Brief History of Casiguran, Aurora

According to folk legend, the name Casiguran was obtained from the word "Kasiguruhan" which means "safety" or "assurance". Safety means defense/fortress or sanctuary for sailing ships during stormy weather. On the other hand, assurance means that if an unmarried stranger comes to the place, he unavoidably falls in love with someone and eventually gets married and most of the time stayed for good. Casiguran was founded by the Spanish Missionaries on June 13, 1609. But prior to their arrival, the early settlers of the place were the Dumagats/Aetas followed by migrants from other places of the country. These migrants spoke different dialects such as Ilokano, Visayan, Bicolano, Pampango. Gaddang, Itawes and Ibanag. Thus, a "kasiguranin" language evolved out of these dialects. In 1942, the entering by the Japanese Occupation forces landed in the town of Casiguran. In 1945, the liberation in the town of Casiguran from the defenders between the Allied Philippine Commonwealth troops and local guerrilla units against the Japanese forces during the Battle of Casiguran at the end of World War II. When the Philippines became independent in 1946, Aurora was still part of Tayabas Province (now Quezon Province) and Casiguran was a lone northern town. Its political jurisdiction is bounded on the north by the province of Isabela, on the west by Quirino Province, and on the south west by barangay Dinadiawan which was then the boundary between Baler and Casiguran. In 1959 and 1966, the barrios of Dilasag and Dinalungan which were part of Casiguran and situated on its northern and southwestern portions, respectively were created municipalities.