A LITTLE ABOUT GANDARA
Gandara is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Samar, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 31,943. The town was formerly named Bangahon, but its population was resettled to its current location on September 29, 1902. After settling in its new location, the name Gandara was given to it in commemoration of the former Governor General Jose de la Gandara y Navarro.
Gandara's colonial past is evident from the solitary watchtower, the relics of the church and fragmented artworks. These are remants from the old Gandara, named Bangahon due to its geographical location in the forked of the Gandara River. "Guin babanga han wala ug too nga salug". The book Conquestas de las Islas Filipinas by San Agustin the Bangahon states it was already a Pueblo or town in 1729, and was made a parish by the Spanish Jesuits Missionaries with St. Michael the Archangel as patron saint.
The Eighteenth Century ended with Bangahon at the height of abundance and prosperity being a trading center complemented with its fertile soil producing plentiful and ample harvest every year. However, when the American battleships landed at Calbayog on February 9, 1900, the municipal officials of Bangahon burned their town to avoid capture by American soldiers. The problem of where to build a new town was solved during a conference of July 25, 1901, at barrio San Pelayo wherein Dumalo-ong was unanimously chosen due to its ideal location being at the center and midway of the left river, right river and downstreams barrios. Furthermore, the site was located almost halfway between Calbayog City and Catbalogan City. Gandara's foundation anniversary is February the 29th.
Established in 1902 and named after the surname of Spanish Governor General Jose de la Gandara y Navarro, the first captain was Jose Dionesio Mendiola, who died during the year's cholera epidemic and replaced by Jose Piczon on June 15, 1902, serving until June 15, 1903. Succeeded by Ramon Mendiola (1903–1906) who was remembered for celebrating the first Gandara town fiesta on September 29, 1903. From the year 1907, town executives were called Presidents.
The town's new poblacion was built on some six hectares of farmland donated by Martino Reyes. The donation was executed on January 12, 1909. The school site covered by certificate of title no. 95 dated July 20, 1912, and that of the parish under lot no. 146-CAD-444-D dated August 31, 1976, further supported by an extra judicial donation dated March 20, 1908.
Article 960 dated October 23, 1903, transferred the jurisdiction of barangays Bangon, Buenas Aires, Calanyugan, Cambaye, San Luis, Pangi and Pagsanghan to the Municipality of Tarangnan.
In 1979, Pagsanghan and San Jorge were created as a new municipalities out of Gandara.
Gandara is politically subdivided into 69 barangays. The town is noted for its Kiseo, Kalinayan, Tableya, Pulahanes, Lingganay, Bangahon Church Ruins, the Wacthtower.Gandara's Carabao Festival is a colorful festival that includes street dancing and celebrates the varied usefulness of the carabao in the farming activities of Gandareno peasants. It is also a homage to St. Michael the Archangel, the patron saint of the townspeople.
Lastly, the people of Gandara are hospitable, fun loving and very religious. In its totality, the place is a wonderful and a great place to live in.
Gandara is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Samar, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 31,943. The town was formerly named Bangahon, but its population was resettled to its current location on September 29, 1902. After settling in its new location, the name Gandara was given to it in commemoration of the former Governor General Jose de la Gandara y Navarro.
Gandara's colonial past is evident from the solitary watchtower, the relics of the church and fragmented artworks. These are remants from the old Gandara, named Bangahon due to its geographical location in the forked of the Gandara River. "Guin babanga han wala ug too nga salug". The book Conquestas de las Islas Filipinas by San Agustin the Bangahon states it was already a Pueblo or town in 1729, and was made a parish by the Spanish Jesuits Missionaries with St. Michael the Archangel as patron saint.
The Eighteenth Century ended with Bangahon at the height of abundance and prosperity being a trading center complemented with its fertile soil producing plentiful and ample harvest every year. However, when the American battleships landed at Calbayog on February 9, 1900, the municipal officials of Bangahon burned their town to avoid capture by American soldiers. The problem of where to build a new town was solved during a conference of July 25, 1901, at barrio San Pelayo wherein Dumalo-ong was unanimously chosen due to its ideal location being at the center and midway of the left river, right river and downstreams barrios. Furthermore, the site was located almost halfway between Calbayog City and Catbalogan City. Gandara's foundation anniversary is February the 29th.
Established in 1902 and named after the surname of Spanish Governor General Jose de la Gandara y Navarro, the first captain was Jose Dionesio Mendiola, who died during the year's cholera epidemic and replaced by Jose Piczon on June 15, 1902, serving until June 15, 1903. Succeeded by Ramon Mendiola (1903–1906) who was remembered for celebrating the first Gandara town fiesta on September 29, 1903. From the year 1907, town executives were called Presidents.
The town's new poblacion was built on some six hectares of farmland donated by Martino Reyes. The donation was executed on January 12, 1909. The school site covered by certificate of title no. 95 dated July 20, 1912, and that of the parish under lot no. 146-CAD-444-D dated August 31, 1976, further supported by an extra judicial donation dated March 20, 1908.
Article 960 dated October 23, 1903, transferred the jurisdiction of barangays Bangon, Buenas Aires, Calanyugan, Cambaye, San Luis, Pangi and Pagsanghan to the Municipality of Tarangnan.
In 1979, Pagsanghan and San Jorge were created as a new municipalities out of Gandara.
Gandara is politically subdivided into 69 barangays. The town is noted for its Kiseo, Kalinayan, Tableya, Pulahanes, Lingganay, Bangahon Church Ruins, the Wacthtower.Gandara's Carabao Festival is a colorful festival that includes street dancing and celebrates the varied usefulness of the carabao in the farming activities of Gandareno peasants. It is also a homage to St. Michael the Archangel, the patron saint of the townspeople.
Lastly, the people of Gandara are hospitable, fun loving and very religious. In its totality, the place is a wonderful and a great place to live in.