The Borough of Licab

By George F. Esguerr

The Borough of Licab shares the true stories of a Filipino citizen born in the Ilocos region of the Philippines and his reflections on how the people of this remarkable area were forever influenced by the power of foreign invaders.

It was not until Ferdinand Magellan led an expedition that unintentionally landed him on the Philippine island that it was finally recognized by the Europeanssetting off a multitude of occupations by the Spanish, Japanese, and Americans that forced the islands people into a perpetual struggle to gain freedom, dignity, and independence from the prejudiced intruders. With a narrative style, George Esguerra begins by sharing brief histories of Portugal and Spain and continues with in-depth studies of each foreign occupation, the eight radiances of the sun, the significant provinces, and the political leaders who, each in their own way, helped change the history of an island and its people who simply wanted to live as a free nation.

With vivid descriptions and colorful images, The Borough of Licabi<.i> offers an exploration of an intriguing time in history when the people of the Ilocos region were unwillingly manipulated by greed and the power of a three-hundred-fifty-year-old oppression.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Jan 13, 2012
• ISBN: 9781426956010

George F. Esguerr

George Esguerra was born in the Borough of Licab, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. He graduated with an accounting degree from the Far Eastern University in Manila and attended graduate school at Long Island University in New York. A former comptroller, he is now immersed in commercial real estate development and management. He currently lives in New Jersey.

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© Copyright 2009, 2011, 2012 George F. Esguerra.

Copyright Registration Number: TXu 1-696-303

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN: 978-1-4269-5599-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4269-5600-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4269-5601-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011902015

Trafford rev. 04/21/2012

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CONTENTS

PREFACE

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CHAPTER 1    PORTUGAL

THE VILLAGE OF SABROSA

LISBON

CHAPTER 2    SPAIN

CHAPTER 3    AROUND THE WORLD

CHAPTER 4    PHILIPPINE ARCHIPELAGO

REGIONAL SUBDIVISION

CEBU

CHAPTER 5    THE EIGHT RADIANCES OF THE SUN

BATANGAS

BULACAN

CAVITE

LAGUNA

MEGA MANILA

NUEVA ECIJA

GOVERNORS OF NUEVA ECIJA

PAMPANGA

TARLAC

CHAPTER 6   THE THREE SIGNIFICANT PROVINCES PANGASINAN

ILOCOS SUR

ILOCOS NORTE

CHAPTER 7    THE BOROUGH OF LICAB

CHAPTER 8    BOROUGH OF LICAB JAPANESE OCCUPATION

CHAPTER 9   BOROUGH OF LICAB AMERICAN OCCUPATION

CHAPTER 10   PRELUDE TO THE MAYORS OF THE TOWN OF LICAB

DALMACIO CASIANO ESGUERRA

LORENZO MANGOBA ESGUERRA

UBALDO YANGO

NEMENCIO AVENIR

TITO LANORIA

ELIGIO TINIO

SIMON ESGUERRA SAWIT

JUAN GALVEZ ROQUE

EDUARDO MANGOBA

TEODORO ERMITA

JOSE CASTELO

GREGORIO N. GARCIA

ALFREDO GARCIA

ANDRES B.S. CASTILLO

JANUARIO YANGO

ANTONIO DOMINGO SAWIT

MANUEL TINIO CASTRO

MARIANO ESTRELLA GARCIA

ERNESTO BALMONTE VILLAROMAN

FELINO LINA GASPAR

BELEN GASPAR GARMA

HONORATO BELMONTE VIARDO

ARSENIO TINIO ERMITA

ZOSIMO SAWIT GARCIA

TOMAS PUNO VILLAROMAN

CARLOS ‘ITOY’ ROQUE

NOLI NICOLAS CO

WILFREDO SAWIT DOMINGO

CHAPTER 11    THE SEAL OF THE DALMACIO FOUNDATION

COVER PICTURE OF THE BOOK

THE PLAQUE

CHAPTER 12    THE PHILIPPINE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

EMILIO FAMY AGUINALDO

MANUEL LUIS MOLINA QUEZON

JOSE P. LAUREL

SERGIO SUICO OSMEÑA SR.

MANUEL ACUÑA ROXAS

ELPIDIO RIVERA QUIRINO

RAMON FIERRO MAGSAYSAY

CARLOS POLESTICO GARCIA

DIOSDADO PANGAN MACAPAGAL

FERDINAND EDRALIN MARCOS

CORAZON COJUANGCO AQUINO

FIDEL VALDEZ RAMOS

JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA

GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

BENIGNO COJUANGCO AQUINO III

BIBLIOGRAPHY

ENDNOTES

THE MAP OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF LICAB

ENDNOTES

PREFACE

THE BOROUGH OF LICAB

This textbook is filled with legendary people, events and incidents that took place around the Philippines, before during and after the Spanish, Japanese, and American occupation which have physical contribution, remarkable results and a lasting impression to our history that made us today.

For God, honor and country, we are now facing a profound transition of unique human history blended with the dynamic storytelling from our forebears, parents and teachers who deftly uncovered the century old history of our own native town, the Borough of Licab, a covert operation inside of the Spanish invaders.

Read all about the true-to-life stories of a Filipino citizen, born in Ilocos region, and how they were influenced by the power of the foreign invaders. It has been done, so it has to be written; elegantly and profoundly, and be an inspiration in shaping the future and the multitude of our young and future generation. They struggled to gain the freedom, dignity, and independence from the prejudicial foreign invaders by sacrificing their lives to build our own free way of life.

We, therefore, have an ideological and visible concrete foundation on how we were treated during those years of coerciveness, political power, greed social and prejudicial complexities that coincided with the desire to live as a free individual of our nation.

This work is presented by narration of the author, like a true-story-telling of true-to-life people and events, in graphic descriptions, vivid events and in living color imagination.

The book was written with feeling that the writer made it appear his presence in every turn of scenarios to better show the thrills, dramas and excitements, and that the readers may also feel the physical presence with their keen imaginations as they view. The author also noted his personal analyses, opinions and advises.

George F. Esguerra

Author

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I am very grateful to acknowledge all those that contributed, interceded, and inspired me in the creation and promotion of this textbook namely: Mayor Tomas Villaroman, Mayor Noli Co, for the current highlights of the Town of Licab, Elpidio Pascua Sr., a senior native of Licab, who provided the past historical highlights; Romulo Capinding, for his effort in searching for historial pictures of the mayor of Licab, Luzvimindo Ermita for sharing the picture of Mayor Arsenio Ermita, Ramona Castillo, Fe C. Soberon, Sylvia C. Bernarte Als, daughters and grand daughter of Mayor Andres Castillo, for sharing the historical momentos of the town of Licab, Milagros Castro-Fournier and Concepcion Castro-Lee, the daughters of Mayor Manuel Castro, for sharing information of their prominent families, Eufrocinia Viardo and Venustiano Viardo, children of Mayor Honorato Viardo, for some detail information and sharing a picture of their father, and Mayor Willie S. Domingo the much younger generation executive officers, and all the members of his staff, for which the author is very grateful for extending their personal assistance in providing more in depth information of the administration of the town; Joy Agustin and Malou A. Calma, both native of Licab, for the emotional pictures on calamities of the town from typhoon Ondoy and Peping.

My sincere gratitude to my brothers Antonio & Gloria Esguerra, Frank Esguerra and to my nephew Albert Esguerra-Fernando, some of the great, great grandchildren or the descendants of the founder Dalmacio Esguerra who extended their valuable time and priceless efforts to make this book possible.

My grateful acknowledgements to Ms. Taifa Walden, editor of a newsletter, a Distinguished Toastmaster, member of the Toastmasters International, District 83, Toastmaster of Piscataway, New Jersey, USA., for her professional services and advises in editing, and to Atty Edgar C. Balintona of Bayonne, New Jersey, U.S.A. originally from Parañaque City, Metro Manila, who shared his learned advises, intellectual, analytical skills, and patience in editing; Feliciano T. Esguerra for the accommodation in utilizing at times the use of his real estate office, and who may somehow could be a distant kin as he is a native of Ilocos Norte, to Paul Roldan of Jersey City, New Jersey, originally from Sta. Maria, Bulacan for his motivation and opinion. To Gemma Pascua, Marilyn E. Mendiola who contributed their moral conceptions, time, effort, and ideas.

My special gratitude to the following: Atty Galicano Munar Jr., Atty Tony Figueroa, Atty Edgar Balintona, Ding Bonsol, Dal Abuel, Ed Toloza, Xerxes Treyes, Fil Salvo and Angel Florentino who are my close fraternal friends and advisers in our group we call The McBoys as where we regularly meet at this worldwide bistro, to exchange ideas, jokes and for their much needed motivations.

Special thanks to my sons George Jr., and Henry who assisted and liberated me, on the technical side in developing this textbook. Finally, my deep appreciations to my beloved wife Rose, who enkindle and encouraged me to write this book. My hope is that, this book will serve as a lasting reminiscence to my home-town Licab, as narrated to me by my father, mother, forebears and closed associates who shape our town during the reign of the Spanish, Japanese and American colonization.

In addition, to the dreary, gloomy, and scrap sections, I sough to blend the spirit of imaginary flesh and blood to mold and shape the whole true life, fascinating, inspiring, interesting histories competent to enliven in this side of the grave.

I offered this simple wish to all of the citizenry of the Borough of Licab that someday and somehow may this book be of useful reference for their future guidance, lessons in life and reminisce the roots of their origin.

To my parents, Pio Esguerra and Pilar Faustino

"We love and miss you."

"The memories since you were gone will live with us forever."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

George F. Esguerra was born on July 27, 1937 in the Borough of Licab, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. His early grammar school days were in Licab Central School, 1944 - 1950. Later, attended his junior and senior years in Licab High School, and graduated in 1956.

A working student in his collegiate years and graduated with a degree in accounting from the Far Eastern University, in Manila in May 1967. He attended graduate school studies, major in finance, at the Long Island University, in New York, U.S.A. from 1983 - 1984.

He worked as Assistant Comptrollers in the Comptroller’s Division, of The Equitable Companies, in Rockefeller Plaza, New York City, NY, from 1978 to 1999. He was the President of the Jersey Toastmasters in Jersey City, New Jersey U.S.A. from 2005 - 2006, and holds the designation as Advance Toastmasters (ATMB) and Competent Leader (CL). He is a member of the Knights of Rizal in Jersey City, New Jersey. U.S.A.

The author is a Licensed Real Estate Broker and a Notary Public in the State of New Jersey, U.S.A. At present, he is dealing in buying, selling and rentals of commercial, industrial, and residential real estate properties.

CHAPTER 1

PORTUGAL

Brief History

The official name is Primeira Republica (Portuguese Republic). The capital is Lisbon and it is ruled with a republic form of government. It became a republic in 1910. It is a dainty nation of the Iberian Peninsula with an area estimated at 36,000 square miles in Southwestern Europe. Portugal is the home of the famous explorer, Magellan, in its early years of civilization. The national religion is Roman Catholic and the official language is Portuguese.

The northern part of the country is narrow with fertile soil and gradually widens up in the southern part of the country. The mountain range of Serra da Estrela at its highest pick is 6,540 feet, running northwest to southeast. The principal rivers are the Douro River, in the northern part of the region, and the Tagus River, that runs up west in the southern part of the country, drifting to the Atlantic Ocean. The Gulf of Cadiz lies in the most southern part of the nation. Portugal was link to Spain until it became an independent kingdom in 12th to 16th century. Sometimes in 1385, the Portuguese Kingdom, during the administration of Ferdinand I and John I was at war with supported by the British Empire. The Portuguese won in the Battle of Aljubarrota. Since then, Portugal has remained an ally of Britain.

Between the years 1400s and 1500s, Portugal amplified its overseas explorations in South Africa in 1400 and South America in 1500. Hence, the rivalry between Spain and Portugal over the worldwide jurisdiction began. The rivalry between the two countries resulted in the Treaty of Tordesillas. On June 7, 1494, the Treaty of Tordesillas was created, bestowing the western portion of the world to Spain and the eastern portion to Portugal. By the middle of 16th century, under the political administration of King Manuel I, Portugal had acquired the biggest empire which included Morroco, Brazil, part of Africa, and East Indies.

In 1580, Spain invaded and conquered Portugal. As a result, Portugal suffered economically under the Spanish rule and lost control of all the African and South American territory including the Dutch region. In 1640, a revolt in Portugal brought the nation back to its independences. Since then the agriculture and commerce strengthened the economy and trade with other neighboring countries. In 18th century when Portugal refused the Continental System implemented by Napoleon Bonaparte, forbidding trading and other commercial activities with the British colony, the war broke out. The Royal family of King Manuel I fled to Brazil. In 1822 after the war, the royal family returned back to their country, but Portugal lost Brazil as one of their colonies. Brazil declared its independence in 1910 and became an independent and republican nation.

God gave the Portuguese a small country as a cradle, but the entire world as their grave.¹ As people have a strong attachment to their birth country and have been long driven by their dreams and discovery, the fate of many people whose country looks out to the sea, the settlers flocked to the colonies not only for the chance of a new way of life and the promise land but also for the opportunity to seize a share of gold, spices, and other valuables of the empire. That’s Portuguese.

Emigration. Exploration has been the facts of life in Portugal for centuries. First, as a feature of the great voyages and discoveries that shaped the far-flung empire, but in reality the result of the desperate poverty that wracked the most economically challenged country. The way of life in Portugal is tough, requires a great deal of endurance to bear. Portuguese people depend on heavy fishing as well as raising fruits and vegetables as a source of their livelihood in their villages.

Agriculture. The principal occupation in Portugal is farming with a large cereal, grains, produces in growing farm estate in the center and southern part of the country. Livestock, such as sheep, hogs, and oxen, are a common source of food and income. Domesticated animals such as cows and bulls are retained for milk and meat. Olive oil, fruits, and almonds are some of their products.

Manufacturing and Export. Portugal manufactures and export goods, such as sardine, tuna, wine, cork, clothing, leather, metals, petroleum, and textile that are well-known all over the world. In addition, Portugal is known for its shipbuilding. Steel mills, shipbuilding, and petroleum production that operates near Lisbon City are considered some of the country’s main heavy industries.

Portugal used the barter system of trade, and Escudo had been used as currency since the beginning of the century until the introduction of the currency Euro Dollar in year 2000. The Euro Dollar was introduced in world financial market in 1990, and has been used in all the European countries since January 1, 2002. European Union (EU) Members States. The European Union is composed of 26 independent sovereign states which are known as member states: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cypruz, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden (as of 2007).²

THE VILLAGE OF SABROSA

Brief History

Sabrosa, rests horizontally in the remote northwestern part of Portugal. The neighboring towns and cities are Vila Real, in the northwestern part, Sanfina do Douro on the north, Alijo on the northeast, Sao Mamede de Rebatua on the east, Pinhao on the south, Sao Martinho de Antas on the west, and the River, Rio Douro, that traverses the Bera Region. In addition, Sao Joao da Pesqueira another leisure place can be seen in the terrace of the vineyard in Torto Valley, which overlooks the magnificent Manor House in the Douro Valley. Vila Real City is one of the largest cities in Braganca Region.

Pinhao is the main quality production port for wine. This commercial section of the highway leading to the town is very attractive. It is decorated with green grape vines running along the side of the river bank with view of the green terrace. Vale de Mendez is a cultivated terrace planted with grapes vines and farmland down the Rio Douro. The Pinhao River is an important port for the wine production center since all of the delivery orders are shipped by boat or train. The train is decorated by Azulejos (glazed tiles painted white or with various colors), bottles, corn, flowers, and grapes vines.

One time, in the days of yore, the Rio Douro was used to transport goods purchased from local and international delivery orders of wines and oils. Today, the lorry, or camion de reparto (delivery truck) is used. Sabrosa can be viewed in the Torto Valley towards the Rio Douro River overlooking the deep Valley of Pinhao. Sabrosa is the birthplace of Ferdinand Magellan. His Portuguese name was Fernao de Magalhaes. He was born in 1480 (the month and date was unknown). to Rodrigo De Magalhaes and Alda de Mes-quita.³ His father was of Portuguese nobility serving as a sheriff on the Port of Aviero. They owned a moderate real estate on an acre of land in the remote town of Sabrosa, with a modest one family home, full of loving care to every member of the family. There was a possibility of Ferdinand to be acknowledged as a Jew according to Jewish law. However, the family considered itself Christian and Ferdinand Magellan devoted himself to be a Catholic. At the age of 12, Ferdinand Magellan and his brother Diogo move to Lisbon. Traveling by train, the two brothers temporarily dwelt in a modest hotel for a couple of days. Subsequently they rented a home in the City of Lisbon.

LISBON

Brief History

Lisbon is the capital and the largest city in the country of Portugal, the home of the original inhabitants in the area, called Iberians. The Iberians were the origin and derived its name from an island called ‘Iberian Peninsula.’ The City of Lisbon has an estimated area of 33 square miles overlooking the Tagus River its estuary, which means the tidal mouth of a large river where the stream soft water and the hard water from the ocean meet. The capital city of Portugal is also called ‘Lisboa,’ in Portuguese, which is also mean the people of Portugal and the name of their language. Lisbon is the center of major cultural, economic and political activities of the nation. Baixa is what they call downtown area, where you can purchase wine, sardines, clothing, and other daily consumption; and also a center of trade and commerce. Ship building is located in Lisbon were famous navigational ships for international ocean transport vessels were built up to present time. Cereal is the principal product. Riojo, sheep, cherries, and citrus fruits are also produced in Lisbon. The Rossio, also called Don Pedro IV Square,⁴ is the center of lively activities, with the statue of Don Pedro IV, the first liberal king of Portugal. The Rossio is well-known place were coffee shops, shopping malls, and night clubs are located.

Lisbon is in the region of Extramadura, Portugal. Some of the neighboring towns are: Almada, Barreiro, Montijo, Vila Franca de Xira, Sacavem, Alverca do Rebatejo, Estarie, Cascais, Sintra, Oeras, and Setubal. Most of the people in Lisbon live in a building rented apartment homes. Lisbon became the capital of Portugal in 1200s. In World War II, Lisbon was considered a neutral city and the center of international political activities. The Lisbon University is one of the largest educational institution in the City of Lisbon. By law, Portuguese children must attend school between six to fourteen years of age, however; many children have to leave school to work and help their families earn a living. As a result, the educational advancement in Portugal is weak compared to other European counties.

After moving from his remote native town of Sabrosa, Ferdinand Magellan settled down in the City of Lisbon. He worked as a page in the royal court. A young page usually wears a white uniform if employed in a church, court, or other establishment as an attendant. As a page, he was exposed to various Portuguese explorations and discoveries of the unknown territories of the globe. As a page, he took advantage of the free education offered to him in Portugal. He went to grammar school, and was later exposed to an advanced education that included religion, writing, mathematics, music, geometry, algebra, astronomy, navigation, horseman-ship and martial arts.

CHAPTER 2

SPAIN

Brief History

The official name of Spain is Reyno de Espana (The Kingdom of Spain).Spain is a parliamentary monarchy in the Iberian Peninsula. The nation’s Capital is Madrid. Spain’s total land area is 194,880 square miles as compared to the rectangular survey of the United States of 3,618,465 square miles, having the land ratio of .05 per cent. The townships are allotted thirty-six square miles or (23,040 acres). The prime meridian runs through Spain.⁵ It is almost equally distant between the North Pole and the equator. That is why Spain is hot during summer.

Spain controls the Iberian Peninsula, which also includes Portugal. The Peninsula is situated in southwestern Europe among the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and on the Bay of Biscay. The name Iberia Peninsula literally means the Country of Iberia, named after the river Iber (Ebro in Spanish) from the Greek words relating to Iberes meaning Spain and Portugal. The location of Iberia has been centralized to its diverse history. The Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths, and most last were the Moors, invaded Iberia at various times. Spain’s northeastern border is the mighty Pyrenees Mountains. The Pyrenees Mountains served as the dividing line between the Iberian Peninsula and the rest of Europe. Spain is divided by three geographic categories: region, province, and towns and cities. On the opposite side is the African Continent which is approximately 20 kilometers south of Spain, over through the Strait of Gibraltar which is only sixteen kilometers. The culture of North African immigrants greatly influenced early Spanish history. Other immigrants included Carthaginians, Moors, Romans, Greeks and Celtics.

By year 700 B.C., Spain has been conquered by Moors for almost 100 years. The Carthaginians ruled Spain from 400 to 200 BC. When the Romans, Greeks, and Celtics settled they made the peninsula the province of a huge empire. The country continued to suffer difficulties and struggle against so many natural invasion and hindrances of fighting the Moors, Romans and Carthaginians. After many years of struggle, in 1000 A.D. the Spaniards drove out all the Moors in Spain, and finally defeated in 1492. Building a world power Spain comprised much of Northwestern and Southwestern America. In the same year Christopher Columbus, a great navigator, discovered the Bahamas.

Christopher Columbus was born in 1451 (the exact date of birth was unknown) to Domenico Columbus and Susanna Fontanarosa. He was the eldest of five children. He died in Villadolid, Spain on May 20, 1506. He was known as The Admiral of the Ocean Seas. Columbus was never able to prove that the world was round by sailing west across the Atlantic in search for Asia.⁶ The rival of jurisdiction between Spain and Portugal was divided by the Treaty of Tordesillas,⁷ on June 7, 1494. Pope Alexander VI divided the world in half, bestowing the western portion to Spain, and eastern portion to Portugal. The Treaty of Tordesillas ⁸ was an agreement between Spain and Portugal dividing the Non-Christian world into two zone of influence. The division passed 370 leagues west of Cape Verde Islands. This gave the new world to Spain except for part of Brazil, which fell within Portugal’s share along with Africa and India. As there were no cosmologist ⁹ available during that time, there was no exact process measuring the dimensions of the world. Neither nation found this treaty settlement satisfactory. The treaty fell short and was unsuccessful.

Spain is subdivided into provinces. Each town has its own diputacion or council. Every town and group of village is administered by Ayuntamiento or town council, which is supervised by an elected mayor, and a town council. Thousand of Jews and Moors had been expelled or killed in the country when King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel converted the country to Christianity. This resulted in the Spanish inquisition.¹⁰ In 1504, Queen Isabel’s daughter Joan married the German emperor’s son Philip, who succeeded the throne. The unification of King Charles I and Philip II, the German emperor son’s in 1517 created the largest dominating empire in the history of Europe and gained control of the Philippines Islands.

Monarch of Spain. In 1469, Prince Ferdinand of Aragon married Princess Isabella of Castile. The Princess became Queen Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand became King Ferdinand II of Aragon in 1479. Most of what is now Spain thus came under the rule of the two monarchs. Isabella died in 1504. By the time Ferdinand died in 1516, he has brought all of what is now Spain under his control as Ferdinand V. Here were the successions of the monarchy.

In 16th century, Spain was the greatest power in Europe and the center of worldwide empire. They derived their revenues from widely varying resources, like government owned railways, telephone companies, radio and television, large holding of shares in commercial and industrial companies, stocks and bonds, national mines, Philippine Holdings, and general levies, for which the collection system was not up to normal standard. They also improved the efficiency of tax collection.

Language. Before and after the Spanish era, people spoke several languages such as Castilian, the Catalan, Basque and Gallegos. Castilian began as a dialect spoken in the northern most of Spain, and became the language of the court of the Monarchy of Castile. It then became the dominant and official language of Spain. Catalan is spoken in Catalonia. The language shares many similarities with the language spoken in the western part of France, and Atlantic Pyrenees. Basque (Euskera) is spoken in Euskadi, in the Basque province, the origin is not clear, and some scholars suggest that it came from North Africa, or the Caucasian people, that originated from southwestern Russia. The Spanish language is also spoken abroad in several regions of the North, Central, and South America, Africa, and the Philippines.

Agriculture. The principal crops grown in the Iberian Peninsula are wheat, and barley (for cereal). Portugal and Spain are considered one of the world’s major wine producers, mostly Rioja, a well-known dry red wine from the region. Citrus fruits and cherries are cultivated on the Mediterranean coast. The forest industries in Iberia produces two third of the world’s cork. Spain’s other resources are coal, iron, tungsten ore and the world largest suppliers of mercury. Mercury comes from an ore called cinnabar. Cinnabar a heavy bright reddish mineral consisting of mercury sulfide. To obtain pure mercury refineries heat cinnabar in a flow of air. Oxygen in the air combines with sulfur in the ore, forming sulfur dioxide gas and leaving silver-colored mercury behind. Mercury had so many used, such as barometers, thermometers, etc., but it is extremely poisonous. Spain and Italy are world leaders in commercial olive oil productions. Spain has special treaties and trade exportation agreements with neighboring European countries such as Belgium, Denmark, France, United Kingdom, Greece, Ireland, Italy, and Luxembourg.

Religion - There is no official religion in Spain. Eighty percent of the population are Roman Catholic and identify themselves as Christians because they were baptized as Catholic. The remainder of the population is Muslim, Jewish, Protestant, Mormon, Evangelical, and Jehovah’s Witnesses. Today, Muslim religion is getting bigger and bigger, while Hindus and Sikhs are accounted for less than three percent of the population.

Government - The Form of Government is a Constitutional Monarchy

Head of the State: King Juan Carlos I

President: Jose Luis Rodrigo Zapatero

Parliament: Congress-350 members serving four-years terms.

Senate: 208 members serving four-years terms.

The administrative subdivision has 17 autonomous regions, and 50 provinces.

Currency – The money is peseta was the oldest medium of exchange in Spain. This currency was acceptable as a legal tender until Euro Dollar notes and coins were introduced in January 1, 2002..¹¹ Some of the advantages of single currency are: the conversions of fees are eliminated, the risk of exchange rate has been removed; competitive fundings are more liquid and have lower interest rates, price difference, increased competition and consolidation in the worldwide market, and less monetary policies issued by the European Central Bank. In effect the euro dollar is similar to the United States using a single form of currency regulated by the Federal Reserve Bank of America.

TOWNS and CITIES

These towns and cities in Spain were significant which influenced the origin of the creation of the town in the Province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines. Here are the backgrounds of these places where the town names were derived from.

Aliaga

Aliaga - is a forsaken town in the district of Teruel, in the southern part of the Province of Aragon. Aliaga is between the city of Zaragoza and Teruel. The neighboring towns are Camarillas, Montalban, Aguilar de Alfambra, Ejulve, Mesquita de Jarque, Alfambra, and Segura de los Banos. It is near the river of Rio Guadalupe, which is equidistant to one of the biggest river in the north, Rio Ebro. Fishing is one of the main products, which are plentiful in River of Guadalupe that flows up to the Mediterranean Sea. The countryside of Aliaga consists mostly of plains broken by hills and low mountains near the Sierra de Gudar. Spain is mostly poor in natural resources. Most of the land in Spain has poor soil for growing crops so the farmers raise sheep and other livestock to supplement their income. White houses with tile roofs, such as the village homes, are common in rural area in Spain. The country does not produce enough food for its people. As a result it must import large quantities of staple foods every year.

Anteguera

Anteguera. Is in southern most town of Andalucia near the Cordillera, and Sierra Morena Mountain. It is a town in Spain that incorporates different elements and a variety of sceneries, bars, and water ports. Fishing is one of the common occupations of the people. Anteguera is more than 50 miles away from Malaga, and not too far from Granada. There are three well known prehistoric Dolemen Cave" in Anteguera. The three caves are Cueva de Menga, Cueva de Viera, and Cueva del Romeral. This is a small contemporary attractive town of the golden ages with a dozen of churches and mansion near the town of Jaen, Ecija, El Torcal, Garganta del Chorro, Granada and Malaga. The vineyards found in many other places of Andalucia, Aragon, and Castile produces the most prestigious wines in the world. The best known prestigious wines are sherry, a fortified wine produce in a small town around Jerez de la Frontera, in the province of Cadiz; the hearty reds of the Rioja, in the province of Logrono, and the white wine in the Duero Valley especially in the valley of Villadolid.

Barcelona

Barcelona. The most important seat of commerce and is the second largest city of Spain. Madrid represents the center of social, political foundation and administration while on the other hand, Barcelona mostly represents the trading cosmopolitan and the commercial heartbeat of Spain. Barcelona manufactures different kinds of wool, silk, leather, glass, paper, tools, and electrical products. It also produces oranges, lemons, cork, grapes, and olives. Railroad train runs from different parts of the county extending to France, and Germany. Some English newspapers available in the city are the Barcelona Metropolitan, The Broadsheet, Guide Port, Majorca, Daily Bulletin, and Lookout.

The aboriginal Iberian people were the first known settlers of the hills between the estuary of the Llobregat and Besos River. The city of Barcelona was founded by a Carthagenian leader by the name of Hamilcar Barca in 230 B.C. He named the city ‘Barcenó’ after himself. Since then the city of Barcelona has became one of the most important industrial and commercial trading center in the Mediterranean. Hamilcar Barca conquered Spain in 3 B.C., but he was expelled by the Romans after the second Punic War. The second Punic War happened in 218-201 B.C., during the defeat of Hannibal, put an end to Carthages as a Mediterranean power. Since then the Romans control the peninsula and the economy prospered. Christianity was introduced by the Romans. Barcelona became a prosperous and a commercial center of Spain. It is vibrant crossroad between Europe and the Mediterranean.

Barcelona is different and distinct for its Catalan culture. It is the only city in Spain that has truly made itself to be European. The society is industrial, middle class, liberal, and both skeptical and optimistic. Common popular life in Barcelona can be seen in most coffee shops, fishing quarters, and promenades called the ‘Las Ramblas’ where people sit for a coffee breaks and chats like birds, of course in their owned Spanish language.

Ecija

Ecija - is an abbreviated borough of Andalucia. With 30,000 inhabitants, it is the birthplace of Fausto Cruzar y Gongora, Governor of the Philippines in 1690 - 1701. The main language is Castilian Spanish that has been use in the township. The neighboring towns are La Carlota, Montilla, Palma del Rio, Herrera, Estepa, Lucena, Aquilar, Lora del Rio, Carmona, and the Guadalquivir River. La Carlota is one of the 12 colonies set by Carlos III in 1760s. Today it is a beautiful and a tidy place to live in. Hot during summertime, Ecija is known as the "La Sartenilla de Andalucia meaning The Frying pan of Andalucia," located in the region of Andulucia between the province of Seville and the city of Cordova. In August it is so hot that you have to slink from one shade to another if you want to reach the riverbank; it’s worth enduring since it is one of the most beautiful places in the region. The estimated distance from Seville is 93 miles. Andalucia is in the southern most part of Spain, bordering Portugal on the west and on the south is the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The Guadalquivir River