MUNICIPALITY OF QUEZON, QUEZON, Historical Data of

end of the island of Alabat nearest the mainland of Luzon were grouped. It is half way between the town of Alabat and the barrio of Silangan. All the barrios were grouped under the name “Delegacion”. The barrio of Silangan was the seat of the meetings. The chief executive of these groups was called a “Delegado.” The first delegado was Don Serapio Militante. Don Jacobo Araya followed as delegado in the year 1909–1911.

It was during the presidency of Don Venancio Chacon in the year 1910–1912 when the people voiced their opinion through the initiative of the following person:

When Don Vicente Francia became the president again in 1912–1913 the prominent person again insisted for the approval of the separation. On Feb. 22–1913, a meeting of all persons of the “Delegacion” was hold thereby creating a board committee as approved by the delegado Fruto Militante. The duty of the board committee was to be in charge of preparing and administering all the necessary steps for the immediate approval of the municipality. The following were elected as officers of the committee:

They acted as the governing body of the delegacion until the approval of the municipality.

On July, 1913, a temporary municipal building was erected through the help of the people under the supervision of the committee Board ready to be used in case the granting of the municipality of Silangan would be approved.

A resolution, through the recommendation of the Provincial Board, was sent to Governor General Francis Burton Harrison, requesting the approval of the separation of Silangan.

The following person represented the request of the people:

Simon Oliveros
Sorapio Militante
Pedro Barros

On Nov. 29, 1913 the approval was granted by the Gov. Gen. (executive Order no. 1017) granting the municipality of Quezon, and comprising the barrios of Silangan, Villa Francia, Sabang, Cegbalogo, Tagkawa, Caridad, Cometa, Magsino, Villa Gomez, Guinbawa and Apad.

On January 1, 1914, the inauguration of the new municipality was celebrated.

The following were inducted into office:

The above mentioned officials worked hard to collect the money for the construction of the concrete school building. They secured aid from the Provincial funds.

On January 31, 1918, the Governor General upon the request of the new municipality, represented by Ulpiano Camacho and Basilio de Guzman issued the Executive Order No. 6 separating the barrio of Mascarina and Montaña from Alabat and including them in Quezon. In 1918 these barrios were officially transferred to the new municipality.

It was on Dec. 25, 1941 when the Japanese plane machine gunned the town. Looting also began.

The Japanese first landed in Quezon on Feb. 8, 1942 With this landing, the Japanese looted for three days.

The military government was established by Capt. Hagihara on March 16, 1942.

The first church of Silangan, now Quezon, was located near a big balete tree which could be seen on the way to the public elementary school of the town.

Nobody could say whether this church was used or not.

The second church was built in the churchyard at the corner of Militante and Nieva Streets.

It was facing the sea. Its roof was made of nipa with wooden wools. This church was used by the people.

The third church is the one used at present. It is near the second church. The third church was built for the people. It is said that the second is haunted, so they were afraid to enter the second church.

The tribunal was a big house where meeting and merry makings were held during the "ancient" times. The first tribunal was at the corner of Rizal and Harrison streets while the second one was at the corner of Rizal and Carpenter street.

The guard house was another building near the seashore. Days and nights the guard watched for the Moros who brought great trouble to the place.

Part Two : Folkways

It is a common practice that whenever a woman on the family may give birth, friends of the family come and visit. During the visit local wine with medicine which is drunk by the woman who gives birth is served to the visitors. During the baptism of a baby, the godfather and godmother give gifts to the newly baptized baby either in the form of money or a kind which is called "pakimkim".

During courtship, young men serenade the woman.

When a young man and a young woman are engaged, the party of the man prepares for a "pamamanhikan". This is a practice by which parents of both parties agree on what to do with regards to the coming marriage. Food is served by the young man's party during the "pamamanhikan".

From the period of pamamanhikan to marriage, the young man works in the home of the young woman. This is called "paninilbihan".

Marriage ceremony comes next. The young man's part is usually shoulder all the expenses including the

When somebody dies, the deceased is kept for a night or two in the house where he died. Friends attend the "bankayan," give alms, and carpenters help in making the coffin. During the burial, people who attend the funeral throw a lump of soil into the graveyard as their "pabaon."

The municipal town fiesta is on August 19th, in honor of the late President Manuel L. Quezon, while the feast of the Patron Saint, which is the Holy Cross, is on May 3rd. The town people contribute to this town fiesta. Mayflower Festival is another merry-making, but this is under the auspices of the group of persons called hermanas and hermanos.

It is the common belief among the town folks that when the rays of the sun are red at sunrise, it is a sign of good weather, while when the sun peeps after sunset, there is an approaching storm. When the swallows fly very low, it is a sign of bad weather. Eating twin bananas while conceiving will give birth to a twin.

The popular songs are the well-known kundiman, harison, and lullabies. Athletics, swimming, playing games and cards, reading magazines, attending programs, and listening to the radio are the amusements of the people.

There are the common proverbs and sayings: