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Q: What made San Esteban famous in World War II
A: The landing of US
submarines.
During the last stage of World War II, US submarines surfaced
in Apatot near the border of Ambucao, Santiago to unload arms and
supplies for the USAFIP, NL (Infantry of the United States Armed
Forces, North Luzon) on November 21, 1944.
Winner: Mrs. Chita
Esperanza Munar
“The answer to the
last trivia question is inaccurate. The submarines did not land by the
Watchtower(Bateria). The weapon-loaded submarines landed in Apatot.
That is the reason for the presence of the marker there which was even
visited by former President Ferdinand Marcos himself. This makes Apatot
a part of Philippine history. The late Tata Inciong(Prudencio R.
Europa) corroborated this fact in his book. My late father (Macario
Vergara Esperanza) also mentioned to us many, many times, recalling the
event those submarines landed because he was instrumental in receiving
the message via telegraph code. Initial plan was to land in Darigayos,
Bacnotan, L.U. but it wasn't feasible. Directives were sent to land the
weapons further north and Apatot was the chosen place. This is one
reason that we San Estebanians should be very proud of.” Quoted
by Manang Chita of San Diego,
California
From the Glimpse
Brochure of Former Vice-Mayor Norman Mendoza
San Esteban
Landing Site
“Twice surfacing at Santiago Cove on November 21, 19 44, the USS GAR landed on
this beach. Commandoes of the Army of the United States with
equipment, arms, ammunitions and supplies led by Capts. William Vaughn and
William Farell were Lts. Fred Behan and Donald Jamison with two other
Americans and Larry Guzman with other G Filipinos of the First Filipino
regiment. The landing was effected by USAFIP-NL under Col. Russell W.
Volkmann with other paramilitary and guerilla units. By order of
Volkmann, Jamison and Maj. Ferdinand E. Marcos sneaked through the
cordon of Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita to an air strip in Isabela and flew
to Camp Spender”.
The above words are etched on the marble table of the historical San
Esteban Landing marker unveiled by no less than the late President
Ferdinan E. Marcos in grandiose ceremonies in 1982, one of the few
occasions where a Philippine President set foot on this town. Mr. Larry
Guzman, a native of San Esteban and a guerilla during World War II.
Thought of erecting the marker to immortalize the significant events
that transpired in San Esteban and led to the eventual liberation of
the Philippines
from the Japanese Imperial Army.
Unfortunately, the pedestal of the marker was swept by strong currents
caused by Typhoon Feria on July 2001 and only the tablet remains
intact. The name Ferdinand Marcos on the marker was even scraped by
vandals during the post Marcos erz. The extent of the damage was
reported to the National Historical Institute whose personnel came and
made an ocular inspection and designed a new concept of the marker.
They agreed to the suggestion that it will be relocated a little bit to
the north so it will rest on tSan Esteban soil. The original one is
situated in Santiago
and is in contradiction to its name – San Esteban Landing.
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Q: What is the origin of the name of Barangay
Bateria?
A: Bateria was named after the
Moro Watchtower.
The old people say this was a vanguard against approaching
pirates. In military parlance, "battery" refers to a row of
cannons and the tower has serrated opening where they can fit the
barrel of the cannons and fire on invaders.
Winner:
From the Glimpse
Brochure of Former Vice-Mayor Norman Mendoza
HISTORICAL
SITE IN SAN ESTEBAN
The Moro
Watchtower in Bateria
This perhaps the oldest landmark in
San Esteban, an accredited tourism site as declared by the Philippine
Tourism Authority and an authentic historical structure found in the registry
of the National Historical Institute.
There is no information on the exact
year th tower was built but the looks of it suggest it has been in
existence since the 16th or 17th century or during
the Spanish times.
The old people say this was a
vanguard against approaching pirates. Strategically located on the cove,
the guards positioned at the tower could forewarn the residents of
incoming marauders. The place was named Bateria because of the tower. In
military parlance, “battery” refers to a row of cannons and
the tower has serrated opening where they can fit the barrel of the
cannon and the fire on invaders.
Aware of the importance of the
landmark, residents of Bateria recently turned the adjacent area of the
watchtower into a park. They have grown maintain its surroundings. The
watchtower has become a symbol of San Esteban and a permanent structure
representing a rich culture and heritage.
Q: Who was the first elected Mayor of San Esteban?
A: The first elected Mayor of SE was Juan Vergara Sipin.
Winner: Mr. Joe Abad
Q: What is the oldest Elementary School in San Esteban?
A: The oldeste Elementary School is the San Esteban North
Central School
Winner: Kelvin Vergara
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