Plaza Higino Templado

Tomorrow will be the inauguration of the Tiwi Town Plaza, which will be officially named Plaza Templado.

The Sangguniang Bayan of Tiwi recently passed an ordinance re-affirming the name as it has been historically known (based on oral history and documented evidence) since the time of municipal mayor Mateo Clidoro (1925-1931).

Plaza Templado was named after Higino Templado, the sixty-sixth Gobernadorcillo (mayor) of Tiwi.

Who is Mayor Higino Templado?

Here's a short biography of the man:

Sr. Don Higino Templado, the sixty-sixth gobernadorcillo (1879-1884) of Tiwi, Albay was not only a leader, but a builder. Among his notable accomplishments were the founding of barangay Cararayan, the renaming of Cagintilan to Mayong, the propagation of the Abaca industry, the Cararayan-Cale road, the Nagas River Control Project, and one of the earlier versions of the municipal building called the Tribunal, among many others. He was also instrumental in the planning and laying out of the existing municipal street system of the town.

The superior government in Manila recognized the Gobernadorcillo's achievements in public improvements, in the promotion of peace and order, and in the development of local agriculture. He was therefore awarded a silver medal on which the following was inscribed: "GOBIERNO SUPERIOR DE FILIPINAS- AL MERITO CIVIL".

In 1880, he conceptualized and constructed the town plaza in order to provide the community with a wholesome place for people to gather on Sundays and holidays to relax and watch the Comedia or local plays.

In 1884, he died at the age of 32 after suffering a relapse from an illness that he contracted while supervising the repair of the road in Nagas after a heavy flood.

The plaza was officially named Plaza Templado during the term of Municipal President Mateo Clidoro (1926-1931) in honor of Mayor Higino Templado.