Cuartero

Early history

According to community oral traditions, the area now known as Cuartero was once called Binudhian, later Mapanag after a nearby creek (11°20'16.79"N 122°39'45.00"E). Early inhabitants were mainly Aetas who practiced subsistence farming and hunting.

Spanish colonial era

During this period, a place called Mapanag was originally in the map where the current town is located. The word Mapanag (on map) or Mapanan (in text) ^[3] was mentioned in 1876 colonial gazetteer by the Spanish authorities where it was also described as a place prone to severe storms and once as a location for sugar mills.

The then town that was founded by Don Anacleto Habana^[4] was organized as a parish on November 30, 1872 under the parochial church of Dumarao and named Cuartero in honor of Bishop Mariano Cuartero, the first bishop of Jaro, Iloilo. A stone church and convent were erected under Spanish supervision, marking the start of formal administration and evangelization. In succeeding publications such as the 1899 Atlas de Filipinas, Mapanag was replaced by or referred as Cuartero.^[5]

American colonial era

By the early 1900s, under American rule, schools and civil institutions were introduced. In 1903, Cuartero became an arrabal of Dao under Act No. 720 ^[6], where all personal and real estate taxes were paid. After many decades of effort to gain independence, leaders Manuel Funa and Pascual de la Torre traveled to Manila with complete documents for separation. Their work led President Manuel L. Quezon to approve Executive Order No. 159 on August 23, 1938, which established Cuartero as an independent municipality. ^[7]

Cuartero was officially inaugurated as an independent municipality on January 1, 1939 with Manuel Funa as its first mayor. The agricultural sector centered on rice, corn, and sugarcane, which became its economic base.

Japanese occupation

World War II brought occupation and hardship, but local resistance groups helped secure liberation in 1945. In the post-war decades, Cuartero rebuilt rapidly, expanding education, health, and infrastructure.

Martial law under Ferdinand Marcos

During this period, the municipality is one of the few towns in the province where resistance to the regime have been documented. The Federation of Ilonggo Students known as FIST, a group known for organizing, “teach-ins” or discussions and demonstrations that drew thousands of students has a chapter in the municipality. ^[8] Addtionally, Elma Villaron, known as Dalama, a champion for the rights of her community, the Sulod-Bukidnon of Panay found herself in the municipality where she helped organize peasant communities along with the neighboring town of Maayon. ^[9]

Present

Today, Cuartero remains a third-class agricultural municipality covering 106.58 km² and home to nearly 28 thousand residents.^[10]

Barangays

Cuartero is politically subdivided into 22 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks, and some have sitios.

Climate

Events

The Agdahanay Festival is the official town festival of Cuartero, celebrated annually during the second week of June, culminating on June 13 in honor of the town’s patron saint, St. Anthony of Padua (San Antonio de Padua).

The term Agdahanay is derived from the Hiligaynon word meaning inviting and accommodating others, reflecting the Cuarteronhons’ tradition of hospitality and unity. The festival includes street dancing, trade fairs, sports events, and other community activities.^[14]

Cuartero celebrates its Foundation Day every August 23, marking its establishment as a municipality by Manuel L. Quezon through Executive Order No. 159 in 1938. The day commemorates separation of the then barrios of Cuartero, Agdajon, Angub, Bito-on, Bun-od, Carataya, Maindang, Malagab-i, Nagba, San Antonio, and Sinabsaban from Dao to form an independent municipality under the name of Cuartero.^[15] The celebration features civic parades, sports and cultural programs, and recognition ceremonies for residents who contributed to the town’s progress.

The founding anniversary is marked by civic parades, sports and cultural programs, and recognition ceremonies honoring outstanding residents. Recent celebrations have been accompanied by Hinugyaw sa Cuartero, a festival showcasing local achievements, industries, and traditions. The event commemorates the founding leaders of the municipality, beginning with its first municipal mayor, Manuel Funa, and highlights the town’s continued development since its establishment.^[16] Together, the Agdahanay Festival and Foundation Day form the municipality pillars of cultural calendar - one emphasizing faith and hospitality, the other civic pride and history.

Cuisine

There are several restaurants serving dishes that are popular to locals and tourist alike. Pednor Kandingan and Manokan is a Filipino restaurant known for native fried chicken and goat kaldereta. It is often recognized for authentic Capiz cuisine. ^[17]

Torre ni Bobby

This 12-story landmark located in the town proper was built in 1950. The structure is renowned for its eccentric, rustic design and for surviving major typhoons is the testament to the durability of its construction materials.^[18]

Capiz Ecology Park and Cultural Village

A 14-hectare eco-tourism destination located in Brgy. Nagba which focuses on Aeta culture, heritage preservation, and traditional Filipino living. "Balay-balay" is an award-winning program, offers interactive tours featuring traditional weaving, indigenous cooking, and cultural performances.^[19] The park has been featured in a local travel documentary such as Biyahe ni Drew.^[20]

List of Municipal Mayors

Public Elementary Education

Iloilo-Capiz Road

The Iloilo-Capiz Road is 122.779-kilometer (76.291 mi) highway that connects the municipality to the provincial capital Roxas City and Iloilo province.

Iloilo-Capiz-Aklan Expressway (ICAEX)

The 210-kilometer (130 mi) expressway also known as Panay Expressway connects the municipality to the provinces of Iloilo and Aklan.

Maayon Bypass Road

This is a 1.22-kilometer road project that has been completed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to reduce travel time and improve connectivity between the municipality and the 1st district of Capiz. This infrastructure decongests major traffic areas, enhancing travel between barangays and neighboring towns.

Panay Railways

The municipality is also one of the towns with a station (Brgy. Angub) from the original route of Panay line of the Panay Railways.

Antonio Habana y Villagracia

He was born on March 6, 1864, in what was known as the town of Cuartero, founded by his father, Don Anacleto Habana, and that was merged with Dao during that period. He studied at the Ateneo de Manila, run by the Jesuit Fathers. On April 6, 1901, he was elected presidente municipal of Cápiz (now Roxas City), the first to hold this position following the establishment of civil rule during the current American occupation. He was twice elected councilman in the same municipality, and later, on February 5, 1906, he was elected provincial governor, being re-elected on November 5, 1907. Upon the creation of the provincial appraiser's office, he was the first to hold this position, from August 16, 1913, until September 30, 1918, when he resigned after being nominated as the official candidate of the Nacionalista Party for representative of the first district of the province of Cápiz. He was elected to the 5th Philippine Legislature where he obtained 3,633 votes against 2,551 for his opponent, José M. Hontiveros, a Democrat and former provincial governor.^[28]