TIMELINE
1841 earliest listing of Laua-an and Bolusao as settlements
April 3, 1854 establishment of Balangiga as a town by the government; the pueblo included the barrios of Bolusao, Lawaan, and Gigoso
September 27, 1859 decree of the Bishop of Cebu, Romualdo Gimeano OP, creating the parish of Balangiga for the diocesan clergy; (Quinapondan became a parish in 1894-95)
1881-1883 worst cholera epidemic in Samar; Balangiga-area number 1 in death toll throughout Samar in 1882
September 28, 1901 attack on the American garrison at Balangiga. People fled to the mountains after the attack
December 10, 1901 brief shootout occured between the US Marines under Major Waller and some Samareno fighters in the vicinity of Lawa-an
Oct. 1901-Mar. 1902 “kill and burn” campaign of Brig. Gen. Jacob Smith (US Army) and Major Littleton Waller (US Marines) in Samar
Summer 1902 townspeople returned to their settlements after months in the hills
1909 some Lawa-anons were involved in the capture of Andres Fabillar, leader of the Pulahanes in central and southern Samar
1912 Grades I and II of the Lawa-an Elementary School were opened at the public tribunal (now the auditorium) with Mr. Juan Jabien from Basey as the first teacher
1928 Brgy. Magallanes, formerly called Sitio Canyaba, was named Brgy. Maslog by Mayor Pedro Duran of Balangiga.
1928 Luciano Padil and Emilia Odron introduced Protestantism in Lawaan
May 10, 1946 Guinob-an became a barrio of Balangiga with Juan Abayan as first teniente del barrio
1949 Jehovah’s Witnesses-Lawaan Chapter organized by Mr. Leon Sabandal
1957 Lawa-an Elementary School was renamed as Lawaan Central Elementary School; Mr. Antonio Padua, first School Principal
May 7, 1959 Republic Act 2185 was approved by Congress providing for the birth of of the Municipality of Lawa-an
August 13, 1959 inauguration of the first municipal mayor:Hon. Rosendo Gadicho
April 6, 1961 San Isidro, formerly called Campunoy, became a barangay, now located in Cambaclao.
September 8, 1961 erection of the Parish of Santo Nino, Lawaan;Fr. Dionesio A. Chinel-first parish priest
October 18, 1961 first entry on the Register of Baptisms
December 15, 1961 first issued certificate of baptism
January 1962 foundation of the Divine Child Academy; Fr. Dionesio A. Chinel, first Director and Principal
1963 first municipal elections
February 17, 1965 visit of President Diosdado Macapagal to the Municipality of Lawaan
May 10, 1975 Born Again Christians, formerly called Pentecostals, organized by Pastor Vicente Gapul and Pastor Isidoro Ecaldre
May 1, 1980 Jesus Disciples Christian Ministry (One God) organized by Pastora Lily Gacmatan
November 16, 1984 first NPA attack on Lawa-an
March 10, 1985 second NPA attack
August 13, 1985 assasination of Mayor Pio C. Diasanta
April 10, 1987 start of construction of the new parish church under Rev. Fr. Jose Lugay
1988 Fundamental Baptist Church-Lawaan Chapter organized by Pastor Capaqui
May 5, 1988 M/V Heman tragedy
May 8, 1990 first PAGDAYAW street-dancing festival
May 8, 1991 second PAGDAYAW street-dancing festival
September 28, 1991 ambush of Mayor Pio Inciso and others
May 7, 1992 ordination of Fr. Dan G. Ganas
May 8, 1994 third PAGDAYAW street-dancing festival
July 1995 CANCABAPA (Canlimbo, Cagawcaw, Bagacay, and Pangi) organized
January 10, 1996 start of the mission of the Redemptorist Mission Team (RMT)
June 10, 1996 end of the RMT Mission
May 21, 1997 SHALOM Charismatic Community organized in Lawa-an by Conchita Gacita Boniol and Frater Raymund Aleniabon
May 22, 1999 Diocesan Pentecost Vigil hosted by Lawa-an Parish
March 24, 2002 Church of the Nazarene organized by Pastor Narciso Gade
July 3, 2002 start of construction of the new parish rectory
more history links:
LAWAAN: FROM THE EARLY 18oos TO 1909
