Essay 2009 Reg 9- As the time passed by ………

Registration No. 9

As the time passed by………….

        Many were called but few have chosen. Yes, we Sapianon should be grateful because we have chosen to be the residents of this municipality. Where prosperity is found. Where hospitality is a tradition. Moreover, love for other people is a culture. But, how Sapian has been established?

            Sapian- a coastal town twenty seven (27) kilometers west of Roxas City extending up to the boundary of Aklan. Because of this, the inhabitants speak a mixture of Capiz and Aklan dialects. Valuable informative account lifted from the survey report conducted by the Public Affairs Unit, APC, Camp Cram, Quezon City, during the administration of the thirties (30’s) happily jibe with the local fabled tales and folk stories that transcended generation so that it became possible to capture vital pieces of the past of Sapian and write this Brief History with at least some jest of authentic suggestions.

            Although no accurate date is cited to back up the pieces of information, the area survey report claims that Sapian was founded on a hilltop more than three hundred (300) years ago and has one of the oldest histories among the towns of Capiz province. Counting 300 years back, it is safe to assume that it must have been in the late years of 1700 or 17^th century when a tiny cited on the hilltop was established by groups of wondering people. No definite place was cited on the hilltop but folk stories have it that it was on the hilltop of Catadman, a distance of half kilometer east of the present site of Poblacion. The old site of Catadman hilltop is now known as ” Laging Banwa” or old town. It was said that the old settlement on the hilltop was strategically chosen to serve as a convenient look out for Marauding Moros rampantly raiding settlements during those days. At any point on the hilltop, Moros, in their vitas could be spotted when they entered Guibongan or Sapian bay.

            On the hilltop Catadman was also wthe site of the ” Bukay nga Lingganay” (White bell) which were used by the people during the time to call the attention or warned the villagers if there were in dangers. According to folklore and stories when the ‘”bukay nga lingganay” rung it reaches to the Moroland. The ” Bukay nga Lingganay” White bell is a part of corporate or official seal of the municipality of Sapian.

            Thus, the people were amply warned to get organized and protect themselves. Catadman hilltop is so close to the sea coast and is surrounded by vast swamps, which cradle rivers and stream rich with fishes and all forms of sea foods, shell fishes largely depended upon by the inhabitants for their livelihood. Until, lately the swamps were covered by tall giant mangrove trees and other form of vegetation where monkeys jumped from tree to tree in wild abandon and where different species of birds abound including giant herons, hawks, and wild ducks as well as migrating egrets from Australia, which seasonally come in hoards. The thickly forested swamps provided safe refuge for the evacuees during the Japanese war but now most of the swampy areas are cleared and instead fishpond dikes landscape the kilometric seacoast, beautifully punctuated by the mussels farm dominating the Sapian bay with its line of bamboo pools loaded with green mussels and “Talaba” that bunch like grapes around the base, hare and there.

            Another folk story told and retold for generations reveal that the first Sapianons were the descendants of Datu Kalantiaw a law giver from Batan, Aklan where forebears came from the balangay of Datu Bankaya who rules the northern part of the island of Panay after its purchase from the native Datu Marikudo with a gold salakot and a gold necklace for his wife.

            Datu Bankaya nd his scion Kalantiaw settled in Batan as most people choose to stay along seacoast and nearby rivers in abundance of food. Some of their followers used to travel eastward in times of hunting and fishing that they discovered down the coast by the bay was a place rich and plenty. The water of the bay was teeming with fish and the aquatic resources were inexhaustible. Convinced about the story of the beautiful bay their families came along and settled near the river mouth at bthe coast of the bay.

            The later generation of this small group of settlers, founded the first Sapian settlement in the late 17^th century.

            How Sapian got bits name is told in a legend. Long after the Spanish occupation in 1568 or after 132 years of Spaniards in the Philippines, some Spanish soldiers set foot on the hilltop settlement. The first person they met was a boy who was sent to errand and he was holding a “Salapi”.

            The Spaniard stopped the boy to inquire of the name of the place, the boy perplexed by the strange looks of the Castellan figures and incomprehensive of the Spanish tongue spoken, answered hesitatingly in faltering voice, “Sapi”. Early fifty centavos silver coin were said to have been circulated after the Spanish occupation. These coin were locally called” Salapi” means half a peso. And thus, the Spaniards named the village “SAPIAN”. Shortly afterward, the town was organized as the town of SAPIAN. But no one could tell the exact etymology of the word. Sapian celebrates its foundation day every 21^st day of July which commemorate to our municipal and religious fiesta as per Sangguniang bayan Resulution No.14,s of 1997 featuring “Tilibyugan” a one week celebration of thanks giving and merry makings an honor of our beloved patron St. Anne.

            In the Spanish regime after the “Municipio” was organized, the Spanish authorities began apoointing town officials led by the ” Capitan Municipal”, the “Teniente Absolute”, the “Curra Parrocos”, “Juez De Sentenciales” an the”Maestro Municipal”. The first Capitan Municipal was Simeon Alayon.

            During the American regime the name of the town executive was changed from “Capitan” to “Presidente” and was assisted by their respective” Vise Presidente”. The other town officials Were Justice of the Peace , the Councilors, the Municipal Treasurer and the Chief of Police. The first “President” was Elias Oro with Simeon Tupaz as the   “Vise Presidente”.

            Under the Commonwealth Government, the name of the executives became “Alcalde” and “Vise Alcalde”

The following officials bear the title of town’s mayor:

Hon. Nemisio Oloroso                                            1931-1935

Hon. Angel Arboleda                                                         1935-1939

Hon .Diosdado Honrado                                        1939-1945

Hon. Simplicio Ochon                                                        1945-1946

Hon. Narciso Oducado                                           1947-1954

Hon. Julio Orillos                                                    1954-1959

Hon. Zoe Herrera                                                    1960-1967

Hon. Manuel Oloroso                                                         1968-1971

Hon. Ishmael Orillos                                                           1972-19865

Hon. Diosdado Honrado                              Nov. 1986-1987

Hon. Rodel Obordo                                                 1988-1998

Hon. Remedios Olivera Oñas                                1998-2007

Hon. Arturo Orosco Sr. Ph. D.                              2007-present

            At the end, it is not for how we memorize the history of Sapian that we can show our love and care for our beloved hometown. It is when we show our concern to our fellow Sapianon. It is when we remember that  wherever we are, whatever we do, how successful we are, we are always be a true Sapianon!!!!!!!

I have interviewed the following person:

Mr. Renato Roldan

Mrs. Lagrimas Montina

Mr. Redentor Obligar

Mr. Bassanio Tupaz

Mrs. Cresenciana Irada