ON JULY 1, 1966 – 1966 is truly a magnificent year, huh! – the town of Tagbilaran became a Chartered City through Republic Act (RA) 4660. I would say Tagbilaran is a dainty city settled by the sea easily providing its residents and guests an array of panoramic views sans the structures that obstruct the beautiful seascape. According to the city government website, Tagbilaran is “protected from the southwest monsoon by the island of Panglao and from the cold stream of the north wind by the Maribojoc mountain range.” Isn’t that a lovely picture!
Like any city, it has its own unique history. Although the origin of the city’s name “is still vague to many chroniclers,” Tagbilaran as a settlement is known as the “Bool Kingdom,” and dates to “as early as the 15th Century”, according to the same website. I must say kingdom sounds grand!
By tradition which I heard as a kid, “Tagbilaran” was “derived from the word Tagubilaan, a contraction from two local dialects Tagu (to hide) and Bilaan (a Muslim marauder tribe) which means a place hidden from the pillaging Muslims.” But I wonder having lived in General Santos City for nearly thirty years, if by Bilaan we mean “Blaan,” an Indigenous Peoples Group based in South Central Mindanao.
I have lived in General Santos City, Region 12, and have been exposed to the Blaan culture. In fact, in Insights, a TV Program I hosted for Brigada News TV in General Santos, I had the pleasure of interviewing a Blaan leader.
It is surmised that the evolution into her present name “Tagbilaran” could have been the work of the Spanish conquistadores, according to the same source.
The history of Tagbilaran is replete with cultural interplays like beginning as “a small settlement of natives who swore by the spirit of the Anito, a pagan god, in the vicinity of lower Mansasa” to “a more advanced and civilized community established at Sitio Ubos, the lower coastal portion at the back of the present Cathedral compound during the Spanish era.” “It is said that early settlers in lower Mansasa had established trade relations with China, Malaysia, and Indonesia.”
Another historical event that took place in Tagbilaran was the battle of Ubujan where the guerilla unit of Captain Francisco Salazar, aka Vicente Cubello, engaged a Japanese troop. Now, I live in Taloto, just an adjacent Barangay of Ubujan and in my return to my birth city, I have visited the memorial of the slain Boholano hero. As reported, the bravery and courage of Captain Salazar’s unit was no match against the Japanese soldiers. Sadly, the battle cost the life of Captain Salazar.
Evolution from town to city
As historical records put it, Tagbilaran was once part of the town of Baclayon. In 1741, Father Cesar Felipe Doria, the Father Rector of the Jesuits in Bohol with Residencia in Loboc, “petitioned his superiors for the division of the town of Baclayon and the creation of another town carved from it to be named ‘San Jose de Tagbilaran’” citing population issues, among others, that a single priest could not serve spiritually.
Following is the account immediately preceding the formation of Tagbilaran: 1) July 4, 1742, General de la Barca came to Baclayon, Bohol to supervise the election of officials for the new town; 2) July 11, 1742, at Tagbilaran, site of the new town, with Baclayon parish priest Reverend Father Jose Bernardo Redoon present, the elected officials were installed by General de la Barca – on the same date, Tagbilaran’s boundary was confirmed; and 3) July 12, 1742 at Tagbilaran, General de la Barca confirmed the tax-census of 600 tributees to be divided into six “cabezeras” or family groupings. Thus, the beginnings of the town of Tagbilaran. Father Redoon was tasked to supervise it.
Two centuries later, on July 16, 1952, Councilor Hilarion Zamora filed a resolution to convert Tagbilaran to a City. This was duly seconded by Councilor Juan Cacho. Congressman Luis Clarin supported the move by filing House Bill No. 3351 which proposed the granting of a City Charter to the Municipality of Tagbilaran, however, the Provincial Board of Bohol composed of Gov. Juan Pajo and Board Members Timoteo Butalid and Diosdado Delima blocked it, and thereafter, on March 18, 1953, the Provincial Board passed Resolution No. 127 opposing the granting of the City Charter.
Dare I tell you Boholanos have a mind of their own!
Despite opposition, the journey continued. In 1965, the three Congressmen of Bohol sponsored the Bill to convert Tagbilaran into a City and on June 18, 1966, President Ferdinand Marcos signed into law RA 4660, otherwise known as the City Charter of Tagbilaran providing, among others, that the City of Tagbilaran will begin to exist on July 1, 1966. And the rest is history!
I would say July is really a good month for the city since it was recognized as a town in July – July 12, 1742, and as a city on July 1, 1966. Hail July!
For more information about the city of Tagbilaran, please check tagbilaran.gov.ph/history/.
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Writer hosts Woman Talk with Belinda Sales at 91.1 Balita FM Tagbilaran City every Saturday, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. She can be reached at belindabelsales@gmail.com. Twitter @ShilohRuthie./PN
