THE PROVINCE
OF
BENGUET
Presented by: Jhuessa N. Dedal
BSHM 3-1
I. ETYMOLOGY
The name Benguet was first pronounced in La Trinidad, a thriving settlement at
the crossroads to the lowland trading sites during the period of Spanish
expeditions. In one expedition, a curious Spanish conquistador who saw this
settlement saw that the people wore cloth coverings wrapped around their
head several times. When he asked about it the native explained that the heavy
head covering which which people wore as protection from the searing cold and
winds is called “benget” . Due to a western accent of the Spaniards it was
mispronounced as “benguet”. In time it become general reference to the
territories of the Iggorotes peopled by the Ibaloi, Kankanaey, Kalangoya, and
other minor tribes.
II. Map Of The Province
III. Brief History
(1) Long before Spanish colonization, the Igorots developed their self-sustaining economy and engaged in barter
trade with the lowland communities.
(2) For almost 300 years, the Igorots defended their land and gold mines and the right to trade from Spanish
expedition to establish its control. It was only in in the late 1800s when Benguet was made a
comandancia-politico-militar with La Trinidad (named after the wife of Galvey) as its seat. Igorots participated in
the war led by the Katipunan against Spanish and later US colonial rule. In 1887, Igorots and other Philippine tribes
were exhibited at the Madrid World Exhibition. The Spanish colonizers imposed their Regalian Doctrine that
claimed ownership of the entire Philippines and which continues to be imposed by the state overriding the
Igorots/Cordillerans claim over their ancestral land and territories.
(3) In 1900, the US colonial rulers established a civil government in some towns. In 1903, gold mining by the
US-owned Benguet Corporation started.
(4) In 1904, Igorots were exhibited at the St. Louis World Fair with the note that the Igorots were the “biggest
crowd drawer with their costumes and dog-eating.” On September 1, 1905 Baguio became a chartered city.
(5) Igorots were organized into the 66th Infantry Battalion under Major Dennis Molintas and Bado Dangwa to
resist and end Japanese colonial rule in the Cordillera. General Yamashita signed the surrender document in Baguio
on 3 September 1945.
III. Brief History
(6) On June 18, 1966 Mountain Province was divided into four provinces, making Benguet a distinct
province. First appointed governor was Dennis Molintas, Sr.
(7) During the Marcos martial rule (1972-1986) Igorots took part in the open and underground
armed struggle against the Marcos dictatorship and succeeding regimes. Well-known martyrs are
from famous Benguet clans like Jennifer Carino and Chadli Molintas, who was arrested and
executed in 1987, La Union. Many Igorots were unjustly arrested, tortured and imprisoned. James
Balao, a clan elder, scholar, writer and human rights worker is missing since September 18, 2008.
(8) On July 15, 1987, then Pres. C. Aquino signed Executive Order 220 creating the Cordillera
Executive Board and the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR) in 1987 of which Benguet was made
a part.
(9) In 1995, the Mining Act was passed, opening the entire Cordillera and the Philippines to
corporate mining.
IV. DIALECT
Example:
Benguet residents generally English: Good Morning
speak their own languages in
addition to Ilocano, Tagalog, Ilocano: Naimbag a bigat
and English, which are used for
trade and commerce. The Ibaloi Ibaloi: Mapteng ja agsapa
tribe speak Ibaloi, which is
similar to Pangasinan, while Kankaney: Gawis ay
the Kankanaey have their own agsapa
eponymous language, which is
related to the Bontoc language. Bontoc: Khawis ay wiit
V. CULTURE AND TRADITIONS
BELIEFS:
★ Above all the gods and goddesses, there is the Kabunyan,
the most high.
★ Spirits and supernatural beings exist who are responsible
for bestowing blessings and bounties when they are
pleased and honored, as well as inflicting pain and
suffering when they are displeased and not heeded.
V. CULTURE AND TRADITIONS
CAÑAO
An offering of thanksgiving to Kabunyan who gave them
the material blessings that they enjoy.
TYPES OF CAÑAO
Sangbo - A cañao performed to become rich.
Peshet - A cañao perforemed by those who were rich.
V. CULTURE AND TRADITIONS
TYPES OF CAÑAO
★ Palis - A cañao to bring back the spirit of a sick
person taken by the tinmongao.
★ (Spirit residing at the creeks)
★ Pasang - A cañao to pray for a couple to have
children.
V. CULTURE AND TRADITIONS
Bendian Dance
Bendian is a traditional
Benguet circle dance
symbolizing the unity of
the community. The
dancing is accompanied
by gongs and drums.
Performances can last for
long periods of time, and
traditionally end in a war
cry.
Story for illustration purposes only
FUNERALS
★ Blindfold the dead and sit it on a chair placed
next to a house's main entrance.
★ The arms and legs are tied together in a sitting
position.
★ A bangil rite is performed by the elders on the
eve of the funeral
VI. FAMOUS TOURIST ATTRACTION
● Mines View Park
● Strawberry Farm in La
Trinidad
● BenCab Museum
● Mt. Ulap
● Mt. Pulag
● Burnham Park Baguio
● Baguio Cathedral
VII. FAMOUS TOURIST DESTINATION
★ Camp John Hay
★ Asin Hot Spring
★ The Mansion
★ Our Lady of Lourdes
Grotto
★ Bell Church
VIII. LOCAL DELICACIES
★ Pinikpikan (Prepared in
Cañao ritual)
★ Pinuneg
★ Watwat
★ Kinuday
★ Strawberry Taho
★ Kiniwar
IX. FAMOUS PERSONALITIES
Abigail Abad - Gold
Medalist in Arnis at
the 2019 SEA Games
Bienvenido Nebres -
National Scientist Kylie Verzosa -
Miss International
2016
IX. FAMOUS PERSONALITIES
Paulo Avelino -
Actor and Model Marvic Leonen – Associate
Justice of the Supreme Court
X. TRIVIA
Benguet Coffee is the Best in the
Philippines
Benguet coffee was introduced to the
Philippines during the Spanish
occupation. This coffee is grown in
farmlands of Atok, La Trinidad,
Itogon, Tuba, Kibungan and Tublay. It
unanimously won in the 3rd
Philippine Coffee Conference as the
best coffee. No chemicals or pesticides
are used in the growing of Benguet
coffee beans. Benguet coffee beans are
meticulously picked off the branches.
Only the ripened ones are used.
X. TRIVIA
Benguet
Benguet is most known for
being the home of Baguio
City, a top tourist
destination that is also
called the Summer Capital
of the Philippines.
THANK
YOU!
