The original site of Balingasag was a locality that is today
known as Galas. In the old days, the site was frequently flooded or visited by
typhoon and storms that caused much suffering and distress among the
inhabitants, but nothing was done about it until Antonio Ramon succeeded his
father, Marcos Antonio as the head of the village.
As new
chieftain, Antonio Ramon decided to move his family and people to a new
location. His choice fell on Gumpot Kitagtag as place where they could settle
and begin a new life.
Thus
Antonio Ramon negotiated with Mamerto Manuel, the head of Gumpot Kitagtag
territory, for the transfer of the people of Balingasag to that site.
The two
chieftains readily reached as agreement on this. They also agreed to build a
bigger church so that they could draw demarcation line with the church as the
frame of reference. They also agreed to build their first school.
Thus
was established the new Balingasag, for Antonio Ramos and his people brought
with them the name of the place they had left behind and simply attached it to
the new site where they settled.
Antonio
Ramon had made a good decision in moving his people to the new location. For in
living together with the people of Gumpot, they soon became prosperous in their
family life. They cultivated vast rice fields and abaca plantations. Their
numerous “bungsods” or fish corrals were abundant with fish.
THE IMPORTANT DATEDS AND EVENTS IN THE HISTORY OF BALINGASAG
I.
DURING THE SPANISH REGIME
a.
1892 – October – the first foundation of
Balingasag church.
b.
1896 – the Balingsag Revolt - it was a fight between the Tercion Civil and
Desciplinares. The Tercio Civil was at that time the peace officer equivalent
to the Philippine Constabulary of today. Desciplinares were the escaped
prisoners.
II.
DURING THE AMERICAN REGIME
a.
1900 – arrival of the American Cavaliers. They
arrived in June during the mass of the Feast of “Sagrado Corazon de Jesus”.
There ware 100 American and they stayed in the schools and the houses of
Capitan Leon Valmores.
b.
1935 – President Sergio Osmena, Sr. visited
Balingasag, were he was received with great honor. He was first President to
visit our town. Celedonio Valmores delivered the welcome address. Reception and
banquest was at Sr. Faustino Vega’s house.
III.
DURING WORLD WAR SECOND
a.
1941 – December 8 – outbreak of nd World War
b.
1942 – January 22 – Gov. Jose Artadi, held a
meeting in the town plaza. He advisd the townspeople to observe blackout and to
build an air shelter.
c.
1942 – July 28 – Mayor Jose P. Roa, held a
meeting in the town plaza and proposed to the town people that the be divided
into five groups, where each groups will ssign a guard at night for any
possible Japanese invasion.
d.
1942 – August 7 – Japanese Secret Police “Onasi’
came to investigate about the properties of Mr. Yosemoto who was before the war
a merchant of Balingsag.
e.
1942 – August 8 – the arrival of the Japanese
soldier with some Filipino enterpreters from Cagayan de Oro. Japanese Empire of
the Balingasag, appointing two prominent men of the town as their
representatives as the town Mayor as that time deserted the town for fear of
capture by the Japanese soldier.
f.
1943 – March 20 – Japanese planes dropped bombs
in different places of Balingsag. As recorded, seven persons were killed.
g.
1943 – July 28 -
Col. Mclish from Misamin Occidental arrived at Balingasag on his way to
Gingoog and decided to established his Division the 110th Division.
h.
1943 – August 1 – Major Rosauro P. Dongallo
arrived to assume Command of the Regiment in the place of Capt. Luz who was
assigned temporarily. A bis banquet was held in his honor to welcome him.
i.
1944 – March 23 – Vicente Valledor, a resident
of Balingasag, was sentenced to death after Court Martial has found him to be a
traitor.
For more information about the history of Balingasag, I personally prefer the audience to read the book entitled "History of Balingasag" by Didi U. Dongallo, Lulu Diestro and Mamer Ju. Valmores (1968)http://www.elib.gov.ph/details.php?uid=b9a9a2cd0d7881d71f9fe827b65e1102
