MUNICIPALITY OF PAKIL (LAGUNA), Historical Data of

Bureau of Public Schools
DIVISION OF LAGUNA
DISTRICT OF SINILOAN
PAKIL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

REPORT ON THE COLLECTION AND COMPILATION
OF HISTORICAL DATA REGARDING
BARRIOS, TOWNS, CITIES
AND PROVINCES

THE TOWN OF PAKIL

1. Present official name - Pakil.
2. Former name, Pakil derived from the Pakilo-kilo (meaning crooked) River.
3. The first founders were the families of Gatmaitan and Panombalihan. Their eldest child was Gatsalian Maginto, husband of Catalina Putuñgan, sister of Rajah Soliman, who had been the ruler of Manila.
4. The first ruler of the town was Capitan Diego Jorge in 1676-1677; Capitan Estanislao Macabasco and Cipriano Isorena fixed the boundaries and built roads. Due to their energetic administration, they were granted a medal of civil merit by the "Kgg. Kapitan Heneral." The last Kapitan who led in the revolution was Kapitan Nicolas Regalado, who is still living. His successor was Lorenzo Macapanpan (1900-1901).
5. In 1901, in the reorganization of the municipalities, Pakil was annexed to Pañgil, a nearby town in the north. However, from 1901 to 1927, Pakil was lucky enough to have four presidents.
6. In 1927, Pakil was made an independent municipality through the Executive Order of then Governor General Eugene Gilmore.

The first president elected was Mr. Gelacio Galleros, who worked hard for the construction of the municipal building. Unluckily, he was not able to prolong his administration for he died on the first year of his incumbency. The Vice-President, Mr. Emiterio Ramos, continued all the unfinished projects left by the late Galleros. The next president elected was Mr. Ciriaco Gonzales under the Commonwealth Government; and so he became the first municipal mayor. Under his administration, he was able to improve the Doña Aurora Swimming Pool. He was able to organize the barrio of Dorado. His successor was Mayor Gregorio Valera. He had done much improvements in the town. In 1940, Mr. Roman Maulawin was reelected mayor, but due to the tremendous days of World War II, he was not able to accomplish much in the material construction of the town. In spite of all the hardships, the mayor was able to maintain peace and order. The town became an evacuation zone for people from the city and other places. The people continued planting food crops. Our place was quite lucky enough not to suffer so much as our nearby towns, which were turned to ashes. The surviving people are grateful to the Blessed Virgin and to the diplomatic administrators who had done much in the keeping the town safe and sound.
7. As the town was not totally damaged, there was not much to rehabilitate in our community. In spite of this, the civic spirited organizations tried to beautify our church and town plaza.

CONTENTS NOTED:

EDUARDO RELIGIOSO District Supervisor

(SGD.) AGUEDO M. REGALADO Chairman (Members) Francisco Rarela Gregoria de Ramos

Bureau of Public Schools
DIVISION OF LAGUNA
DISTRICT OF SINILOAN
PAKIL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

A HISTORICAL DATA OF THE TOWN OF PAKIL

A short history of the town of Pakil, Laguna was taken from an old chronicle, with some information from the living folks of this place.

A long time ago, the first family of Gat Maitan and Panumbolihan had made a settlement at Inood, Matikiw, as far as Ginabihan Caya (Banilan). They had six children. The oldest was Gat Salian Maguinto, who was married to Catalina Putuñgan, a sister of Rajah Soliman, the king of Maynila.

The young couple sought a new home. They crossed Laguna de Bay and soon settled near the bank of the Pakil River. The family grew until a village was formed under the leadership of Gat Kalianga. The village became prosperous, and soon, a small town was founded. The place was named Pakil, which originated from the "Pakilo-kilo River." The town was often destroyed by floods, so the people decided to move to the very spot where the poblacion is now located. The little town was annexed to Paete, a nearby town to the south.

Because of the rapid progress and the increasing number of the population of the town, the old folks deemed it wise to be separated from Paete, and built a church of their own. In 1676, the separation of Pakil from Paete was effected. The Pakileños started building a church under the management of Rev. Fr.

Francisco Barajas, the first parochial priest. The Paeteños mocked the Pakileños. They made a vow that if the Pakileños could build a church, they would fetch water with the use of a "salakab," a fish trap. But the Pakileños, by their paintstaking effort, were able to build a good church. Because of the impossibility to fetch water by means of a "salakab," the Paeteños go to Pakil every Friday to hear Mass in order to fulfill their vows. From that time on, many Paeteños have gone to Pakil every Friday to hear Mass.

CONTENTS NOTED: EDUARDO RELIGIOSO District Supervisor

(SGD.) AGUEDO M. REGALADO Chairman (SGD.) GREGORIA DE RAMOS Member (SGD.) FRANCISCO RARELA Member

Transcribed from:

Historical Data of the Municipality of Pakil, Province of Laguna, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections.