milaor;
to the east of Camaligan; on a flat plain and cleared, and on the shore of the
Bicol River. It was founded during the time of the Bishop of this Diocese Fray
Gainza whose last name is named in memory of that illustrious Prelate. It has a
small church of lightweight materials in the mid state of ruin; a medium-sized
wood convent and nipa with a stone groundfloor; a small tribunal also of wood
and nipa; two schools; 122 wooden houses and nipa; and 448 of lightweight
materials or bamboo cane, nipa, cogon and anahaw within the inclusion of its
visitas. Its streets are wide and flat. Two small shops by four Chinese people supply
the town with fabrics, hardware, edible of the country and other little things.
Only when they have festivals that they kill a calf and they do not make any bread,
but you can get fresh bread and meat every day by going to capital which is
only a walk beyond by the river. The waters are good by taking them from the
Bicol river that passes the town and that serves as its magnificent waterway to
export their scarce products.
POPULATION - 2443 souls
spread over the town and in 14 barrios and visitas within its jurisdiction.
AGRICULTURE
- In their land that is the effect of being very low-lying are prone to
continuous flooding because of the overflow of the Bicol River and therefore
always threatened their crops, occurs only rice that is very good, some anahao
and bananas, more rootcrops as are gabe, ube, sweetpotato and other.
INDUSTRY
AND COMMERCE - Aside from the fruit of agricultural
products, with 80 looms that make some guinaras that it sells in the market of
the capital.
LIVESTOCK AND FISHERY
- It accounts with 100 cattle; 827
carabaos; 80 horses; and a few pigs.
LANGUAGE- Bikol.
CLIMATE - Temperate and
healthy.
From
Gainza to Camaligan. One crosses the Bicol River in a boat, which
is a short journey and enters Camaligan. Everything is done best by water,
because in a boat upriver it only takes about half an hour and costs four reals.
From
Gainza to San Fernando. Get out on the path to the south
that you can only pass on horseback in the dry season, because in the water is
impossible, and after having walked a Legua one arrives at San Fernando. For
the leasing of a horse, one pays out two reals; and by a guide, a real.
From
Gainza to Pamplona. Take the path from the southwest, it is only
on horseback during the dry season, because during the rainy season it can only
be passed by a carabao; walk a Legua and one arrives at Pamplona. By rental of
a horse, one pays out two reals; and by a guide, a real. This trip can also be
done by the river through Gainza, and taking the estuary of the river in
Pamplona, in a very short time they reach the town.
CAMALIGAN
Before, it was called Kinamaligan. It is located to the east
of Nueva Caceres; to the southwest of Canaman; to the north of Milaor; to the northeast
of Gainza; on a flat soil; and to the right bank of the Bicol River. According
to some, it was founded in 1795 and according to others in 1829. It has a small
church of stone, wood and anahaw; a convent of the same materials as that of the
church; a tribunal of wood and nipa, two schools also of wood planks and anahaw;
a house that is big enough made of wood with metal roof; more than 203 houses of
wood planks and nipa; and 354 of bamboo cane and nipa and other lightweight
materials. All these buildings that constitute the town are placed along a
single street, that goes to the west and back to northeast at a right angle. It
is a very busy town, as it is too near from the capital and the road is good,
this is one of the most frequented towns by Spaniards; such is the case, that
usually in the afternoons several carriages cross its street and with people
walking around. This town is home to the beautiful waterway that is called the Bicol
River which passes by licking its banks giving life and energy to its trade.
There are several chinese stores that sell fabrics, hardwares, edible of the
country, and other little things. They kill some pigs weekly, but you can have
daily fresh meat by taking it at the capital which as I have said is a walk
farther. One cannot get bread, but may be obtained by going to Naga. The waters
are good when taken from the above-mentioned river.
POPULATION - 5354
souls spread over the people and in five barrios or visitas that has in its jurisdiction.
AGRICULTURE - In its beautiful ricefields produce much
and excellent rice, many anahao, and some vegetables and fruits. This people
usually lose their crops often as an effect of its being low-lying land and
these are immediately dragged by the current of the river when itoverflows its
bank.
INDUSTRY AND
COMMERCE - Aside from the benefit of the agricultural products, has a
destillery for the distillation of wine of coconut; with l00 looms that make
guinaras of abaca for use and sale, most finest pineapple fibers which enjoy
great reputation inside and outside the province; also nito hats, buri bags,
abaca and ropes for ships. Its trade is reduced to the sale of the products or
manufactures mentioned before, and 9,500 cavans of rice that they export
annually to other towns of this and another province.
LIVESTOCK AND
FISHERY -This are 500 head of cattle; 758 carabaos; 258 horses; and
300 pigs.
LANGUAGE - Bicol.
CLIMATE - Temperate and healthy.
From Camaligan to Nueva Caceres. Take the road to the east that is good for carriages
and one will arrive at Nueva Caceres that is far of an average of a legua only.
For the rental of a carriage, one pays six reals; by that of a horse, a real,
and the same for a foot guide. This trip can also be done by the river; and for
this, one has only to embark on a boat and by the river you can reach Naga in
ten minutes. By a small boat manned by two rowers and a pilot, you have to pay
a peso. We should bear in mind the time of the rise of the tide, because it
depends if one arrives before or after.
From
Camaligan to Gainza.
By the way to the west, you
walk a short way and reach the bank of the river, cross this in a boat and enter
Gainza. This trip can be done all by water in a boat to reach Gainza half an
hour, and costs four real. (pp. 137-139).
p.
248 – Camaligan Population Census of 1865 – 5,942; 1875 – 6,166; 1876 – 5,725;
1877 – 6,456 (no year stated – 5,354).
CAMALIGAN
– Marupit - 307; Dugcal - 413; Sua – 300; San Roque – 180; y Tarosanan – 336
(Total for the five barrios – 1,536), p. 242.
Pili
Located to the southeast of Nueva
Caceres; west of Mabatobato; the northwest of Bula; in the southwest skirt of
the Mount Isarog; and in the plain and clear land. It was founded in the year
1818. It has a small church and cogon, and lacks a tribunal for having been destroyed
the typhoon of 1883 currently using a house of bad conditions; civil guard
barracks; a small school and about 200 houses, of which one is of stone and
wood; 54 of wood and cogon, and the remaining of light materials. There are
based on the town five Chinese with small shops of assorted fabrics of little
value, hardware materials and edible of the country. During fiestas they kill a
calf and each week they slaughter some pigs. There is no bread, and the waters
are so raw that it should be taken with a little bit of sugar or alcohol. It is a town
with very limited resources; so, it is recommended that the travelers should
take the food supplies that you need for their norurishment, because apart from
several chicken, a few eggs and rice, one cannot found anything else.
POPULATION
– 2,905 souls spread over the town and in 10 visitas or barrios that has within
its jurisdiction.
AGRICULTURE
– It produces palay, corn, abaca, sweet potato, ube, gabe and several fruits.
In the mountains there are beautiful wood for all types of construction,
including the Molave, Barayong, Mangachapuy, Tiroron, Batitinan and others.
There are also in them much sugar cane, wax, honey, resins and big game for hunting.
INDUSTRY
AND COMMERCE - Aside from the benefit of its agricultural
products, they make some abaca and cotton fibers, timber-cutting for their
uses, and hunting. Its trade is represented by the sale of approximately 1,500
cavans of palay annual that they export to other towns of this and other
provinces.
LIVESTOCK AND FISHERY
- Accounts with 200 head of cattle; 600 carabaos; 200 horses; 50 goats; and 150
pigs.
LANGUAGE - Bikol.
CLIMATE- Temperate, but
damp and unhealthy.
From
Pili to Nueva Caceres. Take the path of northwest, on a road that is
for carriages at all times; soon you will arrive at the visita of Palestina,
and following the northweast soon one arrives at the capital that only is far
from Pili at about 15 kilometers. For
the rental of a carriage, one pays two pesos; by that of a horse, six reals;
and by a foot guide, three,
From
Pili to Mabatobato. On the path to the east, which only serves as
a bridle path horses, soon you will arrive at the barrio of Himaao then to the
barrio of Ayugan and shortly after to Mabatobato. By the leasing of a horse, a
half peso is paid; and by the foot guide, two reals.
From
Pili to Baao - Set out on the path of the southeast, which in
the dry season is good for the dry season, but in time of the rains only serves
as a bridle path for horses. Soon you will pass the rivers Anayan and Pawili which
are both fitted with bridges, and it reaches the fork of the trail that leads
to the new barrio of Feced; shortly after they pass the rivers Agdangan and
Bahay and soon you will arrive at Baao that is far from Pili 11 kilometers. For
the rental of a cart, one pays two pesos; by that of a horse, four real; and by
a foot guide, two.
From
Pili to Bula. Take the road that goes to Baao that is left
as the only is for carriages in dry weather; after having passed the Ananay river
that is left to the southeast way and taking the south, or better to the one that
leads to the hacienda Causip, in little you will arrive at Bula that is far
from Pili 7 kilometers. For the rental of a cart, paid a weight; by a horse,
three royal; and by a guide, two.
MABATOBATO
Located at the southwest of Tigaon; to the east of Pili; to the noth of Baao;
in the southern skirt of mount Isarog; in hilly terrain, and on the shore of a
river that originates in the mountain. A small church, a small convent, an bad tribunal,
and two schools, all wood and Cogon; 20 houses of wood and cogon; and about 400
houses more of bamboo cane and other lightweight materials, constitute this
small town. There is a chinese based on the with a small and wretched store supplies
the town of some fabrics of little value and edible of the country. They kill a
pig weekly, and very rarely have beef. There is no bread, and the waters are
clear but very raw. As you see this is a town of very scarce resources, so it
is recommended that the travelers should take with them the food needed for their nourishment, because apart
from some chicken and eggs one cannot find another thing.
POPULATION
– 1,405 souls spread over the town and in 7 visitas that are within its jurisdiction.
AGRICULTURE - In their land which is
very fertile because it is irrigated by several rivers and rivulets that
descend from the Isarog they produce enough palay, some abaca, sugarcane, anahao,
fruits and vegetables. Each quinon of field plowed is worth if you are sowing
or planting palay and abaca, 15 pesos; and if it is planted with coconuts, 30
pesos. In its mountains are found many wood of which the most abundant are the Molave,
Mangachapuy, Tiroron, Guijo, Barayong and other: In addition to wood, also
abounds in them the coconut, the bamboo cane, honey, wax, sugar cane and big
game for hunting.
INDUSTRY
AND COMMERCE - Aside
from the benefit of its agricultural products, it has a destillery for the
distillation of the essence of the ylang-ylang that operates during the flowering
season; 100 looms that make some guinaras of abaca, and hunting. Its trade is
so little that it deserves no mention, since it is represented by about 200 picols
of abaca, which they annually sell to other
towns of the Rinconada.
LIVESTOCK AND
FISHERY – It has 2,293 cattle; 680 carabaos; 250 horses;
30 goats; and 150 pigs.
LANGUAGE- Bikol.
CLIMATE -The
circumstances of this town being found very close to Mount Isaroc made it to be
dank.
From
Mabatobato to Tigaon. By the way of the northeast that serves only as
a bridle path to horses; it leaves the path to the south that leads to Baao,
and followed by the of the northeast one can reach the barrio of Mabalodbalod,
then the barrio of Guinamy, after the barrio of Caraycayon, one passes two
rivers, and soon you will enter in Tigaon which is far from Mabatobato about 4
leguas. For the leasing of a horse one pays a peso; and by a guide, four real.
From
Mabatobato to Pili. Take the path of west that at all times is a only
bridle path for horses, and passing a small tributary of the river Pawili, one
can reach the barrio Ayugan, shortly after the barrio of Himaao one moves by the
Anayan river and the little while enters Pili that is far from Mabatobato about
9 kilometers. For the leasing of a horse, one pays four reals and by the guide,
two reals.
From Mabatobato to Baao.
Take the path to the east that as I have said it is only as a bridle path for horses;
when you arrive at barrio of Nooc, leaving the path to the east, and taking the
south, you will arrive at Baao that is far from Mabatobato about three leguas.
For the leasing of a horse, one pays six reals, and a foot guide, three.
BULA
Located at the southeast of Pili; west
of Nabua; to the southwest of Baao; on level ground; to the right margin of the
Bicol River; and between several tributaries of the same. It was founded,
according to some, in 1578, and according to others, in 1591. It has a
beautiful stone church with cogon roof; a convent of stone, wood and cogon; a
bad tribunal of wood and cane; two schools of lightweight materials; and about
400 houses, in general of simple construction, although some of them are made
of wood and other solid materials. Two shops with three Chinese supply the town
of fabrics, hardware, edible of the country, and other trifles. During the town
fiestas, or when some princopals are housed, they kill a calf, and they
slaughter a couple of pigs weekly. There is no bread, and the waters are good when
taken from the Pawili river that passes near the town. During market days they
usually find some dried fish and fresh that are caught in the Bicol River and
in the lake or marsh that is name after it.
POPULATION – 2,077 souls
spread over the town and in five barrios and a visita that are within its
jurisdiction.
AGRICULTURE - In their very
fertile land irrigated by the Bicol River and other tributaries, there is a
great deal and excellent rice, and some corn, sugarcane, vegetables and fruit.
In their mountains abound the timber, and especially the Molave which is
excellent and anahao which are taller, as well as the bamboo canes, pith and
hunting.
INDUSTRY
AND COMMERCE - Aside from the benefit of the agricultural
products, it has 50 looms that make guinaras of abaca and cotton for its use; a
destillery for the distillation of wine of the country; and the important
branch of the fisheries for which they are known are the many pens mounted in
the lagoon before mentioned that provide abundant fishes, its trade is
represented by the sale of the fish that they export once their needs are covered,
more by 200 cavans of palay that they annually sells to other town of this and
other provinces.
LIVESTOCK AND
FISHERY – It has 500 head of cattle; 800 carabaos; 200
horses and mares, 30 sheep and rams; 100 goats; and 100 pigs.
LANGUAGE- Bikol.
CLIMATE - Warm and
somewhat humid, but healthy.
From
Bula to Pili. Take the path of the northwest that in dry
weather it is good for the cart, but in times of the rainy season can only be
passed on horses, and some routes only on carabaos; after having walked about
3/4 of legua, one arrives at the river Anayan that has bridge, and taking the
general road, soon you will enter in Pili that is far from Bula about 7
kilometers. For the rental of a cart one pays a peso; by that of a horse, four
reals, and by a guide, two reals.
BAAO
Located at the west of Buhi; the nprthwest
of Iriga and Nabua; the northeast of Bula; to the southeast of Mabatobato; on
the slopes of Mount Iriga; and in the right margin of a small river tributary
of the mighty Bicol. This town was founded, according to some, in 1700, and
according to others, in 1793. It has a good stone church with roof of iron; a
beautiful convent also of stone and wood with metal roofing; an ancient tribunal
of stone and cogon; two schools, one with ground-floor and stone, and the other
lightweight materials; 500 wooden houses with roof of cogon; and some 700 more
homes, bamboo cane, cogon and other materials of low consistency. A few months
ago the Church was endowed with a beautiful organ, and is currently building in
Manila a beautiful pulpit of iron for the same
church. There are distributed in the town three shops of eleven Chinese
located in the same, that sell fabric, hardware, grocery, edible of the country
and other frivolities. They kill a calf and some pigs weekly. There is no
bread, but it is easy and keep it fresh daily by going to Iriga which is a walk
farther. The waters are good when taken from the site named Boquid-boquid, and
a stream called Bahay, both near the village. Near this location and in the
east to west direction, there are some lagkes known as the "marshes of Baao"
located in a position quite high enough and whose fumes must be harmful to
health.
POPULATION
– 6,906 souls spread over the town and in three visitas that are within its
jurisdiction.
AGRICULTURE
- In its beautiful terrain, perfectly cultivated, there is a great deal and
good rice, enough abaca, some sugarcane, maize, sweet potato, many anahao, a
bit of cocoa and coffee, more several fruits and vegetables. The value of each
quinon of cultivated land for palay is 300 pesos, if is rain-fed, and 150 if it
is food-prone. In the mountains there are good timber.
INDUSTRY
AND COMMERCE – In addition to the benefit from the
agricultural products, it has a destillery for the distillation of spirits,
with about 200 looms in that make precious fabrics of pineapple, jusi, silk,
cotton and abaca, much hunting and fishing. Its trade is represented by the
sale to other towns of this and other provinces of 400 picols of abaca. The
other productions are not exported, as they are of small value to support its
inhabitants.
LIVESTOCK AND
FISHERY –These constitute 2,000 cattle; 1,500 carabaos;
2,000 of the horses; 50 goats; and 500 pigs.
LANGUAGE – Bikol.
CLIMATE - Wet, but very
healthy.
From
Baao to Iriga. Get out on the path to the east that is good
for the cart. At 3 kilometers, you will get to the visita of San Juan, and
passing the river Waras with stone bridge and dividing Iriga and Bath, you walk
half a kilometer more, and reach the visita San Isidro: walk 2 kilometers more,
and come to visita San Nicolas and 2 miles after this is Iriga that is far from
Baao a legua and a half. For the rental of a cart, one pays six reals, and by
that of a horse, two reals.
From
Baao at Nabua. By the way to the southeast that in dry
weather is good for the cart, but in times of the rainy season it only serves as
a bridle path to horses and for carabaos to bath, passing a river with bridge,
and in a short time it arrives at Nabua that is far from Baao a legua long. One
pays for a cart, six reals, and by riding a horse, two.
From
Baao to Pili. Set out on the western path that in dry
weather is good for the cart, but in the rainy season is only for horses; pass
the rivers Bahay, Andagan, Pawili and Anayan, one enters in a short while at
Pili that is far from Baao two leguas long. By a cart, one pays two pesos, and a horse, four reals.
NABUA
It is a large and beautiful town
located in the south of Baao; to the southwest of Iriga; to the northwest of
Bato; on level ground and between the Barit or Buhi and Waras rivers. It was
founded in 1578. It has its good church of stone and wood with galvanized iron
roof; a beautiful convent also of stone with metal roof; a good tribunal of stone
masonry, but with Cogon roof; two schools for children of both sexes; two
beautiful private houses of stone wood and iron; more than 305 houses wood with
cogon roof; and some 1,910 houses of bamboo cane and other materials of low
consistency. There are located in the town nine Chinese owners of three shops
that sell fabric, hardware, edible of Europe and of the country and other
similar strfles or knickknacks.In the feast of the town or in houses when a rich
neighbor dies, they slaughter some cows and on Sundays they kill a calf and
several pigs. Daily they have bread and other pastas, and the waters are good.
This town has a good band that is requested by almost all the towns of the
province when they celebrate their fiestas.
POPULATION
-1,5 508 souls spread over the town and in four barrios or visitas that are within
its jurisdiction.
AGRICULTURE
- In its beautiful fields, which are fertile becuase they are watered by the
rivers mentioned above, although they are exposed to be flooded in time of the rainy
season out of those mother, ir produces much rice, enough sugar cane, anahao,
fruit and vegetables. In the mountains are good wood, which can include the Molave,
Tindalo, Batitinan, Mangachapuy, Guijo, Binolo, Carogcog and others. They also
abound in the sugar cane, wax, honey, resins, Gogo, anahao, spine bamboo cane,
and hunting.
INDUSTRY
AND COMMERCE - Aside of the benefit of the agricultural
products, it has three destilleries for the distillation of wine of the
country; with 2,050 looms that weave cotton fabrics and abaca for use and sale;
fishing and hunting. Its trade is represented by the sale of about 5,500 cavans
of palay whose excess are sold or exchanged by other articles to other towns
and other provinces.
LIVESTOCK AND FISHERY
– It has 2,045 cattle; 3,210 heads carabaos; 2360 horses; 56 goats and 3750
pigs.
LANGUAGE - Bikol.
CLIMATE- Warm and
somewhat humid, but healthy.
From
Nabua to Bato. Take the path of the northwest that at all
times is for the cart except during the days of flooding, one comes to a river
and little you will arrive at Baao that is far from Nabua a legua long. For the
rental of a cart, one pays out twelve reals; for the one horse, three royal,
and a foot guide, a real.
From
Nabua to Iriga. By the way of the northeast that is good for
carriages, walk a legua and enter Iriga. For the rental of a cart, one pays
four reals; by that of a horse, two reals, and by a foot guide, a real.
From Nabua to Bato. By the way to the east that
is a beautiful road for carriages, but only in dry weather, one walks a legua long and enters Bato. For the rental
of a carromata, pays out a weight; on the one horse fit, two royal, and a guide
on foot, a real.
IRIGA
Formerly called Iraga, which in the
language of the province means: there is a lot of land. The location of this
beautiful and picturesque town is at the northwest of Bato; to the northeast of
Nabua; to the east of Baao; to the southwest of Buhi; in the southwestern skirt
of the mountain of its name; in flat terrain, and on the banks of the river Barit.
Its foundation dates from the year 1683. It has a beautiful church and a good
convent, both of stone with iron roof; a grand court of stone and wood; two
schools and the Guardia Civil. In addition to these buildings, it has two
beautiful stone houses with iron roof; a quite spacious wood with metal
montera; 211 wood, also large and beautiful, but with roof of Cogon; more than
648 of wood, cane, Cogon and other materials of low consistency. There are
distributed in the town 6 shops of 56 Chinese that supply the town with assorted
fabrics, hardware materials, edible and some of the country wines and effects
of Europe. In the plaza that extends in front of the church and that is
spacious, they hold a market nightly in which it is usually found everything; but,
in particular on Wednesdays and Saturdays, such is the number of merchants or
shopkeepers and buyers, that it is a true fair; here a post for grains; beyond is
another of fruit; beyond is another of vegetables; then another is for trifles;
after another is tobacco, salt, fish, chicken and eggs, farm implements and
tools, salacots and hats, of bitumen, bags and bayongs, slippers, and other
countless articles impossible to enumerate. These posts are placed on the floor
on mats, or in small huts of bamboo cane and nipa forming streets that are perfectly
aligned, and lighted by so many lanterns and lamps, that the whole presents a view
that is quite pleasant. During the week they kill some cows and pigs. There is
a bakery that works daily, therefore there is always fresh bread. With regard
to water, its inhabitants are well supplied, because only at the center of the
town are born 42 springs that give pure, clear, very good quality water and in
such abundance, that by the majority of its streets are beautiful ditches (canals)
that are used for irrigation, to bathe animals, for washing clothes and other
household uses.
There are several spanish family
that have settled and are dedicated to the industry, trade and agriculture, as it
is, the traveller usually passes well, because it is always received by any of
them or accommodated by some natives, taken to their homes and treated and entertained
in the most fine and selfless way, given the great kindness that to some and
others are destingued.
POPULATION
- 11, 5 1 2 souls spread over the town and in 11
visitas and barrios that it has in its jurisdiction. In addition to these persons,
account with 276 small negritos that live in the barrio or visita of Novelda
next to the town and it was formed the year 1881 when they conducted a military
expedition against the insurgents in this province.
AGRICULTURE
-The extent of cultivated land that this town has, a reasonable amount
according to calculation, is about five square leagues, that produces palay,
sugarcane, corn, coffee that is very good, cocoa, sweet potato, gabe, peanut
butter, abaca, tobacco, anahao, cotton, garlic, onions, fruits and vegetables.
In its beautiful montes are reared much wood for construction and cabinet-making,
which include the Ebony, Molave, Narra, Guijo, Cedar, Barayong, Batitinan, Amuguis
and others, as well as the sapan tree, the anahao, the gogo, the spine bamboo
cane, sugar cane, honey and wax.
TRADE
INDUSTRY - Aside from the benefit of the agricultural
products, it has four destilleries for the distillation of alcohols, and two
for the manufacture of the essence of the ylang-ylang. It also has 500 looms of
rude construction in which they weave guinaras of abaca, cotton fabrics and
scarves and tapis of silk for their uses. It is also the industry of this
village, the benefit of the pineapple fiber is that it is growing with
abundance in their fields and whose fibers are used, partly as rimmed in threads
that are called piñas, either alone, or by mixing it with silk,
and partly they sell to other towns that is highly sought after. Its trade is
represented by the sale of the ylang-ylang that develops and usually exported
to Europe; for a few 4,000 picols of abaca that they annually harvest and sells
to the trading houses that are found in it, and by the export which leads to
the large amount of garlic that they harvest and sells to almost all the towns
of this province and some of Albay.
LIVESTOCK AND
FISHERY -This comprises 520 heads of cattle; 2345
carabaos; 1491 of the horses; 80 to be and 1200 pigs.
LANGUAGE.- Bikol.
CLIMATE
- Very healthy at all times;
From
Iriga to Buhi.Get off the path of the northeast which at all
times is good for carriage; a little out of the town comes the barrio of
Novelda, Barit River is passed, and shortly afterwards is the crossroads of the
road which runs to Albay; leave this to the southeast, and following to the north
soon one arrives at Buhi, which is about two kilometers from Iriga. For the renting
a cart, one is paid three pesos; by a horse, six reals; and a foot guide,
three.
From
Iriga to Baao.Take the road to the west which is good for
carriages at all times; at two kilometers you get to the visita of San Nicolas;
two kilometers ahead is the barrio of San Isidro; and after half a kilometer to
the River Waras that is passed through a good stone bridge and is the boundary
line between Iriga and Baao: after this bridge, is the visita of San Juan: walk
three kilometres more, and enter in Baao, which is far from Iriga one mile and
a half. By the rent of a cart, one pays six reals; and by a horse, two.
From
Iriga to Nabua.By the way of the southwest which at all times
is for carriage, walk a little more than one mile and enter Nabua. By the rent of
a cart, one pays six reals; and by a horse, three reals.
From
Iriga to Polangui. Pull off along the path to the southeast,
which only serves as a bridle path for the horses and in time of the rainy
season only in carabao can pass: soon one will reach the river San Francisco
passing through a bridge: walk seven kilometers more, and reach San Antonio
where one passes the Agos River and arrive at the visita with water to the
girth of the horse and the river is at the boundary of Camarines Sur and Albay.
Past this river, entering a muddy field and covered with scrubland and cogon with
a thing to go is to cut to pass, until one reaches the road that leads to Bato:
set out towards the west, and crossing in a boat the Matacón River first, which
is about sixty metres wide, walk six kilometers on a good road by the banks of
the Quinali River, entering Polangui which is about fifteen kilometers from
Iriga. To make this travel one should bring along people equipped with bolo in
front, with the purpose of clearing the way; and in the rainy season, one
should go on a carabao, because there are sitios that are so very bad and with
holes that are very deep, which only this kind of beast can pass. It is also necessary
to be prepared with food, because there are no houses in this journey, and if
any are found, the people are so poor and miserable, that not even water they have.
For renting a horse, pay eight or ten reals; and a foot guide, a half peso.
BATO
Located at the southwest of Buhi; to
the southeast of Iriga; to the east of Nabua; on level ground; on the northern
shore of the lake that gives it its name, and to the left of a river. It was
founded in 1753. It has a church and parish house both stone and wooden with
iron roof; a tribunal of wood and cogon; two schools; a house of stone with
metal roof; thirty houses more of wooden plank but with nipa roof; and 360
housing units more of bamboo cane, nipa cogon and other lightweight materials.
There are based in the town eight Chinese with four stores that sell some
fabrics, hardware, alcohols, and edible of the country. Each week they kill a
pig and very rarely a cow, since, as its inhabitants have abundant and good
fish which they get in the lake that gives its name to the town, it is this
that they are fed more than meat. There is no bread, and the waters are bad if
they are taken from the nearby lake, and good if they are taken out from the Agos
river, which is passed a legua from the town.
POPULATION
– 4,900 souls spread over the town and in the barrios and visitas within its
jurisdiction.
AGRICULTURE
- In its beautiful fields are taken much and excellent rice, some vegetables,
and various fruits. In the mountains there are many and beautiful hardwoods,
such as Molave, Guijo, Anubling, Lubid-lubid, Apuit and others, anahao, bamboo cane,
sugar cane, resins and big game for hunting.
INDUSTRY
AND TRADE - Aside
from the benefit of the agricultural products, it has approximately 20 looms
that weave guinaras for its use; plus the benefit of the abundant fishing that are
caught in its beautiful lagoon and that are exported to the neighboring towns,
where they sell at good prices. Its trade is reduced to the sale of fish, and
about 750 cavans of palay that annually they export to other towns of this and
other provinces.
LIVESTOCK AND
FISHERY - Accounts with 500 cattle; 660 carabaos; 300
horses; 15 goats; and 150 pigs.
LANGUAGE - Bikol.
CLIMATE - Temperate and
healthy.
From
Bato to Nabua. Take the path to the west that is for
carriages; one passes the Barit or Buhi river and in little time Nabua is
reached that is far from Bato a legua. For the rental of a cart, one pays four
reals; by that of a horse, two, and a foot guide, a real.
From
Bato to Polangui. By the way to the southwest that in dry
weather is good for carriages but in times of the rain it only serves as a
bridle path for horses, in a short the Nagpurog river which empties into the
Quinali river is crossed with a boat, and followed by .fairly medium path one
reaches the Matacon river, passes this in boat, and the horses to swim, and followed
by the banks of the river Quinali in little time Polangui of Albay province is
reached, which is far from Bato about 4 leagues. The carriage can go up to the
drop of the Nagpurog river and from there can go to Matacon where one can go
perfectly, since the latter river although usually has bridge but it is bad.
For the rental of a cart, one charges four pesos, because the road is bad; on
one horse, a peso, and a foot guide, one pays four reals. This trip can also be
done by water; and for this reason, there is no more than embarking on a boat
in Bato, and by the shore of the lake take the estuary of the Quinali river and
in few hours one arrives at the town of Polangui. For the rental of a boat
manned by four rowers and a pilot, are paid four reals per man. This trip takes
about three hours.
BUHI
Located to west of Malinao and Tiwi
of the province of Albay; to the north of Polangui of that province; the east
of Iriga; at the southern skirt of mount Eiisario; next to Mount Buhi, on whose
summit is the watershed of this province and Albay; in uneven terrain; to the south
shore of the lake of the same name; to the right of a river that drains in the
lake; and next to the origin of the river also called Buhi. It was created in
1578. The church of this town today, as well as the convent, are temporary and
lightweight materials; the schools of the same; and in regard to the hamlet
before the fire, which occurred in September of 1883, was quite regular, as it
had large number of houses of materials strong; but currently it has only a few
thousand homes, in general of simple construction. There are about 100 Chinese
set out in it, with small shops that sell fabrics, hardware, edible of the
country and other similar trifles. They hold a market weekly and kill some
cattle and several pigs, but only a few, since the inhabitants, more than meat,
feed on the rich and plentiful fishes that its beautiful lagoon and immediate
rivers provide them. There is no bread, and the waters are good.
POPULATION – 6,096 souls
distributed in the town and in four visitas that has in its jurisdiction.
AGRICULTURE
- The cultivated land that has this town will be about twenty square leagues,
and they produce palay and abaca in abundance, many more anahao, some cacao and
sugarcane, vegetables and fruit. The approximate value of each quinon of field plowed
is the following: abaca, 75 pesos; of palay, 100; and cocos, 20. In their
mountains abound the timber, the gogo, the bamboo cane, sugar cane, nito, wax,
honey and big game for hunting.
INDUSTRY
AND COMMERCE - Aside from the benefit of the agricultural
products, it has a destillery for the distillation of wine of the country as
what they are doing with the tuba coconut; another destillery for the distillation
of essence of ylang-ylang that works at the time of the flowering season; 325
looms for fibers that they make for their particular use; a carpentry and two
smithshops; aside from the fishing in the mentioned lagoon that provides its
inhabitants some utilities, since they sell enough fish for the neighborinh towns.
His trade is reduced only to the sale of the abaca, whose filament will sell
annually from 6000 to 7000 picols, all the other fruits are consumed in the
village.
LIVESTOCK AND
FISHERY - Accounts with 563 cattle; 900 carabaos; 600
horses; 300 pigs; and 60 goat.
LANGUAGE - Bikol.
CLIMATE - Sometimes humid,
but warm and healthy.
From
Buhi to Iriga. By the way to the south that is good for carriages,
a little way out of the town get to the southwest by the road that goes to
Albay, followed to the east that passes by the river Barit, and soon you will
arrive to Iriga that is far from Buhi about two and a fourth leguas. For the
rental of a cart, one pays out three pesos; by that of a horse, six reals; and
by a foot guide, three reals.
From
Buhi to Sangay. By preparing a boat in advance, and crossing lake
Buhi, one arrives at the barrio Tambo, located to the north of the same lake;
horses are taken here, and start to set out by a pretty bad road that passes
through between the foothills of Mount Iriga and Elisario, soon you will arrive
at the barrio Tubigan; continue to the northeast and soon you will arrive at barrio
Tunaron; then continue to the north and leaving the western path that leads to
barrio Panican in a little time one arrives at Sangay that is far from Buhi
about eight leguas. For the leasing of a horse, one pays a peso; and by a
pedestrian guide, four real.
From
Buhi to Tiwi. Get out on the path to the east that is only
a bad path for pedestrians; then walk about eight leguas by a severely rough
road, and arrive at Tiwi of the province of Albay. For the leasing of a horse, one
pays four reals, and the same for a foot guide.
From
Buhi to Polangui. Take the path to the south that is only a
bridle path for horses, and after having walked an hour you can reach the
barrio Santa Isabel; cross the river Lalo, and an hour and a half of this is
the town of Polangui, the first in the province of Albay. For the leasing of a
horse, one pays six reals, and four by a guide.
CANAMAN
Located to the southwest of Magarao;
to the northwest of Nueva Caceres; to the southeast of Libmanan; to the right
bank of a river that crosses from east to west; and on the plain and clear land.
It was founded in 1599, has its good stone church with iron roof; a beautiful
convent but also stone with anahao roof; tribunal house of stone, wood and nipa;
two schools, and about a thousand houses, in general of simple construction,
while some 200 or 300 of them are made of wood and nipa. There is established
eight Chinese with shops that sell fabric, hardware and edible of the country.
Each week they kill three or four pigs, and when they have fiestas and by some
affluent house persons die, they slaughter a calf. In spite of not having
killed cow daily one can eat fresh meat by going to the capital which is only
twenty minutes. There is no bread, but can be obtained daily going to Naga as
is done with the meat. It is very cheerful and town, as it is only little far
from the capital, that often some families who own a car go in the evening
walk. The waters are good, but something brackish.
POPULATION- 6,369 souls
distributed in the town and in eight barrios and 10 visitas that are within its
jurisdiction.
AGRÍCULTURE
- In their land that are very fertile, they produce abundant rice, giving each
quinon about 1,200 annual produce; is given in addition enough corn, cotton, anahao,
vegetables and several fruits.
INDUSTRY
AND COMMERCE - Benefit of agricultural products and some
abaca and cotton fibers produced in 79 regular looms that operate at different
times during the year; its trade is the sale of approximately 1200 cavans of palay
that are annually exported to other towns of this and other provinces.
LIVESTOCK AND
FISHERY - Accounts with 67 head of cattle; 297 carabaos;
109 horses; 5 sheep; 19 goats; and 290 pigs.
LANGUAGE - Bikol.
CLIMATE - A little bit
damp, but healthy.
From Canaman to Nueva Caceres.
By the way to the south that is for carriages, in ten minutes you can reach the
capital. For the rental of a cart, one pays four reals; by that of a horse, a
real; and the same for a foot guide.
From
Canaman to Camaligan. Take the path to the south that is good for carriages
and you will arrive at Camaligan that only is far by an average of a legua. For
the rental of a cart, of a horse, or a guide, it pays the same as to the
bedside.
From
Canaman to Magarao. Take the path to the northeast that is good for
carriages and passing a stream that has bridge, in little time one reaches
Magarao that only is far from Canaman an average of a legua. By a cart, horse
or guide, one pays the same as that to the capital or Camaligan.
MAGARAO
Located to western skirt of mount
Isarog; to the northeast of Nueva Caceres; to the south of Quipayo and Bombon;
in a flat terrain, and to the banks of a river. It was founded in 1750. It has
a good Church and a beautiful convent, both of stone with iron roof; a bad tribunal
of wood and cogon; two schools, and approximately 2000 homes of which 500 or
600 are of wood and other solid materials, and the remaining of simple
construction, there are in the 41 Chinese based with 13 shops open with assorted
fabrics, hardware and edible of the country, more infinite small native stores.
They kill a calf or carabao and some pigs weekly, but you can get fresh meat
daily by taking it to the capital which is next. There is no bread, but may
also be taken as in the way of the meat. The waters are medium when taken from
Sipatan, but if you take them out of Panicuason, Carolina today, are best.
POPULATION
-5,301 souls spread over the town or and in eight barrios and four visitas that
has in its jurisdiction.
AGRICULTURE
- In its beautiful fields watered by several streams, and therefore very
fertile, is produced in abundance the rice that is of excellent quality, sesame
seeds, anahao, sweet potato pulses and several fruits. The area of cultivated
land and belonging to individuals that this town has, a reasonable amount
according to calculation, is about four square leguas; and dedicated to the pasture
for animals and belonging to the common people, about three square leguas also.
The price of each quinon of cultivated land is to 60 pesos if you are sowing of
palay; 70 pesos, if it is coconut; and 30 pesos if it is nipa.
INDUSTRY
AND COMMERCE – Aside
from the benefit of the agricultural products, it has three destilleries for
the distillation of wine of the country, they operate in accordance with way of
collecting the tuba from coconuts, more with 60 looms in weaving fabrics of
abaca and cotton well either for its use or for sale. Its trade is the sale of
20,000 cavans of rice exported annual to other towns of this and other
provinces.
LIVESTOCK AND FISHERY
- Accounts with 700 head of cattle; 2500 carabaos; and 200 horses; 50 goats;
and 1500 pigs.
LANGUAGE - Bikol.
CLIMATE - Temperate and
very healthy.
From
Magarao to Bombon. Go out by the way to the northeast that is good
for carriages; in the middle of the road passes a small stream provided with a
bridge, and in a little you will arrive to confection that is far from Magarao
three-quarters of legua. For the rental of a carriage, you have to pay a peso;
by the of a cart, four reals, and a foot guide, a real.
From
Magarao to Canaman. By the path to the southwest, which is for
carriages, walk an average of a legua and arrive at Canaman. For the rental of
a carriage, one pays four or six reals; by a cart, two reals, and a foot guide,
a real.
From Magarao to Libmanan. Take the way to the west,
which is for carraiges in the dry season, but in time of the rainy season can
only be passed on by horse. Having walked about ten kilometers, one arrives on
the edge of the Bicol River at that point called Botongan. At this point one
crosses by a boat or in a raft that is there always prepared, which you have
contract. If the raft is fast one can pass the carriage and horses, but if not,
one passes in the boat and horses to swim. Past the river, walk three miles
more, and enters Libmanan that is far from Magarao about fourteen kilometers.
In
the crossing of Botongan one pays:
By
carriage…………………….. 3 reals.
By
a cart……………………….. 2 reals
By
that of a horse…………….. 1 real.
By
one person….…………….. 2 quarters
To do this trip in dry weather, which can be
done in a cart, the best thing is to cable to Libmanan so that they can prepare
a vehicle on the bank of Botongan.
BOMBON
Before this town was a dependent
barrio of Quipayo, and is called San Nicolas. Located to the southwest of
Quipayo; to the northeast of Magarao; to the east of Libmanan, and in the plain
and clear land. It was founded in the year 1804. It has its stone church with a
roof of cogon; its convent also of stone with roof of nipa; its tribunal of the
same materials as the convent; schools of wood and cogon; and some 700 homes,
in general of bamboo cane and nipa, while approximately one hundred of them are
strong materials. There are based in the town five Chinese with several shops
of assorted fabrics, hardware and edible of the country. They kill a couple of
pigs weekly, and when they have fiestas they slaughter a calf or caraboa. There
is no bread, and the waters are good when the taken from the spring water is
that there is next to the town.
The only thing remarkable of this
town is the tower of the church, which never ceases to call the interest of the
traveller by its tilt, as this makes him remember the famous Pisa. Let's look
at why that is tilted, and you can form a rough idea of what the indios did who
were the architects of this country in 1820, the date on which it is built.
Under the leadership of the parish
priest at that time who administered the town spiritually, they constructed the first two storeys of this tower, which
are made up of blocks of good stone,
with a height of twelve by six square meters; this blocks are raised, it
happened that, because it was found to be poorly cemented, it sank the ground,
and the two built storeys inclined toward the eastern side. In view of what
happened the work was paralyzed; but then since the parish priest of town was
gone, it was without a parish priest for some months, during which the
residents determined to finish the tower, which were discussed at great length,
whether or not it the inclined part should be broken down, finally decided,
that to undo what was done was "a lot of work," will continue the
work of the remaining storeys on the leaning blocks, as in fact they did, the
third building, the fourth and the dome, which, as what is natural, employed
the plumb line, and finished the work, that were so pleased with it. When the
new parish priest arrived at the town, he saw the anomaly, and asking their
parishioners why they had made that mostrousity, reported what happened,
telling him that to undo what was done was shameful, and that "it is good
already, father." This tower in spite of its inclination and of the many
earthquakes that have occurred in the province, has not suffered nothing
absolutely, without which, apparently and according to the assurance of knowledgeable
people, presents danger of collapse.
POPULATION - 2,528 souls, distributed in the town, and its
visita called Pagao.
AGRICULTURE
- Its main products are palay and anahao, and also produced, albeit on a small
scale, the peanut, sweet potato, fruit and vegetables. The value of each quinon
of terrain plowed, is 50 to 60 pesos.
INDUSTRY
AND COMMERCE - Aside from the benefit of the agricultural
products, accounts with 190 looms in that weave fabrics for its use. Its trade
is the sale of rice left over from the harvest, that anually sell to other towns
of this and other provinces for a respectable sum of 30,000 cavans of palay.
LIVESTOCK AND
FISHERY - Accounts with 370 head of cattle; 550 carabaos;
200 horses; 75 goats; and 470 pigs.
LANGUAGE - Bikol.
CLIMATE - Temperate and healthy.
From
Bombon to Magarao. Set out on the road to the southwest, that in
any time is for carriages, passing a brook, and in little you will arrive at
Magarao, which is only three-quarters of legua. For the rental of a cart, one
pays four reals; by that of a horse, two reals, and by a foot guide, a real.
From
Bombon to Quipayo. By the way to the northeast that is for
carraiges, in short time one will arrive at Quipayo, because it is only far by an
average of a legua. By rent of a cart, one pays two reals; by a horse, a real,
and by a pedestrian guide, ten quarters.
QUIPAYO
Located to the southwest of
Calabanga; to the north of Bombon; to the east of Libmanan; in flat terrain,
and next to a small creek. It was founded in the year 1578. It has a small
church of stone, wood and cogon; a convent of the same materials as the church;
a small wooden, bamboo cane and nipa tribunal; two schools of lightweight
materials; 28 wooden houses and nipa, and 137 of cane, nipa and cogon. Two
small Chinese shops supply the town of some fabrics, hardware, and wines and
food of the country. There is no bread, and the waters are murky and bad, for
which reason the wealthy go to the spring of Calabanga, which are best. When
they have fiestas they kill a calf and on Sundays they slaughter some pigs.
POPULATION
- 1,614 souls spread over the town and
in their two barrios and visitas called Payatpat and San Bernardino.
AGRICULTURE - In their land
nearly all irrigated crop is much good rice, corn, sweet potato, gabe, much
anahao, some vegetables and fruits.
INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE
-The benefit of the agricultural products, and some rude abaca and cotton
fibers, for which account with 60 or 70 looms of rude construction. Its trade
is the sale of around 700 cavanes of palay to other towns of this and other
provinces.
LIVESTOCK AND FISHERY
- Accounts with 582 head of cattle; 609 carabaos; 168 horses, and 70 pigs.
LANGUAGE - Bikol.
CLIMATE - Temperate and
healthy.
From
Quipayo to Calabanga. Set out on the road to the northeast and for
carriages at all time; walk a half legua passing two creeks provided with
bridges, and enters the town. By rental of a cart, one pays two reals; by a
horse, a real, and by a guide, the same thing.
From
Quipayo to Bombon. Take the path of the southwest, that is for
carriages, and after having walked an average legua, you arrive at the village.
Pay for the rental of a cart, two reals; for the one horse, a real and a foot guide,
the same thing.
CALABANGA
Located to the southwest of
Tinambac; to the northeast of Quipayo; an average of a legua to west of mount
Isarog; to the southwest of Mangiring; between some streams that originate from
the said mountain; in flat terrain by the south and west, and broken and uneven
by the north and the east. It was founded in 1749. It has a church and convent,
both of stone, wood and nipa; a tribunal of stone, wood and cogon; lacks
buildings for schools, and the rest of the town is formed by 60 houses of wood
and nipa, and 876 of lightweight materials. Some 15 stores of 30 Chinese
settled in the town supply its inhabitants with fabrics, hardware, edible of
the country and other similar trifles. W kill They kill a couple of pigs weekly
and once in a while they slaughter a calf. There is no bread, and the waters
are good when taken from the many streams that originate in the nearby mount
Isarog and that pass near the village.
POPULATION – 4,847 souls
spread over the town and in twelve districts and two visitas that are in its
jurisdiction.
AGRICULTURE
- In their land that are very fertile occurs enough palay, some abaca, anahao,
vegetables and some fruits. In the mountains are bred fine woods, among them
are the Narra, Amuyon, Palo-maria and others, as well as spine bamboo cane, cocnuts,
sugar cane, honey, wax and big game for hunting.
INDUSTRY
AND TRADE - Benefits
from the agricultural products, are the abaca
fibers in about 250 looms of poor construction, yhe manufacture of wine of the
country and a distillery of a primitive style, and fishes, which are taken to
the capital and neighboring villages. Its trade is represented by the sale of
the fish that they catch, and of some abaca fibers that are sold to the trading
houses.
LIVESTOCK AND
FISHERY - Accounts with 1250 head of cattle; 950
carabaos; 260 horses; 20 goats, and 150 pigs.
LANGUAGE - Bikol.
CLIMATE. - Being
defended from the northeast winds, which is harmful, is healthy and temperate.
From
Calabanga to Quipayo. Set out by the way of the wouthwest, which is
good for carriages; but in the middle of the road passes a creek, and in little
you will arrive at Quipayo which is far from Calabanga an average of a legua.
For the rental of a cart, one pays two reals; by a horse, a real, and the same
for a foot guide.
From
Calabanga to Mangiring. Set out by the way to the east.
that in dry weather it is for carriages, but in the rainy season can only be
passed on horse or carabao; in a short while it goes through the barrio
Noctuan, and after walking another both of what is being walked, it reaches
Mangiring Calabanga is far from a league and a half. For the rental of a
carromata, it pays out twelve real; by that of a horse four, and by a guide,
two.
From Calabanga
to Tinambac. Set out by a bad path that goes to the north, and it only serves
as aq bridle path for horses; after having gone through a few fields, pass a
creek and you will reach visita Belen; continue moving always to the north and a
little time to the east the road that generally goes to Mangiring, follow to
the north and Tinambac reached that is far from Calabanga about two leguas
long. Pay six reals for a horse.
TINAMBAC.
Formerly called Imoragat, located in
the south of Siroma; to the north of Calabanga; on level ground; between the
rivers Imoragat and Tinambac, and next to the sea that forms the huge bay of
San Miguel. Its creation dates to the year 1781. It has a small wooden church with
nipa roof; a convent of half stone, wood and nipa; a small tribunal of
lightweight materials, and about 180 houses in general of bamboo cane and nipa or
cogon, except about 10 or 12 that are of wood. Each week they kill one or two
pigs, and very rarely they slaughter any cow, because they have abundant
fishing on its beach and nearby rivers, that feed its inhabitants more than
meat. About 15 Chinese that are there located in the town supply it with some
fabrics of little value, hardware and edible of the country. There is no bread,
and the waters are taken from the Imoragat are good.
POPULATION
– 2,303 souls distributed in the town and in
six visitas that has in its jurisdiction. AGRICULTURE
-The principal products of this village are the abaca, anahao and the sweet
potato, and are also produced on a smaller scale the gabe, maize and
vegetables. The price of each quinon of plowed field is 97 pesos. In their
mountains abound the woods called Guijo, Molave, Narra, Batitinan, Barayong and
others, as well as bamboo canes, sugar cane, honey, wax and big game for hunting.
INDUSTRY
AND TRADE – Aside from the benefit of the agricultural
products, it has a destillery for the distillation of the ylang-ylang essence
that operates in the flowering season; with 26 weaving machines that make some fibers
for their uses; and some fish pens. Its trade is the annual sale of
approximately 146 picols of abaca.
LIVESTOCK AND FISHERY
- Accounts with 13 cattle; 22 carabaos; 24 horses; 22 goats, and 30 pigs.
LANGUAGE - Bikol.
CLIMATE. - Temperate or
and healthy.
From
Tinambac to Siruma. Take the path to the north, that is only for
horses throughout the time, and passing
the Imoragat and Looc rivers, walk five leguas and you arrive at the town. For
the leasing of a horse, pay twelve reals, and a foot guide, six reals.
From
Tinambac to Mangiring. By the way to the south, which is only a
bridle path for horses, a little way get out of the town by the river Tinambac;
shortly after it to the west goes the path that leads to the barrio of Belen,
and followed by the path to the southeast, and in a short time comes to
Mangiring that is far from Tinambac about four leguas and a half. For the
leasing of a horse, one pays out ten reals, and by a pedestrian guide, five reals.
SIROMA
Being still a barrio its name was
Bangon. It is located to the north of Tinambac; in a flat land on the east
coast of San Miguel Bay, and next to the sea that form the cove of the same
name. It was founded in 1825. It has a small chapel, a small convent, a tribunal,
two schools, and 150 houses in general of wood, cane, and nipa or cogon. A small
native store supply the town of some fibers of little value, and food of the
country. Only when they have fiestas that they kill a calf and each month they
slaughter a couple of pigs, but they do not miss the meat, because of the very
abundant fish and seafood that are its main food both of which are taken from
the nearby river, as well as in the sea. There is no bread, and the waters are
good, fine and clear, when taken from the Dalipay river and other creeks that originate
in the mountains from the east that pass
along to the town.
POPULATION
- 618 souls spread over the town and in two barrios or visitas that has in its jurisdiction.
AGRICULTURE
- In its fields they produces some rice, sugarcane, anahao, sweet potatoes, and
various fruits. In their mountains abound the timber for construction, among
which are the Apitong, Guijo, Tacoban, Molave, Ipil and other, many coconuts, spine
bamboo cane, sugar cane, resins, wax, honey and big game for hunting.
INDUSTRY
AND TRADE - Benefit of the agricultural products are
some rude of abaca and cotton fibers for its consumption in 22 loom of poor
construction; salt stone manufacturing, fishing and hunting.
LIVESTOCK AND FISHERY
- Accounts with 330 head of cattle; 370 carabaos; 30 horses, 16 goats, and 18 pigs.
LANGUAGE- Bikol.
CLIMATE - Very healthy.
From
Siroma to Tinambac.Take the path to the south which is only for horses,
and this in dry weather, because in the rainy season only a carabao can pass,
and after having walked about two leguas, one arrives at the path to the
northeast that leads to the visita or barrio of Bacacay; cross the Looc river,
and following to the south, walk three leagues more, cross the river Imoragat
and immediately enters in Tinambac, which is far from Siroma about five leguas.
For the leasing of a horse, pay out ten reals, and by a foot guide, five reals.
MANGIRlNG
This town is also known by Sta. Cruz de Mangiring. It is located to the east of
Calabanga; to the northwest of Goa and Lagonoy; in the northwestern skirt of mount
Isarog; in an uneven terrain and to the margins of several streams that originate
in the said mountain. Its foundation dates from the year 1740. A small wooden
church and cogon; a small convent of table and nipa; a bad tribunal; two
schools of lightweight materials, and about 200 houses, in general of simple
construction, constitute the town. It is so small and miserable, that there are
only two Chinese with a small shop or shed located in the town that sell some trifles
and edible of the country. They kill a couple of pigs monthly and only when
they have fiestas that some wealthy homes in this town which are very few
slaughter a calf. There is no bread, and the waters are, although clear, very
raw.
POPULATION -1,218 souls
divided between the town and three visitas that has in itsjurisdiction.
AGRICULTURE
- On its grounds the grow some palay, sweet potato, abaca, anahao, some
vegetables and fruits. In their mountains there are good woods for
construction, among which may be mentioned the Molave,Tindalo, Guijo and
others. Also abounds sugar cane, spine bamboo cane and hunting.
INDUSTRY
AND TRADE — In addition to the benefit of agricultural
products, it has with 40 looms, in that weave guinaras of abaca for their use,
manufacture of coconut oil in small scale, hunting and fishing.Their trade is
represented by the sale of 200 picols of abaca, which annually are exported to
other people of this and other province.
LIVESTOCK - Account with
20 heads of cattle; 29 carabaos; 12 horse; 12 goats, and 30 pigs.
LANGUAGE- Bikol.
CLIMATE.
- Damp and unhealthy. This town lacks a parish priest because they become
sickly: the Franciscan order sought again and again to establish in it a
several of its missionaries, but some have died, and others have fallen ill to
the point that it has had to abandon the attempt. The diocese, believing that
the clerics of the country would be more easy to be acclimated, has some of
them, but was obliged to remove them for the same reasons as that of the
regular religious.Today this town depends, in regard to the spiritual needs, on
the town of Calabanga whose parish goes frequently to say mass and administer
the sacraments.
From
Mangiring to Calabanga. By the way of west that in the dry
season is good for carriage, but in the rainy season only serves for horses and
carabaos; soon after it goes through the barrio Nactuan, and after much walking
one comes to Calabanga, that is one mile and a half from Mangiring. For renting
a cart, one pay twelve reals; of a horse, four, and a foot guide, two.
From
Mangiring to Lagonoy.Take the road to the east, which in all time
only serves as bridel path for horses; shortly after while passing a river and
then you can reach the barrio of Boraboc;
continues walking, and in a short time one can reach the barrio
Calaguaban, shortly after the barrio Narairay, and leaving the path to the
north that leads to barrio Canamagan, continues to the southeast until you
reach barrio Payatan; set off to the west on the road that goes to Goa, and
followed by the south, in little you will arrive at Lagonoy that is far from
Mangiring about three leguas. Pay for a horse, six real, and by a guide, three.
From
Mangiring to Tinambac.Set out on the path to the north that is only for
horses, and this is during the dry season, since during the rainy season one
can only pass by carabao and by much work;when at the beach that is left to the
south one arrives at a bad path that leads to the visita Belen, and following along the beach, the
Tinambac river is passed and you enter the town, which is far four and a half kilometers.
Pay ten reals for a horse, and by a guide, five,
GOA
Located on the northeast skirt of Mount
Isarog; to the left margin of a stream that originate in the mountain; to the west
of San José; to the north of Tigaon, and on flat terrain. It was founded
in 1729. It has a stone church with roof
of iron; lacks convent or parish house; the tribunal is of wood, bamboo cane
and nipa, and schools of stone. In addition to these buildings, it has two
stone houses with iron roof; two of wood also with iron roof; 70 of wood with
nipa roof, and 956 of bamboo cane, nipa and cogon. There are in the located 17
Chinese with five stores that sell fabric, hardware, wine country and edible.
Each week they kill a couple of pigs and when they have fiestas they slaughter
a calf. There is no bread, and the waters are good.
POPULATION
– 6,671 souls spread over the town and in twelve barrios and visitas that are
in its jurisdiction.
AGRICULTURE
- In their farm fields nestled in the low and flat part of the ground that it
occupies and are extremely fertile that are watered by infinite rivulets, they
produce palay and abaca in abundance, some corn, sweet potatoes, coffee, cocoa,
anahao, fruits and vegetables. The value of each field of quinon plowed and sowed
with palay is 25 pesos: if you are sowing abaca, it varies from 25 to 40 pesos,
according to the price that the fiber has at the time the purchase is made. In
the mountains there are very good wood including the Barayong, Guijo, Narra,
Pantanon, Motonboton and others.
TRADE
INDUSTRY - In addition to the benefit of the
agricultural products, it accounts with one distillery for the distillation of
wine of the country; another destillery for the distillation of the essence of
the ylang-ylang; with 300 looms that make guinaras and other fibers that are sold
to other towns, and with some fish. Its trade is the annual sale of the essence
of ylang-ylang that they manufacture, and 2,100 picols of abaca, whose products
are purchased by the trading houses established in the capital.
LIVESTOCK AND
FISHERY- Accounts with 420 head of cattle; 876 carabaos;
300 horses; 20 sheep; 50 goats, and 100 pigs.
LANGUAGE - Bikol.
CLIMATE - Temperate and
healthy.
From
Goa to Mangiring. Take the path of thenortheast that in dry
weather it passes perfectly on horseback, but at the time of the rain it gets
so bad, that can hardly be passed by Carabao. When one arrives at barrio
Payatan, take the road to the west and shortly after it leaves to the east path
that leads to the barrio of Canamagan, and followed by the west passes by the
barrios Narayray, Calaguaban and Boraboc; passing a small creek and soon you
will arrive at Mangiring that is far from Goa three leguas. For the leasing of a horse to mount, one pays out six reals
and by a guide, three.
From
Goa to San Jose. By the way of the east that is for carriages,
you'll pass some streams provided with bridges and in little you will arrive at
San Jose that is only three-quarters of legua. For the rental of a cart, one
pays half a peso; by that of a horse, two reals, and a real by a guide.
From
Goa to Tigaon. Take the path to the south that is good for carriages;
pass some streams and a little while one will arrive at Tigaon that is far from
Goa about two leguas. By a cart, one
pays two pesos, and a horse, four real.
LAGONOY
Located at the northeast of Goa; to
the south of San José; within the gulf of the same name; such as the one and a
half of a legua from the sea; to the right of the river Lagonoy, and on an uneven
terrain. It was founded in the year 1725. The church has its good and its
beautiful convent, both of stone and wood with iron roof; a tribunal also of
masonry but with roof of cogon; two schools of identical materials than that
the court; a beautiful stone house with nipa roof; 42 more wooden houses and
nipa, and the remaining are of bamboo cane, cogon and other lightweight
materials. There are 23 Chinese based in the town with four shops that sell assorted
fabrics, hardware, edible of the country and other trifles. They kill a cow and
several pigs weekly: while this is not daily, you can always have fresh meat
and bread from San Jose which is nearby. The waters are good when taken from
the river Lagonoy and several tributaries of this river, which pass near the town.
POPULATION
- 7,582 souls spread over the town and in 16 barrios or visitas that has in its
jurisdiction.
AGRICULTURE
- In its beautiful fields they produce much and excellent rice, enough abaca,
some sugarcane, maize, sweet potatoes, anahao, cocoa, coffee, fruits and
vegetables. In the mountains are bred many and beautiful timber, as well as
resins, sugar cane, honey, wax and small and big game for hunting.
INDUSTRY
AND COMMERCE – Aside from the benefit of the agricultural
products, it has a destillery for the distillation of alcohol; 500 looms that
weave guinaras and other genres of cotton and abaca, cattle breeding, and
fishing. Its trade consists in the sale of approximately 776 picols of abaca
that occur on their land.
LIVESTOCK AND
FISHERY - Accounts with 383 head of cattle; 976 carabaos;
450 horses; 85 goats, and 830 pigs.
LANGUAGE - Bikol.
CLIMATE - Temperate and
healthy.
FROM
LAGONOY TO MANGIRING. Take the path to the northwest that serves
only for horses; one gets to the barrio
of Payatan leave the path to the southwest that leads to Goa, and follow west
in a short while leave the east road that goes to the barrio of Ganamagan but
before you reach the visita Narayray, then to the barrio Calaguaban, shortly
after the barrio Boraboc, pass some streams and then enter Mangiring that is
far from Lagonoy some three leguas. For the leasing of a horse to mount, one
pays out six, and by a guide on foot, three reals.
FROM
LAGONOY TO CARAMOAN.This journey is very long and hard, because
there is no path and only a bad road to the best disappears in the thickets of
the forest and one has to open up a path by cutting branches and clearing land.
Until one reaches the visita of Borcha that one goes by horse perfectly, but
from this one now has to go on carabao a few times because the many creeks that
flow into the next beach flood the roadside forming large bogs, and others
because the thickets of the forest does not allow for more steps for the
pedestrians. In this way by the beach and the forest one passes a thousand
hardships and dangers to wander about nine leguas that one can reach Caramoan.
To do this trip, there is a need to be accompanied by a man with bolo for
whatever might happen; and food, because in the way there is nothing. For the
leasing of a horse, will pay twenty reals, and twelve reals per guide. One prefers
to do this trip by sea, as it is more comfortable and less dangerous. See the
journey from Caramoan to San Jose by sea.
SAN JOSE
This town, also known as
"Patrocinio", is located at the southwest of Lagonoy; to the east of
Goa; to the northeast of Tigaon; to the left bank of a river that rises in the
slopes of the Isarog, and in flat terrain on the one hand and mountainous by
another. It was founded in the year 1814, both its church and its convent are
stone with roof-tile; and the tribunal and the schools are also lime and pebbles but with nipa roof. In addition to
these buildings, the town is constituted by a house of stone and one made of
wood with both iron roof; 112 wood with nipa roof, and 1,030 of bamboo cane,
nipa and other lightweight materials. There are in the 45 Chinese with ten
stores that are based in it that sell fabric, hardware, alcohols and edible of
the country. Each Wednesday they hold a market day, where one can find dry and
fresh fish, eggs, chickens, vegetables, fruits and some agricultural and
industrial products. Each week they kill three or four cows and some pigs, so
that they always have fresh meat. Thery have daily bread and pasta. The waters
are good when taken from a river that is immediately next to the town of Goa,
because in the town are somewhat brackish and bad. This town is the most
important in the Partido of Lagonoy, and there is based on the number of spaniards
dedicated to the trade, more as a post of the civil guard that protects you
from the raids that are often made by the insurgents of Isarog.
POPULATION – 7,547 souls
spread over the town and in 22 barrios and visitas it has in its jurisdiction.
AGRICULTURE
- In their land, which is very fertile being irrigated by several rivers and
rivulets, they produce much good palay, abaca, sugarcane, anahao, cocoa,
coffee, fruits and vegetables. In the mountains there are good wood as well as
sygar cane and much wild pigs.
INDUSTRY
AND COMMERCE - Benefit of agricultural products, are the
distillation of wine of the country in a destillery that operates at certain
times of the year; some fibers of the country that are made in 697 looms with
that account; construction of baskets and salacots with bamboo cane and nito,
and fishing. Its trade is represented by the sale of 8,000 cavanes palay and
265 picols of abaca that are exported annually to other peoples and provinces.
LIVESTOCK AND
FISHERY - Accounts with 920 head of cattle; 2175
carabaos; 618 goats; 25 sheep and rams; 155 goats and 945 hogs.
LANGUAGE - Bikol.
CLIMATE- Pretty good
and healthy.
From
San Jose to Goa. Set
out on the path to the west that is for carriages; pass some streams provided
with bridges, and in a short time one arrives at Goa that is far from San Jose
about three quarters of a legua. For
the rental of a cart, one pays four reals; by that of a horse, two reals, and
by a guide on foot, a real.
From
San Jose to Lagonoy. Get out on the path of the northwest that
throughout time is good for carriages; walk around three-quarters of a legua and arrive at Lagonoy. For the rental of a cart, one pays half peso; on the one horse, two
reals and by a foot guide, a real.
From
San Jose to Tigaon. Take the path of the south that in the dry
season is perfect for horses, but in time of the rain only by Carabao could it
be crosssed and with a lot of work; after a short time of leaving the town you
can reach the barrio of San Miguel, and taking in the direction of thesouthwest
in a short time it comes to Tigaon which is far from San Jose a league and a
half. For the leasing of a horse to assemble, one pays four reals; the same if
you must use a carabao, one pays two reals.
TIGAON
Located to the south of Goa; to the northwest
of Sangay; in the eastern skirt of mount Isarog; between several rivulets that
descend from the mountain; on the flat and clear terrain. It was founded in
1729. It has a small very old and dilapidated stone church with nipa roof; a
convent of stone, wood and nipa; a tribunal of identical materials than that of
the convent; a small school of bamboo cane and nipa; three houses of masonry
and wood with iron roof; 16 wooden houses and nipa, and 506 homes of
lightweight materials. There are based in the 22 Chinese with six stores that
sell assorted fabrics, hardware and edible of the country. The kill some cattle
daily so that there is always fresh meat. A bakery supplies the town with bread
and other pastas, and the waters are very good when taken from the Sagpon river
that passes by the town. As you see this is a town with a lot of resources for
the traveler, who may stay well in the tribunal, either in the house of any resident,
take what they offer, given the gallantry which distinguishes them.
POPULATION-
2,498 persons spread over the town and in seven visitas and eight barrios that
has in its jurisdiction. Aside from these persons, account with 805 small
mountain people that pay recognition of vasallage.
AGRICULTURE.
- Their land produce enough palay and abaca, some corn, and sugarcane, fruits
and vegetables. The value of each quinon of cultivated land is worth 40 to 60
pesos. In their mountains abound the timber for construction and cabinet-making,
which can include the Amoguis, Arana, Motonboton and others, also in them there
are many bamboo cane, anahao, sugar cane, pitch, honey, wax, and hunting.
INDUSTRY
AND TRADE - Aside
from the benefit of the agricultural products, it has three destilleries for
the distillation of the essence of the ylang-ylang, which operate in the flowering
season; 200 looms devoted to make fabrics for use and sale; some presses for
the manufacture of coconut oil; hunting and fishing. His trade is the annual
export of 5,000 picols of abaca which it sells to other towns of this and other
provinces, and more of the ylang-ylang that they manufacture.
LIVESTOCK AND FISHERY
- It has 1,224 head of cattle; 827 carabaos; 275 horses; 100 goats and 515
hogs.
LANGUAGE - Bikol.
CLIMATE - Humid and
warm, but healthy.
From
Tigaon to Goa. Set off on the path of the north which is good
for carraiges, one passes some streams and in little time one arrives in Goa
that is only far from Tigaon two leguas.
For the rental of a cart, pay a peso; by that of a horse, four reals, and by a
guide, two reals.
From
Tigaon to Mabatobato. Take the path to the southwest which is only for horses; one passes two streams
and soon you will arrive to barrio Caraycayon, then to the barrio of Guinanay,
shortly after to the barrio of Tugabi and go to the barrio of Nooc; it is left
to the path of the south that leads to Baao, and in a short period of time
enter Mabatobato which is far from Tigaon
about four leguas. For the leasing of a horse, one pays a peso, and by a guide,
four reals.
From
Tigaon to San Jose. Take the path to the east that serves only to
horses, and this in dry weather, because in the rainy season it gets so bad
that only on a Carabao that one can pass; a little time one arrives at San José
is far from Tigaon a legua and a
half. For the leasing of a horse, one pays out three reals, and a penny by a foot
guide.
From
Tigaon to Sangay. Take the path to the southeast that is good
for carriages at all times; pass some rivers with bridges and are quickly
reached Sangay that is only far from Tigaon a legua. For the leasing of a horse, one pays out two reals.
Sangay
Sangay located to the southeast of
Tigaon; to the northwest of Mabatobato; to the north of Buhi; to the left bank
of a river; next to the sea that form the Lagonoy gulf, and in the northwest skirt
of mount Elisario. Its foundation dates from the year 1684. It has a church of
stone with zinc roof; a good convent of stone and wood with nipa roof; a fairly
medium tribunal and about 200 houses, of which four are of masonry and iron; 60
or 80 of wood and nipa roof, and the remaining of lightweight materials. Several
booths of Chinese supply the people of fabrics, hardware and edible of the
country. Each month they kill a calf, and during the week they slaughter a couple
of pigs. There is no bread, and the waters are good when the taken from the
sites called Torague and Lago.
POPULATION - 2,383 persons
spread over the town and in nine visitas within its jurisdiction.
AGRICULTURE- In their lands that are put
under cultivation produce enough rice, abaca, sweet potato, some anahao,
vegetables and fruit. In the mountains there are many and beautiful hardwoods,
both for civil as well as for naval construction and for cabinet-making; the
main ones are the Molave, Tindalo, Alintatao, Camagon, Guijo, Mangachapuy, Narra,
Anablen, Malay, Apitong, Motonboton and others; also abound in them the sugar
cane, coconut, spine bamboo, the buri, the nito, resin, honey, wax and big game
for hunting.
INDUSTRY
AND COMMERCE -In addition to the benefit of the natural
products, it has fifty looms that make guinaras of abaca and other genres of
cotton that they make for their uses; the major portion of their fishing is
almost the food for their inhabitants; hunting, and timber-cutting. Its trade
is reduced to the sale of some picols of abaca sold to trading houses.
LIVESTOCK AND FISHERY - Account with 80 cattle; 200 carabaos; 30
horses; 40 goats, and 100 pigs.
LANGUAGE - Bikol.
CLIMATE. - Warm and
healthy.
From
Sangay to Tigaon. Take the path to the northwest that is for
carraiges; pass some rivers provided with bridges and in little you will arrive
at Tigaon which is far from Sangay a legua.
For the rental of a cart, one pays a half peso; on one horse, two reals, and a
real by a guide.
From
Sangay to Buhi. By the way of the south that serves only as
bridle path for horses, in a little while set out to the path of the west that
leads to the barrio of Panican and following south pass through barrio Tunaron
and you can reach the barrio Tubigan; then take the direction of the east, and
passing between the slopes of the mountains Elisario and Iriga, one arrives at barrio
Tambo and from this point that is in the north part of the lake Buhi the
traveler embarks upon in a small boat that there is usually always ready, and
go through the lake referred to in short time arrive at Buhi that is far from
Sangay about four leguas. For the leasing of a horse, one pays out a peso; by a
guide, four reals, and the boat that passes the lake are given a couple of reals.
CARAMOAN
Located to east of Tinambac; to the
left bank of the mouth of a river, and in the north part of the peninsula of
its name. It has a small church of stone and wood; a convent of the same materials
as the church; a tribunal and a school, both bamboo cane and cogon; 26 houses
made of wood and cogon; and 500 homes more of bamboo cane, nipa, cogon and
other lightweight materials. There are located in the town twenty Chinese with
four booths that sell fabric of little value, edible of the country and other trifles.
They rarely kill any beef or pork, as it is a coastal town, that feed its
inhabitants with fish more than meat. There is no bread, and the waters are
very good. This town is isolated from the rest of the province by not having
roads that communicate with its neighbors except by sea.
POPULATION
– 4,462 persons, spread over the town and in
thirteen barrios and visitas within its jurisdiction.
AGRICULTURE
- Their fields produces palay, abaca, corn, anahao, sweet potatoes, cocoa,
fruits and vegetables. Each quinon of field plowed is often valued from 150 to
200 pesos. In its virgin and extensive mountains abound both the timber, such
as the sugar cane, bamboo canes, wax, honey, nito, coconut and bigger hunts.
INDUSTRY
AND TRADE – It benefits from agricultural products,
fishing, cattle and pig rearing, and some rude abaca fibers that they weave in
some 500 looms that the town has. Its trade consists of 300 picols of abaca that they sells annually to
other towns of this and other provinces.
LIVESTOCK AND
FISHERY –
Counts with 743 cattle; 542 carabaos; 383 horses; 72 goats, and 1373 pigs.
LANGUAGE - Bikol.
CLIMATE - Temperate and
healthy.
From
Caramoan to San Jose. This trip can only be done by sea; and for
this reason, the traveller is shipped in a boat manned by at least six rowers
and a good driver who knows the coast. One goes to Caramoan by putting the bow to
the northeast until one rounds up Caramoan Tip; then take the souitheast direction
and passing between the coast and Pitogo islands continue coasting by the channel that forms a dry land and in
the Island of Palompon, until one rounds up Bangus Point; traversing the bay of
Batag and one is already within the Lagonoy Gulf; continue plying the direction
to the west until you enter the mouth of the San Jose River; past this, you
will enter in the above mentioned river and little you will arrive at San Jose.
To do this trip, there is a need to carry food, because in the visitas of the
coast there is nothing to eat. This trip is of greater or lesser length,
depending on the wind that prevails, and the practice of the pilot to take the
channels that you need to pass and avoid the channel or be dragged by the
current. The price or cost of the trip varies depending on the capacity of the
boat, the number of rowers to be taken and the time or period in which you make
them.
LIBMANAN
Located at the southwest of Sipocot;
to the west of Quipayo and Magarao; about two leguas distant from the sea that form the huge San Miguel bay; to
the left bank of the Bicol River, that by arriving at this town takes its name
from Libmanan, and on flat terrain. It was founded in 1586. A good Church and a
beautiful convent both of stone and iron roofed; a tribunal of stone and nipa
with rooms for travelers; a school of stone; and approximately 1,500 houses, of
which 150 are of strong materials and the remaining of simple construction,
constitute the people. There are telegraph station, and nine shops with 96 Chinese
that supply the town with assorted fabrics, hardware, edible of Europe and of
the country and other similar trifles. Each week they kill two cows and four or
five pigs, and their market day that is held every Monday, are always found food,
which are chicken, eggs, dry and fresh fish, vegetables, fruits and other
edible. Bread is made daily, and the waters are good when taken from the river
of its name. It is the only village in the province where the woman wears well.
When they are in their houses devoted to their housework, they wear the saya
and tapestry, nightdress and a T-shirt, shoulder handkerchief and slippers: but
when the Dalaga of Libmanan dons its finery, it is in the dances: when going to
these, throw out the rest and bring out their jewelry, their laces and their
flowers, appearing with magnificent silk sayas with and without tapestries,
beautiful shirts and scarves of pineapple, good jewelries and pearls, and above
all, perfectly shoed with good average white or rose-colored socks, and
adjusted little pointed shoes and adorned with buckles, buttons and glass bead.
In hairstyle, certainly somewhat capricious, are placed, more than the
jewelries, some laces and flowers, but with such coquetry, which for the
majority of which are their favorite. In a word: it is a point where the
Spaniards of the capital usually spend some pleasant time with one another.
This town is very cheerful and busy:
its inhabitants, different in regard to the customs and illustration of the
others in the province, are so friendly and very hospitable, and so selfless,
that when they celebrate their fiestas they attract a large number of patrons
of all classes, making them very lively. It is not that particular gift is
located in the native dalagas of this town, who like to spend with them a while
in conversation, because more than that they can speak spanish quite well,
sing, dance, play the piano and harp, and does not condone any means to make
pleasant the time to the outsiders, relieving all sorts of attentions.
POPULATION.-
13,200 persons spread over the town and in six visitas or barrios which it has
in its jurisdiction,
AGRICULTURE.
- In its beautiful land nestled in the great plains that is going to the east,
occurs much and excellent rice, quite abaca, some sweet cane, corn, anahao,
fruits, and vegetables. In its barrio of Duang-puro occurs much buyo, whose
leaves are carried to the barrio of Palaguen also under the jurisdiction of
this town, where flocks infinite bancas and boats with people who buy and bring
this leaf to other towns in this provincial and of Albay. This trade, although
it seems insignificant, it is not because it is produced by the inhabitants of
Duang-puro, point of production of the mentioned leaf, gives about fifty pesos
a day in the months of October to May inclusive. The price of each quinon of field plowed is 80
pesos if you are sowing of palay; 200 pesos if it is of abaca, and 20 pesos if
it is coconut. In their mountains abound the timber and cabinet-making, which
include the Molave, Malatogon, Hanagop, Jamilag, Guijo, tells Mangachapuy,
Banitis, Acle, Malabunga, Bansalagan, Barayon, Baticulin, Malabaji and others,
the sugar cane, the bamboo cane, honey, beeswax and big game for hunting, and
in its river abound both ducks, that without moving away from the town you can
hunt large number of these birds. Aside from those that are in the river, in
the months of November to January, are swarming into the seedbed of palay such
flocks of these volatile creatures, that a good shooter you can effortlessly
kill 50 to 60 daily. It is a shame that the inhabitants of Libmanan do not see
this benefit with more attention, since they produce huge results by sending their
hunt to the capital where the pay is good.
INDUSTRY
AND TRADE – It consist first, in the benefit of the
agricultural products, the distillation of wine of tuba of nipa in four destilleries
that operate at different times during the year, and for which also take
advantage of the tuba coconut; manufacture of hats and nito salacots, buri bags,
and pineapple, silk, abaca and cotton
fibers, in which they can count on 200 looms that, while they are of poor construction,
means that the ginaras which they produce should not be fine; timber-cutting,
and hunted deer and wildhogs. To most of these industries, all in small scale,
this town is gifted with the most important fisheries sector. In their neighborhoods
of Cabusao and Barceloneta they catch much fish; therefore, they are taken to
the town of Camaligan, Gainza, Magarao, Canaman, San Fernando, Minalabac,
Milaor, Sipocot, Lupi and Nueva Caceres. For the benefit of this branch, there
is in these barrios around 80 pens that in certain months of the year produce
to their owners for a few days with other five to six pesos per pen.
Another industry that has this town
although it seems of little importance, seen slowly, you have one, and plenty
of it. This is the manufacture of cheese, that they make with carabao and cow's
milk. Before, these cheeses were very rich, but already today have adulterated
with coconut milk and rice, not being as good at the start. In spite of
everything, this industry, to which a large number of its inhabitants are
dedicated, makes annually between in the few thousand pesetas amount or value
of the thousands of cheese sold to the capital and neighboring towns. Its trade
is the sale of approximately 120,000 cavanes of palay, and approximately 1,500
picols of abaca that are exported annually to other towns of this and other
provinces.
LIVESTOCK AND
FISHERY - Accounts with 4000 cattle; 5000 carabaos;
700horses; 200 goats; 700 pigs and 86 sheep.
LANGUAGE -Bikol.
CLIMATE. - Something
wet, but warm and healthy.
From
Libmanan to Magarao. Take the path to the southeast that is good
for carriages and after having walked about 4 kilometers, arrive at the bank of
the Bicol River; this is passed on a raft that is always prepared there, and if
not in a boat and horses to swim, and once on the opposite bank, is undertaken
by the way to a good road that is for carriages in dry weather, but in times of
rain only as a bridle path to horses, and after having walked 10 kilometers
Magarao is entered. For the rental of a cart, one pays two pesos; by that of a
horse, a peso; and a foot guide, four
reals. In the raft is paid three reals; by a cart, two; by a horse, one; and by
a person two quarters.
From
Libmanan to Nueva Caceres. This trip is usually done by the
river, because to do so by land, you have to go to Magarao and then to the capital.
To do so by water, the traveler embarks on a boat and in about five hours
upstreams comes to the capital. For the rental of a boat manned by two rowers and
a pilot, one pays two pesos. Note the time at which the tide is coming in,
because it depends on whether one will arrive earlier or later.
From
Libmanan to Sipocot. Take the path to the northwest that serves
only as a bridle path for horses and pedestrians, and by field a few times
plain and others rugged, pass the Abayan river that has bridge, and pass by the
slopes of Mount Abayan, whose path is fairly rugged, pass two streams and enter
Sipocot that is far from Libmanan about 14 kilometers. For the leasing of a
horse, one pays six reals; and by a foot guide, three. This trip can also be
done by water; and for this reason, there is no more than by embarking on a boat
in Libmanan and in about three hours upstream reach Sipocot. By a boat manned
by two rowers and a pilot, one pays ten reals. Note the present hours of rising
tide, because of them depends on wether one arrives ealier or later. It is
important that the traveller is fitted with shotgun, because in this river abound
ducks, and it is easy to become good hunting.
From
Libmanan to Daet by land. This trip can be done by two
roads, one is by Laguigan, and the other by Tuaca or the present telegraph
line. In the first case, set out of Libmanan on horseback and comes to the
barrio of Barceloneta, from which it sets out on the path to the north that
runs along the seashore from the beach and that sometimes is flat and sandy,
and other times rough and stony; pass several estuaries and arrive at the visita
of Colasi located at the tip of the same name. Here it should be noon and spend
the night by giving rest to the riders and horses. The next morning, continue and always by the shore of the beach
or toward some incline but one is not permitted to enter the fields and the
woods, pass some rivers, and at nightfall, one arrives at Daet. This trip can
be done in two days in dry weather, but in the times of the rain, with good horses
and carabaos cannot be done in less than four or five days. The expert person should
do this trip, must be provided with food and companions provided with bolos, to
clear the way. You should also carry a carabao to cross the estuaries if it could
not be done on horseback.
If you prefer to do the trip by
Tuaca, one has no more than to go first to Sipocot and from there take the the
telegraph wire, sometimes slightly hilly terrain and most of them by extremely
rugged roads and passing several rivers until you reach the visita of
Calagbangan where one must rest. Resume the march and by the road as the
previous arrive at the visita of Tuaca, then to the town of Basud, the first
town of Camarines Norte, and from this to the capital of Daet. This trip, in
dry weather and a good pace, it can be done in three days, but in times of rain
it is not possible to do this in less than five or six. If one is prevented by
the elements then one must do so by the Laguigan path. It is not advisable for
anyone go from Sipocot or Lupi to Daet on the path of the Polantuna, because
today it is impassable and completely closed by the by the deep or tall forest.
SIPOCOT
Located to the southeast of Lupi; to
the northwest of Libmanan; on the banks of the river called of Lupi; in the southern
skirt of mount Paniguinalan, and on an uneven terrain. It was founded in 1801.
It has a small church of stone and wood with cogon roof; a convent of medium
stone, wood and cogon or anahao roof, a small tribunal of bad conditions, and a
few houses in general construction of simple and poor and miserable appearance.
When they have fiestas or when a person die in some affluent houses that has
very few in the town, theyt slaughter a calf and several pigs; but aside from
these cases, they never have meat. There is no bread. In two small native shops
they sell some edible of the country. The waters are good.
POPULATION - 1,401 persons spread
over the town and in 19 barrios and visitas that has within its jurisdiction.
AGRICULTURE
- Their land produces abaca, anahao, a bit of sweet cane, sweet potatoes, some
vegetables and fruits. The price of each quinon of land put to work is valued
for about 20 pesos. In the mountains they produce good and beautiful hardwoods
for construction and cabinet-making, which include the Molave, Narra, Tindalo,
Guijo, Acle, Camagajay, Tiroron, Dungun, Banites, Batitinan, Carogcog, Binolo, Banaba
and others. Also abounds in them the anahao, the sugar cane, the gogo, wax,
honey, resins and big game for hunting.
INDUSTRY
AND COMMERCE. -The first consists in a destillery for the
distillation of essence of ylang-ylang that operates in the flowering season, the
benefit of the agricultural products, timber-cutting, construction of boats,
hunting employed only in feeding, and not as a business . Its trade is the sale
of 35 or 40 picols of abaca that are exchanged to palay for the reason that
they do not have this commodity because the town does not want their
inhabitants to sow.
LIVESTOCK AND
FISHERY - 45 head of cattle; 80 carabaos; 35 horses;
12 goat, and 60 pigs.
LANGUAGE- Bikol.
CLIMATE -Wet and
sickly, being very common malarial fevers.
From
Sipocot to Libmanan. By the way to the east that is only good for
horses, on leaving the town one passes two rivulets, and enters uneven terrain
passing by the skirts of the Abayan mountain and others until you reach the
river Abayan that has a bridge; this is passed, and then by road a few times plain
and other rugged, Sipocot is far from Libmanan about 14 kilometers. For the
leasing of a horse, one pays six reals, and a foot guide, three. This trip can
also be done by water: and for this reason, there is no more than by embarking
on a boat at Sipocot, and in about two hours downstream reaches Libmanan. By a
boat manned by two rowers and a pilot, you have to pay a peso. Note the hours when
the tide is low, because it depends wether to reach it ealier or later. On both
sides of this river there is an abundance of wild ducks, that with a shotgun,
the trip is distracted by hunting.
From
Sipocot to Lupi. By the way of the northwest that serves only
as bridle path for and this in the dry season, because in time of rain only can
only be passed by carabao, walk a legua,
pass a river, then another, and after another legua more on a broken and bad way enter Lupi that is far from
Sipocot two leguas. For the leasing
of a horse one pays four reals, and by a guide, two. This trip can also be done
by water; for this, there is no more than by embarking on boat at Sipocot, and
in a couple of hours upstream one arrives at Lupi. For the rental of a boat
manned by two rowers and a pilot, one pays a peso. Note the present hours of
the rise of the tide, because of these depends on wether one arrives earlier or
later. At the exit of Sipocot, about two miles up the river, can be seen the
fountain of mineral waters that is described in the respective section.
LUPI
Located to the northeast of Ragay; to
the northwest of Sipocot, and to the left of the river of its name. It was
created in 1726. A small church of masonry with cogon roof; a small woden convent
with anahao roof; a bad tribunal of wood and cogon; two schools of lightweight
materials; eight wooden houses with cgon or anahao roof, and 70 more houses of
simple construction, constitute the people. Distributed by the town are some
miserable sheds or booths that sell alcohol, fruit, salt, soap, anahao and
other trivialities. There is no established chinese, which reveals its minimal
resources or no wealth. There is no bread, nor do they kill a cow more than
once a year, and with the exception of the parish priest, the other villagers
are fed with rice, vegetables, roots and some pescadillo food or seafood that are
taken from the river nearby, from which they derive the water for drinking and
other domestic uses.
POPULATION - 779 persons
spread over the town and in five barrios and visitas within its jurisdiction.
AGRICULTURE-
In their fields occurs abaca, sugarcane,
corn, anahao, sweet potatoes, some fruits and various vegetables. In their
mountains abound the timber, which include the Guijo, Molave, Batitinan, Narra,
Barayong and others; also there is a lot in them spine bamboos, sugar cane,
honey, wax, resin and big game for hunting.
INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE
-The first of these is the benefit of the agricultural products and the
construction of some small boats: the second one, is represented by the sale of
approximately 450 picols of abaca that annually sells to the capital.
LIVESTOCK AND FISHERY
- 48 cattle; 43 carabaos; 35 horses, and about 50 pigs.
LANGUAGE. - Bikol.
CLIMATE- Temperate and
healthy.
From
Lupi to Sipocot. Take the path to the southeast that in dry
weather is good for horses, but in the rainy season it can only be passed by carabao,
you walk a rough, uneven and bad path of a legua,
come to a river, shortly after another, and a legua after this is Lupi that is far from Sipocot two leguas. For
the leasing of a horse, one pays out a half peso, and a foot guide, two reals.
This trip can also be done by water; for this reason, there is no more than by embarking
on in a boat at Lupi, and in one hour downstream one reaches Sipocot. For the
rental of a boat manned by two rowers and a pilot, one has to pay a peso. Note
present the hours of the lowering of the tide, because of this depends on whether
one arrives earlier or later. About two miles before arriving at Sipocot, and
on the banks of the river, is the fountain of sulfurous waters described in the
respective section.
From
Lupi to Ragay. Get out on the path to the west that in every
time it is only for horseshoe and pedestrians, and in time of the rains is
impassable, up to the rocky areas of almost cannot be crossed except by carabao:
walk two kilometers and pass the river Lupi; it enters then in a way very rough
and bad, because it is going by the skirts of the mountains of Mambulao and
Quinabanan; walk two kilometers more than flat terrain, and can be reached the boundary
of Lupi and Ragay; return to enter in uneven terrain, pass three creeks,
shortly after the river Ragay and enter the town of this name that is far from
Lupi about eleven kilometers. For the leasing of a horse, one pays a half peso,
and a foot guide, two reals.
RAGAY.
Located at the east of Lupi; to the
right of a plentiful river; in the cove of your name, and an average of a legua
distant from the sea; its terrain is in part flat, sandy and marshy, and partly
hilly and broken. It was founded in the year 1753. It has a small church, the
convent, a tribunal and two schools, all of lightweight construction, more
thirteen wooden houses and nipa and 150 bamboo cane, nipa, cogon and other
lightweight materials. It has a telegraphic station, two Chinese shops that
supply the town of some fabrics, hardware and edible of the country. There is
no bread, and only when they have fiestas that they slaughter a calf. Its
inhabitants are mainly feeding on the abundant fish that are caught from the gulf
of its name, and of some goats that they kill weekly. The waters are good from
a river that passes near the town.
POPULATION – 1,571 persons
scattered in the town, and in its visita Quilbay.
AGRICULTURE.
- Its principal products are palay, abaca and anahao, while harvesting also
much sweet potato, some sugarcane, maize and cacao, more several vegetables and
fruits. The price of each quinon of field strewn with abaca, 50 pesos; of
palay, 100, and cocos, 50. In the mountains there are beautiful hardwoods including
the Molave, Acle, Narra, Tindalo and others: also abound in them the resins,
honey, wax, sugar cane, nito, coconuts, and big game for hunting.
INDUSTRY
AND TRADE - Benefit of agricultural products,
manufacture of coconut oil, timber-cutting industry to which there are over 100
people dedicated, fishing and hunting, more manufacturing of guinaras from
abaca and cotton in about 10 or 12 looms that have their town. His trade is
represented by the sale of the timber cut in the forest, and by about 400 picols
of abaca that annually collects and delivers to the trading houses devoted to
the purchase of this fibers.
LIVESTOCK AND FISHERY-
Accounts with 500 head of cattle; 600 carabaos; 400 horses; 30 goats, and 100 pigs.
LANGUAGE- Tagalog and Bikol.
CLIMATE- Dank.
From
Ragay to Lupi. Get out on the path to the east that is only
for horses at all times and in time of the rainy season is often so bad that
only maybe intersected by carabao: at the end of the town is the river Ragay;
shortly after three creeks more, and when you come in very broken terrain until
you reach the boundary of Ragay and Lupi; walk two kilometers more than flat
terrain, and re-entered on an uneven terrain, because the road skirts the Mounts
Quinabanan and Mambulao until you reach the river Lupi; pass this, walk two
miles more, and enter Lupi that is far from Ragay about eleven kilometers. For
the leasing of a horse, one pays out four reals, and two by a foot guide.
From
Ragay to Guinayangan. Get out on the path to the northwest that
throughout time is only for pedestrians and horses and in time of the rainy season
you can only pass on carabao. Intersect a ricefield, and passing three creeks
arrive at the barrio Binajian, and shortly afterwards to the barrio of Malinao:
continue the march by way of cogonal, sown and under forest are some streams
and after having passed the river Catabaguan, it goes into the barrio of that
name; follow a few times on a flat path and other slightly bumpy, and arrive at
the visita Quilbay. In this visita one should stay a while to rest and have
lunch because there is still a long way to go. The travelers, pedestrians or
traveling companions and horses rested, reopen to undertake the journey, and
passing the river Quilbay one arrives at the sitio of Pasag; go by the river of
this name, and by the shore of the beach that forms the Tagcauayan Gulf and
walk twelve kilometers and enter the barrio, visita or sitio of Balogo; walk
four miles more and you can reach the barrio of Quinatacutan; pass the streams
called Quinataquian, Siguian, Abucay and another small one, and arrive at the
sitio Tamayao: here cross the river of this name in a boat and horses to swim,
and after having walked a short journey arrive at the sitio of Najabajan; walk
17 kilometers more passing by the beach and going through the stream Salasan
and arrive at Guinayangan that is far from Ragay 42 kilometers. After passing
the river Tamayao or Cabibihan, the traveller can choose the path that suits
him well to go to Guinayangan, either to go by the village of Calauag or Lopez
in Tayabas. For if this, see the travel of Ragay to Calauag and Lopez. A horse
to mount for this ride is three pesos.
From
Ragay to Calauag. You already know the path of the traveler to
the sitio of Ragay Tamayao or Cabibihan. Past the river of this name, leaves
the S. E. the path that leads to Guinayangan and taking the N. is walk two
kilometers and arrive at the place of Cabasajan in where is the fork of the
road that leads to Lopez: let this path to the E. and followed by the of the N.
which is some times of cogonal and other seedbed, walk fourteen miles and you
can reach the barrio of Aloneros; leave the road that goes to the neighborhood
of Pansol, passes the river of Calauag, seven kilometers walk more and enter
the village of Calauag. For the leasing of a horse to fit the neighborhood
Tamayao to Calauag, paid two pesos, because the road is extremely painful.
From
Ragay to Lopez. You already know the traveller the path of
the neighborhood of Ragay Tamayao. Pass the river of this name or Cabibihan,
leave to the southeast the path that leads to Guinayangan and follow the path that
is going to sitio of Cabasajan where it leaves to the north the path of
Calauag, followed by the path to the east, walk ten kilometers and after
passing the river Calauag, walk six kilometers further and reach the river
Pandanan; go by this, and by land after a tiring walk of about seven kilometers
one arrives at Lopez in the province of Tayabas. For the leasing of a horse from
the barrio of Tamayao to Lopez, one pays twelve reals.
Since the journey from Ragay to
Guinayangan, Calauag, or to Lopez is very long, the traveller must be fitted
with food, because in the way only one will only find a handful of rice. In this
journey one should change horses, and to this end, the best points to do this
are the visita Quilbay and sitio Tamayao. It is also advised, that a man should
accompany so as to assist in the many rivers that one must pass through: this
man must be provided with a bolo if it happens that one should need some rafts
or to clear the path of so many branches, thorns and other clutter that may be
cleared away. Guides of this kind are paid for a real for a legua, and feeding them. The journey of
Ragay to Guinayangan also can be done by sea through the direction of Ragay in
the northwest direction, which is not advisable to the traveler as it is not in
a boat of consistency and perfectly manned, because this sea or gulf is very
bad.
RELATIONSHIP OF THE DEPENDENT
NEIGHBORHOODS AND VISITS OF EACH ONE OF THE PEOPLE OF THIS PROVINCE, WITH
EXPRESSION OF THE NUMBER OF SOULS THAT EACH ONE OF THEM HAS.
LAGONOY
- San Roque 274, Dajat 326, Tiblon 125, Majadie 128, San Rafael 733, Tisis 841,
Borabod 1002, San Sebastian 188, Panicuan 124, Maagnas 230, Parubcan 448, Pili
105, Pinamihagan 23, Cadigo 131, Olas 21 and Guimagtocon 168.
RAGAY
- Quilbay 485.
CARAMOAN
- Guijalo 166, 500 Tabgon, Tabiguian 160,
Pambojan 120, Polcan 137, 100 Basod, Gibgos 80, Baji 40, Binagasbasan 60 and Dinrea
100.
SAN
JOSE - San Juan 487, San Antonio 311, Boclod 198,
286 Soledad, San Vicente 265, Carmen 265, Binasagan 251, Capellan 395, 160
Minoro, Dolo 410, Sabang 238, San Roque 224, Cauayan 493, Calalahan 318, Tagas
162, Mampirao 733, Pugay 202, Danlog 580, Vinisitahan or Catanagan 200, Salogon
414, Quinalaosan 684 and Adiagnao 324.
BATO - San Roque 520, San Ramon 518, Soledad c
522, San Miguel 530, Santiago 510, Santa Cruz 500, San Antonio 240, San Isidro 230,
San Roque a210nd San Francisco 240, more
sitios called Agos, Masoli, Buluang and Palag.
GOA
-Napauon 200, Matacla 150, Malaomao 250, Salog 400, San Ramon 250, Tagongtong
40, Abocayan 150, Pinaglabanan 500, Labud 550, Payatan 300, Maysalay 160 and Buyo
300.
SANGAY
- Tinoronga 437, Buracan 236, Calancaan 165, Torigui 262, 491 Ex Officio,
Atulayan 73, Siraguban 213, Abobo Patitinan 245 and 133.
CALABANGA
. - San Antonio 311, San Vicente 233, Santa Catalina 322, Ntra. Sra. de Salud 436,
San Lucas 654, San Miguel 481, Santa Isabel 352, Ntra.Sra. del Carmen 324, San
Roque 311, San Isidro 155, San Francisco 291, San Pablo 303, San Jose 199 and
Belén 21.
BULA
- Cantera 100, Sto. Niño
99, Causip 120, Balaogan 50, Banasi 46, and Ombao 100.
CAMALIGAN.
- Marupit 307, Dugcal 413, Sua 300, San Roque 180, and Tarosanan 336.
TIGAON
- Joyonhoyon 219, 161 San Miguel, San Rafael
155 Christians and 85 Mountaineers, San Antonio 145 Christians and 49 Mountaineers.
Mabatodbalod 133 Christians and 156 Mountaineers, Guinarog 86 Christians and
420 Mountaineers, Catipi 49, Caraycayon 35 Christians and 15 Mountaineers,
Talojongon 252 Christians and 47 Mountaineers, Cayaoyao 16 Christians and 47 Mountaineers,
San Carlos 24, Bitaog 32, Casuna 61, and Mayanao 65.
MANGUIRIN
- Hinaguianan 73, San Antonio 120, Borabod 155.
MABATOBATO
- San Isidro 91, Concepcion 31, San Antonio 150, San Roque 80, Pinit 150,
Tinablanan 300, Moriones 400 and Ayugan 112.
PILI
--San Isidro 300, San Antonio 150, San Juan 300, 350 San Roque, San Vicente 111
, San Agustin 350, San Jose 450, Pawili 60, Palestina 700, and Gimaao 250.
CANAMAN
. - Apad 70, Bagongbayan 70, Liniaga 70, San Jose 70, San Francisco 70,
Manlayoan 70, Dinaga 220, Pangpang 20, Poro 900, San Nicolas 780, Baras 47, Haring
47, Tacolod 47, Sua 47. Mangayawan 47, Tibgao 47, Fundado and Talidtid 47.
SIROMA.
- Boboan 120, Bito 148.
BOMBON
- Pagao 230.
TINAMBAC
- Japagon 300, Bani 200, San Vicente 210, San Roque 220, Lupi 227, and Narayray
150.
PAMPLONA
- San Gabriel 250, San Isidro 200,
Borabod 150, San Rafael 100, Patong 300 and Cagbibi 200.
BUHI
- San Pedro 1146, San Pascual 783, San Buenaventura 908, San Roque 489, 619
Santa Clara, Santa Elena 756, Tambo 397, Sta. Justina 246, San Isidro 501, San Vicente 257.
MAGARAO.
-Santa Lucia 672, 690 San Juan, San Isidro 797, San Miguel 799, San Francisco
772, 166 San Pedro, Barobaybay 387, Ponong 295, Carigza 196, Casuray 387, Lunay
158 and Carangcang 93.
LIBMANAN.
-Cabusao 500, Barcelonita 700, Bical - 1000, Mambulo 1,100, San Vicente 554 and
Tinalmud 111.
SIPOCOT.
- Calampinay 98, Vigaan 35, Calagbangan 47, Yabo 39, San Antonio 99, Lubigan
46, Mantapayas 32, Malagnog 50, Lagatic 49, Maimbong 39, Manangle 52, Gaungan
38, Biguito 75, Anayan 23, Bulan 44, Cabuyao 49, Mandapdap 58, Odicon 26 and Matan
37.
NABUA.
– Sta. Elena 450, San Vicente 750, Santo Domingo 880 and Ntra. Sra. de Salvacion
930.
BAAO
- Varas 621, Buluang 231, and Agdagnan 173.
QUIPAYO
- Pagatpat 475 and San Bernardino 156.
NUEVA
CACERES - Santa Cruz 2,347, Naga 1,485, Tabuco 1,528,
Francia 430, Carolina 200.
MILAOR
- Torosanan 220, Quinale 300, Lipot 140, Balagbag 100, Borongborognan 140
Cabogao 160. There are six visitas, and in addition has seven barrios called
San Jose, Amparado, Rosario, Santo Domingo, San Miguel, San Roque and San Pablo
that constitute the town and whose population is already included in the same.
IRIGA
. - San Juan 2,502 , San Roque 1.206 , Santo Domingo 357, San Miguel 836, San
Francisco 450, 606 St. Nicholas, San Agustin 100, Malagnason 2001, San Isidro
1500, Sto. Niño
1600 and Santiago 900.
GAINZA
- Santiago 104, Rosario 69, San Roque 88, San Francisco 105, San Esteban 68,
San Juan 41, Santo Domingo 51, Sto. Niño 83, Malbong
170, Loob 471, Sampaloc 291, Cagbugna 264, Dahilig 268, and Namuat 60.
MINALABAC
- San Lorenzo 330, San Francisco 422, San Felipe y Santiago 510, Rosario 412,
Carmen 320, Inguinan 370, Bayongbong 170, Bonsaran 390, and Baliwag 350.
LUPI - Obac 30, Iraya 160, Yabo 90, Polantuna 36,
Bagnon 31.
CENSUS OF POPULATION OF THE PROVINCE
OF CAMARINES SUR
In the year of 1735 this province had
only with 44,390 persons.
In 1798, the population had
increased considerably; therefore, it comprised 96,720 persons.
In 1809, or in eleven years, the population
increased to 19,802 persons; so that it had at that time 116,522 persons.
In 1818, or in the course of nine
years, note there was a small increase in population, as it had 118,444 persons,
which is not commensurate with the development of the same in the past decades,
but it is thought out to be the effect of the depredations of the Moorish
pirates at the shores of this province; by the many illnesses that it had
suffered; and because some of its inhabitants moved to other territories, more
fertile and safe to occupy.
In 1829, this province counted with
141,570 persons; but it must then be remembered that the towns which today make
up the province of Camarines Norte still belonged to it, and some towns of Albay, resulted to be separated those towns
which formed the province of Camarines Norte, but still belong to it some of
the Albay today, a total of 123,315 persons, distributed as follows:
Table 1. Census
of 1829.
|
Tabuco
y Santa Cruz
|
6,078
|
Nabua
|
7,307
|
|
Naga
|
2,637
|
Iriga
|
6,050
|
|
Camaligan
|
3,423
|
Buhi
|
5,914
|
|
Canaman
|
4,625
|
Bato
|
1,562
|
|
Magarao
|
4,885
|
Manguiring
|
1,170
|
|
Bombon
|
3,123
|
|
3,822
|
|
Quipayo
|
2,121
|
Tigaon
|
|
|
Calabanga
|
3,346
|
Tinambac
|
|
|
Libmanan
|
4,265
|
Libon
|
1,526
|
|
Milaor
|
5,432
|
Polangui
|
6,874
|
|
San
Fernando
|
1,689
|
Oas
|
9,739
|
|
Minalabac
|
2,379
|
Ligao
|
7,761
|
|
Bula
|
1,315
|
Guinobatan
|
7,137
|
|
Baao
|
4,607
|
Camalig
|
6,205
|
|
|
|
Cagsaua
|
8,323
|
In
1845, had with 154,048 persons.
In 1846, it lost
the town of Siroma which became part of the province of Camarines Norte, and
those of Camalig, Guinobatan, Ligao, Oas, Polangui, Libon, Manburao, Quipia and
Donsol, which were awarded to Albay, by that it lost 58.518 persons but it is
well that it lost these towns in exchange for those that were added to it which
were Sangay, San Jose, Lagonoy and Caramoan, which came from Albay and passed
to this province, much more Sipocot, Lupi and Ragay which ceded from Camarines
Norte, gained by it the town with 11,079 persons. Consequently, the town of
this province in the said 1847 was 106,609 persons. In 1865, its population
increased to 108,420 persons, distributed as follows:
Table 2. Census
of 1865.
|
Naga
|
4,016
|
Manguirin
|
1,073
|
|
Nabua
|
9,916
|
Tigaon
|
2,395
|
|
Bula
|
1,574
|
Goa
|
5,409
|
|
Quipayo
|
2,099
|
Calabanga
|
5,443
|
|
Minalabac
|
3,384
|
Magarao
|
5,786
|
|
Iriga
|
8,909
|
Bato
|
2,947
|
|
Milaor
|
5,722
|
Ragay
|
1,085
|
|
Libmanan
|
10,482
|
Baao
|
6,655
|
|
Canaman
|
6,254
|
Camaligan
|
5,942
|
|
Buhi
|
7,887
|
Sipocot
|
962
|
|
Sangay
|
2,148
|
Bombon
|
3,450
|
|
Lupi
|
566
|
Pili
|
863
|
|
Mabatobato
|
1,330
|
Tinambac
|
1,599
|
|
|
Siroma
|
504
|
|
In
1875, or in the course of 10 years, the population increased by 18.580 persons,
as it came to the respectable sum of 127.000 persons the towns that are
indicated as follows:
Table 3. Census
of 1875.
|
Nueva Caceres
|
7,285
|
Caramoan
|
2,158
|
|
Camaligan
|
6,166
|
Milaor
|
5,717
|
|
Canaman
|
7,129
|
Minalabac
|
3,576
|
|
Magarao
|
5,894
|
S.
Fernando
|
1,956
|
|
Bombon
|
4,244
|
Libmanan
|
12,792
|
|
Calabanga
|
6,348
|
Sipocot
|
1,201
|
|
Tinambac
|
1,166
|
Lupi
|
424
|
|
Quipayo
|
2,073
|
Ragay
|
826
|
|
Manguirin
|
828
|
Mabatobato
|
985
|
|
Pili
|
1,132
|
Tigaon
|
2,967
|
|
Bula
|
2,113
|
Sangay
|
3,049
|
|
Baao
|
5,506
|
Goa
|
5,895
|
|
Nabua
|
13,035
|
San
Jose
|
3,739
|
|
Bato
|
3,792
|
Tinambac
|
1,255
|
|
Iriga
|
10,154
|
Lagonoy
|
3,609
|
|
Buhi
|
8,177
|
Naga
|
2,229
|
|
|
Gainza
|
2,826
|
|
In
1876, the province counted with 128,860 persons, of which 64,814 were males,
and females 64,046, being distributed in 33 villages listed below:
Table 4.Census
of 1876.
|
Naga
|
6,263
|
Nabua
|
11,548
|
|
Bato
|
2,940
|
Pasacao
|
960
|
|
Buhi
|
5,645
|
Quipayo
|
2,073
|
|
Calabanga
|
5,303
|
San
Fernando
|
2,473
|
|
Canaman
|
6,897
|
Libmanan
|
10,531
|
|
Gainza
|
2,227
|
Sipocot
|
706
|
|
Iriga
|
9,639
|
Tinambac
|
1,620
|
|
Lupi
|
779
|
Baao
|
5,295
|
|
Magarao
|
5,671
|
Bombon
|
4,249
|
|
Milaor
|
5,452
|
Bula
|
1,864
|
|
Camaligan
|
5,725
|
Minalabac
|
3,250
|
|
Caramoan
|
3,017
|
Pamplona
|
2,657
|
|
Goa
|
2,814
|
Pili
|
488
|
|
Lagonoy
|
6,223
|
Ragay
|
1,774
|
|
Mabatobato
|
612
|
San
Jose
|
6,011
|
|
Manguirin
|
1,659
|
Siruma
|
605
|
|
|
Tigaon
|
1,810
|
|
According to the population census
of 1877, living in this province are 150.400 persons, which are distributed in
the territory it occupies correspond to 25 inhabitants per square kilometer. As
little as the population, and is not in relationship or in harmony with the
extent of its territory, but we can consolidate it, seeing other provinces
whose territorial extent is much greater than that of this, as happens with the
of Nueva Ecija, and Isabela Cagayan of Luzon, whose inhabitants only, reaching
15, 563 persons respectively per square kilometer. In the statistics of June
1881, it appears that this province is populated by 155.856 persons distributed
in its towns in the following way:
Table 6. Census
of 1881.
|
Nueva
Caceres
|
5,944
|
Libmanan
|
16,558
|
|
Milaor
|
5,952
|
Lupi
|
977
|
|
Minalabac
|
3,865
|
Gainza
|
2,979
|
|
Magarao
|
6,267
|
Naga
|
2,385
|
|
Quipayo
|
2,072
|
San
Fernando
|
3,577
|
|
Manguirin
|
1,243
|
Canaman
|
5,985
|
|
Siruma
|
779
|
Bombon
|
3,027
|
|
Calabanga
|
6,685
|
Mabatobato
|
861
|
|
Tinambac
|
3,302
|
San
Jose
|
8,075
|
|
Camaligan
|
6,456
|
Sangay
|
2,798
|
|
Sicopot
|
1,451
|
Nabua
|
12,207
|
|
Ragay
|
1,757
|
Iriga
|
11,469
|
|
Pamplona
|
2,596
|
Bato
|
4,535
|
|
Pasacao
|
1,688
|
Pili
|
1,713
|
|
Buhi
|
6,485
|
Goa
|
6,860
|
|
Baao
|
6,298
|
Tigaon
|
3,124
|
|
Bula
|
1,939
|
Lagonoy
|
432
|
|
|
Caramoan
|
4115
|
|
According to the latest population
census formed by the His Excellency and Illmo. Msgr. Archbishop of Manila, this
province, with 153,600 persons, of which 49,870 are under the age of 18 years,
and 103,730 over this age. This population is divided into the towns that make
up the province, namely:
Table 7. Undated
Census.
|
Nueva
Caceres y su parroquia de Naga
|
|
Maguirin
|
1,218
|
|
6,530
|
Tinambac
|
2,303
|
|
|
Milaor
|
5,012
|
Siruma
|
618
|
|
San Fernando
|
2,707
|
Camaligan
|
5,354
|
|
Minalabac
|
3,287
|
Libmanan
|
13,200
|
|
Canaman
|
6,369
|
Sipocot
|
1,401
|
|
Magarao
|
5,301
|
Lupi
|
779
|
|
Bombon
|
2,528
|
Ragay
|
1,571
|
|
Quipayo
|
1,614
|
Pamplona
|
3,117
|
|
Calabanga
|
4,847
|
Gainza
|
949
|
|
Nabua
|
15,508
|
Bula
|
2,077
|
|
Buhi
|
6,096
|
Goa
|
6,671
|
|
Iriga
|
11,512
|
San
Jose
|
7,547
|
|
Baao
|
6,906
|
Tigaon
|
2,498
|
|
Bato
|
4,900
|
Sangay
|
2,383
|
|
Pili
|
2,905
|
Lagonoy
|
7,582
|
|
Mabatobato
|
1,405
|
Caramoan
|
4,462
|
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES USED IN THE
PROVINCE V RELATIONSHIP WHICH RELATE TO THE METRIC-DECIMAL PLACES.
1 Stick is equivalent to 836 millimetres. 100
Poles make 83 meters and 590 millimeters. 1 Meter is equal to 1 and 7 inch rod.
100 Meters are 11 g sticks and 23 inches. 100 Yards (measure english) equals 90
meters and 28 centimeters, or 108 varas and 13 inches. 100 Meters or yards are
n and 2 ft english . 100 Varas are equivalent to 92 yards and a foot. The
French Toesa is equivalent to 6 feet of king. The english Stage, is equal to
220 yards. The Italian cane is equivalent to 8 palmos, 1 square foot is equivalent
to 776 square centimeters, 1 Rod square is equal to 6987 square centimeters.
Breaststroke 1 square is equivalent to 2 meters and 79 square centimeters. 1
Loan is equal to 100 fathoms square, or to 2 areas and 79 centiares square or
square are 10 fathoms. 1 Balita loanes is equivalent to 10 or 27 95 centiares
areas, or are 10 loanes. Quinon 1 balitas is equal to 10, or 2 and a half
hectares 79 areas, or are, 10,000 square varas. 1 Centiarea is one third of
breaststroke square. Area 1 is equivalent to 35 and two-thirds breaststroke
square. 1 Hectare are 3 and 5 balitas loanes square and 78 fathoms. 50
Kilometers are equivalent to 9 leagues communal. 1 La Legua communal has 6666
varas. 1 La Legua marine grade is 20 to 3 miles. 1 Mile is equivalent to 1108
fathoms. Grade 1 has 20 leagues or are 60 minutes, or 111.111 meters and 111
1/9 up.
1 Minute is 60 seconds or 1851 meters. 1 Tael
is equivalent to 39 grams and a half. 1 Cate taeles is equivalent to 16 or 632
grams. 1 Chinanta equals 10 cates, 6 are 6 kilograms and 325 grams. Peak 1 is
equivalent to 10 chinantas, or 225 grams, or 137 and a half pounds. 1 Gram is
equivalent to medium adarme. 100 Grams is equivalent to 2 taeles and 11
adarmes. 500 Grams are 1 pound, 1 ounce and 4 adarmes. 1 Kilogram or 1000
grams, are 2 pounds, 2 ounces and 8 adarmes. 100 Kilograms or quintal metric,
is equal to 1 peak, 5 chinantas, 8 cates and 1 Tael. 1 Tonne has 20 quintals. 1
Quintal is equivalent to 4 arrobas or 46 kilograms. 1 @ Has 25 pounds. 1 Pound
is 460 grams. 1 Ganta has 8 Chupas, or 3 liters. 100 Liters is 199 pounds. 1
Jar of coconut oil has 16 gantas. 1 Jar of wine of the country, it has 17
gantas and weighs 3 arrobas. 1 Cavan clean rice weighs 127 pounds with sac and
125 without. 1 Cavan coffee weighs 52 pounds and a half. Cavan of cocoa weighs
83 pounds. 1 Quintal of wax account per 100 pounds. The horse of steam, it
serves to indicate the power of a machine motor, and is a multiple of the
kilogrametro: its value represents a force capable of lifting 75 kilograms to a
meter of height during the course of a second. The atmosphere in the industrial
mechanics, is a particular unit through which you can evaluate the fluid
pressure anyone, and in particular the steam.
FOREIGN
CURRENCIES AND ITS EQUIVALENCE WITH THE WEIGHT OF THE PHILIPPINES,
The German Frank is equivalent to 25 cents of weight or are 2 real strong. The
dollar of the United States and British America, equals 1 weight. The Florin of
Austria and the Netherlands, is equivalent to 40 cents of weight, or are 2
pesetas, or 3 reais and 4 bathrooms. The Francs of Belgium, France and South is
equivalent to 20 cents of weight, or is peseta, or 1 real and 12 treatment
rooms. The Milreis of Brazil, is equivalent to 55 cents of weight, or are 4
reais and 8 bathrooms. The Milreis of Portugal, is equivalent to 1 weight. The
Tael of China, is equivalent to 1 weight and 25 cents, or 10 real strong. The
Crown of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, equivalent to 27 cents of weight, or are 2
real and 4 bathrooms. The Piastre of Egypt or Turkey, is equivalent to 5 cents
of weight, or 8 bathrooms. The pound sterling in England, is equivalent to 5
pesos. The Drachma of Greece, is equivalent to 20 cents of weight, or 1 peseta,
or 1 real and 12 treatment rooms. The rupee in India, is equivalent to 40 cents
of weight, or are 2 pesetas , or 3 reals and 4 bathrooms. The pound of Italy,
is equivalent to 20 cents of weight, or 1 peseta, or 1 real and 12 bathrooms.
The Japanese Yen, equivalent to 1 weight. The Ruble of Russia, is equivalent to
70 cents of weight, or are 3 pesetas and media, or are 5 reais and 12 treatment
rooms. Patacon The Uruguay, is equivalent to 1 weight. The weight of the
Philippines has 8 real strong, or 160 fourths. The peseta of the Philippines,
has 32 fourths.
TELEGRAPHS
The telegraph line that crosses this province from
the Northwest to the Southeast part of Manila, passing by the province of
Laguna and Tayabas, enters in Camarines Sur passing through the stations of
Ragay, Libmanan and Nueva Cáceres, and ends in the province of Albay.
A telegram from 1 to 10 words costs a half peso,
which is paid in telegraph stamps. The sender is entitled to five word free for
the address and signature. For each excess word
will pay two and a half cents, or four quarters. When the sender
requires the receipt, he pays this five cents to a peso, or eight quarters. The
dispatches to points where there is no station can be sent by mail, or by its
owner: in the first case, shall be paid 27 cents to a peso to be certified; and
in the second, more of the amount of the telegram, will pay 50 cents of a peso
for the reply of the owner, more for delivery of the message up to the point of
its destination. A telegram to Europe costs $ 2'57, pesos for each word.
POST OFFICE
Any simple letter to the interior of
the Archipelago is pasted with a stamp of four quarters per each 15 grams that it
weighs.
In the absence of weights, the
traveller can use a currency of a half peso by putting into the letter so many
stamps of four quarters as coins of half peso that it weighs.
Each simple letter for the
Peninsula, Cuba, Puerto-Rico, Fernando Po, Anobon, or Corisco, must be pasted with
a stamp of a real per 15 grams that it weighs.
Letters can be accompanied by
samples or keys, by attaching to the outer part of the letter, and putting in
them many stamps of four quarters as times 15 grams weighs the letter and
samples, or the letter and key.
All printed book will be flanked by
a stamp of four quarters per 30 grams each that weighs being for the interior
of the archipelago.
All registered letter will carry
more of the stamps of four quarters corresponding to its weight, if it is for
the interior of the archipelago, a seal of two reals; and if it is for Europe, the
same seal of two reals, more real to those corresponding to its weight.
The certified letters sealed with five
spots of sealing wax and is covered by small pieces of silk paper, on which the
sender shall affix his seal or stamp.
All registered letter to the
interior of the Archipelago or for Europe gives the sender free receipt or invoice.
Carriers or postmasters of the towns,
are given two quarters for each letter or package of newspapers.
END
11 September 2015
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