MUNICIPALITY (NOW CITY) OF SAN JUAN DEL MONTE, RIZAL, Historical Data of Part 4

The occupation saw parishioners flocking to the feet of Christ the Crucified to implore his protection and mercy. Indeed, many are the miracles that are attributed to this image during the trying days of the Japanese regime, and especially during the liberation. San Juan residents firmly believe that their town did not meet the same fate as did other towns under the hands of the retreating but destructive Japanese, because of the intervention of the Holy Cross.

Today, more than ever, the faithful manifest their faith in the sacred image. And even as the troubled state of affairs, not only in our country alone but throughout the world as well, point to no particularly bright future, the people of San Juan take recourse to Christ the Crucified. Never has He failed His devotees in the past; certainly, He will not fail them now.

San Juan people took an active part in the organization and growth of the Katipunan society. During the latter part of 1895 and the first four months of 1896, the Supremo of the Katipunan, Andres Bonifacio, and his chief co-workers, Pio Valenzuela and Emilio Jacinto, visited every Sunday different barrios of San Juan and engaged in initiating converts and indoctrinating the society members with the aims and purposes of the Katipunan society.

The "Sanggunian," head man of the Katipunan in San Juan, was Andres Soriano, whose sons and daughters are still living. He had auxiliaries, sub-heads or lieutenants, in the different sections of the town. In the poblacion, the sub-head, Pangulo, was Venancio P. Cruz who had his house on the S.E. corner of the present Blumentritt St. and V. Angeles St.

Because of the widespread hold of the Katipunan of San Juan, the town Katipuneros actively participated in the revolution against Spain. The first actual combat on August 30, 1896, between the Spanish and the revolutionary forces, took place in San Juan, more specifically on Pinaglabanan Road from its intersection with N. Domingo St. to the place in front of the parish church; the Spanish forces took their stand inside the ground and building of the Old Deposito.

After the rebels had been repulsed, they retreated by way of the Mariquina Road escaped the Balara. A more detailed account of the events of August 29^th and 30^th, 1896, was published in two exhaustive articles on the columns published in the La Opinion of August 1927 and The Manila Times of August 30 1949. The names of the heroes who died in the battle of August 30, 1896 are posted annually in front of the Pinaglabanan Monument on the celebration of the San Juan Katipunan Day every August 30^th. Many sons of the San Juan Katipunan died in other fields of battle during the Spanish revolution. Others were banished to Africa, Guam, and the Carolines.

In our struggle for liberty, San Juan del Monte has a right to be proud of its history. She has always occupied the vanguard position in patriotic strife. The first shot which opened hostilities with the Americans was fired in San Juan. Soldiers from San Juan, together with those from Mandaloyon under Lieutenant Severo Tuaño and Captain P. Corcuera being absent because of sickness, were the ones who defended San Mateo, inflicting heavy losses on American troops and causing the death of the gallant and valiant General Lawton. Even in our times, San Juan has its crop of heroes. On April 23, 1951, another San Juan son, Lieutenant Jose M. Artiaga, heroically on active duty in Yultong, Korea, a contribution of his native town to the world-wide struggle against the forces of evil which threaten us.

From September 1896 to February 1897, San Juan was the concentration place for the Spanish expeditionary forces assigned the task of the reconquest of Cavite. At the time, the people of San Juan felt and acted more intimately towards each other. Everyone sympathized with the revolution and many visited and sent supplies to those in the field. No one would denounce his or her neighbor and, if an unknown person would inquire for a San Juan resident, the reply would invariably be that no such person ever resided in San Juan.

In January of 1897, two Spanish soldiers quartered in the Old Deposito disappeared and were missed by their officers. The Spanish inspected all houses, all nooks and corners, and many were questioned about the event.

The investigators intimated that the soldiers were the victims of foul play by the local people. Everyone was on tenterhooks fearing retaliation, yet everyone claimed ignorance; someone even broached the possibility of the soldiers having deserted to join the rebels at Balara. The truth of the matter was that the soldiers were robbed of their guns and killed cold-bloodedly at the place then called Tangue, just about halfway on the present road from Bonifacio St. to Santa Lucia. Those who perpetrated the act were cautioned and advised by the local authorities and the people in general that they endangered the lives of all and invited the mass massacre of the inhabitants.

The San Juan Bridge was the scene of the beginning of the war between the Filipinos and the Americans. When war was declared between Spain and the United States, the Filipinos and Americans were together in overthrowing Spanish power in the Philippines. On August 13, 1898, Manila fell into the hands of the Americans. The Filipinos and the victorious armies prepared [to go] to the surrendered capital. When the Filipino soldiers were refused entrance, they became suspicious of the intentions of the Americans. From that time on, there was a strained relationship between the Filipinos and the Americans.

When Manila was placed under the American soldiers, General Merritt was appointed Military Governor. General Otis later succeeded General Merritt. On December 31, 1898, President McKinley sent a message to General Otis, stating the American policy in the Philippines.

This policy was that American intended to retain the Philippines as its colony. General Otis hesitated to announce the news because the Filipinos were still fighting the Spaniards in the provinces. Finally, on January 4, 1899, General Otis proclaimed America's intentions to stay and occupy the country.

This proclamation was the saddest news received by the Filipinos. They were forced to carry on another struggle against the Americans. Twelve days after the revolutionary leaders proclaimed the Philippine Republic on January 23, 1899 in Malolos, an unfortunate incident took place at the San Juan Bridge.

During those days, American soldiers were stationed near the bridge of San Juan del Monte, because this bridge controlled all passageways to Manila from the east. About nine o'clock in the evening on February 4, 1899, a Filipino soldier approached the bridge. An American soldier on guard saw the Filipino soldier and shouted, "Halt!" The Filipino was surprised and, failing to understand what was said, returned the expression of the American soldier and shouted, "Halt!" Immediately, the American fired at the Filipino and killed him. This began the Filipino-American War.

In 1941, the Americans destroyed this bridge when the Japanese were beginning to attack our country. From that time, it was called the Broken Bridge of San Juan.

Two or three years after we had been liberated by the Americans, the bridge was reconstructed with funds furnished by the Philippine-United States War Damage Commission.

The Mayor informed the Hon. Council of the need to appropriate ₱12,000 from the local funds to supplement the award of the Philippine War Damage Commission in the reconstruction of the Central School.

After due consideration, the following resolution was adopted: RESOLVED, that the sum of ₱12,000 be, and is appropriated as the municipal government's share in the cost of the reconstruction of the Central School which is being rehabilitated by the Philippine War Damage Commission, and that this amount is hereby made available through the following reversions: ₱5,000 from the refund made by the Philippine National Bank on the pre-war deposit of the municipality; ₱5,000 from C-53 (4) (funds revolving for rice); ₱1,000 from c-1-m. Illumination and Power Service; and ₱1,000 from the unappropriated balance.

An expectant mother has to observe strictly all rules to insure a happy delivery. She refrains from doing heavy work for at least six months before delivery.

A midwife is always consulted for advice. She prepares concoctions of herbs and roots for the expectant mother to avoid miscarriage and to lessen ills attendant on delivery.

other parts of the Islands. The groom's family usually prepares the food and refreshments and takes these to the home of the bride. The relatives of the groom do the serving and entertaining in the home of the bride's family.

About the eighteenth century, the Filipinos built their homes of local materials like bamboo, sawali, and nipa. Even people living in the capital of the country used bamboos for building their houses.

The town of San Juan was accessible, it being near Manila and the suburbs. People from other towns who cut down bamboo from the mountains brought them to this place because the San Juan River has outlets to other places other than Manila.

The bamboo poles were fastened together to make a float of logs. These rafts were placed at a certain place of the river where people from other places might easily get a view of them and make their selections when buying.

The people had been used to getting their supply of bamboo from the place as it had come to be known as "balsa," meaning rafts.

Lately, however, there are no more such rafts found in the San Juan River because most of the bamboo that come from as far as Pililla are transported and carried to Manila and other places loaded in big trucks.

Noong unang panahon, ang mga Pilipino ay nangakatira sa mga bahay na gawa sa pawid at sawali. Kahit na ang mga taong nakatira sa lungsod ay gayon ding uri ang tahanan.

Ang bayan ng San Juan ay naging isang bayang bilihan ng mga kawayan at sawali. Maraming tao ang dumarayo sa bayang ito upang mamili ng mga sangkap na ito sa bahay. Ang mga kagamitang ito ay nagbubuhat sa mga sangkap bayang nakapaligid sa San Juan, at ito ay dinadala sa pamamagitan ng ilog.

Ang mga dulo ng kawayan ay pinagkakabit-kabit at tinatalian upang huwag magkahiwa-hiwalay ang mga ito. Pinalulutang ang mga ito at inihihimpil sa isang pook na makikita ng mga tao upang sila ay makapamili.

Ang mga kawayang ito ay tinatawag na "balsa," nguni't noon ay naging "Balsa" na rin ang tawag sa pook na pinaghihimpilan ng mga kawayan.

Nuong araw, ang bayang ito'y baryo lamang ng Santa Ana.

Nang dumating ang mga Kastila rito, sila'y nagtayo ng isang simbahan at iya'y tinawag nilang San Juan Bautista alang-alang sa patron ng baryo.

Pagkaraan ng ilang panahon ay dumami ang mga taong naninirahan dito. Kaya't noong taong 1783, ang San Juan ay naging isa nang bayan. Tinawag namang San Juan del Monte dahil sa pagkabulubundukin ng pook

na ito.

Magpa-hanggang ngayon ay may tumatawag pa ring "Bayan" sa pook ng Sta. Lucia.

May ilang panahon na ang nakalilipas. Ang pook na ito ang siyang kabayanan ng San Juan. Ang ngayon naman ay siyang Bayan, nuong araw ay pook na "Pulburista" kung tawagin; at iyan ay may makikita pang mga tanda (mga pintungan ng pulbura) sa paaralang Central.

Sapagka't ang pook ng Sta. Lucia ay naaaring maging lagusan ng pagtungo sa maraming karatig-bayan noon, tangi pa sa pagiging maunlad nito sa pangangalakal. Maraming tao ang doo'y naninirahan. Nagkaroon na ng mga simbahan, paaralan at pamilihan.

Lumipas ang madaming araw — ang dating pook ng "Pulburista" ay unti-unting pinanahanan ng maraming tao. Nagsi-alis na rin unti-unti ang mga Kastila, at ang paggawa ng pulbura ay kanila nang iniwan.

Dahil sa pagdami ng mga naninirahan sa dating pook ng Pulburista ay naging mabilis ang pag-unlad ng lugar na ito, hanggang sa ang dating "Bayan" ng Sta. Lucia ay maging isang nayon na lamang at ang naging "Bayan" ay ang sa kasalukuyan ay ating Kabayanan.

Bawa't Katoliko ay ipinagdidiwang ang ika-dalawampu't apat ng Hunyo bilang kaarawan ni San Huwan Bautista. Kaarawan din ito ng pagkakapagbinyag kay "Niño Jesus" ng nabanggit na patron.

Katulad din ng ibang pista, ito ay nagdudulot ng higit na tuwa at kasiyahan sa lahat. Pagka umaga ay sisimulan na ang prusisyon. May isang lalaking nagkukunwang siya'y si San Huwan Bautista at ito ay tumutuloy na sa ilog upang kunwari'y magbinyag ng mga tao, gaya ng pagbibinyag ni San Huwan sa mahal na poong Jesus.

Pagkatapos ng prusisyon ay naghahari na ang buhusan at sabuyan ng tubig sa lahat ng dako.

Ang mga sasakyang lumalakad ay nagpipinid ng mga bintana upang di masabuyan ang kanilang mga sakay. Ang mga tao namang nagsisipaglakad ay ingat na ingat sa mga nagsa-"San Huwang" ito.

Noong nakuha ng mga digmaan ng Amerikano at Pilipino, ang daang Riverside ay hindi maayos at ito'y isang karaniwang daan lamang na patungo sa Mandaluyon.

Noong nakuha na ng mga kawal na Amerikano ang San Juan, ang pook na kinatatayuan ng tulay ngayon ay ginawa ng himpilan ng mga kawal Amerikano. Ito ay tinigilan nila habang sila ay nasa pook ng San Juan. Magmula na noon ay tinawag na "Riverside" ito, nangangahulugang "tabing-ilog."

Before, San Juan del Monte was only a part of Sta. Ana.

When the Spaniards invaded the bagrrio, they erected a church which was called San Juan Bautista after the patron of the barrio.

Not long afterwards, many people came to live in the barrio. The place became progressive. So, in the year 1783, San Juan was made a town. San Juan del Monte was the name given to it because of the mountainous location.

There were still many people who were calling "Bayan" the place of Sta. Lucia.

During the past years. Sta. Lucia was the center of the town of San Juan and was called "Pulburista." You can still see the sign in the San Juan Elem. School Central.

Sta. Lucia could be reached at once because there were many streets that connected to other places. That was why Sta. Lucia became the center of business.

There were many people who were living in it. A church, a school, and a market were built.

Many days passed and still there were many who settled in "Pulburista."

When the Spaniards left, their business in that place was stopped.

Due to the increase of the settlers in Pulburista, this place became progressive.

Sta. Lucia, which was called "Bayan," became a barrio, and "Pulburista" became the center of the town.

Every Catholic celebrates the 24^th of June as the feast day of St. John the Baptist. This is also the day when Jesus, the Son of God, was baptized by the said patron.

Like the other feast days, this gives more joy and gladness to all. In the morning, the procession is begun. There's a man who acts as St. John the Baptist and he proceeds to the river and pretends to baptize the people, the same as when he baptized our beloved Jesus.

After the procession, the dousing begins in all parts of our town. The vehicles try their best to protect the passengers from the water. The people who come to attend the fiesta are very careful to avoid being wet.

The said tradition happens in all parts of San Juan. Why this dousing of either clean or dirty water doesn't make the people angry is a part of the town fiesta of San Juan.

During the Filipino-American War, Riverside Street was not as well-developed as it is now. It was just an ordinary road leading to the neighboring town of Mandaluyong.

The spot where the San Juan Bridge now is was made the headquarters of the American forces when they occupied San Juan. Since then, the place was called "Riverside" owing to its situation.

Nuong araw ay may isang matandang naninirahan sa isang yungib na malapit sa kagubatan. Walang may gustong lumapit sa yungib dahil sa takot sa matandang nakatira doon. Ang matanda ay lubhang mahaba ang buhok at namumuhay siyang mag-isa. Ang mga hayop na naglipana sa kagubatan at mga bungang-kahoy sa paligid ang tangi niyang ikinabubuhay. May mga araw namang may mga taong nagdadala sa kanya ng pagkain.

Isang araw ay may mga kawal na naligaw sa naturang pook. Lumapit sila sa yungib at huminge ng kaunting pagkain sa naturang matanda. Di nila nawatasan ang matanda at ito'y nagulumihanan. Naglumuhod siya at nagwika, "Ermitaño, ermitaño," sinabe niyang siya raw ay isang "ermitaño." Ang mga kawal naman ay natawa at saka nagsi-alis.

Dumaan ang maraming taon at ang ermitaño ay namatay. Nilinis ng mga tao ang kagubatang iyon at dumami na ang naninirahan doon. Simula na noon ang nasabing pook ay tinawag na "Ermitaño."

Si Jose M. Artiaga ay isa sa mga tenyente sa ating hukbong ipinadala sa Korea. Kabilang siya sa mga kawal na tinatawag na X^th BCT.

Sa kanilang pakikidigma ay nagpamalas siya ng pambihirang katapangan at kagitingan. Sa kanyang mga tauhan naman siya'y lubhang napamahal.

Subali't sa isa sa kanilang pakikipaghamok, at iya'y noon ika-21 ng Abril 1951, say sinamang palad siyang napabilang sa mga nasabi. Namatay siyang isang tunay na bayani.

Ang magiting na lalaking ito ay sa daang "Hollywood" nanirahan. Kaya't bilang alaala sa kabayanihan ng nabanggit na pinuno, ang daang Hollywood ay pinalitan ng pangalan, at ngayon ay tinatawag na iyang daang "Artiaga."

Noong unang panahon, maraming punong biga ang nagbibigay lilim sa isang malaking balong malapit sa panulukan ng dalawang daan. Ang dalawang daang ito'y nagtatagpo sa baryo "Once." Marami ang naglalaba sa balong ito sa lilim na binibigay ng punong biga.

Isang araw ay may naligaw doong isang dayuhan. Marami ang nag-

Historical Data of the Municipality of San Juan del Monte (Now San Juan City), Province of Rizal, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections.