CITY OF QUEZON, RIZAL, Historical Data of Part 1

This manuscript "Historical Data for Quezon City" has been compiled in accordance with instructions contained in Executive Order No. 486. The committee appointed did its utmost under the circumstances to gather and compile the most accurate data possible.

The Quezon City Historical Data Committee composed of Miss Aida C. Caluag, Mrs. Eladia M. Yabut, Miss Zella D. Barba, and Miss Isabel de la Cruz secured their data mainly from the following:

These sources have been supplemented by pertinent data gathered from the reports submitted by the different historical data committees from the different barrios of Quezon City.

It is said that God made the country and men made the town.

Out of a once rolling hilly region, not far from the metropolitan city of Manila, arose a beautiful city that is today popularly called Quezon City. Its great architect and builder was no other than the great Filipino, Manuel L. Quezon, from whom it got its name.

The idea of building a new city was born out of his Social Justice Program. This admirable idea was to provide the working man with a decent place to live in and also to build a model city destined to become the capital of the Philippines — a city modern in every respect, a city which would embody not only the traditions and ideals of the Filipino people and all the massive and beautiful expressions of its God-made spirit, destined to last for all eternity.

As someone has said, the tremendous significance and far reaching importance of the creation of Quezon City is not only justified but merits the gratitude of the whole country as it fulfills one of the greatest needs — the need for a model and modern capital for reasons of public health and sanitation, of public safety, and even for reasons of beauty. Quezon City answers every specified need. For historical significance, Quezon City is even hallowed by the blood of the heroes of the First Cry of Balintawak.

19. Present official name - Quezon City

20. Former Name - None

21. Date of establishment - September 15, 1941

22. Name and social status of the founder: Commonwealth Act No. 506 as passed by the Second Special Session of the Second National Assembly.

23. Names of persons who held leading official positions in the community:

1941 President of the Philippine Commonwealth - Hon. Manuel Quezon
Vice-President - Hon. Sergio Osmeña
Mayor, Quezon City - Hon. Tomas Morato

1942-1944 President, Philippine Republic - Hon. Jose P. Laurel
(Japanese occupation.) There was no mayor for Quezon City. It was merged with Greater Manila as per Executive Order No. 400 signed by President Quezon on January 1, 1942.

1945-48

The city administration plan of Quezon City includes provision for parks and playgrounds which are essential in a modern and ideal community. Forerunners of this phase of development are the Bernardo Park, which has been completed, the Balara Filters, and La Mesa Dam in Novaliches.

The City Council have laid and passed ordinances, policies, and regulations regarding the zonification of the city. Thousands of residential [buildings] have from simple to modern designs are springing [up] like mushrooms. Factories, commercial [establishments], and movie companies are rising one after the other.

Today, Quezon City stands as a symbol of peace and rest. It offers the rich and poor alike a city completely equipped to meet the demands of a fast progressing country.

The people of Balintawak were very courteous and their behavior elegant. when a person talks with his superiors or to one whom respect is due, he takes off his hat. He addresses his superior in the third person using the expressions "sila," "opo," and "po." An important feature of the training of the children was a law which could not be broken. Obligations to parents continued even after the son or daughter had married.

The people believed also in sacrifices or offerings. They said that by doing so, they would gain the favor of God. Such sacrifices were done when someone was sick, when one wished to go on a voyage, or would travel a long distance

The people believed that heaven and earth had no beginning and would have no end, thus they existed for eternity. They believed that there existed a sea, wind, and a land wind [?] who contracted marriage. From the union came the first life, the bamboo. Some believed that a bird perched on the bamboo and broke it into [two] and whence came Silalac (lalaki) and Sicabay (babae). The two were married and from them descended the people.

They believed in the existence of the aswang, kulam, tiyanak, and other alleged beings. The kulam became the cause of ailments or sicknesses. The aswang assumed forms like that of a dog, pig, and horse when he roamed about in the night in search of prey.

They also believed that when a young girl sang before a stove or fire, she would marry an old widower. When a hen cackled at night, an unmarried woman was giving birth to a child. When a girl had white spots on her fingernails, she was not constant in love. When a comet appeared in the sky, war or famine was coming.

On New Year's Eve, people did not sleep. They tried to listen to the sounds made by animals during the whistle. They said that if it was the sound of a howling day [dog?], it foretold that people would die; if the sound of a carabao, it would bring a drought or poor harvest; and if the sound of "Maria Capra," a bird, it would bring good harvest.

If all the members of the family were eating together, nobody was allowed to go out from the house because they said that he or she would meet his or her misfortune. If a hunter met a lizard on his way, he had better return for he would catch no game. Dreaming that a tooth or some teeth were pulled meant that a close relative would die.

People believed that the world was flat. Witchcraft - Belief in witchery was rampant. When ailments of swollen