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Visit the Ibaan, Batangas page for all information on Ibaan.
Brief History of Ibaan, Batangas
A rising commercial town, home of small business owner and industrialists, the pride of the province of Batangas. When it comes to people they are conscious enough of what they can do to improve their way of life.
Ibaan, then, was only a barrio or a part of the town of Batangas, now Batangas City. In the year 1780, the first Poblacion was in Matala, now a barrio of Ibaan, four kilometers away from the said town. In 1832, many dwellers liked that the Poblacion be transferred and was formally separated from the town of Batangas. The so called “Principalia” was the basic form of government then had its organization and the leaders like the Gobernadorcillo, Cabeza de Barangay and other officials exercised their power and duties. The organization of the principalia was accompanied with the establishment of the provincial church.
Local historians claim that the place now known as the Municipality of Ibaan was heavily forested by “Iba” trees. The Iba tree is very similar to the “calamias” tree in structure. The only difference between “Iba” and “calamias” fruits are their shapes. Iba fruits are round while calamias fruits are oblong but both fruits grow in clusters. The early settlers of this place called it “Ibaan” meaning the place where “Iba” abounds.
This town has been called the home of the “Kulambo” or mosquito net. There was a time when ninety percent of the mosquito nets used all over the Philippines came from the looms of the weavers of Ibaan. Peddlers from the municipality cover the whole archipelago selling mosquito nets, blankets, bedcovers, pillow cases and other clothing materials and kitchen wavers.
Christianity is said to be the greatest legacy of Spain to our country, the Philippines. We are lucky enough that those Spanish missionaries happened to pass in this place. We are therefore reached by the catholic religion which was the greatest number of members now and ever since.
Because of the injustices and selfishness of the Spanish leaders,nationalism was born and spread throughout. Their loyality to Spain was changed to their spirit of nationalismfor they had not discarded their aspiration for freedom until a republic was established. Baltazar Ramirez, was then the first head of Ibaan, which is now equivalent to our town mayor. Like many other revolts in our country, the Ibaanians suffered many hardships. The Republic died bythecoming of the American Rule, where Mateo Illustre, an Ibaanian headed a force against these Americans. But what could a small force do against the stronger one? They were defeated in the struggle for democracy.
After sometime, Filipinos realized that Americans were good leaders but their contentment to have a democracy was cutt-off by the invasion of Japanese soldiers who brutally torures, massacres and burn houses of the citizenry. The Ibaanians together with other Filipinos fought – in – hand together for a common cause to achieve freedom.
Source: Ibaan, Batangas Government Website
Last Updated: September 12, 2013
