BRIEF HISTORY OF DAO

Several years after the purchase of Media-as (Panay) by Datu Puti from the Negrito Chief Marikudo, the Malays Chiefs Sumakwel, Bangkaya and their Sacup started to establish settlements in the different parts of the island. Bangcaya was assigned to rule the Aklan Valley, (now Capiz) and designated his followers to settle in some parts of the distant places following the course of the river. Tradition tells that one barangay sailed down the river and stayed for some time in a place now called Gapason, while another sailed up the river. After a few days, yards away from its bank grew a big tree called DAO. The two heads of the barangays later agreed to stay and built for their families. During the coming of the Spaniards, the town folks asked the name of the town in Spanish, not understanding a word; they pointed to a nearby tree in the middle of the plaza and shouted Dao, Dao. From then on the Spaniards called the place Dao. It has been said that wealthy Malay, Isada, headed the barangay from Gapason. Very intelligent Malay headed the one from Cabatangan by the name De La Concepcion, thus the recognized founders of the town were De La Concepcion and Isadas. In the course of time, these two barangays increased in number. When the Spaniards came to Capiz to organize their government, Dao was made a Pueblo. The Spaniards imposed their power to influence the heads of the barangays in collecting taxes were called Cabesas de Barangay. In the later years, a Cabesas by the name of Luis De La Concepcion was designated and was friendly with the Spaniards. Concepcion was the first Captain of the town. Other who followed were: Don Felipe Isada, Don Francisco de la Concepcion, Don Agustin Salomeo and many more. Since it was the policy of Spain to spread Christianity in every land it colonized. Spanish Missionaries were assigned to the different parts of Capiz. Besides administering religious rites, the Priest assigned in every Pueblo acted as teacher and chief executive. The Spanish Priest who ruled Dao after it was considered a regular Parish were: Father Jose Garcia, Fr. Elviro Jorda, Fr. Agustin Alvares and Fr. Pedro

Frat. The Church of Dao is considered one of the biggest in the Province of Capiz. It is made of Adobe Rock quarried from the mountains of Dumalag. Reverend Fr. Elviro Jorda was responsible for the construction of the Church. It was burned by Filipino Revolutionists during the revolution in 1886, and was only rebuilt sometime ago. During the Spanish time, nothing of great historical importance happened in Dao. There was neither fierce fighting nor resistance of any kind from the people. The natives in general were peace loving, friendly and submissive. The only complaint heard from the old people was the cruelty of the Spaniards and the unjust practices of the Guardia Civil and Quintos System. In 1889, when Aguinaldo and his men occupied almost all parts of the Philippines, the Spanish officials in Capiz left for Manila. Aguinaldos government was not felt in Dao because it did not last long. About three weeks after the Americans landed and occupied Iloilo, some of the forces were sent to Capiz on land via Santa Barbara, Passi, Dumarao, Dumalag, and stayed in Dao for few days. When the people of Dao heard of the coming of the Americans, some of the well-to-do families fled to the mountains because of their belief that the Americans will take their daughters by force. Later, when theylearned of the kindness of the Americans, they returned to their homes. During Aguinaldos regime, the American Detachment Commander as President of the town appointed Captain Leon Bauson, Don Luis Escutin later succeeded him. When the Municipal President became an elective position, Don Leonardo Lumbo was the first man to hold presidential post. He was succeeded by Don Severo Abad, Don Felix Avelino, Don Marcos Lacerna etc. of all the town executives, Don Jose Bauson stayed the longest in the post, almost a quarter of the century.

CHARISSE B. CORCINO BSN III