The founding of Balingasag

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 110^th 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