November 24, 2009

The town of Argao is considered as one of the oldest towns in the province of Cebu, having been founded by the Spaniards and established as a pueblo in the year 1608. But prior to the arrival of the Spaniards, what was then Argao was composed of several families that lived mainly by fishing and farming, as many still do today. According to stories passed on from generation to generation, the name of the town was derived from an abundantly-growing plant in the area, known locally as “Sali-argaw”. The story of Argao’s name is very much like many other localities in the Philippines that derived their names from popular flora or fauna found in the area. As the story goes, a delegation of Spanish officials came to the town and asked a villager, some say a fisherman, what the name of the town was. Obviously, not comprehending the foreign tongue, the man presumed that the Spaniard was referring to the “Sali-argaw” plants in the area, as the Spaniards were waving their arms to mean the entire place. With this, the fisherman simply said “Sali-argaw”, and from that moment on the Spaniards christened the area as el pueblo de Argao.

Extant records pertaining to the establishment of Argao as a town go only as far as the middle eighteenth century, when the Augustinians started building the church in Argao,

later named after St. Michael the Archangel. Indeed, prior to 1730,

there have been no more written records that have survived to this day that can pinpoint to the 1608 founding of the town.

According to church records, the church of Argao was founded on October 16, 1733. Another source says that Argao began as an encomienda and that the Argao parish was founded on May 17, 1734. It places Ignacio Olalde, OSA, as its first parish priest. The church tower or belfry was built upon the orders of Bishop Santos Gomez de Marañon (Bishop of Cebu 1829 – 1840).

Because Argao was opened as a commercial port in the last portion of the 19th century and because of the establishment by Philippine Railway Co. of a train system from the city to Argao in the South and Danao in the North, mainly for the transport of coal to the city, the population of Argao during the time of Mayor Antonio Miñoza (1914-1917) surged to about 61,000. But when he was appointed as Deputy Governor of Sulu and Mindanao under Governor Guingona of the Bureau of Non-Christians, he encouraged the Argawanons to migrate to Cotabato and Davao. Enticed by the promise of owning vast fertile lands, thousands went to Mindanao, causing the population to drop more than half and leaving many houses vacant. The first town executive during the American regime was Capitan Juan Lucero. The first president was Alejandro Ruiz.

Argao is also the hometown of Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr.

An Excellent Performance!

November 24,2009

What an excellent performance which was performed by Talaga National High School last September 28,2009 at exactly 3:00 p.m in Diosdado Macapagal Sports Complex.This was a second time of participating the Pitlagong Festival sa Argao but it was the first performance that people were shocked and proud.There were only two offertory of pitlagong dancing during the “Bisperas”town fiesta in Argao;Cambanua NHS and Talaga NHS.It was a good  example to show that argawanon are very active and cooperative individual.

Colorful Town

November 24,2009

Municipality of Argao is the birth town of the famous Chief   Justice Hilario Davide Jr.Argao is famous in “Hablon”industry.It is usually use for wedding occassion as decoration in the church. Argao is very colorful town  even it is night time.During daytime,you can see clean and green environment, you can smell the fragrant of the flowers and you feel the fresh air and it trapped to your face.Meanwhile,during night time you will feel the X’mas season entire the whole years and you will hear some music if you are in the plaza.If you have laptops,you can use it everywhere,there’s a wifi  here.

“Vis-ual act-Ion”(VISION)

November 24,2009

Argao vision is what they called the eyes of argawanon to their town.They always think positive.First thing they do is planning their works.You see how they give values to their beloved town.They spend efforts and time.I don’t know if they will also spend their own money but I assure that after planning thier works ,they work whatever they will plan.

It was my first time that I had received two awards in the pageant last May 14,2009 in Balisong,Argao.I don’t expect that I won this contest because my fellow candidates are prettier than me.I felt so shy if there were people looking at me.How much more if I will going to present in the stage in front of them.It was very ridiculous.

After our production number,people were clapped their hands and cheered their favorite candidates.My dress was so wet because of moistures of my body.Before I join this contest I look at the mirror.I asked,”am I intelligent and beautiful?”I could make asking myself because I felt nervous.I’m shytype.

Two days before the pageant,I prepared my gown,jewelries,and of course myself ,too.I also prepared my talent.I practiced dancing of Jai ho.Everything is prepared.After then,the time is fast approaching .The most awaited part in the night  was our ramp portion.

People were clapped their hands and they stamped their feet on the ground cheered to us.The night was very memorable.I could not imagine how I am confident to face the hundreds of people.I’m happy but I  felt so nervous. I couldn’t hear clear voices because people were shout.The host called my name twice to step forward for the awarding.Oh my Gosh!I don’t expect this night and I said,”this is my night.”After the contest my fans said,”Jhazmine Idol!”We took a lot of pictures and after we went home.

e-Blogger

Seminar of Camp Blog1B started last Thursday,November 12,2009 at exactly 3:30 in the afternoon at Mimosa,Clark Field,Pampanga.I’m newly arrived in Mimosa from Cebu and I had a long travel.I’m so tired but in the next day I’m fine.I met new faces from other regions such as Bicolano,Chavakano,Warai,Pampangenio and etc.I was so shy to communicate them except Mrs.Fritzie Soronio,teacher from Consolacion NHS in Cebu.I love to stay in Mimosa because I feel comfortable.I can use anything inside the villas.I’m free to choose what food I would like to eat in my breakfast,lunch and dinner.I’m sure,when I go back home I will gain more weight because the food are very delicious and drinks are also served.The most interesting part of the program was the day of giving laptops in each participants.I thought they will give it to us and bring it on our way home but I was sad because they will let us only to borrow the laptops.It’s ok coz the food is very delicious and my room is very luxurious place.I feel social and relaxed.

This is my  lifetime experience which I could not forget.Many things I had learned in camp blog 1B like outlining and blogging.First time experience and I learned new things.Although I’m tired but the important is I should learn.Within the ten days seminar,imagine I learn already how to blog and besides it’s only too short days.What I like best in this event is making blogs.It’s so obuse.Blog from the word “camp blog”.For me,it is very challenging.My mind keeps bleeding of thinking what topic should I concern about my chosen subject.Oh my gosh!My mind is already full.What should I do so that I’m not fully stored of knowledge?Of course,when I go back to school I will share these to my colleagues.I think that’s only can make me better.However,this kind of learning is what I like best but not always.I’m very tired at first day of camp blog.I hate making an outline.I don’t want to listen to our resource speaker and I need time to rest.I really felt the pressure that’s why I made my first activity different from the other’s work.So,the result my work was unfinished and incorrect.Super difficult!I could say I wanted to go home but I could not do anything because I have no choice I need to stay until the ten days will done.

I’m interested in adding new article which is relevant to my topic and of course with relevant pictures,too.This is so much fun and challenging coz I need to think what pictures or what title I need to blog.I make also short stories about my article and that’s make my mind developing and absorbing power in order that I can form a simple and short sentences.Very interesting if my article will be very relevant to my chosen topic and then,no problem if I will know what is my topic all about.Very challenging coz it makes my mind bleeding and thinking what best describes to the picture.

I chose my topic because I’m interested to make a story about my insights in Argao.As Argawanon youth,I can suggest how youth can contribute to improve or to make our town well-known.This is very interesting for other youth because they will know the  tips or techniques which is enable them to apply in thier respective town as well.How can you imagine your town will become one of the progressive in the country?For me,that’s wonderful and I’m proud.Why I will choose another topics which I don’t have information or experience yet?That’s weird!

I chose my topic also because I like to tell and to share my experiences and of course I would like to introduce my town nationwide so that people who have not been yet  in our town before  so they have background information why they would like to visit us.It’s like I’m telling what in Argao could possibly make them  interested.