Baliwag Then and Now: Historical Record and Vocabulary

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the historical founding, etymology, key figures, and governance of Baliwag during the Spanish colonial era based on the records of Rolando Villacorte.

Henry Piddington

A British plantation owner in Calcutta, India, who visited the Philippines in 1819-1822 and wrote "Remarks on the Philippine Islands."

Paraan

Narrow pathways fringed with trees and shrubs, which were the main meandering routes for work animals and sleds in pre-Spanish Baliwag.

Bathala

Spirits worshipped by the paganistic early inhabitants of Baliwag, believed to dwell in caves where offerings of food and fruits were made.

Barter system

The method through which the early natives of Baliwag conducted their commercial activities.

Cabeceria

A term used during the Spanish era corresponding to a present-day barrio, describing Baliwag's status when it was still part of Quingwa.

Quingwa

The town (presently known as Plaridel) located nine kilometers from Baliwag where residents used to go to hear mass before Baliwag became a separate parish.

Maliwag (or Ba Liwag)

A Tagalog term meaning "slowpokes," used by the people of Quingwa to mock the habitually late churchgoers from Baliwag; the name of the town evolved from this term.

Fr. Juan de Albarran

A Spanish parochial priest assigned to Baliwag in June 1733 who performed the town's initial baptismal and marriage rites.

May 26, 1733

The date when Baliwag was composed from the two towns of Quingua and Paco in Angat.

Fr. Feliz Trillo

The Provincial of the Order of Saint Augustine who ordered the formation of the first baptismal registration in Baliuag in 1733.

May 15, 1734

The date when Baliwag was officially created or founded in the provincial chapter, according to records in the Provincial Archives of Madrid.

Vicariato

Under the old canon law in force during Baliwag's creation, this term signified the creation of the pueblo (town) itself.

Fr. Manuel Bazeta

The first parochial superior of Baliwag appointed in 1734-1735.

Sta. Barbara chapel

A chapel built 25 years before the town church in an area then known as Balanti, where the friars stayed for a long time.

Cura parroco

The supreme ruler of the town who served as the inspector of schools, health board president, taxation inspector, and censor of native plays.

Mariquita

A local belle who had a relationship with Fr. Fausto Lopez, resulting in six children including the historical figure Dr. Joaquin Gonzalez.

Dr. Joaquin Gonzalez

The son of Fr. Fausto Lopez who became a framer of the Malolos Constitution and the discoverer of beri-beri in the Philippines.

Padre Ysidoro Prada

An ill-mannered Spanish priest whose street fight with the Ponce brothers led to their exile to Iligan, Mindanao.

Capitan Jose de Guzman

The first town executive installed in Baliwag.

Gobernadorcillo

The highest civil government position open to Filipinos; it was a role of high responsibility that included collecting tributes and funding the local jail.

Principalia

The group of prominent citizens, including former and incumbent cabezas de barangay, who composed the electoral board for the gobernadorcillo.

Maura Law of 1893

The legislation that changed the title of gobernadorcillo to capitan municipal and the title of juez to teniente.

Felix de Lara

The first person to serve as the alcalde of Baliwag, appointed in 1782.

Agustin de Castro

The first person to serve under the title of gobernadorcillo in 1789.

Felix Escolano Angeles

A gobernadorcillo who was persecuted and incarcerated by Spanish authorities for thwarting colonial tyranny; a street was later named in his honor.