Philippines
1 Pre-Spanish Era
2 The natives of La Trinidad were generally Ibaloys who trace their ancestry to the Kalanguya Tribe (forest people) of Tinek, Ifugao who, due to the need to survive in a less hostile environment in different waves and paths of migration, followed mountain ranges or the course of rivers and then finding a suitable environment, usually along the river or an open clearing, settled in Kabayan, Itogon, Tuba, Atok, Kafagway (Baguio) and La Trinidad. Finding earlier settlers in those areas, these travelers then mingled with the farmers and, through intermarriage, settled among them. La Trinidad was well-cultivated with rice, sweet potato, gabi and sugar cane by the original settlers. They maintained swidden farms along the hillsides, carved rice terraces along the mountain slopes, along rivers, creeks and streams and rice fields in the marshy valley. The villagers’ pasturelands or estancia were located in the hillsides where herds of cattle and horses grazed. In their backyards, the natives domesticated animals such as pigs, chicken and dogs.
3 Spanish Period
The name “Benguet” was once limited to the area of what is now the La Trinidad Valley. Benguet is a native term which refers to a lake where water does not drain, referring to the former swamp area in the valley where no natural drainage existed.
4 Revolutionary Period (1989-1990)
The Philippine insurrection of 1896 against the Spaniards reached Benguet by middle of 1899. The Katipunan came to Benguet, united the Ibaloys and established the Benguet Province under the Government of the Republic of the Philippines.
5 American Period (1900-1941)
The Americans granted freedom of religion to the indigenous Ibaloy people of La Trinidad that enabled them to enjoy their old customs and traditions without inhibitions. They likewise introduced education, private property, iron tools and vegetables. Political organizations among the residents began to be organized. Labor began to be
2 The natives of La Trinidad were generally Ibaloys who trace their ancestry to the Kalanguya Tribe (forest people) of Tinek, Ifugao who, due to the need to survive in a less hostile environment in different waves and paths of migration, followed mountain ranges or the course of rivers and then finding a suitable environment, usually along the river or an open clearing, settled in Kabayan, Itogon, Tuba, Atok, Kafagway (Baguio) and La Trinidad. Finding earlier settlers in those areas, these travelers then mingled with the farmers and, through intermarriage, settled among them. La Trinidad was well-cultivated with rice, sweet potato, gabi and sugar cane by the original settlers. They maintained swidden farms along the hillsides, carved rice terraces along the mountain slopes, along rivers, creeks and streams and rice fields in the marshy valley. The villagers’ pasturelands or estancia were located in the hillsides where herds of cattle and horses grazed. In their backyards, the natives domesticated animals such as pigs, chicken and dogs.
3 Spanish Period
The name “Benguet” was once limited to the area of what is now the La Trinidad Valley. Benguet is a native term which refers to a lake where water does not drain, referring to the former swamp area in the valley where no natural drainage existed.
4 Revolutionary Period (1989-1990)
The Philippine insurrection of 1896 against the Spaniards reached Benguet by middle of 1899. The Katipunan came to Benguet, united the Ibaloys and established the Benguet Province under the Government of the Republic of the Philippines.
5 American Period (1900-1941)
The Americans granted freedom of religion to the indigenous Ibaloy people of La Trinidad that enabled them to enjoy their old customs and traditions without inhibitions. They likewise introduced education, private property, iron tools and vegetables. Political organizations among the residents began to be organized. Labor began to be