About Loreto
Source:
HISTORY OF LORETO DURING THE
SECOND WORLD WAR
1941 – 1945 by:
LINO CONALES GUMATO
Time is like a river that
flows bringing the sediments and debris of events and forms into a lake, which we call history. From one of the ripples of
this lake of time is a seemingly cataclysmic event that befell on the emerging town of Loreto, the role played by our young
and patriotic men together with the peace – loving people of the town and its neighboring barrios.
Loreto is settled by the sea – faring, industrious, and religious people of Bohol and Leyte bringing their pluck
and grit, the indomitable courage which enabled them to develop the once barrio Mabua, named after the foaming river in Sta.
Cruz and years later became municipality in 1919 names Loreto after the wife of the governor of the province of Surigao. The
first president now called mayor was Constantino Bag-ao Gupana I, a native of
the town.
The people enjoy life where their livelihood comes from fishing as the town is situated along the shore of Loreto bay,
raise rice for staple food, plant bananas, vegetables, different root-crops to supplement their rice supply, and most importantly,
making copra from the fruits of their coconuts for family needs and for the education of their children. They also enjoy simple
amenities, drinking tuba, a drink produced from the sap of the young buds of the coconut trees, and eat fish salad called
“kinilaw”. A famous local delicacy prepared from meat of fresh fish eaten raw commonly offered during parties
and especially during fiesta celebrations and other especial occasions.
They built houses with first group of wood gathered nearby obviously when the forest was in its pristine glory. The
owners of strong houses feel safe when severe typhoons hit the places as it lies in the typhoon belt. Some of the big buildings
have large posts one can hide behind it, so strong that even a tornado can`t topple the building down. Owners of small houses
take shelter in big buildings with G.I. roofing while typhoon subsides and calms down they return home and find that their
house is still standing although the roof made of nipa thatches are either destroyed or blown away. Nonetheless, they don’t
to worry about building a new one as the typhoon – ravage house can still be repaired in a few days. The regarded affluent
families have large spacious buildings sans sophisticated interior decors, plush furniture, tiled toilets and bathrooms; somehow
they live with comfort and contentment.
During the early days there were only two religious denominations, Roman Catholic
and the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI). As time goes by, due to the presence of the different minerals and timber,
there was an influx of people from different places, who introduced new religious and established their own churches.
The natives knew each other and live like close knit families. Neighbors lend a helping hand in times of crises. When
a member of a family died, they gathered around and help in the preparation of the burial even though they have no blood relationships
and those of the nearest kon from far places come to help. After burial, evening prayer is held for nine evenings. Novena
in Spanish tern. They attend to pray for the soul of the departed and the prayers they set on the floor in a form of a circle
in the living room and play a quasi – parlor game with prayer to comfort the bereaved family called kulalisi, an old
tradition worth keeping but sad to say this practice is fading away.
During party celebrations especially wedding, neighbors and relatives gather around, invited or not, to help in the
preparations and partake of the different savory foods. When the party is over, those who have the fortitude take home extra
food for their children.
There were no higher school of learning during the pre-war days of them obtained college with the
conscionable, unswerving support of their unselfish parents, many of them have obtained college degrees send their children
to college to obtain higher education, the best legacy parents can leave to their children.
