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Reg'd.: May 5, 2000

Last updated: 04/09/11

Internationally known as a historian and traveler, DR. GREGORIO F. ZAIDE, was born in Pagsanjan, Laguna, on May 25, 1907, a scion of a talented clan. Graduated as valedictorian of the Laguna High School (1926), he obtained his Ph.B. (1929) and M.A. (1931) degrees from the University of the Philippines and Ph. D. (1934) from the University of Santo Thomas. Dr. Zaide was the first Filipino exchange professor to the University of Hawaii (1937-1938), the first Asian to win the United Nations Study Award (1957), and the first Filipino to become a member of Argentina's Instituto Historico de la Independencia Americana and Mexico's Instituto Panamericano de Geografia e Historia. He was the President of the Philippine Historical Association for three terms and is the only Filipino Life member of the American Historical Association (Washington, D.C.). For his extensive researches in foreign archives and numerous books on history (including officially adopted history textbooks), he was given the prestigious Republic Cultural Heritage Award in 1968 by the Philippine Republic. Dr. Zaide was Municipal Mayor of Pagsanjan (1971-1975), Charter President of Pagsanjan Rotary Club, and President and Publisher of Social Studies Publications, Inc.

Pagsanjan, Laguna PHILIPPINES

On December 12, 1668 Governor General Juan Manuel de la Peña Bonifaz (1668-1669) issued a gubernatorial decree creating Pagsanjan as a town. The first gobernadorcillo elected by the people was Francisco Umale, the courageous cabeza who had protested against the arbitrary imposition of new taxes on his barrio and defied the Lumban authorities.

Like a golden thread which is woven into a gorgeous tapestry, the saga of the mini-town of Pagsanjan is a part of the grander pageant of Philippine history. In both war and peace since it appeared in history's limelight, its gifted people have played a notable role in the written annals of the Filipino nation.

Text excerpts from the book "Pagsanjan, In History and Legend", 1975
By Dr. Gregorio F. Zaide

The real history of Pagsanjan began in 1668 when it emerged as a town. Years before that time, it was a barrio of Lumban. Across three centuries, it has survived all natural and man-made cataclysms, including the Philippine Revolution and World War II.
During the long interim of 170 years (1668-1858) Pagsanjan was the capital of Laguna. Despite the loss of the provincial capitalship, the town is still great because of the achievements of its many-splendored people.
Great Pagsanjeños, like old soldiers, never die, they only fade away. Their magnificent contributions to Philippine civilization and progress are imperishably enshrined in history´s pages.

"Printer-friendly" format for each chapter:

Chapter 1 - Pagsanjan, A Mini-Town of Global Fame
Chapter 2 - The Pagsanjeños: A Many-Splendored People
Chapter 3 - The Legends of Pagsanjan
Chapter 4 - Pagsanjan Falls and Shooting the Rapids

Chapter 5 - Pageant of Pagsanjan History
Chapter 6 - Three Decades of the 3rd Philippine Republic (1946-1975)
Chapter 7 - The Glory That Is Pagsanjan
Quick Facts - About Pagsanjan

"Philippine History" links:

A Short Philippine History

Philippine History Timeline

History of the Philippines

Want to know more.......(About Filipino Culture?) , Foreigner´s perspective.....(A Matter of Taste!)

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"Pagsanjan first loomed in history as a barrio of Lumban, a town founded in 1578 by the famous Fray Juan de la Plasencia, Franciscan missionary-historian. The other barrios were Longos (now Kalayaan), Paete, Pakil, Cavinti, and Santa Cruz. The first settlers of Pagsanjan were eight Christian Chinese and Japanese traders named Diego Changco, Alfonso Changco, Mateo Caco, Jose Jegote, Juan Juco, Diego Suico, Marcos Suico, and Eugenio Vinco. Highly impressed by the strategic location of the barrio at the juncture of two rivers, they established their trading settlement and engaged in betel-nut industry."

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