The Guinayangan Republic

There is no official record existing as to how and when the place was established. The only record available is a church memorandum which indicated that Guinayangan was a small settlement founded by mostly Visayans from Masbate during the Spanish colonial days, more than 200 years ago. These Visayans were ship builders and established a settlement or a village somewhere near the mouth of the Hiwasayan river.

There were at that time abundant supply of lumber of the first group for ship building. These early settlers prospered rapidly and attracted the moro pirates who raided them and captured many to slaves.

When these early settlers heard another settlement north of them between the area of Katimo and Kinatakutan along the seacoast of now Tagkawayan, (under the leadership of the Mattas and Tupazes also from Masbate) these founders of the Hiwasayan settlement joined the small but brave warriors and founded a new settlement named Guinayangan at the present site of this poblacion.

This combination became so formidable that any attack made by the moros were repealed so that since then the moro piracy came to an end. At this period about 200 years ago, Catholic missionaries belonging to the Franciscans Order have reached this place and founded the town of Guinayangan. The town was about to be named San Luis Gonzaga perhaps, because it was June 21 when they landed on this settlement. But for an incident when a solicitous Spaniards asked the setters what kind of weapon they used in repealing the moro pirates, the settlers responded that it was bow and arrow fitted with a steel known to the moros as gayang, “guina-yangan ang palaso”, meaning “the arrow was fitted with a gayang”. The priest who came at that moment misunderstood the question of the Spaniard. Believed that the question was what the name of the settlement, and because the natives kept reapeting the word guinayangan…., believing that they were still asked the name of their weapon. And for historical purpose, it came to pass the settlement became known to the colonizers as Guinayangan. From this date the local government that was established fell under the Ecclesiastical province of San Luis.

The founded settlement flourished due to the agreeable leadership of the Spanish colonizers and priests. The barangay system was adopted under the head man known as Capitan. Among the first Capitanes were from the Matta and Tupaz families.

There was an existing cooperation between the natives and the colonizers until some Spanish soldiers and Spanish subjects inter married the natives. Among them were the Garcias, the Camposes and the Perillos.

The progress of the settlement was also due to the geographical advantage. Being a seaport, it was also a logging and lumbering center. It was due to those assets that the governadorcillo of the ecclesiastical province of San Luis proclaimed the settlement and independent municipality “municipio independiente” and the “capitanes” were appointed from time to time. Among the capitanes marked subrasalientes were from the old families of the Matta and Tupaz, conspicuously were Capitan Marcos Tupaz (1825), the capitan credited for making new settlement,in what is now called Aloneros. Capitan Vicente Matta (1832), a pioneering captain who established the progressive fishing and logging village in what is now called Kinatakutan. Capitan Benigno Molines (1841), the forerunner in establishing a logging center along the banks of what is now called the Piris River.

The succeeding administration has been headed by the descendants of these two eldest families until the Philippines were finally ceded by Spain to the United States by the Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898.
Being a seaport, Guinayangan became important to the occupation forces of the United States as a supply center. Firstly because it is a good military base which supported the principal fighting forces at Atimonan and secondly is the absence of well-organized revolutionary forces. The Japanese Army found the same condition during the World War II

Military government had been set up by the American Expeditionary Forces  from 1902 to 1904 when the civil government was established. In 1904 the first municipal election was held and elected Mr. Victoriano L.Evangelista as the first Municipal President. The American Regime was divided into two phases, the Government of the Philippine Islands and the Commonwealth of the Philippines. The following were the elected President and Municipal Mayors: Victoriano L.Evangelista (1904-1906), Jesus Lagdameo (1906-1908), Jose Tolentino (1908-1909), Feliciano Roldan(1909-1911), Silvestre Reformado (1911-1915), Jose San Juan (1915-1919), Rodrigo Garcia Matta (1919-1922), Jose San Juan (1922-1925), Faustino Araña (1925-1931), Vicente Tolentino (1931-1937), Antonio Marquez (1937-1941), Lazaro Tayag (1941-)

As soon as the military government of the Philippines had been , public schools were opened, land reforms had been promulgated, commerce and industries had been organized and social reforms were made. The living condition of the people was improved, the feudal system was entirely abolished and the people easily adopted the democratic ways of living. The improvement in the community as well as in any part of the country advanced rapidly. Thru the public school system, illiteracy gradually diminished. Health and sanitation had improved immensely thru the establishment of the Health Service and criminal delinquency had been minimized.

The autonomous government under the Jones Law was established during the term of Antonio Marquez who became the first Municipal Mayor followed by Vicente Tolentino and ended with Dr.Lazaro Tayag when the World War II broke out. The chains of good administration undedr the American period came to an end. The interruption due to the temporary occupation of the Philippines by Japan have turned out the following administrators of the local government sponsored by the Japanese Imperial Army: Hipolito Veloso (1942-), Victoriano Alejar (1942-1944)

The progress attained by the people of Guinayangan during the short period of American Occupation had been interrupted by the War. During the Japanese occupation personal liberties had been curtailed. Educational system had been changed. Western culture had been prohibited and substituted by the Japanese culture. In spite of all the Japanese imposition s on the revised educational system, the Japanese sponsored government did not succeed because the people of Guinayangan were not responsive. Many people have gone underground to organize resistance movement and even those who remained in town did not send their children to school but indirectly joined the guerilla organizations, In fact, many of those who had been suspected were killed by the Japanese even during the period where the Japanese Imperial Government recognized the puppet Philippine Republic.

Notable among the various guerilla organizations whose members were the people of Guinayangan were the Matta’s Unit and the Vera’s Party. Both these organizations have harassed the Japanese forces in many encounters and above all kept and maintained the spirit of resistance and encouraged the people to fight actively and passively for liberation.

A few days before Christmas in 1944, Guinayangan was raided by the Japanese soldiers stationed in Tagkawayan and killed not less than 20 persons in the poblacion without any cause. The innocent civilians were prominent members of the local society and others were government officials. Among them was Mr.Graciano Almario, a known businessman, Mr. Sotero Tampok and Mr. Antonio Juarez, both employees in the local government before the war and 18 others. Homes of merchants and well to do families were looted if not by the Japanese soldiers themselves, by other pro Japanese elements who turned bandits.
Those appointed by the Japanese Occupation Forces to lead the puppet government of Guinayangan were Dr.Hipolito Velasco followed by Mr. Victoriano Alejar.

Immediately upon the disorganization of the Japanese resistance the Guerilla found time to reorganize the local government but this did not last long for the Philippine Civil Affairs Unit (PCAU) of the United States Army took over as soon as they reached a certain municipality. The first officer to be appointed by the Guerilla Government of Guinayangan was Mr. Timoteo C. Ramos, a prominent school teacher. His appointment was later confirmed by the Philippine Civil Affairs Unit to continue during the military government until the Philippine Commonwealth Government is re organized. Those that have been appointed to lead the local government after liberation were the following: Timoteo C.Ramos (1945-1946), Vicente M.Salumbides, Vice Lazaro Tayag who was in sick leave (1946), Guillermo Garcia (1947-1948),
After the fall of Manila to the American Liberation Army, The Philippine Commonwealth Government under President Sergio Osmeña was reorganized and turned over at Leyte by General Douglas McArthur. Am month after, the seat of government was transferred to Manila.

The first act of the central government is the appoint those who were elected during the election of 1941 and Mr.Timoteo C.Ramos was replaced by Dr.Lazaro Tayag who in 1941 was elected Mayor of this municipality.

The task of the new government had been very difficult. To restore peace and order, the re-establishment of the school system, the reorganization of the health and public service and many others. The rehabilitation of the economic condition of the people is the paramount undertaking at his period due to the lawlessness and other evils brought about by the economic and moral dislocation.
By the year 1949 the improvement was magnitude which warranted the election and Gen.Natividad B.Matta was elected the Municipal Mayor followed by the election of Mr.Mariano Roldan in 1952.





Collected and Compiled by:
Mrs.Salome L.Ramirez
Mrs.Adela V.Escobar
Ms. Lourdes B.Caisido
Mr.Timoteo Ramos
 
With the help of:
Mr.Pedro C.Pujalte
Mr.Placido Isaac
Mr. Ladislao Molines


Division Of Quezon

Whenever asked where he lived, he would answer with a lousy gesture, “layo” or “doon layo”, actually meaning “malayo”, far, pointing Sabang Matanda. He could not correctly express the name of the place by reason of his thick Visayan accent and unfamiliarity with Tagalog dialect. From that time on to the present, Sabang Matanda has been called Manlayo, now forming a subdivision of the town Guinayangan.
Division Of Quezon

According to the remaining inhabitants, no authentic record about its history or its beginnings has been handed to them. It was said that the place was named by the aborigines or the Aetas who first inhabited this region. Ever since the establishment of the barangay, it was already called Cabibihan.  The presence of many clams, locally called “cabebe” or “bebe” which abounds plenty in the bank of the river and its beds. During rainy season especially when there was flood, there were plenty of clams or “bebe” on the river beds, thus this became a good source of income and food among the people.

The early settlers of Cabibihan were the Flaviers, Rufulis, De Los Santos, Cerillas, Guerreros, Salvadors, Maravillas, and Avilas. These families became the leaders in nearly all fields of activities such in economies, culture and beliefs.

From the year 1920 to 1935, Cabibihan was a very progressive community. The big Tayabas Saw Mill which finally became the famous Cabibihan Saw Mill was owned and operated by an American capitalist, Lucy Carvender. Later on , the sawmill was bought and owned by a Chinese businessman named Sy Cumbing. Unfortunately during its boom, the saw mill burned in 1935 for unknown reason. Thus the decline of its progress was so rapid that many of its inhabitants left and settled to nearby barangays.

During the existence of the saw mill in this locality, the populace experienced better means of livelihood as there was much labor for the masses. The daily output of the mill was approximately 30k board feet, this account for the national prestige of Cabibihan. But after the burning of the mill, the economic, social and civic life of the people greatly changed. The people begun to leave the place. Resulting the closing of the public primary school.

Prominent among the Barrio Lieutenants (Barangay Captain) who have done much for the progress of the place are Isabelo Rofuli, Alipo Silverio, Serafin Maravilla, Patricio Guerrero, Cecilio De Los Santos, Jorge Avila, Emilio Victor,Carlos Salvador, Nicomedes Cerilla, Mauro Guerrero, and Pruvo Salvador.

The only important facts which was in the memory of people was the establishment of one of the biggest sawmills In the Philippines. The Cabibihan Sawmill had the national prestige. The were no historical sites and structures save the ruins of the nice Cabibihan Tennis Court constructed by the Cabibihan Tennis Club. The ruins of the railroad line constructed by the sawmill for this transportation of logs and lumbers and its tracks.
Likewise, the Japanese Occupation and the Liberation Period have not left any historical incident in the localities. Destruction and loss of properties were due to looting and stealing. But they have been rehabilitated by the Philippine War Damage Commission and little financial assistance of the government.

Compiled by: 
Mr. Sergio Nebres




Excerpt from the manuscript: 
Collection And Compilation Of Historical Data And Cultural Life Of The
Municipality Of Guinayangan Including Its Barrios And Sitios, 
Province of Quezon, Philippines
Philippine (Republic) Bureau Of Public Schools
Division Of Quezon

The present official name of this barangay is Triumpo, a Spanish word meaning Truimph or Victory. This barangay being victorious in their fight for separation from the mother barangay of Aloneros.
Is was established in the year 1906 with the old name San Miguel, named after its Patron Saint, San Miguel. 

The original settlers were the families of Agustin Cerilla, Prudencio Lerum, cipriano Lerum, Angel San Antonio, Santiago Agam, Mauro Agam, Modesto Fernandez, Catalino Pera, Cosme Pera, Julian Serdeña, Perfecto Cerilla, Macario Cerilla, Felix Serbuna, and Felix Cerilla.

The following became the Barrio Lieutenants (Barangay Captain) of the said place: Agustin Cerilla, Prudencio Lerum, Angel San Antonio, Felix Surbona, Luis Surbona, Mariano Surbona, Santiago Agam, Esteban Agam, Mauro Agam, Estanislao Serdeña, and Felix de los Santos.

There was no depopulated sitio which became extinct. Foremerely Calauag claimed for the barrio. There was a legal fight between Guinayangan and Calauag resulting to the victory of Guinayangan. This victory also account for the naming of the barrio Triumpo.

There were no historical sites, structures, buildings or old ruins in the place. There were no events of national importance during the Spanish regime. During the Ameri can regime, the World War II took place. But the war never gave any heavy damage to the place because of isolation and it is very far from communication and transportation. The Japanese Imperial Army did not pay any attention to the place.





 Compiled by: 
Miss Lydia Ogaña
 

Excerpt from the manuscript: 
Collection And Compilation Of Historical Data And Cultural Life Of The
Municipality Of Guinayangan Including Its Barrios And Sitios, 
Province of Quezon, Philippines
Philippine (Republic) Bureau Of Public Schools
Division Of Quezon

It was in the year 1907 the Abrencillo family settled in this land covered with thick cogon and forest. This family cleared, cultivated and planted the place with rice, corn, sugarcane, and other crops. This little prosperity enjoyed by the immigrants attracted other settlers and the families of Enriquez, Silva, Ricamara, Perez, and Jovitas followed the Abrencillos. Other groups then followed until it has become a prosperous village.

The population increased and the people petitioned the Municipal Council of Guinayangan to make this place an independent Barrio. It was approved and it finally called “Maligaya”, Tagalog word for happy. It accounted for the fact that the people due to its prosperity enjoyed the living there with full of happiness. So thats why they called the place Maligaya. In 1919 due to its progress and increasing population, two parts demand for separation. These were Batis Maligaya and Bukal Maligaya.

The original families were the Abrencillos, Mendozas, Enriquez, Silas, Perez, Jovitas, Ricamaras and the Calmas. The founder of the place was Martin Abrencillo.
The following became the barrio lieutenants of the place: Martin Abrencillo, Jesus Abrencillo, Hilario Abrencillo, Daniel Mendoza, and Hilario Abrencillo.

There was no depopulated barrio nor historical sites or structures, building and old ruins. The destructions during the World War II was not so great. It has been slightly rehabilitated by the Philippine War Damage Commission.


Bukal Maligaya
This place is called Bukal Maligaya. Its name was derived from its original name Barrio Maligaya. The word Bukal was originated from the existence of a clear “bukal”, the Tagalog for spring, on that place. This is where the locals fetch fresh drinking water. There is a continuous flow of fresh water even during the summer time. The fact that the people had always lived in abundance of foods even during the Japanese Occupation, with undying spring or real “bukal”. It was for these reasons why the place was called Bukal Maligaya.

Bukal Maligaya was established in the year 1937 with the following families as the settlers: Martin Abrencillo, Sofronio Butardo, Jesus Abrencillo, and Hilario Abrencillo. The prominent “Teniente del Barrio” who have done much for its progress were Castro Perez and Guillermo Evita.

There was no sitio which has been depopulated or became extinct. There were no historical sites, structures, buildings, or old ruins. There were no remarkable events that took place, neither during the Spanish period nor the American Regime. Worthwhile remembering only was the slight destruction to property made during the Japanese Occupation. These destructions anyway have been easily rehabilitated and reconstructed by the help of the PCAU and the Philippine War Damage Commission and by the industry of the people.


 


 



Batis Maligaya
(*Danlagan Batis)
The former barrio of Maligaya became so progressive that in 1907 it separated into two entities namely Batis Maligaya and Bukal Maligaya. The development of the said barrio was due to the leadership and pioneering spirit of the early family that lived there, The Abrencillos. In one of the sitios is a big spring situated In the center of the place which become the favorite rendezvous of the residents. From the spring the people get their drinking water for irrigation, drinking spot of animals, and the very place where people wash their clothes. It is therefore their important natural resource and an asset because it never dries up even during summer. It is therefore from this spring or Batis in Tagalog word where they got its name Batis Maligaya.

The early settlers were the families of Enriquez, Silvas and Ricamaras. These families have not done more than what the Abrencillos have done for the improvement of the said place. The Barrio Lieutenants who served since the establishment of this place were Adriano Enriquez, Venancio Silva. Vicente Ricamara. There was no historical record available of the original barrio until after it has been subdivided.
The last world war did not affect the lives of the people as there were no destructions made to property and lives. This was attributed to the fact that the said place is far from the highway and is not accessible by good road or trails which keep the place unnoticed by the invading Japanese Imperial Army.

This independent Barangay was formerly a part and within the jurisdiction of Danlagan. This place was popularly known as Danlagan Batis, It was so called “Batis” because of the endless flow of water coming from the spring surrounding the barrio. “Batis”, therefore is a Tagalog word for spring and is being added to the word Danlagan.

Danlagan Batis was formerly and partly a sitio of Maligaya while its other part is within Danlagan. In 1924 an association was organized composed of laborers. This association was known as Laborers Association headed by Melecio Fernandez. It was organized to help them one another. With the strong cooperation of the members, and the belief that they could manage their own affairs, they petitioned proper authorities to subdivide Maligaya into to two entities. Thus Batis Maligaya the part comprising mostly the original Maligaya and Danlagan Batis boredering and a part of Danlagan was then called Danlagan Batis.

This Barrio (Barangay) was established in 1925. The original families were the Enriquez and the Escobios. The following names are the people who became the head leader or Teniente del Barrio. Adriano Enriquez, Pedro Escobio, Venancio Silva, Clemente Rejener, Moises Villasin, Crispin Verdera, Vicente Ricamara and Florentino Manalo.

The fact that this sitio was formerly a part of Maligaya and Danlagan accounts for the absence of depopulated or extinct sitios.
During the Spanish Regime, the place being a thick forest became the sanctuary and refuge of bandits and highwaymen.

During the American Regime, the place improved well and the agriculture advanced.
During the war especially under the occupation of the Japanese Imperial Army, there were great destruction to property. Looting and stealing are so rampant, and confiscation made by the Japanese soldiers have existed in the absence of a strong government.

The place was partly rehabilitated by the PCAU and the Philippine War Damage Commission. A private Chinese capitalist from Lucena by the name of Lu Kang constructed a private road from Danlagan to San Antonio crossing Danlagan Batis and Batis Maligaya for logging ang lumbering purposes. This road greatly helped the people. It has made the transportation of goods and people easy.






Compiled by:
Mr. Bonifacio Dimarocot
Ms. Leonida Nepomuceno
Ms. Josefina Valencia



Excerpt from the manuscript: 
Collection And Compilation Of Historical Data And Cultural Life Of The
Municipality Of Guinayangan Including Its Barrios And Sitios, 
Province of Quezon, Philippines
Philippine (Republic) Bureau Of Public Schools
Division Of Quezon

Danlagan Central is popularly known simply as Danlagan, as it was before. The name Danlagan is derived from the word “DALAG”, the Tagalog for mudfish and the suffix “an”which denotes having more the others, hence Danlagan means more mudfish than other places.

During the early years, Danlagan Central is a subdivision of the entire original Danlagan. Before, this barrio was not subdivided into sitios, however the town administration was prevailed upon the inhabitants to create sitios. For the purpose of affording each sitio an opportunity to manage its affairs in the honest belief that the welfare of the inhabitants can be better served. The sitios thus created are Danlagan Central, Danlagan Reserva, and Danlagan Cabayao. Each sitio has its head with  an auxillaru barrio lieutenant of the “Teniente del Barrio” of the entire place. The Teniente del Barrio is also the acting Ex-oficio “Teniente Auxiliar” for the Danlagan Central.

Danlagan Central

The barrio of Danlagan was established by the Cerilla family in the year 1873. The original settlers therefore in this place are the Cerillas and the Molines.

The following names are the people who became the head leader or Teniente del Barrio. They are Vicente Molines, Remegio Cerilla, Teofilo Erandio, Fernando Cerilla, Domingo Cerilla, Juan Victor, Tomas Cerilla, Filomeno Escobido, Felagio Cangas, Andres Sevillena, Cosme Surbona, Pedro Amolar, Juan Geneblazo, Guillermo Guerrero, Isidro Escobido, Juan Geneblazo and Guillermo Guerrero.

Fate has not favored this place to become a scene of some historical importance nationally. However, it is not literally blank with any event, fact or incident that bears lasting impression, in the lives of the locals who have the luck of all of this.

There was a time during the Spanish Regime when the Moro bandits roaming far and wide in the Archipelago. In pursuit of their evil mission of plundering and looting property, murdering people, raping innocent women, spreading terror, creating constant fear of uneasiness among the people.  In one of the raids staged by these Moros in the neighboring barrio of Apad,  Danlagan became a sanctuary for those who took flight to save their necks form the blood thirsty blade of the “kampilan”.The male members of the inhabitants sensing the danger and impelled to action by the instinct of self-preservation. In the face of common peril united together, gathered whatever weapon they can avail of and formed a sort of “militia”. The purpose was the defense and protection of the place and its inhabitants. The work was not at all in vain. The Moros came and the barrio had become a scene of sanguinary conflict between the plunderers and the defending local folks. The Moros were forced to retreat by the river and boarded the bancas and to gain speed they threw the looted big church bell into the river of Tikay. The bell was looted from Apad.

On the whole during the American regime up to the Japanese occupation, this barrio was a peaceful place. Save from a few isolated incidents of murder anchored by both the Japanese Imperial Army and the Guerillas.

Immediately after the liberation and upon the return of normalcy, the inhabitants resumed their agricultural activities and in no time they regained their lost economic stability.

In 1951, in one of the meeting held by the visiting town officials of Guinayangan, headed by the Mayor Natividad B.Matta, the barrio folks especially the parents, through their spokesman. They called the attention of these visiting officials to the need of establishing a school.

The Municipal Council took interest in the request and in due time, in the cooperation with the parents themselves who took pain in constructing a schoolhouse.

For the convenience of travel, Mr. Isidro Escobido wrote a petition to the management of Manila Rail Road Co., requesting that all regular trips make a stop at this place. Thus the people can be sure to get a ride at any scheduled trip except the express train.

In the revolution of 1896-1900, there was not much destruction of lives, properties and institutions because the place was still a wilderness and not so populated. However during the World War II, there were destructions, greatly by the Japanese Imperial Forces. Some are with the fake Guerillas which are not attached to the known Guerilla organizations such as the Matta’s Unit or the Vera’s Party.

The destructions were greatly relieved by the arrival of the American Forces. Through the Philippine Civil Affairs Unit.  Medicines, foods, and clothing were distributed and the civil government was organized, transportations and communications were restored. This gigantic works were finally supplemented by the War Damage Commission.

Danlagan Reserva

The present name of this barangay is Danlagan Reserva. The word Danlagan was taken from the name of the original barrio of Danlagan where it originated and was so called Reserva. Thus a portion of the land is reserved by the government. The word Reserva is a Spanish word for reserve. This is now an independent Barangay with the corresponding Barangay Officials.
Before it became a full pledged Barangay, it was known only as a sitio of Danlagan Central.  It was in the year 1929 when four families came to reside in the place as a employess of the Manila Rail Road Company. They were in charge of the station and the Water Reservoir for the use of the train engine. The families were those of Pedro Manalo, Fidel Candag,Crispin Verdera, and Leocadio Austria. Other immigrants then settled in that place. Its independence as a barrio took place after World War II, during the term of Mayor Natividad B. Matta. Quirino Jovida was appointed the Barrio Lieutenant (Barangay Captain during that time).

Before the war, the place was so popular among travelers and employees of the Manila Rail Road Company because of the immense water reservoir constructed in that place. Trains have to stop her for the water. There was a plan also during the incumbency of President Quezon to make the place a national park due to its nice scenery and its towering first group trees. A complete elementary school building was constructed after the war because of the great number of school pupils. Its nearness also to the Provincial Nursery makes the place important during that time.

During the Spanish Regime, no historical events of national importance took place as the was then a wilderness.

It was during the latter part of the American Regime when a railroad line has been constructed from Manila to the Bicol provinces that the place came to be populated and known.

In the year 1923, when the main terminal of the railroad is in Aloneros, just a few kilometers away, Danlagan Reserva became so popular from the people living in Aloneros. The barrio have the abundant of supply of water of its reservoir. Aloneros resident have to go to Danlagan because they have no good river or spring for drinking and washing.

During the Japanese Occupation, The greatest mistake of the Japanese sponsored government was that the officials with the encouragement of the invading forces approved the deforestation of the Reserva or the reserved forests. The Japanese is in dire needs of lumbers for building war infrastructure and to the advancement of invading armies. It was also in 1944 when the Railroad Station at Danlagan was destroyed.

During the liberation, the place was reconstructed and rehabilitated, a priority of the government being along in the railroad line. The Philippine Civil Affairs Unit and the Philippine War Damage Commission have played much in restoration. Something that cannot rehabilitate immediately is the destruction of the Forest Reserved, which was considered pride of that place. Gone were the towering tress clogged with various vines, orchids and other unique vegetation, which makes the place much cooler and was earned the name “The Little Baguio of Guinayangan”.

Danlagan Cabayao

This place is called Danlagan Cabayao. The first word being the name of its mother barangay and the word Cabayao is from the name given by the Aetas to a river crossing the entire place, the Cabayao River.
The settlement was established in September 1949. The earliest settlers were the families of Honorio Sevillena and Feliciano Araña.

Prominent “Barrio Lieutenants” since its organization were Andres Sevillena, Juan Geneblazo, Marciano Maquida.

There was no historical events, sites, structures, building or ruins as the place were wilderness for a long time. And it was also a former sitio of Danlagan Central.

It was 1949 when this Barangay or Barrio was organized. Before the war, little was known of that place. The fact that it is an agricultural barrio with fertile soil conductive to farming, its agricultural products is extensively exported to Aloneros and nearby town of Calauag.


 

Danlagan Batis

The former barrio of Maligaya became so progressive that in 1907 it separated into two entities namely Batis Maligaya and Bukal Maligaya. The development of the said barrio was due to the leadership and pioneering spirit of the early family that lived there, The Abrencillos. In one of the sitios is a big spring situated In the center of the place which become the favorite rendezvous of the residents. From the spring the people get their drinking water for irrigation, drinking spot of animals, and the very place where people wash their clothes. It is therefore their important natural resource and an asset because it never dries up even during summer. It is therefore from this spring or Batis in Tagalog word where they got its name Batis Maligaya.

The early settlers were the families of Enriquez, Silvas and Ricamaras. These families have not done more than what the Abrencillos have done for the improvement of the said place. The Barrio Lieutenants who served since the establishment of this place were Adriano Enriquez, Venancio Silva. Vicente Ricamara. There was no historical record available of the original barrio until after it has been subdivided.

The last world war did not affect the lives of the people as there were no destructions made to property and lives. This was attributed to the fact that the said place is far from the highway and is not accessible by good road or trails which keep the place unnoticed by the invading Japanese Imperial Army.

This independent Barangay was formerly a part and within the jurisdiction of Danlagan. This place was popularly known as Danlagan Batis, It was so called “Batis” because of the endless flow of water coming from the spring surrounding the barrio. “Batis”, therefore is a Tagalog word for spring and is being added to the word Danlagan.

Danlagan Batis was formerly and partly a sitio of Maligaya while its other part is within Danlagan. In 1924 an association was organized composed of laborers. This association was known as Laborers Association headed by Melecio Fernandez. It was organized to help them one another. With the strong cooperation of the members, and the belief that they could manage their own affairs, they petitioned proper authorities to subdivide Maligaya into to two entities. Thus Batis Maligaya the part comprising mostly the original Maligaya and Danlagan Batis boredering and a part of Danlagan was then called Danlagan Batis.

This Barrio (Barangay) was established in 1925. The original families were the Enriquez and the Escobios. The following names are the people who became the head leader or Teniente del Barrio. Adriano Enriquez, Pedro Escobio, Venancio Silva, Clemente Rejener, Moises Villasin, Crispin Verdera, Vicente Ricamara and Florentino Manalo.

The fact that this sitio was formerly a part of Maligaya and Danlagan accounts for the absence of depopulated or extinct sitios.

During the Spanish Regime, the place being a thick forest became the sanctuary and refuge of bandits and highwaymen.

During the American Regime, the place improved well and the agriculture advanced.

During the war especially under the occupation of the Japanese Imperial Army, there were great destruction to property. Looting and stealing are so rampant, and confiscation made by the Japanese soldiers have existed in the absence of a strong government.

The place was partly rehabilitated by the PCAU and the Philippine War Damage Commission. A private Chinese capitalist from Lucena by the name of Lu Kang constructed a private road from Danlagan to San Antonio crossing Danlagan Batis and Batis Maligaya for logging ang lumbering purposes. This road greatly helped the people. It has made the transportation of goods and people easy.




Compiled by:
Miss Libertad P. Malia for Danlagan Reserva
Miss Desia Rowy for Danlagan Central
Miss Adela Argosino for Danlagan Batis
Mrs. Angelina M.Regala for Danlagan Cabayao

Excerpt from the manuscript: 
Collection And Compilation Of Historical Data And Cultural Life Of The
Municipality Of Guinayangan Including Its Barrios And Sitios, 
Province of Quezon, Philippines
Philippine (Republic) Bureau Of Public Schools
Division Of Quezon

Salakan is an adjacent barangay of Sta.Cruz. A big river that was once for transportation traversed its mainland. It was pioneered by the families of Mariano Andaluz, Venancio Salumbides, Apolinario Salumbides, Pablo Rebuelta and Anastacio Cerilla. This place had no name then, being part of Barrio Hinabaan. But in the year 1925, a Japanese lumberman started logging business from its lucrative forests along the river bank. A sawmill was built. Three big dams were built across the river which was then used for floating the logs. It was from these dams that the place got its name. Salak, a Tagalog word for a small dam.

The work of putting dams across the river for floating the logs stands for the word Salakan. This word which was used in the sawmill work was then used to call the entire barrio. Salakan was made an independent barrio or barangay because of the sudden increase of population. Workers moved to the barrio to work in the saw mill. Juliano Amparo, a prominent logger was chosen its first “Tiniente del Barrio”. Under his able leadership, the barrio prospered. After several years of service, he resigned and his eldest son, Pablo was chosen to take his place. He was fallowed later by Teodoro Cerilla and then by Guillermo Guerrero who now is the incumbent barrio head.

In the year 1926, the sawmill started its operation, It was owned by Mr.Yamamoto, and managed by Mr. Y. Ikeda. The capacity of the mill in its  daily production was 30k board feet of lumber. In that same year the construction of the provincial road along the barrio was being started. The Municipal President, Faustino Araña got hard time convincing the landowners to give the right to pass. The people realizing the importance of the highway gave up part of their respective land for the road. It was built in 1934, but the formal opening of the said road was on May 1, 1939 with the Eastern Tayabas Bus Company granted the only franchised over it. The opening of the road was a great blessing to the whole barrio. For it enhanced a better means of transportation and communication.

The Japanese owned sawmill continued operation until the year 1934, after which a Filipino-Chinese Corporation bought it. For two years the lumbering business was very prosperous under the management of one, Jose Piñas. Later the enterprise was not profitable because the supply of logs cannot meet the needs of the mill. It was closed with heavy loss. Only the visible ruins of the big sawmill shed and destroyed dams remained to remind the people of the prosperity this barrio had once enjoyed.

During the dark days of the Second World War, may people left the barrio as they are too near the highway. Most of them evacuated to Barangay Sta.Cruz which is farther from the road. Others joined the underground movement. After three and a half years of suffering, the country was finally liberated. People went back to their homes to rehabilitate. With the help of the War Damage Commission the people slowly rebuilt their homes. Bridges were rebuilt too and the provincial road reconstructed and attained its prewar standard.

Although the supply of logs have been very scarce because the forests are too far from better transportation , a Chinese capitalist opened another sawmill. This time in Sitio Gaboc  (adjacent sitio of Salakan) in the year 1949. This mill was owned by Ngo Yo And Company with a daily production of 6k board feet. It was not a successful venture, so in the year 1950, the Corona Sawmill of Co Cho Siok bought it. Again the mill never profited and so the owner closed it for good.

The lumbering industry didn't succeed because of the shortness of supply. The people then have to rely upon farming and copra making for livelihood.









Four kilometers north of  Brgy.Poblacion is the sitio of Gaboc. Once a full pledge independent barrio or barangay before the war, this sitio lies now with the jurisdiction of nearby Brgy.Salacan. 
The settlement was opened and cleared beginning the year 1890 by the early pioneer, Pedro Molines and his son Juan. The Aetas were employed in the clearing of this rich region.

They found its slopes and soil beneath the thick under growth so soft and fine, a real dust, so they kept saying “gabok” all the while they were cultivating it. They gave the name Gabok to the place, which literally means dust. The given name was never changed since then.

Ever since, the whole sitio was owned by the Molines family from generation to generation. Parts of which were sold to other people and prominent of the buyers were Brigido Gamo, Clodualdo Valencia, Jose Arellano, Elena Talavera and Canuto David. Some part of the land belongs to Ladislao Molines, the descendants of the old family.

During pre-war, when the whole area of Salacan was dependent with the mother barrio of Hinabaan, Gaboc was also lies on its jurisdiction. Barrio (Brgy.)Hinabaan administrated all of the political and social affairs of this large area of Guinayangan.  Most of the people were tenants, living peacefully with the generous landowners. During the early days, the oldest man of the place was called “matanda sa nayon”. Often times he was considered the leader. He had the love and respect of the people. He was known as Balbao.

Life flowed smoothly in this small place. Since it occupies a narrow strip of land, with mountains creeping to the coasts, the population increased slowly. During the time of American regime, it became an independent barrio or barangay and was separated from Hinabaan. The first teniente del barrio was Edurdo Servando. The lands near it, as far as what is now Salakan was under its jurisdiction. However, its status did not stay long, for the year 1925, the barrio of Salakan was established. Reducing the status of Gabok and its importance, many of its people move to Salakan due to its sawmill. Gaboc back again to its former status of a sitio, now under the administration of more progressive Brgy.Salacan.



Compiled by: 
Ms. Alodia Fernandez

Excerpt from the manuscript: 
Collection And Compilation Of Historical Data And Cultural Life Of The
Municipality Of Guinayangan Including Its Barrios And Sitios, 
Province of Quezon, Philippines
Philippine (Republic) Bureau Of Public Schools
Division Of Quezon