About Abar 1st
Among the first inhabitants of Abar 1st wre migrants from Moncada, Tarlac. Hence, they named the place “Union Moncada” Some of the first and well known families who live here were those of Nicasio Domingo, Apolinario Diaz, Donato Fernando, and Frustouso Gagelonia who served as “teniente del Barrio from 1903 to 1906. These people helped a lot in improvement of the barrio,. In this place, plants and trees grew to enormous size. One of these a giant tree commonly called “Abar” grew in the midst of the settlers houses. The place was later renamed “Abar”.
During the Spanish era , hunters also come to visit the place where wild pigs and other animals abound. Abar also served as a hideout of the Revolutionary Filipinos under Kapitan Cerilmo Gomez. Spanish soldier were frequently ambushed by revel Filipinos in this place.
When the American came, the population of Abar started to increase. The first rice mill was constructed in 1936. Its operation resulted in progress in the area. Because this barrio was enormous size, the people decided to divide it into two, Abar 1st and Abar 2nd.
During the Second World War, the people evacuate from the place. Some of its brave men and women joined the underground movement. The guerillas were headed by Kapt. Espiritu. Mayor Serafica and Mayor Laphan. The people united their strength to stop the Japanese soldier from inflicting more suffering on the people.
Liberation came it brought the people new hope in life. This barrio was once a forest soon became crowded. Some of the people who served the barangay as Teniente del Barrios were Rufino Tagarino, Melencio Estillore, Aurelio Gabriel, Camilo Rifos, Placido Aquino jr, Cornilio Tagarino and Eliseo Abello. The first Barangay Captain was Mr. Apolinario Buenaventura. Soon he became one of the city councilors. His project was the construction of the Brgy.Hall, and later of chapel with help of Venancio Del Pilar and Teniente Del Barrio Camilo Rigos.
The school building was destroyed by the liberating force and was replaced in the 1945 by a make shift school building. Abar 1st elem.school has present numerous school building and a modern stage.