Friday, July 17, 2009

Historical Background of Mogpog

MOGPOG HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Based on historical archives, the year 1807 marks the establishment of the Municipality of Mogpog under a Gobernadorcillo who was later on called "Capitan Municipal" or Municipal Mayor. In the same year the Parish church of St. Isidore was founded in the said municipality and May 15 is the day most affiliated with the patron -St. Isidore.

Records on file would indicate that Don Nicolas del Rosario was the first Capitan Municipal.

According to legends, the word "Mogpog" originated from the word "Maapog" which means abundance of "apog" (Lime) or "Mag-aapog" referring to the lime-makers or manufacturers. A "Calero" (limekiln) or the place where the lime was being manufactured existed in the vicinity at the coming of the Spaniards who adopted the name.

In the late 17th and 18th century, the place where now stands the Poblacion of Mogpog was rimmed with the forested areas, the center of which was cultivated in patches and planted with rice and root crops. The hill known as Mataas na Bayan was a place then called "Anapog" where the caleros (Kil tenders) and their families resided. Their houses were made of cogon roofs, palm leaf walls, bamboo floors with round timbers and bamboos as frameworks. These inhabitants were people of varied occupants.

Although untutored, they were happy and hospitable. As a form of recreation, they invented the "Tubong" (formerly known as "Putong"). It is a merry musical rendition accompanied by dance steps to manifest thanksgiving and prayer for the well-beign and long life of a birthday celebrant or newly arrived visitors from other places.

It is interesting to note that "Apog" or lime played part in Spain's effort to leave her heritage in Philippine Architecture. The limes that are manufactured in Anapog were used in the construction of houses in the towns of Boac and Sta. Cruz and at that time it was a much needed and sought after materials as cement nowadays.

Contrary to some beliefs, Mogpog was never a barangay of Boac as outlined by some historians. On page 352 of the "Catholic Directory of the Philippines" authored by the highest clergy of the Catholic Church under the heading "Diocese of Lucena" can be read the following information:

"The Franciscans were the first missionaries in Quezon province and established the first center of the faith in the Parish of Tayabas Quezon, while the Jesuits went to the province of Marinduque and put up theirs in the Municipality of Sta. Cruz in 1783."

"Years of Foundation of important municipalities of Quezon: Tayabas 1850; Sariaya 1599; Atimonan 1620; Tianong 1670; Mauban 1680; Caluag 1846; Lopez 1861; and Unisan 1874."

"In Marinduque: Sta. Cruz 1783; Boac 1792; Gasan 1798; Mogpog 1807; and Torrijos 1899."

This clearly indicates that the town of Mogpog did not in any way become part of Boac. Rather, it is well-populated community christened by the Spaniards and named it Mogpog as derived from the word "Mag-aapog" or lime-maker.

It is only during the incumbency of Municipal President Macario Arceo in 1904 that the municipality suffered financial difficulty and Mogpog requested assistance from the National Government. Meanwhile, the Municipality of Mogpog was governed by Boac that lasted for four (4) years, not as a barangay but as a sub-municipality as they still have their own Municipal President.

During the year 1909, collection of taxes improved and when Regino Labao became the town executive in 1910, the municipality recovered completely from its financial deficit thereby lifting supervision from Boac.