MUNICIPALITY OF DASMARIÑAS, CAVITE, Historical Data of Part 2
PART II
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him, is better than that which gives the people more opportunities to serve and greater responsibilities. The progress attained by this town during this period was remarkable indeed!
His last days were not as pleasant and productive as his previous ones. After reaching a ripe age of seventy-one, he contracted a disease that laid him to bed for the remaining months. And on the mournful evening of December 23, 1938; he saw his beloved town for the last time, remembered his dear wife, children, relatives and friends, and from then on parted us forever.
END
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BIOGRAPHY OF DON FELIPE T. TIRONA
Felipe T. Tirona was the staunchest leader of the defunct Democratic Party in the town of Dasmariñas, Cavite. He was elected town mayor of the same municipality under the aforesaid party in 1919-1922. He always helped the needy and the oppressed in order to regain justice.
He was born on May 1, 1866, in Imus, Cavite. His parents were Roberto Tria Tirona from Kawit and Maria Tirona who was from Imus. He received his first education from his uncle Maestro Guillermo Tirona who was from Imus also. Then he studied in San Juan de Letran in Manila.
At the age of seventeen, he became a clerk in the local government of Dasmariñas. Later on, he became Justice of the Peace of the same town. When the Revolution broke out he served as Captain under General Emilio Aguinaldo. He also served in the same capacity during the Filipino-American War.
He helped in the organization of the town of Dasmariñas in 1916. After the Filipino-American War, this municipality became a barrio of Imus. The late Felipe T. Tirona helped in the organization of Dasmariñas as a separate town from Imus.
He was married three times. His first wife was Ignacia Ramirez by whom he had five children. Two died in infancy while the three were Rosa, Tomas, the father of high ranking officer in the Philippine Air Force, and Pacita.
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In his second nuptials his wife was Margarita Santarin by whom he had a daughter named Pilar.
With the third wife named Jacinta Soteno, he had two daughters; named Lucia and Paula, both of whom are living.
He died on January 27, 1931, at Dasmariñas, Cavite.
Contributed by:
(Mrs.) Lucia T. Tirona
Central Azucarera
Don Pedro, Nasugbu
Batangas
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EMILIO ALCIDIA RAMIREZ
Emilio Alcidia Ramirez was born in the town of Dasmariñas on April 18, 1884. He was the son of Imanuelo Ramirez of Imus, Cavite and Saturnina Alcidio of Dasmariñas, Cavite. His early education was acquired in a Spanish School in his town from 1892 up to the Revolution of 1896. When the Americans reopened the public school in 1901, young Emilio attended school until he finished his second year at the Cavited High School in 1906. He married Cecilia Javier in 1906 with whom he had five children.
From June, 1903, to May 1934, he was a public school teacher at Malagasang Primary School and Anabu Barrio School at Imus, Cavite. Then he was made Head Teacher of the Primary School at Dasmariñas for a year and later was transferred to Imus. He resigned from public service and devoted his time to farming which he believed is an important factor for the economic prosperity of the country.
He commenced his political career in 1916, when he was elected councilor of the municipality of Imus, Cavite. At that time the town of Dasmariñas was a barrio of the former. When Dasmariñas was declared a town on January, 1917, he continued his work as a councilor until 1923. From that year to 1925, he was elected Vice-Mayor of Dasmariñas. From 1925, to 1928, he was elected councilor. From 1928 to 1931, he was the elected Mayor. During his incumbency as mayor of the town of Dasmariñas, he tried to improve the methods of farming. He has strived to give the right of social justice. It was his policy to bring the government nearer to the people.
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During his term of office he obtained for his town the following improvements:
First, An irrigation system for which the municipality of Dasmariñas spent the amount of P21,000.00
Second, The elementary School Shop for which the town people contributed the amount of P1,000.00
Third, Two standard rooms were added to the present elementary school building.
Before his death, he was the chairman of the Parent-Teacher Association of this town. He died on June 8, 1945.
Contributed by:
(Mrs.) Cecilia Ramirez
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ISIDRO S. MANGUBAT
Isidro S. Mangubat was born in the barrio of Sabang, Dasmariñas, Cavite on May 15, 1885. His parents were Eliodoro Mangubat and Oliva Sanchez. His early boyhood was spent in the barrio where he attended a grammar school under the tutorship of "Maestra Melencia", a Filipino teacher during that time. After three years of studying, he was forced to stop due to the party alignment of his parents. He devoted his time helping his father in the field.
After many years of working he was employed in the Bureau of Public Works as "Capatas" in the road construction in Dasmariñas and Silang. He also served in the same capacity in the towns of Bacoor and Naic for three years. Later he worked as "Capatas" in the construction of the irrigation system in Nueva Ecija and Albay. He also served as a clerk in the Bureau of Public Works. After many years of service in the said Bureau, he resigned in order to devote his time to public service.
On October 10, 1925, he was elected Municipal Mayor of Dasmariñas. He served in that position until 1929. One of the most important achievements during his incumbency as mayor of the town was the construction of the irrigation system of his town which greatly helped the farmers to increase their harvest. In 1928, he was elected vice-mayor and was reelected to the same position in 1941. He died on September 21, 1942.
Contributed by:
Atty. Eliseo Mangubat
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Lt. DOMINGO M. BARZAGA
Among those who devoted themselves to serve one's country was Lt. Domingo Barzaga. He was born in Dasmariñas, Cavite, on May 8, 1916. His parents, Francisco Barzaga, a notary public, and Bernarda Mangubat, a merchant, sent him to school when he was eight years old. Domingo attended Dasmariñas Elementary School until he graduated in 1932. As a pupil, he was silent and studious. Because of his good character and intelligence, he won the first honors.
Domingo led a life of hardships. While still a boy of eight years, he fell from a moving truck full of "panucha". He used to help his mother in the "panucha" business, which was one of the best industries of Dasmariñas at that time. He was unconscious until he was brought to the Philippine General Hospital. When he was in grade seven, a classmate accidentally stabbed his elbow. After his graduation from the Dasmariñas Elementary School in 1932, he studied in Tayabas High School. In Lucena, he lived with an older brother of his, Ildefonso, who was the Manager of the Philippine National Bank Branch in that province. While studying in Lucena, he had to hike daily three kilometers from his home to the High School which was located in the barrio of Iyam. He had to do this because his allowance which was only fifty centavos a week was just enough to buy his necessities in school and the fare for his transportation was five centavos for one way. Since he had to go back and forth four times a day, his money would be enough only for two days and nothing will be left for pencil and paper. He stayed in
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Lucena for two years, from June, 1932 to March 1934. He finished second year in the Tayabas High School. In 1935, he transferred to Cavite High School and graduated in 1936. In 1937, being twenty-years old, he enlisted to undergo military training which was required by Commonwealth Act No. 1 (National Defense Act). He stayed in Camp Dau, Fort Stotsenberg, Pampanga, for one year because he was trained to be an officer. He finished his course on December 15, 1938, as a Probationary Third Lieutenant Reservist of the Philippine Army.
Unable to continue his studies in College he helped his father work in the farm. Since working on the farm was hard for him, he went to Mindanao to work under another brother, Jose, who was the Assistant District Engineer of Cotabato. He was employed as the General Timekeeper under the Bureau of Public Works. He worked in the road project between Tantangan and Koronadal Valley. The purpose of the road construction was to give comfort to the immigrants flocking that settlement.
At the outbreak of the Second World War, he was recalled to the Army as a Third Lieutenant Officer. The war raged on so fast that he was assigned as an Infantry Officer and not as an Artillery Officer. He was stationed at Malaybalay, Bukidnon Headquarters of the Mindanao Group under the Command of the late President Roxas. Since Domingo had a firm decision that the Filipinos would win, he fought bravely but he heroically met his death while in command of a patrol detachment somewhere in the jungle of Bukidnon. His remains were never located for he was buried in the midst of the thick jungle by his fellow soldiers who lavishly cared and respected him. That was on the 14th of February, 1942.
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MIGUEL AUSTRIA
In 1948 his parents were given an award of Military Merit Medal because according to General Order No. 393 of the National Defense Forces, "He willingly gave up his life for his country that freedom might live as it now lives for us to enjoy. He belongs to the ages and stands as a symbol of that unselfish devotion to the country for which our youths are ever ready and ever willing to sacrifice their precious blood and love".
Miguel Austria was born in Dasmariñas, Cavite, on May 8, 1913. He was the son of Anastacia Villanueva and Atanacio Austria. In 1925, he started his schooling and finished his elementary grades in 1932 as the best pupil in wood-working. He continued his high school course and finished in 1936 at the Cavite High School. Being ambitious he continued his studies in the College of San Juan de Letran as a working musician in order to defray his expenses. Just after his graduation from this college, with the Degree of Bachelor of Commerce, he was appointed as Municipal Secretary in his town and remained in this office for a few months until he was called to the army.
He was assigned to Camp Tres Cruces, A few days before the Japanese-American War broke out in the Pacific, the whole Philippine Army and the USAFE were concentrated at Bataan. Unfortunately during one of the greatest defensive battles against the Japanese, Miguel Austria was one of those who fell in defense of his country. He died in Bataan on March 29, 1942.
--ooOoo--
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FRANCISCO BARZAGA
Capitang Kiko a popular nickname is officially known as Francisco Barzaga. He was born in Dasmariñas, Cavite, on April 2, 1872. His parents were Hermogenes Barzaga and Manuela Emano. Though born of poor parents, Francisco was able to attend school in Dasmariñas at the early age of six. In 1884, when he was already eleven years old he transferred to Cavite City, the capital of the province. Here he finished the "Escuela Segundaria". It is equivalent to the Elementary School at present. Due to lack of means of his parents he was not able to study in Manila.
Since then, young Francisco started to work. He first served as an "Escribiente Meritorio" ( a clerk who received P .40 ); after having worked for three months for free service at the Cavite Arsenal, he left this place for a better job at the Court of First Instance in Cavite under Don Pedro Lipana. During this period, government officials rendered service on half days only. So Francisco worked in two offices, at the Register of Deeds he served from 6:00 A.M to 12:00 P.M. and at the Court of First Instance from 2:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.
In 1891, the Notary Public of Cavite, Don Pedro Paig, died. At that time only one Notary Public should serve in the province. Don Juan Tongco, a lawyer, succeeded Don Pedro Paigg Francisco left his job at the Court of First Instance and worked under the new Notary Public. Don Juan Tongco was also the bookkeeper of a certain Spanish owned grocery at that time, and Francisco used to help him in his work from 8:00 o'clock P.M.
In 1892, the Register of Deeds, Don Juan Miguel de Liñan was
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transferred to Bulacan, Bulacan and Francisco worked with him. But he was dissatisfied so he returned to Cavite in March 1894, and served in the Clerk of Court's office. At this time the resistance movement was beginning that Mr. Jose Rizal's novels, "El Filibusterismo" and "Noli Me Tangere" were reaching the Philippines in Cavite of which Francisco was able to receive and read. All of a sudden, he heard news that anyone caught receiving the said leaflets will be arrested and exiled. So in October, 1894, he went back to his home town where he became the municipal secretary until the outbreak of the revolution in 1896. He married the former Bernarda Mangubat on January 14, 1896.
When the two Spanish Friars (Uldog as they were called) from the hacienda of Calitron, the local parish priest, and the Sergeant of the Civil Guards including twelve Filipino soldiers were gathered in the town convent, the head of the town, Placido Campos and his Secretary Francisco Barzaga who were designated by General Emilio Aguinaldo as "Commandante" and "Capitan" respectively, conspired to revolt. On September 3, 1896, the Spaniards left the convent of Dasmariñas and went to Silang. It was on this date when the people of Dasmariñas got up in arms and pursued the fleeing Spaniards. In the barrio of Sampaloc, the Spaniards were overtaken and were all killed.
On February 26, 1897, the Spanish Army recaptured the town of Dasmariñas. More than 20,000 Filipinos armed with bolos, bamboo spears and a few rifles captured from the Spaniards fought but less than 10,000 were left alive. This was due to a leakage in the military plans of the revolutionists. By the month of April, the whole
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province of Cavite was again under the Spanish rule.
When the American Fleet under the command of Admiral Dewey defeated the Spanish Armada in the famous battle of Manila Bay which took place in 1898, "Commandante" Placido Campos and "Capitan" Francisco Barzaga again led the town revolutionists in driving the Spaniards out of Cavite. With the help of the Filipinos the Americans succeeded in ending the Spanish Regime in the Philippine, On June 12, 1898, the First Philippine Republic was inaugurated at Barasoain, Malolos, Bulacan and General Aguinaldo was proclaimed President. At this time, "Capitang Kiko" was appointed by Gen. Aguinaldo as Justice of the Peace of Dasmariñas, Cavite.
However, in February of 1899, the Filipinos fought against the Spaniards for an unknown cause. The fighting ended on December 31, 1899.
In February, 1900, Francisco Barzaga was elected president of Dasmariñas in an election held in the town under the supervision of the American Army. When the Civil Government was established on October 1, 1901, Placido Campos was elected president and Francisco Barzaga was chosen treasurer until 1906 when the town of Dasmariñas Imus and Bacoor were fused into one municipality.
From 1906 to 1907 he served as the councilor to represent the District of Dasmariñas.
He worked in the Bureau of Lands from 1908 to 1920 and retired from public service in 1920 due to his failing health.
In the 1922 general election he was again elected president of Dasmariñas and served the office up to 1925.
He has been a Notary Public since 1912.
Contributed by:
(Miss) Nadina N. Barzaga
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THEODRICO SARNOSARIO
(An Autobiography)
I was born in the barrio of San Agustin, Dasmariñas, Cavite, on the first day of July, 1892. I was the third of the six children of Marcelino Sarnosario and Melecia Bari. I was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church. My parents were poor for my father was only a humble farmer. This shortcoming in life prevented me to continue my studies in the higher institutions of learning.
When I reached school age, I convinced my parents to let me study for I knew that to be educated will mean a big asset for the family. Fortunately my parents consented and I was very happy to attend my first grade in school.
I began my studies in the Dasmariñas Primary School but, it was a continuous break up for I have to stop often times in order to help my father in field work. I finished my primary grades in our town and was very eager to continue my intermediate grades. It was in the year 1906, when I went to Cavite City with the intention to study. I stayed in the house of a friend with the understanding that I would help in the house and continue my studies.
I finished my Grade Six in the Cavite Elementary School in 1909. The following year I transferred to Imus and finished my Grade Seven. In 1911, during the month of May, I went to the City of Manila to look for a job and continue my studies in the High School. Fortunately, I was admitted to work in the Bureau of Science, Division of Fisheries. This was an opportunity for me to study at night, I took up a course in Bookkeeping at the Gregg Business College. But my sole educational career was stopped for I was transferred to Alacoro. There I became a helper in the collection of the different kinds of fish in the islands for a period of nine months.
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I was transferred to the City of Manila and resumed my usual work in the Bureau of Science. I married my wife the former Miss Rufina Canabe who was from Silang, Cavite. This was the reason I did not continue to work in the Government office. During this time I started a small sari-sari store in my home town where my family lived for the mean time. Later I put up a Bakery with a Chinaman as my helper. From the meager income I had I was able to purchase a piece of land from the government (Friar Lands Estate). This was the beginning of my little wealth.
On August 16, 1916, I was elected councilor of Imus, Cavite. During that time Dasmariñas was a barrio of Imus. During that time there were few people here. The population would not guarantee the organization of a town. The following year when the people who went out of Dasmariñas returned to their homes, Dasmariñas got back its recognition as a town. From that time until 1930, I was elected as Vice-Mayor for two consecutive terms until 1937. During this time I had tasted one of the most pathetic part of my life for my good wife died and left seven children under my care. In 1938, I was elected Mayor of this town until 1940. During this time I married my second wife who was from the town of Silang, too.
I abandoned politics in 1941. I was appointed manager of the Farmer's Loan Division until the outbreak of the Second World War on December 6, 1941.
On February 4, 1942, being the head of the Civilian Volunteer Guard, I was called by the Chief of the Japanese Imperial Army to Cavite. He ordered that all rifles and guns under the possession of the Filipinos here to be surrendered.
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This was done under the influence of those Sakdalistas who were at the time the Secret Service men of the Japanese Imperial Army. Later I joined the Guerilla Unit under General Saulog as a Lieutenant Colonel. But there were some of my townmates who were pro-Japanese and reported to the Japanese High Command that I was a Guerilla. I was summoned by the Japanese Military Police at Cavite and I was imprisoned there. I will not tell all my hardships but, everyone can imagine the hardships inflicted upon any person by the Japanese Military Police. Later on I was released by the Japanese and I went back to work in the farm. On December 17, 1944, the Japanese and a few Makapilis came to Dasmariñas and concentrated the male in the church. I was one among those who were to be executed. With the help of the Lord, I escaped death for the third time and instead my son was the one executed by them.
But God is always kind to those who are good and punishes those who are wrong, so the Japanese lost all their grounds and little by little lost their stronghold. On February 3, 1945, the Americans arrived at Dasmariñas and liberated this town, and then continued to liberate all the provinces of Luzon.
At last we are free from the cruel hands of the Japanese and the Philippines started a new life once more. Just after liberation I was appointed mayor of our town. To the end I am glad that our country has obtained its everlasting Independence. In 1946, I quit my political career and decided to be a free and independent farmer.
Contributed by:
Mr. Teodorico Sarnosario
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FELICISIMO M. CARUNGCONG
Felicisimo Carungcong was born in Sabang, Dasmariñas, Cavite, on August 18, 1915. He is the eldest of the six children of Estanislao Carungcong and Macaria Medina, both from Sabang, Dasmariñas. He received his early education at Sabang Barrio School. He finished his intermediate grades at Imus Intermediate School in 1928. He graduated from the High School at the National University in 1932. After he finished his high school, he studied Dentistry in the same year in the Philippine Dental College. He finished his studies in 1936. He took his Board Examination for the practice of Dentistry and passed it. In addition to this examination, he also passed the Civil Service Examination for Charity Dentist on August 3-4, 1939.
On December 10, 1940, he was elected Municipal Mayor of Dasmariñas. He served in this category from January 1, 1941 to January, 1942. During the Japanese Occupation he joined the Guerilla Organization, Reyes Regiment at Barrio Salawag, Dasmariñas, Cavite. He was a 1st. Lieutenant in this outfit by the American forces, West Pacific (AFWESPAC).
On April 9, 1945 he was reappointed Military Mayor of Dasmariñas, Cavite by Major General Mariano Castañeda in February, 1945 who was authorized by the U.S. Army to appoint Military Mayors in Cavite Province. He was again reappointed Mayor by President Sergio Osmeña under the organized Commonwealth Government in May, 1945. He resigned as Municipal Mayor on January 31, 1945 and returned to military control in January, 1946, at Bongabon, Nueva Ecija, under the 83rd. Inf. Reg., 37th. Div. U.S. Army.
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Later he was transferred to the Military Police Command Philippine Army on April 9, 1946 and was further reassigned as Commanding Officer, 55th MP Co. in the Province of Masbate, on May 28, 1946. He became the Intelligence and Operation Officer at the Headquarters Albay Province, Phil. Constabulary in August, 1949. He was also assigned as Executive Officer of "M" Co. 13th BCT (PA) in 1950. Promoted to the rank of a Captain on February 14, 1951 and later assigned as Adjutant, Philippine Constabulary School, Camp Crame, on March 1, 1951. Then he was transferred to the 22ND BATTALION COMBAT TEAM (PA), on July 1, 1951 as Assistant Operations Plans & Training Officer. Then he was again assigned as Training Officer of Operation Plans, which position he is serving at present.
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Biography of Arturo S. Carungcong
Arturo S. Carungcong was born in Dasmariñas, Cavite on June 6, 1911. He was the fifth child of Romualdo Carungcong and Eugenia Sayoto who are both residents of Dasmariñas. Being the son of a poor family, he received only a very little education. In spite of his little education he rose to a man of prominence in his community, having been elected as a Municipal Mayor of his town.
He is married to Felisa Barzaga and at present they have eight children. Before he was elected Mayor of Dasmariñas, he was an industrious farmer. He is an ideal father who strived much for the welfare and the betterment of his family.
In 1947, he was elected Mayor of Dasmariñas, Cavite. During his incumbency he had done much to improve his small town. Some of his improvement during his administration are as follows:
- The construction of the town hall.
- The construction of the tennis court.
- Opening of the Camerino Avenue to the National Road.
- Improvement of the income of the Municipality.
- Improvement of the water supply and extended to the near-by barrios.
- Construction of bridges and repair of the roads which facilitates the farmers in bringing their products to the town.
Though his improvements are few, yet they are of such importance and generally appreciated by the people.
Reported by,
Reynaldo B. Carungcong
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Julio Mangubat
Veterans of the Revolution - 1896-1897 -
The following are some of the officials: Placido Campos, Francisco Barzaga, Felipe Tirona, Felipe Aledia, Isidoro Garcia, Carlos Bantarin, Domingo Geneveo, Rufino Antonio, Dalmacio Ramirez, Oligario Malihan, Juan Mallari, Juan Ramirez.
Julio Mangubat was one of the soldiers of the Battalion Magdalo under the command of General Emilio Aguinaldo. They fought against the Spaniards in 1896-1897. When the Spanish Armed Forces numbering around 30,000 were able to defeat the Revolutionists in the boundary between Dasmariñas and Imus, on March 24, 1897, the Revolutionists were forced to retreat to the town of Imus, barrio of Bayanluma. But the next day, March 25, 1897, the Spanish Armed forces were able to overtake the revolutionists and entered the town of Imus. Fighting between the Spaniards and the Filipinos took place here and it was in this place where a bullet hit the left eye of Julio Mangubat. So he was forced to stop fighting in order to rest and to cure his eye. When he got well he joined again the battalion of Paliparan which fought against the Americans in 1899. But when the Filipinos were finally defeated he stopped fighting. Peace reigned and a memorable mark on his left eye is found which remains a relic of the memorable Philippine Revolution.
Reported by,
(Mrs.) LUCILA VELUZ MANGUBAT
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CAPTAIN RUFINO GELIE
One of the most promising soldiers of Dasmariñas is Capt. Rufino Gelie, born in Dasmariñas, Cavite, on July 20, 1917. He spent his boyhood days in this town. At the age of seven, he entered school. He finished his primary grades in 1929 and his intermediate grades in 1932 with second honors. He continued his secondary education in the Cavite High School and graduated in 1936.
Just after graduation he studied in the Gregg Business College and finished a course in Stenography and Typewriting in 1937. During this time, the Cavite Navy Yard needed laborers so he took up the opportunity and became an apprentice electrician.
At the age of nineteen, he took the civil service test for Patrolman in Chartered Cities. He passed the test successfully and was assigned as a policeman in the city of Cavite.
He was called to take up military training when he reached the age of twenty. He graduated with honor as a 3rd Lieutenant in the Reserve Officer Training School. Immediately after his graduation he was assigned as a military instructor at the school for Reserve Company. Just after the outbreak of the World War II in the Pacific, he was called to active duty as a 3rd Lieutenant and Commanding Officer of Co. B, 1st and 43rd Infantry and 41st Division.
He fought in Bataan and Corregidor. He was one of those who was included in the "Death March" to the concentration camp at Capas, Tarlac. From there, he returned to his native town and joined the Cavite Guerilla Forces as Major.
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