A well productive and peaceful community with a tourist-friendly, safe and clean environment powered by a locally competitive citizenly and inspired by transparent firm and leadership.

Shall robustly work for unanimity and solidarity among the barangay residents in the attainment of peace, harmony and progress, where the infrastructure facilities and enhance; clean environment is boosted and people’s organization strengthened; stronger coordination and linkages with different government agencies and the private sector is fostered.

• Improve peace and order rallying to a zero incident rate by strengthening visibility and trainings of barangay police.

• Upgrade infrastructure facilities to a more serviceable component

• Improve barangay ordinance with emphasis on transparent leadership

• Boost environmental management thru education, training and effectual implementation of solid waste management plan

• Design and promote projects and programs that would craft participation and cooperation of people’s organization

• Improve communal balance thru social, political, cultural and spiritual programs

WHY IS IT CALLED BARANGAY BAÑO?

By : Salustiano “Zam” Zamora

During the Spanish regime, the Guardia Civil (Spanish and Filipno Soldiers) occupies the community as their camp, and the big Headquarters building, which served as the Soldiers quarters, once Stood where the Albay Polyclinic is now. After patrols and Military Operations, the Soldiers took their R & R activities (Rest & Recreation) at the Camp located in the peaceful community, They did body cleaning or bathing in the beautiful Sagumayon River in the said community. From then on the Guardia Civil baptized the community as Barrio Baño (Baño is a Spanish word for bathing room). The coming of American Regime did not change the meaningful word of this community. This historical name of a Barrio was carried on up the time when the Philippines were totally granted independence by the American. The foregoing events since it’s beginning are remarkable and everlasting memories of this Barrio Baño. The Sagumayon River where the Guardia Civil enjoyed bathing in became the big long swimming pool of the old and young generations of that time. Barrio Baño became most famous in the municipality of Old Albay and in neighboring provinces.

In 1935, Barrio Baño became a carnival site. The famous Sagumayon River, because of its beauty became comparable to the river of Venice where the gondola sails to and fro with the visitors and tourist happily enjoying their ride. A big dancing hall stood in the center of the community. They name Albay Country Club boasted of a big space for dancing and convention hall that served as an added attraction to the people of the Bicol Region and other neighboring regions. With all these attractions and facilities, our Barrio Baño became one of the more famous tourist spots in the Bicol Region. With regard to sports, there is no doubt the most of the Senior Citizens of this community have Accounts that Barrio Baño has produced Olympic athletes as Salvador and David Armaro (Juvelin), and even Miguel White, the Berlin Olympic Bronze medalist in 400 meters hurdles has earned for himself not only respect and admiration from Olympic sports, but also brought honors, prestige, and glory to his native Barrio Baño and Country. In basketball, Baño could proudly say that during the years before and after the second World War, we had the best team in Bicol. Most of the Basketball players were from Baño. Ever heard of the FADS? This team made a name for themselves and the Bicol region. People may age will always recall that this community, Baño is a name that brought crowns in athletic before and after the Second World War In boxing, the Baño Bagumbayan kids, Julian Andes, Kid Lazaro, and others made a name in the Orient that brought laurels and trophies.

In politics, the people of Barangay Baño sincerely acknowledge the late Hon. Ramon R. Serrano, one of the best presents (Local Mayor) of Old Albay. His outstanding performance as Mayor of the Municipality of Legazpi City will never be forgotten. Until now, there is a beautiful Street in the heart of the community named in His honor. Nobody in the political History of the town of Legazpi has inherited His political principles nor has any one excelled Him (yet). He made the town economically progressive though He died a very poor man.

Likewise, another Presidente (Local Mayor) Crispin De La Torre, sr. a natural born citizen of Barrio Baño, could still be remembered for His caliber as a leader. He practiced law as a Produrador or notary Public in the Province of Albay. Prior to His appointment as Judge of the Justice of the peace in the Municipality of Daraga, He became the Presidente of Old Albay.

There were to other politicians from Barrio Baño that made names in political history. They were Mariano Locsin and Saturnino Benito. Locsin was a former Governor of the Province of Albay. While attending to the evacuees during the eruption of Mayon Volcano in 1928, He went to the remostes Barrio at the foot of the volcano extending assistance and distributing medicines and food. During this period, He was stricken with illness that cost Him the lost of His voice forever.

Saturnino Benito, the reigning Governor of the Province of Albay when the Second World War broke out, never collaborated with the Japanese Imperial Army during his term. He resigned his position and just returned to private business managing his electric plant (LEALDA). After the liberation of Legazpi (and the Philippines) by the Americans in 1945, he again assumed the Governorship of the Province of Albay. His performances of his duties as a public servant were excellent and the word corruption was never in his vocabulary.

Irene Cortez, a resident of Barrio Baño made a name in the field of justice. A consistent honor student, she took her elementary and secondary education in public schools. Irene pursued her higher education at the University of the Philippines as a government scholar. After finishing her Bachelor of Laws (LLB), she was taken in by the University to teach. She later on was known as one of the best professors of UP and subsequently appointed Dean of the College of law. In 1984, she was appointed as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court until her retirement. She is now a law practitioner in Manila and the Bicol region.

The people of Barrio Baño will never forget that this community during the Spanish and American regimes was the center of cultures and traditions. Religious activities were most celebrated those days with rituals and festivities. We could still recall that the celebration of the Santacruzan in the month of May was a nine glorious night of solemn Adoration and prayers for the Holy Cross. The neighboring barrios participated during the nine nights of prayers and processions in the District of Albay.

A valued tradition for most of us is to visit our hometown during the Holy Week, a religious practice of the Roman Catholics. For a lot of people, this is also a time for reunion with relatives now residing in far places. They take advantage of the long vacation to celebrate the Holy Week in their hometown where the celebration is still being done in the traditional way. In Barangay Baño, a procession of man-size images of Jesus Christ and others to depict the Lord’s sufferings and sacrifices. He did for us is held every Good Friday. This practice is being done to remind the people of the said sufferings and help strengthen their faith in God. During this time, the residents of Barangay 7-Baño join hands to clean the streets, whitewash the parks and sidewalks. Them they light up th esztreets with multicolored plastic lanterns, a very worth while projects of Tatang Engo Pasano. This becomes the unique attractions during the Holy Week in Baño for both local and foreign tourist. If you visit Baño during the Holy Week, you will enjoy seeing the life-size images of Jesus Christ and His Saints. Barangay Baño has plenty of them.

Before, the good serenades were found in this community. A group of singers would serenade you at Midnight with beautiful renditions of melodious songs that touch everybody’s heart. This lovable and wonderful activity was a memorable pastime among teenagers of the past and has disappeared in the noisy, troubled generation of the present. Songs during that time brought messages from the heart that kept the teenagers peaceful and disciplined. They grew up to wonderful young men and women.

In literature and journalism, I can vividly recall the outstanding Performance and dedication of Prospero “MAR” de la Torre and Bernardo Alessandro Aquende. Mar as we called him has made a nameFor Barangay Bano in short writing He has received so many acclamations and awards form the Philippine Free Press magazine for his contributions of beautiful and thrilling short stories. Alessandro is, up to now, still a newspaperman. He wrote before for the Manila Time and Manila Chronicle. Casmiro Meneses is the artist sculptor of our community who has taught his skills to other Filipinos. Classic examples of his works are the cemented sculptures of the images of St. peter and St. Paul which can now be seen in the facade of the St. Gregory the Great Cathedral . Likewise, his priceless works in sculpture can also be found in many churches in the Bicol Region and neighboring provinces.

Nora Aunor and Vilama Santos are only two of the most celebrated actresses, dancers and singers of our present generation. Barrio Bano, however, had its share of comparable talents in vaudeville (if I may say so) during those times. To mention a few, there was Virginia Ayque, Purita Arboleda. Nena Aytona, Fausta Aragon and others. Barrio Bano was spectacularly active and famous in entertainment that the neighboring Barrios and towns called this community HOLLYWOOD. Most of the prominent members of this community during that time were either singers Actors or actresses of Zarrzuelas or stage plays and dramas.

In Barrio Bano, even during or after calamities in the past. The supply of food was abundant and has never been a problem to the residents. Everyone need’ not worry about rice, vegetables and meats and other basic necessities because the residents were not only industrious, resourceful, and business minded, but Barrio Bano itself was the commercial center in Old Albay. People during the American Government answered the economic needs of the community. Our Independence made the people of Barrio Bano stand on their own feet. They also become industrious and thought of ways to put up a good Challenge to improve the economy. They were also always aware of the Rapid growth of the population. They united themselves and patronized their own products. We can still remember that the first government agency that strongly promoted local industry was the NEPA. This was the start of our nation’s struggle for economic progress, progress that is still far from our grasp until now.

These events and facts about Barangay 7 – Bano becomes the living past of the true blooded people of this progressive community. Finally, a Barangay Hall, a simple one storey, beautiful building has been constructed and finished. It houses the offices of the Puno ng Barangay Rene C. Pasano and othere Barangay Officials and also serves as the Session Hall of the Sanggunian members. The office of the Punong Barangay, Rene C. Pasano and other Barangay Officials and also serves as the Session Hall of the Sanggunian members. The office of the Puno Ng Barangay is big enough to accommodate other staff. The Office is complete with narra furnitures and monoblock chairs to make it impressive and presentable. The Barangay Hall was constructed in order for the Barangay Officials to have a better and permanent place to serve the people of the Community.

Futhermore, this Barangay Hall was built because changes in Barangay Baño seem to indicate that a small step towards peace and order are better alternatives to violence and weakness’. Sharing is a good start but it all boils down to love. If there is enough love and acceptance among the people then I guess we all can live in harmony. The future will be bright because everyone will be joining hands to achieve this goal.

As a result of the cooperation being given by its residents, Barangay Baño won the Grand Prize in the greenest Barangay in Old Albay District in a contest sponsored by the Legazpi City Government. The award was given on September 03, 1994.

Likewise, on December 3, 1994, Iris L. Cordia of Barangay 7-baño and representing Divine Word College, won the championship in the Plan A meal contest sponsored by magi products, Inc. The cooking contest was conducted at la Trindad on a regional level with abnout fifty representatives from the six provinces in region V competing Angel Araneta also of Barangay Baño and representing Bico9l University, was among the six (6) finalists in the same contest. We are very proud of noth Ms. Cordia and Ms. Araneta for their achievement. They brought honor and glory to their community.

COMMERCIAL AND PUBLIC MARKET

The consumers and daily market goers enjoy their daily shopping needs for meat, fruits, fish, vegetables and dry goods at the Albay Public Market, Marbella Commercial Center, Saty’s Department Store, Ultra Drug Store, Albay Bakery, Iris Bakery and lest we forget, the Locsin Pilinut Factory where tourist always flock to buy pili delicacies at very reasonable prices.

TOURIST SPOTS

The community has three touris tattractions which are being visited everyday by domestic and foreign visitors. The Locsin Park has been given a face lift to become the ever green garden of the Bicol region. The flowering plants and trees will be a big attraction to our visitors. There are cemented benches around where visitors could enjoy relaxation from sunrise to sunset. The Mini Food Mart is occupied by several cafeterias and snack bars which offerthe best short orders “pulutan” or pika-pika to visitors. Around the area are cemented life size statues of animals like a unicorn, elephant, camel and tigers where the children can spend their playing hours while their parents enjoy their drilnks al fresco. The Freedom Park (Peñaranda Park) has a big skating ring is always full of people displaying their skills and grace on roller skates. Adjacent to the community will raise the big convention hall of the province of Albay. The construction is now being undertaken and most probably after a year it will ready be of service to the people of the Province of Albay. These are but a few of the community’s attraction which are drawing visitors to the area. There are even indicatorns that more investors will come to put up new business.

The way of life in Barangay Baño is very simple and peaceful. It is like living in the city with a provincial atmosphere. This will be a welcome treat for people who wish to have well earned rest. The resident of Baño who are deeply religious can contribute to the spiritual growth of an individual who wishes to reside in the community after working so many years who’s only obsession has been the acquisition of material wealth.

The brief notes on tourism cannot be concluded without of course mentioning the importance given to Barangay 7 Baño by the City of Legazpi, Department of Tourism, the Provincial Government of Albay and other Government and private agencies. The residents of the community are grateful to Legazpi City Mayor Imelda Roces for her efforts and hard work to introduce and improve the beautiful tourist attractions such as those previously mentioned and the other still in the drawing boards.

Barangay Baño today is being eyed a a new growth center of Legazpi economically and morally. Although, there are weaknesses on the part of the National, Provincial and Local Governments because of politics, the residents of this community aim high to mature politically by renewing their faith in the current political reforms which are convincing and inspiring and which does not neglect any parts to preserve the whole.

In Barangay Baño, it is very normal to see the friendly faces and smiles of its residents. If ever you are in legazpi City, do not fail to visit Barangay Baño. We are sure that doors will be opened to you heartedl