THE MANAMBUAYA CAVE IN BARANGAY FUNDADO LABO,

CAMARINES NORTE: A HIDDEN HIDE OUT OF GOVERNOR BASILIO

BORJA BAUTISTA SR. DURING JAPENESE PERIOD

A Term Paper
Presented To
The Faculty of College of Arts and Sciences
Camarines Norte State College
Daet, Camarines Norte

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements of the Subject
History 101: Historical Methodology

by

JHON SANCHO P. NIDO

MARICAR A. ROSALINAS
GWEN B. STO. DOMINGO

March 2019
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 Introduction

1.1 History of Labo, Camarines Norte

1.2 Personal Life

1.3 The Politician

1.4 The Governor

2.0 The Manambuaya Cave

2.1 Second World War

2.2 Death

3.0 Conclusion

4.0 References
 INTRODUCTION

History is molded by our enthusiastic and our true personality. Be aware to all events in our past

to understand the present. We need to gain more knowledge and information that can connect our

lifestyle. We hope in this written published document was recognized Governor Basilio B. Bautista Sr.

behind the martyrdom. Especially nowadays that has many persons sacrificed, suffered and principle

overdue in personal ambition, treasure, reputation and power.

Local narrative and interviews with Laboeoños who lives in the Province of Camarines Norte from 1941

to 1949 after reveal a Japanese occupation. This narratives on Japanese occupation in Labo,Camarines

Norte are more than portrayal of conquerors and the hidden information about the forgotten hero which

named Governor Basilio Borja Bautista Sr. These may explicably shed some light on Japanese period in

Labo, Camarines Norte.

For this purpose, we used memory documents to capture the dynamic of his life, since written colonial

documents have failed to note the true story. The oral accounts were gathered primarily from the residents

of Barangay Fundado, Barangay Bulhao, and Municipality of Labo.

More than a place that bares exotic landmarks and out-of-this-world natural attractions, the province of

Camarines Norte has a lot more of greatness to tell, especially about home-grown revolutionaries and

wartime heroes.

This man was an exemplary leader. Not only did he faithfully execute his duties as Governor, but he laid

down his life to defend the honor of the land he cherished and to ensure the safety of the people he loved

and promised to serve. His legacy to the people of Camarines Norte was an unparalleled service and

sacrifice. Since Governor Bautista is dubbed as the “forgotten hero” of Camarines Norte, it is no surprise

that there is almost nothing written about him.

It is a story of a remarkable man, someone who I came to admire greatly in reading the book. Publishing

this account leaves a record, perhaps incomplete but nevertheless sufficient to keep his memory alive. The
author says in her dedication to the children: “This book came about because you wanted to know

everything about your grandparents.” Publishing the book was a fitting way to remember a hero not

known widely, even in the Philippines.

This paper served as a narrative paper earlier textualized by Amelia Arabe Bautista M.D as a writer of

Legacy of Gov. Basilio Borja Bautista SR. it seeped into the memoirs and the significance of being

“Forgotten Hero” by Gov. Basilio B. Bautista. This paper purposes to inform the aspect of being hero as it

is played out in our town. Specifically, it will look into narratives of legacy of Gov. Basilio B. Bautista

and place of Manambuaya Cave, Barangay Fundado, Labo Camarines Norte that functioned as the hidden

hide out of Gov. Basilio B. Bautista during Japanese period. The present paper draws information from

the authors Gov. Basilio B. Bautista was not familiar to the people and his town.

It is a story of a remarkable man, someone who I came to admire greatly in reading the book. Publishing

this account leaves a record, perhaps incomplete but nevertheless sufficient to keep his memory alive. The

author says in her dedication to the children: “This book came about because you wanted to know

everything about your grandparents.” Publishing the book was a fitting way to remember a hero not

known widely, even in the Philippines.

History of Labo , Camarines Norte

Labo became a royal encomienda in 1591 owned by the King of the Spain having 2,992 person or

648 while tributes. Formerly this encomienda was composed of many villages including a place known

as “Aguette”. In 16OO, there was a period of darkness in the town when encomienda was abolished by

Spain through “Royal Order” issued by the King due to some abuses by the encomiendero to inhabitants

and other members of the encomienda system. In 1603, the encomienda became an original Spanish

puebio but new system of Spanish administration took over in 1615 and made Labo a barrio and was

annexed to Indian (now Vinzons) were missionaries established its parish in 1581. In 1654, the place

nearby what is now Labo River was known to the community a center of trade and commerce aside from

religious festivities being conducted by Spanish missionaries for the cause of Christianity before the name

“Labo” was known, its former named was “Busug-on”, a place of native inhabitants when the leadership

of a local ruler. Tarik-kudook that it was said discovered by its soldier of Salcedo in 1596 when they

returned to the Bicol Encomienda and visited Paracale, Spanish gold mining site of Bicol peninsula

during the time.

The name Busug-on was most likely taken from name of Busig-on River, the larger and upper

part of what is now known as Labo River. As early historians would write it, the name “Labo” did not

came from any legal decree nor was there a public clamours for a name. It was actually a product of

clashing languages that resulted in bambling misinterpretation. It was said a native was asked by coming

Spaniards after a flood (under the leadership of Manuel Gonzalo de Villaceran), a man with a boat came

sailing across. The Spanish Sergeant asked “ Que Pueblo eso este? Thinking that the Sergeant was

repairing to the flooded Labo river, the native replied “Labo po ang tubig” (the water is murky). The first

word struct since then. In 1800, Labo was already included in the book of Agustin dela Cavada, Vol. 1

page 237 entitled CAVADA HISTORIA DE FILIPINAS as one of the towns in the complete lists of all

municipalities in the Philippines. The Sangguniang Bayan passed a resolution # 177-97, Ordinance # 108
declaring September 8, 1800 as the creation of the municipality of Labo and approved by the

Sangguniang Panlalawigan Res #325-97 dated September 19, 1997 and by the Governor dated September

29,1997. The Labo town is the 1st class municipality in the Province of Camarines Norte, Philippines.

Personal Life

There was a man who has a good heart, a man who has a great love for books and he an ambition

and the great desire to succeed. He accepts the opportunities to have a good future. His family agree with

the offer even though he is getting far from them for the sake of his education his parents sacrificed, but

the sacrifice of his parents are not shattered because he do his best to achieve his dreams. He volunteered

and helps clean and he was totally focused on his studies. In his dedication to his studies resulted

excellent grades. The great future of his life is in his hand.

Little is known about the early life of Basilio Borja Bautista. He was born on November 27, 1891 in

Labo, Ambos Camarines now (Camarines Norte), to Benito Borja, formerly from Pagsanjan, Laguna and

Ciriaca Villegas, from Batangas. He had an older sister, Cecilia (married with Buenaventura Rojo of

Labo). Benito and Ciriaca Borja travelled from town to town as traders. In one of their travels, they came
to Labo,a peaceful town in the Bicol Province. There was a something in the town that struct a chord in

their hearts, in seeing the promise of a better future and a good place to start a family, they decided to

settle there.

Basilio always had a great love for books and unquenchable thirst for knowledge. He had an ambition and

great desire to succeed. Given a golden opportunity, he went to college to earn his Bachelor in Arts. He

studied religiously.

As opposed to his singular focus to succeed in his quest for education, young Basilio’s eyes were peeled

for several beautiful ladies. He was completely devoted to his wife and was very happy with new life. The

first trial in the couple’s life came a few months after they were married.

The four young children of Dr. Basilio Bautista and his wife, Dr. Amelia Arabe-Bautista, of Dover are the

reason for the publication of a book about the life of Basilio Borja Bautista, Dr. Bautista’s father, who

served as governor of the province of Camarines Norte in the Philippines.

The Politician

In 1939, because of Basilio wit and eloquence, honest and humility; fairness, charisma and innate

love of people – sine qua man traits of a leader- the founder of the Young Philippines Party (“Lapiang

Young Philippines”) sat up and took notice. Basilio was invited by Wenceslao Vinzons to run in a local

elections most of the middle of 1940 was spent on campaigning. His days were divided among his

business, the farm and the Young Philippines Party.

The 1940 elections were held. It was a clean and sweep by the Young Philippines Party. Vinzons became

the Governor of Camarines Norte. Basilio and Dominador Padilla were elected as Board Members. As a

first-time candidate Basilio won convincingly in one of the hottest elections in Camarines Norte,

defeating several of the provinces political icons.

The families of the people had held power in the province from generation to generation. It was no

surprise therefore that Basilio earned his share of political rivals and enemies. On January 1, 1941, he

took his oath of office as Provincial Board Member .

The Governor

History is molded by entity that enthusiastic to make a difference in the 21 st century, one man

stood tall and left his mark or legacy on the history of province of Camarines Norte in the Philippines

on the lives of its people.

Meanwhile, in Camarines Norte despite the disturbing world events, elections were held on November 11,

1941. Vinzons, who ran for Congress, had a landslide victory. Prior to the election, Vinzons appointed

Basilio as Governor of Camarines Norte.

Since childhood, he had always advocated peace so it was no surprise when with his first speech, he

pleaded for unity. He promised with sincerity to maintain an honest and efficient government: to

safeguard peace and order.

He always visit in every town, he advocated the establishment of the Volunteer Brigade which was

equivalent to the Citizen’s Army. He went to the Tulay-na-Lupa to inspect the source of water. He

cherished and ensures the safety and peace of the people he loved and promised to serve. His legacy and

advocacy no one can replace for his service and sacrifice for the land. His every effort was put forth

faithfully tell the real story, with no artifice or false facts, behind the martyrdom of Governor Basilio B.

Bautista Sr.

The Manambuaya Cave

The Barangay Fundado Labo, Camarines Norte have an area of 525 hectares wherein 96.548%

the agricultural land. The land has 30% of plains, 20% of mountainous and 50% of highlands. This place

has beautiful scenery that found in Barangay Fundado like a Turayog Falls, Bilad na Bato, Tanawang

Bato and the Manambuaya Cave.

According to "Kasaysayan ng Labo" that Mount Bagacay, the name of the mountain is actually located at

Barangay Fundado. Bagacay is actually a name of next barangay adjacent to Fundado. Mt. Bagacay is a
dormant volcano, which could make my presumption that boulders that formed as a cave could actually

came from volcanic eruption. The Barangay Fundado in Labo Camarines Norte has a largest area that we

can found the Manambuaya cave wherein it is the place of citizens during Japanese Period.

Inside the cave their excessively recognized the natural form. On the other side of the cave, they take a

picture of group to have a memoir to visitations in this cave. There are many parts of the cave wherein the

group find that the Manambuaya Cave composed of seven different caves.

One of the heroes honored in this cave lately they assured being a hero of Governor Basilio didn’t fade

and hide and the pages of history was published significance of Manambuaya Cave. Furthermore, the

Manambuaya cave stand as a “landmark” then time will happen it is the place in Camarines Norte was

historical and become famous.

According to interview we gathered by Monching Acunin the head of Museo de Labo that “Tinaguan

talaga ni Basilio Borja Bautista ang Manambuaya Cave kasama si Wenceslao Vinzons noong panahon ng

Hapon”.

During World War II

According to "Kasaysayan ng Labo" that During World War II the Japanese found Governor

Basilio, with guerillas.

The reason behind them was to join the Japanese to pursue the service as Governor for the colonizers.

Followed by captured of Bintao Vinzons, they eager to find Governor Basilio Bautista, so he was need to

travel and changed place with his family and loyal personel. Months had passed before the Americans

came, during 1944, Sitio Manambuaya under the feet of Mount Bagacay, He was captured and on the

hands of the Japanese.

Governor Basilio Borja Bautista has a lot of struggles as a Governor as well as Politicians. The

Manambuaya Cave is a hide out of citizens also Governor Basilio. This Cave is the center of province of
Government. He was pursuing the service of province while having a “Puppet Governor”, that truly

declared of Japanese capitol. Manambuaya cave is the place wherein Governor Basilio captured this place

before he suffered in other places.

According to interview we gathered by Bernadeth Saavedra a retired teacher in Labo, Science and

Techonology High School she said “Noon ang Manambuaya Cave ay naging taguan ng mga tao dahil sa

pananakop ng mga Hapon. Maraming nagtago sa lugar na yun kabilang don si Basilio Borja Bautista na

siyang tumago at naging pakay ng mga Hapon. Nakuha sya sa loob ng kuweba noong Hulyo 8,1942 at

simula noon ipinagdiriwang ng mga tao ang Commemorating Governor Basilio Borja Bautista Sr. Day

upang maging isang selebrasyon at pag-aalala sa kabayanihang nagawa nya”.

According to interview we gathered by Kenneth Oning the head of Bureau of Fire Protection that “

Totoong si Basilio Borja Bautista nagtago sa Manambuaya Cave at hinuli ng mga Hapon at ang

bangkay ni Basilio Borja Bautista ay hindi na nakuha at kay Wenceslao Vinzons nalang ang natagpuan

sa Pintong Gubat sa Baay, Labo Camarines Norte

Death

The book’s title is “The Man, The Martyr, The Hero,” with the sub-title, “The Legacy of Basilio

Borja Bautista.” It was written by Mrs. Arabe-Bautista, who dedicated her work to her family’s four

children: Basilio Nicolo, Basilio Nathaniel, Bernadette Nazarie and Basilio Noah. It is dedicated as well

to the late governor’s widow, Nazaria Nery Bautista “who was the fulfillment of all his dreams, and

fulfilled all his dreams after he was gone”.

Indicated that Governor Basilio B. Bautista Sr. , he was captured on July 8, 1942, but he refused

vehemently to collaborate with the Japanese. The valiant governor refused to cooperate with the Japanese

and he and his family had hidden in the forests until he was captured in August 1944. He was later killed.

His family never learned where he was buried.

Conclusion

History is molded by our enthusiastic and our true personality. Be aware to all events in our past

to understand the present. We need to gain more knowledge and information that can connect our

lifestyle.

Very desolate moment because in the half of the year had passed before met the population of Camarines

Norte Governor Basilio B. Bautista martyrdom. It also did not publish, record or did not mentioned his

name in history of war in our province except in the record in diary of Bintao, Vinzons Sr. and the

personal experience.

This man was an exemplary leader. Not only did he faithfully execute his duties as Governor, but he laid

down his life to defend the honor of the land he cherished and to ensure the safety of the people he loved

and promised to serve. His legacy to the people of Camarines Norte was an unparalleled service and

sacrifice. Since Governor Bautista is dubbed as the “forgotten hero” of Camarines Norte, it is no surprise

that there is almost nothing written about him.

As a result, we can found out that Manambuaya Cave is near on the feet of Mt. Bagacay and that can

cause explosion of this land, the Manambuaya Cave is the name that they used. This is the hidden hide

out of Gov. Basilio B. Bautista, wherein he was captured and his corpse by the Japanese after all routes in

many places. And we all add to our knowledge the facts about a being a Provincial Governor Basilio

Borja Bautista Sr.

 References

_________(1999). Pamana ng Lahi Alay sa mga Taga-Labo Kasaysayan ng Bayan ng Labo. First

Edition. T.M Kalaw St. Ermita, Manila Philippines: National Historical Institute

Bautista, A.(2009) “The Man, The Martyr and The Hero The Legacy of Basilio Borja Bautista Sr.” BNB

Productions, Ltd., Wyoming, DE,

Interviews

Mr. Monching L. Acunin by Jhon Sancho P. Nido, Museo de Labo, Camarines Norte on November 7,

2018

Mr. Kenneth A. Oning by Maricar A. Rosalinas, Municipality of Labo, Camarines Norte on November 7,

2018

Mrs. Bernadeth C. Saavedra by Gwen B. Sto. Domingo, Barangay Fundado Labo, Camarines Norte