MUNICIPALITY OF POLILLO, QUEZON, Historical Data of Part 1

Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Bureau of Public Schools
Division of Quezon
POLILLO

REPORT ON HISTORICAL DATA OF POLILLO

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

2. Former name, meaning and derivation.

The former name was "Pulo" meaning island. Finally, when the Spaniards found that "Pulo" is composed of many islands, the name was changed to Polillo, meaning many islands.

3. Date of establishment:

There was no definite date when Polillo was established, but since the short time of the landing of Salcedo when he was to conquer Luzon, he found out that the natives were living in group simply called a village. The natives lived on hunting and fishing stage. The hospitality of the natives attracted much Legaspi through Salcedo to send Spanish missionaries to the island.

The first priest to reach Polillo so far as it was known was Father Teodoro, the one responsible in naming "Pulo" as Polillo. During his days he initiated the erection of the "Town Wall", a defense to protect the natives against the invading Moros. The Moros were fierce and stole the food of the natives. The wall is still tangible to be traced even now.

After the completion and even before the completion of the stone wall, the stone church of Polillo was finally erected purely made of local lime and sea corals. The self-strength of the natives and fear of the Spanish priests were responsible for its completion.

4. Names of persons who held leading official positions during the Spanish Regime.

Soon after Father Teodoro became friendly with the natives he directed the abled men of the town to hold offices. This was however through the consent of the Spanish governor general who was in Manila. The direct control was, however, among the Parish priests who were residing in the localities.

The "Capitan" or Presidente as it was called was the highest local official of the town. The "Capitan" or Presidente himself was a mere helper of the priest in collecting taxes among the masses. All shortcomings of the natives will be paid in full by the pitiable Capitan. It must be possible then that the Capitan should be well-to-do, otherwise, he will be the victim of Spanish torture and sacrifice. He served, in short, as a puppet to the Parish priests or cura párroco.

The leading "Capitanes" during the Spanish regime in the town of Polillo so far as it can be told are:

1. Capitan Juan Modesto
2. Capitan Antonio Azores
3. Capitan Ramon Isagunde
4. Capitan Mariano Estuita
5. Capitan Rufino Azarias
6. Capitan Bartolome Fernandez
7. Capitan Matias Pumarada

8. Capitan Justo Azaula 9. Capitan Fulgencio Azaula 10. Capitan Antonio Pumarada 11. Capitan Juan Mopera 12. Capitan Ariston Modesto 13. Capitan Sabas Foliente 14. Capitan Joaquin Mopera 15. Capitan Basilio Tena

During Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo's short-lived Republic, the "Presidente" had been Mr. Agustin Pumarada.

After a short period, came the Americans who gained at once the friendship with natives. The leading town officials with their respective dates of tenure were:

Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
BUREAU OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Division of Quezon
Polillo

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN OR CITY

1. NAMES AND SOCIAL STATUS OF THE FOUNDERS:
NOTE: (Neither resource persons nor authentic records on this part of the Research Work are available at present.)

2. DATA ON HISTORICAL SITES, STRUCTURES, BUILDINGS, OLD RUINS:

a. The present old Church: This structure has remained to this day the center of activities of Catholic Religion followers. Its being the oldest of all existing Spanish structures makes it significant as the great power of the church over the subject people during the period of Spain’s sovereignty in the Philippines. It is purely Spanish in design, although poorly done with local coral rocks and lime. Of all the Spanish structures in our town this old church, constructed in 1878, has remained standing to these days.

b. The old convent which is part of the old church, represents the ruins of the once magnificent building in our town during the olden days. The church and the convent are within the surrounding walls of stone of the former town proper. These walls were provided with turrets at convenient places which served as watch towers. Visitors of our town will find them the surviving ruins of the past grandeur of the town proper. The old church cemetery a few hundred meters East of the church is another relic of the Spanish church activity in our town in the past.

3. IMPORTANT FACTS, INCIDENTS OR EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE:

a. During the Spanish Occupation:
(1) The building of the present church in 1878.
(2) The Moros raided some remote barrios in the southern part of Polillo Island. A few natives were captured and brought to Mindanao.
(3) The notorious bandit, alias “Kabayo” was captured, whose head was cut off and delivered to the “Gobernadorcillo” in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.
(4) The last Spanish Priest was captured in the old convent by the “Katipuneros” at the outbreak of the Filipino-Spanish war in 1896.
(5) The “Kapitanes” of the town were appointed by the priest from time to time during their regime.

b. During the American Occupation:
(1) The establishment of the first American Primary school where the pupils were provided with free textbooks and all other school supplies they needed.
(2) The municipal government was organized by administering election of municipal president, secretary, and the councilors. The municipal officials were given autonomy in running the affairs of the town.
(3) Some Filipino young men and women were orientated by the American Soldiers-Teachers, and employed in teaching the young children.
(4) Intermediate classes were soon opened as the Filipino children progressed in their studies.
(5) The first Representatives and Senators of the land were elected, in accordance with the Jones Law, hence the House of Representatives and the House of Senate were organized in the Legislative Department of the National Government.
(6) By election the delegates to the constitutional convention were chosen. The Constitutional Convention was convened under the leadership of Hon. Claro Recto and in 1935 the constitution was ratified by the President of America (U.S.A.). On Sept. 15, 1935 the Commonwealth Government was inaugurated.

(7) Plebiscite was conducted throughout the Philippines over the Tyding’s McDoffie Law and the Hare Hewes-Cutting Law both of which dealt with the granting of the Philippine Independence. The Tyding’s McDoffie was adopted, and on July 4, 1946, the independent form of Government on the Philippines was inaugurated. This event marked the close of the American sovereignty over the Islands.

c. During and After World War II:

(1) On December 24, 1940 the first Japanese bombs in our town were dropped. Mr. Paulino Conchada was then the Municipal President. The people had to shield themselves from shrapnel of the bombs and the gun bullets by moving to nearby barrios with whatever belongings they could bring with them.
(2) When the town was empty of people, those who were bold enough ransacked the houses for whatever they wanted to get. There was no government in the poblacion for a few days.
(3) A few weeks later after the surrender of Bataan and Corregidor, in April, 1941, Japanese soldiers were stationed in Polillo, and remained there until the country was finally liberated from them by the Americans and the guerrillas in March, 1945.
(4) The Anderson Battalion liberated the municipality of Polillo on April 25, 1945. Right after liberation the schools and the government offices were organized and the pre-war work resumed.
(5) Four (4) months later after the liberation of Polillo, the Anderson Battalion moved out to Infanta to help the American soldiers drive or capture the Japanese. The operation continued until the place was finally liberated from the hands of the enemy.
(6) In due time, the living condition in Polillo returned to normal.
(7) During the enemy occupation there were clashes between the Japanese Imperial Forces and the scattered guerillas. In these clashes both parties sustained losses and casualties. Among all the barrios in Polillo, the following were the sites of such clashes: Tamulaya, Bislian, Jamalig, Patnanungan, Calasuan and Burdeos. The Japanese soldiers who retreated to remote barrios of the Municipality, finally crossed Polillo Strait and surrendered to the Americans in Infanta. They were afraid to surrender to the Filipino soldiers because they were sure they would be killed without fail.
(8) There were a number of Filipinos who were confined in the Japanese Garrison and finally killed. Among the unfortunate victims were: Teofilo Hernandez, a Dentist; Dominador Morga, a merchant; Alfredo Pumarada, chief of police; Deogracias Ayes and Evaristo Mutia, both Municipal Policemen; Juan Macituanas, a farmer; Atanasio Azada, a farmer; and others who were not identified.
(9) On the other hand there were a number of Filipinos who acted as spies for the Japanese Imperial Forces, and were killed by the guerillas. Jose Tana and a certain Pilo were representatives of such spies. The rest of the Filipino spies killed by the liberation forces are not recorded.
(10) The liberation forces under the command of Colonel Anderson not only liberated our town from the enemy, but also ameliorated the lot of the poor war-worried people by rationing to them foodstuffs furnished by the USAFFE. The aids extended to the people by the liberation forces enabled them to resume their former life activities. The people’s sympathy and cooperation were secured and maintained by the liberators.

4. DESTRUCTION OF LIVES, PROPERTIES AND INSTITUTIONS DURING WARS:

a. (1) In 1896 - 1900: (NOTE: No information other than that narrated in the History of the Philippines, by Fernandez, is available.)

(2) In 1941 - 1945; (World War II) In the whole municipality of Polillo, not so much destruction of lives, properties and institutions were wrought by War II as those in her neighboring towns or main cities of the Philippines. Only a few persons whose houses were directly hit by bombs claimed for war damage valued to almost insignificant amount compared with war damage claims in other municipalities.

b. Measures and Accomplishments Toward Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Our Town. (1) The peoples’ private properties: under this subject, private properties were rehabilitated and reconstructed through the aid of either The R.F.C.; The W.D.C. or by means of the initiative and savings of the particular individuals or corporations. However, within the span of only a little more than seven years from liberation the rehabilitation and reconstruction in private properties are far more advance than those in government properties in our town.

(2) It is hoped the government will find all means possible in activating the reconstruction and rehabilitation of all the destruction caused by War II not only in this town but also throughout the Philippines.

Respectfully submitted,

(Sgd.)_GELERINO S. CULATA
Chairman Purok No. 2
Polillo, Quezon