30. BARON FAMILY OF MAGALANG

Atanasia Pamintuan Lacson (seated, left), Rogelio Lacson Lacson (standing, center) and Emilio Baron Lacson (seated, right)

The Baron family are one of the leading landowning families in Magalang. Their vast landholdings are located in barrio Sta Maria, Sitio Cabayung Sarul in barrio San Ildefonso all in Magalang, and in the former town proper of Magalang in barrio San Bartolome in Concepcion, Tarlac. In my previous post, "Magalang According to Anuario del Comercio", it was mentioned that Barons are one of the leading rice and sugar planters of Magalang during Spanish period. The Barons traced their ancestry to the couple, Don Bruno Baron and Doña Maria Yutuc. The couple has five children; Silvestra, Guillermo, Faustina, Antonia and Juliana. 

Their firstborn, Silvestra remained unmarried while Guillermo married Marcelina David; and the couple had seven children; Mariano, Soledad, Lucas, Fausta, Virginia, Tiburcio, and Candido. Mariano, who owned Cabayung Sarul married Lucia Gueco Mercado. During the Huk insurgency in Magalang, he was ambushed and killed by alleged members of Huks. His siblings, Soledad married Mariano Bernarte, Lucas married Iluminada Dizon, Fausta married Alejandro Gervacio, Virginia married Alejandro Tañedo, Tiburcio married his first cousin, Felisa Baron Cuyugan and Candido married Teodora Punu Gueco. 

Atty. Jesus Mercado Baron, former Vice Mayor of Magalang

Faustina married Ruperto Castro Layug, and they had only son Felix. After Ruperto's death, she later married Timoteo Vasquez Lacson, son of Don Manuel Suarez Lacson. former gobernadorcillo (mayor) of Magalang in 1868 and Doña Magdalena Vasquez of Porac. And they had only son, Emilio whom he eventually married his aunt, Atanasia Pamintuan Lacson, youngest child of Don Pablo Suarez Lacson and Doña Martina Quizon Pamintuan! (Emilio's father, Timoteo and Emilio's wife, Atanasia are both first cousins and their both fathers are siblings). Apung Milyo and Apung Taning had a only child, Rogelio whom he died in 1949 due to appendicitis. 

Vivencio Baron Cuyugan

Antonia married Saturnino Pamintuan Cuyugan of San Fernando, and their children are; Regino, Felix, Arturo, Bernardo, Elenita, Vivencio married Felisa Amurao, Jose married Benita Gueco Tumang, Felisa married her first cousin, Tiburcio David Baron, Bernardino married Emerenciana Gueco and Felicisima. One of their famous children, Vivencio served as the first socialist mayor of San Fernando and first socialist mayor all over the Philippines. His tenure started from 1937 to 1942; and again in 1945. He obtained his law degree in the United States through his talent in boxing. He was the one of the founders of Hukbong Bayan Laban sa Hapon or Hukbalahap, who fought the invading Japanese. He was relieved by the returning Americans because of his leadership in Hukbalahap. After World War II, he fought the rights of poor farmers and workers. He was later jailed and tortured together with his family in 1953 on charge that he was a communist. He died in 1971. 

The youngest children of Don Bruno and Doña Maria, Juliana married Sixto Magno but they had no children. One of the known descendant of the Barons is the former vice mayor of Magalang, Atty. Jesus Mercado Baron, son of landowner, Mariano David Baron and Lucia Gueco Mercado. 

Photo Credits:

Family of Emilio and Atanasia L. Vda. de Lacson courtesy of Lacson family

Atty. Jesus M. Baron: from the personal possession of the blogger 

Vivencio B. Cuyugan: Nat'l historical agency recognizes Pampanga's socialist mayor by Tonette Orejas, Philippine Daily Inquirer, newsinfo.inquirer.net: retrived: March 27, 2017

Published Source:

Nat'l historical agency recognizes Pampanga's socialist mayor by Tonette Orejas, Philippine Daily Inquirer, newsinfo,inquirer.net: retrived: March 27, 2017

Unpublished Sources: 

Baron Clan 090908 compiled by Mr. Gerardo P. Baron  

  

29. RICE VARIETIES IN MAGALANG

Magalang's main industry is agriculture. Since Spanish period, agriculture is one of the lucrative industries in the town. Aside from its economic importance, agriculture is one of source of food of Magaleños particularly rice. Aside from sugarcane and tobacco, rice is one of the important crops of Magalang and also of the whole Pampanga.  Thanks to the contribution of the agricultural experimental station La Granja Modelo de Luzon, (presently known as Pampanga State Agricultural University) and they collected rice samplings from different rice varieties from Magalang, in Pampanga and in neighboring provinces. Those rice samplings were exhibited in Exposicion Regional de Filipinas in 1895 held in Manila. 

According to Catalogo de Objetos Presentados en la Exposicion Regional de Filipinas, these are the different rice samplings presented by La Granja Modelo de Luzon: 

Twenty-one palay grains in different varieties: Binondoc, Ipanaplaya, Inalsa, Ipot-ibon, Sinampaya, Matabia, Dinalaga, Macan, Binanquero, Binantu, Sinantol, Binulacsac, Quiriquiri, Taguesa, Milagrosa, Dinalamulac, Inasinan, Binagutoc, Inines, Binacauan, and Tinumbaga. 

Thirty four samples with spikes in corresponding varieties: Caviteña, Dame, Mindoro, Baula, Mimis blanco, Quinalaturay, Tinicling, Quinastila, Pains, Mantica, Macaue, Gracia, Malaco, Bulilinsing, Masinang, Milagrosa, Municol, Lana, Matabia, Salabsab, Piniscal, Minayor, Pigit, Apucayre, Sabanilla, Sinanfabian, Sinutla, Alasan, Quinastaño, Malismalis, Tunas, Binacauan, Minatsupal, Tinumbaga colorado and Sinablayan. 

Forty five samples with spikes from province of Tarlac in corresponding varieties: Bamas, Malbuig, Matayusa, Terana, Mimis morado, Bulic, Bandera, Inurupil, Sisihin, Quinumpit, Sinumura, Quinamiling, Sinalance, Sucupan, Ducsum, Sinipit, Pugut, Inaumang, Batulinao, Principe, Calarahin, Sinampurin, Inaluman, Guinagracia, Ihermano, San Andres, Balasang, Sapandan, Cayasan, Binatu, Baxiguis, Bagutat, Sinagduy, Binanquero, Mimis colorado, Dinomero, Macan magempit, Dinalaga, Culauatechi, Inurtuc, Quinalasiao, Muncul, Tinumbaga, blanco, Caviteña and Pungul.

Six samples with spikes in different varieties: Malaca, Caviteña, Payus, Binatu, Quinastaño and Sinutla, cultivated in mentioned granja.

Photo Credit:

Rice Plants courtesy of International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)

Source:

Catalogo de los Objetos Presentados en la Exposicion Regional de Filipinas Inaugurada en Manila el dia 23 de Enero de 1895, Manila, (1896) Tipo Litografia de Chofre y Compania Escolta Numero de 33 

28. MAGALANG MUNICIPAL BUILDING

Facade of Magalang Municipal Hall, 1928

Magalang municipal building was one of the imposing landmarks in Magalang, It is located within the town proper, across of Plaza de la Libertad going to San Bartolome Church. Ever since, the municipal building was the house of authority and local governance of Magalang. The building traced its roots to the old casa tribunal built during Spanish period. The old tribunal was probably built after the transfer of the town from San Bartolome. It was made up of wood, bamboo and nipa roofing. In 1868, it was robbed by the bandits led by Isidoro Guinto. In 1875, it was refurbished during the administration of Don Tereso Manalo, gobernadorcillo of Magalang. And during that time, they added the military barracks or so called cuartel. In 1896, the casa tribunal was further renovated during the administration of Don Paulino Gueco, capitan municipal of Magalang. The casa tribunal was used as one of the quarters of revolutionaries in 1896; and this place where Fr. Pedro Diez Ubierna, OSA; the last Augustinian parish priest of Magalang and two other Spaniards held their last holy confession; and later, they were maltreated by the revolutionaries. 

Old Interior of Magalang Municipal Hall, 1937

During the American period, the old casa tribunal was replaced with the new edifice during the presidency of Don Antonio Y. Luciano, municipal president of Magalang. The construction took place on 1922; and the contractor is the Manila Structural Company. Interestingly, according to The Philippine Journal of Science published in 1927, the materials used in the construction of the new municipal building was quarried locally. The basalt and quartz component of the building was quarried in the Quitangil river; while the seoriaceous basalt components was quarried along Paitan river. The new municipal building was finally inaugurated in 1924. Fortunately, the municipal building survived during the war and from different natural calamities struck the town. The interior of the building was renovated in 1994 during the administration of Mayor Daniel L. Lacson, Jr. In 2015, the National Museum of the Philippines declared the municipal building as one of the Important Cultural Properties of the Philippines; together with the San Bartolome Church and the heliograph towers of barrios Sta. Cruz and San Isidro. 

Photo Credits:

For facade of Magalang Municipal Building: The Port of Manila, Philippine Islands

For old interior of the municipal building: Luciano family through the assistance of Mrs. Marga R. Lacson and Mrs. Teresita Suba. 

Sources:

Bartolo, Louie Aldrin L. and Dizon, Lino L.; The Magalang Book: The Historical Life and Culture of a Kapampangan Town (1605-2015); Manila, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, 2016

The Philippine Journal of Science, Volume 32, Bureau of Science, Manila, Philippine Islands; January to April, 1927

27. TWO SPANISH CURA PAROCCOS OF MAGALANG WHO EXPERIENCED HARDSHIPS

Magalang was initially mentioned as visita of Arayat in 1598. However, in April 30, 1605, the Augustinian chapter was officially declared Magalang as independent town separating from Arayat. It comprises the present town of Magalang, and the city of Mabalacat in Pampanga; plus, the present towns of Concepcion, Capas, Bamban, San Jose and city of Tarlac in neighboring province of Tarlac. Magalang was administered by the Augustinian friars since 1605 until 1771, when the parishes were brriefly secularized. It is only in 1849 when Magalang was given back to the Augustinians. In 1863, Magalang was relocated to the present town proper due to large flood from rampaging waters of Parua River. Interestingly, Augustinian friars are not only engaging in religious service in their respective parishes; but they also has huge influence over local government affairs. They also protecting the parish and the town from bandit attacks, and giving warnings to upcoming natural calamities. In Magalang, there are two Augustinian friars who experienced hardships during their tenure in Magalang. 

Fr. Ramon M. Sarrionandia- native of Yurreta (Vizcaya), son of Juan Sarrionandia and Juliana Magunagoicoechea. He took his solemn profession in Valladolid in 1854. Four years later, he arrived in Manila in May 26, 1858; and he became a zealous missionary in Pidigan, Ilocos (1862), Tarlac (1863), Magalang (1866), Minalin (1873) and Angeles (1877). He also became active in Tagalog missions where he was remembered for his good tenure. He built the magnificent church of Magalang in 1866, however, in 1868, bandits robbed Magalang and they attacked the church. Fr. Sarrionandia attempted to save the town by offering the bandits of two hundred pesos. But the bandits shoot him and he was slightly wounded. The bandits kidnapped a Spaniard, Don Carlos Vega and he was brought to Mt. Arayat. However, he was saved by the townspeople who valiantly pursued the bandits. His last assignment was in Angeles, where he built the present stone church, designed by Spanish chief engineer, Don Antonio de la Camarra. He also built three bridges crossing Abacan river. He later retired and he settled in Magalang and he died there on August 14, 1880.

Fr. Pedro Diez Ubierna- a native of Celada de la Torre (Burgos); Fr. Ubierna was born in January 18, 1869. He took his solemn profession in September 19, 1886. He arrived in the Philippines in 1893 and he was assigned in San Simon (1894), Floridablanca (1896) and Magalang (January, 1898). During the revolution, he was captured by the revolutionaries in Magalang convent. He was brought in old tribunal (municipal hall) of Magalang together with two Spanish prisoners. He laid his last wish to have confession to his coadjutor, Fr. Francisco Panlilio. However, while he laid his confession, the revolutionaries maltreated him harshly.  He was the last Augustinian parish priest of Magalang. He was became a friar prisoner until he was able to escape with his companions in 1899. After his captivity, he administered the parishes of Lubao and Floridablanca, where he repaired the cemetery and roofing of the church. He was assigned back in Manila where he was credited for the renovation of the convent. He became Definidor and Procurador of the province in 1926. He also wrote in the periodical, La Estrella de Antipolo. He died in July 12, 1945.

Photo Credit:

www.sacs-stvi.org retrieved, March 4, 2017

Sources:

Bartolo, Louie Aldrin L. and Dizon, Lino L., The Magalang Book: The Historical Life and Culture of a Kapampangan Town (1605-2015); Manila, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, 2016

Perez, Fr. Elviro Jorde, Catalogo de Bio-Bibliografico de los Religiosos Agustinos Provincia del Santissimo Nombre de Jesus de las Islas Filipinas, Manila: Establicimiento Tipografico de Colegio de Sto Tomas, 1901

Rodriguez-Prada, Fr. Jose, Memorias de Un Prisionero Durante La Revolucion Filipina, Madrid, España; Imprenta de la Viuda e Hija de Gomez Fuentenebero, 1901

26. MAGALANG WAS ROBBED BY THE BANDITS

Five years after the transfer of Magalang from San Bartolome, presently known as balen melacuan; Magaleños are still in their painful phase of recovery due to destruction of the town caused by large floods swept by Parua River. In 1866, the Augustinian cura parroco of Magalang, Fr. Ramon Sarrionandia started the construction of the present edifice of San Bartolome Church. However, on August 12, 1868, Friday, a band of robbers or tulisanes robbed the town. Fr. Ramon Sarrionandia attempted to save the town by offering the demands of the bandits. However, he was shot by the bandits, and due to the incident, the Magaleños were united together to fight the bandits. This incident was published on the Spanish daily periodical, based in Madrid, known as La España. And this is how started:

About four o'clock in the afternoon, ten armed men forcibly entered the tribunal (municipal building) and they took one prisoner. These men are wearing chaquetas, while their leader, a certain Isidoro Guintu known as "Doro" was armed with a stick. The lieutenant, constables and the guards were taken by surprise and they are subsequently tied up. Another twenty men followed, and they are armed with rifles, midgets, revolvers, pistols and kampilans (bolos). This group sacked the houses at the right of the plaza up to the front of the church convent. Most Reverend Fr. Ramon Sarrionandia, who directed the construction of the new church alerted his people on the attack. He ordered the doors of the convent will be closed and to ring the bells to give warning for the attack of the tulisanes (bandits). When the tulisanes came, Fr. Ramon, known for his strong character and energy, opened the windows and asked them of what they need. The bandits subsequently demanded money. Fr. Ramon offered them two hundred pesos in exchange for not sacking the town again. The bandits demanded more money even the funds for the construction of the new church. When Fr. Ramon refused to their new demand, the bandits lost patience and surrounded the convent. They shoot the parish priest three times. Fortunately, Fr. Ramon was only injured and he was slightly maimed. He limped down on the stairs and he quickly escaped by riding on his carriage.

The tulisanes continued their looting around the town. They sacked the Chinese merchants and they took Don Carlos Vega, a Spanish sergeant as their prisoner. He was tied up and his two horses are taken away by the bandits. In meantime, the bantayanes rang the bells who peals reach the barrios; alerting the residents to the attack. One man took a horse and he ran to neighboring town of Mabalacat to report the incident. The commander of guardia civil quickly marched in Magalang to repel the bandits. The parishioners formed a rear guard to protect the parish priest's escape; they are equipped with bow and arrows, and spears. 

The bandits soon abandoned the town. But they are pursued by the alerted residents of the town led by Captains Eduardo and Felipe and the members of town principalia; who volunteered to pursue the bandits. The townspeople engaged with the bandits, and they rescued Don Carlos. The people of barrio Buensuceso joined the Magaleños to pursue the bandits on the thick forest of Mt. Arayat. The Magaleños managed to kill a bandit, and they recovered a midget, pistol, bolo and knives from the fleeing wounded bandits. Later, the cavalry arrived in the town in six o'clock in the evening to pursue the bandits. After the attack, the parish priest was given medical assistance. No one of the townspeople were reported killed or wounded. 

Photo Credit:

Magalang Church during construction; Juan D. Nepomuceno Center of Kapampangan Studies, Holy Angel University, Angeles City. 

Sources:

Bartolo, Louie Aldrin L. and Dizon, Lino L., The Magalang Book: The Historical Life and Culture of a Kapampangan Town (1605-2015), Manila, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, 2016, pages 82-84.  

From the Spanish periodical, La España, Madrid, España, August 13, 1868

25. GABALDON BUILDING OF MAGALANG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

The Magalang Elementary School is the largest public elementary school in Magalang. It was established in 1901 by the Thomasite, Mr. William S. Irey. The first site of the central school was located across of the municipal building; (the present site of Magalang Tennis Club). When the school increased its enrollment, the insular education authorities transferred the school to the present site. However, due to lack of school buildings around the islands, an assemblyman representing Nueva Ecija, Don Isauro Gabaldon drafted a bill to appropriate one million pesos to construct schoolhouses with using concrete and sturdy materials around the islands. His bill was eventually enacted and it was known today as Act No. 1801. The law was fully implemented and the so called "Gabaldon" schoolhouses were constructed in each municipality all over the islands. Magalang Elementary School was one of the benefited on the new law. The Gabaldon building floor plan of Magalang Elementary School was designed by the American architect, Mr. William Parsons. It follows the Plan Number 6 of standard schoolhouse plan designed by Parsons. The same floor plan was also implemented in other central schools in other municipalities such as Macabebe, Arayat, Candaba and Betis in Pampanga, and in Victoria, Tarlac. The construction of the new Gabaldon building was approved by the Director of Education in 1915. It was inaugurated in January 6, 1916 during the administration of municipal president, Don Alfredo G. Ganzon. The new Gabaldon building was initially used as classrooms for Grades 3 and 4 classes. 

    

The new building has six classrooms and in 1920, it was added another two new classrooms. In 1939, another one classroom was added to Gabaldon building. When Japanese successfully occupied Magalang in 1942, they took several houses and buildings in the town proper and they were converted as military garrisons and outposts; including the Gabaldon building. This building was initially used as military hospital of the Japanese and later, as execution grounds. When the Americans liberated Magalang in 1945, the Gabaldon building was severely damaged. In 1946, the Gabaldon building was repaired and restored, with funds sourced from the War Damage Fund and from Parents Teachers Association funds. Since then, the Gabaldon building was used primarily by the Grades Three and Four classes until the present. The massive preservation and restoration of the building was made possible when the Department of Education's heritage school building restoration program funded its restoration during the last terms of former principal, Mrs. Elena N. Magtoto in 2012. In 2014, the Gabaldon building was finally back into glory during the administration of the present principal, Mrs. Barbara M. Cadiang. 

Photo Credits:

Gabaldon Building; Capagmasusian king Qng Aldo Pangasilang ning Magalang, Diciembre 13-14, 1954.

Grade III class of Raymundo L. Sanchez, Gabaldon building, Magalang Elementary School; S.Y. 1937-1938; Courtesy of Dr. Ignacio P. Morales  

Sources: 

Bartolo, Louie Aldrin L. and Dizon, Lino L., The Magalang Book: The Historical Life and Culture of a Kapampangan Town (1605-2015), Manila; National Commission for Culture and the Arts, 2016 pages 56 and 195.

Bureau of Public Works Quarterly Bulletin, Volume 4, Number 1; April 1, 1915

Bureau of Public Works Quarterly Bulletin, Volume 4, Number 4; January 1, 1916

        

24.THE LIBERATION OF MAGALANG

On January 1, 1942, Magalang was fell into the hands of the Japanese. Its almost three years when the Japanese changed the lives of Magaleños which they never forget. Their aristocracies and abuses makes their lives miserable. Magaleños suffered hunger and sickness and others they were banished due to maltreatment by the Japanese. However, Magalang was one of the towns in Pampanga where the Japanese are difficult to assert its control. Thanks to the guerrillas especially the Hukbalahaps who are stationed in nearby Mt. Arayat; fearlessly defended Magalang against the Japanese, engaging in guerrilla tactics. When Americans landed in Lingayen Gulf in early 1945, they rapidly advanced into the rolling lands in Luzon, recapturing and liberating every town, city, province from the hands of retreating Japanese. When the Americans landed in the nearby town of Concepcion, Tarlac;on January 24, 1945, the 37th Division of Sixth US Army, dispatched Company G of 148th Infantry to conduct patrols in nearby barrio San Roque. When they reached San Roque, the Japanese equipped with tank covered in haystack and other supporting weapons opened fire against the patrol. The Company G were forced to call reinforcements, and thus the Company B of the same regiment were dispatched to cover up. When they are reached San Roque, they're blocked unexpectedly by two hundred Japanese troops equipped with tanks. They engaged in a skirmish and the Company B managed to inflict heavy losses to the Japanese. The Company B reported that their company lost two men, five wounded, two trucks destroyed and two more trucks damaged.    

The Americans rapidly advanced on barrio Sta Maria on the same day, and while on their way, they encountered two platoons of Japanese troops dressed in civilian clothes and they are supported with light and small tanks, in addition to mortars and machine guns. The Americans encountered heavy resistance, but they managed to kill 17 Japanese soldiers and destroyed one small tank. They also managed to retreat with the help of Hukbalahaps to the foothills of Mt. Arayat. In the following day, the Company B returned in Sta Maria, and they started to shell the town proper. On January 25, 1945, when the shelling persists, Japanese positions were setup, and the townspeople left the town and they evacuated in far flung barrios. Japanese tanks were positioned in the yards of Nicolasa Q. Luciano, Leoncia P. Morales, Teodoro Ordoñez, Lorenzo Gueco, Felix Naguit, Alfonso Manaloto, Pablo A. Luciano, Juliana Cruz and the cockpit arena. However, the houses of Leoncia Morales and Alfonso Manaloto were occupied by the Japanese troops, while the church steeple was occupied by the Japanese snipers. Hukbalahaps, conferred with invading American troops, decided to attack the Japanese in town proper. The fight was started around 11:00 pm and the Japanese lost a captain and forty men. The Japanese retreated the town proper, and as they soon as they left, some daring youths entered the church and they climbed the steeple. They rang the church bells continuously to announce that the liberation was at hand. After the church bells rang, the guerrillas with lighted torches marched around the town proper and they placed an American flag at the top of church steeple. On January 26, 1945, the Americans entered the town proper amidst the rejoicing of all. All the townspeople returned to the town proper after brief evacuation, and they greeted American soldiers and raising two fingers with in a V formation for Victory! The church steeple was converted as observation post, the 148th Infantry made the public market and the railroad station as their quarters. The house of Jose P. Feliciano was made into rest house of American officers, while the house of Marcelina B. Dizon was made into residence of commanding officer of 148th Infantry. 

On January 27, 1945, some pockets of resistance were cleared up in Magalang. In the same day, the entire battle lines of Mabalacat-Magalang defense line was secured by the 2nd Battalion. They setup they quarters in barrio San Roque with the help of 1st Battalion. A skirmish between the 1st Battalion and retreating Japanese happened in barrio San Jose, The 1st Battalion managed to kill eighteen Japanese soldiers and destroyed fifteen tanks. The Japanese forces retreated to the nearby town of Mexico. Thus, Magalang was liberated by the Americans. Antonio P. Tiglao was appointed new mayor of Magalang by the restored Commonwealth government. 

Photo Credits:

www.malacanang.gov.ph

Sources:

Bartolo, Louie Aldrin L. and Dizon, Lino L., The Magalang Book: The Historical Life and Culture of a Kapampangan Town (1605-2015), Manila, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, pages 69-72.