Captivating Capiz - History of Ivisan, Capiz

I. Name and Origin:
The name Ivisan came from the “IBIS”, small fish which abound in the place. They preserved by salting and drying.
During the Spanish era, the provincial governor appointed a continue composed of prominent men of the village and Spanish officials to coin the proper name of the locality.
They unanimously agreed to the name “Ibisan” due to the small fish “ibis” and later on officially accepted Ivisan instead of ibisan because of the preference of “V” to “B”.

II.Industries
Farming – tilling the lowlands and kaingin the uplands
Fishing – labay, hudhud, taba, bentol, laya tapangan, saliwsiwan
Buri weaving – bayo-ong, tampipi
Bamboo weaving – ropero nigo, taklob and taba for fishing
Salt making – ordinary salt and duldul (harded bake salt used as viand)

Pre Spanish Period.
Domestic and Social life
Home:
The primitive “taos” built no house but crude lean to shelter homes of palm of bamboo leaves fastened to frame to keep out from rain and heat of the sun.

III. Customs:
Courtship and Marriage
A man courted a lady and gets the consent of the parents of the girl and then proposals of wedding followed. The man had to render service to the parents of the girl called “PANGAGAD” like tilling the fields, pounding rice, fetching water, gathering firewood or building new house.

Pregnancy and Birth
These were accompanied by many superstitious like (a) a pregnant woman should not see and eclipse because the baby will be deformed, (b) if she happened to eat uncooked rice the baby will be dirty inside the womb, (c) if she conceives the fruit of a tree, the fruit will be sour or else the tree will die.
The umbilical cord was cut by a “tagkis” a piece of bamboo.

Religion
The natives had no religion, they were pegans. They worshipped the sun, moon, birds, animals, trees, anitos and diwatas.

IV.Community Life and Laws
The inhabitants settled by along the banks. They lived by fishing and those on the hillside and plains lived by catching wild animals and gathering wild fruits. The natives formed themselves into tribes or Barangay composed of 30 families. They selected a leader called datu or rajah who could lead in time of war or disputes. He also makes laws and act as judge.

Spanish Period
Domestic and Social Life

Almost the same as in the pre-Spanish era but still influenced by superstitious. The means of livelihood is the same – fishing and farming.
1815 – The pueblo was established. The first Governadorcillo was Don Eugenio Gerardo, appointed by a Spanish Friar.
1894 – A new reform in the government called “Reforma Nueva” changed the Governadorcillo to Captain Municipal; Sevillano Quiachon was appointed captain municipal.
1899 – Revolutionary reform changed the Captain Municipal to Presidente Local. Don Euginio Villagracia was appointed.
1902 – Captain Hipolito Vidal was responsible for the construction of the Catholic Church convent.
1911 – Election of the Municipal President Pedro Advincula was the first Municipal President, in his term, the Gabaldon Building was constructed.

American Period
Historical events and social progress

1901 – American government in Ivisan formally established run by the American themselves.
1914 – The road from Capiz was improved and extended to Ivisan. The railroad track was finished and the first train operated from Iloilo to Capiz. Years later, the port of Libas was opened and the boat called “Lagatik” made its first voyage from Manila to Capiz. The Panay Autobus operated for Iloilo, Capiz and Aklan passing Ivisan.
1920 – Philippine copra was exported. Ivisan developed copra industry. Rice produced in low land areas with the use of plow and carabao. Mechanized farming in San Juan Sugar Central, Dumalag by Mr. Thomas Ford Sr. the convent schools was continued. As early as 1901, the public schools were opened for both young and old. Education was compulsory with English as medium of instruction.

Local Government enacted laws for the welfare of the people.
Mayor Felipe Manalo opened a canal to facilitate water transportation to Balaring, Basiao and Cabugao.
Mayor Catalino Andrada establishes the Ivisan Elementary School.
Mayor Panfilo Mendoza put up the Gabaldon Building.



Japanese Occupation
Historical events and developments

April 2, 1942 Japanese Imperial forces came to Ivisan occupied the Poblacion and put up their garrison at the foot of the bridge opposite the church.
The pattern of living in the community abruptly changed. People left their homes and farms uncultivated for fear. The Japanese exerted effort to organize a civil government. The prewar Mayor Manuel Villaruz was inducted into office. Norberto Villarde was appointed Chief of Police. Japanese offers ordered teachers to organize classes. The church was used as classroom, the principal was Martiniano Andrada and the teachers were Basilia Gustilo, Marciana Valcarcel, Consolacion Didulo and Nancy Yap.
Mayor Esteban Andrada and Captain Leon Gamboa exerted effort to organize different army troops who did not surrender to the enemies.
In the latter part of the war sometime in 1944, a sporadic guerilla activity in Ivisan was aided by the Hublag Battalion which succeeded in raiding Japanese garrison in Loctugan.


The Third Republic
On July 1946, the Third Republic of the Philippines was born. It coincided with Independence Day of the United States of America. Don Manuel Villaruz was Mayor of Ivisan who served as Mayor from 1935-1946. On November 1947, election was held. Lluminado Villaruz was elected as mayor of Ivisan. During his term everything returned to normal.

Ivisan Town Fiesta “Buyloganay”
A Filipino culture heritage that may never ceases to exist for generation is the holding of Annual town fiesta, a tradition, influenced through the spread of Christianity in the country and more particular originated by the Catholic hierarchy whereby idolizing a certain saint as a patron. The municipality of Ivisan in its part celebrates its annual Municipal and Religious Fiesta in honor of its patron saint, St. Nicholas of Tolentino every September 10. Historical facts, however, do not show what activities were undertaken during the first fiesta celebration, but for many years now, the festivity lasts for five years starting September 3 and culminating on its feast day. Unlike the Barangay
Fiesta, the town fiesta celebration is usually associated with the theme be it cultural or current events that denotes significance to the association. Each and every year, the theme changes at the turn of events not until 1993 when members of the affair, patterned after the province festivals of Halaran, Ati-atihan and Dinagyang which is one word theme in the local dialect that will depict the culture of the locality and should express simplicity and uniqueness. (A management meeting was dialect that will depict the culture of their locality and should express simplicity and uniqueness). A management meeting was called for the matter, to be discussed and decided, and among the suggestion raised, BUYLOGANAY, a word typical on an Ivisan culture characterized by the gesture of unity and cooperation, turned out to be the one chosen as the permanent fiesta theme, thus BUYLOGANAY was conceived.
Lately, the fiesta management having been fascinated with the theme, further thought of organizing an association that will take responsibility of all fiesta celebration of the municipality. Upon agreement of all members in the meeting, the plan was carried out. An Association was organized and named BUYLOGANAY ASSOCIATION OF IVISAN (BAI), a non-stock, non-profit association with the objective to promote social-economic, cultural and training programs that will enhance livelihood development in the municipality. The Buyloganay Association of Ivisan was founded on July 6, 1995 and handled for the first time the fiesta affair which was a big success. With this initial achievement, the BAI looks forward to many more fiesta celebrations to spearhead.

Frightening Place

Have you ever heard a story about a haunted house? You want to hear a story about it? Ok lets start.

There was a big white house in a small barangay in Ivisan. It was beautiful and has huge garden. That house was owned by my Aunt but shes living in Manila. Only the house hold go there in the morning and clean the house but no one slept there at night. The house was famous because of the ghost story not only by the people who tell it but also by me who witness it.

The ghost at the big house scared me not only once but many times. The first time that it happens was when I was walking with my cousin and suddenly we saw a thin white cloth floating upward. The second time is when I was walking from school. It was already 9pm, I saw a smoke that form a woman walking at the stair. The third is in the wheel near garden. My lolo said when he pass at the wheel, he saw a big black dog with red eyes stared and growling at him. I experienced it too. I was walking and when I get closer to the wheel I hear a growl and the grass suddenly moved like someone were hiding there. Because I was scare I hesitate to investigate it.

From that day on, when I passed that house and when I feel something freaky, I just closed my eyes and say a little prayer to keep me safe.

A Person Who Intimidates Me.

When I was only 6 years old, there was a person who really intimidates me. I was so scared at him because of his mad looking face. I couldn't forget what happen that night.

It was a total brownout and it was raining. My mother told me to buy cooking oil at the store. When I was walking at the street, I saw a big shadow in front of my way where I headed of. When I get closer, lightning suddenly sparks. I saw his face looking at me. I throw my umbrella and ran as fast as I could. I was really frightened.

Now that I am a college student the person that intimidates me were my instructors. I'm not just scared only at the looks but also I'm more scared to fail. But I will do my very best and overcome my fears to success in the career I've chose.

A Place Near Water

I really love a place near water particularly on the seashore. Even if you just imagine a place near seashore you felt relax, cool and relieve. You feel like there is nothing bothering you. The air breeze were fresh and the sound of the waves wash out your problems and worries.

We have a house near seashore at Basiao, Ivisan. We go there if we want to relax, go swimming and visit the house. If we were there, we build bonfire during night time with my cousin and tells stories and chat to each other.

Last summer, we spent our vacation there, Every time our relatives came from Manila, they always want to go there and have a peaceful retrieve.

The person I admired most

The person I admired most was my father. He is a farmer and a business man. His name is Mr. Oscar Baranda. Before my mother and my father got married his job was a seaman. But because of an accident he stops. He became a business man.

I admired my father because he was a very good father to us. He was so industrious, kind, caring and a loving father to us. He never stop working, he stops only by night of course. He is a very responsible man.

Being the oldest and the only boy in our family, he trained and teach me to became a responsible person too. Even my father scolded me for being a hard headed, I don't react on it because I know he just don't want me to do the same mistakes I commit before.

My father is one in a million. I'm so proud I had a father like that.

An Adventurous Person

Good day guys... What is an adventurous person? Almost of us means that an adventurous person is a kind of a traveler one, that dare to risk some of the breath taking events. The one that face the new challenges that may occur in his/her life. And never abandoned his/her fellowmen.

I have known a person whose just like that. He is actually my uncle. Husband of my mom's sister. He is a foreigner, an Australian citizen. He was a writer, business man, crime buster and a good husband to my aunt. His name Earl Jim K. Wilkinson. He wrote books such as "Trial of the Century, Sentence to Death and The Philippines-Damaged Culture?". These books owed high praise to him.

Mr. Earl Jim K. Wilkinson made some forms of contribution to the Philippine and to some Filipinos. He had chosen the Philippines because he had developed a genuine liking of Filipinos during his previous visits. During the height of the Marcos dictatorship, he had the oppotunity to observed closely the effects of this on the populace, and he did not like what he saw. Because of being a writer he witness gross abuse to human. He saw and dangerously photographed some killing fields.

His campaigns have made him many enemies and often placed him in personal danger. He receive death treats and has even been jailed on false charges. In spite of these, he has perserved and has not only achieved some remarkable success but has also receive praise of many high profile Filipinos for his effort.

He traveled in different countries and bought some artifacts, antiques and take pictures of some of his adventures. He loves to travel