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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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      Three elements have given glory to the mini-town of Pagsanjan since colonial times, namely:

1. Physical environment which includes location, favorable climate, fertile land, beautiful homes, and clean streets;
2. Natural wonders, such as scenic splendor, Pagsanjan Falls, river rapids, etc.; and
3. Achievements of its people in war and peace.

      The first and second elements are elements that are ephemeral because they are material things which are as evanescent as a woman's beauty. The third element is eternal because the achievements of the Pagsanjeños are perpetually enshrined in history. Such achievements cannot be destroyed by typhoons, droughts, earthquakes, revolutions, wars, and other calamities. As Cardinal Spellman said: "The Glory of any country is not its rich natural resources, its beautiful cities, its palatial mansions and numerous cars, and its art galleries and fine highways; it is really the accomplishments of its people which are forever preserved in the annals of mankind."

The Real Glory of Pagsanjan

      Once upon a time, in those halcyon years before World War II, Pagsanjan was a great town basking redolently in the effulgent glow of glory. This town was then famous for its talented people, attractive homes, tree-shaded streets, and high culture. Like legendary Camelot, it loomed proudly as a citadel of intellectual aristocracy.
      Unfortunately, cataclysmic World War II and the ruthless Japanese occupation (1942-45) devastated beautiful Pagsanjan. As rebuilt over the ashes of war, it is no longer as respondent as the one which was destroyed by American bombs and Japanese fires. Thus its prewar greatness, as symbolized by the magnificent mansions on Rizal Street (formerly known as Calle Real or Royal Road) is gone. Gone also are the cool, tree-shaded pedestrian lanes, the splendid old Catholic church with its Romanesque white dome, and the historic Municipal Building.
      Although the town's greatness vanished in the flames of war, it has retained its glory. This glory is not the recently renovated town gate and church, the picturesque twin rivers, the scenic schoolhouses on San Isidro Hill, the well-known Bumbungan Springs, and the famous Pagsanjan Falls and rapids. All these things, being mundane in nature, would disappear in God's own time. For instance, the town gate, the church, and the schoolhouse can be demolished by earthquake or hurricane. The twin rivers may, in due course, dry out on account of drought or perish due to pollution. And the Bumbungan Springs can be destroyed by a long drought or by a horrendous earthquake. To these material things are applicable the popular Latin maxim: ""Sic transit gloria mundi" (Thus passes away the glory of the world).
      The real glory of Pagsanjan is, verily, the enduring achievements of the gifted Pagsanjeños. These achievements in war and peace are recorded in history and cannot be wiped out by wars, revolutions, earthquakes, fires, typhoons, and other convulsions of nature. Not all Pagsanjeños, of course, have contributed to the flowering of their town's glory because not all of them have been endowed by God with talents. As the Holy Scriptures say: "Many are called, but few are chosen."

First Distinguished Pagsanjeños in History

      The first Pagsanjeño to emerge with distinction in history's limelight was the valiant Francisco de San Juan (1722-90). After his heroic defense of Pagsanjan on December 9, 1762 against the British invaders, he joined the forces of Governor Simon de Anda in Pampanga and fought courageously the invading enemy. For his military exploits he was promoted master-of-camp (colonel). After the war, he became alcalde mayor of Tayabas Province, a rare honor indeed because during the Spanish epoch only peninsulares (Spaniards born in Spain) or creoles (Spaniards born in colony) were usually given appointments as alcaldes mayores of the provinces.
      Another Pagsanjeño to win fame during the Spanish period was the famous Father Pedro Pelaez (1812-63), great scholar and nationalist, whom historians hail as the "Father of the Filipinization of the Church" because he boldly championed the rights of the Filipino secular priests to administer the Philippine curacies. After his tragic death during the earthquake of June 3, 1863, he was succeeded by Father Jose Burgos, his brilliant student at the University of Santo Thomas.
      Also distinguished was the learned teacher Santiago Hocson, who was the last gobernadorcillo of the Gremio de Mestizos in Pagsanjan and the first capitan municipal under the Maura Law of 1893. He was the only Pagsanjeño to have been decorated by the Spanish Crown with the prestigious Grand Cross of Queen Isabel the Catholic.
      During the closing decades of the Spanish regime the most popular form of mass media was the moro-moro, a blood and thunder stage show which depicted the battle between Christians and Muslims (Moros), with the former always victorious. A Pagsanjeño dramatist, Mariano Zaide (1827-94), achieved considerable distinction not only in his natal town, but also in other towns of Laguna and in Manila for his thrilling moro-moro plays. These plays, particularly Milecadel (said to be his masterpiece), were staged during the town fiestas in many towns in Laguna. This Milecadel was a romantic story of a dashing Christian prince who saved the life of a beautiful Muslim princess, whom he came to love; he finally married her, after defeating in single combat several Muslim suitors.
      Because of his dramatic talent, as well as his fluency in Tagalog, Spanish, and Latin languages, he became to be called Mariano Esopo, after the famous writer of fables in ancient Greece named Aesop. Lamentably, all the original manuscripts of his dramatic works were burned during the "Great Fire of 1893" in Pagsanjan.