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| Map of Magalang, 1818 |
Magalang in fact, is one of the oldest towns in Pampanga. It was started as visita of Arayat in December 29, 1598. However, it was separated by the Augustinian chapter in April 30, 1605, with Fr. Gonzalo de Salazar, OSA as the first pastor. According to Fr. Gaspar de San Agustin's Conquistas de la Islas Filipinas, Magalang was initially known as Magalo. This term was derived from the Kapampangan word Galo, means wavy or moving describing the dangerous flows of Parua River. Another term for Magalang is derived from the word respect. According to Fr. Diego Bergaño's Vocabulario de la Lengua Pampangan en Romance, Magalang means abundance; probably due to its rich agricultural industry especially in rice. That's why, there is a old Kapampangan quote "Balamu eca pa mecapangan pale Magalang" for those persons don't give respect to others especially to elders. Other sources indicated that Magalang was sometimes called Magala, Magao and Magalao. When the town was transferred to barrio San Bartolome in 1734, it was then called San Bartolome de Magalang due to the location of the town proper in the barrio and incidentally, the town's patron saint. After its last transfer to sitio Talimunduc in barrio San Pedro, in 1863, Magalang was then called San Pedro de Magalang, after the patron saint of barrio which the new town proper was relocated. However, the Spaniards sometimes they will pronounced Magalan because it lacks the letter Ng in the Spanish alphabet. During the early American period, it was still using Magalan, until in 1930s, it was reverted back to Magalang.
Photo Credits:
Descripcion Geografica y Topografica de la Ysla de Luzon o Nueva Castilla por Don Yldefonso de Aragon.
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