Origin of Baliwag's Name

Origin of Baliwag's Name

• 1521 saw the arrival of the Spaniards in the Philippines.
• "paraan" refers to meandering paths leading to isolated huts or narrow pathways.
• People living in isolated huts practiced "paganistics”.
• "Bathala" was the deity worshipped.
• Commercial activities were based on a barter system.
• Baliwag did not have its own churches and was under Quingua (Plaridel), being just a "cabeceria or barangay".
• Modes of transportation included riding a "banca" or walking to Quinqua.
• Churchgoers arriving late from Baliwag were called "Eto na ang maliliwag” or “slow pokes”.
• Male latecomers were referred to as "Eto na si Ba Liwag”.
• Vocabulario Lengua Tagala published in 1800 defines Baliuag as basal or virgin.
• "mabaliuag na ilog" referring to a deep river and "mabaliuag na paksa" meaning "deep”.
• Dr. Jose Villa Panganiban's Diksyunario Tesauro provides the same meaning of Vocabulario Lengua.
• Virgilio Cruz, a vernacular poet, refers to "Balanti" (species of trees that grows abundantly in a marchy areas).
• "Ba" is a provincial title of respect for a man.

Foundation and Registry of Baptism

• Fr. Juan de Albarran, a Spanish parochial priest, was assigned in Baliwag and performed baptismal and marriage duties in June 1733.
• Baptism in Baliwag was ordered and instituted by Fr. Lector & Fr. Feliz Trillo, with the baptismal entries created on May 26, 1733.
• The Augustinians founded Baliwag in 1733 making it the 10th town founded by them in Bulacan.
• Fr. Manuel Bazeta or Baseta served as the first parochial superior of Baliwag.
• Fr. Isacio Rodriguez had Xerox copies regarding the founding of parroquias in the Philippines.
• "Vicariato" is a modern canon law term for several parishes.
• Old canon law refers to the creation of the "pueblo" itself.
• Fr. Luis G. Merino stated that Baliwag began its actual existence when the Augustinians formally recognized the creation of the town.

The Church and Convent

• Sta. Barbara Chapel friars stayed for a long time of 25 years.
• Sta. Barbara Chapel is also known as Balanti.
• Fr. De Zuniga, a parish priest of Calumpit, set foot in Baliwag on Feb 12, 1802 with Spanish Admiral Ignacio Maria Alava, and stayed for 3 days.
• Fray Estaban Diez Hidalgo was the town priest in Baliwag in 1802.
• He was the longest-serving cura parroco of Baliwag.
• The Baliwag Church was renovated after an earthquake on June 3, 1863.
• Temporary house of worship "Provincial" along Ano 1733 st./ RVM Sisters of the Colegio dela Sagrada Familia or now St, Mary's Academy.
• Antonio De Mesa was hired by the contractor as a Master carpenter.
• Antonio’s wife Maria Francisco and daughters Rosa and Juliana.
• Mrs. Salome B. Villaroman was the former principal of Sabang Elementary School.
• Cura parroco was the town's supreme ruler who dictated local public officials, headed by the gobernadorcillo.
• Kissing the hand of the parish priest at the convento was a sign of subservience.
• Fr. Esteban Diaz Hidalgo and Fr. Fausto Lopez are considered the longest years of priest service.

The Gobernadorcillos

• Padre Fausto had Relationship between Mariquita.
• Padre Fausto and Mariquita had 6 children.
• Dr. Joaquin Gonzales was the first Filipino Physician and the eldest was “Pepeng Mariquita”.
• Padre Prada was an ill-mannered priest served in Baliwag and had street fights with the Ponce Brothers (Damaso and Francisco) .
• Francisco Ponce was the town chief of Police in Baliwag.
• Damaso Ponce was shot by a firing squad for leading an aborted community.
• Capitan Jose De Guzman was the first town executive installed in Baliwag.
• The Gobernadorcillo was responsible for the collection of tributes in town.
• The Maura Law of 1893 changed the title of gobernadorcillo to captain municipal.
• Feliz De Lara was the first alcalde.
• Agustin de Castro was the first Gobernadorcillo.
• Gobernadorcillo Felix Escolano Angeles was reportedly persecuted and incarcerated by the Spanish authorities.
• The electoral board called junta picked out the Gobernadocillo.

Hispanization and Chinese Settlers

• June 7, 1773 marked the first recorded Christian baptism in Baliwag with Cristoval dela Cruz as the first Christian name.
• Fr. Juan de Albarran officiated.
• June 14, 1773 was the initial Christian Marriage.
• Juan Dison (mestizo) and Maria Dela Cruz married.
• Dec 2, 1773 marked the Christian burial.
• The First cemetery was the church yard.
• The Parian was where the present site of the public Market is located.
• Yu family- Oldest Chinese families.
• Yu Cheng (1885) worked as sota (groom), "kusinero", "pinilon(sugar business)".
• Yu Boc- Yu Cheng’s son-Known as “Boga.”
• Yu Boc’s wife was Sio Siu.
• Celerino "Seco” Yu was one of the four children of Yu Boc and became a Filipino citizen in 1973.
• Jose Garcia led A band of aged local revolucionarios .

Rizal's Forebear and Cholera Epidemics

• Maria Florentina- born and baptized in Baliwag- Chinese Mestisa,
• Maria Florentina II was the grand mother of Mrs. Teodora Alonzo-Mercado.
• Don Gil Carlos was the gobernadorcillo during time of Cholera Epidemics in Baliwag.
• Continuous onslaught of various diseases, especially Cholera.

Life of Sufferings and Fiestas

• Apolonio Santiago was the gobernadorcillo when the national government increased tribute from eight to ten reales.
• Polistas were male workers who secured exemption upon payment of fees called falla.
• Don Martin Enrile was the gobernadorcillo when decree implemented educational reform and established schools each town.
• Petronila Guevara, also known as “Maestrang Leleng”, was a product of Spanish education in Baliwag, she became a teacher during early American regime.
• Fiestas were celebrated not only the Parish Church but also those in barangays or barrios.
• Julian Buyson was the most reputed chapel builder.

Large and Rich Town

• Ingkong Manuel, Son of Alcalde Miguel Buyson, was caught one night by a guardia civil for violation of the curfew law.
• Baliwag was already considered one of the largest and richest towns in Bulacan.
• Baliwag was known for Cigar cases, pina fibers, petates (mats).
• Exports were Silla bejucos (cane chairs) and Nitos and embroideries to Europe.
• The London Exposition in 1851 presented specimens of pina fabrics and cigar cases (petacas) woven in Baliwag.

Indigo and Tobacco

• Baliwag was among the town in Bulacan that benefitted from the establishment of the Economic Society of Friends of the Country in 1781 and the Royal company of the Philippines (4 years).
• Indigo was locally known as "tina".

The Enrile's

• "Sugod, mga Kapatid" was created by Spanish authorities.
• Spanish authorities also created armies of Filipino "voluntaries" to defend the colonial government against the “insurrectos”.
• Capitan Mariano Yoyongko, Capitan Mariano Ramos, Gregorio Travino, Vicente Sauco, and Aniceto Valencia led Filipinos.
• These volunteers met one day in Pizza Hut's public plaza.
• Yoyongko unfurled the Filipino Flag before his fellow volunteers and proclaimed.
• Captain Dionisio Santos(Duni) was a version of the Great Plebeian.
• He organized about a hundred brave men in his home barrio of Sabang.
• They lead to Battle at Sabang against the American invaders' forces.
• Silvino de Guzman was a sacristan mayor.
• Silvino de Guzman responsible Stealing ammunition from the church convent used as a cuartel or garrison.
• Castle of the principalia -affluent class of people in Baliwag like Lajom castle, Engracia Gonzalez castle etc.
• Don Damaso Enrile was elected gobernadorcillo in 1833
• Fr. Victor Enrile was the only native-born priest to have ever served as cura-parroco of Baliwag.
• Capitan Andoy one of Baliwag's most-achieving municipal presidents.

The American Regime

• Domingo (Dr. Menggoy)-comandante in the revolutionary forces.
• The American military officer investigated him during the 1907 Rizal Day parade.
• Domingo (Dr. Menggoy) gets credit for the transfer of the Glorieta to its present site and for its development.
• May 1, 1899 American invaders marched into Baliwag.
• William H. Young led the 25 scouts that secured the troops advance on Baliwag.
• "back door"- referred to is Sabang in Baliwag.
• Gen Henry W. Lawton- who was under the direct command of Gen. Otis advanced on Baliwag from Norzagaray and Angat.
• A Chinese named Lee forms a shack into an eatery and impressively calls it San Francisco Restaurant.
• Col. John H. Page led the third infantry regiment that formed part of Gen Lawton's forces and took station at Baliwag.
• “Autocrat of Baliuag” Commander of the Third Infantry.
• Gen. Otis was an American Military governor.
• Col. Page command Capt. W.C. Buttler left Baliwag for Rafael.
• Del Pilar Brigade temporarily quartered in Makinabang.
• Gregorio Del Pilar communicated with American mlitary field officials until finally established contact with Gen. Lawton who was still in Baliwag at the time.
• Gen. Lawton forces occupied Baliwag.

Term of Office and the Municipio

• Market pueblo- a town whose people were industrious, interesting and progressive.
• Census of 1887 indicates Baliwag was one of the largest town with a population of 17, 223. Gen Lawton gave verbal permission to hold the election at the public plaza.
• Francisco Guerero of Concepcion was elected capitan municipal.
• Baliwag's first elected mayor.
• Baliwag become the first municipality ever organized election under the American regime.
• Dec 31, 1899 - the day when the first regular municipal council of Baliwag.
• Jose Rustia elected municipal president.
• Jacinto Ponce was one of the councilors, brother of Mariano Ponce.
• Domingo (Menggoy)
• Dr.Guillermo dela Merced- four year mayoral term started in 1938.
• Guillermo dela Merced remained in office during World War 2
• Yoyongko family residence was the first municipal building used under the American regime in the Poblacion
• 1907- municipio was burned, the government rented the big Gonzalez house (Jose Gonzalez) along Sta. Leocadia Alto.
• May 5, 1901- Aniceto Valencia become the municipal president

Incidents, Education, and Stirrings

• Jacinto Ponce was municipal treasurer and Against to opium, violators paid and gambling.
• First municipal cemetery located at the corner at the Balagtas and Lopez Jaena St.
• First Intermediate school , now owned by the Cruz Family in Tibag, was Old Carlos residence
• The highest educational institution in Baliwag was Baliwag Highschool in the residence of Dr. Juan B. Carlos.
• Guy Clinton-was the first school principal.
• W.W Petitt served as a instructor of history and government.
• Thomasiters wereteachers in America.
• H.A. Bordner was thefirst division superintendent.
• Irene San Juan-(Baliwag) in 1909 was thefirst batch of Malolos high school
• Baliuag Central School (1913) was built out of the 1 million appropriated by the Philippine Legislature.
• Baliwag Central School and the Intermediate School -first public elementary school.
• Fernando Enrile the municipal president subdivides the growing town of Baliwag into 15 districts.
• Jose L. Gonzalez-President of the student's association at the Tibag High School and Pagsulong ng Kabataang Baliuag- held a rally due to the common grievance against Americans.
• MAGBANGON KA, BAYAN-Founded by a number of college students/ depicting the Rizal Day celebration.

Figures and Literature in Baliwag

• Jose L. Gonzales was the head teacher of Sta. Barbara primary school
• 1905 was the First Rizal Day in Baliwag
• Municipality of Baliwag renamed the Glorietta after the named of the First lady Imelda Marcos named Imelda Park (1970)
• Sangguniang Bayan renamed again the park Fr. Victor Enrile Park
• Criseta dela Merced was Miss America and thecenter attraction as Miss Rizal Day 1920
• The Three Revolutionary Figures of Baliwag are Marino Ponce, Dr. Joaquin Gonzalez and Felipe Salvador (Apo Ipe)
• Dr. Sun Yat-Sen(founder of Republic of China) was Mariano ponce bosom's friend.
• Mariano Ponce was Aguinaldo's secretary when the Philippine Republic was established
• Gonzales clinic was located in their big ancestral home across the old municipal building
• July 22, 1853, Gonzales was born in Baliwag, son of Fray Fausto Lopez and Mariquita Gonzalez
• Gonzales was the first Filipino member of the Civil service as Chairman.
• Gonzalez wrote a memorandum " Remitido in La Republica Filipina"
• Gonzalez was the First rector of the First Philippines State University
• His first patient in Baliwag was a man who had fallen from the lower section of the church belry.
• He died of appendicitis.