PART 28 A HISTORY OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF POZORRUBIO BY: LORENZO C. LLAMAS

PART 28 SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT THE LLAMAS FAMILY OF THE PHILIPPINES

 BY: DEO ANTONIO D. LLAMAS    

A History of the Municipality of Pozorrubio By: Lorenzo C. Llamas

As an avid Historian my self I am  happy to have known  one young historian in the name of  Lorenzo C. Llamas   who at his young age have writen two novels already"  The Republic " and The Afternoon of Fools. And now this “A History of the Municipality of Pozorrubio” . Being an SK 1st kagawad member this young lad had made an effort to update their  history as well as express his love for his home town. Lorenzo C. Llamas is currently a Pre-medical student taking up B.S.Pharmacy at the University of Luzon Pozzorobio Extension Campus. Another future Doctor in the Llamas Family.

And I would like to post as well two distinguished sons of Pozzorobio Fr. Adonis Llamas Narcelles, Jr. SVD, Chaplain of the Filipino Community in Berlin and Praeses of the SVD Community in Berlin, founder of the Words of Life Mission and the first Filipino SVD Missionary to die in Germany and  Dr. Francisco Llamas, Sr. M.D., M.P.H. ( former Sangguniang Bayan Member and the 1st Chief of Hospital of Pozorrubio Community Hospital) former Chief of Hospital of Lagos, Nigeria.

“A History of the Municipality of Pozorrubio” 

BY: Lorenzo C. Llamas

FOREWORD December 1, 2011 Pozorrubio, Pangasinan To the reader Sir and/or Madam: Enclosed herewith is a copy of “A History of the Municipality of Pozorrubio” that by inspiration I have rewritten heavily based on the “Awaray baley na Pozorrubio” by Atty. Filomeno Magno and translated from the original vernacular (Pangasinan) by Mel Jovellanos. I have rewritten this to fulfill Atty. Magno’s “no bilang, saray caparak ya maalumiim ya mantombok ed siak, sikaralay mangokol na pangengendanan;...” Disclaimer: This narrative can no wise replace the invaluable contribution of the “Awaray baley na Pozorrubio” by Atty. Filomeno Magno and the translated version from the original vernacular (Pangasinan) by Mel Jovellanos and other sources to the history of Pozorrubio. This historical narrative just attempts to record all possible pertinent data prior to the History of the Municipality of Pozorrubio. Respectfully yours, Lorenzo C. Llamas, Jr. STORY OF THE FOUNDING OF POZORRUBIO Mythos About four centuries ago, Pozorrubio, still a part of the wilderness of North Western Luzon, was sporadically populated by the Igorots of Benguet origin. These early inhabitants thrived in their territories that are now present day Barangays Sugcong, Villegas, Inoman and Buneg. They subsist by hunting, fishing and gathering wild fruits, nuts and root crops. It is presumed that they had an organized society because when the Ilocanos immigrated to the area, they were met by an organized resistance from the Igorot tribe. Proving themselves, better at arms, the Ilocanos successfully drove the Igorots to the bordering mountain region where they still dwell today. The next stage in the history of Pozorrubio came in the latter part of the sixteenth century when a phalanx of Ilocanos from Bangar, La Union immigrated to Sitio Palacpalac. They were Ilocanos from the coastal plains pressed between the Central Mountains and the disputed West Philippine Sea who plumbed their way to the rich hinterlands in search for game in jungles, unchartered terrains and reddish floodwaters. These early settlers left their homes because they were also greatly oppressed by their conquistadores. Wave after wave of small groups of people followed from the towns of San Juan, San Fernando, Bauang, and even from Vigan, only driven by the desire of an acquisition of more satisfactory abode and land to cultivate. The adventurous race entrenched themselves at present-day Barangays Rosario, Buneg, Alipangpang, Imbalbalatong, Nama and Palacpalac. The Ilocanos are not alone in being the early settlers of Pozorrubio. Pangasinenses from the ancient Kingdom of Caboloan ruled by King Kasikis (present-day Caboloan is San Carlos City and Dagupan City) expansively called Binalatongan came simultaneously with the Ilocanos. They, the Pangasinenses, also left their homes to discover new lands where they could find peace and contentment. They settled in the South West part of the present day municipality, which are now the Barangays of Nantangalan, Bantugan, Amagbagan, Malasin and Dilan. The two tribes upon learning of each other’s presence in their respective vicinities cultivated a friendship that became the spark that lit the desire to form a community of their own. This merging was complicated by the problems of the tongue since their dialects were and still different. Through the culmination of the inter-marriages between the two tribes, lead the formation of a sitio. In March 12, 1834, the Sitio of Claris in San Jacinto, Pangasinan became a barrio by virtue of the petition by the Gobernadorcillo of San Jacinto to the once Governor-General, Pascual Enrile y Alcedo (1830-1835). The Vicar of the said town, Fr. Domingo Naval, inaugurated the new barrio. The barrio’s population at that time was about 700. In 1839, the foundations of a small church in Barrio Claris were laid down which was later finished in 1842. During that same period of time, a parochial school was opened. The priests of the said town went regularly to Claris via Nantangalan (a barrio) to say Mass, to conduct religious rites and visiting the villagers. The name Claris came from a legendary hero that led the sitio to battle against the incursive Igorots. Another version of the Mythos The story begins through the mists of history with the hardy race from the Ilocos coastal plains, pressed between the devil (mountains) and the deep China Sea, worked their way into the hinterlands and found rich hunt in jungles and fertile plains inundated by the reddish floodwaters of the Labayug and Aloragat rivers to the northeast, as well as the Angalacan River at the west to the southwest, jointed at the northern portion by the Bued River that branched off in the present areas of Sison town. The adventurous Ilocanos settled in groups at different areas now known as Rosario, Buneg, Alipangpang, Imbalbalatong, Nama, Palacpalac and as a matter of fact even further than the present territorial limits of this “red river valley”! At the same time descendants of Princess Urduja’s kins at Tawalisi or Talamasin, or Caboloan during King Kasiki’s realm, expansively called later as Binalatongan embracing the areas of Mangaldan, San Jacinto, San Fabian, etc. also penetrated northeastward past the Nantangalan-Bantugan hills, crossed the Angalacan River and finally settled at the rich water –source fields of AMAGBAGAN (the area clearly pinpointed site of the old barrio, CLARIS) and its outskirts. Indigenous natives inhabited the territory as well as the Caraballo mountain-sides (now bordering Benguet). The tribes were called BAGO-a close relative to the Ibaloi Igorots (whose dialect up to the present has closely similar words, e.g. diman in Pangasinan (meaning there) is pronounced SHIMAN (there to) ion Ibaloi; danum (water in Pangasinan) is pronounced Shanum (water in Ibaloi). Just like any other native-dwellers, the Bago-Igorots who found their “hunting territory” invaded or shared the bounties of nature with others, which alone was theirs in the past, soon waged war and plunder against the Ilocos-Pangasinan migrants. The Ilocanos and Caboloan tribesmen having better communal relationships combined their combat forces and rallied behind Claris, a powerful man and goliath of his time as their warrior-champion. Using his big, long talunasan (native bolo) forged by the ancient smiths, Claris, led the combined Ilocano-Pangasinan forces and drove the Bago-Igorots deeper into the Caraballos. To honor Claris, the sitio was named after him (then re-classified later as a barrio of San Jacinto municipality). The Founders of the Town of Pozorrubio 1867 AD Don Benito Estaris Magno, husband of Doña Francisca Aldana, born in the town of San Jacinto, Pangasinan at more than 40 years of age, he thought of converting the Barrio of Claris or Palaris which was part of San Jacinto, into an independent town. First, because of most of farming and grazing lands and many of livestock were located there and second, the newly-established municipality of Alava (Sison) was seriously considering the annexation of the barrio. He did not lose time in broaching the idea to some of his San Jacinto town-mates who also owned estates and herds of livestock in Barrio Claris. The men were: Don Agustin Venezuela, Don Miguel Arabe, Don Domingo Aldana, Don Jose Sabolboro and Don Tobias Paragas. After Don Benito’s clear explanations, the gentlemen pledged their full support to the proposal and also promised to give whatever financial assistance necessary in the follow-ups to be made in the Capital. The influential and affluent gentlemen held their secretly meetings in the Magno Residence. The proposal soon reached the ears of a certain Olarte who immediately relayed to the town’s Parish Priest. This Dominican Friar did not lose a second in calling for the presence of Don Benito to the convent. When Don Benito arrived in the convent, the friar got angry at the gentleman. The friar castigated him for his proposal of putting up another independent town, culled from some San Jacinto territories. He called Don Benito an ignorant Indio and angrily told him that the town of San Fabian was recently formed out from San Jacinto, getting a big chuck of territory and here comes an affluent Indio proposing the independence of another Hyacinthian barrio thereby agitating the further lessening of the size of the town. It was enough for the Kura. The infuriated Kura Paroko slapped Don Benito and said, “sulong, nakala, Indio!” Don Benito informed his group the minutes of the meeting with the friar. They wanted to complain about the behavior of the priest but then decided not to, knowing that at that time that priests were given more importance and consideration by higher authorities, especially those by those in Manila. And so, nothing happened with the group’s first proposal in Manila. The Kura Paroko had pre-empted their plot. The priest had informed the Government and the Governor-General that the aforementioned Barrio Claris was nothing but a thick wilderness with but a few livestock and teeming with wild beasts such as snakes. The priest accentuated that it is impossible to put up a convent and a church in that barrio. Ergo, it is unfit for the barrio to be upgraded into a pueblo. Don Benito’s first petition went awry so the group resorted on hope and prayer. The Second Petition After a few months, the friar who slapped Don Benito was suddenly replaced by a confrere, a certain Reverendo Padre Lucio Ascencio. After some time, the good priest said Mass in Barrio Bantugan where Don Benito was also present. Fr. Ascencio was very much impressed at the number of people who attended the Holy Mass which was considerable. When the priest called Don Benito, Don Benito told to the priest his petition to make the place independent from San Jacinto. Whereupon Don Benito told that the proposed place was somewhere else to the East. The priest was also told that Barrio Claris also had a chapel and a convent which were during that that time under construction. Fr. Ascencio was more sympathetic with the gentleman’s plea. He told the sincere gentleman to contact a certain Domingo Castro in the provincial capital of Lingayen who was well versed in the preparation of petitions like for instance the case of Don Benito Magno. The priest told him that when the documents are ready, he will let him review them and if necessary, make certain additions. After Don Benito’s return from the capitol and after the priest had reviewed the documents, Fr. Ascencio enclosed a letter address to the Governor-General, highly endorsing the petition that would make the Barrio Claris into an independent municipality. However, he also recommended that they look for another name for the new town because according to the priest, Claris was derived from the name of Juan de la Cruz Palaris, the leader of a rebellion against the Spanish Rule in 1762 and centered the rebellion to the town of Binalatongan now San Carlos. In the year 1762 one of the bloodiest and most organized rebellions against the Spaniards was declared by Palaris which spread throughout the province of Caboloan or Pangasinan. Palaris succeeded in the rebellion for a while, even proclaiming himself King of Pangasinan, Zambales, Ilocandia and Pampanga. The petition was brought to Manila by Don Benito himself on June 19, 1868. He was accompanied by his brother-in-law Don Domingo Aldana and by Don Agustin Venezuela. They were also accompanied by Don Domingo Castro these are the reasons for the petition: To stop the frequent robberies by the Igorots who lived in the nearby mountains and their Christian allies, To stop contrabands and smuggling of tobacco, To foster agriculture and increase the tribute, and To enable the inhabitants who lived far from San Jacinto to fulfill their religious duties, Because of the favorable endorsement of Fr. Ascencio, the petition was well received in the office of the Capitan-Heneral who told them to return to San Jacinto to wait. After a few weeks, word received that the Capitan-Heneral had approved the petition but the confirmation should have to be given by the Spanish Chief Minister (Ministro de Ultramar) in Madrid, Spain. At that time, the title of the king’s Chief Minister was the Conde de Pozor. Fr. Ascencio suggested that because of the red well he saw in Bantugan, he added the Spanish word “rubio” to the king’s Chief Minister, Pozor- thus the name of the new town became Pozorrubio. In Spain, the people call the well where they get water as Pozo Blanco and the hole where they discard their stool as Pozo Negro. Since in the area of the new town they found a red well, they called it the place of the red well but they also found it convenient to honor the Royal Chief Minister who was the Count of Pozor (thus this explains why the spelling of Pozorrubio has to r’s). This was deemed better because it sounded different and exceptional from the usual names of towns at that time which were in honor of saints. On August 7, 1868, Don Domingo Estaris dela Cruz, Gobernadorcillo of San Jacinto and the Communidad de Principales favourably endorsed the petition and transfer of the site of the town proper of Claris to Sitio Cablong. At the time of the approval for the independent status of Pozorrubio came, the construction of the Suez Canal was under construction. It took two to three months for the sailing ships between Manila by way of the Cape of Good Hope. At that time in 1868 there were now steamboats yet and all the ocean liners relied on the power of the wind through the sails. The Spanish Monarch at that time was Queen Isabel II of the House of Bourbon (the last monarch before a provisional government that lasted from 1868 to 1870). When the Petitioners Received the approval On the 13th of August 1868 the official order from the Spanish Governor-General Carlos Maria Torre y Navarrada (1869-1871) was received, ordering the Legal Magistrate in the Province of Pangasinan to organize a new town independent from San Jacinto, in the then Barrio Claris and further ordering for the setting up of the territorial boundaries and appoint the twelve pioneering founders, to compose the first officials of the new town. As was the custom of those days, the 12 officials will select from among themselves the Capitan or Gobernadorcillo which is the equivalent of the Municipal Mayor; the Teniente Mayor and the ten Anacbanua or Concejalos. The word “banua” refers to the sun that rises during sunrise and sets during sunset. The twelve are: 1. Don Benito Magno 2. Don Francisco Callao 3. Don Bartolome Naniong 4. Don Jose Songcuan 5. Don Tobias Paragas 6. Don Bernardo Olarte 7. Don Juan Ancheta 8. Don Pedro Salcedo 9. Don Domingo Aldana 10. Don Pedro Ytliong 11. Don Antonio Sabalboro 12. Don Protasio Venezuela After the survey was made denoting/delineating the territorial jurisdiction of the newly formed town centred in Barrio Claris, a new designation was created for whoever would govern the new town. This temporary official was known as Tiniente Basal which was higher than a Tiniente Concejal since he holds the position of the Municipal Mayor and Town Judge. After a few months, the Tiniente Basal was replaced by the Capitan Basal. However, on November 3, 1869, during the first election held in the Municipal Tribunal in Claris, elected as Gobernadorcillo was Don Benito Estaris Magno. He took his office on January 13, 1870. Why they had transfer to a new Town site in Barrio Cablong In that course of time, Fr. Pablo Almazan who regularly went to Claris every Sunday to celebrate Mass observed the annual floods that inundated the new town site. Most of the barrio was muddy and flood prone. After consultations with Don Benito Magno and the Anabanua, they decided to transfer the site to a place which is dry, flat, and has available timber and lumber materials. After several foot surveys, Fr. Almazan and the other town officials decided that Sitio Cablong had the best site for which the new town proper can be transferred. Cablong was the name of the Chieftain of a people who were called the “Balang” (literally a “lost people”), a learned and civilized people who originally came from Malaya. They were supposed to land in Manila (where the Malays has settlements) but instead landed along the shores of Mapantalan (now San Fabian) then proceeded to Panalagdan (now Mangaldan). Because no one opposed them they went on eastwards and arrived at Pugaro which is now part of Manaoag where they were opposed by a big group of Aetas, a people who had curly hair, dark complexion and limited physical height. They fought and the Aetas lost and so further retreated further into the mountains of Mt. Arayat in Pampanga and the mountains of Nueva Ecija. This group of Malays settled in these parts and Cablong was the name of one of their leaders. He was the strongest, and wisest among the Balang people. They named the place Cablong in his honor. During pre-Hispanic times people only had one name. Nobody used surnames. From Claris to Cablong When the best location for the town proper was ascertained and surveys indicated where to build the Tribunal, the Catholic Church and convent, town plaza and their respective walls or fences, plans were being finalized for the cleaning and clearing of the aforementioned places. During that time the townspeople were assembled by means of the continuous beating of a big drum called a “redoblante” which was placed atop the tallest tree so that it could be heard far and wide. All able-bodied males who did not respond to the call of the drums were arrested by the civil guards and their hands were tied behind their backs with the same rope used in tying carabaos. Working for public projects during the Spanish times were usually without compensation. The arrested maligners who do not have sufficient explanations were given various punishments like three or six beatings of the rattan cane or sometimes they were put in the cepo, a wooden contraption where they hung feet first, with their feet enclosed between two wooden boards. It took a decade to prepare the new site in Barrio Cablong. Ten years of surveying the residential lots and construction of the well-planned streets, the Municipal Tribunal, the church and the convent, the town plaza, and other government edifices. Even when everything was ready, the townspeople still refused to transfer to because they still do not have a regularly-assigned parish priest. THE PARISH CHURCH When Pozorrubio became an independent parish, a temporary church was laid in Cablong, now the town proper; it was made of red bricks (as you might see on the cracked walls and at the back of the Church), albumen, a substitute for water, and sand. The new church was warmed on July 26, 1879 by the Vicar Julian Lopez of San Jacinto and on the fifth of December of that same year, Fr. Joaquin Gonzales, a Dominican, became the first parish priest. St. Philomena was chosen to be its Patroness. It is said that the said friar brought in the icon the Blessed Mother, the dolorous Mother, Saint Joseph, the black Nazarene, Saint Dominic and the once Patron, Saint Philomena all were made in ivory (tusks of elephants). Fr. Gonzales supervised the construction of the road going to Alava (now Sison). The influx of the people increased gradually since 1882 with 5743. In 1886, the population went up by 8853. Most of the inhabitants were Catholics. There were many treasures of the said parish: the silver items, 3 chalices, 3 ciboria, 1 monstrance, the golden items, 1 rosary, 4 rings, 2 earrings, all for the Blessed Virgin. The next Spanish Parish Priest was Fr. Cipriano Campalegas, who succeeded the latter’s death from Small Pox (according to others from Measles) on 29 March, 1884 (since inoculation for that disease was not yet popular in the Philippines). His funeral was the biggest ever held in Pozorrubio and his mortal remains were interred in the altar of the old chapel built in Claris. In 1888, Fr. Silvestre Fernandez (1887-1893) built the convent and established a school, where the villagers may learn, read and write in cáton, a form of instruction conducted by the friar. At that same time, a Tribunal or Municipio was built at the corner of the Osmeña and Rizal and streets of which it was torn down in 1925 and it was rebuilt in the present site. Fr. Fernandez taught the people how to make a mortar a type of cooking tool and bricks (such as those seen on the protruding walls of the Church). Since the town was hilly, especially in the barrios, clay was abundant so brick-making was made its economic source. The said friar taught the people in choosing the right type of wood for house construction that is best suited to the climate of the country and could withstand the frequent rains and typhoons. He also improved the roads, sewage and the country-sides. In order to beautify the country-side he ordered that the houses be built on both sides of the road. Canals were dug and the roads were elevation to preclude its destruction during the rainy season. He also supervised the construction Caminos leading to Binalonan and Manaoag. He built the birck-walled cemetery on that is still standing today. He was one of the best Spanish Friars sent to Pozorrubio. The next Spanish Friar was Fr. Mariano Rodriguez (1893-1899) took over the parish on the 13th of February. He started the renovation of the church to be a 74.57m long and 23.50m wide and 5m high church. Unfortunately it was not finished because of the war against the Americans. (Note: The heathen Americans bombed the belfry <bell tower=""> which was a 4 storey tall tower located on the left side of the Church. There were donors for the Church bells and holy icons. Doña Maria Arenas (Bai Anguit of the Venezuela Clan) donated the second largest bell and the largest was donated by Anakbanua and former Gobernadorcillo Don Protacio Venezuela; another one was donated by Don Nicholas Lopez and a stationary one by Fr. Fernandez. The bells were hoarded by the heathen Japanese and melted them to become bullets. The Parish’s treasures were either stolen by heathen Japanese or bombed during the Second World War. Fortunately, the walls of the church were spared.) The holy icon of St. Philomena was donated by the early town fathers like Don Benito Magno, and 11 fellow cofounders. The image of Santo Entierro was donated by Doña Maria Arenas. The Black Nazarene was donated by Doña Valeriana Arabe (daughter of Don Manuel Arabe); a smaller icon of the former patron saint was donated by Fr. S. Fernandez. The risen Christ icon was donated by a Doña Maria Paragas Olarte, wife of Kapitan Doroteo Olarte. The third renovation happened during the term of Fr. Lucilo Meris (1899-1928), the first Filipino Parish Priest of Pozorrubio. The width and length of the church remained the same; the length of the church was to 42m (you could still see the ladrillos at the back of the church). The Americans bombed again the church and convent on January 7 1945 during the Liberation of Luzon. I wonder why the Americans must have to bomb churches to liberate that island. The post-war church was rebuilt at the same site by Fr. Gregorio Gabriel (1933-1947) and improved by Fr. Emilio Cinense (1947-1952). He was later named the former Bishop of San Fernando, Pampanga. The late parish priest, Fr. Alfredo Cayabyab (1954-1967) reconstructed the church on the same site. The Patron Saint of Pozorrubio is now St. Jude Thaddeus circa 1967. The recent renovation was done on 1990. A new convent to house the priests was warmed on 2008. A bigger than life size statue of the Patron, St. Jude Thaddeus is now seen facing the archaic gate of the parish since 2010. The sirens are blown bis in die at 12:00pm and on 6:00pm for Angelus or for the Regina Coeli on Easter. St. Jude Thaddeus Parish Church is one of the only churches in the Philippines without a belfry and uses sirens to sound the prayers. The sacristy was recently moved to the storeroom for the convenience of the priests in entering the altar on May 7, 2011. The list of the Parish Priests of Pozorrubio: Fr. Joaquin Gonzales (1879-1884) Fr. Cipriano Campalegas (1884-1887) Fr. Silvestre Fernandez (1887-1893) Fr. Mariano Rodriguez (1893-1899) Fr. Lucilo Meris (1899-1928) Fr. Domingo Montano (1928-1932) Fr. Basilio Martin (July 13-15 1932) Fr. Gregorio Gabriel (1933-1947) Bishop Emilio Cinense (1947-1952) Fr. Domingo Frias (1952-1954) Fr. Alfredo Cayayab (1954-1967) Fr. Amado Lopez (1967-1972) Fr. Ernesto Fernandez (1972-1974) Fr. Felipe Matias (1974-1977) Fr. Luis Ungsong (1977-1981) Fr. Aureliano Ruiz (1981-1986) Fr. Adolfo Paroni, Jr. (1986-1987) Fr. Eugenio De Vera (1987-1992) Fr. Primo Garcia (1992-1993) Fr. Arturo Aquino (1993-1998) Bishop Marlo Peralta, VG (1998-2004) Fr. Teofilo Calicdan (2004-2010) Fr. Hurley John Solfelix (2010- ) The way to progress Don Benito Magno, paramount leader of the “independence” petitioners, was chosen the first Capitan – the Father of Pozorrubio – on January 13, 1870. He laid the groundwork; he framed the vision; he launched “the journey of a thousand miles” to reach a great destiny for a great, resilient and robust people. The building up process was difficult – from Don Benito through the other town-heads that followed him. Pestilence, crop failures, calamities. The people of Pozorrubio suffered…. But they were unbowed! When revolution 1896 came Pozorrubio inhabitants stood solid and strong – under the banner of Katipunan. They shared the joys of seeing the Filipino flag flying alone against the tropic sky. The Filipino anthem sang at Bautista/Bayambang (from Jose Palma lyre and Julian Felipe’s tune) swept their spirits high, especially when General Emilio Aguinaldo dropped by Pozorrubio with his cavalry during the 1898-1901 Filipino-American War. As of March 2, 1903 (first census) Pozorrubio’s population trebled to 33,006. Census 1975 figured Pozorrubio citizenry at 36,904. Pozorrubio school system includes two high schools – St. Philomena’s Academy (Private Sectarian) and Pozorrubio High School (Public). Secondary education has reached the barrios thru the barrio high schools. Elementary education is provided by 35 schools, even as vocational or trade education in the town is offered by the Pozorrubio Vocational School. Overall, the literacy rate is 80% (better than Provincial average of 79%), and better than the national average of about 72% in 1970. Before the old classification, Pozorrubio hit the second class, but the new 1975 presidential decree, they re-classified it to 4th class. Famous for her agricultural products of rice, corn, peanuts, camotes, garlics, onions, mungo, and other salacious foods, Pozorrubio is veritably Baguio City’s rice-granary and other food source-supplier. The native tobacco produced in Pozorrubio compares favourably with Isabela’s and it has practically provided the export needs of Go Fay Tobacco Company, and other tobacco dealers. The famous “Dilan bamboo-crafts” cross the oceans to bring in big amount of dollars, alongside the woodworks and craft of Batakil/Bobonan. Sugar cane planters, esp. in the northeastern part of Pozorrubio provide much of the cane needs of the Hind’s Sugar Central at Manaoag, barely nine kilometers to Pozorrubio’s southwest. Her panocha and delicacies of patopat, cassava desserts or condiments, and other local rice-cakes flow out to Dagupan, Baguio, Urdaneta, Manila and other communities to give rich income to cottage-confectioners. Neighboring the town Sison, just nine kilometers north of Pozorrubio has practically made this place her market-center, added up by traders and consumers-buyers from Rosario, L.U., as well as the Kennon road communities. The banana hillside and ginger fields of Labayug, Alibeng and other places of the Caraballos provide Pozorrubio with enough wholesale business, even as the Northern Cement in the Labayug area furnishes the construction requirements of surging Pozorrubio. Binalonan to the southeast, but bounded by the Aloragat river feeds Pozorrubio with numerous trade transactions, e.g. the NGA warehousing plants there, just nine kilometers away. San Jacinto’s boundary to Pozorrubio’s western and southern hilly terrain is provided a gravel road-way thru Nantangalan and Bantugan, but most of the products from the place are vegetables, coconuts and buri products. The same is true with north-west area bounding the San Fabian-Sison sector. Travellers especially tourists are amply provided with a net-work of cement and asphalt roads that fan out from Pozorrubio Poblacion. The road leading to Baguio and other northern communities is an all-cement complex; the road to Manila via Binalonan is likewise as good. The Dagupan-Manaoag roadway, however, is still asphalt and narrow but is heavily laden with traffic from Dagupan and the other central and western areas of Pangasinan. Tourist-delights of Pozorrubio are vast and numerous. The tree-houses are an attempt to prettification (of course it needs art there, too, including immaculate cleanliness), of the plaza and municipal hall complex. All tourist-visitors of Pozorrubio can take a full view of the Lingayen Gulf atop the famous Buccat Hill, north of Poblacion that reached through roadways via Nama Barangay. The place is a favorite of Boy Scout campers, excursionists and lovers of nature who seemingly can reach for the sky, or relish the whole picturesque landscape all around. Another good spot for tourists is the famous EMMANUEL CURATIVE SPRINGS at Barangay Pugaro, past Nantangalan, close to the boundary of Manaoag. For excursionists’ picnic site also, is the Don Benito area nestled in the hills, but with plenty of bath-pools and shaded tree for lovers, rendezvous. INFRASTRUCTURAL CONSTRUCTION – In the last decade warehousing complexes have emerged in town. Food and bakery confectioners have multiplied and business has grown in leaps and bounds.b The development and growth of Pozorrubio is not a political issue. Local organizations like the Jaycees, the Lions’ Club, Thames operators, drivers, market vendors’ association, barangay civic organizations and the people have rallied to build up their town in more imaginative ways than one, esp. during Martial Law. A unique construction of a “cut-work” of road from the plaza towards the market place was a symbolic gesture of the private SALCEDO real estate owners to sacrifice monetary losses in favor of the people’s well-being. Road/bridge and infrastructural construction all over the municipality’s barangay have generated much progress of the townspeople. Mayor Artemio Saldivar details the development and construction programs, as follows: First – Peace and Order – disturbances are reduced to the minimum; in certain areas complete order. Petty thievery of all kinds has almost vanished; no known rustling case/s; no drunks nor night-prowlers; family-squabbles solved in the tradition of barangay settlements. Second – Community development that embraces infrastructural dimensions from roads, bridges, school-building, market renovation, farm irrigation, drinking water-municipal-wide cleanliness, and multiple array of improvements through citizens’ self-reliance and flexibility for harness in performing or accomplishing projects urgently needed. The “Awardee – One of Ten Outstanding Mayors of the Philippines, 1968″, Mayor Saldivar, points out numerous achievements during the seven (7) years of his Administration. He caps his dedication through scholarship grants for poor and deserving students. Every era or epoch, indeed, has its different set of challenges, and the past builders of Pozorrubio performed brilliantly with honor due them in Pozorrubio’s Hall of Fame. On the other hand, under Martial Law, Mayor Saldivar beams with the farm-to-market roads, widened or resurfaced. Barrio bridges join 21 of the barrio roads. Drinking water systems include 5 spring’s developed and 3 artesian wells; water-irrigation for the farms came from 18 dams to increase farm production. Construction of the irrigation dams covered prioritized barrios, according to “urgent need”. Some 26 units of school buildings all over have been provided the school-children; some monetary aid each at P1,000.00 has been extended to them. Health programs go with greater work intensification of nutritionist, family planning motivators, medical and dental service personnel and a vast array of New Society fieldsmen, including agriculturists, etc. involved in the total program. The other version of the progress of Pozorrubio The new town named the cacique Don Benito Magno as the first Captain or Gobernadorcillo. His tenure saw the creation of “anacbanuas” or lower nobilities (the Filipino baronage) in the town proper on whose shoulders laid the responsibility of the new town economically, socially, morally and spiritually. This period was characterized as a reign of peace. The new town proper, Poblacion, had only four streets during that time namely: Calles Rizal, Sison, Fenoy and Osmeña. In 1877 to 1892, the town faced many calamities as a result of the poor harvest, lawlessness and banditry which were rampant. The people also experienced the worst Cholera epidemic: claiming a minimum of 25 people a day for two months in the local populace. It was all due to the lack of medicine and the superstitious beliefs of the people. A new administration followed. It was marked by an outbreak of smallpox. Fr. Joaquin Gonzales was among those who died of smallpox. During this same period, Rinderpest broke out leaving behind 15 beasts of burden from the original 6000. To add to the tension of the people, the town also experienced its worst earthquake. The two years that followed were years of complete peace and bountiful harvests. Those years, however, were just like the calmness: the eye of the typhoon before the storm surge resumes. The following six years saw rampant massacres, abductions, pillages and banditry. The virus called “Nationalism” was spreading. The American troops came to the town about the early part of 1900. They established a military and civil government. Schools were also opened and taught by American soldiers. Gradually, they won the goodwill and cooperation of the people thus thrusting the town into rapid growth and modernization. After the anno mirabilis, calamities struck the town which lasted for 15 years. Hit by an El Niño, there was a poor harvest. But despite the tragedies the town faced, the people remained resilient and tolerated the creation of an annual town fair on the 12th of May. The next 25 years were marked with a period of rapid growth. Schools in the barrios were opened as well as the construction of a modern market. There was also an increase in agricultural production in the tobacco and sugar cane industry. There was also a great improvement on hygiene and sanitation. Many civic organizations were formed that contributed to the town’s improvement. Proceeds from the fiestas were also used for the construction of a clinic. The municipality of Pozorrubio fell into Japanese hands on December 23, 1941. The administration was reinstated, but in puppet capacity. The reign of bedlam commenced. There had been artificial food shortages especially in the livestock sector. The Japanese were reputed to have plundered the livestock and crops from the people using force and as well as stealing the icons at St. Jude Thaddeus Parish. On January 18, 1945, the town was liberated from the Japanese rule by the Americans. The Parish’s 4-storey belfry was obliterated as the result of a bomb explosion by one of the American Air Strikes. There was much rejoicing. The schools were reopened and business operations were resumed. The church was under renovation under Fr. Lucilo Meris. The payments of war damage claims facilitated the restoration process. High Schools started to flourish like the then Pozorrubio High School now Benigno V. Aldana National High School and St. Philomena’s Academy which are founded on 1947 and 1948 respectively. The town of Pozorrubio is still rising and will endure to rise with time. Pozorrubio currently is a 1st class municipality of the 5th District of Pangasinan. It is bordered by the North and East by the Municipality of Sison, on the West by the Municipalities of San Jacinto and San Fabian and on the South by Municipalities of Manaoag and Binalonan. Half of the inhabitants of Pozorrubio speak the Pangasinan dialect and the other half of the people speak in Ilocano. The recent developments of Pozorrubio are the building of two supermarkets namely: Magic Pozorrubio and Save Wise on 2010. The first university in Pozorrubio is the University of Luzon – Pozorrubio Satellite Campus established on 2009. Pozorrubio’s reputation as the “breeder of educators” is solid …apparently unchallenged. At the time Dr. Daniel Salcedo was the Director of the Bureau of Private Schools (he later became Undersecretary of Education) the late Dr. Benigno Aldana was simultaneously the Director of the Bureau of Public Schools (even as Dr. Manuel Lim of Bautista, Pangasinan was also at the helm of the Education Department as Secretary.) The footsteps of these educationists were followed by numerous sons and daughters of Pozorrubio, among whom are Executive Director Lourdes Lagera – Antiola, National Science Foundation,Science Talents’ Search (NSDB) Dr. Minda Cascolan-Sutaria, Asst. Director, Bureau of Elementary Education; President Crispin Cabanilla, Mariano Marcos Memorial Agri. College, Bacnotan, La Union; the late Supt. Maximiano Velasquez (of Sulo); Supt. Raymundo Aldana, BPS (Ret’d); and Ex-Supt. Gabertan; Children’s Museum and Library Chairman, Fernanda S. Balboa; Dr. Florencio Buen, Prov. Schools Supt. Of Pangasinan; U.E. Registrar, Teofilo Salcedo; PASS Secretary Lucio B. Fernandez (also Executive Asst. Office of Secretary Juan L. Manuel); Textbook Board-member and Science textwriter, Supv. Guillermo F. Cabanilla (former secretary to Mayor Saldivar); English textbook at UE writer, Prof. Salud Magno Parayno; Baguio Commerce Dean Moises Reyes, CPA; and a host of others too long to mention. A long line of successful and distinguished citizens from Pozorrubio include Dr. Cornelio Urbino, entomologist at the Malaria Control Division of the Department of Health; Mel Jovellanos, the writer of a Pangasinan-English dictionary and an anchor of the BOMBO RADYO DAGUPAN; Generals Jose Magno and Daniel Casabar; Ana “the Hurricane” Julaton; Barbara Salvador; Dr. Guillermo Cabanilla, author of more than 40 books in Science and Biology, (†) Fr. AdonisLlamas Narcelles, Jr. SVD, Chaplain of the Filipino Community in Berlin and Praeses of the SVD Community in Berlin, founder of the Words of Life Mission and the first Filipino SVD Missionary to die in Germany, Francisco Llamas, Sr. M.D., M.P.H. ( former Sangguniang Bayan Member and the 1st Chief of Hospital of Pozorrubio Commnity Hospital) former Chief of Hospital of Lagos, Nigeria; Ford Manager Juanito “Jerry” Marquez; Hotelier Mariano delos Reyes, Jr.; Lady business executive Mrs. Remedios Reyes-Rodis (Valrex); former Rep. Raymundo O. Camacho (1st Director of PGH) CPA Bonifacio Tambot; Manager, Tambot Rice Mill; Engr. – Business Executive Vivencio Araos of POACO; Baguio Tycoon Trinidad M. Nevada; Business Executive Fernando P. Magno (Goulds, Phils.); Dental Examiner, Dr. Alfonso Salcedo; Banker-lawyer Elena Magno-Cutay; Supv. Banker – CPA Felicidad Reyes-Delgado; Malacañang Social Secretary Rosario Jovellanos-Aurelio; Mining Engrs. Pastor (Sr. & Jr.) Quinto; Marsman Treasurer Catalino Salcedo, Sr.; Bus. Executive Laureano Callao, Sr. (Davao); Science writer/editor Tomas Tucay, NIST; Pilots Cesar S. Chaves, Saturnino Espinosa, Romeo Pajarillo and Dante Antenor; Clr. Marina Magno-Francisco; Clr. (Sang. Panlunsod, Baguio) Atty. Clemente Calpotura; Ateneo Psychologist Venancio Calputora, Jr.; Dr. Lorenzo Llamas, Sr. former National Treasurer of the Philippine Veterinary Medical Association, Bus. Executive Jose Venezuela, Sr.; Banker Isabelo G. Aldana, DBP; Engr. Marciano Itliong; Engr. Hilario Mariñas; TOYM Awardee Major Celestino Desamito, Jr.; 2nd Lady Mayor of Pozorrubio, Atty. Fe Fernandez-Bautista (now IBP Treasurer, Pang. Chapter); CPA Victorino Magno (Red Cross & YMCA); Engr. Tomas Caldito; Engr. Alej V. Joguilon; CFI Judge Pedro Quinto; Mons. Eleuterio Itliong; Hind’s Engr. Jovito Estaris, Sr. (note Dr. Jovito Estaris, Jr. was a topnotcher in US Medical Exams); Colonel Jose P. Magno, Jr.; Col. Francisco Cotongco; Col. Hermogenes Castillo; Col. Maxima Arciaga (Nurse); Col. Eduardo Arciaga (Graduate of PMA and on Court Martial Board, etc. trying detainees); Singer Susan Salcedo; Basketball Player Dante Ritualo; Venerable orator Don Juan Magno (vocal or Board-member), and so many others unlisted, at the present time. Here are the Mayors from 1869 to the present: Don Benito Magno (1869-1870) Don Manuel Arabe (1871-1872) Don Domingo Aldana (1873-1874) Don Benito Magno (1875-1876) Don Protacio Venezuela (1877-1878) Don Bernardo Olarte (1879-1880) Don Raymundo Magno (1881-1882) Don Juan Ancheta (1883-1884) Don Domingo Nabor (1885-1886) Don Doroteo Olarte (1887-1888) Don Raymundo Magno (1889-1892) Don Victorio Paragas (1891-1892) Don Ygnacio Aldana (1893-1894) Don Eustaquio Magno (1895-1898) Don Felipe Salcedo (1899) Don Jacinto Peralta (1900-1903) Don Vicente Olarte (1904-1905) Don Pedro Magno (1906) Don Antonio Aldana (1906-1907) Don Jose Perez Callao (1908-1909) Don Santiago Quinto (1910-1911) Don Jacinto Amansec (1912-1915) Don Juan Magno (1916-1922) Don Florentino Magno (1925-1928) Don Santiago Quinto (1928-1931) Don Domingo Magno (1928-1940) Don Claro Quinto (1940-1948) Don Eligio Fernandez (1948-1956) Don Olimpio Velasquez (1956-1960) Don Paulino de Vera (1960-1968) Don Artemio Saldivar (1968-1969) Doña Fe Bautista (1970-1971) Don Artemio Saldivar (1972-1986) Don Manuel Venezuela (1986-1998) Don Artemio Chan (1998-2007) Doña Emma Zosima Chan (2007-2010) Don Artemio Chan (2010-) O beloved Pozorrubio, golden meadows far and wide… Historic hometown, wealthy and cultured Pozorrubio “Baley mi!”</bell>