MUNCIPALITY OF LUISIANA, LAGUNA, Historical Data of Part 1

PART I

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About these Historical Data

The transcription of this page was done using AI technology.

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FELIZARDO MERENCILLO
Principal

ROMAN G. COSTES
District Supervisor

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PREFACE

These curriculum materials based on the actual condition of the community, coupled with its local social heritage is of paramount importance for teachers and for learners just as well. Much has been written and said about subjects of this kind but this sort of collection may strengthen further the know-what of this town. Previous researches proved futile in the reconstruction of records so much so that through this collection we can glance back to the years of occupation. To this end we can formulate a comparative study of how our community progressed in the last hundred years.

All herein contained data were gathered by various committees from personal interviews with people of different barrios of the town.

To make these contributions interesting, folklore and folklores with the past and present social life are integrated. This will enable teachers to use this in almost all the grade subjects including music. It will also provide for the use of fundamental reading habits and skills.

Grateful acknowledgment is then made to Roman F. Lorenzo, Division Superintendent, Roman G. Costes, Supervising Principal, and Felizardo Merencillo, Principal for their able guidance and valuable suggestions; to the responsible people of the town and particular barrios who voluntarily and unselfishly conveyed to the teachers the most needed information to write this pamphlet; to Lucino Roasa, Municipal Secretary[page torn] his materials on the history of the town; to the “minute” for a complete history of the town;[page torn] one who helped in making this collection a possible[page torn]

THE AUTHOR

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District of Luisiana
LUISIANA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

REPORT ON HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN
POBLACION

LUISIANA, the official name of one of the municipalities of Laguna was derived from the coined names of its Founder, Luis and his wife Ana.

This town, at its beginning, was a barrio of Majayjay. The first name given to this barrio settlement was “Nasunog,” meaning a burnt region. In 1824, the leaders of the barrio folks made the first attempts to establish a town in this place. The religious families who lived in barrio of Nasunog encountered many difficulties in going to and from Majayjay to attend to their material and spiritual needs. Thus, they were prompted to separate from the town proper and maintain a town of their own. Their first attempts were unsuccessful because of the bitter opposition presented by the parish priest of Majayjay. In spite of their failure, the leader[page torn] of the movement continued to work for the separation of their own barrio from Majayjay. After many years a Decree for the establishment of a “visita” was approved. That was on October 9, 1827. Later, on December 3, 1834, the site for the town proper, called Ibabao Nasunog was selected as the location of the town.[page torn] the visita of Nasunog was under the jurisdiction of Majayjay,[page torn] located their own “Teniente Absoluto”, Don Luis[unreadable, blurred] first one to assume this post in that town. On[page torn]

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The decree recognizing the town of Luisiana was signed by Governor General Claveria and issued. Thus this town of Luisiana was born after two decades of struggle by the leaders of the town.

The man who pioneered in the establishment of this town, and who was greatly responsible for its foundation was Don Luis Bernardo. He was helped by his brothers, Salvador Bernardo and Antonio San Juan, and his first-degree cousin, Melencio Alcantara. These men were the retired Cabeza de Barangay from the town of Majayjay.

The men who held leading official positions in the community together with the significant facts and incidents that took place are as follows:

1837 — The site for the town, called “Ibabang Nasunog,” was selected. The inhabitants selected their officials to govern the “visita.” They were Luis Bernardo, Teniente Absoluto, Melencio Alcantara, Teniente Segundo; Mariano Juan, Juez Mayor; Pedro San Juan, Juez Segundo; and the Aguaciles or peace officers were Pedro de los Santos and Pascual de la Cruz.

1838 — Luis Bernardo was still the Teniente Absoluto. The work on the construction of an “ermita” or chapel was begun. After six months, Luis died and Melencio Alcantara succeeded him. The work on the chapel was finished and it was blessed by Father Jose de Mora, the parish priest of Majayjay. The sponsors were Salvador de Villaseñor de Napomuceno of Lucban, Quezon.

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1839 — Jose Bernardo was the Teniente Absoluto. In the month of October, strong typhoons blew over the town for two consecutive Fridays. Many houses were destroyed including the chapel.

1840 — Alejo Concepcion, Teniente Absoluto. He finished the reconstruction of the Ermita which was blessed in March by Father Antonio Roman, parish priest of Majayjay, with Silvino de Villaseñor of Lucban as the sponsor.

1841 — Juan Mariano, Teniente Absoluto. The troops of the Spanish Infantry passed at this place going to Tayabas.

1842 — Ignacio de la Torre, Teniente Absoluto.

1843 — Melencio Alcantara, Teniente Absoluto.

1844 — Leoncio San Juan, Teniente Absoluto.

1845 — Venancio Buenaventura, Teniente Absoluto. The final approval for the separation of the visita from the town of Majayjay. The decree was signed and issued on December 11 of this year. However, the separation would be revoked if the inhabitants will not be able to put up a church and a convent made of stone.

1846 — Venancio Buenaventura, Gobernadorcillo. By virtue of the decree, the name Teniente Absoluto was changed to Gobernadorcillo. The house and lot belonging to Feliciano S. Andros was bought and the construction of a Casa Tribunal or municipal building was begun.

1847 — Ignacio de la Torre, Gobernadorcillo.

1848 — Jose Bernardo, Gobernadorcillo. The local cha-[page torn]

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pel was able to acquire bells. The bigger one was bought through donations and contributions, while the smaller one was given by the parish priest of Majayjay, Antonio Roman.

By an order of the Governor General, the surnames of the residents were changed. The changes were: Bernardo became Estrellado; Alcantara — Roces; San Juan — Romulo; Buenaventura — Peñalosa; Concepcion — Murillo; San Jose — Lorico; Padingalan — Oracion; and others.

1849 — Jose San Juan, Gobernadorcillo. The construction of the school house was begun.

1850 — Felix Peñalosa, Gobernadorcillo.

1851 — Manuel Esperanza, Gobernadorcillo.

1852 — Leoncio Romulo, Gobernadorcillo. This year the Archbishop came and performed confirmation rites. He also made an ocular inspection of the site for the location of a stone church.

1853 — Doroteo Villeguya, Gobernadorcillo. The request for having a cura in this town and for the building of a stone church was presented, together with the plans of the proposed church. This incumbent Gobernadorcillo stayed in office for seventeen months because of the promulgation of a new ruling which provided for the changing of the Gobernadorcillo in June of every year instead of January as was done previously.

1854 — Pedro Estrellado, Gobernadorcillo. The trans-[page torn]

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work of the Convent was changed and the posts were made of stone.

1855 — Juan Padingalan, Gobernadorcillo. A reservoir for lime, the essential element in making stone structures was made.

1856 — Venancio Peñalosa, Gobernadorcillo. On Monday, October 17, there was a strong typhoon. The church was destroyed except the main altar.

1857 — Guardiano Estrellado, Gobernadorcillo.

1858 — Manuel Esperanza, Gobernadorcillo. The cementing of the stone church was begun.

1859 — Francisco Latividal, Gobernadorcillo.

1860 — Alejo Murillo, Gobernadorcillo.

1861 — Cayetano Suello, Gobernadorcillo. He began the construction of roads inside the town.

1862 — Gervacio Quevor, Gobernadorcillo. On Wednesday afternoon, June 3, there was a strong earthquake. The government asked wood and bamboos from this place to be sent to Manila, where many edifices were destroyed.

1863-1864 — Andres Teope, Gobernadorcillo. In May, 1863, the provincial heads of Laguna and Tayabas met in this town to fix the boundary between Luisiana and Lucban. The following year, on August 12, the provincial heads of the said provinces met again in this town to place boundary post (mojon).

1865-1866 — Agustin Apostol, Gobernadorcillo.

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adopted as Patron Saint, [unreadable, blurred] Savon [unreadable, blurred].

1869-1870 — Jose Peñalosa, Gobernadorcillo.

1871 — Vicente Concepcion, Gobernadorcillo. The construction of a schoolhouse with a stone foundation was begun.

1872 — Andres Teope, Gobernadorcillo. The school house was finished. On May 12, there was a fire, about the northern half of the town was burned, including the municipal building, the church, and the convent.

1873-1874 — Felino Peñalosa, Gobernadorcillo. On October 4, midnight, of the year 1873, there was a very strong typhoon. Many houses were destroyed, even those made of strong materials.

During the term of this incumbent, he was able to construct the headquarters for the Guardia Civil, which was built inside the town.

1875-1876 — Jose Pa[unreadable, blurred], Gobernadorcillo.

1877-1878 — Maximo Agunda, Gobernadorcillo.

1879-1880 — Andres Gaono, Gobernadorcillo.

1881-1882 — Andres Valenzona, Gobernadorcillo.

1883-1887 — Florentino Villamena, Gobernadorcillo. In 1883, the enforced law on tax was revised. Instead of 10 [unreadable, blurred] compulsory labor with the 15 [unreadable, blurred] for [unreadable, blurred]. This was changed into a voluntary personal presentation of 15 days [unreadable, blurred] fifteen days labor in a year for every male citizen.

In 1894, the cedula tax was introduced to [unreadable, blurred]

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Fifty centavos. The school house made of stone and brick roof, was finished. It was located where the former municipal building was.

In 1886 the cemetery was enclosed with stone walls. The materials were secured from the male citizens of the town. This “capitan” as the gobernadorcillos were called, permitted the establishment of stores in the near the town plaza. He assumed his office on July 1, 1883 and was relieved July 1, 1887.

1887-1888 — Isidoro Rolad, Gobernadorcillo, Floquinto Fabricante, Justice of the Peace.

It was during this administration when the sidewalks along the roads inside the town were built at the expense of the owners of lots.

(JP-ditto)

1889-1890 — Pedro Ibañez, Gobernadorcillo. There was an outbreak of epidemics of malaria, smallpox, and beri-beri. Almost all members in a house were affected, and at times a person would be found wrapped in a mat, already dead and in state of decay. The priest, Father Manuel Garcia, refused to officiate rites for the dead, unless it was in accordance with his wishes, so that many people suffered financially.

1891-1892 — Jose Jula, Gobernadorcillo, Gregorio Concepcion, Justice of the Peace.

The town became indebted with a great amount in taxes, due

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to the low prices of all commodities. (The incumbent, who was said to be a habitual drinker, was questioned but the punishment was not imposed. He remained in his office until June 30, 1892, when a new municipal system of government was established.) Due to this big debt, the government sent a collector. Many cabezas de barangay were forced to sell their properties, in order to cover up the deficits of the members of the barangay.

1892 - July 1, 1893 — Andres Teope, Gobernadorcillo. Father Manuel Garcia was removed from this town. In 1893, all stores at the plaza were ordered removed.

1894 — Andres Teope, Capitan Municipal. The beginning of the Regimen Municipal. The cabezas de barangay were then called Teniente del Barrio.

1895-1896 — Ubaldo Suello. The Revolution broke out in 1896. The capitan municipal was arrested because he was accused of being in connivance with the Insurrectionists. He was brought to Santa Cruz and confined there for some time. He was then taken to Luchan, but when still in Majayjay he died because of the tortures and punishments imposed on him. The next to be arrested was the Municipal Secretary, Fioquinto Fabricante. He was shot while on the way to Santa Cruz, at a place called Duhutan.

1897 — Pedro Ibañez, Capitan Municipal. Because of the Revolution, the local curate stayed at Santa Cruz.

1898 — Ponciano Mercurio, Jefe Local. The Revolution

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ended with the surrender of the Spaniards. By order of General Aguinaldo, the Jefe Local, Vice Presidente Local, and other officials of the municipality were appointed and sworn into their respective offices in August, 1898.

1899 — Ponciano Mercurio, Jefe Local. During this year many domestic animals died of diseases. Carabaos, cattle, horses and pigs were affected.

1900 — Ponciano Mercurio, Jefe Local. The municipal administration was under the Republic established by Aguinaldo. In February, the Americans began their occupation of the country. The members of the Revolution continued their struggle for independence against the United States government. In the province of Laguna, of which this town was part, the leader was General Juan Cailles.

1901 — Pedro Ibañez, President. The sovereignty was vested in the United States Military Government. Those Revolutionists who did not like the American Regime, stayed in the mountains and forests.

On June 22, General Cailles surrendered with 200 of his men. They surrendered also their arms and ammunition which meant their recognition of the government of the United States in the Philippines. But, because Colonel Jiballas, another insurrectionist, had not yet surrendered, the townspeople were concentrated.

1902 — Antonio Estrellado, Juez de Paz. The Revolution

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against the American [forces] with the surrender of Colonel Jiballos. There was an epidemic of cholera and at the height of the epidemic there were about eight persons who died daily. In July, the Regimen Municipal was begun, and the first election under the American regime took place. The elected president was Pedro Ibañez. In this year also, the Iglesia Filipina Independiente was organized. The church constructed was a barong-barong with wooden walls, and cogon roofing. It was blessed on September 24, by a clergy Samuel Zuribano from Lucban Quezon.

1903 — Pedro Ibañez, Municipal President, Antonio Estrellado, Juez de Paz. The municipalities of Luisiana and Cavinti were fused in accordance to the law. In November, there was an election. All the 200 electors from Cavinti came to this town, which was the seat of the combined municipalities. The results of the elections were all in Cavinti's favor.

1904 — Pedro Villanueva, Municipal President, Pedro Ibañez, Juez de Paz. The elected officials took their oath of office on the first Monday of the year. The Municipal council requested for the transfer of the seat of the municipality of Cavinti. It was granted on condition that the name of the municipality remains Luisiana, with the officials at the town of Cavinti. On October 12, the transfer of the offices took place.

1905 — Pedro Villanueva, Municipal President; Gregorio Ortados, Juez de Paz. On December 5, there was a strong typhoon. The church of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente was

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was destroyed and the roof of the Roman Catholic Church was blown off. Around a hundred and fifty houses, big and small, were destroyed both in the town and barrios. In November, there was another election. All the electors from this town went to Cavinti to cast their votes. There were around a hundred electors from this town in comparison with the forty electors from Cavinti. This was due to the delinquencies in territorial contributions. The results of the election were all in Luisiana's favor, Blas Oracion being elected the municipal president.

1906-1907 — Blas Oracion, Municipal President. The municipalities of Luisiana and Cavinti were still combined, but in 1907 the seat was returned to Luisiana. The Barrio schools of De la Paz and San Rafael were established. On November 12, 1907, the two municipalities were separated, and were independent of each other.

1908-1909 — Mariano Sola, Municipal President. During the term of this president, the source of the town water supply was improved. “Maligaya Basa” a natural spring near the town, was cemented. For the labor in improving this source of water, the president was responsible, while the materials needed were given by the townspeople.

1910-1916 — Valentin Dolorico, Municipal President. In 1911 Taal Volcano erupted and the tremors were felt in this town. Ashes also reached this place. In 1912, there was a big fire. In 1915, the intermediate building was completed and the Domestic science building was constructed. The sidewalks along the streets were also made.

1917-1919 — Nemesio Rondica, Municipal President. The

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beginning of the construction of the Luisiana-Pagsanjan-Lucban road.

1920-1922 — Pedro Ibañez, Municipal President. The new municipal building was made and the bandstand at the center of the plaza was constructed.

1923-1925 — Roman N. Sabijano, Municipal President. The municipal building was finished and the work on the waterworks system was begun. The barrio school of San Salvador was opened.

1926-1931 — Martin B. Hugo, Municipal President. The town market was finished. The building of a new school site for the Luisiana Elementary School was begun.

1932-1934 — Felipe Reodica, Municipal President. The Luisiana-Lucban road was finished.

1935-1937 — Martin B. Hugo, Municipal Mayor. A slaughter house was constructed near the market. The additional rooms for the new Luisiana Elementary School were finished. The work on the road going to San Buenaventura was begun.

1938-1940 — Rufino Ibañez, Municipal Mayor. Additional improvements in the municipal building were made. The Home Economics building, San Pedro barrio school building, and the San Salvador barrio school building, were constructed. An additional building for the town market was also made. The principal streets of the town were asphalted, and the barrio roads of San Roque, Santo Tomas, and San Buenaventura were improved.

1940-1941 — Severo Villatuya, Municipal Mayor. On December 8, 1941, the war broke out in the Far East. The Japanese troops

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