Punong Barangay: Clay B. Calado
Barangay Council:
- Pryor T. Barawa
- Winter G. Tabaoican
- Rogelio B. Ciano
- Melba B. Calado
- Sandy L. Bestre
- Charlie I. Dulnuan
- Loyd M. Calado
SK Chairman: Vergel C. Baycasan
Barangay Treasurer: Ericka D. Insas
Barangay Secretary: Lino G. Laigo
Long ago, Barangay Pappa was a mountainous and forested area. During that time, Pappa was not yet inhabited by people because of its topographical location. When the World War II erupted, people from the nearby municipalities like Kapangan, Atok, and some parts of the municipality of Burgos, La Union searched a hideout area and they found the place as their refuge. People from Kapangan who went down to the lowlands to trade their products with salt used Pappa as gateway.
When Americans liberated the Philippines just after World War II, an American soldier went and saw a native inhabitant in the place. While they were having discussion, the American soldier suddenly asked the name of the place so the inhabitant quickly answered that it is called Pa’pa even if the word is not meant for the place’s name. Later on, the people changed it to Pappa.
Sitios of Barangay Pappa have also derivations. Dalayap are citrus fruits abundant in the area. Bangao is from the sound of a bird called Kula-aw which calls at night and it sounds bangaw. Timoy is the brink of the mountain where creek is found. Apdot is a foot trail. Bayayeng is from the Ibaloi term nabjeng, a formation of small dike especially during rainy season. Linuan is from the local dialect for honeybees, dinuan, which are abundant in the area. Balingew is derived from a tree called alingew found in the place. Bosew is from the sound of the waterfall that seems to be a whistle or ngisiw in the local dialect. Saddul or formation of salty particles in hot spring found in the area.
The world “Pappa” was coined from the Ibaloi term pa’pa which literally means “to kill with a piece of wood”. Based on stories, long ago, a group of Ibalois brought dogs from the nearby lowland. Along the way, they decided to slaughter one for food. They have a certain belief that dogs should only be killed by using a piece of wood whacked on the head or template of the dog, never with a bolo to avoid the “roar” or howl of the dog as it breathes its last. Whenever highlanders would go trade their goods in the lowlands, they usually stop at the place they pa’pa a dog for a meal.
Like the other barangays of Sablan, Barangay Pappa was created under the Philippine Commission Act 4203, section 7 on May 17, 1927. According to history Pappa was the old seat of government of Sablan.
Pappa is located on the north-western portion of the municipality. It is 2.00 and 3.20 kilometers away from the Quirino National Highway and Poblacion, respectively. Following the national road, the barangay is 21 kilometers away from Baguio City and 27 kilometers away from the Provincial Capitol of Benguet. It is bounded on the north by the Municipality of Burgos, La Union and the Municipality of Kapangan, south by Barangay Poblacion, east by Barangay Kamog and Barangay Bagong, and west by the Province of La Union.
The Barangay is comprised of eight (8) major sitios namely; Dalayap, Balingew, Bayayeng, Timoy, Bangao, Taya, Apdot and Bosew.
The people in the barangay are generally composed of Ibaloi. Other ethnic groups like Ifugao and Kankanaey arrived in the area through intermarriages.
The major source of income in the barangay is farming.