<< Cont'd from Chapter 7, Page 8

      The majority of Pagsanjeños are Roman Catholic in religion. Others are Aglipayans, adherents of Iglesia ni Kristo, and members of various Protestant sects. By and large, Pagsanjeños are never religious zealots, for they firmly believe in religious freedom and in ecumenism. Their achievements in religion are much less than in arts, literature, education, politics, social work, and sciences. For until the present time they have not produced a bishop, an archbishop, or a cardinal. It is evident that they generally prefer the dolce vita than the monastic life.
      Since early times the children of Pagsanjan have aspired to become physicians, nurses, engineers, educators, lawyers, scientists, and writers. Very few, indeed, show any inclination to become a priest or a nun.
      So far only a handful of Pagsanjeños or Pagsanjeñas have consecrated their lives to religion ad majorem Dei gloriam (for the greater glory of God). The first Pagsanjeña to become a nun was Sor Bernardina Obial. She joined the Nunnery of Santa Clara in Manila after the Philippine Revolution (1896-1902) and died in 1941, a few weeks before the eruption of the war with Japan.
      Other devout and pious Pagsanjeñas who followed Sor Bernardina's footsteps are the following: Sor Bonnsilda Abaya (Holy Ghost Sister), Sor Maria Emerncillo (Sister of Charity), Sor Rosario Fernandez (Sister of Charity), Sor Pilar Fernandez (Sister of Charity), Sor Amia Limlengco (Carmelite Sister), Sor Josefa Soriano (Sister of Charity), and Sor Rosa Soriano (Benedictine Sister).
      A few Pagsanjeños, in response to the spiritual call, have become priests. Among them are the following: Father Celso Afuang (Benedictine), Father Henry Moran (Jesuit), Julio Obial (secular priest), and the Unson brothers: Cipriano Unson (Jesuit) and Willy Unson (Jesuit). The last two are the sons of Cipriano Unson and Salud Fabella.
      Of unique interest, is the case of Father Wilfredo Torres Dulay, son of Mrs. Maria Torres Dulay who is a Pagsanjeña. This youth, after his ordination as priest of the Immaculate Heart of Jesus, volunteered for missionary work in foreign countries. Now he is a missionary among the Indian inhabitants of Guatemala, a Republic in Central America.
      Mention should be made of Mr. Mario Z. Lanuza, founder of the Cursillo Movement in Pagsanjan. He was the only Filipino Cursillo leader who was able to have a personal interview with Father Hervas at Ciudad Real, Spain in the year 1966. This famous Spanish priest is the founder of the world-wide Cursillo Movement which has sparked a revival of Christian fervor among the Catholic nations of the world.

A Town of Beautiful Women

      Until the present time Pagsanjan is famous for its beautiful women. According to local tradition, "a pretty girl is born yearly to every family in Pagsanjan, if such family is beholden to God."
      The first Pagsanjan beauty to emerge in history was Josefa Sebastian Gomez, a daughter of one of the town's prominent families. It is said that when the newly appointed Spanish alcalde mayor named Don Jose Pelaez arrived in 1809 at Pagsanjan, which was then the capital of Laguna Province, he was given a bienvenida (welcome) party at the casa real (official residence of the alcalde mayor). Being a bachelor, he was fascinated to meet the local party belles. What particularly attracted him most was Señorita Josefa, whose alluring beauty captivated his Iberian heart.
      In succeeding weeks, the young alcalde mayor wooed the beautiful señorita, finally winning her love. The next year (1810) they were married in the Catholic church amidst pageantric pomp and aplomb. Out of their wedlock was born a son named Pedro Pelaez, who was destined to become one of our nation's great men.
      Dr. Jose Rizal, our national hero and a connoisieur of beautiful women, fell in love with a Pagsanjan beauty, Leonor Valenzuela, whom he affectionately called Orang. This lovely Pagsanjeña was a daughter of Capitan Juan and Capitana Senday of Pagsanjan. She was the first Leonor in Rizal's life, the second being Leonor Rivera.
      The first Pagsanjeña to win national distinction for her beauty was Virginia Llamas, the Queen of Manila Carnival in 1922. Later she married her escort, Carlos P. Romulo, the world-famed journalist, diplomat, soldier and statesman.
      The first Pagsanjeña to achieve international fame because of her beauty and charm is Maria Rita Santiago, the 1968 Queen of the Pacific. Her mother, Nida Rufino, is a pretty daughter of the Rufino family in Pagsanjan.
      There are still many beautiful girls in the town. They are daughters of rich and poor families. Irrespective of their socio-economic status, they possess something in common -- beauty. It is regretful that they have not been given the opportunity to participate in national and international beauty contests because they are provincianas, without influential patrons and without proper connections to sponsor their entries to the nominating committees in Manila. It is a matter of truth that there are more girls with natural beauty and grace in the provincial towns than in Manila, Caloocan, Pasay, and other cities of our country.