Lupao

Population Census of Lupao

Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1995	29,996	—
2000	34,190	+2.85%
2007	36,832	+1.03%

Lupao is a 4th class municipality in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 36,832 people in 6,361 households.

The town is derived from the Ilocano word “lupa”, the name of an itchy plant found in great abundance within the town and its outskirts at the time of the town’s foundation in 1913. It is situated in Nueva Ecija, Region 3, Philippines, its geographical coordinates are 15° 52' 37" North, 120° 53' 57" East.

History

During the Spanish rule, the territorial jurisdiction of the province of Nueva Ecija extended to as far south at Cabiao and the towns of San Quintin, Rosales, Balungao and (H)umingan in the north, which later on formed part of the province of Pangasinan. Lupao was a component barrio of Umingan. It remained so until 1871 when some residents led by a Señor Calderon petitioned the Governor General for the segregation of Lupao as a barrio of Umingan and the eventual creation of Lupao as “Tenencia Absoluta” to be headed by a Teniente Absoluto. On September 28, 1871, the Govierno Superior Civil de Filipinas decreed the creation of Lupao as Tenencia Absoluta. It signified the formal segregation as barrio and the eventual creation as “pueblo” of the province of Nueva Ecija. Under the Spanish rule, a pueblo is created through the Laws of the Indies and represented a local government unit. The pueblo was an agency of the Central Government.

Salvacion was the first barrio of Lupao. Its initial territory also included Barrio Cabaritan now known as San Jose City. Barangay San Roque was known as Odiao and San Isidro as Macaniaoed. Among the first leaders of the municipality during the twilight years of Spanish Rule were Benito Romualdo as “Capitan Municipal” and Celestino Jabalde as ‘Juez de Paz”.

In 1898, soon after the Treaty of Paris (1898) was signed and the payment of 20 million dollars for the possession of the Philippines, the United States Military Government (USMG) issued General Order No. 43 proclaiming the establishment of municipal governments. The Second Philippine Commission (the Taft Commission) acting as the upper house of a bicameral legislature then issued Act No.82 in 1901, “The 1901 municipal code” provided for popularly elected presidents (mayor), vice presidents (vice-mayor), and councillors to serve on municipal boards.

It was only in 1913 that Lupao became a town mainly through the concerted efforts of Gen. Manual Tinio and Former Assemblyman Issauro Gabaldon of the Philippine Assembly (lower house). Its Founding Fathers were Victoriano Joanino, Calixto Laureta, Felix Carpio, Juan Briones, Anacleto Ganareal, Luis Mamaligaa, Gregorio Babagay, Sicto Baclig, Remigio Blas Caoile and Candido Mata.

Founder / First President

During the Philippine Revolution in 1896, Victoriano Joanino was described as a mason, an enemy of Spain and of the Friars. He was arrested and then sentenced to exile on December 9, 1896. Victoriano arrived in Guam on February 1897 and worked as a land clerk both for the Spanish and American government and returned to the Philippines in 1902. His other notable Guam co-exile were Apolinario Mabini (1901 to 1903) and Artemio Ricarte.

Demographics

Residents in Lupao are called "Lupaoenian". Ilocano is widely spoken especially in the barrios. Population is predominantly Ilocano in origin, According to the 2007 census, Lupao had a population of 36,832 people, 80% Ilocano and 20% comprising of Tagalogs, Kapampangans and Pangasinans. The world war babies, veterans, baby boomers, teachers and farmers composed the majority of the population. Just like any other local municipality, the younger population would leave home to find work in major cities and abroad.

Climate

Lupao belongs to the first type of climate in the Philippines. This type of climate has two (2) pronounced seasons: dry from the month of November to April and Wet during the rest of the year. This type of climate is typically hot, humid and tropical and is generally affected by the neighboring topography and the prevalent wind direction that varies within the year.

Local Delicacies

Due to its history and cultural background, Lupaoenian cuisine is greatly influenced by the Ilocanos and Pangasinenses. Rice is a staple food. Bangus, bagoong and alamang from Dagupan. Tinapa or smoked fish is also a famous dish which was commonly made locally in Ubbog. Locals also love their vegetables such as diningdeng- a concoction of vegetables & fish sauce; and boiled kamote tops. Goat "kalding" is a common treat for all occasions. It is a common ingredient on dishes such as pinapaitan, kilawin & adobo. The locals are also fond of sweets like tinudok, espasol,puto, tambutambong, tupig, kalamay, ginataang bayabas and Ingkiwar. Exotic food such as "Tapang usa" or venison , "Baboy-ramo" or wild hog meat, Abu-os "ant egg" were predominantly catered from Namulandayan brought to city center until late 1980's, which probably extinct the local dears and hogs in the mountainside.

Bloodiest Incidents

During a military operation against the New People's Army in February 10, 1987, seventeen civilians, including an elderly couple and several children, were killed by Marines on suspicion they were NPA rebels. This became known as the "Lupao Massacre."

On September 25, 2005, three communist soldiers were killed during 71st Infantry Battalion pursuit operations against seven fully armed rebels in Barangay Cordero, Lupao, Nueva Ecija.

Until now, Lupao has been suspected to be infiltrated by NPA. The town has been consistently listed as election hot spot due to rampant killings of politicians and party supporters. Famous political families among killed were Castaneda & Vendivil brothers.

Tourist Attractions

• Sto. Domingo Dam
• Macannae Dam
• Everlasting Resort
• Pinzal Falls

Town Administration

• Victoriano Joanino (Founder / First President (mayor))
• Felix Carpio
• Sixto Baclig
• Tranquilino Saroca
• Pablo Del Rosario
• Juan Briones
• Nemesio Cabiles
• Pio Dacanay
• Jose Tecson
• Emilio Buencamino
• Marcelo Neri
• Luis Ancheta
• Jovino Tienzo
• Guillermo Mabalot
• Pastor Domingo
• Alfredo Briones
• Carlos Castaneda
• Tiburcio Santilliana
• George Castaneda
• Alfredo Vendivil
• Alexander Joanino
• Richard Ramos

Barangays

Lupao is subdivided into 24 barangays.

Agupalo Este Agupalo Weste Alalay Chica Alalay Grande Barangay Tienzo Bagong Flores Balbalungao Burgos Cordero Mapangpang Namulandayan Parista

Poblacion East Poblacion North Poblacion South Poblacion West Salvacion I Salvacion II San Antonio Este San Antonio Weste San Isidro San Pedro San Roque Santo Domingo

External links

• Municipality of Lupao Official Website
• Unofficial Lupao Friendster Profile
• Pasyalan Nueva Ecija
• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• 1995 Philippine Census Information
• 2000 Philippine Census Information
• 2007 Philippine Census Information