MUNICIPALITY OF MANDALUYONG, RIZAL, Historical Data of Part 3

known for their fiery antagonism against the tyrannical practices of the Spaniards. They were always blocking any plan of the Spanish officials. Saniga is taken from the word "sinisigan," which means "being burned." People living in this place always burned the ideas of the Spanish into smoke.

This word is taken from the word "ibinabarrangka," which means "being parked." This place used to be the parking place of the bancas of our forefathers in Mandaluyong.

This place was named after an association which was established long ago and is still existing to the present. The members are already old yet they still keep on with their association.

This place is where the railroad tracks are found. "Daang Bakal" means "street made of iron."

This street was named after Bonifacio I. Javier, the present mayor of Mandaluyong.

This was named in honor of Sgt. Gonzalo Canteras, who died in the Death March of the USAFFE to Capas during the Japanese invasion of the Philippines.

This was named after Mr. Cabo Felix Sanchez, who died in 1896 with the Katipuneros.

This street was named after Capt. Mariano Gabriel, who led the guerrillas of Mandaluyong to "Operation Ipo" at Ipo Dam against the Japanese Army.

This street bears the name of a living hero of Mandaluyong. Col. Felipe Vivencio is one of the bravest sons of this town. He was a very active guerrilla during the Japanese regime.

This street was named in honor of Sgt. Santos, who died in Capas, Tarlac, a victim of Japanese atrocities.

This is the street where the elementary school, the municipal building, the Roman and Aglipayan churches, and the Post Office Building are found. "Buhangin" means "sandy." This place used to be under water, so the soil is sandy.

Mandaluyong is one of the towns of Rizal which can boast of brave and patriotic sons whose lives are worth emulating. They are:

Vicente Leyva, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leon Leyva, was born in Mandaluyong, Rizal in 1874. He belonged to a poor family. He had an unusually strong constitution. When the Katipunan was founded, Vicente became a member of its unit, the "Magwagi sa Barrangka," under the leadership of Nicolas de Guzman. He was called Kalentong by his friends. Because of his unusual courage, Vicente Leyva was made a general. He died in an encounter in Bulacan.

Laureano Gonzales was born in Mandaluyong, Rizal. He was a laundryman. At night, he was a fisherman. He was 25 years old when he

joined the Katipunan. Besides being a courageous soldier, Laureano was loved by the people because of his good character. He died of cholera in 1901.

Ladislao Santos was a native of Mandaluyong, Rizal. He was the father of Lope K. Santos, former governor of Rizal and a famous writer in the national language. Ladislao Santos was a teacher and a manager of a newspaper owned by Antonio Hidalgo, "Amigo del Pais." He was a member of the Katipunan. When the Spaniards learned of his membership, they took him to Guadalupe on the pretext of making him identify some of the prisoners there. Upon his arrival, he was flogged and tortured. He died a few days after he was released.

Isaac Lopez was born on the morn of June 3, 1899 in Taytay, Rizal. His parents were Eustaquio Lopez and Guillerma de la Cruz, both natives of Mandaluyong. His parents were lavanderos. Due to poverty, Isaac was not able to finish sixth grade. He helped his parents, and later, he was employed in the Atlantic Gulf and Pacific Co. Isaac, being gifted in the discussion of political issues, was elected municipal councilor from 1922 to 1928; Vice-President from 1928 to 1931; President, from 1934 to 1937; and Municipal Mayor, from January 1, 1938 to November 18, 1939. Isaac died at the age of 40 years after a colorful public service of about 15 years. His outstanding achievements were the building of schools, river landings, streets, niches, fences, and toilets.

Long before the Spaniards came to the Philippines, there lived two warring tribes along the banks of the Pasig River. Both of them would not allow any of the members of their tribes to wander beyond their jurisdictions. One of the tribes settled in Hagdang Bato; while the other stayed in Namayan, now a part of Sta. Ana.

Luyong, the son of the ruler in Hagdang Bato, was the sole heir to the throne of the Lakan; while Manda, the daughter of the ruler in Namayan, was the sole heir to the wealth of the Lakan of Namayan.

One moonlit night, Luyong, charmed by the beauty of the night, went riding on a banca to enjoy the cool evening breeze. Unknowingly, he trespassed on the territory belonging to the other tribe. He saw Manda strolling along the banks of the river. Both fell madly in love with each other. Secretly, they met every night. This love affair reached the ears of the two Lakans. The two lovers were forced to suffer the pain of separation. Both of them were closely watched to prevent further communication between the two. Their love slowly languised in quiet sorrow.

One day, news reached the ears of Luyong that Manda's body was found dead on top of a hill overlooking Luyong's place. A dagger smothered the life out of the love-lorn beauty. Luyong grieved over the loss of his beloved. The next night, Luyong's body was found dead over the tomb of Manda. He could not bear the pain of living without her. Since then, the two Lakans realized their follies. They befriended each other and swore to help each other till death.

The names Manda and Luyong became a symbol of love and cooperation. As years passed, Mandaluyong became the name of the place where Manda and Luyong lived. This is how Mandaluyong got its name.

Long ago, Mandaluyong was under water. Along the banks lived the people. They were peaceful and industrious. Their livelihood was mostly farming and fishing. They were a contented group of people. Oftentimes, the people were disturbed by big waves caused by strong winds. Due to this fact, the people called the place "madaluyong," meaning "many waves." As time went on, the hills gradually eroded and covered the low swampy place till the plains appeared as they are now. The name "madaluyong" was altered to Mandaluyong. Evidences of this fact that Mandaluyong was once under water are the corals, skeletons of different kinds of fishes, oysters, and various seashells that abound in this place.

The early people of Mandaluyong were mostly fishermen and farmers. They were a sturdy, brave, and contented group. When the Spaniards came to Mandaluyong, they noticed that the people were very simple in their manner of dressing and their food. They were very hospitable and courteous. The young folks showed unusual respect for the elders. The elders were followed to the letter. They were trained to submit their will to that of the elders. Even in matters of marriage, the people had a peculiar custom. The parents were the ones who matched the young folks. A marriage solemnized without the parents' approval was considered a bad omen. The prospective bridegroom had to serve the family of the bride from 1 to 5 years before he could be accepted as a member of the family. Services varied from working in the fields, helping in the household, protecting the family from enemies, offering gifts, and other acts which would please the girl's parents. A man must have the ability to support the girl before he was accepted by the parents of the girl.

On moonlit nights, the young men, who were fond of music, went out and serenaded the young ladies. Sometimes, they also gathered around a store called "Fonda" where they vied to attract the beautiful "dalagas,"

selling in the store. Sometimes, they bought all the goods sold in the store just to show off to the beautiful storekeepers. The young men drank wine and exchanged jokes and stories, but at 9 o'clock, they hurried home for they were supposed to be home by that hour.

Here are some of the biographies of some natives of Mandaluyong:

"Itoy," as everybody called him, was the second child of the eighteen children of Andres Mapili and Maria Lopez. He was born on March 30, 1883 in Felix Roxas St., Sta. Ana, Manila, a place which was once a part of Mandaluyong.

Benito studied at the Ateneo de Manila, but he stopped because he found music more interesting to him. He studied music under his uncle, Buenaventura Lopez, who was considered the foremost bass player of the only well-known orchestra in Manila, that of Kapitan Kikoy's. He learned how to play all the stringed instruments. He organized a "comparsa," which he taught and trained himself.

At the age of twenty-one, he married Maria Cayetano and they had three children, Juanita, Jose, and Rodrigo. Juanita is presently a music teacher at the Mandaluyong Elementary School. Rodrigo, a piano arranger, is a composer also. His interest in music is almost equal to that of his father.

Benito organized and taught several comparsas, rondallas, orchestras, and bands in the town. He was not only known in Mandaluyong, but also in the neighboring towns. He died on November 3, 1942.

Among his musical compositions were: "O Aking Ama," "Himno Bayani," "Himno Katipunan," "Kataksilan," "Resurreccion," "Ang Anak ni David," "Napupuri Kaming Lahat," "Dapat ang Mangingat," "Ang Pagbabayo," "Sariling Wika," "Pagpapakasakit," "Maniniwala Ka Rin," "Kasawian," "Pangarap ni Rizal," "Sumpaan," "Bakit O Bakit," "Sinong Lalaki?," "Pag-isahin," "Nag-iisang Makasalanan," "Bahay Kubo," "Dapit Hapon," "29 de Agosto," and operetta and other musical pieces.

Vedasto I. Javier, brother of the present mayor, Bonifacio I. Javier, was born on February 6, 1906 in Mandaluyong, Rizal. He is the 12^th of the 14 children in the family. He is the son of Gregorio Javier, a farmer of Barrangka, Mandaluyong, and of Faustina Ignacio, a labandera of Hagdang-Bato.

Vedasto graduated from the College of Agriculture, University of the Philippines, with a B.S.A. degree in 1931. His graduation thesis was the "Nitrification Studies in Soils." It was published in 1932 by the University of the Philippines and was quoted by the State University of Iowa. He had been the Municipal Secretary, Senior Clerk, Chief Clerk in 1934-1946. Presently, he is engaged in the sand and gravel business. More than that, he is fond of making researches about the past and he preserves them for posterity.

(MISS) ATANACIA C. BONIFACIO Chairman
AGUSTIN C. CELESTE Member	(MRS.) LUCILA S. TAYAG Member
ANGEL M. SANTIAGO Member	(MRS.) CLARA M. ONGTENGCO Member
ARTURO DIAZ Member	(MISS) AURORA L. FERMIN Member
(MRS.) FAUSTA ESPINOZA Member	(MRS.) ISMAELA M. CASTAÑEDA Member
(MISS) PACITA G. REAMON Member	(MISS) DOLORES G. ALIPIO Member
(MISS) SOLEDAD EUGENIO Member

Javier, Vedasto I., Compiled Records

Buzeta, Diccionario Geografico Estadistico Historico de las Islas Filipinas, Volume II

Ramirez y Geraudier, Guia de Filipinas 1879

Guia de Forasteros, 1845

Guia Oficial de las Islas Filipinas, 1895

Guia Oficial de las Islas Filipinas, 1895 [probably 1896, typo]

Inocentes, Florencio, Compiled Records

Fernando, Clemente, Compiled Records

Records of the Office of the Mayor of Mandaluyong

Historical Data of the Municipality of Mandaluyong, Province of Rizal, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections.