SAN PABLO CITY

THAT I KNOW

Compiled by:

RUBEN E. TANINGCO
13 Doa Eusebia Street
Mavenida (Barangay VI-A)
San Pablo City, Laguna
Tel. (049) 562-3494 retaningco@gmail.com
pitonglawa@gmail.com
 CITY OF SAN PABLO
FACTS AND FIGURES
Land Area: 21,400 Hectares (Including the SevenLakes)
(DENR-Land Management Bureau Data)

Number of Barangays: 80 Barangays (50 Rural Barangays

30 Urban Barangays)
All barangays are being serviced by Manila Electric
Company and with land lines of the PLDT
and DIGETEL. 79 barangays or 98% of the
population of the community are being serviced by the
San Pablo City Water District.

Population: 266,068 (PSA-August 1, 2015 Census)

Number of Registered Voters:

132,583 voters in 566 precincts
(COMELEC Data for 2016 National and Local Elections)

Cultural History:
San Pablo is originally known as Sampalok,
a village under the Pueblo de Bay, then the
capital town of Laguna, converted into a
parish by the Augustinian Priests in 1596, and
into a Pueblo or as a local government unit in
1647, and renamed San Pablo de los Montes, in
honor of Saint Paul, the First Hermit.

San Pablo was chartered as a city by

Commonwealth Act No. 520 approved by
President Manuel Luis Quezon on May 7, 1940,
and formally inaugurated on January 2, 1941
with the first set of city officials headed by
Dr. Potenciano Malvar (December 11, 1867
November 15, 1954) , a former governor of
Laguna, as Appointed City Mayor, installed
into office by Interior Secretary Rafael Alunan.
The last appointed City Mayor is former
Assemblyman and former Laguna Governor
Tomas D. Dizon (September 18, 1887 January 27, 1966)
who authored its charter.The first elected City Mayor
is former Guerrilla Major Cipriano B. Colago (September 26,
1905 June 26, 1962), elected in 1955.

Major Emphases of the City Government of San Pablo

Eradication of drug-addiction, development of eco-tourism

industry, development of small and medium scale
industries, and aspiring to be the educational center and
rest area in the Southern Tagalog Region. These will help
attend real peace and order in the community, under the
concept that these are basic to attain economic
progress and prosperity.
 THE CITY OF SAN PABLO
By Loreto S. Amante

Situated 82 kilometers southeast of Manila, about 500 feet above the mean sea
level, San Pablo City is a fascinating blend of natural beauties and timeless history.
Dubbed as the City of Seven Lakes, lies in the apex of the heart-shaped Province of
Laguna, fanned by the swaying coconut breeze, nesting among the foothills of Mount
San Cristobal and Mount Banahaw.

Archeological diggings undertaken before World War II by the late Don Arsenio
M. Escudero before World War on the bank of Sampaloc Lake, and by the Antique-
diggers from Pila on the bank of Banadero River in Barrio San Francisco, and on the
bank of Paragusan River in Barrio Santisimo Rosario in 1969 reveals that San Pablo is a
thriving community that had existed long before the coming of the Spanish. From a big
settlements (or barangay), Sampalok, of the town of Bay, the Augustinian fathers made
it into a parish in 1596, then into a town or pueblo under a gobernadorcillo in 1647, and
renamed it San Pablo delos Montes, after Saint Paul, The First Hermit, at first under the
Province of Laguna, later under Batangas for 100 years, then back to Laguna before
outbreak of the Philippine-Spanish War. Through the untiring and determined effort of
Assemblyman Tomas D. Dizon (September 18. 1887 January 27, 1966), it has
bloosomed into a city, created under Commonwealth Act No. 520 approved by President
Manuel L. Quezon on May 7, 1940. Former Laguna Governor Potenciano Malvar y
Carpio was appointed as the first City Mayor by President Quezon.

An urban-agricultural community populated by 266,068 (PSA-August 1, 2015

Census), San Pablo City has an area of 21,400 hectares (DENR-Land Management
Bureau figure) bestowed by nature with seven (7) crater lakes, five rivers, and eight
creeks, which in its water now abound with tilapia, carps, ayungin, dalag and prawn. The
city is divided into 80 barangay, with 48 barangay consider as rural. Interconnected by a
spiderweb road networks initiated by Mayor Cesar P. Dizon, the whole city is fully
energized and electrified.

Apparently, San Pablo City is fast becoming the seat or hub of regional
operations for several government agencies and private enterprises. For the 2016
National and Local Elections, San Pablo City has 132,583 registered voters divided into
566 established precincts or 63 voting centers.

Here is San Pablo City, proud of its legendary and noble past, enjoying its
challenging present, and hopeful of its future.

April 25, 2017

MENSAHE NI ALKALDE VICENE B. AMANTE SA IKA-40 TAUNANG
PALATUNTUNAN NG PAGTAPOS NG PAARALANG ELEMENTARYA NG
SAN NICOLAS. LUNSOD NG SAN PABLO, NGAYONG MARTES, MARSO 24,
1998, SIMULA SA GANAP NGA IKA-4:00 NG HAPON

Kung may barangay na magagawang makabuluhan ang

pagdiriwang ng ika-100 anibersaryo ng ating kasarinlan, ay isa na
itong Barangay San Nicolas, sapagkat ang nayong ito ay mayroong
naging tuwirang kaugnayan sa ating pambansang kasaysayan.

Kung ang ating magugunita, sinasabi sa ating mga hometown

history, na ang kauna-unahang grupo ng mga kawal Amerikano na
nakarating dito sa Bayan ng San Pablo mula sa Manila Bay, sa
pagtatapos ng Digmaang Kastila at Filipino, ay dito sa atin ngayon
tinatawag na Prudencia Fule y Diones Building unang nagkampo, at
ang gusaling ito na nasa tapat lamang ng bakurang ito ang naging
unang kuwartel sa bahaging ito ng lalawigan. Isang bukal sa
di-kalayuang ilog Mag-ampon ang nagsilbing paliguan ng mga
dayuhang kawal.

Nabanggit din sa mga kuwento ng mga matatanda, na maging

si Heneral Miguel Malvar, ang kinikilalang pinakahuling heneral o
lider ng himagsikan na sumuko sa mga Mananakop na Amerikano,
ay nagpapahinga sa nayong ito, dahilan sa ito ay malapit sa Lipa ng
Batangas, at sa Tiaong ng Quezon para sa ligtas na pagkilos ng mga
kawal na kanyang pinangungunahan. Ang mga taga-San Nicolas, na
noon ay kilala sa katawagang Nayon ng Mag-ampon ay hindi rin
nagaatubiling magkaloob ng pagkain sa mga kawal Filipino na
ihihahandog ang buhay para matamasa ng pamayanan ang
kalayaan.

Maging si Koronel Lauro Diones Dizon, ang kauna-unahang

anak ng bayang ito na nakapag-aral sa Philippine Military Academy,
ay ipinagkakapuring anak ng Barangay San Nicolas. Siya ay nabuhay
na bayani ng World War II.

Sa may laylayan o dakong ibaba ng ilog Mag-ampon ay ang

barangay ngayon ng Santisimo Rosario, na sa dahilang ito ay malayo
sa kabayanan o hindi abot ng tunog ng kampana sa simbahan, ay
sinabi rin sa kasaysayan ng ating lunsod, na ang nabanggit na
matandang pamayanan ay nagsisilbi ring pahingahan ng mga
manghihimagsik laban sa Pamahalaang Kastila. Ito ay isang likas
noong himpilan para sa mga napapagod na maghihimagsik, sa
dahilang ito ay nasa dakong ibaba ng mga bundok sa pag-itan ng
Laguna at Batangas at Tayabas, at ang pagiging matandang
pamamayan nito ay napatunayan, nang noong pagtatapos ng taong
1968, isang grupo ng mga maghuhukay ng tinatawag na antique
mula sa Pila, ay nakahukay ng mga matatandang kagamitan. Ito ay
may pinggan, sulyaw o mangkok, na sang-ayon sa mga kinatawan ng
National Museum noon ay yari sa Tsina at may tatak na nagsabing
ito ay gawa noong ika-12 siglo. Ang kinahukayan ng mga
matatandang kagamitan ay sa may pampang ng ilog Paragusan, ang
mga ito diumano ay isang matandang libingan,nagpapatunay na
doon ay mayroon ng umiiral na kultura bago pa man dumating ang
mga Kastila o banyagang kapangyarihan.

May mga nahukay din noong mga kagamitang metal na

tinatawag ng mga maghuhukay na Arabian Sword, kaya
maipapalagay na bago paman dumating ang mga Kastila dito ay
mayroon na tayong organisadong relihiyon o sistema ng
pananampalataya.

Sa mga kabataang magsisipagtapos ngayong hapon, ipinapayo

kong magkaroon kayo ng pagkukusa at pagmamalasakit na matapos
ng high school, sapagkat dapat nating tanggapin ang katotohanang
ang pagkakaroon ng high school education ay susi para tayo ay
magkaroon ng magandang pagkakataon para sa ipagkakaroon ng
matatag na hanapbuhay at hinaharap. Sabi nga ng ilan , ang
pagiging high school graduate ay isang tulay paliban o patawid sa
magandang pagkakataon.

Ako ay kaisa sa paniniwala na Ang edukasyon ang pundasyon

at haligi o pilar para sa matatag na hinaharap ng ating mga anak, o
I share the belief that Education is the foundation and pillar of our
childrens future:

Sa inyo namang pakikinayon sa barangay na ito, ay inyong

ipagpatuloy ang inyong aktibong pakikilahok sa mga gawaing
nayon,sapagkat ito ay bahagi ng ating karapatan, at ang bawat
karapatan ay may kalakip na pananagutan.

Maligayang bati sa lahat. Mabuhay ang ating lunsod. Maging

higit na matatag ang ating kasarinlan.

VICENTE B. AMANTE
Punonglunsod

Note:
Dumalo sa pagtitipon/palatuntunan sina Gobernador Jose D. Lina Jr.
Kongresista Florante L. Aquino, Dr. Delma G. Flores ng DECS-San Pablo City, at
Punong Barangay Rafael Dionglay ng Barangay San Nicolas.
CITY HALL BUILDING OF SAN PABLO
The site of the present City Hall Complex was purchased by the
Municipal Government of San Pablo during the administration of
Municipal President Inocencio Barleta in 1937, but the actual
construction of the townhall was undertaken during the administration
of Municipal President Cristeto Brion, and it was inaugurated with
Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon as guest of honors on
March 30, 1940. According to Hometown Historian Juan B.
Hernandez, it was during the ceremonies that Quezon promised that
he will readily approved the bill being authored by Assemblyman
Tomas D. Dizon proposing the conversion of the town into a city.
Quezon fulfilled his promised when he signed Commonwealth Act
No. 520 on May 1, 1940.
When the first set of city officials lead by former Laguna
Governor Potenciano Malvar as City Mayor took their oath before
Interior Secretary Rafael Alunan on January 2, 1941, the town hall
was readily converted into city hall to house the Office of the City
Mayor, the Office and Session Hall of the Municipal Council, the City
Treasurer; the Office of the City Health Officer, and the Office of the
Chief of Police.
Former City Engineer Guillermo P. Inciong said the building
was designed by Architect Antonio Maalac Toledo (1889-1972) of
the Division of Architecture of the defunct Bureau of Public Works as
a norm during the Commonwealth Era. The structural stability of the
building was tested during the War for Liberation when it was able to
withstand the explosion of a 500-pound bomb dropped by the U.S. Air
Force plane of returning General Douglas Mac Arthur.
Ruben E. Taningco
November 25, 2004
SINO SI TOMAS DIONES DIZON ?
Isang may kabataang pang abogado ang minsan ay nagtanong sa may akda
ng ulat na ito, kung bakit ang gusaling panghukuman na ipinatayo ng
Pangasiwaang Lunsod ng San Pablo ay tinatawag ngayong Don Tomas D. Dizon
Hall of Justice?
Sang-ayon kay Bb. Cresenciana de Luna, isang retiradong guro, si Tomas
Diones Dizon, ay isa sa mga anak ng Bayan ng San Pablo noon na nagkaroon
ng pagkakataong makapag-aral ng batas at naging isang abogado. Siya ay
isinilang noong Setyembre 18, 1887 sa noon ay Baryo ng San Nicolas na unang
naluklok sa katungkulang pampamahalaan nang siya ay mahalal na
Punonglalawigan ng Laguna na nanungkulan noong mga Taong 1928 - 1932. At
pagkatapos nito, siya ay nahalal na Kinatawan ng Unang Distrito ng Laguna sa
Philippine National Assembly sa apat na sunod-sunod na panahon
Bilang kagawad ng Asemblyang Pambansa ng Pilipinas (Philippine National
Assembly) na pinanguluhan noon ni Speaker Jose Y. Yulo, si Tomas Dizon ang
umakda ng Batas Komonwelt Bilang 520 na nagkakaloob ng Karta ng
Pagkalunsod sa Bayan ng San Pablo.
Magugunitang ng ipagdiwang ng Lunsod ng San Pablo ang 53 rd Charter
Anniversary noong Mayo 7, 1993 ay itinatag ni Alkalde Vicente B. Amante ang
Don Tomas D. Dizon Statemanship Award sa karangalan ng namayapang
mambabatas na ang pinagkalooban ng karangalan ay si RTC Executive Judge
Bienvenido V. Reyes, at Merit awards ang ipinagkaloob kina Dr. Juan B.
Hernandez para sa hometown history, Dr. Vidal Raymundo para sa medical
practice; at Lion Eduardo Lim para sa community services and
entrepreneurship.
Para sa maraming nakasubaybay sa buhay ni Tomas Dizon, ang kanyang
kadakilaan bilang lingkod bayan ay kanyang ipinadama sa kanyang pagtanggap
ng pananagutang Talagang Punonglunsod sa panahon ng kagipitan, una ay
noong mga Taong 1943 hanggang 1946 sa panahon ng pananakop ng mga
Hapon ng walang tumanggap ng tungkulin dahil sa ang talagang punonglunsod
noon, si Dr. Manuel A. Quisumbing, ay kinailangang magtago matapos mapag-
alaman ng mga tagapangasiwaang Hapon na siya ay lihim na tumutulong sa
kilusan ng mga gerilya sa Lunsod ng San Pablo at Lalawigan ng Laguna.
Ang kamalayan ni Tomas Dizon sa batas, at tamang pakikipag-ugnayan sa
mga tagapangasiwaang Hapon ang nakatulong upang maraming anak ng
lunsod ang nailigtas ang buhay sa hinalang sila ay tagapagtaguyod kung hindi
man tuwirang kaanib ng alin mang kilusan o pangkatin ng gerilya sa lalawigan.
Maituturing ding kadakilaan ni Tomas Dizon na noong mga Taong 1954
hangang 1955, ng kaigtingan ng pagkilos ng kinikilala noong Hukbong
Magpapalaya sa Bayan (HMB) na mahigpit na kumakaaway sa pamahalaan, ay
muli niyang inako ang pagiging appointed City Mayor na ang humirang sa
kanya ay mismong si Pangulong Ramon Magsaysay noon, at sa ilalim ng
kanyang pangangasiwa naisagawa ang unang paghalal ng punonglunsod. Siya
ay namayapa noong Enero 27, 1966.
Tomas Diones Dizon. Isang Mason, Isang Mambabatas, Isang Punong
Tagapagpaganap, at higit sa lahat, Isang Tunay na Makabayan.
Tomas Diones Dizon, isang Taas Noong San Pableo, isang Namumukod
Tanging Lagunense. (Ruben E. Taningco)
 DON TOMAS D DIZON STATESMAN AWARD
(May 7, 1993)

If I may recall correctly, it was on the Month of March 1993 that Jun Manilay
and I were asked by City Prosecutor Leon M. de Villa, Head Executive Assistant
Aristidy N. Alcantara, and City Planning and Development Coordinator Precillano
E. Buiser to do some research works on the lives of Messrs. Bienvenido V.
Reyes, Juan B. Hernandez, Vidal Raymundo, Eduardo G. Lim, and some other
known personalities here in San Pablo. We were simply told that Mayor Vicente
B. Amante will be recognizing outstanding San Pableo during the
commemoration of the 53rd Charter Anniversary on May 7, 1993, which is a
Friday.

I learned later that the original members of the committee personally chosen
by Mayor Amante includes RTC Executive Judge Bienvenido V. Reyes, as
Chairman, and Businessman Eduardo G. Lim as member. And it was City
Prosecutor Leon M. de Villa who created some technicalities to disqualify
Messrs. Reyes and Lim from the committee, because from the beginning, Atty.
De Villa have these two gentlemen in mind as nominees for the awards. Miss
Ester M. Catipon and Kiwanian Nicolas M. Magcase were made members of the
committee, and de Villa was chosen as chairman, with Buiser as Secretary.

The committee said Mayor Vicente Amante would like to select local living
individuals whose professional and civic achievements have brought pride and
honor to the community. The mayor then would like to give community
statesman award as Rotarians or Kiwanians may call it.

De Villa, a leader of a Lions Club, and Buiser, a Jaycee parliamentarian, both

believes that politician and statesman are not the same thing. A statesman they
argue, is not a tyrant: he is a free leader of a free people, and he must possess a
vision, and the ability to build a consensus to achieve that vision. They believe
that this is a peculiarity of Don Tomas D. Dizon, that made him a true leader
during the Japanese Occupation Period when he was appointed City Mayor of
San Pablo, that helped save many lives of the San Pableo.

(I was not present in the city when the committee made their final
deliberations on the nominees, as well as when the awards were given on the
morning of May 7, 1993 during the commemorative program held infront of the
Old City Hall Building, because I was then attending a seminar at the
Development Academy of the Philippines in Tagaytay City. Though I was tasked
to prepare the text of the awards, in Filipino, for Dr. Juan B. Hernandez, and for
Dr. Vidal Raymundo. I was told that as requested by Dr. Juaning Hernandez, the
plague given by Mayor Amante was the only memento or token of honor place
near his coffin during the wake.)

Honored during the program were Atty. Bienvenido V. Reyes as recipient of

the Don Tomas D. Dizon Statesman Award, and merit awards were given to Dr.
Juan B. Hernandez for hometown history; for Dr. Vidal Raymundo for medical
practice; and Lion Eduardo G. Lim for community services and entrepreneurship.

April 25, 2015

 DOA LEONILA (MINI-FOREST) PARK
What is now known as Doa Leonila (Mini-Forest) Park overlooking the
Sampaloc Lake is actually a portion of the site for the City Hall Complex
purchased in 1937 by the Municipal Government of San Pablo headed by
President Inocencio Barleta, which was partly developed after the termination of
World War II under the administration of appointed City Mayor, Dr. Fernando A.
Bautista.

During the incumbency of elected Mayor Lauro D. Dizon Sr., with the help
of the Rotary Club of San Pablo, and under the supervision of Dr. Juan B.
Hernandez, then club secretary of the local Rotary Club and Chairman of the City
Beautification Committee, constructed some park structures at the park, with the
fountain featuring the country lass with agriculture harvest as centerpiece.

Probably, Hernandez and then City Engineer Perfecto Reyes were

inspired by the figures affixed on the faade of the City Hall Building which
symbolizes progress.

Sometimes on April of 1961 when then President Carlos Garcia made an

official visit to San Pablo, when the party dropped-by the park to breath some
fresh air, City Mayor Lauro D. Dizon Sr. proclaimed that the garden by the city
hall overlooking the lake are being named Doa Leonila Park in honor of then
First Lady, Mrs. Leonila D. Garcia.

During the first term in office of Mayor Cesar P. Dizon, the City
Beautification Committee headed by Architect Gilda G. Dizon, the Citys First
Lady, and City Schools Superintendent Concepcion D. Licsi introduces massive
improvement on the park with the construction of promenaders lane, which is
actually a view deck, put-up park lightings system, and other park fixtures. In
1975 to 1977, San Pableos were not aware that slide photos of the park taken
by then Public Information Officer Ruben E. Taningco for the Department of
Public Information-Region IV were being flashed on television screen by Manila
television stations to accompany good weather reports.

Toilet were added during the incumbency of OIC Mayor Zacarias A.

Ticzon, when the park was declared a mini-forest park by then Bureau of Forest
Development Director Delfin Ganapin Sr. on June 7, 1987 under the Urban
Reforestation Program of President Corazon C. Aquino. Massive landscaping
were undertaken in 2003-2004 by the City Tourism and Cultural Office headed by
the Citys First Lady, Mrs. Leila A. Aquino. The stage constructed at the park
routinary serve as venue for receiving and entertaining official guests of the city
during the incumbency of Mayor Florante L. Aquino.

Ruben E. Taningco
November 26, 2004
Landmarks:
SAN PABLO CITYS HAGDANG BATO
By Ruben E. Taningco

Nobody knew the number of steps it has: when it was constructed

and by whom, until Mayor Vicente B. Amante asked his private secretary to
actually count the number of steps and copy the wordings on the tablets
affixed on the lower part of the park structure.

The Hagdang Bato (concrete stairway) leading to the Sampaloc

Lake, which is now a famous local landmark, is now part of the logo
or official seal of San Pablo, being the City of Seven Lakes.

It was constructed in November 1915 under the administration

of municipal president Marcial Alimario, but many, including the youth
and technical personnel of the local engineering office, simply look it
for granted. Nobody knew the number of steps it has, when it was
constructed and by whom, until Mayor Vicente B. Amante asked his
private secretary, Ruel B. Briones, to actually count the number of
steps and copy the wordings on the tablet affixed on the lower part of
the park structure.

Briones, who normally does his morning exercises on the stairs,

discovered for himself that the Hagdang Bato is divided into five (5)
sections and with an aggregate total of 89 steps. He also found out
that it was constructed on a lot donated by Cabesang Sixto Bautista,
and form part of what is now known as Doa Leonila (Mini-Forest)
Park.

Mayor Amantes interest on the technical description of the now

famous landmark was aroused by a long distance call from
Philippine Tourism Authoritys General Manager Angelito T. Banayo,
a native son of the city who used to play on the stairways during his
elementary school days.

Published on page 16 of INTERFACE (July-September 1999 Issue)

Official bulletin of the League of Cities of the Philippines
THE FIRST COCONUT FESTIVAL (MARDI GRAS) IN SAN PABLOCITY

The holding of the First Coconut Festival, Mardi Gras Style, on January
12, 1996, was actually conceived by Robert M. Non, an advocacy officer of the
San Miguel Group of Companies based here in Laguna who suggested it to then
Secretary to the Mayor Adolfo Rudy J. Vergara, and Project Development
Officer Ruben E. Taningco, in June of 1995, while Mayor Vicente B. Amante
and City Administrator Hizon A. Arago were on official travel to the United States.
On his return, Mayor Amante approved the idea/proposal as a compliance to the
provision of Republic Act No. 7356, an Act Creating the National Commission on
Culture and the Arts (NCCA), and with the approval of the Sangguniang
Panglunsod, then headed by Vice Mayor Danton Q. Bueser, an ad hoc
committee chaired by City Administrator Hizon A. Arago, assisted by former
Councilor Vergel Cosico and Businessman Arthur T. Reyes was organized
to formulate the program of activities for the holding of street dancing contest.
Research was conducted by the ad hoc committee as to the mechanic of the
cultural presentation, the type of music that must be used, and the design of the
costume of the participants which must be based on coconut tree.
Mayor Vicente B. Amante as Citys Chief Executive, and Atty. Hizon A.
Arago as City Administrator who is mandated to coordinate the implementation of
programs on history and culture, was assisted in launching the First Coconut
Festival (Mardi Gras Style) by Messrs. Vergel Cosico, Arthur T. Reyes,
Rolando A. Inciong and wife Sylvia, Pablito J. Merin, Celso Seseng
Oblena, and Willy Tan and wife Racquel.
Physical Education Teachers Luz Ges. Aguilar and Salome Meng
Lajara also assisted in coordinating some of the activities. The undersigned (Ms.
Melinda P. Bondad) headed the committees secretariat that prepared the reports
submitted to the Office of the President, the Department of Tourism, and the
National Historical Institute (NHI).
The first coconut festival was almost solely sponsored by the San Miguel
Group of Companies, and Messrs. Robert M. Non and Mac C. Dormiendo sit in
the committee to help formulate and implement programs, since they are in the
advertising field.
Incidentally, the First Coconut Festival, Mardi Gras Style, held on
January 12, 1996, was on time with the commemoration of the 400th
Anniversary or Fourth Centennial of the founding of the Parish of Saint
Paul, The First Hermit, which was organized by the Augustinian Fathers in
1596.
This (first) festival was covered by Asahi Shimbun of Japan, and
footages of the events was contributed to Reuter and other foreign managed
news gathering syndicate through the facilities of ABS-CBN Channel 2, GMA
Channel 7, and Peoples Television (Channel 4) through the efforts of Messrs.
Adolfo J. Vergara and Ruben E. Taningco. It was also featured in an special
issue of the Philippines Free Press and special report for television was
prepared by Film Documentarist Corie Quirino released in January 1996 with
Messrs. Hizon A. Arago and Rolando S. Bombio providing the basic materials.
Foreign viewers can browse information about the local Mardi Gras at the MSC
Website www.msc.net.ph.
(Compiled by Melinda P. Bondad)
First Set of City Officials who took their oath of office on
January 2, 1941 before Interior Secretary Rafael Alunan:
City Mayor: POTENCIANO CARPIO MALVAR
(December 11, 1867 Nobyembre 15, 1954)

City Councilors: MANUEL A CONCORDIA Elected

IRENEO LOZADA
FELIX GESMUNDO

EUSTAQUIO FULE Appointed

RICARDO TICZON

City Treasurer JOSE TALON Ex-Oficio

Chief of Police CRISTETO BRION

Colorful Municipal President

DON MARCIAL ALIMARIO
Municipal President 1914 1916

Improvement of the site of Rizal Monument

Construction of the Puericulture Center
Construction of the Hagdang Bato
Improvement of the Communal Water System at the Town Proper

CIPRIANO BIGLETE COLAGO

September 26, 1905 June 26, 1962

Guerilla Major, President Quezons Own Guerrilla (PQOG)

First elected City Mayor

Source: Between Two Wars by Dr. Juan B. Hernandez

Published by the Association of Barangay Captains of San Pablo City
1981
WHO OWN THE

CITYS SEVEN CRATER LAKES ?

The Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) was organized in 1966 by
virtue of Republic Act No. 4850 authored by Senator Wenceslao Rancap
Lagumbay from Laguna, as a quasi-government agency with regulatory and
proprietory functions. Its powers and functions were further strengthened with the
issuance of Presidential Decree No. 813 by President Ferdinand E. Marcos in
1975; and modified with the promulgation of Executive Order No. 927 in 1983.
Executive Order No. 927 expanded the so-called Laguna de Bay Region,
so that Laguna Lake Development Authority will have authority or proprietory
rights, control and supervision over the citys seven crater lakes, as well as over
all other bodies of water in as far as in Mauban in Quezon Province; in Tanauan
City and Malvar in Batangas Province; and in Carmona in Cavite Province.
President Fidel V. Ramos issued Executive Order No. 149 to transfer the
administration or administrative supervision over the LLDA from the Office of the
President to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and
Executive Order No. 240 to devolved some administrative control to the local
government units in the CALABARZON Region to help establish the mechanics
of cooperation in order that the framework of a comprehensive development
program could be properly formulated.
Former Presidential Legal Adviser Antonio Carpio, now a justice in the
Supreme Court, and former Secretary General Camilo Sabio of the House of
Representatives issued separate opinions that Presidential Decree No. 813 and
Executive Order No. 927 can only be amended, modified or repealed through act
of Congress. These confirmed that the proprietary rights over the Seven Crater
Lakes still belongs to the Laguna Lake Development Authority, though the City
Government of San Pablo under the Local Government Code of 1991 or
Republic Act No. 7160 is vested with specific powers to chart its own course,
determine its own destiny by setting its own goals, and every member of the
community have their own role to play for mutual benefit of every one.
Water coming from Calibato Lake through PalakpakinLake and MujicapLake
generate a hydro-electric plant for the Philippine Power Development
Corporation, though the plant site is located within the jurisdiction of the
adjoining town of Calauan.
During a meeting presided by then Laguna Governor and LLDA Chairman
Jose D. Lina Jr. in March of 2000 held in this Barangay Training Center
expressed his belief that the concept ofsynergy must be employed in planning,
wherein every sectoral representatives can play an important role in translating
the LLDA Programs into specific projects and activities. While local leadership
believes that the administrative control and management of the lake must be
returned to the City Government of San Pablo. (Ruben E. Taningco)

LakePandin
 GOVERNOR OF
LAGUNA
1.Gov. Marcos Alcos Paulino
Born: October 7, 1871 February 5, 1951
Term: 1902-1905, Part of 1914
2.Gov. Potenciano Carpio Malvar
Lived: December 11, 1867 November 15, 1964
Term: July 10, 1910 July 14, 1914
3.Gov. Feliciano A. Gomez
Lived: February 22,1882 November 15, 1944
Term: 1926 - 1927
4.Gov. Tomas Diones Dizon
Lived: September 18, 1887 January 27, 1966
Term: 1928 - 1932
5.Gov. Arsenio L. Bonifacio
Lived: December 14, 1893 January 4, 1976
Term: 1938 1939
6.Gov. Agustin V. Gana
Lived: 1876 April 19, 1950
Term: 1939 1940
7.Gov. Jesus C. Bautista
Lived: January 16, 1877 August 14, 1987
Term: 1941 1944
8.Gov. Juan C. Cailles
Lived: November 10,1871 June 28, 1951
Term: 1899-1901, 1902-1910,1915-1925,
1932-1938, Part 1945
Governors Marcos Alcos Paulino, Potenciano Carpio Malvar, and
Tomas Diones Dizon are native sons of San Pablo City
9.Gov. Marcelo P. Zorilla
Lived: November 10, 1898 January 1945
Term: Part of 1944 and 1945
10.Gov. Augusto H. De Castro
Lived: January 16, 1904 July 19, 1959
Term: Part of 1945
11. Gov. Juan G. Pambuan
Lived; 1904 August 19, 1970
Term: Part of 1945
12. Gov. Dominador E. Chipeco, Sr.
Lived: April 21, 1906 December 7, 1980
Term: 1948 1959
13. Gov. Felicisimo T. San Luis
Lived: June 23, 1919 December 18, 1992
Term: 1960 -1992
14. Gov. Jose D. Lina, Sr.
Born: December 22, 1951
Term: June 30, 1995 January 2001
15. Gov. Restituto L. Luna
Lived: June 11, 1925 May 5, 2002
Term: December 1992 June 1995
16. Gov. Teresita S. Lazaro
Born: November 18, 1942
Term: January 2001 June 2010
 OLDEST FIGURE OF DR. JOSE P.
RIZAL IN THE PHILIPPINES

San Pablo City Boy Scouts Council Chairman Paul Michael Cuadra stand by one
of the oldest figure of Dr. Jose P. Rizal. This figure is the original figure of the
monument to the national hero at the main plaza of San Pablo City which was
casted in 1910 and inaugurated on June 19, 1911, or it is older than the figure of
Dr. Jose P. Rizal in Luneta which was inaugurated on December 30, 1913. It was
replaced in 1969 when a new figure was installed, and this original figure was
transferred and installed on a new pedestal at the patio of (Gabaldon-Type) Rizal
Building of the San Pablo Central School on the initiative of Engr. Danilo D.
Dichoso, then a staff engineer at the Office of the City Engineer. Following the
restoration of Rizal Building, School Principal Hemenes Bagsic enshrined the
figure at the Rizal Hall and repainted it with gold to help commemorate the 150th
birth anniversary of the national hero last June 19, 2011. The first monument to
Dr. Jose Rizal inaugurated in Daet, Camarines Norte on December 30, 1898
does not bear any figure of the hero, it is a three-face obelish where the title of
the three books written by him are engraved. Understandable since it was
designed and constructed by Masons, on the instruction of President Emilio
Famy Aguinaldo who is also a Mason. (Ruben E. Taningco)
MEANING OF THIS EMBLEM

This emblem served as logo or figure in the medallion given to the Ten Most
Outstanding San Pableo (TOSP) Awardees in 1990 on the suggestion of Dr.
Conrado P. Aquino, and when asked by Mayor Zacarias A. Ticzon to described
it, this writer simply said that It symbolizes progress in agriculture and industry
brought about by the Commonwealth Era. . The lady on the left of the
Commonwealth logo hold palay stalk with banana on the ground, since I was told
by my father that palay, banana, coffee and lanzones are abundantly harvested
in most barrios of then Town of San Pablo. The lady on the right hold a wheel,
and standing on a banca and coconut to denote our seven lakes, and beginning
of coconut based industrialization, the building was designed after Franklin Baker
Company plant has become operational and proclaimed as the worlds biggest
desiccated processing plant. This material then was prepared without thorough
research, and just to satisfy Mayor Caring Ticzon.

This writer intentionally withheld it to be released then to the media.

Why not the Sangguniang Panglunsod launch a project to properly research the
meaning of this emblem to correct whatever mistakes this writer has committed
in April of 1990.

Designed by Nick Magcase/Ricardo Fabros Jr.

DR. MANUEL A. QUISUMBING, SECOND CITY MAYOR OF SAN
PABLO

A well-known chest physician who was appointed Chairman of the

Board of Examiners of Medicine by President Manuel L. Quezon. Dr.
Manuel Quisumbing y Arguelles was later appointed as the Second
City Mayor of San Pablo in February 1941 since Dr. Potenciano
Malvar stayed in office for only one month. He was also designated
by the succeeding Presidents of the Republic of the Philippines as
Ambassador at-Large so he can travel abroad with ease to attend
conferences on medicine, particularly on tuberculosis.

A younger brother of Dr. Manuel A. Quisumbing, Francisco Arguelles

Quisumbing, who obtained his Ph D in Chemistry at Columbia
University in 1921, prepared a formula for the preparation of ink
originally being produced and distributed by Philippine Ink,
Incorporated before World War II, and when the researchers of
Parker Pen of U. S. A. observed that Quisumbing Ink clean
your pen while it writes, they bought the formula for an undetermined
amount and distributed it worldwide as Parker QUINK.

Mayor Manuel A. Quisumbing MD

PRESIDENTE MARCIAL ALIMARIO,
MABUTING LIDER NG KANYANG PANAHON

Sa kalipunan ng mga ulat na natipon nina G. Moises Belen, at G.

Evaristo Belen, na kapuwa kinikilalang Alagad ng Wika, ay
ipinalalagay na si Don Marcial Alimario ang isa sa pinakamasipag na
naging Presidente Municipal ng dating Municipio ng San Pablo.

Nanungkulan noong mga Taong 1914 hanggang 1916, sa

panahon ng panunungkulan ni Presidente Marcial Alimario naipatayo
sa loteng donasyon ni Cabesang Sixto Bautista ang ngayon ay
kinikilalang Hagdang Bato pababa sa Lawang Sampalok na ngayon
ay bahagi na ng opisyal na sagisag o official seal ng Lunsod ng San
Pablo; naipaayos ang kaanyuan ng bantayog ni Dr. Jose P. Rizal na
ipinatayo ng sinundan niyang presidente noong 1911; naipatayo ang
San Pablo City Puericulture Center na naging sentro sa
pangangalaga ng kalusugan ng mga bata, at mga inang
nagdadalangtao, hindi lamang ng mga taga-San Pabloy, kundi
marami ring mga ina at sanggol mula sa mga Bayan ng Calauan,
Alaminos, Rizal, Dolores, at Tiaong ang nagsasangguni rito.

Isa umano si Don Marcial Alimario sa iilang naging punong

tagapagpaganap ng dating Bayan ng San Pablo na sa pag-akyat sa
katungkulan ay may dala na siyang isang komprehensibong plano ng
mga dapat isagawa, tulad ng pagsasaayos ng mga napabayaang
lansangan, pagpapaayos sa sistema ng panustos na tubig sa
kabayanan, at pagpapaayos ng mga luma ng gusaling pampaaralan
noong mga panahong iyon, sapagkat ito ang makatutugon sa mga
pangunahing pangangailangan ng mga karaniwang mamamayan..
(Ruben E. Taningco)
 MGA BARANGAY NA MAY BANSAG

Angmga barangay saLunsod ng San Pablo na may bansag

ayangmgasumusunod: 1. Del Remedio o Wawa, 2. Santa Maria

Magdalena o Kumba, 3. San Marcos o Tikew, 4. San Mateo o

Imok, 5. San Juan o Putol, 6. Sta. Filomena o Banlagin, 7. San

Crispin o Lumbangan, 8. San Roque o Sambat, 9. San Rafael o

Buluburan, 10. San Nicolas o Mag-ampon, 11. Sta. Veronica o

Bae, 12. San Lucas No.1 o Sabang, 13. San Lucas No.2 o

Malinao, 14. San Buenaventura o Palakpakin, 15. Sto Angel o

Ilog, 16. 23. Concepcion o Bunot, 17. San Francisco o Kalihan,

18. San Miguel o Butukan, 19. Sto. Nino o Arsom, 20. San

Antonio No.1 Balanga, 21. San Antonio No.2 o Sapa, 22. San

Isidro o Balagbag, 23. Soledad o Makopa, 24. San Bartolome o

Matanag 25. Santiago No.1 o Bulaho,26. Santiago N.2 o

Bulaho, 27.Sta. Cruz o Putol, 28. San Jose o Malamig.

Additional: 29. San Gabriel o Butukan 30. Santa Catalina o

Sandig 31. Santisimo Rosario o Balagbag

 TEN OUTSTANDING SAN PABLEOS
(During the commemoration of the citys 50th Founding Anniversary)
May 7, 1990

1. Dr. BIENVENIDO D. ALORA for MEDICINE

Professor of Microbiology at UST College of Medicine and Surgery

2. Dr. CONRADO PAULINO AQUINO for EDUCATION

Former President of the University of the East

3. Mr. JUANITO LEFTY BRIONES for SPORTS

A former Pitcher of Philippine National Base Ball Team that participated in the
Olympic Games and ASIAN Games.

4. Mr. VENANCIO CARADA for AGRICULTURE

A plant scientist at the Bureau of Plant Industry, Department of Agriculture

5. Atty. BARTOLOME S. CARALE for LAW AND LEGAL EDUCATION

Former Dean of the College of Law of the University of the Philippines and
incumbent Chairman of the National Labor Reconcillation Commission

6. Mr. FELIPE SATA CARO for CIVIL SERVICE

A clerk at the Local Civil Registry Office

7. Commodore ROGELIO ALVERO DAYAN for MILITARY SCIENCE

A retired officer of the Philippine Navy and incumbent General Manager of the
Philippine Port Authority

8. Mr. GUILLERMO PASCO INCIONG for ENGINEERING

A retired City Engineer of San Pablo City

9. Mr. RODRIGO B. SUPEA for BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

A Senior Vice President at the Bank of the Philippine Islands

10 Mr. RUBEN ENRIQUEZ TANINGCO for JOURNALISM

Working as Public Information Officer at the City Government of San Pablo
and a Hometown Newsweekly Editor

BIENVENIDO V. REYES LEON M. DE VILLA

Chairman Co-Chairman

ZACARIAS A. TICZON
City Mayor
(Featured at www.ugnayan.ca a website of Filipino Communities in Canada)

THE OUTSTANDING SAN PABLEOS 2008

Eleven illustrious sons and daughter of the City of San Pablo, all living and
still activie on their chosen career or vocation, were chosen as this year The
Outstanding San Pableos chosen to help commemorate the 68th Founding
Anniversary of the City of San Pablo.
Commonwealth Act No. 520 granting City Charter to then prosperous town of
San Pablo was approved by President Manuel Luis Quezon on May 7, 1940, and
formally inaugurated its city government on January 2, 1941 with Interior
Secretary Rafael Alunan inducting the first set of city officials led by former
Laguna Governor Potenciano Malvar as appointed City Mayor.
In the announcement made by Dr. Ester C. Lozada, City Schools
Superintendent and chairperson of the selection committee created through an
executive order issued by Mayor Vicente B. Amante, the awardees who will be
formally honored by the community during a formal dinner meeting of city officials
with community leaders at the Coco Palace Hotel and Restaurant at Barangay
San Francisco this coming Tuesday evening, May 6, 2008, are Dr. Jaime
Aristotle Barte Alip of San Pablo Citys CARD Bank, for Rural Development
Through Microfinancing; Dean Palermo A. Baagale for Accountancy; Plant
Propagator Renato A. Belen for Agriculture; CHED Regional Director Amelita A.
Biglete for Education; Supreme Court Justice Arturo D. Brion for Government
Service; Court of Appeal Justice Rodrigo V. Cosico for Law and Judiciary; Olympic
Swimmer Marie-Lizza Toinette Frias Danila for Sports; SPC Chamber of
Commerce and Industry Past President Plaridel G. dela Cruz for Business;
Association of Geodetic Engineers of the Philippines Past President Danilo D.
Dichoso for Engineering; Nobel Laureate Rodel D. Lasco for Science and
Technology,and Music Professor /Consultant Ester C. Alcantara-Locson for Arts
and Culture.
It can be recalled that when the City of San Pablo commemorated its 50 th
Charter Anniversary on May 7, 1990, among The Ten Outstanding San
Pableos (TOSP) chosen by a award committee chaired by RTC Judge
Bienvenido V. Reyes and City Prosecutor Leon M. de Villa were U. E. President
Conrado P. Aquino for Education; Dean Bartolome Carale for Law and Legal
Education; Retired City Engineer Guillermo P. Inciong for Engineering;
Commodore Rogelio A. Dayan for Military Science, Baseball Pitcher Johnny
Lefty Briones for Sports; Local Civil Registry Office Clerk Felipe Caro for
Government Service; and Public Information Officer Ruben E. Taningco for
Journalism.
When San Pablo celebrated its 53rd Charter Anniversary, on May 7, 1993 and
Mayor Vicente B. Amante initiated the Don Tomas D. Dizon Statemanship
Award, in honor of the author of Commonwealth Act No. 520, chosen to received
the honors was RTC Executive Judge Bienvenido V. Reyes. Merit awards were
given to Dr. Juan B. Hernandez for hometown history, Dr. Vidal Raymundo for
medical practice; and Lion Eduardo Lim for community services and
entrepreneurship. Reyes is the co-chairperson of the 2008 Awards Committee.

Paksa ng Pagdiriwang: Sa gitna ng krisis pangkabuhayan,

San Pableoy matatag at mapamaraan.

May 5, 2008
Sino nga pala ako ? (Kaunting
pagbubuhat ng sarili o pagyayabang)
RUBEN E. TANINGCO
By Vice Governor Atty. Katherine Karen C. Agapay

A graduate of geodetic engineering course at the Mapua Institute of Technology

in 1960, Ruben Taningco used to work at the local City Engineers Office and at the
defunct Bureau of Public Highways, he became a newswriter and a broadcaster,
because before the proclamation of Martial Law, the agencies that he worked with were
the subject of destructive criticisms both from the printed and broadcast media, and he
imposed upon himself to defend said offices, that in the process, he was appointed
stringer of the defunct Philippine News Service (PNS), a news gathering agency
operated by national newspapers and broadcast organizations based in the City of
Manila.

From year 1968 to 1972, when Martial Law was declared by President Marcos,
he was among the top 25 producers among the stringer of the Philippine News Service,
and subsequently included among the field correspondents accredited by the Philippine
News Agency organized by the defunct Department of Public Information (DPI) Then
when the National Economic and Development Authority, on the suggestion of then
Laguna Governor Felicisimo T. San Luis, local government units were required to
designate public information officer, he was readily tapped by Mayor Cesar P. Dizon to
the position, until in August 1, 1974, he was appointed with an item of Public
Information Officer under the City Planning and Development Coordinator.

In July of 1978, he was chosen by the Department of Public Information-Region

IV (which then include the Greater Manila Area) as one of the Ten Outstanding
Developmental Information Officer in Region IV; during the commemoration of the
50th Anniversary of the Institute of National Language (Surian ng Wikang Pambansa) on
August 19, 1987, he was one of the Ten Golden Awardees (Gintong Gawad), where
the nine (9) awardees were all Ph. D. holders; he is the lone hP D (Hindi Po Doctor)
holder.

During the commemoration of the 50th Charter Anniversary of San Pablo City last
May 7, 1990, he was chosen by a committee organized by Mayor Zacarias A. Ticzon as
one of the Ten Most Oustanding San Pableos (for Journalism), then, he was cited by
the Philippine National Red Cross in Year 2000 when the San Pablo City Red Cross
Chapter commemorated its 50th Anniversary as an independent chapter. He was one oF
The Outstanding San Pableo 2011 for Advocacy Journalism.

Incidentally, Ruben Taningco y Enriquez was born on February 16, 1937 at

Barrio San Agustin, Alaminos, Laguna to Damaso Cosico Taningco, a farmer, and
former Bernabela Deriquito Enriquez; completed his intermediate course at the
AlaminosCentralSchool; and completed his secondary education at the LagunaCollege,
Class 55. He got married on June 20, 1970 to then Miss Nelia Perez Belen, a home
economic teacher, and a resident of Doa Eusebia Street, Barangay Mavenida, San
Pablo. They were blessed with three sons, who all completed there education in the
Philippine Public School System, or from San Pablo Central School, then either at the
UPLB Rural High School or Philippine Science High School, to the University of the
Philippines (where he failed in then prescribed admission test in 1955).

The eldest son, Erwin, is now an ordained minister and serve as Deputy
Supervising Minister (or 02) in the Ecclesiastical District of Antique of the Iglesia Ni
Cristo, and is married to the former Cleofe L. Tiongson of Bulacan, Bulacan; Rommel is
now a Vice President at the Philippine Life Financial Assurance Corporation
(Philife).in Makati; and married to former Abigail Martines of Angeles City; and Runel, a
geodetic engineer being among the topnotchers in the Examination for Geodetic
Engineers given in 2001 and presently connected with the Housing and Land Use
Regulatory Board (HLURB) as Chief of the Information and Communication Technology
Division in Quezon City.

Lolo Bino and Lola Nelia are now both Octogenarian, tending their modest
farm (DACOTA Farm) by the CALABARZON Road in Alaminos.
THE OUTSTANDING SAN PABLENO 2017,
PARARANGALAN SA LINGGO

San Pablo City- Bilang tampok sa paggunita sa Ika-77 Anibersaryo ng

Pagkakatatag ng Lunsod ng San Pablo, ay pararangalan ngayong Linggo ng
gabi, Mayo 7, 2017 ang mga nahirang na The Outstanding San Pableno 2017
sa isang pormal na palatuntunang gaganapin sa Palmeras Garden Restaurant
sa kahabaan ng Maharlika Highway sa Barangay San Rafael sa pangunguna ni
Mayor Loreto S. Amante, Over-All Chairman of the 77th Charter Anniversary
Executive Committe..
Magugunitang ang dating Bayan ng San Pablo ay naging isang Lunsod sa
bisa ng Batas Komonwelt Bilang 520 na inakda ni Assemblyman Tomas D.
Dizon na pinagtibay ni Pangulong Manuel L. Quezon noong Mayo 7, 1940.
Labing dalawang (12) natatanging San Pableno mula sa ibat-ibang field of
expertise or category ang kikilalanin at gagawaran ng parangal. Sila ay sina
Gng. Madeline P. Rivera, Teacher IV ng San Pablo Central School sa Education
Category; si Gng. Dolores M. Torres, Vice-Chairman of the Board/Senior
Management Adviser, CARD Bank, Inc. sa Banking and Finance Category; Atty.
Katherine C. Agapay, Vice Governor of Laguna sa Government Service
Category; G. Warlito B. Ballaran, Water Color (Forte) Painter sa Culture and Arts
Category; Dr. Ernelea R. Palo-Cao ng Institute of Biology, College of Science,
UP Dilliman sa Science and Technology Category; Atty. Bienvenido V. Reyes,
retired RTC Executive Judge and Dean of College of Law sa Law Category;, Bb.
Nenita Y. Fundan, Proprietor, Maligaya Bakery sa Business and Industry
Category; G. Eduardo G. Lim, Businessman/Civic Leader sa Civic and
Humanitarian Category; Dr. Armando T. Reyes, General Clinician and Proprietor,
Immaculate Concepcion Hospital sa Health Services Category; Gng. Cristina C.
Abrego, Pangulo, FARMC Federation sa Agriculture Category; G. Samuel C.
Madriaga, Youth Leader at San Pablo City Science High School sa Youth
Category; at Gng. Cynthia Alcantara-Barker, a Council Member at Elstree and
Borehamwood Borough in NorthWest London sa Countryside Development
Category.
Ang mga nabanggit na awardees ay sumailalim sa pagpili ng Selection and
Awards Committee na kinabibilangan nina Councilor Arnel C. Ticzon, Head
Executive Assistant Paul Michael M. Cuadra, City Schools Superintendent Susan
dL. Oribiana, Historical Society Executive Director Lerma S. Prudente, Assistant
City Tourism Officer Ma. Donnalyn E. Brinas-Eseo, City PESO Manager
Melinda P. Bondad, at Newsweekly Editor Ruben E. Taningco. (CIO-San Pablo)

Ang Selection and Awards Committee

Mayo 2, 2017