The Bogo Times

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The year 1600 usher in the founding of a real settlement which was subsequently transformed into a barangay where small huts made of cogon and bamboos squatted at the site where the Bogo Central Extension now stands. While the barangays was then a part of another bustling community in the north, now known as the town of DaanBantayan, the natives enjoyed tacit freedom of self-rule although they continued to pay tributes and taxes to the chieftain of DaanBantayan. This barangay grew in prominence and for this reason, it was separated from the vassalage of DaanBantayan. Hence, in January 1850 the Bishop of Cebu, appointed Father Jaime Micalot, Spanish friar as the first parish priest of Bogo and decreed Saint Vincent Ferrer as the town's patron saint.

The first mass was celebrated in the hastily built chapel of cogon roofing and mixed bamboo and lumber materials on April 5, 1850, to coincide with the death anniversary of the patron saint. Unfortunately, however, this chapel was gutted by fire of undetermined origin and a new stone church was constructed at the same place where the present Bogo Town Plaza is located. About this time, the Spanish authorities in Bogo introduced civil government. Pedro Aballe became the first Cabeza de Barangay or Capitan of the Town from 1864 to 1869. The late Ex-Senator Pedro L. Rodriguez, popularly known as the Grand Old Man of Bogo named one of the oldest streets of the town after him.

In those times, a Capitan or Cabeza de Barangay took charge of th recollection of tributes to support the encomienda system of Spain. Late the tribute was substituted with the "papelita" (cedula} which the individual paid in two installments annually. A taxpayer who could not afford to pay the cost of papelita in the amount of P1.50 was made to work on local projects at fifty centavos a week. Because of this, a good number of delinquent taxpayers escaped and hid in the mountain fastness of Bogo.

Early historian aver that the town of Bogo derived its name from a lone Bogo tree which stood on the brink of the shore which is now a part of Bogo wharf. Under its spreading shade the natives of the place meet incoming traders who rode on frail sailboats loaded with goods to be sold or bartered with the natives of the town. Thus, this spot became a rendezvous for traders and merchants as well as for nature lovers and leisure-seeker who found refuge and comfort under the cool shade of the tree made more poignant by the balmy air wafted by the ocean breeze. Some of these traders, however remained and married with the natives of the place.

A few years before the turn of the 20th century, eventful episodes took place in the town marked by fire and blood. The nationalistic fervor of the Katipuneros in Luzon fanned the flames of the resistant movement in Cebu. In Bogo, the younger kins of the Katipuneros, the so-called "Pulahans" exacted heavy tolls on the forces of the Casadores (guadia civil) during fierce encounters near the out-skirts of the town. Although the Pulahans were ill-armed, untrained and outnumbered at times, they nevertheless continued to hit back at the enemy with unrelenting vigor and determination.

Success was almost within their grasps when in 1898, an American cavalry unit under Captain Rowan landed at Nailon point, a norteastern barrio, and proceeded to the Poblacion where he assembled his troops in fron of the Catholic Church. On hand to meet him was Pedro L. Rodriguez then Presidente Municipal of the town. After brief amenities, Capt. Rowan and Presidente Rodriguez sealed an agreement for the protection of the civilian populace of the town.

With the defeat of the Spanish forces in the islands from the hands of the invading American armies-political, economic, social and educational reforms were instituted. Thus, was born the American system of government which the Filipinos enjoyed for almost half a century.

Again in 1941, the Philippines, being a territory of the United States, became a battleground in an undeclared war between the invading Japanese Imperial Forces and the combined Fil-American troops. After the surrender of the USAFFE from Bogo refused to swear allegiance to the Japanese. They went to the hills and organized guerilla warfare headed by disbanded officers of the constabulary and army units in the province.

Under the command of Capt. Garcia the guerilla forces encamped at Mt. Binabag. Foremost among the guerilla were Jose Carrasco, Jose Momongan, Leo Española and several civilian volunteers who joined the guerilla movement.

Cognizant of the anti-Japanese sentiment of this armed group who were determined to carry out harassment tactics against the occupation troops in northern Bogo, six Japanese seaplane bombed the town of Bogo on the early morning of December 12, 1942. Several civilians cost their lives and many injured. In order to quell the seething rebellion, the Japanese military authorities in Cebu established a garrison in the town in a building now owned by the Northern Cebu Colleges. Captured guerillas and sympathizers were subjected to untold brutalities at the Japanese garrison.

As a means to win the loyalty and support of the people of the town, the local puppet administration was established in Bogo under Japanese supervision. Councilor Moises Lepatan was appointed town mayor during the occupation.

Liberation came in 1944, and no sooner civilian government was restored. Ex-Municipal Secretary Perfecto Andrino was appointed first Mayor of Bogo after liberation by the victorious Liberal Party of President Manuel Roxas in 1945. In the first local election held after the World War II, Severo Verallo, considerable majority elected the candidate of the Liberal Party in the town mayor. Hand in hand, the people and the local leaders worked feverishly to regain the town's enviable prestige as the Queen Town of Northern Cebu out of the shambles and ruins of the last war.

Bogo now stands proudly at the threshold of progress.

Political History of Bogo by Prof. Regino Dodds Giagonia, MNSA

8/20/2009 01:58:00 PM No comments

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