MIAGAO HISTORICAL ARCHIVES
Pre-Hispanic Period
Maragtas.
“The Maragtas is an original work by the author, which purports to be based on written and oral sources of which no copy has survived. The author makes no claim that the work contains a transcription of particular pre-Hispanic documents. The work consists of a publisher’s introduction by Salvador Laguda, a foreword by the author, six chapters, and an epilogue. The first chapter describes the former customs, clothes, dialect, heredity, organization, etc. of the Aetas of Panay, with special mention of Marikudo …continue reading
Spanish Colonial Period
El Viejo de Miagao.
Father Perez was often called the “Óld Man of Miag-ao” for serving the longest term as parish priest of Miag-ao Church from 1829 to 1864. Born in Orense, Spain in 1778, Francisco Perez begun his studies for the priesthood but had to join the Spanish Army of Catalonia in the War with France which started in 1793. When the war ended in 1795, he went to the Augustinian College in Valladolid and became a priest in 1803 at the age of 25. The following year he arrived in Mexico and boarded the Manila Galleon bound for the Philippines from Acapulco. …continue reading
Memoria.
The manuscript was written during the time of Friar Rev. Maximo Gonzales, Cura Paroco of Santo Tomas de Villanueva, Miagao by “un escribiente” (secretary) about the events in Miagao during his time. The status of the Paroquia (Parish), the construction of the road from Tacas to Aguiauan and the establishment of the church and the school in the barrio of San Sebastian (now, Aguiauan …continue reading
Revolution and the War with America
Tan Pedro Monteclaro.
TAN PEDRO MONTECLARO (1850-1909) –Miag-ao’s “Man for all Seasons” and our first “Outstanding Miag-aowanon” of the 20th Century. As we celebrate Tan Pedro’s birth anniversary this coming October 15th, I think Lorna Monteclaro Garon’s biography of Tan Pedro written decades ago best summarizes the man and his life of accomplishments. [Copy found in the Iloilo Provincial Archives as attachment to a letter submitted by Edison Molanida in 2011; Thanks to Felix Javier for re-discovering the biographic information for us]. …continue reading
The American Period and World War II
Pedro Nacional.
During a private lunch with the visiting Nacional family in Sulu Garden sometime in April 2018, the first statement from Empee (Emperatriz Nacional Abagat) about her uncle Pedro stuck in my mind. She said, “Wherever uncle Pedro was, no matter what continent he might be in, when someone asked where was from, uncle Pedro will always say that he was from Miag-ao.” I think that he missed his hometown, but destiny had other plans for him. Empee entrusted me with the unpublished military memoirs of Pedro Nacional and a photo album, both of which can be viewed electronically at the bottom of this article …continue reading
Philippine Republic to Present
History and Cultural Life of Miagao.
This transcript was a typewritten unpublished book conducted as a research project of the teachers of Miagao Elementary School and Miagao High School, under the leadership of Juan Palmos, Jr., in March, 1953.
The book was divided into two (2) parts and tells the History of Miag-ao from the Pre-Spanish Era, during the Spanish occupation …continue reading
History of Miagao by E.N. Failagao.
In 1979, Elias N. Failagao published the book “History of Miag-ao.” Today, 48 years later, this electronic copy is made available to the general public. The descendants of Mr. Failagao expressed their wish for the book to become more accessible to those Miag-awanons who wish to know more about their history and heritage. Our special thanks to Mr. Failagao’s children–Lorna and Roy– and also to his grandson Razzy for their support of this project. …continue reading