Pambujan, Northern Samar

Pambujan is a 4th class municipality in the province of Northern Samar, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 25,394 people in 4,432 households.

History [1]

The name “Pambujan” has historically developed from the term “Pambubuhan” which means a place in which crabs are abundant and crabing or catching crabs is prevalent. It originates from the Ninorte-Waraynon “bubo” which refers to “bamboo crab pots” or traditional crabbing devices used to catch said crustaceans. Real and factual story of the past traced it ages before the rediscovery of the Philippines by Fernando de Magallanes on March 16, 1521, who on this date saw the heights of Samar Island and was surprised to see that its early inhabitants – the Samareños – were having a civilization of their own and living on a well-organized independent villages called barangays (Plasencia: 174).

“Pambubuhan”, at this date, was then once said well-organized independent villages. Evidently, Pambujanons named their village after “pambubuhan”, a name of distinction which she got because of abundant crabs swarming in and along her rivers.

Physical Features

Geophysically, Pambujan has a contiguous territory of 186.50 square kilometers overlying 26 barangays, which are extending into the hinterlands of Northern Samar across a number of rivers, lakes, brooks and mountains. The most notable of these physical features is Mt. Cagbigajo, which once served as an observation and listening post of the Allied Intelligence Bureau Operative (1934-44) during World War II.

Pambujan then situated in Barangay Ginulgan consist of 22 barrios covering an area of 670 square kilometers and stretching out to a more than 402 kilometers span towards its western border (Samar Province).

Early Growth and Development

Pambujan was originally founded in Barangay Ginulgan (also referred to as Binongtoan) by our Malayan ancestors, particularly by the “second wave migrants” who arrived here from 100 A.D. To the 13th Century (Zaide, Zaide: 29).

During the onset of the Spanish Rule here in the Philippines, the Spaniards saw the fiery refusal of early Pambujanons to become subjects of the Spanish Crown. The most notable of them was “Pituding” whose fiery resistance against the conquestadores in 1674, 25 years after the famous Sumuroy Revolution in Palapag in 1649, placed him in the annals of Pambujan's local history although he vanished into the limbo of unrecorded heroes exploits and oblivion.

The frequent raids of Moro pirates (1752-1754) also took its toll against the early Pambujanons because some of them, after a ferocious blood-letting for freedom's sake against the Sapnish Colonial Regime, eventually succumbed and allowed them to Christianity, adopted Spanish surnames and became subjects to the Spanish Crown and spare themselves from the hands of the new adversary. Towering among them were Lucio Lovino, Captain Josef Adonis, Gallego, brothers Jose and Domingo Catangcas, Dagohoy Siervo, Francisco Atencio, Turino Jazmin, Urtilano Morales, Casimiro Merino, Albino Bomitivo and Felino Luna whose leadership inspired their fellow Pambujanons to bind themselves together against the pirates. Thereafter, they moved to the present site of Pambujan. It was approximately during this period that the foundations of the new existing Roman Catholic Church were laid. The subsequent events, which were characterized by the takeover of the Franciscan in the religious affairs of the pueblo from the Jesuit Missionaries in 1768, triggered the completion of the church edifice. Unfortunately, it was razed and turned into ashes during the Spanish-American War. This incident, however, led the majority of Pambujanons to embrace Christianity and assume Spanish surnames in consonance with the order issued by Governor General Narciso Claveria on November 21, 1849, because their Malayan surnames, like the rest of the Filipinos all over the archipelago, proved to be confusing to the Spanish authorities (National Archives Publications: 1973).

Twenty four years later, on August 4, 1863, the Vatican City declared Pambujan a full-fledged parish district. The years 1763 and 1887 brought great earthquakes to Pambujan and made remarkable imprints by leaving huge cracks on its ground which until now can be found two kilometers southeast from the town's center.

Meanwhile, the Filipino-american War of 1898 found the brave men of Pambujan actively struggling for the freedom led by Captain Restituto Jazmin, Licerio Sosing, Daniel Siervo, Ponciano Marcial and Vicente Obieta. The local insurrectos devoted their efforts in manufacturing gun powders and war weaponry such as explosives and rifles patterned after the “mauser” which they had deposited in their “armoria” at Sitio Gunudhud in Barrio Coroconog and Sitio Mapanas in Barrio Ginulgan. All of these were used against the Americans by the forces of General Lukban who was then headquarters in Matuguinao.The surrender of the “insurrectos” under Captain Restituto Jazmin in 1903 marked the beginning of the relative peacefulness.

From this period, Pambujan underwent same considerable changes. However, a big fire in 1918 razed some commercial and residential buildings. The raveges wrought by the Pacific war followed it. Years later, reconstruction and marked achievements were realized, population rose, agricultural productivity relatively improved.

The year 1925 was characterized by the institutionalization of local parties organized within its boundaries. The “KUSOG SAN KAUSWAGAN” headed by Ttomas Dela Cruz and the “TINGOG SAN KABLASANON” headed by Sixto Balanquit, Sr.

The year that followed, specifically during the incumbency of Mayor Ramon Siervo (1955-1963) and Atty. Alfredo Dela Cruz (1963-1967), faced the clamor of the inhabitants of Lao-angan and Suba for the conversion of these barrios into towns independent from Pambujan by seeking assistance from Congressman Eladio T. Balite, then representative of the lone district of Samar.

Thus, years later, Barrio Lao-angan became the Municipality of San Roque named after the catholic martyr Saint Roche; while barrio Suba became the Municipality of Silvino Lubos, named after the donor of its site, former Municipal Councilor and Barrio Teniente of Suba, Mr. Silvino Lubos.

The insurgency of 1970's confronted Pambujan with losses innocent lives and livelihoods. It was believed to be much disastrous as compared to World War II. However, during this period, it gained both National and worldwide recognitions when NALUCABAN KIDS won five national open championship trophies in the Little League Baseball National Championships (1975,1976,1978,1979,1980), which likewise brought it to the International Baseball Arena.

It was during the year 2004 that the political heirs of the Dela Cruz's and the Balanquit's who established the first two political parties have reconciled and united after 78 years of struggle as traditional political rivals.

BARANGAYS

Pambujan is politically subdivided into 26 barangays.

*Cababto-an *Cabari-an *Cagbigajo *Canjumadal *Doña Anecita *Camparanga *Ge-adgawan *Ginulgan *Geparayan *Igot *Ynaguingayan *Inanahawan *Manahao

*Paninirongan *Poblacion District 1 *Poblacion District 2 *Poblacion District 3 *Poblacion District 4 *Poblacion District 5 *Poblacion District 6 *Poblacion District 7 *Poblacion District 8 *San Ramon *Senonogan *Sixto T. Balanquit, Sr. *Tula

Tourist Attraction

Paninirongan Beach

PANINIRONGAN BEACH is one of the beautiful beaches of Pambujan that has very fine sand, clear and cool water. This beach boasts a natural swimming pool even during high tides. Bathers can stay until afternoon and watch the beautiful sunset.

Caohagan Island

CAOHAGAN ISLAND is the best place for diving, snorkeling, fishing and hunting. This exotic island is known for its beautiful corals and abundance of century trees and boracay white pebbles that is used as construction materials for exterior and interior design of houses/buildings. This island is also a haven of bats.

Objects are very visible vertically to 15 meters deep and horizontally to 10 meters distance. Biotic communities that are essential components of marine ecological system such as coral and sea grasses can be observed in the coastal waters of the island. Caohagan has a bountiful variety of ornamental and commercial fishes.

References

[1] The Official Online Home of Pambujan; URL: http://www.pambujan-nsamar.gov.ph

External links

* [http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/default.asp Philippine Standard Geographic Code]
* [http://www.t-macs.com/kiso/local/ 2000 Philippine Census Information]
* [http://www.pambujan-nsamar.gov.ph/]