Long before the Spaniards came to colonize the island of Luzon, the Barrio Pio was already inhabited by people. The place was then a thick forest covered with cogon grass and big trees. Wild animals roamed around. The inhabitants were so few that their houses were so far apart. They seldom meet each other. There’s was only a narrow piece of land for agricultural purposes from which to derive their daily needs. As the population grew, the people began to cut down trees and clear the forest for a bigger portion to cultivate.
When the Spaniard established settlements in Pampanga, a Spanish soldier by the name of Don Felino Gil was assigned in Pio. As the result of his military exploits in pacifying the area, he was given the privilege of claiming all the lands he could clear. He was so friendly with the natives and treated them politely until they learned to loved and trust him. He did not oblige the people to pay taxes. Instead, he hired all the able-bodied males to cut big trees and clear the forest. Soon, they found the place suitable for rice and sugarcane planting.
0 comments:
Post a Comment