16/07/2025
History of Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija
Cuyapo, officially the Municipality of Cuyapo (Ilocano: Ili ti Cuyapo; Tagalog: Bayan ng Cuyapo), is a municipality in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines. Cuyapo is named after the water cabbage (Pistia stratiotes) which is known in Pangasinense as kuyapo.[5] The district of Quiapo, Manila is also named after the same plant, this is the Tagalog counterpart, modern spelling kiyapo.
Early beginnings
Pangasinenses from Paniqui, Tarlac who used to pasture their cattle, other Pangasinenses from Calasiao and San Carlos, Pangasinan, Ilocano foresters from Santa Maria, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur; Paoay and Batac in Ilocos Norte; and some Tagalogs from Bulacan and southern Nueva Ecija settled in great number in the town. It is said that the exodus, particularly from Ilocos Sur, was due to the forced labor enforced by the Spaniards in the construction of the church in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur[citation needed]. Cuyapo was declared a Barrio of Rosales (now a municipality of Pangasinan) on September 25, 1849, with Senor Santiago Vergara as its first Teniente del Barrio. It was in 1901 under the American civil administration that Rosales, together with Balungao, Umingan, San Quintin, were segregated from Nueva Ecija and became parts of Pangasinan.
Founding of the Town
On October 29, 1859, Cuyapo was separated from Rosales, Pangasinan and made a full-fledged town with Don Juan Pangalilingan as the first Gobernadorcillo. It was during his term that the first Catholic Church and convent was constructed. The old road to Guimba, passing through what is now Barangay Maycaban was constructed. On October 29, 1959, Cuyapo celebrated the centennial of its creation as a town.
🌱 Origins and Name
The name Cuyapo derives from the Pangasinan word kuyapo/kiapo (Tagalog: quiapo, Ilocano: lul-luan), referring to Pistia stratiotes—a floating water plant once abundant near the municipal cemetery.
Its watery terrain attracted early Pangasinan cattle herders, followed by Ilocano settlers, escaping forced labor in Ilocos .
🏘️ From Barrio to Municipality
Initially part of Rosales in Nueva Ecija, Cuyapo officially became a barrio on Sept 25, 1849, with Santiago Vergara as its first barrio lieutenant.
It achieved municipal status on October 29, 1859, under Gobernadorcillo Don Juan Pangalilingan. During his tenure, the first Catholic church and convent were constructed, and roads to Guimba were laid out.
⚔️ Revolutionary Era
With the onset of the Philippine Revolution in July 1898, Gen. Mariano Llanera appointed Don Marcelo Garcia as municipal president and Mariano Flores as vice-president.
On June 19, 1898, around 200–300 residents led by Lt. Isabelo del Valle ambushed Spanish soldiers at Bessang (today’s Barangay Maycaban), armed with rifles and bolos.
American Period & Mabini’s Capture
American forces arrived in November 1898 and reinstalled municipal elections, appointing Mariano B. Flores as municipal president).
Most notably, Apolinario Mabini, the “Sublime Paralytic” and esteemed revolutionary leader, was captured by American troops in Cuyapo on December 10, 1899 at the home of Zacarias B. Flores. A historical marker now honors the spot .
🏢 Infrastructure and Growth
Under American rule, primary and secondary schools (e.g., Cuyapo Institute) were established, and public works—such as the municipal hall (1903), public markets, cemetery upgrades, bridges, and railway—were constructed.
In 1947, Executive Order No. 113 officially carved out several barrios (including areas now in Talugtug) from Cuyapo to form new municipalities.
A 1971 Republic Act created Barrio Latap within Cuyapo .
📈 Modern Era & Tourism
Today, Cuyapo is a 1st-class municipality (~68,000 residents) with 51 barangays, thriving in agriculture, eco-farm tourism, and outdoor attractions .
Notable attractions** include:
Mt. Bulaylay* and Mt. Bangkay: developing eco-tourism with ziplines and scenic trails.
Colosboa Hills*: popular biking and camping park.