Buguias


', officially the ', , is a of the Philippines| in the province of,. According to the, it has a population of people. The municipality is home to the mummy of Apo Anno, one of the most revered and important folk hero in Benguet prior to Spanish arrival.

Etymology

According to folklore, Buguias got its name from the word bugas which means "rice".
Another version of its origin would be an Igorot settlement during the pre-Spanish time called Bogey-yas, which was modernized and spelled as Buguias by Spanish authorities.

History

Pre-colonial era

Nabalicong village in Barangay Natubleng was the center of the area's cultural and political domains prior to Spanish colonization. In the 12th century, a folk hero, known as Apo Anno, lived with the people of the area and was a spiritual leader, hunter, and demigod. The people believed Apo Anno was a son of a Benguet goddess. His body was filled with tattoos, symbolizing his high status in the community. During his protectorate of the domain, prosperity spurred. He died before the arrival of the Spaniards, and thus, was given mummification and death rites in the traditional way.

Spanish period

The arrival of Spanish colonizers in Buguias were primarily due to the construction of Spanish trails leading to the mountain region. Buguias and Loo were two separate rancherias during the Spanish Regime.

American period

During the American rule, Buguias was established as one of the 19 townships of the province of Benguet, upon the issuance of Act No. 48 by the Philippine Commission on November 22, 1900.
On November 23, 1900, the township of Loo was abolished and integrated into the township of Buguias with the issuance of Act No. 49. On August 13, 1908, Benguet was established as a sub-province of the newly created Mountain Province with the enactment of Act No. 1876. As a result, six townships of Benguet were abolished, but Buguias remained a constituent town of Benguet sub-province.
In 1918, the mummy of Apo Anno was stolen by foreign treasure hunters. An earthquake and pestilence followed afterwards, prompting the people to campaign for the return of Apo Anno to his resting place.

Post-war era

On June 25, 1963, President Diosdado Macapagal issued Executive Order No. 42 converting eight of the thirteen towns of Benguet sub-province into regular municipalities. Buguias was among them.
On June 18, 1966, the sub-province of Benguet was separated from the old Mountain Province and was converted into a regular province. Buguias remained to be a component municipality of the newly established province.

Contemporary era

In 1984, a Filipino antique collector bought an auctioned mummy, only to discover it was the mummy of Apo Anno. He donated it to the National Museum of the Philippines afterwards for better care of the national treasure. The people of Buguias made diplomatic channels with the National Museum until it was agreed that the National Museum would return the mummy of Apo Anno to its resting place in barangay Nabalicong after Benguet officials agreed to install iron grills in the burial cave and provide funds for its upkeep. Later that year, Apo Anno was returned to its burial cave, through elaborate death rituals last performed in the 16th century and a hero's homecoming conducted by the people of Buguias.
There have been scholars campaigning for the declaration of Apo Anno's mummy and resting place as a collective National Treasure or Important Cultural Property of the Philippines.

Geography

Buguias is located at, at the northeastern section of Benguet. It is bounded by Mankayan on the north-west, Bakun on the mid-west, Kibungan on the south-west, Kabayan on the south, Tinoc on the east, Hungduan on the north-east, and Bauko on the north.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the has a land area of constituting of the total area of Benguet.
Buguias is away from Baguio.

Barangays

Buguias is politically subdivided into 14 barangays.

Climate

Demographics

In the, had a population of. The population density was.

Economy

Buguias is primarily an agricultural town. It is one of the leading producers of highland vegetables, especially carrots, in the province of Benguet.
Most of the vegetables produced in the town are sold at the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post or are marketed to other parts of the country.

Education

Public schools

As of 2014, Buguias has 43 public elementary schools and 6 public secondary schools.
SchoolBarangay
Abatan Elementary SchoolAbatan
Alapang Elementary SchoolSebang
Ambanglo Primary SchoolCatlubong
Amgaleyguey Primary SchoolAmgaleyguey
Amlimay Elementary SchoolAmlimay
Bacasen-Wakit Primary SchoolSebang
Bad-ayan Elementary SchoolBaculongan Sur
Bangao Elementary School - Poway AnnexBangao
Bangsalan-Daganos Primary School
Bano-oy Elementary SchoolBaculongan Norte
Bayoyo-Lukingan-Awal Elementary SchoolBuyacaoan
Bekes Elementary SchoolBuyacaoan
Bot-oan Elementary SchoolCatlubong
Buguias Central SchoolPoblacion
Buyacaoan Elementary SchoolBuyacaoan
Cabuguiasan Primary SchoolNatubleng
Calamagan Primary SchoolCalamagan
Catlubong-Adiston Elementary SchoolCatlubong
Cayapas Elementary SchoolBaculongan Sur
Cotcot-Talabis Elementary SchoolBangao
Deccan Primary SchoolBaculongan Sur
Guioeng Elementary SchoolAmlimay
Kayang Primary SchoolPoblacion
Kimpit Primary SchoolAmlimay
Laduan Primary SchoolLengaoan
Lam-ayan Elementary SchoolBangao
Lengaoan-Waking Elementary SchoolLengaoan
Loo Elementary SchoolLoo
Nabalicong Saltin Elementary SchoolNatubleng
Natubleng Elementary SchoolNatubleng
Naytokyab Elementary SchoolPoblacion
Orlani Telitel Primary SchoolBaculongan Sur
Paing Elementary SchoolBaculongan Sur
Pan-ayaoan Elementary SchoolLoo
Pasbol-Belino Elementary SchoolSebang
Pugo James Mocate Elementary SchoolBaculongan Norte
Saclalan Sagandoy Elementary SchoolAmgaleyguey
Sagandoy Elementary SchoolAmgaleyguey
Sinipsip Elementary SchoolAmgaleyguey
Taba-ao Primary SchoolLoo
Tin-apan Primary SchoolBangao
Tindo-Bosania Primary SchoolBangao
Tonglo-Cariño Primary SchoolAmlimay

SchoolBarangay
Bangao National High SchoolBangao
Buguias National High SchoolPoblacion
Catlubong National High SchoolCatlubong
Loo National High SchoolLoo
Sinipsip National High SchoolAmgaleyguey
Sinipsip National High School - Natubleng ExtensionNatubleng

Historical markers and shrine

Veteran Memorial Marker

The Veteran Memorial Marker marks the liberation of Abatan and Buguias on July 27, 1945, that was fought between the Japanese Imperial Army and the combined Filipino and American ground troops. Through municipal council resolution No. 19, July 27, 1945 was declared as the Liberation Day and local holiday in the municipality. Festivals during this date include parades, programs and wreath-laying.

World War II 66th Infantry Shrine

The World War II 66th Infantry Shrine monument, located in Lengaoan along Halsema Highway, symbolizes the bravery of the combined Filipino and American soldiers who stood their ground defending the area and firing their cannons against the Japanese forces.

Burial Site of Apo Anno

The 12th century burial site, which was later used again for Apo Anno's reburial in 1984, is one of the most important cultural sites in Benguet. The burial site is home to the mummy of one of Benguet's folk heroes whose remains are still preserved in present time.