Dumudumug san pablo isabela

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The Official Newsletter of the 10th Baka Festival, San Pablo, Isabela

January 11, 2014

10 Baka Festival opens today th

By Angely Lubo-Mercado SAN PABLO, Isabela (PIA) - All tourism roads lead to this historic town as local tourists, guests and bystanders swamped the 10th Baka Festival today, kicked off with a fun run starting at the historic.

San Pablo church as a trade fair opened at the ruins of Casa Real in front of the municipal hall.

Mayor Antoino Jose T. Miro, III who led the opening said this year’s Baka Festival is far different from previous year as the local government unit jampacked the five-day event with gimmicry, productivity and fun.

“We prepared lots of activities catering to both old and young ones from day 1 until its closing on January ...to page 7

Cowboys, dancers, cultural icons, religous heritage and agricultural productivity converge into what now is known as the Baka Festival.

Country’s youngest LCE bares projects for peoples’ development SAN PABLO, Isabela (PIA) - The acclaimed youngest local chief executive in the Philippine political arena bared his long-term development plan for this developing town prioritizing on infrastructure and livelihood programs.

Mayor Antonio Jose T. Miro III, only 21-year old when elected last year, said he has already sat down with his co-officials the major development projects that the LGU will undertake to improve the living conditions of his constituents and to make the town competitive to other developed towns.

“We have so many projects to undertake in my first term but there are priority projects that we would like to establish which will surely help gear-up our town into progress,” the mayor said following the footsteps of his father Vice-Mayor Antonio N. Miro Jr. The Ibanag town of San Pablo is the last town of Isabela going north in the boundary of Cagayan province. It was then tagged as ‘sleeping town’ considering its slow development.

With this, the young mayor said he is challenged to create major developments with the construction of a public market, ...to page 4

Feature

San Pablo church: Weathering the test of time at 300 (Angely Lubo-Mercado is a visiting writer of the Philippine Information Agency Regional Office 02 in Tuguegarao City. She has been a consistent scholar of the LGU during her college days.-Editor)

Remnant She stubbornly refuses to bid time goodbye. Proudly, she stood there in all her glory and magnificence as a mute witness to a colorful and checkered past. Inside its brick and riverstone walls intricately executed to reveal an awesome work of art, the San Pablo Parish church in San Pablo, Isabela never fails to entice even the non-religious to pause and take a peep into its aesthetic

...to page 5

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EDITORIAL Livestock As OTOP

T

he local government unit of beautiful and laidback yet potential tourism giant San Pablo, Isabela finally hit the nail right into its head when it decided to start and sustain the staging of its Baka Festival, now on its 10th year.

As one of the oldest municipalities in Northern Luzon, the town is blessed with a wide area of open lands best suited for the raising of livestock and sports animals. In fact, the joke around is that you know you’re in San Pablo when you see herds of cattle freely bathing under the Isabela sun either on national road shoulders or unto open hilly lands.

It is appropriate therefore that the festival should focus on their number one attraction, cattle.

For the possibly youngest Local Chief Executive in the country at 22 years old, Mayor Antonio Jose Miro III, the event is nothing new as it was his then Father-Mayor (now the Vice-Mayor) who broached the idea of zeroing on the town’s prime agricultural resource.

For the local leadership and the industrious people of San Pablo, the time is ripe to convert their humble municipality into a rodeo paradise. It’s not enough that the area is there or that there is a significant population of cattle in their municipality.

What is important is that a festival to celebrate the bounties of their land is now a decade-old and is slowly attracting visitors and livestock enthusiasts from far and wide.

Nor it is of significance that a locality is endowed with all natural wonders even with such gift, it can go to waste if not promoted. For San Pablo, it is the Baka Festival, a welcome breather from the humdrums of everyday life.

Not that San Pablo is the only place with cattle but that the LGU sees the opportunity to finally transform the town into an eco-adventure tourism haven for everyone. The decision of the town to fully maximize its potential at the height of development on its both sides, Tuguegarao in the North and Ilagan in the South, is therefore commendable.

With that, the entire municipality under the new dispensation of Mayor Miro III should be congratulated for his first Baka Festival, the town’s 10th this year.

The San Pablo Dumudumug (San Pablo News) is the official newsletter supplement of the 10th Baka Festival produced by the local government unit of San Pablo with technical assistance from the Philippine Information Agency 02 and supported by the teachers and student writers of the San Pablo National High School.

Its editorial office is located at the 2nd floor Session Hall, Sangguniang Bayan Office, Municipal Town Hall.

On Personal Notes

By Antonio Miro, Jr. Municipal Vice-Mayor

United in Peace and Progress for San Pablo Let me greet our people of San Pablo a happy patronal town fiesta. Through the intercession of our patron Saint, Saint Paul the Apostle, may our dear Almighty God shower his blessings upon us, give us strength, brings us unity and continuing peace to all of us.

Ten years ago today, during my first year of incumbency as duly elected Municipal Mayor, the Baka Festival came into existence. I remember, there were a lot of valid and reasonable questions that were asked when I initiated this festivity. Just what is the relationship of a Baka Festival in the development of the town? Our town has been known as sleeping giant of Isabela despite its vast resources which can be develop for its optimum uses, how can we reconcile a festival to the development of the town? @@@ Soon, other questions arose: will the Festival bring development for the municipality in terms of poverty reduction?

Will it address the inadequacy of infrastructure and agricultural support in the community particularly in the eastern barangays?

Will it be a solution and intervention in the attainment of peace and order and reduce incidence of criminality? Will it provide and generate employment and income? Finally, will it increase the yield and income of our poor farmers? With all humility, those questions were adequately answered and given due course and consideration after my full three terms of governance. @@@ As a municipality of Isabela, San Pablo was not known by the public then as compared to now. Soon, the Baka Festival became popular not only among the residents but likewise among various towns and provinces. In fact, the various regional line agencies calendared it as part of their activities. @@@ The conduct of the Baka Festival in our town was institutionalized. It metamorphosed into a tradition and has become part of the regular program of the local government unit assisted by the different agencies. Yet, we are never contented.

We know there are still innovations and improvements to make for the success of the activity. This is the very reason why my son, Mayor Antonio Jose Tumaliauan Miro will continue to partner with government and private agencies to further develop our Baka Festival with a grand design of making it the best festival in Cagayan Valley. @@@ Let me take this opportunity, through this impromptu column, to extend my appreciation to all our partners, who through the years, actively participated in the successful implementation of the Baka festival for the last decade. I say thank you to the Isabela State University led by then President Dr. Romeo Quilang ( now the President of the Cagayan State University – Ed), the provincial government of Isabela, Department of Agriculture-Region 2, the Tourism Department, Trade and Industry department and other agencies to include private institutions and individuals. Without your valuable contributions, we can’t reach this far. For all what you’ve done and will continue doing for us, mabbalo nikamu ngamin.

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Messages The entire officialdom of San Pablo, Isabela, along with our people, is deeply honored and privileged to once again bring to fore the Baka Festival, now on its tenth year.

Let me greet the beautiful and industrious people of San Pablo, Isabela on the occasion of their 10th Baka Festival, January 11 -15, 2014.

San Pablo is not only the home of the industrious, sturdy and beautiful Ibanags and other indigenous peoples; it is likewise where nature generously poured its wealth of wonders up into the Sierra Madre mountains and most especially its vast pasturelands making the town the unbeaten municipality when it comes to rodeo.

As communications and information partner of local government units in the Cagayan Valley, the Philippine Information Agency has always been supportive of the various programs and projects of municipalities like San Pablo.

It is a fact that our daily production of cow’s and carabao’s have likewise provided employment to our own people and those of the neighboring municipalities and provinces. Taking the cudgels from my family, my being a young administrator should never be a hindrance in my quest for the development of our cattle as One Town One Product.

I am thankful, therefore, that despite our present position as a bit player in this sunrise industry of tourism in this part of the country, our humble municipality was given the chance to showcase its true eco-tourism colors.

I am confident that such event will attract the business sector to invest in us. No longer will San Pablo be a silent witness to tourism development in this country. We vow to become a major player in the local scene as we leave no tourism stone unturned if only to benefit our people.

Enjoy traces of our history, visit our centuries-old church, bathe in the glory of our verdant mountains and savor the hospitality and warmth of the Ibanags, the river people.

ANTONIO JOSE MIRO III Municipal Mayor

Your celebration of this festival is a manifestation of your readiness to meet the challenges of adventure tourism and the demands of adventure tourists, both local and foreign, as you embark on the full development of your tourism potentials.

Being a historic town, as manifested by the presence of your centuries-old majestic St. Paul Church and your vast pastureland, I believe you have all the aces to make it not only in the livestock and religious tourism but also in the eco-adventure tourism domestic and foreign markets.

Your PIA will always be behind all your endeavors in the provision of the necessary information and advocacies activities to your people.

Lastly, let me congratulate the local government officials, department heads and all stakeholders for this significant and merry occasion of the 10th Baka Festival.

We believe your efforts will never be in vain as you continue to find ways and means to bring about change in your locality.

Dios Y mabbalo. Diyos Y mabattang!

PURITA S. LICAS, MPA, LLB Regional Director

< < < Test your knowledge > > > Score: 8-10 correct answers – You were born, raised and educated in San Pablo 7- 5 correct answers - You were born, raised but studied outside of San Pablo 4-0 correct answers - Are you sure you are a son or daughter of San Pablo? Check your genes?

1. There are _____ mountains in Cagayan Valley.

2. What specie is Ninox philippensis phileppensis?

3. The original name of Sierra Madre Outdoor Club is ________.

4. San Pablo church was built in ______.

5. The number one market for cattle from San Pablo is _______.

6. Name one mountain peak which coverage spreads towards Barangay Tupa, San Pablo, Isabela.

7. Two of the by-products from carabao’s milk are ______ and ______.

8. The population of cattle in San Pablo is estimated at _____.

For answers log-on to https://www.facebook.com/piaregion2 9. San Pablo, at time or another, has at least _______ pasturelands. and like the page.

10. The number one landmark of San Pablo is ________.

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PIA throws full media support to local fest

By Benjie S. De Yro SAN PABLO, Isabela – The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) left no stone unturned if only to lend publicity support to this year’s edition of the Baka Festival.

PIA director Purita S. Licas told Mayor Antonio Jose Miro III that it has been the tradition of the agency to provide the necessary information dissemination assistance to all local government unit as part of its mandate as information arm of the government.

“We will continue to do this if only to assist our LGUs in the quest of their constituents on information”, Licas said in a message.

As part of the assistance, the agency conducted a special edition of the ‘Tipon-Tipan Sa PIA” dubbed “TiponTipan Goes to LGU” where representatives from the various media outlets in Tuguegarao City grilled the local officials in a more than an hour taped interview for local television.

The historic town is the first recipient in the region of such service this year. Last year, the municipality of Sta. Teresita, Cagayan availed of the program during its 1st National Eco-Tourism Festival.

“This is the first time in the 10 year history of the Baka Festival that a press conference as big as this was held in our town,” Vice-Mayor Antonio Miro, Jr. said.

Aside from the press conference, the PIA took charge of a two-issue festival supplement whose first issue came out today, in time for the opening of the activities-filled festival. The second and last issue will culminate the activity to be released on January 15 for the closing ceremonies.

Earlier, the youthful Mayor Antonio Jose Miro III appealed to the media to help the locality in its development efforts. He scored some members of the press who are

PIA-2 staff coordinate with San Pablo, Isabela Vice Mayor Antonio Miro Jr. on a planned publication of an LGU newsletter and press conference in preparation to the Baka Festival on January 11-15, 2014.

more interested in political issues than on the various accomplishments of the town.

Meanwhile, the 10th Baka Festival has been selected as the cover story of ‘One Luzon’, the daily electronic news magazine of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO)-PIA (www.pia.gov.ph), January 15 issue.

The social media mileage will include photos of the festival on its cover, an editorial, a news feature and a collage of the various activities.

Director Licas reiterated her call to the local government units in Cagayan Valley to likewise avail of such services during their special events like festivals as part of the agency’s information and education campaign efforts.

Country’s youngest ...from page 1

San Pablo’s Pride. Photo shows the centuries-old award winning acacia (Fomosa acacia) as it stands proudly over a cemetery outliving the living.

additional school buildings, river control project, historical buildings restoration, greening program, tricycle coding system, and more livelihood opportunities.

The younger Miro said that at present the people of San Pablo go to its neighboring town, Cabagan for their basic needs as they do not have a public market of their own.

“We will seek assistance from national agencies and other potential stakeholders who could help us develop our town,” the Mayor added.

He further stated that he will also focus on agricultural development by capacitating their farmers to produce more especially their major products corn, palay, tobacco and legumes.

(Oliver T. Baccay)

San Pablo church: ...from page 1 offerings.

Inside, one is transported back in time when Spanish priests subjugated the lowly and humble Cagayano through their faith. Silence can be deafening in this part of town as one tries to visualize the daily activities of the people vis-à-vis their faith.

Outside, a group of high school students were laughing, it echoes into the interiors and boomeranged like a transported scenario when girls their age wore istampita, long jusi skirts topped by an inabel kimono and were subservient to the religious powers that be. Such noise can also be likened to the sounds of a hurried sapatonas as church service was about to start.

Undoubtedly an architectural masterpiece, the San Pablo church was built in 1624 by the Spanish friars and tribal Ibanag craftsmen using bricks baked at nearby Tuguegarao central horno (kiln), mixed with sturdy river stones seasoned by the wild and turbulent water of the Rio Grande De Cagayan.

Listed as the oldest church in the Queen Province of Cagayan Valley, Isabela, the church is made of locally available adobe and coral stone materials. The church’s elegant wall surrounding its atrium is decorated with clay insets of rosettes and sun emblems. These are just few of the various Pontifical symbols in and around the entire edifice.

Its lofty bell tower of six layers including the circular apex also made of adobe with carved coral stone, is the tallest in the entire Cagayan Valley region.

Mistakes of War Sheltering the nameless and faceless unsung heroes during World War II, the San Pablo church was heavily damaged by kamikazes (Japanese Imperial suicide bombers) which left the façade, the belfry and other sections of the church in near-dilapidation state. Only recently did the National Historical Institute restore the church to its original design. Ever religious, the people of San Pablo, too, raised funds to assist their church.

As the most prominent historical landmark in Northern Isabela, the church has continuously stood as a silent witness to the history of the people of San Pablo and nearby towns---the destructive droughts and killerepidemics, natural catastrophic events, the never-ending resistance of the Ibanags against their colonizers, the painful and unacceptable subjugation by the colonizers, the celebrated victories which ironically tested their acquired Christian faith amidst the claws of poverty.

For all its historical and architectural worth, the church is a priceless cultural heritage.

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Its magnificent structure, both interior and exterior, is a stunning sight to behold then and now which landed a precious spot in the Cable News Network (CNN). For the millions of Filipinos, it was a winning moment when CNN’s Dan Rivers visited Cagayan Valley in November 2009 if only to feature the oldest functional church in Isabela.

Already included in the Heritage Conversation Society of the Philippines as a site, the church is actually one of the country’s historical treasures. Added to its majestic edifice is the National Historical Landmark s i g n a g e revealing to all and sundry of how many centuries it has tolerated the passage of time to maintain its priceless relics and original features.

Today, cracked walls, dilapidated ceilings and misty atmosphere never hinder the church to continue performing its role to the hilt as it defies time for the town’s

faithful parishioners even after more than 300 years.

Silent Witness As decades passed, the church witnessed significant changes in the socio-political and economic aspect of development---how San Pablo town transformed from 3rd class to 2nd class municipality, the governance of volatile political administrations, the various festivals and activities held, the professional growth of her sons and daughters and the religious transformation of those who may or may not professed their faith.

Today, the church’s current state calls for a unified restoration efforts as did other colonial churches these past decades. In fact, residents should be proud for such antiquated in their own backyard.

As the church continuously battle numerous calamities since its construction and most probably in the future as a result of global warming, its ancient structure gradually succumbed to devastation, its protection and conservation is not only the responsibility of both the church and the state but of the entire religious society whether they come from San Pablo or not.

Religiosity and culture is universal, that’s why.

It’s now near twilight. The last bird which calls the church its home had fed the young with the last delicious insect. As I left the cobbled patio, memories start to reverberate. Personally, my relationship with the San Pablo church was finally gelled to last me a lifetime.

It was in these sacred grounds that I accepted the other part of me when I wed the man I vowed to love come hell or high waters. Like what it did in the past, the San Pablo church once again stands a witness to another footprint of my religiosity. (Angely Lubo-Mercado)

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Isabela town eyes Rodeo capital as tourism branding Welcome marker solidifies what San Pablo is.

SAN PABLO, Isabela (PIA)- This northern Isabela town wants recognition as a potential rodeo capital of Northern Luzon as its five-day 10th Baka (cattle) Festival reeled off today in a simple ceremony attended mostly by locals.

Vice-Mayor Antonio N. Miro, Jr. said his town has been in close coordination with Masbate, the acknowledged rodeo mecca in the Philippines, for tips and advises toward the plan of the municipality to become not only a center of rodeo in Cagayan Valley but likewise the entire Northern Luzon.

Home to less than 20,000 heads of cattle excluding carabaos, San Pablo has been the acknowledged source of raw materials for the dairy projects of other municipalities particularly nearby Tuguegarap City and Alcala in Cagayan province in the last three decades.

In fact, according to the Philippine Carabao Center and the Department of Agriculture, the town up to Alcala

has been dubbed as the cow and carabao milk zone as early as the mid-1990s.

Aside from its role as a source of milk, cattle in San Pablo is used as a working farm animal.

The Department of Tourism said it is only in San Pablo that a rodeo is held for the last 10 years as part of a local festival, thus making it a unique attraction not only in Cagayan Valley but throughout Northern Philippines.

Vice-Mayor Miro acknowledged that through Dr. Romeo Quilang, then of the Isabela State University and now the President of the Cagayan State University, the local government unit under his administration and assisted by regional line agencies, conceptualized the 1st Baka Festival.

“We introduce rodeo in that festival and the succeeding years”, Miro said as he expressed his gratitude to the initial efforts of the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Industry and other agencies.

He lamented that at times, his town is mistaken as that of San Pablo, Laguna. He likewise recalled that travelers only learned that they are within the territory of San Pablo, Isabela upon seeing cattle bathing along the national highway or a herd crossing which can cause traffic.

The revered official clarified that this year, there will no rodeo and instead, an exhibition show will be presented to visitors and guests of the festival.

Majority of the cattle sold for beef in Urdaneta, Pangasinan come from San Pablo.

Meanwhile, the local government is on the process of adopting to some good practices on cattle raising as experienced by Masbate and other countries.

He thanked the local media for continuously providing publicity and promotions assistance to the municipality during events like the annual festival. (Benjie S. de Yro)

Tipon-Tipan sa PIA goes to LGU San Pablo TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) – The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Regional Office 02 had its first “Tipon-Tipan sa PIA” outside regional office in San Pablo, Isabela Thursday as the town will hold its Baka Festival on January 11-15, 2013.

This is the first outreach activity of the agency for calendar year 2014, according to Director Purita S. Licas.

The regular Tipon-Tipan is conducted every Tuesday at PIA office in the city but with the desire of the agency to cater to the programs and projects of the Local Government Units (LGUs) in the different municipalities of the region, it has launched last year the said program.

Mayor Antonio Jose Miro III of San Pablo said this is the first time the LGU had this progam and acknowledged the importance of the event to promote not only their upcoming festival but the programs and projects of the municipality as well.

He said the town was just an ordinary locality but with the help of the media, San Pablo will create a name of its own.

The town mayor seek the continuous support of the media to help them advocate their activities particularly in

Mayor Antonio Miro III is flanked by program host Oliver Baccay of PIA and Vice-Mayor Antonio Miro, Jr. during the press conference.

promoting agriculture and tourism of the town.

San Pablo is proud of its three-century old Roman Catholic Church built in bricks and riverstones.

It is home to almost 12 ranches with an estimated population of 20,000 heads of cows which produces milk processed into different dairy products like milk pastillas, milk bars, yogurt, candies among others distributed by the San Pablo Dairy Products cooperative. (Gene V. Baquiran)

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Father and Son tandem bares highlights of town’s fest

By Roberto S. Tumaliuan, Jr. III-SPED, SPNHS SAN PABLO, Isabela — Inspired by the footsteps of his father, Mayor Antonio Jose T. Miro III in tandem with elected Vice-Mayor Antonio N. Miro, Jr, faced the Cagayan Valley media in a press conference held recently here as they bared their rigid preparations on the 10th Baka Festival.

As early as November last year, the Local Government Unit (LGU) has already convened to determine various committees that will take charge in making the yearly celebration more fun-filled.

“We had various programs, contested activities prepared that will suit young and old ones,” the mayor said referring to its lined-up activities.

When media asked why Baka Festival, Vice-Mayor Miro, the then municipal mayor during the launching of Baka Festival in town, narrated that the idea came from the converged efforts of various national agencies and education sector.

“We are thankful to the laudable efforts of Dept. of Agrarian, Dept. of Tourism, Dept. of Trade and Industry and the Isabela State University, without them, San Pablo town would not be known for its yearly Baka Festival,” Vice-Mayor added.

Participants in a Rodeo try to outsmart each other in a category that continue to attract participants today.

Vice Mayor added that indeed the Baka Festival has awakened the so called ‘sleeping town’ into a vibrant and energetic municipality as it continuously promotes its cattle raising industry to locals.

With the help of different committees, the mayor who is also the director general of this year’s festival said they ensure that the 10th

Baka Festival is more festive than last year for they invited performers from all corners of the country.

“Among the highlights that visitors expect are the rodeo competition, talents shows and concerts, street dancing competition and grand parade of hundreds of dressed-up cattle among others,” the mayor told the media.

10th Baka fest...from page 1 15, 2014 for them to enjoy and participate as we mark another commemorative year of merry-making,” Miro, the country’s youngest local chief executive, revealed.

The Isabela Green Ladies organization (IGLO) cultural night, Miro added, will also highlight the opening night where women employees of the LGU and barangay workers, including wives of the elected officials, will compete in a talent showcase.

Miro admitted that a significant part of this year’s Baka fest is the media mileage provided by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) through its taped press conference dubbed as “Tipon Tipan sa PIA goes to LGU” held Thursday here.

He lauded the initiative of PIA who likewise took charge of a two-issue festival supplement called “San Pablo Dumudumug” (San Pablo News) and whose first issue came out today, in time for the opening of the activities-filled festival. The second and last issue will be released on January 15 for the closing ceremonies.

The decade- old festival started in January 2004 under the helm of then Mayor Antonio N. Miro, Jr.. now elected as Vice-Mayor and father of the younger Miro.

“We have not made this far without our converged

efforts with the Dept. of Agriculture, Isabela State University, Dept. of Trade and Industry, Dept. of Tourism and key stakeholders whose contributions are laudable as we improved our preparations yearly”, Vice Mayor stressed.

The mayor said that the most exciting activities will be on its culminating day on January 15, 2014 which included a grand parade for hundreds of dressed-up cattle and the annual street dance competition along the major thoroughfares of the town.

The Baka festival is an annual event of San Pablo and is seen as a way of promoting its major industry- cattle (baka in Ibanag dialect) raising- as part of its patronal town fiesta every January 11-15.

This year’s festivities carries the theme “Pattaradday ta imammo ana Progreso na San Pablo” (United in peace and progress of San Pablo).

In a related development, Director Purita Licas of Philippine Information Agency region 2 assured other local government units of the same technical assistance it provided to San Pablo as such is part o the agency’s mandate of providing information to the general public.

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ne of the highlights of the celebration of our people how great the paulinians would be to welcome PATRONAL TOWN FIESTA is the Baka Festival them with open hearts and share their joy and blessing which was launched on January 15, 2004 during the they have in life. administration of former Mayor now Vice-mayor Antonio Celebrating fiesta like San Pablo Patronal town fiesta N. Miro. also manifests the culture The festival describes the and traditions of the municipality’s pasturelands, a Ibanags which are known wide and vast hectares located to be hospitable amiable.

By Justine P. Bautista, Grade 8-SPED, SPNHS on the eastern part of the town.

Furthermore, the Baka festival signifies the festival showcases importance of the cattle in the lives of the farmers. It is a different contested activities like street dancing ,dance working farm animal that serves as partners of the farmers showdown contest, palosebo, and chasing of piglets. This in the field. is the most opportune time for people to gather together The meat which we derive from cattle can be turn into to have fun and merriment, most of all, to commemorate delicious recipes and dairy products from the milk can be the feast of our beloved patron, St. Paul the Apostle source of living of the people. bearing this year’s theme:”Pattaradday taa imammo anna It is very inspiring and worth emulating that out of progreso na SanPablo”. hard work, the simple folks in the villages could improve This, I think, is the real essence of the Baka Festival. their economic status.

This festival is an opportunity to show to the other

A festival like no other

Look Ma, they never outgrew their need for milk!

San Pablo, Isabela: once the government center in Spanish regime About 210 years before the creation of Isabela as a province, Padre Pedro de Santo Tomas founded the town of San Pablo,

the oldest in the entire province.

Originally called “Maquila” which literally means sparkling, a name of sparkling or physical denotation, It was rename Cabagan loosely interpreted as the place where people wear “ba-ag” or “G-strings” when the Spaniards came to this part of the country. In the early 1900’s upon the American occupation, it was subdivided into 3 municipalities, namely: Cabagan Viejo (Old Cabagan), Cabagan Nuevo (New Cabagan), and Santa Maria.

Eventually, Cabagan Nuevo became San Pablo in honor of its patron saint, San Pablo Apostol, whose feast day is celebrated on January 15. Later Cabagan Nuevo became simply Cabagan as there was no longer a Cabagan Viejo; but Santa Maria retained its name.

One of the famous historical landmarks in San Pablo is the Roman Catholic Church that has a unique architectural beauty and grandeur. Built in 1624, its lofty bell tower o six layers including the circular apex is made of adobe and is the tallest in the entire Cagayan Valley. The remains of Casa Real located in front of the municipal hall is a mute testimony that the town was once vital government center during the Spanish regime.

As its name connotes, the Casa Real was used by the Colonial Administration. Completed in 1846, it was a two-story brick building measuring 20x30 meters. An inscription on one of its walls read as follows; “Esta Casa Tribunal se con cluio en ano de 1846 siendo governad d’ Dimas se Guzman”. Another spot of historical value is the ruined San Vicente chapel found within the

Catholic cemetery and is as old as the Roman Catholic Church.

Cabagan, only three kilometers away and Tuguegarao City, the capital town of Cagayan, about 25 kilometers away, serve as the marketing centerof San Pablo.

San Pablo, which is now a 2nd class municipality, has seventeen (17) barangays. Eleven (11) are located along the national high way while therest are found in the hinterlands. It has a total land area of 63,790 hectares. Its western portions is flat to hilly while the eastern area is either hilly or mountainous and densely forested. Its vast aquatic resources include the Cagayan River and its tributaries like the Pinacanuan River in the center, Ballutu Creek in the south as source of fish, transport and irrigation water. The freshwater fish nursery in Caralucud supplies the fingerling needs of the municipality andother towns of Isabela.

From the 17th century to 1944, the seat of government was located in the Poblacion. In 1944, by Japanese instigation, it was transferred to barangay Auitan. After the Liberation, it was moved o barangay Minanga then back to Auitan where it remained until May 1959.It was restored to itsoriginal site by then mayor calixtro b. Cauan a brother of former Mayor Cayetano B. Cauan, Sr. whose son, CayetanoA. Cauan, Jr. also served as municipal mayor for two consecutive terms (1988-1995), and who was succeeded by Mayor Edwardson B. Tumaliuan from 1995-2001 a Hon. Celia M. Aragon from 2001-2004. Presently, the local chief executive is Hon. Antonio N. Miro, Jr. for his third term, who served as vice mayor from 2001-2004 and SB member from 1998-2001.