BALIUAG UNIVERSITY REVISED SOCIAL ARTS MODULE 2 CHAPTER 1 Tubong Baliwag at Tatak Bulakenyo! PROMINENT PEOPLE AND PLACES( IN BALIWAG AND BULACAN) Topic: History of the Province of Bulacan and the Town of Baliwag Description: This section presents an introduction to notable and/or prominent individuals and sites in the provinces of Bulacan and Baliwag. It also discusses the rich culture and history of the province of Bulacan and the town of Baliwag. Objectives: By the end of this chapter, the students will be able to: Describe the notable and prominent persons who have made significant contributions to the development and advancement of Bulacan and Baliwag throughout their history. Identify major landmarks and travel sites in the province of Bulacan and the town of Baliwag. Learn about the history of the province of Bulacan and the town of Baliwag. “We cannot intelligently chart our future and sensibly interpret the present if we do not know the past.” -Dr. Jose P. Rizal BRIEF HISTORY OF BULACAN From the book entitled “Bulacan: Lalawigan ng Bayani at Bulaklak”, the province was called “bulakan” because it was believed to be a “pook ng bulak” due to its many cotton trees which were abundant at that time, or it was called as such because of the “bulaklakan”, when it was still a “Hardin ng Filipinas” then. Bulacan and its neighboring provinces (Meycauayan, Calumpit, Hagonoy, and Bocaue) were said to have been named from trees or plants or for their environmental assets (Malanggam, Malumot, Malolos). At the start of colonial expansion in 1590, the Spaniards partitioned the system of governance into three (3) classifications: (1) alcaldia of the king (provinces anywhere around the seaside, such as Meycauayan and Calumpit, which are considered densely populated); (2) encomienda (places like Malolos where you need to gather people through reduction); and (3) estancia (fields or wilderness for new communities, such as San Ildefonso.). BALIUAG UNIVERSITY REVISED SOCIAL ARTS MODULE 2 Natives endured the effects of the Spanish regime due to the Polos y servicios, or forced labor (males ages 16 to 60), which was done for the colonial government's construction of roads, bridges, churches, and ships. Although some locals embraced it, there are leaders and groups who oppose it. Rebels included Magat Salamat and Agustin de Legaspi in 1587, as well as the children of the Lakandula and datu of Polo, Bulacan, Tondo, Candaba, Navotas, Taguig, and others. Other rebellions followed, led by Pedro Ladia of Malolos (dubbed the "Hari ng mga Tagalog"), Esteban Taes of Bulacan, and Felipe Salonga of Polo. With the rise of Christianity, the resistance decreased, and residents began to attend mass on Sundays and partake in the procession of the Saints on every feast day, or "kuwaresma." In short, the Bulakenyos accepted the Kings' and Priests' dominance and momentarily became good Indios. In the 18th century, the towns of Baliwag, Malolos, Bocaue, Meycauayan, and San Miguel saw a huge increase in the number of Chinese traders. They were able to capture authority of trade and seize estates rented by the government. Over the course of the century, roads were able to connect towns, reducing the need for commerce and transportation to rely on rivers, bays, and gulfs. These resulted in three (3) outcomes: 1. Interaction between people from different towns increased, resulting in knowledge of each other's places/towns. 2. Towns passed by these roads, such as Malolos, which is connected to four (4) ways: Bulacan and Manila, Paombong and Hagonoy, Calumpit and Pampanga, and Plaridel and Baliwag. 3. Roads facilitated quicker commerce amongst places, including Manila (Villacorte, 2001). BALIUAG UNIVERSITY REVISED SOCIAL ARTS MODULE 2 Bulacan - a province in the Republic of the Philippines, situated in the country’s Central Luzon Region, North of Manila, the nation’s capital. prides itself for its rich historical heritage dubbed as the “Northern Gateway from Manila.” At present Bulacan is indeed an ideal investment destination. Trivia! Did You Know? Bulacan Province is officially dubbed the “Land of the Heroes”. Founded in 1578, the area was once home to famous figures in Philippine history such as Francisco Balagtas, Marcelo H. Del Pilar, and Gregorio Del Pilar. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE BRIEF HISTORY OF BULACAN ● Villages and Barangays in Bulacan were each headed by a leader of a tribe or a clan that includes the title “Gat” and “Lakan” in their names, e.g Gatmaytan, Gatdula, Gatsailan, and Lakandula. ● Bulakenyos who lived near the seaside and rivers were called “taga-ilog”, which is where the word “Tagalog” came from. ● Bulakenyos were hardworking and resourceful, and were skilled when it came to fishing, farming, and handcrafts, especially weaving. ● The first capital of Bulacan, Bulakan, became the center of economic activities and the locals loved trading with different places in the Philippines such as Manila. ● The battle between the Spaniards and British on January 18, 1763 took place in Bulakan Bulacan. In the end, the Spaniards were defeated. ● Bulacan is the home of the Three Republics that had contributions towards the Philippine Independence from Spain namely, Republic of Real de Kakarong de Sili (1896) in Pandi the Republic of Biak-na-Bato (1897) and the First Philippine in Malolos (1899-1901). ● Bulakenyos accepted the dominance of the Kings and the Priests which led them to inherit some of their traditions, culture, language and even traits, e.g lamesa, silya,kamusta, arroz caldo, paella, caldereta, and manana habit. BALIUAG UNIVERSITY REVISED SOCIAL ARTS MODULE 2 Brief History of Baliuag ● Baliuag was the 10th town founded by the Augustinians in the province of Bulacan. Before the coming of Spaniards in 1521, Baliwag was just a wilderness inhabited mostly by animals and wild birds. Through the years of Spanish domination, Baliwag was predominantly agricultural. During the early part of the 19th Century Baliwag was already considered one of the most progressive and richest towns of Bulacan. ● Orchards and Tumansa yielded fruits and vegetables, which were sold in the public market. Commerce and industry played important contributions to the economy of the people. Baliwag is Northern Bulacan's main commercial, transportation, entertainment, and educational hub. The municipality is currently part of Manila’s built-up region, which reaches San Ildefonso at its northernmost part, as a result of Metro Manila’s continuing expansion. NOTABLE BULAKENYOS AND BALIWAGENYOS Bulacan is also the cradle of nation’s noble heroes, of great men and women; among them: Marcelo H. Del Pilar - “The Great Propagandist” - He is known by his pen name “Plaridel” - General Gregorio del Pilar “The Great Hero of Triad Pass” He is also known as Goyong, Boy General Goyong was one of the youngest general in the Revolutionary Army He was known for successfully assaulting the Spanish barracks in the Municipality of Paombong. Bulacan is also home to many countries’ greatest artist with a good number elevated as national artist; among them: 1. The Legendary Poet Francisco Baltazar He is usually known as Francisco Balagtas Francisco Balagtas was born in Barrio Panginay, Bigaa, Bulacan as the youngest of the four children of Juan Balagtas, a blacksmith, and Juana de la Cruz. He studied in a parochial school in Bigaa and later in Manila. BALIUAG UNIVERSITY REVISED SOCIAL ARTS MODULE 2 In 1835, Balagtas moved to Pandacan, Manila, where he met María Asunción Rivera, who would effectively serve as the muse for his future works. She is referenced in Florante at Laura as 'Selya' and 'MAR'. 2. Nicanor Abelardo Nicanor Abelardo was born in San Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan to Valentin Abelardo and Placida Santa Ana, on February 7, 1893 He was a composer who rose from post-colonial Philippines to create a national music identity His quick mastery of the instruments has made him a prodigy in town. 3. Guillermo Tolentino Guillermo Tolentino was born on July 24, 1890, in Malolos Bulacan He was a nationalist sculptor and a professor at the University of the Philippines. In 1911, Tolentino made an illustration of prominent Filipinos posing for a studio portrait. The illustration was lithographed and published in a weekly magazine called Liwayway under the name "Grupo de Filipinos Ilustres" and became popular among homes in the 20th century. Francisco Baltazar Nicanor Abelardo Guillermo Tolentino BALIUAG UNIVERSITY REVISED SOCIAL ARTS MODULE 2 Baliwag is the birth town of distinguished names in the country, the great propagandist and one of the founders of La Solidaridad. Mariano Ponce Ponce was born in Baliwag, Bulacan He was a physician , writer, and an active member of the Propaganda Movement. He later enrolled at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran and took up medicine at the University of Santo Tomas. He was the co-founder of La solidaridad with fellow co-founder Graciano López Jaena. Ponce was also the head of the Literary Section of the Asociacion Hispano-Filipina, created to aid the Propaganda Movement where he served as secretary. Dr. Joaquine Gonzales The first rector of the first Philippine State University, known as Universidad Científico-Literal de Filipinas. Dr. Joaquine Gonzales was a Filipino politician and a member of the Malolos Congress that wrote the Malolos Constitution, the first Philippine constitution, after the country declared independence from Spain in 1898. He was one of two elected delegates representing the province of Pampanga, the other being Jose Rodriguez Infante. ● Felipe “Apo Ipe” Salvador was born in Baliwag, in Bulacan province on the island of Luzon, on May 26, 1870. The last revolutionary to be captured and executed Apo Ipe or Ápûng Ipê Salvador, was a Filipino revolutionary who founded the Santa Iglesia (Holy Church), a messianic society that was categorized as "colorum" . Salvador joined the Katipuneros—members of the Katipunan, the nationalistic, partisan society founded in the Philippines in 1892 to oust the Spanish colonial government—when they arrived in Baliwag from Balintawak. He fought with the Katipunan forces against the US Army in encounters in San Luis, Pampanga, where he was wounded, and subsequently was appointed colonel in 1899 by Emilio Aguinaldo. ● Gliceria Rustia Tantoco One of the Filipino business pioneers in the country Owner of Rustan Group of companies Many achievements, it introduced Rustan Marketing Corporation in 1964, bringing a diversified portfolio of brands into the Philippines BALIUAG UNIVERSITY REVISED SOCIAL ARTS MODULE 2 Store Specialists Inc in 1987, which has become the largest operator of high-end specialty stores; Royal Duty Free in 1993, the number one duty-free store in Subic; Rustan Coffee Corporation Inc in 1997, bringing the famous coffee chain Starbucks in Manila; and Sta. Elena Golf & Country Estate, an exclusive residential estate and premier golf destination located south of Manila. Some of the other great men and women throughout history from the said town are: ● Lieutenant Pelagio Cruz Pelagio Cruz was born in Baliuag, Bulacan. The First pilot and military hero in Baliwag Entered the Philippine Military Academy in 1932, and was commissioned as Third Lieutenant upon graduation in 1935. He earned his wings in September 1936 at the Philippine Army Air Corps (PAAC) Flying School in Camp Murphy. At the outbreak of World War II Cruz was assigned as an executive officer of the PAAC Provisional Regiment in Bataan and joined the Bulacan Guerilla Unit after the surrender of the Philippines to the Imperial Japanese Army. Maestro Lucino Buenaventura, Modesto Enrile, Joaquin Chico, and Primitvo “Bebong” Garcia At the turn of the twentieth century, they were music masters in the town of Baliwag. The songwriter of Himig ng Pagsinta kontribusyon sa musika ng Baliwag sa eksibisyong "Himig ng Pagsinta: Isang Dilag at Tatlong Musikero ng Baliwag" sa Museo Ng Baliwag hanggang Nobyembre 16, 2017. ● Mr. Domingo Santiago Sr. Founder of Baliuag University In spite of his humble stature and the hardships he had to endure, Inggo, as he was known in his boyhood days, graduated as valedictorian from the Baliuag Elementary School in 1916. He finished high school in Manila High School in 1926 and earned a degree in Education from the University of the Philippines. He then passed the Senior Teacher Examination in 1930 and placed third among the passers. And in 1951, he finished his master’s degree in the University of the Philippines. He dedicated himself to the service of the people through education. To us, he was simply endearingly known as Tatang, a great member of the community. For two fruitful decades, he was the leader of the Baliuag University, the primary provider of quality education in Baliuag and other neighboring towns. BALIUAG UNIVERSITY REVISED SOCIAL ARTS MODULE 2 Domingo B. Santiago’s lifelong dream was to build a modern institution of community education. Baliuag University is an expression of that lifelong dream. Eleven decades since Domingo B. Santiago Sr. trodden barefoot across the fields of Bulacan, the Baliuag University rekindles the passion for excellence in education that he so lovingly nurtured. In these modern times, there are other notable Bulakenyos and Baliwagenyos who are honored and recognized by the local government and municipality for their achievements and accomplishments by awardings them with the Gawad Dangal ng Lipi and Dangal ng Baliwag.
