PROFILE OF BARANGAY AYAHAG
Kahayag ug kalinaw sa tubod sa tubig sa sapa ug suba is the origin of the name AYAHAG. It was established on October 25, 1938 through Cabalian Municipal Resolution Number 1, under which it was formerly included. The boundaries of the barangay are as follows: North – Brgy. Sug-angon; East – Barangay Tambis 2; South – Brgy. Nueva Esperanza; and West – Municipality of Libagon. The Lawigan River separates it from Tambis 2.
This barangay was established through the unity of the residents, namely: Victorio Ramos, Cayetano Ramos, Baldo Mesa, Tikoy Betidos, Andes Alindao, Miano Navos, Macario Lamanilao Sr., Sabas Tabuna, Poy Nesio Bentulan, Duman, Cusap, Emit Margas, Anacleto Coquilla, Genia Ybanez, Tiyok Paas, Sipa Martin Bentulan, Olimpio Lufranco, Fausto Navos, Feral Cabug-os, Pascual Coquilla, and Totong Limbo. These individuals also worked together to establish the Primary School in 1937. The school was built using simple materials such as nipa, sulirap, and bamboo, led by the first teachers Cresencia Navos, Maria Avendula, and Venerando Almedilla. The first person to finish schooling in the barangay was Julian Buctot, who later became a teacher since completing seven years of education was already sufficient to teach at that time.
The former date of the patron fiesta of Ayahag (Senior Isidro Labrador) was May 15–16, but it was later changed to May 17–18 due to a similar celebration in a neighboring barrio. This change happened during the time of the white priests; the Aglipay Catholic fiesta was led by Aglipay Socrates Rodrigo, while the Roman Catholic fiesta was led by Padre Kelly and Padre Moilan. The first church was built only from sulirap, wood, and bamboo materials. The first Hermana was Opra Galanida and the first Centro President was Sofronio Navos. The first queen of the barangay was Sofia Coquilla, followed by Nenita Betidos. Recreational activities included rehearsals and drama performances accompanied by a comparsa. Courtship traditions involved serenading (harana), and a man intending to marry was expected to help with household work at the home of his future bride.
In the past, sick individuals sought treatment only from traditional healers (albularyo), and childbirth was assisted by local midwives such as Poy Baldomero Mesa, Poy Miano Navos, Poy Engracia Navos, Poy Henia Ybanez, Poy Calixtra Paas, and Simplecio Rosales. Circumcision was performed using a sharp blade and treated with guava leaves, and the circumciser was paid with one whole chicken.
The main livelihood of the barangay was farming, such as rice fields and coconut cultivation, as well as raising carabaos, chickens, and pigs. Rice harvesting was done through voluntary cooperation among people from different barangays. Rice grains were pounded manually since there were no rice mills yet.
The early leaders of the Barangay were called “kabisa,” followed by “tenyente del baryo.” The selection of a tenyente was done through a show of hands. The tenyente del baryo were:
- Gorgonio Navos
- Anacleto Coquilla
- Merto Margas
- Diosdado Betidos
- Pelagio Margas
- Federico Coquilla, Sr.
Later, the title of the leader changed to “Kapitan”, referring to the Punong Barangay. namely:
- Pelagio Margas
- Federico Coquilla
- Arcadio Coquilla
- Mauricio Simbajon
- Eufracio Nilo
- Pedro Galanida
- Crisanto B. Coquilla – 1997–2010
- Berlito T. Coquilla – 2011–present
On August 5, 1950, a strong typhoon named Amie caused severe damage to crops and livestock, which led many residents to migrate to Mindanao due to the extent of the losses. On February 17, 2006, during the Guinsaugon Landslide, the entire population of the barangay was evacuated to the Central School in the town. On September 28, 2008, residents were transferred from the evacuation center to a permanent relocation site located in Brgy. Malibago. Many changes have occurred since then in terms of natural resources, facilities, and even among the residents of Barangay Ayahag.
Population : 983 (Source): 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System, Philippine Statistics Authority