A Brief History Of Bacon - author Cristina D. Jose

PREFACE

Lying close to the typhoon belt and bounded by the Pacific waters on its northeastern part, Bacon is often visited by typhoons, some of which are very destructive. These, together with other catastrophes and the effects of last World War, caused not only the loss of human lives and property, but also the destruction and loss of historical records and other valuable works of literature and art.

In answer to the need of reconstructing the history of Bacon, the author has drawn freely from her personal interviews with as many old natives, veterans of the Revolution and of the last World War, guerillas, government officials both past & present as she could possibly approach, and from remnants of records of past administration especially those under the Spanish Regime by the late Miguel B. Ramirez, left in the hands of the late Pablo Deocareza whom the author interviewed in his last days.

The author believes that there are still important details that may yet be added to this. Whatever suggestions, additions, and/or subtractions reliable persons can offer would be most welcome.

This history contains data regarding the establishment of the town; how it came to be so named; its founders the key officials and leaders of the community since its organization together with their names & tenure. An attempt is also made here to record data on historical sites and ruins of old buildings and structures, as well as important facts, incidents or events that happened during the different periods of its history. Destruction of lives and property as well as institutions during the wars (1896-1900 and 1941-1945); also those caused by fires, typhoons and other calamities like epidemics that occurred within the periods covered by this history, together with measures and accomplishments towards rehabilitation and reconstruction after World War II, are likewise included here.

In the preparation of this history, the author gratefully acknowledges her indebtedness to those persons who aided her in many ways: to the late Pablo Deocareza the first elected Presidente Municipal under the Jones Law, who although bedridden, did not deny his valuable help and guidance, and his permission for the use of the personal notes and records regarding the history of Bacon from 1600 up to and including the early part of American regime, together with what remained of his personal copy of the “Historia Cronologica del Pueblo de Bacon” by the late Miguel B. Ramirez; to Federico Empleo for some information he contributed regarding the early history of the place, and for his English translation of the “Historia Cronologica del Pueblo de Bacon”; to Antonio Ansus for permission to use his “Capitania”; to Anacleto Sta. Ana, Faustino Deyto, Dalmacio Ariate and other veterans of the revolution; to Martina Bio Vda. De Serrano, first Filipino Principal to head the first schools established here by the Americans; to Esperidion Garcia and the late Julian Lacre, both former teachers and past officials; to Leon Ayo , appointed Municipal mayor of the Free Government during the Japanese Occupation Period, for his valuable notes regarding the events that took place during his term; to the late Capt. Dalmacio Reyes, veteran of the last World War; to her own brother, Daniel Dooc and to a host of other guerillas who helped in the Resistance Movement; to her fellow teachers and to everyone who gave her bits of information on the different data included in this history.

To be continued