Old Pugon

 

Bayambang farmers used to plant tobacco. Reposting this entry on an old pugon that was used to dry tobacco leaves.

Old Pugon

Category: Significant Tangible Immoveable Heritage; Commercial Establishments

The old pugon or mini-furnace used to be a private property of Tito Primicias and it used to be located in Sitio Pugon, near the old plaza of Brgy. Mangayao. About 25 sqm in area, it was estimated to have been built between 1940 and 1950, so it was around 68-78 years old at the time of mapping.

At that time, the structure was already altered. However, it retained its chimney which reflected its use as tobacco drying and storage facility. What remained of the building were its walls and some tough parts.

Vegetables were planted nearby, making the vicinity lush with vegetation.

According to informants Ernesto Diaz and Roger Junio, there were 10 pugons originally built along the barangay road. The pugons were made of hollow blocks and aluminum roofs, and pieces of wood were carefully arranged inside to hang the choice tobacco leaves that farmers grew in abundance back then.

The pugons were open to outsiders then, as long as the visitor was a farmer of Brgy. Mangayao.

Because the structures were made of concrete, the pugons attracted outside buyers to buy the tobacco farmers’ produce. This brought livelihood to the people of Brgy. Mangayao, specially the farmers, and somehow Brgy. Mangayao made a name out of it.

When kamatis (tomatoes), talong (eggplant), soybeans, and monggo became more lucrative as cash crops, the old pugons ceased to be useful.

The increasing number of residents in the area also prompted the owner to totally demolish the structures at the time of writing.

Associated stories

Diaz once worked with his father who was then one of the farmers who used the pugon. According to him, they used to play games outside the structures like inamot, volleyball, and syatong. Outside the area, one could see the old plaza which was one of the playgrounds of children. According to local folklore, there was an old lady who claimed to have seen mysterious activities inside the old pugons. The old woman could see mystical dog- and cat-like animals inside the pugons.

Current status: Demolished (Gone)

NAME OF PROFILER/MAPPER: James Marc B. Aquino, Bayambang National High School, Senior High School

DATE PROFILED: September 22, 2018

ADVISER: Mr. Christopher Q. Gozum

KEY INFORMANTS: Mr. Ernesto M. Diaz, 65 years old; Mr. Roger C. Junio, 68 years old