CITY OF PASAY, RIZAL, Historical Data of Part 2

erect their own church. The petition was sent by the following: Messrs. Telesforo Apelo Cruz, Gregorio Vergel, Pedro Vergel, Avito Vergel, and Mrs. Gregorio Reyes. Most of them, later on, became municipal captains. The petition was finally granted in 1866, upon the recommendation of Archbishop Dr. Gregorio Meliton Martinez of Sta. Cruz.

Pasay (then Pineda) was not slow in joining the call to arms to wrest the country from the yoke of Spain. As early as 1891-92, the spirit of the Katipunan has already reached Pasay. It had to be kept in utmost secrecy.

The movement was started by two notables, Valentin Esguerra and Jacinto Ignacio. Both were members of the mother organization in Caloocan. Later, they spread the movement to Pasay.

San Roque or Tabing Ilog in Pasay owns the singular title of "Cradle of Liberty of Pasay," because it was in this barrio that the Katipunan chapter or the council known as Balangay Kaliwanagan ng K.K.K.N.A.N.B.⁹ was established. Valentin Esguerra himself was chosen chairman and Jacinto Ignacio, secretary. The organization was successful in keeping its activities secret until the latter part of 1896.

8. On August 4, 1901, a resolution was passed by the Municipal Council of Pasay headead by President Pascual Villanueva petitioning to rename the Municipality of Pineda to Pasay. It was approved and endorsed by the Provincial Board of Rizal, and the Philippine Civil Commission enacted a law known as 227 restoring the historic name Pasay that same year.

9. Kataastaasang, Kagalanggalangan, Katipunan ng Anak ng Bayan. Information is furnished by Major Bernardino Tolentino.

On August 16, 1896, at about 8 o'clock in the evening, the Balangay Kaliwanagan was holding its meeting in a place known as Manggahan¹⁰. Not all the members were present, then. No sooner had the meeting begun when a small force from the local government came to surprise the congregation and made a move to arrest the members. The members fought tooth and nail and the government force received a bad beating. Alguacil Mayor Nicolas received a dagger wound in the nose, thrust by Miguel de la Cruz. The town leader expired on his way back to the Presidencia. Sergeant Martin of the Cuadrillanos had his side slashed but he outlived his wound. Captain Felipe, foreseeing sure defeat, ran for his life.

The Balangay did much to help in the revolutionary movement against Spain.

On February 17, 1912, Pasay also organized its chapter of the nationwide Asociación de los Veteranos de la Revolucion. The following were the officers elected:

President Vice-President Secretary Treasurer Inspector

Col. Sinforoso Vitan (deceased) Major Bernardino Tolentino (living) Lt. Faustino Diñoso (deceased) Captain Isabelo Talastas (deceased) 2nd Lt. Mariano Santillan (living)

This organization has for its purpose the strengthening of companionship and brotherhood among the unsung heroes and to give aid and assistance to those who are in need. The local chapter has been very active in civic affairs as shown by their unique and well-attended

10. In Barrio San Rafael.

representation in public celebrations, especially on the Fourth of July, National Heroes' Day, Rizal Day, and other important events.

With the American occupation of the Islands, there was a need for reorganizing municipal and provincial governments. The status of Pasay had not changed since it was an independent pueblo during the Spanish rule. With the reorganization, it became a municipality in the First District of Rizal.

Upon the recommendation of Trinidad Pardo de Tavera¹¹ to the Second Philippine Commission¹², the Municipality of Pasay was made a part of (Morong) Rizal Province until its revenue soared far above the limit for ordinary municipalities and, thus, made a city.

Isayas Salonga, in his Rizal Province Directory published in 1934, shows us a concise description of Pasay as one of Rizal's most progressive municipalities.

Location: In the coast road 6 miles SW of Pasig
Geographically: 14° 31' lat. 121° oo' longitude
Population: 33,310 during 1918 - 18,697 in 1902

11. One of the three Filipino commissioners in the civil government under William H. Taft.

12. Known as the Taft Commission, appointed by President McKinley on March 16, 1900 with the purpose "to continue and perfect the work of organizing and establishing the civil government already commenced by military authorities." It was composed entirely of civilians with Taft as President.

Pasay is one of the most populated towns in the province and the residential place of many prominent men of Manila. It was formerly a barrio of Malate and was founded by a Tagalog princess of that name, daughter of King Lukban or Lakandakan, King of South Tondo, resident of Suwaboy (now Sta. Ana). She was one of the first converts to Christianity and was baptized as Domingo Custodio. Austin Craig remarked that Pasay is a corruption of the Arabic "Bazar," and so appropriate tor a town which was always a market place.

According to Cavada, it was founded in 1727 and separated from Malate in 1815. In 1863, the residents petitioned the central government to change the name of the town to Pineda in honor of Don Cornelio Pineda, a Spanish horticulturist in Singalong, who was their benefactor, friend, and proprietor. The name Pasay was reconsidered on August 4, 1901 by the Municipal Council¹³.

During the advent of the short Japanese regime in the Philippines, Pasay had its share of atrocities like intimidation, threats, terrorism, abuse, murder, massacres, rape, burying alive, and highway robbery.

For three years, the helpless people had to submit to these ordeals, but they never gave up. Subversive elements sprang up. The underground movement became strong and Pasay City was not slow to support it. It was a native of Pasay, Jose P. Matibag, assisted by Messrs. Florentino V. Gonzales, an ex-USAFFE soldier, and Candido C. Castro of the Philippine Scouts, who organized Straughn's Fil-American Pasay-South Unit and Manila North Unit. After the death of Col. Straughn, the two units were consolidated and named American Dominion Forces Guerrillas (ADFG). This organization was assigned to intelligence work, and important information was transmitted by them to General MacArthurs' command through the PQOG (President Quezon's Own Guerrillas) transmitter in Liang, Batangas.

13. Lifted from Isayas Salonga's Rizal Province Directory published by the Bureau of Printing in 1934.

Several of the ADFG operatives were captured by the Japanese, some of whom were never seen alive again. To mention some, we have Captain Alejandro Reyes, and Lieutenant Vicente Dinglasan.

There were others from Pasay who suffered the same cruel fate. A resident of San Roque by the name of Carlos (Carling) Malonzo attempted on a patriotic and dangerous job — the price of which he paid with his own head. This young man headed the installation of a semi-broadcasting station in some hidden place near Miguel de la Cruz Street. This semi-broadcasting station served as a liaison between the listening public and the underground movement of the Filipino guerrillas and the development of the Allied movement during the hectic days of the occupation.

Malonzo and his whole gang were nabbed and subjected to one of the most brutal and uncivilized punishments at the hands of the Japanese inside Fort Santiago. Their heads were chopped off like animals. They died with no regrets for their native land. Other natives of Pasay who saw their tragic ends at Fort Santiago were Dr. Geronimo Llanes, Dr. Remigio Bautista, Venancio Aznar, Feliz [Felix?] Collantes, Franco Vera Reyes, Marcelo Protacio, and Marcos Protacio, who was then a member of the Municipal Council.

During the early part of January 1945, the ADFG captured 2 Japanese soldiers, 2 Taiwanese soldiers, 11 Japanese civilians, and 2 Filipino Makapilis. These were kept as prisoners in the hideout of the Pasay South Unit located at the Cavite railroad line, and were later turned over to the army authorities.

The ADFG headquarters at 248 P. Villanueva was burned during the latter part of the occupation and all records and important

matters were all destroyed.

already died.

Post liberation rehabilitation and reconstruction swelled the revenue of Pasay so that its income increased to less than a million pesos, very much exceeding the income of Class A municipalities.

The Honorable Ignacio Santos Diaz, a representative of the First District of Rizal, was aware of the increasing prosperity of the town. He saw possibilities for its progress and expansion. He then presented Bill 1301 to the First Congress of the Republic of the Philippines, to the effect that the Municipality of Pasay be made Rizal City in honor of the great Malayan after whom Rizal Province was named.

During the second session of the said congress, Bill No. 1301 became Republic Act No. 183 (or Charter of Rizal City) and was approved by the late President Manuel L. Roxas on June 21, 1947. The new city was then inaugurated on August 16, 1947 with Mr. Rufino F. Mateo as Acting Mayor.

The name Rizal City did not stay long — to be exact, it only remained for 2 years, 8 months, and 12 days. Nostalgic memories of the Princess Pasay, who once owned these parts, made the people think of restoring the old name for its historical value.

The Honorable Eulogio Rodriguez, Jr. of the First District of Rizal presented a bill to effect the change of name from Rizal City to Pasay

City. On May 3, 1950, President Elpidio Quirino signed the following bill:

Republic Act No. 437

An Act changing the name of Rizal City
to Pasay City

III
Pasay City Grows

A. Territorial Limits

Pasay City is paradoxically dubbed the "smallest big city" due to its small size but extremely big income. Literally, Pasay is small and has further undergone cadastral changes¹⁴ which have diminished the original territory bequeathed to Princess Pasay by her father Rajah Soliman.

At present, Pasay has a total area of 5.78 square miles or 15 square kilometers. It is composed of 6 districts (formerly barrios), each associated with some legend (see Appendix) and historical figures.

This district has a total area of 4 square kilometers and is bounded by Manila to the north, Taft Avenue Extension to the west, Buendia Street to the south, and Ayala Subdivision to the east.

The place is historically known to have been chosen as the home of Dominga, the daughter of Princess Pasay and Prince Maytubig. Thus, the street Dominga, running parallel to Taft from Vito Cruz and Buendia is said to have been the principal street leading to her house.

The district is likewise known as Balite because of a certain wild tree with the same name which grew in the place. Later on, it came to be known as San Isidro upon the introduction of the image of the saint by the Reverend Fray Juan Bague for the barrio folks to worship. Up to our day, San Isidro is still the patron saint.

14. Negotiations are underway [torn] stories lost through shady means [torn] in Makati.

The poblacion, which is naturally at the center of the town, is called Sta. Clara or Bahay Pare because the different priests, who managed the town's religious affairs, stayed in the said place.

The first church built in 1811 was turned to ashes in 1872 during a fire which nearly razed the whole town. In the same district, we find the City Hall (then Presidencia).

Sta. Clara extends over an area of 4 square kilometers or .15 square miles bordered to the north by Buendia Street, to the south by Cementina, to the east by Tripa de Gallina, and to the west by Taft Avenue.

The district is proud to have produced bards in the person of Santillan, executives like Justo de Jesus¹⁵, Pascual Villanueva, musicians like Simon Fernando or Simeon Pawid and heroes like Miguel de la Cruz, Valentin Esguerra, and Jacinto Ignacio.

Pascual Villanueva owns the singular honor of being the only executive who served the town for 14 years. Simeon Pawid has also popularized the Pasay Musical Band whose concerts have been applauded far and wide. The initiators of the Katipunan movement in Pasay, Valentin Esguerra and Jacinto Ignacio hailed from this place. Another hero, Miguel de la Cruz, was one of the stark supporters of teh Katipunan. He died in a bloody encounter in Tipas, Taguig on January 2, 1897. A World War II hero is Manuel Colayco, who perished at Sto. Tomas University on February 3, 1945 during the liberation.

San Roque is one of the oldest barrios of Pasay. Just like

15. First town executive from Sta. Clara. He was with the First Cavalry Division that advanced to free 3,521 Allied war prisoners.

It is third in size, being 1.5 square kms., among all other districts of Pasay City. It is otherwise known as Tabing Ilog¹⁶ due to its proximity to the river Bitukang Manok which serves as its eastern boundary. To the west, it is bounded by Taft Avenue. To the north, its area is separated from Sta. Clara by Cementina Street, while to the south, it is separated from the area of the Manila International Airport by the creek ford which empties into the Maricaban Creek.

San Roque, in the Spanish period, won the distinction of producing the most important product, the "buyo," and for a time, the "ikmong Pasay" grown in the district was well-known in the different towns and provinces. This industry has pocketed for the local coffers thousands of pesos. In addition to this, the fruit industry like oranges, sintones, chicos, breadfruit, atis, and others have yielded for the residents much income.

The district is also said to be the "Cradle of Liberty" of Pasay and that the "first real cry" of total indignation against Spain was said here.

Some street names in the district like Cabrera, Tolentino, Protacio, Apelo Cruz, Cementina, Pinagbarilan¹⁷ are in one way or

16. It is near a river called Bitukang Manok or Tripa de Gallina, running from Parañaque in the south, flowing northward along San Roque and extending up to Singalong and Paco, joining the Pasig River which continues westward and empties into Manila Bay.

17. Pinagbarilan is derived from a certain incident wherein a certain man Piro or Pedro volunteered to help the government suppress violators of the Tobacco Monopoly. Fighting occurred wherein shots were fired on both sides — thus the term Pinagbarilan. The malefactors surrendered and Piro collected his prize from the government — half a ganta of "pinawa."

Historical Data of the City of Pasay, Province of Rizal, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections.