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B A L A Y A N

BALAYAN HISTORY AND

HISTORICAL ACCOUNTS

The view from the Bell Tower shows the old Balayan Patio “KUTA” in the foreground.

“BALAYAN”, the name of an old town and of vast and prosperous province in 1581 which has been figured out here as the Center of the Ancient Country and powerful kingdom of Mai-I under leadership BAI (Sri-visayan ba’ye meaning woman), is probably derived from “balai” (pronounced as ba-lay [a Sri-visayan word for house] or “bahai (prounounce as ba-hay). Later the Filipino suffix “an” was added, thus the word Balayan was coined referring to group of houses or settlement or homes. During the early days, the natives used to construct their houses on stilts above the waters of the shores of what is now Balayan Bay.

The historic beginnings of Balayan date back to early 11th to 13th century as chronicled by Chinese historic accounts and was an important trading port as what they termed as the “South Seas of the Barbarians” where Malays, Mongolians, and Australians transported their goods for barter of the products of the natives. The natives, the “Tayakads’ and the Sagubangs” living in the fabled and majestic Batulao Mountain or the Mountain of Gold called “Batung-Dulaw” (Sri-visayan term for yellow rocks), abode of the mythical fairy Princess Dalisay, daughter of King Suay and Queen Tagaytay. Later the land near the sea was settled by Mongoloid (?) [Mongols, Mongolians] who came from mainland Asia, as the place was a trading post of the neighboring countries. The people settling near the sea inter-mixed and marry the natives and produced inter-mixed dialect thus the creation of Tagalog language.

Balayan Catholic Cemetery in now Paz Ilaya Street, Ermita, Barangay Caloocan

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B A L A Y A N

Old JAYCEE Clubhouse at now Barangay District #9

According to Morga, “”Balayan” Provincia y Pueblo, El pueblo fue fundado en la costa del seno de Balayan, Luzon, en 1578 y de el tomo nombre la provincial llamada despues Batangas que es que el lleva actualmente. El pueblo de Balayan hasido uno de los mas castigados por pirateria mora.”

Old Martinez Residence at now Paz Ilaya Street.

The settlement lies on the shores of a vast body of water (now called Balayan Bay). The place was called Vonvon by the Muslim natives, with population of 3,400 and 600 Balayan natives. The people lived along the lands of the sea as well as on the lands of a big river (Binambang) coming from the fabled mountain of “Batung Dulao”, where Datu Balensusa (?) [Balensucla] and Datu Dumangsil, two of the ten datus who purchased Panay, arrived and settled when they were blown by winds when they tried to return home. Later Datu Dumangsil sailed downward and Datu Balensusa was left behind in what was then called Bonbon. The last Malayan ruler, one of his descendants, Datu Kumintang, stayed in what is now called Pooc and died there.

The old province of Balayan start from Nasugbu to the far eastern region in Laguna including part of Camarines Norte and Mindoro and Marinduque down south was the most prosperous and civilized in the Philippines during that time. The tagalog term “BALAYAN” for the now Batangas area was replaced as “Kumintang” by the Visayan people under leadership of the descendant of Datu Balensucla and Datu Dumagsil, Datu Kumintang who inherited the place by the latter datu in the middle of 13 th century, as told in tradition or in the Maragtas.

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When the Spaniards first came, communities in Nasugbu, Balayan, Taal, Batangas, Bai, Cavite, Bacoor, Pasig, Marikina, Cainta, Nagcarlan, Lilio, Pilar, pangil, Majayjay, Paracale, Calamba, etc. were the first towns and centers of commerce and industries in the archipelago.” It is said that when Spaniards arrived at the shores of Balayan, it was already populated by the descendants of the two Bornean Datus who settled in this place.

Fishing boats in Niogan shoreline along Tolentino Boulevard then and now.

After the construction of a much stronger chapel than built in 1572 in barrio Ibabao on 1575, Balayan became the center of Christianity in southern Luzon area. 3 years later, Balayan municipality was formally established in the name of the King of Spain as founded by two Augustinian friars, Fray Esteban Ortiz and Fray Juan de Porras . The total municipal area covered includes the places of which today is known as municipalities of Nasugbu, Lian, Tuy and Calatagan. After 3 more years since the place became a municipality, it became a province with jurisdiction extending from its landholdings up to the southern part of Laguna and Quezon and as far as Camarines Norte, the now Batangas, Mindoro and Marinduque. The institutional hub of the seat of the town proper was moved and fortified from the shorelines to its present site, the Presidencia Building at now plaza Rizat Street, for security purposes and haven for refuge against natural calamities as the rampaging waters and manmade hostilities of muslim attackers at that time.

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Old Balayan residence at Calle Burgos

Old Apacible Residence at now Cor. Antorcha/Calle Burgoz

This province of Balayan already belong to the Archbishop of Manila and is small in area. Its principal products are garlic and onions and some textiles for blankets. It has 3,151 tributes, 2,016 belonging to encomiendas of His Majesty, and 1,135 to encomiendas of private parties (San Antonio, Chronicles of Holy Prov. of San Gregorio)1728. It use to be part of Archdiocese of Manila until the bishopric of Lipa was established. In old writings of 1779 and 1804 in the “Kalupi”, Balayan is the Capitol from 1578 to 1779 for 201 years.

111394- Datu Balensucla settled in barrio Pooc and “founded” Balayan then inherited by Datu Kumintang labor.1400- In the 1400s, Muslim trading states were established in the southern Philippines and in parts of Luzon, a development connected with the spread of Islam throughout island Southeast Asia at this time (See The Malay Archipelago and Peninsula).

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B A L A Y A N

1570- Martin de Goite rejoined by Juan de Salcedo explored Balayan Bay. When Goite sailed for Manila the latter was left behind. May 8, 1570- the Spaniards first set foot on the shores of Balayan headed by Marshal Martin de Goite and Captain Juan de Salcedo and found that this place is a wealthy and thriving community. Later Balayan was rewarded to De Goite as his encomienda while Villa Fernandina in Vigan, Ilocos Sur became Salcedo’s encomienda.1572- The Augustinian Friars planted the first cross somewhere in Barangay Lanatan and put up a chapel of weak materials. However, the church did not last long for it was destroyed by barbaric natives. 1575- Another church was built in Barrio Ibabao whose remnants are still visible like the stone altar, thus the mission of the religious fathers started. 1578- Coastal town of Balayan was officially founded under spain by Fr. Esteban Ortiz and Fr. Juan de Porras covering the now towns of Nasugbu, Lian, Calatagan, Tuy and Calaca.1581- Province of Balayan was created and Balayan was made the capitol with jurisdiction extending over vast territory including what is now Batangas, Mindoro, Marinduque and all the lands southeastern part of Laguna as far as Camarines Norte.1590- The first church in Balayan was constructed. 1591- Fr. Pedro Chirino, the Jesuit historian, blessed the new church of Balayan.1600- Fragments of large storage jars found at Nipah and probably made at Quanzhou, Fujian are of the same type as jars found on the wreck of the Spanish galleon San Diego, which sank in 1600 off Fortune Island, not far from Manila in the Philippines1675- Balayan was captured by Muslims1732- Outlying regions of the Province of Balayan were separated with Batangas proper become the only remaining constituent part of the province.1743- Almost all young men and women of Balayan went to Manila to report the abuses of the friars to the Captain General though the Alcalde Mayor ordered to stop the abuses in the convent. 1744- Francisco matienza of Dilao led some prominent persons of Balayan to demand in Manila the return of the lands of Lian, Calatagan, and Nasugbu to the natives usurped by the friars but the Capitan Municipal refused and ended in troubles.1749- Construction of stone church, convent and the town hall started. Stonewalls in front of church patio were erected to hold water and fortress were built toward off attackers. Remnants are still visible at present.1754- Muslims raid the town, many residents fled to Cavite. Battle of Cayponce.1759- The stone church was blessed and dedicated in honor of the Immaculate Concepcion, Balayan’s Patroness.1769- Juan de Ayala, the first native priest from Balayan sang the Mass1789- Muslim landed in Dacanlao1815- Kanluran was flooded, all houses were wiped out1828- big fire cause all houses to burn except the convent, the church, the Captain, and camerera of the virgin Rosario 1833- the road to Batangas was opened1838- Municipality of Calaca was established and separated from Balayan. 1845- Calatagan was established and was separated from Balayan1848- Digging of Binangbang River to flow in another direction to control flood1849- The new cemetery construction was started in barrio Ibabao1853- This year ended the moving houses from the main road and the area with 100 houses became one barrio.1854- Big fires hit houses. “Progreso” ship anchored in Balayan1855- Barrios were established and there at least nineteen barrios in Balayan1859- Cabeza for every 100 houses formed1866- Almost all houses was burned by the big fire except the church.1867- Construction of school building in swampy area began. Tuy was established as town and was separated from Balayan1877- 22,000 cavans of baling birds were caught1876- Manuel Gonzales Araullo finished Jurisprudence who became President of Supreme Court, in Central Universidad, Madrid, Spain1880- Big fire burned many houses1882- Cholera killed many residents1884- Vivencio Ramos finished Licienciate in Medicine and Civugia, first in the province.

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1896- San Miguel Mabini led the ambuscade of Spanish Troops from Calatagan in barrio Palikpikan, 70 Spaniards were killed and 30 to the ambusher.1898- Andres de Jesus, Presidente Tagalog, end of Spanish regime in the Philippines1899- Beginning of American colonization/era1903- Calaca was returned to Balayan but again re-established in the same year. Calatagan and Tuy was also returned to Balayan.1911- Tuy was re-established and again separated from Balayan1912- Calatagan was re-established and again separated from Balayan1939- Nasugbu and Lian were established as towns and separated to Balayan.1941- Japanese military occupation1945- LiberationNovember 28-December 23, 1978- the historic municipality of Balayan, Batangas celebrated its 400 th year of founding and Christianization. The celebration began with the introduction of the hermana mayor (Spanish word meaning elderly sister) followed by novena (long prayer) to the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Immaculate concepcion and ended with the coronation of “Prinsesa ng Balayan” (Princess of Balayan). In between, religious processions, “Luwa” (female tributary honoring) and “Arias”, stage shows, concerts, awarding ceremony, dances, and fiestas provided opportunities for the people and visitors to come together and join in the celebration.1984- Balayan co-host NPC-BCFTPP1991- Batangas Sugar Central was established2000- Steel Corporation of the Philippines established

SOURCE: ARTES DE LAS FILIPINAS , A BRIEF HISTORY OF BALAYAN, BATANGAS, Christiane De La Paz, http://www.artesdelasfilipinas.com/archives.php?page_id=27

Ang Nagkakaisang Mamamayang Kostal ng Balayan, Inc.