history of aborlan

"a boar land"

Many stories tell of the origin of the town’s present name.

Their basis sprang from happenings in the years before the coming of civilization and education.

Most popular among these is the story of one American, who standing amidst the wilderness of the place, was amazed at the sight of so many wild boars, that he exclaimed “This is a boar land!”.

From then on, the place was called “a boar land”. But with the passing of years, the name was changed to Aborland and eventually to what is now known as the town of Aborlan.

Aborlan’s tale is told and retold in many different versions that of “Abelnan” a legendary tree belonging to the gods.

Abelnan Tree is usually found on the stretch o the river banks. A massive tree with a thick green canopy and its bark is used as clothing materials for the early inhabitants of Aborlan.

The early inhabitants of Aborlan were the Tagbanuas. In 1910, the place was opened as a reservation for the natives and a Farm Settlement School was established by the Thomasites. This school became what is now known as the Western Philippines University.

 When the reservation was placed under the provincial government in 1916, Masicampo Manuel Cursod was appointed as the first town Mayor of the municipality on June 28, 1949, pursuant to Executive Order No. 232.

historical features and significance of corporate seal of municipality of aborlan

  1. The Abelnan Tree – a legendary tree belonging to the gods, usually found on the stretch of the river banks. A massive tree with a thick green canopy and its bark is used as clothing materials for the early inhabitants of this place. The bark is pounded until its fibers appears and became soft as cloth. It is sewn to make dresses or “bahag”.
  2. The Aborlan and Iraan River – The two (2) rivers represents the major mainstreams found in the Municipality contributing much to the agriculture sector which intersected along Poblacion Area, the place were the Abelnan tree was found to have massively grown based on History.
  3. The Boar – Finding this Municipality abounding in wild boar or pigs, the Thomasites or the First American educators decided and called this place “A Boar Land”. As time had took its course, it was finally changed to “Aborlan”.
  4. The Mountain – was featured to show the Municipality abounding natural resources and its great forest cover and the thrust of the LGU in the protection of its natural resources.
  5. The Rice Paddles – was featured showing that a bigger percentage of our constituents are highly engaged in farming as a means of livelihood.
  6. The Honey Bee – was featured to show the abundancy of wild honey bee as one of its natural resources which serves as livelihood of the indigenour people.
  7. The Ax and Arrow – represents the gadgets of the natives long before their settlement being the first people in this place which was used on their customary practices such as the kaingin system of farming and hunting of wildlife.
  8. The Stars – The Stars were featured to give light and direction to the path showing that there’s a brighter future ahead of this Municipality.

education

Established in 1910, WPU has evolved from being a humble farm settlement school into a prime mover, a leader in sustainable development in Western Philippines and beyond through relevant instruction, research, and extension services. Its name has become synonymous with environmental protection and green technology, enabling more people to lead a better life.

wpu.edu.ph