History
Brief History of Hinigaranon of America, Inc.
In the morning of November 8, 1989, Dr. Rogerio V. David, Sr. passed away at the City of Hope Hospital in Duarte City, California, U.S.A. Roger M. David, Jr. saw him a day before his demise and both had a serious talk in organizing their fellow "kasimanwa" in North America into a group for the benefit of the poor and the indigents of our hometown. There was an outpour of love and heartwarming condolences from town mates, friends and relatives who came in the remaining days of his wake. Thus fueled Roger's determination even more so to forego with his burning desire to form an association of immigrants from the town of Hinigaran, fifty-four (54) kilometers south of Bacolod City, capital of the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines.
Roger had started injecting his plans into the minds of several concerned town mates during occasional family gatherings few years early on with cousins and close friends like Dence Pabalinas, Ernie Mombay, Roem G. Agustin, Gilbert Y. Tupas to mention a few, and later with Ed and Lulu C. Tupas, and Rodney Y. Yulo. But, to implement fully this seemingly impossible gargantuan organizational task, one had to sacrifice and invest his own time, effort and money in mobilizing families around the U.S.A. into a one working non-profit organization. In spite of the surmounting concerns, family and legal downturns, the Hinigaranon of America, Inc. (HOA) came into a reality in 1990 with Roger David, Jr. as President; Norman Faris and Anthony Carmona as 1st and 2nd Vice Presidents, respectively. The convergence of six (6) dynamic, extraordinary and outstanding ladies composed of Lourdes C. Tupas, Jovita L. Sapalo, Chita O. Montero, Beth P. Yulo, Josephine B. Piansay and Arlene P. Balo together with our families, friends and love ones brought more positive impact into the core group. And the rest is history.
A "cookie cutter" concept was introduced by Roger M. Davod. Jr. in the implementation of programs relevant to the organization, utilizing to the maximum our exposure with other similar Non-Profit Organization (NPO) who will reciprocate and recognize our commitment to our Mission, Vision and Action, as well as, to assure a transparent and smooth transition of the incoming and outgoing officers. A unique yet an effective way for the outgoing President to give a hands-on and proper turn-over of the duties and responsibilities to the incoming President, including, arrangements for the induction venue, guest and inducting speaker, unless otherwise waived by the incoming President.
With our "HIJO DE PONGGOL" Newsletter vigorously edited by Mia C. Tupas-del Rosario for the past nineteen (19) years and our very own website, WWW.HINIGARANON.COM which was unselfishly constructed by Rey Balo now in place, we will be able to touch a huge number of our "kasimanwa" not only in the North America, but, globally as well. We are taking HOA to another level by having a FEDERAL and STATE TAX EXEMPT status to make all donations to HOA tax deductible for our donors in the soonest possible time and focus on both mainstream fund raising events and involvement. This will profoundly assure HOA a realistic sustainable growth to support our Mission, Vision and Action for more decades to come.
Our primary Mission is to help and support the Hinigaran Municipal Emergency Clinic which was initiated by Dr. Rogerio V. David, Sr. who was the Municipal Health Officer of the town. He established and had it approved by the Department of Health, Republic of the Philippines years before his migration to the United States. It's main purpose is to relieve the indigents and the poor town folks of their immediate and emergency medical needs, and eliminate shuttling patients to Government Hospitals in Valladolid which is about thirty (3) kilometers or Bacolod City which is fifty four kilometers to the north and Himamaylan City which is more than twenty (20) kilometers to the south. And secondly, to help and support the indigents and the poor but deserving Honor Students of Hinigaran in their quest to better their chances in attaining proper education for a brighter future.
Our Vision is our Mission. That is to help sustain and assist the Hinigaran Municipal Emergency Clinic in their requested needs so as to be of better service to the indigents and the poor of the community. Likewise, HOA will help develop and support the indigent and the poor but deserving Honor Students of Hinigaran and give them the opportunity to develop into having a healthy body and mind today, so that they will in turn help and take care of the future of their community.
Our Action had been unrelenting for the past fifteen (19) years. Small in numbers yet, unwavering against all odds. A very young non-profit organization then, but, became known as a "trailblazer" in the Negrense (people from Negros Island, Philippines) and the Filipino communities in the U.S.A. Even more of a catalyst by having an Induction Dinner Concert on May 2, 1992 with famous Filipino entertainer Hadji Alejandro, an unprecedented Debutante's Ball on Oct 19, 1992, and had then incumbent Philippine Senator Nikki M.L. Coseteng as Induction Speaker in May 8, 1993, Little Miss Hinigaranon of America Pageant in 2002, and Mr. Hinigaranon Competition on our 2004 fund raisers, just to name a few.
For nineteen (19) years now, HOA members have contributed hundreds of hours in manpower, and, thousands of U.S. Dollars from Los Angeles, California and across North America in fund-raising events for the Hinigaran Municipal Emergency Clinic, Honor Student Scholarship/Incentive Program and other requested projects for the Municipality of Hinigaran, which benefits thousands of our "kasimanwa", unsurpassed by any single existing non-profit organization from the U.S.A. of the same demographics.
HINIGARANON HERITAGE AWARD
The Hinigaranon Heritage Award was created by Roger M. David, Jr. in 1990 to honor individuals with Hinigaranon heritge who have accomplished outstanding achievements in their field of endeavor. This award is our humble and simple way of thanking these unique, talented and unselfish individuals who have given so much back to the community and having excelled far beyond the conceivable expectations.
To qualify, an individual must be born in Hinigaran or must have a direct Hinigaranon family lineage, such as, any parent, grandparent, great grandparent who were born in Hinigaran. Our Hinigaranon Heritage Award Committee is composed of past presidents who are empowered to screen individuals whose names are submitted to the HOA for consideration, and , in turn must unanimously approve said individual to receive the award. Our awardees will be formally recognized and honored in our Induction, Dinner and Ball Ceremony and will automatically become a Lifetime Member. We encourage everyone to submit the names of these individuals or feel free to contact HOA for all concerns.
It is with great honor and pleasure to introduce to you the recipients of the HINIGARANON HERITAGE AWARD;
Dr. KAREN P. BELUSO, Ph. D. : 1991 Performing Arts Award, Master of Music, The Juliard School, New York City, New York, USA, daughter of Fenicula Beluso Pandan.
RIC Y. CLAVERIA : 1991 Visual Arts Award, Inventor of Catapult System Athletic Shoes, Son of Rey and Loida Yelo-Claveria.
ELLEN L. ORTALIZ-DELINA : 1991 Socio-Civic Award, Outstanding Civic Leader and Enterpreneur, daughter of Judge Jacinto Lucasan
EDUARDO ARTURO BAUMANN : 1992 Military Service Award, World War II Hero of Knob Hill, Silay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines, Son of Rodolfo C. Baumann and Felicula G. Siguenza.
ROMULO M. GUANCO : 1992 Posthumous Innovator Award, Innovated the "Talaba" culture Hinigaran, Son of Celso Guanco and Florencia Monteblanco.
LEODEGARIO N. AGUSTIN : 1992 Posthumous Socio-Civic Award, Philanthropist, Banker, Academe, and Enterpreneur.
NIKKI M.L. COSETENG : 1993 Public Service Award, Former Philippine Congresswoman, Philippine Senator and Enterpreneur.
ROGERIO V. DAVID, SR. M.D. : 1993 Posthumous Award in Public Service, World War II USAFFE Bataan Veteran, Son of Judge Abundio Gedoria David of Hinigaran and Laureana Viaje of Malvar, Batangas.
MARGARITA GUANCO NOSCE, M.D.
ANACLETO BELLEZA MILLENDEZ, M.D.
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF HINIGARAN
The Town of "HIJO DE PONGGOL"
by: Ernesto Aguilar
During the Yuletide season and in summer the town of Hinigaran is one of the busiest Municipalities in the province. This is home to the finest of pyrotechnic makers. "Talaba", which became more palatable during summer are in bounty. And so for talaba eaters and pyrotechnic enthusiasts all roads lead to Hinigaran. For those who love the sun, Hinigaran can still boast of beautiful and clean beaches fringed by graceful coconut trees.
Located in the southwestern coast of Negros and just 52 kilometers south of Bacolod, it is bounded in the northeast by the towns of Pontevedra and La Castellana, in the east by Isabela, in the south by Binalbagan and Tanulo Rivers, and in the west by the Guimaras Strait.
Just like any town in Negros Occidental, Hinigaran is basically agricultural and fishing, a major industry.
Based on available records, the town of Hinigaran was first settled by the Mondos and the Ambaks, semi-primitive people. When the Malay traders from Panay came, they drove the Mondos to the interior and these settlers occupied places beside the sea. The Mondos and the Ambaks, then called these new settlers "Taga-Higad", meaning those living beside the sea. When the Spaniards arrived, the town was called "Ginigaran" derived from the word "Higad".
Legend, however, says that Hinigaran derived its name from the Bisayan word "Linigaran", meaning "was bypassed", or "skirted". The accounts say that when Canlaon Volcano erupted, a big snake retreated to the sea taking the route of what is now Binalbagan River. As the big snake moved into the sea, it skirted or bypassed Hinigaran (Linigaran) and got stranded at the mouth of the river and blocked "Binalbagan" from which the present municipality of Binalbagan derived its name.
Among the first families that settled in Hinigaran were the Families of Mongcal; Dano-og; Curio; Sarrosa; David; Pido; Pabalinas; Luntayao; and Grijaldo; they came from Miag-ao and Guimbal. The migration from Panay increased the population, and in 1768 the Spanish Officials made Hinigaran a Pueblo. It wa only in 1806 in the presence of the Agustinians priest, that Basilio Mongcal was elected by the Principalia as the first Gobernadorcillo.
The demand for sugar by foreign firms stirred the interest of the people of Panay to acquire more lands for cultivation of sugar. The elite of Molo chose Hinigaran as the place for their haciendas. Two prominent families, the Siguenzas and the Guancos constructed the Magdalena Sugar Factory in 1912, one of the first sugar centrals in Negros Occidental.
When the Philippine Revolution broke out, Captain Bibiano Gelvosa and his followers fought bravely against the Spaniards. He was the last Capitan Municipal when the Americans came in 1900. Among the first Capitanes Municipales were Baldomero Grijaldo, Esteban Vasquez, Joaquin Villadelgado, Juan Vasquez, and Victoriano Siguenza.
Hinigaran was occupied by the Americans under Captain Forbes. Few days after their stay at the convent, they were attached by Filipino forces under a man named "Filipin". The resistance to the American occupation ended with the capture of Filipin and his several followers at Cabirad. After putting down the resistance, the American organized the local government with Bibiano Gelvosa as the Municipal President and Leon Cuison as the Chief of Police.
When the Pacific War broke out, Hinigaranons took to the hills when organized resistance collapsed. They regrouped and organized into guerilla units. Under Captain Camagon, Captain Jose Ramos, and Lt. Lacson, they ambushed a Japanese patrol on September 21, 1943 at Sitio Camatio, Barangay Aranda and inflicted heavy casualties to the enemies.
Another encounter took place in Barangay Narauis on May 20, 1943 when they guerillas under Lt. Eduardo Baumann, a PMA Cadet during the outbreak of the war, who later became the Hero Officer at the battle of Knob Hill, ambushed a Japanese unit and killed an undetermined number of enemies.
During the early days of Japanese occupation, the seat of the civil government under Mayor Jesus Gonzaga was transferred to Sitio Dungcaan, Barangay Nanunga. Then, Maximo Mombay became Acting Mayor and transferred the seat of the government to Baranagay Himaya.
When the civil government of Negros was organized by Governor Alfredo Montelibano, Sr., former Mayor Ricardo Lagtapon was appointed Mayor of Free Hinigaran. He transferred the seat of the government to Barangay Candumarao until the liberation of Negros.
Adolfo Ramos was named Mayor of the Japanese sponsored Puppet Government and he was later succeeded by Segundo Monteblanco, who remained Mayor until the American liberation.
Immediately after the liberation, former Mayor Ricardo Lagtapon was appointed Acting Municipal Mayor of Hinigaran. When he was appointed administrator of the PRATRA, he was replaced by Agustin Efraim S. Guanco.
In 1947 election, Mrs. Maria Gonzaga Vda. de Yulo was elected Mayor of Hinigaran. In 1955, Atty. Carlos N. Agustin was appointed Acting Mayor. He was later succeeded by Mayor Cesar S. Aguilar, who won his mayoralty seat in 1957. He ran for another term unopposed and was succeeded by for mer Mayor Mariano M. Yulo, who served from 1964 to 1980. In the 1980 local elections, the incumbent Mayor Hermilo L. Aguilar running as independent candidate was elected and assumed office on March 1, 1980. The victory of Mayor Hermilo L. Aguilar is considered by many as a political phenomenon.
After the EDSA revolution, Mayor Hermilo L. Aguilar was replaced by OIC Mayor Edy de los Reyes. When the elections for local officials were held in 1987, Mayor Hermilo L. Aguilar won.
Hinigaran has the potentials of a very progressive town. What is needed is an enlightened leadership and vision of its local officials as well as the involvement of concerned citizens in various government programs. Because of its location and rich natural resources, Hinigaran can look forward to become a trade and industrial center in Southern Negros. The Hinigaran National Port of Entry, if fully completed and operational, can boost commerce and industry to the Municipality in particular, and southern Negros in general.
