Toni Rose A. Ador. BSSW 2B. Readings in Philippine History.

Activity: Local History of Borongan

Borongan, a town in Eastern Samar, has its roots in the early 1600s when
scattered hamlets were located on the banks of the Guiborongani River and Lo-om
River. The name Borongan comes from the local word "borong," which means "fog"
in the Waray-Waray language. The people inhabiting the eastern coast of Samar
were originally called "Ibabao" during the pre-Spanish period.

In 1595, Spanish Jesuit missionary priests began to evangelize the southern

portion of Samar. The first evangelical mission was established in Tinago, Western
Samar, and expanded to Catubig. Palapag was selected as the mission center of the
Ibabao region in 1614, and the town was established on a hill overlooking the
northern banks of the Lo-om River.

The development of Borongan was greatly influenced by the religious

missions of the Jesuits during the period 1604-1768 and the Franciscans from 1768
to 1868. Borongan was established as a pueblo on September 8, 1619, with Fr.
Manuel Martinez serving up to 1627.

During the Philippine Revolution in 1898, Borongan was the site of an uprising
led by the Pulahanes. The town's first public municipal officials were Sr. Magno
Abenis, President, and Sr. Andres Hipe, Vice-President, who held office from 1899 to
1903. After the Japanese occupation in 1941-1945, the town was led by a mayor and
vice mayor, Hilarion Basada and Ignacio Brozas, respectively, from 1945 to 1947.

Borongan became the first city in Eastern Samar on June 21, 2007, but lost its
cityhood along with 15 other cities after the Supreme Court of the Philippines
declared the cityhood law (RA 9394) unconstitutional. The 16 cities did not meet the
requirements for cityhood.

Reference:

https://easternsamar.gov.ph/borongan/