MUNICIPALITY OF DASMARIÑAS, CAVITE, Historical Data of Part 1

PART I

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About these Historical Data

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A SHORT HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF DASMARIÑAS

At the beginning the town of Dasmariñas was a barrio of the Municipality of Imus, Cavite.

In the year 1868, the Spanish government made it a town and named it "Perez Dasmariñas" in honor of the Spanish Governor General at that time.

The portion of the church that was first constructed here was the convent for the priests to live in, followed by the construction of the church proper. The town of Perez Dasmariñas was a rich town. Its soil gave an abundant yield. The fertility of the soil was attributed to the presence of a good system of irrigation both in the lowlands and in the uplands. The whole land was planted with sugar cane and palay. Aside from these two crops the people planted corn, sweet potatoes, gabi, and other plants and vegetables like those that are planted by the people now.

On February 25, 1897, the Spanish forces captured the town of Perez Dasmariñas. This town had at that time a population of 20,000, about one-half of which perished during the fighting. The Spanish soldiers burned the convent and the whole town. They left only the church which served as their garrison.

In the month of May 1898, the American fleet entered Manila Bay and Cavite under the command of Admiral Dewey. After two hours fighting, Admiral Dewey defeated the Spanish Fleet under Admiral Montojo and triumphantly took over the city of Manila.

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In the same month the revolutionists rose up under the leadership of Placido Campos to fight against the Spanish soldiers who were detailed in Cavite Province. The revolutionists fought until they reached Manila with the help of the Americans.

The people who left the municipality of Dasmariñas returned to the town and built their homes in their own residential lots. The inhabitants of this place began to make a new town in the year 1898.

In the month of February 1899, the Philippine-American War began. After two years of futile resistance the Filipino Revolutionists gave up.

On January 6, 1900, by an order of the Colonel of the American battalion stationed here, the residents of Dasmariñas elected a president, a vice-president and eight councilors. Elected president was Francisco Barzaga and Conrado Malihan as vice-president. They served their office until the civil government was established by the Americans in 1901.

The Civil Government was established by the Americans in October 1901, under the Second Philippine Commission. This Commission more popularly known as the Taft Commission consisted of 16 members, 10 of whom are Americans and 6 were Filipinos. The chairman William H. Taft became the first Civil Governor of the Philippines.

In October 1901, Placido Campos, president elect, succeeded Francisco Barzaga who then became Treasurer of the town of Dasmariñas. Then a law was passed fixing the munici-

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palities of Cavite. In 1903, the American Government made the first Census in the Philippines. The treasurer Francisco Barzaga and the Secretary Esteban Quiogue, were made census enumerators for Dasmariñas, Cavite under the leadership of Placido Campos. When the census was finished the total population amounted to only 3,500, while at the same time Bacoor had 12,000 and Imus 12,000 also.

Before the revolution of 1896, the population of Dasmariñas was 12,000. There were 20 Cabezas de Barangay and each of which had 200 persons with ages ranging from 18 to 59 years, men and women. The sum of the populations of the cabezas de barangay added to the number of children which was estimated to be more or less 6,000 will give us a figure amounting to 12,000. Comparing the population prior to the revolution with that of 1948, we can definitely say that there has been a decrease in the population of the town of Dasmariñas. The 1948 census amounted to only 9,700 while that of pre-revolutionary period totaled 12,000.

In the year 1904, a law was passed combining the municipalities of Cavite. The reason for its passage was to punish the insurrectos for not surrendering. Besides, the inability of the people to work outside for fear of being suspected by the constabulary men greatly diminished the income of the municipalities to the detriment of the employees and policemen. As a consequence the existing 22 municipalities were reduced to 9. They were as follows:

1. Dasmariñas, Imus, Bacoor
2. Silang, Amadeo, Carmona
3. Mendez, Baylen

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4. Indang, Alfonso
5. Maragondon, Magallanes
6. Naic, Ternate
7. Tanza, General Trias (Malabon)
8. Rosario, Noveleta, Kawit
9. Cavite, San Roque, Caridad (now Cavite City)

This took effect in January 1905, and since then the Municipality of Dasmariñas became part of the Municipality of Imus, Cavite.

In the same year, during the month of February the two towns - Silang and Dasmariñas were zonified by the American constabulary soldiers. The people of those two towns were forced to carry with them their household belongings including cows, horses, carabaos etc. and were congregated within the "poblacion". This was done so to starve the revolutionists hiding outside the town proper. After three months the revolutionists surrendered except Sakay, Montalan, Carreon, Villafuerte and Lucio de Vega. Those remaining surrendered later in 1906 with the help of Dr. Gomez who was then a representative.

In the year 1917 Dasmariñas was again made a separate municipality. The provincial governor then was Antero Soriano. Placido Campos, Francisco Barzaga, and Felipe Tirona all convened in a town meeting voted to take away the word Perez and leave alone Dasmariñas to be the name of the new town. Since then it was called Dasmariñas.

By Francisco Barzaga

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IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT DASMARIÑAS

I AREA:- 8,079 Has. - 2 Ares - 17 Centares, Taxable lots only.
Unsold friar lands are not included here.

(a) Agricultural lots -	8,023 Has.-67 Ares-89 Centares
(b) Urban lots --------	55 Has.-34 Ares-28 Centares
Total Area:	8,079 Has.-02 Ares-17 Centares

II POPULATION:- As per census of 1948, - 9,720 Inhabitants

III NO. OF BARRIOS:- 10 barrios and 11 sitios.

1. Sabang
2. San Jose
3. Poblacion
4. San Agustin
5. Sampaloc -------1) Palapala, 2) Bukal, 3) Malinta.
6. Langkaan ------1) Humayaw
7. Burol ---------1) Pansol, 2) Pasong Kangga.
8. Paliparan -----1) Nigugan, 2) Piela.
9. Salitran.
10. Salawag --------1) Mataas na Sampaloc, 2) Munting Babae, 3) Baluktot.

IV NO. OF BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS:-

1. Stores ---------55
2. Drugstores -----3
3. Rice Mills ----9
4. Bakeries-------2
5. Barber Shops --5
6. Beauty Parlors 2
7. Dress Shops ---5
8. Tailoring Shops-3

V NO. OF PROFESSIONALS:-

(a) Doctors --------12	(f) Lawyers ------4
(b) Teachers -------47	(g) Nurses --------2
(c) Pharmacists ---12	(h) Midwife -------2
(d) Commerce Graduates -3	(i) Dentists -----5
(e) Engineers ------4	(j) Pilot --------1

(k) Agriculturists ---- 3
(l) P.M.A. Cadet ------ 1
(m) Architects --------- 2

VI NO. OF OCCUPATIONS:- 4

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MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS OF DASMARIÑAS

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--ooOOoo--

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A MEMORABLE INCIDENT DURING THE
CONCENTRATION OF THE PEOPLE IN THE TOWN
OF DASMARIÑAS, CAVITE BY
JAPANESE ON DECEMBER 17, 1944

It was in the second day of the midnight mass (Misa de Gallo) when a sad incident happened in this town.

The church bells rang to awaken the people for the Mass. It was about three thirty in the morning when I heard our old clock strike which woke me up. Two gunshots were heard from a distance. After a little while many more shots were heard. I heard my wife who had been awakened at that time murmured, "Oh those guerillas. Some persons have been robbed of their carabaos". I did not say a single word but kept silent for sometime. In a little while the sweet music of the band as it passed by seemed to be echoed and reechoed through the stillness of the night.

At about two o'clock in the morning the Japanese soldiers were already around the outskirt of the town to prevent all the male inhabitants from going away from their homes. Upon seeing the Japanese the musicians began to run. Believing these musicians were guerillas, the Japanese caught them. Some were fortunate enough to escape from being caught.

That morning I intended to harvest rice in Burol. One of my neighbors whispered to me to hide or else surrender to the soldiers. When breakfast was ready, a Japanese soldier knocked so heavily at my door that frightened my whole family. I gave him a hearty breakfast and after he was satisfied he told me to go to the church for they needed all good and law-abiding citizens there. When he left, my wife gave me enough food to keep me from being hungry for

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she knew that everyone will be kept in the concentration place without food. I was in a great predicament that a great evil was hovering over the town. It was the first time I learned to fear the Japanese, for I knew that this concentration might mean life or death on the people.

With a heavy heart I walked directly to the church. On the way there were many people going to the same place. As I passed near the school, I was surprised to see some men tied up and others hanging with their hands down. Beside the place, a big “kawa” with boiling water was seen. It was a fearful sight to see those persons hanging under the tree while a Japanese soldier beat their hands, heads and body and limbs with a big piece of board. Others were scalded with the boiling water for they were believed to be guerillas.

As I approached near the door of the church I saw a Japanese soldier on guard with a fixed bayonet. I greeted him with “Ohayo Gozaimasu” which meant Good Morning. He answered me with a smiling face. The church was overcrowded. The people were silent and I found traces of sadness in their faces.

At about ten o’clock in the morning when almost every man was inside the church, a sergeant came to the place where I was. He was very arrogant, proud and haughty. Arriving at the place where he saw the people very quiet, he began to ask questions. He called one, “Sino kirara kay Teotimo Monson?” The man answered, “Yes, I am.” The soldier said, “Ikaw taga Dasmariñas, at hindi kirara Teotimo Monson, Ha,” With these words he slapped the face of the man and then continued until his fist and hands became

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painful. Pulling his leather belt he began to swing it to the face of the others with full force and mind you how the buckle pierced through the faces of the people.

Just in time, a Japanese captain came and told the sergeant to stop. Outside the church I heard the sound of two big Japanese tanks. As they reached near the church their guns began pointing toward us. It made everyone fear for his life. I remembered what the Japanese did when they concentrated the people of a certain town and machinegunned the place and killed everyone concentrated. Everyone kept silent. I continued to say my prayers over and over again to free us from this impending danger.

At about one o’clock in the afternoon the door was opened and a group of persons tied to a big rope was pushed inside by the Japanese soldiers. Their faces were familiar to me. Among them there were four from the town of Imus two of whom I know by the names of Reyes and Manalo. It was said that these persons were caught in Imus as suspected Guerillas. During this time the Japanese were very furious. I saw them dragging people outside and when the latter returned their faces and bodies were bruised and scalded.

The next thing I remember was when I was called for investigation. I was not afraid of the Japanese then for I knew that they respected teachers. I was taken to a big house where the commander and his staff were staying. With much respect, I appeared before the commander, offered him some “Akebono” cigarettes which delighted him. His words were so kind that I even smiled with him throughout our conversation. His questions were tricky and catching and one must be very careful in his answer.

The captain began to question me as follows: “How long have

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you been in this town?” “Almost ten years,” I answered. “Why are there no children coming to school?” he continued. “Everyone is harvesting for food is scarce,” I answered. “Do you know the following persons, like Campos, Carungcong, Monson, Ramirez, and are they Guerrillas?” continued the commander. “Yes, I know them sir,” I replied. “What rank are they holding in the guerrilla?” continued the commander. “I know they are guerrillas but I do not know their respective ranks as Guerrillas.” “Why?” he insisted. “It is because that as a teacher, I don’t appreciate and I am not interested in that kind of work. As a law-abiding citizen, I do not indulge myself in those things which are against the government,” I answered. “Very Good,” said he. At my answers he was so pleased that he offered me some bananas that he was eating.

Many more questions were asked to me by the commander and my answers satisfied him. But my explanations did not influence him to pardon those mentioned. Some of those concerned were given and inflicted severe punishments. Many innocent persons just because of being enemies of those people who were pro-Japanese were punished just as well. Many of those who were reported by those selfish Filipinos suffered greatly the brutal punishments of the Japanese soldiers.

One of those persons who was punished to death was a young man by the name of Matyaga Ramirez who was accused of being a member of the Guerillas Organization. He was found in possession of a bunch of papers and other paraphernalia which were against the Japanese Military Government. He was carried inside the church with his hands tied up. Later he was taken out of the church to be beaten, flogged and tied up hanging by those Japanese soldiers. I did not see him come back. According to the news he was badly beaten to tell the

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truth. Unable to resist the beatings of the soldiers, he ran away. Another Japanese shot him to death.

At about five o’clock in the afternoon those who were tied were taken out of the church and marched toward the cemetery. With a dozen Japanese soldiers the thirty-four innocent Filipinos went out to their Death March and never to return to their loved ones. They continued their way until they reached the place near the cemetery where a big pit was dug. Upon arriving to the place, each person was thrust with a bayonet until everyone met his last.

At about six o’clock in the afternoon, a ranking officer came to the church and told us that all those who were left inside were good citizens and that everyone was pardoned.

The following morning the atmosphere in the town of Dasmariñas was very gloomy for many of those good citizens were killed. That night I was on my knees thanking God who has spared our lives and saved us once more to live happily with our loved ones.

END

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A SHORT BIOGRAPHY OF MR. PLACIDO CAMPOS Y NAVE

(By Jose S. Campos)

Mr. Placido Campos y Nave is a fine example of a good citizen. He was born in Dasmariñas, Cavite on October 5, 1867. His father, Valeriano Campos popularly called “Kapitang Vale” hailed from Talaba, Bacoor, Cavite. His mother, Julia Nave was from Bayan-Luma, Imus, Cavite. He was the fifth child in the family of nine children.

While Placido was still young, his mother who was a devoted Catholic taught him to love God above everything. Kapitang Vale was a landowner. He used to visit his farm daily to supervise the work of the farmers. Young Placido loved to go with his father who explained to his son the best method in planting sugar cane, corn, and rice. He was also taught how to take care of animals such as cows and carabaos. Placido learned how to deal fairly with the poor farmers tilling their lands. For this reason he learned at an early age the useful ways of improving the means of livelihood.

In the year 1874, Kapitang Vale owned the band in Dasmariñas, and this inspired young Placido to be a good musician. He could play the clarinet and the flute as well. At the age of five he enrolled in the Catholic School in which Jose Topacio was his first teacher. At home he was being tutored by Eugenio Ambalada. After studying for four years in the Catholic School, he studied in the Ateneo Municipal de Manila for more than two years.

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During the third year of his schooling at the Ateneo, he was kept by Rev. Fr. Jose Jovellana, his godfather, who convinced him to stay and study how to play the organ. His godfather thought that this would be a good plan for him to be the organ player in the church. With the coaxing of his mother he undertook the study of the organ and soon became a good organ player, for this reason he met many friends and admirers. It was not long that young Placido became a young man. During his early manhood because of his wealth and his good and kind companionship with his friends he became the leader of many undertakings and social groupings in his town.

In the year 1889 he married Isabel Sayoto, a girl of eighteen from Dasmariñas, Cavite. She was the daughter of Eusebia Alcantara, a widow of Francisco Sayoto, who was together with her husband from Dasmariñas, Cavite. Five children were reared from Placido and Isabel, namely; Concepcion, Jose, Crisanto, Concepcion and Hermogenes. Just after his marriage, Placido lived a different life. He now had the obligation of being a father of the family. He had been a hard-working fellow. He attended to a little business as a sugar dealer and engaged in transactions of other products available in the market.

He was an exemplary father. He did his work and fulfilled his obligation. Through long years of struggle he realized his dream of raising a happy and contented family. And living independently, he was able to build his own home although it was a humble one. In here were born Jose, Crisanto and Hermogenes

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Unfortunately, this house was burned on February 25, 1897, when the Spanish soldiers entered Dasmariñas during the early part of the revolution. The whole town of Dasmariñas was turned into ashes when the Filipino revolutionists lost the battle. Their defeat was due to Spanish superiority of arms, however it was a hard-fought battle. Kapitang Idong as they called him and his soldiers retreated to the near-by towns. The fighting continued until it reached the barrios of San Jose, Sabang and Pasong Santol and Anabu; then to the town of Imus, Cavite. This took place on the 25th of March 1897. Because of the threatening situation prevailing, Kapitang Idong hid his wife and children in a safe place. He took his family to Tanza, Naic then to Maragondon. When the Spaniards capitulated Maragondon, he brought his family back to Dasmariñas and lived temporarily in the Barrio of Sabang. It was during this time that Placido tasted the greatest hardship in his life. His wife and children were for a time laid to bed tired and sick because of hunger they encountered while they were hiding. His misery was heightened when the most pathetic moment in his life came by the death of his beloved wife. His children all young and still craving for a mother’s caressing hands became his momentary worry. He entrusted them under the care of their grandfather and aunt.

After the elapse of two years following the death of his wife, he married his second wife Marcelina Ilano, a widow. She was a pious woman. Just after his marriage to Marcelina they lived in San Jose, Dasmariñas. During that time the war between

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the Americans and the Filipinos started so that hardly a year had they been married when Kapitang Idong was caught by the Americans and together with his nephew, Guillermo Campos. They were imprisoned at the Provost Political Prison at Calle Postigo, Intramuros, Manila, where they were kept for a period of six months.

Upon his release from prison, he went back to live with his family in Dasmariñas, in a small house with his mother, Mrs. Julia Nave. After the revolution, he built his next home where he spent the second period of his life. With the motherly care of his wife, Marcelina, she reared his children with the greatest love and care that a mother can give to her own children. It was not long enough when his children grew up to manhood. His life began to prosper and thus his children were given the proper education they needed. He was able to buy little by little pieces of land which he added to the portion of land he inherited from his parents.

In the year 1921, after the marriage of his son, Jose, he and his wife transferred to live in the home of his wife, Marcelina which was located a little farther north of his home. This house has been the meeting place of the municipal government officials of Dasmariñas, and the place where the most important work and activities of the government were discussed, planned and formulated.

Placido had been one of the greatest figures who made his town progressive. Some of his achievements were the following:

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During the Spanish time he served as a Mayor of the town chosen by the delegates organized by the Parish Priest. In 1891, he was elected Vice-Mayor of his town with Gregorio Bautista as the first Mayor. On June 1, 1895, he was the one elected to the incumbency of Mayor until the time the Revolution broke out in September, 1896.

With bolos and pointed stakes, the people under his command rose up against Spain. With the help of his secretary, Mr. Francisco Barzaga they attacked the convent and the Spanish garrison in Dasmariñas. But the Spaniards were cunning so they were able to escape. They continued their way to Silang. The Filipinos pursued them, but due to the deep mud on the way between Dasmariñas and Silang, the Spaniards were delayed and were overtaken by Kapitang Idong and his men. After a few skirmishes in Sampalok, Dasmariñas, the Spaniards gave up the battle and were taken captives, among those were a sergeant and a priest who later on were killed by the town people.

After that incident another fight occurred in Dasmariñas on February 25, 1897, when a company of Spanish soldiers attacked Placido and his troop. With the help of the people of Calamba, they were able to suppress the advance for a time. But after a long time the Filipinos retreated due to the inferiority of arms and exhaustion in the long fight. Thus the Spaniards regained and occupied the town of Dasmariñas once more.

The Spaniards continued their attack in the Barrio of San Jose, Sabang, Salitran, Anabu, Pasong Santol until they reached

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the town of Imus, Cavite. On the twenty-fifth of March, 1897, Placido after placing his wife and children in safety continued his attempt to drive away the Spaniards. With the help of the people of General Trias, Tanza, and Naic, he was able to form a bigger troop. During that time the Revolutionary army did not have title for a ranking officer in charge of companies. By virtue of the K.K.K. he was given the rank of “Cabecilla” for the towns in the southern part of Cavite – the highland region. On June 12, 1897, he was given the rank in the title of “Comandante Politico Militar” in which he served in the best of his ability and capacity. He was responsible for all the troops especially those under General Lucas Camerino of Paliparan. He was the Inspector delegate of trade that was carried out with other provinces, and he was in charge of the collection of imposta and revenues on products which in turn he deposited to the Secretary Treasurer of the Revolutionary Government. The amount he collected were turned over to General Mariano Trias who was then holding this office.

The provisions of the Pact of Biak-na-Bato were not carried out by the Spaniards and after failure to comply with, the Americans came under the command of Admiral George Dewey. At this time Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo who was in Hongkong returned to the Philippines with Admiral Dewey. After the Spanish forces were defeated, the Americans triumphantly took over the city of Manila. A few days after August 13, 1898, the date of the capitulation of the city, Filipino-America n

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relationships were marred. And as the conditions worsen the Filipino troops were denied entrance to the fallen city. Finally on the fateful morning of February 4, 1899, the first shot was fired which gave the signal for a bloody war, later to be known as the Filipino-American War. In here Filipino nationalism was once more tested. All villagers, whether young or old, were ushered again to defend the cause. Placido took up arms and joined the other Filipino soldiers in a struggle which was a losing fight. The Filipino resistance was widespread. It covered different localities outside the city of Manila like San Juan del Monte, Calumpit and the North Provinces. But soon after the capture of Gen. Aguinaldo at Palanan all battle-fronts throughout the islands were silenced. However, in a brief and passing survey, it would be of interest to note that during the last days when the First Philippine Republic was tottering at its foundation stone there was a bitter fight raging in Southern Luzon especially in the province of Cavite. After a year of continuous fighting, tired and worn-out because of poor arms and deficient food, the Filipinos gave up the fight. In 1901, all parts of the Philippines which had not surrendered were placed under military control. All the insurgent Filipinos were imprisoned. Placido Campos and his nephew, Guillermo Campos who was also a revolutionist and an officer at that were imprisoned in the Provost Prison in Manila. In prison they stayed about six months. After their release they went back to Dasmariñas

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to stay with their families.

When the civil government was proclaimed in the Philippines on October, 1901, Placido was appointed as the first president of the town of Dasmariñas. There was a time when the towns of Bacoor, Imus and Dasmariñas were grouped together, Placido was elected as councilor. That time the municipal government was in the town of Imus. In 1905, Placido was elected councilor again for the municipal Government composing of the three towns. On January 1917, when Francis Burton Harrison became the Governor General of the Philippines, the town of Dasmariñas regained its recognition as an independent town in the Province of Cavite. Placido Campos became its first President while at the same time Antero Soriano became the first Governor of the Province of Cavite.

Since the formation of the Nacionalista Party in Dasmariñas in the year 1930, Placido had been the president of said party. Only in 1938, occasioned by his death, was the presidency of said party transferred to another person. His views in politics were full of reasoned respect for law and authority. For him, authority rested not upon mutual subordination but upon mutual agreement. Never was there a measure he undertook during his incumbency as mayor of this town that benefited only a few and neglected the many. His conceptions of religious as well as temporal and state matters consisted of a solemn verity to which all his observed and recorded experience played a great role. No government for

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