CITY OF QUEZON, RIZAL, Historical Data of Part 2
PART II
PART I | PART II
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legs, feet, etc. were predominant, people would conclude that these were the results of witchcraft.
Some examples of superstitions are:
1. If a child falls down the stairs, throw water over the steps and this will avert the repetition of the accident.
2. If one has fish bone stuck in his throat, place some more fish bones over his head and this will help remove it.
3. It is unwise to have three persons pose for a picture.
4. The smell of burning candle is portentous of death in the family.
5. A mole on the face where tears usually course through means early widowhood.
The people believe that when the raven or crow breaks the stillness of the night with its cry of "wac-wac," some ill fortune will happen.
If a cat rubs its face with its claws near the door, some visitors are coming.
Belief in supernatural things like "nuno" and "capres" prevail among the old folks.
29. Popular Songs, Games and Amusements:
Some popular songs are the Harana, Pandango, and Kundiman. Ballgames are fast catching the attention of sports conscious groups. People have all sorts of amusements. Most common are seeing the sarzuelas and palabas which even at present are top attractions.
Some songs are accompanied by a native instrument called guitar and violin. Boys play "buga." They put in the mouth marbles or cashew seeds without swallowing these and then blow the opponents' marbles away from the line or circles on the ground. The girls play "piko," "sungka," "sintak," and "tubigan." Most young men serenade the young girls. Then the serenaders are called to come up the house and have a sort of merriment.
The people have twenty kinds of songs. The most popular of these are Kumintang, Balitao, and Kundiman. Songs are accompanied by a native instrument called the guitar or kudyapi. Some games are huego de prenda, moro-moro, and kalahoyo, which are the most common games.
30. Riddles:
(2) Naliligo si capitan, hindi nababasa ang tiyan — sahig.
(3) Bibingka ng pari, hindi nahahati — tubig.
(4) Kung gabi ay dahon, kung araw ay bungbong — banig.
(5) Nagdaan si kuba, nabuwal ang lupa — araro.
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(7) Isang senyora, ligid ng espada — pinya.
(8) Baboy sa Marungko, balahibo'y pako — nangka.
31. Some common proverbs of the people are the following:
(2) Kapag may isinuksok, may titingalain.
(3) Walang hirap magtipon, walang hinayang magtapon.
(4) Kung ikaw ay maliligo, sa tubig aagap nang hindi ka abutin ng tabsing sa dagat.
(5) Huli man daw at magaling, naihahabol din.
(6) May tainga ang lupa, may pakpak ang balita.
(7) Nasa Dios ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa.
(8) Ang taong masipag, daig ang maagap.
(9) Ang bahay na walang tao, tuluyan ng sinu-sino.
(11) Ang tao mahal at mura, sa gawa makikilala.
32. Methods of measuring time and calendar:
The old folks depended on the sun and the crowing of the cocks in determining the time.
When you step on your shadow, they say that it is twelve noon.
They had no calendar whatsoever, but only depended on climate to determine the month.
[Sgd.] Miss Aida C. Caluag
[Sgd.] Mrs. Eladia M. Yabut
[Sgd.] Miss Zella D. Barba
[Sgd.] Miss Isabel de la Cruz
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HISTORY OF QUEZON CITY
It is said that God made the country and man 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 known as 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 had 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 safety 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.
The city gets its name from the famous Manuel L. Quezon, the first President of the Philippine Commonwealth. The city is well-named because it was he who conceived it and envisioned its possibilities. In his message to the Second Assembly on September 18, 1939, the late president proposed the idea of creating a new city, embracing and area extending from the northeast boundary of Manila to the Mariquina River.
His speech was as follows:
"I have the honor to invite your attention to the urgent need of provision for the adequate control and development of the area in the vicinity of the new site for the University of the Philippines and the People's Homesite Corporation's subdivision project near the City of Manila. Aside from the fact that those undertakings involve a large investment, it is obvious that the objectives we are seeking cannot be attained unless the development of the environs is in harmony with our aims. The purpose in transferring the university is to provide adequate educational plant in an atmosphere conducive to moral and scholastic standards appropriate to our highest public institution of learning. The homesite project is designed to provide the working men and permanent employees with homes at reasonable cost and also to serve as a model residential and community center. With these ends in view, their political and social regulations should be coordinated with those of their surroundings. For that purpose, it is proposed to create a new city, embracing an area extending from the northeast boundary of the City of Manila to the Mariquina River, chartered to do all things necessary for the health, safety, and happiness of all its inhabitants.
"In such special circumstances, it is considered advisable that the official of such a city should be appointed by the Chief Executive, with the consent of the Commission on Appointments."
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On the occasion of the fourth annual celebration commemorating the establishment of the Commonwealth of the Philippines on November 15, 1937, he made it known to the public that:
"...Within a short time, you will see a new city built over the region occupied today by the barrio of Balara and the municipalities of Mariquina, San Juan, Mandaluyong, and Caloocan. It will be a model Philippine city, with streets as big and wide as the spacious avenues of the cities of Europe and America, and the government will establish there modern communities where laborers can live in a comfortable manner appropriate to their well-being..."
The Second Special Session of the Second National Assembly on September 15, 1941 passed Commonwealth Act No 502 which created Quezon City. The boundaries stipulated in the act were as follows:
"Section 3 - Beginning at the point "1" which is identical to boundary monument No. 1 of Piedad Estate, then to point "2" which is the boundary monument No. 2 of Piedad Estate, then downstream following the Arroyo between Payatas Estate and Mariquina Estate to point "3" which is the junction of the Arroyo and Mariquina River, then downstream following Mariquina River to point "4" which is the crossing of Mariquina by the Old Rosario Road. Then westward following the Old Rosario Road to point "5" which is the southeastern-most corner of Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, then following the road along the south boundary of the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club to point "6" where the said road crosses the creek which is the source of the Salapan Creek; thence downstream following the Salapan Creek and Dario River to point "7," then southward following the Salapan River to its intersection with the east boundary of the City of Manila to point "9" near the La Loma Cabaret which is a corner boundary of the City of Manila near the entrance to the North Cemetery, then northward following the boundary of Manila to point "10" which is the northeast corner of the said city, thence westward along the said city of Manila boundary at a distance of 100 meters to point "11," thence northward paralleling the Novaliches Road at a distance of 100 meters from the property line on the side road to point "12," which is a distance of 100 meters north of the crossing of Samson Street (road connecting Balintawak Monument with Bonifacio Monument), thence eastward paralleling Samson Street and the circumferential road at a distance of 100 meters on the north side of said street and road to point "13" which is the center of Culiat Creek to point "14" which is the junction of Pasong Tamo River and Culiat Creek; then upstream following Pasong Tamo River to point "15," which is the junction of Pasong Tamo River and the Pinagpatayan Buaya Creek; thence to the point of beginning."
When the war broke out in December 1941, Quezon City became a part of the so-called Greater Manila. On January 1, 1942, Executive Order No. 400 was signed by the then President Manuel L. Quezon. The order read as follows:
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After World War II, nothing was left of Manila south of the Pasig River. Burnham's capital on the Luneta was the heaviest hit; consequently, all the national government edifices were in ruins.
President Manuel Roxas, aware of the magnitude of the reconstruction job ahead, promptly decided that as long as as a new set of government buildings had to be built, it would be in keeping with the capital city's needs to locate them away from ruined Manila.
President Roxas, in his Administrative Order No. 5, July 23, 1946, created a Capitol Site Committee charged with the duty of selecting the most suitable site for a capital.
Sixteen sites were considered by the committee, but the final choice went to Quezon City plus the undeveloped hill and plateau country up to the Novaliches watershed. The choice was made from the standpoint of general sanitation, public works development, strategic considerations, scenic resources, and administrative coordination.
In order to build a capital city that would conform with the latest trends in construction and architecture, President Roxas decided to send, in the summer of 1947, a mission of Filipino architects and engineers on a study tour of the U.S. and South America. The mission came back with fresh ideas for a modern capital city.
The death of President Roxas in April 1948 did not diminish the official or public interest in the capital city project. President Quirino carried on where the late President Roxas left off. On July 17, 1948, President Quirino signed Republic Act No. 333, creating the new Capital City of the Philippines and the machinery for the preparation of the new Master Plan of that Capital City was put into motion.
The Second Congress of the Republic of the Philippines, in its first session, passed Republic Act No. 537, an act to revise the charter of Quezon City. Virtually, the boundaries set for the Commonwealth Act No. 502 suffered changes.
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CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF MAYORS AND THEIR TENURS OF OFFICE
|
Tomas Morato Leon Guinto Ponciano Bernardo Nicanor Roxas Ignacio Santos-Diaz |
September 15, 1941 - December 31, 1941. (as part of Greater Manila) Japanese occupation. January 2, 1947 - April 1949. May 4, 1949 - January 6, 1950. January 6, 1950 - present. |
Immediately after the liberation of the Philippines, Quezon City was still a part of Manila. It was only on January 2, 1947 that the separate corporate existence of Quezon City was restored by virtue of Republic Act No. 54.
Though still an infant city, Quezon City can boast of a number of citizens who have contributed much to the welfare of the nation. Outstanding among them were Doña Aurora Aragon Quezon, the late Mayor Ponciano Bernardo, Don Alejandro Roces, Mrs. Sofia de Vera, Mari Aurora Quezon, Philip Buencamino and Juan Ysmael.
IMPORTANT FACTS, INCIDENTS, EVENTS OR DEVELOPMENTS
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President Quezon, Don Alejandro Roces, and the then-City Engineer Ponciano Bernardo were at work building the new city when World War II broke out.
For the educational standpoint, the most important event was the preliminary transfer of the University of the Philippines to its present site. Two buildings were constructed, but unfortunately, the war hindered the continuance of this project.
Before the outbreak of the war, the defunct People's Homesite Corporation, now the People's Homesite and Housing Corporation, built four hundred thirty-nine housing units in Kamuning and sold them to the low-salaried employees of the government.
Even before the idea of building a Capitol City was conceived, a cluster of several small cottages mostly made out of nipa and sawali sprang in a wide expanse of land which later became a part of Quezon City. These buildings served as temporary homes for thousands of patients suffering from pulmunary tuberculosis and allied diseases. The humble shacks also served as research center in the fight of the Philippines against the White Plague. From nipa and sawali walls arose a huge building of pillared hallways, the institute widely known today as the Quezon Institute.
B. During and after World War II — The Japanese occupation of the Philippines wrought many changes in the country's development not excepting Quezon City. The construction of homes by the People's Homesite was stopped. The Imperial Army stepped in and converted Quezon Institute into an army hospital. The construction of buildings in the University of the Philippines ceased. The greatest change that took place was that of the incorporation of Quezon City with Greater Manila by virtue of Executive Order 400.
After liberation, the task begun by President Quezon was continued by his successors. As stated somewhere in this compilation, the official interest President Roxas displayed in the Capitol City project was not diminished. On July 17, 1948, President Quirino signed Republic Act 333 creating the new capitol city of the Philippines. In 1949, President Quirino laid the cornerstone of the Capitol Building on the site which is now known as Capitol Hill.
The People's Homesite and Housing Corporation, successor of the People's Homesite Corporation, cleared the trail for the further development of the city. The General Roxas District was planned and prepared on January 24, 1948. In the middle of 1947, the PHHC installed a 260,000-peso plant along Quezon Boulevard for manufacturing concrete hollow blocks. A small 1.3-peso building project was also undertaken in 1947 along Quezon Boulevard. This project aimed to provide dwellings for officials of the American government entities in the Philippines aiding in the rehabilitation and defense of the country. Another low-rent housing project was initiated in what is now known as the President Quirino District. The Phil-American Insurance Company recently laid the cornerstone for another housing project.
The transfer of the State University to its new site has tremendously influenced the development of Quezon City as the nerve center in the educational field. The new university site boasts of a total area of six hundred and forty hectares, considered the biggest university campus in the world. The development of the area is under way.
Modern buildings to house the different Manila Colleges and universities have been constructed while some are nearing completion. Already, Santa Teresa College, Santa Clara Monastery, the Good Shepherd Convent, the Ateneo de Manila, the Maryknoll College, the San Jose
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Seminary, the Instituto de Mujeres, and the St. Mary's College have been completed. Pretty soon, as it has been predicted, many colleges and universities will follow suit. The cornerstone of the future headquarters of the Philippine Public Schools Teachers' Association was recently laid in a corner of Quezon Boulevard Extension and Banawe Road. The city government, on the other hand, is doing its share in combating illiteracy and ignorance. Already, it has a number of public elementary schools in almost every district where all children of school age are admitted. There is also at present a public high school which has one annex along Don Alejandro Roces Avenue and one in La Loma. The administration is trying its best to meet the educational demands of this fast-growing community by building more schools.
Big edifices intended for other purposes have been built. Examples of these are the Ysmael Steel factory, the Pepsi Cola Bottling Company, the Halili Enterprises and several other business enterprises like printing presses and movie houses.
Quezon City is also aptly-dubbed "The Hollywood of the Philippines" for the majority of the movie companies are located in the city. The L.V.N., Sampaguita, Lebran, and Royal Production studios are within the city limits.
The Victoriano Luna Veterans Hospital along Kamias Road accommodates sick personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The Quezon Institute reopened its doors to the public on January 2, 1946, after it had been rehabilitated with the aid of the Philippine War Damage Commission. The Quirino Labor Hospital was inaugurated by His Excellency President Elpidio Quirino in 1952. Several private hospitals are also operating within the vicinity.
The city administration's Master Plan of Quezon City provides for parks and playgrounds which are essential in a modern and ideal community. The Bernardo Park, which has been completed, the Balara Filters, and the La Mesa Dam in the Novaliches Reservoir are forerunners of this phase of development. Bigger and beautiful parks are proposed for the future.
The zonification of the city has been carried out and ordinances, policies, and regulations have been laid and passed by the City Council. Thousands of residential houses from simple to modern designs are springing up like mushrooms.
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.
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