A BRIEF HISTORY OF KABAYAN

THE INHABITANTS AND SETTLEMENTS

Kabayan is one of the oldest towns in the province of Benguet. The waves of
Malays that come from Ifugao and Bontoc at the early times lived for some years in
Kabayan and later on spread themselves throughout the province.

The early settlers of this town described it as Kabayan which means to

tehm land of vines called ba-ay. However, when it was registered as a town by the
Spanish authorities in 1846, they wrote the name Kabayan.

The early settlements in Kabayan was said to be Imbosi. To early settlers

were so rich they could perform caniaos frequently. At caniaos they would use pork
and fats of meat for firewood and bones and horns for stoves. The funeral
celebrations of the rich would lasts for 100 days or even a year or more. The
corpses would be smoked and dry under the sun before they brought to the caves in
high mountains. To these there are mummies that can be seen in many dry caves
above Imbosi. The mummies are quite complete with visible tattoos. No longer a
prosperous community, Imbosi is turned to rice fields at this present time. The
inhabitants who were ivadoy, cancanaey, and calanguya speaking, dispersed to
distant places somewhere in Benguet.

THE GEOGRAPHY

There are at present seven functioning barrios in this town. These barrios are
Central, Adaoay, Eddit, Gusaran, Kabayan, Barrio and Pasco. The eight newly-
created of Bashoy has not yet officially functioned.

SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES

Originally, there was only one public school which established in 1901 by the
American government. Before this year, there were also tutorship conducted by the
Spanish authorities. At this writing 1967, there are eleven public schools and one
private school in this town. There are also churches such as the Roman Catholic
Church, the Church of Christ, the Baptist Church and the Philgrims Church. Some
inhabitants who are not Christianized live in the surrounding sitios of the
municipality.

MUNICIPAL EXECUTIVES

There are not much to be written on the accomplishments of each

municipalities executives. There are no available data for this purpose. However,
the resource persons who were interviewed revealed that the capitanes and town
presidents just execute orders from the top officials.
 Construction of school buildings, trails and other public conveniences were
the main functions of the heads of the town. Distributing of seeds that were given
by the national officials are some of their duties.

Otot, Juan Bajar and Carpio Daoal were of the known municipal capitanes
during the Spanish rule. The presidents during the American regime were as follows:
Palongjas- 1901-1902; Juan Bejar-1902-1904; Ngoya 1904-1906; Carpio Daoal-1906-
1908; Giningin-1908-1910; Marquez-1910-1912; Ngayao-1912-1916; Giningin-1916-
1919; Cipriano-1920-1922; Henry A. Kamora-1923-1925; Tabigan Daoal-1926-1928;
Mode Marquez-1929-1931; Kingay-1932-1934; Pasikim Comising-1935-1937.

Those officials who served during the years indicated are the following
mayors: ValentineMonang-1938-1940; Guingaban Daoal-1941-1946; Bernardo
Sinong-1947-1949; Mattic Carbonel-1950-1953; Perez Tagure-1953-1955; Henry A.
Kamora-1956-1959 and 1960-1963 and Peredo Depaynos-1964-1967.

It was the late Kamora who work for the completion of vehicle road to
Kabayan, the market building, the hospital at Kabayan and the newly established
breeding station for animals at Adaoay, Kabayan.

ECONOMIC ASPECT

Kabayan is noted for its good kind of Arabian coffee native rice. The coffee
industry was introduced in the municipality by the Spanish government sometime in
1874. Carpentry work and rice culture were said to have started in Kabayan. All
fruit trees and other economic plants are grown in this community.

The first Filipino maestro municipal during the Spanish regime were Ostella
and Jose Rubal. In 1901, the American teachers took over and trained teachers
from Kabayan. In 1908, the first primary graduate were assigned to teach in
different part of Benguet. Among those first techers from Kabayan were Mattic
Carbonel-Bokod Central; Pasiking Comising-Kabayan Barrio School; Tutor Taliasi-
Daclan Elementary School; John Domingolo Settlement Farm School at Buguias;
Mendoza Balkiac-Adaoay Elementary School; Bankik Takiasi- Buguias Central School.
Intermediate grades were opened first in this municipality before other towns in
Benguet.

KABAYAN-HOME OF CENTURY OLD MUMMIES

The name Kabayan is synonymous to the name Henry A. Kamora, the late
grand old man of the community, Kamora worked for the completion of the road of
Kabayan, the market building, the hospital. He donated five hectares of fertile land
for an animal breading station at Adaoay.

Kabayan is the home of aromatic Arabian coffee, red kintoman rice and
century old mummies. Within its boundaries towers Mt. Pulog, the Philippines
second highest mmountain.
 Kabayans main source of income are rice, coffee, vegetable and lumber
products. She has an average income of P12,661.62 placing her among the seventh
class municipalities of Benguet.

Kabayan is bounded at the North by the municipality of Buguias, on the east

by the municipality of Hungduan , Ifugao, on the South by the municipality of Bokod
and on the West by the municipality of Atok. Her population is a spares 7,500
concentrated mainly on Poblacion and some outlaying barrios. Pocket population
centers are spread thinly over the 19, 490 hectares area of the municipality.

At present, Kabayan has six primary school, five intermediate schools and
one barrio high school. The elementary school enrollment of 1, 229 is handed by 50
teachers.

Taken from the Souvenir Program, Dated April 14, 1969.

A SHORT HISTORY OF KABAYAN

(Gathered and compiled from the old men of Kabayan by Mr. Baban Berong,
Kabayan, Benguet)

as told to Victor Cosalan.

Long before the discovery of the Philippines in 1951, there existed ethnic
tribe group of people of Kabayan, called the Ibaloi tribe. This particular tribe was
presumed to be one of the two waves of Malays who emigrated from Southeast
Asia, who were driven to the mountains by the more civilized Malays who now
occupy the lowlands of Luzon.

This unknown tribe was said to have first settled in a small sitio beside the
bed of Agno River, called Embossi, which is now bordered by the present barrios of
Pacso, Asokong, Gusaran. In time, they established themselves in this area by
making rice terraces all around the borders of their sitios. That generation
intermarried with a separate ethnic group of people living on the northeastern side
of Cordillera Mountains who were called the KALANGOYA tribe. This tribe was
supposed to have first settled in the sitios of Tinoc, Ahin, and Calaycay, Tawangan,
which is a part of Hungduan, Ifugao. It was said that the cause of the contract
between these tribe was that the Kalangoyas had been hunters and they resided at
Embossi. One of the chief means of their livelihood was hunting and gathering of
wild root crops.
 From this first settlement, the ibaloi began to expand slowly to other area
moving southward, first to Lutab (now Kabayan Central) hence to Digew, Daclan,
Bokod, Itogon, Tuba, La Trinidad, Sablan, Tublay, Atok, Datakan, Kapangan. These
are the Ibaloi speaking municipalities of Benguet Province who accept that their
ancestors originated from Kabayan. Others trace their genealogical ancestry from
the Kalayonga tribe because of the intermarriage between these tribes when these
people immigrated to other areas of Benguet.

According to stories narrated by or forefathers, carried from generation this

particular tribe had a long standing tradition which was still carried up to the last
part of the 19th century. It was a sacred belief in the caves and never in the ground.
No one knew why these people observed that tradition even up to the coming of the
Americans in 1900. When an old men and women were brought in caves where their
fathers has been laid to rest for eternity.

These customs and beliefs were evidenced by the fact that all in the dry
caves within the mountains of Kabayan, are fond trace of ancient decayed coffins
with scattered skeletons un touched for centuries. Findings even show that these
people even preferred to bury their dead in cliffs or precipices which are impossible
to scale unless one tries himself with a rope in order to enter the cave.

While it may be known during the past centuries that mummies lies in
Timbac and Singalaksa mountains, the first actual discovery of these mummies was
in 1908, by two hunters of Lutab by the name of Magno Duna and Beron Bucunat,
who related their findings to the people. These two hunters even know where some
mummies are kept in the mountainsides, which up to now, have not been
rediscovered by anyone as the resting place of our original ancestors, which have
been made into meking (dried corpse), so that they and their civilization would
not be forgotten by the coming generations.

Stories of our great grandparents reveal that the attempt to mummify

their dead can be trace to the early 17th centuries, but it was found to be effective
or unlike those found at Timbac and Singakalsa mountains, which are genuinely
intact and free from decay.

If our grandparents can trace their genealogical ancestry down to the

early part of the 17th century, it could be presumed that these existing mummies
are more than five hundred years in age. There is a long gap between the time of
our ancestors of the early 17 th century and that of the unknown century when
perfect mummification was practiced by the early Ibaloi tribe.

Until now, no scientific research has made to determine the time when
these mummies were preserved by man.
 PREFACE

The general cause of misunderstanding among the people is the lack of

information about the background and the strong beliefs of others. And
misunderstanding may arise also from ones failure to adjust himself to his
neighbors. It is therefore necessary that one should know the history, background,
the customs, beliefs, mores and other cultures of kind of people in order to
understand them and make adjustments for himself.

This piece of work is a compilation of the brief history of Kabayan and the
customs, folktales, legends, mores and beliefs in Benguet and also the native
canaos and biographies of some prominent men in Kabayan, Benguet.

The realization of these assorted piece of tast is brought about by the

following means:

1. Interviews with the Amanbunun (native priests), Amansibbok (native

soothsayers) and the old native folks still living in Kabayan and outside of
it.
2. Collecting the stories from the native teachers and other native believers.
The collection os contents of this pamphlet began in 1952 up to its
publication.
3. Employment of resource persons and other helpers.
 THE AUTHOR

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

In the preparation of this history of Kabayan and the customs, beliefs,

superstitions, mores, gods, goddesses, folktales and biographies of certain
prominent men/women of Kabayan, Benguet, Mountain Province, the writer
gratefully acknowledge the valuable information and assistance from the old folks of
Kabayan as mentioned below:

Henry A. Kamora, Pasiking Comissing, Guingaban Dacal, Daniel Toctocan

Atokding, Dasong Isikan O. Baucas, Morel Minos, Oras Disoc, Chagui Cadati, Osinio
Postino and many, many others. I wish to extend my appreciation and sincere
thanks to my fellow teachers who in one way or another assisted the writer in
collecting the data and other necessary information which are printed in this
pamphlet.

Gratitude to Pedro Domingo, Larry Awingan, John Beray, Carolina Suayan,

Beatrice S. Albon and other fellow teacher for their invaluable assistance.

I wish to thank my parents, particularly my father and mother who gave

many interesting native beliefs, customs and folktales which are written in this little
book.

BIANO L. BAUCAS
 INTRODUCTION

This pamphlet contains assorted materials which are gathered from the old
native folks of Kaayan and other resource persons in Benguet including from the
teachers. The reader may learn from these narrations the brief history of Kabayan,
the customs, traditions, beliefs, folktales, legends, canaos and other prominent
stories which are generally of native culture in Benguet. Included in these
narrations are some informative articles or fact which may be read the 1 st part
pages, under Appendix, Article under Appendix or appende at the last part of this
book just fillers.

This piece of work is intended to provide the teachers in the mountain

province as well as the reading public with references either for instructional
purposes or for informational. These may serve as source for individual
Adjustments. The readers should be informed that the portrayal of this piece of
literature is not for its propagation or exultation neither it is intended for its
sustenance or survival. It is printed in order to achieve one of the objectives of the
Division Letter No. 94 s. 1959, which state the following: tocollect materials on the
history, industry, literature, customs lives, labors of native leaders and persons that
contributed to the growth and development of Baguio and Mountain Province.
 It is also suggested that the teachers in the intermediate grades who are
teaching in Benguet should use this pamphlet as a reference material whenever
possible.

According to the resource persons and some great and unstained native
believers of the native customs, beliefs and other native social practices but they
are not included here for obvious reasons.

The resource persons whose names and biographies appear elsewhere on

this book are purely natives of Kabayan, Benguet. The narrator and other teachers
assisted in the accomplishment of this written work are all native residents of
Benguet, Mountain Province.

It is hoped that the youth and the different peoples now residing in Benguet,
mountain Province should carry on a good understanding and better adjustment
with the Igorots of Benguet after reading the brief background or culture of a group
of people as printed in this pamphlet.

At the last part of this piece of task, a reader can be informed of some facts
about the Mountain Province and also about the cities, provinces in the Philippines .
other facts at the back are included to serve as fillers and records of the author.

THE AUTHOR

A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF KABAYAN

TOWN

One of the oldest settlements in Benguet is the Municipality of Kabayan. It

was very much inhabited before the coming of the Spanish Explorers to the place. A
primary school was established during the later part of the Spanish rule. Carpentry
work and rice planting were said to have originated from Kabayan. Ancient
inhabitants engaged in mining work. Early mines were located in the heart of the
town along the Agno River and the Tabio, which is the Northeastern part of the
municipality.

THE EARLY INHABITANTS

The early inhabitants as well as the present residents are mixture of different
and several origins. As one road elsewhere in this pamphlet, some residents of
Kabayan came from Sabangan, Bontoc while others cane from Tinoc, Kiangan. Later
on, some of the inhabitants immigrated from Buguias and Hungduan and lived in
Kabayan.

SOCIAL PRACTICES

The people of Kabayan are immigrants. That is no residents sprang or

originated from the place. Te inhabitant came from the various part of the Mountain
Province. Because of the mixture of people, they have different customs, traditional
practices, superstitions and beliefs which are made part of their social advancement
but economic stagnations. The native of Kabayan speak different three major
dialects which are Ibaloi, kalkali or kankanaey and Kalangaya Ibaloi is spoken by the
majority of the residents while kankanaey or kalkali and kalangaya are spoken by
those who are living at the borders of the town, like Ballay, Batan, Tawangan,
Kalimban, Abocot and Balinit.

INDUSTRIES IN KABAYAN

It was told that many traders from Pangasinan came to Kabayan during the
ancient times. This was when piracy was rampant in the lowlands, especially along
the seacoast. Many of the traders from the lowlands including the Chinese married
the natives inhabitants. That is why many of the Ibaloi dialect are similar with that
of the Pangasinans. one example of similarity is the word owala which is
pronounced in Ibaloi as wara but they have the same meaning.

The traders or strangers as the native inhabitants called them, taught the
native highlanders to write. The native highlanders learned also the Chinese
writing. During this period, it was told that some Chinese, Japanese and lowlands
people worked in the mines in Kabayan with the native residents.

Besides gold mining, the Kabayan people said to be advances in carpentry

work. They were the first group in Benguet to use the carabao and plow to their
fields. They were said to be the first to build wooden houses. It was also told that
during the first Commandancia in La Trinidad was build, some carpenters from
Kabayan were called to construct it. The wooden house of the old Mateo Carino,
Otto Sheerer, Mateo Carantes and Piraso in Baguio including the house of Jose
Fianza of Itogon were constructed by carpenters from Kabayan.

PLANT CULTURE

The early inhabitants raised camote and gabi for their main foodstuff. Coffee
trees and other fruit trees were planted by the ancient dwellers. Gingers peppers
and beans were the common plants of the people.

The early inhabitants of the town raised animals such as carabaos, cattle,
horses, pigs, chickens and few ducks. The animals they raised were used for caniaos
or for sacrifices and other social celebrations. Animals are considered as medicines
by the ancient inhabitants and even to these days, many residents of the town still
believe that caniaos and feasts are medicines to the sick and sufferings.

COFFEE INDUSTRY

Coffee raising which was introduced sometimes in 1872 by the Spanish

authorities was the most successful enterprise in Kabayan. Coffee trees during the
Spanish period almost covered all the arable lands and hillside of the municipalities
as one of the coffee towns in the Philippines S.J. Bejar, one of the Township
Presidents of the town was awarded a gold medal by Governor Pack successors as
Township Presidents worked for more fruit trees for the people of the municipality.
Unfortunately, in the years 1986, a disastrous plant pests and diseases destroyed
the giant coffee plantation. Almost all the coffee trees were ruined and destroyed by
the pests. However, few years after, the ruins of the coffee plantation, the
inhabitants of Kabayan replanted their lots to coffee.

To export their products, the people used to trade and barter their coffee with
blankets and salt to the lowlands, particularly in Dagupan, La Union and also in
Nueva Viscaya.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The local government was established in the year 1846 by Sr. Soroa, a
Commansante Militar, Otot Dimot, Juan Bejar and Carpio Daoal served in
successions as the first Municipal Capitanes during the Spanish regime. Palongjas
was also the first Township President during the American rule while ValentinMonang
was the first to be called the Municipal District Mayor of Kabayan during the
American period.

The first school under the Spanish rule was opened in Kabayan Barrio in 1894
with Mr. Fernando Ostria asa the first Spanish techer followed by Messrs. J. Rubal
and Ostella, both Filipinos. This Spanish school was under the supervision of the
Catholic Missionaries who were stationed at Daclan, Bokod. In 1901, the first
American school was opened with Mr. Farmer, an American, as the teacher. In 1927,
an intermediate school throughout Benguet, except teachers camp, Baguio. Many
pupils studying or who studied in Kabayan came from Bokod, Buguias, Kapangan
and other parts of Benguet. Dormitories for boys and girls were constructed and
loom weaving was introduced.

It was Mr. Moss, one of the American pioneer teachers and educators with
Governor Pack who were responsible for the establishments of said institution of
learning in Kabayan and in Benguet as a whole.

CHRISTIANITY

As early as 1875, Christianity began to flourish in the town. Many of the rich
and leaders and like Hendry A. Kamora, Apolinario Dimot, Juan Bejar and other
prominent natives were the first to be baptized by the Catholic missionaries. In
1910, Protestantism was also introduced. At present, Catholicism, Protestantism
and other minor sects are being spread in the town.

SETTLERS OF KABAYAN

There are three stories about the coming of the first settlers of Kabayan.
Because of these controversial stories, these versions are briefly narrated below.

Most of the old folks interviewed in Kabayan and a great hunter from
Sabangan who was the first settler of the town. It was told that Baguio with his
descendants lived in caves at Imbossi, threby making the place first settlement in
Kabayan. Imbossi was again inhabited by a grandson of Bagdao as written
elsewhere in this book. The descendants of Bagdao in Imbossi become rich and
wealthy. As time passed on, the great children of Bagdao spread throughout the
town and to other parts of Benguet.

Among the descendants of Bagdao who became well-to-do, well-know and

great leaders are Kamora, Tacdoy, Damjaen, Tagure, Dacal, Casalan, Velasco, Alban
and many others.

Many slaves who were bought by the rich men of Kabayan were allowed to
intermarry with the descendants of Bagdao. The slaves bought from Ifugao because
there was at that time a slave trade between Kabayan and Ifugao. According to the
informants, a slave could be bought with a carabao, a piece if gold, a blanket or any
valuable property that the trader wanted.

Another version about the first settlers of Kabayan was told by old men
Oyapit and Tinehongan. They knew what it was Sangao who came from Ifugao and
settled in Kabayan. Sangao was a great hunter from Ifugao who was like Bagdao.
With hisdog, Sangao pursued a wild pig among the cordillers Mountain towards
Kabayan. When he saw that Kabayan is a good place, he settled and rasided in the
place.

However, according to some old folks, Sangao came along after Badgao
settled in Kabayan because when he arrived at Imbossi, Kabayan, he (Sangao) was
attracted by one of the daughters of Bagdao, whom he married. Sangao become
then apart of Bagdaos descendants.

An old woman Chegui and other few old folks narrated a different story as
follows:

It was a Gadati who first settled in Kabayan. The time he first settled in
Kabayan was not known. The place where he came from was known either. It was
just told that when he went to his Kaingin to dig camotes he was to pass through a
brook, as he was trying to catch some frogs for his food, he saw an enormous snake.
This huge snake frightened him, so he ran back home. He ran as fast as he could
and upon reaching his house, he felt unconscious and asleep. During his sleep, he
dreamed that he was conversing with the hideous reptile that he saw in the brook.
He was told that he (Gadati) should perform a feast and gave a piece of liver and
rice wine to the long and terrible monster. If you will consent to this suggestion,
you shall live long and become prosperous says someone in Gahatis dream.

Gadati woke up and found out that he was dreaming. He then prepared and
performed a canao, called Kapi in the native dialect. With the piece of roasted liver
and rice wine contained in a coconut shell. Gadati personally delivered then to the
huge snake.

Gadati became very, very old before he died. Because he could not sit
straight neither he could stand, his son had to make chain rings made of rattan
which they fitted on Gadati neck and waist. This wooden rattan was not removed
from the body when Gadati died. The knitted rattan was buried witht eh deceased
and at present, the coffin and rattan were turning to ashes. The coffin as nicely
placed in a very spacious cave which is always dry even during rainy season.

ANOTHER STORY ABOUT BAGDAO

There was a big canao at Loo, Buguias in which the people of Imbasi,
Kabayan were invited. A beautiful girl whose name was Marogay went with her
parents to attend the said canao. At that time there were some men from
Sabangan, Bontoc who were camping at the top of Mt. Data for headhunting,
looking and waiting for someone from Loo or other places whom they could ambush
and kill. Unfortunately, a spell of cold fell over the places which form thick snow
that covered the whole plateau of Mount Data. The headhunters were shivering and
could not build a fire to warm themselves because the wood or grass clustered with
snow, could not burn. To save themselves from cold, they burned their shields,
arrow and bows and the handles of their spears. The youngest of them by the name
of Bagdao was sent to look for food. He went down the mountain to dig camotes
from the kaingin below. While he was digging and stealing camotes, he heard a
sound of gongs and drums below. So Bagdao, instead of digging camotes, went to
the canao and mixed with the crowd. When he was asked to dance, he accepted it.
During his first dance, he was by Marogay. Every time the headhunter, Bagdao
danced, Marogay always dance with him. During that occasion, they fell in love.

After the canao, the people dispersed. Marogay with her parents came home
to Imbossi. When they came home, Bagdao followed them instead of going back to
his group at Mount Data. Theseheadhunter who is inlove asked the parents of
Marogay for a work at Imbossi. He was then given a piece of land to cultivate. While
Bagdao was working on the farm, Marogay told her parents that she was in love
with him. There was an old traditional practice that the young man must work with
the family for at least one year before he can marry the daughter of such parents so
that during the stay of the young lad, they can both observe each others character
and lived at Imbossi, Kabayan. This Bagdao might be the grandson of the first
Bagdao who first settled in Imbossi.

DESCENDANTS OF BAGDAO

An Imbosi, a certain descendant of Bagdao had a caniao. While the

celebration of the caniao was going on, the floor to their house which was filled
with people collapsed direct beneath. No one was hurt and the jars of wine (tapey)
they were drinking remained intact and safe.

The elders interpreted that such occurrence or incident foretells a god omen.
However, they advised the family who performed the caniao to leave the place to
settle. The numbers of the family who were eleven in all, seven brothers,two sisters
and their father and mother have to obey the old men, so they abandons the place.
The seven brothers went out scattered in different communities in Benguet. The
husband and wife including the two sisters moved to the sitio of Kabayan. Later on,
the two sisters were married to the lowlanders who came from Panagasinan.

MORE ON THE RESIDENTS OF IMBOSI

The old settlers of Imbosi lived on wild plants and animals. These people who
came from Tinuk and settled in Kabayan were more intelligent and civilized than the
old settlers. The new settlers from Tinuk, Hungduan brought with them same tamed
animals, hogs, dogs, chickens and other cultures thereby making the first settlers at
Imbossi, Kabayan more zealous about them. The first and new settlers become
enemies because the older inhabitants stole the animals of the new comers. The
new settlers at Imbossi, Kabayan began institute caniaos are used to established
better understanding among inhabitants and to promote good public relations
between the old and new inhabitants who had some sort of misunderstanding.
During these feast, the meat of the animals that were butchered were distributed to
the neighbors free of charge. Through these festivities, they become peaceful and
happy. As time went by, the old and new settlers become friends and have
intermarriages among themselves.

CENTRAL KABAYAN

Dutab is the former name of Central Kabayan. Dutab in the Ibaloi dialect is to
clear a dense forest as in making kaingin. The following narrative explains how the
name Dutab was adopted.

There was a man whose name is Duyap. He was a brave hunter of Tinoc,
Hungduan. During his hunting spree, he came to Kabayan. When he found out that
the land is a good farmland, he cleared it and builds his house. He called the place
Dutab and even to his present time, the people still called it by its old name.
Central is an adoptaion name of Kabayan barrio when the local government was
transferred to Dutab or Central. The adaptation of Central was in 1908.
 Dayap and his followers settled in the place long before the coming of the
Spanirads to Kabayan. Before 1908, the seat of the municipal government was in
Kabayan barrio and during the same year, the seat of the local government was
transferred to Dutab. From this time on, the residents call Dutab, Central of
Kabayan.

BUILDERS OF KABAYAN

The community leaders who were responsible for the transfer of the local
government from Kabayan to Central were the following: Henry A. Kamora, Pasiking
Comissing, Guingaban Daoal, Daniel Toctocan, Atakding and other fewleaders. There
were successively either appointed or elected presidents and mayors of Kabayan.
At present, they are still active in the improvement of their town. Henry A. Kamora
is the present municipal District Mayor of Kabayan.

MUNICIPAL OFFICIAL

Spanish Times

The old men who related the history of Kabayan could not remember the
dates of the terms of office of the Municipal Capitanes. However, those who were
appointed Capitanes were the following persons: Otot, Juan Bejar, and Carpiio
Daoal. The first teacher during the Spanish time, the year 1894 up to coming of the
Americans, were Fernando Ostria and Juan Rubal.

Below are the tabulations of the names of the presidents and vice presidents
who were either appointed or elected during the American Rule.

Presidents Vice-Presidents Year

Palongjas Ogues 1901-1902

Juan Bejar Carpio Daoal 1902-1904

Ngoyao (Unknown) 1904-

1906

Carpio Daoal Pulkera 1906-

1908

Guinigin Cipriano 1908-1910

Marques Bangsi-il 1910-1912

Ngoyao Kingay
1912-1916
Guinigin Tabingan 1916-1919

Cipriano Iamia-en 1920-1922

Henry A. Kamora Diano Pay-an 1922-

1925

Tabingan Daoal Kingay

1926-1928

Modi Marquez Caroy-as 1929-

1931

Kingay Pasiking Comissing 1932-

1934

Pasiking Comissing Daniel T. Atokding 1935-1937

The mayors and vice-mayors who served from 1938 to 1961 are as follows:

Mayor Vice-Mayors Year

Valentin Monang Puring Moonang 1938-1940

Guingaban Daoal Tingco Batori 1941-

1946

Bernardo Sinong Tinchongan 1947-1949

Mattic Carbonel Blas Alingay 1950-1952

Perez Tagure Condales Daoal 1953-

1955

Henry A. Kamora Melancio Baucas 1956-1959

Henry A. Kamora Heraldo Densen 1960-

1963

THE FIRST AMONG THE OFFICIALS

1. Otot wasa the first Captain for Kabayan during the Spanish rule.
 2. Fernando Ostria was the first Spanish teacher during the Spanish time at
Kabayan barrio.
3. Palongjas is the first president appointed during the American rule of
Kabayan.
4. Valentin Monang first to be called the Municipal Districts Mayor of Kabayan.
5. Luciano Rulleda was the first Secretary-Treasurer of Kabayan during the
American rule.
6. Mr. Farmer, an American, first teacher at Kabayan Barrio during the American
regime.

The Secretary-Treasurer for Kabayan during the first American rule to the
public of the Philippines are as follows:

Luciano Rulleda-1901 to 1907; Pasiking Comissing-1908 to 1918; Mariano

Samora-1919 to 1920; Tural Taliasi-1921 to 1930; Feliciano Antonio Sibayan-1938 to
1944; Fabian Lanuza-1945 to 1948; Blas Pono-1949 to 1954 and Cirilo Laciapag-
1955 to this writing 1961.

In 1846, the Spanish authorities established the first local government in

Kabayan, thereby appointing Otot as the first Captain for the town. A Spaniard who
was responsible for this establishment was Sr. Soroa, a Commandante Militar. It was
this year when the inhabitants of Kabayan were sent to Tabio, Kabayan to defend
their town from their enemies, which they did.

In 1874, the Spanish government introduced the coffee industry in Kabayan

therein all sitios and barrios including the central were planted to coffee tress.

In 1901, the first public school was opened at Kabayan by the American
administrators. However, before this year, there was a school but it was privately
administered by the Catholic Missionaries.

In 1925, the Catholic Mission Church building was first established in Central
Kabayan.

The intermediate grades were opened in Central, Kabayan in 1927. This was
the first of its kind throughout the sub-province of Benguet.

June 10, 1945, the American forces liberated Kabayan from the reign of the
Japanese Imperial forces.

July 1, 1947, the first private school was established in Kabayan, Benguet
Academy as the high school was called, was managed by the Protestant
Missionaries. Because of lack of funds, this school was closed on 1957.

During the second world war, that was between the year 1941-1945, many
private and public buildings and property including lives of people were lost. The
destruction was either caused by fire of bombs. Many houses were destroyed by the
machine guns of the fighter planes. There were many civilians who perished form
the hands of the enemies. Other deaths were caused by hunger and sickness.

Through the assistance of the War damage Commission, the school buildings
were reconstructed after the war. Three other public buildings were also
rehabilitated and many claimants from Kabayan were benefitted from the aid of the
war Damage Commission.

At this writing, 1961, there are 10 schools in the municipality of Kabayan.

There complete elementary schools, are Kabayan Central School, Asokong
Elementary School, and Adaoay Elementary School. The primary school are as
follows: Kabayan Barrio School, Ellet Primary School, Bato Primary School. Ballay
Sitio School, Tawangan Sitio School and Anchokey Sitio School.

Kabayan is the only municipality having two municipal buildings in Benguet.

There is one hospital building and two dispensary buildings at Adaoay and Asokong,
Kabayan.

BARRIOS IN THE MUNICIPALITY

There are at present six barrios in Kabayan namely: Adaoay, Batan, Kabayan,
Central, Gusaran and Pacso. For the sake of importance and historical value, Ellet
which is a part of centyral is incuded in the list of barrios although it is only a sitio.
Ellet is a big sitio with a complete primary school manned by two teachers. Bato
Primary School is located in the sitio of Ellet also.

CENTRAL

Dutab is the former name of Central. Central is just recently given because of its
location in the town. It was a hunter by the name Duyap, who came from Tinoc,
Hungduan, who was believed to settle the place first before other inhabitants came
to reside in said place. It happened one time that when Duyap came to Kabayan for
a hunting spree, he saw that the place is a good place to live in. So he cleared the
place and build his house. These descendants became well-known.

ADAOAY

This barrio was named after an incident that occurred as described below:

There was two men by the name Alaway and Dicao. One day, they have a
bitter quarrel. When they were at the height of their verbal clash, a number of
Spanish soldier arrived. They asked the name of the place from the two men who
engaged in fight. These two men did not understand the question. Dicao taught
that the Spaniards without hearing were asking the name of his opponent, and so
he answered without further thought. The Spaniards without hearing the correct
pronunciation wrote and reported the place as Adaway. Since that time on, the
barrio was given the name Adaway.

Nobody could remember the name of the place before the incident that is
narrated above, but it is also believed that the name of the place was derived from
the native dialect Arawi meaning very far.

BATAN

The residents of the barrio during the Spanish time called the place Abatan
meaning their meeting place any time of the year. Abatan in the dialect (Kankana-
ey) means a meeting place any time of the year. The government during the
ancient times recorded the name Batan instead of Abatan as the native called it.
For this time on, the barrio is called Batan. This place is considered one of the
oldest barrios in this town with the exception of the sitio of Imbosi.

CUSARAN

After the great epidemic sometime in the 18th century, the survivors who fled
to the mountains descended the place and called it Gusaran to the natives means a
place for stopping from descend. It is a terminal of the descend when one comes
down from such place. At this writing, this barrio may be splitted into two barrios in
the near future.

PACSO

This place, Pacso, was formerly called Mangangan. However after a great
flood that destroyed the place, the place was changed to Pasco. The flood occurred
sometime in the latter part of the 18th century when many houses and the
inhabitants tried to escape by crossing the Agno river thru a suspension bridge.
When they were crossing the river thru the bridge, that bridge collapsed because
the people were heavy. Those who were on the bridge were all drowned with it.

The survivors of the flood shouted at those who were being drowned by
uttering that the suspension bridge was epecso meaning the bridge has collapse.
From that time on, the inhabitants of said place spread news that the suspension
bridge was Epecso and so they called the place with such a name because of the
incident. Later, the barrio was officially recorded as Pacso, eliminating he prefix
letter E to Pacso.

KABAYAN

Kabayan was formerly covered with vines called Ba-ay. The first settlers of
this barrio called it or described it as Kaba-ayan which means to them, a place of
abundant vines, when the Spaniards came, they registered the barrio a Kabayan
eliminating the hyphen and the letter a which is placed before the last syllable.
Kabayan barrio was not a barrio before the coming of the Americans. The real name
is Kabayan but when the seat of the local government which was formerly in said
place was transferred to Dutab or central, the place become a barrio Central got
the name Kabayan.

DATEOF ESTABLISHMENT

In 1829, Commander Don Guillermo Galvey established the local government

in Benguet. In the same year, expeditions were sent through the Agno River for
colonization. When the expeditionary forces come to Adaoay, they found the place
good for a garrison. Immediately, the Spanish soldiers built their barracks. This
was the first establishments as far as the government is concerned. However, after
some years, the Spanish soldiers left the place and the natives occupied it and
constructed their houses. Of course, before the arrival of the Spaniards or Spanish
soldiers, some parts of the town were already inhabited.

Imbosi, Batan, Kabayan, Adaoay, Dutab and Asokong are some of the oldest
settlements in Kabayan, Imbosi was (claimed that) deserted and turned into rice
paddies at the present era. Many claimed that Batan is one of the oldest barrios in
the municipality while others claimed that it was Pacso and Asokong. According to
some folks, the first inhabitants of Daclan, Bokod and Atok descended from batan.
However, others claimed that Batan people came from Pacso and Asokong.

ELLET

The sitio of Ellet is one of the newly inhabited place. According to the oldest
inhabitants of Edit who are still living, whose name are Saccha and Porin, they were
first accupants of the sitio. They constructed their houses sometimes in 1902.

GUSARAN

According to the information, this community was first established sometime

in the latter part of the 18th century. This was authenticated by Pasiking Comissing
when his father was the Cabeza de Barangay of Dutab or Central, Kabayan.

KABAYAN BARRIO

This barrio was made the seat of the local government in 1901 by the
American authorities. This was Mr. R. Mosses, an American was the Supervising
Teacher in Benguet. This community was long established during the Spanish
regime. It was claimed by many inhabitants that Kabayan was olderst5 settlement
because it was first occupied and settled by the inhabitants before Dutab or Central
was inhabited.

PACSO
 The barrio of Pacso was considered by the oldest residents of Kabayan as one
of the oldest settlements in the town. According to the persons, there were
residents of the barrio as early as the first part of the 18 th century after the flood
which was called Epecso incidents in the early part of the 20 th century, the survivors
resettled the place and called it Pacso.

ORIGINAL FACILITIES

The inhabitants of Kabayan, being socially and culturally interrelated, use the
same facilities at home and on the farm. In the homes, they have earthen jars fro
fermenting rice wine, for cooking and fro drinking water. They are in possession
also of copper pots, wooden plows and other digging tools. They have wooden
drums and gongs made of bronze. They have small house which they call Abong
in their native tongue.

BARRIO LIEUTENENTS AND TENIENTES

ADAOAY

The barrio lieutenants during the Spanish times were not recorded or known.
It was only during the American and the Commonwealth Government up to the
republic of the Philippines that records of officials were known and were available.
The barrio lieutenants are also as follows: Lasbacan Balongan- 1908; Tagure-1911;
Suway Buslay-1917; Tuding Udayan-1920; Daniel Impol-1923; Benito Aroco-1926;
Sueta Coberran-1929; Edward Tomilas-1932; Pulo Cosalan-1935; Danoy Ansen-1938;
Julian Dalaoay-1941; Faustino Satod-1949; Atos Estong-1953; Lazaro Leon-1960 up
to this date.

ELLET

The records of the barrio lieutenants and tenientes during the Spanish Time
are not available.

During the American and the republic of the Philipines, the following are
known officials: Saccha, Dolforo and Kamora, Porin served as a teniente del barrio
during the Japanese occupation. Hilary Dolforo served in 1949; Titos Porin in 1950
to 1952; Fausto Osenio in 1953; Titos Porin in 1960 up to the present time.

BATAN

Officials who served during the Spanish rule are not known by the resource
persons and record are not available. Duorng the American rule, the officials are as
follows: Potsha, Meyong, Timo, Milas, Oide, Juan, Leday, Dagaspi, Tisa, Elesio and
Misa. Tipano was the barrio lieutenant during the Japanese occupation. During the
repaublic of the Philippines the following persons served as the officials: Avairo,
Oide, Albin, Bugtong and Epi Awal.
 GUSARAN

In 1899, Spanish rule, Lamsi served as a barrio lieutenant, these persons in

the same capacity: Bacbac-1905; Sinong-1930; Oyapit-1935and Agsowa-1040-44.
During the commonwealth and after the Philippines Independence, the officials
were: Mattic Carbonel-1945; Suaking Gadati-1947; Gasingan Bugite-1950; Salis
Fermin 1953 and Pio Paris-1954. Piote Cosinte is now the barrio lieutenant.

KABAYAN BARRIO

Tukaran, Chanding, Esjog, Biadno, and Taliasi were the teniente del barrio
during the Spanish regime. Cabangong, Nasda-angan, Esjog, Taliasi, Baldo, ajas,
Dasdas, Kingay, Silvaro and Modi served during the American time. Camilo and
Samin were appointed to serve as barrio lieutenant during the Republic of the
Philippines. Obab Comissing is the present barrio lieutenant.

PACSO

Badkey Maichap served the Spanish during the time as Teniente del barrio.
Those who were appointed to serve the same position during the period are
Abellera Polon, Banagui To-to and Bigando Dungba. The barrio officials during the
American rule and the commonwealth government were as follows: Gadati
Bayangan, Gonzales Walang, Maranis Paytocan, Decoran Walang, Morol Minos,
Payan Biano, Ngowapan Dimot, Tameray Polon. Coli Maichap and Parog Walang
served during the Japaneses occupation. Mateo Calbyas, Oras Disoc, Melicio Baucas
and Hipolito Decoran served as barrio lieutenants nad councilors during the
Republic of the Philippines.

HISTORICAL FACTS AND EVENTS

Imbosi was once a prosperous community during the Spanish rule. This place
is located between Gusaran and Pacso. During the early times, the place was
inhabited by the people who came from Kiangan and Sabangan. Being
headhunters, they used to go hunting for peoples head in the lowlands or
elsewhere away from their residence. There was once a time when these
headhunters were pursued by their enemies for revenge. Knowing what they do,
they place themselves strategically to wait for their adversaries from the lowlands.
At the end of the fight, these ancient inhabitants of Imbosi would win and would kill
all their enemies. After several battles with these ancients dwellers fearing that
their enemies might unite and conquer them. For this reason, they abandoned their
homes and sought refuge in Dutab, batan, Adaoay, Asokong anf and other distant
communities in Benguet. Imbosi, the oldest settlement in Kabayan is already turns
to rice paddies at this present time. Nobody is inhabiting the place.
 The old settlers of Imbosi lives on wild plants and animals. Those who came
from Tinuk and settled in Kabayan were more intelligent. They were the ones who
brought tamed animals like hogs, dogs, chickens and others, thereby making the
first settlers of Imbosi more zealous of them. The first and the new settlers stole the
animals of the new comers. The new immigrants then began to institute caniaos
and feast. They invited the first settlers to their caniaos, thereby making their
relationship closer. The meat of the animals they butchered were distributed to the
neighbors free of charge. Thru these festivities, they become peaceful and happy.
There were then intermarriages between the old and the new inhabitants.

Langisen is one of the sitios of Batan which is believed to be well inhabited by

the ancient people. This sitio is now covered with loose rocks and place cladded
with pine trees. At present, few families are residing in said place. These families
settled the sitio during the olden times, just after the great inundation that flooded
the place. Before this flood, there were many inhabitants with the lake on the top of
it eroded and covered the inhabitants alive at Langisen. Since then, few families
resided in the sitio.

Another historical site can be found at Kabayan Barrio. It is an extra ordinary

rock or big stone. Ancient denizens bored such holes at the command of the rich in
order that such holes can be used as cemetery for the great leaders and rich
people. In all those holes are bodies of prominent and rich men and women of the
town.

The inhabitants of the place considered the big rock a sacred place so that
throw stones to it and burning around such giant stone is prohibited.

According to the folks, the people who bored the wonderful small tunnels
towards the rock or in the rock used bones burning them and pouring hot water
which is taken from boiler granger. The bone they were humans.

HISTORICAL EVENTS FOR EACH PERIOD

During the Spanish Rule

In the year 1829, nCommander Galvey led an expeditionary force from La

Trinidad to Kabayan passing thru the Agno river. When the people of Kabayan
learned of the coming of the Spanish soldiers prepared themselves for the battle.
They prepared bows and arrows, spears and stones which they used for the fight.

The natives then hid themselves securely on a precipitous hillside. When the
Spanish soldiers came to the narrow path below, the barbarous native rolled down
stones, shot their arrows, spears and other weapons they could use to the company
of soldiers. The soldiers below then deployed themselves to fight back. Those
soldiers were able to escape the rolling stones, winding spears and arrows hurling at
them.
 After several hours of hide and seek, one native from Kabayan was shot dead
by the soldiers. Upon seeing their comrade shot dead, they shouted and
surrendered to their enemies. The name of the victim was Omocnam.

Contrary to expectations of the natives that the Spanish soldiears are cruel,
they discovered after all that the Spaniards were kind and friendly. The soldiers
offered the natives with some things to eat and other spices and jewelries they
brought along with them. In return, the natives offered fruits, native wine. As the
time went on, the people of Kabayan helped the Spaniards authorities and
organized the first local government under the Spanish Regime.

During the American Rule

In 1901, the first public school was opened at Kabayan by the American
authorities. It was also at this period when the Catholic Mission Church building was
erected at Central Kabayan. This was in the year 1925.

During the Second World War and after.

Livestock and economic products were commandeered by either the

Japanese or the Guerilla during the Second World War. Many victims of this cruel war
are not yet fully rehabilitated.

More than 100 civilians or evacuees at Ellet and other parts of the town were
trapped and massacred by the Japanese soldiers. During this war, 1941-1945. Many
civilians suffered from hunger and disease and many of them perished or died.

Many private houses were burned and destroyed by machine guns, bombs
and soldiers.

REALTIONS BETWEEN KABAYAN AND ASIN

Headhunting among the people of Benguet were minimized when the Spanish
government was established in La Trinidad, Benguet. Whenever they celebrated a
Bandian in commemoration of Victories and so that their crop would be
productive, no head is placed in a basket, and instead of it, they would get a head of
a giant fern which they call Tibangdan, and place in said small basket. A other
times, he native residents who performed said victory feast would just improvise a
human-like head made out of banana stock.

During the ancient times, the people of Asin used to send their warriors in big
groups to invade Kabayan. But, the people of Kabayan were said to be always
victorious because their place is located in a deep valley along the Agno River which
is surrounded by high hills and mountains so that whenever their enemies form Asin
comes to invade them, they would surround them and kill them all.
 It was told to this writer that before the invaders, Asin people enter Kabayan
and would make great noise by shouting and dancing with their shields and spears
with the intention of frightening the residents in order that they would surrender.
Instead of surrendering, the residents of Kabayan would slip from their houses with
their families and would go to the hills and mountains sides just to be ready to
surround them and throw stones and spears at them. The fight would take several
hours. If the Asin people were exhausted and finally defeated, the inhabitants of
Kabayan would enter and tie their enemies hands and feet.

Asin was the greatest and strongest enemy of Kabayan those early times.
Asin is located on the east side of the Cordillera Mountains and east of Loo, Buguias.
It was said that Asin community was the most thickly populated during the early
times, because of this fact, it was called by the Spaniards Asin Grande.

The last time the Asin people came to invade Kabayan was when the Spanish
government was fully established in La Trinidad, Benguet. In making a report
between Asin and Kabayan, The men of Kabayan exhibited the ears of their
enemies, which they cut to the Spanish authorities. From that time on, the
commandante stationed at La Trinidad was angered that everyone of the man fro,
Asin be captured and brought for investigation. This did work, and those taken
captives by the people of Kabayan were brought to Lingayen, Pangasinan. They
were then put to prison.

One occasion, the Spanish government sent a patrol to Asin, Kiangan. The
patrol which was composed of Spanish and lowlanders made a barracks made of
grass and cogon at Asin. When the epidemic of Cholera occurred in this region, the
natives took advantage of it and killed all the soldiers who were sick lying on their
barracks.

The population of Asin was greatly reduced. It was because of their desire to
invade other places. After their failures to capture Kabayan and other communities,
they went to Atok. While they were nearing the town, shouting and dancing with
their spears and shields, and approaching the Presidencia, the Secretary-Treasurer,
Mr. Carbonel shot their leader whose name was Samicday. Samicday died instantly.
His men upon seeing their leader shot dead, retreated and returned to Asin,
Hungduan, Kiangan.

The capture of the remaining people of Asin on the first part of 1901 by
Governor Philipp Whitmarsh. Governor P. Whitmarsh sent soldiers to conquers the
barbarous tribemen. However, when the soldiers arrived to Asin, they found out that
there were few inhabitants. Mos of them sent or moved to {Alatang, east of
Buguias. The soldiers captures many of these tribesmen and sent to the prison
camp in Lingayen, Panagsinan.

TRADITIONAL CUSTOMS
 Birth

When an expectant mother labors, nobody should stay with her except an old
woman considered to be midwife, to assist in the delivery of the baby. At the edge
of the roofs of the house above the door, the old woman puts runus with green
leaves. The purpose of said runus is to prohibit the bad spirits and anitos to enter
the room because it is a belief that the presence of these things will cause more
pain on the part of the laboring mother and worse still, it is the belief that the anitos
and spirits cause the delay of the birth of the baby.

In order to minimize the pain and to make the delivery easy, either chickens
or pigs are butchered as offering to the anitos and spirits or those evil gods that are
causing the delay of the babys birth. These feast or offerings are called pasang,
baeng, porad. When the spirits and anitos and other evil spirits or supreme beings
are satisfied and contented, they will not cause any more pains but instead shall
make the giving of birth easy and favorable.

After the baby is born, any of the following animals are butchered: chickens,
pigs and ducks. The purpose of this butchering and feasting is to hasten the healing
of the babys umbilical cord and to prevent any illness that may arise in the later life
of the infant child.

In connection with birth, there is a native belief that if an expectant mother

eats twin fruits during her puberty and adolescent age, and especially during her
pregnancy, she is believed to have twin babies.

Baptismal

There are no formal baptismal practices performed by the old inhabitants.

The name of the baby may be taken from the event took place during the birth-
date. It may also be taken from a name of a certain visitor hat visited the family
when the mother gave birth. The name of the baby may be taken from the name of
any phenomenon hat incidentally occurred during the birthday.

The old way of baptizing a baby is just after birth, when the baby is bathed by
an old woman. While bathing the baby, the old woman pray and utter the following
verses: May you be like this water that is always clear andactive everyday, and
which will never stop moving day and night. May you live longer and hanve
progressive life and may you live like (referring to herself ) whose had many healthy
and stout children. There are more prayers stating that the baby born on such day
should be healthy and prosperous when the baby grows big. During this ceremony,
the inborn child is not given a name. it is only after some days that the baby is
given a name.

COURTSHIP
 Courtship between the young man and woman of this place is indeed a
passive one, usually, the love is expressed through a lovers look and smile and it
does not go further than this. However, when a young man finds an ideal girl for
him, he may tell somebody to tell the girl or the parents that he is in love. The
second party does the approval for the boy in love. But still, this is a rare case.
Occasionally the young man in love takes the opportunity to tell that he is in love, if
he is too drunk, amd this happens during caniaos. Courtship is very rare because
the marriage is often done by the parents of both the man and the girls.

MARRIAGE

There are two ways of marrying in the native custom. The first one is the
direct marriage while the other is through a long engagement period which the
native residents call Cai-sing. In the first method, the wedding is celebrated with
the engagement or Colon. The celebration shall take only one day. In the
morning, the engagement is performed wherein a carabao, a cow or horse is
butchered. Later in the evening, a pig or more is again slaughtered for the wedding
ceremony. When everything is okayed by the old men, especially the
Amambunung, (native priest), the bride and the bridegroom can live together. But
if the Amambunung found some defects in the bile of the animals butchered, they
may either postpone the wedding ceremony or butcher more animals until the
desired bile is sought. The contents and shape of the bile of the animals butchered
determine the success or failure of the couple. It is for this reason that oftentimes,
the native residents butcher many animals for a certain occasion.

The other method of marriage among the natives is the parental agreement
called in their dialect Cai-sing. This second way of marriage is activated by the
parents of both bride and bridegroom, because of their desire to let their children
marry each other. In many instances even if they are not yet born, the engagement
ceremony is performed against their will and knowledge.

The wedding ceremony for this second way can be done after many months
or years or when the bride or bridegroom are ready for it.

It is a common practice that the betrothal and the wedding ceremonies are
performed or consummated in the house of the bride.

DEATH

There are many causes of death according t the belief and customs of the
native folks. One belief is that death may occur among the members of the family
it their dead ancestors, gods or the spirits of their dead relatives are dissatisfied
with the offerings performed by that certain family. If the gods, spirits of dead
ancestors and the anitos are discontented, they may cause illness or death among
the living relatives.
 BURIAL

The funeral days are called in Ibaloi Aramag vary according to age position
and property of the deceased. Children who died may be buried after a day or more
funeral days. Old and rich people wh may die may be buried after three days or
more days.

During the olden times, the dead is placed on the chair in a sitting position,
with the arms extended, following the arms of the chair. Some sitios in the
municipalities are still practicing the old ways of funeral festivities. Crying is done
in front of the dead. Fire is also built the night, because the people watch the dead
until the body is buried.

The day after the burial is a holiday ion the community where the funeral is
celebrated. The people will not work but they have to rest because they believed
that the day after the burial is the time when the soul of the dead shall go to
heaven and it is also believed that some spirits of the living among the relatives
shall carry something for the dead person just buried.

In order to mourn for the dead, the immediate relatives shall not cut their hair
until an offering called Dawe or Kagongkong is performed by them. In this
offering, the pigs and chickens are sacrificed at any day the ninth day from the date
of the burial. When a relative does not give offering to his kin, it is a believe that he
or she shall not share the grace, the property of the good fortune of the dead.

VISITATION

Visiting parties should postpone the day of their proposed visit when
someone sneezes while they are starting or are ready to start for a journey. If a
visiting party is crossed by a snake a talistis, and uncommon bird, a hawk or any
bird, they should return or else they shall meet bad luck or misfortunes. On the
other hand, if the visiting party hears the gay chirping of birds, it is a sign of good
omen and good luck. The travelers should always see to it that there are no
hindrances on their way, like the falling of stones or branches from a precipice or
tree. If a traveler for example will see or witness a falling stone or branch of a tree,
it is a sign of misfortune and he has to discontinue his trip or risk it.

FESTIVALS

Bindian, Baiog, Pashit, and Batbat as the native call them are some of the
common caniaos that are being performed by most of the old residents in Benguet.
Dancing, butchering of animals and singing of native songs are some of the main
activities during these festivities. Bindian festivals may be done for more than a
day and at other times, it may last for two or more days. Bajog festival can last for
two or more days, while Batbat may last for a day or two.
 Peshit which is usually performes by the rich and occasionally by the poor
believers may last for not less than three days and during these days there are
butchering of animals, eating, dancing and singing of native songs. Bindian and
Peshit are similar when it comes to the amount of expenses. However, their
difference lie on the following: That the Bindian is a victory feast while the Peshit is
not; that the peshit is a caniao hat grows while Bindian feast cannot. In Peshit,
there are stages for a performer to follow but these stages cannot be found in
Bindian celebrations.

There are many more smaller caniaos and feasts, but they are briefly
described elsewhere in this pamphlet under Caniaos.

PUNISHMENT

The punishment imposed to a murderer is also death. This was during the
olden times. If the killer of a certain person is not punished by death which is in
accordance with their traditional custom, the relatives of the victim may revenge by
killing the offender or if not, his close relatives.

Other minor crimes are punishable by fines or changing what the victim
wants. Usually animals of the criminal are butchered as punishment or to patch up
such punishment imposed upon him by the old folks, he is given additional fines.
Sometimes if there are petty quarrels or crmes, the settlements goes down to the
marriage of the offended and the guilty parties in the form of Cai-sing. The guilty
party has to shoulder the expenses of such marriage. The offended partys son is
often the one to be married to the daughter of the criminal of the one who started
the misunderstanding.

FOLKTALES AND LEGENDS

The Origins of Mountains

Long time ago, there were no mountains and hills in this world, Kabayan. The
earth was flat and level. During those times, there were also frequent quarrels
among the different tribes in Kabayan, Benguet. Kabunian the god of the natives
was very much worried because of so many killings among his own people. To end
and minimize these frequents quarrels, Kabunian created the mountains and hills,
thereby separating the different tribes from each other. With mountains and hills as
barriers, the quarrels became less frequent. And this is how the mountains and hills
came about.

RIVERS
 Before crossing a river, one should throw sands or gravel into the water to
drive the spirits of those who were drowned before. If these will not be done those
spirits might drown those who shall cross the river. According to the story tellers,
there were many victims of drowning in the river because they will not throw sands
into the river or say prayers before they cross it.

The ancient inhabitants including some of the few living residents believed
and still believe that when a journey man crosses a muddy or dark-brown river, he
shall encounter misfortune if he continue his trip and will not return. The best or
safest thing for a traveler to do is to return and postpone his journey until the river
becomes clear.

SUN

When the sun is surrounded by a semi-rainbow rings, it indicates bad omen.

It foretells that some bad accidents or occurrences took place on the other parts of
the world. It may also foretell the death of a prominent and rich man or even the
coming of a destruction phenomenon or typhoon.

MOON

The old inhabitants believed that the moon does something for the plants and
them. They believed that if some crops are planted during the full moon of the new
moon, those plants shall surely be destroyed by either rats, pest or other
destructive animals and erosion of stones and soil. During the full moon or when
the moon does not appear in the skies, the old people observe the day or days as
holiday.

STARS

The harvest will be planted during the appearance of a constellation of the

stars which they call San-a-pon. When the san-a-pon does not appear during the
harvest time, it is believed by the inhabitants that they will surely have poor
harvest.

EARTHQUAKE

According to the old story tellers, the earthquake is caused by the movement
of a giant pig that is living under the soil or earth. Whenever it robs its body against
the earth, it causes the movement of the earth and they call it in their dialect as
Kayeg or Jegjeg.

Their Proverbs and Saying

 1. No sweat, no sweet.
2. To own land is the best investment.
3. Fine clothes do not make a fine man.
4. Indolence is a cause of poverty.
5. Hospitality is Gods commendation.
6. Self-pride is the enemy of many.
7. God always reveal the bad act as well as the truth.
8. Nothing can be hidden and kept under the sun.
9. If one steals, he will surely lose more.
10.To kill is the killing of ones self.
11.To deceive and fool others is a bad way of earning a living.
12.The rich is he who shares his neighbors.

Their Time and Calendar

The old inhabitants determine the time of the year and months by the
changing seasons, such as the occurrences of typhoons, the seasonal birds, the
blooming of flowers as well as their disappearances and other similar information. If
a certain typhoon occurs at the same time of the succeeding year, they tell that it is
already one year.
The two successive of either the full or the new moon indicates one month.
The early dawn is determined by the singing and crowing of roosters or the sounds
of crickets and other insects. This can be determined by the twits and singing of
some early birds.

The Origin of Skin Disease

There was once a boy who was or who was orphaned at the age of six years.
Because of this, he was adopted by his uncle who was so cruel. At first, the uncle
with his wife loved the orphan, but later on, this couple turned cruel to him.
Whenever they eat, they just give the orphan burned rice called Ittip. Most often,
they give him skins of animal meet, peelings of bananas, camote and other kitten
refuse. Instead of eating his share, the orphan gathered this remnants and damped
them into a pit which he dug for the purpose. This boy became very thin and he is
often hungry because of the lack of subsistence. One early morning, the foster
mother called the boy. In answer instead, she heard an unfamiliar sound which say
Twit-twit. The orphan by had turned into a hawk. The hawk flew and hovered
around and uttered the following: From now on, you cruel couple shall have skin
disease and shall suffer from it as long as you live. After such utterance, the couple
discovered that they are having skin diseases. This is punishment imposed by
Kabunian to the cruel parents.

How the Robin Cot Its Red Breast

Once upon a time, a rat and a robin met in an isolated creek called by natives
Alanod. The rat inquired from the robin why she has a red breast close to her
neck. The red robin informed the rat that she made a little cut into her breast with
her sharp knife thereby causing a little flow of blood which made her neck and
feathers beautiful. When the rat heard of this information, he went home hurriedly
with the intention of making his neck as beautiful as red as the robins. Upon
arriving home, he got his sharp knife right away and cut his neck. Because too
much blood oozed his neck, the rat got sick and died.
THE ORIGIN OF THE RAT AND CAT
During the olden days, it was only Dacbongan who inhabited the earth. One
day, this lonely man no food to eat so he went to ask Chios his God, for something
to eat. Because he was kindhearted, he gave a grain of rice to Docbongan.
Docbongan planted that grain of rice to fulfill the instructions of God.
One day, when Docbongan went to see what he had planted, the grain of
palay grew in abundance. The palay blossomed and became ready for harvest.
However, when the palay was in bloom, many rats appeared and destroyed some of
palay of Docbongan. Before the rats could destroy all his plants, Docbongan cried
and asked Chios help. Upon hearing the cry and prayer of Docbongan, Chios
crested a big cat and dropped it down to earth. The hungry cat begun to eat all the
rats that were destroying the palay. Docbongan was very happy when he saw the
enormous cat eating the destructive rats.
MOUNT PULAG
It is beloved by the ancient inhabitants of Kabayan, Benguet, particularly
those who are residing near the mountain that the land of the hereafter is in Mount
Pulag. Mount Pulag is the place where the souls and dead ancestors shall be
accorded a place at Mount Pulag. This is when they shall die.
When one enters the vicinity of Mount Pulag, offerings should be given to the
supreme beings believed to be inhabiting the mountain. When one eats on top of
such mountain, invitation should be extended to the unseen spirits and gods thru
prayers. Likewise, before one smokes a cigarette or tobacco, he should pray
forgiveness and pray the following: You, who are living on the top of this big
mountain should come and join me in smoking. If one will not utter anything while
he is on top of said mountain, say prayers and permission, heavy down pour may
occur and it may cause the travelers to feel the cold or even die of cold. During the
caniaos or feasting of the native who are living at the surrounding of Mount Pulag,
the Amanbunong always pray and call for the spirits of other supreme being
inhabiting the mountain. It is believed that those unseen supreme beings can join
in the dancing and eating during the caniaos, especially when they are evitable.
Here is another version told by other old folks about the importance or
significance of Mount Pulag.
A long time ago, certain couple was warned secretly by their god that a great
deluge would occur. With this warning, the hewed a big pine tree and made a big
trough I the form of boat. They [repared also enough provisions that will last them
for so amne days. He flood actually happened. This couple ride on their improvised
boat toward the place and stayed there until the flood was over. After a long storm
and inundation which flooded the whole world, the couple lives on top of this
mountains.
On top of mount Pulag, this couple lived and bore many children. Their
children intermarried and multiplied. Some of them went the valleys as a new
called Bokod, Kabayan, Natan, Itogon and other further places and settled there.
But before they left the mountains, there chief of leader warned and begged of
them to come on the part of those who left the place, it was gathered into their
souls and hearts that have to go home to Mount Pulag some other days.

Why the Woman Turned Beardless

When the days were very young, there, lived a woman with long and pointed
beard. All woman those days have long beard than the men. This woman had a
husband and they both had a baby. This couple was believed to be the first couple
of the world that time. She had a baby and very time she nursed the baby, the
husband would sit by her side to hold her long pointed beard. It was necessary to
do this because bristly hair of the mother might hurt the eyes of the baby and worst
still is to smoothen it.
One day, the family was in need of meat. The woman craved for meat but
they were out of it. So she requested her husband to go to hunt for wild animals
because that was their source of getting meat. The husband hesitated at first
because nobody will hold the pointed beard of his wife while baby is being nursed.
how could you nurse our baby if I go hunting? he asked his beloved wife. The
wife replied her husband, that she could hold her long and sharp beard while
nursing the baby. I only slept because I knew that you are near to hold it she
emphasized to her husband. If I will go hunting, I can manage to hold it myself,
she continued.
Being assured of the solution of their problem, and because they needed
meat, th3 husband left for the hunting ground. Her wife on the other hand had her
baby with one hand and her beard with the other hand. However during the night,
she fall asleep because she was very sleepy and tired. She released her beard so
that the pointed beard pierced into the eyes of the baby she was nursing.
The husband arrived and noticed that their only baby was blind. He learned
that it was the sharp pointed beard of his wife that pierced into the eyes of their
baby. While cursing his wife, and praying to Kabunian for help and mercy, he hold
of his beard and pulled it out. The beard gave away because it was pulled
including the skin. From this time on, this coupled produced women without beard.
The children of this couple who were mostly girls were beardless and beautiful.

ACCOUNTS OF GODS AND GODESSES

Kabunian
Kabunian is the superior god. He has the power to do good as well as to
punish evils. He has the control to overall as well as the lesser gods and the
goddesses. He can only punish the evil gods according to his own will. In most
offerings, feasting and canios in Benguet, the Amambunong (native priest), always
mention and pray to Kabunian first before mentioning the lesser gods. Kabunian is
the God of the natives.
Kabigat
Kabigat is the son of Kabunian. He has control over the sky and the underworld.
His weapons to fight other gods and goddesses are the lightning and thunder, and
the earthquake. He caused this phenomena to occur when he wants to. Kabigat is
also the God of lightning and thunder. He is considered the god of morning and
afternoon. He has the power to control other evil gods and goddesses at all times.
The people of Kabayan and Benguet in general consider his as the life-giver. He can
perform miracles and wonders.

Bagan

Bagan is the goddesses of progress and wealth. She is sought for when one
performed caniaos called Bindian, Binangga and Baeng. She has the power to
restore expended property and wealth for the caniao. Because Bagan is
considered by the inhabitants as the goddesses of the rich, she can make the
family or people rich if she wants to and if she is contented of what her people are
doing. When this goddesses is happy and contented, it is believed that there shall
be general progress among the people of the world.

Mauchi

The god Mauchi, is the god of Agriculture. If he is entertained by man he will

make plants grow and be productive. He has a little rich dipper which whenever he
use it, it will provide many plates for many people. His rice dipper performs a
miracle by increasing the amount of cooked rice in the pot when the dipper is used
for serving. Before the palay is stored in the granary, the owner of such palay will
be safe and good. His assistance is likewise sought before all agriculture crops are
harvested and stored. He is entertained by the inhabitants by celebrating the
feast called Cosdey wherein several pigs and chickens are butchered and eaten. It
is believed that (assistance is received) a little pot of rice could feed hundreds of
people if his assistance is received or being received.

Balitoc or Baditoc

Balitoc is the god of the mines. Other people in Benguet call the god of the
mines, Baditoc. His aid is always needed in progress of the man through a
celebration or feast called Kapi. Likewise, his assistance is asked through the
caniaos, pashat and batbat. It is Balitoc who guards the mines and other minerals
under the gold, money, jewelries of the land and seas. He can also make the
minerals in abundance if he is contented and happy with man.

Masikin

Masikin is the god of the rivers, creeks and springs. He can stop the flow of
the rivers, creeks and springs if he wants to do so. He can either make the river or
water clean or pollute it with dirt according to his wishes. It the rivers, brooks and
spring decease, the inhabitants plead assistance to Masikin and offer pigs to the
gods in order that he could increase the volume or amount of water from its
sources. The butchering of pigs are performed in the fields or in the sources of
rivers and brooks that decreased in volume. Masikin sees to it that other gods and
goddesses will not disturb the flow of water from its sources to the end.

DUMAWIG or LUMAWIG

Dumawig can be called Lumawig by the Benguet people. He is considered the

god of war. He is noted as a great hero and warrior among the gods and goddesses.
People often ask from him more powers and strength in order to overcome their
enemies. Assistance from Dumawig can be sought if animals are offered to him
through caniaos celebration. In order to entertain this god, pushit, bindian, baeng
and bajog should be performed by the natives or a family. When Lumawig is helping
the natives always win in the battles with their enemies. Because of the support of
Dumawig, the Kabayan people always won with their enemies.

CA-APUAN

Ca-apuan are the spirits of ancestors who died long time ago, Calaching is
another name of this supreme being. Some Ca-apuan are so powerful while others
are less powerful. The power Ca-apuan are considered gods bby the old folks of
Benguet and in the mountain province in general. Ca-apuan can make the living
sick. The Calaching also make the living relatives rich and be prosperous. When
the living relatives get sick, they seek aid from their Ca-apuan by performing
caniaos like bajog, amdag, and Kachao,as they call them. In these feasts, the sick
relatives sacrificed animals, gold, money, clothing, and wine. The Ca-apuan are also
invited to dance and dine with the relatives during the said caniaos mentioned
above. If they are contented and satisfied, they can surely make their living
relatives richer and more prosperous. It is also believed that the Calaching can
prolong the lives of their living relatives when they are well entertained by the
latter.

The native folks serve they feed the Calaching by displaying the plates full of
rice and cooked meat for their meat. After displaying these cooked food for about
ten more minutes, the Amambunong prays again that since the Calaching are
through eating, the living should also eat after them.

CARUNTOGAN

Caruntogan is the god of the forest and mountains. There may be one or
more Caruntogan in a certain forest. The Caruntogan guards the forest, trees on
the mountains, wild animals, snakes, big stones, especially the caves and other
natures of that particular area. The Caruntogan which are believed to be more of
spirits than gods live in tall rocks and big stones, especially in eh caves. If one gets
sick on account of this gods, he should perform caniaos called Batbat or kiad as the
case maybe. Performance of any kind of Caniaos depend on the suggestions of the
Amansibok, (native quack doctor) or soothsayer.

Caruntogan protects wild animals, all trees and other creatues of the forest
and mountains. He or they see to it that the inhabitants of the forest and the
mountains are not disturbed and destroyed by man. The punishment being imposed
by the Caruntogan to the criminals of the forest and mountains is sudden sickness.
Severe sickness made by the Caruntogan may be removed or not, depending upon
how the sick can convince these evil spirits (guards) of the forest.

AMPASIT

Ampasit is the goddesses of the caves, big rocks and big grotesque trees.
Another name for this, is Tinmegao. The most common homes of the Ampasit are
brooks, big rocks, caves and big tall trees. Tinmegao is also the godess of sickness.
she shares the harvest of the people. In order to prevent the Ampasit from
disturbing he growth of plants and getting too much from the peoples produce,
some pigs and chickens or any of the bigger animals are butchered and offered,
depending on what the Amansibok may discover or suggest. Poor growth of plants
and poor harvest are evidences of too much interferebces on the part if the
Tinmegao. Before the harvesting begins, the owner shall appease the Ampasit or
Tinmegao are satisfied and contented, the harvest of the inhabitants shall be
bountiful.

TAYABAN

Tayaban is another name for an evil god. This god is believed to be evil
because he creates serious and surprising unbearable illness. Because he is known
for doing evil act than good, he is considered bad. Tayaban makes the people sick
by devouring their spirits and souls. Tayaban just swallow the human spirit and keep
it alive in his stomach until such spirit dies. If the soul or spirit of the person is
devoured by Tayaban, the owner suddenly gets sick and if soothsayer (Amansibok)
prayers and offerings must be performed in order that the soul of that particular
patient will be released by Tayaban. If the spirit of the patient is hurt in the stomach
of Tayaban, the sickness will last long but the patient can get well. But if the spirit is
killed by the evil god, the patient will surely die.

The patient whose spirit had been devoured by Tayaban must perform
caniaos as offerings. These caniaos, pigs, chickens, ducks and money and clothing
are sacrificed and offered. These sacrifices for Tayaban is preformed in order to
redeem the living soul or spirit that was devoured.

IN_AMDANGAN
 In-amdangan is an evil goddess, because like Tayaban, she is known for bad
act. She is considered by the natives of Benguet as the goddess of all trails and all
resting places. Whenever, In-amdangan touches a part of the travelers body, the
part that he touches become so painful and unbearable. The touch can even be the
cause of unconsciousness on the part of the person touched. In-amdangan will not
touch a person or a traveler unless she wants something from that person.

To appease this goddess, some animals like pigs, chickens and ducks may be
sacrificed and offered and In-amdangan. Clothing are offered with the animals to
the goddess. The name of the feast for In-amdangan are called by the natives as
amdag, Awil and Kachao.

NATIVE BELIEFS

There are many, many beliefs in health, dreams, caniaos, birth, marriages,
travels, harvesting, planting, deaths and entering or occupying new homes, but
they are not all printed in this pamphlet. Those common and prominent ones are
only incorporated and these are the following:

BIRTH

1. Giving birth to a baby will be easy and normal if an expectant mother

dreams that an animal gave birth normally and easily just the night
before.
2. When a conceiving mother laughs at a defective person or other lover
animal, her baby shall also be defective.
3. Too much gossips on the part of the expectant mother about the defects
of other will rebound to her baby. Defect may either mental or physical.
4. When the delivery is difficult, it is believed that some spirits of ancestors
or the anitos are causing the delay of the delivery. Hence, caniao is
necessary to hasten the giving of birth.
5. An expectant mother should not be mentioning the date of the expected
delivery because if she does so, some evil spirits will be waiting for the
babys spirit when it shall be born, and this means the death of the infant.
6. It is a belief that twins does not live together, so that one of them has to
be sacrificed in order that the other will live. (this belief still exists in
some isolated and remote sitios.)
7. It is believed that those who have difficulties in giving birth will affect the
laboring mother. It is therefore prohibited that those mother visit the
expectant mother. Such mother should not be near the laboring mother to
avoid their affectation.
8. It is believed that mothers who eat twin fruits during their pregnancy shall
give birth to twin babies.
9. It is a bad omen for expectant or pregnant mother to be preparing the
diapers and blankets and even clothing of a baby before birth. This may
mean death for the baby before or after birth.
10.It is a bad omen if an expectant mother dreams that she birth already.

MARRIAGE

1. It is a bad luck to be wedded during the rainy or bad weather. Natives do

not allow their children to wed on such days because the future couples
shall meet hardship in life.
2. If the stove made of stones bursts or explodes, the wedding should be
postponed to some other time. Misfortunes may fall upon the couple if
they still continue the wedding ceremonies.
3. It is believed that the children of couples who married in spite of the fact
that they are closely related shall be abnormal with defect, either mental
or physical.
4. The breaking of any kind of utensil during the marriage ceremonies is bad
omen. The couple shall be separated in the future. To avoid this
separation between the husband and wife, the wedding ceremonies must
be renewed for some future dates.
5. When one sneezes at the time of the bridegroom is being brought or is
arriving at the house of the bride, this for tells misfortune. This means
that the wedding should be postponed to others days.
6. If the biles of the animals that are butchered for the marriage are normal
according to the Amanbunong, or the native witch doctor, and the old
folks, it is a sign of good luck and long life on the part of the couple. But if
the bile is said to be too thin and too full, or the bile is abnormal according
to the Amanbunong and the old folks, the future couple will not progress.
This will even cause the separation or death on the part of one of the
couple, the husband and wife.
7. A married man, even a bachelor who commits adultery or who cohabits
with any woman on his way to the battlefield shall meet his death as his
punishment from Kabunian, regardless of whether the act is done in good
faith or not.
8. Wedding performed during sunny days, especially when the sky is clear,
foretells good health and prosperous partnership on the part of the couple
concerned.
9. Wedding performed during sunny days, especially when the sky is clear,
foretells misfortune and separation of the couple if they still marry this
time.
10.The twin bile of animals butchered for the marriage of certain couple
foretells progressive wealth and long lives on the part of the bride and
groom, especially if they can perform another caniao called Kapi.
 JOURNEY

1. If the chirping, especially if they are numerous flying along the travelers
path, towards the right side, it is a sign of good luck for the journeyman.
2. If a traveler meet a rat or snake and it crosses his way, that travelers
should return because it is a sign of bad luck. The travelers should return
because if he does not do so, he shall surely meet bad fortune and shall
even meet death on his trip or his destination.
3. If a traveler was crossed by uncommon bird, it is a sign of prohibiting the
journeyman from continuing his trip. There is danger ahead of the
traveler.
4. If the pack or baggage of the traveler falls while he is starting, it is a sign
of bad omen. The trip must be delayed to avoid danger.
5. If a traveler passes a burning forest or a falling rock, stone, or anything,
he should return or else he shall encounter illness or death before or on
his destination.
6. If some sneezes while a person is starting for a journey, this signifies a
bad omen. The traveler should start some hour s has lapsed or he should
delay his trip. It is the same, if a traveler sneezes himself while he is
starting.
7. If a person happened to dream a bad one just the night before the day set
for the trip, he should curtail his trip and wait for the other favorable day.
8. It is believed that a traveler who makes a trip when the moon does not
appear is the skies shall be unfortunate in hid mission. The traveler
cannot achieve his purpose.
9. In order to be fortunate on ones mission, the fire in the kitchen must be
kept burning or the charcoal must be kept alive the whole night, just the
night before the trip is made.
10.It is a bad omen on the part of the person who is about to start for a
journey when any household utensils was just broken.
11.If a traveler sees some uncommon birds fighting with each other, the
journey is dangerous. The traveler shall encounter enemy either on his
way or on his destination.
12.It is favorable for a traveler if on his way a snake comes along and leads
his way.
13.It foretells a death on the part of a journeyman if he meets a black crow
and he still pursue or continues his mission.
14.It is also ominous for a traveler if he hears an owl squealing on his way at
night.

HARVESTING

1. The harvest will be plentiful if the harvester begins h is first harvest with
the good grains of palay or the good fruit as the case may be.
2. It is restricted or rather prohibited for a visitor to arrive during the
harvesting day in the home of the harvesters or in the place of harvest.
 The arrival of the visitor will reduce the produce of the family being
visited.
3. It is prohibited to enter the field where the people are harvesting. To do so
shall reduce the amount of supposed or expected harvest of that
particular field.
4. If the children will be playing at home during the progress of the harvest,
the produce for that particular fields will be reduced
5. Any harvester or helper should not bring with him or her or should not
pocket money while he is harvesting, because it will cause poor harvest
during that day.
6. In order to have a good harvest, a person who shall bundle the palay
should be selected from those who have many fields and found to be
successful.
7. It is believed that the palay harvested by persons who are always eating
while harve4sting are easily consumed by the owner, it is then prohibited
to be eating while harvesting in the fields.
8. In order to prevent or minimize famine, the first harvester of their
fields/palay should be the rich people who never encounter famine.
9. It is believed that harvest will be bountiful if is done when the
constellations of stars appear or when there are many stars during the
harvest period.
10.The harvest shall be poor if is done when the moon does not appear in the
skies.
11.The harvest will be more bountiful when a woman shall bundle the palay
will carry her basket during the time of the harvest.
12.A harvester who first gathers bad grains of palay for that particular day
shall always harvest bad grains.

PLANTING

1. Any plant planted during the full moon which the nave call Pingol or
plant shall be destroyed by either rats or some kinds of plant disease.
2. A woman who shall plant gabi should not eat pepper, onions, garlic or any
pungent food before and after planting so that her plant will taste good
instead of being bitter or scratchy.
3. It is believed that crops planted or sewed when the first quarter of the
moon or when the moon is peeping from the east shall be eaten up by
animals or any other destructive living creatures. Plant can be destroyed
even if the garden is well-fenced.
4. Crops planted just after the full moon are believed to be fruitful; and
productive, especially the fruit trees.
5. The best time for planting trees and other fruit bearing plant above the
ground is during the appearance of the new crescent moon in its position
is called Bajat in the local dialect. Fruit trees planted during this time
shall have plenty of hanging fruits during the fruiting season.
 DEATH

1. If a member of a family is declared dead for some minutes or even hours,

and he happens to survive, it is believed that any member of that family
may die soon.
2. If an earthquake occurs during the burial of a deceased, the burial shall be
delayed and the funeral shall continue. Such incident foretells that some
more property is needed by the dead.
3. The dead should not be buried when there is no moon in the sky. This is
when there the moon comes close to the sun that the people on earth
cannot see it. If the burial is performed during this time, any member of
the immediate relatives ,ay die.
4. The immediate members of the dead are not allowed to cut their finger or
toe nails, beard during the funeral or mourning days. The immediate
relatives cannot cut their hair, fingernails, etc., if they performed the
caniao called Kagongkong or Dawit for the celebration of the departs
party.
5. During the funeral days, the widow or the widower as the case may be
must stay behind the funeral days, the corner of their house in order to
avoid seeing moving objects. If he or she shall resemble the movements
of the leaf or leaves. She shall be trembling lie the eaves throughout
his/her life time.
6. If the corpse is being brought to the cemetery for burial and someone
sneezes, the corpse must be returned for more funeral days. The burial
must ne postpones top some other days.
7. It is believed that all animals butchered including the money that spent
and other property used during the celebration of the funeral period all be
taken by the dead to heaven or wherever he goes. Property of the dead
should all be consumed during the funeral days because it is believed that
he/she want them.
8. Immediate relatives of the dead are required to give their gifts to the
departed. The distant relatives may also give their gifts in the form of
money, palay or animal. They call their gifts Opo.
9. It is believed that what all the relatives will give shall go to their
respective dead ancestors in heaven.
10.It is believed that those who were generous to the dead shall be easily
rewarded with either property or long lives.
11.The meat of the animals butchered during the very last day of the funeral
days shall be carried by the dead with him to his destination as his food.
12.If the dead is fully contented with the funeral celebrations, the total
expenses for him and gifts of the living, he shall in return make the family
and immediate relatives more prosperous to have long lives.
13. If the funeral celebration and expenses are not enough for the dead, the
bereaved family shall become poorer and poorer.
14.When a member of the bereaved family sees in a dream that some
animals butchered during the funeral days have returned to them by the
dead, it is a sign that a good luck and prosperous living for the survivors.
15.The sons and daughter of the dead who are married should not sleep
together and cohabitation during the funeral days until they are through
with their Dawit in their respective homes after the funeral. If they ignore
this belief they shall turn poor and their animals and plants, if they have
any, shall perish little by little.
16.If any animal butchered during the funeral days possessed two biles, the
owner of such animal shall have prosperous life especially if the owner
performed a caniao called Kapi.
17.It is believed that those immediate relatives who cohabit with their wives
shall become sickly and thin.
18.The spirit of the dead will not come back to give assistance to the living,
immediate and distant relatives unless he is offered some celebration
called Dawit or Kagongkong by the bereaved family and the distant
relatives.
19.Any survivors who misspent the gift Opo or collections of money from
the people for his own and not for the funeral expenses shall become poor
and sickly.
20.Planting should not be done the day burial of the dead because the plant
shall either grow stunted or die.
21. It is believed that some deaths are caused by the dissatisfaction of the
anitos, dead ancestors and the evil gods.
22.If an earthquake occurs during the d\burial day, the dead does not like the
burial place. It is believed that he is requesting for a better ones or
another place.

CANIAOS
The following are some of the common beliefs in caniaos:
1. Caniaos are performed for posterity, long life and healthful existence.
2. Some caniaos are medicines for the patients.
3. Some caniaos are for their gods, goddesses and other phenomena.
4. The appearance of centipede, especially the big one during the caniao,
inside or outside the house of a performer is a sign of good luck for the
family.
5. Any celebration of a caniao should be performed when there is a moon,
ignorance of this belief s hall encounter hardship in later years.
6. When death occurs during the celebration of a feats or just after it, the
performer should repeat the same celebration, because that certain death
renders the caniaos useless.
7. If a pig being butchered vomits blood, it is a sign of prosperity on the part
of the caniao-giver.
8. If the bile of the butchered pig or other animal is just almost full, or when
the mambunong says that the bile is normal and good, this means a good
fortune and long lives for the members of the celebrants.
9. A family who performs a caniao called Peshit or Padit shall become
prosperous especially if that family keeps repeating or performing such
kind of caniao.
10.Childless couple should perform feast such as pasang, baeng, and other
caniaos similar to it that are suggested by the Amansibok in order to have
children.
11. Those who will not perform a caniao, especially the Kapi or Teteg shall not
progress in life.
12.It is believed that the witch doctor or native priest called by then as
Amanbunong can make his or her enemy sick. Which may cause the later
death.
13.Certain caniaos, when they are celebrated can make the plants and
animals grow fast and multiply.
14.It is believed that when a honey bee perched on the musical instrument
being used during the feast, the celebrants shall surely progress in their
wealth especially if they will perform a feast called Kapi.

NEW HOME

1. If a tool breaks during the construction of a home, it foretells a bad omen

which may either be an occurrence of death or illness on the part of the
occupants.
2. If a utensil breaks on the first day of occupancy of a new-built home, it is
believed that either the couple separate in the future or they encounter
sickness which may result to death to one of them.
3. When a neighbor dies during the construction of a house, the t building
should either be transferred or sold to other or else misfortune shall be
met by the owners.
4. A caniao should be rendered before a new built house is permanently
occupied. This caniao or feast called Dayao will prevent inches and skin
disease on the part of the occupants.
5. The fire must be kept burning or the charcoal must be kept alive on the
stove during the first nights of living in a newly-constructed house.
6. If the fire is put on the first night during the occupancy, the owners must
leave the building and reoccupy it for some other favorable time.
7. The occupants of a new house shall meet misfortune.
8. Construction of a house should not be d one during the funeral days. Bad
luck is inevitable for the occupants if this belief id ignored.
9. If a member of the occupants dream that he saw some pepper or mango
tree with green and ripe fruits combined, it means bright and prosperous
future is evident for the family occupants.
10.Newly-built houses be occupied during the dry season or when the night is
clear and bright if\n order to live a clean and healthful living.
11.Occupants of the new house should be occupied in the evening when
everything within its vicinity is silent and calm in order that there shall
 always be understanding and good health among the members of the
family.
12.Roosting anything during the first of occupancy id prohibited. Those who
ignore this belief shall have skin disease.
13.It is strictly prohibited for a husband and wife to sleep together during the
first night of occupancy of a new home. If they shall get sick and their
animals or any of their crops shall be destroyed be any destructive pest
and disease.
14.Two new houses cannot be occupied by the two owners at same time or
simultaneously because it is believed that either one of the two families
shall meet misfortune.
15.It is a belief that misfortune shall be met by the occupants if at the first
day, someone spat on the fire in the stove of a new-occupied house.
16.It shall be a good luck if the animals butchered for the celebration of a
newly-occupied house have good bile.

DREAMS

1. If a member of a family dreamed that he was gathering ripe and unripe

fruits of pepper and mango trees, that the family should perform a caniao
called Kapi in order to have a long and prosperous living.
2. When one sees in dream that he caught plenty of colorful fish of different
sizes, he should celebrate a feast in order to gain more wealth and
prosperity.
3. If member of the family sees in his vision that he saw a dead snake, a bird
or any kind of lower animals, it is believed that a close relative of this dear
may die soon or death is inevitable among the family circle.
4. One may die among the members of the family if one of the members
dreamed that any part of their house is removed or missing especially the
walling or post.
5. If one dreamed that he has been acquiring money easily, his fortune
progress is uncertain and instead he shall meet difficulties.
6. If one dreams that somebody among the family died is a sign of bad
omen. The family should move out , from their house anytime at night to
avoid adverse occurrences that they meet.
7. If a dreamer sees in his dream that an animal, like pig, dog, carabao or the
like that is died, I shall turn out that a person, preferably the relative of
the dreamer is a victim.
8. If a person is a son or a daughter dreams that the father or mother died, it
is good sign because the person dreamed of, shall live longer than the
ordinary length or span of life. To make this belief of such a dream more
firm, a feast called Kapi should be performed be the family.
9. A dreamer should postpone his trip if he dreamed during the night that he
went to his trip and propose destination. Bad fortune for the traveler or
dreamer is inevitable.
 10.O dreamer should postpone, that he is flying while he is being pursued, it
is a good omen for the dreamer, he will have long life.
11.It is bad omen if one dreams that he is eating with a dead ancestor. This
foretells that his death is inevitable.

CANIAOS AND FEAST

Caniaos are performed by the inhabitants mainly for medicines or cure

certain economic progress. Most feasts are primarily celebrated to cure certain
illness and other kinds of prevailing sickness. Other caniaos are performed for
social gathering and for economic show-off. This discussion about caniaos and feast
cannot be explained well unless the aims and purposes and other descriptions of
caniaos are narrated. Below are the names of native caniaos and feasts with their
beliefs and brief description and explanation. It is also that he performed of these
caniaos are based and are being based on the native beliefs. The names of the
caniaos are written and explained below.

PECHIT

Pechit is the biggest caniao that is being performed within Benguet,

especially to its limit. It is said to be the biggest feast because it is the most
expensive caniao especially id the performer reaches its limit. Pechit is a caniao that
grows. It progresses because if a certain family started it, that certain performer has
proceeded doing it for the second time, the third, the forth, and so on. To begin this
caniao, a family has to start it with not less than tree pigs and some bigger ones,
such as a cow at least, the same performer butchers again five pigs (male) plus
some bigger kinds of animals. In the third pechit which is called Pito is the native
term, a performer butchers not less than seven pigs and some other big animals.
The step is called by the natives as sabengor teddo, the second is Dima yhe third
performance id Pito, the forth is Walo, the fifth is Siyam, the sixth is Sawal-ni-sakey,
and so on to the last step pechit.

Pechit is performed to encourage prosperity on the part of the performer. It is

believed that the more pechit a family does, the more wealth that family acquires. If
one performer stops performing the pechit at the second stage, the family shall
retrogress. Every family of family performs a pechit in order to share his wealth
with its neighbor, this caniao is also a show-off of economic stability on progress on
the part of the performer.

Among those to perform the biggest pechit in Benguet are Henry A. Kamora
of Kabayan, Berto Cubangay of Buguias, Galp Almora of Loo, Buguias, Fianza of
Itogon and many others who are not well known by this writer and the informers.

BINDIAN
 Bindian is a victory feast. It is being performed in the town in order that
plants shall also be productive and prosperous. This feast is the nest most
expensive to pechit. To perform this caniao, one has to prepare not less than three
pigs and several bigger kinds of animals. Like pechit, there is a drinking of rice wine
Tapey. There is also dancing and mercy making. Dancing in bindian celebration is
more colorful than any other caniaos including pechit. In the dancing, there are
three leaders chosen to lead the people to dance around the house. These three
leaders are armed with spears shields, baskets where the head of an enemy
captured id placed and other colorful decorations of a warrior. The dancing and the
feasting in the celebration will last for two days.

Bindian originated from the native belief that their craft will not grow unless
they can get an enemys head and celebrated it by dancing, thus performing the
bindian or the victory feast. During the ancient times, head hunting is common and
what they celebrated were the head persons. At the present times, head hunting is
not being done in Benguet. In Kabayan, whenever the people celebrated this kind
of feast, instead of dancing with the persons head they used improvised head made
out of fern of banana stalk. This substitute is quite effective, according to the old
folks.

The bindian feast is a victory feast because it originated from the head
hunter ancestors who celebrated such caniaos whenever they succeeded in killing
their enemies, they believed before that if they will not hurt for the heads or head
of their enemies and they will not perform the bindian, they shall have poor harvest,
but if they succeed in killing their enemies or enemy and dance with the heads,
they shall have productive crops.

BAJOG

Bajog is performed to please the ancestors spirits. To activate this cannot,

not less than two male pigs are butchered. This is more or less an offering caniao to
the Ca-apuan. This celebration may take either one or two days with the dancing
and drinking of rice wine. When a family celebrates this feast, it shall be assisted by
its Ca-apuan and other native gods for when the caniao was performed.

BATBAT

Batbat is another name for a certain caniao. This fest is started in the
evening and ended the following day. In other words, it is celebrated in warm, in one
and one half day. At least two big pigs are butchered, one in the evening and the
other in the following day. There is no dancing during the celebration of this feast.

Batbat is performed in order that the family who performs it shall progress.
Another purpose of this is to cure a lingering illness among the members of the
family.
 KAPI

Kapi is caniao that makes performer progress in life, if the celebration is

successful according to the amanbunong. A pig may be sufficient to slaughtered
during this caniao, however, the pigs will also depend on the Amambunong. If the
native priest, Amambunong, says that more than one pig is necessary for such
feast, the family performer must follow him.

This is not a medicine caniao as the other how. There is no dancing also in
this feast. This feast is done when the family sees a strange phenomena or when
there is lightning that strikes near the vicinity of the house of that certain family
members may be a cause of having this feast be done.

KIYAD

Kiyad is rendered to sat6isfy the spirits of the dead ancestors. There is no pig
butchered in this feast. It is only either carabao, a cattle or a hose that is eaten for
this celebration. This is medicine feast at the same time to prolong the lights of the
caniao giver. There is no dancing during the feast, but there is drinking of Tapey
(rice wine).

DIYAW

Diyaw is caniao to celebrate a newly-occupied home. The purpose of the

feast is to give long life and progressive living on the part of the occupants of such a
new home. This caniao is performed to prevent also the occurrence of this itches,
boils and other skin diseases among the members of the family who just occupied
the new home. When this feast is performed, the j\family concerned shall; not meet
difficulties in the family affairs. They shall have good apptit in eating and their
plants shall surely grow well. One pig is slaughtered for this purpose.

BOKOD

In celebrating this caniao, one big pig is butchered and such pig butchered
shall be eaten only by the performers. This is a medicine caniao. It cures, prevent
itches, boils, skin diseases and other similar sickness.

SABOSAB

Sabosab is another feast that is similar to the feast called Bokod. Sabosab
fcures also dfrmity of the human body. One pig is butchered in celebrating this
certain caniao. However, the number of pigs to be eaten will depend upon the
situation of the amambunong and amansibok.

AMDAG

This offering is activated to satisfy the supreme being called Inamdagan by

the native inhabitants. The purpose of this sacrifice is to cure stomach ache,
headache and other body parts. Chickens are butchered eaten for the celebration of
Amdag.

AWIL

Awil is a medicine for the sudden and unbearable sickness. Chicken or pigs
are offered to the Ampasit or Timngao to appease them. This little celebration is
performed with some wine to be drunk, but there is not dancing. Awil is believed
that to cure stomachache, headache and other pains of the body of persons.

KAGONGKONG

Kagongkong is big caniao wherein several pigs and other bigger kind of an
animal are slaughtered for the offerings and for the people to eat. There are
drinking of wine and dancing during the celebration of the feast. It is performed to
entertain the spirits of the dead ancestors. When the dead ancestors or the
immediate relatives are conducted with the offerings, they will make their
immediate living who performed this caniao richer and prosperous. This caniao is
performed not as a medicine but is a traditional performance to entertain the ca-
apuan or the spirits of the dead ancestors and relatives.

TEMO OR TAMMO

Temo is a little celebration performed to cure or prevent sleeping sickness. A

dog or more than one is enough to activate the feast.

PASANG

This little feast is activated by killing a pig or more than one pig. This is an
offering to the native gods (Kabunian) and Kabigat for the propose of letting or
having a childless couple produce children. Chickens preferably roosters are
butchered. In same barrio in Benguet, pig is preferred fir such offerings. It is
believed that if the native gods concerned are convinced of such offering, they shall
make the couple produce or have children of their own.

PAENG

A pig or two pigs are butchered to be celebrated this caniao. This feast is
believed to cure a sickly child and it also done to hasten the giving of birth when
there are difficulty, the caniao is performed in order to minimize the pains on the
part of the mother.

CHAW-CHAWAC OR DAW-DAWAK

This caniao is similar to the baeng celebration. The purpose of this feast, and
the baeng, the kind of animal to be slaughtered are the same. The daw-dawak and
baeng differ only in the performance of the amandawak.

KECHAO

Kechao may be performed by butchering a chicken, a pig, a carabao or any

other kind of animals as suggested by the amamsibok or dreamed of by the
member of a certain family. This is an offering caniao to the gods who are believed
to be asking for an animal or animals from a certain family. This will cure any kind of
sickness.

PORAD

Porad is feast to be hasten the giving of birth on the part of an expectant

mother who is found to have difficulty of giving birth. Chicken or chickens are
sacrificed and offered to the anitos, ca-apuan or other evil gods that are causing the
delay of the birth of a baby boy.

DAWIT

Dawit is caniao to please Kabunian so that they can send the souls or spirits
of the living who are believed to be away because they were frightened by the
owners, especially when the living are mourning for a departed loved one. The
performer offers blankets, chickens, pigs and the like of Kabunian and kabigat.
During the performance of this feast, the amambunong called for the runaway
spirits of the living so that the latter shall live at ease and well. Dawit is mostly done
after certain death among the family circle. This is a sort of entertainment.

TOPJA

Topja is done to cure sickness or physical defects of a person who is sick

because of an enemy. This is done also when the Amansibok or when the sick
dreamed that somebody is quarrelling with him. This is defense caniao wherein an
expert quack doctor or the best native priest is employed to do the praying. It is
believed by the natives in habitants that an enemy can make his opponents sick
and this may cause the death, hence this is feast or rebuttal, any kind of animals
such as chickens, ducks, goats, and monkey, rats, or snake can be sacrificed to
accomplish this aim.

OTHER CANIAO
 There are many other feast and sacrifices such as saabang, manteteg,
masulit, sabot, cosdey, binanga, and others, but this celebration are not so common
in Kabayan or in Benguet now a days. However, some isolated or remote barrios in
Benguet are still performing the above enumerated caniaos.

The foregoing caniaos are occasionally activated in Kabayan and through the
Benguet at the present time. The common in many remote barrios and sent time
and places on Benguet because they still cling to said celebrations. They consider
caniao as a source of a social interactions among the native inhabitants.

NATIVE TERMS

1. Amambunong- is a native priest or a quack doctor who is believed to be

expert in native prayers and ballads.
2. Amansibok- is a native soothsayer who can diagnose sickness or illness.
The amansibok can tell what medicines (caniao/feasts) can cure a certain
sickness, which may be either mental or defect or physical injuries. The
prescribed medicine is always the celebration of certain caniaos/ feast.
3. Pingol- is full moon or native term for full moon.
4. Opo- is a gift for the dead. Opo is as obligation on the part of the relatives
of the deceased, but a voluntary act on the part of the neighbors of the
dead.
5. Gasat- is a luck which may be either good or bad.
6. Tapey- is a native rice wime fermented in the jars.
7. Pechit- is a caniao (victory) that pregresses.
8. Mencho, Mandima, Mamito, Walo, Maniyan- are terms for caniao; pechit,
first pechit, the second , the third and the forth, etc.
9. Kagongkong- is a celebration for the departed of the death this is done
ofter nine months of the burial month.

BIOGRAPHIES OF PROMINENT MEN

Henry Apolinario D. Kamora

Henry Apolinario D. Kamora, at the present, the municipal district Mayor of

Kabayan was born in Dutab, Kabayan on January 8, 1887. He was the eldest among
the three children of Apolinario Dimot. He was baptized as Henry and his parents
gave him the family name Kamora in honor of their faithful and good neighbor,
Buangan Kamora. Hence the full name id Henry A. Kamora.

Kamora finished his first grade in Kabayan Barrio School in his town, his
secondary grade up to the fourth at Daclan Barrio school in Bokod. He finished his
intermediate studies incuding the first year highschool at San Fernando La Union.
He did not continue his secondary schooling because his parents advised him to
stop. However, at home, Hendry did not stop studying. He bought many reading
materials and studied by himself. With his wife, Rebecca Bajar, KAmora is at present
residing at Balang, Kabayan Benguet.

In 1907, Henry was the first Igorot to be appointed Secretary-treasurer of his

home town. He once a public under the American time, once an agricultural
Inspector for Baguio Benguet, once a deputy Governor for Benguet and at present,
the Municipal District Mayor of Kabayan.

Ngasay, as his peers call him, is indeed one of the few rich and great leaders
of Kabayan and of Benguet. As a rich man, he has been performing big and
expensive caniaos which were save and shared and attended by not only his town
mates but also the people living in their town of and mayor of his town. At present,
his good leadership and influence in his town and throughout the sub province and
Benguet.

He served in the public school for some time. While he was in the Bureau, he
encouraged the establishment and construction of school buildings in, not only in
Kabayan but throughout Benguet. There was a time when he offers his horse to the
Americans school personnel and other administrators just to encourage to visit the
different towns and barrios in Benguet, in order that they could establish schools.
Kamora donated some lands for schools cities and the other public sites in Kabayan
Municipality.

When Kamora was the Agricultural Inspector for Benguet, he also encourages
the planning and planting of several economic plants as coffee, oranges, pineapple,
and other citrus trees.

Blb/1961

Gingaban Dacal

Gingaban Dacal was born in 1989. Exact month and day of the birth could not
be an curtained or remembered by the informer. His father was Carpio Dacal and his
mother was Ogamy Maain. The only sister of Gingaban was Matia.

At the age of fourteen, Gingaban finished his primary course in Kabayan

Barrio School in his town. In 1917, he was able to fimish his intermediate grades at
teachers camp in Baguio. While he was studying his intermediate grades in
Baguio, he was forced to marry. The marriage practice those times was by force,
however, marriage did not discouraged him from discounting his schooling.

Gingaban was appointed as the vice-president when Tonkoy Capriano was the
township President for the Kabayan. He served for three years as a vice president
and in 1940, Dacal was elevated ad the municipal District Mayor of his town. During
his mayor ship, he worked for the construction and improvement of trails, bridges
and other public improvement in his town. He encourage his own people more fruit
trees and other fruit trees ad crops.

Dacal is silent type of person. He is not exactly extravert, but he is reserved

person. He can talk, and does so when he lives that what he says are true and
correct. In spite of being well to do, he is humble. He may be hard to understand,
and in spite of his personality, he is very much appreciated for having no vice, such
as smoking, drinking wine or liquor and gambling with money. Many people
expressed opinion that Dacal has good moral character.

Gingaban Dacal is hard working father. He worked hard for the improvement
of his down, his family and his children. He was able to send all his children to
school and many of them are having successful occupation. He noted for his
industry and sincerity. He never boasted or bragged of his wealth or personal
riches. He believed that honesty in work is always the key to ones success in life.

Gingaban Dacal os at present one of the prominent men and a good leader of
Kabayan. He is successful farmer because he has been supporting his children
through his produce. He also cultivates and orchard which he had planted to coffee
trees, banana, oranges, papayas, and other fruit trees. He keeps a little poultry and
piggery.

DANIEL TOCTOCAN ATOKDING

Daniel Toctocan Atokding was born in the year 1888 at Kabayan from a poor
family who engaged in a little farming and cattle raising. His father was Ngingol
Atokding, while his mother was Domana. Toctocan was the seventh child among his
eight brothers and sisters.

His name is Toctocan, while his baptismal name is Daniel. He is commonly

called in town as Daniel Toctocan upon his birth because he has an extraordinary
head which was disproportionate to his body. At present, as he grew bigger in
adulthood, his head become proportioned. Daniel married former miss Magdalena
Rafael, his town mate. With his illiterate but loving wife, the couple has five sons
and daughters.

In 1910, daniel finished his primary course at Kabayan Barrio School under an
American teacher, Claudio R. Moss. In 1915, Toctocan finished intermediate course
at Kabayan Central School. After his elementary schooling, Daniel was appointed as
a township Secretary-treasurer of his town. He served for one year and that was in
1916. After this, Toctocan was sent to the Philippines General Hospital as a
pensionado to take up nursing. After six months training in the Philippine General
Hospital, Daniel got sick and so he had to stop up nursing course. He came home
and applied as a teacher.

Daniel Atokding spent twelve years in the public schools as a classroom

teacher. He taught in Kabayan Barrio School. Ampiging Sitio School, Kabayan ,
Suyok Barrio School Mangkayan and Karao Barrio School in Bokod, Benguet. He
began teaching in 1920 and stopped in 1931. From the year 1931 to the present
time, Daniel T. Atokding was elected and has been a successful farmer and a fruit
grower. He made and leveled many rice fields and planted varied kinds of fruit
trees in his orchard, out of his own efforts and industry. He noted for his industry,
leadership and honesty not only in his own barrio and town but he also known far
and wide in Benguet.

When Atokding was elected vice president of his town, he worked for the
construction of foot suspension bridges at Kabayan Barrio and trails that connected
Kabayan with the national Highway at Kilometer 56, Halsema Road.

PASIKING COMISSING

Pasiking Comissing was born in Kabayan on February 2, 1890, his father was
Opdas Balis and his mother was Acuney Sinmoreng. Pasiking acquired his surname
from his uncle, Comissing who was responsible for his education, hence the name
Pasiking B. Comissing, instead of Pasiking Balis only.

Comissing studied in Kabayan Barrio School during the Spanish-American War

he resumed his studies ams went to Baguio on 1907. Pasiking was one of the
natives who was appointed as a classroom teacher to serve in the Bureau of
Education that time. He is taught for the first home town. At his second year of
teaching, Pasiking was sent to Buguias and taught there for two years.

The teachers during those early times had hard time enrolling pupils. The
teachers were forces to go out and convince children to go to school to be enrolled.
During their campaign for enrollment, the teachers were usually threatened and one
of the teachers was P. Comissing. Parents of school-age children threatened the
campaigning teachers with spears and bolos. In spite of this unwholesome and
dangerous situation, Pasiking and some other teachers were able to convince many
parents to send their children to school.

Comissing was appointed later as a secretary treasurer of Kabayan. However,

because he was not contented with his little learning, he stepped out from his job
and went to continue his studies. He finished his sixth grade in Kabayan Central
School in Kabayan. In 1916, after his sixth grade he was reappointed as a secretry-
treasurer for his town. Because of his unchallenged honesty and integrity in both
public and private life, Pasiking Comissing served fro many years as secretary-
treasurer. From Kayapa Nueva Viscaya, Pasiking was appointed as the fire wireden
from Kabayan, his town.

In 1934, Pasiking was elected township President for Kabayan. He worked

hard for the widening of trails leading to the different barrios and sitios of the
municipality of Kabayan. In his capacity as a town president he requested for seeds
of coffee, mangoes, avocado, papaya, citrus and other crops from the higher
government. These seeds were distributed to his people free of charge.

Born of poor parents, his honesty, genuine leadership and unselfish devotion
to public service him popularly, great and well-known throughput his own and parts
of Benguet.

blb/1961

APPENDICES

1. N.P.C. at Ambuclao, Mountain Province

2. Town And Treasurer in the Mountain Province
3. Provincial Officials and others
4. Cities in the Philippines
5. Provinces in the Philippines
6. Members of the U.N. as of November, 1961
7. Loyalty-Elbert Hubbard

NPC AT AMBUCLAO, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE

Of the past importance to the country is the huge P132,000,000 hydro

electric plant of the NPC at Ambuclao, Benguet Mountain Province.

The huge reservoir dam of the plant which has a water storage capacity of
253,000,000 cubic meter is the highest power dam in Asia and in the far East and
the Second highest of its kind in the world.
 The dam is 129 feet high and 444 meters wide at the base. The damming of
the Agno river involved 6,504,000 cubic meters rock, gravels and cement together
with 1, 371,000 cubic meters of clay earth in its core.

The plant has three 25,000 kw generating units placed in an underground

power-house 17 meters high 30 meters long and 9 meters wide. He output of the
plant provides most of the northern and Central Luzon, including Manila with
abundant and cheap electric power. It is the first hydro-electric development in the
Agno river with a total power potential of 420,000 kw.

A lovely mountain resort lake was formed by the dam. It is 40 kilometers

from Baguio along a scenic mountain highway.

Completed at a cost of P132,000,000.00, Ambuclao is the biggest industrial

project ever under-taken in the Philippines financed from a P92,000,000.00 local
bond issue and a P40,000,000.00 loan from the Export and Import Bank of
Washington, D.C.

TOWNS AND TREASURERS IN THE MOUNTAIN PROVINCE

BENGUET

1. Itogon - Fabian L. Lanuza

2. Tuba - Blas G. Puno
3. Sablan - Martina Busoy
4. La Trinidad - P. A. Labrador
5. Tublay - Sevillano L. Lubina
6. Bokod - Esteban Agpalo
7. Kabayan - Cirilo Laciapag
8. Kibungan - Rodolfo Nelmida
9. Bakun - Nocolas Pulicay
10.Buguias - Claudio Ymana
11. Mankayan - Camilo Luspian
12.Kapangan - Apolinario Luo6ang
13.Atok - James U. Guillermo

KALINGA-BONTOC

14.Balbalan - Wilson Amangan

15.Pinukpuk - Canuto Balangso
16.Tabuk - Felix M. Esperacion
17.Lubuagan - Jesus Belino
18.Tanudan - Teodore Dulwayan
19.Tinglayan - Francis Solidad
20.Lamot - Aquilino Dadli-i
21.Tadian Bontoc - Felix Gano
22.Bauko, Bontoc - Alexander Cayabas
23.Sadanga - Patric Ganggangan
24.Besao - Marino Bacwaden
25.SAbangan - Donato Fugnay
26.Bontoc - Pilar D. Filayger
27.SAgada - Maximo Dagawan
28.Barlig - Placido Aplaton
29.Natonin - Antonio

TOWN AND PROVINCIAL OFFICIALS

1961

Provincial

Bado Dangwa - Governor

Timoteo Chaokas - Vice-Governor

Jose Dulinayan - Board Member

Jaime Bugacon - Board Member

Domingo Calub - Provincial Treasurer

 Congressman

Ramon P. Mitra - Baguio-Benguet Second District

Luis Hora - Ifugao & Western Bontoc,

First District

Juan Duyan - Kalinga and Eastern Bontoc and

Apayao Third District

Kabayan Officials

Henry A. Kamora - Municipal District Mayor

Heraldo Dension - Vice Mayor

Cirilo Laciapag - Municipal District Treasurer

Felix Fagonil - Rural Health Physician

Amado Pacday - Chief of Police

Jose O. Martin - Justice of the Peace

Pedro Buro - Councilor

Marcelo Perez - Councilor

Hipolito Decoran - Councilor

Deo Dicdic - Councilor

Edward Tomilas - Councilor

Comiles Carlos - Councilor

Sarcilia Corpuz - Midwife, Rural

CITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES

1961

1. Baguio, Mountain Province 3. Basilan, Basilan

2. Bacolod, Negros Occidental 4. Dutuan, Agusan
5. Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija
6. Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Or.
7. Calbayog, Samar
8. Cavite, Cavite
9. Cebu, Cebu
10.Cotabato, Cotabato
11.Dagupan, Pangasinan
12.Dansalan, Lanao
13.Davao, Davao
14.Dumaguete, Negros Or.
15.Iligan, Lanao del Norte
16.Marawi, Lanao del Sur
17.Toledo, Cebu
18.Naga, Camarines Sur
19.Ormoc, Leyte
20.Ozamis, Misamis Occ.
21.Pasay, Pasay
22.Quezon, Quezon
23.Rosas, Capiz
24.San Pablo, Laguna
25.Tacloban, Leyte
26.Zamboanga, Zamboanga
27.Manila, Manila
28.Tagaytay, Tagaytay
29.Trece Martinez, Cavite
30.Gingoog Or., Misamis
31.Silay, Negros Occidental
32.Iloilo, Iloilo
33.Legaspi, Albay
34.Lipa, Batangas
35.Lucina, Quezon
36.San Carlos, Negros Occ.
37.Danao, Cebu
38.Lapu-Lapu, Cebu

1. Abra - Bangued 22.Ilocos Sur - Vigan

2. Agusan - Butuan 23.Isabela - Ilagan
3. Aklan - Kalibo 24.Iloilo -Iloilo
4. Albay -Legaspi 25.Laguna -Santa Cruz
5. Antique -San Jose 26.Lanao Del Norte-Ilagan
6. Bataan -Balanga 27.Lanao del Sur -Marawi
7. Batanes -Basco 28.La Union -San Fernando
8. Batangas -Batangas 29.Leyte -Tacloban
9. Bohol - Tagbilaran 30.South Leyte - Maasin
10.Bokidnon -Malaybalay 31.Marinduque -Boac
11.Bulacan -Malolos 32.Masbate - Masbate
12.Cagayan -Tuguegarao 33.Mindoro Occ. -Mamburao
13.Camarines Norte-Daet 34.Mindoro Or. -Calapan
14.Camarines Sur -Naga City 35.Misamis Occ. -Oroquita
15.Capiz -Roxas 36.Misamis Or. -Cagayan de Oro
16.Catanduanes -Virac 37.Mt. Province -Bontoc
17.Cavite -Cavite 38.Negros Occ. -Bacolod
18.Cebu - Cebu 39.Negros Or. -Dumaguete
19.Cotabato - Cotabato 40.Nueva Ecija -Cabanatuan
20.Davao - Davao 41.Nueva Viscaya -Bayumbong
21.Ilocos Norte - Laoag 42.Palawan -Puerto Princesa
43.Pampanga -San Fernando 50.Jolo - Sulo
44.Pangasinan -Lingayen 51.Surigao del Norte-Surigao
45.Quezon -Lucena 52.Surigao del Sur - Tandang
46.Rizal -Pasig 53.Tarlac - Tarlac
47.Romblon -Romblon 54.Zambales -Iba
48.Samar -Catbalogan 55.Zamboanga del Norte-Dipolog
49.Sorsogon -Sorsogon 56.Zamboanga del Sur-Pagadian

APAYAO

30.Conner - Jose N. Ramos

31.Kabugao - Angel Enciso
32.Bayag - Rosario Dacuycuy
33.Luna - Longobardo Ramos
34.Pudtol - Severino V. Bala

IFUGAO

35.Mayaoyao - Solcado D. Likigan

36.Banaue - Eustaquio Dait
37.Hungduan - Miguel Bunina-ang
38.Kaingan - Pelagio D. Ngaya-an
39.Burnay - Amado Nebre
40.Potia - Miguel Paduyao

Provincial Treasurer

DOMINGO CALUB
 U.N. MEMBERS AS OF NOVEMBER 1961

1. Afghanistan 25.Cyprus 51.Ivory Coast

2. Albania 26.Czecoslavia 52.Japan
3. Argentina 27.Dahomey 53.Jordan
4. Australia 28.Denmark 54.Laos
5. Belgium 29.Dominican 55.Lebanon
6. Austria Republic 56.Liberia
7. Bolivia 30.Ecuador 57.Libya
8. Brazil 31.El Salvador 58.Malgasi
9. Bulgaria 32.Ethiopia Republic
10.Burma 33.Fed of Malaya 59.Mali
11.Belo Russian, 34.Finland 60.Mexico
SSR 35.France 61.Morocco
12.Cambodia 36.Gabon 62.Nepal
13.Cameron 37.Ghana 63.Neatherland
14.Canada 38.Greece 64.New Zealand
15.Central Africa 39.Guinea 65.Nicaragua
16.Ceylon 40.Haiti 66.Niger
17.Chad 41.Honduras 67.Nigeria
18.Chile 42.Hungary 68.Norway
19.Cina 43.Iceland 69.Pakistan
20.Colombia 44.India 70.Panama
21.Congo(Brazza 45.Indonesia 71.Paraguay
ville) 46.Iran 72.Peru
22.Congo 47.Iraq 73.Philippines
(Leopoldville) 48.Ireland 74.Poland
23.Costa Rica 49.Israel 75.Romania
24.Cuba 50.Italy 76.Saudi Arabia
 77.Senegal 85.Turkey 91.Upper Volts
78.Somalia 86.Ukrane SSR 92.Uruguay
79.Spain 87.Union Of 93.Venezuela
80.Sudan socialist 94.Yemen
81.Sweden Africa 95.Yugoslavia
82.Thailand 88.U.S.S.R. 96.Syria
83.Togo 89.Egypt 97.Mauritania
84.Tunisia 90.United states 98.Mongolia

BAGUIO-BENGUET DIVISION PERSONNEL

1961

Victor M. de Leon - Division Supt. of School

Damaso M. Bangaoet - Academic Supervisor

Talesforo N. Boguirin - General Education Supervisor

Casiano R. Velasco - English Supervisor

Eugenio L. Lucero - Health Supervisor

Baldomero Munar - Industrial Arts Supervisor

Honorio Pugia - Administrative Assistant

Francisco Libatique - Supply Officer

Secondary Principals

Gregorio R. Ariz - Baguio City High School

Quirico Saturnino - Lepanto High School

Alexander Sumedea - Mt. Province High School,

Bontoc

District Supervisor

Aurea A. Lopez - Baguio City

E.S. Encarnacio - Itogon District

C.M. Martinez - La Trinidad

Isabel Albon - Bokod

Alfredo Andaya - Kapangan

Joaquin Mendoza - Tubay

Fe B. Anatacio - English Supervisor, Baguio

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

J.T. Floresa Pio R. Pablo

Thomas Dampac Felino R. Pablo

Eulogio M. Caili Felino C. Buado

Esmael C. Udasco Felix B. Aluyen

Emilio Balawan Fidel Ramirez

Thomas Lachica Isidro Bugnusen