Registration # 13

The History of Agtatacay Norte

My Birth place

            When I first heard about this essay writing contest, I was hesitant to join but when I knew that the topic will be about our province, Sapian, I grab the chance to join because it’s also about my roots that inspires me a lot. I also want to know more about Agtatacay Norte, Sapian, where I was born.

          So where should I start? I suddenly thought of talking to people in our place then I thought of my distant relative who is now 93 yrs. Old, Proceso Obuyes. So I went to him the next day to collect some information about the history of Agtatacay Norte.

          Agtatacay, as its original name of the place, is one of the barangays in Sapian, Capiz. Usually, people in the Philippines especially the locals were into superstitious belief. Some people say that Agtatacay came from the word Agta which means beast or half human, half beast. Others say it came from the word tagay-tagay which means a jigger or liquor because men before were fun of drinking liquor. But according to the elders, it comes from the word tacay-tacay which means dividing evenly. Before the Japanese occupation, in order for the people to earn money, they would go to places where owners of a rice plantation or sugar cane plantation or any place that can give jobs to them. They would divide their work to everyone who is there. In that way, everybody gets a job and could have income and could survive their everyday living. That’s where the word Agtatacay came from.

          Before World War II, during the Spanish occupation, the head of the barangay were then called Tiniente del Barrio which means Captain of the Barrio. In, 1938, Melicio Olmo was the first Tiniente del Barrio of Agtatacay, follwed by Buenvenido Obuyes in 1942. Conrado Obuyes stepped in the following term. When Numeriano Ofalla got the position, one of the Councilor (Sanguniang Bayan at present) of the town of Sapian at that time was Iluminado Ofalla, who was his older brother, sponsored a law subdividing Agtatacay intyo three barrios as Agtatacay Norte, Agtatacay Sur and Agtatacay Silab. Barangay Agtatacay Norte was lead by the different barangay captains up to the present namely: Innocentes Olmo, Alfredo Orale, Nunceriano Ofalla (was voted again), Proceso Obuyes, Antonio Olino, Gregorio Onag, George Francisco as barangay captain, followed by Diopanese Orale, Diopilino Orocero, Diopilino Olmo at present and now active Brgy. Capt. Sotero Ofalla. That made the barangay a little progressive.

          After my research about my barangay, I became more proud to be one of the locals there. Locals of Agtatacay Norte are very religious and peace living people. They are also socially and culturally active. If given the chance to promote one barangay, I could promote Agtatacay Norte for its fresh seafoods that can get from the place, fresh air from the beach and the very hospitable people around.

Research from:

Mr. Proceso Obuyes (93 yrs. Old)

Mr. Diopanese Orale (70 yrs. Old)

Mrs. Helen Olmo (above 70 yrs. Old)

Mr. Olpiano Olmo (above 70 yrs. Old)

Brgy Capt. Sotero Ofalla (52 yrs. Old)