The other day, I heard from a close relative that the name Sadyang-Abay is in our mother ancestral lines. I did some search, and here's what I found:
The connection between Sadyang-Abay (often spelled Sadiang-abay or Sadiangabay) and Barotac Viejo lies heavily in the genealogy, history, and prominent local families of this municipality in Iloilo, Philippines.
Brief Life History of Raymundo S. Tupas
The ancestral connection between the Tupas Clan and the Sadyang-Abay Clan of Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, is rooted in a direct matrimonial alliance established in the mid-19th century.
The Foundational Ancestors
According to historical and genealogical records from Barotac Viejo, the two families merged through the marriage of:
- Pablo Tupas (born circa 1819)
- Natividad Sadyang-Abay (born circa 1821)
The Lineage and Legacy
This union solidifies the Sadyang-Abay family as a key maternal root of the prominent Tupas lineage in northern Iloilo. A notable descendant of this marriage was their son, Raymundo Sadyang-Abay Tupas (born in 1860 in Barotac Viejo).
Raymundo and subsequent generations laid the generational groundwork for the family in the municipality, which eventually evolved into one of the most enduring political and civic dynasties in Iloilo's 5th District. The Sadyang-Abay bloodline remains an integral piece of the clan's historical identity and heritage in the region.
The branches of the Tupas and Sadyang-Abay families diverged and expanded into separate prominent lineages in Barotac Viejo, intersecting deeply with other foundational local families like the Soberano, Causing, and Balleza families.
1. The Tupas-Soberano Branch (Direct Descendants of Raymundo)
The most prominent later branch stemming directly from the early Tupas-Sadyang-Abay union was established by Raymundo Sadyang-Abay Tupas (born 1860) and his wife, Clara Soberano.
- Vicenta Barrera Tupas (born 1884), one of their early documented descendants, helped establish ties into the broader Iloilo network.
- Felicidad Tupas, who married into the prominent Causing family (Guillermo Causing Sr.), connected the family to the legal and political Causing lineage of Barotac Viejo.
2. The Tupas-Balleza Political Lineage
Another major historical branch in the municipality developed through Alfonso Tupas Sr. and Perpetua Balleza. Their children and grandchildren became central figures in the town's growth:
- Jose "Pepe" Balleza Tupas Sr. (1912–2009), a prominent elder of the clan.
- The Political Branch (Niel Tupas Sr. Line): This branch yielded the late Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas Sr. and his wife, former Barotac Viejo Mayor Myrna Causing-Tupas. Their children—former Congressman Niel Tupas Jr., former Mayor Niel Tupas III, and Lex Tupas, represent the contemporary public face of this generational branch.
3. The Sadyang-Abay Later Branches
While the Tupas surname took on significant political prominence, the Sadyang-Abay family remained rooted in the agricultural, educational, and civic fabric of Barotac Viejo. Over the generations, the surname evolved and spread through maternal lines, marrying into families such as the Llamos family (e.g., the local educator community like Evelyn Sadyang-abay Llamos).
Personal Note: Above is additional information I found recently, on My Balleza Ancestry, my mother side of the Family- Of Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, Philippines
BAROTAC VIEJO · ILOILO · PHILIPPINESSEPTEMBER 2026
David B. Katague — Barotac Viejo Ancestral Tree
Sadyang-Abay → Tupas → Balleza → Barrido
A Three-Family Reconstruction Rooted in Barotac Viejo, Iloilo. Compiled from FamilySearch indexes, 1918 Census, parish foundation history, and the old handwritten Balleza family tree preserved by oral memory.
Documented
Oral / Old Tree
Hypothesis
Missing
Overview Lineage Map
Top-down synthesis of three families converging to David B. Katague
SADYANG → TUPAS → BALLEZA → BARRIDO → KATAGUE
1820s
Natividad Sadyang-Abay + Pablo Tupas
Root couple · FamilySearch index
1860
Raymundo S. Tupas + Clara Soberano
b. Barotac Viejo · Bridge generation
GAP
Alfonso Tupas Sr. lineage connection
Needs verification — sibling search 1855-1875
1840-1900
Candido → Genaro → Talie → Perpetua 'Tuwa' Balleza
Old Balleza tree · 4 generations oral
Union
Perpetua Balleza + Alfonso Tupas Sr.
6 children: Alfonso Jr., Felicidad, Tomas, Josefina, Pepe, Socorro
Parallel
Unidentified Father Balleza → Jose / Pedro / Vicente
Father name illegible on old tree
1920s
Pedro Balleza + Maria Vencer → Alfonso Vencer Balleza
Vencer maternal surname introduced
1940s
Alfonso Vencer Balleza + Mrs. Barrido (née Barrido)
Barrido maternal line · grandmother first name unknown
Final
Paz Barrido Balleza → David B. Katague
Living memory · preservation line
Generation-by-Generation
HOVER FOR NOTES · TAP TO EXPANDLegend & Status
Documented
FamilySearch, 1918 Census, parish
Oral / Family Tree
Old Balleza Tree, family memory
Hypothesis
Inference, needs record
Missing Link
Unidentified, blocks lineage
TOWN CONTEXT
Barotac Viejo · Founded ~1750 as visita, Parish 1836
All pre-1836 baptism/marriage must be sought in Dumangas. American period civil records start 1902. Sadyang-Abay surname may indicate early 19th c. naming.
Supporting Evidence
1918 Census of the Philippines
Juan Balleza listed on Barotac Viejo municipal board. Confirms Balleza family civic prominence post-American occupation. Indicates literacy and property — higher chance of civil records.
Parish Foundation
Barotac Viejo founded c. 1750 as visita of Dumangas; independent parish 1836 (St. Anthony of Padua). Records before 1836 in Dumangas. Critical for Sadyang-Abay / Tupas search.
1959 Myrla Hilaga Wedding Photo
Social network evidence — Balleza, Tupas, Barrido families appear together in mid-century events, confirming intermarriage within same poblacion circle. Supports oral linkage.
FamilySearch Reference
Raymundo Tupas (b. 1860) entry citing parents Natividad Sadyang-Abay & Pablo Tupas. Digitized index — need original image for parish book/page number.
Next Research Steps
Eight priority tasks to close gaps — ordered by archival yield
For September 2026 field trip
1
Retrieve original parish baptism for Raymundo S. Tupas (c. 1860) from Barotac Viejo St. Anthony books — confirm parents Natividad & Pablo and get grandparents.
2
Search Dumangas & Barotac Viejo marriage records 1885-1895 for Raymundo Tupas + Clara Soberano to confirm Soberano parentage.
3
Sweep baptism records 1885-1900 for children of Raymundo Tupas — look for Alfonso Tupas Sr. to prove Gen -1 to Gen connection.
4
Transcribe and digitize Old Balleza Family Tree handwriting — attempt to recover Unidentified Father Balleza name via UV light / enhanced scan.
5
Search 1890-1910 baptisms for Pedro, Jose, Vicente Balleza — same father field should reveal missing progenitor name.
6
Locate civil marriage Pedro Balleza + Maria Vencer (c. 1920-1930) and Alfonso Vencer Balleza + Barrido (c. 1945) — get full Barrido grandmother first name and parents.
7
Check 1918 Census household schedules for Barotac Viejo (if extant at US NARA / Philippine National Archives) — enumerate Balleza, Tupas, Vencer, Barrido households.
8
Interview oldest living relatives with structured questions on Tuwa Balleza household, Alfonso Sr. siblings, and Barrido maternal line — record audio for archive.
This is a working reconstruction — gaps marked in red/gray require parish & civil record verification.
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