History of Isabela
Isabela is the second largest Philippines. It is situated in the Cagayan Valley Region (Region 2) in Northern Luzon. Isabela is bored by provinces Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Kalinga, and Cagayan. It is believed that the history of Isabela dates back to over 25,999 years ago. The province is said to be inhabited by the Stone Age race of dark-skinn
ed, kinky-haired pigmies (ancestors of the nomadic Aetas or Negritos). They can still be found roaming around the mountains and forest of eastern Isabela today. The Indonesians arrived at about 5,000 years ago, which was soon enough followed by three waves of Malays between 200 BC and 1500 AD. The pagan ancestors of the Ibanags, Gaddangs, Yogads, Kalingas and other original tribes built a civilization with corn agriculture as primary way of life. Spanish Occupation
It was during the late 16th and 17th century that the Spaniards colonizers arrived in Isabela. They introduced Christianity, the encomienda system, and the to***co monopoly. However, the Spanish rule was extremely oppressive. The natives rose in revolt in several occasions. The most notable of them is under the leadership of Dabo and Marayag during 18th century. Since then, Isabela did not play a major role in the revolt against Spain. But it was in Palanan where the ending of Philippine Revolution took place. The Spaniards then established the Ciudad de Nueva Segovia, which is called Lallo today. The entire Cagayan Valley was one large province (La Provincia del Valle de Cagayan) up to 1839. Two new provinces were created out of this vast territory in 1839: Cagayan and Nueva Vizcaya. Cagayan comprised of all the towns from Aparri to Tumauini. The capital was then changed from Lallo to Tuguegarao. Nueva Vizcaya was composed of all the towns from Ilagan to Caraballo del Sur (including Catalangan and Palanan). The capital city of Nueva Vizcaya was Camarag (now Eschague). In May 1, 1856, a Royal Decree created “Isabela de Luzon” to distinguish this province from other Isabelas in the Philippines. Isabela de Luzon comprised of the towns Carig (now Santiago), Camarag (now Eschague), Angadanan (now Alicia), Cauayan, Calanusian (now Reina Mercedes), Gamu, and Ilagan. The province was then placed under the jurisdiction of a governor. Then, Ilagan was declared as the capital. American Occupation
Isabela was reorganized as a Province under the American regime in 1901. It was declared a province through Act No.210, which was passed in August 24, 1901. Isabela’s first provincial governor was Rafael Maramag (former Municipal mayor of Ilagan). The Americans built schools and other buildings. They also instituted changes in the overall political system of the province. Ilocano Migration
It was during the 19th and 20th centuries that Ilocanos started migrating into Isabela. It was a new wave of immigration and Ilocanos came in large numbers. Today, the Ilocanos are the largest group of people in the province. Other ethic groups soon followed, which made Isabela the most populated amongst the provinces in the Cagayan Valley.
