Essay 2009 Reg 2- A Brief History of Sapian

Registration No. 2

A BRIEF HISTORY OF SAPIAN

            Piecing together stories. Sapian was found during the 17^th century by small groups of people who settled near the seacoast on a hilltop of catadman, half kilometer east of the present, half kilometer east of the present state of Poblacion. The old site is known as “ Laging Banwa” or old town. The hilltop is convenient look out for the marauding Moros or pirates who rampantly raided settlements during those days.

            How Sapian got its name is told in a legend. It said that some Spanish Soldiers set foot on the hilltop and saw a boy sent on an errand holding a fifty centavo silver coin called “salapi”. When asked the name of the place the boy, utterly perplexed with the strange Castillian tongue and foreign looks of the soldiers, stammered “sapi”, thinking that he was asked what he had in his hand. Thus the soldiers named the settlement Sapian. Shortly afterward, the place was organized as a town of Sapian.

            Soon after the “Municipal” was organized the Spanish authorities appointed town officials led by Capitan Municipal, Teniente absolute, curra parroco, Juezde sentienciales, jefe de policia and maestro municipal.

            The first Capitan was Simeon Alayon. He was followed by Calixto Orleans, Graciano Arboleda, Ventura Oroceo, Antonio Obsequio, Jose Oloroso, Magdalino Obligacion, Celestino Obordo, Alejandro Alayon, Crisanto Ocampo, Lino Honrado, Julian Olivera, Domingo Oro, Luciano Oro, Ramon Golez, Eulanio Parohinog, Alejandro Exteves, Ventura Orario, Vicente Ledesma, Julian Alayon, Santiago Obligacion, Felipe Oñas and Andres Pajarillo.

            During the American Regime (1900-1946) the town executive was changed from “Capitan” to “Presidente” assisted by the “Vice Presidente” the other town officials were justice of peace, councilors, municipal and Chief of Police.

            The first “Presidente” and “Vice Presidente” were Elias Oro and Simon Tupaz, respectively. They were followed by Leocadio Pajarillo-Francisco Orleans, Francisco Orleans-Juan Pajarillo, Juan Pajarillo-Antonio Oñas, Benigno Olivera-Francisco Otro, Francisco Otro-apolinario Alayra, Apolinario Alayra-Luis Ocbina, Diosdado         Honrado-Hermogenes       Olaveja-Hipolito            Obligacion-Felipe Roldan, Nemesio Oloroso-Cornelio Obligacion.

            Leocadio Olivera Pajarillo was elected delegate to the First National Assembly in 1907.

            During the commonwealth regime (1935-1946) the town executive were known as “Alcalde” and Vice Alcalde”. They were Angel Arboleda-Maria Orillos, Diosdado Honrado-Serafin Obidos, Diosdado Honrado (wartime executive) and Simplicio Ochon who was appointed in 1945 by the PCAU (Philippine Civil Affairs Unit).       

After the declaration of independent on July 4, 1946 the following became municipal executive who were called mayors and vice mayors: Narciso Oducado-Manuel Oloroso, Narciso Oducado-Estanislao Nonato Julio Orillos- Estanislao Nonato, Julio Orillos-Rodolfo Odquier, Zoe Herrera-Rodolfo Odquier, Zoe Herrera Wilfredo Honrado, Manuel Oloroso- Ricardo and Ishmael  Orillos-Ricardo Flores

.           Martial Law was declared on September 21, 1972. In accordance with Presidential Decree 826 where in the municipal council was changed to Sangguniang Bayan and its membership increased to include representations from the professional sector and the Kabataang Barangay Federation, the sangguniang Bayan of Sapian was organized on December 15, 1975. Mayor Ishmael Orillos was the chairman.

            The first Sangguniang Bayan officials served until replaced by the elected officials on January 30, 1980. The election was the first held after the declaration of Martial Law. Mayor Ishmael Orillos was the chairman and the Vice Mayor  Conradlou Honrado was the vice chairman.

            Months after EDSA revolution in February, 1986 the elected officials were replaced by OIC Officials Diosdado R. Honrado was appointed OIC Mayor with Rodel O. Obordo as OIC Vice Mayor.

            On January 18, 1988 the first election under the restored democracy was held Rodel O. Obordo was given mandate as town executive. Exsur Olanga was elected Vice Mayor.

            Mayor Rodel O. Obordo was re-elected on May 11,1992, serving with him as vice mayor of the town is Marianita L. Baldisimo.

            Sapian has a total Land area of 8,738,154 hectares of 8.7 square kilometers divided into ten barangays including the Poblacion. It is an agro-fishery town 27 kilometers west of Roxas City. It extends up to the boundary of Aklan. This explains the mixture of Capiz and Aklan dialects spokewn by the Sapianons. It has now a population of about 23,000.

            Sapian of pre-war vintage is a far cry from the Sapian today. The town was burned three times during the World War II. Its economic progress started from ashes and ruins and deterred by financial and technical difficulties.

            Basically, Sapian depends on agricultural products topped by rice and followed by coconut. Fishing industry was very insignificant. But after the liberation and during the latter of the nineteen forties fishpond were developed and expanded. Now bangus, shrimps and fishlike “inid” “kikilo” and “balanak”are exported to Manila.

            In 1974 Bruce French, An American Peace Corp experimented with growing of green mussel (tahong) in Sapian bay. It was a success. Thereafter, extensive tahong farms sprouted along the bay. Tahong and the Oyster which grew with the former have both enriched the aquatic resources of Sapian.   

            Sapian has flourished considerably. It boast of a purok organization through which Sapian has been reputed as the cleanest town in the province these past years. It has a vast virgin beach which is being developed into a resort. It has the Gugma Hall, an edifice which is the center of the social and cultural gatherings of Sapianons.

            Sapian educational system has greatly improved with the construction of barangay high school in 1967. it was also electrically energized in 1977.

            Yesterday and today –this is sapian, Tomorrow, by the grace of the Almighty, it will be far better because it has a rich legacy. It is abundant in potential, the best which are the people. The Sapianons are ready to serve and love their neighbors, their country and their fellowmen.