President Ramon Magsaysay in Tiwi

On March 17th, 57 years ago today, President Ramon Magsaysay died when his presidential plane 'Mt. Pinatubo' crashed on Mt. Manunggal in Cebu.

Prior to his untimely death, the "Idol of the Masses" and his party once visited Tiwi during the term of Mayor Jose C. Templado and had their lunch at his house in Basag.

Shown in the photo were Mrs. Emelina Clutario, Mrs. Salvacion Templado, President Ramon Magsaysay, Mayor Jose C. Templado, Senator Pacita Madrigal-Warms et al.

'old records'

While rummaging through my old files, I chanced upon several copies of Tiwi Register of Birth records from 1931-1932 and noticed that majority of the entries under "occupation" of the father were "laborer," with a few "merchant/proprietor" scattered here and there, as well as some lone entries for "agricultor", "school janitor", and "musiquero."

The "laborer," though could have been "farmer," since there was not a single entry for the latter, although the sole "agricultor" entry could be deemed as such. In our local usage, however, it is usually used to differentiate between the 'ordinary' farmer and the 'expert' (read: one who went to school and studied agriculture).

Thus, it is always fascinating to look at old records and learn from the past.

Tiwi, in the early years and before the advent of geothermal exploration, was a working class town populated by noble and hardworking people.

1872: Albay Index of Baptism- "CONMIGO Lucela'

*"See: Albay Marriages" p. 209

"Albay indice de bautismos 1821-1891"

1903: 'TIUI' Post Office

As of 1903, Not counting Virac, which was part of Albay (as Catanduanes was not yet a separate province then), there are only six Post Offices on the list in Albay- Legaspi, Libog, Malilipot, Polangui, Tabaco & TIUI.

It is also worth noting that Naga City was still known as Nueva Caceres, and together with Daet was part of the Ambos Camarines. The list also has an entry for the province of Tayabas, which would later become Quezon.

*The Manila Cable News Friday, January 9, 1903