The Ante Clan of Polangui

The history of the Ante clan goes back to the early 1800s in Sagpon, then a barrio of the pueblo of Albay, which served as the province’s cabecera (capital) during the Spanish period. Although the family began in Sagpon, its lasting legacy would take shape elsewhere. It was through the lives and decisions of two sisters—Basilia and Juliana Ante—that the family name became firmly rooted in Polangui.

At the center of the family’s early story was Bernabela Ante, a woman who owned large areas of land in Sagpon. At a time when land meant wealth, power, and social standing, Bernabela was part of one of the town’s respected families. She had six children—Basilia, Gregoria, Juliana, Feliciano, Hugo, and Eriberta. Through them, the Ante name spread across Bicol and beyond. Still, it was Basilia and Juliana who would bring the family name permanently to Polangui.

In 1861, Basilia Ante married a Chinese merchant who later converted to Christianity and took the name Jose Muñoz. They settled in Oas, Albay. Their children carried the surname Ante, keeping their mother’s family name. This was an important decision that helped preserve the Ante name for future generations.

One of Basilia’s children was Hermenegildo Ante, whose son would become one of the most well-known members of the family: Dr. Esteban V. Ante. By the early 1900s, the family’s influence had grown beyond land ownership into professional and public life. Dr. Ante graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine in 1922. In 1930, he founded Sta. Teresita Hospital, now known as Dr. Esteban V. Ante Memorial Hospital in Legazpi City. He later became the first Filipino medical chief of the former Albay Provincial Hospital, now called the Bicol Regional Hospital and Medical Center. Through his work, the Ante name became part of Bicol’s medical history.

Another son, Juan Ante, became a wealthy landowner and community leader. He married Josefa Sarte Sapalicio of Polangui, linking the family to two prominent clans in the town. Their son, Gregorio Ante, served as municipal president of Polangui during the American period, a position similar to today’s mayor. From this same family line came Conrado Ante Sabater, who later served as mayor of Polangui from 1960 to 1964 and again from 1968 to 1981.

Rosa Ante, Basilia’s daughter, also strengthened the family’s ties through her marriage to Gregorio Duran, a member of the influential Duran political family of Albay. Through these marriages, the Antes built strong social and political connections in the province.

In 1874, Basilia’s life changed again. After being widowed from her first marriage, she married Domingo Silo, a wealthy landowner in Polangui. She and her children then moved from Oas to Polangui. This move marked the true beginning of the Ante clan’s permanent presence in the town.

From her marriage to Domingo Silo, she had two children: Filemon Silo and Maria Silo. Maria later married Rufino Tuanqui, the first native of Polangui to serve as Governor of Albay. Rufino was the only son of Simon Li Tuanqui, a prosperous Chinese businessman, and Maria Sarte, who came from the respected Sarte and Duran families. Through these family ties, the Antes became closely connected to prominent Chinese-Filipino and political families in Albay.

Juliana Ante, Basilia’s younger sister, also played an important role in establishing the family in Polangui. In 1868, she married a Chinese merchant named Sua Tuangco, who converted to Christianity and took the name Valentin Villaflor. They had one daughter, Maxima Rosario Ante.

After being widowed at a young age, Juliana eventually joined Basilia in Polangui. The two sisters became the first Antes in the town. All Ante families in Polangui today trace their roots back to one of them.

In 1888, Maxima Rosario Ante gave birth to a son named Jose Ante. His father was the Spanish Governor of Albay, Don Estanislao de Antonio. Jose carried his mother’s surname, continuing the Ante name into the next generation.

Later, Maxima married Catalino Delgado. They had two sons, Felix and Antonio Delgado, creating another branch of the extended family.

As an adult, Jose Ante married Gregoria Benipayo of Polangui. They settled in Ponso and raised four children—Manuel, Jesus, Modesto, and Obdulia. Through marriages into families such as the Bayos, Samar, Silo, Abarquez, and Borja clans, the Ante name continued to grow within Polangui.

The story of the Ante clan reflects the wider history of Bicol: families moving from one town to another, Filipino, Chinese, and Spanish influences coming together, and generations rising through land, education, and public service.

What began with Bernabela Ante’s land in Sagpon took lasting shape through the courage and decisions of Basilia and Juliana. By settling in Polangui, building strong family ties, and keeping the Ante name alive, they made sure it would remain part of the town’s history for generations to come.