Pakil, Laguna

Pakil
Municipality

Seal
Nickname(s): Home of the Turumba Festival

Map of Laguna showing the location of Pakil
Pakil

Location within the Philippines

Coordinates: 14°23′N 121°29′E / 14.383°N 121.483°ECoordinates: 14°23′N 121°29′E / 14.383°N 121.483°E
Country Philippines
Region CALABARZON (Region IV-A)
Province Laguna
District 4th district of Laguna
Founded 1676
Barangays 13
Government[1]
 • Mayor Vipops R. Martinez
Area[2]
 • Total 46.50 km2 (17.95 sq mi)
Population (2010)[3]
 • Total 20,822
 • Density 450/km2 (1,200/sq mi)
Time zone PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code 4017
Dialing code 49
Income class 5th

Pakil is a fifth class urban municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 20,822 people.[3] Its land area consists of two non-contiguous parts, separated by Laguna de Bay.

Barangays

Pakil is politically subdivided into 13 barangays.[2]

History

The land from Punta Inuod to Guinabihan, Banilan is where the first settlers Gat Maitan and his wife Panumbalihan, and Gat Silayan Maginto and his wife Potongan first established themselves. After a series of raids by pirates and Marauders, they moved to the present site of the Poblacion, leaving behind, Chief Maginoong Dalaga, who ruled the place. This accounts why Pakil has two territories on the eastern and western sides of the lake.Gat Maitan and Gat Silayan are one of the borne-leaders from the ancient town of Malolos which formerly called Lihan along Manila Bay and part of Kingdom of Tondo.Gat Silayan actually is one of the ruling clan of Lihan whose bearing the title "Gat",a title of leaders in Malolos became "Gatchalian",Gatmaitan,together with Lakandula and Gatbonton.[4]

When the Spaniards came to the place in 1571, this colony was under the leadership of Gat Paquil whose name was used to name the settlement as "Paquil", which remained during the whole Spanish Regime and early part of the American period. It was changed to "Pakil" by Executive Order No. 77 in 1927.

In 1602, Pakil was attached to Paete as a "visita". Padre Francisco Barajas, exerted efforts to separate this town from Paete, and Don Diego Jorge became the first Capitan Barangay on May 12, 1676.

Pakil was named as an independent town during the Spanish regime with the Capitan at the helm of the local government, the last of whom was Capitan Nicolas Regalado.

With the change of government from Spanish to American, and the organization of the Civil Government in the country in 1901, Bernardo Gonzales was appointed the first Municipal President until November 25, 1903, and by Public Law No. 1009, Pakil was fused with Pangil. On October 1, 1927, by virtue of Executive Order No. 77, Pakil was restored to being a separate town.

In 1942, the Japanese troops occupied in Pakil, Laguna.

In 1945, the liberated from the Philippine Commonwealth forces entering in Pakil, Laguna with the Filipino guerrillas against the Japanese forces during the Second World War.

In 1954, the sitios known as Casa Real, Casinsin and Kabulusan were converted into barrios.[5][6][7] Durado followed suit in 1957.[8]

Demographics

Population census of Pakil
YearPop.±% p.a.
1990 13,438—    
1995 15,663+2.91%
2000 18,021+3.05%
2007 20,242+1.62%
2010 20,822+1.03%
Source: National Statistics Office[3]

Cultural heritage

Music was formally initiated in the town of Pakil by San Pedro Bautista (1856) the Guardian of the Franciscan order. He established the only Music Academy in the country. The school started with 400 children from towns along the Laguna Bay. These students started as church choir members and were taught how to make musical instruments out of locally available materials like bamboo, cans, wood and coconut shells. These kids were called “Tiple” and they trained other younger children to become members of the church choir.

This is how music got started in the town. The entire population became involved in teaching their youth to sing and play instruments. This tradition was handed down from generation to generation.

The Adonay family influenced the spread of musical interest with their family of excellent musicians who helped form the first brass band in Pakil.

The elderly Tacio Celis helped train children to read musical notes and play instruments. He fed and billeted them in his house. They became good enough to have engagements in various town fiestas.

Many original Pakil musicians attained prominence in their respective instruments. Johnny Valero who plays the trombone and Nemesio Regalado who plays the clarinet were dubbed the ‘Tommy Dorsey’ and the ‘Benny Goodman’ of the Philippines, respectively. Jun Regalado was crowned The Best drummer in Asia Janette Basco, who also has her roots in Pakil, became a popular Philippine singer. The Professors Paulino Cadsawan, Julian Balita and Agapito Celis are esteemed music teachers while Ceferino Pasang, Luis Vito and Maria Regalado-Yusi are renowned pianists and Anne Asinas became a world-renowned violinist.

The small town of Pakil was better known by some as “The Little Milan” of the Philippines because of the many good musicians it produced up to this day with two brass bands called ‘Banda Uno’ and Banda ‘Dos’(Band One and Band Two).

Many of the young musicians finished College on scholarships playing in their school bands.

Because Pakil became known for excellence in music, the International Choral Festival was held in the town with the appearance of UP’s Cherubim and Seraphim Choral Group under Prof. Elena Mirano who heads a project honoring Prof. Marcelo Q. Adonay as Philippines’ “Prince of Church Music.”

Currently Pakil Music Program is helping out young students to continue the rich musical heritage of the town. Pakil Music Program (PMP) is providing music education through note reading and instrument performances by the help of some retired musicians. The current leader of the PMP is Roy Regalado.

St. Peter of Alcantara Parish

The St. Peter of Alcantara Parish, also the Diocesan Shrine of the Our Lady of Turumba is Pakil's Roman Catholic Church and home to the Our Lady of Sorrows de Turumba.

Our Lady of Turumba

Our Lady of Turumba
Our Lady of Turumba
Main article: Our Lady of Turumba

Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de Turumba ("Our Lady of Sorrows of Turumba") is the name for a specific statue of the Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Sorrows, enshrined in Pakil.

Liceo de Pakil

Originally built by the Maryknoll Fathers, it moved from leadership and school name. First, being the Maryknoll Fathers High School led by the Maryknoll Fathers. Later, the Maryknoll Fathers had to go to their mission in Davao, they left it under the leadership of the Maryknoll Sisters which changed the name into Maryknoll High School. Upon the termination of the mission of the Maryknoll Sisters in 1972, the Bishop Pedro N. Bantigue invited the Augustinian Recollect Sisters to administer the school. The name was changed again to Mary Immaculate Academy by the Augustinian Recollect Sisters. In 1983 the name was changed to Liceo De Pakil by the Diocese of San Pablo. In 1986, a new administration was born named the Missionary Catechists of St. Therese (MCST) led the school. Liceo De Pakil is currently led by the MCST and the Diocese of San Pablo.

The current principal of the school is: Sister Maria Minda D. Derilo, MCST.

References

  1. ↑ "Official City/Municipal 2013 Election Results". Intramuros, Manila, Philippines: Commission on Elections (COMELEC). 11 September 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Province: LAGUNA". PSGC Interactive. Makati City, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay: as of May 1, 2010". 2010 Census of Population and Housing. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  4. ↑ http://www.elaput.org/pinsika3.htm
  5. ↑ "An Act Converting the Sitio of Casa Real in Municipality of Pakil, Province of Laguna, to a Barrio to Be Known As Barrio Casa Real". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-11.
  6. ↑ "An Act Converting the Sitio of Casinsin in the Municipality of Pakil, Province of Laguna, to a Barrio to Be Known As Barrio Casinsin". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-11.
  7. ↑ "An Act Converting the Sitio of Kabulusan in the Municipality of Pakil, Province of Laguna, to a Barrio to Be Known As Barrio Kabulusan". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-11.
  8. ↑ "An Act to Convert the Sitio of Durado in the Municipality of Pakil, Province of Laguna, into a Barrio to Be Known As the Barrio of Durado of Said Municipality". LawPH.com. Retrieved 2011-04-12.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pakil, Laguna.
Eastern part (includes the poblacion)
Pangil
Laguna de Bay Real, Quezon
   Pakil  
Paete
Western part (includes barangays Banilan, Kabulusan, Casa Real, Casinsin, Dorado, Matikiw)
Pililla, Rizal Mabitac / Pangil
Jalajala, Rizal Laguna de Bay
   Pakil  
Jalajala, Rizal