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| Aritao Nueva Vizcaya Municipal Hall |
The town of Aritao was previously called “Ajanas”. This name was later changed to Aritao, after an Isinay word “Ari-Tau” (meaning “Our King” which originated from Mengal, a famous Igorot King).
In January 1767, the fearless Fr. Manuel Corripio, a Spanish Missionary succeeded in persuading an Igorot King called Ari Mengal and his tribe to live in the lowland, which is the seat of the Municipality of Aritao. These people were later converted into Christianity by Fr. Tomas Gutierrez.
In the year 1777, there was a merging of Aritao with the adjacent places into one pueblo under the name of Aritao, which was approved by the Manila Authorities.
On June 30, 1917, through the initiative of Councilor Jose Aleman, the application for the township of Aritao to higher authorities was finally approved by the Secretary of the Interior.
Aritao is composed of 22 barangays:
- Anayo
- Baan
- Balite
- Banganan
- Beti
- Bone North
- Bone South
- Calitlitan
- Canabuan
- Canarem
- Comon
- Cutar
- Darapidap
- Kirang
- Latar
- Nagcuartelan
- Ocao-capinaan
- Poblacion
- Sta. Clara
- Tabueng
- Tucanon
- Yaway
Aritao's town fiesta is called Panagsisibuyas Festival held every 3rd week of March. A town fiesta with parades, street dancing, and drum & lyre competitions (Participated by elementary and high schools of the town), an exhibit on agriculture featuring the town’s best products and socialization night during the last day. One highlight of the fiesta is also the cookfest of exotic and local dishes featuring their One Town One Product (OTOP) which is Onion. The 100 years history of Aritao is showcased in the dance drama.
Their patronal fiesta is St. Joseph which is held every March 19.
References:
- Nueva Vizcaya Government. (n.d.). Aritao [blog post]. Retrieved from https://nuevavizcaya.gov.ph/municipalities/aritao/.
- El Toro Bumingo. (2018, August 19). Aritao Municipal Hall [Photograph of Aritao Municipal Hall]. Retrieved from https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EZgQT117-MM/W3o64YaCm6I/AAAAAAABXDU/NyrOR5VgRNAnK2H4XxxiI54B25_iwjcGgCHMYCw/IMG_4659_thumb?imgmax=800.
