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The Province OF Benguet: Presented By: Jhuessa N. Dedal BSHM 3-1
The Province OF Benguet: Presented By: Jhuessa N. Dedal BSHM 3-1
The Province OF Benguet: Presented By: Jhuessa N. Dedal BSHM 3-1
OF
BENGUET
Presented by: Jhuessa N. Dedal
BSHM 3-1
I. ETYMOLOGY
(2) For almost 300 years, the Igorots defended their land and gold mines and the right to trade from Spanish
expedition to establish its control. It was only in in the late 1800s when Benguet was made a
comandancia-politico-militar with La Trinidad (named after the wife of Galvey) as its seat. Igorots participated in
the war led by the Katipunan against Spanish and later US colonial rule. In 1887, Igorots and other Philippine tribes
were exhibited at the Madrid World Exhibition. The Spanish colonizers imposed their Regalian Doctrine that
claimed ownership of the entire Philippines and which continues to be imposed by the state overriding the
Igorots/Cordillerans claim over their ancestral land and territories.
(3) In 1900, the US colonial rulers established a civil government in some towns. In 1903, gold mining by the
US-owned Benguet Corporation started.
(4) In 1904, Igorots were exhibited at the St. Louis World Fair with the note that the Igorots were the “biggest
crowd drawer with their costumes and dog-eating.” On September 1, 1905 Baguio became a chartered city.
(5) Igorots were organized into the 66th Infantry Battalion under Major Dennis Molintas and Bado Dangwa to
resist and end Japanese colonial rule in the Cordillera. General Yamashita signed the surrender document in Baguio
on 3 September 1945.
III. Brief History
(6) On June 18, 1966 Mountain Province was divided into four provinces, making Benguet a distinct
province. First appointed governor was Dennis Molintas, Sr.
(7) During the Marcos martial rule (1972-1986) Igorots took part in the open and underground
armed struggle against the Marcos dictatorship and succeeding regimes. Well-known martyrs are
from famous Benguet clans like Jennifer Carino and Chadli Molintas, who was arrested and
executed in 1987, La Union. Many Igorots were unjustly arrested, tortured and imprisoned. James
Balao, a clan elder, scholar, writer and human rights worker is missing since September 18, 2008.
(8) On July 15, 1987, then Pres. C. Aquino signed Executive Order 220 creating the Cordillera
Executive Board and the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR) in 1987 of which Benguet was made
a part.
(9) In 1995, the Mining Act was passed, opening the entire Cordillera and the Philippines to
corporate mining.
IV. DIALECT
Example:
BELIEFS:
CAÑAO
TYPES OF CAÑAO
TYPES OF CAÑAO
Bendian is a traditional
Benguet circle dance
symbolizing the unity of
the community. The
dancing is accompanied
by gongs and drums.
Performances can last for
long periods of time, and
traditionally end in a war
cry.
Story for illustration purposes only
FUNERALS
★ Pinikpikan (Prepared in
Cañao ritual)
★ Pinuneg
★ Watwat
★ Kinuday
★ Strawberry Taho
★ Kiniwar
IX. FAMOUS PERSONALITIES
Paulo Avelino -
Actor and Model Marvic Leonen – Associate
Justice of the Supreme Court
X. TRIVIA
Benguet