La Trinidad, Benguet

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Template:Short description Template:Use Philippine English Template:Use mdy dates Script error: No such module "Settlement short description".Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters".Expression error: Unexpected < operator.

La Trinidad (Script error: No such module "IPA".), officially the Municipality of La Trinidad (Template:Langx; Template:Langx), is a municipality and capital of the province of Benguet, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 137,404 people.Template:PH census

The town is known for its strawberry fields, earning the title "Strawberry Fields of the Philippines".[1]

The municipality is within the Metro Baguio area. The town's name comes from the Spanish phrase for "The Trinity."

History

Spanish period

The valley encompassing La Trinidad was originally called "Benguet", a thriving community of Ibaloi migrants from Tinek.[2] Natives traded local products, which included gold, with nearby lowland towns that had Dominican and Augustinian missions established. At around 1616, the procurator general of Manila, Hemando de los Rios Coronel, became interested in the mountains' gold and proposed to expedite its search to the Spanish king. He wrote both Alonso Fajardo, the Governor of Manila, and the Archbishop of Manila in December 1618 that it was the solution to both the abandoned missions as well as the depleted colonial treasury. Fajardo requested feedback from the religious orders on this matter; whether waging a war against the Igorots was just. Only the Jesuits objected with the war, preferring only that their "mines be occupied in the name of his Majesty".[3]

In 1620, Fajardo sent the first expedition under Captain Garcia Aldana y Cabrera, Governor of Pangasinan. Aldana and his men took the route from Aringay, crossing the Naguilian River to Duplas (La Union), then followed the Bornotan (Santo Rosario) River eventually reaching Takdian. Upon arriving at the mining community of Bua, the men found only a recently burned village, suggesting the natives fled with nothing for them to plunder. Aldana examined the Antamok mines and was able to gather some gold.[3]

A second expedition was sent in 1623 under the command of Sergeant Major Antonio Carreño de Valdes. Carreño was able to repel some Igorot assaults, building two forts; 'Fort Santiago' overlooking the present Santo Nino mines, and 'Fort del Rosario' in the Antamok-Itogon area. The Igorots submitted to Spanish authorities only to strike back when the rainy season made it difficult to send manpower and new supplies, prompting the Spaniards to retreat.[3]

Finally, in 1624, Fajardo sent Captain Alonso Martin Quirante, a master of strategy, logistics and tactics. In February of that year, Quirante took off with a huge expedition of 1,903 soldiers, carpenters, miners, smiths, slaves, clerks and some requisite clergy. He divided his large force into three; the first to clear the road, the second to follow, and the third with rations and arms. This ensured they would reach the mining area after clearing out an Igorot fort along the way. Quirante was able to reach the mining areas, and discovered about two hundred abandoned houses, implying the locals fled beforehand. He rebuilt Fort Santiago, and examined five mines; four of which showed signs of having been abandoned by the Igorots: Arisey Bugayona, Baranaban, Antamog, and Conog. The fifth mine called Galan was still operational. Quirante ordered baskets of ore gathered from each mine, labeled and ready for assaying. The results showed no evidence of deposits rich enough to yield attractive profit, prompting Quirante to return to Manila with 400 baskets of ore to be sent to Mexico for further assaying.[3]

File:La Trinidad skyline (La Trinidad, Benguet)(2018-11-26).jpg
San Jose Parish Church (center) in Barangay Poblacion

Meanwhile, the Real Audiencia had become concerned at the expense of the project which had already cost 33,982 pesos. Don Geronimo Silva took over the government, convening the council to decide on the issue. The Real Audiencia decided to abandon the project because of mounting expenses, loss of life and the continued hostility of the Igorots and their land.[3]

In 1829, another expedition was sent to Benguet under Guillermo Galvey.[2]

Although the District of Benguet was established in La Trinidad by 1846, it was only on April 21, 1874, under Commandant Manuel Scheidnagel, that "Valle de Benguet" was renamed "Valle de La Trinidad" (La Trinidad Valley). Despite popular acceptance that it was named as "a fitting tribute to Galvey’s wife - Doña Trinidad de Galvey" – recent research has revealed that credit should have probably gone to Scheidnagel, having been inspired by the three prominent adjacent hills (in effect, forming a Trinity: a religious icon of the Christian campaign) overlooking the Poblacion church, where the seat of government, the Cabecera, was established.[4]

Together with 40 other smaller surrounding rancherías, La Trinidad was placed under the jurisdiction of the newly established Benguet commandancia politico-militar in 1846[5][6] and was established as its administrative headquarters during the Spanish Conquest of the Philippines.[2][7][8]

American period

File:Philippine Island - Luzon Island - NARA - 68157117.jpg
Aerial view of La Trinidad, circa 1940s
File:Halsema Highway - view from capitol (La Trinidad, Benguet)(2018-11-26).jpg
La Trinidad valley as viewed from the Benguet Provincial Capitol

During the Philippine Revolution, in July 1898, Filipino revolutionary forces under the Ibaloi chieftain Juan Cariño and Pedro Paterno liberated La Trinidad from the Spaniards and took over the government, proclaiming Benguet as a province of the new Philippine Republic, with La Trinidad as its capital.[9][2]

In 1900, the American colonizers arrived, and La Trinidad was established as one of the 19 townships under the Benguet province upon the issuance of Act No. 48.[7][10] For a brief period, Baguio became the capital of Benguet when appointed Benguet province civil governor H.P. Whitmarsh moved the seat of government from La Trinidad to Baguio in 1901. La Trinidad was made the provincial capital again in 1909 after the Baguio township was abolished and converted into a chartered city.[2]

Second World War

Script error: No such module "labelled list hatnote".

On May 3, 1945, Filipino soldiers of the 66th Infantry Regiment, Philippine Commonwealth Army, USAFIP-NL liberated La Trinidad.[2][11]

Modern history

Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

File:Colors of Stobosa.jpg
StoBoSa Hillside Homes Artwork

La Trinidad was transformed into a full-fledged town from its former status as municipal district by virtue of Republic Act No. 531, approved June 16, 1950.[12]

On June 23, 2016, La Trinidad was highlighted in the media when the first and largest community artwork in the Philippines, the STOBOSA Hillside Homes Artwork was unveiled, featuring hillside houses within the sitios of Stonehill, Botiwtiw and Sadjap of Barangay Balili painted with sunflower and abstract designs.[13][14]

Geography

File:Mt.kalugongpark2.jpg
Pine trees within Mount Kalugong Eco-Park

La Trinidad is located at Script error: No such module "Coordinates"., at the central portion of Benguet. It is bounded by Tublay on the north-east, Sablan on the west, Baguio on the south, Itogon on the southeast, and Tuba on the south-west.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of Script error: No such module "convert".Template:PSGC detail constituting Script error: No such module "Percentage". of the Script error: No such module "convert". total area of Benguet.

The terrain is generally mountainous with springs, rivers and creeks. The town has a valley which encompasses several barangays. The valley floor elevation is at Script error: No such module "convert". above sea level. Elevation ranges from Script error: No such module "convert". above sea level.

The Balili River is the municipality's main water drainage which carries upstream water from the Sagudin River in Baguio.[15] The river merges with another upstream river in Tuel upon reaching the La Trinidad-Tublay-Sablan tri-point.

La Trinidad is situated Script error: No such module "convert". from the country's capital city of Manila.

Climate

Script error: No such module "weather box".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

La Trinidad has a dry-winter subtropical highland climate (Köppen climate classification: Cwb), featuring a menacing wet season.

La Trinidad belongs under the Type I climate by the Coronas System of classification with distinct wet and dry seasons. The dry season lasts from November to April, while the wet season occurs during the rest of the year. The climate is cool, with temperatures ranging from Script error: No such module "convert". during the month of December at its coldest and Script error: No such module "convert". at its warmest during the months of March, April and May. The average daily temperature is Script error: No such module "convert"., and its wind velocity is 1.43. During the rainiest month of August, the rainfall average is Script error: No such module "convert"..Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Barangays

La Trinidad is politically subdivided into 16 barangays.Template:PSGC detail, with 11 classified as urban and 5 as rural.Template:PSGC detail Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

As of 2015, the most populous is Pico with 23,282 people, while Bineng, with 1,624 people, has the least.Template:PH census Wangal is the largest in terms of land area,[16] while Cruz is the smallest.[17] Balili was the most densely populated, and Bineng was the least. Bineng has the most number of sitios, while Betag has the least with only 4.

BarangayTemplate:PSGC detail ClassTemplate:PSGC detail Etymology Historical
component
of 		Area Population
(2015)Template:PH census 		Density
(2015) 		No. of
sitios
Script error: No such module "Coordinates". Alapang Rural Template:Langx – "powdery substance from limestone"[18] Alno
(until 1967)[18] 		Script error: No such module "convert".[18] Template:Number and percent Script error: No such module "convert". Script error: No such module "collapsible list".
Script error: No such module "Coordinates". Alno Rural Alno – local term for a medicinal dipterocarp tree in the area[19] Bahong[19] Script error: No such module "convert".[19] Template:Number and percent Script error: No such module "convert". Script error: No such module "collapsible list".
Script error: No such module "Coordinates". Ambiong Urban Template:Langx – "Black Carpet Bees" found in the rolling hills and forests[20] Eastern Pico
(until 1948)[20] 		Script error: No such module "convert".[20] Template:Number and percent Script error: No such module "convert". Script error: No such module "collapsible list".
Script error: No such module "Coordinates". Bahong Urban Template:Langx (orScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". naydihong) – "hollow or bowl like"[21] Tacdian[21] Script error: No such module "convert".[21] Template:Number and percent Script error: No such module "convert". Script error: No such module "collapsible list".
Script error: No such module "Coordinates". Balili Urban Template:Langx – a type of grass abundant in the area[22] Pico[22] Script error: No such module "convert".[22] Template:Number and percent Script error: No such module "convert". Script error: No such module "collapsible list".
Script error: No such module "Coordinates". Beckel Urban — Pico[23] Script error: No such module "convert".[23] Template:Number and percent Script error: No such module "convert". Script error: No such module "collapsible list".
Script error: No such module "Coordinates". Bineng Rural Nabneng – local term characterizing the natural damming by the Danao River[24] Disdis
(present-day Sablan)[24] 		Script error: No such module "convert".[24] Template:Number and percent Script error: No such module "convert". Script error: No such module "collapsible list".
Script error: No such module "Coordinates". Betag Urban Betag – a flat land area characterizing the terrain[25] Pico
(until the 1950s)[25] 		Script error: No such module "convert".[25] Template:Number and percent Script error: No such module "convert". Script error: No such module "collapsible list".
Script error: No such module "Coordinates". Cruz Urban Template:Langx – Cross[17] Alapang
(until 1971)[17] 		Script error: No such module "convert".[17] Template:Number and percent Script error: No such module "convert". Script error: No such module "collapsible list".
Script error: No such module "Coordinates". Lubas Urban Template:Langx – "red clay" abundant in the area[26] Pico[26] Script error: No such module "convert".[26] Template:Number and percent Script error: No such module "convert". Script error: No such module "collapsible list".
Script error: No such module "Coordinates". Pico Urban Template:Langx – "pick mattock" inhabitants used to flatten the hilly land[27] — Script error: No such module "convert".[27] Template:Number and percent Script error: No such module "convert". Script error: No such module "collapsible list".
Script error: No such module "Coordinates". Poblacion Urban Template:Langx – the site of the old Spanish Presidencia[28] Benget[28] Script error: No such module "convert".[28] Template:Number and percent Script error: No such module "convert". Script error: No such module "collapsible list".
Script error: No such module "Coordinates". Puguis Rural — Pico
(until the 1950s)[29] 		Script error: No such module "convert".[29] Template:Number and percent Script error: No such module "convert". Script error: No such module "collapsible list".
Script error: No such module "Coordinates". Shilan Urban Shalan – local term for "the way to and from"[30] Tacdian[30] Script error: No such module "convert".[30] Template:Number and percent Script error: No such module "convert". Script error: No such module "collapsible list".
Script error: No such module "Coordinates". Tawang Urban Template:Langx – "catching birds through the use of fire inside the cave"
orScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Langx – "tayaw" ritual inside the Tawang caves[31] 		parts of Pico,
Alapang and Shilan[31] 		Script error: No such module "convert".[31] Template:Number and percent Script error: No such module "convert". Script error: No such module "collapsible list".
Script error: No such module "Coordinates". Wangal Rural Template:Langx – Ibaloi term attributed to the river[16] — Script error: No such module "convert".[16] Template:Number and percent Script error: No such module "convert". Script error: No such module "collapsible list".
  • Dashes (—) in cells indicate unavailable information.
Template:Side box

Demographics

<templatestyles src="Module:Historical populations/styles.css"/>Script error: No such module "Historical populations".

In the 2020 census, La Trinidad had a population of 137,404.Template:PH census The population density was Script error: No such module "convert"..

Languages

The residents of La Trinidad speak Ibaloi and Kankanaey. Ilocano is also used as a lingua franca in the municipality.

Economy

Template:PH poverty incidence

File:Strawberry Farm (5), La Trinidad, Benguet, March 2023.jpg
Strawberry fields within the La Trinidad Valley

La Trinidad supplies most of the Philippines' strawberries[32] and cut flowers, which include roses.[33][34][35] The La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post is visited by wholesalers and traders of vegetables from other provinces.[36] The presence of the Benguet State University in the municipality serves as a boost to agricultural research and development in the region.[37]

The town landed on the Guinness Book of World Records for baking the world's largest strawberry shortcake, at Script error: No such module "convert"., at the La Trinidad Strawberry Festival on March 20, 2004.[38]

Its proximity to the city of Baguio attracts tourists, primarily to the strawberry fields in the valley, and lesser to the Benguet Provincial Capitol and the Rose Gardens of barangay Bahong.[39]

Government

Local government

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote".

File:Municipal Hall, La Trinidad, Benguet, March 2023.jpg
La Trinidad Municipal Hall
File:Benguet Provincial Capitol (far view).jpg
Benguet Provincial Capitol

La Trinidad, belonging to the lone congressional district of the province of Benguet, is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being held every three years.

Elected officials

Members of the Municipal Council
(2019–2022)[40]
Position Name
Congressman Nestor B. FongwanTemplate:Efn

Eric G. Yap (since January 20, 2020)[41]

Mayor Romeo K. Salda
Vice-Mayor Roderick C. Awingan
Councilors Nestor T. Fongwan Jr.
Jayson C. Dangwa
Renato B. Tereng
Guiller A. Galwan
John G. Botiwey
Arthur M. Shontogan
Francis A. Lee
Teddy C. Walang

Education

File:Benguet State University Entrance, La Trinidad, Benguet.jpg
Benguet State University
File:DOST CAR Regional Office.jpg
DOST Regional Office - CAR

The La Trinidad Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools.[42] La Trinidad, aside from the adjacent city of Baguio, is the center of higher education in Benguet province.[43]

Public schools

As of 2014, La Trinidad has 23 public elementary schools and 7 public secondary schools.[44][45][46]

The main campus of Benguet State University, the first university in the province, is located in the municipality.

<templatestyles src="Col-begin/styles.css"/>

Private schools

There are 11 private schools according to the Department of Education - Schools Division of Benguet.[47]

<templatestyles src="Div col/styles.css"/>

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Notable personalities

La Trinidad is the burial place of:

Sister cities

Local

International

<templatestyles src="Div col/styles.css"/>

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

See also

Notes

Template:Notelist

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ a b c d e f Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
  3. ↑ a b c d e Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  23. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  26. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  27. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  28. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  29. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  30. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  31. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  32. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  33. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  34. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  35. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  36. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  37. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  38. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  39. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  40. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  41. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  42. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  43. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  44. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  45. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  46. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  47. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  48. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  49. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  50. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  51. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  52. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  53. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  54. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  55. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

External links

Template:Geographic location

Script error: No such module "navboxes". Script error: No such module "Navbox". Template:Metro Baguio Template:Cordillera Administrative Region Script error: No such module "Navbox".Script error: No such module "navboxes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Template:Authority control

Retrieved from "http://debianws.lexgopc.com/wiki143/index.php?title=La_Trinidad,_Benguet&oldid=1508806"