More Fun in Ivisan

I. Name and Origin

The name Ivisan came from the “Ibis” small fish which abounds in the place. They are preserving by salting and drying.

During the Spanish era, the provincial governor appointed a committee composed of preeminent men of the village and Spanish officials to coin the proper name of the locality.

They unanimously agreed to the name “Ibisan” due to the small fish “ibis” and later on officially accepted Ivisan instead of Ibisan because of the preferences of “V” to “B”.

II. Industries

Farming - tilling the lowlands and kaingin the uplands.
Fishing – labay, hudhud, taba, bentol, laya, tapangan, saliwsiwan, and arong.
Buri weaving – ropero, nigo, taklob and taba for fishing.
Salt making – ordinary salt and duldul (hardered baked salt used as viand.

Influence In Our Culture

I. Domestic and social life

Pre – Spanish Period

Home

The primitive “taos” build no house but lean to shelter homes and palm of bamboo leaves fastened to a frame to keep out from rain and heat of the sun.

Later, they learned to build houses with wood or bamboos, with thatched roofs above the grounds.

II. Customs

Courtship and Marriage

A man courted a lady and gets the consent of the parents of the girl and proposals of wedding followed. The man had to render service to the parents of the girl called. “PANGGAD” like tilling the fields, pounding rice, fetching water, gathering firewood or building new house.

Pregnancy and Birth

These were accompanied by many superstitions like (a) a pregnant woman should not see an eclipse because the baby will be deformed. (b) If she happened to eat uncooked rice the baby will be dirty inside the womb. (c) If she conceives the fruit of a tree, the fruits will be sour or else the tree will die.

All deliveries were assisted by a “hilot” an unlettered obstetrician. Usually the father assisted the “hilot”. After birth the child was brought and turned around the stove so that he is free from ailment. The umbilical core was cut by a “tagkis” specie of bamboo.

Religion

The natives had no religion, they were pagans. They worshipped the sun, moon, birds, animals, trees, anitos and diwatas.

III. Community Life and Laws

The inhabitants settled by along the banks. They lived by fishing and those on the hillside and plains lived by catching wild animals and gathering wild fruits.

The natives formed themselves into tribes of barangays composed of 30 families. They selected a leader called datu or rajah who could lead in time of war of disputes. He also made laws and act as judge.

Spanish period

Domestic and social life

Almost the same as in the pre-Spanish era but still influenced by superstitions. The means of livelihood is the same-fishing and farming.

1815 – The pueblo was established. The first Gobernadorcillo was Don Eugenio Gerardo, appointed by a Spanish friar.

1894 – A new reform in the government called “Reforma Nueva” changed the gobernadorcillo to the Capitan Municipal. Sevillano Quiachon wa appointed Capitan Municipal.

1899 – Revolutionary reform changed the Capitan Municipal to Presidente Local. Don Eugenio Villagracia was appointed.

1902 – Capitan Hipolito Vidal was responsible for the construction of the catholic church convent.

1911 – Election of the Municipal President. Pedro advicila was the first President. In his term, the Gabaldon Buildings was constructed.

American Period

Historical Events and Social Progress

1901 – American government in Ivisan formally established run by the American themselves train.

1904 – The road from Capiz was improved and extended to Ivisan. The railroad track was finish and the first train operated from Iloilo to Capiz. Years later, the port of Libas was opened and the boat called “Ligatik” made its first voyage from Manila to Capiz. The Panay Autubus operated for Iloilo, Capiz and Aklan passing Ivisan.

1920 – Philippine copra was exported. Ivisan developed copra industry. Rice produced in lowland areas with the use of plow and carabao. Mechanized farming in San Juan Sugar Central, Dumalag by Mr. Thomas Ford, Sr. the convent schools was continued. As early as 1901, the public schools were opened for both young and old. Education was compulsory with English as medium of instruction. Local government enacted laws for the welfare of the people.

Prominent people of the place worth remembering are the following:

Mayor Felipe Manalo opened a canal to facilitate water transportation to Balaring, Basiao and Cabugao.
Mayor Catalino Andrada established the Ivisan Elementary School.
Mayor Pamfilo Mendoza put up the Gabaldon Building.

Felipe Villagracia rose from rags to riches.

Japanese Occupation

Historical Events and Developments

April 2, 1942 Japanese Imperial forces came to Ivisan, occupied the Poblacion and put up their garrison at the foot of the bridge opposite the church.

The Pattern of living in the community abruptly changed. People left their homes and farms uncultivated for fear. The Japanese exerted effort to organized a civil government. The prewar mayor Manuel Villaruz was inducted into office. Norberto Villarde was appointed Chief of Police. Japanese officers ordered teachers to organize classes. The church was used as classrooms. The principal was Martiniano Andrada and the teachers were Mrs. Basilisa Gustillo, Mrs. Marciana Valcarel, Mrs. Consolacion Didulo and Mrs. Nancy Yap.

Mayor Esteban Andrada and Capitan Leon Gamboa exerted effort to organized different army and troops who did not surrendered to the enemies.

In the latter part of the war sometime in 1944 a sporadic guerilla activity in Ivisan aided by the “Hublag Batallion” which succeeded in raiding the Japanese garisson in Luctugan.

The Third Republic

On July 4, 1946, the third Republic of the Philippines was born. It coincided with Independence Day of the United States of America.

Don Manuel Villaruz was Mayor of Ivisan who served as Mayor from 1935-1946. on November, 1947, election was held. Mr. Iluminado Villaruz was elected as mayor of Ivisan. During his term everything returned to normal.

I. GENERAL FEATURES

Ivisan serves as the main gateway of the Province of Capiz to the rest of the Provinces in the Island of Panay.

1.1 Location

Ivisan is Located along the northwestern coast of Panay Island at122^o37’37.33” to 122^o43’58” east longitude and 11^o28’54.68” to 11^o5’42.67” north latitude. Bounded by the Municipalities of Sapian on the west, Panitan on the southeast, Sigma on the South, Roxas City on the northeast and Sapian Bay on North. It is 15 kilometers from Roxas City through the national Highway (via Loctugan) and approximately 9 kilometers (via Balijuagan)

1.2 Land Area

Land area is the smallest in the Province with only 5,420 hectares (54.20 sq. kilometers).

1.3 Income Class

Fifth (5th) class municipality with an income of P14, 004,591.90 in 1998.

1.4 Climate

Climate in the municipality is the third type with unpronounced seasonal changes. It is relatively dry during the months of November to April and rainy during the rest of the year.

1.5 Soil Types

There are four varying soil types: Sapian clay, Luisiana clay loam, Bantog clay and hydrosol.

1.6 Accessibility

All Barangays are accessible by land transportation are motorcycle, trisikad and public utility jeepneys.

Motorized boat is an alternative means of transportation in the coastal barangays.

1.7 Political Subdivision and Topography

The Municipality is divided into 15 barangays; 2 urban and 13 rural. Distances of barangays to Poblacion and topography are follows:

Barangay/ Classification	Distances to Poblacion	Topography
Urban
1. Poblacion Norte	Proper	Plain
2. Poblacion Sur	Proper	Plain
Rural
3. Agmalobo	1.5	Plainw/ part mountainous
4. Agustin Navarra	4.0	Plainw/ part mountainous
5. Balaring	8.0	Coastal
6. Basiao	9.0	Coastal
7. Cabugao	5.5	Coastal
8. Cudian	2.0	Hilly to Coastal
9. Ilaya-Ivisan	3.5	Plain w/ part mountainous
10. Maloloc Norte	2.0	Hilly to Mountainous
11. Malocloc Sur	5.0	Mountainous
12. Matnog	2.5	Hilly
13. Mianay	3.0	Plain to Hilly
14. Ondoy	2.0	Plain
15. Sta. Cruz	2.0	Hilly