Pasuquin Ilocos Norte Philippines
History of Pasuquin
There are conflicting versions on the founding of the town. However, old records
show that the town was established as early as 1874.
It is said that the thick forest in Pasuquin was once inhabited by a
tribe of uncivilized people known as Itneg. Even today, there are still a few of
them living in the forests, which have remained untouched by modern
civilization.
As early as the 17th century, the Itnegs came down and settled east of the
present site of Pasuquin. when these Itnegs increased in number, they
formed a community of their own. They were the first inhabitants of the town.
On the other hand, some claim that the first settlers of Pasuquin were groups of
wandering and uncivilized people known as the Ibaliws. They say that these
Ibaliws pitched camp in the old site of Pasuquin. The present site was formerly
a place thickly covered by vegetation, but when the mountain people came down to
the lowlands, they drove the Ibaliws away. The place vacated by the Ibaliws was
then called Nagrebcan (the place of the vanquished).
The word Ibaliws was in time changed to Ibaho, a family name that is now well
known in the town.
Somehow, other people began to group themselves and those forming one group used
names which distinguished their group from the rest, Thus, Cariaga Josue,
Aguirre, and other names came into being. Later the Spaniards baptized some of
the inhabitants and gave them names like Luna and Aguinaldo -Their descendants
are now prominent people in the town.
Origin of Its Name
There are two conflicting theories regarding the origin of the name of the town.
One indicates miscommunication between the Spaniards and the natives, It is said
that when the Spaniards were in the province, they asked the Jtnegs in the place
to help them find a better place where they could settle; A peg was driven
somewhere by one of the natives. Then the Spaniards asked, "Donde esta el sitio?"
(where is the place? ). The natives answered "Pasuk Oni," which meant the place
of the peg." The Spaniards misunderstood their answer. They thought they were
telling the name of the place, Pasukin. From then on the town was called
Pasuquin.
On the other hand, there are those who claim that before the coming of the
Augustinian friars, 'there were already people living in the place. At that time
also there was a war between the lowland natives and the Kalanasari Yapayao
tribe, After the war, they traded with each other, During this time the Chinese
pirates invaded many places and stole the properties' of the rich natives. The
natives devised a sort of warning signal by kindling the fire called paasok (asok
means smoke ;paasok means something that gives out smoke).
One summer, the Chinese pirates attacked the place. Because of this, the people
resolved to form a community. To protect the people, an Apo Lakay (an old man
who was recognized as head of the place) appointed a wanawan (watchman) to stay
on watch. Upon seeing the invaders, he would kindle a paasok to warn the people
and to call all the males to fight the invaders. The place where smoke was
produced was just below the hrn where the wanawan stayed.
When the Spaniards arrived at the place, one of the friars asked: "Donde esta el
sitio?" (where is the place?). The people answered, "Aqui Seflor, esta el
Paasoken." (Here, sir. This is tire place where we make smoke). when the
community was established, the place was called Pacisoken or Ibsoken and later
Pasuquin.
