The History of Towns in Region VIII, Philippines
These histories were taken from the book Leyte Towns, Histories/Legends by Francisco S. Tantuico Jr of Tacloban City. Click on a town and view the history below the menu.
Tolosa
In the eastern part of Leyte, nestled at the foot of the Inapusong Mountain lies the quaint and picturesque town of Tolosa. It is bounded on the east by the Leyte Gulf, by the rich plains of San Vicente on the west and by the Laberanan Mountain on the south. Mount Inapusong is considered a historical landmark of the province because of the role it played during the time when Leyte had to fight the moro pirates.
The place, according to legend, was dominated by three warring chieftains. Daginot, foremost among them, provoked the ire of the other two when he hurled a huge rock that fell into the area of Tostosanay. The heavy rock sank deeply that it formed a river flooding the place now known as the Lad-an river. Tostosanay returned a similar blow that formed the Pamalbagan River. Tearing another rock from the mountain, Daginot threw it this time into Bankaw's territory. Bankaw was furious so he retaliated by hurling his spear into Daginot's sector thus forming what is now Kabuyuan River, making it the third one. Seeing the destruction wrought by their senseless fighting, the three warriors decided to call a truce. Sensing that providence must have willed them to work together in harmony and peace, they agreed to stop their wars and defend themselves together from the moro pirates. They called the place "Tolosa" symbolizing the three tribes united, "an tolo nag usa." A watch tower was built atop Mt. Inapusong and from there, the people were warned of the impending approach of these pirates.
The early settlers were inhabitants of Burauen. In those days, Tolosa was still a part of Tanauan. Through the ceaseless efforts of Magdaleno Vivero and Domingo Camacho, Tolosa was granted autonomy from Tanauan.
The climate of Tolosa is fresh and invigorating for it faces the beautiful Pacific Ocean.
The municipality is ideally located with the famous Pan-Philippine highway passing through the midsection of its commercial and residential district. Tourists pass through the place on their way to the Dorelco Plant at San Roque and the Nutripak Plant in Tanghas. The municipality is also criss-crossed by all weather roads extending to all 12 barangays making it easy for farmers to transport their products.
The majority of the populace are Roman Catholics and this explains the presence of a modern and beautiful church remodeled with the help of the First Lady and Metro Manila Governor Imelda Romualdez Marcos, beloved daughter of Tolosa. Adjacent to the church is the newly-finished Parish Convent also built with the help of the First Lady.
The municipality's patron saint is St. Michael the Archangel. Under his protection, Tolosa is proud of its sons and daughters who have succeeded in their endeavors. Natives of Tolosa have gone to places both far and near but during the fiesta celebration, they usually come back to their home town to pay homage and thanksgiving to their revered patron saint so that the evening after the feast day is a special night in honor of all "balik-bayans," it being their night of homecoming.
|
