Tiaong PEP Talk

17/03/2026

Don Doroteo Veneracion, Maestro

The attached Spanish‑language documents appear to be a formal petition submitted by Don Doroteo Veneracion applying for the position of primary school teacher of Tiaong.

Below is an AI‑assisted translation of the text:

“Don Doroteo Veneracion, resident of the town of Tiaong in the province of Tayabas, before Your Honor, and through the worthy channel of the Alcalde Mayor of the same province, respectfully states:

That having studied in the Escuela Normal de Maestros de Instrucción Primaria for the number of years prescribed by the Regulation approved by Royal Decree of December 20, 1863, as an internal supernumerary pupil, according to the certificate that he holds, dated May 27, 1874, recorded in the Normal School on June 9 of the same year, and in the Accounting Office of the Local Administration on the 11th of said month, he has the right to apply for a public school of first entry, such as that of Tiaong of the said province, or in any town of these Islands.

That since the current primary instruction teacher of this town, Don Francisco Ona Santos, is resigning for having completed
the period prescribed by the Regulation, Your Honor is humbly
petitions that, should the resignation of Don Francisco Ona Santos
be accepted, the undersigned be appointed as the teacher of the
Primary School of the town of Tiaong in the province of Tayabas.

It is a favor he requests, under oath.

Tiaong, May 24, 1878

Doroteo Veneracion”

Translator and Cabeza de Barangay

The name of Don Doroteo first appeared in an earlier post as the original translator of the document titled “Palatandaan ng Mga Nag-Capitan Mula ng Maging Bayan ang Tiaong at ang Mga Nangyari sa Panahon ng Kanilang Panunungkulan ay Makikita sa Tandaang Ito ni Don Hilario de San Agusin.”* He is also listed as one of the Cabezas de Barangay of Tiaong in 1884.**

To be continued.

* read “How old is Tiaong?” (September 26, 2022)
** read “Pueblo de Tiaong (1884)” (January 29, 2026)

16/03/2026

"General Plan of the Parishes of the Philippine Islands
Formed by Order of the Superior Government of said islands by virtue of the Royal Decree of January 21, 1772 and the letter of agreement of November 13, 1778" ( December 24, 1783)

This is not a printing error.

Tiaong - spelled “Tiyaong” in the document - together with its neighboring pueblo, San Pablo, once formed part of the Province of Balayan (present‑day Batangas).

11/03/2026

The Gobernadorcillos of Tiaong: The Terna System

During the Spanish colonial period, towns in the Philippines did not elect their leaders through public voting. Instead, they used the Terna System, a process limited to the local principalia.

Under this system, an election board - composed of select cabezas de barangay and the outgoing gobernadorcillo (an automatic nominee) - selected three candidates (terna).

The election results, along with the recommendations of the Provincial Governor and the Parish Priest, were then forwarded to Manila.

From these three nominees, the Governor General made the final appointment.

In the 1887 Tiaong terna, Don Fabio Dia topped the vote, followed by Don Timoteo Cabunag, and the incumbent gobernadorcillo, Don Vicente Robles.

However, following the recommendations of the Provincial Governor and the Parish Priest, the Governor General appointed Don Timoteo Cabunag instead.*

This shows how the Terna System often favored the judgment of higher colonial officials over the actual vote count.

* see “The Gobernadorcillos of Tiaong: In the Name of the Street (The Tie that Binds, Part 2),” July 19, 2025

21/02/2026

Tapos-Pusong Pakikiramay sa Mga Naulila ni Mayor Raul “Leleng” Umali

Mayor Leleng came from a long line of Tiaong Mayors whose service spans more than a century.

His son, former Mayor (and later Vice Mayor) Roderick “Dick” Umali, continued this tradition of public service.

His uncle, Gen. Vicente “Gen. Win” Umali,* and his father, Marino S. Umali (see photo),** both served as Mayor of Tiaong during and after World War II, respectively.

Even earlier, his great-grandfather, Segundo Samonte, served as Presidente Municipal of Tiaong (the equivalent of Mayor) during the early American period.***

As always, corrections and additional information from fact-checkers are most welcome.

* read "Higino and Petronio Pasumbal: Father and Son Mayors of Tiaong" (January 17, 2025)

** read "Umaling Puti at Umaling Itim ng Tiaong" (September 30, 2023) and "1947 Tiaong Officials" (September 5, 2022)

*** read "Tiaong Officials, Professionals and Entrepreneur" (March 4, 2024)

photo: ctto

11/02/2026

Happy Fiesta, Barangay Lagalag*

The 1802 map of Tiaong represents one of the earliest - if not the earliest - documented records of the town’s barrios, predating the modern barangay system by nearly two centuries.

Lagalag is among the few Spanish era barrios or indigenous sitios that have retained their original names. Other early settlements that likewise preserved their historic identities include Lalig (Lalic), Bula, Cabay, Cabatang (Cabatan), Bulakin (Bulaquin), Tamisian, and Quipot.

Taken together, these references make Lagalag one of Tiaong’s oldest and longest continuously documented communities, with a name that has endured from the early 1800s to the present.

* read "Featured Barangay: LAGALAG," (October 7, 2022)

09/02/2026

Today in History

On February 9, 1890, the parish priest of the town of Tiaong solemnly baptized a one day old child, to whom was given the name Claro, legitimate son of Don Claro Recto, Sr. and Doña Micaela Mayo, residents of Barangay 9 of this town.

His paternal grandparents were José Recto and Isabel Sales, and his maternal grandparents were Don Ariston Mayo and Doña Isabel Atienza.

His godfather was Don Eulalio Recto, bachelor of this same town.

PS:

Don Eulalio was actually Senator Claro M. Recto's half-brother. Don Eulalio was also the son Don Claro, Sr. with Hilaria Gonzales.*

The marginal note seems to have been added later. It states that Claro, Jr. contracted marriage on February 10, 1912 with Angelina Silos, daughter of Urbano Silos and Teodosia Zamora of Jaro, Iloilo.

Aurora Reyes was the second wife of Senator Claro M. Recto.**

* read "The Gonzales-Recto Branch," (November 8, 2022)

* read "February 8," (February 8, 2023)

31/01/2026

Padre Samuel Mena
Cura Parroco, Iglesia de San Juan Bautista (1863-1864; 1868-1872)
Tiaong, Tayabas

In 1872, Padre Mena certified the baptism of María Umila, the legitimate daughter of Federico Umila and Aristona de Guino.

María’s paternal grandparents were Julián Umila and Catalina Nadres, while her maternal grandparents were Teodorico de Guino and Juana Salamat.

Her godmother was Doña Silvestra Yranzo, a resident of Dolores.

29/01/2026

Pueblo de Tiaong (1884)

During the Spanish colonial period, a cabecería was an administrative unit used for census, taxation, and local governance purposes. Each cabecería was headed by a cabeza de barangay, who was responsible for collecting tribute and maintaining local order.

In 1884, the pueblo of Tiaong was divided into 42 cabecerías, each administered by a cabeza de barangay.

The known Cabezas de Barangay of each cabecería were as follows:

Cabecería No. 1 – Arcadio Sapon
Cabecería No. 2 – Norberto Abania
Cabecería No. 3 – Julian Marquez
Cabecería No. 4 – Mamerto Gonzales
Cabecería No. 5 – Sebastian Ramos
Cabecería No. 6 – [Name unknown]
Cabecería No. 7 – Manuel Laquien
Cabecería No. 8 – Escolastico Hernandez
Cabecería No. 9 – Eulalio Recto
Cabecería No. 10 – [Name unclear] Quizon
Cabecería No. 11 – Doroteo Veneracion
Cabecería No. 12 – [Name unclear] Cabuniag
Cabecería No. 13 – Silvino Remo
Cabecería No. 14 – Estefano de Ramos
Cabecería No. 15 – [Name unknown]
Cabecería No. 16 – Cristino Alabastro
Cabecería No. 17 – Domingo [Surname unclear]
Cabecería No. 18 – [Name unknown]
Cabecería No. 19 – Cenon Ona
Cabecería No. 20 – [Name unclear] Magboo
Cabecería No. 21 – Policornio de Luna
Cabecería No. 22 – Cipriano [Surname unclear]
Cabecería No. 23 – Jose Gonzales
Cabecería No. 24 – Vicente Balbuena y Martines
Cabecería No. 25 – Ladislao Masangkay
Cabecería No. 26 – Juan Laquipe / Isabelo Marquez
Cabecería No. 27 – Cipriano Ginosa
Cabecería No. 28 – Manuel Villaflor
Cabecería No. 29 – Jose Obosa
Cabecería No. 30 – Candido Umali
Cabecería No. 31 – Jose Alcazar
Cabecería No. 32 – Francisco Masangkay
Cabecería No. 33 – Juan Masangkay
Cabecería No. 34 – Marcelo Castillo
Cabecería No. 35 – Ramon Serrano
Cabecería No. 36 – Igmedio Recto
Cabecería No. 37 – Donato Umali
Cabecería No. 38 – Silvino de los Reyes
Cabecería No. 39 – Crispin Dia
Cabecería No. 40 – Fortunato Alcayro
Cabecería No. 41 – Vicente Nanar
Cabecería No. 42 – Bernabe Martinez

Owing to changes in boundaries, nomenclature, and administrative organization over time, it is a challenge to determine with certainty which historical cabecerías correspond to any particular present-day barangays.

PHOTO: 1802 Map of Tiaong

28/01/2026

Signed, Gobernadorcillo Diego A(labastro) y Mapalad
Tiaon, 8 November 1894

08/01/2026

Repost

Congratulations to the New Abogados!

The Supreme Court announced today that 3,962 examinees (37.84%) successfully passed the 2024 Bar Examinations. Leading this year’s batch of new lawyers is Kyle Christian Tutor from the University of the Philippines, who achieved the highest rating of 85.77%.

Tiaong’s Lone Bar Topnotcher

In the 121-year history of the Bar Examinations, Tiaong has produced only one topnotcher. In 1967, Atty. Rodolfo Dia Robles of San Beda College secured first place with a rating of 89.6%.

Atty. Robles made history not only in the legal field but also in public service. At just 27 years old, he became one of the youngest members of the 1971 Constitutional Convention, representing the first district of Quezon. Decades later, in 2020, he was appointed by then-President Rodrigo Duterte as the Philippine Ambassador to Canada.

Legacy of Public Service: Governor Claro R. Robles, Sr.

Atty. Robles is the son of former Quezon Governor Claro R. Robles, Sr. (1960–1963) and Amparo Dia.

19/11/2025

“F. S. Hernandez St.,” Part 2

TPT isn’t sure whether Mayor Francisco S. Hernandez ever lived on the street that now carries his name.

What TPT can confirm is that at least three Tiaong mayors made their home in Lusacan: Mayor (OIC) Mariano Joyas,* Mayor Vivencio Escueta, and Mayor Ramon Preza.

A Non-Tiaongin Mayor

One Tiaong mayor who definitely was not from Lusacan - nor even from Tiaong - was Atty. Lawalio Malahay. He briefly served as mayor during the Japanese Occupation.**

Atty. Malahay hailed from Guihulngan, Negros Oriental, and was the son of former Gobernadorcillo Doroteo Malahay.

Doroteo’s brothers, Restituto and Enrique, were students at Silliman Institute (now Silliman University) and became the first Protestant converts in Negros, baptized in Dumaguete City in October 1902. As Protestantism spread within the family, several Malahay brothers became leaders of the early church in Guihulngan.

The UCCP Connection

According to early records of Protestant work in Tayabas:

“What seems to have been the first organized Presbyterian church in Tayabas was that at Tiaong. In 1906 the families of Leon Banaag and Jose Vidola were convened, followed in 1907 by those of Jose Soriano and Moises Lector. By the following year, a preliminary congregation had been established, with Valentin Robles as president.”***

This connection may explain how Atty. Lawalio Malahay found his way to Tiaong. He eventually married Conchita Robles, daughter of Valentin Robles (pardon the quality of the AI-enhanced photo).

Valentin Robles was the grandfather of Claro Robles (Governor of Quezon, 1960–1963) and great-grandfather of Tiaong’s lone bar topnotcher, Ambassador Rodolfo Robles.****

These stories - whether about mayors who lived in Lusacan, a wartime mayor who came from far beyond Tiaong, or families who helped shape early Protestant life in the town - remind us that even a simple street name like F. S. Hernandez St. can open doors to much larger histories.

* see post “And speaking of Brgy. Cabatang . . .,” May 1, 2025
** see post “Higino and Petronio Pasumbal: Father and Son Mayors of Tiaong,” January 17, 2025
*** see post “United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) Tiaong,” April 4, 2025
**** see post “Congratulations to the New Abogados!” December 13, 2024

14/11/2025

On this day

Tiaong Electoral Politics: November 14, 1951

NOTE: The following narrations of facts is based on the Supreme Court decision (People of the Philippines vs. Narciso Umali et al., G.R. No. L-5803, November 29, 1954). The full text of the decision is accessible online.

*Narciso Umali and Marcial Punzalan were old time friends. During the Japanese occupation, Umali (known as Col. Four Roses), Punzalan (known as Lt. Col. Mars), and Epifanio Pasumbal (known as Lt. Col. Panzer) were PQOG guerillas.

After the war, Umali campaigned for Punzalan who was elected Mayor of Tiaong in 1947. Then in 1949, Punzalan campaigned for Umali who was elected Congressman. However, the friendly relations between the two did not endure.

In the November 13, 1951 mayoralty elections, Congressman Umali picked and campaigned for Pasumbal against the incumbent Mayor Punzalan. The campaign was intense, bitter, and ruthless. Punzalan was re-elected.

On November 14, 1951, between 8 to 9 PM, with the result of the mayoralty race already known, Mendoza (who would later become the star witness for the prosecution), Umali, and Pasumbal boarded a jeep and drove toward Tiaong East Elementary School. Mendoza was instructed by Umali to wait for Kumander Abeng and the Huks and point them to the house of Punzalan. After some time, Kumander Abeng and about 50 Huks, armed with garands and carbines, arrived.

Mendoza led them in the direction of **Punzalan’s house then walked toward his home. Before reaching his house, Mendoza already heard shots so he evacuated his family to their dugout in his yard. While doing so, he and his wife saw Umali holding a revolver in the company Huk Kumander Torio and about 20 armed men.

Punzalan’s house was attacked with automatic weapons, hand gr***des, and bottles filled with gasoline. Unknown to the attackers, Punzalan had earlier left Tiaong to go to Lucena. Mrs. Punzalan who was then inside heard the shots and rapid firing. She immediately took the children to the bathroom. She heard the exposion of a hand gr***de followed by flares in the sala and burning of blankets and mosquito nets in the bedroom and also noticed the smell of smoke of gasoline. Realizing the danger, they ran out of the house and went to hide in the house of a neighbor.

As their defense, Umali and Pasumbal claimed that during the raid they were in the home of Pasumbal in Taguan where a consolation party was being held. The trial court found the accused guilty.

The Supreme Cour upheld the conviction of the accused. It did not give credence to the belated retraction made by star witness Mendoza.

* Congressman Narciso H. Umali was the son of Atty. Tomas R. Umali and Concepcion “Doña Concha” Herrera-Umali. Congressman Umali was pardoned by Pres. Carlos P. Garcia in 1958.

** Mayor Punzalan’s house was located on what is presently Escudero corner C.M. Recto Streets (see screen shot of Google map). The Umalis and the Punzalans were practically neighbors.