OUR LADY OF HOPE PARISH CHURCH

The Nuestra Seṅora dela Esperanza Parish was canonically erected in 1825 with
Rev. Fr. Santiago de Leon as the first Parish Priest. The Church is the shrine of Our Lady
of Hope on whom sailors and fishermen from this seaside town of Vigan look as their
STARS OF THE SEA. Later on, a massive church and a convent, both made of bricks
and stones were constructed. Don Paulino Llanes, who was the cabeza de barangay,
supplied lumber for the roofing of both the church and the convent. The womenfolk helped
in the construction by carrying sand and stone from the seashore.

The Marian Image is originally of ivory face and hands holding the infant Jesus, is
one of the best known in Ilocandia invoked as the Nuestra Señora dela Esperanza
because of the anchor dangling beneath her feet. She is the Patroness of the Mariners.

The Church’s building is a mixture of pseudo-gothic and high-renaissance

influence while the pointed windows and arches remind one of the gothic styles. A four
level bell tower is found on the left side of the church.

Source:

1. Our Lady of Hope Parish Church

 CAOAYAN CENTRAL SCHOOL
(Gabaldon Schoolhouse)

The Gabaldon Schoolhouse is one-level prototype educational institution named

after Assemblyman Isauro Gabaldon who authored the Philippine Act 1801 in 1908,
appropriating one million dollars for the construction of school buildings. The architecture
of the schoolhouse was patterned to the Filipino house with spacious and lofty rooms and
with extensive use of sustainable elements including wide eaves and awnings, louvers,
floor-to-ceiling operable walls and partitions to maximize natural daylight and ventilation,
cross and stack ventilation systems, and open courtyards for noise control and sun and
wind catchers. 1

In 1911, Caoayan was once a barrio of Vigan and its township was resurrected
through the efforts of Don Dimas Llanes Querubin, first elected Presidente Municipal
(Mayor) from 1911-1912. For some years, education was provided by the parochial
school under the priest or curate of parish. Primary education from grades 1-4 was
provided by this school. Graduate of parochial school went to Ciudad Fernandina, (now
Vigan City) to complete their elementary education.

Schools were put in some barrios of Caoayan and a central school had to be put
up in the town proper. The requirement of putting up a school on a two-hectare site was
met. Thus, the construction of the Gabaldon Schoolhouse started immediately in the early
1920s. The lot were the said building was built was donated by Don Fulgencio Querubin.
During the construction of the seven-room building, classes in the town proper were held
in the convent and in the former military rooms. It was ready for occupancy in 1922 and
the local chief executive that time was Don Lorenzo Querubin, former Presidente
Municipal (Mayor).

Mr. Esperidion Cariño was the first head teacher of Caoayan Central School. In
1945, the increasing enrollment necessitated the additional rooms in the northern and
southern wings of the building. The wooden porch and stage was renovated in 1971 from
the proceeds of the Valentine Popularity Contest in February sponsored by the Parents-
Teachers Community Association (now PTA) and Barangay Poblacion Council under the
administration of Ms. Pelucia Quirino Mario, the school principal.

Several repairs were undertaken in the later part of the 20th century due. Funds for
the said repairs came from solicitations and donations from the civic-spirited alumni and
generous people. 2

Footnotes:

1. Page 90, Gabaldon Schoolhouse, Diksiyonaryong Biswal ng Arkitekturang Filipino by Rino D.A. Fernadez published by
UST Publishing House (2015);
2. Caoayan Central School Files
 CIRIACO QUERUBIN ANCESTRAL HOUSE
(Querubin-Oliva House)
Est. 1900
Built around early 1900s at barrio Cal-laguip (formerly known as Ob-bog) by Don
Ciriaco Querubin, a biray owner and trader from San Miguel de Puro, near the historic
Mestizo River.1 The lot where the house was built was dedicated to his children namely
Agustina, Martin and Silvino. 2
The first occupant of the house was believed to be the spouses Don Ciriaco and
Doña Maria Martinez-Querubin. The next occupants were Agustina Martinez Querubin
Oliva (eldest child of Ciriaco) and Ariston blessed with eight children namely Rosa,
Enriqueta (Quetang), Magdalena (Dalong), Aurora (Orang), Cecilia (Cecing), Virginia
(Jean), Nelly and Benjamin.
Later on, only Agustina, Magdalena, and Aurora were the only mainstays in the
house intermittently taking care of their nephews and nieces namely Orlando, Wilma
(children of Rosa), Hermes (eldest daughter of Enriqueta), Thelma (second daughter of
Enriqueta), Linda and Roland (children of Benjamin). When their nephews and nieces
who were raised in the house, gradually left, only Agustina, Magdalena, and Aurora
stayed in this house until they all died.
Before the lower steps of stairs was uncovered and jutting out to the entrance from
the street. Then, it veered right to a door with the covered wooden stairs going up to the
second floor. There was a veranda on top of the stairs and another door opened up to a
big living room where two (2) bedrooms are found across the living room.
On the right side of the living room were the windows overlooking the street while
on the left side was a small hall that became like a formal dining room. There is another
bedroom on the left facing the kitchen. There is also small lobby led to the big kitchen
with a dining table & benches. To the left of the kitchen was like a bodega, which they
called sarosar where the burnay with basi, tagapulot, sarsaparilla and other commodities
were kept.
Besides, since the sarosar has been converted into another small bedroom, a total
of four (4) bedrooms already in the second floor. Before the renovation/restoration, the
first floor was inexistent. The first floor going down the bamboo ladder was just a
cemented platform where the loom-weaving machine called tilar was kept under the
house.
The succeeding occupants of the house narrated that the water source before was
from a deep well where they carried the water upstairs using the bamboo ladder to the
kitchen to fill up the burnay beside the sink. Atty. Benjamin Querubin Oliva, one of the
succeeding occupants renovated the house, the stairs and the first floor were enclosed,
proper plumbing system, and toilet/bathroom were installed. 3
At present, the house is currently under the upkeep and maintenance of the family
of Ms. Linda Manrique Oliva.

Footnotes:

1. Researches of Carl Vincent Quitoriano from the Genealogy Library of the Latter Day Saints;
2. Interview with Ms. Linda Manrique Oliva; and
3. Interview with Ms. Emelina Quintillan
 Barangay PANDAN

The barrio was in a wilderness extending from the north to south along the western
side of the Mestizo River. It was connected by land to the other barrio in the north that is
Baggoc. It extended from north to south down to Fuerte, and to the west down to
Manangat and Caparacadan. No body of water yet that separated the two places from
one another.
In the year 1865, a strong typhoon and flood came causing the river to overflow its
high steep banks and making another course to the west cutting the northern tip of the
land, thus separating it from barrio Baggoc. Since then, the place was called Pulsot
meaning separated or cut from another.
One day, group of men from barrio Pulsot were cutting the pandan plants and the
Spaniards asked them the name of the place. They thought that the Spaniards were
asking the name of the plants they were cutting, so they responded, ‘PANDAN.’
From then on, the place was named PANDAN.

PANDAN OBELISK

An obelisk is a slender stone with square base that tapers as it rises and terminates
with a pyramidal form at its apex. It is usually built in inside the plaza to commemorate a
significant event or person.1 In Brgy. Pandan, Caoayan, Ilocos Sur, an obelisk was built
in 1932 during the term of Don Rosauro Quitoriano as Presidente Municipal (Mayor)
through the initiative of Mr. Mariano Portugal, a stone sculptor of Manangat, a neighboring
barrio. The said structure was paired with three (3) monuments in commemoration of the
heroism and martyrdom of national heroes, Dr. Jose Rizal, Gen. Antonio Luna and Rev.
Fr. Jose Burgos.2

Footnotes:

3. Page 73, Town Plan/Plaza Complex during Hispanic Period, Diksiyonaryong Biswal ng Arkitekturang Filipino by Rino D.A.
Fernadez published by UST Publishing House (2015);
4. Historical Data Papers of Caoayan, Ilocos Sur, National Archives of the Philippines
 Barangay PANDAN

The barrio was in a wilderness extending from the north to south along the western
side of the Mestizo River. It was connected by land to the other barrio in the north which
is Baggoc. It extended from north to south down to Fuerte, and to the west down to
Manangat and Caparacadan. No body of water yet that separated the two places from
one another.
In the year 1865, a strong typhoon and flood came causing the river to overflow its
high steep banks and making another course to the west cutting the northern tip of the
land, thus separating it from barrio Baggoc. Since then, the place was called Pulsot
meaning separated or cut from another.
One day, group of men from barrio Pulsot were cutting the pandan plants and the
Spaniards asked them the name of the place. They thought that the Spaniards were
asking the name of the plants they were cutting, so they responded, ‘PANDAN.’
From then on, the place was named PANDAN.

CAPILIA DE NUESTRA SENORA DELA PAZ y BUEN VIAJE

The Capilia de Nuesta Señora dela Paz y Buen Viaje is located at Pandan,
Caoayan, Ilocos Sur. The chapel was believed to constructed in the year 1910 and bell
hanging beside it was donated by Doña Telesfora Quilon of Pandan in the same year. 1
Footnotes:

1. Historical Data Papers of Caoayan, Ilocos Sur, National Archives of the Philippines
 PANDAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL [DLRC]
(Gabaldon Schoolhouse)
The Gabaldon Schoolhouse is one-level prototype educational institution named
after Assemblyman Isauro Gabaldon who authored the Philippine Act 1801 in 1908,
appropriating one million dollars for the construction of school buildings. The architecture
of the schoolhouse was patterned to the Filipino house with spacious and lofty rooms and
with extensive use of sustainable elements including wide eaves and awnings, louvers,
floor-to-ceiling operable walls and partitions to maximize natural daylight and ventilation,
cross and stack ventilation systems, and open courtyards for noise control and sun and
wind catchers. 1

During the American Colonial Era, a schoolhouse building was built at barrio
Pandan, Caoayan, Ilocos Sur near the Quirino bridge. The said school was only for
Grades I-IV that they called Pre-Pub.

In year 1931, another schoolhouse building was built at Pandan that is situated
away from the Pre-Pub School. The school was named Pandan Elementary School,
one of the oldest schools in the municipality with an area of 13, 847 square meters.
Likewise, the school was built during the term of Don Francisco Alcain Pimentel, elected
Presidente Municipal (Mayor). The three-room building was intended for Grades V-VI.
Pupils who finished their primary education at Pre-Pub continued their intermediate
education at Pandan Elementary School. The first principal was the late Jose De la
Cuadra.

In 1933, the Home Economics and Industrial Arts Building were built. There were
many children from neighboring barrios like Baggoc, Manangat, Fuerte, Caparacadan,
Cal-laguip and also from Poblacion who studied in this school. Eventually until the school
became a complete elementary school and later on the Pre-Pub children transferred to
Pandan Elementary School.

The school have intelligent administrators namely: Mr. Hermeginildo De la Cuadra

from 1930-1934; Mr. Jose Buendia from 1935-1950; Mr. Felipe Pano from 1950-1957;
Mr. Moises Encarnacion from 1958-1968; Mr. Clemente Nolasco from 1969-1971, Mr.
Maria Puzon from 1976-1977; Mr. Ernesto Arce from 1977-1978; Ms. Esperanza Somera,
Principal I from 1979-January 1992; Mrs. Hilda Quiocho, MTII/Officer-In-Charge from
February-January 1992; Mrs. Leonora Querubin, Principal I from July 1992-May 2003;
Mr. Florentino Real, Principal I from June 2003-May 2004; Mr. Antonio Q. Alcayaga,
Principal I from June 2004-September 8, 2010; Mrs. Primitiva T. Quiba, Principal II from
September 23, 2010-July 4, 2016; and we have again Mr. Antonio Q. Alcayaga, Principal
II from July 5 to present. 2
Footnotes:

1. Page 90, Gabaldon Schoolhouse, Diksiyonaryong Biswal ng Arkitekturang Filipino by Rino D.A. Fernadez published by
UST Publishing House (2015);
2. Pandan Elementary School Files
 Barangay PANDAN

The barrio was in a wilderness extending from the north to south along the western
side of the Mestizo River. It was connected by land to the other barrio in the north which
is Baggoc. It extended from north to south down to Fuerte, and to the west down to
Manangat and Caparacadan. No body of water yet that separated the two places from
one another.
In the year 1865, a strong typhoon and flood came causing the river to overflow its
high steep banks and making another course to the west cutting the northern tip of the
land, thus separating it from barrio Baggoc. Since then, the place was called Pulsot
meaning separated or cut from another.
One day, group of men from barrio Pulsot were cutting the pandan plants and the
Spaniards asked them the name of the place. They thought that the Spaniards were
asking the name of the plants they were cutting, so they responded, ‘PANDAN.’
From then on, the place was named PANDAN.

CARASI ANCESTRAL HOUSE1

Approximately built in early 1940’s by Simeon Carasi, Sr. The house sits on a lot
more or less 300 square meters bounded by the Pandan Obelisk in the north; Rudy
Quinitio House in the east; Marlon Quodala House in the west; and Roger Quilon House
in the south. The house consist of four (4) bedrooms, three (3) living room and one (1)
dining room.

At present, Mrs. Cherry Carasi – Callejo and her family lives in this well-loved
abode.

Footnotes:

1. Interview with Mrs. Cherry Carasi – Callejo of Pandan, Caoayan, Ilocos Sur
 Barangay PANDAN

The barrio was in a wilderness extending from the north to south along the western
side of the Mestizo River. It was connected by land to the other barrio in the north, which
is Baggoc. It extended from north to south down to Fuerte, and to the west down to
Manangat and Caparacadan. No body of water yet that separated the two places from
one another.
In the year 1865, a strong typhoon and flood came causing the river to overflow its
high steep banks and making another course to the west cutting the northern tip of the
land, thus separating it from barrio Baggoc. Since then, the place was called Pulsot
meaning separated or cut from another.
One day, group of men from barrio Pulsot were cutting the pandan plants and the
Spaniards asked them the name of the place. They thought that the Spaniards were
asking the name of the plants they were cutting, so they responded, ‘PANDAN.’
From then on, the place was named PANDAN.

REYES – SOMERA ANCESTRAL HOUSE

Built around early 1920s at barrio Pandan (formerly known as Pulsot) by Don Vito
Pal-palatoc Somera (1900)1 and Doña Remigia Salvador Reyes. The union of Spouses
Somera produced five (5) children namely: Laurie (1922 +), William (1924 +), Esperanza
(1927– still living), Clemencia (+) and Eduvigis (1934 – still living).
The house is an American Colonial type consists of five (5) rooms, one (1) living
room, one (1) dining room, one (1) altar room and one (1) comfort room.
The first occupants were the Spouses Somera and their five (5) children. The
eldest was Laurie, a teacher by profession; William who died during the Second World
War; Esperanza, former principal at Pandan Elementary School; Clemencia was also a
teacher by profession and Eduvigis a law graduate.
Laurie, Esperanza and Eduvigis never got married except for Clemencia. She
[Clemencia] got married to Eulogio Navarro Oani of Alaminos, Pangasinan with three (3)
children namely Leonard (married to Natividad Lazo), Leah (deceased) and Laribel
(married with Atty. Noel Meinrado Plete).
At present, the house and the remaining properties of the family are inherited by
Esperanza, Eduvigis and heirs of Clemencia.

Sources: Interview with Ms. Esperanza Reyes Somera assisted by Mr. Adrian Noel Oani Plete, RMT, REB

Footnotes:
1. Don Vito Pal-palatoc Somera was a former resident of Municipality of San Ildefonso, Ilocos Sur who eventually
migrated to Pandan, Caoayan, Ilocos Sur and became a barrio school teacher.
 Barangay PANDAN
The barrio was in a wilderness extending from the north to south along the western
side of the Mestizo River. It was connected by land to the other barrio in the north, which
is Baggoc. It extended from north to south down to Fuerte, and to the west down to
Manangat and Caparacadan. No body of water yet that separated the two places from
one another.
In the year 1865, a strong typhoon and flood came causing the river to overflow its
high steep banks and making another course to the west cutting the northern tip of the
land, thus separating it from barrio Baggoc. Since then, the place was called Pulsot
meaning separated or cut from another.
One day, group of men from barrio Pulsot were cutting the pandan plants and the
Spaniards asked them the name of the place. They thought that the Spaniards were
asking the name of the plants they were cutting, so they responded, ‘PANDAN.’
From then on, the place was named PANDAN.

DON FRANCISCO PIMENTEL ANCESTRAL HOUSE

Built around early 1900s at barrio Pandan (formerly known as Pulsot) by Don
Francisco Alcain Pimentel who was born on October 10, 1877 to Don Nepomoseno and
Cerapia Alcain. He was one of the Katipuneros who fought for our liberty during the
Filipino-Spanish War and 2nd Lieutenant-Revolutionary Officer under the Tinio Brigade
during the Filipino-American War. 1
Several years after the war, he was elected as Presidente Municipal (Mayor) of
Caoayan, Ilocos Sur from 1925-1931 and 1934-1938.2 He got married to Doña Luisa
Colas Baltazar. Since spouses Pimentel were childless, they adopted Teodoro Pichay
Baltzar3, the nephew of Doña Isang (Luisa) from her brother, Jose Colas Baltazar. 4
Prior to its present look, the roofing was a nipa; the windows were made out of
wood and capiz (kulintipay); it has a massive wooden posts made out of heavy square
timber columns or logs buried directly to the ground above the stone boulders to support
the floor and roof beams; the flooring were also made out of narra usually one (1) to two
(2) inches in thickness that was fixed to the floor joists; one (1) spacious sala; four (4) big
rooms and a deep-well at their backyard as their source of potable water. Subsequently,
the house was remodeled between late 1950s and early 1960s. 5
The next occupants were the Spouses Teodoro Pichay Baltazar and Rosalina
Quitoriano Baltazar who got two (2) children namely Edwin (+) and Thelma (+). Later on,
the family of Engr. Edwin Quitoriano Baltazar and Lilia Espiritu Baltazar (+) lived in this
house and eventually migrated to United States of America (USA) with their three (3)
children6. The house and the remaining properties of their family are inherited by Mrs.
Lilia Espiritu vda. de Baltazar and her three (3) children 7.
At present, the house have three (3) rooms and one (1) comfort room upstairs
while four (4) rooms and one (1) comfort rooms downstairs. This well-loved house is under
the upkeep and maintenance of the family of Mrs. Virginia G. Quodala, a trustworthy
member of the family who was personally raised in this house by the Baltazar-Pimentel
Clan.

Sources: Researches made by Mr. Carl Vincent Quitoriano with the following footnotes:
1. Memoirs of Don Francisco Alcain Pimentel;
2. Memoirs of Don Francisco Pimentel and LGU Caoayan;
3. Interview with Victorina Pichay Baltazar (surviving sister and sibling of Teodoro);
4. Jose Colas Baltazar got married to Fortunata Pichay who was the sister of Don Vicente Pichay, elected Presidente Municipal
(Mayor) of Caoayan, Ilocos Sur from 1922-1925;
5. Interview with Ms. Virginia G. Quodala;
6. Interview with Victorina Pichay Baltazar (surviving sister and sibling of Teodoro); and
7. Interview with Ms. Virginia G. Quodala.
DON FRANCISCO ALCAIN PIMENTEL
Presidente Municipal (Mayor)
1925-1931 and 1934-1938
 Barangay MANANGAT

Barangay Manangat was formerly known as CAPANDANAN. The name was

derived from the plant called PANDAN that grew abundantly in the river banks. The plants
were mostly found in the southern part of the barrio that served as barricades from the
enemies
In 1855, a historical fight took place in the most eastern part of the barrio. This fight
was between Don Ramon Querubin, Gobernadorcillo of Caoayan and the people of this
barrio under the leadership of Don Pascual Donato, cabeza de barangay. The main
cause of the fight was due to the attempt of Don Ramon to annex barrio Pantay-Baggoc,
an economically progressive place.
Fortunately, Don Pascual and his men were strong, fearless, and excellent fighters
as they were able to defeat the opposing side. Because of the historic fight, the name of
the barrio was changed to MANANGAT, a word much finer than the Iloco word, MANAKI-
ANGAT, meaning, always fighting.
Because of the name of the barrio, one may presume that the people of this place
were quarrelsome. But contrary to this presumption, the people have the spirit of unity,
cooperation,and bravery.
Despite this good attitude of the people, the place was still called MANANGAT.

QUINOT ANCESTRAL HOUSE 1

The Quinot Family House was built mid 1940s by Juan Quinot, the builder of this
house who went to the United States of America (USA) as a contractual worker. The
same house was given to Angela Jimenez as a dowry when they got married.
The house has two (2) bedrooms downstairs and upstairs respectively. Since
spouses Quinot passed away, the house was inherited by their only child, Lourdes
Jimenez Quinot – Quisisem who lives in USA.
At present, the house is located at Brgy. Manangat, Caoayan, Ilocos Sur.

Footnotes:
1. Interview with Mrs. Lourdes Jimenez Quinot – Quisisem.