TUMAUINI ISABELATumauini is now a 1st class municipality in the province of Isabela, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 55,041 people in 9,239 households.
This quiet town boasts of a famous historical landmark, the Tumauini Church. Built in the 1870s by the Dominicans, the church has a unique cylindrical bell tower made of bricks.
There is little commercial activity for a town of its size, however, there is a sizeable market providing venues for sales of fruits, vegetables, meats, VCDs, and firecrackers.
It is currently led by Mayor Arnold Syjongtian Bautista who is now on his 3rd term as mayor.
This quiet town boasts of a famous historical landmark, the Tumauini Church. Built in the 1870s by the Dominicans, the church has a unique cylindrical bell tower made of bricks.
There is little commercial activity for a town of its size, however, there is a sizeable market providing venues for sales of fruits, vegetables, meats, VCDs, and firecrackers.
It is currently led by Mayor Arnold Syjongtian Bautista who is now on his 3rd term as mayor.
HISTORY OF THE TUMAUINI CHURCH
First build of light materials by Francisco Nunez O. P., and dedicated to the Patron Saint, 1707. Separated from Cabagan and became a regular parish in 1751. The Roman Catholic Church was erected by the Dominican in 1753. They were made of bricks and coral stones with unique cylindrical bell tower, the only of its kind in the Philippines was constructed by Fr. Domingo Forto in 1793 and completed on 1805, became the capital of Isabela for sometimes in 1880’s. The Church was partly damaged during World War II and repaired into original form by the faithful of Tumauini.
Furthermore, the church architectural design bear traces of Chinese artistry which confirms the belief that long before the Spaniards came to the Philippines, the Chinese had settled in the coastal towns of Northern Luzon.
By virtue of Presidential Decree # 260. 11 August 1973, as amended by Executive Order No. 357, 14 January 1974 and No. 1505, 11 June 1978. The Church of Tumauini was declared a National Historical Landmark on February 24, 1989.
First build of light materials by Francisco Nunez O. P., and dedicated to the Patron Saint, 1707. Separated from Cabagan and became a regular parish in 1751. The Roman Catholic Church was erected by the Dominican in 1753. They were made of bricks and coral stones with unique cylindrical bell tower, the only of its kind in the Philippines was constructed by Fr. Domingo Forto in 1793 and completed on 1805, became the capital of Isabela for sometimes in 1880’s. The Church was partly damaged during World War II and repaired into original form by the faithful of Tumauini.
Furthermore, the church architectural design bear traces of Chinese artistry which confirms the belief that long before the Spaniards came to the Philippines, the Chinese had settled in the coastal towns of Northern Luzon.
By virtue of Presidential Decree # 260. 11 August 1973, as amended by Executive Order No. 357, 14 January 1974 and No. 1505, 11 June 1978. The Church of Tumauini was declared a National Historical Landmark on February 24, 1989.
HISTORY OF TUMAUINI
The name of Tumauini originated from the name of the big trees found in the poblacion called “MAUINI”. It is said that when some Spaniard wanted to know the name of the trees, they asked a native saying, “COMO SE LLAMA EL GRANDE LENIA? SABES TU? The native not knowing what the Spaniards said, picked the last word he heard and answered “TUMAUINI”.
The name of Tumauini originated from the name of the big trees found in the poblacion called “MAUINI”. It is said that when some Spaniard wanted to know the name of the trees, they asked a native saying, “COMO SE LLAMA EL GRANDE LENIA? SABES TU? The native not knowing what the Spaniards said, picked the last word he heard and answered “TUMAUINI”.
TOWN OF TUMAUINI HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The first missionaries to arrive in the Philippines were the Augustinians. Upon their inability to cultivate so great a mission field, other orders were invited to come to their aid. Accordingly, the displaced Frays roamed in the islands in 1577, the Jesuit in 1581, the Dominicans in 1587.
Among the mission fields acceded to the Dominicans by the Augustinians were the provinces of Pangasinan and Cagayan where tribal groups frequently rose against the Spaniards.
According to Fray Manuel Mora, a zealous Dominicans missionary who wrote a historical monograph of the provinces of Cagayan and Pangasinan. Tumauini began as a Spanish Catholic mission in February 1707; it was a subsidiary mission under the resident priest of Cagayan, Fray Francisco Nunez Vicar of Cagayan. It had a decent convent accommodate at least 400 parishioners.
The Church of Tumauini was blessed on February 22, 1707 by the Provincial Father, Fr. Juan de Sto. Domingo and was dedicated to its patron San Matias on whose feast day (February 24) the first mass was said.
On December 22, 1749, Fray Joseph Martin y Alpenez, confessor of the Holy Office and Missionary of the Mission of San Matias de Tumauini and San Bautista de Lapogan, certified that the Tumauini mission had already all the necessary requirements to become an independent town. The Gobernadorcillo Don Tomas Macutang and the Principales of the mission of San Matias de Tumauini namely: Mathias de Aquino, Miguel Buccu, Thomas Agub. Santiago Guiyab, Joseph Talal, Domingo Dalingay, Luis Colongan, Domingo Gamaurau, Mateo Lumauig, Antonio Calaous, and the escribano Joseph Gangan petitioned the Governor of Cagayan, Major Mariano Vallejos Y Duco to merit their petition to the Governor General for his approval. The said petition was approved on May 7, 1751, creating the mission of San Matias de Tumauini into a regular town and making Lapogan as its visit. Tomas Macutang was their Gobernadorcillo.
The town of Tumauini was first located at Talama, then later transferred to Calamagui and then after which to Maggayu before it was finally established in its present site on August 17, 1752 by Fr. Blas Barbara. That same year the Municipal Boundaries were fixed at Balasig on the North and Lapogan on the south. It was given a three years exemption from tribute paying. Lapogan annexed to it by order of Bishop Miguel Garcia, later become a rancho (settlement because its population diminished).
In 1783, the residents of Tumauini petitioned the vice-rolay patron to grant them a permit to reconstruct their contruct into a strong edifice similar to those of the towns of Cagayan.
The old Church of Tumauini was partly made of wood and bamboo and could only accommodate 400 people. And Fray Domingo Forto, Parish Priest of the town of San Matias de Tumauini, Province of Cagayan certified the urgency of the construction of a decent stone and bricks church, because of the difficulty to accommodate the multitude in a small camarin. Beside the camarin is in the state of collapsing because the post and walls are rotten. ‘The document was dated April 28, 1783.
The alcalde de Naturales, Don Matias Catunan, the Cabesa de Barangay and the community of the town of Tumauini unanimously supported Fray Domingo Forto, son of a Spanish Engineer; in constructing their church into a strong unique edifice.
The construction started on June 10, 1783 with the aid of Friars and Joaquin Sancho, although the superior decree of the Governor General approving the construction was only expedited on September 5,1783. In laying the bricks of the Church, the service of a man from. Lallo called Castillejos, an expert bricklayer was hire.
Under the first stone foundation of the church, a cash of gold coins was placed. The bell tower, a unique cylindrical bell tower, the only one-of its kind in the Philippines was also constructed by the Parish Priest Fray Domingo Forto but was not able to finish it because he was transferred to Aparri in 1790. His successor finished it in 1805.
The Church had six bells namely: the biggest one, dedicated to “Santa Catalina Virgennn Y Martin in 1790; the second to “Sto. Domingo” in 1773; the third to “Tumauini” in 1762; fourth “San Matias Apostol”, also in 1762; fifth, “San Juan Bautista” for the mission of Lapogan whose vicar was Fray Joseph Martin Bautista Y Alpenez in 1751; and the sixth to “Sta. Maria” in 1704.
With regard to the convent, it was said that Fray Juan de Rico wanted to destroy the stone of the said convent up to the first floor because it was humid and he wanted to change it into wood. The community opposed him vehemently but he finished the work through the aid of the prisoners from Ilagan. Accordingly, God, they said punish him with rheumatism and Don Juan Nepomuceno the Gobernadorcillo of the town who took active part on the demolition of the walls and became paralyzed for the rest of his life.
Tumauini became the settlement of the Balanguingui and Joloan warriors when they were deported on February 15, 1848 by the Governor General Narciso Claveria as a result of his famous expedition against piracy in the Samal Islands. The said warriors were resettled in ten ranches of Paragu and Pilitan jurisdiction of the town of Tumauini. As punishment these Muslim warriors were sent to work in the tobacco plantations for five days under the supervision of an American subject of German descent Mr. Franz Johann Reiz Vogel and the remaining two days were devoted to cultivation of their lands. These surviving Muslim Samals who now belong to the Vogged Clan of East Damang is an outstanding example of warriors tribes transformed into peace loving farmers.
The convent was destroyed by the earthquakes in 1863 and was restored by Fathers Alejandro Sarraldo and Jose Brugues. The constant occurrences of fire had made considerable damages to the good houses of Tumauini.
The first missionaries to arrive in the Philippines were the Augustinians. Upon their inability to cultivate so great a mission field, other orders were invited to come to their aid. Accordingly, the displaced Frays roamed in the islands in 1577, the Jesuit in 1581, the Dominicans in 1587.
Among the mission fields acceded to the Dominicans by the Augustinians were the provinces of Pangasinan and Cagayan where tribal groups frequently rose against the Spaniards.
According to Fray Manuel Mora, a zealous Dominicans missionary who wrote a historical monograph of the provinces of Cagayan and Pangasinan. Tumauini began as a Spanish Catholic mission in February 1707; it was a subsidiary mission under the resident priest of Cagayan, Fray Francisco Nunez Vicar of Cagayan. It had a decent convent accommodate at least 400 parishioners.
The Church of Tumauini was blessed on February 22, 1707 by the Provincial Father, Fr. Juan de Sto. Domingo and was dedicated to its patron San Matias on whose feast day (February 24) the first mass was said.
On December 22, 1749, Fray Joseph Martin y Alpenez, confessor of the Holy Office and Missionary of the Mission of San Matias de Tumauini and San Bautista de Lapogan, certified that the Tumauini mission had already all the necessary requirements to become an independent town. The Gobernadorcillo Don Tomas Macutang and the Principales of the mission of San Matias de Tumauini namely: Mathias de Aquino, Miguel Buccu, Thomas Agub. Santiago Guiyab, Joseph Talal, Domingo Dalingay, Luis Colongan, Domingo Gamaurau, Mateo Lumauig, Antonio Calaous, and the escribano Joseph Gangan petitioned the Governor of Cagayan, Major Mariano Vallejos Y Duco to merit their petition to the Governor General for his approval. The said petition was approved on May 7, 1751, creating the mission of San Matias de Tumauini into a regular town and making Lapogan as its visit. Tomas Macutang was their Gobernadorcillo.
The town of Tumauini was first located at Talama, then later transferred to Calamagui and then after which to Maggayu before it was finally established in its present site on August 17, 1752 by Fr. Blas Barbara. That same year the Municipal Boundaries were fixed at Balasig on the North and Lapogan on the south. It was given a three years exemption from tribute paying. Lapogan annexed to it by order of Bishop Miguel Garcia, later become a rancho (settlement because its population diminished).
In 1783, the residents of Tumauini petitioned the vice-rolay patron to grant them a permit to reconstruct their contruct into a strong edifice similar to those of the towns of Cagayan.
The old Church of Tumauini was partly made of wood and bamboo and could only accommodate 400 people. And Fray Domingo Forto, Parish Priest of the town of San Matias de Tumauini, Province of Cagayan certified the urgency of the construction of a decent stone and bricks church, because of the difficulty to accommodate the multitude in a small camarin. Beside the camarin is in the state of collapsing because the post and walls are rotten. ‘The document was dated April 28, 1783.
The alcalde de Naturales, Don Matias Catunan, the Cabesa de Barangay and the community of the town of Tumauini unanimously supported Fray Domingo Forto, son of a Spanish Engineer; in constructing their church into a strong unique edifice.
The construction started on June 10, 1783 with the aid of Friars and Joaquin Sancho, although the superior decree of the Governor General approving the construction was only expedited on September 5,1783. In laying the bricks of the Church, the service of a man from. Lallo called Castillejos, an expert bricklayer was hire.
Under the first stone foundation of the church, a cash of gold coins was placed. The bell tower, a unique cylindrical bell tower, the only one-of its kind in the Philippines was also constructed by the Parish Priest Fray Domingo Forto but was not able to finish it because he was transferred to Aparri in 1790. His successor finished it in 1805.
The Church had six bells namely: the biggest one, dedicated to “Santa Catalina Virgennn Y Martin in 1790; the second to “Sto. Domingo” in 1773; the third to “Tumauini” in 1762; fourth “San Matias Apostol”, also in 1762; fifth, “San Juan Bautista” for the mission of Lapogan whose vicar was Fray Joseph Martin Bautista Y Alpenez in 1751; and the sixth to “Sta. Maria” in 1704.
With regard to the convent, it was said that Fray Juan de Rico wanted to destroy the stone of the said convent up to the first floor because it was humid and he wanted to change it into wood. The community opposed him vehemently but he finished the work through the aid of the prisoners from Ilagan. Accordingly, God, they said punish him with rheumatism and Don Juan Nepomuceno the Gobernadorcillo of the town who took active part on the demolition of the walls and became paralyzed for the rest of his life.
Tumauini became the settlement of the Balanguingui and Joloan warriors when they were deported on February 15, 1848 by the Governor General Narciso Claveria as a result of his famous expedition against piracy in the Samal Islands. The said warriors were resettled in ten ranches of Paragu and Pilitan jurisdiction of the town of Tumauini. As punishment these Muslim warriors were sent to work in the tobacco plantations for five days under the supervision of an American subject of German descent Mr. Franz Johann Reiz Vogel and the remaining two days were devoted to cultivation of their lands. These surviving Muslim Samals who now belong to the Vogged Clan of East Damang is an outstanding example of warriors tribes transformed into peace loving farmers.
The convent was destroyed by the earthquakes in 1863 and was restored by Fathers Alejandro Sarraldo and Jose Brugues. The constant occurrences of fire had made considerable damages to the good houses of Tumauini.
TUMAUINI BECOME A CAPITAL OF ISABELA FOR SOMETIME
It was also in this town that the resident of the staff of the foot- soldiers No. 73 with its Coronet. Chapla and the infantry band were put up in 1889.
Tumauini being a melting pot of natives, Ilocanos, Spaniards, Tagalogs, Americans, and Chinese ancestors have a new generation of sturdy, brave, pioneering, industrious, happy and peace-loving people. The old prominent families were the Baquiran, Pascaran, Palattao, Tagufa, Mallillin, Nepomuceno, Taccad, Castellejo, Cacho, Guiyab, Caronan, Bacani, Catunan, Siagon, Dumaua, Bissalu, Lumauig and many others.
The first known native priest of Tumauini was Fr. Lino Luis, an Ilocano and followed by Reverend Angongan; Tajedor; Apostol; Isaac; Albano; Marallag and Singson.
Peace, contentment and happiness were not always the lot of the Tumauini people. They had their baptisms of blood and fire; war and famine of floods and death. The revolution of 1896-1900 caused many lives and properties damaged. Tumauini youth joined the Katipunan and never returned after the revolution. These who returned were able to enjoy their small pensions from the government.
The last global war, World War II was counted as the darkest years in the history of Tumauini. The town was occupied by the Japanese invaders.
When the Allied Forces came and liberated the country, towns has to be bombed, shelled and strafed to wipe out the Japanese. The town was in ruin. The church, the beautiful landmarks of the town was destroyed; its convent was leveled to the ground. What was left was it walls, a mut testimony of a once beautiful repose of the Dominican missionaries. The only structure that withstood the exigencies of the war was the 25 meters tall cylindrical, battered bell tower with all its medieval architectural beauty.
From prosperity to war; from war to famine; from famine to death, the town of Tumauini with its great heritage and God-fearing people is reborn from slavery to freedom. This is the historical struggle of Tumauini seeing its bright future to become the greatest community of Northern, Isabela.
It was also in this town that the resident of the staff of the foot- soldiers No. 73 with its Coronet. Chapla and the infantry band were put up in 1889.
Tumauini being a melting pot of natives, Ilocanos, Spaniards, Tagalogs, Americans, and Chinese ancestors have a new generation of sturdy, brave, pioneering, industrious, happy and peace-loving people. The old prominent families were the Baquiran, Pascaran, Palattao, Tagufa, Mallillin, Nepomuceno, Taccad, Castellejo, Cacho, Guiyab, Caronan, Bacani, Catunan, Siagon, Dumaua, Bissalu, Lumauig and many others.
The first known native priest of Tumauini was Fr. Lino Luis, an Ilocano and followed by Reverend Angongan; Tajedor; Apostol; Isaac; Albano; Marallag and Singson.
Peace, contentment and happiness were not always the lot of the Tumauini people. They had their baptisms of blood and fire; war and famine of floods and death. The revolution of 1896-1900 caused many lives and properties damaged. Tumauini youth joined the Katipunan and never returned after the revolution. These who returned were able to enjoy their small pensions from the government.
The last global war, World War II was counted as the darkest years in the history of Tumauini. The town was occupied by the Japanese invaders.
When the Allied Forces came and liberated the country, towns has to be bombed, shelled and strafed to wipe out the Japanese. The town was in ruin. The church, the beautiful landmarks of the town was destroyed; its convent was leveled to the ground. What was left was it walls, a mut testimony of a once beautiful repose of the Dominican missionaries. The only structure that withstood the exigencies of the war was the 25 meters tall cylindrical, battered bell tower with all its medieval architectural beauty.
From prosperity to war; from war to famine; from famine to death, the town of Tumauini with its great heritage and God-fearing people is reborn from slavery to freedom. This is the historical struggle of Tumauini seeing its bright future to become the greatest community of Northern, Isabela.
THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF TUMAUINI
Tumauini being identified, as a growth in the north and the 7th largest municipality in the province, located at the northern portion of the province. Its land area is 59,801.77 hectares or 598.077 square kilometers (5.62% of tile total land area of Isabela). It is bounded on the north by the municipality of Cabagan and 68 kilometers away to Tuguegarao (the Regional Center); on the east by the municipality of Divilacan and Pacific Coast, on the south by the municipality of Ilagan, the capital of Isabela (30 kilometers away) and 445 kilometers away from Manila; on the west by the Cagayan river and the municipality of Delfin Albano. The municipality has a total population of 51,877 (As of May 2005 MSWDO Survey)
Barangays
Tumauini is politically subdivided into 46 barangays.
Annafunan
Antagan I
Antagan II
Arcon
Balug
Banig
Bantug
Bayabo East
Caligayan
Camasi
Carpentero
Compania
Cumabao
Fugu Abajo
Fugu Norte
Fugu Sur
Fermeldy (Hcda. San Francisco)
Lalauanan
Lanna
Lapogan
Lingaling
Liwanag
Santa Visitacion (Maggayu)
Malamag East
Malamag West
Maligaya
Minanga
Namnama
Paragu
Pilitan
Barangay District 1 (Pob.)
Barangay District 2 (Pob.)
Barangay District 3 (Pob.)
Barangay District 4 (Pob.)
San Mateo
San Pedro
San Vicente
Santa
Santa Catalina
Santo Niño
Sinippil
Sisim Abajo
Sisim Alto
Tunggui
Ugad
Moldero
Tumauini is politically subdivided into 46 barangays.
Annafunan
Antagan I
Antagan II
Arcon
Balug
Banig
Bantug
Bayabo East
Caligayan
Camasi
Carpentero
Compania
Cumabao
Fugu Abajo
Fugu Norte
Fugu Sur
Fermeldy (Hcda. San Francisco)
Lalauanan
Lanna
Lapogan
Lingaling
Liwanag
Santa Visitacion (Maggayu)
Malamag East
Malamag West
Maligaya
Minanga
Namnama
Paragu
Pilitan
Barangay District 1 (Pob.)
Barangay District 2 (Pob.)
Barangay District 3 (Pob.)
Barangay District 4 (Pob.)
San Mateo
San Pedro
San Vicente
Santa
Santa Catalina
Santo Niño
Sinippil
Sisim Abajo
Sisim Alto
Tunggui
Ugad
Moldero
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