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HISTORY Daet is an ancient settlement. Its history dates back from the time the Tabon cave men, from either Kalanay Caves of Masbate or the Kagraray Cave in Albay, who escaped from the cruel government of their Rajah. The myth about the Malayan traders as the first people in the Bikol region has been debunked by the excavations made in the Kalanay and Kagraray caves. Based on the excavations, archeologists indicated that Malayan settlers came later. In 1521 (?), Governor General Miguel Lopez de Legazpi sent Captain Juan de Salcedo to locate the rich gold mines of Paracale. On his arrival, Salcedo found thriving settlements built around the gold mines in Paracale and Mambulao (now the municipality of Jose Panganiban) as well as in Daet and Indan. Salcedo found the mines of Mambulao and Paracale "to be excellent, very rich and more than thirty or forty estados in depth." In the thriving settlement of Daet, the Spaniards noted that the houses were clustered together for safety and protection. Thus, the word Daet was derived from the Bicol word ?dait-daitan? which means ?close to each other?. The existence of the gold mines in the region encouraged the Spaniards to colonize and Christianize the inhabitants. The Bikol region was later placed under the jurisdiction of Camarines in 1573. A popular legend among the people of Camarines Norte and Daeteños is the legend of the first abaca plant. According to the legend, the Spanish king exiled a certain Spanish nobleman, Marquis de Camarines. He was believed to have carried the first abaca plant during his travel via the Acapulco - Manila galleon trade route. He was also believed to be one of those selected to plant abaca in the Bicol region. Nevertheless, the experiment was successful because the Bicol region became the source of the abaca fiber exported and loaded in the galleons (Manila-Acapulco galleon trade) which went on for almost 250 years. Also, according to the legend, the Marquis de Camarines fell in love with a Filipina beauty. Their union started a long line of blood relations which linked some families in Daet until today. One of these is the Dela Estrada family who helped implement the development plan of Daet. The Dela Estrada family reportedly shared in the infrastructure development of Daet which included the Catholic Church, the old Spanish bridges, the culverts, and the palatial mansions. Some of them still exist. From 1565 to 1818, Daet was raided by Moros from time to time. The present municipalities of Basud and Mercedes suffered most. People in these settlements either died or became captives. Because of the raids, the Spaniards fortified Basud and Mercedes. The fort ruins and Spanish cannons are now buried under mounds of sand. It was believed that the bells used in announcing the coming of the Moros were also buried under the fortifications.
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