Batac hero honored

Jacinto Caoili, a poet and author from the City of Batac together with six other Ilocanos, was posthumously honored by the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte during the inauguration of the second phase of the Ilocano Heroes Walk at the Sirib Mile in Laoag City on March 10, 2015.

Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta and Ms. Luficina Caoili led fellow Batacqueños in witnessing the unveiling rites for the heroes’ busts. Ms. Caoili, a former professor and principal of the Mariano Marcos State University – University High School Batac was proud about the recognition of her kin. She knows her forefather’s Literary works but not familiar with his face.

Jacinto Caoili, a notable Ilocano poet during the 18th century wrote religious poems. Among his works include: “Urbana ken Feliza”; “Kabibiag ni Apo Jesucristo” (The Life of Jesus Christ), believed to be the original passion; Ti Tao ken Ti Lubong (Man and the World), “Agbabawika” (Repent) and “Ni Managindadakkel” (The Boastful).

Isabel Caoili gave birth to Jacinto in Barrio Ilo-ilo, now Barangay Acosta, Batac, Ilocos Norte in 1770. As adult, he went to Manila where he met Father Marshall, a Spanish friar who gave Caoili the opportunity to work at the University Press of the University of Santo Tomas, the biggest printing press of the country at that time.

Jacinto Caoili is the fourth Batacqueño whose bust was now added to the Heroes Walk shrine. Other Batac heroes featured in the shrine were Gen. Artemio Ricarte, Father of the Philippine Army; Msgr. Gregorio Aglipay, founder of the Philippine Independent Church; and President Ferdinand Marcos. (Ryan Gamet)