The History of Tacoban City

The History of Tacoban City
Tacloban developed from a small fishing village, a

barrio of Basey, Samar. The word Tacloban evolved
from "Taklub", a basket-like contraption for catching
fish. It became a major trading town in the late 18th
century. The city is well-known for its role in World
War II, being a major base for the US forces and the
first town liberated by Douglas MacArthur's forces
from the Japanese Imperial Forces. For a time, it
served as the capital of the Philippines
while Manila was under Japanese control.
The city is also known for being the hometown of

the flamboyant former Philippine First Lady Imelda
Marcos, whose Romualdez family still commands a
large political following in the area.
For several decades, Tacloban was a barrio of Basey, Samar. At the time, the place
was known as Kankabatok - meaning belonging to Kabatok, because its most
prominent inhabitant was named Kabatok. The change of name came about in this
manner: Kankabatok was a favorite haunt for fishermen. They would use a bamboo tray
called "taklub" to catch crabs or shrimps. When asked where they were going the
fishermen would answer, "to tarakluban", which meant the place where they used
"taklub" to catch crabs. Later, the name was shortened to Tacloban.
It is not definitely known when Tacloban became a municipality because records

supporting this fact were destroyed during a typhoon. It is commonly believed that
Tacloban was officially proclaimed a municipality in 1770. Others however maintain that
it was in 1669 during which time there was a rain of ashes. It was the Augustinian
mission followed by the Franciscans who sparked the people's interest in religious
activities. Within a year's time the first church was built with two lofty belfries under the
untiring effort of Fray Aniceto Corral.
Carigara was the capital of Leyte at the time. With Don Hipolito Gonzales' incumbency
as alcalde mayor of the province, a popular clamor for the transfer of the seat of the
province came up. Thus, on October 5, 1774 after the construction of the Casa Real
and the prison, the transfer of the seat of the provincial government was officially
approved. In the year 1824 however, Don Pedro Antonio became alcalde mayor and
restored Carigara as the p rovincial capital on march 31, 1824. This enhanced bitter
disputes. It was finally Don Ceferino Fernandez, alcalde mayor in 1827 who succeeded
in pacifying the controversy.
The final approval for making Tacloban the capital of the province of Leyte cam on
February 16, 1830. The decisive reasons for choosing it as capital were:
- 1) it had the ideal location of the port area,
- 2) the place was well-sheltered and adequate.
During the Philippine-American war on January 17, 1899, General Vicente Lukban (for
whom a street is named in the San Fernando district) came to Tacloban to talk about
the problems of the people. The provincial government was evacuated to Palo while
General Mojica and his men prepared to fight the Americans. On January 31, 1900
General Kohe arrived with an American team to negotiate a cease-fire and surrender of
the province. He was firmly refused. On the following day armies stormed the trenches
and by 2:00 PM, the province was in American hands. General Mojica and his men fled
to the interior towns and it took a long time for the Americans to cajole every town until
every revolucianario had surrendered. Mojica and Lukban eventually yielded to
American sovereignty. Captain Leon Rojas, Sr. surrendered last. He led his men in a
colorful pageant of surrender by riding on a white horse to the spot where the
Americans formally received them. When peace finally, Rojas was designated chief of
Police of Tacloban. A company of American soldiers was placed under his command.
In February 1901, the first American military governor of Leyte, Col. Murray, assumed
office. He had only one aim in mind: gain the friendship of the people by getting their
confidence. In a gesture of sincerity, he opened Tacloban to world trade. Civic-spirited
citizens cooperated and organized a committee for peace. Don Gabriel Galza, the
founder, became its first president. Their first undertaking was to petition Governor
Murray for the release of prisoners who were in Tanauan. The governor received the
petition favorably and thus peace and order in the whole province was completely
restored.
With American military rule over, Taclobanons who were trained in the art of self-
government took over the reins of the administration. Catalino Tarcela became the first
provincial governor. There were others who were responsible for the progress and
development of Tacloban. Among them were Lodovico Salazar, known to all as Capitan
Lodo, the first public teacher of the town (a street is named after him). Lodovico Basilio,
known as Capitan Bigong, and Capitan Martin Hidalgo. Of the womenfolk, Doña Eulalia
Rubillos, wife of Governor Vicente Diaz is remembered for having served the first
Filipino flag that fluttered in the
Leyte sky when the revolutionary
government was established.
On May 24, 1942, Tacloban

awakened to see Japanese
imperial forces in its midst. The
town offered no active resistance to
their oppressive occupation. For
little more than two years, it suffered from hunger, terror and brutalities of the invaders.
Despite the ugliness of war, the people never forgot to pay

homage to their Patron saint, Sr. Santo Niño, by celebrating
the town fiesta. One such big commemoration was on the
fiesta of 1843, on June 30 where an industrial and agricultural
fair was held in the old Leyte park. Here, hate and sorrows of
war were forgotten so that it became one of the most
remembered carnivals the town ever held. The mayor at that
time was Vicente Quintero.
Leyte was the first in the itinerary of MacArthur's return route to the Philippines. Thus,
on October 20, 1944, while the waters of Leyte Gulf were calm and clear, six battleships
hit the beaches at Cataisan Point and nearby areas. Before twilight, the Tacloban
airstrip which was the objective of the day was recaptured by the first division. The
entire Cataisan Peninsula was soon under the command of Major General Verne D.
Mudge at 3:00 PM of October 21. This day, Tacloban was liberated from the enemy. In
a rousing welcome, Filipino civilians line the streets greeting the liberators. Chewing
gun, cigarettes, chocolates and wide American smiles flowed freely - all symbolic of
friendship and freedom.
On October 22, 1944, Tacloban City was safely back in American hands. On October
23, 1944, General MacArthur announced the establishment of the Philippine Civil
Government on the steps of the provincial capitol. He installed Sergio Osmeña Sr. as
the president in the presence of Lt. General Walter Krueger, Lt. Gen. Richard
Sutherland and Col. Ruperto Kangleon with a guard of honor consisting of First Lt. John
Gregory and 30 dirty and tired but efficient-looking soldiers. After the liberation,
Tacloban's first appointed mayor was Paulo Jaor. The inauguration of the Republic of
the Philippines saw Epifanio Aguirre as mayor of Tacloban.
On June 20, 1952 by virtue of Republic Act no 760, Tacloban City was born. Dr.
Ildefonso Cinco, last mayor of the Municipality of Tacloban became the first city mayor.
On June 30, 1954, on the Feast Day of Sr. Sto. Nino, the Patron Saint of Tacloban,
Speaker of the House of Representatives Jose B. Laurel did the honor of laying the
cornerstone for the Tacloban City Hall at Kanhuraw Hill. As a new city, Tacloban
attracted businessmen looking for sound investment prospects while people from
neighboring towns slowly began to look for opportunities and laid roots in the city.
On 8 January 1960 MacArthur made his "sentimental" journey to Leyte.
On June 12, 2003, Tacloban City celebrated its Golden Anniversary with fitting rites and
activities with Mayor Alfred T. Romuladez at its helm. Celebrating the 50th anniversary
of Talcoban’s city hood showed the long trail of significant activities leading to the
present status of Tacloban by which economic, infrastructural and social gains were
achieved.
In an extensive survey conducted by the Asian Institute of Management Policy Center
and released in July 2010, Tacloban ranks as the fifth most competitive city in the
Philippines, and second in the emerging cities category.
On 8 November 2013, the city was largely destroyed by Typhoon Haiyan, having
previously suffered similar destruction and loss of life in 1897 and 1912.
On 17 January 2015, Pope Francis visited Tacloban during his Papal Visit in the

Philippines and held a mass at Barangay San Jose, and later he led mass of 30,000
people in front of the airport.
Tacloban City has grown from a small fishing barrio of Basey to a bustling, growing
center of commerce and industry, into probably the first most important city in Eastern
Visayas.
From its beginnings, Tacloban City has grown to be the premier city of Eastern Visayas,
gateway of the region and the center of trade and industry, culture, education,
communication and tourism.

The History of Tacoban City

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

The History of Tacoban City

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

The History of Tacoban City

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

The History of Tacoban City

Tacloban developed from a small fishing village, a

The city is also known for being the hometown of

It is not definitely known when Tacloban became a municipality because records

On May 24, 1942, Tacloban

Despite the ugliness of war, the people never forgot to pay

On 8 January 1960 MacArthur made his "sentimental" journey to Leyte.

On 17 January 2015, Pope Francis visited Tacloban during his Papal Visit in the

You might also like