La Trinidad at a glimpse
(Valred Olsim Eternal Student Column for
SunstarBaguio June 13, 2017)
At
4 in the afternoon, we discovered from the heights the beautiful valley of
Benguet, the lovely sight of which surprised us all, so that even the soldiers gave
vent to their admiration by joyous shouts – Lt.Col.
Guillermo Galvey,1829
During the Spanish era, the valley of La
Trinidad was originally called “Valle de Benguet” from the local term “Benget,”
which means the stench emitted by the mud-covered swamp area. Its original settlers were Ibalois, who grew rice, kamoteng kahoy, sweet potatoes, gabi, and sugar cane on hillside gardens
and terraces along the mountain slopes. Power and wealth were measured by one’s
ownership of land and livestock. These were shared by holding the prestigious
feast called “Peshit”.
For centuries, the whole Gran Cordillera went
undiscovered, not until the Spaniards heard about the gold-rich Igorots trading
with the lowlanders. Earliest Spanish visits by Captain Garcia de Aldana and
Don Alonso M. Quirante were recorded as early as the 1620s.
Although the District of Benguet was established in
La Trinidad by 1846, it was only in April 21, 1874, under Commandant Manuel
Scheidnagel, that “Valle de Benguet” was renamed “Valle de La Trinidad” (La
Trinidad Valley). Despite popular acceptance that it was named as “a fitting
tribute to Galvey’s wife - Doña Trinidad de Galvey” – recent research has revealed
that credit should have probably gone to Scheidnagel, having been inspired by
the three prominent adjacent hills (in effect, forming a Trinity: a religious
icon of the Christian campaign) overlooking the Poblacion church, where the
seat of government, the Cabecera, was established.
After the Revolutionary period in 1900, La Trinidad
grew vegetables via the Trinidad Farm School (now Benguet State University). Along
with socio-economic changes, the concepts of freedom of religion, titling of lands,
formal education and the democratic election of leaders were introduced. Paid labor
and money became an important feature in the economic lives of the people. Such
time of plenty is fondly recalled by old folks as that “time of blissful peace.”
In contrast, the Japanese occupation and World War
II were turbulent times. Residents were imprisoned without formal charges and
pitilessly tortured. This prompted able-bodied men to join the guerrilla
movement, while their families fled for safety to the mountains.
After liberation, on June 16, 1950, La Trinidad became a
regular municipality by virtue of RA No. 531.
To get back on its feet, La Trinidad went on a massive production of
vegetables. For this, the municipality soon came to be widely-known as the
Salad Bowl of the Philippines. And with the establishment of the La Trinidad
Vegetable Trading Post, the valley solidified its status as Benguet’s marketing
hub of highland vegetables.
Owing to the need to diversify and with the introduction of new
varieties, strawberries soon became the town’s main product by 1980s. Growing
acclaim for these red and luscious strawberries earned La Trinidad for itself
the title “Strawberry Capital of the Philippines.”
Farmers likewise ventured into cutflower production, and by the 1990s,
many barangays in La Trinidad were soon growing chrysanthemums, roses and a
variety of flowers. Barangay Bahong, a major flower farming community, was
named “The Rose Capital of the Philippines”.
By the turn of the century, migration and
urbanization paved their way in, bringing with them a colourful tapestry of peoples
not only from the nearby Cordillera and Ilocandia regions, but from all islands
of the archipelago.
***
La Trinidad will be
celebrating its 67th foundation day this Friday (June 16, 2017) at the
Municipal Gym. There are many things we hope and pray for La Trinidad, our
home; we passionately hope and pray for the cooperation of the community in
many programs of the town, as well as dedication and wisdom for our officials
to work for the common good of the community. We hope that we will all love and
take care of our home, La Trinidad, for the very simple reason that…it is our
home.
