17/08/2025
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From the threads of histories and traditions, each is woven to create the Camalaniugan we know today.
Camalaniugan was founded on the 15th of June 1596. It was once a thriving Ybanag and Ilocano settlement led by the chieftain Datu Guiyab and named after the "Malaniug" tree which were abundant during the early years. When the Dominicans arrived in 1596, they introduced Christianity to the settlement, marking a turning point that would forever shape the townβs identity.
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In the same year that Christianity was established, Camalaniugan was also formally recognized as a pueblo, and its first church was built, standing as a representation of faith along the banks of the Cagayan River. It was furnished with bells, one of which is the Sancta Maria Bell, forged in 1595 and known as the Oldest Catholic bell in Southeast Asia.
At the heart of this transformation was the selection of San Jacinto de Polonia as the townβs patron saint. Known for his devotion, missionary zeal, and unwavering courage in the face of trials, San Jacinto became not just a spiritual guide but also a symbol of perseverance for the CamalaniugueΓ±os. His feast every 17th of August is more than just a religious celebration β it is a communal remembrance of the values he embodied and a reaffirmation of the townβs faith.
Through the centuries, the people of Camalaniugan have withstood the tides of history. From Spanish colonization and natural disasters to the challenges of modern life. Yet like the careful weaving of fibers into a cloth, each generation has added its own thread of strength, culture, and devotion to the larger fabric of the community. The traditions passed down, the resilience shown in times of hardship, and the constant respect to their patron saint all interlace to form the distinct identity of the town.
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Beyond the vibrant celebrations of August, the devotion to San Jacinto de Polonia weaves itself into the everyday lives of CamalaniugueΓ±os. For the people, he is remembered as the saint whom they relied on in times of trials. From harvest failures to calamities along the Cagayan River. Their stories tell of a faith that protected the town and strengthened its people.
Moreover, San Jacinto is a reminder that tradition is not a burden but a guiding light. Many young CamalaniugueΓ±os still join novenas, volunteer in church ministries, and take part in processions β a living proof that devotion continues to bridge generations. Every candle lit, every whispered prayer, and every act of kindness becomes another strand in the townβs tapestry, showing that faith is not limited to rituals but breathed into daily life.
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Every August, when the bells of Camalaniugan ring for the fiesta of San Jacinto de Polonia, the tapestry comes alive. Streets are filled with vibrant processions, families reunite, and prayers rise, carrying with them both gratitude and hope. It is a moment when the threads of the past and the present are knotted together, reminding everyone that identity is not a single story but a woven fabric of many.
Today, as Camalaniugan continues to prosper and adapt to the change of times, its tapestry remains firmly rooted in the legacy of its people and their devotion to their patron. In the figure of San Jacinto de Polonia, they see not only a protector but also an enduring thread that binds their history, faith, and future into one.
From the threads of histories and traditions, each is woven to create the place where the best begins.
ποΈ: Carlo Dayne Matammu
π»π·:Lanz Angelo Consigna
