Brief History and Facts

According to the PGLU historical records, Balaoan was established in 1704 and was formerly part of Ilocos Sur before becoming a municipality in La Union. The town’s name originated from a local interaction during the Spanish colonial period, where residents asked soldiers “Aoan bala?” (Are there no bullets?) regarding their firearms, which a soldier misheard as “Bala-aoan.”

The municipality’s history is marked by the resistance of a secret society known as the Insurectos, formed to oppose Spanish colonial abuses. This movement led to the execution of the Siete Martires (Seven Martyrs) at the local Catholic cemetery. The group included Luciano Resurrection, Primo Ostrea, Artemio Ostrea, Fernando Ostrea, Patricio Lopez, Rufino Zambrano, and Mariano Peralta. Fernando Ostrea survived the firing squad and later documented the event, which eventually led to the founding of a Masonic lodge in their honor.

Following the execution, local revolutionaries engaged in a seven-day conflict to remove Spanish forces from the town. During the subsequent transition to American civil government, local figures such as Vicente Orfiano and Crispulo Patajo were credited with restoring peace and protecting public infrastructure from destruction by remaining insurgent groups.

The municipality has produced notable national figures, including Dr. Camilo Osias, who served as the first Filipino Division Superintendent of Schools and Senate President, and Magnolia Antonino, who served as a Congresswoman and Senator. These historical events and figures remain central to the identity of the Balaoan community today.

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SOURCE: PGLU