MARIA AURORA

Historical Background

San Jose, currently known as Maria Aurora, was originally inhabited by

an Ilongot Tribe commonly known as “Bugkalot”. These people are
characterized as barbaric, wild and head hunters. They first established their
settlement in an area known as “Egabong” (meaning muddy stream) and
was considered at that time as “no man’s land” since no Christian dared to
enter the place for fear of being beheaded.

The arrival of a certain Jose Bitong from Liliw, Laguna who was
considered as the first Christian adventurer/settler, changed the course of
event when he married a young Bugkalot lady and later won the admiration
and confidence of the Ilongots. From then, he became one of their dynamic
leaders and was respected by the Ilongot Tribe and Christians as well. This
opened the gate for the Spanish missionaries to settle in the area and
converted the settlers into Christians.

In 1771, the settlement became a pueblo named San Jose de Casecnan

in honor of Jose Bitong and of the Casecnan River which the Spanish believed
to be near the settlement. Jose Bitong was then appointed as the first
“Municipal Kapitan” of the pueblo followed by Mamerto Catipon and many
others. The last “Kapitan” was Pantaleon Dulay who hailed from the province
of La Union.

After the revolutionary period, it became a barrio Baler – one of the

only two towns (the order is Casisguran) comprising the northern part of
Tayabas then. Later on, the barrio became a municipality when the late
President Elpidio Quirino signed on July 21, 1949 Executive Order No. 246
creating the Municipality of Maria Aurora out of Baler.
 The new municipality comprised the barrio of San Jose and 14 other
adjoining barrios of Baler. The named was changed to Maria Aurora Aragon
Quezon, a lawyer and daughter of the late President Manuel Luis Quezon and
Doña Aurora Aragon Quezon. Maria Aurora died with her mother in an
ambush sometime in April 1949 in Salabusob, Bongabong, Nueva Ecija while
on their way to Baler to inaugurate the now Aurora Provincial Hospital.

“Rang-ay, Thanksgiving Festival”

“Rang-ay”, is an Ilocano word for progress. The word is distinctively

chosen to confine the focus of celebration on the progressive vision of the
people of Maria Aurora that are dominantly Ilocanos. The progressive stature
of the town can be best portrayed or depicted by way of
Conducting various activities during the foundation anniversary celebration.
In the
Conceptualization of the festival, emergence of social,economic,religious
and ethnical barriers
Were anticipated. Focal discussions and arguments was anchored on the
utmost participation
of all the sectoral groups thus providing a leeway for the birth of a festival
that would steer up
every Mari Aurorans showcase their talents and cultural heritage during the
celebration and shall
be infused as part of their daily living.

A thanks giving gestures or festivities is a common practice among

Filipinos. Oftentimes,
It was not given much social recognition. But in the case of this festival,
divers culture of the
Migrated settlers who came to the town shall be showcased and become part
of the eco-tourism
Package that would entice local and international tourist during the month of
July with
Considerations to the strategic location of the town in the provincial setting.
Maria Aurora serves
as the gateway of the province via Pantabangan-Canili Road and Baler-
Bongabon road.

This festival, attempts to effectualize various modalities of

thanksgiving among the
Ethnical groups in the locality. Depiction of rituals, song & dances in the
inter-cultural street
Dancing adds substantial difference in the celebration. Agro-industrial trade
fair assures
Promotion of local products and shall serve as common venue for traders
and prospective
Investors to settle their common interest. The fair will also showcase
advance technologies
In agriculture, inland fishery and home industries that would lead to the
development of
Livelihood and enterprise of the local populace

The grand civic parade is expected to draw crowd from the different
barangays and
Municipalities of the province to witness the burgeonic display of floats
crafted by local artists depicting “rang-ay”. The annual search for the fairest
lady of the town popularly known as Mutya ng Maria Aurora shall also be
incorporated. Mini-sport Olympics and fun games among employees in the
municipality are also essential part of the activities. National and local
government offices and agencies, the academe, non-government
organizations and churches are key stakeholders in the pursuance of the
festival’s activities.
 “Rang-ay, Thanksgiving Festival” therefore is an engineered innovation
of the people of Maria Aurora to celebrate their founding anniversary
anchored on the tourism prospects of the town. It is not only a mere
commemorative activity but an arena for ethnic, cultural, artistic and
economic fusion for a common dream and that is progress.

Moreso, this festival was linked to the common norms of the rural
Filipinos to celebrate a thanksgiving whenever there are blessings, progress
or changes happened in their lives during the year. This is particularly
conceived and anchored on the traditional attitudes of the local folks of Maria
Aurora.
This festival not only promotes tourism but the most important facet
which every Maria Aurorans can learn and emulates is the espousal of the
culture of excellence. During the festival, people were exposed to modern
and latests technologies and practices in various fields of agriculture,
fisheries and small and medium industries, giving them the opportunity to
further improves their local craft, practices and technologies.
 “Padatngen” / “Pamutuhen”
(Kankana-ey) (Ibaloi)

“Padatngen” is a traditional way of welcoming guests and/or visitors by

the Kankanaey and
“Ibaloi” tribe of Benguet Province that migrated to Brgy. Galintuja, Ma.
Aurora. This is not only a simple welcome but it signifies a greatful and
honorable appreciation of the visit to their place or in their dwellings. The
ceremony is usually done by host and their immediate neighbors. Tribal
instruments like drums, gongs and pieces of woods are played attuned to the
recitation of a chant acknowledging their guests.

“Panagsa-a”
(Ifugao)

“Panagsa-a” is a traditional way of offering honorable parting by the

ifugaos. It is usually done by the tribe on special guests to their place. Giving
honor and appreciation is accompanied by a song and dance performed
mostly by elders in the community. The chant specifically is a wish and
prayer for a good and safe journey of their guests to their destination. This
will be performed by the ifugao in Brgy. Decoliat, Ma. Aurora, Aurora one of
the upland villages of the town. Maria Aurora had enticed migrants from the
mountain provinces. These people are known for their sustainable upland
management or the most popular “Banaue Rice Terraces”.

“Nganga” Or “Betel Nut”

 “Nganga” as popularly known in the province is a practice transferred
from generation to generation by various ethnic groups. This is commonly so
among indigenous people or the tribal communities. Internationally, betel
chewing is a practice of Malay and Polynesian race as a source of narcotics.
These people are from the Pacific Coast.

In the province, betel nut chewing combines three important

ingredients: betel leaves, betel nut and lime. Tribal communities prepare
lime by collecting creek snails which is also edible. After taking the flesh of
the snail, the shell will be smoldered and pulverized.

Tribesmen of Aurora specifically the Dumagats and the Bugkalots,

chewed betel to welcome visitors and offer friendships. In their communities,
this practice is a kind of vices. Some are doing this to make their denture
stronger and enduring to higher pressures.

During the primitive era of Bugkalots, betel chewing is also an

instrument in courting. If a boy offers betel to a young lady and the latter
accepted it, the boy will have the joy of pursuing his intention. In time of
feud with other tribes, red sap from the chewed betel nuts spitted along
trails or on specific location will caution the other groups not to follow the
same trail for possibilities of encounter.

Betel nut chewing is also accounted for its medicinal importance. Wack
doctors and some elders in the tribal communities used it in casting away
bad spirits that cause ailment to the members of the community. The wack
doctor chews betel while reciting a chant or prayer and after deducing a sap
out of the betel he will do a sputter to the left and right side of the cranium.
 There is also a belief that when they are on their beheading activity,
the color of the sap will also signify that the more reddish it became. There is
a greater possibility of beheading a Christian or lowlanders.