History of Tarlac 

Towns

Author: Dr. Rodrigo M. Sicat

Web Design: Engr. Mark Jason V. Sicat

ANAO:  SERENE TOWN OF ILANG-ILANG BLOSSOMS

Early settlers of the town came from the Ilocano-speaking population of Camiling whose
ancestral stocks were from Paoay, Ilocos Norte. Originally, Anao was one of the barrios
of Paniqui when the latter was still a town of Pangasinan. It was established as a town
on March 1, 1870, earlier than its neighboring towns of Moncada, San Manuel, and
Ramos. Don Fruto Pastor, one of its early settlers, founded Anao. He became
the Capitan Municipal in the same year. Don Antonio succeeded him in 1872.

Since then, the political structure of the town has evolved as it is today.

Anao is the smallest municipality in the province. It is located in the northeastern part
of Tarlac; it is bounded on the north by San Manuel, in the east by Nampicuan (Nueva
Ecija), on the south by Ramos and on the west by Paniqui and Moncada.
A predominantly Ilocano-speaking village, Anao has a population of 10,045 people in
2,086 households (NSO, 2000).

Basically, the town is an agricultural village that produces rice, corn, vegetable, and
sugarcane crops.

Anao is a serene village known for ilang-ilang (Cananga odorata (Lamk.)

Hook.) production. Ilang-ilang blossoms produce oil extract that is used for making
perfumes. The demand for ilang-ilang production is great, both here and abroad, which
is why it has contributed to the economy of the town.

BAMBAN: GATEWAY TO TARLAC

Bamban is located at the southernmost part of Tarlac Province. On the north, it is

bounded by the municipality of Capas, Tarlac, and on the south, by the municipality of
Mabalacat, Pampanga. The Parua River, popularly known as Bamban River, separates
Bamban from Mabalacat. Toward the east lies the municipality of Concepcion, Tarlac.
On the western side, the terrain is rugged due to rolling hills and mountains bordering
the municipality of Botolan, Zambales. The wide tract of flat lands on the eastern side is
suited to agriculture.  This is where many of Bamban’s are engaged in farming. 
Historical records states that the early inhabitants of the settlement, which was to
become Pueblo de Bamban, were the Aetas or Negritos and Zambals. Later, other
settlers came from Pampanga and other neighboring provinces. Those settlers found the
place with plants of mabamboa or bambania growing abundantly along the
riverbanks.  The place was called cabambanan or mabamban  but later on it was simply
called bamban.
At present, the Kapampangans composed approximately 90% of Bamban’s population.
The remaining 10% composed of Ilocanos, Tagalogs, Pangasinenses and Zambals.
Roman Catholicism is the dominant religion which is about 85% while the rest are
Iglesia ni Cristo, Methodists, Baptists and other evangelical groups. The presence of
those religious sects attests that its people are religious. Farming is the main
occupation of the residents who live at the eastern part of the town. Among the
professionals, the teachers are the greatest in number, drivers of passenger jeepneys
and tricycles ranked second. The rest offers personal services such as the carpenters,
barbers, beautician, masons and other construction workers.

Bamban is endowed by the Divine Providence with rolling hills and gorgeous mountains
of San Vicente, Sto. Nino and San Nicolas. The Sacobia Lake in barangay Sto Nino was
a result of the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991. Another interesting spot to see is the
waterfalls at Sitio Malasa. Some Japanese tunnels still exist on the mountains of
barangay San Nicolas. There are also man-made wonders in Bamban that include the
Wonderland Resort at barangay Anupul, the grottos of our Lady of Lourdes in
barangaysLourdesand sitio Magurul Gurul, and the concrete suspension bridge at the
southernmost part of Bamban.

BAMBAN BEFORE WORLD WAR II

Life in Bamban before the outbreak of the war was simple. Majority of the people lived
in small houses made of bamboos, nipa or cogon, sawali and other local materials
available in the community. There were few big houses owned by
wealthy hacinderos and professionals, yet, their number is few. Today, most of these
ancestral houses no longer exist, including the house of Don Jesus Feliciano – a
wealthy landlord, located few meters from the railroad station at barangay San Nicolas.
The old house of Atty. Benjamin Gacioco located across the old sugar central was also
dismantled right after the Liberation Period. Another one that no longer exists is the
house of Dr. Potricio S. Santos, grandfather of Vilma, a multi –awarded actress turned
politician.
During those periods, calesas, calising and carts were the usual type of transportation.
Very few had family cars like the Felicianos, Santos and Gosiocos. Other rich families
owned calising, which were drawn by horses. Now, Bamban is found with tricycles and
passenger jeepneys, instead, of the calesas and calising.
Long before the war, the rural folks in this community practiced bayanihan. Farmers
helped one another in preparing their rice fields during planting and harvesting
seasons. To make their work easier and faster, the community folks practiced the sugo.
But because of the invention of modern machineries such as the threshing machines,
tractors, and bulldozers, the practice among the farmers is rarely observed nowadays.

The farmers in Bamban traditionally practiced the lasac dalungdong after a bountiful

harvest. This is a way of showing their gratitude to God for the blessing they received at
harvest time. Barrio folks come to partake sumptuous food made available for everyone.
Today, the lasac dalungdung festivity held in rice fields or farms is gone; instead,
parties are held in resorts or restaurants.
Another traditional practice in Bamban is the Santa Cruzan held in May. The tradition
is the procession of beautiful maidens and gentlemen during the evening that parade
along the streets of the town beginning May 15 until the end of the month. Naturally,
the burden of inviting beautiful ladies from the neighboring barrios or towns plus, the
preparation of supper would entail much expense on the part of the host; thus, is
perhaps the reason why the Santa Cruzan has become scarce this day.

Again before the war, lively music during parties, anniversaries and other special
occasions had to be provided by rondalla players. But now, videokes and other
electronic musical devices are being used instead. This is one reason why there are few
surviving rondalla players these days in Bamban.

THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION

With the coming of the Japanese Imperial Army in Bamban, many of its civilian
residents suffered untold hardships and brutalities. The Japanese army occupied the
sugar central as their garrison or detention camp. Innocent civilians were brutally
tortured on mere suspicion of being members of the guerilla movement.
To propagate Japanese language and culture, schools were opened. The teaching of
Nippongo as a subject was compulsory and the children were forced to study it. During
this regime, the Kapisanan ng Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas (Society for Service
to the New Philippines), popularly known as KALIBAPI, was utilized by the Japanese
invaders to gain the cooperation and goodwill of the civilians. But despite this Japanese
propaganda, many cabalens joined the guerrilla USAFFE or  Hukbalahap (Hukbong
Bayan Laban Sa Hapon). Several resistance units were organized me and one of them
was USAFFE guerilla under Capt. Bruce, an American soldier. Squadron #45 of
the  Hukbalahap movement was under Apung Nasiong Gamboa alias Commander
Luna.

THE LIBERATION PERIOD

Perhaps, Bamban was the only town in Central Luzon, which suffered most when the
American forces came to liberate the Philippines. The whole poblacion of the
municipality was devastated when US fighter planes bombed the houses, the school
buildings and the public market. There were no civilian casualties because the
residents had evacuated to the far-flung barrios.

Not long after, the people returned to the poblacion to rehabilitate the community. They
had to rebuild their dwelling places out of salvage materials. Peaceful living must
continue after the war. 

POST-LIBERATION PERIOD

Soon after the war, some remarkable changes took place in the town. Political set up
was reorganized and schools were reopened. Big houses made of strong materials were
erected in the pablacions and few “barong-barong” constructed out of salvaged
materials remained for a few more years.

Five (5) additional barrios were added to the ten (10) existing barrios of the town. The
newly created barrios were Lourdes, San Pedro, Sto Nino, San Rafael and San Vicente.
The highest official of the barrio was no longer addressed tiniente but capitan.
During pre-war days and up to early Liberation Period, there were no high schools in
Bamban. In 1949, Atty. Igmedio Bolus created the Bamban Institute, which however,
did not operate long. In 1957, another private high school, the Holy Infant Jesus
Academy, established by a certain Mr. Gaviola came into operation. Later on, the
administration was transferred to the Dominican Sisters. The institution was
subsequently renamed Sto.Nino Academy up to the present time.
In 1966, a public high school came into existence. It was named San Roque
Experimental High School. Two years later, it was renamed San Roque Rural High
School. It is known now as San Roque High School.  
  
THE MARTIAL LAW YEARS

When the late Pres. Marcos proclaimed Martial Law, notable changes took place in
Bamban. In the political arena for instance, there was a sudden change in leadership in
the Municipal Government when the incumbent Mayor was detained in Camp Crame,
Quezon City. His vice-mayor, a former employee of Clark Air Force Base, took over the
reins of government. He served well his constituents despite the difficulties of Martial
Law. In 1978, the incumbent mayor was replaced by a political choice of the political
party in power. However, the designated mayor died after serving less than two years in
office. Hence, his vice-mayor, also a party choice, succeeded him.

LIFE AFTER MT. PINATUBO ERUPTION

When Mt. Pinatubo erupted in 1991, the physical environment, population and
livelihood of the people changed as an aftermath of the calamity. Ash falls and lahar
devastated many houses, schools, farms, bridges and roads. Three barangays, namely:
San Pedro, Malonzo and Bangcu were totally covered with lahar. Portions of barangays
Lourdes, Banaba, La Paz, Dela Cruz and Culabasa were also covered by lahar. As a
result of the calamity, two resettlement areas, Dapdap and Mainang Resettlement
Centers, were made to help the displaced residents of the town. In Dapdap Resettlement
alone, more than 3,000 families were resettled. Other victims of Mt. Pinatubo eruption
stayed in the villages of Rolling Hills, Sampaloc, Panaisan, Pandan, Pag-asa, Magurol-
gurol and Mano.
In Dapdap Resettlement area, permanent buildings for public elementary and
secondary schools were constructed to accommodate children of school age. These
schools are still in operation. In Mainang Resettlement Center, the government also
constructed public elementary school buildings.

Many people lost jobs when the Americans abandoned Clark Air Base. Hundreds of rice
and sugarcane fields became unproductive because they were covered with lahar.
Under this situation, many people suffered hardships in their daily living.
After a few years, Clark Air Base was re-opened by the Philippine government that
helped the people of Bamban to work for their living. The re-opening included the
establishment of local manufacturing industries and duty free shops operated by the
Clark Development Corporation (CDC). Similarly, the Clark Airport became the
Diosdado Macapagal International Airport. These opportunities helped jobless
Bambanenses to be employed; skilled and non-skilled and professionals were given the
opportunity to earn a living inside the former military base.

Similarly, farmers became busy in their farms. With this turning of events, normal
living ushered in.

CAMILING: RESURGING FROM AN UNFORGOTTEN PAST

Camiling was originally a vast area of cogon growth interspersed with thick-forested
area stretching as far as the Zambales mountain ranges. In the beginning, Aetas
roamed freely in the wilderness of Camiling. They depended on fruit trees, hunting and
fishing for subsistence. Deer and different kinds of birds inhabited the place. A wide
river also cut peacefully through the terrain where fishes (dalag and anguilas)
abounded.

The Spaniards must have settled first in the basically flat area interspersed with limited
rolling hills. Whether it was initially the frontier settlement of the military or the
mission house of the friars, it has yet to be ascertained. However, records show that the
town called camiling evolved from two casas, later, visitas administered by the
Dominicans.
The first, which existed juristically, was San Jose de Camiling. It was located in what is
now part of Bautista, Pangasinan and at the time near a barrio called Binaca. The
second, called San Miguel de Camiling, was founded on what is now part of
Bayambang, Pangasinan, southwest of Paniqui. Unlike San Jose, which was only near
Binaca, San Miguel included barrio Binaca itself.

San Jose de Camiling was a casa of the Dominicans in 1686. When Paniqui became a
parish in 1718, San Jose de Camiling became a visita of Paniqui. In 1722, the visita
was raised into a parish. However, in 1725, it reverted into a visita of Paniqui again for
some unknown reason. One source says this earlier Spanish settlement disappeared
because of the growing threats from the Aetas. Thus, San Jose de Camiling ceased to
appear in the Actas of the Dominican provincial chapters from 1769 onwards. The
name Camiling was mentioned again in 1834, referring to a visita of Bayambang
founded by Father Juan Alvarez del Manzano, and later converted into a parish by
Father Benito Foncuberta in 1841. Based on the ereccion de pueblo, it was in 1838 that
Camiling got separated from Bayambang’s administrative authority and was transferred
to Paniqui. By 1845, church records referred to it as San Miguel de Camiling, after its
patron saint, St. Michael Archangel.

Apparently, this was the second settlement that was founded southwest of Paniqui and
Bayambang, which included barrio Binaca. Accounts of Father Manzano reveal that
along with inhabitants from Bayambang, families from Ilocos pioneered the inhabitants
of San Miguel de Camiling. The Ilocanos (majority came from Sarrat) named the town
after its own patron saint in Sarrat – San Miguel the Archangel or San Miguel for short.

It would seem, also, that some turmoil (could be a rebellion) forced the Ilocanos to
migrate southward, to Central Luzon, in search of peace and verdant fields to cultivate.
These groups of immigrants engaged in agriculture, but the place, especially Binaca,
was utilized earlier for its abundant grazing lands, hence, the word binaca which comes
from the Spanish vaca meaning “cow.” Before the Dominicans administered a church in
the place, it was a grazing ground (corral de vacas).
From 1849, it was under Father Angel Gomez that the community underwent
development. A church was built, a tribunal was erected, a four-hectare plaza was laid
out, and schools were established. The streets were constructed to form a modern
pueblo. By 1870, a cemetery was acquired and a permanent irrigation was built. Father
Gomez also had a church constructed with a baroque façade and a Romanesque dome.
All these structures mirrored a prosperous town, capable of independent existence.
Thus, by 1880, Camiling de San Miguel formally seceded from the town of Paniqui
which administered it politically until this year.

A visitor described the town’s church, convento, and dwelling house of the parish priest
as the best in this wealthy and prosperous town. The town’s church was not only airy,
comfortable and clean, but also the most artistic, being built in the Corinthian style.
The convent with its primitive part was made entirely of stone; its middle portion is
partly made of stones, bricks, and wood; and its third part, with its spaciousness, was
elegant.
From a settlement of 700 souls in 1869, which were mostly farmers, the population of
Camiling rose to 18,912 with five Españoles and the rest indigenous composed of
Ilocanos, Pangasinenses, Pampangueños, and Tagalogs.

Today, according to the 2000 census, Camiling has a population of 71,598 people in
15,324 households. It is a 1st class municipality whose checkered history is colored
with heritage and pride. Rebuilt in the 1880’s after a major earthquake, the century old
Roman Catholic Church and Convent have been declared historical sites by the
National Historical Commission in 1994. However, the Church was gutted by fire in
1997, That until today, its restoration has remained uncompleted.
Likewise, Camiling is also synonymous to Leonor Rivera who is Maria Clara, Jose
Rizal’s fiancée in his novel Noli Me Tangere. Similarly, Camiling prides itself as the
hometown of great men of valor and prominence, which include Carlos P. Romulo,
former Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and first Asian President of the
United Nations General Assembly; Onofre D. Corpuz, former Minister of education,
Culture and Sports, and UP President; Cesar A. Bengson, former Supreme Court
Justice and Justice of the International Court in the United Nations; Alberto Romulo,
former Senator of the Philippines, former Executive Secretary of President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo and currently, Secretary of foreign affairs, among others. Camiling’s
past remains unforgotten and it is resurging as it was.

CAPAS:   MONUMENT OF HEROISM AND TOURISM

Capas was originally a town of Pampanga. It became one of the seven towns covered by
the Politico-Military Commandancia in 1858 and became a town of the newly created
province of Tarlac in 1873. At that time, Capas consisted of three barrios, namely:
Murcia, Moriones, and O’Donnell.

Early residents of the town were mostly Kapampangans coming from the nearby towns
of Pampanga. Later, migrants from Ilocos and Zambales also came to live in Capas
The oldest religious mission in the province was established in Capas as early as 1710.
The Recollects must have founded it, judging from its patron saint, St. Nicholas of
Tolentino, and a friar of the Recollect Order. The Augustinians, in fact, were active in
the area since April 27, 1594. 

Local government records indicate that Capas was created in 1712 and is among the
oldest towns in the province of Tarlac. Its creation was justified by numerous
settlements, which were already established in the riverbanks of Cutcut River since the
advent of the 18th century. The settlements belonged to the domain of Pagbatuan and
Gudya, the two villages unified by Capitan Mariano Capiendo when he founded the
municipality. Due to the floods that frequently inundated the Cutcut riverbanks, the
town was relocated to the upper area where it is now permanently established.
Etymologically, Capas derived its name from the vine capas capas, whose edible flowers
are used as condiment for pinakbet. Another version indicates that the town took its
name from a cotton tree, which is called capas (Ceiba pentandra Linn.) among the
Ilocanos, bulak or kapok among the Kapampangans

Capas hosts the United States Naval Military Station until the Americans abandoned it
during the powerful Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991.
Similarly, it is the terminal point of the infamous Death March during the Second World
War. The Capas Concentration Camp was originally established as Camp O’Donnell in
1940. The camp served as the prison site to more than 40,000 Filipino soldiers and
9,000 American soldiers who were prisoners of war of the Japanese invaders. About
30,000 of these prisoners died of diseases and severe starvation. In this concentration
camp, the dead soldiers were simultaneously buried in single and shallow graves. The
obelisk of the Capas Shrine entombs the names of the unsung heroes of World War II
who died fighting for freedom.

Capas is blessed with natural resources that brim with beauty and splendor. It is the
gateway to the sensational Mount Pinatubo that buried the town with thick ashes in
1991. Today, the volcano’s river is a must to see by tourists.
As a tourist destination, Capas offers more than anyone knows: fine golf courses, spa
centers, hot springs, mountain trekking, indigenous people, military camps, cuisine,
street dancing and more. 

CONCEPCION:   CITADELA OF HEROES AND FINE CUISINE

Concepcion lies on the southeastern tip of the province. Originally, it was part of
Magalang, Pampanga until a great flood in 1863, which sent its inhabitants fleeing to
safer grounds. The inhabitants went to two directions.  Those who took the
southeastern side of San Bartolome went as far as Magalang near the slopes of Mt.
Arayat. Another group went to the northeastern side selected the present location and
called it barrio Matundok or Matondo. The settlers included the Yumuls, Castros,
Dizons, Pinedas, Felicianos, Aquinos, Cortezes, Bermudeses, and many others.
The early settlers in Concepcion cut down trees to build their huts. The place was
generally flat that made it suitable for agriculture. Two rivers, the Lucong and Parua,
irrigated the area where they planted rice and much later, sugarcane.
They brought with them an image of the Immaculate Concepcion from whom they
sought protection in their new home. Later, they named their town Concepcion after
the Virgin of the Immaculate Concepcion who, according to the people, is miraculous.

Hallowed with numerous intellectual and heroic sons and daughters, Concepcion is the
hometown of Benigno Ninoy Aquino, the greatest Filipino martyr of the modern times,
who is married to Corazon C. Aquino, 11th President of thePhilippines.
Concepcion is synonymous to excellent food. It is the bowl of fine cuisine and exotic
foodstuffs. Endowed with the Kapampangan tradition of preparing food, Concepcion
soars high because of its admirable and first-rate culinary arts.

GERONA:   HOME OF AESTHETIC CRAFTS

Historically, the original name of Gerona was paontalon. Old folks claim

that Paontalon was probably a Negrito word. This is reinforced by Dominican sources,
which recorded the presence of Negritos in the area as early as 1704. The Dominicans
reported that they covered a place called Paontalon, whose inhabitants were all
Negritos. By 1718, Paontalon was listed as a visita of Paniqui (at that time, a town of the
province of Pangasinan).  In 1753, Pontalon was relocated and renamed Barug, a
Pangasinan word for “little forest.” Sources do not give any explanation why this was
done subsequently; settlers from Ilocos were attracted to Barug, especially those from
the towns of Bacarra, Badoc, and Sinait. Gradually, the settlers who grew in numbers
occupied the forest.

The Dominicans supervised the visita in Barug, which only had some seventy families.
The number rose to 461 in 1787. The Dominicans chose St. Catherine of Alexandria,
virgin and martyr as the patron saint of Barug. The parish priest of Paniqui came once
a week to say mass in the visita. In 1846, a parish priest was permanently assigned to
attend to the spiritual needs of the community. The assignment of a parish priest
to Barug coincided with the traditional date of its founding as a civil town. Thus, most
town histories record the founding date of Gerona as 1846. However, Jean Mallat, in his
travel account, explained that Barug (which he spelled as Baruc) was a town already
existing in 1838 with 252 tribute payers and 1, 260 inhabitants. In any case, the
name Barug was later changed to Gerona in 1851, after the Spanish hometown of the
governor general, Claveria. 

A document signed by a certain Father Ciano dated June 13, 1877, described the
ethnic groups residing inGeronaas speakers of four languages: Pangasinan, Ilocano,
Tagalog, and Pampango. Of these, Ilocano was the most   widespread. Similarly, this
account still holds true even nowadays. Based on the 1995 census, about 78.09% of the
total household population speaks Ilocano, while Tagalog is spoken about 12.59% of the
population, followed by the Kapampangans with 8.83%, respectively.

Geronawas officially created as an independent municipality onJuly 14, 1945. Its first
appointed gobernadorcillo was Don Anacleto Melegrito.
Basically, it is an agricultural hamlet. This is why its huge flat rice lands are suitable
and attractive to native and migratory birds called great heron. Hence, the Spanish
word Gerona.
Considered as the halfway to the northern and southern Luzon areas, it is a fast
growing town that teemed with thriving and blooming trade and industry. It prides itself
with its aesthetic crafts in Christmas lantern making and the cabiaoan tradition of
sugar cane production.

LA PAZ: THE CORRIDOR OF UPCOMING MARKET GROWTH AND BOOM

Like most other towns, the history of La Paz is recalled somewhat vaguely because it
was dominated largely by legends and folklores, tainted with concommitant tragedy and
mystery. Early chronicles state that there was once an old pueblo called Cama
Juan that was situated along the banks of Chico River bordering theProvince ofTarlac,
and Nueva Ecija.
Due to the overflowing of the Chico River, the whole pueblo was flooded. Cama
Juan was totally devastated; its dwellings were destroyed; and scores of human lives
were lost. Those who survived the flood evacuated and searched for a better place. They
resettled on higher grounds not far from Cama Juan. The old site (Cama Juan) is up to
this time being referred to as Bayang Iniwan or abandoned town.

Amidst the verdant field of grass and shrubs, the flood survivors began a new life. They
called their newfound place, matayumtayum due perhaps, to the presence of abundant
indigo vines called tayum (Marsdenia tinctoria R. Brown). The place flourished again
through the constant hard work and industry of the people. Hence, the new settlement
prospered in time and peace and tranquility reigned among the people. Under the
paternal guidance of the older folks, the settlers maintained their seat of government in
the said place.
Nearing the tides of the 19th century, General Francisco Soliman Macabulos, who
became one of the foremost leaders of the Philippine Revolution, had conceived the idea
of selecting the central site of the town at the where it stands at present.

For a long period,La Paz existed in name only for actually and politically; it was a barrio
of Tarlac town up to the year 1892. During the same year, it was separated from the
town of Tarlac and was created as an independent town. It was re-christenedLa Paz, in
honor of the Patron Saint, Nuestra Senora de la Paz y Buen Viaje, with Don Martin
Aquino as the first gobernadorcillo.

Later on, due to the heroic exploits of the town’s revolutionary forces,La Paz was made
as the first seat of the Local Government of the Province of Tarlac with General
Franciosco S. Macabulos as its first Provincial Governor. 
A serene town, La Paz will soon become the next corridor of economic growth and boom.
Closely situated between the progressive towns and cities of Tarlac and Nueva Ecija, La
Paz intersects itself to the economic growth centers of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac-
Expressway (SCTEx). Soon, La Paz boom will definitely be unabated.
 MAYANTOC: HALLOW GROUND OF NATURAL CALM AND SERENDIPITY

The first settlers of Mayantoc before the coming of the Christian migrants were the
Negritos of the Abelling tribe.  As the former arrived in great number, the natives were
soon forced to move deeper into the forest areas of Zambales Mountain Range.
The Christian settlers, mostly from Ilocos region (notably the towns of Cabugao,
Tagudin, Sarrat, Paoay, Sinait and Bacarra), settled in the villages in the southern
portion of a then Christian town Camiling, now acknowledged as the mother town
ofMayanatoc. The place was then a forested area where enormous rattan palms are
found. 
 In 1899, Mayantoc was created as a barrio of Camiling and was inaugurated into a
town on January 1, 1917 with Don Francisco Santos y Pascual, the founder of the
town, as its first Municipal President.

In this historical town, General Francisco Macabulos established his military hide out
during the revolutionary government.

Mayantoc is a serene hamlet whose hallow ground is a picturesque of natural calm and
serendipity. Geographically landscaped with graceful hills and mountains, its falls and
streams are breathtakingly gasping and awesome. Aptly, Mayantoc is called as the
Summer Capital of Tarlac. A potential tourism destination, the town’s sightseeing
treasures and attractions need to be nurtured and discovered.

MONCADA: AN EMERGING EMPORIUM OF COMMERCE AND TRADE FAIRS

In the early years of the 1860s, four families from the barrio of Magaspac, Gerona,
surreptitiously left their homes for fear of the Spanish curate, Father Modesto Perez.
They settled in Sitio Caarosipan, the northern part of Paniqui. When the place became
flooded and their crops were destroyed, they sought higher grounds and resettled in
Sitio Payakan. The bounties of the place attracted other people from Pangasinan and
Ilocos. These people joined those who were from Magaspac. Its people being
hardworking, the sitio grew into a town. Later, it was named San Ramon in honor of
their patron, Saint Raymond Nonnatus.
On May 1, 1845, a royal decree was issued by the Ministerio de Ultramar converting San
Ramon into a town independent from its mother town, Paniqui and changing its name
to Moncada.

Moncada lies in the northern part of Tarlac. It is bounded in the North by the
municipality of San Manuel, in the West by Camiling, in the East by Anao, and in the
South by Paniqui. It is comprised of 33 agricultural barangays and 4 poblacions with a
total area of 8,575 hectares.

A third class municipality, it has a population of 49,607 people in 10,144 households

(NSO, 200).

Beyond its traditional tobacco crops, Moncada is fast emerging as an emporium of

commerce and trade fairs in the province today. Trade fairs enliven the industrial and
technological ingenuities of the Tarlaquenos as craftsmen and entrepreneurs. As a
manifestation of economic synergism, Moncada continues to strive forward towards
progress and development and beyond time and standards. As an effect, the dignity of
every Moncadeno benefits from the fruits of the town’s budding boom and economy.

 
PANIQUI: CITADEL OF ANTIQUITY

Paniqui was originally a part of Pangasinan and thus was listed in the Actas
Capitulares as the oldest town founded in 1754 by the Spaniards. It became
a parroquia (parish) of the Dominicans in 1686. It was raised into a Vicaria (vicariate)
with Fr. Jose Sanchez as its first pastor in 1718.

At first, Paniqui was situated west of Tarlac River. Because of the attacks by Negritos,
the Spaniards decided to move the town east of the river. But, because of flooding, it
was moved several times until it was settled in acocolao, two kilometers from the
present town. Sometime in 1720, Paniqui, as claimed by Raymundo and Miguel Paragas
of Dagupan, became a sitio of Dagupan. Led by these two brothers, the sitio was
called mangang marikit where bats or paniki swarmed at twilight. Today, mangang
marikit is a part of Guimba, Nueva Ecija. It was in sitio acocolao where Sultan Alimudin
was baptized in 1750.

The two rivers passing through the town from Nueva Ecija more than likely enriched the
plains of Paniqui, enabling the people to raise coconuts, mangoes, and oranges such
as cajeles and naranjitas. They also produced abundant rice. Thick forests covered the
northern part of the town. They had molave, narra, canala, yakal, and other hardwood,
which are good materials for construction and furniture making. Paniqui also had
plenty of cotton trees, cacao, and coffee.
 The original inhabitants of Paniqui were pure Pangasinenses. They lived near the center
of the town, an area reached by the sound of church bells. The rest of the settlers were
mostly Ilocanos who came during the 1830’s. Father Ramón Sanchez observed in 1869
that the different ethnic groups did not seem to mix with each other, keeping their
languages to themselves (i.e., Ilocano, Pangasinan, Pampango, and Tagalog). Spanish
was of course, spoken by the friars and officials of the Spanish government.
Paniqui was a sprawling town that covered a wide area during its early years. Some of
the villages which were formerly portions of the town included San Roque now Cuyapo,
Nueva Ecija; Barong now Gerona, San Jose de Camiling now Camiling, Bani now
Ramos, San Ramon now Moncada, and Anao.
Today, industrious and frugal Ilocano settlers, aggressive yet peaceful Kapampangan
immigrants, generous Pangasinenses, and liberty loving Tagalogs people the town. It is
a thriving and progressive community with a total population of 78,883 (NSO, 2000).
Falling within the belt of the melting pot of Central Luzon, every ordinary citizen of the
town speaks with fluency the Ilocano, Kapampangan, Tagalog and Pangasinense
languages.

Prominently situated along Mc Arthur Hi-way, Paniqui is a trade and commerce

emporium. It hosts educational institutions, commercial and rural banks, a sugar mill,
progressive public market, bold and devout people and vibrant culture.
As a citadel of history, Paniqui is a testimony of the past and present. Welded with
strong determination and persuasion, these Tarlaquenos of Paniqui are working
zealously to bring into it the Capitol of  Tarlac government.

PURA: BASKET OF CROP FRESH PRODUCE

It was during the Spanish regime when migrants coming from the Ilocos Region moved
southward to look for arable lands. These early settlers were forced to abandon their
place of birth because it had a narrow coastal plains and highlands where agriculture is
not a promising means of livelihood.

These migrants decided to stay on the northeastern part of a future province later
known to be TARLAC. The place at that time was thickly forested and so they took the
initiative of clearing the area for agricultural purposes.  Because of kinship, they
considered themselves pure Ilocano settlers of the place; hence, they named the place
“pura”. Ethno-botanically, however, the name of the place is attributed to an obsolete
Ilocano term”purak” (also called pandan lalake or pandan dagat) which enormously
thrived in the area during those days because of its proximity to the huge Chico River.
The river thrived with mangroves at that time where “purak” abundantly grow.  

Pura began as a barrio of Gerona known as Barrio De Villa. As its settlers grew, a
clamor for a township arose. Hence, its leaders filed a petition to the proper authorities
to have the settlement converted into town. In 1877, through the initiative and efforts of
Fr. Pedro Graneta, Pura won and enjoyed its bid for political status as pueblo or town.

In 1908, Don Felix Melegrito was appointed as the first Presidente Mayor under
American regime. In 1941-1944, Gabriel Nebre was the last Mayor before the war while
Mayor Pedro Parcasio was the first Mayor after the war 1945-1952 followed by Mayor
Nestor Gamit – 1963-1971, Severino Valdez – 1972-1975, 1976-1979, Nestor Gamit
1980-1986, Pioquinto Cortez – 1998-1992, Wilfredo Y. Sawit – 1992-1995, Nicolas Uy –
1995-1998, Mario Maddela – 1998-2001 and  in 2001 was Wilfredo Y. Sawit. The people
derived their livelihood from its vast agricultural lands where they raised sugar and rice
as major crops.

RAMOS: IDYLLIC TOWN OF NUPTIALS AND FEASTS

The Municipality of Ramos is located at the northeastern part of the Province of Tarlac.
It is approximately 28.6 kilometers away from Tarlac City. It is geographically bounded
by the Municipality of Pura in the south (5.1 kms), Municipality of Paniqui at the
northwestern part (7.1 kms), Municipality of Gerona at the southwestern part (10.9
kms), Municipality of Anao in the northern part (10 kms), Municipality of Nampicuan,
Nueva Ecija in the northeastern part (10.5 kms) and municipality of Guimba, Nueva
Ecija at the southeast (23.1 kms).

Ramos is a barrio of Paniqui until it was converted into a town in 1921. Originally
named bani, it was later named after its founder, Don Geminiano Ramos and Don
Alfonso Ramos (who was a governor of Tarlac).

Agriculture is the chief source of its economy that includes rice, vegetable, sugarcane
and mango production. Fishing is a supplementary source of income for the people of
the town.

It has a population of 16,889 (NSO, 2000). The people are mostly Catholic and the
town’s Catholic Church, St. Therese of the Child Jesus, is popularly called Wedding
Church of the Century. Its Catholic church is simple, yet, enormously beautiful and
famous.

SAN CLEMENTE: FOOD BOWL OF TARLAC

San Clemente, formerly a sitio of Camiling is located on the westernmost part of Tarlac.
Oblong in shape, it is between themunicipalityof Camilng in Tarlac and
themunicipalityof Mangatarem in Pangasinan. Its early settlers were the industrious
Ilocano who came from Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.They settled in sitio San Clementein
search of fertile agricultural lands. To be able to farm, they burned and cut down trees.
Based on archival records,San Clemente was created as a town by virtue of a superior
decree dated November 14, 1876. It consisted of barrio Macarang, which was taken
from the town of Camiling, and barrio Taguipan that was detached from Mangatarem,
Pangasinan. The superior decree establishing San Clementeas a town was affirmed by a
royal order dated June 10, 1879.
Records indicate that the early settlers of this town, said to be the Dumlao, Trini-dad,
Loria, Espiritu, Martin, etc., were mostly of the Ilocano stock who came from the Ilocos
Region in a quest for better economic opportunities in the abundantly fertile
agricultural lands. These prominent people were indeed endowed with the vision to
transform their adopted abode into a wholesome place to live. Thus, local governance
has always been viewed at the socio-economic development perspective. The local chief
executive position then did not only entail the laborious task of administration but also
the shelling-out of sizable pecuniary contributions to pursue a project… up to the
extent of donating tracks of land for public utilization. The public plaza, market,
municipal building, school buildings, church, etc., were constructed on donated lands.

Structures in the locality reminiscent of the past era of colonization such as church,
school buildings, houses, bridges, etc. have gradually given way to the modern day’s
engineering designs for relative purposes. The venerable tradition of the Filipino
hospitality however, remained alive and in practice – where every visitor is genially
accorded the honored guest treatment.

To these days, the descendants of the early families still maintain their residency to
perpetuate the legacy of productivity left by their ancestors. Consciously instilled,
industry, which characterizes their Ilocano predecessors, is likewise evident. Through
the years, the industrious townspeople toiled enough to realize the economic sufficiency
everyone claims for. Modesty aside, modern day technological advances for domestic
comforts are ubiquitous in majority of the households. The people rely mainly on
farming as a source of livelihood; nowadays, local labor resources have gone their way
overseas for better and more lucrative opportunities to improve their lot.

The municipality owes its growth mainly to the industry of its townspeople and to the
public officials who took the cudgel one after another in the quest for prosperity. The
election held in 1915 catapulted the first highest municipal official by the title,
Presidente Municipal, the equivalent of Municipal Mayor in today’s structure. The
chronology of the mayoralty terms of office is purposely detailed hereunder in order to
give tribute and relive the legacy they have in one way or another mustered during their
time.

 
SAN JOSE: HAMLET OF RUSTIC BEAUTY
Before San Jose became a town, the barangays comprising the municipality remained
in state of lassitude. Socially and economically, no significant signs of progress can ever
be seen for many years. Illiteracy was high and health sanitation was very inadequate.
These circumstances required the people to unite. Led by then ABC President of Tarlac
town, Amado de Leon and Samuel M. Eugenio, then barangay captain of Mababanaba
and current Vice-Mayor of San Jose, passed a petition creating themunicipalityofSan
Jose, which was submitted to President Corazon C. Aquino. The municipality was to
comprise 13 barangays.

As early as 1927, the creation of this western part of Tarlac town into a municipality
was already conceived. During the same year, the late Don Benigno Aquino, Sr.,
together with Rev. Gregorio Aglipay, founder of the Aglipayan Church fêted the approval
of the change of name of Cadaanan into Villa Aglipay, in honor of Monsgr. Gregorio
Aglipay, and at the same time, declaring it officially as a barrio. On that occasion, Don
Benigno Aquino, Sr. vowed for the creation of the community as a municipality in this
western part of Tarlac, Tarlac with Villa Aglipay as the municipal site. This however, did
not materialize because of the untimely demise of Don Benigno Aquino, Sr.
Later, this dream was to be pursued by Benigno Ninoy Aquino, Jr. As governor of
Tarlac, he envisioned the same by making San Jose as the site of the Provincial Capitol
and to make Tarlac town, a city. However, for political reasons, this plan was shelved.
Events further dampened that vision when Martial Law was declared in 1972. Ninoy
Aquino did not live to see the birth of San Jose when he was assassinated on his return
trip to the country in 1983.

The petition creating San Jose into a municipality was made possible through the
efforts of Hon. Jose G. Macapinlac, Mayor of Tarlac, Hon. Jose Cojuangco, Governor of
Tarlac, and Hon. Jose V. Yap, Sr., Congressman, 2nd District of Tarlac. Soon House Bill
No. 5619 was filed in Congress for enactment. The House of Representatives and Senate
passed Republic Act No. 6842 creating the municipality of Jose on September 1, 1989
and October 3, 1989, respectively. The Act was approved and signed on January 5,
1990 by her Excellency President Corazon C. Aquino. Submitted to the people in a
plebiscite, majority of voters ratified the Act, thus, making the municipality of San Jose,
the 18th town of the Province of Tarlac. In administering the governance of the town,
President Aquino appointed municipal officials led by Jose V. Yap, Jr. as Municipal
Mayor, Samuel S. Eugenio as Vice-Mayor and 8 Municipal Councilors.

Today, the rustic hamlet of San Jose is striving to become an agro-industrial town. The
local government and non-local government agencies are currently undertaking
development plans to make certain its visions are realized. Citizen participation ensures
the benefit, growth and sustainability of the town.

Dubbed as the eco-tourism park of the province, it is noted for its graceful mountains,
hills, cascades and greeneries. It hosts the well-known Monasterio de Tarlac that
enshrines the consecrated relic of the Holy Cross of Jesus Christ.
  

SAN MANUEL: BORDER TOWN OF A BOOMING ECONOMY

 

San Manuel is known to be a forest covered with thick marshes and grasses during the
earliest times. It is also covered with dense marshlands, lakes and creeks. Wild animals
gamely roamed into the woods and wilderness until the adventurous people from
Zambales and Pangasinan discovered the fertile grounds of the area.  Later, migrants
from the Ilocos region settled into the lush green fields of the place and started new life.
The settlers cleared the lands using their crude implements and started growing rice
and corn. The early settlers also engaged in hunting wild deer, pigs, birds and other
forest animals to sustain their subsistence.

The town of San Manuel was the biggest village of Moncada and was called San Jose in
1902. In 1909, it was converted as a town, and was name in memory of its founder,
Don Manuel de Leon.

When the prosperous village of San Jose was separated from the town of Moncada, the
jubilant and proud people of the town grouped themselves together to intensify the
progress and development of the municipality.

The municipality of San Manuel is bounded on the north by the province of Pangasinan,
the province of Nueva Ecija on the east, municipality of Anao, Tarlac on the south and
the town of Moncada, Tarlac on the southwest.  It has a population of 22,747 (NSO,
2005) and its economy is totally dependent on agriculture.

San Manuel as a border town is gradually booming with economy. Its robust agriculture generates
agro-industrial enterprises that largely sustain its economy. Small business and industrial
establishments begin to show and grow. This indicates boom and confidence. San Manuel has a
young economy, yet, it is surging high and beyond.

 
SANTA IGNACIA: TOWN OF INTREPID ARTISANS
 
Historically, the first inhabitants of Santa Ignacia were Negritos, but were driven to the mountainous
portion of the province when the first migrants from Ilocos, lead by a man whose family name is
Madriaga, occupied the place. The new settlers called the place binaca, an Ilocano word which
means plenty of cows. Up to 1845, Binaca (now Nambalan) was a barrio of Camiling. Robbers, from
1845 to 1874, plundered the barrio. This forced a petition for Binaca  to become a town, with Don
Felipe Cabugsa as its gobernadorcillo, in order that it could have its own police force. 

A superior decree dated May 6, 1874, modified by another decree dated May 22, 1876, called for the
creation of barrio Binaca into a civil town, and named it Santa Ignacia. These two decrees were
approved by a royal decree dated August 13, 1880.  Occasionally, the parish priest from Camiling
performed spiritual service for the town.

Despite being upgraded to the status of a town, the area continued to be the target of attacks by
thieves or tulisanes who stole the work animals and personal belongings of the residents. Again in
1888, robbers forced their way into Santa Ignacia, looting all they could get including the timbre del
tribunal (official seal).

In 1899, during the administration of Don Manuel Briones, Presidente Municipal, a revolutionary

government was established in Santa Ignacia but later, was taken over by the administration of the
United States of America.

On January 1, 1914, after the intervention of the Provincial Board of Tarlac and upon the insistent
demand of the people that the first Municipal Council of Santa Ignacia was inaugurated composed of
Don Isidro Alviar as the Presidente Municipal; Don Eulogio Madriaga as the Vice-Presidente, and Don
Santiago Aviguero, Don Pedro Guerrero, Don Silvestre Lacuin, Don Alipio Pascasio and Don Antonio
Colimay as Councilors.

Subsequently, the municipality has evolved as a surging commercial town today. 

Then and now, Santa Ignacia’s fertile and rich agricultural lands are its chief livelihood, which is
largely based on farming. Its major crops are rice and different fruits and vegetables.
Endowed with the Ilocano tradition of pottery making, the rustic town of Santa Ignacia is well known
for the production of high quality earthen pots and other terracotta products.

Beyond agriculture and terracotta, Sta. Ignacia creates itself as an emerging town of intrepid
entrepreneurs and hardworking artisans. It produces fine handicrafts, sculpture, smoked fish stuffs,
and the famous inangit product.

THE COSMOPOLITAN CITY OF TARLAC

 
The city of Tarlac has had a colorful and significant history. Its story may very well be the story of
Tarlac province itself, which came into being only in 1873-74, eighty six years after Tarlac town was
formally founded in 1788.

Tarlac town may be the earliest native settlement occupied by the Spanish military force, this side of
Pampanga.  Based on records, Tarlac was organized into praesido (fort) as early as 1593. It was one
among several forts set up to maintain Spanish sovereignty in the area. The fort was located in a sitio
called Porac.

By 1686, Tarlac was raised to a Spanish pueblo. That same year, it became an ecclesiastical town but
still dependent on Porac for civil administration. Priests from Magalang, Pampanga administered it.
In 1788, Tarlac was raised to a civil town independent of Porac while remaining a town of Pampanga
province. Tarlac town regained its civil town status when it became one of the towns of the newly
created province of Tarlac in 1873. Thus, its population steadily grew. From 900 souls in 1732, it rose
to 2,273 with 1,230 paying tributes. By 1855, Tarlac had 7,920 inhabitants (12 Europeans and 7,908
indigents). They spoke Pampango, Ilocano, Tagalog, Pangasinan, Español, and Zambal. This number
increased to 12,340 in 1890.

Since then, the magnitude of its population has enormously increased. The 2000 actual census on
population conducted by National Statistics Office, Region III, shows that Tarlac town (now Tarlac
City) has a population of 262, 481. Based on the 1995 census conducted by the NSO with in Tarlac
City, the Kapampangan language represents 75.22% as spoken by the people, Tagalog (14.58%),
Ilocano (8.55%) and other ethnic languages (1.65%), respectively.

Its early settlers came from Bacolor, Pampanga, among them were Don Carlos Miguel and Don Narciso
Castaneda, who before 1788, with their families and followers trekked through the forests and hills of
Porac and Bamban until they finally reached and settled down in what is today called Tarlac City.
They cleared the forest and tilled the fertile soil until a settlement emerged along the riverbank, which
flowed across the town.

The community rapidly grew with settlers coming from Zambales, Pampanga, Bataan, Pangasinan,
Bulacan, Nueva Ecija and elsewhere. The kapampangan language became the lengua francain the
community, as it was part of Pampanga province in those days. The two leaders, Miguel and
Castaneda succeeded in carrying out their pioneering venture through benevolent leadership, which
elicited the cooperation of their followers. Thus, roads were built; barrios were established without
monetary expenditure, only through the common efforts of everyone. It also marked the beginnings of
Tarlac as a melting pot ofCentral Luzon, with a mixture of divergent people working decidedly for the
common good.

Later, it was unanimously agreed by the growing populace to request the authorities in Manila to
convert the community into a town. Don Carlos Miguel prepared the needed resolution and forwarded
it to the Spanish authorities. In 1788, a decree was issued by Captain General Don Felix Berenguer de
Marquina, proclaiming Tarlac as town under the territorial jurisdiction of Pampanga, whose capital
then was Bacolor.
The first gobernadorcillo (later called municipal) was Don Carlos Miguel in 1788. Together with Don
Narciso Castaneda, he established the foundation of Tarlac town.  Don Luis Briones in 1789 followed
him. It was during his term as the second gobernadorcillo that the Legend of San Sebastian  started. It
is said that sometime that year, an armed band of tulisanes were stopped from marauding the town by
the young boy who turned out to be no less than San Sebastian himself.

Tarlac is represented prominently in the eight rays of the Philippine flag because it was among the first
provinces to join the revolution in 1986. The K.K.K of Andres Bonifacio found early adherents among
Tarlaquenos, headed by Don Francisco Tanedo, after whom the town’s principal thoroughfare was
named. Don Francisco Tanedo was killed in the encounter with the Spanish guardia civil at the outset
of the revolution. His early death inflamed the citizenry and his relatives. Followers were bent on
capturing the town by any means, but were dissuaded by Don Eusebio Tanedo Iro,who volunteered to
see his friend, General Monet (former politico-military) governor of Tarlac and at that time, the highest
military official in Pampanga. Denying that the Tarlaquenos at that time were involved in the
revolution, Don Eusebio was able to obtain orders from General Monet to stop military operations in
Tarlac. However, peace did not reign long in Tarlac because Generals Francisco Macabulos and Jose
Alejandrino already started their offensive against the Spanish forces .On June 25, 1898, Spanish
soldiers surrendered in Tarlac.

The Miguels, descendants of one the pioneers of the town, Don Carlos Miguel, changed their family
name to Tanedo in 1872 upon the promulgation of the Claveria decree on surnames. It is said that the
Miguel preferred the masculine version of Castaneda, and Tanedo was also in compliance with the
designated starting letter for all Tarlac surnames. It is therefore, not surprising that many Tarlaquenos
to this day bear such surnames as   Taala, Taar,  Tabamo, Taban, Tabaquero, Tamayo, Tamondong, to
name a few.

President Emilio Aguinaldo proudly proclaimed the Philippine Republic onJanuary 23, 1899in Malolos,
Bulacan. Assemblance of an independent government was formed, with a law making body, Malolos
Congress, a cabinet headed by Apolinario Mabini (who was foreign affaires minister), a judiciary, and
of course, an army led by General Antonio Luna. A state university, the Universidad Literaria de
Filipinas, was also opened.

By July 1899, with the tides of war turning against Aguinaldo, Tarlac became the last capital of the
short-lived republic which was then on the run. Among the deputies who were in Tarlac to attend
sessions of Congress included Fernando Ma. Guerrero of Manila, representing Leyte; Daniel Tirona of
Cavite, representing Batanes; Tomas Mascarado of Batangas, representing Sorsogon; Servillano
Aquino of Tarlac, representing Samar; and Fransisco Macabulos of Tarlac representing Cebu.
Since 1788, the town has significantly progressed making it the nucleus of Tarlac province. It has
encountered countless hardships in the course of its existence. Through the years, Tarlac has survived
natural and political crises among others, yet, has proven itself as a fast emerging cosmopolitan in the
region.

Proclaimed as a component city onApril 19, 1998 by virtue of Republic Act No. 8593 to be known as
the City of Tarlac, Tarlac City is bustling with economy, industry, commerce, tourism, culture,
ethnicity and spirituality.

As a cosmopolitan city, it nestles a great future of wealth and prosperity. With the emergence of mega-
structures along its periphery, Tarlac City is in the road map of economic boom and miracles.
Undoubtedly, its cosmopolitanism makes itself as the next terminal of progress and development.

LA VICTORIA: PUEBLO PATRIMONIO DE TARLAC

(HERITAGE TOWN OF TARLAC)
 

Victoria was originally called Canarem, after lake canarem. It was a barrio of the town of Tarlac when
the latter was still part of Pampanga province. It was renamed La Victoria by governor-general Manuel
Gorospe through a decree issued on March 28, 1855, to commemorate the victory of the carlitas, the
supporters of Queen Isabela during the Civil War.
The earliest inhabitants of the town came from the Ilocos regions. Between 1849 and 1851, Victoria’s
fertile lands lured them. The settlers chose to reside along the lake where fish was abundant. Their
first settlement was known as Namitinan, which became barrio San Vicente de Bautista of Tarlac town
in 1852.

The other pioneers came from the towns of Sta. Lucia, Ilocos Sur and from Badoc, Ilocos Norte. They
built their homes adjacent to each other. In 1852, with the increasing number of population totaling 4,
600, the Spanish authorities designated Don Andres Rigor and don Vicente Taguinaldo to serve
as cabezas de barangay.

On November 25, 1854, the residents led by two cabezas de barangay, filed a petition to the
government in Manila and demanded that Canarem (still a barrio then) be separated from its mother
town, Tarlac, a town in Pampanga at that time. The petitioners argued that they were already paying
more than of 200 tributes, and that the Ilocano settlers called for the separation of Canarem from
Tarlac, so they did not need to do community work outside their own. Governor General Gorospe
approved the petition to separate Canarem and turn it into a new municipality. He, then, signed the
decree making Canarem a civil town on March 28, 1855. As stated earlier, it was
renamed Victoria, meaning victory to commemorate the victory of the loyal followers of Queen Isabela
of Spain over the moors.

Although it became a municipality, ecclesiastically, Victoria remained under the jurisdiction of Tarlac
town. Thus, on December 13, 1865, a group of principales led by Don Nicolas Rigor, Dionisio Marcelo,
and Gabriel Valdez petitioned the Spanish authorities to establish Victoria as a parochial town
ecclesiastically independent from Tarlac. The requirements for the opening of the new parochial town
were already completed including the nearly finished convento and the tribunal house. Despite the
scarcity of parish priests at that time, Governor General Jose dela Gandara y Navarro (1866-1869)
brought up the matter to the consultative body of the Spanish monarch on November 26, 1866.  As a
result, the parochial town of Victoria was created on April 27, 1867.

On July 31, 1866, Governor General Fernando de Norzagaray issued a mandate instructing the
governors of Pampanga and Pangasinan to establish the boundaries of Victoria and Tarlac.  Seven
years earlier, prior to this mandate, Fray Saturnino Pinto, the parish priest of Tarlac, ordered the
pulling out of the fixed boundaries. This act was supported by some principales of Tarlac who objected
to the creation of the municipality of Victoria for this would decrease the number of parishioners
under Fray Pinto. As an offshoot of this incident, the boundaries of Sitio Baguia was also removed by
Tarlac’s officials, and placed in Sitio Malawit. This reduced the size of Victoria by some two kilometers
in width. It would appear that some elites among the Tarlaqueños during that time were against
converting canarem  into a town. Further, they found an influential ally in the person of the parish
priest, Fray Pinto. It is purported that the parish priest gave the final approval to incorporate the sitios
of Bulala, Paltoc, Narsigan, Pulong Ganla, Pulong Palico, and Kalamkan into the town of Tarlac, with
the assistance of rich and influential landowners who in the course of time became the owners of
those lands.

CULTURE AND BELIEFS

There were waves of migration, which formed Victoria: the Kapampangans and the Ilocanos. Being
Christianized by the Spanish colonizers, Immaculate Concepcion became the town’s patron saint.
The passion during Lenten Season is sung in three dialects. For example, in poblacion area, the
Kapampangan version is chanted in San Fernando, Tagalog in San Gavino and Ilocano from the rest of
the town proper. While Ilocano and Kapampangan are spoken in most of the town, Tagalog is also
widely spoken in public places to facilitate universal understanding.
The presence of the three languages in the same town did not produce a pidgin tongue. Each language
retained its integral and basic characteristics. While this continues to be the outstanding feature of
the town, Victoria is a town of heritage (pueblo de patrimonio) treasured with beautiful history.
Today, Victoria has come a very long way. Now a third class municipality, it unveils its rich cultural
heritage as it preserves its century old dwellings and other Spanish architectural designs of various
edifices. As they may be partly ravaged by war or have remained intact and grandiose through the
years, they capture the memoirs of the good old past.
Victoria may not be a prominent town but it is gradually becoming one. The magnetism it holds is its
people’s smiles and simplicity and the hospitality they behold. The creativity of its people is manifested
in their industry and resiliency; patience and perseverance as shown in their ability to stride above all
trials, are distinguishing traits that they are very well known for.
Although modernization has influenced the progress and development of the town, the rich Victorian
culture is sustained. Evidently, Victoria’s cultural heritage is a reminiscence of its traditional
prominence and affluence.
Just like any town in the province, fiestas are still popular traditions, which are pompously celebrated
by all. Fiestas are time-honored thanksgiving celebrations in honor of the patron saints that the people
revere.  Lenten season is observed with holiness and religiousness. Penitents devotedly
practice panata by carrying wooden cross and the kalbaryos are also set up along the roadsides
where the pasyon or the passion of Christ is sung. Processions are held on the afternoon of Good
Friday and the salubong during the early dawn of Easter Sunday.
Come summer season, when flowers are in bloom, young ladies are once again enjoined to wear their
gown for the Santa Cruzan as the highlight of May Festival.
Love for arts abound in this town. Talents are found everywhere. Local bands mushroom in almost
every corner. Performing artists enthusiastically display their skills and prowess that awe the
townspeople to surprises especially during the town fiesta.
Victoria may be a quiet town not imminent, so to speak, but this is an analogue to the humility of the
town folks. Victorians would rather act than speak. They are people of performance and achievements
rather than pronouncements and empty talks. For once, the sleepy town has finally risen up.