Pidigan's Forgotten Heritage

​Origins and Heritage of Pidigan

The origin of the name “Pidigan” is not well known. Some old people of the municipality say that at first, the site of the Poblacion was once called “Bantay Lugnac”. Later, the name changed to “Pidpideg”, which over time evolved into Pidigan.

It was called Pidpideg because a group of people sailed down the Abra river  in bamboo rafts and were brought close to the rocks that line the riverbanks by the swift current. Describing the event, the word Pidpideg came about, an Ilocano term which means “forced close against”.

The first people who inhabited Pidigan were Tingguians. Most of them lived in the villages of San Diego, Sideg, Sucyo and Caburao. At the time, Pidigan was a dense forest with wildlife that sustained the people.

Originally, Pidigan had 5 barangays. They were: Arab, Induyong, Caburao, Pamutic and San Diego. In an attempt to enhance the economic, social and cultural well-being of the people, the municipality was divided into 15 barangays in 1969.

Today, the barangays are:- Alinaya, Arab, Poblacion East, Garreta, Immuli, Laskig, Monggoc, Naguirayan, Pamutic, Pangtud, San Diego, Sulbec, Suyo, West Poblacion and Yuyeng.

What is a Cultural Property in the Philippines?

The Philippine Registry of Cultural Property (PRECUP) is the repository of all information pertaining to cultural properties in the Philippines deemed significant to our cultural heritage. It was established through Article V Section 4 of Republic Act 10066 or the National Heritage Act of 2009.

With the ratification of the National Heritage Act of 2009 or RA 10077, structures over 50 years old are considered “Important Cultural Properties” unless declared otherwise by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. An Important Cultural Property refers to a cultural property having exceptional cultural, artistic, and historical significance to the Philippines and which shall be given among others priority government funding for its protection, conservation, and or restoration.

Mayor Jeremias Bringas House (Temporary Provincial Capitol)

The Spanish built red brick house of former Municipal Mayor Jeremias Bringas (1925 – 1928) When Liberation came in 1945, Pidigan was made the temporary seat of the Provincial Government of Abra, while the American bombed Capitol in Bangued was being rebuilt.

The house of Ex-Mayor Jeremias Bringas was used as the Provincial Capitol with Atty. Zacarias Crispin as Military Governor and Mr. Emilio Bringas as appointed Military Mayor up to September 1945. Today, the grand-daughter of Jeremias Bringas is caretaker of the house ruins. A store has been built in front of the old building blocking its view from the road.

Sinforoso Figueras Ancestral House

Sinforoso Figueras, was the first Municipal Mayor of Pidigan from 1913 to 1919 and again from 1943 to 1945 during the Japanese occupation of the town. Today it is used as a Sari Sari store. On January 1, 1913, the municipality of Pidigan was organized.

The first mayor and vice mayor were Sinforoso Figueras and Clemente Plastina, respectively. On January 4, 1913, the first resolution of the municipal council was to organize the Municipal Police Force of Pidigan with Rosendo Farrales as first Chief of Police. After the organization of the municipality of Pidigan on January 1, 1913, the persons who served as municipal mayors were: Sinforoso Figueras (1913-1919), Mamerto Bugtong (1919-1922), Tomas Perez (1922-1925), Jeremias Bringas (1925-1931), Felipe Pariñas (1931-1940) and Felix Bringas (1941-1943).

During the outbreak of World War II, Pidigan was among the garrison centers of the Japanese Imperial Forces in Abra. The Japanese forces used school buildings and private large houses as barracks. At the time, Felix Bringas was the incumbent mayor. With the coming of the Japanese, Sinforoso Figueras was installed as mayor from 1943 to 1945.

Old church of the Immaculada Concepción

Old Pidigan Church, Heritage of Pidigan

Classified Historic Structures (covering all Colonial Churches and other Houses of Worship, per NHCP Res. No. 3, s. 1991)

St Mary’s High School, Pidigan

The School opened on 5th December 1921 in the house of Agapito Perlas and at first was called the Immaculate Conception Elementary School after the Patroness of the Parish . After the restoration of the convent by Fr Herman Wilhelms in 1924, the school moved to the two floor convent, with the accommodation of the Nuns on the first floor and the school on the ground floor.

The convent was bombed and destroyed by the Americans during WW2, and rebuilt by Fr.Luis Meissner in 1949 and became known as St. Mary’s High School.

This is the school we see today.

Pidigan Central School Gabaldon Building

Pidigan’s Gabaldon school building was built in 1921 and is a Heritage of Pidigan. In 2019 restoration work was started on it. The Gabaldon school buildings built during the first decades of the American colonial rule followed a standard design made by Architect William Parsons and funded through Act Number 1801 by Isauro Gabaldon, after whom the school buildings are named.

Gabaldon was a member of the Philippine Assembly from 1907-1911. Act 1801 stipulated the construction of school buildings in barrios or barangays with a daily attendance of at least sixty students. These school buildings were later called the Gabaldon School houses or simply the Gabaldons. President Duterte on Jan. 18, 2019 signed the Republic Act 11194, which seeks to preserve the architectural, historical and social significance of Gabaldon school buildings, and heritage school houses built in the Philippines from 1907 to 1946.

Local government units that have Gabaldon school buildings under their jurisdiction shall likewise adopt measures for the protection and conservation of these structures and shall aid DepEd in conservation efforts.

Summary

Pidigan has many other buildings that could be classed a a Heritage building, such as the IFI Church, Ancestral Houses around town, and even the Municipal Hall. Pidigan needs someone who can take charge and run a Heritage Society to preserve its historical buildings. 
The buildings already listed need preserving for future generations who will be ignorant of their past if these aren’t taken care of now.
Pidigan, Don’t let your Heritage die.

*** Old Pidigan images from SVD Golden Jubilee Booklet courtesy of Banguedenio

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