Guinobatan

Guinobatan, officially the Municipality of Guinobatan (Central Bicolano: Banwaan kan Guinobatan; Tagalog: Bayan ng Guinobatan), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Albay, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 82,361 people.[3]

Guinobatan
Municipality
Municipality of Guinobatan
Our Lady of Assumption Church of Guinobatan
Seal
history
Map of Albay with Guinobatan highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Guinobatan
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 13°11′N 123°36′E
Country Philippines
RegionBicol Region (Region V)
ProvinceAlbay
District3rd district
Barangays44 (see Barangays)
Government
 [1]
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorAnn "Gemma" Y. Ongjoco
 • Vice MayorRolando P. Palabrica
 • CongressmanFernando T. Cabredo
 • Electorate54,364 voters (2019)
Area
 [2]
 • Total244.43 km2 (94.37 sq mi)
Population
 (2015 census)[3]
 • Total82,361
 • Density340/km2 (870/sq mi)
 • Households
17,882
Economy
 • Income class1st municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence23.36% (2015)[4]
 • Revenue (₱)188,173,074.77 (2016)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
4503
PSGC
050504000
IDD : area code +63 (0)52
Climate typetropical rainforest climate
Native languagesAlbay Bikol language
Tagalog
Websitewww.guinobatan.gov.ph

The town is the birthplace of General Simeón Ola, the last Filipino general to surrender to the Americans after the Philippine-American War.

History

Legend

In the research work "Guinobatan Through the Times," the following version of the legend is stated:

  • In a region on Mayon’s slopes lay a village. It was dotted with huts whose roofs were made of nipa, as well as with a number of stone houses. In the village was a church, and inside the belfry was a Golden Bell. So great was the bell thatwhen rung, the sound could be heard from miles away. The sound could even reach the land of the Moros. The Moros, made curious by the sound of the bell, sentspies so that they would know what kind of bell was producing so loud and peculiar a sound. The spies were amazed and surprised to find out that the townspeople rang was made of pure gold. They went back to the land of the Moros eager to report their findings to their superiors.Motivated by greed,the Moros assembled a squad to plunder the bell. When they arrived at the village, they pillaged the community and torched houses. They attempted to force the people to tell them where the Golden Bell was. Their attempts failed.Many were still ableto flee. The fleeing townsfolk knew where the bell was, and they hid the bell underneath the roots of trees. However, an old man was left in the village. Ashe was the only person left in the town, Moros tortured him so that he would tell the raiders where the Golden Bell was. The old man, however, did not know.Finding no use for the old man, the Moros killed him. They tried to pursue the townspeople, but they were too far away to be captured. Instead, they went to the woods in search of the Golden Bell. They uprooted every tree underneath which they believed the Golden Bell was hidden. Their efforts proved futile. Hence, with empty hands the Moros went back to their land, while the townspeople went back to the village to rebuild their lives, which had always been under threat from Moro pillagers and natural calamities; from bad harvests and oppressive encomienderos. The townspeople also kept the valued Golden Bell safe from anyone who tried to steal it. Seeing the uprooted trees, the townsfolk named their area “Guinobatan” meaning “a place where trees were uprooted.” So ends the legend.[5]

Some versions also state that the town's name is derived from Ginabutan, meaning "a place where trees or plants were uprooted."[6]

History under foreign rule

Luis Nee, a botanist, reached Bikol in January 1792, accompanying the expedition of Capt. Alejandro Malaspina. Nee explored towns near Mayon and including the area now known as Guinobatan. He noted that "trees grew in exuberance making the foothills impenetrable in many parts."[7]

Dr. Leonilo Palacio of Guinobatan’s Republic Colleges mentioned in an essay entitled "Guinobatan and its Church" that "in 1672, the Parish of Guinobatan was already mentioned in books as a visita of the Municipality of Camalig."[8]

In 1890, the title of the gobernadorcillo was changed to Capitan Municipal. The Municipal Law of 1894 guaranteed that the term of the local executive would be extended from two years to four years. Also among the salient provisions of the law was the election of 12 vocales, equivalent to today’s councilors. In 1895, the Colegio de San Buenaventura was also built, making Guinobatan the centre for higher education in Albay.[5]

Cabezas and principales elected the gobernadorcillo until 1863. Until 1847, Guinobatan belonged to Camarines. During the said year,the towns of Quipia, Camalig and Donsol (now in Sorsogon) were ceded to Albay, in exchange for the towns of the Partido de Lagonoy. From 1730-1818, the town transferred from one place to another. In 1730, it was on a site now called Binanuahan. From there, it was the relocated to Bubulusan. During the eruption of 1814, citizens opted to evacuate to higher ground, in Mauraro.

American colonization

During the Philippine Revolution and the Philippine-American War (1898-1911), most of the schoolhouses built by the Spaniards were destroyed by constant artillery fire, most of which came from the Americans. As part of the "pacification" campaign of the Americans, engineers and architects were sent to the Philippines to oversee the construction of public works. Engr. Edward K. Bourne and famed urban planner Daniel Burnham, among other American architects and engineers, were instructed to go to Manila. In response, the Philippine Commission passed Act No. 268 which created the Bureau of Architecture and Construction of Public Buildings. Mr. Bourne was appointed as its head. In 1907, the Philippine Assembly was formed. Angel Roco of Mauraro, Guinobatan represented Albay in the Assembly. The same year, Assemblyman Isauro Gabaldon of Nueva Ecija authored an act which appropriated ₱ 1 million between 1907 and 1915 for "construction of schoolhouses of strong materials in barrios with guaranteed daily attendance of not less than sixty pupils…" Passing into law as Act No. 1801, the act became known as the "Gabaldon Act". Among the salient provisions was that no school could receive more than ₱ 4,000 unless the municipality to which the school belonged contributed at least 50% of the total amount granted to the school by the Gabaldon Act. The Gabaldon Act stipulated that only on land owned by the municipality could schools be constructed. Fifty-one "Gabaldons" were completed by 1911, and by 1916, four hundred five more were constructed. Among those completed between 1911 and 1916 was Guinobatan Central School blg. 1 or the Guinobatan East Central School's Gabaldon Building.

Potenciano Gregorio's Bikol language musical composition "Sarung Banggi" premiered at the town fiesta in Guinobatan in August 1910.[9]

Geography

Guinobatan is located at 13°11′N 123°36′E.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 244.43 square kilometres (94.37 sq mi) [2] constituting 9.49% of the 2,575.77-square-kilometre- (994.51 sq mi) total area of Albay.

The territory of Guinobatan is bordered by a number of municipalities: Camalig on the east, Jovellar on the south, Pio Duran on the south-west, Ligao on the north-west. On the north-east, the town shares with Malilipot, Santo Domingo, Daraga, Tabaco and Legazpi, a common point in the crater of Mayon Volcano.[5]

Barangays

Guinobatan is politically subdivided into 44 barangays.[10]

PSGC Barangay Population ±% p.a.
2015[3] 2010[11]
050504001 Agpay 0.6% 482 451 ▴ 1.27%
050504002 Balite 0.7% 585 524 ▴ 2.12%
050504003 Banao 1.3% 1,074 1,018 ▴ 1.02%
050504004 Batbat 1.7% 1,373 1,314 ▴ 0.84%
050504005 Binogsacan Lower 2.3% 1,889 1,716 ▴ 1.85%
050504049 Binogsacan Upper 1.4% 1,131 1,067 ▴ 1.12%
050504006 Bololo 1.8% 1,442 1,363 ▴ 1.08%
050504007 Bubulusan 1.7% 1,399 1,189 ▴ 3.15%
050504009 Calzada 3.4% 2,787 2,662 ▴ 0.88%
050504010 Catomag 1.0% 796 713 ▴ 2.12%
050504011 Doña Mercedes 1.7% 1,411 1,472 ▾ −0.80%
050504012 Doña Tomasa (Magatol) 1.6% 1,352 1,197 ▴ 2.35%
050504013 Ilawod 2.7% 2,209 2,101 ▴ 0.96%
050504015 Inamnan Grande 2.6% 2,177 1,986 ▴ 1.76%
050504014 Inamnan Pequeño 2.1% 1,756 1,636 ▴ 1.36%
050504016 Inascan 1.8% 1,481 1,359 ▴ 1.65%
050504017 Iraya 2.2% 1,771 2,006 ▾ −2.34%
050504018 Lomacao 2.5% 2,096 2,002 ▴ 0.88%
050504021 Maguiron 2.6% 2,118 2,110 ▴ 0.07%
050504022 Maipon 4.8% 3,944 2,214 ▴ 11.62%
050504023 Malabnig 1.4% 1,145 1,117 ▴ 0.47%
050504024 Malipo 2.1% 1,760 1,690 ▴ 0.78%
050504025 Malobago 2.3% 1,867 1,818 ▴ 0.51%
050504026 Maninila 1.8% 1,482 1,437 ▴ 0.59%
050504027 Mapaco 1.8% 1,460 1,463 ▾ −0.04%
050504008 Marcial O. Rañola (Cabaloaon) 0.7% 537 633 ▾ −3.08%
050504029 Masarawag 4.6% 3,760 3,553 ▴ 1.08%
050504030 Mauraro 7.3% 5,980 5,145 ▴ 2.90%
050504031 Minto 2.1% 1,726 1,707 ▴ 0.21%
050504032 Morera 3.2% 2,602 1,878 ▴ 6.41%
050504034 Muladbucad Grande 2.5% 2,079 2,010 ▴ 0.64%
050504033 Muladbucad Pequeño 2.5% 2,051 1,920 ▴ 1.26%
050504035 Ongo 1.1% 942 930 ▴ 0.24%
050504036 Palanas 0.5% 427 736 ▾ −9.85%
050504038 Poblacion 1.6% 1,336 1,352 ▾ −0.23%
050504040 Pood 0.7% 583 287 ▴ 14.45%
050504042 Quibongbongan 3.2% 2,595 2,286 ▴ 2.44%
050504041 Quitago 2.7% 2,236 1,760 ▴ 4.66%
050504043 San Francisco 4.0% 3,302 2,909 ▴ 2.44%
050504044 San Jose (Ogsong) 1.0% 853 721 ▴ 3.25%
050504045 San Rafael 4.7% 3,884 3,880 ▴ 0.02%
050504046 Sinungtan 1.6% 1,312 1,398 ▾ −1.20%
050504047 Tandarora 1.6% 1,291 1,399 ▾ −1.52%
050504048 Travesia 4.7% 3,878 3,838 ▴ 0.20%
Total 82,361 75,967 ▴ 1.55%

Demographics
Population census of Guinobatan
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 20,027—    
1918 25,113+1.52%
1939 26,419+0.24%
1948 32,280+2.25%
1960 48,157+3.39%
1970 47,190−0.20%
1975 49,724+1.05%
1980 53,639+1.53%
1990 59,187+0.99%
1995 65,512+1.92%
2000 71,071+1.76%
2007 74,386+0.63%
2010 75,967+0.77%
2015 82,361+1.55%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[3][11][12][13]

In the 2015 census, Guinobatan had a population of 82,361.[3] The population density was 340 inhabitants per square kilometre (880/sq mi).

Climate
Climate data for Guinobatan, Albay
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 26
(79)		 27
(81)		 28
(82)		 30
(86)		 30
(86)		 30
(86)		 29
(84)		 29
(84)		 29
(84)		 28
(82)		 28
(82)		 27
(81)		 28
(83)
Average low °C (°F) 22
(72)		 22
(72)		 22
(72)		 23
(73)		 24
(75)		 25
(77)		 24
(75)		 24
(75)		 24
(75)		 24
(75)		 23
(73)		 23
(73)		 23
(74)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 138
(5.4)		 83
(3.3)		 74
(2.9)		 50
(2.0)		 108
(4.3)		 165
(6.5)		 202
(8.0)		 165
(6.5)		 190
(7.5)		 186
(7.3)		 188
(7.4)		 183
(7.2)		 1,732
(68.3)
Average rainy days 16.8 11.9 13.5 13.8 20.5 25.2 27.4 26.2 26.1 24.7 20.7 18.5 245.3
Source: Meteoblue [14]

Culture

Guinobatan hosts an annual festival in the celebration of Our Lady of Assumption, its patron saint. Until 2013, the town festival was called "Arandurugan Festival." In August, 2013, Guinobatan celebrated Longganisa Festival, named after the local product listed under the Department of Trade and Industry's "One Town, One Product" program.

gollark: yes.
gollark: That does sound somewhat unreasonable of them.
gollark: If you *do* find it normal it's probably also because of your culture. It's all because of your culture, apiohazardously so.
gollark: Months are limited resources, and must be allocated carefully.
gollark: There are also day/night cycle issues, although I suppose you could just assume one from some convenient point on the ground.

References
  1. "Municipality". Quezon City, Philippines: Department of the Interior and Local Government. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  2. "Province: Albay". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  3. Census of Population (2015). "Region V (Bicol Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. PSA. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  4. "PSA releases the 2015 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Quezon City, Philippines. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  5. Dy and Tuson, 2012. Guinobatan Through the Times: Essays on Our Heritage. Marcial O. Rañola Memorial School
  6. Municipality of Guinobatan. 1996. Arandurugan Festival Souvenir Program: Guinobatan, Albay
  7. Mallari, Francisco, S.J. 1999. Vignettes of Bicol History. Quezon City: New DayPublishers
  8. Dy and Tuson. 2012. Guinobatan Through the Times. Marcial O. Rañola Memorial School
  9. Tariman, Pablo (3 June 2013). "Bicolandia's Sarung Banggi: From music to film". The Philippine Star. Philstar Global Corp. Retrieved 5 February 2019.
  10. "Municipal: Guinobatan". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  11. Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region V (Bicol Region)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. NSO. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  12. Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region V (Bicol Region)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. NSO.
  13. "Province of Albay". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  14. "Guinobatan, Albay : Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
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