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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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      Pagsanjan is one of the towns in the Philippines without any frightful problem of population explosion. Since her foundation as a town in 1668, the annual increase of her population seldom exceeds 2%. Unlike other Filipinos, the Pagsanjeños do not proliferate like mushrooms. Most of them are too intelligent or too busy in the daily pursuits of their professions to waste their time manufacturing babies.
      According to demographic statistics, in the year 1668 the population of Pagsanjan was only about 1,000. In the ebb and flow of time it increased to 1,900 in 1750; 2,700 in 1762; 3663 in 1818; 5856 in 1845; 6361 in 1903; 7,538 in 1918; 8,865 in 1939; 9,282 in 1948; 10,691 in 1960; 14,568 in 1970; 16,132 in 1975 (and 28,999 in 1995 population census).
      Presently, the town is faced with a problem affecting population, and that is "brain drain." Annually, many young Pagsanjeño Physicians, nurses, medical technologies, educators, engineers, accountants, dentists, chemists, diplomats, and scholars, like autumn leaves blown by the winds, have gone away to reside in Manila and other towns and in foreign countries, like the United States, Canada, Holland, England, West Germany, Italy, Spain, and Saudi Arabia where they find greater opportunities for a better life. To aggravate this mass exodus to other places, many affluent and talented families since the end of World War II have moved to Greater Manila where they now reside permanently. These Pagsanjeños who migrated to other places in the Philippines and in foreign countries represent the cream of Pagsanjan citizenry.

Magnificent Obsession of the Pagsanjeños

      Wherever Pagsanjeños reside, be it in their native town or in other places (Greater Manila, other provinces of the archipelago, and in foreign countries), their affection for Pagsanjan and their loyalty to their ancestral heritage, never fade unlike a summer rose. Enshrined deeply in their hearts are the nostalgic memories of their beloved town and even if they are descendants of Pagsanjeño fathers or mothers who married with other people, they fondly regard themselves as Pagsanjeños and are proud of it. This evidently evinces the validity of the old saying in Pagsanjan during the bygone eras of her Camelot-like greatness: "Once a Pagsanjeño, always a Pagsanjeño."
      And no matter how rich they may be or how much successful and honored they are in their respective professions, Pagsanjeños and their descendants never forget Pagsanjan. Whenever their beloved town needs help, financial or otherwise, they never hesitate to give it.
      Many Pagsanjeños, especially those living in Greater Manila, cherish a magnificent dream to return someday to Pagsanjan and spend the twilight years of their life in their adored birthplace. And when they die, it is their fondest hope to be buried in the old town cemetery where their ancestors and relatives now rest in eternity. Unfortunately, only very few of them for reasons beyond their control have realized this dream -- truly an impossible dream to many far-away Pagsanjeños. Only some fortunate Pagsanjeños, after retiring from their professions, like the biblical prodigal son, happily return home. Once more they live among their townmates, sharing in their joys and sorrows, and offering whatever God-given talents they may have for the glory and welfare of the town which they passionately love.

Character Traits of the Pagsanjeños

      Like all peoples of the world, the Pagsanjeños are hospitable and friendly to all visitors, especially the foreigners. They are warmhearted, fiesta-loving and witty. In time of peace, they are amiably peaceful, civic-spirited, and cheerful; in time of war, however, they are brave, intensely patriotic, and fight with fury. They are loyal and proud of their beloved town and ancestral heritage.
      God has generously endowed the Pagsanjeños with remarkable intelligence. Often times Pagsanjeño students graduate in high schools as valedictorians and finish university courses with high honors. They distinguish themselves in all professions. Whenever a Pagsanjeño wins in literary, oratorical, and musical contests or receives awards in arts, sciences, and letters, the town folks smile with a usual comment: "Pagsanjeño yata iyan" (He is really a Pagsanjeño).