BRIEF HISTORY OF CAMALIG
By Alipio Alfonso
Camalig is an inland town of the province of Albay, and situated along the base of Mayon Volcano.It is the nearest town among the base-Town of the province to the volcano. Peopled by more less 45,000 inhabitant, (sic) per 1975 census Camalig stands among the most peaceful town of the province with abaca, copra and rice as its mainstays.According to existing records, the town of Camalig was established between the years 1569 and 1570 by Spanish explorers under the leadership of Luis Enriquez de Guzman, a Spanish military officer who explored the islands of Masbate, Ticao, Burias and par- (sic) of Albay. Camalig was formerely (sic) a part of Camarines including Guinobatan, Maoraro, Oas, Polangui, Libon, Donsol and Quipia (Jovellar). In the year 1846 due to partial segregation of the islands of Masbate and Ticao, which in October of the same year were created into comt (sic) mandancia-politico-militar, at the same time Albay ceded to Camarines Sur Lagonoy, Caramoan and Sangay in the Caramoan peninsula in exchange of (sic) Camalig, Guinobatan, Ligao, Oas, Polangui, Donsol and Quipia (Jovellar).
There are two theories how the town of Camalig gots its name, according to a Spanish historial P. Huertas (sic). The first theory contends that when the Spanish explorers came to this place, they found a group of native huts "camarin" or "camalig" in Bicol which stands (sic) both as lodging and storage in time of planting and harvesting and similar to what is called in Spanish "camarin". The second theory maintains that when the Spanish explorers came to the present site of Camalig, They (sic) constructed a big "camarin" or "camalig" from which the town got its name. Differing only in the sequence of circumstances, these two theories can be reconciled on the fact that they have a common point of origin or derivation "camarin" or "camalig".
After the eruption of 1814 when the whole town of Camalig and the neighboring towns of Cagsawa, Budiao and part of Albay and Guinobatan were totally buried beneath the sand, stones and lava from Mayon Volcano, the town site was transferred to sitio Tondol where it stayed fir a few years. Due to the proximity to Mayon Volcano and it being within the path of the flood of stones and lava that emanate from the crater of the volcano, the authorities decided to move the town to a safer place. The town including the Parroquial (sic) church was again moved to sitio Quelaponte where it stayed for two years. For the reason of convenience, after staying for two years in sitio Quelaponte, another transfer was effected. For the third time the seat of the town was transferred to sitio Baligang.
In 1837 a great fire swept more than half of the poblacion, and at the same time a drought occured. With the major portion of the town charred to ashes and further aggravated by the difficulty of water supply, the authorities, notwithstanding the threat of Mayon Volcano, for the last time decided to return the town to its former site where the town of Camalig now stand.
Camalig as a peaceful town is not without a story to tell of the last war. She has been a silent witness to the Japanese atrocities and vandalism in this locality. In her verdant mountains which was once the peaceful abode of her peace-loving people, the Japanese invaders unwelcomed (sic) infiltrated, dumped their munitions, established their garrisons and perched their guns. What was once nature's trysts (sic) for those who seek (sic) refuge in solitude suddenly became a place of horror; for in its gruesome silence death yawns everywhere. Bloodthirsty and godless people had taken the peace-loving and god-fearing Camaliguenos. Its "Kitwinan" mountains which is only a stone throw away from the poblacion that casts its shadow into the heart of the town at sunrise has a value to tell about the last war. (sic) It was here where the fate of the Japanese Imperial Forces was decide and their doon (sic) sealed. "Kitwinan" hills (sic) is now a historic spot for the town of Camalig.
Physically speaking, Camalig today is no loger the Camalig of yesterday, for ruins and earmarks of desolation is her distinguishing feature. But spiritually speaking Camalig of today bears no striking dissimilarity with that of yesterday, for her people are as peaceful and hospitable as before, if not more, as the mysterious result of the tampering and seasoning of war.
N.B.
I've been told about this account by the late Mr. Alipio Alfonso. Now I have it. So much mabalos to Mr. Domingo Valenciano. I am looking for another story reportedly written by local historian Rafael Grageda.
