Present official name of the barrio is Camandag, Popular name, present and past; destination and meaning these names and name sitios:
The past name was Camanag. This namewas never changed that up to present this name was given to the barrio. The name Camandag was derived from a poisonous tree. Camandag in the local dialect or even in Filipino Language is “Poison or poisonous.”
Many years ago, Camandag was yet covered with thick forest and mangroves. The inhabitants were mysteriously puzzled because of the presence of a tree which the people believed to be enchanted. This was one of the biggest trees. The dropping branches made it a good place for people not only to gather but for animals also to take shelter.
One day, two men who were on their way home from the shore happened to pass by. They saw a wild pig lying dead under the tree. For curiously sake they went near pig. They found out that the pig was no longer fit for human consumption. They got thepig and buried it just few meters away from the enchanted tree. When they went home they got sick and died.
In the course of time the people tried to find out why people and animals and even the birds die when they happened to be near the tree. This news spread through out the locality and the neighboring places.
In the locality there were the “herbalorios” (quack doctors) who were looked upon as consultants of the inhabitants especially when they are in need of medical help. One of them believed to possess “anting-anting”. He decided to cut the tree. He was only half through when unfortunately he fell down dead. People who watched him performed his job became more frightened. They went home and told the news to the neighbors. Since then nobody dared to get near the tree.
After sometime, a strong storm came. The tree was blown down and it withered and finally died. The burned the stumps of the tree and this marked the end of the ghost like occurrence which brought heavy mortality in place.
Time came when place were to have names. The people tried to look and think of a good name. Finally, they decided to name the place camandag. This name has never been changed until now.
The sitios that composed the barrio are Cawit, Puaw, Malapnataw. Sifio cawit was formerly named “Mur-awon”. This name was derived from the visayan dialects means “Mulabi” tree. Mulabi in the visayan dialects means Mur-awon
The adjacent sitio to cawit is Puaw. Before the Philippine Revolution General Aguinaldo Adventured at Puaw. He obtained “tongog” in the place. Tongog is the bark of a tree which is mixed with tuba in order to give flavor and color. Aguinaldo obtained “tongog” in big quantity. He employed workers to help him. One day while he was strolling along the shore he tried to picture out the view of Looc bay, he composed Looc bay to that of Manila Bay. He was reminded of his hometown Cawit, Cavite. Finally he decided to name the place Cawit in memory of his hometown. This name exist up to the present.
Along the shore of Cawit is a big stone. According to local legend there was a big enchanted person whom people called “Talabukon”. His size was extraordinary in that, according to the local tale, he could stand from the shore of Cawit and Cross the channel of the Bay of Looc by one stride. This tale seems paradoxical, for as one strolls along the beach of Cawit he could see distinctly on a big rock boulder an extraordinary sized foot print indicating the right foot mark of Talabukon, while across the channel at Agojo point there also could be seen the left footprint of Talabukon on a boulder of rock.
The was no fixed were migrants from lbajay, Kalibo and Nabas. The first among the emigrants were Francisco Lopes, Silverio Salvador, Tumi Gacillos, Satumino Anches, and Chito Serapi. These group of emigrants were Opahan and Nayon people. These Opahan people were from the interior part of Panay. Among there people were renegades from personal from personal tributes and escapes from draft of law called “Kontos” who were to be sent to the Moro Land as soldiers. They were the first people who settled in this barrio. During the term of Felix De Leon, a school was built. This began the existence of Camandag Barrio school. The memorable leadership of Felix De Leon is still remembered by the people by the people of Camandag.
The barrio was formerly just a sitio of Buenavista. The only historical and memorable sitio of Camandag was “Talabukon”. The footprint is still visible and the big stone along the shore of Cawit and Agojo.
The important events/incident that took place in Camandag was during the World War II. Japanese troops passed by the seashore of Camandag and did not dare to go to the interior part of the barrio. The American evacuated at Looc and one of them stayed in Camandag. He was taken cared of by the people, through the Teniente del Barrio Casimero Sarzona. The teniente Sarzona pitied this American. He tried his best to hide the American from the enemy. When the Japanese troops established their headquarters in Looc in 1944 they were informed of the presence of the American in Camandag. All people were concentrated in the Home Economics and shop building of the Poblacion of Looc. All tenientes were called to the Japanese headquarters for investigation. They were told to tell the whereabouts of George Lear, the American hiding at Camandag. A native of Looc turned traitor. He informed the care of teniente Sarzona in Camandag. The Japanese officials became angry. They tortured Teniente Sarzona. First, his two hands were tied. Still the Teniente did not tell the truth. The soldiers became more angry and he was boloed to death. The atrocities of the Japanese were witnessed by the people of Looc. The family did not know of the death of Sarzona until after two days. After the hiding American not longer after, the American was found sleeping in a small hut but in the mountain by some residents of camandag.
