History of Aborlan



The political center of Tagbanua tribe is in Aborlan, a town south of Inagawan where the former seat was held until the penal colony expanded. There are multiple stories about how the name of Aborlan came to be, but one that is being held by most tribal members is the one accounted in Dr. Robert Fox's book. The town's name came after Abalan, ?abal, which means "cloth". A report by the late Eulalio Palao dated 1953 accounted this version of the word "abel" or piece of cloth which came from a certain species of tree. Since the Tagbanua and other IPs of Palawan existed before the Spanish colonization, we affirm this origin of the town's name. Identity is important to everyone and knowing our roots, our history, ensures that we have a foundation that will flourish through the ages.

Abelnan.

Sources:
Dr. Robert Fox, Tagbanua Religion and Society
National Museum

Image:
Excerpt from Eulalio Palao, Principal, Aborlan Elementary School, April 21, 1953

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