Literature in Lavezares

(This project is a work in progress by Mr. Rodel Cuyco and company. It is unedited and posted here.)

WAR SONG
Copy from the History of Lavezares Reading Material

(This song was being sung by Meritt and the Philippine Constabulary soldiers as they marched through their operation to flee towards the forest to hunt the Pulahanes or anti-americans.)


Linggawi/linggawin an kakadtuan
Mga asay an purik-anan
San mga tawu nga tampasakan

Diri ko karuyag nga luha mangarabigay
Kay asay an sumpa sugub ug sundang
Amu an hinganiban
Ngadtu sa pag-aawayan



ARINGKINDINGKINDING
A lullaby

(It was sung by Mamay Ompen Flores whenever she cradled a baby).

Aringkindingkinding
Si tatay mo hain ringkinding
Arinkindingkinding
Hanapa kun hain ringkinding
Ringkindingkinding
Arinkindingkinding
May tuyu na lain





AN IDRU
A lullaby

(Heard by the compiler from his father when he cradled to sleep his baby sister.)

Ini na idru, ini na idru maupay sakyan
Kay malaksi, kay malaksi dumalagan
Pira an pliti, pira an pliti
Unu baynti
Kada bwelta, kada bwelta
Dos kwarinta




ASAWA
(A Love Song)

(This song was taught to the compiler seven years ago by Nicanor Bordeos;
Copy from the Compiler?s file.)

Nanu nga imu aku in iinisugan
Baman sa balay may man katimahan
Atun bugas tunga sin garatsan
Atun igsura an gin tatakluban an ulu sin tamban

Hala na gad asawa lakaw na ngan pangutang
kay makadtu si Roger, ngadtu sa bulangan
baman kun mapirdi an imu inutang
imu pagbabaydan, imu pagbabaydan san imu in labhan

(UTRUHUN AN UNA NGA MGA LINYA)

Hala na gad asawa lakaw na ngan pangutang
Kay makadtu si Pedro, ngadtu sa huyguan
Baman kun mapirdi an imu inutang
Imu pagbabaydan, imu pagbabaydan san imu in labhan



LUBI-LUBI
(An Occupational Song)

Lubi-lubi lubi
Lubi lingkuranay
Akun pagsasak-un
Akun pagsasak-un
Dara ko an lahug ug dawatan

Kun maruruyag ka magkaun sin silut
Ay Diyos ko, nga didtu la
Kan nanay nga didtu la
Kan tatay na didtu la
Pakigsabut




AKO NAGTATANUM SIN LEMON
(An Occupational Song)

Ako nagtatanum sin lemon
Sa iyu libut bayai
Namunga kurikut, kurikut
Uyagan san buktut

Nang gamut ug nanaringsing
Tiunay kan Inday kasingkasing


AN MAYA
An Occasional Song

Nanu kay malipayun an maya
Nagsarayaw ngan nagkaranta
Malipayun kay waray uran
Nahihinug an kaparayan








ANTUNGA
(Children's Song)

Antunga Pitut
Na nala-utut
Antunga antunga
Antunga antunga
Pitut napara
Napara utut

MISAY MISAY
(Miscellaneous Song)

Misay Misay Misay
Na mambanun
Nagsulud sa kwartu
An suga gin parung
Dali-dali ko man na panginanuun
Misay Misay
Kinupkup man dayun

Hala la, sigi la kupkup la
Basi maubus na an iya mantika
Hala la, sigi la kupkup la
Basi maubus na an iya mantika








KAKURI SAN BUUT PAG-INU-INUHUN
(A Wedding Song)

Kakuri sa buut pag-inu-inuhun
Ini nga pagkasal di ko kaburut-un
Piru kay palad man ngan kasugu-anan
Akun kakayahun bisan ikamatay

Dinhi sinin balay akun kinamat-an
Mga handumanan di ko kalilimutan
Mga pagpalangga ni nanay ngan tatay
Nga waray pagkulang tikang pa san saday

KORO
Bisan ini nga sulud na akun katurugan
Inin akun katri hasta an ulunan
Bisan inin taplak akun hinumduman
San iyu pagpalangga nga waray hanturan

Si ako malusad kamu babayaan
An akun kabugtu-an di ko kalilimtan
An mga inup ko kunta man matuman
Bag-u nga pamilya nga akun dadatngan

KORO
Piru kun kinahanglan na kamu pagbalikan
Sugara la niyu ako mag-aandam
Lalaumi nala hasta nga kamatayan
An akun paghigugma...hasta kadayunan


KAUSWAGAN

(Composed by Barobaybay Mission School students
Copy from Mr. Rodel Cuyco's file)

Amun nadudumduman isturya san kaupayan
Sadtu nga panahun an tawu d? sugad niyan
Panginabuhi sadtu kwarta di? kinahanglan
An tawu naukuy sa maupay nga katuy-anan

KORO
Araway ug kabiduan di? maiimdan hasta niyan
Hiugmaay burubligay an tuyu san katilingban
Kalipay ug kaupay nakaukuy sa kabalayan
Kaupayan sa Lavezares naiimud kauswagan

Atun inu-inuun an kabataan niyan
Pukawun ipadumdum sa ira kauswagan
Buhayun an batas nga waray gin tatalikdan
Basi nira maadman nakita an katalwasan.
(UTRUHUN AN KORO 2X)
Kaupay sa Lavezares naiimud kauswagan



INNOCENT'S REVENGE

(Composed by Batch 20, a youth band,
Copy from Mr. Rodel Cuyco?s file)

Thousand lives are killed in each year
Their bodies lying dead on the street
Their innocence is victims of the violence
And there?s no one to be blame why they?re dead

The dead are rising from their tombs
Because of their anger to the world
The dead are rising from their tombs
Because of their anger to the world

The war are breakin? the silence
Their happiness are conquered by their fear
They?re calling their moms they wish for peaceful day for the world
(Repeat Chorus)
Ad lib (Repeat Chorus)


BUHAYIN ANG BANSA

(Composed by Batch 20, a youth band
Copy from Mr. Rodel Cuyco?s file)

Verse 1
Hoy! Hoy! Wala ka bang napupuna
Sa ating paligid na iyung namamata
?Diba?t bawat sapa?y halus patay na
Lahat ay kay dumi at kasumpa-sumpa

Verse 2
At kahit saan ay iyong madarama
Unti-unting paligid natin ay nawawasak na
Ang dating hanging kay sarap langhapin
Ngayo?y polusyon ang hated sa atin

Chorus
Tayong lahat ay magkaisa
Gamutin ang sugat na ating nadarama
Ang dating kalikasan ay ibalik na
Buhayin natin muli ang ating bansa

Verse 3
Mga lamang dagat ay nalalason
?Pagkat tubig natin an may polusyon
Mga punong sa atin ay nagbibigay sigla
Dahil lamang sap era, ngayo?y paubos na

Verse 4
Pagkawasak ng mga bahay at kagamitan
Dulot ng bahang sadyang napakalupit

LAVEZARES

(Composed by Val Delos Reyes
Printed in Lavezares Town Fiesta 2006 Souvenir Program)

Sa pagsidlit san adlaw sa sirangan
Kamurayawan an huni san katamsihan
Hangkupan sugad san paglaum
Lus-ay atun kabubuwasun
Pangandam ayat san kagab-ihun
Gin abiran balhas ug kakurian
San napara nga kaapuy-apuyan
Kapungut dinhi sa amun dughan

Lavezares tuna nga natawhan
Nahi-ipli an unud sa kasaysayan
Gin abiran balhas ug kakurian
San napara nga kaapuy-apuyan
Kapungut dinhi sa amun dughan

KORO

Lavezares ikaw an Pinonayan
Bahandi mo waray katugbang
Namumukadkad sin kahuraan
Sa pagbabag-u san kasaysayan
Lavezares amun pananalipdan
Pag atamanun san im kabataan
Salag ka yana sin kalipayan
Sayud an Ponay dinhi sa amun dughan

Kairu san tuna nga gin kamat-an
Kun ini atun la pagpasibay an
Sanglit gad kita manhunahuna
Daw talwas nga Ponay sa kalangitan
Magkampay tubtub sa kauswagan

(UTRUHUN AN KORO)

Babantayan san im katulina

 

LAVEZARES/PINONAYAN

(Composed by Rev. Fr. Alejandre V. Galias, SMAHE
Copy from Mr. Rodel Cuyco's file)

(This song is inspired by the brief history of Lavezares. Ponay is a kind of bird. The place where Ponay lived was called Pinonayan, which was a tiny fishing village where the early inhabitants, mostly Bicolanos, steadily grew in number. Henceforth, Ponay relocated in a mountain now called Pinonayan while the old Pinonayan has become Lavezares.)


O an tamsi nga layaw naglalayaw-layaw
Nahugdun nalupad bisan diin ikalpad
Sin balay siya waray nga sadang pamahuway
An tamsi nga layaw, an tamsi nga Ponay nakalipay

Kun an hangin amihan naglalayaw-layaw
Bis? pa ngani habagat nalupad sin kalipay
An tamsi nga Ponay sa puso makalumay
An tamsi nga Ponay, sa Pinonayan an puruy-anan

Lavezares san Norte bungtu nga minahal
Pury-anan sanhi san tamsi nga Ponay
Lavezares na niyan dati nga Pinonayan
An tamsi nga Ponay san Lavezares kalipayan



LAVEZARESNON
A party song

(Composed by Elementary Teachers
Copy from Mr. Rodel Cuyco?s file)

An Lavezaresnon makiangayun
Kamaabi-abihun ngan mabinuligun
Waray ka iiliwun kay pirmi malipayun
Maupay an pam,ayhun ngan mahiyum-hiyum

An Lavezaresnon makisasangkayun
Diri kaarawdan kay kakisasayawun
Hinggyap an kalipayan, waray na hahanapun
Kay an Lavezaresnon kalipay an ayun

KORO

Hala sigi sangkay sayaw na, an inu padis naghuhulat na
Mahusay siya, batan-un pa taga Lavezares na daraga
Paniguru ayaw pag-alang kay diri ka gud aatrasan
Basta sayaw diri naundang bisan maagahan

Dinhi sa Lavezares waray kabarak-un
Ngan diri kaaralngan kay bungtu na mahimyang
Damu an mahusay na kababayin-an
Bungtu san Lavezares imu makikit-an

An Lavezaresnon pirmi matawatawa
Kun inu kikitaun baga?n waray problema
Pirmi malipayun an pamahung-pahung
An mga pamayhun ka mahiyum-hiyum

BARAAN NA BIRHEN MARIA DE LE SALVACION
A festival song

(Printed in Lavezares Town Fiesta 2006 Souvenir Program)

Baraan na Birhen Maria De La Salvacion
Mahal na patrona san Lavezaresnon
Putli nga babayi labaw san ngatanan
Sa bug-us na bayhun sinin kalibutan

KORO

Sa mga binuhat ikaw an pinili
San Diyos magburuhat
San tuna ug langit maaghup nga iruy
San anak hamili aada sa Imu
Kauary nga hingpit

(Utruhun an una)
Aada sa Imo
Kauray na hingit


PONAY SONG

(PINONAYAN ORGANIZATION OF THE NEW ARTISTIC YOUTH)
(Val yma de rey)


1 -- ISANG KAWAN NG IBON AY MULING NAGLIPARAN MAY PATUTUNGUHAN PA NGA BA AT MADAPUAN?
TAGLAY NILA'Y PAKPAK, ALAMAT AT KASAYSAYAN
NA GAGABAY SA PAGBUO NG DATING KANLUNGAN


11 -- ITO'Y MUNTING PANGARAP NG MGA KABATAAN
MAG - ALAY NG TUWA, SIGLA'T MGA KAKAYAHAN
IBA'T - IBANG SINING ANG INYONG MAPAPANSIN
BIGYAN PO SANA NG DAAN GABAYAN
ANG AMING ADHIKAIN
La?. La?. La?.. la?. .la?. la ?.. .la ?. La?.. la? la la


KORO: MGA KABATAAN HALINA'T MAGKAISA
IWAKSI ANG MALING KAISIPAN
TULAD SA KAWAN NG PONAY, IBONG MALAYA
MAGHAHANAP NG PUNO MAY SANGA'T MAY BUNGA
ISANG PUGAD, ISANG KULTURA NG PINONAYAN
ITAGUYOD AT ITO'Y KAYAMANAN.


111 -- KAMI ANG KAWAN NG PONAY MAY ISANG HANGARIN
MAIBAHAGI SA INYO TALINO AT GALING
SANA'Y MAITUWID MAKITANG KAMALI- AN
MAGSILBING ARALAT HAMON SA
NAGKAKAISANG KABATAAN

(ULITIN ANG KORO)

?? TULAD SA KAWAN NG PONAY IBONG MALAYA
MAGHAHANAP NG PUNO, MAY SANGA'T MAY BUNGA


ISANG PUGAD, ISANG KULTURA NG PINONAYANAN
ITAGUYOD AT ITO'Y KAYAMANAN
MAGKAISA MGA KABATAAN
MAGKAISA MGA KABATAAN.

B U G S A Y P A R U P A N P A N G I S D A
(Val yma de rey)


I - INEN MGA BALUD SA KADAGATAN
GUINHUHUYOG SAN HANGIN NGA AMIHAN
RANGGAT SAN KABITUN- AN SA KALANGITAN
LAMRAG SA BALUTO NGA GUINDUDUYAN.

I - BUTNGA SININ LAWOD MAKULBA SA DUGHAN
LABI TIGDA NGA NASIRUM KALANGITAN
KAHADLUK ,SUBASKO BALUD NGA NADAGKO
KALANIT SAN URAN SUGAD DAW LATIGO.

KORO

BUGSAY PARUPANGISDA TUBTUB SA DURUNG - AN
BALUD NGA NASULOD BALUTO PALIMASAN
TIMBANG SA TAO, SUGAD MAN SA WALA
AYAW LA KAHULOP KAHADLOK SA DUGHAN LA
MANIMBANG KA NALA PARUPANGISDA



111- BUGASY NGA NAIBAS LABAY SAN PANAHON
LUBAD NGA HUKOT PUNU SIN TANGBOL
KAWIL NA MAY PAON PADAYON GUINTUTULON
ISDA NGA GUTOM HINGYAP GUD PAGKAON

KORO 11

BUGSAY PARUPANGISDA KAKURIAN PAGTABUKON
BALUD NGA NASULOD ANGAY PALIMASON
TIMBANG SA TUO, SUGAD MAN SA WALA
TAMA BA SANGKAY MAGLINGKOD SA BUTNGA
MANIMBANG KA NALA BA PARUPANGISDA.

(UTRO KORO 11)

?? BUGSAY, BUGSAY LA PARUPANGISDA ( 2X )


PAWOD NGA BALAY
( val yma de rey )


1 - KON ATON PA MAHINUMDUMAN
SANHI KABATAAN LI - AWAN
URUDYAG KANRA INDAY HAWAN
PAWOD MALAY - BALAY AMO AN SIRUNGAN.

11 - LAKAT - LABAY SAN PANAHON
DI' MO DANAY PAG - ABATON
YANA SI INTOY UG SI INDAY
NAHUNONG DIDA MAANYAG NGA BALAY.

KORO
PAWOD NGA BALAY
HUGOT IGINHIGOT SA UWAY
MARIG- ON NGA BALAY
GUINTINDOG NI TATAY UG NANAY
PAGKIT- ON KAUPAY
SIMPLE MURAYAW PANIMALAY
WARAY PAGPAPAS (WARAY SIN PAGPAPAS)
DIDA AN KALIPAY SA PAWOD NGA BALAY
PAWID NGA BALAY, PAWOD AN BALAY.

111 - SANGLIT DI' UNTA MAGLUBAD
AN PAGHIGUMA IGUINSAAD
KAY BANGIN AN PAWOD NGA BALAY
MARUMPAG PAG- UKYAN PAMILYA SAN ANAY.

( utro koro 2x )


. P I L I P I G .
(val yma de rey)

1- DINHE SA AMON BARYO
DARAGA UG OLITAWO
KALIPAYAN GAWI DI' KAMI PERWISYO
SA AM' BARANGAY KAMI AN IDOLO

KAPOT AN NIGO SANKABABAYEN- AN
HUMAY MABERDI PA GUINSISIG, TINAPHAN
KALALAKEN- AN KANRA MAN AN BAYO
TAYMING AN BUNGKOL SA LUSONG LUHO


11 - AYAW KALIMTI PAGLISKAY
BANGIN MATUBOD AN HUMAY
SENTRO AN PABUNGKOL SA LUSUNG LUHO
TUNOG SAN LUSUNG DI' MAGSENTUNADO

HALA SIGE LA AN LUSUNG PAGBUTNGAN
HUMAY NASANLAG NA GUINSISIG, TINAPHAN
KARASA KAHUMOT KAY MAPASU

KORO:

PILIPIG MARASA LABIHAN BAG- O PINILIPIG
BATA UG TIGURANG NAAYON PILIPIG
BUNGA SAN PAGKAURUSA
PILIPIG, PILIPIG URAY PAGKAON SA KABARYUHA
WARAY MALUPIG KUN IGKUKUMPARA
PILIPIG NANAM PILIPINHON.

( utro 11 ug koro?)

? PILIPIG NANAM PILIPINHON ( 2X )


UNOD SAN KALIBUTAN
(val yna de rey)


I - KAPATAGAN, KABUKIRAN MGA KAKAHUYAN
SALOG, SAPA UG KADAGATAN
KAHAYUPAN, KATAMSIHAN MGA KAISDAAN
TANAMAN SAN GAMHANAN PARA SA KATAWAN
HARUPOY SAN HANGIN SA KAPATAGAN
ULAWANON NGA SIDLAK SUDANG SA SIRANGAN.


II - HUNI SAN PANKAGAB-IHON MGA KAMANAMPAN
SARIBO SAN URAN DIDT'' SA KAUMHAN
MATAMBUK ATON KATUNAAN SADANG PAGTAMNAN
UNOB NGA BAHANDI SA KALIBUTAN
HINGPIT NGA DALAN SA KAUSWAGAN
HALAD MO GAMHANAN PARA SA KATAWHAN.
Hmnn? hmnn? hmnn? hmnn? hmnn? hmnn.. hmnn?

Refrain: (solo)

KUNDI DIDA SA AKON PAGLAKAWON
NAHIPAKDOL AKO TUOD SAN KAKAHUYAN
LAWAS KO NAHITUMBA KARAT-AN NAHINGADTOAN
GUTAK UG NAGRASAY TUNA DAW KA LUBNGANAN
WARAY KO NA MAHIKIT-AN ADTON KATAMSIHAN
HANGIN MAPASU SUNGAW SAN NAISOG NGA BULK
HUNI SAN KAMANAMPAN DAW NAGTATANGISAN
DAGAT, SALOG UG SAPA DAW LUHA SAN KALIBU

( utro I -II )


*B A R I B A D O N*
(val yma de rey)


I - IGPAPANANGLIT KA USA NGA GUINHIHINGYAP
RAYHAK AN NADUSO NGA IKAW AN MAHAPIHAP
ABID SAN TUBIG MAABAT SA AKON DUGHAN
NAWAWARA AN KAPASU SA AKON KALAWASAN.


II - PADAYON AN PAG-AWAS WARAY GUD KAPAGALAN
MAADLAW, MAHURAW MASUP-AY KON MAURAN
DI' GUD MAPUPUGNGAN BISAN MO SAPUNGAN
KAY DAW UNGARA KITA PAGSERBIHAN.

KORO

BARIBADON SAPA NGA GUINSASARAAN
DIDA ANURAN PANYO KO BINURDAHAN
IGUINDAMPIG SA KAN EDAY LARABHAN
SANGLIT HIGUGMA DIDA AN KATUMANAN
BARIBADON DI' KA MAHINGALIMTAM
BIS' DANAY NALA IKAW MAHIKIT-AN
NALIKAY AK SI EDAY AKO PAG-ISGAN
BANGIN AK PANYO IBA AN HINADTOAN.

(intrumental)
(utro II ug koro)

??. BARIBADON SAPA NGA GUINSAARAN
BARIBADON DI' KA MAHINGALIMTAN


TUNOG LAVEZARESNON
Composed by Yulo Bordeos

Lavezares an akon bungto nga natawhan
Hangin tikang sirangan, kahamot abot kabukiran
Bungto nga malipayon, bayhon nga mag hiyom-hiyom
Tawo nga nag-urongyon, mabinuligon
Didto sa kapasakyan, may nag uuma, nagtatanom
Kay basi sa unina, may-ada pag-aanihon
Pag-abot san kagab-ihon, tugob sin kalipayan
Pag tokar san guitarista, alapa an bisita

CHORUS I

Manoy hala bira sayaw na, ipadayaw an imo pigura
An im padis naghuhulat na, bisita ta mahusay nga meyora
Manoy hala bira sayaw na, sugad san pugo naglulukso
Kay an bisita naglayaw layaw, kalubay pumustura

Didto sa kabukiran, mabudlay man an kalawasan
Huni san katamsihan, bulong san kagul-anan
Ngadto dagat bakudlan, may nangingisda, nanagunason
Waray sin kapaglanan, hangtod sa kakurulpon
Pagtunog san kampanaryo, nag-aalto tanan nga tawo
Mamonay san trabaho, dayon besa kan lola lolo
Pag-abot san kagab-ihon, gawas tanan tuba sumsuman
Pagtukar san guitarista, sabay indak sa sonata

CHORUS II

Manay hala bira sayaw na, ipadayaw an imo pigura
An im padis naghuhulat na, gobernador san aton probinsya
Manay hala bira sayaw na, sugad san ponay nagdudupa
Kay an bisita nagsasarisid, maabtik pumostura

AD LIB


CHORUS III

Sangkay hala bira sayaw na, ipaimod an imo pigura
An im padis naghuhulat na, LAVEZARESNON nga Maria Clara
Sangkay hala bira sayaw na, kay an gala nagkakalupad na
Kay an daraga, kumikinding kalambing pumostura
ven ?07

SUPERSTITIONS

HOLY WEEK
Diri magkaun sin sinugba o sinanlag kay magbubutik-butik an panit.
Diri mag-uyag o magpukpuk kay mabubuka an ulu san Ginoo.

FUNERAL
Diri magdara sin pagkaun tikang sa balay na may patay kay madadara an malas.
Diri manilhig.

HYGEINE
Diri mamaklu, manudlay, ngan magpaburug kun gab-i.
Diri manilhig kun gab-i.

BELIEFS

GRADUATION
Harani sa disgrasya an magtatapus pag-iskwela

NEW YEAR
Magluksu ngan piditun an irung pag-abut san alas dosi san kaagahun para maghataas.

MENSTRUATION
Luksu tikang sa pantulu na hagdan san talud sin may gapas sa ulu basi tulu lu kaadalaw an pagrigla ngan diri mabug-at sa ulu

FIRST OPENING OF THE DOOR AND WINDOW EVERYDAY
Sugarun ini:
Sulud makalilipay, guwas mga panulay
Sulud grasya, guwas mga disgrasya

WEDDING
Sabragan sin bugas an kinasal pagsulud sa balay basi tapu-un sira san grasya sa ira pag-asawa.
Hubaan san lalaki an sapatus san babayi na kinasal pagsulud sa balay basi diri abusuhun an babayi san lalaki.

BUILDING A HOUSE
Pagbutang sin gapas sa mga luhu na uusukan san harigi para magin magaan an kinabuhi san maistar sa balay

RELATION WITH OTHER PEOPLE
Mayaun nanglilibak sa imu pagnakagat mu an imu dila

HOLY WEEK
Makuri magpila an samad kun nasamaran sa Kamahalan

RESOURCES
Mataba an mga kinis kun nagbuburak an dapdap ngan naga



MATERIAL CULTURE

ASYAB
A sharp-curved metal with usually a wooden handle used in cutting rice stalks from the soil

PALPAGAN
Built from small branches of shrubs or trees used in segregating grains of rice from the stalk

NIGU
Made from bamboo; a circular-shaped used in separating hulls from the grains of rice

KUGAY/KALKAG
Usually long-handled; used to spread the rice grains when drying them under the sun

LUSUNG AND BAYU
Used to pound rice

SURUD
Connected with a tie to a carabao and used in plowing the field

KAWIT
A sharp curvd metal placed atop of a long-connected bamboos used in harvesting coconut

SUNDANG
A sharp metal which served many purposes to the farmers

TAKUBAN
A well-decorated wood where sundang is inserted for safety carrying

PURANG
Shorter than sundang; used to upoot crops and weeds

BARATNGAN
Used to haul coconuts

LUGIT
Used to separate copra from its shell

KAGURAN
Used in grating coconut to produce coonut milk

KANASTRU
Smaller than baratngan used to haul copras wen they are dried under the sun

LAHUG
A bamboo with an opening on etheir ends used as water container

HUNGUT
A coconut shell with a hole on its top used as water container or pitcher

TALUTANG
Made from bamboo and smashed with a stick to create a sound as a means of communication

BUDYUNG
An extra-ordinary large shell; used like whistle to produce sound as a means of comunication

LANTAKA
A bamboo with a hole on its both ends and on its upper body; used to produce bomb-like sound during Christmas Season

PANA
A meter-long or shorter metallic wire used to catch fish of crab

SIBUT
A net directed in a circular shape used to catch small fish or shrimp or as a container of the caught fish, shrimp crab or seashell

AGAHID
Larger than sibut used to catch fish or other marine poducts

SALBATANA
Composed with a Y-shaped branch, and an elastic string used with pebbles to shot birds

PANARIT

Nagpanarit si Maria
Didtu sa Belen na Banwa
Kay sin balay nangingita
Na sadang hunungan nira

Sira Jose katiayun
Nagbungyud namulung-pulung
Kun hain sira na laun
Pananarit sin paghunung

JOSE:
O, tagbalay kaluuyi
Kun sadang pasak-a kami
May upud ko na babayi
Sakit binabati

Upud na babayi
May biinabati

O tagbalay makadi kami
Ayaw kami kasinahi
Sinin paka-iras dinhi
Sanglit mabaya pag-agi

(From the files of Mr. Rodel Cuyco)

RIDDLES AND RHYMES

RIDDLES

1. Nanu na isda an maistra?

BATUN: Mamsa

2. An tayud in tuhug, an tubig in sab-it.

BATUN: Kinawil na Isda

3. Abut mo na, nag-iikid-ikid ka pa.

BATUN: Pag-iwang

4. Butu ni ama mo, inpulpug sa abu.

BATUN: Upus san kahuy

5. Naglusad si Maria, luun-luun an saya.

BATUN: Pusu san saging

PROVERBS

a) Proverbial Truisms

An tagak san putut, tagak san laya.

An batu na nagliligirun, diri gin lulumutan.

An tawu na diri namamati, may binabati

Dalagan san kinabuhi, lanat san kamatayun.

b) Proverbial Comparisons

Masmakagaraba an diri pagtahud sa ugangan kaysa sa kag-anak.

An barko an nadaup sa pantalan.

c) Proverbial Phrase

An tawu na maupay mag-isturya kun mangutang, makuri mabayad.



RHYMES

The following rhymes are recited by children for fun and entertainment of day to day living. The recitation involved two or more persons. One would pronounce the lines excluding the last syllable of every line which would be recited by the partner or other persons present.)


1. Si Mister Tan
Nagkadtu sa kagubatan
Naghanap sin utan
Wara siya sarabutan
Inkagat an iya lalabutan


2. Si Manu Isko
Nagsakay sa barku
May dara na saku
An sulud san saku
Udu ko

The following counting rhyme serves the same purpose of entertainment and fun. It could be pronounced by a single individual but a number of individuals to recite this rhyme make it more funny and entertaining.)

Bak-one
Bak-two
Bak-three
Bak-four
Bak-five
Bak-six
Bak-seven
Bak-eight
Bak-nine
Bak-ten

(From the files of Mr. Rodel Cuyco)

Paaram, Tita Lilits

Mamimingaw kami sa imo. Paaram Mr. LITO GAMAO.
Condolence sa iya pamilya.

Kontra-BIDA

Kabaliktaran. Kabaliktaran sa ungod nga buhay.

Karuyag ko matawa. Karuyag ko masina. Guintagan kita sin ngaran nga sugad sine pero sa ungod nga buhay dire ngay-an kita sugad. Halimbawa nala an ngaran na ‘Gloria’. Huna naton nga sa iya termino mayda kita ‘glorya’. Wara man ngay-an. Kay siya man la ngan an iya mga urupod an mayda ‘glorya’ sa sulod san siyam ka-tuig nga naguin presidente siya san Pilipinas.

Sa bungto ko sa Lavezares, mayda liwat mga ngaran nga dapat dire mao an iguinpangaran sa ira. Diri ko na sasayoon kon mga sin-o ine sira. Pero mayda nalabaw sa ngatanan. Exemplary kon baga. Diri exemplary sa kaupayan san mga maupay nga binuhatan kundi sa karautan san iya mga binuhat ngan bubuhaton pa. Pag-imod ko wara ine siya respeto para sa iba nga tawo, kaya para sa ako, dire liwat na-angay nga tagan siya sin pagrespeto. Well, bagaw pa ngani, ‘respect is earned’.

Karuyag ko la ipaabot sa iya, nga diri ako nahahadok sa iya. Next year, eleksyon na liwat. Magtitindog ako, magboboses ako diri la para sa akon kaupayan ngan san akon pamilya kon diri para liwat san akon bungto ngan igkasi ko Lavezaresnon. 

Maniniguro ako, mangangampanya ako para sadton mga tawo nga sa pag-imod ko mayda kapas bumolig san mga kablas maski nano nga oras, magserbisyo sin tangkod nga diri uunahon an iya kalugaringon nga interes. Maniniguro ako mangampanya para sadton mayda kahadok sa Ginoo ngan nakilala sa Iya. Maniniguro ako para sadton diri an ngaran kabaliktaran san karuyag sidngon.

Kamusta na ngay-an an iyo kampanya nga pagbabag-o sadto nga naglabay nga eleksyon, hain naman iton yana? Lugod iyo iguinpa-imod nga an iyo mga ugali an angay sin pagbabag-o. Sayo ako san mga saksi san iyo pandaya, san iyo mga limbong sadton Eleksyon 2007.

Klaro kaupay nga dumaog si Tingting Saludaga nga Mayor san bungto, nga mayda lamang sin sobra 700 nga botos tapos hasta pa yana iyo babaliktaron nga siya pa an nandaya sa iyo? Nakain na ba an iyo mga konsensya? Nakain na ba an iyo pamatasan? An Lavezares yana napupuno san mga santo maski diin kamo kumadto pero ambot gud man kon nakokonsyensya kamo san iyo mga binubuhat. An iba naiimod ko pa nga nasimba. Ambot, kasuol pagparaisipon.

Karuyag niyo kawaton an poder kan Mayor Tingting? Nagdaya na ngani kamo kaya ka ngani mayda puwesto yana, iyo na ngani guintamak-tamakan an pagkatawo sini nga akon hinigugma nga mayor, iyo na ngani iguinbalong sa iya an maski nano nga mga isyu maiubos la niyo siya, tapos yana ultimo an pagtuo san mayorya san mga taga-Lavezares, iyo pa kakawaton. Sobra na iton! Gluttony na iton. Kahakugan ba sa poder.

Next year, we will see each other again. Sa kampanya, sa sulod san presinto ngadto sa Municipal Canvassing ngadto sa maimod niyo nga talaga diri kamo an ungod nga bida, ngan dire ikaw an ungod nga bida. Kay sa ungod la, sayo man la an ungod nga bida sa mga kasingkasing san kadam-an sa Lavezares ngan sa akon kasingkasing: Si TINGTING la waray na gud iba. Peksman, mamatay pa ako, aram ko nga sayo la nga Tingting an iyo katapat. #  (Carl Jamie Simple S. Bordeos)

Lavezares Observes Environment Day

Lavezares, N. Samar – (August 20, 2009) This municipality has observed Environment Day (Adlaw san Kalibungan) with a Search for the Cleanest and Environment Friendly Barangay and School and some other contests for the elementary pupils and high school students.

For the cleanest and environmentally-friendly barangay, Barangay Libertad won the first placer; Barangay Ocad was the second placer, and; Barangay Enriqueta was the third placer. For the school category, Basilio B. Chan Memorial and Industrial School was the first placer; San Juan Elementary School was the second placer, and; Villa Elementary School was the third placer.

There was also a Quiz Bee and Essay Writing Contest for the elementary level and high school level. Meanwhile, Women for Social Development, Inc. has received a certificate of recognition for being an active partner-NGO of the LGU in its Ecological Solid Waste Management Program.

Beginning this year, Adlaw san Kalibungan will become a regular observance by virtue of a municipal ordinance passed to this effect by the Sangguniang Bayan this month of August.

Early this July, Lavezares was cited as one of the few Model LGUs on Solid Waste Management Program in the whole Region 8 identified by the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. (Rodel C. Cuyco)

Secretary Esperanza Cabral Graced Turn-over Ceremony of Core Shelter Housing Project

Lavezares, N. Samar – (August 20, 2009) DSWD Secretary Esperanza Cabral attended the turn-over ceremony of 30 housing units to beneficiaries left homeless by typhoon Milenyoin 2006. This 2.2-million housing project is located in barangays Caragas and Macarthur, 14 units in the former and 16 units in the latter.

The turn-over ceremony was led by Mayor Quintin B. Saludaga to whom Secretary Cabral has commended for the LGUs support by extending funding counterpart to the project. (Rodel C. Cuyco)

The Chief Executives of the Town: Capitanes-Presidentes-Municipal Mayors

The political body of Lavezares was established in 1875 under the Spanish colonial power wherein the local executive was alluded as Capitanes. From 1903 to 1935, the persons who assumed the position were called Presidentes, and from 1936 until present where they were referred to as Municipal Mayors.

Capitan (appointed) `

Silvino Flores 1875-1877
Justiniano Morillo 1877-1879
Victorio Alvanes 1879-1881
Evaristo Martires 1881-1883
Angeles de Leon 1883-1886
Patricio Ebron 1886-1888
Feliciano Adriatico 1888-1892
Lucio Flores 1892-1894
Anastacio Adriatico 1894-1898
Cepriano de Leon 1898-1903

Presidente (appointed)

Lasaro Cuyco 1903-1908
Martin Custan 1908-1912

Presidente (elected)

Gregorio Adriatico 1912-1916
Elias Bogtong 1916-1921
Melecio Cuyco 1921-1927
Juan Ymata 1927-1931
Eugenio Tingkingco1931-1935
Municipal Mayor (elected)
Antonio Martires 1936-1938
Pascualito Clutario 1938-1946
Julio Turla 1946-1955
Gabriel Querobines 1956-1959
Basilio Chan 1960-1978
Municipal Mayor Rodrigo Chan 1978-1979 (appointed);1980-1986 (elected)
Miguel Adriatico 1986-1987 (appointed)


Municipal Mayor (appointed)
Celedonio Saludaga, Jr 1987-1988

Municipal Mayor (elected)

Miguel Adriatico, Jr 1989-1991
Quintin Saludaga 1992-2001
Celedonio B. Saludaga Jr 2001-2007
Quintin B. Saludaga 2007-present

STORY OF THE EARLY SETTLERS

WHERE DID PINONAYAN GET ITS NAME? (An Etiological Legend)

STORY OF THE EARLY SETTLERS

The early setllers of Lavezares came from the eastern side of Samar and from Bicol Region. Mariano Ubas was believed to be the son and leader of the settlers who were also believed to have their first settlement along a sturdy Balite Tree in Sabang River (now Pinonayan River) which was frequently visited by bats and birds. One of the birds they liked was “Punay” because of its melodious voice. Ubas, then, conferred with the settlers to name the place “Pinunayan”.

LEGEND

(This is a legend by Melecio Cuyco which was retold by his forebears after his death and printed in the “History of Lavezares” printed material.)

There was once a man who had just come from gathering Ponay. He filled his basket with the birds. Later, a passing Spaniard asked the man about the name of the place. The man, believing he was asked what was inside his basket answered him “Ponay”. The Spaniard concluded that the name of the place was Ponay. As the time went on, the place was called Pinonayan.

LEGENDS OF SOME PLACES IN LAVEZARES

BUNGA

Long ago, there was a place inhabited by ten families. Every family’s house was far from each other that even one shouted with all his effort and energy, he could’nt be heard by other habitants from other houses. Houses wer built on the hillside; others on the seashore; and still others on the hiltop.

The place was very abundant in trees. Bunga tree was one of the kinds which stood there. In every angle and dimension, Bunga trees were seen sturdy.
When the time went on, there was a trail made on the place. The families who used to live in far areas of the place decided to build houses beside the trail and lived there. From that small community started the growth of inhabitants of the place.

Whenever the people were asked of where they dwelled, they would answer ”There, where Bunga trees are many”. From that time on, the place was called ”Bunga”.

TABUK

Once upon a time, in a place along the seashore lived the families of the cousins Mariano Ubas and Forperio Enriquez. One day, the two rode a banca to catch fish in the sea. While they were there, there was a ship called ”vinta” which came closer to them. Boarded on the ”vinta” were the Moros who sold goods to the place.

In a no definite reason, the cousins hurried their way to avoid the coming ”vinta”. While on the seashore, a woman kept on shouting ”Tabuk na! Tabuk na!”

This was the reason why the place was named ”Tabuk”.

BANI

In a distant island, there ived an old man. He always cooked ”barani” which came from the trunk of banana and fed it to his pig.

During the Spanish Era, while the od man was making ”barani”. A Spaniard approached and asked him about the name of the place. The man answered ”barani” as he didn’t undrstand the visitor’s query.

The tme came when Philppines was under the Japanese Occupation. They went to the place where the old man lived. People of the place got afraid of them and hid themselves on the mountains, except this old and brave man who kept on cooking ”barani”. A japanese asked him. ”What’s the name of this place?”

The old man, thinking that he was asked of what he was cooking answered ”Barani”.

After the Japanese came the Americans to the island. They found the old man cookng ”barani”. Like the Spaniards and Japanese, they asked him about the name of the place; but the old man still replied ”Barani”.

”Oh! Barangay Bani!” the American ejaculated.

From that time, the island was named ”Barangay Bani”.

BAROBAYBAY

Long ago, in a place we name today Barobaybay, lived an old man by the name of Jose. At first, he was happy dwelling the place for he could produce lot of oil. But having realized his being alone, he was saddened.

Until one day, many people arived on the place. They built houses and lived there. This made old Jose reconcile happiness. As Jose traited the people as his children, they traited him as their father. Strong and loving friendship was developed on them.

Those happy days in the place suffered a draw back when Jose died. However, before he left the would, he told his people to name the place ”Barobaybay”. The word came from the terms ”Baro” meaning ”mud” and ”baybay” meaning ”seashore”. Because of the people’s love to Jose, trhey named the place ”Barobaybay”.

BATTLE OF SUKHAN
(A Heroic Non-etiological Legend)

When the America invaded Sukhan, today named Villa, Americans had a good relationship with the Sukhan folks. Time came when Japanese annexed the Philippines. They went and bomed the islands of Biri and Sukhan. The people of the two islands were caught in great fear.

The Japanese predetermined that Filpinos had transferable disease, and that they feared to be communicated with the disease. The folks used this as strategy to make the invaders afraid of them. All girls of the island went out of the shores wearing no underwear. While the Japanese were approaching, the girls turned their back and faced their anus to them. Thinking that the Filipinos carried transferable disease, the Japanese desserted their way awat from the island.

When the Japanese went back to Sukhan, thay continued bombing the island. The folks solicited help from the Americans for they could not equal the force of the Japanese. Fortunately, the Americans reinforced in the battle. Amid the battle, the Japanese troop lost many of their soldiers, thus losing the battle. The left Japanese soldiers were arrested, but there was one who hid in the forest. When this man felt bored in the woods, he came out to the barrio and out of the clear blue sky, fel in love with a beatiful young lady of the place. To make the story short, the two got married and had children.

THE TALE OF HELPING
(An Ordinary Folktale)

There was a place which was too far from the town. On its way leading to the town, there located a wide river. Residents of the place found difficulty in going to the town because of the fast current of the river.

A old woman lived on this place. One day, she went to the town. She was very careful in crossing the river. At a short distance, she saw a spider on a dead branch of the tree amid the river. It was going to fall into the water on a very short moment; and if it had fallen, it would die.
The kind-hearted old woma saved the spider from its condition. She decided to bring the spider the land where it could be safe. But on her effort to do it, the spider kept on biting her hand. However, the woman did not mind of it and continued her way.

She was able to meet a stripling and she was asked:

”Woman, why do you still help that spider even it had bitten you alredy?” the youth interogated.

”Boy, when this insect bites me, it is only natuiral for it’s its nature; and it is a nature of people to help.”

After the encounter, the woman continued her walk while the youth thought of her words.

JUAN AND THE MOROS
(A Humurous Tale)

There was once a town ruled by Moros. These Moros used to roam around the town from time to time to know the situation of the place. Whenever they did, children of the place hid themselves anywhere because they were afraid of they Moros beardy appearance.

Juan was one of the children of the place. He did all efforts just to be able to escape when the Moros were approaching.

One time, the Moros, passed by their house. Juan unnoticed they were approaching. When his mother noted him that the Moros are coming, he hurriedly hid inside his mother’s skirt. Juan didn’t last inside for he had seen a Moro with tremendous beard inside his mother’s skirt. Because of this, Juan became afraid of her mother.


THE MIRACLE OF NUESTRA SEñORA DE SALVACION
(Relegious Non-etiological Legend)

Nuestra Señora de Salvacion is the patron saint of the municipality of Lavezares. Her image is placed inside the town’s church. Trough her, the people of the place asked help for their salvation.

There was a time when a super typhoon occured. The town was flooded with rain water; several houses were destroyed; waves of the sea were strong and heavy; rain, thunder and lightning were inceasant. The people kneeled and prayed to the Blessed Virgin.

The people recognized that the image of the Virgin was not on its place, nor in the entire church building. They kept on looking for it, but with their efforts, they retreived nothing.

When the super typhoon was over, the image was found on its the same lkocation in the church. But that time, the peolple had wondered for the image had seaweeds on its gament. The people believed that it was an evidence that the Virgin has gone to the sea and stopped the waves from flooding water to the land and made the sea drew back to its great pacific. If it was not because of the Virgin’s miracle, there might be more damages and misfortune brought by the supertyphoon to the town.


THE POOR MOTHER AND DAUGHTER
(A Humurous Tale)

Once, there lived in a barrio a very poor family. They were so misfortuned that they could not even by clothes. The father had forsaken his wife and daughter for he didn’t know what to do to uplift their living.

When the daughter was of age, she always climbed the guava tree at one of the streets of the barrios. She picked and ate its ripe fruits. One day, while she was atop of the tree, a passing priest saw her. He was astonished when he saw the girl who had no underwear. The priest called her to climb down the tree and gave her twenty pesos so that she could buy underwear.

Happily, the girl went home. She had shown her twenty peso bill to her mother, and told her how she got the money.

”Mother, the priest saw me on the treetop. He asked me to get down of it and gave me this money to buy underwear”, told the daughter.

Astonished, the mother also went out of the house and climbed the same tree so that the priest would pay her the same compensation. Later, the preist was approaching the tree. The mother disguised and picked some ripe fruits.

The priest called her down. The woman was very happy as she lowered on the tree thinking that the priest would give her now the money to procure underwear. But to her dismay, the priest has given her two pesos for her to buy blade.

THE GIRL AND THE LITTLE EEL
(A Magical Folktale)

Once there was a girl who lived with her mother near the stream. Her father was no longer alive. The girl had a pet little eel which lived on the strem. Everyday, she fed it with anything she had on hand. Her mothjer didn’t knew about this. Her mother became suspicious to her being always out of their house everyday. Until one day, the mother follwed her to the stream and found out what she was doing there. The girl unnoticed her mother. Later, she called her pet.

”Kuru-kasili! Kuru-kasili!” she ejaculated.

At once the eel came to her. She fed it and waited until it finished eating. Everything was seen by the mother.

The day arrived when they had no viand. The mother talked to her daughter.

”We don’t have viand anymore let’s fetch your pet in the stream and make it cooked.” the mother suggested.

”No mother. Don’t do it!” cried the girl.

On that time the mother didn’t insisted . but she still went on the stream not letting her cheild knew. She called the eel.

”Kasili!”

Nothing appeared.

”Kasili. Kasili!”

The eel didn’t appeared to her. Now she knew her ejaculated words were wrong. She thought of the words over and over until she was able to remember it.

”Kuru-kasili!”

At once thge eel appeared. Out of the clear sky, she caught the eel and brought it home. She kept it carefully so that it wouldn’t be found by her child.

Later, the girl walked to the stream. While she was away, her mother cooked the eel and ate. She no longer waited her dauhter as she knew that she would never eat her pet’s flesh.

In the stream, the girl called the fish.

”Kuru-kasili!”

Nothing appeared to her.

”Kuru-kasili!”
The eel did not appear. The girl was frustrated and resorted to cry. Remembering her mother’s words of fetching the eel, she went back into their home.

She pnly found its bones in the dogfeed. Because she respected her mother, she did cry but didn’t utter any word. Instead, she gathered the skeleton of her pet, and got it planted on their front yard.

She always regularly visited the skeleton. Until one day, she saw it illuminating. She dug out the earth and witnessed how the skeleton turned into bars of gold. With it, the girl and her mother led comfortable and contented lives.

(From the files of Mr. Rodel Cuyco)

LAVEZARES: One of Calbayog's Folk Dances

The Lavezares is a beautiful folk dance from Samar. The dance came from the municipality of Lavezares, Northern Samar province, hence, the name. The dance is also known to exist in Calbayog and Capul in Northern Samar.

The dance is similar to a surtido because of the assorted folk and traditional dance steps like kuradang , pi'ang-pi'ang, paseo con cambio pareja and valse with patty-cake turns; which are strung to have the dance performed.

The dance have been popularized by a an unidentified folk dance group from Calbayog City. Researchers of the Bayanihan came across the Lavezares dance in one of their researches in Samar in the late 1970's. The dance has, since then, became a part of their Spanish-influenced dance repertoire.

The music that accompanies the dance is a lovely mix of favorite Waray melodies which are played in this order:

(1) the Pandangyado which sounds like Costurera of Ilo-ilo, played in the paseo

(2) a very short excerpt of the Kuratsa Menor/Kuradang

(3) a stylized (embellished) Duyan music with mellesmatic style almost similar to a Lancero or Rigodon music

(4) an Interlude

(5) two-part Ti Yadut music repeated twice.

The dancers wear the late 19th century fashions preferably the Maria Clara con cola for the women and an elaborate Barong Tagalog or the americana cerrada for the gentlemen. The women's cola is either tucked on the waist or held by left hand by hooking a ring to the end of the 'tail'.

posted by: Carl Jamie Simple S. Bordeos

The Chief Executives of the Town: Capitanes-Presidentes-Municipal Mayors

Local officials

The political body of Lavezares was established in 1875 under the Spanish colonial power wherein the local executive was alluded as Capitanes. From 1903 to 1935, the persons who assumed the position were called Presidentes, and from 1936 until present where they were referred to as Municipal Mayors.

Position	Name	Term of Office
Capitan (appointed)	Silvino Flores	1875-1877
	Justiniano Morillo	1877-1879
	Victorio Alvanes	1879-1881
	Evaristo Martires	1881-1883
	Angeles de Leon	1883-1886
	Patricio Ebron	1886-1888
	Feliciano Adriatico	1888-1892
	Lucio Flores	1892-1894
	Anastacio Adriatico	1894-1898
	Cepriano de Leon	1898-1903
Presidente (appointed)	Lasaro Cuyco	1903-1908
	Martin Custan	1908-1912
Presidente (elected)	Gregorio Adriatico	1912-1916
	Elias Bogtong	1916-1921
	Melecio Cuyuco	1921-1927
	Juan Ymata	1927-1931
	Eugenio Tingkingco	1931-1935
Municipal Mayor (elected)	Antonio Martires	1936-1938
	Pascualito Clutario	1938-1946
	Julio Turla	1946-1955
	Gabriel Querobines	1956-1959
	Basilio Chan	1960-1978
Municipal Mayor	Rodrigo Chan	1978-1979 (appointed); 1980-1986 (elected)
	Miguel Adriatico	1986-1987 (appointed)
Municipal Mayor (appointed)	Celedonio Saludaga, Jr	1987-1988
Municipal Mayor (elected)	Miguel Adriatico, Jr	1989-1991
	Quintin B. Saludaga	1992-2001
	Celedonio B. Saludaga Jr	2001-2007

Quintin Saludaga 2007-present

Tourism

In this coastal province of Northern Samar, eco-tourism may just become an alternative income generator aside from coconuts and fishing.

Access to Lavezares has two options: from Manila, a fourteen to fifteen hours of bus ride with Roll-on Roll-off vessels from Matnog, Sorsogon to the port of Allen, Northern Samar, or taking a plane to Catarman and a jeepney ride to Lavezares both serving as the main transport facility towards this portion.

True to mention are the white sand beaches abounding among its coastal and groups of island barangays that comprises the municipality though some parts have strong underwater current not suitable for a beach resort. Current white sand beach resorts are found at barangays Urdaneta and Barobaybay and waters between Bani Island and Barobaybay. The resorts offer huts along the beachfront and for overnight stays, tourist inns are available.

The coral reefs in Bancauan Island, Bani Island, Barangay Maravilla and Barangay San Juan are good for scuba diving.

The sunsets can be viewed at Lavezares Bay and Barangay Barobaybay, but Barangay Maravilla provides the most outstanding view because of the island's north to south orientation with just the vast sea on sight.

Land area and topography

Land Area

Lavezares has an estimated land area of 11,950 hectares according to the municipal profile. It is politically subdivided into 26 barangays, 12 of which are considered as inland barangays and 14 coastal barangays which can be subclassified into 5 island barangays and 9 barangays situated along the coast of the mainland.

INLAND BARANGAYS Caburihan (Pob.) Caragas (Pob.) Chansvilla Datag Enriqueta Macarthur Ocad (Pob.) Salvacion San Jose San Miguel To-og Villahermosa

COASTAL BARANGAYS Balicuatro Barobaybay Cataogan (Pob.) Libas Libertad Sabang-Tabok San Agustin Villa Urdaneta Bani (island barangay) Magsaysay (island barangay) Maravilla (island barangay) San Isidro (island barangay) San Juan (island barangay)

The smallest barangay is Cataogan, while the largest is Bani. According to the Provincial Physical Framework Plan of 2004�2013, the municipality is suitable for irrigated rice, fish ponds, trees and crops.

The mainland is attached entirely to the entire Samar Island. Maravilla Island, San Juan Island and Bani Island are the three major islands of the municipality.

Land Topography

Land topography is generally composed of very rugged terrain with many steep and elevated areas classified as undulating to hilly. Technically, there are only two hills in the area, these are located in the southernmost part of Barangays Chansvilla and Toog. No mountain can be found in the area.

There are also no major plains but a few flat lands that not very extensive. The coastal areas of Lavezares are limited and have generally moderately terrain. Bacolods which serve as natural breakwater on different coasts of the municipality can be found along the coasts of Barangays Balicuatro, Villa, Bani and Magsaysay among others.

Land reclamation in different parts of the municipality particularly in island barangays of San Juan, San Isdro, Magsaysay and Bani is continuously being done. The coastal barangays along the mainland are similarly reclaiming lands which include the coasts of Barangays Libas, Cataogan, Sabang-Tabok, Urdaneta and Barobaybay.

The Schools in Lavezares

• Primary Schools - There are 26 barangay elementary school and one central school, Lavezares Central School.

• Secondary Schools - Basilio B. Chan Agro-Industrial High School is the only public high school in the whole municipality, which is situated at Barangay Sabang-Tabok. It is the venue where the government can provide the youth of Lavezares the needed knowledge and skills that would prepare them not only for their college life but also to the challenges of real world. Nevertheless, there are 3 private schools offering secondary courses where 2 of which are operated by religious orders: The Holy Family Center of Studies at Caburihan and Barobaybay Academy Mission School at Barobaybay. Colegio de San Juan, where located at Libertad, offers secondary and tertiary education and serves as an alternative for thos who cannot afford to study outside the municipality.

The Creation of the Municipality

The Creation

Lavezares (Pinonayan) was only a visita of La Granja (now Allen) during the late 19th century. With the advent of Spanish colonization, hispanization of visitas and pueblos was made. Hence, Pinonayan was changed to Lavezares in honor of the second Spanish governor-general in Las Islas de Filipinas, Guido de Lavezaris.

On January 7, 1875, it became a pueblo when the Spanish governor-general issued a bando (an executive decree) separating visita de Lavezares from La Granja with the visitas of Barobaybay and Socjan (now Villa) part of it. Silvino Flores who served from 1875-1877 was the first capitan of the pueblo by virtue of an appointment. On November 26, 1878, the king of Spain issued a cedulario which expressed his approval on the establishment of pueblo de Lavezares.

The governor-general approved the creation of the pueblo in response to the petition submitted by officials to make these four visitas a separate pueblo independent from La Granja. The petition was signed and submitted by the leaders of Pinonayan, Socjan, Barobaybay, and Mamban (now Rosario which later became part of Bobon).


ERRECCION DE LOS PUEBLOS
SAMAR Pueblo de Lavezares

1786-1898
Tomo
Exp. 28
Fol. 372-396B(400-435)

Espediente sobre la erreccion de la Visita de Pinonayan en union de las de Barobaybay y Soyan(Socjan) en pueblo independiente de su matriz el pueblo de la Granja del Distrito de Samar, bajo la denominacion de �Lavezares� en memoria del ilutre patricio Guido de Lavezares, etc.

Manila, 7 de Enero de 1875
R-
Shf-
MG/bam
The creation as approved by the governor-general.


CEDULARIO, 1878-1882

Exp. 44
Fol. 213-215
Rela orden aprobando la creacion del pueblo de �Lavezares� en la provincial de Samar.

Madrid, 26 Noviembre de 1878

�as approved by Spain�s king.

With the creation period going on, the island of Bani and San Juan; Villahermosa, Urdaneta, San Miguel, Macarthur, Libertad, Enriqueta, Toog, Malico-lico (Salvacion), Datag and Sumisip (San Jose) were included.

Years passed and the following sitios were created into barangays by virtue of RA 2370 and 3590; they were Chansvilla, Balicuatro, Magsaysay, San Agustin, Kaluy-ahan (Maravilla) and Libas. Later on Presidential Decree No. 86 allowed the creation of the districts inside the Poblacion as independent quasi-government units which has the same juridical personality as those created under RA Nos. 2370 and 3590. Those districts that were made into barangays were Caragas, Ocad, Caburihan, Cataogan and Sabang-tabok, to complete the present-day twenty-six barangays of Lavezares.

The Early Settlers

The first settlers of what is now the municipality of Lavezares came from the eastern side of Samar and from the Bicol Region. Mariano Ubas, was believed to be the son and leader of the settlers who were also believed to have their first settlement along a sturdy balite tree in the Sabang River(now the Pinonayan River) which was frequently visited by bats and birds. One of the birds they liked (because of its melodious voice) was ponay. Ubas, then, conferred with the settlers to name the place Pinonayan.

There was this anecdote by Melecio Cuyco(as retold by his forebears) which said that there was once a man who had just came from gathering ponay and was asked by a passing Spaniard about the name of the place. The man believing he was being asked what was inside his basket (which was filled with ponay) answered him �ponay�. The Spaniard concluded that the name of the place was ponay (or Pinonayan).

It was believed that a group of people from the southern tip of the Bicol Peninsula migrated and settled in this place. They actually escaped from the Spanish authorities who were then recruiting able-bodied men to fight the insurrectos or help build galleons. The place was then a wilderness. However, its rich natural resources made them stay behind. These early settlers were the Ubases, the Tremenios, the Floreses, the Adriaticos, the Bogtongs, and the Esplanas.

In Villa, the early settlers were the Policarpios, Porlages, Pambuenas, Estavillos, Salvadors, Galvez, and the Cadlits. In Bani, were the Orias, Cagsawas, Algordos, and Rosadi�os. They came from Bicol and Palapag.

As early as the 18th century, it is believed that San Juan was already occupied by several nomads from Almeria, Leyte on board a tinalapi, a native kind of sailboat characterized as being surrounded by higher nipa shingles to protect it from big waves. Sixta Bacalando led this group of nomads. They escaped from Leyte because they were subjected to quintos by Spanish authorities as they refused to be converted into Christianity. The group first landed in Barobaybay and has sought permission to build a settlement from Teniente Vicente Ymata, who was then the leader of the visita and who later became a teniente of San Juan. Permission was not given them; instead they were led to Maravilla. Agapito Maravilla, who was then the leader of the village, did not allow them either to build a house in the area. Hence, they were forced to look for a deserted place, which fishermen in nearby fishing villages used to call Hurunan, to mean a place for resting and refuge. By the mid-18th century, another wave of migration to Hurunan happened from the Bicol Peninsula and Palapag with the eruption of Mt. Mayon and the Palapagnons resistance against polo or forced labor. On this second wave came the Sorios, Gamaos, Ebuengas, Rosadi�os, Aticaldos, and Gallegos. These people went on to populate the island barangays. Hurunan later became San Juan. It was believed that before the 19th century ended, a British came to San Juan and established a nipa wine factory locally called manyan at Alacsiman, Taberna, a place in the upland. This was confirmed when during late 90�s, wine jars were discovered by the people in the island.

In Enriqueta (old name, Sinimangan), the first settler was the family of Bernabe Cupido and Apolinaria Galindez who came from Eastern Samar.

In Barobaybay, the early settlers were the Llegoses (from Cuba), Balags, Escobers, Martireses, and Garduces who came from Bicol and Palapag.

In Urdaneta (old name, Looc to mean a curvaceous natural harbor), the early settlers were the Balberans, Doloms, Buezons, and Puasos who came from Sorsogon and Catanduanes. They migrated to this place after they had known that the area is yet undiscovered. With the arrival of Father Andres de Urdaneta, the name of the village was changed to Urdaneta in honor of him. Father Urdaneta is a Spanish missionary priest who was believed to be the first priest to have arrived in Lavezares(Pinonayan then).

In San Miguel, the early settlers of the barrio were the Diegos, Matnogs, Unays, and Nuez who came from Sorsogon. Matnogs were the ones who have brought the Aglipay denomination.

Moro Raids
During the 17th century, the Moros, the marauding pirates, and other brigands would come to Pinonayan through the Pacific Ocean. These intruders would attack the locals, robbed them of their possession, and looted whatever could be divested from the locals. The mal-adventurism of these Moros and the piratas were so ruthless that they hurt the locals who resisted.
As the locals were not adequately equipped let alone prepared, the brigands almost always succeeded in their evil ways. The very few times that the marauders were not successful were when the natives were amply forewarned of the coming intruders. The forewarning in whatever fashion gave them time to prepare and coordinate their defenses. This factor gave impetus to the community�s decision to establish a crude defense capability � an observation post in nearby Tarangban, and a watchtower in Tabok.
The observation post in Tarangban was called Man-awan (a watching area), while the watchtower in Tabok was were the locals put up a structure where big lantakas (bamboo cannons) were installed for their community defense. They called the facility Baluarte.
In anticipation of forthcoming typhoons, or the proximity of marauders, the Man-awan will warn the locals thru signals (light during nighttime and smoke during daytime) to the Baluarte in Tabok.
In this Baluarte, the sereno would sound the budyong (a giant shell that when used like a trumpet, can produce a sound) whenever he gets the signal from Man-awan. These signals were coded albeit limited to warnings of forthcoming evils or typhoons.
And, upon hearing the sound of budyong from the Baluarte, talutangs would be used to relay the coded messages all over the poblacion and sitios up to the remotest areas in the ilawud where settlement and communities of people were found.

Spanish Occupation

Since the Spanish time, Lavezares was governed by Spanish and secular priests. But in 1875 when it separated civilly from La Granja, the town was governed by executives called �capitanes.�

People then had no formal schooling except through tutorship of Spanish priests. When Lavezares was founded in 1895, two elementary schools were established in the Poblacion. People then were taught by the Spanish teachers with the catechesis and the cartilla.

Fiesta celebration was introduced by Spanish priests. The town has its town fiesta first celebrated on August 16 (later moved to August 22). All barrios had their own patron saint. Each year the feast day of this patron saint was celebrated with a fiesta.The main attraction during town fiesta was the comedia, a drama-musicale particularly presenting story about lives of the members of a royal family. The cast came all the way from Bicol and people from nearby towns would come to see it.

Kularesi was also done during this period. This is a drama or a comedy presentation staged at a wake of a dead person. The actors were being paid for their performances.

During the Spanish occupation, Lavezares was believed to be peopled by the breed of Polahanes characterized by their red bands on their heads. They became famous particularly during the Philippine Revolution of 1896 and Filipino-American War in 1899.

American Period

When the Filipino-American war broke out circa 1899, the Filipino forces (Polahanes, a guerrilla unit from Palapag and different towns of the Samar Island) who resisted the Americans, under the command of General Vicente Lukban) burned down the church in order that the American troops would not be able to use it as a stable for their horses.
With the American occupation, free public school system was established. Since there were no teachers yet from the municipality, some Ilocano teachers were assigned to this place. These Ilocano teachers were Mr. Severo Soriano, Mr. Pablo Sibayan, and Mr. Ambrosio Baguisi who educated the people even up to the island barangays. Elementary education was offered by these teachers at the houses of prominent families of the villages where they assigned since there were no school buildings yet at that time.

Japanese Period

With the imminent invasion by the Japanese, Pablo Corsua, a Japanese spy, and Thomas Ferguson, an American spy arrived in San Juan. They have stayed in the same house while doing surveillance work for their respective countries. Thomas Ferguson maintained a toril or a cattle ranch. His cattles, then, were later supplied to American soldiers fighting in the war.

When war broke out in 1941, schools were closed. People went to the upland to escape from Japanese hostilities. People in Urdaneta took refuge in Puting Bato, a forestland in the area. Several voluntarios were killed by the Japanese, including civilians. In Villa, Juan Buensalida, Agosto Eser, and a certain Padilla were shot dead by some Japanese soldier at the cemetery. In Barobaybay, Teodulfo Esmabe, a Filipino soldier was killed by the Japanese. In Enriqueta, 1943 Honorato Sauro, a sanitario publico with his companion Pondoy Estillero were tortured to death by the Japanese soldiers and a man named Islao Genio was also killed by the Japanese at Sitio Baysag. In 1942, Brin brothers were tortured to death by the Japanese. Ingo Brin was killed at Malico lico. The other Brin was killed in Allen. They were killed while forcing them to reveal the exact location of the camp of Captain Pedro Merritt and the Philippine Constabulary soldiers and voluntarios at his command in Toog. In 1943 at Bani, voluntarios including Maximo Rosadi�o, Fermin Rosadi�o, Basilio Magallanes, Gaudencio Guy, Leon Ortego, Agapito Sorio, and Constancio Sorio were tortured by drowning by the Japanese soldiers. Fortunately, they survived.
Japanese soldiers have forcibly taken a number of goats of Julio Turla (who later became a mayor) and Gregorio Adriatico (former municipal presidente).
From 1941-1944, Captain Pedro Merritt, an American who was the the USSAFFE commander in the Samar Island and the Filipino voluntarios established
several camps all over Lavezares. These camps served as strongholds for the brave PC soldiers and voluntarios. These camps were built in Busay(San Miguel; this river supplied hydroelectric power to the encampment); in Ogsoran farm (Barobaybay); in Enriqueta near the school and in Kalpi which was established by Filipinos; in a certain mountain of Libertad; in Toog; in Man-awan, Villa which served both as a camp and as watchtower where short-wave radio signals about updates on the war and directives from USAFFE were received from Australia and; in Sitio Ilo, Caburihan. But the bigger camp was in Caragas right at the school site(LCES) with a 200-strong PCs and voluntarios. Some of these voluntarios stayed at the Algordo�s residence (now the esidence of Brigido Adriatico). (Mr. Algordo was then the municipal treasurer.) On these camps, PCs and voluntarios were trained on how to conduct guerilla operation. PCs carried firearms while voluntarios carried bolos. Voluntarios would jokingly call themselves PC-PC-hay.
When the Japanese came to Lavezares, Merrit and his men retreated to the hinterlands. The Japanese who were looking for Merrit and his men burned down the house of Mr. Algordo.

The municipal presidente at that time was Pascualito Turla (a presidente from 1939-46). However, with the Japanese having occupied the area, Bob Sampilo was entrusted by the Japanese to rule the town as a puppet mayor. Some vountarios, led by Francisco Bido wanted to blow up the Sabang Bridge to prevent the Japanese from coming into the town of Lavezares where Merrit and the voluntarios under his command were stationed. Elias Bogtong (municipal presidente from 1916-21) opposed with this plan as the bridge was his project during his term. As Bido and his men suspected Elias Bogtong to side with the Japanese, he killed Elias Bogtong and blew up the bridge. This was in 1942.

Merrit and the PCs and voluntarios were not only after the Japanese but also against the Pulahanes(anti-Americans). They operated towards the forest to hunt for the Pulahanes. As they marched through the operation, they would sang the song\chant.

Linggawe/Lingawen and kakadto-an
Nga asay an purik-anan
San mga tawo nga tampalasan

Deri ko karuyag nga luha mangarabigay
Kay asay an sumpa sugob ug sundang
Amo an hinganiban
Ngadto sa pag-awayan(not locally composed).

In Enriqueta, the residence of Eugenio Tingkingco who was once a presidente of the municipality of Lavezares, was converted into a clinic to care for the American soldiers, Filipino soldiers and voluntarios wounded in the war. It took refuge Captain Merritt and his wife(a nurse) and Governor Francisco Escudero, Sr. and his family who fled from Sorsogon to avoid Japanese atrocities.

In 1945 during the Liberation�s mopping-up campaign, three American fighter planes strafed the old municipal building and the old convent to clear it from Japanese soldiers.


Post-war to Present

With the Liberation in 1946, schools reopened. The Japanese had paid the people for war damages.

In November 1947, typhoon Jen hit the area. It destroyed houses and farmlands.

On April 1957, Fr. Pablo Lanuevo started the construction of the new church with the help of Adoracion Nocturna Filipina, a lone male religious organization and through a committee created for this purpose. Fund-raising campaign was done from among the people of Lavezares through accepting cash donations, making copra from donated coconuts, holding social activities, and (thereby inviting civic-conscious persons) popularity contests, and benefit shows. Juan Urbano, an architect who is a native of Lavezares, designed the building.

In November 3, 1967, Wilmeng destroyed a number of houses. Big waves reached even the distant mountain, bringing forth sands to the residential areas thus, resulting to irregular landscape of Villa, Urdaneta and Barobaybay. Its strong winds even blew away the statue of Our Lady of Assumption in front of the church.

In 1971, Enriqueta was submerged by flood caused by the overflow of Sinimangan River.

In 1978, Mayor Basilio B. Chan died. He was the longest-serving mayor of the town who held office for about 18 years and three months, from 1960-1978.

On December 25, 1981, Dinang hit Lavezares and destroyed a number of houses. It flooded Urdaneta to as high as five feet. Salvacion Institute fell just as it was holding its Alumni Homecoming party.

On November 10 1993, typhoon Naning ravaged the area and destroyed houses and farmlands. It was considered as one of the strongest and devastating typhoons in town.

On November 26, 1994, the town celebrated its 116th Founding Anniversary with pomp and festivity. The date of the town�s foundation was soon corrected by the National Historical Institute. According to NHI, the exact date of its creation is January 7, 1875 when the Spanish governor-general, being the chief executive who had also legislative and judicial powers in the Philippines issued an executive decree (bando) for its establishment. A bando had the force of law, hence, the governor �general implemented the same by appointing at once Silvino Flores as the first capitan of the pueblo in 1875 to 1877. And so, the Sangguniang Bayan of Lavezares heeded the National Historical Institute and celebrated the foundation anniversary on January 7.

Today, the present Sangguniang Bayan has passed a resolution re-moving the date of the celebration to November 26, 1878 (the date when the Spain�s king issued the cedulario, an expression of his royal assent to the pueblo�s creation.)

It has approved the resolution to give the Lavezaresnons an ample and enough preparation for the celebration unlike when done on January 7 when everybody has just come out from a long holiday and schools are just about to be re-opened.

***Unedited Material

This undertaking is still a work in progress. As time goes by, efforts have yet to be made to complete this task of piecing events together with much accuracy which all Lavezaresnons must.

With so much gratitude to:
Atty. Ramon G. Cuyco
Melecio Cuyco (+)
Alejandre Gumarao (+)
Tita Alcantara-Adriatico
Pedro Adriatico
Brigido Adriatico
Democrita Ballesta
Conrada Turla
Antonio Dineros, Sr.
Magno Bacalando
Felix Tan
Lucio Lim
Gerardo Tan, Sr.
Juan Sulse
COPAR�s Timelines

(This unedited Lavezares' history is currently in progress. This is from the files of Mr. Rodel Cuyco)