This Week’s Milestones: Dec. 10-16, 2017

Dec. 15, 1660

Local chieftain Andres Malong of Binalatongan (now San Carlos City) in Pangasinan province led a revolt against the Spanish government for imposing forced labor on the Filipinos. Malong declared himself king and placed the province under rebel control. But their rule  lasted only for less than a month after the Spaniards defeated them.

Dec. 15, 1920

Masbate was declared a province and the town of Masbate, its capital, by virtue of Act No. 2934. Masbate was previously a subprovince of Sorsogon province. Known as the “cattle country of the Philippines,” Masbate’s One Town One Product (Otop) is beef “tapa.” The local version of the dish is among the country’s tastiest as the cattle is fed only with grass. Otop is the government’s program to enable communities to develop and support products or services that they are known for. Masbate’s population in 2015 was 892,393.

Compiled by Kathleen de Villa, Inquirer Research

Sources: Inquirer Archives, DOT, officialgazette.gov.ph, PSA, pangasinan.gov.ph, lawyerly.ph