MUNICIPALITY OF SAN MATEO, RIZAL, Historical Data of

The town of San Mateo was named after Saint Matthews, the Apostle. It was established about 1596 with 6,463 souls composed of native Malayans, Creoles, and Chinese "mestizos."

During the time of the Jesuit mission in 1696, a revolt broke out among the inhabitants, who fled to the mountains after the uprising. They returned in 1746 and formed a near [new?] town.

San Mateo is historically important during the Spanish and American regimes. The battle of Nangka, where General Glicerio Geronimo and his Filipino troops valiantly and futilely fought against the Spaniards, was an important event. It was in this town where Major General Lawton was killed by the Filipinos. The gallant soldier General Mamerto Natividad was also honored by his admirers for his services with a monument in the town plaza.

The town is on the Marikina valley and, due to the fertility of the soil, vegetables are luxuriant. Various crops are raised throughout the year.

According to the Historical Bible of San Mateo by Father Juan de Medina, the town of San Mateo was established in 1572, but according to Father Cavada, it was established in 1596.

The first baptism was held in San Mateo on August 29, 1659 when Father Lucas Ortiz was one of the members of the Augustinian Corporations.

In 1698-1746, there was an uprising of all the townspeople but the cause was not stated in all in the bibles. All the people were forced to leave the town, but in 1746, they returned due to the encouragement made by the Jesuit fathers and, because of this, the progress and prosperity of the town was again regained.

The reservoir of San Mateo was established and finished by Carriedo. The town of San Mateo was named as such because it was inaugurated during the natal day of Saint Matthews, the patron saint.

In a certain place within the vicinity of San Mateo, Province of Rizal, there was a ruler who was known to everybody by the name of Lakan Mabagsik because of his tyranny and cruelty. Though he was secretly hated by his people, he was still loved by them because of his daughter who was kind to both rich and poor.

Not long after this, the English revolted and Lakan and Ayang, the leaders, fought with their enemies. Because of this, the English general who sent some reinforcement was determined to fight to the last though in a faulty way. The news was brought by Gin with three other men, and upon knowing this, the Lakan ordered his men to bring him Gin dead or alive. Ayang, upon hearing the news, went to see the prisoner and fell in love with him. Both fell in love with each other and promised to love each other till death. Gin loved Ayang so much that he even promised to turn traitor to his own country. Abdon, who also fell in love with Ayang, became jealous and, acting as a spy, he told everything to Gin's father. Gin, who was very true to Ayang, told her every secret of his own father that made the Lakan's men ready and prepared.

One moonlit night when the air was was filled with bullets, the English general counted his men. When he found gin was missing, he thought he was dead. Thinking that it was no other than Lakan's men who killed him, he ordered revenge. Many were taken prisoners including Abdon. Abdon was threatened and punished every severely till he confessed the truth. When the English general got cleared of everything, and upon learning that his son turned traitor to his native country, he ordered his men to bring him his son Gin, dead or alive. Gin was killed by the general's men. Ayang, upon hearing this, got her shining sword and committed suicide. They were both buried in the same place and it was from that time when people have heard sounds of moaning from the place where they were buried. Since that time up to the present, the people have named the place Guinayang, derived from the names of the two lovers who were very true to each other, Gin and Ayang.

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