= BRIEF HISTORY OF BARANGAY MAGASANG =

 

 

Every place has it’s own Myth of Legend on how it got it’s name. Barangay Magasang, a thriving community of the Municipality of Cantilan, Province of Surigao del Sur which is blessed with vast green fields, lush vegetation and hectares of coconut trees, and the home of the miraculous Ina Poon Bato, is no exception.

 

As told by the folks over the years, the place was abundant with “Lombija” trees – a variety of the palm tree family.

The sap of this tree when dried was first called by the locals as “Onao” / “Onaw”. It became their staple food and almost every day they gathered sap to make “Onao”. The phenomenal tree became a household name and it even reached the native Manobo’s who lived oin far flung areas. Thus, people from nearby and remote towns and barrios purposely visited the place just to make “Onao”. The latter term, however, it was changed when the oldest of the local folks informed a group of people who were then making “Onao” that the right term should be “Lasang”. The name then became a word by word and eventually gave birth to another term “Magasang” which refers to the act of making the “Lasang” – the dried sap of the “Lombija” tree.

 

For hundreds of years, the place was famous for the heaven – sent “Lombija” trees. The town folk benefited so much from these mannas from heaven which later became their primary source of livelihood. But then, as the saying goes “Some good things never last”, the “Lombija” trees started to lessen in number and gradually disappear when the people became so greedy that they forgot to plant new sets or batches of those magic trees. It was truly so unfortunate for them that they learned their lesson late. From then on, not a single “Lombija” tree could be found in the area – hence, the name “Magasang” was given to the once home of the “Lombijas” to remind the people to take care of God’s gift to men: the beauty and wealth of nature.

 

Elected Officers of Magasang for the term of 2018 – 2020
  • Barangay Chairperson(Captain): Benito Leal Lurcha
  1. Kagawad(Councilor): Charisma Correos Sahilan
  2. Kagawad(Councilor): Rotche Klien Joseph Leal Aspilla
  3. Kagawad(Councilor): Myrnalyn Morales Ravelo
  4. Kagawad(Councilor): Rowena Miranda Mendoza
  5. Kagawad(Councilor): Geraldine Arreza Irizari
  6. Kagawad(Councilor): Eduardo Loria Buo
  7. Kagawad(Councilor): Martin Orola Yparraguirre
  • SK Chairperson: Cleo Maica Polinar Sunico
  • Barangay Secretary: Glocenia Correos Irizari
Elected Magasang Officers for the term of 2013 – 2016
  • Punong Barangay (Captain/Chairman): < > Lurcha, Benito Leal
  1. Barangay kagawad (Councilor): < > Patriana, Julieta Arizalita
  2. Barangay kagawad (Councilor): < > Ravelo, Ma. Myrnalyn Morales
  3. Barangay kagawad (Councilor): < > Cuaton, Roniel Lesmoras
  4. Barangay kagawad (Councilor): < > Lurcha, Celensario Jr. Leal
  5. Barangay kagawad (Councilor): < > Limguangco, Michael Eleazar
  6. Barangay kagawad (Councilor): < > Doloriel, Roland Yparraguirre
  7. Barangay kagawad (Councilor): < > Correos, Charlito Jr. Guimary
Elected Magasang Officers for the term of 2010 – 2013