On the northeastern part of Guinayangan lies extending longitudinally more than a kilometer from the poblacion, a narrow strip of land boarding the inner portion of Ragay Gulf, a fishing village of Guinayangan, called by many as Manlayo. In the olden days, however, it was known as “Sabang Matanda”. The name Manlayo is of somewhat funny origin. It was said that there known as “Karibukan”, a corrupted or otherwise awkward pronunciation for the Tagalog word, “Kalibukan” meaning Charlatan. This man was a vicious drinker of wine and tuba. Every time he was drunk he would swim from Sabang Matanda to the Poblacion.
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.
The first known settlers of this place were a lone man named Gavino Buenaventura. He planted a portion of the place with coconut trees. Later title and ownership to the land passed by right of purchase and sale to Claro Lagdameo y Evangelista. Then to his son Victoriano Lagdameo as inheritance from the former upon his death. When Claro Lagdameo y Evangelista died, there arose a dispute over ownership of this land between the Municipal Council who claimed the land as patrimonial property of Guinayangan. Hence, the case went to court and the latter after proper hearing and trial adjudicated the in favor of the heirs of Claro Lagdameo y Evangelista.
From 1912 to 1934, Manlayo had never been known even a semblance of limited freedom in the administration of its domestic affairs. It was directly under the control and supervision of the Municipal Vice President (Vice Mayor during the American Period) of Guinayangan. However in 1934 during the incumbency of Antonio Marquez as Municipal President, Manlayo was made a subdivision of Guinayangan with Gervasio Pila as its teniente followed by Canuto David and then by Felizardo Manalo.
During the Spanish regime, Manlayo was still an uninhabited place and therefore no historical facts or incidents could possibly be related. For there cannot be any human history where there are no personage to move about the curtain in the drama of human events.
Upon the implantation in the Philippines of the American sovereignty, Manlayo gradually appeared into the limelight of politics. As people began to dwell and seek livelihood in this peaceful and beneficient place with its waters abounding in fish inarticulately offering a good way to carry on with life. Thus Manlayo since has taken part actively in politics even as the people were striving for economic sufficiency. They did not, however, labor in vain in the political field because they were rewarded in the forms of improvement and sanitation, health, better water supplies and the extension of educational benefits.
When the war broke out in 1941, Manlayo was made to share the bitterness of life with the people of the Philippines. Under the unbearable yoke of tyranny forcibly imposed upon a vanquished and oppressed people by the bow legged Mikado Warriors. Whose destiny was to conquer, and enslave consistence with their mission of world domination at the sacrifice of the weak and peace loving. The people of Manlayo realizing the futility of resistance in the face of an ever powering enemy hid all signs of stubbornness in their breast. Pledge their outward cooperation with the Japanese masters but ever nurturing with solemn and ardent prayers, fervent hopes of rightful revenge and vindication of God’s appointed time. When the liberating army of the United States was about to strike its final blow for the final redemption of the distressed people of the Pacific, the people of Manlayo consistent with their prayers and hopes joined the underground movement. When the Japanese learned of this, they treacherously attacked the residents undercover of dawn and massacred slumbering people. About 27 innocent civilians have been killed mercilessly.
With the immense destruction of war, this progressive village bravely started life anew. The rehabilitation was rapid so that when the Commonwealth governments talk of politics the inhabitants became very active. The people openly participated in political campaigns for their respective parties. The nominated candidates for municipal positions and some of their young men were given position of trust and confidence. Conspicuous among them is the Municipal Secretary who comes from the place. In the first election after the war they all went Liberals. Lately, however, there disintegration in their political affiliation.
The people of Manlayo largely live in fishing as the source of their livelihood. In fact, the name Manlayo has been associated with fishing industry. Majority of the people are fishermen with deep sea fishing their best. The women are industrious and sell the catch of their husband in the market. Others are engaged in drying , smoking and icing fish for sale in neighboring towns and even exported to Lucena and Manila.
Compiled by:
Mrs.Juana M. Araya
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