Valenzuela City
The City of Valenzuela (Filipino: Lungsod ng Valenzuela) is a highly-urbanized, first-class city [2] and one of cities in the Philippines that constitutes Metro Manila. The city has 568,928 residents as of August 2007 and is primarily an industrial and residential suburb of Manila.[3] The North Luzon Expressway passes through the city and out of Metro Manila into the province of Bulacan.
Valenzuela has a land area of 44.59 km2 divided into several domain: residential, industrial and cultural. It is bordered by Meycauayan City, Quezon City and northern Caloocan City to the east; by Obando in Bulacan to the west; by Malabon City, southern Caloocan City and Tullahan River to the south.
Since becoming a city in 1998, Valenzuela’s economy has flourished and its population has swelled significantly.[4]
History
During its long history, the city played an important role in the development of northern Metro Manila. Before its cityhood on 1998, the city was divided economically into a Spanish friar hacienda, small political settlement and a Spanish garrison before the Philippine Independence in 1898. Valenzuela City was once part of the Bulacan province. In 19th century, its huge land area was subdivided into Polo, Novaliches, Obando, and others merged into the province of Morong. Later on in the American period, the city became part of Bulacan and colonial government commissioned the construction of Marcelo H. del Pilar Expressway. The expressway later became North Luzon Expressway during Marcos's era.
The liberation of the Philippines from Japanese rule on 1946 resulted in the division of Valenzuela into two towns.
On 1960, President Diosdado Macapagal signed a bill creating the municipality of Valenzuela independent from Bulacan. However, on 1963, the bill was reverted, making the northern Polo under Bulacan again, while the southern Valenzuela town became an independent municipality. The creation of Metro Manila Commission and National Capital Region during Marcos' administration led to unification of Polo and Valenzuela into a municipality of Valenzuela in 1975. Valenzuela finally attained cityhood status on February 14, 1998.
Spanish colonization
The history of Valenzuela is incomplete unless the history of its mother province, Bulacan, is included. For hundreds of years, present-day Valenzuela, Obando and Novaliches (now in Quezon City) were parts of Bulacan. Therefore, the history of Bulacan before 1623 was also the history of Valenzuela.
Province of Bulacan
When Spanish conquistadores reached Luzon island and established a settlement in Manila,[7] they found Bulacan as a strong united community ruled by the Rajah and his princes. Until today, the etymology of Bulacan is unclear, although many historians believe that the word bulacan came from any of the following:
1. The vast area of the region was entirely covered by green pastures, mountains, and forests. It was also full of fruit trees, vegetables, and flower orchards. The natives there called such a place bulak-lakan, meaning flower farm in Tagalog. It was Hispanized to bulakan, and finally, to bulacan.
2. Taking the Tagalog root word of bulacan, bulac, which in modern orthography becomes bulak or cotton. The region is also plenty of cotton trees in the north, and in fact, it is a major industry there.
Early Hispanic history of the region
The area encompassed by the present-day Valenzuela City, Novaliches, and Obando municipality and portions of land in southern Caloocan City were formerly known during Spanish period as Polo. The region, is significantly bounded by the Tullahan River on the south and streams of branching Río Grande de Pampanga on some areas.
According to Philippine historians Emma Helen Blair and James Alexander Robertson, there existed an infamous Battle of Bangkusay in Bangkusay Channel, Tondo headed by Maynila king Rajah Sulayman, which employed seafarers and warriors from all over parts of the north of Maynila Kingdom and Bulacan.[8] The battle was declared against Spanish conquering forces of Miguel López de Legazpi on June 3, 1571. Spanish troops were headed by Legazpi's nephew, Martín de Goiti. On June 3, 1571, Sulayman led his troops and attacked the Spaniards in a decisive battle at the town of Bangkusay, but they were defeated, and Sulayman himself was killed.[8] With the destruction of Sulayman's army and the friendship with Rajah Lakandula, the Spaniards were enabled to establish throughout the city and its neighboring towns.[9]
Legazpi formally established settlement on Maynila on June 24, 1571.[8] According to Father Martinez de Zuñiga, a Spanish missionary of Augustinian order, Maynila was a vast region enclosed by the towns of Polo, Tambobong (now Malabon City), and mountains of San Mateo in Morong. The region of Valenzuela, was formally merged under the rule of Bulacan town of Catanghalan.[8]
On 1587, the Tagalog cabeza de barangay of Catanghalan Tassi Bassi joined the Tondo chieftain Magat Salamat's planned insurrection against Spanish colonization of Maynila.[10] The rebellion was composed of kin-related noblemen or maharlikas of Maynila including Juan Banal, another Tondo chief and Salamat’s brother-in-law; Gerónimo Basi and Gabriel Tuambacar, brothers of Agustín de Legazpi; Pedro Balinguit, the chief of Pandacan; Felipe Salonga, the chief of Polo; Dionisio Capolo (Kapulong), the chief of Candaba and brother of Felipe Salonga; Juan Basi, the chief of Taguig; Felipe Salalila, the chief of Misil; Agustin Manuguit, son of Felipe Salalila; Luis Amanicaloa, another chief of Tondo; Felipe Amarlangagui, the chief of Caranglan; Omaghicon, the chief of Navotas and Pitongatan (Pitong Gatang), another chief of Tondo. In Philippine history, this was notably known as Tondo Conspiracy of the Maharlikas, a plot of series of "revolution" against Spain that included several native noblemen. The planned revolution was never happened because whistleblowers revealed the nature of it to Spanish authorities.[11]
When Manila became an archdiocese on August 14, 1595 based upon Pope Gregory XIII's Papal order, regular friars that had already established permanent church in Catanghalan decided that the attached sitio of Polo be divided to cater spiritual needs of an increasing population all over.[12] Thus, on 1623, upon order of Governor-General Alonso Fajardo de Entenza, sitio Polo became independent from Catanghalan although the two was still under the alcaldía (Spanish title for local government during that time) of Bulacan.
Establishment of the town
Prior to the elevation of Manila as an archdiocese on 1595, regular friars staying on the town of Catanghalan asked for an appeal from Governor-General Entenza to have another separate town from former. Through successive efforts of Fray Juan Taranco and Don Juan Monsód, sitio Polo was successfully separated from Catanghalan in 1623, but still under jurisdiction of the alcaldía de Bulacán. Thus, the first cabeza de barangay of the new town of Polo was Monsód and Taranco operated the present San Diego de Alcalá parish on a small tavern.[13]
It was in the year 1627 when the construction of the Parochial church dedicated to San Diego de Alcala started. Finally, in 1629, the church was fully constructed. Its fabrication was supervised by Fr. José Valencia aided by Capitan Juan Tibay. The church was fully repaired and remodeled under the direction of Fr. Vicente in 1852. A great change took place in the appearance of the church, that according to the missionaries it was one of the best ever built in the archipelago, and became the envy among other towns. Again, the church after its repair was dedicated to another patron, the "Nuestra Senora de la Inmaculada Concepcion". Still, another dedication was made and that was to San Roque. The convent was well built and comfortable. The pride of its artistry lies on the fact that the people of the town had done so much to its perfection. Besides the convent, a descent "casa tribunal" with a rectangular prison cell was built, and a school house also fabricated of stones was erected.
During 1635, the Sangleys at Parian in Manila and in the neighboring towns staged an insurrection against the Spanish government. It was during one of these rebellions that the church bells brought by the Spanish Missionaries to the town which was made of bronze, and whose intonations were second only to that of the bell of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, was stolen by the Chinese. Since it was so huge, the looters had to break it into small pieces in order to remove it from the belfry.
Philippine Revolution, American occupation and World War II
The Americans established the military rule and Dr. Pío Valenzuela was appointed first president of the town on September 6, 1899. He resigned on February 1902.
Rufino Valenzuela became the first elected president of the Town in 1904.
The entrance of the Japanese in Polo was without any resistance. The people during the Japanese time enjoyed prosperity for Polo became a market town. There were more signs of cooperation and social contact among the inhabitants but on the contrary, fear of reprisals from the Japanese predominated. The town also became a place of terror. There were too many murders committed. The place became a habitat of Makapilis, and spies who troubled the peaceful civilians. The sudden appearance of the Japanese added terror to the place.
The reign of terror climaxed on December 10, 1944. It was a day of mourning for the people of Polo and Obando for it was the day when the Japanese massacred more than a hundred males in both towns. At about 1:00am on this day up to the setting of the sun, cries could be heard from the municipal building when males who were screeded by the "Magic Eye" inside the church were being tortured to death. (This could be the reason why the old church was not anymore restored, and be neglected to ruins, thus building a new edifice beside the old one.) Mayor Ponciano met the same fate. He died a cruel death on this day with the municipal officials.
When liberation came, the town was partly burned by the approaching the military forces of the Filipinos and Americans who threw flame throwers and shelled the big houses in the town, not exempting the more than 300 years old church of San Diego.
The historical old bridge was destroyed by the Japanese, thus separating Polo in two parts, the Northern and the Southern Parts. The northern part was at once liberated by joint Filipino and American troops while the southern part, which includes the Poblacion was still under the Japanese banner. The Japanese abandoned the town on February 11, 1945 when the combined American and Filipino troops were able to cross the river and took the town.
Polo, Bulacan to Valenzuela City
On July 21, 1960, President Diosdado Macapagal signed Executive Order No. 401, which led to the creation of the separate municipalities of Valenzuela and Polo, in honor of Dr. Pío Valenzuela, a significant personality in Philippine history who was born here. The new town of Polo comprised the barangays on the northern part namely Poblacion, Palasan, Arkong Bato, Pariancillo Villa, Balangkas, Mabolo, Coloong, Malanday, Bisig, Tagalag, Rincon, Pasolo, Punturin, Bignay and Dalandanan. The new town of Valenzuela comprised the southern barangays: Karuhatan, Marulas, Malinta, Ugong, Mapulang Lupa, Canumay, Maysan, Paso de Blas, Bagbaguin and Torres Bugallon (now Gen. T. de Leon).After three years of administrating the two towns, however, the local government and their respective constituents realized that a division of Polo and Valenzuela was ill advised and only resulted in underdevelopment instead of progress. Thus, on September 11, 1963, another law, Executive Order No. 46 was signed by then President Diosdado Macapagal; this declared the re-unification of the towns of Polo and Valenzuela, which led to the adoption of the name "Valenzuela" in respect to and to perpetuate the legacy of the great patriot, Dr. Pío Valenzuela.
Because of the rapid growth of the National Capital Region in terms of population, as well as social and economic requirements in the early seventies, and the municipality's proximity to the area, During the Marcos administration, Valenzuela was taken from the province of Bulacan and was included in the created MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority) and the NCR (National Capital Region). Presidential Decree Number 824 was issued on November 7, 1975, creating the Metropolitan Manila Commission and separating the Municipality of Valenzuela from the Province of Bulacan.
As part of the National Capital Region, the social and political upheavals of the seventies and early eighties did not dampen the pulsating economy of the municipality. It was, in fact, a golden age in the history and culture of Valenzuela when businesses and industries in the municipality grew rapidly.
The passage of the Local Government Code in 1991 unlocked and marshaled the repressed energies of local communities. The Local Government Code provides genuine and meaningful autonomy to enable local governments to attain their fullest development as self-reliant communities. It was during this time that Valenzuela began charting its own destiny and moved the local economy in the direction it chose.
From then on, Valenzuela had to cope with rapid urbanization as part of the National Capital Region. It is considered as a vital link between the National Capital Region and Northern Luzon.
And 23 years after its separation from Bulacan and 375 years after its founding, On February 14, 1998, then President Fidel Ramos signed Republic Act No. 8526, converting the Municipality of Valenzuela under the administration of Mayor Bobbit Carlos into a highly urbanized city, making Valenzuela the 12th city in Metro Manila and the 83rd in the Philippines.[14
Mga Barangay
Unang Distrito
Largest barangay hall
On May 15, 2008, Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and second district representative Atty. Magtanggol Gunigundo, assisted by Valenzuela mayor Sherwin Gatchalian, barangay Maysan chairman Enrique Urrutia, inaugurated the largest barangay hall in the Philippines. The Maysan Barangay Complex is built in the middle of a 253-hectare land barangay Maysan, Valenzuela City, having three storeys and occupies more than 3,000 square meters in area.[19]
http://www.valenzuela.gov.ph/
Valenzuela has a land area of 44.59 km2 divided into several domain: residential, industrial and cultural. It is bordered by Meycauayan City, Quezon City and northern Caloocan City to the east; by Obando in Bulacan to the west; by Malabon City, southern Caloocan City and Tullahan River to the south.
Since becoming a city in 1998, Valenzuela’s economy has flourished and its population has swelled significantly.[4]
History
During its long history, the city played an important role in the development of northern Metro Manila. Before its cityhood on 1998, the city was divided economically into a Spanish friar hacienda, small political settlement and a Spanish garrison before the Philippine Independence in 1898. Valenzuela City was once part of the Bulacan province. In 19th century, its huge land area was subdivided into Polo, Novaliches, Obando, and others merged into the province of Morong. Later on in the American period, the city became part of Bulacan and colonial government commissioned the construction of Marcelo H. del Pilar Expressway. The expressway later became North Luzon Expressway during Marcos's era.
The liberation of the Philippines from Japanese rule on 1946 resulted in the division of Valenzuela into two towns.
On 1960, President Diosdado Macapagal signed a bill creating the municipality of Valenzuela independent from Bulacan. However, on 1963, the bill was reverted, making the northern Polo under Bulacan again, while the southern Valenzuela town became an independent municipality. The creation of Metro Manila Commission and National Capital Region during Marcos' administration led to unification of Polo and Valenzuela into a municipality of Valenzuela in 1975. Valenzuela finally attained cityhood status on February 14, 1998.
Spanish colonization
The history of Valenzuela is incomplete unless the history of its mother province, Bulacan, is included. For hundreds of years, present-day Valenzuela, Obando and Novaliches (now in Quezon City) were parts of Bulacan. Therefore, the history of Bulacan before 1623 was also the history of Valenzuela.
Province of Bulacan
When Spanish conquistadores reached Luzon island and established a settlement in Manila,[7] they found Bulacan as a strong united community ruled by the Rajah and his princes. Until today, the etymology of Bulacan is unclear, although many historians believe that the word bulacan came from any of the following:
1. The vast area of the region was entirely covered by green pastures, mountains, and forests. It was also full of fruit trees, vegetables, and flower orchards. The natives there called such a place bulak-lakan, meaning flower farm in Tagalog. It was Hispanized to bulakan, and finally, to bulacan.
2. Taking the Tagalog root word of bulacan, bulac, which in modern orthography becomes bulak or cotton. The region is also plenty of cotton trees in the north, and in fact, it is a major industry there.
Early Hispanic history of the region
The area encompassed by the present-day Valenzuela City, Novaliches, and Obando municipality and portions of land in southern Caloocan City were formerly known during Spanish period as Polo. The region, is significantly bounded by the Tullahan River on the south and streams of branching Río Grande de Pampanga on some areas.
According to Philippine historians Emma Helen Blair and James Alexander Robertson, there existed an infamous Battle of Bangkusay in Bangkusay Channel, Tondo headed by Maynila king Rajah Sulayman, which employed seafarers and warriors from all over parts of the north of Maynila Kingdom and Bulacan.[8] The battle was declared against Spanish conquering forces of Miguel López de Legazpi on June 3, 1571. Spanish troops were headed by Legazpi's nephew, Martín de Goiti. On June 3, 1571, Sulayman led his troops and attacked the Spaniards in a decisive battle at the town of Bangkusay, but they were defeated, and Sulayman himself was killed.[8] With the destruction of Sulayman's army and the friendship with Rajah Lakandula, the Spaniards were enabled to establish throughout the city and its neighboring towns.[9]
Legazpi formally established settlement on Maynila on June 24, 1571.[8] According to Father Martinez de Zuñiga, a Spanish missionary of Augustinian order, Maynila was a vast region enclosed by the towns of Polo, Tambobong (now Malabon City), and mountains of San Mateo in Morong. The region of Valenzuela, was formally merged under the rule of Bulacan town of Catanghalan.[8]
On 1587, the Tagalog cabeza de barangay of Catanghalan Tassi Bassi joined the Tondo chieftain Magat Salamat's planned insurrection against Spanish colonization of Maynila.[10] The rebellion was composed of kin-related noblemen or maharlikas of Maynila including Juan Banal, another Tondo chief and Salamat’s brother-in-law; Gerónimo Basi and Gabriel Tuambacar, brothers of Agustín de Legazpi; Pedro Balinguit, the chief of Pandacan; Felipe Salonga, the chief of Polo; Dionisio Capolo (Kapulong), the chief of Candaba and brother of Felipe Salonga; Juan Basi, the chief of Taguig; Felipe Salalila, the chief of Misil; Agustin Manuguit, son of Felipe Salalila; Luis Amanicaloa, another chief of Tondo; Felipe Amarlangagui, the chief of Caranglan; Omaghicon, the chief of Navotas and Pitongatan (Pitong Gatang), another chief of Tondo. In Philippine history, this was notably known as Tondo Conspiracy of the Maharlikas, a plot of series of "revolution" against Spain that included several native noblemen. The planned revolution was never happened because whistleblowers revealed the nature of it to Spanish authorities.[11]
When Manila became an archdiocese on August 14, 1595 based upon Pope Gregory XIII's Papal order, regular friars that had already established permanent church in Catanghalan decided that the attached sitio of Polo be divided to cater spiritual needs of an increasing population all over.[12] Thus, on 1623, upon order of Governor-General Alonso Fajardo de Entenza, sitio Polo became independent from Catanghalan although the two was still under the alcaldía (Spanish title for local government during that time) of Bulacan.
Establishment of the town
Prior to the elevation of Manila as an archdiocese on 1595, regular friars staying on the town of Catanghalan asked for an appeal from Governor-General Entenza to have another separate town from former. Through successive efforts of Fray Juan Taranco and Don Juan Monsód, sitio Polo was successfully separated from Catanghalan in 1623, but still under jurisdiction of the alcaldía de Bulacán. Thus, the first cabeza de barangay of the new town of Polo was Monsód and Taranco operated the present San Diego de Alcalá parish on a small tavern.[13]
It was in the year 1627 when the construction of the Parochial church dedicated to San Diego de Alcala started. Finally, in 1629, the church was fully constructed. Its fabrication was supervised by Fr. José Valencia aided by Capitan Juan Tibay. The church was fully repaired and remodeled under the direction of Fr. Vicente in 1852. A great change took place in the appearance of the church, that according to the missionaries it was one of the best ever built in the archipelago, and became the envy among other towns. Again, the church after its repair was dedicated to another patron, the "Nuestra Senora de la Inmaculada Concepcion". Still, another dedication was made and that was to San Roque. The convent was well built and comfortable. The pride of its artistry lies on the fact that the people of the town had done so much to its perfection. Besides the convent, a descent "casa tribunal" with a rectangular prison cell was built, and a school house also fabricated of stones was erected.
During 1635, the Sangleys at Parian in Manila and in the neighboring towns staged an insurrection against the Spanish government. It was during one of these rebellions that the church bells brought by the Spanish Missionaries to the town which was made of bronze, and whose intonations were second only to that of the bell of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, was stolen by the Chinese. Since it was so huge, the looters had to break it into small pieces in order to remove it from the belfry.
Philippine Revolution, American occupation and World War II
The Americans established the military rule and Dr. Pío Valenzuela was appointed first president of the town on September 6, 1899. He resigned on February 1902.
Rufino Valenzuela became the first elected president of the Town in 1904.
The entrance of the Japanese in Polo was without any resistance. The people during the Japanese time enjoyed prosperity for Polo became a market town. There were more signs of cooperation and social contact among the inhabitants but on the contrary, fear of reprisals from the Japanese predominated. The town also became a place of terror. There were too many murders committed. The place became a habitat of Makapilis, and spies who troubled the peaceful civilians. The sudden appearance of the Japanese added terror to the place.
The reign of terror climaxed on December 10, 1944. It was a day of mourning for the people of Polo and Obando for it was the day when the Japanese massacred more than a hundred males in both towns. At about 1:00am on this day up to the setting of the sun, cries could be heard from the municipal building when males who were screeded by the "Magic Eye" inside the church were being tortured to death. (This could be the reason why the old church was not anymore restored, and be neglected to ruins, thus building a new edifice beside the old one.) Mayor Ponciano met the same fate. He died a cruel death on this day with the municipal officials.
When liberation came, the town was partly burned by the approaching the military forces of the Filipinos and Americans who threw flame throwers and shelled the big houses in the town, not exempting the more than 300 years old church of San Diego.
The historical old bridge was destroyed by the Japanese, thus separating Polo in two parts, the Northern and the Southern Parts. The northern part was at once liberated by joint Filipino and American troops while the southern part, which includes the Poblacion was still under the Japanese banner. The Japanese abandoned the town on February 11, 1945 when the combined American and Filipino troops were able to cross the river and took the town.
Polo, Bulacan to Valenzuela City
On July 21, 1960, President Diosdado Macapagal signed Executive Order No. 401, which led to the creation of the separate municipalities of Valenzuela and Polo, in honor of Dr. Pío Valenzuela, a significant personality in Philippine history who was born here. The new town of Polo comprised the barangays on the northern part namely Poblacion, Palasan, Arkong Bato, Pariancillo Villa, Balangkas, Mabolo, Coloong, Malanday, Bisig, Tagalag, Rincon, Pasolo, Punturin, Bignay and Dalandanan. The new town of Valenzuela comprised the southern barangays: Karuhatan, Marulas, Malinta, Ugong, Mapulang Lupa, Canumay, Maysan, Paso de Blas, Bagbaguin and Torres Bugallon (now Gen. T. de Leon).After three years of administrating the two towns, however, the local government and their respective constituents realized that a division of Polo and Valenzuela was ill advised and only resulted in underdevelopment instead of progress. Thus, on September 11, 1963, another law, Executive Order No. 46 was signed by then President Diosdado Macapagal; this declared the re-unification of the towns of Polo and Valenzuela, which led to the adoption of the name "Valenzuela" in respect to and to perpetuate the legacy of the great patriot, Dr. Pío Valenzuela.
Because of the rapid growth of the National Capital Region in terms of population, as well as social and economic requirements in the early seventies, and the municipality's proximity to the area, During the Marcos administration, Valenzuela was taken from the province of Bulacan and was included in the created MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority) and the NCR (National Capital Region). Presidential Decree Number 824 was issued on November 7, 1975, creating the Metropolitan Manila Commission and separating the Municipality of Valenzuela from the Province of Bulacan.
As part of the National Capital Region, the social and political upheavals of the seventies and early eighties did not dampen the pulsating economy of the municipality. It was, in fact, a golden age in the history and culture of Valenzuela when businesses and industries in the municipality grew rapidly.
The passage of the Local Government Code in 1991 unlocked and marshaled the repressed energies of local communities. The Local Government Code provides genuine and meaningful autonomy to enable local governments to attain their fullest development as self-reliant communities. It was during this time that Valenzuela began charting its own destiny and moved the local economy in the direction it chose.
From then on, Valenzuela had to cope with rapid urbanization as part of the National Capital Region. It is considered as a vital link between the National Capital Region and Northern Luzon.
And 23 years after its separation from Bulacan and 375 years after its founding, On February 14, 1998, then President Fidel Ramos signed Republic Act No. 8526, converting the Municipality of Valenzuela under the administration of Mayor Bobbit Carlos into a highly urbanized city, making Valenzuela the 12th city in Metro Manila and the 83rd in the Philippines.[14
Mga Barangay
Unang Distrito
- Arkong Bato
- Balangkas
- Bignay
- Bisig
- Canumay
- Coloong
- Dalandanan
- Isla
- Lawang Bato
- Lingunan
- Mabolo
- Malanday
- Malinta
- Palasan
- Pariancillo Villa
- Pasolo
- Poblacion
- Polo
- Punturin
- Rincon
- Tagalag
- Veinte Reales
- Wawang Pulo
- Gen. T. De Leon
- Karuhatan
- Bagbaguin
- Mapulang Lupa
- Marulas
- Maysan
- Parada
- Paso de Blas
- Ugong
Largest barangay hall
On May 15, 2008, Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and second district representative Atty. Magtanggol Gunigundo, assisted by Valenzuela mayor Sherwin Gatchalian, barangay Maysan chairman Enrique Urrutia, inaugurated the largest barangay hall in the Philippines. The Maysan Barangay Complex is built in the middle of a 253-hectare land barangay Maysan, Valenzuela City, having three storeys and occupies more than 3,000 square meters in area.[19]
http://www.valenzuela.gov.ph/