📜 The Name

Most indigenous names of settlements which antedated the advent of the Spaniards were generally derived from plants, animals, influential personalities, or historic events. This principle likewise applies to the name of the municipality of Pili.

According to unofficial sources, the town got its name from the Bikol word “pili”, which has several meanings. One theory traces its origin to a fruit of the same name, described as a tree species whose fruit resembles almonds, known to the Spaniards as piñones de castilla.

Others believe it originated from Polotpili or Molotpili, a fermented drink known to the Spaniards as trementina. Another theory points to the word “pinili”, meaning chosen or elected. This interpretation is considered the most likely, reflecting the transformation of the area into a Christian settlement.

⛰️ The Remontados of Isarog

Until the second half of the nineteenth century, the regions surrounding Mount Isarog were feared due to stories of the fierce inhabitants. These areas were considered havens of the intractable agtas and defiant cimarrones.

The cimarrones were among the earliest inhabitants of Pili. Their history dates back to the early years of Christianization. In 1578, the Franciscans took over the evangelization of the Bicol region, then known as “Tierra de Camarines.”

The missionaries gathered scattered natives into organized villages called reductions, establishing early settlements such as Buhi, Bula, Camalig, Naga, and others. Within a decade, many natives embraced Christianity.

However, resistance persisted. Some newly converted natives fled back to the mountains, rejecting colonial control. These groups were labeled by Spaniards as remontados, cimarrones, and other terms.

Despite Spanish efforts, these groups maintained their independence, settling in remote areas and resisting both religious and civil authority. Their actions represent a significant part of Bicol’s history, symbolizing resistance and the desire for freedom.