MORE NEWS, ILOCOS NORTE

Piddig marks Basi Revolt

BY JUN GUIANG

PIDDIG, Ilocos Norte -- The second centennial of the Basi Revolt was celebrated here on Sept. 17 with activities include selection of the best-tasting basi (sugarcane wine).
It was in this town where the Basi Revolt broke out during the Spanish regime some 200 years ago.

Mayor Generoso de Leon Aquino, chairman of the committee in charge of the celebration recalled that basi-making in this town was once a booming industry.

Vice Mayor Onofre Agustin Bayag, committee vice chairman, said that historical records confirmed the Basi Revolt started in this town and ended in San Ildefonso, Ilocos Sur.

It was caused by the widespread protest by the Ilocano basi makers against the Spanish monopoly on the buying and selling of basi. The wine makers were required to sell all their produce to the Spaniards.

The vice mayor said that Barangay Suksuken of this town was so named by the people because the rebels fighting the basi monopoly hid in the remote village whenever the guardia sibil hunted them.

"Susuken" is an Ilocano word for a remote or hidden place.The vice mayor said there were plans for the installation of an architectural marker for the Basi Revolt here.