BEGGARS OF CAPIZ

 Captivating Capiz-Municipality of Cuartero

“The Rich History of Cuartero”

Captivating Capiz (Municipality of Cuartero). Decades before the 6th century, before the spaniards came back to the Philippines, Cuartero was a dense forest inhabited by some tropical animals, bats, rodents and some man eating animals. As time went on, some members of the sumakwelan settlers happened to reach place using the river, now known as the panay river, as their means of passage. They began cutting down the big trees that paved the way for their homes. The early settlers established their settlements along the riverbanks. As other settlers came by the hundreds, the clearings were made wider. As the settlement expanded and widened, the settlers agreed to give a name to the place. The first name given was Binudhian, and then it was change to Mapang, after a creek. People from neighboring places came to settle in the place. After a while, the name was change again to Fonda, meaning founder. As years passed, the name of the place bacame CUARTERO, in honor of the Bishop of Jaro who inaugurated the church in 1890. It bacame an arabal of Dao sometime in 1973. All taxes, personal and real estate had to be paid in Dao Municipal Treasury.
      For almost half of the century of concerted efforts and struggle to become an independent municipality, answer came when all required papers and documents were complecated. Manuel Funa, a noted businessman and Pascual de la Torre, a Spaniard, went to Manila to present the documents for approval. On August 23, 1938, Pres. Manuel L. Quezon approved the separation of Cuartero from Dao on Executive Order 159.
      Since then, elected officials and the people, to date, worked hard in making Cuartero to what is today. Now, under the administration of Hon. Roger F. Flores and Hon. Lolito Hijosa, Cuartero is emerging as a booming and progressive municipality. Its people continue to maintain the ties among themto preserve the spirit of love, peace and unity. Cuartero was belong to Panay Island.

CHURCH BELFRY

On November 30, 1872, Captivating Cuartero was erected as a parish. As a token of gratitude, the parishioners unanimously  agreed to change the name of the settlement to Cuartero, in honor of Bishop Mariano Cuartero of Jaro. As a parish, the spiritual needs of the people were attended. Because of the cooperation of the people and their leaders, a parish church was built, likewise a convent, through the Polo System. The Old befry, which had survived several earthquakes, is a historical remain, which still stands as a monument and the mirror of our forefathers’ sacrifice.

MARKET OF CUARTERO

Known as the central trades and commercial negotiations of the town, the market place stayed with the people and the town for centuries. Now, newly constructed commercial complex are visiblein the center of the market.

THE GLOBE

The famous globe of general Esteban Contreras in a horse on top in located in the center of the Veteran’s park in the heart of the town. The globe is constructed in the honor of the heroic deeds of General Esteban Contreras when he was alive.

THE ECONOMY

Cuartero is an agricultural town producing rice, corn, coconut fruits and vegetables, coffee, legumes and others. The people have massive plantations of high valued crops. The town is blessed by favorable climate, adequate water source, and suitable and fertile soil for agricultural products. The average rice production of the town can sufficiently feed the entire town’s population. athe upland areas are planted with timber and fruit trees. Majority of the people are engage in livestock production and poultry raising. Craftworks and other household industries also contribute to the economy. The abundance of raw materials.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC PARAMETERS EDUCATION, HEALTH, ELECTRIFICATION

Socio-Economic parameters education

Enrollment in the elemenrary school is steadily increasing. The town has 2 national high schools, 12 complete elementary and 8 primary schools. The present administration have distributed television and VHS sets to the schools with the aim to bring educational programs specifically sciences and the lives of our heroes to the children.

Health

The town has one main Health Center in the Poblacion and barangays Health Stations. A physician, a dentist, a nurse several midwives and 2 sanitary inspectors man it. The town has 220 CVHWS and 21 trained hilots.

Electrification

The municipality is intensifying its efforts to electrify the whole town for a better and brighter Captivating Cuartero. Now, almost all barangays availed of the services of the CAPELCO. In hand with the NAPOCOR, Cuartero is pursuing the chance to go by far in the remote and secluded areas to reach electrification.

NOTABLE ACTIVITIES

Agdahanay festival. The Agdahanay festival is held every 13th of June in honor of the town’s patron saint, St. Anthony de Padua. It coincides with the town’s annual fiesta. This was conceptualized to give due recognition to the cuarteronhon’s hospitality. The agdahanay means inviting and accommodating others. This is the people’s way of thanksgiving to the lord for all the graces they have received the whole year. One whole week of fun, the people enjoy revelry, cultural activities and frenzied street dancing. A concelebrated mass is held, then a cultural parade follows showcasing the cultural heritage and traditions of Cuartero.

KAPISTAHAN SA KAGULANGAN

The event is held every 3rd Friday of every month. This was given attention to focus awareness on environmental concerns of the nation and to do its share in safeguarding the environment. The cuarteronhons with the municipal officials and employees take time out planting trees and cleaning the environment.

Municipality of Cuartero

 

MUNICIPAL PROFILE

Location          :      Center Portion of Panay

                                Island 78 km. way from Iloilo

                                &37 km. away from Roxas City

Province           :     CAPIZ

Region              :     VI

Class                 :     4^th Class Municipality

Area                  :     10,600 sq. hectares

Creation            :    August 23, 1938

No.of Brgys.     :     22

Products            :     Corn, Rice and other root crops

                                             

The SIGHTS

Cuartero is haven of undiscovered natural scenic spots. Most of them are surrounded by lush, green forests and scenic hillsides. Some of this is Muray-Buray Spring in Brgy. Mainit, the Agsagoksok Spring, the Agpayao Lake and many others. There are also caves in the town for those who seek adventure. There is the Kinan-at Ulo Mountain Cave, the Agdahon Cave known for its stalactites and stalagmites.

Landmarks you will see as you go around the town…….

Church Belfry – one of the oldest and loudest bells in Capiz

Veterans Park – where the famous globe with the statue of Gen. Contreras riding in a horse

Mayor Manuel Funa Monument – the first mayor of Cuartero

Gov. Antonio Habana Monument – a Cuarteronhon who became the 3^rd Governor of Capiz

Angub Elem. School- site of the Japanese Garrison during the World War II

Gabaldon Building (District Office of Dept. of Education)-site of Capiz High School during World War II

FESTIVITIES

Sayaw kay San Antonio

            The “Sayaw” is a dance ritual, performed by young girls, in honor of San Antonio De Padua, the patron Saint of the town. It is a thanks giving for all the blessings from God received by the Cuarteronhons through the intercession of San Antonio De Padua. In this ritual, the residents prepare food offerings are considered as ‘pandesillo of San Antonio”, which the residents and the guests will partake after the dance. It is a traditional of the Cuarteronhons. It entertains guest with the intricacies of weaving colorful ropes which are tied at the topmost portion of a pole by each dancer. The grand filale is the fast movement of the dancers while weaving the ripes into 12 designs.

Agdahanay Festival

The Agdahanay Festival is held every 2nd week of June which culminates on the 13th in honor of the town’s patron saint, San Antonio De Padua. This was conceptualize to give due recognition to the Cuarteronhons hospitality. ” Agdahanay” means invitiong and accommadating others. One whole week of fun, revelry, cultural activities and frenzied street dancing are enjoyed by the Cuarteronhons.

Cuartero Anniversary(Hinugyaw Festival)

The celebration is held every 21st of August. This is the anniversary of the declaration of Cuartero as a seperate municipality. All agencies and the church join hands in preparing a grand luncheon at the plaza for everyone to partake. Fun-filled activities follow after the lunch. an agricultural fair is also held where barangays display their products in their town payag-payag.

                                                                                                Source: Capiz Tourism Office

                                                               

Cuartero Hymn

September 24, 2008 at 5:50 am (Captivating Capiz)
Tags: Cuartero Hymn

Aton tulukon daw malayo lakton

Banwa pangitaon

Dalamguhanon sa dugay nga handum

Ang banwa maangkon

Cuartero, Cuartero

Bugay nsang langit nga naagum

Cuartero, Cuartero

Ikaw paglaum kag inspirasyon

Yari batuna ang himpit nga gugma

Sa tagsa-tagsa

Maghiliusa, pagtin-ad and dala

Sa sini nga banwa

Maghinangpanay kag magbinuligay

Malain isikway

Maghionirupay kag magkinalipay

Sa banwa nga tunay

Composed by: Engr. Melvin Berano

Interpreted by: Hon. Jomarie Opiniano

                                                     Source: Capiz  Tourism Office

 

Historical development of the Municipality of Cuartero

 HISTORY

                    Long before the Spaniards came to the Philippines in the 16th century, Cuartero was a dense forest inhabited by some tropical animals, bats, rodents and some man eating animals. As time went on, after the ten Bornean Datus established their settlements in the archipelago, some members of the Sumakwelan settlers happened to reached this place using the river now known as Panay River, as their means of passage. The settlers begun cutting down big trees to pave the way for their future dwellings. They established their settlement along the river so that transportation from one place to another could be easily reached by means of their "balangays" or bancas. Other settlers came by the hundred, so that clearings were made wider and expansion of settlements was made possible. In order to protect themselves from fierce animals, tribal quarrels and other enemies, they grouped themselves into "barangay", an organized community named after "balangay" and selected an elder as a chief.

                   The early settlers were the Mendoza, Sanchez, Holipaz, Hornachoz, Funcion, Florino, Hortillano, Hijosa, Homina, Hundana, Hurtada, and many more. Others came from the neighboring municipalities of Dumarao and Dumalag. The most prominent and original settlers were those initial sounds of surname starting with the silent "H". As it expanded and widened, the settlers agreed to give name to their settlement. The first name was Binudhian, named after the term "Mabudhi" or treacherous because strangers or travelers who happened to pass by in the place, were either robbed  their money, merchandise, goods or even their personal belongs. The natives did not like the name because of its connotation.

                After a decade, the place was named Mapanag after a creek or stream called the Mapanag Creek, one of the natural boundaries of the place from the Municipality of Dumalag, whose tributary happened to pass across the place, into the Panay River. Groups of people, businessmen and traders from the neighboring municipalities came to reside in the place. The barangay at this time, was an arabal of Dumarao. The name Mapanag did not stay long. An influential businessman named Anacleto Habana, a resident of Dumarao who frequently traded with the natives and later permanently resided in the place, called the local leaders and agreed to change the name to Fonda, a name derived from Fondador or Founder. Still, Fonda is an arabal or barrio of Dumarao.

                 During this period, the barangay leaders had an organized government held by a Chief or Kapitan. Due to their leadership and knowledge in running the local government, such personalities like Kapitan Tiago of Santiago Funcion, Kapitan Goyo or Gregorio Holipaz, Kapitan Bido or Buenvinido Florino, and a few local judge like Juez Mateo or Mateo Flotilde, were the early executivesc hosen by the natives. The residents of Fonda found it very difficult to transact business in Municipality of Dumarao because of the distance and difficulty in traveling on ragged foot trails. The residents moved to become independent and establish their own municipal government but were unsuccessful. Tax collection was too small to run, finance and manage the affairs of the proposed municipality. The moves of the leaders were futile.Though still part of Dumarao, the leaders felt the need of having a parochial church, the people combined efforts and worked for the construction of the church, which was completed in 1890. The residents work under the "pintakasi" system where in they finished a span assigned to them in a designated time. The construction was under the supervision of the Spanish Agustinian Friars. The completed church had thick stonewalls taken from nearby and far barangays and munnicipalities through hard labor. The church was inaugurated on the some year when the barrio was recognized as a Parish by the Diocese of Jaro, Iloilo City, during the Pastorial visit of the Bishop of Jaro, Very Reverend Monsignor Mariano Cuartero, Who also officiated the first mass. In his honor and memory, the name Cuartero was given to the place and is known as such up to the present time.

                     For almost half a century of concerted efforts and stuggle to become an independent municipality, Cuartero was still a part of Dao. Businessman and influential residents such as Manuel Funa (a resident of Cuartero and one-tme Vice Mayor of Dao), Pascual dela Torre, a Spaniard but resided in the place, Emilio Pimentel,benito Onas,  Emilio Fajariillo, Jose Holipas, Angle Faciolan, Primitivo Alba, Silvesrte Alba, Martin Funa, Zoilo Pimemtel, Salvador Hallegado, Salvador Villagracia, Marina Hundana, Caridad dela Cruz, Anthonio Hurtada, Salvador Almonzor, Ramon Miguel Sr., Silvestre Flotilde, Juan Veto, Emilio Himan, Leopoldo Habana, to name few, met and offerd their free services and knowledge for the welfare of the residents. This group of intellectuals created a committee requesting for the separation of Cuartero from Dao, to be sent to the President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, His Excellency Manuel L. Quezon.