MUNICIPALITY OF RIZAL (CAGAYAN), Historical Data of Part I

Executive Order No. 486 of the President of the Philippines provides for the collection and compilation of historical data regarding barrios, towns, cities, and provinces all over the country. In General Memorandum No. 34, s. 1952, all school officials and teachers are entrusted with the execution of the Executive Order abovementioned. This simple manuscript was produced in answer to the provisions of Memorandum No. 34.

This manuscript is not without limitation. It must be admitted that the data contained herein represent only a portion of the many interesting facts and information that constitute the beautiful history of the ancient town of Rizal, formerly called Malaueg.

In preparing this manuscript, all available records, markers, inscriptions, tablets, and other source materials had been profusely made use of. Likewise, the old, wise men and women of the community had been freely consulted and their ideas made to bear in this simple work.

Grateful acknowledgement is hereby made to all the residents of the different communities who were only more than willing to furnish whatever they knew relative to the data desired. Special credit is due to Capitan Domingo Littana, the grand old man of Rizal; Rev. Father Julian de Witte, parish priest; Capitan Nicasio Talay, Capitan Francisco Villaflor, Messrs. Jacinto Sibal, Tadeo Mamauag, Maximino Corgos, Mario Ramos, Albino Calling, and a host of others without whose cooperation this simple work would not have come into realization.

Last but not the least, the most unselfish help extended by all the teachers in making this manuscript what it is, is hereby gratefully acknowledged, particularly to the different head teachers, in cooperation with the teachers and the principal teacher of the central school, who were indispensably instrumental in piecing together all the information contained herein.

1. The present official name of the town is Rizal.

2. The former name of the town was "Malaueg." Malaueg is derived from two words: "malo," a Spanish term for bad; and "ueg," a native word which means brook. Malo-ueg or "Malaueg," therefore, means bad brook. How the name "Malaueg" came about has a sort of funny origin.

During the first time that the Spaniards came to the place, they got a native to guide them all the way. At the heat of the noon-day sun, the Spaniards ran short of water. They rested under a big shady tree. They soon discovered that, not very far from where they were resting, was a running brook. So, they sent their guide to fetch them some water to drink. The Spaniards drank the cool, clear, and fresh water with gusto because they were dead thirsty. Soon after drinking, one of them suffered from stomach ache. Then, they asked the guide where they got the water, and he pointed toward the direction of the place and called it "ueg." The Spaniard exclaimed in anger, "Malo ueg!" The word was slightly changed to "Malaueg" at a much later date.

The present name of the town, Rizal, was so given in remembrance of the greatest Filipino hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. The change was made through a resolution passed by the municipal council under the presidency of the late Mr. Paberiano Palmea in 1914, which recommended to the Congress the approval of the said resolution. Since 1914, therefore, this town came to be known as Rizal.

3. Date of Establishment - It is difficult to determine the exact date of establishment of the town of Rizal. However, it is believed that long before the first Spaniard set foot on the place, there existed already a thriving community peopled by Kalingas. Such tribal leaders as Biwag, Malana, Pagulayan, and Sagaw were already recognized leaders before the Spaniards arrived at this place back in 1604. Later, in 1628, Doña Maria Luisa Ballinan, a powerful Kalinga woman leader, united the neighboring tribes and led them to the reconstruction of the church of Malaueg, which was destroyed as a result of a strong earthquake which occurred sometime earlier.

4. Names of Persons who Hold Leading Official Positions in the Community:

a. During the Spanish time:

5. Data on Historical Sites, Structures, Buildings, Old Ruins, etc.:

a. The Church of Malaueg - The history of the Church of Malaueg dates back as far as the year 1600 or thereabout. How it was built is a story of continuous servitude of the early people who were and are still by nature deeply religious. It is a story that envisages the bitter though poignant feelings and reactions of the early Malauegs. Bitter because the work was done by forced labor; and poignant because said labors were healthy symptoms of the genuine reverence of the people for a new God and Savior they had never known before.

It was on November 12, 1604 that the Bishop of Nueva Segovia (Lallo) ordered Father Francisco Mola to go up the Rio de Cagayan, thence up to another tributary, presumably the Matalag River, to survey a certain place which, according to information, was adequately situated to found a church. Prior to that, Untal Pagulayan, a Kalinga leader, went down through the river to Lallo and informed the Bishop that his people had heard of the new religion of Christianity and signify his desire that a missionary be sent to them. Thus, Father Mola was sent and he found the place to be well-populated. He had around six hundred ready and willing followers, and the work began immediately.

The church was finished in 1608, facing the west. In the same year, the Dominican Fathers accepted the administration of the town of Malaueg as evidenced by the following inscription on an iron tablet set by the Philippine Historical Committee in 1939, which is still in the posession of the church:

"The Ecclesiastical Administration of this town was accepted by the Domincans on April 26, 1608. The cornerstone of the church was laid on November 21, 1617. The church and the convent had been destroyed and rebuilt four times."

Many people paid homage to this church. But in 1628, a very strong earthquake occurred and destroyed it, almost leveling the entire edifice to the ground. A woman leader of the tribe, Doña Maria Luisa Ballinan by name, called the people of Lenneng River, Nabbuangan River, and Malaueg from Sta. Cruz to Lipatan and conferred with them so that the church could once more be built. In the same year, the rebuilding was started, the church, then facing east. The reconstruction was completed in 1651 as evidenced by the writing in Latin engraved on hard wood still found at the main entrance of the now ruined church, which means, " Reconstruction completed