MUNICIPALITY OF GENERAL LUNA, Historical Data of Part 1
PART I
[Cover page]
HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE
TOWN OF
GENERAL LUNA
[Transmission letter]
Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Bureau of Public Schools
Division of Quezon
General Luna
March 16, 1953
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Manila
(Through the Division Superintendent of Schools
Lucena, Quezon
S i r :
We have the honor to transmit to you, through the Division Superintendent of Schools, Lucena, the historical data and local folkways for the Municipality of General Luna.
Very respectfully,
MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL
COMMITTEE
[SGD.} Rosario B. Lorezea, Chairman
[SGD.} Federico Rivero, Member
[SGD.} Cesar T. Urbana, Member
[SGD.} Felicitas T. Belda, Member
[SGD.} Belen Casanova, Member
[SGD.} INOCENTES REQUESTO
District Supervisor
[Foreword]
Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Bureau of Public Schools
Division of Quezon
General Luna
April 15, 1953
F O R E W O R D
The collection of historical data was done by the twenty-five teachers of the General Luna Elementary School. Living reliable men were consulted. Several authentic records were found.
The compilation was done by the local committee. Necessary corrections were made.
These materials will surely help future history writers. When the children are properly taught the local history, they may develop that deep sense of love of the native land.
It is hoped that the people will, in due time, benefit from this work.
District Supervisor
Pitogo, Quezon
[Table of Contents]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Pages | |
| Part I. HISTORY | |
| A. Poblacion | 1-6 |
| Data on historical sites, structures, buildings, old ruins | 7-8 |
| Important facts, incidents or events | 9-12 |
| Destruction of lives, properties and institutions | 12-13 |
| Measures and accomplishments in rehabilitation and reconstruction | 13 |
| B. Barrios: | |
|
Bacong Ibaba Bacong Ilaya Nieva San Ignacio San Isidro San Jose San Nicolas San Vicente Santa Maria Sumilang |
14 15-17 18-19 20-21 22-23 24 25-26 27-30 31 32-35 |
| Part II. Folkways | |
| Traditions, customs and practices in domestic and social life | 36-40 |
| Myths, legends, beliefs, interpretations, superstitions | 40-44 |
| Proverbs and Sayings | 44-45 |
| Popular songs, games, and amusements | 46 |
| Riddles and puzzles | 46 |
| Methods of measuring time | 47 |
[p. 1]
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF GENERAL LUNA
Part I - History
General Luna was once a barrio called "Hingoso." It had been a part of the towns of Catanauan, Unisan, Pitogo, and Macalelon one after the other. The name Hingoso was derived from the word "hingi ng susu," which literally means to ask for auger shell, a kind of mollusk which abounds in areas reached by the tide in this locality. It was believed that the person who wanted to gather seashells asked permission to do so even without the presence of anybody. They were of the belief that without asking for such a permission, evil might befall them.
In 1929, through the efforts of leading citizens of the barrio headed by Messrs. Juan Verceles, Nicolas Glifonea, Procopio Pollo, Fernando Damian, and Telesforo Palillo, an organization named "Separacion de Hingoso" was established for the purpose of working for the separation of the barrio from Macalelon, of which it was a part. The movement gained wide support, and that same year, the Philippine Legislature passed a bill sanctioning the establishment of a municipal government. Among the provisions of the bill was changing the name of the barrio from "Hingoso" to General Luna, in honor of General Antonio Luna, a Filipino leader of revolutionary fame.
Upon the establishment of the municipality on November 19, 1929, the names of some of the streets were also changed by virtue of a resolution of the newly organized municipal council. The streets known hitherto as Kabiag, Kabuntoy, Palillo, Pollo, and Pinohermoso were changed to Bonifacio, Quezon, Mabini, Burgos, and Perez, respectively. Later, Bonifacio Street was renamed Guinto Street, after the late Governor Leon Guinto of Tayabas Province. Other streets which retained their names were Rizal, Villarosa, General Lukban, and Jacinto. All the names of the streets were after Filipino heroes and prominent citizens of the province. Villarosa Street was named after Don Vicente Villarosa, a resident of Pitogo who donated several lots to the townspeople and to the government for public use.
The territory comprising the municipality upon its organization included eleven barrios. Later on, four barrios were created. Now, it is made up of fifteen progressive and productive barrios. All the barrios, except Ibabang Bacong, Ilayang Bacong, Sumilang, and Nieva were named after saints.
[p. 2]
The barrios named after saints are San Jose, San Ignacio, Santa Maria Ibaba, Sta. Maria Ilaya, San Isidro Ibaba, San Isidro Ilaya, and San Nicolas.
Bacong got its name from the Bacong River that flows through it; Sumilang derived its name from the direction where it is located; and Nieva was named in honor of Mr. Jose Nieva, Sr., then President of Macalelon when General Luna was organized into a municipality. Ibabang Bacong is the most progressive and most populated among these barrios. Public schools were established in the barrios of Sumilang, San Nicolas, San Isidro Ilaya, Ilayang Bacong, and Ibabang Bacong.
The earliest settlers had chosen to establish their settlement in this locality for various reasons. The community itself is located on level land which is sandy and easily drained. On either side are sandy shores bordering a picturesque scenery of Quezon Bay framed against the backdrop of nearby Marinduque Island. The town is favorably located at the mouth of a river which is navigable by small boats to several outlying barrios. Before the construction of the water system in 1939, the people relied on fresh water available in wells in many places in the town. In fact, the location of the town is the best among the surrounding regions.
Many important events have occurred in General Luna since its establishment. Sometime during the Filipino-American War, all the townspeople evacuated the place because of an American warship which beamed its powerful searchlight on the town. They feared that the warship might bombard the town with heavy guns, hence the hasty evacuation took place. Another event was the celebration of the fiesta of St. Ignatius de Loyola, patron saint of the town, in 1914. Thousands of people from the neighboring towns bordering Tayabas Bay flocked to the locality to participate in the celebration. Another significant event was the celebration held on November 29, 1929 commemorating the establishment of the municipality when it was separated from Macalelon. The jubilation of the people has never been equalled before or since. After a long period of prosperity, the people felt the impact of war when, on December 24, 1941, Japanese invasion forces landed at the eastern Quezon Province. All the inhabitants of the town sought refuge in the nearby barrios. Confusion reigned among the people during the first few months of the war. Later, the people returned to engage in the peaceful pursuit of their means of livelihood under a foreign ruler. However, peace was disturbed one more day in April 1942 when Filipino guerrillas occupied the town. The newly-elected Mayor, Mr. Roman Peñalosa, was killed for unknown reasons. As a result, Japanese soldiers came, herded the menfolk together and punished them collectively. They were made to stay under the heat of the sun before they were released.
[p. 3]
After a short respite from trouble, another disturbance occurred in July 1943 when the guerrillas attacked the small garrison force of pro-Japanese Filipino constabulary men in the town. Fighting lasted for more than three hours. The casualties were a guerrilla and a citizen of the town who was killed in the crossfire. These are the different events which will linger long in the memory of its inhabitants.
General Luna was reached by the national highway in 1939. From that time until the outbreak of World War II in 1941, land transportation facilities ushered a new era in the locality. What was once a small peaceful community became more a progressive and active community amidst the bustle of people commuting from the nearby towns of Macalelon, Pitogo, and Catanauan. Business was brisk, farm products became easily marketable, and the people themselves [were] under a faster tempo of living.
The inhabitants of General Luna are a conglomeration of peoples from other towns and provinces like Pagbilao, Lucena, Pitogo, Catanauan, Macalelon, Batangas, and Marinduque. They are of diverse origin with different customs from their regions. The main occupations of most of the people are farming, fishing, and copra-making. Some inhabitants, including a number of Chinese, are engaged in business. The important products are copra, bananas, rice, corn, sweet potatotes, vegetables, and fish. Land and water transportation facilities such as buses, trucks, jeeps, sailboats, and motorboats have contributed greatly to the progress of the community. According to the last census, this town has a population of 5,862 people.
Persons who have held positions in the local government since its establishment to the present are as follows:
1929-1931
|
President Vice-President |
Mr. Juan Vercelos Mr. Luis Baldovino |
| Councilors |
Mr. Balbino Abelilla Mr. Cenon Abarquez Mr. Gabriel Catarroja Mr. Martin Suterio Mr. Guillermo Genciana Mr. Fernando Damian |
|
Municipal Treasurer Justice of the Peace Municipal Secretary Chief of Police |
Mr. Florencio Rosas Mr. Gaudencio Eleazar Mr. Rufo Telosa Mr. Silverio Revelar |
[p. 4]
1932-1934
|
President Vice-President |
Mr. Jose Carmona Mr. Cenon Abarquez |
| Councilors |
Mr. Roman Peñalosa Mr. Fulgencio Evangelista Mr. David Formaran Mr. Jose Romero Mr. Felipe Borruel Mr. Jose Glifonea |
|
Municipal Treasurer Municipal Secretary Justice of the Peace Chief of Police |
Mr. Florencio Rosas Mr. Moises Baldovino Mr. Francisco Abistado Mr. Silverio Revelar |
1934-1937
|
Mayor Vice-Mayor |
Mr. Jose Carmona Mr. Roman Peñalosa |
| Councilors |
Mr. Balbino Abelilla Mr. Felipe Borruel Mr. Marcelo Telar Mr. Eladio Yulde Mr. Felimon Lopez Mr. Ambrosio Hutalla |
|
Municipal Treasurer Municipal Secretary Justice of the Peace Chief of Police |
Mr. Lorenzo Saltiva, replaced by Mr. Felix Rosales Mr. Moises Baldovino, replaced by Mr. Jose Buhay Mr. Francisco Abistado Mr. Silverio Revelar, replaced by Mr. Benito Yulde |
1938-1941
|
Mayor Vice-Mayor |
Mr. Ambrosio Sapungan Mr. Numeriano Damian |
| Councilors |
Mr. Serapion Hernandez Mr. Perfecto Loveria Mr. Basilio Crucina Mr. Perfecto Oreste Mr. Amado Suterio Mr. Amadeo Suarez |
|
Municipal Treasurer Municipal Secretary Justice of the Peace Chief of Police |
Mr. Leoncio Salazar Mr. Victoriano Pollo Mr. Francisco Abistado Mr. Benito Yulde |
1941-
|
Mayor Vice-Mayor |
Mr. Roman Peñalosa Mr. Guillermo Genciana |
| Councilors |
Mr. Mariano Avila Mr. Manuel Balane Mr. Serapion Hernandez Mr. Andres Valiente Mr. Felix Abrencillo |
[p. 5]
1941-
|
Councilors Municipal Treasurer Municipal Secretary Justice of the Peace Chief of Police |
Mr. Catalino Tañido Mr. Leoncio Salazar Mr. Moises Baldovino Mr. Francisco Abistado Mr. Benito Yulde |
1942-1943
|
Mayor Vice-Mayor |
Mr. Roman Peñalosa Mr. Guillermo Genciana |
| Councilors |
Mr. Nicanor Perona Mr. Mario Catarroja Mr. Pio Rodriguez Mr. Ceriaco Pastrana Mr. Tan Sy Hing Mr. Andres Abrigo |
|
Municipal Treasurer Municipal Secretary Justice of the Peace Chief of Police |
Mr. Leoncio Salazar, replaced by Briccio Lorca Mr. Moises Baldovino, replaced by Mr. Pablo Abelilla Mr. Francisco Abistado Mr. Benito Yulde |
1946-1947
|
Mayor Vice-Mayor |
Mr. Guillermo Genciana Mr. Severino Glifonea, replaced by Mr. Amadeo Suarez |
| Councilors |
Mr. David Formaran Mr. Andres Valiente Mr. Mario Catarroja Mr. Nicanor Perona Mr. Pio Rodriguez Mr. Ceriaco Pastrana |
|
Municipal Treasurer Municipal Secretary Justice of the Peace Chief of Police |
Mr. Briccio Lorca Mr. Jose Lorezca Mr. Francisco Abistado Mr. Benito Yulde, replaced by Mr. Jacinto Glifonea |
1947-1951
|
Mayor Vice-Mayor |
Mr. Dominador Bisbal Mr. Serapion Hernandez |
| Councilors |
Mrs. Isidra Catapat Mr. Herminio Edaño Mr. Eliseo de Rama Mr. Bartolome Palillo Mr. Eligio Yulde Mr. Santiago Pantoja |
[p. 6]
1947-1951
|
Municipal Treasurer Municipal Secretary Justice of the Peace |
Mr. Perfecto Damian Mr. Jose Lorezca Mr. Francisco Abistado, replaced by Miss Teresa Ferro |
| Chief of Police | Mr. Benito Yulde |
1951-
|
Mayor Vice-Mayor |
Mr. Jose Carmona Mr. Isidro Glifonea |
| Councilors |
Mr. Braulio Cataytay Mr. Maximino Patiag Mr. Julian Peñaranda Mr. Jose Pelobello Mr. Jose Manza Mr. Fidel Amido |
|
Municipal Treasurer Municipal Secretary Chief of Police |
Mr. Maximino Yulde Mr. Pablo Abelilla Mr. Benito Yulde |
School officials assigned in General Luna
Supervising Teachers
|
1. Mr. Potenciano Magtibay
10. Mr. Diosdado Amado2. Mr. Melecio Altamira 3. Mr. Alfredo Sulatan 4. Mr. Inocencio Caparros 5. Mr. Vicente Lavides 6. Mr. Sancho Paulino 7. Mr. Calixto Azogue 8. Mr. Cipriano Estrada 9. Mr. Flaviano Abracia 11. Mr. Julian Capiral 12. Mr. Nicanor Casareo 13. Mr. Paulino Capio [Carpio?] 14. Mr. Inocentes Requesto |
1915-1919 1919-1920 1920-1921 1918-1919 1922-1923 1923-1924 1924-1925 1925-1933 1933-1935 1936-1938 1938-1941; 1945-1946 1942-1943 1947-1951 1951 to date |
Principal Teachers
|
1. Mr. Rustico Desembrana
10. Miss Lucila Capistrano2. Mr. Florentino Rodriguez 3. Mr. Gregorio Ananca 4. Mr. Jose Borruel 5. Mr. Claudio Peñalosa 6. Mr. Dioscoro Deveza 7. Mr. Rosario B. Lorezca 8. Miss Bibiana Argamosa 9. Mr. Constancio Valeña 11. Mr. Leon Rodriguez |
1915-1921 1921-1930 1930-1935 1935-1937 1937-1938 1938 1938-1941; 1945 to date 1941 1941 1941 1942-1944 |
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