Early origins There are almost no physical records nor evidence to indicate when the first people came to Bantayan, nor their places of origin. Some believe they can be traced back to
Panay, others believe that the bulk of them were of
Cebuano origin, and still others say they came from
Leyte and
Bohol. Connections between Bantayan and other places can be deduced from the mixed dialects spoken by the people, and their ancient culture such as clothweaving, dance, and architecture. In addition certain old-established Hispanic family names are associated with certain locations: :* Panay :** :* Cebu :** :* Leyte :** :* Bohol :** :* Paraguay :** There is little documentary evidence of life and culture before the arrival of the Spanish
conquistadores. What we know of them is gathered from handed-down accounts and
folklore. The early people were said to be timid. They did not travel and knew little of places away from their homes. They wore little clothing because the climate did not need it. The abundance of fish, wild game, wild fruits and tuber, such as
ba-ay,
hagmang,
bailacog, and
kiot, made the people do little more than make clearings on which to plant corn, camote (sweet potato) and other vegetables. Large and small trees grew and spread, shading the ground all year round with their heavy foliage. Vines and creepers climbed the trees hanging from bough to bough; cultivation of open land was difficult.
The Spanish period Early years During the period 1565–1898 the Philippines was a Spanish colony, part of the
Spanish East Indies. The parish church was established in 1580 – as an
encomienda of the heir of
Don Pedro de Gamboa. Writing in 1582, Miguel de Loarca stated: {{Text and translation He also wrote: {{Text and translation Writing in 1588,
Domingo de Salazar reported: "The island of Bantayan is small and densely populated. It has more than eight hundred tributarios, most of them Christians. The Augustinians who had them in charge have abandoned them also, and they are now without instruction. This island is twenty leagues from Zubu." Some time in 1591, Bantayan's population totalled 683 tributes representing 6732 persons. Writing in 1630,
Fray Juan de Medina noted: He goes on to say: "This island has a village called #Languiguey|, which it is said was the source of all the Bisayan Indians who have peopled these shores, and whose language resembles that of Hilingigay."
Derivation of name During the time of 22nd
Governor-General Sebastián Hurtado de Corcuera, the
Visayans were continually harassed by
Moro pirates who came on raids to capture slaves. Consequently, tall stone walls and watchtowers were built in different parts of the archipelago, for refuge and protection from Moro aggression. Popular folklore says that these watchtowers were known locally as "
Bantayan sa Hari", meaning "Watchtowers of the King", and they served as lookout towers for incoming
vintas (Moro pirate vessels). In the course of their vigil, it became common to say,
"Bantayan! Bantayan!", meaning, "Keep watch! Keep watch!", and that was how this island-group got its name. However Madridejos history scholar Eng'r. Brient Mangubat who has studied Bantayan Island History and the Lawis Old Fort foundation in Madridejos claimed that the origin of the Island's name Bantayan has nothing to do with the Muslim raiders. According to him the Island got its name Bantayan way back in the year 1574, when the Island's northern side (LAWIS), was used as a "Lookout post" to monitor the Visayan Sea against Chinese attacks. The residents of Bantayan Island decided to do this precautionary act as Manila, the country's capital city was under attack by the forces led by Limahong. The Island's name (Bantayan) was already in use 25 years earlier, before the (first) Muslim raid took place on Bantayan Island in year 1600. In all there were 18 watchtowers built on the Bantayan islands. Most have not survived, although relics can be seen to this day. That at Madridejos is in fair condition, that at Santa Fe less so. There is a particularly fine example on Doong island Construction of watchtowers was not limited to Bantayan. Watchtowers were built in many locations in Cebu vulnerable to Moro raids, as well as in other parts of the
Visayas, such as Southern
Leyte, Northern
Samar and
Bohol. In his "
Statement of the Annual Incomes and Sources of Profit of His Majesty in These Philipinas Islands" for the year 1608, Pedro de Caldierva de Mariaca declares the
tributes (tax) from Bantayan and Bohol combined amount to 2400 gold pesos.
Industry Don José Basco y Vargas was Governor-General of the Philippines from July 1778 until September 1787. During his period in office, he pioneered many projects for the encouragement of agriculture and industries. However many small industries in the islands were completely abandoned because the people were forced to work on building roads, public buildings and churches. Those enforcing were called
politas. The abundance of fish, favourable climate and virgin soil then greatly determined the occupation of the people. These geographical factors became strong stimuli for the people to be fishermen, farmers and sailors. Much later, the small clearings were expanded to fields. The old Spanish roads connecting Santa Fe, Bantayan, and Madridejos were constructed chiefly through the services of labour and partly supported by the tribute funds. The 1818 Spanish census, counting the tributes elucidated the presence of 2,169 native families and 73 Spanish-Filipino tributes.
Religion When the Spaniards came to Bantayan, the people already had some form of religious convictions and worship, such as
animism,
shamanism,
evocation and
magic. They easily conceived the idea of evil spirits, good spirits, witches and ghosts. In order to please these imaginary creatures people often resorted to charms, vows, sacrifices and self-harm. It was a common belief among the illiterate people of the past that cholera and other fatal diseases were caused by poison which an evil spirit had put into the wells and that the people could be saved from the dreaded disease only by chanting prayer and holding processions. The cooperation between the church and the state did not last very long. Quarrels between the church and the state ensued. There was struggle for political power, from the Governor-General down to the alcalde mayors on one hand and from the archbishop to the friars on the other. Because of this, projects for improvements were all paralysed.
Iglesia ni Cristo has 5 locale congregations and 2 Group Worship Services (GWS) in the island. These are the locale congregations of Bantayan (located in Barangay Ticad), Sta. Fe (Barangay Pooc), Sillon, Kabac, Madridejos (Barangay Poblacion Madridejos), Kaongkod GWS (Barangay Kaongkod Madridejos) and Putian GWS.
The American period On January 4, 1899, following the defeat of Spain in the
Spanish–American War, a new government was born to the Philippines. With instructions from President McKinley,
General Otis, who commanded the US Army in the Philippines, declared that the American sovereignty must be recognized without condition. This was the beginning of the American period. This island-group did not take any active part in the revolution against Spain or America. However, after the Filipino–American War, a reactionary group was organized, headed by Patorete of Santa Fe, then still a barrio of Bantayan. Their announced purpose was to resist the invaders, but the armed goons carried a campaign of terror burning the northern part of Santa Fe, plundering and forcing '''' and to join them. This resulted in great fear and tension among the inhabitants. The condition of the barrios, after the overthrow and immediately preceding the arrival of the Americans, in general, was very far from satisfactory. Sanitation was entirely a stranger; barrio life was dreadful. There were few signs of improvement among the people since their primitive ancestors. The subdivision of the province of Cebu was developed utilizing the method introduced by Spain. A
new provincial law had been enacted in 1895 and necessary appointments were then made. At that time, Bantayan was already organized as
pueblo. Santa Fe was organized as such in 1911 and Madridejos in 1917. These
pueblos were given a new corporate form under the Municipal Council chosen by a limited native electorate. For the local head of the administration, the title
Presidente took the place of the former
Gobernadorcillo or
Capitan Committed to the task of administering the newly organized municipal governments were the first
presidentes of the three towns comprising the island-group namely: for Bantayan, for Madridejos and Casimiro Batiancila for Santa Fe. Political parties were formally organized since the early days of the American regime. Partido Liberal came towards the end of 1900.
Pascual Poblete founded the Partido Independista in 1902. During the administration of Governor-General
Luke E. Wright (1904–1906), the public road policy was inaugurated. Little by little the stage trails were changed to roads of more durable construction. Late in 1913 the construction of Santa Fe—Bantayan road began and in 1918 the Bantayan—Madridejos road followed; both were completed in 1924. Then and now, fishing and farming were important industries of the people, but from the year 1903 to 1925, weaving of
piña cloth and the gathering of
maguey fibre were very lucrative pursuits of the people. Over the years demand for these products weakened and died out. At about the same, hand embroidery termed as "spare time industry" came in. A good number of women adopted it and were actively engaged in it for some years. The local output was quite significant. In 1923, because of weak and unsettled market conditions, particularly in Manila, the business gradually disappeared. )
Independent Philippines Gregorio Zaide described the Philippine national characteristic as "pliant, like bamboo, bending in the wind without breaking". This might explain the war-time actions of the then mayor Isidro Escario, who had himself rowed out to meet a fleet of Japanese warships where he treated with them: Bantayan was not invaded and the war basically passed it by. ==Economy==