Early history

Bayombong is located in the southeastern portion of the current barangays of La Torre North and South, where the Magat River flows. Prior to Spanish colonization, the town was inhabited by the Ifugaos and Gaddangs.

Spanish era

Around 1718 there were tribal clashes between the Ifugaos, the Gaddangs and the Maalats from Isabela, with the Gaddangs gaining the upper hand and displacing the other tribes.^[6]

Bayombong was formally founded on April 12, 1739, during the first Catholic mass celebrated in the region, officiated by Father Pedro Freire in a makeshift chapel at the foot of the Bangan Hill. Bayombong came under the administration of Dominican friars as a part of the Paniqui mission a few months after its founding. The pueblo census of 1747 records 470 residents.^[7] The names of those considered to be founding fathers of Bayombong were Ramon Cabauatan, Jacinto Gadingan, Vicente Saquing, Ignacio Abuag, Mariano Danao, Domingo Bayaua, a certain Bincatan and a certain Mamuric. All of them were Gaddangs. Their names are remembered today in major streets of the town.

In 1754, the local government was formally organized. A Capitan del Pueblo was appointed as the chief executive. In 1982, the town became the seat of the new Diocese of Bayombong.

From 1773 to 1792, Fray Juan Crespo constructed the brick St. Dominic's church, the convent, and the cemetery next to the church, and started the octagonal tower. By 1829, Fray Juan Molano finished the tower. In 1880 the church building was damaged in an earthquake, while in 1987, a fire destroyed the church and convent. During the 1990 Luzon earthquake, the church belfry collapsed.

In 1789, the title of the chief executive was changed to Gobernadorcillo. In 1893, the title was changed to Capitan Municipal. During the revolutionary government in 1898, the Presidente Local was chief executive of the town but this was again changed to Mayor in 1937 as per provision of the Commonwealth Constitution.

Bayombong became the provincial capital of Nueva Vizcaya in 1856, when the old capital of Camarag (now Echague) became part of the newly-established province of Isabela.^[8]

American era

On November 28, 1899, during the Philippine–American War, General Fernando Canon surrendered his 300-man battalion, plus 139 Spanish and 14 American prisoners, to 2nd Lt. James N. Munro's 53 men of the 4th Cavalry.^{[9]: 148–149} Included in the release were William Rynders and Orrison Woodbury, captured with the rest of Lt. Gillmore's men during the Siege of Baler.^[9]: 149

In 1916, the American administration started a farm settlement school in Bayombong. In 1918, a high-school curriculum was added, and the school was named Bayombong Rural School.

In 1928, Father de Gryse started St. Mary's, a Catholic elementary school. In 1930, Bayombong Rural School was re-purposed as Nueva Vizcaya Rural High School (NVRHS), and in 1934 St. Mary's added a high-school department.

Japanese era

During World War II, the Japanese invaded the Philippines and turned Bayombong into a hub for sexual slavery. A "comfort station" was built by the Japanese in the town, where young girls and teenagers were forced to become sex slaves called "comfort women", and routinely gang-raped, brutalized, humiliated, and murdered by Japanese soldiers for entertainment.^[10][11][12]

Philippine independence

In 1947, the St. Mary's College (now St. Mary's University) was established by the CICM near the elementary and high-schools of the same name. In 1956, NVRHS was converted into two programs: Nueva Vizcaya General Comprehensive High School and Nueva Vizcaya National Agricultural School.

In 1964 the agricultural school became Nueva Vizcaya Agricultural College, then in 1973 became the Nueva Vizcaya State Institute of Technology. Presently, the school is the Nueva Vizcaya State University.

Cityhood proposals

In the 19th Congress of the Philippines, house bills were filed by various representatives which seeks converting Bayombong and other capital towns of provinces with no component cities into independent component cities or highly urbanized cities to automatically convert into cities.^[13][14][15]

Barangays

Bayombong is politically subdivided into 25 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Climate

Language

Ilocano, Bontoc, Gaddang, Ifugao, Isinay, Tagalog, and English are used always in Bayombong's schools, markets, and places of worship but in public schools they also use Ilocano.

Tourism

Capitol Park with the Nueva Vizcaya Capitol in the background

• Capitol Park – It is considered the "Luneta of the North". This 8-hectare park is carpeted with green grass and elegantly landscaped. It has a boating lagoon, fountain and wishing well, picnic huts, and sports facilities. It also has painting murals depicting some significant legends, the indigenous tribes, and major attractions of the province.
• Bayombong Children's Park – located at the heart of the town and is a good playground for children. It is equipped with swings, slides, etc.
• St. Dominic Cathedral – It is located at the heart of the town and boasts of having the best-sounding church bells in the country. The structure is made of bricks and rare church antiques.
• The People's Museum and Library – This two-story historical building, where the provincial government was formerly seated, is now housing the Novo Vizcayano history and heritage.
• Bangan Hill National Park – A historic landmark and cultural treasure. It is the site of the annual "Stations of the Cross" staged by the local Catholic church during the Lenten season using live actors depicting the last moments leading to Jesus Christ's crucifixion. Also great for hiking enthusiasts.
• Rizal Shrine^[28] – located at Barangay Casat, Bayombong.
• Bansing or Ammococan Falls – Located at Barangay Bansing, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.
• Magat River

Local government

Bayombong, belonging to the lone congressional district of the province of Nueva Vizcaya, is governed by a mayor designated as its local chief executive and by a municipal council as its legislative body in accordance with the Local Government Code. The mayor, vice mayor, and the councilors are elected directly by the people through an election which is being held every three years.

Elected officials

Colleges and universities

• Nueva Vizcaya State University^[31]
• PLT College Inc.^[32]
• Saint Mary's University^[33]
• Sierra College

Technical schools

• Northern Luzon Technical Institute
• Vizcaya Institute of Computer Science
• First Gateway Scholastic College
• Vizcaya Prime Care
• Balasi-Secretario Training Center

High schools and senior high schools

• Nueva Vizcaya General Comprehensive High School
• Philippine Science High School — Cagayan Valley Campus
• Saint Mary's University High School / Science High School^[34]
• Nueva Vizcaya State University, Laboratory School
• Muir Woods Academy formerly known as Nueva Vizcaya Bright Child School, Inc.
• Bonfal National High School
• Casat National High School
• Paima National High School

Elementary schools

Private preschools

• Saint Mary's University Kindergarten^[36]
• United Methodist Christian School
• Muir Woods Academy formerly known as Nueva Vizcaya Bright Child School, Inc.
• Kingsway Christian Academy
• Bayfields School
• Salvacion Daycare Center
• Nueva Vizcaya State University Kidcare Learning Center
• PLT Preschool Department
• Casat Day Care Center

Playhouse and tutorial services

• Holy Infant Childcare and Playhouse^[37]