Samar (Western Samar)

When the Spanish first set foot on Samar, they asked a wounded native the name of the place. The native not understanding Spanish, thought they were asking what was wrong with him. He replied Samad meaning wounded. The Spanish later changed the name to Samar although other former names are Zamal, Ibabao, Achan, and Tandaya. It was a part of the Cebu province until it was separated in 1735. It was merged with Leyte into a single province the same year but separated again in 1768. The Balangiga Massacre in 1901 resulted in the worst US military defeat in during the Philippine-American war. In retaliation, a battalion of US Marines were tasked with reducing the island province into a howling wilderness. Men, women and children above the age of 10 were slaughtered. In 1965, the old Samar province was divided into three. One of these new provinces was Western Samar, renamed Samar in 1969.

Basey

Prior to the arrival of the Spanish, Basey was a small community of lowland agriculturists. With the arrival of the Spanish, new crafts were introduced. The river line community was occasionally plundered by Moro pirates from Mindanao. An observation post was built in 1837 as part of the defence against a Moro invasion. The municipal hall was constructed the same year. In 1901, the town was used as headquarters by a battalion of US Marines who were tasked with reducing Samar into a howling wilderness following the Balangiga Massacre. The Marines were forced to march through the jungle of southern Samar. Upon return to Basey, the Marines who had lost 10 of their comrades, executed their nine remaining conscripted native carriers and two native guides by firing squad.

Basey Church

The 17th century Basey Church resides on top of a hill. It was destroyed by a typhoon in 1880 and subsequently rebuilt. It is also known as the St. Michael the Archangel Church. (May 2004)

The convent adjacent to Basey Church served as headquarters and hospital to US Marines tasked with turning the area into a howling wilderness, following the Balangiga Massacre in 1901. (May 2004)

The Basey Church was a place for public meetings and stage plays during the Japanese occupation and a place of refuge during the liberation. (May 2004)

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