Duero

A couple of centuries ago, Fray Lorenzo Fernandez decided to lead the people of the place to build a church and convent. However, an argument arose from two groups as to where the church will be built. One group wanted it to be in Mawi, while the other in Itum. The argument was settled by placing a powder-loaded mortar in each of the places. The place of the mortar that first produces an explosion would be the place where the church would be built. But when both powder-loaded mortars where ignited, neither one exploded. To resolve the problem, Fray Fernandez ignited his own powder-loaded mortar; it exploded right in the middle of the two places, which is where the church was built. A tale was born since that event happened. This tale which has been passed from generation to generation is: the place was named Duero because of the expletive of Fray Lorenzo Fernandez, the people here are called “dogueros” and, removing the letters o-g, results in the name Duero. Teodoro Abueva, the father of UP President Jose V. Abueva, and National Artist Prof Napoleon Abueva is from Duero. He and his wife were martyred by the Japanese.

Native name: Duero
Date created: 1862
No. of barangays: 21
Patron: Immaculate Concepcion
Feast Day: December 8