Pio V Corpus

HISTORY OF PIO V. CORPUS

The Municipality of PIo V. Corpus, Masbate formerly “Limbuhan”, owned its allegiance to the mother town of Cataingan. This was originally a barrio called “Limbuhan” that connotes from the word “limbo” a local term for “Ipo-ipo”, wayward movement of the wind in the docking part of the ox-bow river channel. It is a small village that is situated at the swampy area protected with vast foreshore forest mangroves in the South-Eastern part of Masbate. It is a silent community, haven of fisherman, seafarers and transient travelers that wait for safe sea travel. The seafarers had to wait for wayward wind to subside inside the river. The perfect timing of wind and current help that travel at great speed and at a lesser time. Merchants had to stay at “Limbuhan” for a quite some time before going to their destination to as far as Cebu and Tacloban.

During the Spanish regime, Pio V. Corpus was ruled by the Cabeza de barangay. The Cabeza collects taxes for the Spanish ruler. Their failure to collect would imperil their lives. A minor penal is imposed by baking them in the sun after their head had been shaved. No wonder the errant Cabeza de barangay will have his eyes bulging and his saliva dripping without let-up until the day is done. 

Pedro Kipte a local of Tanque formerly a barrio of Cataingan , now a part barangay of Pio V. Corpus, Masbate. Pulahanes derived from a Visayan term “pula” meaning “red” believed a color symbolized courage and bravery. The Pulahanes represented the Masbateños’ incipient political agitation againt the Spanish colonial government identified themselves with the Katipunan. Kipte built camps in the southern and northern Masbate, particularly in Cataingan, Uson, and Mobo. From Tanque, they moved north camped in Malobago in Northern Cataingan.

The people had to send their children to study at the island barangay Bugtong prior to the establishment of the Pio V. Corpus Primary School on 1921. Inhabitants compulsorily obliged to travel from Limbuhan to the island to attend “bayanihan” as public service.

The forebearers of the locality who had passed the test for leadership of the barangay as teniente del barrio: Tamon Duran, eon Villar, Brigido Losanto, Pedro Subito, Victor Duran, Juan Betonio, Sabas Compuesto, Igmidio Yanson Sr., Sirfroso Betonio and Daniel Señoron soon become the mayor.

On June 11, 1951, by virtue of Republic Act 641, the barrio of Limbuhan, Guindawahan, Palho, Casabangan, Salvacion,Tanke (Tanque), Bundukan (Bunducan), Bugtong and Cabangrayanwere separeted from the town of Cataingan and created the town called the Municipality of Limbuhan.

The first appointed mayor, vice mayor and vouncilor by the President Elpedio Quirino, took oath on December 22, 1951 and assumed office on January 1, 1952, namely;

Hon. Daniel  Señoron                  -   Municipal Mayor

Hon. Teofisto G. Betonio         - Vice Mayor

Hon. Buenaventura Samson            -           Councilor

Hon. Fidel Irenea                         -   Councilor

Hon. Felisa Delos Santos               -           Councilor

Hon. Glecerio Bucado                 -   Councilor

Hon. Hermogenes Ablaza                -           Councilor

They rented the house of a certain Cesar for their office on January 2, 1952 due to in conspicuous space, they rented the house now own by the by Seachon Family, in front of Simplicio Bohol who at the time used as a convent of Rev. Fr. Santiago Ceron from Sorsogon and the house of certain Cesar was used as police station. In order to have more space for the inhabitants, the Local Government Unit reclaimed the swampy area of the municipality through the Bayanihan spirit known as “Tagbu”. Later this was divided among those persons without lots.

Pursuant to the Republic Act No. 1116 promulgated on June 15, 1954, the name of Municipality of Limbuhan was changed to Municipality of Pio V. Corpus in honor of former Congressman and Governor Don Pio Vicente Corpus of Masbate who initiated public works project that had migrated from Nueva Ecija and served in the war during Japanese war sponsored Government and unfortunately assassinated by the Japanese Intelligence due to mistrust on February 7, 1944 in Manila

The Municipality of Pio V. Corpus Blessed with abundant supplies of agricultural products and by products particularly tobacco and mat waving. The municipality is known also in boat making not only the locality but around the region. The women hobbies when their husband go on fishing, they gathered leaf from locally name as “Romlon” for mats and bags weaving and unto this day we are still supplying mats and locally made bags unto different region of our country. Aside from this, there are three “tabacalera” in the municipality; two (2) in the poblacion and one (1) in Taque. At this place, they segregated the bought tobacco as far as Quezon Province and made into abano or grated tobacco made into cigarette wrap in “alcoy”