T I G B A U A N
H I S T O R Y
Tigbauan was the site where American forces code-named Victor I, landed on March 18, 1945 together with the Philippine Commonwealth troops to begin the liberation of Panay. The troops set out from Lingayen Gulf, Luzon on March 14th. The 185th Infantry, 40th Division, splashed ashore at Tigbauan, several miles west of Iloilo. There they were greeted by Army Col. Macario L. Peralta's Filipino guerrillas by continued from the Philippine Commonwealth troops drawn up in parade formation, and General Eichelberger recalled in his memoirs how the guerrillas stood "stiff in starched khaki and resplendent with ornaments." The strong guerrilla force of 23,000 had secured most of the island' except the area immediately around Iloilo where 2,750 Japanese were ensconced. The 40th Division quickly swept through the Japanese outposts and then drove the Japanese from the city in two days. Again the Japanese withdrew after the initial fighting into the inaccessible mountain jungles. In the fighting, the Americans lost 20 men, the Filipinos lost 42 men, and the Japanese 80. Responsibility for mopping up was turned over to the Filipino guerrillas and the 2d Battalion, 160th Infantry. Some 1,500 Japanese later surrendered at the end of the war. Because General MacArthur planned to stage two divisions from Iloilo for the invasion of Japan, engineers began repairing the local airfield and starting base construction at once.
The municipality of Tigbauan, acquired it’s name like the majority of town centers, after a topographical distinction unique to the region, in this case after the Tigbao , a local name for a type of grass that used to swarm the countryside. Tigbauan, a coastal town, was one of the landing sites for American Forces led by General Douglas MacArthur in March 1945 for liberation of the Philippines from the Japanese in WWII.
The Maragtas Legend tells us, that in the 12th century, ten (10) Bornean datus or chieftains left their homeland in the island of Borneo, in order to escape the cruel tyranny of their king, Sultan Makatunaw. They sailed in their long boats called “balang-hais or barangays.” They landed here on the island of Panay, in order to live a life of unrestricted freedom.
The ten (10) Bornean datus or chieftains were led by Datu Puti. They bought the island of Panay from Datu Marikudo, the native chieftains of the Aetas or Negritos. For Panay Island, they paid Datu Marikudo with one (1) golden salakot (head gear), and one (1) gold necklace for his wife Maniwantiwan. ( The Aetas or Negritos then went to live in the mountains.)
After the purchase of Panay, it was divided among three (3) Bornean chieftains, namely: Datu Sumakwel for Hamtik (Antique); Datu Bankaya for Aklan-Capiz; and Datu Paiburong for Irong-irong (Iloilo). Datu Puti and the rest of the Bornean Chieftains left for Luzon.
Population increased mostly in the Siruwagan area (presently located in San Joaquin, Iloilo), were most of the Borneans settled down.
Saludan Festival
Saludan came from the word salud or salud. Tigbauan is coastal town its sea water abounds in different kinds of fish. An excerpt from a book, “The Philippine Islands,” by Blair and Robertson; 1493. 1898; Vol. XII, pp. 217, 219-220 of which Fr. Pedro Chirino related his experience and observations about our town states that, “The village itself was on the same shore, at the mouth of the river, of which I myself have enjoyed in abundance. As they where continually fishing on the beach, usually with three or four nets, they never made a haul without devoutly is regaling us with a part of it”.
Since the beginning of recorded history-Spanish time, our fishermen have used nets or woven bamboos to catch fish from the sea or river and in the local dialect we call this salud.
On the other hand, aside from our winter resources, our forests, farmers and hills also abound in rich natural resources.
The book further states; “Tigbauan has a very beautiful district with many villages extending more than six leagues along the coast of the sea; the entire district is well supplied with game, fruits, and vegetables and fish from the sea. The people are very industrious and always pre-occupied the men with their fisheries and farming, the women with their spinning and weaving…”Primarily our farm product is rice. Whether crude farming ways and tools or modern agricultural machineries are used we use the term salud. In threshing rice using the old method or the modern equipment – kita nagasalud man gihapon. Our tuba is famous for its sweetness and as practiced and tuba ginasalud kang salud. Thus, the Saludan Festival is born.
Adlaw sang Tigbauan
The former Lady Mayor of Tigbauan, Hon. Myrna M. Torres, has envisioned Tigbauan to be a peaceful and progressive town. As a mayor she instills in the minds of every Tigbaueño to love this town and to cherish its rich historical legacy. During her first term in 1998 she signed an Executive Order declaring the third Friday of October every as the “Adlaw sang Tigbauan”. The assigning of October as the month where the “Adlaw Sang Tigbauan” falls is very significant.
History tells us that because of the increase in population in Sirawagan area (the place where the Bornean datus settled), the families from the tribes of Labing-Isog and Mangwalis sought for greener pasture. Following the course of the rising sun they landed in the place which they called “Katigbawan” because of the plentiful growth of giant grasses known to them as “tigbaw”. This place was said to be Parara by word of mouth handed down from generation to generation, it is believed that the families of Labing-Isog and Mangwalis reached the place when the native feasted for bountiful rice.
To the present time, the season for gathering rice crop is mostly in October. During this time of the year the fishermen also rejoice for a bountiful sea catch. Thus, “Adlaw Sang Tigbauan” is celebrated in October. To make this day more significant, the “Saludan Festival" was lunch.
Tigbauan, is one of Iloilo's treasure trove, packed with "gems" from more than a millennium of historical significance. With one foot in the past, and the other in the present, Tigbauan allows every visitor a glimpse of its heady blend of architectural masterpieces and natural wonder, the town's 134 years of history are on display when you look.
Formerly known as "Katigbawan" (field of reeds), Tigbauan is a fourth-class town 22.5 kilometers from Iloilo City. Its geographical position make it part of the First District clusters of towns in the province. Occupying the southern part of the province, it is bordered in the north by Leon, San Miguel in the northwest, in the east by Oton, the Iloilo Strait in the south and west by Guimbal.
Its total area is 6,062 hectares. Flat terrain account for 75 percent of that figure, with 94% devoted to agriculture.
The town delights its St. John of Sahagun Parish. Constructed using forced labor under Fray Florencio Martin in 1867, its beautiful baroque facade in rococo finish, allow visitors a glimpse of the community's intense spirituality. The church's remarkable architecture with its façade and tower, survived the ravages of the Second World War and the great earthquake in 1948. Presently, the mystical beauty of its altar depicts heaven and Dante's Inferno; the church walls with the Way of the cross, all done in intricate mosaic of colored stones is a sight not to be missed. On its churchyard remained a marker of what used to be the site of the first Jesuit boarding school for boys in the Philippines established in 1592 and renowned that time for their liturgical music during church services.
Relatively unknown to most Ilonggos, the beach in Barangay Parara was the landing site of America's 40th Infantry Division to liberate Panay and Romblon during the Second World War in March 18, 1945. The same area became the landing site in the 13th century of the descendants of the Bornean Datus.
Although relatively small, Tigbauan is one of Iloilo's leading towns in fish production. Its municipal waters, abundant with fish are oftentimes producing more than what residents can consume. Three of from its ten coastal barangays namely, Barroc, Atabayan and Bangingin are engaged in bagoong production and are shipped and sold in Manila, Cebu and Mindanao areas. Dried small shrimps or hipon are exported as far as Japan and other ASEAN regions. The presence of SEAFDEC (South East Asian Fishery Development Center) in Barangay Buyu-an, complete with amenities and facilities, caters information and technical service on bangus and prawn culture.
Although Tigbauan is a fourth-class town, those who want in on the action head straight for the adjacent barangays a few meters away from the town's poblacion. Coco-Grove, Sunflower and Sol Y Mar beach resorts embrace the playground of the tanned and in high spirits.
S T A T I S T I C S
| Region | REGION VI (Western Visayas) | Code | 060000000 |
| Province | ILOILO | Code | 063000000 |
| Municipality/City |
TIGBAUAN |
Code | 063045000 |
| Income Classification: | 3rd Class | Registered Voters (2007): 33,901 |
| Urban/Rural: | Partially Urban | Population : (as of Aug 1, 2007): 54,574 |
| District: | 1st |
| Barangays (Number: 52) | |||
| Name | Code | Urban/Rural | Population (as of Aug 1, 2007) |
| Alupidian | 063045001 | Rural | 353 |
| Atabayan | 063045002 | Rural | 2483 |
| Bagacay | 063045003 | Rural | 1517 |
| Baguingin | 063045004 | Rural | 3073 |
| Bagumbayan | 063045005 | Rural | 1500 |
| Bangkal | 063045006 | Urban | 838 |
| Bantud | 063045007 | Rural | 473 |
| Barangay 1 (Pob.) | 063045008 | Urban | 964 |
| Barangay 2 (Pob.) | 063045009 | Urban | 1146 |
| Barangay 3 (Pob.) | 063045010 | Urban | 815 |
| Barangay 4 (Pob.) | 063045011 | Urban | 906 |
| Barangay 5 (Pob.) | 063045012 | Urban | 518 |
| Barangay 6 (Pob.) | 063045013 | Urban | 664 |
| Barangay 7 (Pob.) | 063045014 | Urban | 1313 |
| Barangay 8 (Pob.) | 063045015 | Urban | 1200 |
| Barangay 9 (Pob.) | 063045016 | Urban | 986 |
| Barosong | 063045017 | Rural | 1198 |
| Barroc | 063045018 | Rural | 1984 |
| Bayuco | 063045019 | Rural | 508 |
| Binaliuan Mayor | 063045020 | Rural | 1247 |
| Binaliuan Menor | 063045021 | Rural | 732 |
| Bitas | 063045022 | Rural | 1745 |
| Buenavista | 063045023 | Rural | 703 |
| Bugasongan | 063045024 | Rural | 288 |
| Buyu-an | 063045025 | Rural | 2934 |
| Canabuan | 063045026 | Rural | 635 |
| Cansilayan | 063045027 | Rural | 286 |
| Cordova Norte | 063045028 | Rural | 1549 |
| Cordova Sur | 063045029 | Rural | 1115 |
| Danao | 063045030 | Rural | 549 |
| Dapdap | 063045031 | Rural | 682 |
| Dorong-an | 063045032 | Rural | 2171 |
| Guisian | 063045033 | Rural | 311 |
| Isawan | 063045034 | Rural | 323 |
| Isian | 063045035 | Rural | 395 |
| Jamog | 063045036 | Rural | 653 |
| Lanag | 063045037 | Rural | 895 |
| Linobayan | 063045038 | Rural | 474 |
| Lubog | 063045039 | Rural | 503 |
| Nagba | 063045040 | Rural | 701 |
| Namocon | 063045041 | Rural | 2128 |
| Napnapan Norte | 063045042 | Rural | 1952 |
| Napnapan Sur | 063045043 | Rural | 1508 |
| Olo Barroc | 063045044 | Rural | 381 |
| Parara Norte | 063045045 | Rural | 1908 |
| Parara Sur | 063045046 | Rural | 2093 |
| San Rafael | 063045047 | Rural | 394 |
| Sermon | 063045048 | Rural | 361 |
| Sipitan | 063045049 | Rural | 476 |
| Supa | 063045050 | Rural | 447 |
| Tan Pael | 063045051 | Urban | 1262 |
| Taro | 063045052 | Rural | 334 |
Notes:
1. Figures on registered voters are partial data from Commission on Elections (COMELEC) which may still be subject to corrections/adjustments from their field offices
2. Figures on registered voters exclude data on absentee voters.
3. Figures on registered voters are as of April 20, 2007.
4. PSGC Information are as of 31 December 2008.
5. Income Classification based on Department of Finance Department Order No.20-05 Effective July 29, 2005.
6. Urban/rural classification based on 2000 CPH, Report No. 4 Urban Population, National Statistics Office, June 2006.
7.Legislative District Source: Records and Statistics Division, Commission on Elections (COMELEC): As of May 2008.
8. Population (as of August 1, 2007): a) Total Population Count by Region, Province, City/Municipality and Barangay as of August 1, 2007 ; b) Population of Highly Urbanized Cities (HUCs) are excluded in the total population of their respective provinces but are included in the regional total; and c) Population of barangays with boundary disputes are excluded in total population of their respective municipalities and cities but are included in the provincial and regional total. Source: 2007 Census of Population: National Statistics Office (NSO).
9. Population counts for the regions do not add up to national total (88,574,614).
