HISTORY OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF ARAYAT Historical research cannot assert the exact founding date of Arayat, but there

are accounts detailing that people are settling here already between 1335 and 1380. Another historian states that Prince Balagtas or his son Araw (Lord) Maalangsic was the founder of Arayat. At that time, it occupied what is today barrio Palinlang and was called Balayan ning Pambuit. Present day, Poblacionor seat of government was then a wilderness inhabited by Pagan tribes, especially the Balugas (Aetas). Still, other accounts mention such as Jose Carlos Garcia, Macapagal, Simbulan, Lapira and Maria Vinas as the early pioneers of Arayat. The town s name itself is a puzzler too. No one really knows for sure how the town was chrsitened such, but theories includes: 1. Arayat was originated from the name of Fernando de Arayat, a Spanish encomiendero whose birthplace in Spain was called "Arayat". Over time, a particular researcher claims that the natives had transformed the word to "Daya". 2. The original vernacular name "Dayat" was derived from "dayatan" which literally means dry season rice crop. 3. Arayat was formerly known as "Alaya" or "east". Thus, bunduk alaya" or "eastern mountain" referred to Mt. Arayat. Likewise, this same source considers the word "Arayat" to be of Spanish coinage. One thing is for sure though, by 1571, Arayat was one of the eleven most important communities of Pampanga. Because of its strategic location along Pampanga River, it became a major center of trade and commerce supplying the rice requirements of Manila. The municipality of Arayat lies on the foothill of the 3,664-feet-tall Mt. Arayat the legendary home of the beautiful fairy, Mariang Sinukuan. It was once the location of the President Quezon presidential s retreat and recreation area in the 30s until the outbreak of World War II. The town of Arayat is located in the northern part of Pampanga. It is surrounded by the towns of Magalang on the northwest, Cabiao on the northeast, Candaba on the East, Sta Ana on the South and Mexico on the west, with a total area of 17,694 hectares and a population of

90,013 more or less. Only 19 kilometers away from San Fernando, the capital town of Pampanga, Arayat is about an hour drive from Manila. Arayat is a 1st class municipality (memorandum circular 01-m(18)bureau of local government finance(BLGF) in the province of Pampanga, Philippines. According to the 2000 census According to the latest census, it has a population of 118,312 people in 18,571, households. Mount Arayat is located within this municipality.

LEGENDS AND HISTORY Before the Spaniards came Arayat was known as Balayan ning Pambuit'an ancient settlement originally located in barrio Palinlang (present poblacion that used to be a jungle in habited by aetas) The towns was rename "Dayat" (which means irrigated farmlands), while the mountains was originally called Bundok Alaya (which means eastern mountain) Historically speaking, the exact date of Arayat's foundation is still unknown. Definitely, the town was reported to be one of the thriving settlements of Pampanga between 1335 to 1380. One chronicle alleges that Prince Balagtas or his son Araw (Lord) Malangsic (rulers of the Madjapahit empire) was the founder of Arayat. At that time,it occupied what is today barrio Palinlang and was called Balayan ning Pambuit. Present-day Poblacion or seat of government was then a wilderness inhabited by pagan tribes, especially the balugas (Aetas). By 1571, Arayat was one of the eleven most important communities of Pampanga. Because of its strategic location along the Pampanga River, it became a major center of trade and commerce - supplying the rice requirements of Manila, the Capital City. On August 29, 1590, the Augustinians were granted permission to establish a mission in Arayat by the Bishop of Manila, Fr. Domingo Salazar. In the same year, the first Augustinian mission in Arayat was founded by Fr. Juan de Valderrama. By 1600, the parish of Arayat already existed according to one historian of the Augustinian order in the Philippines, Elviro Jorde Perez. Available documents even show that a certain Fr. Contreras was the parish priest of Arayat until 1621. However, it requires further research work to determine whether or not originally built by the Augustinians. Also, it appears that the first baptism to be recorded at the parish was performed by Fr. Villalobos in 1758.

THE LEGEND OF MARIANG SINUKUAN

The legend says that Mt. Arayat is a home of an enchanted lady who is a sort of fairy godmother. This lady is popularly known as Mariang Sinukuan. There is a beautiful legend about Mt. Arayat. The legend says that Mt. Arayat is a home of an enchanted lady who is a sort of fairy godmother. This lady is popularly known as Mariang Sinukuan.Mariang Sinukuan is said to be a beautiful lady. Her black hair, is naturally curled, reaches down to her ankles. Her eyes are framed by long lashes which are black. Her eyebrows are arched. Her nose which is beautifully either too high or too flat is finely chiseled. Her lips are well formed. Her skin is a flowless brown. Her clothes are made of white flowing robe. But Mariang Sinukuan is not only known for her physical beauty. Far more beautiful is her character for she possesses a kind and generous heart. Never was it known of her not to help those who needed her help. Once upon a time, they say that Mt. Arayat abounded in all kinds of fruit trees. Aside from the fruit trees, it is said that animals of all kinds once roamed this mountain. The strange thing about this fruit trees and animals is that the fruit trees bore exceptionally big fruits all the year round and the animals was no other than Mariang Sinukuan. These fruit trees and animals, Mariang Sinukuan used to distribute to the poor. Needy families often woke up on the morning to see at their doorsteps fruits and animals for their needs. They knew it was Mariang Sinukuan who left this foods while they were sleeping. How grateful the people were to be graced by the enchanted lady. And to show their gratitude and respect they never tried to go to her hide-out in the mountain. The people considered her home as a sacred place. But such was not always the case. There came a time when the people were no longer satisfied with what the enchanted lady left at their doorsteps. They wanted to get more. One day, some young men decided to go up Mt. Arayat. They wanted to get more of Mariang Sinukuan's fruits and animals. They started for the mountain early at dawn. They reached the base of the mountain at sunrise. Guavas bigger than their fists dangled from the guava trees. Pomegranate branches almost reached to the ground because of the many and big fruits they bore. Ripe mangoes were just within one's reach. Fowls of every kind were plentiful. Pigs, goats and other animals roamed around. The young men were still viewing this wonder of nature when from nowhere came Mariang Sinukuan. They were dazzled by her brilliance. They could not find any words to say to her. It was Mariang Sinukuan who first spoke to them. Welcome to my home, young men. Help yourself to the fruits. Eat as much as you can but I'm warning you not to take anything home without my knowledge." With this, the enchanted lady departed.

After recovering from their amazement, the young men started to pick up fruits. They ate and ate until they could not eat anymore. "Let us pick some more fruits. I want to fill this sack which I brought," said one. "No, let's not do that. Let's go home now," said another. "I'm scared." " Why be scared? Did we not come to get more fruits and animals?" " But the lady warned us not to take anything home without her knowledge." "Oh, come on. She won't know we took home fruits and animals. They're so plentiful, she won't know the difference." And so the young men started to fill their sacks with as many fruits and animals as they could get hold of. Then they started for home. As they were about to begin their descent they felt their sacks becoming heavier. They didn't mind this, but they had not gone ten steps farther when they felt that their load was pulling them down. Putting the sacks down, how surprised the young men were to find that the fruits and animals had become big stones. They remembered Mariang Sinukuan's warning. The young men became terribly frightened. Leaving their sacks behind, they ran as fast as their feet could carry them. But before they reached the base of the mountain whom did they see blocking their way? It was Mariang Sinukuan who was very angry. "You ungrateful wretches! I help you in times of need. But how do you repay me. You are not satisfied with what I leave you at your doorsteps. And now you even try to steal my things! Because of your greediness I'm going to turn you all into a swine." With the wave of her wand, Mariang Sinukuan changed the young men into swine. This was not the last time that people tried to get hold of Mariang Sinukuan's fruits and animals. Again and again they tried to steal them. At last, fed up with the people's greediness, Mariang Sinukuan stopped leaving food at their doorsteps. She caused the fruit trees and animals in the mountain to disappear. She no longer showed herself to the people for she was disgusted with their greediness. HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF ARAYAT The first convent church was temporary and made of light materials. There are no records regarding the builder and date of constructionof the church at present. Fr. Jose Torres restored it in 1858. Fr. Juan Tarrerero continued the restoration in 1877. Fr. Urbano Pedoya completed it in 1958. A document
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joined in hands with these parish priest in the reconstruction of a church that had been newly inaugurated. Don Juan Medina Kabigting and her spouse Dona Luisa Gabriel made several substantial donations. The church measures 70 meters long, 16 meters wide and 12 meters high. The presbyter ceiling and main altar have been recently restored. The faade has been painted with white stucco cement thus obscuring the original color of the stone. In 1968, the church was again recostructed. It was from Fr. Lope Hernandez, assistant reconstruction of the inner part of the church. In 1975, a sort of adoration chapel was constructed. This is located below the convent. The parish priest then was Fr. Felipe Pangilinan. In 1996, the main altar was painted white and gold leaves served as the decors. The sacristy was also renovated. The people of Arayat and Rev. Fr. Chito M. Carlos thanked the Ramos de la Rama Family for having been the sponsors and donors of such changes and improvement of the church. The Sta. Catalina Catholic Church in the baranggay Poblacion still looks after the bustling town and its folks with its centuries-old silently watchful glaze. Built in honor of St. catherine of Alexandria, this is one of the oldest churches in Pampanga.

MOUNT ARAYAT NATIONAL PARK Have you been to BANO already? No, this is not a particularly rude question asking about your recent trip to the bathroom. If truth be told, this is a question instantly
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thrown towards visitors of the lively little town of Arayat. After all, each and everyone of the townsfolk of Arayat have only pride and reverence for the colossal peak that haughtily banners the town name. and the foot of this renowned mountain lies in the sleepy barrion of Bano, which also accomodates the also popular Mt. Arayat National Park. Established by the late Pres. Manuel L. Quezon on June 27, 1993 to preserve the flora and fauna thriving therein, this park is an ideal site for outdoor activities with its quaint environs under cool shades of lush green foliage, mountain breeze, natural falls, and two standard-sized swimming pools, recreational halls and picnic huts. The Hundred Steps is also an often-visited part of the said park. At the very top of this flight stands a grotto of the Holy Virgin. Quite a striking metaphor of faith, don t you agree? The local government recognizes the part that the mountain and its park play as they are both turn-ons for Pampanga tourists. Thus, under the iniatitive of Gov. Mark T. Lapid et al, the improvement of the Arayat National Park in Arayat town and the establishment of a mini zoo that would be promoted for educational tours were set into action. Proposals of upgrading the place include construction of support facilitiessuch as view decks and reataurant area.

ARAYAT TODAY Fast forward to present-day Arayat, the town still proudly stands: a mishmash of old and new Kapampangan and general Filipino culture. The town is the biggest in northern Pampanga, It is composed of 30 barangays/barrios namely: Arenas, Baliti, Batasan, Buensuceso, Camba (Kaledian), Candating, Cupang, Gatiawin, Guemasan, La Paz (Turu), Lacmit, Laquios, Mangga-Cacutud, Mapalad, Matamo, Palinlang, Paralaya, Plazang Luma, Poblacion, San Agustin Norte, San Agustin Sur, San Antonio, San Jose (
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Mesulo), San Juan ( Bano), San Mateo, San Nicolas, San Roque (Bitas), Sto. Nino (Tabuan), Suklayin, and Telapayong, not to mention subdivisions that sprout outside the town proper among which are: Fidela, Guemasan, San Nicolas, Aliwalas, Castillo (Bitas), and Leonor Subdivisions. The Sta. Catalina Catholic Church in the baranggay Poblacion still looks after the bustling town and its folks with its centuries-old silently watchful glaze. Built in honor of St. catherine of Alexandria, this is one of the oldest churches in Pampanga. In front of the church is the Glorietta, the town square where the center of the town s festivities and activities are held beckons the dwellers to sit on the benches and relax or play basketball on the public courts. But competiting with these sites are mushrooming internet cafes, food stores, barbeque stands, tricycle terminals, and other kinds of shops. The number of stores swells whenever the month of November, the town fiesta, comes. This then becomes a sort-of-month-long holiday for the people. Various merchandise, loudspeakers, boomers, street hawkers, and other colorful personalities and sights tantalize the people s senses every night, and this would go on until the Christmas holiday.

FAMOUS ARAYATENOS 1. General Jose Alejandrino

While in Spain, he was a staff of the La Solidaridad, a propaganda movement established to ask the Spaniards for reforms in the Philippines. He was a close friend of Jose Rizal and brought a copy of El Filibusterismo to the press and distributed it. During the revolution in 1896, he went to Hong Kong to acquire dynamites, rifles and pistols. This would be brought to the Philippines to be

used in the revolutionary movement. In his return to the Philippines, he served as a director of agriculture and industry and the army chief of engineers. Alejandrino became a brigadier-general in Central Luzon when the Philippine-American War broke out. He later became the military governor of Pampanga. He was also a humanitarian who complained about the inhumane treatment of the Americans to the Filipinos. Finally, he surrendered to General Frederick Funston in Arayat, Pampanga in 1901. After all his struggles, he was appointed senator forMindanao and Sulu in 1923. Likewise during the Constitutional Convention of 1934, he was elected as the representative of Pampanga. He wrote the book La Senda del Sacrificio to narrate the battles that he had fought and participated in.

2. Col. Joaquin Alejandrino

As a ranking militar, he fought the sapaniards and later the Americans. When the Spaniards surrendered and demanded to be treated as prisoners of war in accordance to the Geneva Convention, he told them, We are not signatories to the Tratado de Ginebra. We recognize no ginebra other than that sold flasks! . Later, he ran as a Socialist candidate but lost; he migrated to Mindanao, where he died in 1942. Jose Alejandrino wrote that his brother rendered greater services to the country than I did, yet he is much less known than I am.

3. Mayor Casto Alejandrino

In 1938, the socialist and communist parties united and later pledge loyalty to the government's anti-Japanese crusade in 1941. Following the Japanese invasion, Taruc formed the Hukbalahap (Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon or the "People s Army Against the Japanese in English), along with Casto Alejandrino and other revolutionaries, in central Luzon on 29 March 1942 and became its commander-in-chief.

4. 5. 6. 7.

Ambassador Amelito Mutuc Presidential Press Secretary Leo Parungao Author/Historian Rafaelita Hilario-Soriano Leading Political Activist/Kapampangan Language and Culture Advocate Yvonne Reyes of Washington D.C. 8. Penn Medina