We congratulate the leaders and members of Saysay Bikol on its forthcoming 4^th anniversary!

The word “saysay” means to narrate or chronicle, to tell a story, or to tell of an experience.

Officially launched on March 13, 2021, during their first Zoom assembly, the civic organization based in Naga City has grown in terms of its influence, reach, and members, which include historians, educators, and cultural heritage advocates. The promotion of Bikol history and heritage is at the heart of its mission and purpose. Saysay Bikol is affiliated with notable institutions, including the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the NHCP Museo ni Jesse Robredo, and Local Historical Committees Network (LHCN).

Saysay Bikol has organized annual events which focus on discussing principles and methods for teaching history effectively. Their efforts are geared towards preserving and disseminating Bikol history through research, publication, instruction, and multimedia content through training workshops for educators. They aim to equip teachers with innovative approaches to teaching history and to promote the “Reading Like a Historian” technique.

Saysay Bikol has organized the Bansáyan Teacher Training Seminars and the Saysáyan Lecture Series. Todate, it has published three of its annual journal, Saysay: The Journal of Bikol History. It maintains an active presence in social media with catchy posts on Bikol history and heroes as well as topics of general interest on its FB page. From the three founding members, the organization has grown to 49 members as of January 2025.

Bansayan Teacher Training Seminars

Saysay Bikol, in partnership with the NHCP Museo ni Jesse Robredo, conducts the Bansáyan Lecture series, a Regional Training Workshop for Philippine History Teachers of Higher Education Institutions. It aims to equip participants with the necessary competencies, knowledge, and skills to incorporate historical research and Bikol history in their Readings in Philippine History syllabus. Attendance to the training workshop is open to all Philippine history teachers of Bikol higher education institutions.

Bansayan 1

Amid the pandemic, the first Bansayan 1 was conducted on September 7-8, 2021, via Zoom and Facebook. It consisted of four lectures which were held over two days, namely:

• “Research Methods in History” by Kerby C. Alvarez, Assistant Professor, Department of History, University of the Philippines Diliman
• “Online Repositories of Historical Sources” by Ros A. Costelo, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of History, University of the Philippines Diliman
• “Local History and Secondary Sources on Bikol History” by Javier Leonardo V. Rugeria, Assistant Professor, Department of History, University of the Philippines Diliman
• “Integrating Historical Research, Online Repositories of Historical Sources, and Bikol History in Readings in Philippine History” by Leo Paulo Imperial, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Social Sciences, Ateneo de Naga University

Bansayan 2

The 2^nd Bansayan was held on April 14, 2023, with the topic “Integrating Philippine History in the High School AP Curriculum.” Held in the NHCP-Museo ni Jesse Robredo Auditorium, the participating schools were Ateneo de Naga University, Calabanga Community College, Camarines Norte State College, Camarines Sur National High School, Carolina National High School, Holy Rosary Minor Seminary, Naga City Science High School, Naga College Foundation, Naga Parochial School, Partido State University, Pasacao National High School, Tinago National High School, and Universidad de Santa Isabel.

The topics and participating lecturers were:

• “Designing a class integrating Philippine history in the high school curriculum and creative assessment tools for history classroom” by Franco Nicolo Addun, Xavier School
• “Strategy and trends in teaching history” by Dominique Rae Santos, Xavier School
• “Navigating online repositories of historical sources” by Javier Leonardo Rugeria, Saysay Bikol research and publications director, University of the Philippines

Bansayan 3

The 3rd Bansáyan Training Seminar for Philippine History Teachers was held on May 11, 2024, at the NHCP-Museo ni Jesse Robredo, Naga City. The theme was “Adopting the Reading Like a Historian | Curriculum in Teaching Philippine History.” The training seminar was attended by delegates from Bicol University, Partido State University, University of Saint Anthony, Camarines Norte State College, Ateneo de Naga University, Universidad de Santa Isabel, Naga College Foundation, and DepEd Albay and Camarines Sur.

Saysayan Lecture Series

The first Saysayan Lecture Series was streamed live on Saturday, November 13, 2021 via the Saysay Bikol’s Facebook Page and featured two lectures:“The Land of Promise: Cebuano Migration in Masbate, 1926-1939” by Renato N. Pelorina, PhD, Associate Professor, Cavite State University, and “An mga Parasaysay: Reappreciating some historical works of Elias Ataviado and Mariano Goyena del Prado” by Ruben Jeffrey A. Asuncion, Assistant Professor, University of the Philippines, Los Baños. The lecture moderator was Kristiana Michaela Embate, Editorial Assistant, Saysay: The Journal of Bikol History.

The second Lecture Series was held on July 11, 2022, at the Edessa Hall, St. Jude Thaddeus Parish, Concepcion Grande, Naga City. The lecture featured the Bikol Archaelogical Project. Presented were the results of the 2016-2019 investigations and trajectories of the 2022 field season. The presenters were Stephen Acabado and Madeleine Yakal, University of California, Los Angeles; Mikhail Garcia Echavarri, University of Washington. The moderator was Earl John Hernandez, Partido State University. The lecture was livestreamed on Saysay Bikol’s FB page.

The third Lecture Series was held via Zoom on November 17, 2023, in partnership with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Local Historical Committees Network, and San Jose Heritage Society. It featured “Partido Historiography: Advancements and Prospects” by Marjun A. Sedeño, instructor at Partido State University and the Saysay journal’s incoming associate editor, based on his MA thesis.

It reviewed the pertinent works of historians Francisco Mallari, SJ, Norman Owen, and Danilo Gerona, and argued that despite the existing literature, Partido remained marginal in Bikol historiography, and hence deserved more attention among scholars and researchers.

The fourth Saysayan was held on May 12, 2024, at the NHCP-Museo ni Jesse Robredo Auditorium in partnership with the University of the Philippines National Service Training Program (CSSP-MJKL5). It featured Jennifer Lyn M. Romano of the Department of Media Studies, Ateneo de Naga University and her article titled “From Middle East to Bikol Land: The Bicharas and their Movie Houses,” published in the 2022 issue of Saysay: The Journal of Bikol History.

The fifth Saysáyan V, held on October 12, 2024, featured Asst. Prof. Ian Christopher B. Alfonso and his lecture titled “The Dog of Peñafrancia” which is based on his recently published book, Dogs in Philippine History (2023). Last September, the book was named finalist for the Best Book in History in the 42nd National Book Awards. The lecture via Zoom was moderated by Val Dominic Monit of Saysay Bikol’s Education Committee.

Saysay Bikol Conferences

1^st Saysay Bikol Conference

The first Saysay Bikol conference was held on December 10, 2022, in the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary in Naga City. The topic was “The Japanese Occupation Years in Bikol, 1941-1945.” The Welcome Address was made by Fr. Francis A. Tordilla, Rector, Holy Rosary Minor Seminary President, Saysay Bikol. This was followed by a Message by Hon. Jose “Joe” B. Perez, 14th Sangguniang Panlungsod, Naga City.

The Keynote Speaker was introduced by Javier Leonardo V. Rugeria, Research Director, Saysay Bikol, Chief Editor, Saysay: The Journal of Bikol History. Ricardo T. Jose, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Department of History University of the Philippines Diliman, delivered the Keynote Address.

Conference Proper

Panel I: Sources and Historiography on the Japanese Occupation Years in Bikol

• “Reconstructing the Guerrilla Movement in Southern Luzon Utilizing PVAO’s Brigadier-General Francisco Licuanan, Jr. Collection” by  Marcelino M. Macapinlac, Jr., Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of History, De La Salle University
• “The Historical Data Papers of Albay”by Edsel T. Basilla, Master Teacher I, Bayanan Elementary School Division of City Schools, Muntinlupa City
• “Searching for Stories Beyond the Archives: Experiences of Tabaqueños during the Japanese Occupation Period” by Marco Stefan B. Lagman, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Humanities Central Bicol State University of Agriculture
• “Mapping the Archive: Reconstructing Camp Isarog’s Encounters with the Japanese in Albay and Camarines Sur using Geographic Information System (GIS)” by Carlo Louis F. Felipe, Geographic Information System (GIS) Specialist PHIVOLCS-DOST

The Moderator was Victor Dennis T. Nierva, Director for Publications, Saysay Bikol.

Panel 2: Resistance Movements in Kabikolan

• “The Masbateños’ Fight for Freedom Against the Japanese, 1942-1945” by Renato N. Pelorina, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Social Sciences Cavite State University-Indang Campus
• “The Catanduanes Liberation Forces” by Ramon Felipe A. Sarmiento, Ph.D., Associate Professor, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Catanduanes State University
• “Bintao’s Diary: Wenceslao Vinzons and Camarines Norte’s Traveling Guerrillas, December 1941-July 1942” by Ruben Jeffrey Asuncion, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Sciences University of the Philippines Los Baños

The Moderator was Catherine Villamor, Editorial Assistant, Saysay: The Journal of Bikol History.

Closing Program

The 2022 and 2023 issues of Saysay: The Journal of Bikol History Javier were presented by Leonardo V. Rugeria, Director for Research, Saysay Bikol. Chief Editor, Saysay: The Journal of Bikol History. Victor Dennis T. Nierva, Director for Publications, Saysay Bikol, delivered the Closing Remarks. The program was emceed by Angela Nicole R. Mistranza, Public and Community Affairs Officer. UP Kasaysayan.

2^nd Saysay Bikol Conference

The second Saysay Bikol conference was held on August 15-16, 2024, during the Rigmat Arts and Culture Festival at the University of Nueva Caceres. The theme “From Ciudad de Nueva Caceres to Syudad kan Naga: The City through Four and a Half Centuries of History.”

During Day 1 of the conference, the keynote lecture was “From Romanticism to Critical Realism: The Case of the Cárcel Pública de Nueva Caceres” by Fr. Francis A. Tordilla, Rector, Holy Rosary Minor Seminary, President, Saysay Bikol. The Master of Ceremonies was Bridgette Caballero, Partido State University.

The keynote lecture was followed by:

Panel 1: Life Histories

• “The Revolutionary and Political Itineraries of Vicente Lukban, 1860-1916” by Gene Kervin S. Borja II, Instructor, Department of Development Education, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture
• “Unravelling Francisco Alvarez: Partido Native, Seminary Alumnus, and Statesman in the Philippine National Assembly of 1907” by Marjun A. Sedeño, Instructor, College of Education, Partido State University
• “Simeon A. Ola: The Last Line of Defense” by John Aryel F. Dela Paz, Instructor, College of Teacher Education, Naga College Foundation

The Moderator was Bridgette Caballero, Partido State University

Panel 2: Local Economy and Natural Disasters

• “Businesses, Residential Addresses, and Authorized Marriages from the Archives: Imprints of Chinese Presence in Late Nineteenth- to Early Twentieth-Century Naga” by Marco Stefan B. Lagman, Ph.D., Professor, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture
• “Pagsipat sa mga Bayan ng Milaor, Gainza, at Camaligan Sa Ekonomiya at Kasaysayan ng Lungsod ng Naga” by Olive Ann Sto. Domingo, Pamukid National High School, DepEd-SDO Camarines Sur
• “Narratives of Typhoon Devastation and Colonial Responses in American Colonial Kabikolan, 1915-1920” John Kurt Tañada , Samahan ng mga Mag-aaral ng Kasaysayan (PUP-SMK), Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Manila

The Moderator was Roland Gile Gregorio, Jr., National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

The following are the Day 3 lecture panels:

Panel 3: Bikol Church History

• “The Diocese of Nueva Caceres during the Episcopacy of Bishop Felipe de Molina, 1724-1738” by Javier Leonardo V. Rugeria, Lecturer, Department of History, University of Asia and the Pacific
• “Archival Notes on the Diocesis de Nueva Caceres from the Patronatos Record Series, National Archives of the Philippines” by Wogie T. Pacala, Graduate Student, Department of History, University of the Philippines Diliman
• “Fleeting Care: The Diocesan Hospital of Nueva Caceres and the Contingencies of Public Health in Nineteenth-Century Philippines” by Joseph Adrian F. Afundar, Incoming Teaching Assistant, Department of History, University of the Philippines Diliman

The Moderator was Benito Caballero, Jr., Ateneo de Naga University.

Panel 4: Literature, Language, and Education

• “Mga Inarkibong Agui: Early Twentieth-Century Bikol Metrical Romances in Naga Archives” by Shaunnah Ysabel V. Cledera, Assistant Professor, Department of Humanities, University of the Philippines Los Baños
• “Sanghiran nin Bikol at Akademyang Bikol: Tugon ng Bikol sa Amerikanisasyon at Nasyonalisasyon” by Raniela E. Barbaza, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Departamento ng Filipino at Panitikan ng Pilipinas, University of the Philippines Diliman
• “From College to University: Notes on the Founding Years of the University of Nueva Caceres, 1948-1957” by Ruben Jeffrey A. Asuncion, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños

The Moderator was Earl John C. Hernandez, University of California Los Angeles.

Panel 5: Bikol History, Theater, and Cinema

• “Domingo Calleja Abella: Origins of the Bicolano Surgeon-turned-Local Historian” by Francis Kristoffer L. Pasion, Senior Historical Researcher, National Historical Commission of the Philippines
• “James A. Reuter, S.J. and the Cathedral Players: Theater in Postwar Kabikolan, 1949-1952” by Javier Leonardo V. Rugeria, Lecturer, Department of History, University of Asia and the Pacific, with Marian U. Encinas, Associate Editor, Saysay: The Journal of Bikol History
• “From Middle East to Bikol Land: The Bicharas and their Movie Houses” by Jennifer Lyn N. Romano, Instructor, Department of Media Studies, Ateneo de Naga University

The Moderator was Al Florence V. Albo, Ateneo de Naga University          

The Saysay Bikol Conference 2024 culminated with the presentation and launch of the book “Readings on Bikol Culture.” The program began with a welcome message by Dr. Fay Lea Patria M. Lauraya, President, University of Nueva Caceres. The keynote message was delivered by Atty. Ma. Leonor Gerona Robredo, President and Chair, Angat Buhay. The book was introduced by Victor Dennis T. Nierva, and this was followed by messages from the Editor, Atty. Luis Ruben General III, and the Editor and Project Coordinator, Paz Verdades M. Santos, Ph.D. The program was emceed by Benito Caballero Jr., Ateneo de Naga University.

Important update about the book Readings on Bikol Culture: Unfortunately, because of the flooding caused by Typhoon Kristine (October 2024), 955 copies of the brand edition were severely damaged at the University of Nueva Caceres. Only 45 copies, complimentary and sold, were saved as they were with various persons.

Pamibian

Saysay Bikol organizes “Pamibian” which are historical exhibits on the Spanish colonial churches of Bicol. Featured in 2024 were the parishes of various old towns in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes and Sorsogon . The historical accounts were based on various sources. Shown below are the excerpts and the names of the authors:

• Nuestra Señora de la Anunciación, Bacon, Sorsogon (by Sem. Kurt Allison Diaz) – The Bacon parish is one of the biggest and grandest churches in Sorsogon, featuring a structure supported by great and beautiful columns with a majestic facade with huge statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary, angels, and apostles inside and out. This church is built with its size and design in order to accommodate a large number of the faithful in liturgical celebrations and other religious activities.
• San Juan Bautista, Bato, Catanduanes (by Javier Leonardo V Rugeria) – The historical marker installed by the NHCP in 2022 claims that the present structure was constructed in 1852, during the curacy of Don Felix Villasis de Valderrama, and the facade was completed in 1883 under Don Jose Archangel… and continued between 1918 and 1929 under Fr. Remigio Rey.
• San Antonio de Padua, Camaligan, Camarines Sur (by Javier Leonardo V. Rugeria) – While the parish community was founded in 1795, the church in the present site was first built in 1842 under the direction of Fray Juan Ramos and Isidro Pons. It was dedicated to San Antonio de Padua, a Franciscan saint and patron of the lost. Ramos also built the convento made of stone and wood but in 1856 a fire burned both the church and the house to the ground. Fray Juan Ontiveros, who was then the curate, rebuilt both edifices with their meager resources and with the help of the parishioners. It was completed a year later, in 1857.
• Sts. Philip and James Parish, Lagonoy, Camarines Sur (Maxine Bethamae M. Montilla) – The Parish of Sts. Philip and James the Apostles was founded in 1734. According to Adolfo Puya Ruiz (1887), the first church is made of stone and wood with a roof iron and a beautiful convent. It is located along the riverbanks of Lagonoy but it was then destroyed because of the flood, leaving only the ruins of its belfry. By that time, Lagonoy was already administered by the secular clergy since the Franciscans left almost a century earlier in 1636.
• Saint Anne Parish, Magarao, Camarines Sur (Ruben Jeffrey A. Asuncion) – The church construction took place after 1750, when Magarao was formally separated from its mother town of Canaman. After its elevation to being a town and parish from being Canaman’s visita, Fray Francisco de los Angeles o de Cadalso was assigned as its first curate.
• Holy Cross Parish, Nabua, Camarines Sur (Maxine Bethamae M. Montilla) – Fray Felix de Huerta, a Franciscan missionary writing in the 1860s, traces the origins of the Holy Cross Parish to the work of two Augustinian missionaries Fray Alono Jimenez and Juan Orta who arrived in what is now Nabua in 1571. Seven years later, the Franciscan missionaries Fray Pablo de Jesus and Bartolomé Ruiz took over and inherited what the Augustinians had started. They built the first church in 1579 and dedicated it to the Holy Cross (Santa Cruz).
• Our Lady of Peñafrancia Shrine and Parish, Naga City (Paolo Gabriel D. Jamer) – The local natives donated money and rendered labor for the construction of the chapel. It faced several earthquakes and other catastrophes because of its sturdy materials that resulted to its deterioration. Bishop Felipe Molina initiated the improvements of the chapel but demolishing first chapel built by Don Miguel then constructing a formidable chapel to endure calamities and to accommodate the increasing number of devotees. Due to his untimely death however it was left unfinished. In 1750, the first stone-and-mortar shrine was completed during the time of Bishop Ysidoro de Arevalo.
• Metropolitan Cathedral and Parish of St. John the Evangelist, Naga City (Ruben Jeffrey A. Asuncion) – The Naga Metropolitan Cathedral traces its roots to the initial edifice built in the Padian section of Nueva Caceres. However, the structure was razed by a fire in 1768. Nueva Caceres became the seat of the diocese of Caceres, which was one of the sees created in 1595 through a papal bull released by Clement VIII. Throughout the Spanish colonial period, the diocese of Caceres covered virtually the entire Bicol region as well as parts of Tayabas and Nueva Ecija provinces.
• Saint Raphael the Archangel Parish, Pili, Camarines Sur (Maxine Bethamae M. Montilla) – According to Adolfo Ruiz Puya, the church and convent were made both of stone, wood, and cogon. The tiled stone facade and wooden door is still present up to now. There is also a school of first letters that was endowed by community funds, but due to lack of religious clergymen, secular clergy were placed to oversee its temporal and spiritual administration.
• Archdiocesan Shrine and Parish of San Jose, San Jose, Camarines Sur (Roland Gile A. Gregorio, Jr.) – The construction of the church began in 1814. It is known for its distinct Spanish architecture, with its lime-plastered walls that dates as far back as 1818. It was designed by Felix Paete and the big bronze bell on its belfry was donated by an old rich lady named Dalmacia Obias.
• San Pedro Apostol Parish, Vinzons, Camarines Norte (Ruben Jeffrey A. Asuncion) – San Pedro Apostol Parish was established by the Franciscans in 1611 with Fray Juan de Losar as its first parish priest. In the same year, the church was dedicated to St. Peter the Apostle. The town, then called Tacboan, was founded much earlier in 1581.

Saysay Annual Journal

Issue 1

The maiden issue of Saysay: The Journal of Bikol History was launched on December 27, 2021. The 129-page book featured these articles and an obituary. These are the articles:

• “The Bicol Archaeological Projects: Results of the Investigations in Quipayo, Camaligan, and Bombon, Camarines Sur, 2016-2019” by Madeleine Yakal, et al.
• “Racializing Reform: Bishop Francisco Gainza and the Creation of the Native Clergy in the Philippines, 1863-1879” by Jethro A. E. A. Calacday.
• “Francisco Gainza and the Establishment of the Escuela-Colegio de Santa Isabel; The Pursuit of Filipinization in the Diocese of Caceres, 1863-1877” by Javier Leonardo V. Rugeria
• “Reciprocity, Conflict, Negotiation Between Big and Little People: Some Theoretical Consideration” by Jose Eos Trinidad.

“Reciprocity, Conflict, Negotiation Between Big and Little People: Some Theoretical Consideration” by Jose Eos Trinidad.

Issue 2

The 2nd issue of Saysay: The Journal of Bikol History was launched on December 5, 2023. The 174-page book featured articles, documentary sources, and book reviews. These are the articles:

• “From the Middle East to Bikol Land: The Bicharas and Their Movie Houses” by Jennifer Lyn M. Romano
• “The Sources and Silences of Bishop Francisco Gainza’s An Simbahan can Satong Señora nin Peña Francia sa Ciudad nin Nueva Caceres” by Francis A. Tordilla.
• “Linking Ports and Pueblos: Roads, Bridges, and the Caminero Project in the Bikol Region, 1900-1918” by Leo Paulo J. Imperial.
• “Fray Juan Duarez, O.F.M., ‘Founder’ of the Town of Daraga” by Cayetano Sanchez Fuertes, O.F.M., translated by Ros A. Castelo.

Saraysayan Historical Posts

Saysay Bikol regularly features Saraysayan, a series of useful and interesting historical posts on its FB page. These are brief snapshots of heroes, important personalities, and historical towns of Bicol, such as Jose Maria Panganiban, Ludovico Arejola, Bishop Pedro P. Santos, Quince Martires, the fifteen martyrs of Bicol, Garchitorena town of Camarines Sur, Limbuhan of Masbate, Fr. Maximo Juguera of the Resuene Vibrante fame, to name a few.

Live Streamed Videos

Beginning on November 24, 2021, Saysay Bikol began to produce and stream videos on Youtube in partnership with the NHCP-Museo ni Jesse Robredo. These are Katalingkasan, An Maogmang Lugar Lectures, and its Bansáyan series.

Conclusion

Dateline Ibalon once more congratulates Saysay Bikol on its 4^th year anniversary and wishes its leaders and members all the best in the years to come in service of the preservation and propagation of the knowledge and appreciation of Bikol history and culture.

The header images are snippets from Saysay Bikol’s publication materials. Content for this article was gathered by Jojo De Jesus for Dateline Ibalon and was entirely based on the Saysay Bikol FB posts. Click this link to follow Saysay Bikol on Facebook.