PART 12 THE LLAMAS FAMILY OF LAGUNA
PART 12 SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT THE LLAMAS FAMILY OF THE PHILIPPINES BY: DEO ANTONIO D. LLAMAS
THE LLAMAS FAMILY OF LAGUNA
This is an excerpts from the book of the foremost Philippine historian Dr. Gregorio Zaide...Pagsanjan, in History and Legend (1975 Edition )
This is bulleted item taken from the excerpts:
The greatest calamity that befell Pagsanjan during the last decade of Spain's rule was the so-called: "Great Fire of 1893." A few days after the "Great Fire", some bold illustrados of Pagsanjan sent a written petition to Governor General Ramon Blanco (1893-96) denouncing Padre Tapetado and requesting his transfer to another parish. They were Jose Unson, Elias Lavadia, Mariano Llamas, and Roman Abaya.
American occupation: In 1903, two young Pagsanjeños, Timoteo Abaya and Genoveva Llamas (sister of Dr. Rosendo Llamas) , were chosen to be among the first 100 Filipino "pensionados" to study in the colleges and universities of the United States. Ms. Llamas specialized in home economics and was the first teacher of home economics in Laguna. She died an old maid.
The first Pagsanjeña to win national distinction for her beauty was Virginia Llamas, the Queen of Manila Carnival in 1922.
Dr. Rosendo Llamas (distinguished obstetrician), was one of those people who helped in the restoration of Pagsanjan's church, the sanctuary of the town's patroness, Our Lady of Guadalupe.
In December 1947 certain changes were made in the line-up of municipal councilors. Three new designated municipal councilors, Mr. Antonio Alvarado, Mr. Cornelio Oliveros, and Mr. Herminio Llamas, replaced Mr. Pio Caballes, Mr. Pablo del Mundo, and Mr. Sancho Zalamea, Jr.
The majority of the candidates elected in Pagsanjan on November 8, 1947 were Nacionalistas. The Liberals won only three seats in the Municipal Council -- Dr. Felix G. Yan, Mr. Vicente Llamas, Jr. (brother of VLR?), and Mr. Ricardo Fabella.
Councilor Vicente Llamas died in January 1950, and was replaced by his widow, Mrs. Cristeta Pacheco Llamas. In July of the same year Mrs. Llamas resigned because she transferred her permanent residence to Quezon City.
Many Pagsanjeños, as officers and soldiers of the USAFFE, bravely resisted the enemy at the bloody battlefields of Atimonan, Mauban, Bataan, and Corregidor. Among those who survived the war were Colonel Victor Gomez, Cipriano Ramiro, Salvador Ramiro, Atty. Jose Guevara, Dr, Ildefonso Gomez, Dr. David Cabreira, Dr. Augusto Hocson, Fidel Llamas, Luis Rivera, Elias Lavadia and Remo Lavadia.
Of the 1,400 towns in the Philippines, Pagsanjan is the only one to have produced six army generals and one navy commodore. First among those army generals was General Severino Taiño of revolutionary fame. The other five Pagsanjeño generals after Taiño are Lieutenant General Manuel Yan, who retired as Chief of Staff of the Philippine Armed Forces and has become Philippine ambassador to Thailand, and the four: Brigadier General Fidel Llamas, Brigadier General Elias Lavadia, Brigadier General Cipriano Ramiro, and Brigadier General Luis (Bobby) Rivera.
The lone navy commodore from Pagsanjan is Commodore Remo Lavadia, brother of Brigadier General Elias Lavadia. The rank of commodore in the navy is equivalent to brigadier general in the army. Thus it may be said, in the final analysis, that Pagsanjan has produced a total of seven generals, including Commodore Lavadia.
Pagsanjeños in Education: Pedro Llamas, founder of Pagsanjan Academy.
Pagsanjeños in Music: The only Pagsanjeño pianist which has achieved international celebrity as a piano virtuoso, composer, and music teacher is Professor Calixto R. Llamas (brother of v) who resided permanently in San Francisco, California.
Oro Llamas, an accomplished pianist, he has been hailed in the Philippines and abroad as a violin virtuoso. He was the violin soloist of Manila Symphony Orchestra.
Pagsanjeños in World Science: (aside from Dr. Rosendo Llamas) first Pagsanjeño dentist was Dr. Antonio Llamas, Sr. The first Pagsanjeña to achieve distinction in science is Mrs. Carmen Llamas Intengan, a nationally known authority on nutrition. She was a recipient of the Presidential Award on Science in 1968. Escolastico (Tico) Lavadia Fernandez, former civil engineer of the city of Manila.
Pagsanjeños in Government Service: Pelagio Llamas, Philippine ambassador and head of the Philippine Consulate General in New Orleans.
The first of these six Pagsanjeños who became a provincial treasurer was Catalino Lavadia, elder brother of Municipal President Pedro Lavadia and uncle of the Lavadia brothers (Brigadier General Elias Lavadia and Commodore Remo Lavadia). He served as provincial treasurer of Isabela.
Pagsanjeños in Philantrophy: Dr. Rosendo Llamas and wife Doña Guida Hocson. Mrs. Maria Abanilla Llamas generously gave to the Municipality of Pagsanjan a piece of her land for needed extension of Crisostomo Street.
Pagsanjeños inSocial Work and Community Development: Mrs. Remedios Rivera Llamas, president of the Laguna Rural Improvement Club; Mr. Antonio Llamas, teacher and one of the founders of the Maulawin Barangay High School
We hope this will help.
xt excerpts from the book:
PAGSANJAN, In History and Legend
(1975 Edition)
By Dr. Gregorio F. Zaide
CHAPTER 5
THE PAGEANT OF PAGSANJAN HISTORY
Like a golden thread which is woven into a gorgeous tapestry, the saga of the mini-town of Pagsanjan is a part of the grander pageant of Philippine history. In both war and peace since it appeared in history's limelight, its gifted people have played a notable role in the written annals of the Filipino nation.
The Origin of Pagsanjan
Pagsanjan first loomed in history as a barrio of Lumban, a town founded in 1578 by the famous Fray Juan de la Plasencia, Franciscan missionary-historian. The other barrios were Longos (now Kalayaan), Paete, Pakil, Cavinti, and Santa Cruz. The first settlers of Pagsanjan were eight Christian Chinese and Japanese traders named Diego Changco, Alfonso Changco, Mateo Caco, Jose Jegote, Juan Juco, Diego Suico, Marcos Suico, and Eugenio Vinco. Highly impressed by the strategic location of the barrio at the juncture of two rivers, they established their trading settlement and engaged in betel-nut industry.
Because they had no wives, they married the daughters of the native families. Out of these interracial marriages sprang the first Sangley mestizos and mestizas of Pagsanjan. It should be noted that the Spanish colonizers called the Chinese Sangley, which term originated from the Chinese word shang-lu, meaning "traveling merchant." In due time, lured by the burgeoning prosperity of the settlement, many native families from the surrounding communities (Lumban, Cavinti, Santa Cruz, and Pila) migrated to the barrio. Also more Chinese, in search of greener pastures, came and married the native women. Throughout the ebb and flow of time Pagsanjan became a flourishing trading center of Eastern Laguna.
The Great Fire of 1893
The greatest calamity that befell Pagsanjan during the last decade of Spain's rule was the so-called :Great Fire of 1893." To Pagsanjeños, this was a horrendous calamity, just as the Great Fire of Rome in A.D. 64 was to the Romans. Until the present day (1970's) the old folks in town, who were eyewitness to the conflagration, still remember this terrible episode.
On the windy evening of January 28, 1893, as most of the town people were sleeping, a fire suddenly blazed in a nipa hut near the plaza. Because many residential houses around the plaza then were made of nipa and bamboo, the fir quickly gutted them, and fanned by the winds, it whirled with roaring velocity westward along two parallel streets -- Calle Real (now Rizal Street) and Calle San Isidro (now Mabini Street) -- reducing their houses to ashes.
All the houses from the plaza to the compound of Don Vicente Llamas on Calle Real were completely razed to the ground. The high adobe walls on Don Vicente's home finally stopped the destructive conflagration. On the San Isidro Street, the damage was equally appalling. All the houses (except the stone house of Don Pedro Rosales) on the hilly side of San Isidro Street were burned to ashes.
To prevent the repetition of the "Great Fire of 1893", the municipal authorities prohibited the construction of nipa houses on Calle Real and around the plaza. They also established the ronda which was the nightly patrol of citizen volunteers so that in case of fire they could promptly put it out or give immediate warning to the sleeping town folks.
It is interesting to note that the Pagsanjeños blamed their hated parish priest, Fr. Marcelino Tapetado, for the devastating fire for two reasons: (1) he did not show any sorrow at the tragic losses of the fire victims, and (2) the fire originated at the house of his favorite sacristan.
A few days after the "Great Fire", some bold illustrados of Pagsanjan sent a written petition to Governor General Ramon Blanco (1893-96) denouncing Padre Tapetado and requesting his transfer to another parish. They were Jose Unson, Elias Lavadia, Mariano Llamas, and Roman Abaya.
The governor general, being ignorant of the local situation, endorsed the petition to Padre Tapetado. The latter, in retaliation, denounced the authors of the petition as filibusteros, enemies of God and Spain. Since the word of the fraile (friar) during the Spanish regime was accepted as "gospel truth" by the government authorities, the four brave illustrados were soon wanted by the Guardia Civil, Lavadia and Llamas were caught and were sent into exile. their comrades, Unson and Abaya, were
Early Years of American Occupation
After the downfall of the First Philippine Republic (1899-1901), the people pf Pagsanjan accepted Pax Americana. By cooperating with the American authorities and rehabilitating their war-ravaged country, they hoped to regain someday in the arena of peace their nation's independence which was lost in the arena of war. But first, they must rebuild their ruined country out of the ashes of a lost libertarian struggle (1896-1902) and prepare themselves, politically and socially, to be worthy of independence, as their great fellow Lagunense hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, wrote in his immortal writings. Accordingly, they welcomed the new political and educational changes introduced by the United States.
On June 19, 1901, the new municipal government was established in Pagsanjan by the Second Philippine Commission headed by Judge William H. Taft. For lack of time and facilities, the first municipal president named Prudencio Francia was appointed and installed into office. On March 2, 1903, the first official census under the American rule was taken throughout the Philippines to prepare the people for the coming local and national elections. This census showed that the total population of Pagsanjan was 6,361.
The first local election by means of secret ballot was held in Pagsanjan in November 1903. A young illustrado, Roman Abaya, won at the polls, thereby becoming the first elected president of the town. One of the eight elected councilors was Crispin Oben, a young promising lawyer.
Coincident with the introduction of the democratic local government, the free public elementary school, with English as the medium of instruction, was opened in the town in 1903. The first teachers were American soldiers who laid their guns and taught the children the rudiments of the English language. A night school was also opened for the adults (including municipal officials and employees, policemen, and barrio officials). In the same year (1903) two young Pagsanjeños, Timoteo Abaya and Genoveva Llamas, were chosen to be among the first 100 Filipino "pensionados" to study in the colleges and universities of the United States.
In 1903, the first provincial high school, called Laguna High School, was established in Pagsanjan. It was housed at the municipal building until 1911 when it was transferred to Santa Cruz. The first American teachers who were assigned to teach in the Laguna High School were dedicated educators, to whom truly belongs the glory of having brought the torch of American democracy and the English language to our shores. Speaking of them, Dr, Narciso Cordero, Jr., an eye-witness of the early years of the American regime, wrote:
"The American teachers stationed in Pagsanjan were as much a source of curiosity to the town folks as we have been to them. They had volunteered their services with a mixed spirit of adventure and missionary zeal to help "civilize a backward people." It just happened that Pagsanjan at that time boasted of a high degree of culture and had a high percentage of illustrados, steeped in Victorian mores of conduct.
These were critical of some of the American teachers, who dressed shabbily, walked about in the streets munching bananas like children; sat on chair with feet crossed on their knees; and had dirty fingernails.....However, all of them made themselves pleasant to the town people. One in particular, Shirley E. Robert, is especially remembered by old-timers. He was a Harvard graduate, with a distinct Harvard accent, and spoke English fluently."
Two non-Pagsanjeños who studied at the Laguna High School in Pagsanjan rose to fame in later years. The first was Basilio J. Valdez from Manila, who later finished medicine at the University of Santo Thomas, served as medical officer in the French Army during World War I (1914-18), and became a member of President Quezon's War Cabinet during World War II (1938-45). the second was Leopoldo B. Uichanco from Calamba, who became a distinguished scientist and Dean of the U.P. College of Agriculture in Los Baños.
Aside from propagating the English language, the American teachers (college graduates as well as ex-soldiers) introduced in Pagsanjan the American games (baseball, volleyball, swimming, etc.); Yankee music and songs; and the American customs (Halloween, Christmas caroling, exchange of Christmas cards, etc.).
In less than a decade the Pagsanjeños, because of their high intelligence, came to assimilate the English language and the American culture. In 1907 the youthful lawyer and former councilor, Crispin Oben, who learned the English language from an ex-American soldier, was elected to the First Philippine Assembly, representing the Second District of Laguna.
He was the first Pagsanjeño to sit in the legislative body of our nation. In subsequent years other Pagsanjeños were elected to the House of Representatives, Philippine Legislature, under the Jones Law of 1916, namely Eulogio Benitez and Aurelio Palileo, both lawyers.
On July 4, 1946, the Republic of the Philippines was inaugurated with colorful ceremonies at Luneta, Manila. This historic ceremonies were highlighted by the lowering of the American flag and the raising of the Philippine flag, symbolic of the end of American rule in the Philippines and the birth of the Philippine Republic.
This republic, historically speaking, is the Third Philippine Republic to emerge in history's limelight. The first was the Malolos Republic (1899-1901); and the second, the Japanese-sponsored Republic of the Philippines (1943-1945).
During the three decades of our Republic, the blowing winds of change swept the town of Pagsanjan, bringing portentous events which shaped the contemporary history of the town.
Exodus of Pagsanjan Families to Greater Manila
Because of the destruction of their ancestral homes in Pagsanjan and the threat of the Huk movement in the towns and barrios of Laguna province, many Pagsanjeño families evacuated their native town and lived permanently in the Greater Manila area. This exodus of Pagsanjeño families was an irreparable loss to the town because they mostly represented the elite of the local population. Most of them were the rich landlords and the talented intellectuals.
A few prominent families noted for their lineage and inherited wealth, however, remained in town and cooperated with the common people in the rebuilding of their ruined town. The rich Pagsanjeño families who left the town resided in Manila, Pasay, Makati, Caloocan City, and San Juan, where they built their homes and reared their families. Some of them sold out their ancestral residential lots in Pagsanjan, for they had no intention of restoring their old homes in town. They became absentee landlords, for they simply employed some persons called encargados to manage their family rice farms and coconut plantations.
Although they lived far from their town, these migrant Pagsanjeños cherished in their hearts an eternal affection for the town where they were born. Those who possessed God-given talents achieved distinction in arts and sciences, in politics and diplomacy, in business and banking, and in other professions. Their achievements, of course, enhanced the celebration of the town fiesta (December 12th), Christmas season, All Saint's Day,Flores de Mayo, and Santacruzan, they try their best to visit childhood friends.
To the credit of these Pagsanjeños or descendants of Pagsanjeño parents, it must be said that whenever their financial or moral support is needed by their town for any community project, for beautification program, or for the annual fiesta of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Patroness of Pagsanjan), they gladly give it. For instance, the historic stone town gate, one of the historical relics of Pagsanjan, was finally restored to its former colonial condition in May, 1975, because of the funds generously contributed by the Pagsanjeños in Greater Manila. The municipal government could not do it for lack of funds.
Aside from giving financial assistance to the town, the prominent Pagsanjeños in Greater Manila help many of their jobless kababayan (townmates) secure employment in the national government, in private schools and colleges, and in commercial firms. So it can be said that no matter how far-away the Pagsanjeños live, their hearts are in Pagsanjan.
Re-Establishment of the Municipal Government
Soon after the liberation of Pagsanjan, the municipal government was re-established. Pursuant to the orders of the Commonwealth Government which was restored at Malacañan on February 27, 1945 under President Sergio Osmeña, the following local officials constituted the Municipal Council: Mr. Emilio Aquino, municipal mayor; Dr. Casimiro Garcia, vice-mayor; and Dr. Mariano Z. Macalalag, Dr. Felix G. Yan, Dr. Zosimo Fernandez, Mr. Pio Caballes, Mr. Restituto Caballes, Mr. Guillermo Limlengco, Mr. Pable del Mundo, and Mr. Sancho Zalamea, Jr., as councilors. The municipal secretary was Mr. Primitivo Cabreza.
Because the municipal building was destroyed during the war, the Municipal Council held its sessions at the old house belonging to the heirs of Don Crispin Oben. This was located at the corner of Rizal Street and Santiago Hocson Street.
In December 1947 certain changes were made in the line-up of municipal councilors. Three new designated municipal councilors, Mr. Antonio Alvarado, Mr. Cornelio Oliveros, and Mr. Herminio Llamas, replaced Mr. Pio Caballes, Mr. Pablo del Mundo, and Mr. Sancho Zalamea, Jr.
Continue Chapter 6, Page 2 >>
First Elections Under the Republic
The first local elections under the newly born Republic of the Philippines were held throughout the Philippines on November 8, 1947. In Pagsanjan the two rival political parties -- Liberal Party and Nacionalista Party -- presented their official candidates for local positions. The LP candidates wereAtty. Alberto Crisostomo for municipal mayor, Dr. Casimiro Garcia, vice-mayor; while the NP candidates were Don Manuel Soriano for mayor and Dr. Quintin Cabrera, vice-mayor. The independent-minded citizens, who were disenchanted with both political parties, drafted their own candidates, namely, Mr. Rosalio Abary, a peasant leader, for municipal mayor, and Dr. Gregorio F. Zaide, historian and university professor, for councilor.
The majority of the candidates elected in Pagsanjan on November 8, 1947 were Nacionalistas. They were Don Manuel Soriano (municipal mayor), Dr. Quintin Cabrera (vice-mayor), and four NP councilors -- Dr. Mariano Z. Macalalag, Mr. Restituto Caballes, Mr. Gerardo Abanilla, and Mr. Zosimo Maceda. The Liberals won only three seats in the Municipal Council -- Dr. Felix G. Yan, Mr. Vicente Llamas, Jr., and Mr. Ricardo Fabella. They obtained the last three places of the eight seats in the Municipal Council. Dr. Gegorio F. Zaide, the only independent candidate to win was elected No. 1 councilor, having garnered the greatest number of votes cast for the councilors.
In the subsequent times certain changes were made in the Municipal Council due to the resignation or death of some members. In February 1948 Mr. Gerardo Abanilla resigned to accept a teaching job at the University of the East in Manila, and was succeeded by Mr. Guillermo Limlengco.Councilor Vicente Llamas died in January 1950, and was replaced by his widow, Mrs. Cristeta Pacheco Llamas. In July of the same year Mrs. Llamas resigned because she transferred her permanent residence to Quezon City, and was succeeded.
Restoration of the Historic Town Gate
One of the historical relics and tourist attractions of Pagsanjan is the historic town gate which stands at the western entrance of the town. It was built in 1878-1880 by the Pagsanjeño polistas (under the supervision of Fray Cipriano Bac, Franciscan cura) of natural adobe stones welded together by lime and carabao milk. On top of the triple-arched gate was Spain's royal coat-of-arms in gold and yellow colors guarded by two red Castillan lions.
The old town gate has survived the changing epochs of Pagsanjan's history. During the Spanish and American periods, it was known as thePuerta Real (Royal Gate) and the street passing through it, Calle Real (Royal Road). It is now called Rizal Street in honor of our country's national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.
After the liberation of Pagsanjan from the Japanese, the municipal authorities who had no sense of history and had never seen the historic monuments in foreign countries unfortunately bastardized the historic gate by having it painted in gaudy pink color, including the royal coat-of-arms and the two lions, so that it came to appear like a modern gate of a noisy carnival city or like an old woman, whose wrinkled face is vulgarly covered with a heavy make-up. To add injury to insult, the word "PAGSANJAN" on the upper part of the gate's western facade and the date of its construction 1878-1880 below it, were erased and replaced by the English word of greeting "WELCOME", and on the eastern side of the facade was inscribed in ungrammatical English the words "THANK U, COME AGAIN."
To right the wrong done to the old historic town gate, Dr. Gregorio F. Zaide, the historian-mayor of the town, launched a cultural crusade to restore it to its original condition in order to revive and preserve the aura and nostalgic memories of its golden past. Undaunted by the paucity of municipal funds, he sought the financial aid of the affluent and civic-spirited Pagsanjeños in Greater manila. These out-of-town Pagsanjeños generously furnished the needed funds amounting to P5,000 (five thousand pesos). After obtaining the necessary permission of the National Historic Institute in Manila, the restoration work on the town gate started under the supervision of Engineer Tito Rivera.
Upon completion of the work on May 25, 1975, a large copper plaque was installed on the wall of the first arch. This plaque contains the names of the generous donors, as follows:
1. Ambassador & Mrs. Gregorio Abad
2. Mr. & Mrs. Cesar C. Abaya
3. Mr. & Mrs. Jose R. Cosme
4. Mr. & Mrs. Armando de la Cruz
5. Hon. & Mrs. Armand V. Fabella
6. Justice & Mrs. Estanislao A. Fernandez
7. Dr. & Mrs. Casimiro C. Garcia, Jr.
8. Dr. & Mrs. Augusto E. Hocson
9. Gov. & Mrs. Caesar Z. Lanuza
10. Gen & Mrs. Elias G. Lavadia
11. Dr. & Mrs. Rosendo R. Llamas
12. Dr. & Mrs. Eufemio Macalalag, Jr.
13. Dr. & Mrs. Jose Mananzan
14. Mr. & Mrs. Aquilino Soriano
15. Dr. & Mrs. Gregorio F. Zaide
16. Hon. & Mrs. Cesar C. Zalamea
To these civic-spirited Pagsanjeños, who kindly financed the restoration of the historic town gate, the municipal government and people of Pagsanjan owe a lasting debt of gratitude.
The Pagsanjan in World War II
During the Second World War the Pagsanjeños demonstrated their courage, patriotism, and fighting spirit. As soldiers, guerillas, and civilians, they fought well for freedom and democracy against the Japanese invaders.
Many Pagsanjeños, as officers and soldiers of the USAFFE, bravely resisted the enemy at the bloody battlefields of Atimonan, Mauban, Bataan, and Corregidor. Among those who survived the war were Colonel Victor Gomez, Cipriano Ramiro, Salvador Ramiro, Atty. Jose Guevara, Dr, Ildefonso Gomez, Dr. David Cabreira, Dr. Augusto Hocson, Fidel Llamas, Luis Rivera, Elias Lavadia and Remo Lavadia.
After the fall of Bataan and Corregidor, the Pagsanjeños launched a guerilla war against the Japanese conquerors. Pagsanjan became a secret center of guerilla activities. Numerous citizens in town supported the guerillas at the risk of their lives. Among them were Emilio Aquino, municipal mayor; Manuel Soriano, who later succeeded Aquino as municipal mayor; Dr. Antonio Gomez, physician and rich landlord; Eriberto Gomez, businessman; Pedro Pablo, high school teacher; Pio Caballes and Emilio Gomez, businessmen; Dr. Salvador Umale, dentist; and Salvador Unson, landlord and professor.
Many Pagsanjeño guerillas suffered imprisonment, torture, and death for freedom's sake. Outstanding among them was Cipriano Zaguirre, former town presidente and local commander of the Fil-American guerillas. He was taken prisoner by the Japanese who tortured him for several days, and, finally executed him on the night of August 25, 1942. By sacrificing his life for the cause of freedom and democracy, he deserves to be accoladed as Pagsanjan's guerilla hero. In recognition of his heroism the grateful municipal government named a public square "Plaza Zaguirre" after him, at the center of which now stands his life-size monument.
Many Pagsanjeño guerillas and their civilian supporters also lost their lives during the war. They were like-wise tortured and executed by the brutal Japanese soldiers. Among them were Dr. Antonio Gomez, Vicente Santos, William Labit, Jorge Gallardo, Paulino Cataluña, and James Reyes.
A Town of Six Generals and A Commodore
Of the 1,400 towns in the Philippines, Pagsanjan is the only one to have produced six army generals and one navy commodore. First among those army generals was General Severino Taiño of revolutionary fame, in whose honor has been named a town street leading to the town of Lumban. He fought valiantly against the Spanish troops and, with General Paciano Rizal's cooperation, liberated Santa Cruz, Laguna on August 31, 1898.
The other five Pagsanjeño generals after Taiño are Lieutenant General Manuel Yan, who retired as Chief of Staff of the Philippine Armed Forces and has become Philippine ambassador to Thailand, and the four: Brigadier General Fidel Llamas, Brigadier General Elias Lavadia, Brigadier General Cipriano Ramiro, and Brigadier General Luis (Bobby) Rivera.
Of the six Pagsanjeño generals, only one died in combat. He was Brigadier General Ramiro, who perished in a helicopter crash in Barrio La Union, Castilla, Sorsogon Province on June 30, 1973 while campaigning against dissidents.
The lone navy commodore from Pagsanjan is Commodore Remo Lavadia, brother of Brigadier General Elias Lavadia. The rank of commodore in the navy is equivalent to brigadier general in the army. Thus it may be said, in the final analysis, that Pagsanjan has produced a total of seven generals (including Commodore Lavadia) -- a proud record indeed for a little town.
This record is unsurpassed by any other town not only in the Philippines but also in other countries of the world. Its uniqueness is enhanced by the fact that two of seven Pagsanjeño generals are brothers --Elias and Remo Lavadia.
Prominent Pagsanjeños in Education
Pagsanjan has produced many distinguished teachers and educators. At least five Pagsanjeño teachers achieved distinction during the last years of Spanish rule and the first decades of American occupation, namely, Santiago Hocson, Graciano Cordero, Gervacio Unson, Felipa Fernandez, and Genoveva Llamas.
Santiago Hocson, after graduation from the Escuela Normal Superior in Manila, taught in Lumban and later in Pagsanjan, after which he served as the last gobernadorcillo of his native town. Don Graciano Cordero, a graduate of the College of San Juan de Letran and former member of the Malolos Congress, taught Latin and Spanish to young boys to prepare them for college studies. Don Gervasio Unson, a graduate of the famous Escuela Normal Superior, acquired distinction as a maestro in Laguna and later in Tayabas (Quezon Province), where he married and resided permanently.
(Note: According to descendants of Gervasio and Maria Cabreza Unson, they were married in Pagsanjan, Laguna on February 20, 1879 before moving to Lucena, Tayabas where they resided permanently. See Unson Family Website).
The first two famous Pagsanjeña maestra were Miss Felipa Fernandez and Miss Genoveva Llamas. Miss Fernandez was well-known as a strict and learned teacher in Manila. One of her brightest student was Librada Avelino, who became famous as the founder and first president of Centro Escolar de Señoritas.
Miss Llamas, a sister of Dr. Rosendo R. Llamas, was the first Pagsanjeña pensionada (1903) to the United States where she specialized in home economics. As a matter of fact, she was the first teacher of home economics in Laguna. Like Miss Felipa Fernandez, she died as an old maid. Because of her dedication to the teaching profession, she had simply no time for romance.
In subsequent years more Pagsanjeños gained prominence in the field of education. Among them maybe mentioned Mr. Timoteo Abaya, a 1903 government pensionado to the United States who became the first Pagsanjeño to become academic supervisor of Laguna; Dr. Francisco Benitez, an eminent educator and first Dean of the U.P. College of Education; Dean Conrado Benitez, founder of the U.P. College of Business Administration and great professor of economics; Helen Z. Benitez, (daughter of Dean Conrado Benitez) became President of the Philippine Women's University.
Don Vicente Fabella, founder of the Jose Rizal College; Sor Josefa Soriano of the Sisters of Charity, founder of the Escuela de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe in Pagsanjan; Professor Luis Rivera (1887-1921), first Filipino instructor in Sociology at the University of the Philippines; Professor Jose Abanilla and Professor Salvador Unson, both professors of Economics at the Far Eastern University;Professor Arturo Guerrero, president of the Trinity College (Quezon City), and Pedro Llamas, founder of Pagsanjan Academy.
One of the great elementary school teachers ever produced by Pagsanjan is Mrs. Narcisa Abella Fabella. She was a dedicated teacher with a heart of gold
Gifted Pagsanjeños in Music
Music, like literature, is in the blood of the Pagsanjeños. It is interesting to that during Dr. Rizal's time the Banda Pagsanjan, owned by a Pagsanjeño government clerk named Señor Guevara, was famously known in Laguna and surrounding provinces. Rizal, in his Noli Me Tangere, mentioned this band as one of the music bands which played in the town fiesta of San Diego (Calamba).
During prewar years, Pagsanjan daily throbbed to the sound of music. Almost every affluent home in town had a piano which was then a status symbol, Even in the homes of poor families could be seen certain musical instruments, particularly the guitar. It was customary for Pagsanjeño children to study music. For, according to Pagsanjan tradition, no education is complete without music.
The most outstanding pianist in Pagsanjan during the early years of the American period was Consuelo Zaide. Aside from her virtuosity as a pianist, she was a prominent music teacher not only in Laguna but also in Manila, Batangas, and Tayabas (Quezon Province).
The only Pagsanjeño pianist which has achieved international celebrity as a piano virtuoso, composer, and music teacher is Professor Calixto R. Llamas who resided permanently in San Francisco, California. He is a brother of Dr. Rosendo R. Llamas.
Other good pianists among Pagsanjeños are Miss Corazon Maceda, Dean of the Conservatory of Music of the Philippine Women's University; Rafael F. Zaide, former pianist on board the trans-Pacific Empress of Russia and in Macao's night clubs who later joined the diplomatic service of our Republic; Mrs. Rosario Cosme Bernardo, accomplished lady pianist and her daughter Mrs. Rosario Bernardo Sison (music teacher in Manila); Sor Rosa Soriano, former student of the famous Sor Battig of the Conservatory of Music, St. Escolastica College; and Mrs. Conrada Cosme Yaneza, gifted pianist and music teacher.
Most outstanding of the many good violinists produced by Pagsanjan is Sergio Esmilla, Jr. A talented son of Judge Sergio Esmilla, Sr., and Oro Llamas (an accomplished pianist), he has been hailed in the Philippines and abroad as a violin virtuoso. He was the violin soloist of Manila Symphony Orchestra.
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Pagsanjeños in World of Science
The first Pagsanjeño to practice medicine in town was Dr. Narciso Cordero, Sr., a graduate of the UST College of Medicine and Surgery. He rose to prominence during the early years of the American regime. After him, came other Pagsanjeño doctors, namely Dr. Dolores Zafra, first lady physician of Pagsanjan; Dr. Rosendo R. Llamas, distinguished obstetrician; Dr. Zosimo Fernandez, successful general practitioner in Laguna;Dr. Ramon Abarquez, Jr., heart specialist; Dr. Sixto Maceda, gynecologist; Dr. Pedro Lavadia, surgeon; Dr. Zozimo (Boy) Fernandez, Jr., internal medicine; Dr. Gracia Fernandez Ramos, pediatrician; Dr. Eufemio Macalalag, Jr., urologist; Dr. Jaime C. Zaguirre, brain surgeon, famous psychiatrist; Dr. Ildefonzo Gomez, therapeutist; and Dr. Cipriano Abaya, former director of the provincial hospitals in Vigan and Bacolod.
A Pagsanjeño physician who has attracted international attention is Dr. August E. Hocson, chief flight surgeon of the Philippine Airlines (PAL) and a retired surgeon general of the Armed Forces of the Philippines with the military rank of colonel. He represented the Philippines in the 21st International Congress of Aviation and Space Medicine at Munich, West Germany.
The first Pagsanjeño dentist was Dr. Antonio Llamas, Sr. After him, appeared other dental graduates from Pagsanjan, such as Dr. Concita Cabreza Zalamea, first Pagsanjeña dentist, who is still practicing her profession as lady dentist at the FEU Dental Clinic; Dr. Mariano Macalalag, former vice-mayor of Pagsanjan; Dr. Salvador Umale, former municipal councilor of Pagsanjan, and Dr. Felix Yan, also a former municipal councilor and is now practicing his dental profession in Manila.
The first Pagsanjeño to become a pharmacist was Exequiel Zaide, a graduate of UST College of Pharmacy. After graduation in 1905, he worked for some years as assistant pharmacist at Botica Boie in Escolta Manila. He returned to Pagsanjan in 1911 and established "Farmacia Zaide", the first drug store in town.
Of international prestige as a scientist was Dr. Felix Hocson, former dean of the U.P. College of Pharmacy and member of the National Research Council of the Philippines. He represented the Philippines in the United States Pharmacopoeial Convention held in Washington, D.C., in 1940.
Other pharmacists produced by Pagsanjan are the Cordero sisters: Elisa Cordero Rivera, wife of Godofredo Rivera, and Pacita Cordero Galian, wife of Dr. Galian; Mrs. Consuelo Francia Unson (widow of Salvador Unson); Mr. Eriberto Rivera, chief pharmacist of Metro Drug (Manila); Mrs. Maria Aquino, who is also a fine singer.
The pioneer nurses from Pagsanjan are Miss Asuncion Alvarado, Mrs. Timotea F. Fernandez (widow of Dr. Zosimo Fernandez), Mrs. Cornelia Bermudez Maceda, and Mrs. Inocencia Zaide Gatchalian. They were all graduate of the School of Nursing of St. Luke Hospital (Manila). After them, many Pagsanjeñas took up nursing because of the great demand for nurses in the United States, Canada, England, Holland, and other foreign countries.
The first Pagsanjeña to achieve distinction in science is Mrs. Carmen Llamas Intengan, a nationally known authority on nutrition. She was a recipient of the Presidential Award on Science in 1968.
Pagsanjan has produced many good engineers. Among them may be mentioned German Yia, a mechanical engineer who became a ranking officer of the well known Atlantic Gulf Company; Gonzalo Abaya, distinguished electrical engineer in Manila; his younger brothers Angel Abayaand Alberto Abaya, both civil engineers; Ramon Abarquez, Sr., mining engineer who had been connected with the Bureau of Mines; Leopoldo Abad, a retired electrical engineer of the MERALCO; Escolastico (Tico) Lavadia Fernandez, former civil engineer of the city of Manila; Serafin Limuaco, civil engineer and contractor of public works in Manila and the provinces; Ramon Mijares, Jr., civil engineer who had built the water system in the city of Brunei and now practicing his profession in Pagsanjan; and Tito Rivera, civil engineer and popular contractor of public works in Laguna.
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Pagsanjeños in Government Service
Many Pagsanjeños have risen to prominence in government service. Most outstanding was Dr. Jose Fabella, Secretary of Health and Social Welfare under President Manuel L. Quezon.
Other Pagsanjeños who have achieved distinction in government service are General Manuel Yan, former AFP Chief of Staff and Philippine Ambassador to Thailand; Cesar Z. Lanuza, former head of the Philippine Reparation Mission in Tokyo with diplomatic rank of Minister and a member of the Board of Investments; Pelagio Llamas, Philippine ambassador and head of the Philippine Consulate General in New Orleans.
Atty. Selby Abaquin, former ambassador to Brunei and Indonesia; Dean Ramon Oben, former Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue; Victor Z. Cabreza, retired Chief of the Administrative Services, of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR); Jose Cosme, Assistant Director of the BIR branch in Iloilo Province; Armand Fabella, Chairman of the Reorganization Commission of our Republic; Honesto G. Nicandro, one of the key officials of the Central bank; Judge Amador Gomez of the Court of First Instance in Cebu.
Judge Eduardo Abaya of the Court of First Instance in Batangas; Julio Francia, Sr., former city assessor of Manila; Jose Zaide, former press attache' of the Philippine embassies in san Francisco, Tokyo, Bonn (West Germany), and the Hague (Netherlands) and formerly detailed at the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong; Rafael F. Zaide, who served as cultural attache' in the Philippine embassies at Hong Kong, Seoul, Taipei, and Pnom Penh; and Salvador F. Zaide, chief of the Division of Publications, National Science Development Board.
On the level of local government, Dominador Labit has achieved distinction. A former public school teacher, he became administrative officer of the provincial government of Laguna. For his efficiency and devotion to public service, he was conferred the Distinguished Honor Award by the Civil Service Commission in 1969.
Prominent Pagsanjeños in Philantrophy
Some Pagsanjeños, who are rarely endowed by God with a civic conscience, generously gave substantial donations for the welfare of their natal town. Foremost among them are the many-splendored couple -- Dr. Rosendo R. Llamas and his wife Doña Guida Hocson. This couple financially supported the beautification of the town plaza and the reconstruction of the Catholic church.
Dr. Llamas donated part of his rice land for the extension of the Crisostomo Street and all his surgical instruments to the Pagsanjan Puericulture Center. Before his death in 1974, he donated P400,000 for construction of a building for the U.P. College of Medicine (his Alma Mater) and another sum of P200,000 as scholarship fund for indigent but bright medical students.
Doña Guida Llamas, from her personal funds, donated a P50,000 trust fund for the Pagsanjan Puericulture Center and a smaller amount for the restoration of the historic Town Gate to its original condition. It is interesting to recall that the National League of Puericulture Centers of the Philippines, in its Diamond Anniversary Convention (1973), conferred on Doña Guida Llamas the prestigious "Outstanding Humanitarian Diamond Award" in recognition of her humanitarian services.
The late Engineer German Yia, spending much of his time and personal funds, spearheaded the costly reconstruction of the town Catholic church which was woefully ravaged during the war. He also donated P250,000 for the construction of Research Center Building for the U.P. College of Engineering (his Alma Mater).
Two civic-spirited clans in Pagsanjan are the Lanuzas and the Yans.
The Lanuza clan, headed by Doña Julia Zaide Vda. de Lanuza, donated the carillon to the central elementary school of the town. Her son, Cesar Lanuza, donated a large piece of land which enabled Barrio Biñan to have a barrio elementary school. Through his efforts, when he was still the head of the Philippine Reparations Mission in Tokyo, the Municipality of Pagsanjan was able to acquire its fire-fighting equipment, including a big truck.
Other civic-spirited Pagsanjeños who generously gave donations for the welfare of their town are the following:
1. Don Pedro Unson, father of Professor Salvador Unson, donated a piece of land which enabled the children of Barrio Cabanbanan to have their own elementary school.
2. Mrs. Maria Abanilla Llamas generously gave to the Municipality of Pagsanjan a piece of her land for needed extension of Crisostomo Street.
3. Mr. Mauro Bernardo, former municipal councilor, donated his rice field in front of the cemetery to be used as a rotunda of the projected Crisostomo Street extension.
4. Doña Carmen Hocson Fernandez donated part of her land near the Town Gate which is now Zalamilla Street. She was the wife of Don Ramon Fernandez, former City Mayor of Manila and senator, and also the first Philippine Ambassador to the Court of St. James (London).
5. Mrs. Josefina Garcia Buenafe freely gave part of her coconut plantation near the railway station in Barrio Maulawin and is now Soriano Street.
6. Dr. Gregorio F. Zaide, who at the expiration of his term as municipal councilor of Pagsanjan (1947-1951) donated a piece of land near the Town Gate and this is now F. Zaide Street, named after his father, Francisco D. Zaide.
7. Pagsanjeños in Social Work and Community Development
8. During the glowing decades of the American regime, Doña Damiana Vda de Fabella emerged as the outstanding civic leader of Pagsanjan. A wealthy matron with a social conscience, she freely contributed her valuable time and funds to help the poor victims of fires and floods. In 1927 she founded the Puericulture Center of Pagsanjan and the Pagsanjan Women's Club.
After Doña Damiana's death, the torch of civic leadership was carried on by Miss Francisca T. Zaide, General Taiño's niece who later becameMrs. Luis Godoy. Under her presidency, the Pagsanjan Women's Club became the leading civic club in town because she rallied the young ladies, including college co-eds, and involved them in community welfare.
When World War II ended in 1945, Doña Salud Fabella Unson, a worthy daughter of Doña Damiana, took over the presidency of the Women's Club. She rehabilitated the Puericulture Center Building which was destroyed during the war and obtained relief goods from the United States for the destitute families of the town.
There are still many civic-spirited citizens in Pagsanjan who are concerned with social welfare and community development. Among them may be mentioned the following: Mrs. Consuelo F. Unson, patroness of humanitarian activities; Mrs. Solita B. Cabreza, past president of the Pagsanjan Women's Club; Mrs. Josefina Y. Benitez, president of the Women's Club; Mrs. Aida Fabiero Abaya, government expert in community development; Mr. Hernan Velasco, teacher and indefatigable leader in social work; Mrs. Adela Perez Abaya, president of Pagsanjan Beautification Committee.
Mrs. Remedios Rivera Llamas, president of the Laguna Rural Improvement Club; Mr. Antonio Llamas, teacher and one of the founders of the Maulawin Barangay High School; Mr. Eufemio Macalalag, Sr., active participant in socio-economic affairs; Mr. Antonio Rabago, former teacher and guerilla, municipal councilor, and tireless social worker; and Mr. and Mrs. Ricardo Fabella, active husband-and-wife tandem in barangay activities and scouting movement.
A Town of Beautiful Women
Until the present time Pagsanjan is famous for its beautiful women. According to local tradition, "a pretty girl is born yearly to every family in Pagsanjan, if such family is beholden to God."
The first Pagsanjan beauty to emerge in history was Josefa Sebastian Gomez, a daughter of one of the town's prominent families. It is said that when the newly appointed Spanish alcalde mayor named Don Jose Pelaez arrived in 1809 at Pagsanjan, which was then the capital of Laguna Province, he was given a bienvenida (welcome) party at the casa real (official residence of the alcalde mayor). Being a bachelor, he was fascinated to meet the local party belles. What particularly attracted him most was Señorita Josefa, whose alluring beauty captivated his Iberian heart.
In succeeding weeks, the young alcalde mayor wooed the beautiful señorita, finally winning her love. The next year (1810) they were married in the Catholic church amidst pageantric pomp and aplomb. Out of their wedlock was born a son named Pedro Pelaez, who was destined to become one of our nation's great men.
Dr. Jose Rizal, our national hero and a connoisieur of beautiful women, fell in love with a Pagsanjan beauty, Leonor Valenzuela, whom he affectionately called Orang. This lovely Pagsanjeña was a daughter of Capitan Juan and Capitana Senday of Pagsanjan. She was the first Leonor in Rizal's life, the second being Leonor Rivera.
The first Pagsanjeña to win national distinction for her beauty was Virginia Llamas
The Queen of Manila Carnival in 1922. Later she married her escort, Carlos P. Romulo, the world-famed journalist, diplomat, soldier and statesman.
The first Pagsanjeña to achieve international fame because of her beauty and charm is Maria Rita Santiago, the 1968 Queen of the Pacific. Her mother, Nida Rufino, is a pretty daughter of the Rufino family in Pagsanjan.
There are still many beautiful girls in the town. They are daughters of rich and poor families. Irrespective of their socio-economic status, they possess something in common -- beauty. It is regretful that they have not been given the opportunity to participate in national and international beauty contests because they are provincianas, without influential patrons and without proper connections to sponsor their entries to the nominating committees in Manila. It is a matter of truth that there are more girls with natural beauty and grace in the provincial towns than in Manila, Caloocan, Pasay, and other cities of our country.
THE LLAMAS FAMILY OF LAGUNA
This is an excerpts from the book of the foremost Philippine historian Dr. Gregorio Zaide...Pagsanjan, in History and Legend (1975 Edition )
This is bulleted item taken from the excerpts:
The greatest calamity that befell Pagsanjan during the last decade of Spain's rule was the so-called: "Great Fire of 1893." A few days after the "Great Fire", some bold illustrados of Pagsanjan sent a written petition to Governor General Ramon Blanco (1893-96) denouncing Padre Tapetado and requesting his transfer to another parish. They were Jose Unson, Elias Lavadia, Mariano Llamas, and Roman Abaya.
American occupation: In 1903, two young Pagsanjeños, Timoteo Abaya and Genoveva Llamas (sister of Dr. Rosendo Llamas) , were chosen to be among the first 100 Filipino "pensionados" to study in the colleges and universities of the United States. Ms. Llamas specialized in home economics and was the first teacher of home economics in Laguna. She died an old maid.
The first Pagsanjeña to win national distinction for her beauty was Virginia Llamas, the Queen of Manila Carnival in 1922.
Dr. Rosendo Llamas (distinguished obstetrician), was one of those people who helped in the restoration of Pagsanjan's church, the sanctuary of the town's patroness, Our Lady of Guadalupe.
In December 1947 certain changes were made in the line-up of municipal councilors. Three new designated municipal councilors, Mr. Antonio Alvarado, Mr. Cornelio Oliveros, and Mr. Herminio Llamas, replaced Mr. Pio Caballes, Mr. Pablo del Mundo, and Mr. Sancho Zalamea, Jr.
The majority of the candidates elected in Pagsanjan on November 8, 1947 were Nacionalistas. The Liberals won only three seats in the Municipal Council -- Dr. Felix G. Yan, Mr. Vicente Llamas, Jr. (brother of VLR?), and Mr. Ricardo Fabella.
Councilor Vicente Llamas died in January 1950, and was replaced by his widow, Mrs. Cristeta Pacheco Llamas. In July of the same year Mrs. Llamas resigned because she transferred her permanent residence to Quezon City.
Many Pagsanjeños, as officers and soldiers of the USAFFE, bravely resisted the enemy at the bloody battlefields of Atimonan, Mauban, Bataan, and Corregidor. Among those who survived the war were Colonel Victor Gomez, Cipriano Ramiro, Salvador Ramiro, Atty. Jose Guevara, Dr, Ildefonso Gomez, Dr. David Cabreira, Dr. Augusto Hocson, Fidel Llamas, Luis Rivera, Elias Lavadia and Remo Lavadia.
Of the 1,400 towns in the Philippines, Pagsanjan is the only one to have produced six army generals and one navy commodore. First among those army generals was General Severino Taiño of revolutionary fame. The other five Pagsanjeño generals after Taiño are Lieutenant General Manuel Yan, who retired as Chief of Staff of the Philippine Armed Forces and has become Philippine ambassador to Thailand, and the four: Brigadier General Fidel Llamas, Brigadier General Elias Lavadia, Brigadier General Cipriano Ramiro, and Brigadier General Luis (Bobby) Rivera.
The lone navy commodore from Pagsanjan is Commodore Remo Lavadia, brother of Brigadier General Elias Lavadia. The rank of commodore in the navy is equivalent to brigadier general in the army. Thus it may be said, in the final analysis, that Pagsanjan has produced a total of seven generals, including Commodore Lavadia.
Pagsanjeños in Education: Pedro Llamas, founder of Pagsanjan Academy.
Pagsanjeños in Music: The only Pagsanjeño pianist which has achieved international celebrity as a piano virtuoso, composer, and music teacher is Professor Calixto R. Llamas (brother of v) who resided permanently in San Francisco, California.
Oro Llamas, an accomplished pianist, he has been hailed in the Philippines and abroad as a violin virtuoso. He was the violin soloist of Manila Symphony Orchestra.
Pagsanjeños in World Science: (aside from Dr. Rosendo Llamas) first Pagsanjeño dentist was Dr. Antonio Llamas, Sr. The first Pagsanjeña to achieve distinction in science is Mrs. Carmen Llamas Intengan, a nationally known authority on nutrition. She was a recipient of the Presidential Award on Science in 1968. Escolastico (Tico) Lavadia Fernandez, former civil engineer of the city of Manila.
Pagsanjeños in Government Service: Pelagio Llamas, Philippine ambassador and head of the Philippine Consulate General in New Orleans.
The first of these six Pagsanjeños who became a provincial treasurer was Catalino Lavadia, elder brother of Municipal President Pedro Lavadia and uncle of the Lavadia brothers (Brigadier General Elias Lavadia and Commodore Remo Lavadia). He served as provincial treasurer of Isabela.
Pagsanjeños in Philantrophy: Dr. Rosendo Llamas and wife Doña Guida Hocson. Mrs. Maria Abanilla Llamas generously gave to the Municipality of Pagsanjan a piece of her land for needed extension of Crisostomo Street.
Pagsanjeños inSocial Work and Community Development: Mrs. Remedios Rivera Llamas, president of the Laguna Rural Improvement Club; Mr. Antonio Llamas, teacher and one of the founders of the Maulawin Barangay High School
We hope this will help.
xt excerpts from the book:
PAGSANJAN, In History and Legend
(1975 Edition)
By Dr. Gregorio F. Zaide
CHAPTER 5
THE PAGEANT OF PAGSANJAN HISTORY
Like a golden thread which is woven into a gorgeous tapestry, the saga of the mini-town of Pagsanjan is a part of the grander pageant of Philippine history. In both war and peace since it appeared in history's limelight, its gifted people have played a notable role in the written annals of the Filipino nation.
The Origin of Pagsanjan
Pagsanjan first loomed in history as a barrio of Lumban, a town founded in 1578 by the famous Fray Juan de la Plasencia, Franciscan missionary-historian. The other barrios were Longos (now Kalayaan), Paete, Pakil, Cavinti, and Santa Cruz. The first settlers of Pagsanjan were eight Christian Chinese and Japanese traders named Diego Changco, Alfonso Changco, Mateo Caco, Jose Jegote, Juan Juco, Diego Suico, Marcos Suico, and Eugenio Vinco. Highly impressed by the strategic location of the barrio at the juncture of two rivers, they established their trading settlement and engaged in betel-nut industry.
Because they had no wives, they married the daughters of the native families. Out of these interracial marriages sprang the first Sangley mestizos and mestizas of Pagsanjan. It should be noted that the Spanish colonizers called the Chinese Sangley, which term originated from the Chinese word shang-lu, meaning "traveling merchant." In due time, lured by the burgeoning prosperity of the settlement, many native families from the surrounding communities (Lumban, Cavinti, Santa Cruz, and Pila) migrated to the barrio. Also more Chinese, in search of greener pastures, came and married the native women. Throughout the ebb and flow of time Pagsanjan became a flourishing trading center of Eastern Laguna.
The Great Fire of 1893
The greatest calamity that befell Pagsanjan during the last decade of Spain's rule was the so-called :Great Fire of 1893." To Pagsanjeños, this was a horrendous calamity, just as the Great Fire of Rome in A.D. 64 was to the Romans. Until the present day (1970's) the old folks in town, who were eyewitness to the conflagration, still remember this terrible episode.
On the windy evening of January 28, 1893, as most of the town people were sleeping, a fire suddenly blazed in a nipa hut near the plaza. Because many residential houses around the plaza then were made of nipa and bamboo, the fir quickly gutted them, and fanned by the winds, it whirled with roaring velocity westward along two parallel streets -- Calle Real (now Rizal Street) and Calle San Isidro (now Mabini Street) -- reducing their houses to ashes.
All the houses from the plaza to the compound of Don Vicente Llamas on Calle Real were completely razed to the ground. The high adobe walls on Don Vicente's home finally stopped the destructive conflagration. On the San Isidro Street, the damage was equally appalling. All the houses (except the stone house of Don Pedro Rosales) on the hilly side of San Isidro Street were burned to ashes.
To prevent the repetition of the "Great Fire of 1893", the municipal authorities prohibited the construction of nipa houses on Calle Real and around the plaza. They also established the ronda which was the nightly patrol of citizen volunteers so that in case of fire they could promptly put it out or give immediate warning to the sleeping town folks.
It is interesting to note that the Pagsanjeños blamed their hated parish priest, Fr. Marcelino Tapetado, for the devastating fire for two reasons: (1) he did not show any sorrow at the tragic losses of the fire victims, and (2) the fire originated at the house of his favorite sacristan.
A few days after the "Great Fire", some bold illustrados of Pagsanjan sent a written petition to Governor General Ramon Blanco (1893-96) denouncing Padre Tapetado and requesting his transfer to another parish. They were Jose Unson, Elias Lavadia, Mariano Llamas, and Roman Abaya.
The governor general, being ignorant of the local situation, endorsed the petition to Padre Tapetado. The latter, in retaliation, denounced the authors of the petition as filibusteros, enemies of God and Spain. Since the word of the fraile (friar) during the Spanish regime was accepted as "gospel truth" by the government authorities, the four brave illustrados were soon wanted by the Guardia Civil, Lavadia and Llamas were caught and were sent into exile. their comrades, Unson and Abaya, were
Early Years of American Occupation
After the downfall of the First Philippine Republic (1899-1901), the people pf Pagsanjan accepted Pax Americana. By cooperating with the American authorities and rehabilitating their war-ravaged country, they hoped to regain someday in the arena of peace their nation's independence which was lost in the arena of war. But first, they must rebuild their ruined country out of the ashes of a lost libertarian struggle (1896-1902) and prepare themselves, politically and socially, to be worthy of independence, as their great fellow Lagunense hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, wrote in his immortal writings. Accordingly, they welcomed the new political and educational changes introduced by the United States.
On June 19, 1901, the new municipal government was established in Pagsanjan by the Second Philippine Commission headed by Judge William H. Taft. For lack of time and facilities, the first municipal president named Prudencio Francia was appointed and installed into office. On March 2, 1903, the first official census under the American rule was taken throughout the Philippines to prepare the people for the coming local and national elections. This census showed that the total population of Pagsanjan was 6,361.
The first local election by means of secret ballot was held in Pagsanjan in November 1903. A young illustrado, Roman Abaya, won at the polls, thereby becoming the first elected president of the town. One of the eight elected councilors was Crispin Oben, a young promising lawyer.
Coincident with the introduction of the democratic local government, the free public elementary school, with English as the medium of instruction, was opened in the town in 1903. The first teachers were American soldiers who laid their guns and taught the children the rudiments of the English language. A night school was also opened for the adults (including municipal officials and employees, policemen, and barrio officials). In the same year (1903) two young Pagsanjeños, Timoteo Abaya and Genoveva Llamas, were chosen to be among the first 100 Filipino "pensionados" to study in the colleges and universities of the United States.
In 1903, the first provincial high school, called Laguna High School, was established in Pagsanjan. It was housed at the municipal building until 1911 when it was transferred to Santa Cruz. The first American teachers who were assigned to teach in the Laguna High School were dedicated educators, to whom truly belongs the glory of having brought the torch of American democracy and the English language to our shores. Speaking of them, Dr, Narciso Cordero, Jr., an eye-witness of the early years of the American regime, wrote:
"The American teachers stationed in Pagsanjan were as much a source of curiosity to the town folks as we have been to them. They had volunteered their services with a mixed spirit of adventure and missionary zeal to help "civilize a backward people." It just happened that Pagsanjan at that time boasted of a high degree of culture and had a high percentage of illustrados, steeped in Victorian mores of conduct.
These were critical of some of the American teachers, who dressed shabbily, walked about in the streets munching bananas like children; sat on chair with feet crossed on their knees; and had dirty fingernails.....However, all of them made themselves pleasant to the town people. One in particular, Shirley E. Robert, is especially remembered by old-timers. He was a Harvard graduate, with a distinct Harvard accent, and spoke English fluently."
Two non-Pagsanjeños who studied at the Laguna High School in Pagsanjan rose to fame in later years. The first was Basilio J. Valdez from Manila, who later finished medicine at the University of Santo Thomas, served as medical officer in the French Army during World War I (1914-18), and became a member of President Quezon's War Cabinet during World War II (1938-45). the second was Leopoldo B. Uichanco from Calamba, who became a distinguished scientist and Dean of the U.P. College of Agriculture in Los Baños.
Aside from propagating the English language, the American teachers (college graduates as well as ex-soldiers) introduced in Pagsanjan the American games (baseball, volleyball, swimming, etc.); Yankee music and songs; and the American customs (Halloween, Christmas caroling, exchange of Christmas cards, etc.).
In less than a decade the Pagsanjeños, because of their high intelligence, came to assimilate the English language and the American culture. In 1907 the youthful lawyer and former councilor, Crispin Oben, who learned the English language from an ex-American soldier, was elected to the First Philippine Assembly, representing the Second District of Laguna.
He was the first Pagsanjeño to sit in the legislative body of our nation. In subsequent years other Pagsanjeños were elected to the House of Representatives, Philippine Legislature, under the Jones Law of 1916, namely Eulogio Benitez and Aurelio Palileo, both lawyers.
On July 4, 1946, the Republic of the Philippines was inaugurated with colorful ceremonies at Luneta, Manila. This historic ceremonies were highlighted by the lowering of the American flag and the raising of the Philippine flag, symbolic of the end of American rule in the Philippines and the birth of the Philippine Republic.
This republic, historically speaking, is the Third Philippine Republic to emerge in history's limelight. The first was the Malolos Republic (1899-1901); and the second, the Japanese-sponsored Republic of the Philippines (1943-1945).
During the three decades of our Republic, the blowing winds of change swept the town of Pagsanjan, bringing portentous events which shaped the contemporary history of the town.
Exodus of Pagsanjan Families to Greater Manila
Because of the destruction of their ancestral homes in Pagsanjan and the threat of the Huk movement in the towns and barrios of Laguna province, many Pagsanjeño families evacuated their native town and lived permanently in the Greater Manila area. This exodus of Pagsanjeño families was an irreparable loss to the town because they mostly represented the elite of the local population. Most of them were the rich landlords and the talented intellectuals.
A few prominent families noted for their lineage and inherited wealth, however, remained in town and cooperated with the common people in the rebuilding of their ruined town. The rich Pagsanjeño families who left the town resided in Manila, Pasay, Makati, Caloocan City, and San Juan, where they built their homes and reared their families. Some of them sold out their ancestral residential lots in Pagsanjan, for they had no intention of restoring their old homes in town. They became absentee landlords, for they simply employed some persons called encargados to manage their family rice farms and coconut plantations.
Although they lived far from their town, these migrant Pagsanjeños cherished in their hearts an eternal affection for the town where they were born. Those who possessed God-given talents achieved distinction in arts and sciences, in politics and diplomacy, in business and banking, and in other professions. Their achievements, of course, enhanced the celebration of the town fiesta (December 12th), Christmas season, All Saint's Day,Flores de Mayo, and Santacruzan, they try their best to visit childhood friends.
To the credit of these Pagsanjeños or descendants of Pagsanjeño parents, it must be said that whenever their financial or moral support is needed by their town for any community project, for beautification program, or for the annual fiesta of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Patroness of Pagsanjan), they gladly give it. For instance, the historic stone town gate, one of the historical relics of Pagsanjan, was finally restored to its former colonial condition in May, 1975, because of the funds generously contributed by the Pagsanjeños in Greater Manila. The municipal government could not do it for lack of funds.
Aside from giving financial assistance to the town, the prominent Pagsanjeños in Greater Manila help many of their jobless kababayan (townmates) secure employment in the national government, in private schools and colleges, and in commercial firms. So it can be said that no matter how far-away the Pagsanjeños live, their hearts are in Pagsanjan.
Re-Establishment of the Municipal Government
Soon after the liberation of Pagsanjan, the municipal government was re-established. Pursuant to the orders of the Commonwealth Government which was restored at Malacañan on February 27, 1945 under President Sergio Osmeña, the following local officials constituted the Municipal Council: Mr. Emilio Aquino, municipal mayor; Dr. Casimiro Garcia, vice-mayor; and Dr. Mariano Z. Macalalag, Dr. Felix G. Yan, Dr. Zosimo Fernandez, Mr. Pio Caballes, Mr. Restituto Caballes, Mr. Guillermo Limlengco, Mr. Pable del Mundo, and Mr. Sancho Zalamea, Jr., as councilors. The municipal secretary was Mr. Primitivo Cabreza.
Because the municipal building was destroyed during the war, the Municipal Council held its sessions at the old house belonging to the heirs of Don Crispin Oben. This was located at the corner of Rizal Street and Santiago Hocson Street.
In December 1947 certain changes were made in the line-up of municipal councilors. Three new designated municipal councilors, Mr. Antonio Alvarado, Mr. Cornelio Oliveros, and Mr. Herminio Llamas, replaced Mr. Pio Caballes, Mr. Pablo del Mundo, and Mr. Sancho Zalamea, Jr.
Continue Chapter 6, Page 2 >>
First Elections Under the Republic
The first local elections under the newly born Republic of the Philippines were held throughout the Philippines on November 8, 1947. In Pagsanjan the two rival political parties -- Liberal Party and Nacionalista Party -- presented their official candidates for local positions. The LP candidates wereAtty. Alberto Crisostomo for municipal mayor, Dr. Casimiro Garcia, vice-mayor; while the NP candidates were Don Manuel Soriano for mayor and Dr. Quintin Cabrera, vice-mayor. The independent-minded citizens, who were disenchanted with both political parties, drafted their own candidates, namely, Mr. Rosalio Abary, a peasant leader, for municipal mayor, and Dr. Gregorio F. Zaide, historian and university professor, for councilor.
The majority of the candidates elected in Pagsanjan on November 8, 1947 were Nacionalistas. They were Don Manuel Soriano (municipal mayor), Dr. Quintin Cabrera (vice-mayor), and four NP councilors -- Dr. Mariano Z. Macalalag, Mr. Restituto Caballes, Mr. Gerardo Abanilla, and Mr. Zosimo Maceda. The Liberals won only three seats in the Municipal Council -- Dr. Felix G. Yan, Mr. Vicente Llamas, Jr., and Mr. Ricardo Fabella. They obtained the last three places of the eight seats in the Municipal Council. Dr. Gegorio F. Zaide, the only independent candidate to win was elected No. 1 councilor, having garnered the greatest number of votes cast for the councilors.
In the subsequent times certain changes were made in the Municipal Council due to the resignation or death of some members. In February 1948 Mr. Gerardo Abanilla resigned to accept a teaching job at the University of the East in Manila, and was succeeded by Mr. Guillermo Limlengco.Councilor Vicente Llamas died in January 1950, and was replaced by his widow, Mrs. Cristeta Pacheco Llamas. In July of the same year Mrs. Llamas resigned because she transferred her permanent residence to Quezon City, and was succeeded.
Restoration of the Historic Town Gate
One of the historical relics and tourist attractions of Pagsanjan is the historic town gate which stands at the western entrance of the town. It was built in 1878-1880 by the Pagsanjeño polistas (under the supervision of Fray Cipriano Bac, Franciscan cura) of natural adobe stones welded together by lime and carabao milk. On top of the triple-arched gate was Spain's royal coat-of-arms in gold and yellow colors guarded by two red Castillan lions.
The old town gate has survived the changing epochs of Pagsanjan's history. During the Spanish and American periods, it was known as thePuerta Real (Royal Gate) and the street passing through it, Calle Real (Royal Road). It is now called Rizal Street in honor of our country's national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.
After the liberation of Pagsanjan from the Japanese, the municipal authorities who had no sense of history and had never seen the historic monuments in foreign countries unfortunately bastardized the historic gate by having it painted in gaudy pink color, including the royal coat-of-arms and the two lions, so that it came to appear like a modern gate of a noisy carnival city or like an old woman, whose wrinkled face is vulgarly covered with a heavy make-up. To add injury to insult, the word "PAGSANJAN" on the upper part of the gate's western facade and the date of its construction 1878-1880 below it, were erased and replaced by the English word of greeting "WELCOME", and on the eastern side of the facade was inscribed in ungrammatical English the words "THANK U, COME AGAIN."
To right the wrong done to the old historic town gate, Dr. Gregorio F. Zaide, the historian-mayor of the town, launched a cultural crusade to restore it to its original condition in order to revive and preserve the aura and nostalgic memories of its golden past. Undaunted by the paucity of municipal funds, he sought the financial aid of the affluent and civic-spirited Pagsanjeños in Greater manila. These out-of-town Pagsanjeños generously furnished the needed funds amounting to P5,000 (five thousand pesos). After obtaining the necessary permission of the National Historic Institute in Manila, the restoration work on the town gate started under the supervision of Engineer Tito Rivera.
Upon completion of the work on May 25, 1975, a large copper plaque was installed on the wall of the first arch. This plaque contains the names of the generous donors, as follows:
1. Ambassador & Mrs. Gregorio Abad
2. Mr. & Mrs. Cesar C. Abaya
3. Mr. & Mrs. Jose R. Cosme
4. Mr. & Mrs. Armando de la Cruz
5. Hon. & Mrs. Armand V. Fabella
6. Justice & Mrs. Estanislao A. Fernandez
7. Dr. & Mrs. Casimiro C. Garcia, Jr.
8. Dr. & Mrs. Augusto E. Hocson
9. Gov. & Mrs. Caesar Z. Lanuza
10. Gen & Mrs. Elias G. Lavadia
11. Dr. & Mrs. Rosendo R. Llamas
12. Dr. & Mrs. Eufemio Macalalag, Jr.
13. Dr. & Mrs. Jose Mananzan
14. Mr. & Mrs. Aquilino Soriano
15. Dr. & Mrs. Gregorio F. Zaide
16. Hon. & Mrs. Cesar C. Zalamea
To these civic-spirited Pagsanjeños, who kindly financed the restoration of the historic town gate, the municipal government and people of Pagsanjan owe a lasting debt of gratitude.
The Pagsanjan in World War II
During the Second World War the Pagsanjeños demonstrated their courage, patriotism, and fighting spirit. As soldiers, guerillas, and civilians, they fought well for freedom and democracy against the Japanese invaders.
Many Pagsanjeños, as officers and soldiers of the USAFFE, bravely resisted the enemy at the bloody battlefields of Atimonan, Mauban, Bataan, and Corregidor. Among those who survived the war were Colonel Victor Gomez, Cipriano Ramiro, Salvador Ramiro, Atty. Jose Guevara, Dr, Ildefonso Gomez, Dr. David Cabreira, Dr. Augusto Hocson, Fidel Llamas, Luis Rivera, Elias Lavadia and Remo Lavadia.
After the fall of Bataan and Corregidor, the Pagsanjeños launched a guerilla war against the Japanese conquerors. Pagsanjan became a secret center of guerilla activities. Numerous citizens in town supported the guerillas at the risk of their lives. Among them were Emilio Aquino, municipal mayor; Manuel Soriano, who later succeeded Aquino as municipal mayor; Dr. Antonio Gomez, physician and rich landlord; Eriberto Gomez, businessman; Pedro Pablo, high school teacher; Pio Caballes and Emilio Gomez, businessmen; Dr. Salvador Umale, dentist; and Salvador Unson, landlord and professor.
Many Pagsanjeño guerillas suffered imprisonment, torture, and death for freedom's sake. Outstanding among them was Cipriano Zaguirre, former town presidente and local commander of the Fil-American guerillas. He was taken prisoner by the Japanese who tortured him for several days, and, finally executed him on the night of August 25, 1942. By sacrificing his life for the cause of freedom and democracy, he deserves to be accoladed as Pagsanjan's guerilla hero. In recognition of his heroism the grateful municipal government named a public square "Plaza Zaguirre" after him, at the center of which now stands his life-size monument.
Many Pagsanjeño guerillas and their civilian supporters also lost their lives during the war. They were like-wise tortured and executed by the brutal Japanese soldiers. Among them were Dr. Antonio Gomez, Vicente Santos, William Labit, Jorge Gallardo, Paulino Cataluña, and James Reyes.
A Town of Six Generals and A Commodore
Of the 1,400 towns in the Philippines, Pagsanjan is the only one to have produced six army generals and one navy commodore. First among those army generals was General Severino Taiño of revolutionary fame, in whose honor has been named a town street leading to the town of Lumban. He fought valiantly against the Spanish troops and, with General Paciano Rizal's cooperation, liberated Santa Cruz, Laguna on August 31, 1898.
The other five Pagsanjeño generals after Taiño are Lieutenant General Manuel Yan, who retired as Chief of Staff of the Philippine Armed Forces and has become Philippine ambassador to Thailand, and the four: Brigadier General Fidel Llamas, Brigadier General Elias Lavadia, Brigadier General Cipriano Ramiro, and Brigadier General Luis (Bobby) Rivera.
Of the six Pagsanjeño generals, only one died in combat. He was Brigadier General Ramiro, who perished in a helicopter crash in Barrio La Union, Castilla, Sorsogon Province on June 30, 1973 while campaigning against dissidents.
The lone navy commodore from Pagsanjan is Commodore Remo Lavadia, brother of Brigadier General Elias Lavadia. The rank of commodore in the navy is equivalent to brigadier general in the army. Thus it may be said, in the final analysis, that Pagsanjan has produced a total of seven generals (including Commodore Lavadia) -- a proud record indeed for a little town.
This record is unsurpassed by any other town not only in the Philippines but also in other countries of the world. Its uniqueness is enhanced by the fact that two of seven Pagsanjeño generals are brothers --Elias and Remo Lavadia.
Prominent Pagsanjeños in Education
Pagsanjan has produced many distinguished teachers and educators. At least five Pagsanjeño teachers achieved distinction during the last years of Spanish rule and the first decades of American occupation, namely, Santiago Hocson, Graciano Cordero, Gervacio Unson, Felipa Fernandez, and Genoveva Llamas.
Santiago Hocson, after graduation from the Escuela Normal Superior in Manila, taught in Lumban and later in Pagsanjan, after which he served as the last gobernadorcillo of his native town. Don Graciano Cordero, a graduate of the College of San Juan de Letran and former member of the Malolos Congress, taught Latin and Spanish to young boys to prepare them for college studies. Don Gervasio Unson, a graduate of the famous Escuela Normal Superior, acquired distinction as a maestro in Laguna and later in Tayabas (Quezon Province), where he married and resided permanently.
(Note: According to descendants of Gervasio and Maria Cabreza Unson, they were married in Pagsanjan, Laguna on February 20, 1879 before moving to Lucena, Tayabas where they resided permanently. See Unson Family Website).
The first two famous Pagsanjeña maestra were Miss Felipa Fernandez and Miss Genoveva Llamas. Miss Fernandez was well-known as a strict and learned teacher in Manila. One of her brightest student was Librada Avelino, who became famous as the founder and first president of Centro Escolar de Señoritas.
Miss Llamas, a sister of Dr. Rosendo R. Llamas, was the first Pagsanjeña pensionada (1903) to the United States where she specialized in home economics. As a matter of fact, she was the first teacher of home economics in Laguna. Like Miss Felipa Fernandez, she died as an old maid. Because of her dedication to the teaching profession, she had simply no time for romance.
In subsequent years more Pagsanjeños gained prominence in the field of education. Among them maybe mentioned Mr. Timoteo Abaya, a 1903 government pensionado to the United States who became the first Pagsanjeño to become academic supervisor of Laguna; Dr. Francisco Benitez, an eminent educator and first Dean of the U.P. College of Education; Dean Conrado Benitez, founder of the U.P. College of Business Administration and great professor of economics; Helen Z. Benitez, (daughter of Dean Conrado Benitez) became President of the Philippine Women's University.
Don Vicente Fabella, founder of the Jose Rizal College; Sor Josefa Soriano of the Sisters of Charity, founder of the Escuela de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe in Pagsanjan; Professor Luis Rivera (1887-1921), first Filipino instructor in Sociology at the University of the Philippines; Professor Jose Abanilla and Professor Salvador Unson, both professors of Economics at the Far Eastern University;Professor Arturo Guerrero, president of the Trinity College (Quezon City), and Pedro Llamas, founder of Pagsanjan Academy.
One of the great elementary school teachers ever produced by Pagsanjan is Mrs. Narcisa Abella Fabella. She was a dedicated teacher with a heart of gold
Gifted Pagsanjeños in Music
Music, like literature, is in the blood of the Pagsanjeños. It is interesting to that during Dr. Rizal's time the Banda Pagsanjan, owned by a Pagsanjeño government clerk named Señor Guevara, was famously known in Laguna and surrounding provinces. Rizal, in his Noli Me Tangere, mentioned this band as one of the music bands which played in the town fiesta of San Diego (Calamba).
During prewar years, Pagsanjan daily throbbed to the sound of music. Almost every affluent home in town had a piano which was then a status symbol, Even in the homes of poor families could be seen certain musical instruments, particularly the guitar. It was customary for Pagsanjeño children to study music. For, according to Pagsanjan tradition, no education is complete without music.
The most outstanding pianist in Pagsanjan during the early years of the American period was Consuelo Zaide. Aside from her virtuosity as a pianist, she was a prominent music teacher not only in Laguna but also in Manila, Batangas, and Tayabas (Quezon Province).
The only Pagsanjeño pianist which has achieved international celebrity as a piano virtuoso, composer, and music teacher is Professor Calixto R. Llamas who resided permanently in San Francisco, California. He is a brother of Dr. Rosendo R. Llamas.
Other good pianists among Pagsanjeños are Miss Corazon Maceda, Dean of the Conservatory of Music of the Philippine Women's University; Rafael F. Zaide, former pianist on board the trans-Pacific Empress of Russia and in Macao's night clubs who later joined the diplomatic service of our Republic; Mrs. Rosario Cosme Bernardo, accomplished lady pianist and her daughter Mrs. Rosario Bernardo Sison (music teacher in Manila); Sor Rosa Soriano, former student of the famous Sor Battig of the Conservatory of Music, St. Escolastica College; and Mrs. Conrada Cosme Yaneza, gifted pianist and music teacher.
Most outstanding of the many good violinists produced by Pagsanjan is Sergio Esmilla, Jr. A talented son of Judge Sergio Esmilla, Sr., and Oro Llamas (an accomplished pianist), he has been hailed in the Philippines and abroad as a violin virtuoso. He was the violin soloist of Manila Symphony Orchestra.
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Pagsanjeños in World of Science
The first Pagsanjeño to practice medicine in town was Dr. Narciso Cordero, Sr., a graduate of the UST College of Medicine and Surgery. He rose to prominence during the early years of the American regime. After him, came other Pagsanjeño doctors, namely Dr. Dolores Zafra, first lady physician of Pagsanjan; Dr. Rosendo R. Llamas, distinguished obstetrician; Dr. Zosimo Fernandez, successful general practitioner in Laguna;Dr. Ramon Abarquez, Jr., heart specialist; Dr. Sixto Maceda, gynecologist; Dr. Pedro Lavadia, surgeon; Dr. Zozimo (Boy) Fernandez, Jr., internal medicine; Dr. Gracia Fernandez Ramos, pediatrician; Dr. Eufemio Macalalag, Jr., urologist; Dr. Jaime C. Zaguirre, brain surgeon, famous psychiatrist; Dr. Ildefonzo Gomez, therapeutist; and Dr. Cipriano Abaya, former director of the provincial hospitals in Vigan and Bacolod.
A Pagsanjeño physician who has attracted international attention is Dr. August E. Hocson, chief flight surgeon of the Philippine Airlines (PAL) and a retired surgeon general of the Armed Forces of the Philippines with the military rank of colonel. He represented the Philippines in the 21st International Congress of Aviation and Space Medicine at Munich, West Germany.
The first Pagsanjeño dentist was Dr. Antonio Llamas, Sr. After him, appeared other dental graduates from Pagsanjan, such as Dr. Concita Cabreza Zalamea, first Pagsanjeña dentist, who is still practicing her profession as lady dentist at the FEU Dental Clinic; Dr. Mariano Macalalag, former vice-mayor of Pagsanjan; Dr. Salvador Umale, former municipal councilor of Pagsanjan, and Dr. Felix Yan, also a former municipal councilor and is now practicing his dental profession in Manila.
The first Pagsanjeño to become a pharmacist was Exequiel Zaide, a graduate of UST College of Pharmacy. After graduation in 1905, he worked for some years as assistant pharmacist at Botica Boie in Escolta Manila. He returned to Pagsanjan in 1911 and established "Farmacia Zaide", the first drug store in town.
Of international prestige as a scientist was Dr. Felix Hocson, former dean of the U.P. College of Pharmacy and member of the National Research Council of the Philippines. He represented the Philippines in the United States Pharmacopoeial Convention held in Washington, D.C., in 1940.
Other pharmacists produced by Pagsanjan are the Cordero sisters: Elisa Cordero Rivera, wife of Godofredo Rivera, and Pacita Cordero Galian, wife of Dr. Galian; Mrs. Consuelo Francia Unson (widow of Salvador Unson); Mr. Eriberto Rivera, chief pharmacist of Metro Drug (Manila); Mrs. Maria Aquino, who is also a fine singer.
The pioneer nurses from Pagsanjan are Miss Asuncion Alvarado, Mrs. Timotea F. Fernandez (widow of Dr. Zosimo Fernandez), Mrs. Cornelia Bermudez Maceda, and Mrs. Inocencia Zaide Gatchalian. They were all graduate of the School of Nursing of St. Luke Hospital (Manila). After them, many Pagsanjeñas took up nursing because of the great demand for nurses in the United States, Canada, England, Holland, and other foreign countries.
The first Pagsanjeña to achieve distinction in science is Mrs. Carmen Llamas Intengan, a nationally known authority on nutrition. She was a recipient of the Presidential Award on Science in 1968.
Pagsanjan has produced many good engineers. Among them may be mentioned German Yia, a mechanical engineer who became a ranking officer of the well known Atlantic Gulf Company; Gonzalo Abaya, distinguished electrical engineer in Manila; his younger brothers Angel Abayaand Alberto Abaya, both civil engineers; Ramon Abarquez, Sr., mining engineer who had been connected with the Bureau of Mines; Leopoldo Abad, a retired electrical engineer of the MERALCO; Escolastico (Tico) Lavadia Fernandez, former civil engineer of the city of Manila; Serafin Limuaco, civil engineer and contractor of public works in Manila and the provinces; Ramon Mijares, Jr., civil engineer who had built the water system in the city of Brunei and now practicing his profession in Pagsanjan; and Tito Rivera, civil engineer and popular contractor of public works in Laguna.
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Pagsanjeños in Government Service
Many Pagsanjeños have risen to prominence in government service. Most outstanding was Dr. Jose Fabella, Secretary of Health and Social Welfare under President Manuel L. Quezon.
Other Pagsanjeños who have achieved distinction in government service are General Manuel Yan, former AFP Chief of Staff and Philippine Ambassador to Thailand; Cesar Z. Lanuza, former head of the Philippine Reparation Mission in Tokyo with diplomatic rank of Minister and a member of the Board of Investments; Pelagio Llamas, Philippine ambassador and head of the Philippine Consulate General in New Orleans.
Atty. Selby Abaquin, former ambassador to Brunei and Indonesia; Dean Ramon Oben, former Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue; Victor Z. Cabreza, retired Chief of the Administrative Services, of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR); Jose Cosme, Assistant Director of the BIR branch in Iloilo Province; Armand Fabella, Chairman of the Reorganization Commission of our Republic; Honesto G. Nicandro, one of the key officials of the Central bank; Judge Amador Gomez of the Court of First Instance in Cebu.
Judge Eduardo Abaya of the Court of First Instance in Batangas; Julio Francia, Sr., former city assessor of Manila; Jose Zaide, former press attache' of the Philippine embassies in san Francisco, Tokyo, Bonn (West Germany), and the Hague (Netherlands) and formerly detailed at the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong; Rafael F. Zaide, who served as cultural attache' in the Philippine embassies at Hong Kong, Seoul, Taipei, and Pnom Penh; and Salvador F. Zaide, chief of the Division of Publications, National Science Development Board.
On the level of local government, Dominador Labit has achieved distinction. A former public school teacher, he became administrative officer of the provincial government of Laguna. For his efficiency and devotion to public service, he was conferred the Distinguished Honor Award by the Civil Service Commission in 1969.
Prominent Pagsanjeños in Philantrophy
Some Pagsanjeños, who are rarely endowed by God with a civic conscience, generously gave substantial donations for the welfare of their natal town. Foremost among them are the many-splendored couple -- Dr. Rosendo R. Llamas and his wife Doña Guida Hocson. This couple financially supported the beautification of the town plaza and the reconstruction of the Catholic church.
Dr. Llamas donated part of his rice land for the extension of the Crisostomo Street and all his surgical instruments to the Pagsanjan Puericulture Center. Before his death in 1974, he donated P400,000 for construction of a building for the U.P. College of Medicine (his Alma Mater) and another sum of P200,000 as scholarship fund for indigent but bright medical students.
Doña Guida Llamas, from her personal funds, donated a P50,000 trust fund for the Pagsanjan Puericulture Center and a smaller amount for the restoration of the historic Town Gate to its original condition. It is interesting to recall that the National League of Puericulture Centers of the Philippines, in its Diamond Anniversary Convention (1973), conferred on Doña Guida Llamas the prestigious "Outstanding Humanitarian Diamond Award" in recognition of her humanitarian services.
The late Engineer German Yia, spending much of his time and personal funds, spearheaded the costly reconstruction of the town Catholic church which was woefully ravaged during the war. He also donated P250,000 for the construction of Research Center Building for the U.P. College of Engineering (his Alma Mater).
Two civic-spirited clans in Pagsanjan are the Lanuzas and the Yans.
The Lanuza clan, headed by Doña Julia Zaide Vda. de Lanuza, donated the carillon to the central elementary school of the town. Her son, Cesar Lanuza, donated a large piece of land which enabled Barrio Biñan to have a barrio elementary school. Through his efforts, when he was still the head of the Philippine Reparations Mission in Tokyo, the Municipality of Pagsanjan was able to acquire its fire-fighting equipment, including a big truck.
Other civic-spirited Pagsanjeños who generously gave donations for the welfare of their town are the following:
1. Don Pedro Unson, father of Professor Salvador Unson, donated a piece of land which enabled the children of Barrio Cabanbanan to have their own elementary school.
2. Mrs. Maria Abanilla Llamas generously gave to the Municipality of Pagsanjan a piece of her land for needed extension of Crisostomo Street.
3. Mr. Mauro Bernardo, former municipal councilor, donated his rice field in front of the cemetery to be used as a rotunda of the projected Crisostomo Street extension.
4. Doña Carmen Hocson Fernandez donated part of her land near the Town Gate which is now Zalamilla Street. She was the wife of Don Ramon Fernandez, former City Mayor of Manila and senator, and also the first Philippine Ambassador to the Court of St. James (London).
5. Mrs. Josefina Garcia Buenafe freely gave part of her coconut plantation near the railway station in Barrio Maulawin and is now Soriano Street.
6. Dr. Gregorio F. Zaide, who at the expiration of his term as municipal councilor of Pagsanjan (1947-1951) donated a piece of land near the Town Gate and this is now F. Zaide Street, named after his father, Francisco D. Zaide.
7. Pagsanjeños in Social Work and Community Development
8. During the glowing decades of the American regime, Doña Damiana Vda de Fabella emerged as the outstanding civic leader of Pagsanjan. A wealthy matron with a social conscience, she freely contributed her valuable time and funds to help the poor victims of fires and floods. In 1927 she founded the Puericulture Center of Pagsanjan and the Pagsanjan Women's Club.
After Doña Damiana's death, the torch of civic leadership was carried on by Miss Francisca T. Zaide, General Taiño's niece who later becameMrs. Luis Godoy. Under her presidency, the Pagsanjan Women's Club became the leading civic club in town because she rallied the young ladies, including college co-eds, and involved them in community welfare.
When World War II ended in 1945, Doña Salud Fabella Unson, a worthy daughter of Doña Damiana, took over the presidency of the Women's Club. She rehabilitated the Puericulture Center Building which was destroyed during the war and obtained relief goods from the United States for the destitute families of the town.
There are still many civic-spirited citizens in Pagsanjan who are concerned with social welfare and community development. Among them may be mentioned the following: Mrs. Consuelo F. Unson, patroness of humanitarian activities; Mrs. Solita B. Cabreza, past president of the Pagsanjan Women's Club; Mrs. Josefina Y. Benitez, president of the Women's Club; Mrs. Aida Fabiero Abaya, government expert in community development; Mr. Hernan Velasco, teacher and indefatigable leader in social work; Mrs. Adela Perez Abaya, president of Pagsanjan Beautification Committee.
Mrs. Remedios Rivera Llamas, president of the Laguna Rural Improvement Club; Mr. Antonio Llamas, teacher and one of the founders of the Maulawin Barangay High School; Mr. Eufemio Macalalag, Sr., active participant in socio-economic affairs; Mr. Antonio Rabago, former teacher and guerilla, municipal councilor, and tireless social worker; and Mr. and Mrs. Ricardo Fabella, active husband-and-wife tandem in barangay activities and scouting movement.
A Town of Beautiful Women
Until the present time Pagsanjan is famous for its beautiful women. According to local tradition, "a pretty girl is born yearly to every family in Pagsanjan, if such family is beholden to God."
The first Pagsanjan beauty to emerge in history was Josefa Sebastian Gomez, a daughter of one of the town's prominent families. It is said that when the newly appointed Spanish alcalde mayor named Don Jose Pelaez arrived in 1809 at Pagsanjan, which was then the capital of Laguna Province, he was given a bienvenida (welcome) party at the casa real (official residence of the alcalde mayor). Being a bachelor, he was fascinated to meet the local party belles. What particularly attracted him most was Señorita Josefa, whose alluring beauty captivated his Iberian heart.
In succeeding weeks, the young alcalde mayor wooed the beautiful señorita, finally winning her love. The next year (1810) they were married in the Catholic church amidst pageantric pomp and aplomb. Out of their wedlock was born a son named Pedro Pelaez, who was destined to become one of our nation's great men.
Dr. Jose Rizal, our national hero and a connoisieur of beautiful women, fell in love with a Pagsanjan beauty, Leonor Valenzuela, whom he affectionately called Orang. This lovely Pagsanjeña was a daughter of Capitan Juan and Capitana Senday of Pagsanjan. She was the first Leonor in Rizal's life, the second being Leonor Rivera.
The first Pagsanjeña to win national distinction for her beauty was Virginia Llamas
The Queen of Manila Carnival in 1922. Later she married her escort, Carlos P. Romulo, the world-famed journalist, diplomat, soldier and statesman.
The first Pagsanjeña to achieve international fame because of her beauty and charm is Maria Rita Santiago, the 1968 Queen of the Pacific. Her mother, Nida Rufino, is a pretty daughter of the Rufino family in Pagsanjan.
There are still many beautiful girls in the town. They are daughters of rich and poor families. Irrespective of their socio-economic status, they possess something in common -- beauty. It is regretful that they have not been given the opportunity to participate in national and international beauty contests because they are provincianas, without influential patrons and without proper connections to sponsor their entries to the nominating committees in Manila. It is a matter of truth that there are more girls with natural beauty and grace in the provincial towns than in Manila, Caloocan, Pasay, and other cities of our country.
Maraming salamat for posting and doing this research. I believe that I am related to the Llamas family on my mother's side who hails from Pagsanjan, Laguna. It is really interesting to see that Llamas family has so many distinguished members.
TumugonBurahin