PALOMPON - a historic town

The newly restored Palompon church built in 1784. It was destroyed during the war and renovated in 1960's. Msgr. Cesar Petilla HP initiated the restoration project.

by: GERARDO C. REYES JR.

My native town-PALOMPON did not lack the historical episodes that made it interesting to trace its fascinating story that took place in the past.

It is the place where the fiercest battle among the early settlers and Moro raiders happened sometime in 17^th and 18^th century, or even earlier. Our forefathers stood defiantly and fought those Muslim pirates during that decisive encounter. Many among the local warriors perished, and some women are held captive one of them is a young woman named Tomasa, daughter of a local warrior and leader.

In reading the accounts written by Manuel Artigas y Cuerva, it open my eyes to a very interesting segment of our past that many Palomponganons did not know. There was a decisive encounter that repulsed the Muslim invaders and the natives were victorious. What made the book interesting (even if it is written in Spanish) is its provocative revelation.

If I will going to published my research about the history of Palompon, the book written by Artigas will be one of my principal source. History has three sources; namely, relics, oral tradition and written records. But it would appear to be reliable if our sources will be on records and published accounts written by early Filipinos, Spanish missionaries, or even historians. If I can publish this one before the end of this year, it will include the following;

1. the early settlements in Leyte province

2. the Bankaw revolt in 1621

3. the origin of turugpo in Camansi, Carigara, Leyte

4. the life of the early settlers in the coastal settlement

5. the Jesuit missions before they reach Palompon

6. the life of the early Palomponganons

7. the Christianization of the natives

8. the Moro raids in Palompon

9. the man named Molo, and his lineage

10. the fortification of stone build by the natives to protect the town from Muslim raids

11. Palomponganons traveled by sea to attend masses and other religious activities at Hilongos, Leyte,(some 100 kilometers south of Palompon) its mother parish before 1784.

12. Palompon celebrated its first Fiesta on 1784

13. the image of the San Francisco Xavier and its possible origin

14. the mystery behind the century-old cannon, (now displayed prominently at the plaza)

15. the construction of the church and its builders

16. the 9-day battle that resulted to the defeat of the invading Moros

17. the blow-by-blow account of the Moro attacks written by Artigas

18. the settlement in Baybay was established by a Palomponganon

19. The island of Camotes (particularly in the town of Poro) was discovered by Jesuit missionaries from Palompon, and then thereafter they annexed their mission area to the island

20. Ormoc, a part of Palompon parish from 1784 until 1851

21. Ormoc gained its parochial independence because of their petition, due to the abusive attitude of a certain Fr. Samson of Palompon parish

22. the cabeza de baranggay or capitan municipal of Palompon

23. that the abaca industry was once a flourishing trade in this town, with some suppliers from Palompon and manual machines in weaving abaca.

24. the number of voters in this town in 1900, and the socio-economic profile in the post-Spanish era, or at the start of the American occupation.

25. the business partner of the Aboitiz, a certain Jose Muertegue live in Palompon sometime in 1900-1916 and engage in abaca trade. The flourishing abaca trading in this town. Their business partnership paved the way to the establishment of Aboitiz y Muertergue

26. The justice system and administration in Palompon and other Leyte town's before the American regime, and the fiscal/ trial court judge who visited this town with area of assignment as far as Maasin, Southern Leyte.

27. The typhoons and other natural calamities that hit Palompon

28. the guerrilla movement during the American occupation

29. The society and culture of the Palomponganons during the Americal occupation

30. the guerrilla movement in Palompon from 1942-1944

31. the conquest of Leyte and the decisive battle in World War II

32. the historic landing of 77^th division headed by Gen. Bruce and the end of Japanese resistance

33. Palompon-after the war

34. Contemporary Palompon

For more interesting details of the above-mentioned topics, WATCH OUT FOR THE RELEASE OF THE BOOK. COMING SOON!