17th Century Philippine History PDF

17th Century Cavite Friar Land Irrigation System is one of the oldest irrigation systems in the Philippines. Sometimes in the 17th century, the Spanish period encomiendas or Spanish Royal lands grants were implemented in Cavite. The priests were granted by the Spanish King, portions of the agricult...

17th Century Cavite Friar Land Irrigation System is one of the oldest irrigation systems in the Philippines. Sometimes in the 17th century, the Spanish period encomiendas or Spanish Royal lands grants were implemented in Cavite. The priests were granted by the Spanish King, portions of the agricultural land in Cavite. They subdivided the lands in to four estates namely: Naic Estate. Santa Cruz de Malabon (Tanza) Estate, San Francisco de Malabon (General Trias) Estate and Imus Estate, all of which are now popularly called as Cavite Friar Lands. 1846 The Pasig River Light House was the first lighthouse (masonry-built) erected in the Philippines. It was first lighted on 1846 and deactivated on 1992. It was then located on the north jetty at the mouth of Pasig River, (San Nicolas, Manila) marking the entrance to the river for vessels around Manila Bay, looking to dock on the ports along the banks of the river in Manila. A light station has been established on the site since 1642. The first lighthouse structure was erected by the ruling Spanish government and lit on September 1. 1846. From its location at the mouth of the historic river, which divides Manila into two sections, it was a welcoming beacon for over a century to all mariners of inter- island vessels when bringing their vessels up into the river for berthing along its busy wharves. The lighthouse, which was known locally as Farola (Spanish for lighthouse") was one of the most conspicuous landmarks in the harbor of Manila in the early part of the 20th century. The building and later expansion of the Port of Manila, south of the light station and subsequent land reclamations, has greatly altered the location of the lighthouse obscuring it from the wide expanse of Manila Bay The lighthouse was demolished in 1992 and was replaced with an architecturally simpler lighthouse with the new tower built on the foundation of the old one. The Philippine Coast Guard Station of Manila is located adjacent to the lighthouse and the community that developed from the reclaimed lands is now known as 'Parole (Filipino for "lighthouse"). The present tower is a white conical concrete structure with a height of 46 feet (14.02 m) and a focal plane of 43 feet (13.11 m). The old tower was taller at 49 feet (14.94 m). Lighthouses in the Philippines are maintained by the Philippine Coast Guard. 1852 Puente Colgante (which is the term for a suspension bridge in Spanish: literally. hanging bridge) was the first suspension bridge built in Southeast Asia when it was started in 1849 and completed in 1852. It was built and owned by Ynchausti y Compaiiia, the business headed by Jose Joaquin de Ynchausti. He commissioned the design from Basque engineer Mafias Menchacatorre. The bridge was first named Puente de Claveria, likely in honor of the Governor-General of the Philippines Narciso Claveria, who served from 1844-1849. Puente Colgante was the first suspension bridge, not only the Philippines but in South East Asia as well, and probably the first toll bridge of its kind in the Philippines, a precursor of the modem Sky Way, albeit for pedestrian use only. The suspension bridge measured 110 metres (360 ft) long and 7 metres (23 ft) wide, and had two lanes that allowed passage of horses and carabao-drawn carriages. It was also opened for pedestrians traveling on foot between Quiapo and Intramuros and nearby areas. In 1854 Ynchausti brought together the Ynchausti family holdings under the above name. A Basque Spaniard born in Cadiz, de Ynchausti immigrated to the Philippines in the second quarter of the nineteenth century and built a business empire. In 1889 Ynchausti y Compaiiia was the largest company in the Philippines. The 20th-century writer Nick Joaquin described the bridge as it was in the 1670s: `Across the city's river now arched... the amazing Puente Colgante, suspended in the air, like a salute to the age of science and engineering. The Industrial Age found its expression in the Philippines in the form of a bridge unparalleled throughout Asia." Historians dispute local traditions that say the bridge was designed by Gustave Eiffel, who designed the Eiffel Tower in Paris. (This is also asserted about the Puente de Ayala.) They note the original bridge has been documented as designed by a Basque. (In addition. the 1930s work was performed a decade after Eiffel died in 1923.) 1867 The project for public supply of fresh water to the city dates from the early 18th century. Before this, the city had to be content with a fresh water supply based on cisterns. In 1867, the town council decides to take on the challenge of a project to supply fresh water to the whole of the city. In 1882 the first public water fountain gushed forth its waters, and shortly after this, the technology of the times was successful in providing Manila with a fresh water supply from sources up-river. 1868 It was in 1868 when the Bureau of Public Works and Highways (Obras Publicas) and Bureau of Communications and Transportation (Communicationes y Meteologia) were organized under a civil engineer known as 'Director General'. 1878-1918 The founding of Carriedo Waterworks Manila didn't get running water until 1878, when the municipal waterworks was established by Governor Domingo Moriones, with money from a fund that by then had become legendary as the Carriedo Legacy. A 'public-spirited citizen." Don Francisco Carriedo y Peredo was a Basque from Santander who during his life conferred immense benefits on the Philippines, having migrated in the Philippines eady in the 18th century. One of his 'obras pias" (pious works), was a legacy he left in his will for the building of a Manila water system. Though Sefior Carriedo did not live long enough to see his legacy since he died in 1743. Manila was to be without running water for more than a century longer. Thanks to Govemor Moriones who acted on providing Manila with running water that the Carriedo Legacy was finally fulfilled. 1875 On June 25. 1875. King ALFONSO XII of Spain promulgates the Royal Decree directing the Office of the Inspector of Public Works of the Philippines to submit a general plan of railroad in Luzon 1876 The General Plan for Railways was drawn up in 1876 for the island of Luzon. and included a network totalling 1.730 kilometers. A 192 Km stretch of track was constructed between Manila and Dagupan. This operated a regular service as from 1892. The most outstanding works carried out on the railway system were the bridge over the great Pampanga River and the building of Tutuban Station. in the Tondo district. The tremendous growth of the city of Manila led the administration to contemplate. in 1878. the setting up of a public transport network. Five tramway lines would link the city with its outskirts. 1878 The concession for constructing five tramways in Manila and its suburbs was approved. The plan included a main station at San Gabriel and the crossing of the river via the "Puente de Espana" 1880 School for Maestro de Obras called Escuela Practica y Artes Oficios de Manila was founded. Its first Filipino graduates were Julio Hernandez (1891). Isidro Medina (1894). Arcadio Arellano (1894) and Juan Carreon (1896) Puente de Convalecencia or better known as the Ayala Bridge was completed in 1880. Originally it is composed of two separate spans connected by the Isla de Convalecencia. which is home to Hospisio de San Jose. dropping point for abandoned babies. the bridge over this island was originally made of wooden arched trusses. 1883 On November 1. 1883. the study of the first railroad project between Manila and Dagupan done by Antonio dela Camara was approved 1887 On July 31. 1887. construction of the Manila-Dagupan railroad was started 1892 On November 24. 1892. the entire line from Manila to Dagupan. with a total length of 195.4 kms. was completed and put into commercial operations