History of Cabagan

Before Cabagan became a regular municipality, it was then part of the territory La Irraya of the
Cagayan Valley. Irraya was the term for the native’s name and their dialect which means
“upriver”.
In 1607, the Dominican Provincial Chapter ordered missionaries Frays Luis Flores and Francisco
Minayo to exert all efforts to teach the natives to speak Ibanag and to minister to them in the
same language. During those days, natives were discouraged to speak Irraya because
Spaniards believed that was the language of the “pagans” or the “Kalingas”. Irraya gradually
disappeared and Ibanag became the official language of the valley. Today, some residents of
Barangays Tallag and San Bernardo can still remember some Irraya phrases.
At present, Ibanag speaking community can be found in the northeastern provinces of Cagayan
and Isabela, particularly in Tuguegarao City, Solana, Abulug, Camalaniugan, Cabagan and City
of Ilagan, respectively.
In 1621, historic Irraya Revolt led to the creation of a town called Maquila in the southern part of
Tuguegarao (quilat/quili-Ibanag word for sparkling or clear). On November 30, 1646, due to its
proximity to Tuguegarao, the residents of Maquila were transferred to a new site upstream
southward at the mouth of the Cagayan and Pinacanauan River and is now the poblasyon (town
center) of San Pablo. The new site was called “CABAGAN”.
Cabagan became a charter town in November 30, 1646 and ecclesiastically in May 15, 1647 with
Saint Paul the Apostle as the patron saint. There are many versions of the origin of the name
Cabagan. First, it was derived from a native word “bag” (bajaque) which means stores in the
village. Secondly, a writing said that Cabagan came from the word “cabaguang”, Ibanag word for
young carabao that thrives in the place due to its pasture lands. Thirdly, another version stated
that Cabagan originated from the word “abbag”, an Ibanag term for the other side of the river.
Lastly, the word “abbaging”, an Ibanag term for “pilgrim or stranger”.
In 1761, a growing settlement across the Pinacanauan river was separated from the mother-town
of Cabagan and was also referred to with the same name. It was only in 1861 when a royal
decree was issued separating the new village of Cabagan (now Cabagan town) from the mother-
town of Cabagan (now San Pablo). On January 25, 1877, by virtue of Royal Decree of Spanish
Crown, the old town of Cabagan (now San Pablo) was transferred by Dominican Fray Pedro
Ricart to a new site-the present territory of Cabagan because of its remarkable progress.
The Cabagan of old, that existed from 1646 to 1877 was simply called, "CABAGAN”. Spaniards
revived the abandoned site of Cabagan (now San Pablo) and named it “Cabagan Viejo” with
Fray Segundo Rodriguez as the cura parocco. The other Cabagan was named “Cabagan Nuevo”
to avoid confusion on the two “Cabagans”. When the Americans arrived, they re-named Cabagan
Nuevo as simply “CABAGAN” and Cabagan Viejo as “SAN PABLO”.
In 2004, Cabagan became a first-class municipality and one of the fastest-developing towns in
the region.
Etymology[edit]
Etymologically, the name Cabagan may have originated from the native word bag or bajaque, not
because "G-strings" were used here or made in Cabagan, but most probably because there were
stores in the village. Cabagan could have also been derived from the word cabbagang, meaning
"pilgrim" or "stranger". Based on the fact that Cabagan at the time was in constant contact with
members of the "pagan tribes" from Diffun, namely southern Isabela as well as with the
"Kalingas", of the neighboring Cordillera mountains.

History[edit]
Various Cabagan[edit]
The Cabagan of old, that existed from 1646 to 1877 was simply called, "Cabagan". In 1877, the
Spaniards decided to transfer present-day Cabagan to a new site, abandoning the old Cabagan.
In 1888, the Spaniards resurrected the abandoned Cabagan, into a new town. With this
development, there were now two Cabagans. The Spaniards rectified the predicament by naming
the first Cabagan as Cabagan Viejo, and the second Cabagan as Cabagan Nuevo or the new
Cabagan.
Apparently, the name was not to the liking of the new rulers, the Americans. When the
Americans came to rule the Philippines after the Spaniards, they renamed Cabagan Nuevo as
simply "Cabagan", and the old namesake, as the town of San Pablo.

Foundation[edit]
The old Cabagan, Cabagan Viejo which is now called "San Pablo", was the key town in the
colonization of the Irrayas and to some extent Diffun, i.e., southern Isabela. The Irraya rebelled
and the only ones that the Spaniards could claim, were some three hundred families who agreed
to establish the village of Maquilla, near Tuguegarao City. Cabagan became a charter town on
November 30, 1646, and ecclesiastically on May 15, 1647, with Saint Paul the Apostle as the
patron saint.

New Cabagan (Cabagan Nuevo)[edit]

The new Cabagan came to exist, because the Spanish government decreed that on January 25,
1877, the old Cabagan or San Pablo of today, be transferred from its old site, to the one that is
now occupying. The brainchild of the transfer of Cabagan, was parish priest Pedro Ricart, who
then made representations with the Spanish government, for the transfer. Father Jose
Burgues History of Cagayan Valley gave the unhealthiness of the old site, the reason for the
transfer. Others had stated though, that Cabagan was transferred because progress appeared to
be bypassing the old Cabagan, in favor of the villages to the south, near Cabagan's present site.
The new site was the area between the villages of Ugad and Luquilu, villages that exists up to
this day. The site is not far from the old, with the church of the new Cabagan just some three
kilometers or so, south from that of the old.
The transfer was not without friction though. A number of Cabagan's inhabitants opposed the
transfer. But the missionary's will had prevailed. In contempt, as it were of the natives' opposition,
the missionary uprooted the Church of the old Cabagan and brought the images and other
vestments, to the new Cabagan.
When the Spaniards established a new town, they also endeavored to build a massive church
and convent made of stone, brick and mortar. From 1877, when the new Cabagan was
established, and culminating with the Philippine Revolution that deposed the ruling Spaniards 19
years later (1896), the then governing Spaniards were still not able to complete all constructions
needed, for the new Cabagan. Cabagan is a known meeting place among revolutionaries during
the Spanish occupation.

Geography[edit]
Cabagan is a land-locked municipality in the Cagayan River valley in the north of Luzon Island.
The town center is located on the eastern banks of the Cagayan River.
Barangays[edit]
Cabagan is politically subdivided into 26 barangays. [6] These barangays are headed by elected
officials: Barangay Captain, Barangay Council, whose members are called Barangay Councilors.
All are elected every three years.
There are three barangays that are considered urban (highlighted in bold).[7]

 Aggub
 Anao
 Angancasilian
 Balasig
 Cansan
 Casibarag Norte
 Casibarag Sur
 Catabayungan
 Centro (Poblacion)
 Cubag
 Garita
 Luquilu
 Mabangug
 Magassi
 Masipi East
 Masipi West (Magallones)
 Ngarag
 Pilig Abajo
 Pilig Alto
 San Antonio (Candanum)
 San Bernardo
 San Juan
 Saui
 Tallag
 Ugad
 Union
 In the 2020 census, the population of Cabagan, Isabela, was 53,897 people,  [3] with a
density of 130 inhabitants per square kilometre or 340 inhabitants per square mile.
 Language[edit]
 Cabagan was part of the Irraya region and its language was Irraya. The Spaniards
however, made the Ibanag language "The official language of the Valley", and had
exerted all efforts to make everyone speak the dialect. Since then, the Irraya tongue
gradually disappeared from the Cabagan psyche. When people uttered Irraya before,
they were discouraged or forbidden to speak, because that was the language of the
"pagans" at the time, the Kalingas. Whenever the townsfolk enter the poblacion, none
would speak of Irraya, for they would be considered despicably as, a "Kalinga" or as
"ignorant persons", living in the mountains.
 Today, no one speaks Irraya. There are however, a few barrios in Cabagan today, like
San Bernardo and Tallag, wherein the Ibanag dialect gets interspersed with Irraya.
However, some older generation townsfolk, could also remember sentences in Irraya.
Ilocano is also spoken in parts of Cabagan because of migration of poor Ilocanos from
other parts of Luzon to seek opportunities. English, being one of the official languages is
used primarily in communication for government publications, local newsprints, road
signs, commercial signs and in doing official business transactions. Tagalog, another
official language and is also considered the national language is used as verbal
communication channel between residents.

Pancit Cabagan[edit]
Cabagan is famous for its eponymously named 'Pansit Cabagan', a local dish which was
introduced by a Chinese trader in 1887 and has gained popularity in different parts of Luzon.
  There are several popular restaurants (locally called 'Panciterias') serving this dish along the
[20]

main road/highway in Barangay Centro, Anao, Ugad and Cubag which include Felicitas
Panciteria, Aling Kikay, Loling's Panciteria, Eddie's Restaurant, Josie's Panciteria, KJM, KCJM,
Mariloi's Panciteria, Pin-tag Bistro Cafe and Zein's Panciteria.
Xentro Mall Cabagan, a newly opened shopping mall in Barangay Ugad [21]

Tourism[edit]
 Malasi Tree Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, a bird sanctuary located in Barangay San
Antonio, declared by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as a
critical habitat for Philippine ducks and migratory and endemic species of birds are
spotted regularly[22][23]
 Cabagan Square Park in Barangay Centro, with its carousel which is the largest in
the Philippines[24]
 Fort Cabagan (former military fort), Municipal Hall at Barangay Centro Cabagan,
Isabela
 Triangle Park, located at Barangay Ugad, where a towering led TV was installed
 Aggabao Hall, old entertainment hall of Cabagan located at Barangay Centro
 Josefina T. Albano Sports and Cultural Complex or the Cabagan Gymnasium,
located at Barangay Centro, Cabagan, Isabela
 Biwag Shrine at Barangay Tallag
 Tulap Falls, a recently discovered waterfalls in Barangay Masipi East[25]
 Bonsur Creek, Bananao Rice Terraces at Barangay Masipi East
 St. Paul Parish Church in Barangay Centro[26]
 Religious Cross, Century Church bell, Century Well, Spanish Kiln near St. Paul the
Apostle Parish Church
 Round Rock Resort in Barangay Cansan[27]

Culture[edit]
 Pansi Festival[28]
 Kalesa-Kabayu-Kalaseru (KKK) Festival[29]
 Sambali Festival[30]

Government[edit]
Local government[edit]
The municipality is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a
municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The
mayor, vice mayor, and the councilors are elected directly by the people through an election
which is being held every three years.

Elected officials[edit]

Members of the Municipal Council

(2022–2025)

Position Name

Congressma
Antonio T. Albano
n
 Mayor Christopher A. Mamauag

Vice-Mayor Lovier V. Masigan

Delfin T. Bagunu

Ferdinand R. Fugaban

Soidemer Francisco R. Guingab

Fenimor M. Marayag

Councilors

Mian Kenn B. Acorda

Diwayne Jake C. Mamauag

Stephen P. Ramos

Melchor E. Zipagan III

Congress representation[edit]
Cabagan, as a municipality, belongs to the first legislative district of the province of Isabela. The
current representative is Hon. Antonio T. Albano.

Education[edit]
The Schools Division of Isabela governs the town's public education system. [31] The division office
is a field office of the DepEd in Cagayan Valley region.[32] The office governs the public and
private elementary and public and private high schools throughout the municipality.