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CHAPTER 1
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CHAPTER 2
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CHAPTER 3
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CHAPTER 4
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CHAPTER 5
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CHAPTER 6
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CHAPTER 7
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  << Cont'd from Chapter 1, Page 2

      Standing like a lone sentinel at the western entrance of Pagsanjan is the historic stone town gate with three Roman arches and topped by two lions guarding Spain's royal escutcheon. This town gate was built in 1878-1880 during the administration of Don Manuel de Yriarte, Spanish alcalde mayor of Laguna. Many Pagsanjeño polistas labored for two years to finish it. A polista was an able-bodied male from 16 to 60 years old who was drafted annually during Spanish times to render forced labor (polo) in public works for 40 days a year.
      In the heart of the poblacion is the well-groomed, rectangular plaza, originally named Plaza de Reina Regente Maria Cristina in honor of Queen Regent Maria Cristina who ruled Spain from 1855 to 1902 during the minority of King Alfonso XIII, her son. It was also constructed by Pagsanjeño polistas under the supervision of the friar cura. Both this plaza and the town gate were belatedly inaugurated amidst festive ceremonies on July 23, 1894, with Dr. Pedro A. Paterno, distinguished Filipino statesman-patriot, as guest of honor and speaker. In bygone years a towering sharp pointed obelisk called Agujo de Cleopatra (Needle of Cleopatra) stood at the center of the plaza. Each of the four sides of this obelisk contained a marble slab. On the first slab was inscribed: "A Ministro Segismundo Moret, Creador de las Juntas de Reformas Ultrarinas -- 1869"; on the second slab: "A Don Antonio Maura, Autor del Real Decreto de 19 de Mayo 1893"; on the third slab: "A Don Ramon Blanco, Gobernador y Capitan General de las Islas Filipinas"; and on the fourth slab: "A Don Angel Aviles, Director General de la Administracion Civil." The splendid obelisk was dedicated to Queen Regent Maria Cristina.
      In 1961 the whole obelisk was removed from the plaza and re-erected on a vacant space of Plaza Colonel Francisco Abad near the bridge spanning Balanac River. Its site at the town plaza is now occupied by a tall flagpole which was donated in 1973 by the civic-spirited Yan clan headed by General Manuel Yan, former Chief of Staff of the Philippine Armed Forces. On the western end of the plaza stands the monument of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, facing the flagpole and the historic Catholic church.
      At the strategic corner of Rizal Street and General Severino Taiño Street, facing the town plaza, is the Municipal Building. The ground which it occupies is hallowed with nostalgic memories of the past. It was the site of the Gremio de Naturales (Local Government for Natives) during the Spanish period. During the revolutionary period it was occupied by General Taiño's troops. Later in 1899-1903, it was occupied by the American forces. Subsequently, it became the site of the first Laguna High School from 1903 to 1911.
      Looming high near the plaza is the historic Catholic church which was originally built of bamboo and nipa in 1688 by the Pagsanjeño polistas under the supervision of the Franciscan missionary, Fray Agustin de la Magdalena, first parochial priest of Pagsanjan. This crude bamboo-and-nipa church was replaced in 1690 by a magnificent one, made of massive adobe stones, firmly cemented with lime mixed with carabao milk and roofed with red tiles hardened in fire. In 1847-52 Fray Joaquin Coria, talented friar-engineer, built the high stone belfry of Mexican style and the huge dome of Romanesque design, with the Pagsanjeños furnishing the labor, materials, and funds. This wondrous church, the pride and glory of the town during colonial times, was destroyed by American bombing planes on March 15, 1945. Over its ruins the present church has been constructed, a replica of the old, although it lacks the original's majestic dome.
      It is interesting to note that the town patroness is Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose first sculptured image was installed at the main altar in 1688 -- a gift from Mexico. In July 1835, two centuries and half later, His Holiness Pope Pius XI, by his Papal Brief, proclaimed Our Lady of Guadalupe as the perpetual National Patroness of the Philippines, as she is in Mexico and other Latin American republics. The original image of the town's patroness was destroyed during the American air raid on March 15, 1945. Years later, in 1958, the Mexican Catholics, having learned of the tragic loss from Consul Fe Palma, donated a life-sized image of the Virgin to Pagsanjan. This second image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was made by Mr. Ramon Barreto, noted sculptor of Toluca, and can now be seen in the town church.
      Also worth reminiscing is the fact that the restoration of the beautiful Catholic church was due largely to the Manila Pagsanjeños, whose love for their native town and Our Lady of Guadalupe never fades. Under the able leadership of Engineer German Yia and Dr. Rosendo Llamas, the Pagsanjeños who were living in town and those residing in Manila, in other towns, and in foreign countries generously contributed their precious time and money for the restoration of the sanctuary of their beloved patroness out of debris and ruins of World War II. In due time about P400,000 (pesos) were collected during the massive fund drive, and with this amount the present magnificent Catholic church was successfully erected. Within this church now reign in an aura of glory two images of Our Lady of Guadalupe -- one of which was carved by Maximo Vicente, prominent Manila sculptor, and the other one which came from Mexico.
      On top of the legendary San Isidro Hill is the public elementary school (named Francisco Benitez Memorial School), whose upland location and beautiful buildings and playground are invariably unsurpassed by other public schools in the Philippines. From the front portal of this school, one can view the sweeping panoramas of Mounts Cristobal and Banahaw, the distant towns of Majayjay, Magdalena, Santa Cruz, and Lumban, and the sparkling waters of Laguna de Bay. Unique in architectural style is the Home Economics Building of this school because it was patterned after the Teahouse of the August Moon in Kyoto. It was built by Municipal President Baldomero Cosme in 1912, shortly after his visit to Japan.

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