Celestial Reservoir

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

During the Spanish colonial era, refugees fleeing atrocities found shelter in the hillsides of Quinangyana, Maldespina, and Kinalyan. These settlers practiced kaingin farming and hunted wildlife, establishing two distinct settlements: one at Maldespina (now the Bingawan Cemetery) and another on a hilltop near Quinangyana. When the Philippine revolution erupted in 1896, more refugees from Calinog, Dumalag, and Tapaz joined them. By 1900, a larger group of evacuees fled American soldiers retaliating for Filipino actions, settling permanently after some returned to Calinog a year later. The settlers, led by the instrumental Gregorio Plaga ('Pakuribot'), surveyed the area and chose a southern plateau rich in springs to unite their communities. This new settlement was officially named 'BINGAWAN' in 1901, derived from a nearby creek resembling a missing tooth or 'bingaw' in the local dialect.

In Their Own Story

In 1901, the first residents constructed a long building of light materials called 'Pagnahi-an,' where forty families lived with partitions sewn together. This structure stood east of what is now the Bingawan Baptist Church. Twelve leaders were chosen from these families to represent the twelve apostles, earning them the title 'Founders of Bingawan': Martin Celeste, Eusebio Plaga, Condrado Castroverde, Paulino Celestial, Andres Paren, Gregorio (Goyo) Plaga, Eugeni Celestial, Pablo Celebria, Eulogio Pormilda, Enrique Caspillo, Feliciano Gigare, and Atanacio Gener. The community faced a great fire in the Summer of 1906 followed by famine, but under barrio lieutenant Mateo Casalmer's challenge to rebuild, houses sprang up 'like mushrooms' and the church stood 'up like magic.' In August 1912, Rev. Antonio D. Plagata arrived, bringing English instruction that led to the school being named Bingawan Institute in 1924.

Reader's Guide

The municipality achieved independence from its mother town, Calinog, through the efforts of Victor C. Plagata and Consolador Faldas. Their dream was realized when Congressman Ricardo Y. Ladrido authored R.A. 5511, approved by Congress in May 1969. On April 10, 1970, Bingawan officially became a new municipality with Victor C. Plagata as the first appointed Municipal Mayor and Consolador Faldas as Vice Mayor. The initial council included Sulpicio Castronuevo, Ildelfonso Caras, Santos Laygan, Bernardo Girao, Aurelio Gargoles, and Alepio Castillanes, all sworn in by Judge Lodrigio Lebaquin. Under this leadership, roads connected Bingawan to adjacent municipalities, barangay roads were built, and school structures transformed the area. Earlier improvements began in 1952 when Victor C. Plagata paved streets and improved the plaza while serving as a councilor of Calinog.

Did You Know?

• The name 'Bingawan' comes from a creek resembling a missing tooth ('bingaw') located west of the present Bingawan Central School.
• Twelve men were chosen as the first leaders to represent the twelve apostles, including Martin Celeste and Gregorio (Goyo) Plaga.
• The community was devastated by a great fire in the Summer of 1906 followed immediately by a famine before being rebuilt through cooperation.
• R.A. 5511, which created Bingawan as an independent municipality, was approved by Congress in May 1969.
• Gregorio Lampeño, a rebel leader from Janiuay who served as a consultant to the elders, was believed to possess supernatural powers and a talisman.