New Bayang Pinagpala Section - Philippine Villas

POMP, PAGEANTRY AND GOLD:THE EIGHT SPANISH VILLAS IN THE PHILIPPINES (1565-1887)
PQCS 33 (2005): 57-75

Dr. Luciano P.R. Santiago

A villa is a Spanish territorial classification as well as an institution. It is little known in the Philippines, even among historians, because it was sparsely granted in these parts during the Colonial Period. Though small in number, the villas were huge in significance as the centers for regional consolidation as well as, when linked together, the general dissemination of Spanish rule, commerce and culture in the archipelago. In current works, the term is usually, but inaccurately, translated as “village.” However, its closest English equivalent is “borough” (as in Marlborough).i In this article, we shall retain the Spanish word villa.

In the more than three centuries of Spanish domination in the Islands, only eight settlements or towns were raised into the status of a villa - one each in five major ethno- linguistic regions (Cebú, Bicol, Ilocos, Panay and Pampanga) and in three Tagalog provinces (Laguna, Tayabas [now Quezón] and Batangas). Thus, the eight Philippine villas were Cebú (founded 1565), Libón, Albay (1573), Vigan (1574), Arévalo, Iloilo (1581), Pila, Laguna (c1610), Tayabas, Tayabas (1703), Bacolor, Pampanga (1765) and lastly, Lipá, Batangas (1887).

Please read full article.

Still No Irrigation Water

There is still no irrigation water for the rice fields of Pila. Pila farmers already missed two planting cycles because of lack of irrigation water due to the destruction of Calumpang dam last year. The National Irrigation Administration is rushing the completion of the new dam and according to them it will be completed this coming November 2007.

June 20, 2007: Pinagbayanan 50th Foundation Day

Pinagbayanan will celebrate its 50th founding anniversary today. It was converted into a barrio on June 20, 1957. Pinagbayanan was formerly a sitio of Linga, Pila, Laguna. It is the site of Philippines’ oldest crematorium found in 1967 by a group of archeologists from the University of San Carlos, Cebu City. Various activities are scheduled today to mark the golden anniversary.

Republic Act No. 1689 is printed in full below.


H. NO. 5140


REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1689

AN ACT CONVERTING THE SITIO OF PINAGBAYANAN, MUNICIPALITY OF PILA, PROVINCE OF LAGUNA, INTO A BARRIO OF SAID MUNICIPALITY.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. The Sitio of Pinagbayanan, Municipality of Pila, Province of Laguna, is converted into a barrio of said municipality.

SECTION 2. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved, June 20, 1957


From: Official Gazzette, August 31, 1957 page 5136
GPD PI.6 1957 53(16)
Philippine National Library

Rizal Day

Today is the birthday of Dr. Jose P. Rizal.

Our national hero was born on June 19, 1861 in Calamba, Laguna. The provincial government of Laguna declared June 19 a public holiday.

The municipal government of Pila, in preparation for Rizal day festivities, transferred to the Northeast corner of the town plaza the statue of Dr. Jose P. Rizal.

San Antonio Miracle:Plaza Spring Flows Again

Several days after the start of the novena for San Antonio last June 4, 2007, spring water started to trickle out. Since the installation in 1911 of the Pila Plaza fountain by the Americans, water continuously flows out of the well until last April when the well slowly went dry. After ninety-six (96) years, the water stopped coming out of the well. Global warming and lack of irrigation water due to Calumpang dam collapse last year could have caused the sudden stoppage.

Thanks to the miracle of San Antonio, Pila is once again blessed with abundant supply of spring water. Pila, Laguna is indeed a Bayang Pinagpala.

776th Feast Day Celebration of San Antonio de Padua

Diocesian Shrine of San Antonio de Padua celebrated last June 13, 2007 the 776th Feast Day of San Antonio de Padua. From June 3 up to June 13, Eucharistic Celebration, Novena and different activities were held at the church and Pila town plaza respectively. The celebration started with a motorcade followed by Palarong Pinoy last June 3, 2007. Gabi ng Parokya and Kabataan were scheduled the following day. Pila Idol Singing Contest was held last June 5, 2007.

San Antonio de Padua College presented Hataw ng Lahi show highlighting different dances from North to South Philippines on the 4th day. Gabi ng Barangay and Turismo, Agaw Buhay play of Colegio Monterei de Pila and Gabi ng Liceo where also held in the same plaza. The celebration was spearheaded by the new parish priest of Pila, Rev. Msgr. Mario Rafael Castillo, EV.

The life story and miracles of San Antonio de Padua was presented by San Antonio de Padua College. Pictures of the play can be viewed below.

The New Bulusukan River Bridge: 360 Degrees View of Pila History

The new bridge connecting pre-hispanic Pila (now Pinagbayanan) and current Pila town is due for completion soon. Every Pila resident should visit this new bridge which was built right beside the confluence of Sta. Clara and Bulusukan River. One can view Pila's historic sights like Pinagbayanan, Pagalangan, the current town, all the mountains surrounding the town and Pila's Jala-jala and Victoria lands. Mt. Banahaw is best viewed in this area.


The Wawa ng Bulusukan (Bulusukan River Mouth) and Laguna de Bay is less than a kilometer away and one can reach the river mouth by riding a banca or by following the Kabolusan (Royal Road). This shallow river was harnessed by the early settlers of Pila for irrigating the rice fields around the bridge.


The bell tower of Pila' church can be seen with ancient rice fields at the foreground and Mt. Banahaw at the background. The local government of Pinagbayanan plans to develop this area into a major tourist site.