History of Bagabag Nueva Vizcaya
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| Bagabag Nueva Vizcaya Municipal Hall |
The town of Bagabag in Nueva Vizcaya has a long and colorful past that dates all the way back to October 7, 1741. It was founded by Padre Antonio del Campo, a Spanish friar, in a place once known as Sitio Nagcumventuan—now located between Pogonsino, Bagabag, and Bangar, Solano.
This sitio got its name from the Spanish word "convent" because that’s where the priest built the first church. Even today, the area’s name reminds people of those early missionary days.
The first priests to serve Bagabag were Padre Luis Sierra, who arrived in 1743, and Padre Alejandro Vidal, the Vicar Provincial. Together, they organized the town in 1754. However, the original site didn’t last long due to frequent flooding and erosion from the Magat River—and the town’s population was quickly growing.
So, Padre Vidal moved the community first to Nassa, an area between Barangays Lantap and Santa Lucia, and later to its current location. At that time, the area was full of buri palm plants, which the locals called "bagbag". That’s how the town got its name—Bagabag.
Today, Bagabag is made up of 17 barangays, each contributing to the town’s thriving culture and agricultural success.
- Bakir
- Lantap
- Paniki
- San Pedro
- Tuao North
- Villa Quirino
- Baretbet
- Murong
- Pogonsino
- Santa Cruz
- Tuao South
- Villaros
- Careb
- Nangalisan
- San Geronimo
- Santa Lucia
- Villa Coloma
Every fourth week of September, Bagabag comes alive with color, music, and celebration during the Pabbalat Festival, the town’s annual fiesta.
The festival kicks off with lively parades, playground demonstrations, and fun social programs. One of the highlights is the Search for Ms. Bagabag, a beauty pageant that adds excitement and glamour to the event.
Each barangay sets up a booth to display their best products—from vegetables and fruits to locally grown crops. It’s a beautiful way to showcase the town’s rich harvest and agricultural pride.
Of course, you can’t talk about Bagabag without mentioning its One Town, One Product (OTOP)—the sweet and juicy pineapple! This tropical fruit is front and center during the festival, representing the hardworking farmers and the fertile land that Bagabag is known for.
With deep roots in faith, history, and agriculture, Bagabag is more than just a town—it’s a proud community with a story worth celebrating.
- Nueva Vizcaya Government. (n.d.). Bagabag [blog post]. Retrieved from https://nuevavizcaya.gov.ph/municipalities/bagabag/.
- LGU Bagabag Facebook Account Bagabag Municipal Hall [Photograph of Bagabag Municipal Hall]. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/lgubagabag7/photos/pcb.1709891422547724/1709887819214751.
