MUNICIPALITY OF ROSARIO, CAVITE, 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.

[p. 1]

Ages and ages ago, the greater area that now comprises the town of Rosario was under the sea. Years went by. The sea receded with the passing years. It kept on going back in its course, leaving the dry earth behind it. This land gradually broadened as the sea continued to recede in its course. Soon it was covered with a thick vegetation.

When the Spaniards came and divided the country into towns, this coastal place was made a part of San Francisco de Malabon (now General Trias) and was called Tejero. Only a handful of souls inhabited the barrio and these few settled in the more fertile portion of the place, the inland areas, where they engaged in farm work. There was fishing, but not much. The population increased. Space was small. There was plenty of land near the sea, lying in wastes. The people moved forward to the unsettled coastal region. Clearings were made. New houses were built. The sea teemed with all kinds of fishes. Fishing flourished. More people came. The inhabitants now saw the possibility of a new industry – saltmaking. Salt-beds sprang up. Sea water was crystallized into salt grains through evaporation. The method was crude, but it provided the residents with something to live on. In the homes, some of the women did

[p. 2]

their best. They wove fish nets, either for the use of the family or for sale.

With the growth in population and the development of new industries, Tejero became self-sufficient. It had the makings of a town. The authorities decided to separate it from San Francisco de Malabon. But it was joined to a smaller town, Noveleta. This, however, did not last very long. After about five years, Tejero was made a town in itself, governed by its own municipal government. The new town was named Salinas Marcella. Salinas, because salt-making was the most lucrative industry of the time, and Marcella because it was near the sea.

To make the administration of Salinas Marcella easier, it was divided into barrios, each with a Teniente del Barrio to look after its welfare. The town proper was called Poblacion. Here was found the central government of the whole municipality.

The people of Salinas Marcella were peace-loving and religious. They were regular church goers although they had to travel to San Francisco de Malabon for their Sunday mass. The town had no church of its own yet.

Children in the new town loved to play in the sea when the tide was low. One day a group of these youngsters found an image of the Madonna and Child floating on the water. They made it their plaything. Every afternoon, for several afternoons, the children toyed with

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the image. Each day, after playing, they hung the image among the bushes that grew near the sea. Every time they came back they saw the image on the water, as if waiting for them. The little players thought it strange. They found no explanation for it. After some time the elders took hand. They got the image and enshrined it in an empty nipa shack. Here the people gathered to worship together. This was the town’s first church. Not long after, news of miraculous acts attributed to the image spread around. Faith among the townsfolk found a strong foothold. The whole town agreed to adopt that which the image represented as their patron saint and it still is until now. This is Our Lady of the Rosary or “Nuestra Señora del Rosario.” The people’s regard for their patron saint did not stop there. So great was their belief, so unshaken was their faith in this Divine Lady that they decided to have Salinas Marcella changed to Rosario, in her honor. Now, the town’s official name is Rosario.

Rosario at present is a third-class municipality in the province of Cavite. It has an area of 1,596,672 square meters. Of its eight barrios, five have barrio schools. Two have their own chapels. Rosario is populated by about 12,769 inhabitants who are mostly Tagalogs. There are some Visayans, Bicolanos and Ilocanos. There

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are a few Chinese. About 85% of the total population have been estimated as literates. Although many have not gone to the higher schools, they have at least an elementary education to their credit.

Records show an annual mortality rate of 11.50%. Among the infants the death rate is 3% or around 136 deaths to every 1,000 babies. Efforts are made to reduce these death rates through proper nutrition and better sanitation.

People in Rosario are deeply religious. They are mostly Roman Catholics. There is only one church in the town, and this belongs to the Catholic faith. Other sects of the Christian religion have, for many times, tried to attract followers, but they have not been very successful. Only a few have come to their fold.

From different sources, Rosario derives a yearly income of about P26,280.00. This comes from real property tax, residence certificate allotment, municipal licenses, incidental revenue, cattle registration fee, market and slaughter fees and other miscellaneous collections.

On the north, Rosario is bounded by Manila Bay; on south by the municipality of General Trias. East is the town of Noveleta while on the west is Tanza. Rosario is easily accessible for roads are good and transportation is easy. This is true of both the land and water means

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of conveyances. Manila Bay provides an easy way of going to other places, both in and out of Cavite. A sea trip to Manila or Bataan or Batangas is quite enjoyable. Transporting goods or people from one place to another is no problem for the residents of Rosario.

As ever, fishing is the most important industry. The men catch fish in both the deep and shallow waters of Manila Bay. Ways of catching fish vary. Out in the open sea, in the deeper parts, fish corrals are erected. Large fishing boats of all kinds are also purposed for deep sea fishing. Nets for fishing are of different types. Seines are designed for big fish, others for small ones. In some cases, motors are installed in these big boats to spare the men from rowing very far distances. Those without motors, employ the services of motorboats. At times, troops of these big boats go to other places to try their luck. They reach as far as Batangas or Quezon province. They come home after the fishing season. When the tide is low, men get their fish traps or “sakag” and go fishing in the shallow waters. Others fish with hook and line. On the beach, just where the water laps the shore, women and children enjoy gathering a small species of shell foods known locally as “halanis.”

A little farming is carried on. Farm lands in Rosario are very limited. Only a part of the little barrio

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of Tejero has a soil suitable to rice and other farm products. Wooden shoe making is found in a small scale. Some people still produce salt. Home industries are few but they help much in giving the people a means of living. Poultry raising, home gardening, fish drying and smoking, “patis” making, “bagoong” making, sewing and embroidery are sources of income of the people of Rosario. The professionals get their income from the practice of their profession. Business, wholesale and retail, are engaged in by many people. Powered by electricity.

There are some big problems that confront the town which requires much attention. Foremost is the need for a sea protection. Rosario is being eaten up by the sea. The soil along the coast has been carried away by the waves. From time to time, houses along the beach are transferred to places of safety, lest they be washed out into Manila Bay. Places along the sea, which used to teem with people from early dawn to midnight, are now forlorn and almost deserted. People try their best to keep back the sea. They build dikes, crude ones. They are just made of bamboo pegs and bamboo slats. On these were piled stones, sand, scraps of iron, tin, galvanized iron, anything that will help hold the soil when the big waves dash against the shore then back to the sea. Yet how long can these hold out against the mighty sea?

[p. 7]

Somehow the provincial government tried to give this problem some attention. Concrete structures in the likeness of the crude dikes were put up. There are only two of these, however, and this is not enough for a long coastal place. The project really needs a lump sum. Nevertheless, something must be done for the town, Rosario must be protected from the sea.

Rosario has no lighting system. The people work and read by the flickering light of the kerosene lamp. They do not have the conveniences offered by electricity. Some private persons have their own motors for generating light. Only a negligible number can afford such generators.

The public school buildings are in bad shape. They are in need of repair. Windows are broken, the roof leaks. The floors are rotting away. School children feel uncomfortable especially in rainy weather. The Industrial Arts and Home Economics buildings need to be replaced entirely. In addition to repairs, Rosario needs new rooms so that all children of school age may be accommodated comfortably in school.

Questions for Review

1. What was Rosario a part of?
2. How was Rosario formed?
3. What was the former name of Rosario?

[p. 8]

4. How did the town come to be called Rosario?
5. To what faith do most of the people belong?
6. What is the chief industry of the inhabitants?
7. What are some household industries that give income to the residents of Rosario?
8. How many barrios in the town have schools? chapels?
9. What problems face Rosario at present?

[p. 9]

Bagbag is located between Ligtong and the town proper of Rosario. During the early part of the Spanish regime, this place was a wilderness. It was covered with tall weeds and big shady trees. The soil was hard and dry. People from the neighboring places came here to cut down trees for firewood, for home use or for sale. Whole trees were dug up and burned for charcoal. Because the soil was hard and the roots were deeply imbedded in the earth, the woodcutters used very strong tools for their work. Large iron bars were used to lift the big strong roots from the soil. There was so much digging, cutting, and pounding in these woods when the great trees were felled that sounds from them could be heard distances away. People would say, “Binabakbakan ang mga puno ng kahoy.” The woodcutters coined a name for the place “Bakbakan”. The Spaniards and the people who lived in the town of Cavite bought charcoal and firewood from these woodcutters. When asked where they got their fuel they said, they readily answered, “Bakbakan.” Most of the buyers had difficulty saying “Bakbakan” that sometimes they pronounce it as “Bagbagan”. Later the expression was shortened to Bagbag; hence its present name.

[p. 10]

When the Filipinos revolted against Spain, Bagbag was a meeting place for the revolutionists. Secret meetings were held here. The Spaniards branded these Filipinos “tulisanes.” After some time, some of the people of Ligtong moved over and settled down in Bagbag. Others from neighboring towns followed suit. Bagbag was cleared of its wilderness. It became a little barrio.

Bagbag progresses fast. It grew educationally, economically and socially. Its culture is linked with that of Rosario, it being a part of it.

Mr. Julio Mata, three times municipal president of Rosario, was born in this barrio. He is an active member of Bagbag community.

As years passed, Bagbag’s population increased, making it one of the busiest parts of Rosario,

Questions for Review

1. How did Bagbag get its name?
2. How did Bagbag help the Filipino revolutionists?
3. Why did the people from the neighboring places come to Bagbag?
4. How did Bagbag grow?

[p. 11]

Sometime in the seventeenth century, Muzon was separated from San Juan de Dios (now Ligtong) and made into another barrio of Salinas Marcella (now Rosario). Muzon was formerly a wilderness. Vegetation was luxuriant especially along the seashore. There were few inhabitants, who depended chiefly on fishing for a living. People from nearby barrios and towns became casual visitors to Muzon. They were attracted by the plentiful fish which could be caught in the sea. Consequently these visitors settled down in the barrio and became permanent residents of the place. The inhabitants used an antiquated way of catching fish. This was the “panti” which caught a certain kind of fish called “lalaw or tunsoy.” The fishermen hauled their catch to the shores of Muzon where they were disposed of. Buyers from different places became the customers of Muzon. Muzon became a byword and the barrio grew in popularity.

In 1896, Spanish ships anchored near the beach of Muzon. A short battle was fought between the Spaniards and the Filipinos under Sergeant Cordillero and Valentin Vivo with the help of Captain Mariano San Gabriel of San Francisco Malabon (now General Trias).

[p. 12]

Muzon is now a thickly populated part of Rosario. It is inhabited by a sea-loving and God-fearing people, who are happy and contented in their lot. Fishing is still the chief occupation but now they use a wide variety of methods of catching fish.

From Muzon came Dr. Faustino Solis, Dr. Celestino Pugeda, and Atty. Candido Semente.

Questions for Review

1. When was Muzon made a barrio of Salinas Marcella?
2. What is Salinas Marcella known today?
3. What antiquated way of fishing did the people of Muzon use before?
4. Who led the Filipinos in their fight against the Spaniards?
5. Characterize the people who live in Muzon.

[p. 13]

This barrio was once called Kalunuran. Sapa, its present name, was derived from a stream running between the barrios of Wawa and Kalunuran. This running stream is called “sapa” in Tagalog.

The first people to live in Sapa were the families of Tandang Palas and Tandang Sane. These two family heads later became the first two tenientes del barrio of Sapa. They were followed by Pablo Raqueño, Angel Nazareno, Leon Gutierrez, and Eustaquio Trias, the present teniente.

Sapa is now prosperous and thickly populated. More and more people come to make their homes here. The peaceful atmosphere of the place plus its beautiful scenery attract immigrants from many places. The inhabitants are friendly and hospitable. Fishing is the barrio’s leading industry. Fishing boats of different types are used by the men when they go out to catch fish. Many residents own fishing boats. While the men fish, the women and a few men attend to the selling. Fish are sold fresh, dried, or smoked. Life in Sapa is a busy one, nevertheless the people enjoy it. Ways of fishing change from time to time, however, the people always manage to keep abreast of them. They are pioneers when it comes to fishing methods.

[p. 14]

One can easily reach Sapa. The roads are good and it is just a kilometer away from the town. Rides are easy. Jeeps and kalesas are always available. Many enjoy walking the distance between Sapa and the poblacion.

Questions for Review

1. How did Sapa get its name?
2. Who were the first settlers of Sapa?
3. Why are immigrants attracted to this barrio?
4. How far is it from the town?
5. How may it be reached?

[p. 15]

Wawa is the second largest barrio of the town of Rosario. It is located at the mouth of the Cañas River from whence it gets its name. Wawa means mouth of the river.

Wawa is a well populated place. Most of the people earn their livelihood by fishing. They catch fish by the use of “basnig,” “dala,” hook and line, “talakop” and fish traps, fish corrals, “puket” and others. Fish caught are sold fresh, others smoked or dried.

Although there are few professionals in the barrio, the people understand the value of giving an education to their children, even an elementary one. Wawa is far from the poblacion. It is a risk to allow children of seven or eight years old to go to the town to attend classes. So together, the whole population worked for the construction of a small school, and finally in 1931 the Wawa Barrio School was erected.

Way back in 1932, a poor fisherman found an image of the Virgin of the Rosary in the sea. Soon it was found to be miraculous. News of the miracles spread. People from nearby towns and far away provinces flocked to Wawa. A chapel was put up not far from the barrio school.

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Wawa has no wide space for playgrounds. Most of the people spend their leisure time in movies and in reading Tagalog magazines. Others do educational and cultural readings. The women find enjoyment in some household industries like sewing and embroidery. Many parents are still conservative in their views. They seldom allow their children to go to dances or other social gatherings. There are still girls who are timid and shy like the immortal Maria Clara of Dr. Jose Rizal.

A straight road leads from the poblacion to Wawa. This makes it easy to go to the town and back. Jeeps and carromatas are the chief means of transportation to this place. At present there are many big and modern houses in the barrio. There are also many sari-sari stores. Wawa is a well developed place.

Questions for Review

1. What does Wawa mean?
2. How was the barrio school established?
3. Why was a chapel built?
4. What is the chief source of livelihood of the people?
5. How do the people amuse themselves?

[p. 17]

1. FABIAN PUGEDA

Fabian Pugeda was born on January 19, 1886 in Rosario, Cavite. His father was Hilarion Pugeda and his mother was Irene Sales. He finished his elementary grades in his native town and his high school in the Liceo de Manila. He studied law in the Escuela de Derecho. In 1916, he married the widow of General Mariano Trias, the late Maria Ferrer and had two children, Virginia and Teofilo.

In 1912, he was elected member of the Provincial Board of Cavite. In 1916, he was appointed secretary to Senator Vicente Ilustre of Batangas. In this same year he was elected councilor of General Trias, Cavite. In 1920 he was appointed Justice of the Peace in the Municipality of Cavite. He served for two years then took a needed rest. In 1925, he was elected governor of Cavite. During his administration, he had new roads, artesian wells, public school buildings and markets constructed. His worthwhile achievements are something the people can be proud of.

In 1931, he resigned from politics and devoted his time to the practice of his profession.

In 1935, he married Silvina Camutin and now they have two children, Celia and Hilarion.

[p. 18]

2. JULIO K. MATA

If a glorious name shall be asked among Rosario residents, the name of JULIO K. MATA can be submitted without fear of being successfully contradicted. For no other man in this town had held elective public office for quite an unusually long time than he, which undeniably shows the high popular esteem that he enjoyed among the people.

He first entered public life in 1915, when he was appointed councilor by the then Governor Antero Soriano of Cavite in the place of Councilor Pablo Abundo, who died. From that time on he has remained in the town’s political limelight.

In the election of that year, 1915, he was a candidate for Municipal President and was elected at an early age of 28 years old. He served as municipal president of Rosario from 1915 to 1921, two consecutive terms. He was not a candidate for the third term because of the prohibition imposed by law against third reelection. The next election year, however, he was again candidate and was overwhelmingly elected and reelected. He therefore served from 1925 to 1930, two terms. He was not a candidate for another re-election because of the aforesaid legal prohibition. But in the succeeding election, he was again candidate and was elected to serve from 1933 to 1936.

[p. 19]

From 1936, he wanted to retire from public life, but people from all walks of life persist to seek his help. During the trying years of the brutal Japanese occupation, he was taken out of his idyllic life and was appointed to the critical position of Municipal President by President Jose P. Laurel in 1944. He served with courage and patriotism, exposing himself to danger up to the liberation of the Philippines when the normal functions of our government were not certain. In August 1946, he was again appointed by the late President Manuel A. Roxas as Mayor until the election of 1948.

The secret of his ornate life of service to the people is traceable to his eminent forbears. His father was Romualdo Mata, a captain during the Philippine Revolution, who met his glorious death in the famous Battle of Zapote Bridge. His grandfather was from Binakayan and had moved to Rosario in the later years of the Spanish regime. The Mata family of Rosario was the first family that joined the Katipunan and rose in revolt against the tyrannical regime of the Spaniards. His mother was Andrea Kalderon, a rice dealer of Noveleta. He was born in 1887 at Rosario, Cavite.

Julio K. Mata married his dutiful and loving wife, NATALIA BUENVIAJE in 1912, with whom he has an only daughter.

[p. 20]

Old in years and ripe in worldly experience, the young public officials of Rosario, still draw from his sublime inspiration in their performance of unstinted public service to the people.

3. DAVID P. JIMENEZ

The second of the five children of Gonzalo Jimenez and Camila Prodigalidad, David P. Jimenez first saw the light of day in Rosario, Cavite on August 26, 1907.

As a child, David was an avid learner, devoting all his precious moments reading his books. He acquired his early education from his parents. Finishing his elementary education in the public school of Rosario in 1921, he proceeded to the Cavite High School, where he graduated in 1926. In the University of the Philippines, he obtained his degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1932 and was finally admitted to the practice of law in the Philippines in 1933.

On May 29, 1930, he married Consuelo Mariano with whom he had one child, a daughter. Seven months thereafter, they were separated wherein David Jimenez filed a divorce suit in 1938 which was finally granted in 1943. On April 21, 1947, he was married to Eladia Buhain and out of this legal tie, they have six children.

He was proclaimed a candidate for Mayor against Jose Castro but was defeated. After his defeat, David engaged once more in law practice. During the dark days

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