MUNICIPALITY OF DOLORES, QUEZON, Historical Data of Part 1
PART I
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HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN
Part One: History
19. Present official name of the town - Dolores.
20. Former name or names and their meanings or derivations:
The town was named "Dolores" after the "Patron of Sorrows," "Nuestra Señora de los Dolores," who made so many miracles for the people.
21. Date of establishment - May 23, 1835.
22. Name and official status of the founders:
On April 11, 1835, Governor General Enrile issued a decree establishing the boundary of the new pueblo of "Nuestra Señora de los Dolores." On May 23, 1835, the local government was inaugurated with a certain de la Cruz as the first gobernadorcillo.
23. Names of persons who held leading official posi-
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tions in the community, with the dates of their terms:
Spanish period:
Gobernadorcillo:
|
1. Capitan Binong Amat
10. Capitan Florentino Bacudio2. Capitan Vicente Ananias 3. Capitan Sergio Alcala 4. Capitan Isaac Abumador 5. Capitan Atanacio Gutierrez 6. Capitan Pantaleon Bomiel 7. Capitan Leonardo Marquez 8. Capitan Florentino Bacudio 9. Capitan Lucio Malasmas 11. Capitan Raymundo Gutierrez 12. Capitan Claro Amat 13. Capitan Alvaro Chumacera 14. Capitan Elias Pasco |
1851-56 1856-59 1859-63 1863 1863-66 1866-69 1869-72 1872-75 1875-78 1878-84 1884-90 1890-93 1893-96 1896-97 |
Municipal (Mayors) Presidents of the Republic
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1. Severino Concepcion
10. Alfonso Gaurano2. Bernardo Marquez 3. Marcos Gaurano 4. Tomas Gutierrez 5. Guillermo Gaurano 6. Mauricio Luico 7. Juan Dejarme, Sr. 8. Manuel Castañeda 9. Mauricio Luico 11. Juan A. Herrera, Sr. 12. Delfin Reyes |
1898 1910-13 1913-16 1916-19 1919-22 1922-25 1925-28 1928-33 1933-37 1937-40 1940-46 1946-53 |
24. Data on historical sites, structures, buildings, old ruins, etc. - NONE.
25. Important facts, incidents, or events that took place...
a. During the Spanish occupation:
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Government Inaugurated - On May 23, 1835, the local government of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores was inaugurated with a certain de la Cruz as the first gobernadorcillo. The officials of the new pueblo were busy organizing the poblacion, and they forgot to watch the boundaries of the new pueblo zealously. So, they were unable to save the place from the malicious encroachment of the neighboring towns.
Boundary Dispute - Trouble soon started between San Pablo and Dolores over their boundaries. There were personal clashes between the officials and the townspeople of Dolores and officials and townspeople of San Pablo, but there had never been an administrative action between them. It was not until 1886 when a group of the principales of the town, headed by Capitan Licerio, presented a petition to the Governor General requesting that a legal step in the adjustment of the boundaries of Dolores be taken.
An official from Manila was sent to San Cristobal to investigate, but due to the strong pressure exerted by the town officials of San Pablo, a bigger and more progressive town than Dolores, the case never reached the Governor General again.
Philippine Revolution - When the Philippine Revolution of 1896 started, most of the influential men of Dolores joined the revolutionary forces. Father Innocencio L. Herrera who, for several years, had been the parish priest of Dolores, was arrested in Naga, Camarines Sur, and together with Father Diaz, Father Prieto and ten other prominent men of Bicolandia, were executed in Bagumbayan, Manila on January 4, 1877 [probably 1897], accused of being "filibusteros y revolucionarios." They were the so-called "Los Trece Martires de Bicolandia." His brother, Julio Herrera, then Justice of the Peace of Dolores, was also arrested but was able to escape and, together with Bernardo Marquez, a landowner, joined the revolutionary forces under General Cailles of Laguna. Herrera soon became a full-pledged colonel and was assigned to Tayabas (now Quezon) with General Lucban. Dolores had been a frequent battlefield between the Spanish and Filipino forces, so that she was pointed out by neighboring towns as the hotbed and hiding place of insurrectos.
b. During the American occupation to World War II:
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at the time, and although the people ran away, the bride and bridegroom stayed with some other people. When the soldiers arrived, they arrested all those found in the town, including the bride and the bridegroom. It was said that the bride was abused and the groom was never heard of afterwards. Then, the whole town was razed to the ground, including the church and the convent.
Dolores was annexed by the Americans to Tiaong and, for several years, Dolores was a mere dependency of the Municipality of Tiaong. However, in 1910, the Governor General reorganized Dolores into a separate municipality, appointing Bernardo Marquez as its Municipal President.
First Move to Adjust the Boundary - It was during this annexation period that Dolores lost quite a portion of her territory to Tiaong, Candelaria, and San Pablo, so much so that when it was reorganized, she found herself to have shrunk considerably. Then, in 1925, the Municipal Council began to revive its boundary question and soon presented her claim against Tiaong. However, Tiaong was able to prevail upon the Provincial Board, and the question was shelved again. It was not easy and pleasant for a small town to fight big influential towns. She had to put forth all [the] strength she could muster to win.
About 10 years after, the Municipal Council of Dolores started making plans for the reopening of the boundary question, but it was not until the year 1938 that an action began to shape itself into reality. Councilor Herrera was then commissioned by the Municipal Court of Dolores to handle the boundary question and, after digging up some old papers from the archives of the government, directed his attack against San Pablo, laguna.
First Meeting of Parties Concerned to Thresh Out the Boundary Dispute - In 1939, a meeting of the Provincial Board of Laguna and Tayabas with the municipal councils of San Pablo and Dolores was held in the municipal building of Dolores. San Pablo was represented by their mayor and two councilors, while Dolores was represented by Governor Casiano Sandoval and Board Members Atty. Gregorio Seña and Atty. Elias Decembrana, while Laguna was represented by her two Provincial Board Members, Atty. Alinea and another member.
Due to the absence of Governor Bonifacio of Laguna, the final hearing was postponed.
San Pablo Made into a City - In the meantime, a bill to make San Pablo a city was presented to the Philippine Assembly. Councilor Herrera, upon knowing this, immediately presented a resolution requesting the Philippine Assembly to reserve the right of Dolores to its claim against San Pablo as to their pending boundary dispute. Except for Herrera's fight for this reservation of Dolores' right to her claim against San Pablo, no other activity took place, pending the approval of the bill creating San Pablo into a city.
With the help of Representative Francisco Lavidez, Second District of Tayabas, Herrera was able to press the claim against San Pablo in spite of its being
[Note to the Reader: One page is missing from the original file at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections. Pagination is therefore ajusted.]
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Banahaw and including Kinabuhayan, Pinagkantulan, Latag, Tibigan, the northern part of Pinagdanlayan and Cabatang as the evacuation places, with the primary school building of Pinagdanlayan as the municipal hall. Thus, while Dolores became the provincial capital, Pinagdanlayan became the seat of the municipal government of Dolores.
Evacuation of Dolores - It was on December 28, 1941, at about 5 o'clock A.M., when Captain Grace, USAFFE, came to town and told the police that the people should be evacuated immediately. This caused panic among the people that by the time Mayor Herrera could give his order for evacuation, he could not even find a single policeman. The continuous zooming of cannon shells made the panic-stricken people scamper in all directions. Consequently, after a week or two, robberies and murders were committed.
Mayor Herrera was advised by President Quezon through Governor Enriquez that he should avoid capture by the Japs, so he made his office in his hideout. Due to the surge of lawlessness, the people asked the mayor to surrender to the Japs. So, in a joint meeting of councilors and barrio lieutenants, and attended by several prominent persons, a resolution was passed requesting Herrera to surrender and accept the Chairmanship of the Local Executive Commission.
Commission Government Established by the Japanese - Mayor Herrera sent for Andres Santos, a local surveyor, for a conference. It was agreed that Santos should present himself to the Commander of the Japanese garrison of Candelaria.
On February 7, 1942, Santos was appointed by the commander of the Jap garrison of San Pablo City, together with other residents, as commissioner. Thus, a commission form of government was first established in Dolores.
The Legion Banahaw - On the other hand, guerrilla underground activities began to find their way into the hearts of the people. On March 5, 1942, Mayor Herrera called a number of leaders and that afternoon, the "Legion Banahaw" was formally organized, with Herrera as its "Chancellor" or head. Its main purpose was to campaign through peaceful means for the preservation of the people's loyalty to the Commonwealth Government and the cause of democracy as championed by the United States of America, and to fight for these principles, if necessary. They were ready to take up arms as soon as they were given the guns and ammunition promised by some American Army officers like Lt. W.H. Burton, known by the alias "Suede Johanson."
The Markings Home Guard - Not one of these Americans returned and, seeing the need for some other action besides plain propaganda, it was decided that a guerrilla unit be organized. Atty Julian Villanueva, together with Mayor Herrera and his son, joined in organizing the "Home Guard" which later on was attached to the "Marking's Guerrillas" under Col. Fertig.
Other Guerrillas and Organizations - A group incorporated to the Fil-Americans under Col. Straughn was organized by J. Herrera, Jr. on July 4, 1942. On December 27, 1944, J. Herrera, Jr. was called by "General Dumas" and
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drafted into the service of the P.Q.O.G. Herrera Sr. also helped. On June 19, 1943, the "Knights of Democracy" was formally organized, with Juan Dejarme, Sr. as the Commanding Officer.
Arrest of Mr. and Mrs. Juan Herrera, Sr. - On Feb. 26, 1943, while Mayor Herrera was being retained at the Japanese camp in Lucena pending his decision whether to accept or not the position of Mayor of Dolores, Mrs. Edna Herrera was arrested. That very day, Febuary 26, 1943, Herrera was released and taken to Dolores to be inducted to office. After about a week, Mrs. E. Herrera was released under the promise that she would help keep the peace and order of Dolores, and she would answer for any trouble that might arise. She was made a port of hostage for peace and order.
Dolores screened "Sona" - On August 8, 1943, after Dolores was attacked by guerrilla units and visited by a group of armed guerrillas, the town was subjected to a rigid screening, commonly called "sona." All male inhabitants from 15 years and above were concentrated in the Roman Catholic church, in the convent, and in the Dolores Elementary School. They were kept without food for three days, after which food was allowed to be given by the respective families. About 150 person were rounded up and enclosed in several buildings as guerrilla suspects. Many of them were water-cured, sun-dried, and beaten. Even the mayor and his family suffered the same consequences. Mrs. E. Herrera was even tied to an electric post by the main street of the town with an inscription placed above her head thus, "This woman does not help in the establishment of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, do not emulate her."
After all the people were released, Lt. J. Herrera, Jr. and Lt. Jose Mercado of the Marking's group were taken for execution. Through the intercession of the Provincial Governor and other persons, J. Herrera, Jr. was released. Thus, out of the eight persons forming the super Special Group – those to be executed – only three survived, Mayor Herrera, his son Juanito, and Mauricio Luico.
The Republic of the Philippines - The so-called "Republic of the Philippines" was inaugurated with Mayor Juan Herrera, Sr. as mayor. During this time, Dolores was three times threatened of being burned and the people massacred. But, by the grace of the Almighty and by the diplomacy of the town officials, everthing was averted.
Liberation - On April 4, 1945, the first contingent of American liberation forces arrived in Dolores. Japanese stragglers were scattering all over the territory of Dolores, and the people started to return to town.
On May 22, 1945, Captain Scheider of the PCAU II came to Dolores and appointed Mayor Herrera to be the Mayor of Dolores again. Thus, the new local civil government was reestablished.
26. a. Destruction of Lives, properties, and institutions during wars, especially in 1896-1900 and 1941-1945:
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who were killed were Gregorio Amihan, the courier of the insurrectos, and Juan Villaflor and Ramon Alcantara, the first teachers of the locality. Many others were killed, but their identities are not known.
In 1900, the Negroes invaded the town and burned all the houses. Even the church and the convent were razed to the ground.
More trying times came in 1941-1945 when the Filipino-Japanese War broke out. Residents who were suspected of guerrilla activities were killed without the due process of law. Among those who were killed were Atty. Julian Villanueva, a promising attorney of Dolores; Wenceslao Palad, the Chief of Police; Guillermo Guarano, the Notary Public; Jose Mercado, a prominent citizen of the town; some civilians like Mauro Montierro, Engracio Canco, two overseers of Umali; Francisco Pandanan, and many others. The cause of the deaths of these people was due to the Makapilis who made false reports to the Japanese officers.
On May 25, 1943, the guerrillas made an attempt to get rid of the local Makapilis and, on the night of the said date, the guerrillas stormed the town. Unfortunately, the Makapilis were able to escape, and not one of them ws caught. The guerrillas suffered a great loss with the death of their commanding officer, Lt. Simplicio Amat. The policeman on guard, Roman Paet, and a civilian, Aguado Cauyan, were also killed.
When the Makapilis came on December 27, 1944, they made the school as their garrison. Books, desks, and pieces of furniture were destroyed and used as fuel. The Japanese soldiers, on the other hand, ransacked or burned the homes of suspected guerrillas and those reported to be aiding the men included in the guerrilla movement.
b. Measures and accomplishments toward rehabilitation and reconstruction following World War II:
It is instructive [instinctive?] among human beings to crave for a better place to live in. The war which caused great devastation in towns and cities has long been over. The people now strive to make these cities and towns more beautiful as well as peaceful.
We are very fortunate because Dolores was not greatly ruined by the bombs of the invaders who trampled our shores. Perhaps, our patron saint helped and heard our prayers for preservation.
After liberation, a new political party, the "Liberal Party," was organized through the initiative of Dr. Cirilo L. Cauyan. In the election of 1946, the late Pres. Manuel Roxas came out victorious under the Liberal Party banner. The chairman of the local Liberal Party, Delfin P. Reyes, was appointed Municipal Mayor by the late Pres. Roxas on June 26, 1946.
During his incumbency as mayor, he constructed Washington Street and the Dolores Puericulture Center. The center had one charity physician and a nurse serving free of charge.
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a. The remodeling and construction of the Municipal Building, costing ₱9,000.00 from the pork barrel of Congressman Fortunato Suarez.
b. The repair and construction of the culverts with the aid of PACSA; and the construction of two toilets in the Dolores Elementary School.
a. Parents-Teachers Association of Dolores
b. Doce Caballeros de Dolores
c. Two in One Club
d. Couples' Club
All these clubs helped by giving either materials or financial aid to the school and the community. The Parents-Teachers Association had been instrumental in acquiring the additional school site, and likewise in the erection of the ten-room temporary buildings. The Doce Caballeros de Dolores club helped financially in the cementing of the ground floor of the abovementioned temporary buildings.
The newly-erected public market, costing ₱4,000.00, also came from the pork barrel fund of Congressman Narciso Umali.
PART II - FOLKWAYS
27. Traditions, customs, and practices in domestic and social life:
a. Panganganak (Birth) - Matapos na makapagluwal ang isang ina ay ipagpapatay agad ito ng manok at pinakakain ng busog upang mauyanan ang hirap na bago laman niya kararanas. (After the mother's delivery, the members of the family kill a chicken and serve her the delicious food so as to make up for the energy she exerted in the delivery.)
Kinabukasan ay ipinangunguha siya ng iba't-ibang uri ng gulay at ang wika ng ay siya'y "sinasapulan" upang huwag maging baynatin. Ang bata naman ay pinasisipsip ng pulot at katas ng talbos ng ampalaya bilang pampalinis ng bituka nito.
(The next day, they gather several kinds of vegetables. They cook them and serve them to the mother who has just delivered. This, they say, will prevent a relapse. On the other hand, they feed the child honey and ampalaya [bitter gourd] juice. This serves as purgative.)
b. Pagbibinyag (Baptism) - Matapos na makapanganak ang isang ina, pinagpupulungan naman ng mag-asawa ang pangalang ibibigay nila sa bagong silang na bata. Agad nilang isasangguni sa talaarawan ang araw ng pagkaluwal at doo'y pipili ng magandang pangalan. Kung sakali at hindi nila magustuhan ang pangalang nasa talaarawan ay pumipili na sila ng ibang pangalan sa hanay ng mga dalubhasang tao o di kaya ay sa mga kilalang lumalabas sa sining.
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Kung minsan naman ay isinasangay nila ang kanilang anak sa pangalan ng kanilang magulang o mga nuno. Kung ang pinagsasangayan ng pangalan ng bata ay patay na, ang layunin ng mga may anak ay upang buhayin muli ang pangalan ng yumao.
(After a child is born, the parents decide on the name to be given him or her. They consult the calendar and select the best name they find listed for children born on that date. If ever there is none that suits them, they just pick out one from the line of popular men and women, actors, and actresses. Another basis for selection is naming them after grandparents, living or dead. If they are dead, the aim is to revive those names which otherwise might have been forgotten.)
Matapos na pasiyahan ang pangalan ng bata ay iaabisa naman ng ama nito sa mapalad na magiging amambinyag [amang-binyag]. Pumupunta ang ama ng sanggol sa kanyang napiling kumpare. Sa unang pagpapangita ay nagpapalitan muna sila ng mga kuro-kuro. Pagkalipas ng ilang sandali ay saka pa niya ipagtatapat ang layunin ng kanyang pag-gala. Pagkatapos na tanggapin ng ama/ina ang kanyang bagong kapalaran ay pinag-uusapan nila ang takdang araw ng buhusan o tunay na binyagan.
(The next thing to do is to inform the lucky "ninang" or "ninong," the one the parents had in mind so long before. The father goes to the home of the godparent-to-be. He usually exchanges views [with him/her] first. That is, he tries to "beat around the bush." He remarks about the present state of affairs or his "subject's" success. Finally, he spills the real objective of his mission. The person, of course, accepts and they discuss the details of the christening. It may be a plain "buhusan" and a mere family affair or one officiated by the priest.)
Ang ama o ina sa binyag ang bumibili ng damit na pambinyag. Ito ay mahabang kasuotan, puti o may kulay man na may kasamang medyas. Bukod sa rito ay nagdadala pa ang ama o ina sa binyag ng mga inumin. Siya ang bumabayad sa pagkapagbinyag ng sanggol. Bago siya umuwi ay iniiwanan niya ng "pakimkim" ang sanggol. Ito ay maaaring salapi, damit, alahas, o ano mang mahalaga.
(The godparents buy a baptismal set (a long white or colored robe, a cap, and socks or shoes to match). This will be worn by the baby when he is baptized. In addition to this, he brings drinks or other gift's to the child's home. The baptismal fee is also paid by him. After the ceremony or before he leaves, he hands the child a token. It may be a piece of jewelry, clothes, money, or something valuable.)
c. Pagliligawan (Courtship):
Noong kani-kanina ay walang pagkakataon ang isang manliligaw na makausap ang kanyang linalangit. Ang magulang ng dalaga ay laging nakabantay, kung kaya't ang kinauuwian ng pagdalaw ng binata ay isang pagpapalitan lamang ng mga balita.
(During the early times, the man did not have any chance to talk with his lady love. Whenever he called for a visit, the parents were always at her side, so he could not reveal the true object of his mission. The visit turned out to be a mere conversation and exchange of views.)
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Upang mawatwatang ang madawag na daan ng isang binata, kinakailangang suyuin niya ang mga magulang ng dalaga. Kung may mga gawain ang mga ito ay kinakailangang magaan ang kanyang katawan sa pagtulong. Sa gayon ay maaaring mapalapit niya ang kalooban ng mga ito sa kanya.
(To pave the way for his success, the gentleman has to gain the goodwill of his in-laws to be. If there is nay work to be done, he should always be ready to lend a helping hand.)
Ang ganitong mga kaugalian ay utay-utay nang nalilipol. Sa makabaong panahon, ang manliligaw ay may layang magpalipad ng balita, dumalaw, at makipag-usap sa dalaga. Maaari rin niyang ipahayun sa dalaga ang kanyang damdamin sa pamamagitan ng pag-awit at tugtugin o "harana."
(Such practices are not true today. They are already outmoded. When a man falls in love with a girl, he is free to send her a note of endearment, visit her, and talk with her. He can even go to the extend of serenading her and showing her how he feels through music and songs.)
d. Kasalan (Marriage):
Noong unang panahon, ang pag-aasawa ng mga anak ay tanging suliranin lamang ng mga magulang. Sila ang pumipili ng kakasamahin ng kanilang anak kung kahit man at ang anak nila ay may pag-ibig o wala sa kanilang napili. Sa gayon, malimit na ang nagkakasal ay di man lamang nagkaka-unawaan ng kani-kaniyang damdamin.
(During the early days, decisions concerning marriage were exclusively the parents'. More often than not, a woman got married to a man without any chance of courtship or previous engagement. However, there were cases when a man fortunately married one who turned out to be the "apple of his eye.")
Pagkatapos na makapili ang isang magulang ng kanyang nais na maging kasamang-pangwakas ng kanyang anak, sila ay pumupunta sa bahay ng babae upang makipag-usap sa mga magulang nito. May dala silang panggatong na tigas na kakawati, tubig, pagkain, at sigarilyo at hitso. Ito ay may ilan nilang ulit na gagawin. Sa ikatlong pagparoon nila ay saka pa lamang sisitahin ng magulang ng dalaga. Dito ay pag-uusapan ang marangal na hangarin ng binata, kung kaya't ipakakaon ng magulang ng dalaga ang mga kasamahan nito. Sa pagparoon ng mga magulang at kasamahan ng binata ay may dala sila uling mga bagay na tulad ng naulit sa itaas. Ito ang tinatawag na "bulungan." Sa bulungan, pinag-uusapan ang tungkol sa kasalan, petsa ng kasal, kasuotan, bilang, at mga mag-aanak sa kasal.
(After the boy's parents have picked out a girl whom they think is ideal, they decide to talk with the girl's parents. They go there often so as to have a close intimacy with the girl's parents. They bring eats, firewood (usually kakawati), water, cigarettes, and buyo. When they do the same for the third time, the girl's parents ask them for their reason for such an actuation. The girl's parents then send for the boy's parents and relatives. The persons concerned select a lucky night and go to the girl's house as a bunch.)
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