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 where no natural drain existed. In search for gold, Spanish explorers led by Don M. Quirante discovered the valley in 1624. Its name La Trinidad is the namesake of her discoverer, Don Q.M. Quirante’s beloved and beautiful wife.
Relatively the most developed settlement in the Benguet area, La Trinidad served as the gateway from the southern lowlands into the mountain region and the center of administration to the Spaniards. The principal vegetable produced by the people then consisted of kamoteng kahoy, camote, gabi, beans and tomatoes. Rice was grown only to make “tapey” or rice wine which was used for ceremonial purposes in the cañao. The Spaniards brought in corn, coffee and good tobacco. Much of its people’s cultural activities were curtailed during this time even as their efforts to convert the Igorots to Christianity were futile. The general picture during the Spanish rule was of forced labor, beatings, cruelties and exorbitant taxation.
1624:Don M. Quirante, a Spanish explorer found a large and prosperous community thriving around a lake inhabited by Ibalois. La Trinidad Valley was originally called “Benguet” next
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 where no natural drain existed. In search for gold, Spanish explorers led by Don M. Quirante discovered the valley in 1624. Its name La Trinidad is the namesake of her discoverer, Don Q.M. Quirante’s beloved and beautiful wife.
Relatively the most developed settlement in the Benguet area, La Trinidad served as the gateway from the southern lowlands into the mountain region and the center of administration to the Spaniards. The principal vegetable produced by the people then consisted of kamoteng kahoy, camote, gabi, beans and tomatoes. Rice was grown only to make “tapey” or rice wine which was used for ceremonial purposes in the cañao. The Spaniards brought in corn, coffee and good tobacco. Much of its people’s cultural activities were curtailed during this time even as their efforts to convert the Igorots to Christianity were futile. The general picture during the Spanish rule was of forced labor, beatings, cruelties and exorbitant taxation.
1624:Don M. Quirante, a Spanish explorer found a large and prosperous community thriving around a lake inhabited by Ibalois. La Trinidad Valley was originally called “Benguet” next
La Trinidad Barangays
