Tanda na Ketegan na Baley

 Tanda na Ketegan na Baley

(Stone Marker of the Old Territorial Boundaries of Bayambang and Bautista Towns)

Standing quietly amid farmlands at the western edge of Manambong Norte and Baluyot is a silent, unassuming witness to history — the tanda na ketegan na baley, a stone marker that once defined the territorial boundary between the towns of Bayambang and Bautista. Erected on May 9, 1911, during the American period, this monument marked not only a political line on a map but also a vital passage in the everyday lives of Pangasinenses.

Fashioned from high-quality cement and measuring approximately 1.22 meters in length and 0.61 meters in width, the marker takes the form of a simple prism, monolithic in presence and intent. Its durability is remarkable: it has endured floods, the ravages of time, and even the devastating 1990 earthquake, remaining firmly planted on its original site. Inscribed on its opposing faces are the names of the towns it once separated—Bayambang on one side, Bautista on the other — clear declarations of jurisdiction in an era when such markers guided travelers and affirmed governance.

Historically, the marker stood along what was once a major route linking communities, with access to the Agno River, a lifeline of transport and trade. Residents of Manambong Norte and nearby barangays relied on river travel by banca to reach Amancosiling Norte and the poblacion. Over time, routes shifted and roads were rerouted, leaving the marker behind in what is now agricultural land. Yet its presence continues to explain the curious geography of the area, where passage between certain barangays of Bayambang still requires traversing parts of Bautista — a legacy of historical boundaries dating back to the Spanish era, when Bautista formed part of Bayambang.

Beyond its historical value, the stone marker carries aesthetic significance. Its restrained form and enduring material speak to the craftsmanship and engineering standards of the early twentieth century, when public markers were built to last and to command quiet respect. Though no folklore or supernatural tales surround it, the marker’s power lies in its authenticity — a tangible reminder of American occupation, old transportation networks, and the evolving shape of local governance.

Today, the marker remains in good condition but largely unrecognized, vulnerable to the elements and gradual neglect in an open field. As an overlooked piece of history, it calls for renewed attention and protection. More than a stone set in the ground, the tanda na ketegan ya baley is a silent chronicler of place, memory, and movement — an enduring line between towns that continues to connect their shared past.

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This cultural heritage article was made possible through the careful documentation and field mapping conducted on June 9, 2019 by Bayambang National High School students under the guidance of their project adviser, Mr. Christopher Q. Gozum. The community knowledge and historical context were generously shared by resident, Ms. Erlinda S. Alvarez, who served as the key informant for this site.

The profiling and cultural mapping were undertaken by Ms. Krista Grace S. Alvarez, Ms. Lesly Ann M. De Vera, Danna Jane Q. Abagat, Alvin N. Balois, Kristian Mark G. Delfin, Janelle Jasmin DV. Placido, and Arabella Nicole H. Tiangson, whose collective efforts ensured the cataloguing of this important marker in local cultural mapping records.