LGU - Aguisan

HISTORY OF AGUISAN

Present official name of the barrio "Aguisan". It derived its name from the shells called "Aguihis" which was found abundantly in its river bed. This place was at first called "Aguihisan" but later, because it was difficult and long to promounce, was shortened to "Aguisan". Numerous sitios are included under the jurisdiction of the barrio. Sara-et where good coconut trees grow abundantly. This is also the sitio where shells "tahong" are found in abundance in the river bed. The other sitio are Nato, Hda. Aguisan, Hda. Ubay, Hda. Sto. Rosario. These sitios engaged in growing rice and sugar canes. The sea facing the coast of this place is rich supply of fish.
There is no official record of the exact date of the establishment of Aguisan, but according to the calculation of the oldest resident of the barrio, it was established more than 125 years ago, or somewhere in 1828 more or less. Its original families are Jugos, the Baranaos, the Gayotins, the Gargaritas, the Goteras, the Gasatayas, the Gimoteas, the Genitos, the Esellers, and the Lazartes. Among its Tenientes del barrio were: Guillermo Gayotin, Rafael Eseller, Alejandro Genito, Juan Tabigne, Jose Domingo, Fidel Grocen, Felimon Gatilao, Gabino Saraet, Atanacio Abkilan, Pedro Chua, Francisco Tanaleon, and Jose Mabaling, Proceso Rivera, Pedro Rivera Jr. and Domingo B. Chua.
The sitios mentioned above are still flourishing. There is no story about these sitios. Most of the homes of the inhabitants are made of nipa's and bamboos. Only very/few are made of wood and concrete. There is no historical buildings or ruins in these old place. Since the Spanish regime up to the American occupation, there was no important event that took place. It was only the second world war that the peaceful living of the people was marred by the horrifying event that happened due to ruthless cruelty of the Japanese soldiers.
On August 22, 1942, the Japanese patrol raided the barrio. The inhabitants were shot us they ran to escape. The Guerrero family suffered the most, for most of their members were massacre by the Japanese soldiers. After the raid, some of the dead were found along the river bank, among the bushes in the house where the Guerrero family hid. The people afraid of the repetition of that horrible event that there was a mass evacuation. Some went to Guimaras island, other to the mountain.The place became a haunted one.Grasses grew until Aguisan became a jungle.The Japanese burned the houses after finding the place cleaned place of its inhabitants.
After the people returned to the place.Homes were built. As the years go on slowly,the place regained the semblance of its peace time look.Through the efforts of the P.T.A and the energetic citizens of the barrio, a good school building was established.Now Aguisan has resumed its steady home of peaceful living and is progressing in a steady pace as any barrio of the Philippines.