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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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      During the glowing decades of the American regime, Doña Damiana Vda de Fabella emerged as the outstanding civic leader of Pagsanjan. A wealthy matron with a social conscience, she freely contributed her valuable time and funds to help the poor victims of fires and floods. In 1927 she founded the Puericulture Center of Pagsanjan and the Pagsanjan Women's Club.
      After Doña Damiana's death, the torch of civic leadership was carried on by Miss Francisca T. Zaide, General Taiño's niece who later became Mrs. Luis Godoy. Under her presidency, the Pagsanjan Women's Club became the leading civic club in town because she rallied the young ladies, including college co-eds, and involved them in community welfare.
      When World War II ended in 1945, Doña Salud Fabella Unson, a worthy daughter of Doña Damiana, took over the presidency of the Women's Club. She rehabilitated the Puericulture Center Building which was destroyed during the war and obtained relief goods from the United States for the destitute families of the town.
      There are still many civic-spirited citizens in Pagsanjan who are concerned with social welfare and community development. Among them may be mentioned the following: Mrs. Consuelo F. Unson, patroness of humanitarian activities; Mrs. Solita B. Cabreza, past president of the Pagsanjan Women's Club; Mrs. Josefina Y. Benitez, president of the Women's Club; Mrs. Aida Fabiero Abaya, government expert in community development; Mr. Hernan Velasco, teacher and indefatigable leader in social work; Mrs. Adela Perez Abaya, president of Pagsanjan Beautification Committee; Mrs. Remedios Rivera Llamas, president of the Laguna Rural Improvement Club; Mr. Antonio Llamas, teacher and one of the founders of the Maulawin Barangay High School; Mr. Eufemio Macalalag, Sr., active participant in socio-economic affairs; Mr. Antonio Rabago, former teacher and guerilla, municipal councilor, and tireless social worker; and Mr. and Mrs. Ricardo Fabella, active husband-and-wife tandem in barangay activities and scouting movement.

Distinguished Pagsanjeños in the Arena of Politics

      The first Pagsanjeño to win distinction in national politics was Atty. Crispin Oben, illustrious father of Dean Ramon Oben. He was elected to the First Philippine Assembly (1907-09) during the election of July 30, 1907, representing the Second District of Laguna.
      After Assemblyman Oben, three more Pagsanjeños were elected in subsequent times to the House of Representatives of the Philippine Legislature. They were as follows: Atty. Eulogio Benitez (1919-22), son of Don Higinio Benitez and younger brother of Deans Conrado Benitez and Francisco Benitez; Atty. Aurelio Palileo (1923-25); and Estanislao A. Fernandez (1949-53).
      The first Pagsanjeño to be elected to the Philippine Senate was Estanislao A. Fernandez, son of a Pagsanjeño father, Estanislao Fernandez, Sr. and nephew of Don Graciano Cordero, member of the Malolos Congress. He won in the election of November 10, 1959 as a senatorial candidate of the Liberal Party.
      In the election of November 14, 1967, Miss Helen Z. Benitez (daughter of Dean Conrado Benitez) was elected to the Senate. She was one of the senatorial candidates of the Nacionalista Party.
      Again, in the election of November 8, 1971 another Pagsanjeño, Atty. Ernesto Maceda, was elected senator under the Nacionalista Party banner. He was a former city councilor of Manila, head of the PACD (Presidential Assistance on Community Development), and Executive Secretary. (Note: Ernie Maceda was the Philippine Ambassador to the U.S.; under Pres. Joseph Estrada; 1999-2000).