Brgy. Linao

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Two kabaws (Philippine buffalo) wallowing in this clear river in Brgy. Linao. A common sight at the deep portion of the river downstream.

Barangay Linao got its name from the pristine water flowing along the course of Inopacan River. The freshwater would somehow settle for a while on a low-lying plain before it proceeds to flow downstream toward the sea in Inopacan Bay. The pond of water formed by the settling water is called “linaw” in the local dialect, which is basically Bul-anon (Boholano). Thus, it became the name of the place where this pond can be found and became Brgy. Linao.

Villagers in the barangay and neighboring places would gather here for a swimming picnic, especially when celebrating special occasions in the family and other social gatherings such as birthday celebrations, baptismal celebrations, graduation parties, despedida (farewell party), bienvenido (welcome party), and during liwas sa pista (day after the barangay fiesta) for the “hugas”, which literally means “to wash” that connotes the traditional swimming in the river where remaining food in the fiesta were brought and eaten till the last piece is consumed.
 

The creek in Sitio Bacung-bacung is actually part of the smaller river in town also known by its name as the Subang Gamay (a rivulet). This portion is the upstream of Subang Gamay that separates Brgy. Linao from the town proper of Inopacan. A potpot (pedal-powered tribike) crosses the concrete bridge (used to be a bridge made of wooden planks) that connects Brgy. Linao to Poblacion (town proper)



Another common sight in the Inopacan River is groups of early morning bathers (locals and vacationers) and people washing their laundry, like what these folks are doing in Sitio Bacung-bacung, Brgy. Linao.   

Locals would also fetch their drinking water from the tubod (spring) that has been dug alongside the river, like the boy here fetching two gallons of potable water and the men with big plastic water containers (jerry cans) for use in their houses.

Bathers, kabaws, and motorcycles (sometimes pedicabs, cars, or jeepneys) are sharing the river

On ordinary days, local villagers would hunt here some fish, shrimps, and tu (a species of small-sized river crabs) and baki sa tubigan (freshwater frogs) for their food, while some farmers would bring their kabaw (Philippine buffalo) for a dip when days were hot to keep them cool. Until now, some kabaws are still seen wallowing in the river to these days. We could also find cars, tricycles, and motorcycles coming by for a wash at the downstream portion of the river near the Brgy. Linao bridge.

Because of Spanish influence, the spelling of “Linao” was used in some literary records and official documents in town and is still used now. Yet both “linaw” and “linao” have a similar diphthong sound in the second syllable.

  

The upstream portion of the Inopacan River in Brgy. Linao that curves at the foot of a crag.

After the many floods in the river and avulsion of riverbanks over many decades, the “linaw” eventually disappeared, and what is left now is a flowing river of cool, clear water that curves at the foot of a rocky wall or crag. Though the water is no longer staying still as it used to be, the local folks and their guests would still come to have a swimming picnic in this portion of the Inopacan River.

A habal-habal motorcycle is negotiating the Brgy. Linao Bridge to cross over the Inopacan River.

Brgy. Linao is basically agricultural, where some villagers are tending to their coconut farm while a few are cultivating their rice fields. Other agricultural products in the barangay would include bananas (plantain), bamboos, and some seasonal fruit-bearing trees.

The place had long been accessible through one of the major rural roads in town. Jeepneys, pedicabs (motorized tricycles), potpot (pedal-powered tribike), and habah-habal (a single motorcycle that offers a ride to passengers) are plying along this road. Considering that Brgy. Linao is just less than a kilometer away, one can simply walk his way to get there from the Poblacion (town proper).

These are the common modes of transportation plying the rural road that passes by the Brgy. Linao bridge. A jeepney (above), habal-habal (middle), and pedicab (below).

Do you know Indong Bangka?

Fishing boats idling at the mouth (delta) of the Inopacan River in

the Reclamation Area (Pasil), Inopacan, Leyte.

This is the site of a legendary story about Indong Bangka.

All photos by Edgie Polistico - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Inopacan has many legendary stories to tell. Aside from Inong Pak-an, let me also reintroduce to you the extraordinary power of "Indong Bangka," known as the Samson of Inopacan. He was known to have extraordinary strength, so people resorted to his help when there is a need to lift a huge boulder, timber, machine, etc. He became well known in our town long before World War II broke out. He became famous after one day, all the people in town kept on wondering who caused the bangka (big passenger boat) that ran aground for several days to have it floating back to sea in the middle of the night. The mysterious incident occurred at the mouth of the Inopacan River, or that portion between Pasil (now reclamation area) and Badoy Beach. By word of mouth, the news spread like wildfire about a big boat that was carried single-handedly by Indong himself in the middle of the night. Because a big boat is called "bangka" in our town, it was then that people started calling Indong "Indong Bangka."

There were some narration from our old folks that Indong also helped carry or lift huge timber (troso) in some house construction, and he did it also at night. It's uncertain if the darkness of the night had something to do with his extraordinary strength or simply he was just too shy to show it off.

If you know some stories about Indong Bangka or some details as to who the owner of the boat was, what the name of the boat was, where Indong used to live, his family, his epic in life, etc. & etc., please share it here so the people around the world would know and become interested in Inopacan and us Inopacnons.

This would also help preserve the unwritten stories and history in our town. Somehow, this literary compilation of Inopacan's past would be our valuable legacy to our children and future generations.

Felix Perandos sent me the following:

Felix Perandos

Edgie, you might not so familiar with me but i know your father well. Back home, im more known to as "Elfix" rather than Felix. Youngest son of Crispen Compendio Perandos & Queteria Payot Beltran from Pasil, Sto Rosario. I used to be the school artist (taga-himo mga charts & evrything sa I.I. before, hence i was exempted in Experiments, hehehe) I'm fond of drawings & commercial arts, T-shirt printing, cards, etc. I'm currently working as AutoCAD optr and as a Sales Engr.

I loved hearing stories like this ever since i was a kid. Mostly, we hear them during early nights near the seashore while we're waiting for the fishermen.

Well, i've heard some stories about Indong Bangka before from my neighbor fisher-folks in Pasil area. Some says that the reason why Indong" did his feats mostly at night because he has some secrets. They suspected that he uses improvised levers, pulleys, rollers & the likes in moving grounded bancas, timbers other heavy objects just like how the Ancient Egyptians build their great Pyramids. It was not confirmed though before because they never actually saw him or had any evidences to challenge Indong's reputation & strength. So the legend still stands through the times.

It was told that Indong has a relative or let's say, a "descendant" in the name of Hermogenes Dominisi or "Noy Mohing" in vernacular. He used to live near the Place of Justin Espinosa (Beside the Industrial Arts Bldg of Inopacan Central School, going to the Slaughterhouse (Abattoir) of Inopacan. I personally knew the man & he's very strong too. He can almost single-handedly carry the whole (fishing net) locally known as "Baling" at one end against 3 or 4 men at the other end of the carriage.His wife, Nang Persing used to sell "native nilugaw" (landang) very bulky body & walks just like the incredible Hulk in the movie.

There was allegedly another, relative of Indong in the name of "Tiago" but unfortunately, i never really have much story to tell about him except that he used to lived near Pasil Area near the mouth of Inopacan River... Thanks!

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