A Brief History of Bangued
In 1598, the place which is now known as Municipality of Bangued was occupied by the Spanish-Iloko forces. The combined Spanish-Iloko forces had established a garrison to protect the Spanish missionaries from headhunters who frequently pillage the settlement; to christianize the natives and to locate goldmines.
In the same year (1598) Bangued, which is an evolution of the word "Bangen" which means roadblocks or blockades was organized into a mission station or visita by Fathers Marin and Minon who had gained entry to the province by trekking eastward from the Municipality of Narvacan, and Nagbukel, Ilocos Sur up to the place they call Cagutungan which is now the present day Municipality of San Isidro.
Bangued was formally organized into a pueblo in 1599 under the Spanish regime.
By 1692, Bangued was made an independent mission territory by the Augustinians with Father Pedro Columbo as in-charge.
In 1615, Father Juan Pareja organized Bangued as a mission center and baptized 3,000 Tingguians with the help of the chief, Don Miguel Domaoal.
It was in 1704 when the modern day Bangued was formally organized according to Cavada.
In 1863, Bangued was chosen as the capital town of Abra.
Before the second World War, the town fiesta of Bangued was celebrated every February 22nd in the celebration of the birthday of George Washington, the first President of the United States - a carry-over practice by the American colonizers who have taken over the Civil Government Administration after the defeat of Spain.
After full independence in 1946, then newly-elected Mayor Beato Alberto spearheaded a Municipal council resolution moving the Bangued Town Fiesta from February 22nd to February 23rd in an effort to erase the vestige of colonialism. Soon after, the Roman Catholic Parish of Bangued synchronized the celebration of the feast day of St. James the Elder, the patron saint of Bangued whose feast day falls on July 25th with the celebration of the Town Fiesta on the 23rd of February.
Before the war, which is still many old people refer as "peace time," there were several brick houses in Bangued of Roman masonry. These were destroyed during the massive bombing by Allied Forces on March 10, 1945. Only six building survived. These were the Barras residence, PeBenito residence, Damian residence all in Zone VII; Balbuena and Bacarra in Zone IV, the Barros residence in Zone II and the residence of Father Erasmo Alcantara, an Aglipayan priest, now the site of the Mormon church.
Shortly before the second World War, Don Longino Bersamin and the late Basiliso Belisario Damian were elected Municipal Mayor and Vice Mayor respectively, with Dr. Jesus Reyes, Mr. Meno Tuazon, Dra. Erotida Valera, Mrs. Landeta, Mr. Santiago Vasquez, Mr. D. Guzman, and Mr. B. Aquino elected as members of the Municipal Council. The same set of Municipal officials continued to serve the Municipal Administration in a hold-over capacity after the war until the regular election was held in 1947.
The town of Bangued was once a sprawling community with sitios known then as Balliling (Zone VII), Sinapangan (Zone VI), Barikir (Zone III), Consiliman (Zone II), and Gunggunguggong (which used to be a part of sitio Camposanto).
After the war, Don Longino Bersamin and other local officials who were elected sometime in 1938 continued to serve until 1947 when a regular election was held already under the republican form of government. After Don Longino Bersamin, Mr. Beato Alberto was elected as Mayor. Then Dr. Petronilo Seares followed. Mr. Simplicio Bringas, Dr. Paterno Millare, Mr. Felix Ballesta, Dr. Robert Seares followed in that order.
Among those who have ably served as Gobernadorcillos during the American regime were: Don Lucas Paredes, Don Juan Ferraren, Don Marcos Baula, Don Santos Valera, Dr. Maximo Blanco, Don Esteban Valera, Don Longino Bersamin who was elected twice and Mr. Anselmo Bringas. During the Japanese occupation, Mr. Agapito Garduque was appointed as Mayor of Bangued.
Source: Bangued Town Fiesta 1992 Souvenir Program Book