MUNCIPALITY OF SAN CARLOS (PANGASINAN), History of

The foregoing History of San Carlos is the result of the desire of the teachers to acquaint the people more of their town. Though the piece is not exhaustive, it, however, gives the reader a bird's eyeview of the humble beginnings of the premier town of Pangasinan. The committee, composed of Miss Inocencia Soriano, Mrs. Rosa A. Biteng, and Mr. Bayani C. Mañgalindan, with Mr. Juan Mondaro, Principal, as critic, strove to gather together the different data and information from various sources in the community.

It is hoped that the reader will no peruse this without a critical eye, but to treat it with sympathy and understanding towards the effort to present an understandable script about the origin of our town. The writers are neither professional writers nor authors, but teachers whose main objective was to impress upon the people the love of country through the knowledge of its history

(SGD.) LAURENCIO REYES
District Supervisor

Glorious is the history of San Carlos. No other people of a town can be more sincerely proud of its lore than the populace of San Carlos. Proud are they for theirs is the successful struggle against the yoke of tyranny and oppression. Theirs is the riches agricultural and industrial region of Kaboloan, now Pangasinan. Theirs is the single honor attributed to the 70,000-strong, the biggest in the province, the descendants of a prolific, industrious, and God-fearing forebears. Theirs today is the fruit of a yesterday replete with incessant toil, borne of a desire to live free and nurtured from the breast of a mother, Urduja, who dare the vaunted power and intelligence of the Castilians.

A variety of the family "leguminacae," locally known as "balatong," gave name to the place "Binalatongan." From Malong to Palaris, San Carlos was Binalatongan. The site of the town proper was two kilometers from the present site, southward. San Carlos it is now, as it has been since November 4, 1718 when, washed by the blood that flowed from the clashing forces of Malong and the Spaniards, the poblacion, receiving the brunt of the fury of these forces, was transferred to the present site. This transfer with San Carlos' Borromeo Day, and to commemorate this day, Binalatongan metamorphosed to San Carlos, to honor the then-King of Spain, Charles V. Bloody and exciting is the history of San Carlos.

Sixteen-sixty saw the first uprising led by the brave Andres Malong, which gave vent to the coooped up emotions of the people resulting from the oppression and tyranny of the Spaniards. This was reinforced by Juan de la Cruz, popularly known as "Palaris Palaripan" who, in 1762, followed suit to Malong. Theirs was almost futile, but successful revolt, considering the unbalanced forces under the command of each.

The territorial jurisdiction of San Carlos during those times consisted of the towns of San Carlos proper, Malasiqui, Mañgatarem, Paniqui, Aguilar, Bugallon Urbiztondo, Camiling, and Bayambang.

Kailuam - January Karasig - February Karamay - March Kaptangan - April

Talabit - May Lislis - June Pawikpawik - July Mamawal - August

Biskeg - September Dita - October Pakayari - November Oyamo - December

A month was equivalent to thirty days of moonlight, because from the new moon to the last quarter of its size would be exactly thirty days. The new moon was called "losek" and the last quarter was called "tolao." The days of the week were known as: Monday - komaduan agew na kakapat na bulay kailuam. However, the names of the day depended the numbers of days and month, as: in Spanish, 2 de Febrero de 1939 would be called "dua na inmonam kakapat na bulay kailuam taoy 1939." A book was called "behlat." The people used nets and traps to catch wild animals, used "paminki" as their match. A cart was called "dagarag," a plow "ahlep." Coconut was called "yogmut."

In the seventeenth century, Palaris was the reigning name in Binalatongan. He was born January 8, 1733 [which was in the eighteenth century]. His father was Santiago dela Cruz and his mother Catalina Ugnay, both citizens of Binalatongan. He was named after his godfather, Juan dela Cruz, a citizen of Binmaley. He was registered in the Registry of Births of the church of Binmaley by the Spanish priest of Binalatongan, Juan de Salinas, who baptized him. This registry of birth is still intact and legible and can be found in the San Carlos Parish.

At the age of eight, the people wondered about his size and weight, for at this age, he was already nine "karangan" in height and the width of his body was three "karangan." This "dangan" was of the people of those times who were also big. He was often teased and was called the child of a giant. He was called "Puntan apoliay shipol" or "Puntan apoliay ahlan." He was given the "ablong" of Punta. He was taught how to read Spanish by the priest and he was able to read the books of those times. Likewise, he was versed in the Cartilla. He was intelligent and easily mastered his text. Juan or "Punta" was very fond of playing with the calves of their carabaos and cows. He showed extraordinary speed, for he could even race with his horses and could play tug-o-war with his carabaos. He, however, grew up to be a silent and very respectful young man who would rather shun company than displease anybody. He had long flowing hair which he tied into a knot. He needed a deer or a wild pig to satisfy his hunger.

During this period, town celebrations would be incomplete without races to be run or wrestling matches to be called. As a special feature of the celebrations, the godfather of Punta, Don Juan Manaois, was prevailed upon to ask his godchild to catch a wild horse, only to measure his much-talked about abilities. Palaris did not wish to be discourteous, so he went out and roped the horse without much ado. This feat, however, did not satisfy the people, who were doubting and would like to test his strength further, so they asked his godfather again. This time, he was to tie a rope five "depas" long on the horns of a carabao and he had to run before the carabao, never allowing the rope to touch the ground, for a distance of one hundred "depas." This, Punta did, and great

Punta was about twenty-two years old when his mother died. A year later, his father followed, leaving Punta alone to support his four brothers and sisters. Upon the deaths of his parents, he was adopted by his grandfather who taught him many things. This was done before he went to bed. He was, likewise, often counseled by Father Benito Pereira. Punta and his sister, Simeona, listened attentively all the time. They were taught to fear and love God. Humility and kindness would be their virtues. In speech, soft, and easy in actions, gentlemanly.

The Spaniards levied heavy taxes on the people. The rent of the lands became heavier every year. They went to every house to get the fattest pigs and chickens. In the afternoon, the Spanish priest used to take a walk. It was on one of those afternoons when a boy was slapped and kicked by the priest for not kissing his hand. Palaris saw this and, quick as lightning, he slashed off the head of the priest with his

He told the people how they were being oppressed and, in no time, the people joined him. They fought against the rulers of the town. They killed many Spaniards. Soon, Palaris was wanted by the authorities and a price was set on his head. The reward, however, did not induce anybody to betray the whereabouts of Palaris, for they knew that he was fighting for their cause.

Simeona, the sister of Palaris, was to go to Confession every Friday for fifty-two Fridays. While Simeona was faithfully accomplishing this self-appointed supplication, her suitor, Dionisio Catubig, who had been serving her family for three years already, but was not looked upon with Grace by Simeona and her grandmother, took upon a plan to avenge his unrequited love. With the knowledge that Simeona and Palaris were sister and brother, Dionisio told the priest with whom Simeona conducted her Confessions the relations between the two. The priest, upon hearing this, ordered the arrest of Simeona when she came to Confession the following Friday. Upon the arrest of Simeona, nobody brought food to Palaris, because she was the only person where the latter was hiding. Palaris, driven to hunger, but unaware that Simeona was a captive of the priests, came out of his hiding place and sat upon the root of a big tree called "copang." On the roots of the copang tree, he wrote the story of his deeds with charcoal. After Simeona was forced to divulge his hiding place, she was ordered to bring him food. The Spaniards, however, armed with seventeen cannons and rifles, were hiding in ambush. When Palaris saw his sister held by three Spaniards,

The following are the inscriptions made by Palaris on the roots of the "copang" with charcoal: "I am a person who was born with a gift which no other person can have. Notwithstanding this gift, a person will die, and all the things which he possesses in this land of tears must be returned to the Creator. The lives of the people that I have wasted are as numerous as the sand, which nobody can count. I fought a war for my country, which is oppressed."

These are only some of the last words written by Palaris before he died; there are many more. These inscriptions were found after his body was seen floating in a ditch near the tree.

Palaris died, just as the death of the cruel people whom he had killed. His death, however, opened avenues to his predecessors [what the writer probably meant was "those who came after Palaris;" his choice of the word "predecessors" seems erroneous] toward a more vocal and firm defiance of the injustices imposed upon them by the Spaniards. His death imbibed upon the people the desire to be free and to assume their place under the sun. His influence, little by little, resulted to the formation of a group destined to protect the oppressed people of Binalatongan. We now revere the memory of Palaris, and oftentimes use his name to awaken the dormant patriotism which our forefathers instilled in our hearts and blood. Palaris is dead, yet he lives, not in flesh but in spirit. He is gone, yet he is present, for while San Carlos

The following persons held the office of "Capitan" of Binalatongan:

1621 1622 1623 1634 1625 1626 1627 1628 1629 1630 1631 1632 1633 1634 1635 1636 1637 1638 1639 1640 1641 1642 1643 1644 1645 1646 1647 1648 1649 1650 1651 1652 1653 1654 1655 1656 1657 1658 1659 1660 1661 1662 1663 1664 1165

Don Jose de Vera Don Doroteo Valdan Don Saturnino Arambulo Don Simeon Escat (Spaniard) Don Mariano Viliarte Don Mateo Carlos Don Felipe Montalvo Don Domingo Maliat Don Hermogenes Calugay Don Bernabe Labuat Don Jose de Vera Don Jose de Vera Don Mateo Carlos Don Marcos Estance Don Mariano Cabrera Don Matias Lomangsi Don Domingo Tuybo Don Felipe Montalvo Don Mariano Parangat Don Nicolas Cabaloy Don Domingo Maliat Don Domingo Maliat Don Tobias Lomangsi Don Tomas Labuat Don Felipe Labuat Don Tiburcio Lomangsi Don Roman Doldol Don Mateo Guatche Don Jose de Vera Don Felipe Montalvo Don Gaspar Malong Don Demetrio Liwanag Don Tomas Zambal Don Federico Patadiom Don Federico Patadiom Don Mario Guatche Don Domingo de Vera Don Nicolas Larga Don Vicente Matabang Don Pedro Malong Don Tobias Doldol Don Mariano Baniqued Don Vicente de Vera Don Jose Matalvo Don Pedro Mañgandi

1666 1667 1668 1669 1670 1671 1672 1673 1674 1675 1976 1677 1678 1679 1680 1681 1682 1683 1684 1685 1686 1687 1688 1689 1690 1691 1692 1693 1694 1695 1696 1697 1698 1699 1700 1701 1702 1703 1704 1705 1706 1707 1708 1709 1710

Don Juan Matalbo Don Juan Cabansag Don Pedro Iliat Don Marcos Mabuat Don Ruperto Vibal Don Jose Guatche Don Domingo Matalbo Doña Maria Magdalena Lomang Don Juan Cabatbat Don Leonardo Lomangsi Don Leoncio Catubig Don Vicente Yrog Don Marcos Labuat Don Joaquin Malabago Don Doroteo Resquid Don Leocadio Manat Don Serapio Catablan Don Marcos Matalbo Don Leandro Poquiz Don Andres Capolnit Don Matias Cabalo Don Mariano Guinita Don Teodoro Labuat Don Primitivo Jose Don Antonio Mapandan Don Mariano Panauat Don Simon Cabacaan Don Jorge Labuat de Vera Don Domingo Lomboy Don Andres Malong Don Santiago Tagulao Don Mateo Anlaguigan Don Mariano Masuri Don Vicente de Vera Don Pedro de Vera Don Marcos Lomangsi Don Enrique Padlan Don Tomas Perez Don Juan Lagaran Don Pedro Escat Don Jose Garcia Don Juan de Guzman Don Calixtro David Don Andres Malong Don Teodoro Cabatbat

1711 1712 1713 1714 1715 1716 1717 1718 1719 1719 1720 1721 1722 1723 1724 1725 1726 1727 1728 1729 1730 1731 1732 1733 1734 1735 1736 1737 1738 1739 1740 1741 1742 1743 1744 1745 1746 1747 1748 1749 1750 1751 1752 1753 1754 1755 1756 1757 1758 1759 1760 1761 1762 1763 1764 1765

Don Juan Guinita Don Andres Malong Don Mateo Munat Don Domingo Malong Don Ruperto Cabrera Don Miguel Vistro Don Andres Malong Don Revolucion Caragay Malong Binalatongan was changed to San Carlos Don Buenaventura de Vera Don Jose Bernardo Don Tomas Perez Don Tomas Perez Don Pablo Lomibao Don Agustin Castro Don Simeon Busal Don Domingo Catalan Don Domingo Catalan Don Antonio Rosario Don Francisco Peralta Don Pablo Lomibao Don Domingo Garcia Don Pablo Lopez Don Juan Sarez Don Domingo Soriano Don Lorenzo de Vera Don Pablo Lomibao Don Domingo Garcia Don Juan Cabrera Don Bernardo Soriso Don Domingo Soriano Don Lorenzo Baniqued Don Pablo Lomibao Don Simeon de Vera Don Juan Caguiao Don Domingo Garcia Don Domingo Soriano Don Domingo Lomibao Don Domingo Pasac Don Domingo Pasac Don Antonio Francisco Don Andres Lioanag Don Diego Simeon Don Urbano Samson Don Gaspar Perez Don Juan Carrera Don Lorenzo Gabriel Don Raymundo Francisco Don Simeon Castro Don Mariano Vistro Don Juan Manaois Don Gaspar Perez Don Pablo Jose Don Jose Guirante Don Pedro Estrada Don Agustin Martinez Padlan

1766 1767 1768 1769 1770 1771 1772 1773 1774 1775 1776 1777 1778 1779 1780 1781 1782 1783 1784 1785 1786 1787 1788 1789 1790 1761 1792 1793 1794 1795 1796 1797 1798 1799 1800 1801 1802 1803 1804 1805 1806 1807 1808 1809 1810 1811 1812 1813 1814 1815 1816 1817 1818 1819 1820 1821

Don Andres Nicolas Don Jose Santos Don Juan Austria Don Marcos Cayabyab Don Juan de Vera Prado Don Gaspar delos Reyes Don Juan Austria Don Marcos Cayabyab Don Nicolas Sanchez Don Pedro Caguios Don Eustaquio Salvador Don Juan de Vera Prado Don Eustaquio Salvador Don Juan Austria Don Bernardo Codiana Don Jorge Padlan Don Vicente Loyola Don Vicente Lopez Don Bernardo de Vera Don Jorge Padlan Don Vicente Lopez Don Silvestre Soriano Don Gaspar delos Reyes Don Manuel Austria Don Gregorio Salomon Don Vicente Fernandez Don Jose Martinez Don Vicente Lopez Don Francisco Rosario Don Vicente de Vera Prado Don Vicente Erguiza Don Vicente Macaraeg Don Lorenzo Claudio Don Domingo Padlan Don Domingo Padlan Don Francisco Cayabyab Don Simeon Tamondong Don Juan Camacho Don Vicente delos Reyes Don Domingo Gutierrez Don Felipe Baltazar Don Jose Salvador Don Juan Tamondong Don Francisco Lopez Don Victorio Escat Don Leonardo Lopez Don Gervacio Austria Don Antonio Vinoya Don Jose Austria Don Pablo Manzon Don Domingo Gutierrez Don Pedro Austria Don Mateo Bernal Don Pascual Ulanday Don Jose Gutierrez Don Pedro de Vera Padlan

1822 1823 1824 1825 1826 1827 1828 1829 1930 1831 1832 1833 1834 1835 1836 1837 1838 1839 1840 1841 1842 1843 1844 1845 1846 1847 1848 1849 1850 1851 1852 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 1859 1860 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 1875

Don Miguel Martinez Don Marcelino Viado Don Jose Arenas Don Jose Arenas Don Vicente Austria Don Bruno Poquiz Don Nicolas Salvador Don Vicente Austria Don Juan Gutierrez Don Fructuoso Vistro Don Ambrosio Gutierrez Don Domingo Salomon Don Vicente Austria Don Vicente Cayabyab Don Deogracias Austria Don Tomas Claudio Don Jorge Gutierrez Don Bernabe Requiz Don Pablo Tamondong Don Vicente Austria Don Juan Gutierrez Don Jose Fernandez Don Vicente Cayabyab Don Vicente Claudio Don Fernando Gallanta Don Vicente Claudio Don Vicente Gutierrez Don Vicente Gutierrez Don Pedro Rosario Don Bernardo Salomon Don Tomas Poquiz Don Joaquin Gutierrez Don Pablo Tamondong Don Isidro Cayabyab Don Bernardo Manzon Don Pascual de Vera Don Deogracias Gutierrez Don Eugenio Reyes Don Jose Claudio Don Gabriel Manzon Don Don Leonardo Ferrer Don Jose Vistro Don Jose Vistro Don Juan Erguiza Cruz Don Juan Erguiza Cruz Don Francisco Castro Don Francisco Castro Don Hipolito Prado Don Hipolito Prado Don Jose Claudio Don Jose Claudio Don Vicente Erguiza

1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 to 1898 1899 1900 to 1901 1903 1904 to 1905 1906 to 1907 1908 to 1909 1910 to 1912 1913 to 1915 1916 to 1917 1918 to 1919 1920 to 1921 1922 to 1925 1926 to 1927 1928 to 1937 1938 to 1940 1941 1942 1943 to 1945 1946 1947-date

Don Luis Datuin Don Luis Datuin Don Luis Datuin Don Lorenzo Claudio Don Lorenzo Claudio Don Luis Datuin Don Luis Datuin Don Jose Manzon Don Jose Manzon Don Luis Datuin Don Luis Datuin Don Leonardo Banaag Don Leonardo Banaag Don Vicente Manzon Don Vicente Manzon Don Domingo Magali Don Domingo Magali Don Flaviano Padlan Don Flaviano Padlan Don Juan Sorio Rosario Don Faustino Gonzales Don Domingo Claudio Don Macario Posadas Don Pascual Bandong Don Florentino Versoza Don Aquilino Banaag Don Florentino Versoza Don Francisco Muñoz Don Marcelo Soriano Don Gregorio Lim Don Marcelo Soriano There was a big flood Don Tomas Bulatao Inauguration of San Juan Bridge Don Gregorio Lim Don Emilio Padlan Don Felipe Villanueva Don Emilio Padlan (Pacific War) Don Gregorio Lim Dr. Francisco Untalan There was famine. Don Emilio Padlan Don Luis G. Cayabyab

The municipal building was guarded by squads of Spanish soldiers called "dragoons." They were frequently on patrol for the reason that the Aetas were very often out killing Christians. Every Thursday night, in the municipal building, the Aetas, who were in good terms with the dragoons, would come and have a feast with them. The municipal building was constructed through forced labor and the materials were brought down from the mountains of Mañgatarem, which were the sturdiest and most mature trees found in those parts. The jail was a sort of "bartolina," were miscreants were confined and oftentimes tortured.

In marriage, the younger ones were restrained to marry before the elder lest the latter be bound to unmarried old age. Neither the marriage within a year of two members of the family was allowed for fear that each one would outdo the other in all lines, including death.

A suitor had serve the family of the girl for years. This period was the period of observation about whether the man had good qualities for a good husband. If the man could meet the likes of the parents, then he was allowed to make his suit public by taking his parents with him. They had to bring many baskets of many different recipes of meat including two roasted male and female chickens. This was done for three times — first was the "anuncio;" then the "salonson;" and the last was the "sangi" when they would talk of the wedding day, the dowry, the amount of money to be given, and the kind of wedding party to be held.

The custom among the well-to-do was to have a pre-nuptial feast for three days and three nights before the day of the marriage. For this feast, they prepared no less than one hundred heads of cattle and swine. This was evident in the marriage between Don Ramon Manzon and Doña Gregoria

The people believed that to use an old post of a house after cutting a portion of it would serve ill luck and would be the beginning of financial difficulties. The "gaton" to appease spirits is still prevalent.

The myth popularly known is the presence of a mermaid in the deep recesses of the San Juan River who yearly exacts her toll of human life.

These are but a few of the customs and traditions which still do exist. The committee believes that a majority of them are known to almost every citizen, so that their inclusion will be superfluous.

This is the story of San Carlos, the men who peopled it and the events that rendered its history with fame and honor. The essential data came from old folks who saw service when San Carlos was in the making. This is not a scientific treatise, but a simple collection of known facts of the town. Let the reader, therefore, surmise only upon

Transcribed from:

History of the Town of San Carlos, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections. The pagination in this transcription is as they appear in the original document.