Mercedes, Catbalogan
Mercedes, Catbalogan
Barangay Mercedes Merćedes Burak | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s): Burak | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Region | Samar (VIII) |
| City | Catbalogan City |
| District | 2nd District of Samar |
| Government | |
| • Type | Barangay |
| • Barangay Captain | Justito Tan Uy |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,190,000 km2(459,600 sq mi) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 9,255[1] |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (PST) |
| Postal Code | 6700 |
| Area code(s) | 55 |
Mercedes refers to a barangay or village in Catbalogan City, Philippines located between Maulong and Downtown Catbalogan. Barangay Mercedes is one of the 57 barangays of Catbalogan City.
Barangay Mercedes Merćedes Burak | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s): Burak | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Region | Samar (VIII) |
| City | Catbalogan City |
| District | 2nd District of Samar |
| Government | |
| • Type | Barangay |
| • Barangay Captain | Justito Tan Uy |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,190,000 km2(459,600 sq mi) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 9,255[1] |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (PST) |
| Postal Code | 6700 |
| Area code(s) | 55 |
Geography
Mercedes is a progressive and well populated barangay north of the poblacion of Catbalogan City. It is situated at the foothills which form the backdrop of the barangay. It is long in terms of length as it begins from the Antiao Bridge in the east and ends at the Iglesia ni Cristo Church in the north, roughly 1.5 km.
The Antiao River is 2,140 meters in length and it traverses from Barangay San Andres to several outskirt villages such as Sitio Sto. Nino, Canlapwas, Munoz, San Pablo down to Mercedes before it reaches Maqueda Bay.[2] It has an average width of about 38 meters and a depth of 1.5 meters.
Puroks and Sitios
Barangay Mercedes is subdivided into eight puroks, along the Maharlika National Highway and 2 sitios in the mountains.
Purok 1 (Casantolan)
Purok 1-A
Purok 2 (including Parola)
Purok 3
Purok 4
Purok 4-A
Purok 5
Purok 5-A
Purok 6
Purok 7
Purok 7-A (Rawis)
Purok 8
Sitio Palanas
Sitio Mabolo
| Purok | Total no. of Population (2014) |
|---|---|
| Purok 1 | 666 |
| Purok 1-A (Casantolan) | 1,303 |
| Purok 2 (including Parola) | 698 |
| Purok 3 | 1,324 |
| Purok 4 | 523 |
| Purok 4-A | 362 |
| Purok 5 | 1,033 |
| Purok 5-A | 368 |
| Purok 6 | 1,115 |
| Purok 7 | 374 |
| Purok 7-A (Rawis) | 672 |
| Purok 8 | 408 |
Demographics
| Population Census of Mercedes | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
| 1990 | 6,927 | — |
| 1995 | 7,718 | +2.05% |
| 2000 | 8,278 | +1.51% |
| 2010 | 9,255 | +1.12% |
| Source: National Statistics Office[3][[4]](http://122.54.214.222/population/BgyPop.asp?prov=WES&Mun=CAT&Munic=Catbalogan%20City%20(Capital) | ||
Education
Educational institutions situated in Barangay Mercedes are the following:
Preschools:
Purok 1 (Casantolan - Manggo) Day Care Center - CSWD
Purok 1 (Sampaloc)Day Care Center - CSWD
Purok 3 (Ilang-Ilang) Day Care Center - CSWD
Purok 5 Day Care Center - CSWD
Purok 6 Day Care Center - CSWD
Purok 7 (Rose) Day Care Center - CSWD
Elementary School:
Catbalogan V Central Elementary School (formerly Mercedes Elementary School)
Secondary School:
Catbalogan National Comprehensive High School (formerly Samar Regional School of Fisheries)
University/College:
Samar State University (College of Fisheries and Marine Sciences) - Mercedes Campus
History
Cruising north along the national road just after one crosses the Antiao Bridge, one sees a long line of houses hugging the shore and skirting the mountain slopes. These are the homes of simple, sturdy and fun-loving folks, the people of Barangay Mercedes, Catbalogan City, Samar.
Barangay Mercedes is bounded on the south by the city proper of Catbalogan, on the north by the (Maharlika) National Highway, on the east by a chain of mountains, and on the west, by Maqueda Bay. As it is, Mercedes has no chance of expansion unless the government spends quite a sum of money to level the mountains on the east or fill a part of Maqueda Bay.
Among the barangay folks and the knowledgeable, Barangay Mercedes is "Borak or Burak," and its inhabitants "Boraknon or Buraknon." Burak in the dialect means "Ilang-Ilang". The Barangay has always been closely associated with these sweet-scented flowering trees which dominated the area long before the Americans came to the country. The exotic Ilang-Ilang are no more but its native appellation "Borak" has stuck in the barangay.
But Mercedes is the official name of the barangay. According to historical data, that portion of land separated and yet adjacent to the City of Catbalogan, with only the Antiao Bridge separating it from the township. Mercedes was established during the reign of Governor Enrique Chacon y Erenas. With the establishment of the barangay, there arose the question of selecting the saint to bestow her special patronage on the barangay. Governor Erenas' wife, Doña Mercedes, endowed the village chapel with an image of the Virgin of Mercedes (Our Lady of Mercy/ Our Lady of Ransom), thus establishing the official name Mercedes.
Mercedes is a big barangay. Many years ago, its boundaries included the sitios of Maulong, Payao and Capatagan. After the barrio charter was implemented, Maulong and Payao became independent barangays. But the same does not hold true for the sitio of Capatagan. Nestled among the hills a short distance from Mercedes, going east over mountains, Capatagan was once a flourishing community of farmers who reaped good harvest and had a ready market for their crops in the City of Catbalogan. But due to the crude method of farming and having limited knowledge of fertilizers, the soil gradually lost its richness until, one by one, the farmers abandoned their farms, taking their families and livestock with them and the sitio of Capatagan became a shadow of its former prosperity.
About Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes
The Feast of our Lady of Ransom which is celebrated on September 24 every year in Barangay Mercedes, commemorates the role attributed to the Blessed Virgin in freeing of prisoners who had been captured by the Moslems or Seracens in the thirteenth century.
In 711 D.D.the Moslems under Tariq entered Spain from Africa and within a few years completed the conjugation of the country. They even pushed farther than the Pyrenees towards France. In 732 A.D. the Franks led by Charles Martel, defeated them at Tours, thus preventing the further expansion of Islam in Southern Europe.
At the height of the incursion of the Moslems and later during their rule many Christians in Southern Europe, particularly in Spain and Southern France were held captives by the infidels. It was about this time that the Blessed Virgin, in separate visions, appeared to Peter Nolasco, a native of Languedoc, France and Raymund of Peñafort, a Spaniard, and instructed them to found an order ransoming enslaved Christians from the Moors, with the aid of King James I of Aragon.
Peter Nolasco founded the order which was named the Order of Our Lady of Ransom in about 1218. The members of the order were commonly known as "Mercedenian" from the Spanish "Merced" meaning "Mercy".
The headquarters of the order was established in Barcelona, Spain and soon there were French, German, English, Portuguese, and Spanish followers. Peter Nolasco, the first Master General set an example by ransoming many Christians and by converting numerous Mohammedans. About 400 Christians were freed as a result of his journey to the Spanish cities of Valencia and Granada, the Moors. For sometime, Peter was imprisoned in Algiers, Algeria in North Africa, his attempt to free the Christians imprisoned there. Before his death, he resigned from his position.
Raymund of Peñafort, Nolasco's collaborator in the establishment of the Mercedenians, preached throughout Spain to the Moors, to those who had lapsed into the Albigensian heresy, and to the Christians who had returned from captivity in Africa. He succeeded in making thousands of converts.
In the remaining years of his life, Raymund continued to preach against heresy and displayed great interest in the conversion of Moors and Jews.
St. Peter Nolasco was canonized by Pope Urban VIII in 1628, St. Raymund of Peñafort, in 1601, by Pope Clement VIII.
The feast of Our Lady of Ransom was established at the request of the Order of Our Lady of Ransom. Both feast and order are frequently referred to by the word "Mercy" instead of "ransom" The feast of Our Lady of Ransom is no longer observed universally.
Landslide Incident
At around 7:30 a.m. December 30, 2014, a landslide incident happened in Barangay Mercedes, Catbalogan City, Samar. Meanwhile, rescue and retrieval operations for the remaining three residents believed to be trapped in the rubble and mud resumed Thursday morning after operations were stalled on Wednesday due to heavy rains. Eight more residents injured in the incident were still in the hospital, the report said. According to the city government, the site had earlier been declared a danger zone and that the residents were advised to evacuate. The report, however, said that forced evacuation was not implemented by the local government as it prioritized the evacuation of those living near the Antiao River.
Bishop Isabelo C. Abarquez officiated mass on January 3, 2015 at Mercedes Church for the landslide victims at Barangay Mercedes brought about by Typhoon Seniang. Sixteen (16) bodies remained at Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes Parish out of the twenty-two (22) recorded casualties. The City Government of Catbalogan headed by City Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan along with several city councilors paid their respects to the bereaved families during the said mass.
Culture
Religious celebrations
Nuestra Señora de las Flores
Annual Mercedes Fiesta – celebrated on September 23–24 every year. It honors its patron saint the Blessed Virgin Mary, Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes for the graces and blessings showered on the people of Mercedes.
Ati-Atihan Festival – held during vesper day or even the feast day of the Fiesta celebration. The festival is made up of tribal dance, local music, escorted by indigenous costumes and parade along the road. This festival is a tribute to Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes and it alters the original festival, Ati-Atihan which is offered by Santo Niño. It is said to be an adaptation of the Moro Invaders (Camucunes) which is dominant during the days of Spanish Settlement.
Flores de Mayo – a month-long religious activity and festivity held during the Month of May. It honours Nuestra Señora de las Flores. Catechism and other religious activities are organized by the Chapel Catechetical Ministry Hermana Mayor and the Chapel Pastoral Council.
Santacruzan – one of the favored celebrations of the Buraknons, it is the highlight of the Flores de Mayo celebration which is held on 31 May. It is a religious parade in honour of Queen Helena and Constantino, the founder of the holy cross. The procession is joined by the Biblical Saints, Little Angels, the representation of the titles of the Blessed Virgin and the carro of the Image of Nuestra Señora de las Flores.
Aurora (Dawn Rosary) – a religious procession held every year in the month of October offered to Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary.
Misa de Gallo – a yearly festivity held during the dawn from December 16 until 24. After mass, a breakfast is given and distributed by the sponsored family, the Hermana Mayor and Purok.
Santo Niño – celebrated every third Sunday offered to the child Jesus. The Santo Niño is carried on the balsa just like a fluvial procession. In the afternoon is a procession led by the family of hermano mayor with the people praying, dancing and chanting.
Estacion Publico (Stations of the Cross) – held during Holy Week in the dawn of Black Saturday in the Barangay. The 14 Stations are placed outside every house in every Purok.
Sugat (Easter Vigil) – a religious event highlighting the resurrection of our lord. The Blessed Virgin with black veil is set on the carro and carried into St. Bartholomew Church to meet the risen Christ (El Ressureccion) which is set in the carro of Canlapwas. Inside the parish the people singing the hymn of Regina Coeli ending with a blissful lent.
Historical sites and Landmarks
The New Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes Chapel
Punta de Jesus – a promontory of a peninsula on the extreme north of the barangay.
Bantayan Tower (Spanish Watchtower) – remains of the historical stone tower erected by the barrio people upon the orders of the Guardia Civil as a look out for the Moro (Camucunes) pirates who pillaged and plundered the settlements along the coasts burning the houses and taking everything they could lay their hands on, including livestock and women.
Bell Tower – on the watch tower hung the large bell which was rung when the sentinel, who was posted there everyday, would sight any strange craft approaching the shores of Catbalogan, so as to enable the populace to evacuate to the nearby hills.
Miramar (Gov. Juan Sulse) – located in the southern end of the barangay, was the once famous Sulse's Park long before there was a place called Miramar. It was used as a battery by General Lukban to fight against the Americans during the Spanish-Filipino war. When Governor Juan Sulse (1922–1931) became the governor of the province, he converted Miramar into a park.
Pepsi Cola Company – located in Purok 3 along the national highway.
Coca-Cola Company – located in Purok 6.
QT (Quick Trip) – located also in Purok 3 along the national highway.
Mendiola Mausoleum – a mausoleum of the Mendiola family.
Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes Chapel – a 90-year-old Roman Catholic Church chapel built in the earlier part of the 1900s. 2019 is the centenary celebration of the Chapel of Barangay Mercedes.
Catbalogan V Central Elementary School (Mercedes Elementary School/North Elementary School) – a district public elementary school in Barangay Mercedes which offers basic education for kindergarten, primary, and elementary level.
The Supreme Pupil Government (SPG)
SPG-Mini Museum (Museum of Samareño Culture and Heritage) is an exhibition of Samareño Culture, History and Heritage founded in the 1990s by the dynamic SPG Adviser and retired teacher, Mrs. Aurora Donaire. It is also a DepEd and regional awardee for being the first school in Catbalogan City and the entire Region 8 to have a museum. It is located inside the school's second floor of SPG Building.
SSU College of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (Mercedes Campus) - an extension of Samar State University, it offers the courses of Master of Science in Fisheries Education, Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Fisheries, Bachelor of Secondary Education (Fisheries Education) and Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology.
BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) and RFTC (Regional Fisheries Training Center) - Mercedes Campus - located in SRSF office, Mercedes, Catbalogan City.
Hymn of Our Lady of Ransom
Old Hymn
Ha imo Guinoo guihapon Cay daco an imo gahum Higugma pati caruyagon An cadarayawon ha imo guihapon
Con baga ha aaguian co la Cay daco co nga higugma An cahitaas cabutang niya Tacos ca ipa siya
Bisan damo an acon sala An paglaum hihulat co la An cacaluoy mo pati higugma An cadarayawon ha imo la nga usa.
New Hymn
The New Hymn is sung after the final blessing of the priest during the Sunday Mass in honor of Our Lady of Ransom, Nuestra Señora De Las Mercedes.
I O Birhen de las Mercedes, Harangdon nga Reyna An tim-os nga paghigugma, Ha imo karawta O Birhen nga gui-urayi, kami ngatanan bendisyone Ayaw, ayaw itugot nga mahimulag kami han imo gahum.
II Maghimaya ka, Birhen de las Mercedes Darayupan han magpakasasala, Arayupan han mga magsakit Kalipayan han mga nasusubo, sinarigan han magluyahon Ilingi mo, Ilingi mo kunta, an imo mga mata nga maloloy-on.
III O Birhen de las Mercedes, Harangdon nga Reyna An tim-os nga pagpa-abot, Ha imo karawta O Birhen nga gui-urayi, kami ngatanan bendisyone Ayaw, ayaw itugot la mahimulag kami han imo gahum.
Cofradia de Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes
The New Image of Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes
Cofradia de Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes is a confraternity of Buraknons and Past Hermanas of Our Lady of Ransom who help to assist every fiesta celebration since the 1950s.
Hermanas Pasadas
1919 - Sixta Botero Domanguera
1920 - Petrona Opre
1921 - Carmela Mañoza
1922 - Dolores Marco
1923 - Benita Sultan
1924 - Petrona Hermano
1925 - Dorotea Nuñez
1926 - Isabela Opre
1927 - Vicenta Calijan
1928 - Irene D. Beduya
1929 - Vicenta Marco
1930 - Honorata Basal
1931 - Juana Bucalan
1932 - Severina Mañoza
1933 - Natividad Arlante
1934 - Romana Sultan
1935 - Evarista Marco
1936 - Dominga Calijan
1937 - Ines Racuyal
1938 - Severina Honrales
1939 - Marcela Jazmines
1940 - Concepcion Jazmines
1941 - Cereña Opre
1942 - Petrona Marco
1943 - Perfecta Belog
1944 - Petra Panican
1945 - Victoria Cal
1946 - Sotera S. Uy
1947 - Paciencia Ibabaw
1948 - Severina Nuñez
1949 - Marianita Racuyal
1950 - Tarciana G. Caras
1951 - Paz Paña
1952 - Pacencia Marco
1953 - Felisa Macopia
1954 - Macaria Marco
1955 - Victoria Sablay
1956- Candelaria Manlunas
1957 - Cresencia Domanguera
1958 - Dolores Diana
1959 - Esperanza Abogaa
1960 - Maria Olinar
1961 - Pancracia Marco
1962 - Celestina Aga
1963 - Pastora D. Niepes
1964 - Federica Uy
1965 - Avelina Mañoza
1966 - Ana Cebu
1967 - Patricia Jabien
1968 - Margarita Doroja
1969 - Tertulina Sultan
1970 - Nenita Sultan
1971 - Estelita Ragum
1972 - Victoria Baccol
1973 - Alberta Diego
1974 - Silveria Cadiz
1975 - Mafalda Uy-Sobremonte
1976 - Sotera Mañoza
1977 - Trifina Caniga
1978 - Guadalupe Nuñez
1979 - Michaela Gadin
1980 - Lora Calades
1981 - Patrocenia Mendiola
1982 - Leonila Villamor
1983 - Rita Sumallo
1984 - Maricel Culapo
1985 - Rosita Tenedero
1986 - Rosario Gorgonia
1987 - Luisita Mendiola
1988 - Eutilla Espiritu
1989 - Bonifacia Cheng
1990 - Alice Tan
1991 - Gloria Alconera
1992 - Erlinda Eclavea
1993 - Noemi Mescallado
1994 - Remedios Baga
1995 - Villa Rosa Cabonce
1996 - Saturnina Tizon
1997 - Sylvia Serfino
1998 - Claudette Ching
1999 - Teresita Aguilar
2000 - Paula Rosales
2001 - Rosario Paña
2002 - Neliptha Figueroa
2003 - Connie Nunez Mado
2004 - Carlota Cabonce Bermejo
2005 - Eugenia Sansan Leala
2006 - Isidora Baldonado Pantaleon
2007 - Lilia Tuazon Mendova
2008 - Cristeta Racuyal Corrales
2009 - Rosario Gutay Cadiz
2010 - Tenedero Sisters
2011 - Corazon Tagana Vizzone
2012 - Lilia Villamor Vda. de Quiso Ackerman
2013 - Adelaida Colapo Gallagher
2014 - Blessilda Bermejo Rojas
2015 - Ana Elisa Uy Talle
Current Hermana
2016 - Isabel Mercedes Tan Pomida
Incoming Hermanas
2017 - Labasano Sisters (Nancy & Nida, Nenita & Virgie)
2018 - Mercedes Cebu - Uy
2019 - Domanguera Sisters (Digna & Nila)
2020 - Divina Diocton Saberon
2021 - Emily Baccol Weber
2022 - Rosalina Paña Hamm
2023 - Donna Y. Sultan
2024 - Rosario Ramos - Botello
Old Cofradias
The following are the list of cofradias (confraternities). The following dates or year are taken from the record book of the church.
Cofradia de Santo Niño (Holy Child Jesus) - 1900
'Cofradia de Nuestra Señora de las Flores (Madonna of the Flowers) 1950
Cofradia de Immaculada Concepcion (Immaculate Conception) 1932
Cofradia de Nuestra Señora de Candelaria (Purification of Jesus)
Cofradia de Medalla Milagrosa (Our Lady of Miraculous Medal) 1936
**Cofradia de Señor San Jose (Saint Joseph the Worker)**1966
Cofradia de Santissimo (Holy Eucharist and Holy Week Celebration) 1996
Cofradia de Nuestra Señora de Fatima (Our Lady of Fatima)
Cofradia de Nuestra Señora de Lourdes (Our Lady of Lourdes)
**Cofradia de Nuestra Señora del Santissimo Rosario (Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary)**1999
Cofradia de Señor San Roque (Saint Roque)
Cofradia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen (Our Lady of Mt. Carmen)
Cofradia de Nuestra Señora de Belen (Our Lady of Nativity)
Cofradia de Nuestra Señora de Belen (Our Lady of Nativity)
Cofradia de Santissima Trinidad (Holy Trinity)
Cofradia de Perpetuo Socorro (Perpetual Help)
**Cofradia de San Antonio de Padua (Saint Anthony of Padua)**1988
Newly Established Cofradias
Cofradia de Nuestra Señora de Annunciacion (Annunciation of Archangel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary)
Cofradia de San Lorenzo Ruiz (Saint Lorenzo Ruiz)
Cofradia de San Pedro Calungsod (St. Pedro Calungsod)
Cofradia de Divina Misericordia (Confraternity of the Divine Mercy)
Cofradia de Santo Pio (Confraternity of the Saint Pio of Pietrelcina)
Cofradia de La Sagrada Familia (The Holy Family)
Cofradia de Santo Rostro de Jesús (Holy Face of Jesus)
Cofradia de Santa Rita de Cascia (Saint Rita of Cascia)
Past Barangay Captains (Spanish Era - present)
Francisco S. Domanguera
Ponciano S. Sultan (1893-1895)
Estanislao Opre
Fortunato O. Sultan
Micael D. Bucalan
Esperedion Cinco Domanguera
Julian S. Arlante
Ricardo Sultan (1950s)
Perfecto B. Domanguera
Ignacio Rosales
Eugenio Cananua
Esteban J. Macopia, Sr.
Claudio S. Nuñez (1972-1982)
Jesus J. Canacite, Sr. (1982-1992)
Beethoven M. Bermejo (1989-1992)
Adriana A. Sultan (1992-1994) - first Barangay Chairwoman of Brgy. Mercedes
Carlota C. Bermejo (1994-1997)
Irene V. Pahanunot (1997-2002)
Marife O. Carnacite (2002-2007)
Barangay Officials (until 2016)
Barangay Captain
The Newly Elected Brgy. Officials of Brgy. Mercedes
Uy, Justito Tan
Barangay Councilors (Kagawad)
Maga, Luzviminda Guiani
Racuyal, Eduardo Tan
Porcil, Federico Mabansag
Bermejo, Benjielito Muro
Oñate, Christian Bernard Jazmines
Uy, Lucita Sultan
Lipit, Alejandro Ocasla