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Recent archaeological findings within the municipality show that Camalig had
been inhabited by people with developed social attributes by cultural, religious,
socio-political and economic relationships and organizations as early as the years
200 B. C. to 900 A. D., the period referred to as the early Iron Age in the Philippines.
Before 1569, nothing was know about Camalig except for the insights
provided by the discoveries in January, 1973 by an American Franciscan, father
Cantius Kobak, OFM whose archaeological findings now from the core collection of
the Camalig Historical Committee’s museum housed at the town’s historical church.
After ten years of missionary work in Samar where he had archaeological
experience and made research work on Franciscans history in the Visayas, Father
Kobak was asked to do pastoral work in Camalig.
From 1972- 1973, Father Kobak found in the mountain sides of the town
broken shreds of porcelain belonging to the Sung and Ming dynasties of China.
These findings showed that Camalig had contacts with Chinese traders in the 9th to
12th centuries.
Pre-Chinese Period
This archaeological discovery has finally linked present Camalig with its past.
This shows that the early settlers of the town had their own culture even before the
advent of the Chinese traders and the Spanish conquistadores. These findings
opened the doors to Camalig’s almost forgotten history and gave an insight of what
transpired in the past through the corridors of time.
Spanish Period
During the last century of the Spanish rule in Camalig, the colonial
representation of the crews of Spain became arrogant, tyrannical and oppressive to
the native wherein they treated them like slaves. So, petitions and appeals for
redress of grievances were sent by the natives to the Crown. However, it was found
later that appeals never reached the Crown for they were mislaid somewhere. This
event n Camalig as well as in other parts of the Philippines accumulated to
unbearable proportions’ through the years and culminated in the Philippine
Revolution of 1896 which marked the exit of Spanish colonial power and paved the
way for the entry of American Occupation after the defeat of the Spaniards by the
application of the Treaty of Paris.
American Regine
Japanese Occupation
The Japanese occupied Camalig from 1942 to 1945 which a tragic chapter in
the town’s history. The period under the Japanese Occupation was particularly
trying and better for the town of Camalig. Confiscation of properties, oppressive and
repressive policies of the Japanese forces, abandonment of the farms and home and
residents fleeing to the mountains to escape and fight the Japanese tyranny n
disrupting the economic life of the Camaligueños. This was aggravated further by
the bitter fight for liberation in 1945 which made Camalig particularly the barrio of
Taladong, as the key battleground and the other parts of the town were in shambles
when the war ended in 1945.
Post-war Period
From the granting of independence in 1946 to the present, the following were
the elected Mayors of Camalig:
Rafael Grageda 1946-1947
Engracio N. Vibar 1948-1959
Lauro Monilla 1960-1963
Mauro S. Nievmarks 1964-1967
Wilfredo Guerero 1968-1971
Florencio N. Muñoz, M.D. 1972-1998
Paz G. Muñoz, Ph.D. 1998-2000
Carlos Irwin G. Baldo 2002-present
It is with great value that the outstanding citizens and ideal public servants
who served the government and the people with honor and distinction be made part
of the history of Camalig for without their devoted service, dynamism and
selflessness, we cannot go through with the municipality’s march to journey to
progress. Among these prominent persons who held important positions was Felix
Samson, Judge of the Court of First Instance; Domingo Valenciano, Albay Provincial
Governor; and Justiniano Nuyda, Second District Congressman. On the other hand,
the prominent politicians have proven to the Camaligueños that they were worthy
of their local governance. As local chief executives, they tackled local issues,
problems and concerns with the implementation of prioritized development
programs which are responsive to the constituent’s needs. During their
incumbency, the socio- economic status and quality of life of camaligueños through
the increased opportunities in education, employment, health and social services
was improved. Among those public servants who made marks in their local
governance was Dr. Florencio N. Munoz who served the municipality for almost 25
years of dedicated service.He attained the goal of transforming Camalig into a third
class municipality ,from 5th class. He had gone through tougher challenges and
struggles until he achieved this fruition. He helped established the Mayon Cement
Plant as part of his industrial development plans for camalig, a pioneer project of
the whole Bicol Region. With his achievements in social, economic and
infrastructure development, the Camaligueños for sure will long remember Dr.
Florencio N. Muñoz, popularly known as “Doktor nin Kapobrehan” for having
transformed Camalig into a vibrant municipalty.
SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH (CAMALIG)
AND IT’S CHURCH
Christianity was brought to Camalig by Capt. Luis de Guzman together with
Father Alonzo Jimenez, an Augustinian priest who came with the Legazpi expedition.
Evangelization was started in 1578 by the Augustinian missionaries. When the
Augustinians left, the Franciscan Father Pablo de Jesus and Bartolome Ruiz
continued their work.
With such a structure to be proud of the more affluent residents and families
of the town vied with one another in providing the interior of the church with
expensive furnishings, be they in wood, in glass, in sliver, in gold, brass or copper,
including the altar linens and ceremonial vestments. The people generously
contributed for the bells, except for the Franciscans Order, together with the
Baptismal Font. Two other marble holy water fonts installed at the entrance and two
smaller ones on the west side door were donated by prominent families. Five
capitanes each donated a crystal chandelier.
Such was the glory of the Camalig Church, which could easily compare with
the European cathedrals at the time. This glory has outlasted three big wars: the
Spanish American War, World War I and World War II. It has weathered and braved
several eruptions of Mayon Volcano, strong earthquakes and typhoons. It has seen
good days and bad days. It has lived over the different historical periods of the
country-the Spanish, American and Japanese eras - up to the present.
Because of old age, however, this dear church has succumbed to the fury of
the super typhoon “Sisang” in 1987. The whole structure has been unroofed, the
beams and ceiling badly crumbled. But the people of Camalig would not stand
beaten by such calamity. They moved as one people to repair and restore their
church. All efforts were harnessed to get the materials and finances needed for its
reconstruction.
The interior of the church has also undergone many changes after Vatican II.
The first change was made by Father Antonio Luto, OFM. The main altar was made
to face the people. The communion rail was removed and the Blessed Sacrament
was placed in an altar on the east side of the church facing the west. Father
Herminigildo Salvosa worked for the electrification of Camalig ad the organization of
the Camalig Credit Cooperative. He also started Basic Ecclesial Communities in the
barrios, which died when he left. In 1978 during the term of Father Baltazar Obico
the roof of the church over the main altar was destroyed by typhoon Liling. So the
altar was removed and a wooden altar was made placed nearer to the
congregation. This altar was changed by Msgr. Madrid with a very spacious altar
and a baptismal font at the rear of the church based on the Neo catechumenal rite
of the liturgy of the Eucharist and Baptism. The altar has remained to the present.
The Blessed Sacrament was then carved in a niche on the wall of the eastern side of
the church facing the east. He also started the use of marble slabs on the main altar
and the cru cero. Father de Leon replaced the baked red tile flooring with marbles
slabs. He demolished the baptismal font and transferred the Blessed Sacrament
from the niche to the tabernacle where it is now. During Father Barja’s term, his
first project was to put up a good sound system and purchased a brand new electric
organ. He renovated the convent, the kitchen, comport rooms and refectory. He
greatly enhanced the cleanliness of the church and the convent. They are BURKOS-
Camalig. Father Camalig. Father de la Cruz is just starting his term so his plans and
projects still remain to be seen.
Humanities
A research work
Submitted to:
Submitted by:
Group- 4
Mariz Jesseca M. Go
Jestoni Frando
Shiela Kristel Hatid
Ramil Marbella
Alyanna Marie Guerrero
Jay Van F. Guamos
Chester Notario
Their remains together with their precious early possessions were contained
in large burial jars. In 1973, the Department of Public Works and Highways
rehabilitated the roads which make the cave easily accessible to different modes of
transportations. From that year on the cave has been open to the public. However,
the place became too controversy because accordingly, certain government agency
converted the premises of the cave into a Disneyland of sorts complete with multi-
colours concrete statues of Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs and Juan Tamad.
However, when the news of the cave’s destruction reached the media, the ultimate
insult came when the materials intended supposed to improve the road leading to
the cave were hauled off and so construction was immediately stopped.
Nolasco’s House
Moyo’s House
Calabidongan Cave