HISTORY OF ZARAGOZA(As compiled by the late Municipal Secretary Luis E. Zamora, Jr.)

I – The Founding

Curved out from a dense forest and thick pampas, intrepid Ilocanos from Batac, Ilocos Norte, in the year 1864, formed a community of settlers somewhere in the western border of Nueva Ecija that was later to be known as ZARAGOZA.

Because of the presence of big old mango trees that is in abundance in the place, the Ilocano settlers called it Manga a Lakay, meaning “Old Mango Tree”. The place was later renamed as San Vicente, in honor of their patron saint, San Vicente Ferrer.

Prominent among those settlers were: Fr. Andres Alcantara, Capt. Hipolito Madamba, Capt. Tranquilino Acosta, Capt. Mariano Belza, and one Capt. “Alias” Sanglay.

Before them, Igorots could be found roaming around with no fixed homes. These Igorots moved from one place to another and were entirely dependent on fruits of wild trees, on wild pigs and birds, for their food. In some places, however, some Igorots had fixed homes. They cleared and tilled lands called “Kaingin”.

As more and more Ilocano immigrants arrived, the Igorots vanished. They don’t want to mingle with Christian immigrants. The Ilocanos, thus occupied the Kaingins of the Igorots.

Settlers from Batac came pouring in. These included Manuel Almayda, Maximiano Belza, Jose Veloso, Marcos Benoza and others. They settled in a place called “Ginawidan” which is now known as Barangay San Isidro. Some settled in a place where plenty of quails or “pugo” could be found. Thus, they called the place “Pugo”. Others had settled on a place where plenty of bananas were planted. They call the place “Sagingan” which is now known as Barangay Concepcion.

Barrio San Vicente, by order of the Governor General, became a part of the old town of Aliaga, Nueva Ecija.

Due to hard work and perseverance of the settlers they were rewarded with bountiful harvest. Prosperity was inevitable and they felt that they were ready for a township.

One day, in a meeting of the leaders of the community, a resolution was passed merging barrios San Vicente and Del Carmen to form a town out of the two barrios was submitted to the authorities concerned in 1877. But it was disapproved due to lack of a requisite number of inhabitants.

But the leaders did not lose hope. The following year, or in 1878, a similar resolution was submitted. This time, a third barrio was included. It was barrio Pinangkalatan. The merging of the three barrios, namely, San Vicente, Del Carmen, and Pinangkalatan enabled the resolution to meet the requisite number of inhabitants to form a town.

1

Spanish authorities deemed it necessary to give a semblance of autonomy. With this, the creation of the town was given an impetus.

With the untiring efforts and sincere assistance given by a Spaniard by the name of Don Francisco Mas, the resolution was given due course. The Governor General approved the Resolution and the town was officially born. The year was 1878. The town was name ZARAGOZA, after a city in Spain, the birthplace of Don Francisco Mas without whose assistance the approval of the resolution would not have been possible.

Capt. Hipolito Madamba was selected by the inhabitants as the head of the newly created town of ZARAGOZA. He was called Gobernadorcillo the equivalent of a Municipal Mayor.

Barrio San Vicente, the most prosperous of the three merged barrios, was chosen as the Poblacion. It was the site of the municipal building. And during the induction ceremonies of the new Gobernadorcillo and other officials, the Provincial Governor honored them with his presence.

II – Geographical Location

Zaragoza is bounded on the North and Northeast by Aliaga; on the East by Sta. Rosa; on the Southeast by Jaen; on the South by San Antonio; on the Northwest by Licab; and on the West by La Paz (Tarlac).

There are five concrete monuments, which constitute the corner stones of Zaragoza, to indicate its boundaries with adjacent towns.

Four hundred meters from the forest of Alabang, at the Northwestern corner of the town, stands the first cornerstone. From there the boundary line goes directly towards the east, passing between Monic and Gabor towards the second cornerstone which can be found by the side of Bana in Manggahan at the northern end of now Gen. Luna. From Gen. Luna, the boundary line passes thru Katic, Aliaga and ends at Batitang in the south where, the third cornerstone can be found. This third cornerstone is actually in Hacienda Viola. From Batitang, the boundary line proceeds to Aruyan where the fourth cornerstone can be found. From Aruyan the boundary line goes towards Bayang Iniwan on the west where the fifth cornerstone can be found. From Bayang Iniwan and following the whole length of the Chico River towards the north, the line finds its way back to the first cornerstone in the forest of Alabang.

III – Municipal Officials (1878-present)

2

The Municipal Officials of Zaragoza from 1878 to the present are:

N A M E FROM TO1. Capt. HIPOLITO MADAMBA 1878 18792. TRANQUILINO ACOSTA 1879 18813. MIGUEL BELZA 1881 18834. TOMAS CASTILLO 1883 18855. JUAN BELZA 1885 18876. MARIANO VELOSO 1887 18897. ALFONSO CALDERON 1889 18918. JUAN BELZA 1891 18939. ISIDRO BELMONTE 1893 1895

10. MARCELINO NIEVES 1895 189711. ANICETO BELMONTE 1897 2ND PHASE OF

REVOLUTION12. CASIMIRO ESCAMIS 1902 190813. Capt. ANICETO BELMONTE, SR. 1908 190914. BENITO CALDERON 1910 191115. DAVID NIEVES 1912 191316. CIRILO ACOSTA 1914 191917. GALICANO BELMONTE 1919 192318. LEONCIO CORPUZ 1923 193119. CIRILO ACOSTA 1931 193420. JULIO T. MASIBAY 1934 193721. LEON C. VIARDO 1938 194022. Dr. ANICETO BELMONTE 1941 194423. FRANCISCO CUSTODIO 1945 195524. MARCOS DELA CRUZ 1956 195925. PASCUAL LINSANGAN 1960 196326. FRANCISCO RAMIREZ 1963 197927. ROGELIO S. LAGMAY 1980 January 198528. CONRADO SALVADOR (Acting Mun. Mayor)29. ARTEMIO PAGADUAN (Acting Mun. Mayor)30. ROLANDO L. BELMONTE (OIC) August 1986 1988 31. ROLANDO L. BELMONTE 1988 199832. Col. ARTURO Y CUSTODIO, (Ret.) PAF 1998 Oct. 21, 200533. TEODORICO B. CORNES, Jr. Oct. 22, 2005 Junes 30, 2007 31 LYDIA RAMIREZ-PAGADUAN July 02, 2007 Present

From 1904 to 1908, Zaragoza was under the control of Aliaga due to insufficiency of income.

IV – The Barangays of Zaragoza

3

The Municipality of Zaragoza at present consists of nineteen barrios, now known as barangays.

These barangays are San Isidro, Concepcion. Batitang, Manaol, Carmen, Gen. Luna, Del Pilar, San Vicente, Sta. Lucia Young, Sta. Lucia Old, Sto. Rosario Young, Sto. Rosario Old, Macarse, Mayamot, Sta. Cruz, Valeriana, H. Romero, Pantoc and San Rafael.

The municipal building stands at Barangay Del Pilar; the public market is at Barangay San Isidro; the Catholic Church is at Poblacion (also known as San Vicente); the public cemeteries (Old and New) are at Sto. Rosario Young.

High Schools can be found at San Rafael (Zaragoza National High School), Batitang (Batitang High School) and Carmen (Carmen High School). Elementary Schools can be found at Gen. Luna, Carmen, Sta. Cruz, Batitang, San Isidro, Concepcion, San Vicente (Zaragoza Central School), Sta. Lucia Young, Sta. Lucia Old, Sto. Rosario Young, Sto. Rosario Old, Macarse and Mayamot.

The northernmost barangays is Sta. Lucia Young; the southernmost is Valeriana; the easternmost is H. Romero; the westernmost is Sto. Rosario Young.

The most thickly populated is San Isidro.

The biggest revenue earner, in terms of and as indicated by the 25% real property tax which, is being shared from the municipal revenue, is San Isidro.

V- Revolutionary Activities

The people of Zaragoza, endowed with patriotic fervor, also joined the revolution against Spain in 1896.

A certain Cresenciano Caypoco was the lone representative of Zaragoza in the Katipunan activities of Andres Bonifacio. It was he who organized the society “Sikat”, a secret organization against the Spanish government. The members held secret meetings in Carmen. The following were the officers of the society, namely: President, Cresenciano Caypoco; Vice President, Alberto Matias; Secretary, Inocencio Zaplan; Treasurer, Vicente de Castro; Members of the Board; Jose dela Cruz, Marcelino Nieves, Daniel Pagaduan, Sr., Petronillo dela Cruz, and Higino Escosa.

One day the members of the society openly convened and did not hide anymore their disenchantment with the Spaniards. On the particular occasion, the main target of their ire was the Spanish Justice of the Peace of Zaragoza, Ramon Rey.

Ramon Rey was a tyrant Spanish judge. He and his bodyguards maltreated the inhabitants. He called the Filipinos “Chongos” (monkeys). He would force them to admit-false indebtedness to him, and inability to pay will cause confiscation of their lands.

4

The enraged members of the society, marching all the way and shouting “Mabuhay ang Pilipinas” and “Iguho ang Pamahalaang Kastila” proceeded to Ramon Rey’s house. But the tyrant Judge was not at home. The revolutionists wrought vengeance on his animals and belongings, instead.

The following morning, the Guardia Civiles, under Lt. Cerena, came to Zaragoza. They branded the prominent sons of Zaragoza as Masons and were allegedly affiliated with Dr. Jose P. Rizal. They were apprehended, and with tied hands they were brought to San Isidro, the capital of Nueva Ecija. Among those prominent sons were: Marcelino Nieves (then the Gobernadorcillo), Norberto Matias, Francisco Masibay, Vicente Belmonte, Fortunato Lopez, Inocencio Zaplan, Justo Mendoza, Marcos delos Santos, Manuel Cruz, Juan Cuardian, Engracio Caldeorn, Claro Santos, Canuto Romano, Canuto Bautista, Prudencio dela Cruz and Socorro Reyes, to name a few.

One of the members society betrayed their President, Cresenciano Caypoco. He informed the Spaniards of his hideout in nearby La Paz, Tarlac. The Guardia Civiles caught him and dragged him all the way. He was not able to reach San Isidro. Due to maltreatment he died at Karsadang Putol in Aliaga. Initially, the revolution in Zaragoza was nipped in the bud.

With the establishment, however, of the Philippine Revolutionary Republic in Malolos, armed activities flared anew. The local Katipuneros defeated the Spanish Forces in Zaragoza. They formed a revolutionary government of their own, with the following officers: President, Vicente de Castro; Vice President, Federico Madrid; Secretary, Tiburcio Aluning; Councilors: Calixto Aquino; Bruno Sangil; Manuel dela Cruz; Estanislao Masibay; Juan Castro; Feliciano dela Cruz; Juan Gabriel; Manuel delos Santos and Castor Castillo; Representative of Police, Daniel Pagaduan; Representative of Justice, Socorro Reyes; Representative of Revenue, Francisco Masibay.

VI – The American Occupation

With the capture of Emilio Aguinaldo in Palanan Isabela, the Philippine Revolutionary Republic collapsed. The Philippine-American War was terminated. A military government was established in the country in 1900 with William H. Taft as the first military Governor General.

In Nueva Ecija the Military Governor was Jacob Kupa.

In Zaragoza, a military government was likewise established. This government lasted for two years, from 1900 to 1902. The officers were: President Casimiro Escamis; Vice President, Hermogenes Calderon; Councilor Narciso Masibay; Pedro Paladan; Francisco Acosta; Juan Gabriel and Juan Parungao; Treasurer, Manuel dela Cruz; Justice of the Peace Marcelino Nieves; Municipal Secretary, Patricio Nieves; Aux. Justice of the Peace, Aniceto Belmonte; Chief of Police, Bernardino Constantino.

5

In 1900 the military government of William H. Taft ended. It was replace by a civil government. Consequently, the military government of Casimiro Escamis in Zaragoza ended.

It was, however tragic that when the civil government was restored, Zaragoza was placed under the municipality of Aliaga due to insufficiency of income. For six long years, or from 1902 to 1908, Zaragoza was under the control and supervision of Aliaga. The Provincial Governor then of Nueva Ecija was Epifanio delos Santos and the Municipal President of Aliaga was Feliciano Ramoso. A redeeming factor, however, was the appointed Vice President of Aliaga was from Zaragoza. He was Kapitan Aniceto Belmonte.

By 1908, however, the income of Zaragoza increased. That same year it was restored as an independent town and no longer under the tutorship of Aliaga. As expected, Kapitan Aniceto Belmonte led the new set of officers. They were: President, Kapitan Aniceto Belmonte; Vice President, Fructuoso Berber; Councilors; Dalmacio Manicsic; Nicolas Tomas; Fausto Cuaresma; Agripino Isidoro; Francisco Castillo; Agapito Diaz; Bernardino Constantino and Petronilo dela Cruz. Municipal Secretary Patricio Nieves; Justice of the Peace, Fruto Macaranas; Aux. Justice of the Peace, David Nieves; Sgt. of Police, Moises Rubio.

The Provincial Governor then of Nueva Ecija was Don Isauro Gabaldon.

At that time, barrio General Luna (then known as San Francisco) was not part of Zaragoza. It was, however, due to the untiring efforts of Patricio Nieves that this barrio was annexed to Zaragoza.

VII-The Japanese Occupation

December 08, 1941 was an unforgettable day for the people of Zaragoza. After early breakfast they heard thundering blasts of bombs from the west. A few minutes after, a big formation of Japanese warplanes, coming from the direction of the bombings, passed by. In a few more minutes a series of thundering blasts of bombs were heard from the east. It appeared that Clark Filed in the west and Cabanatuan in the east were bombed by the Japanese planes.

Meanwhile, the Japanese Imperial Army had landed on all parts of the country. The defeat of the Filipino and American defenders was inevitable. When the Japanese were about to come the civilian populace of Zaragoza evacuated to the barrios.

It was at the early dawn of December 27, 1941 when the Japanese invaders arrived at Zaragoza. The USAFFE defenders met them in a fierce gun battle at barrio Carmen. The Japanese, thousands of them riding in bicycles, were unstoppable. The USAFFE soldiers retreated towards the west and another fierce encounter was staged at Barrio Sto. Rosario Young, near the cemetery.

6

When morning came, the civilian evacuees in the barrios were surprised to see retreating USAFFE soldiers. Some of these soldiers shed their military uniforms, hid or gave their firearms and ammunitions, and joined the civilians.

By the end of December, 1941 Japanese forces occupied Zaragoza. The civilian evacuees returned home. Normally, they thought, had come.

On February 1942, a Japanese-sponsored civilian government was inaugurated in Zaragoza. The following officials were appointed by the Japanese, to wit: Mayor, Dr. Aniceto Belmonte; vice Mayor, Honorio Bulos; Justice of the Peace, Atty. Feliciano Soriano (’42-43’); Justice of the Peace, Atty. Cipriano Robielos (’42-’44); Muncipal Treasurer (’43-44’); Municipal Treasurer, Hermogenes Diego (’42-43’); Municipal Treasurer, Benjamin Alejandro (’43); Chief of Police, Jose Calderon.

These municipal officials held office at the old municipal building at San Vicente, near the Catholic Church.

The Zaragoza Elementary School, as well as a portion of the public market in San Isidro, was a garrison of the Japanese.

All over the country many resisted the Japanese Occupation. Zaragoza has its own contribution to the resistance movement. On December 10, 1942, a company of Zaragoza guerillas was inducted under the command of Major Pacifico Briones of the East Central Luzon Guerilla Area (ECLGA). Those inducted were: Capt. Luis F. Zamora, Sr., Capt. Leonardo Domingo, Lt. Felix Duque, Lt. Isidoro Mercade, Lt. Ambrosio Castillo, Lt. Dominador Nicolas, Lt. Simplicio Calderon. Lt. Antonio Luluquisin, Lt. Francisco Sebastian, Lt. Luis Cordova, Lt. Nicolas Espiritu, Lt. Marcelino Nieves, Lt. Bayani Corpuz, Lt. Hermogenes Simon, Lt. Gonzalo Yauco, Lt. Alfonso Garcia, Sgt. Jose Isidoro (supply officer) and all their men.

Lt. Ambrocio Castillo and Lt. Dominador Nicolas, being active educators, received orders from the field command to accept teaching positions at the Zaragoza Central School to serve as the eyes and ears of the movement at the garrison. With that vantage position the two were able to relay valuable information to their comrades-in-arms.

The movement conducted numerous campaigns against, and had actual encounters with, the Japanese. But what appeared to be the fiercest was that on December 18, 1942, at Barangay Macarse. Two days before that, on the 16th of December, a Japanese patrol was ambushed and annihilated, between the Barangays of Mayamot and Valeriana. The guerillas expected a reprisal because of that. Indeed a company of Japanese soldiers came on the 18th of December.

The guerillas, led by Major Pacifio Briones of ELGA, Commander Fjardo (Angelo Jimenez) of LGF, Commander Datu Talim of Squadron 25, Commander Kulafu of Squadron 10 and Capt. Pedro Aquilisan, deployed along the dikes of Macarse and, at a V-shaped formation, engaged the company of Japanese soldiers in a fierce combat by

7

midnight of December 18. The Japanese soldiers were almost annihilated under heavy barrage of machine gun and rifle fire. Only a few were able to escape. When the battle stopped by 4:00 o’clock in the morning, the battlefield was littered with hundreds of Japanese casualties. There was no casualty on the part of the guerillas.But at 7:00 a.m. the same day Japanese reinforcements came. By then, the guerillas were gone. The enraged Japanese soldiers, in revenge, herded all the male populace of Macarse, Mayamot and other nearby barrios, brought them to their garrison at Zaragoza Central School and tortured them. Around 150 civilians were brought in several trucks somewhere at the national highway near the Chico River. It was there near the bridge where the Japanese massacred the poor civilians. There was a lone survivor, Honorio Parubrub who later became a municipal policeman.

VIII - The Liberation Days

The American Liberation forces arrived in Zaragoza on January 22, 1945. They were welcomed by the Zaragoza guerillas led by Capts. Luis F. Zamora Sr. and Leonardo Domingo, and Lt. Marcelino Nieves.

Meanwhile, the Zaragoza guerillas, having been recognized by the American government, were brought by the American Liberation forces to the frontlines of Novaliches, Ipo Dam and Marikina. Before that, they were encamped for orientation purposes at Camp Bayangbang, Pangasinan. The Camp Commander then was Col. Alberto Ramos. It was to the credit of Zaragoza that the Supply Officer (S-4) of the whole Camp was Capt. Luis F. Zamora, Sr. It was will also be noted that, together with the Zaragoza guerillas at the Camp was the famous Zambales Regiment under Major Ramon Magsaysay who later became President of the Philippines. From Camp Bayambang, the Zaragoza guerillas were stationed at Meycauayan where they had their headquarters. It was from here were they would proceed with their daily mopping operations at the Novaliches, Ipo Dam and Marikina frontlines.

The first post-liberation municipal officials of Zaragoza to be appointed were: Mayor Francisco Custodio, Vice Mayor Eduardo Mesina; Councilors: Sotero de Guzman, Isidoro Mercado, Aniceto Agres, Patricio Bautista, Francisco Ramirez and Ubaldo Cuaresma: Secretary, Romulo de Pano,Treasurer: Benjamin Alejandro, Justice of the Peace, Atty. Meliton Pajarillaga; Chief of Police Pascual Linsangan.

The first post-liberation local and national elections were held in 1946. That was the birth of the Liberal Party. In Zaragoza, the Liberal Party emerged triumphant. Francisco Custodio was elected Mayor and Francisco Ramirez was the Vice-Mayor.

IX - Educational Profile

8

The first public education system came to Zaragoza in the year 1902 when the Americans restored civil government. The early teachers were American soldiers. Classes were in Grade 1 and 2.

When the Zaragoza was restored as a town, after six years of tutelage under Aliaga (from 1902 to 1908) a complete school (from Grades 1 to 4) was opened in 1919, intermediate classes were opened. The first graduating class was in the school year 1921-22 with thirty pupils.

In those days, the more popular school celebrations were called Garden Day, Arbor Day and Mother’s Day. The schools celebrate those occasions with pomp.

Prominent early educators of Zaragoza were: Francisco Custodio, Fruto R. Isidoro, Luis F. Zamora, Sr., Faustina Aluning Parungao, Juan B. Eser, Epifania Yarza Custodio, Consuelo Domingo Algas, Concordia Nieves. Trinidad Isidoro Mercado, Vicente Tecson, Soledad Paez Ramirez, Nicanor Ligon, Trinidad Domingo Ligon, Manuel P. Sevilla, Daniel Pagaduan, Jr., Jose P. Reyes, Celestina Liwag Belmonte, Sixto Sawit, Candelaria Mesina, Ines Mesina, Alfonso Garcia, Gliceria Escosa, Consuelo Isidoro, Dominador Nicolas, Iluminada Calderon Agres, Natividad Calderon Isidoro, Pelagio Valencia, Socorro Roque, Dominador Ramos and Eufemia Villaseñor Mesina.

Scouting was born in Zaragoza in the year 1936 with Jose P. Reyes as the first scoutmaster. He organized Boy Scouts Troop 407 complete with a drum and bugle corps. Troop 407 made a name for itself in several Scout Jamborees in Cabanatuan. In 1946 Dominador Nicolas took over as Scoutmaster and it was during his term when Troops 55 and 56 were born.

Zaragoza Provincial High School was established on July 01, 1947 through the efforts of Mayor Francisco Custodio and with the encouragement and assistance of Dr. Aniceto Belmonte, Ex-mayor Don Cirilo Acosta, Sotero de Guzman and Aniceto Agres and the municipal councilors at that time.

The difficulties in the establishment and the early formation of the school were solved by the assistance of the Hon. Manuel V. Gallego who was then the Secretary of Public Instructions.

Aniceto Belmonte, Deogracias Abella and Tomas Roque donated the school site. The site, being at a low ground, was filled at the expense of a civic spirited citizen. Pacifico Masibay.

The early teachers of the Zaragoza Provincial High School were: Daniel Pagaduan, Jr., Engr. Roman Belmonte, Gerudio Palapal, Romulo de Pano and Mrs. Aurora L. de Jesus.X - Religion Profile

The people of Zaragoza are religious. This is evidenced by the fact that almost all kinds of religion or sect can be found in the town. There is the Catholic, Aglipayan, Methodist,

9

Iglesia ni Cristo, Iglesia Edificada, Seventh Day Adventist, Saksi ni Jehovah, Butil ng Mustasa, Watawat ng Lahi, Watawat ni Rizal, etc.

But it seems that in the early formation of Zaragoza, the Aglipayan sect was in dominance. This was to be expected considering that the founders of Zaragoza were from Batac, Ilocos Norte who were all Aglipayan.

It was, however, only in 1905 when for the first time an Aglipayan priest was officially installed in Zaragoza. He was Rev. Justo Seril. He came because of the representations made by Daniel Pagaduan, Sr., Francisco Masibay and Fructuoso Berber to the then titular head of the Church in the Philippines, Msgr. Gregorio Aglipay.

As early as 1903, however, the Methodist Episcopal Church had gained headway in Carmen through the initiative of Nicolas Montes. A chapel was later constructed at Poblacion in 1919.

At present (2003) Zaragoza is predominantly Catholic. It was only in 1929 when the Catholic Church was constructed in Poblacion. This was through the effort of Capitan Aniceto Belmonte. It was finished and inaugurated the next year, or in 1930, with a certain Fr. David as the first parish priest. The old church was torn down and the construction of a dome-like structure was started under the stewardship of Rev. Fr. Delfin Diaz. Construction was completed during the time of Rev. Fr. Victor Naval Cruz.

XI - Land Reform in Zaragoza

It is noteworthy that the very first agricultural lands that President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos gave to the tenant-tillers, by way of inaugurating the Land Reform Program, are in Zaragoza. These lands are located in Laud-Ti-Ili. The lands were in the name of Doña Josefa Edralin Marcos, mother of the President. The tenant beneficiaries are from Zaragoza.

When President Marcos was a small boy, his father, Don Mariano Marcos used to come to Zaragoza. This was so because most use of the early settlers, who came from Batac were his relatives. And it was in these frequent sojourns of Don Marciano to Zaragoza that he brought along his young son Ferdinand, future President of the Republic of the Philippines. Young Ferdinand’s constant playmates were Rico Lagmay, an ex-councilor of Zaragoza and father of the late Ex-Mayor Rogelio S. Lagmay, the late Juan Salasac, ex-councilor of the town, Santiago Aglipay, the late Arcadio Ramos and ex-public schoolteacher, the late Ruperto Gabriel. The late Pablo Rafael became the overseer of the lands of the Marcoses. It was during those days that Don Mariano and Doña Josefa were able to buy agricultural lands in Zaragoza, which was later distributed to the tenant tillers.

Because Zaragoza was the first town in the country to be the site of the first land reform program, the first Land Reform Team in the country was established in Zaragoza as President Marcos considers this town his second hometown.

10