Gregorio Del Pilar Ilocos Sur Philippines

The former name of this town of Gregorio del Pilar is CONCEPTION. By virtue of Republic Act 1246 dated June 10, 1955, it was renamed Gregorio del Pilar.

The Town lies among the western hills of the Cordilleras in the interior east of the province of Ilocos Sur. It is bounded in the north by the town of san Emilio, Quirino in the east, Sigay in the south and Salcedo in the west. Its 7 barangays and sitios are connected to another by winding foot trails and seasonal rugged roads. Aside from its historic Tirad pass, the town is likewise endowed with natural scenery and wonders such as the payoh or rice terraces, the distinctive Mt. Tirad peak and pristine waterfalls. There are also trails crisscrossing Tirad pass – the so called Spanish trail which were built through polo y servicio or forced labor during the Hispanic times.

The inhabitants are Igorots, but belong to the Bag-o ethno linguistic group. This mixture of Ilocano and Igorot intermarriages speak the Kankanaey dialect but can speak and understand the dialects of their neignboring towns. Many have already acquired college education and some serve the government and private institutions. The people are industrious, cooperative, friendly, hospitable and peace loving. It may seem unbelievable but not one has ever been sued and tried since the creation of the Municipal Circuit Court. The elders settle misunderstanding and disputes amicably in the shortest time possible. Crimes like killing, kidnapping and stealing are virtually out of the townfolks vocabulary. One can sleep with windows and doors open at night and safety leave his produce at the farm for weeks. Children prefer to sleep with peers. The townfolks love to celebrate barangay and town fiestas, weddings, baptisms, death anniversaries, feasting in the native styles – opportunities to display their native cultural dances, songs and ballads.

One native festival worth witnessing is the Begnas. Performed from five to seven days, Begnas is a celebration of thanksgiving to Kabunian (the god Almighty). It is also meant to drive away bad spirits who might have caused misfortunes, such as droughts and anxieties among the people in the community. Leading the Begnas is the Mannapo or native priest who offers prayers and live chicken as sacrifice. Meanwhile, the community engages itself in dance and songs. In the final stage of the ritual called the Obaya, a pig is also butchered and the meat is apportioned among the various households. The Mannapo then ends the Begnas with prayers.

The houses are neither too big nor too small. There are numbers of Solar Photo Voltaic System and there are few electric appliances. The houses though have at least one bed and couple of chairs. The people thrive on rice, root crops, fruits and vegetables. Sometimes they enjoy meat from their livestock. They content themselves, with one or two courses on the table.

The Battle of Tirad Pass. On December 2, 1899, American forces, who slept and rested during the night on newly harvested rice fields just below the Tirad Pass, got up and prepared for an assault of the Filipino forces fortification under the Command of General Gregorio del Pilar. On the narrow trail of Tirad Pass, the Filipino soldiers watched as their enemies began to move up the trail. On around a few hundreds yards above the pass, General Gregorio del Pilar with his staff and accompanied by two civilians from Mabatanoo, stood up and took his spy glass and scan it the surroundings area. He spotted the American forces as they were starting to move. But as he watched, he noticed that the American forces broke formations and instead sent a messenger on horse back with a white banner on his band. As the messenger was coming near the fortification of Filipino forces, the sound of gun was heard and the messenger fell. The American forces divided themselves into three separate groups. One group followed the trail towards the pass.

Another group ascended the hill facing the Filipino soldiers stationed in the pass. The third group, unnoticed, was led by the Filipino from the lowlands, Januario Galut, made their way up through the old trail which was hastily barricaded by falling trees a few days before the American forces arrived. This old path lead to the place where general Gregorio del Pilar stood watching, as the American forces dispersed, the general ordered the two civilians, Tucdaden and Abeng to proceed to the trenches and deliver breakfast of Filipino soldiers. All of a sudden a gun shot was heard continuously. The firing was unabated for several hours. Unfortunately, General Gregorio del Pilar was gunned down and died.
source: www.santa.gov.ph