A BRIEF HISTORY OF BIÑAN, LAGUNA
According to early records, the Spaniards discovered Biñan, Laguna in the latter part of June 1571 after Miguel Lopez de Legazpi established Manila. Under the leadership of Captain Juan de Salcedo, Legazpi’s 44 year old nephew, approximately 45 armed Spaniards sailed and attacked Taytay and Cainta in the Province of Morong (now Rizal). With their rifles and small cannons, they routed the natives of Morong. From these towns, they crossed Bahi (Laguna de Bay) and they peacefully subdued the other lakeshore towns. They landed at Pinagsangahan (now Pagsanjan) and proceeded to Nagkarlang and Majayjay. They returned to the Laguna Lake and landed at the biggest town called Bahi. The lake was named after this town as Laguna de Bahi, Bae or Bay which also became the capital of the area thenceforth until 1688.
From Bahi, the Spaniards sailed again towards the northwestern part of the lake and reached a wide area which they called Tabuco (now Cabuyao). After establishing this town, they sailed anew until favorable winds brought them to the mouth of a big river that traversed a settlement. Some of the natives residing at the left side of the river fought fiercely with their bows and arrows, spears and bolos. Shortly, the Spaniards aided by some natives which they brought along were able to pacify them with convincing explanations. This particular spot was called “Manlalaban” (now Malaban). Their boats continued to explore the river further until they reached a central place. Accompanied by Fr. Alonzo Albarado, Captain Salcedo told the natives of their objective to persuade them to be subjects of King Philip II of Spain. Further, they came not to kill and conquer but to promote good relations and assist them in their livelihood. After the people were convinced, Fr. Albarado immediately erected a big wooden cross at the front of the present church. He invited them to implore and glorify the said cross as a thanksgiving to the Creator and recognition of the Lord Jesus Christ.
On the succeeding days, Captain Salcedo and Fr. Albarado successfully established a government. All their discovered localities were placed under the administrative supervision of Tabuco which was a big settlement and close to Bahi. The overseers or “cabecillas” of barrios were the “cabezas de baranggay”. For a quite long period, Biñan, Kalamba and Sto. Tomas were under Tabuco which later became “Cabullao”. In 1689, when the provincial capital was transferred to Pinagsangahan, Biñan broke away from Bahi and annexed the barrio of Sta. Rosa. Later in 1791, during Pablo Faustino’s term, Sta. Rosa seceded from Biñan.
The Church of Biñan did not have an assigned priest. The parish priest of Tabuco also said masses in Biñan Augustinian priests continued to administer Biñan until 1637 when they transferred it to the Dominicans. In 1757, Dr. D. Jose Monroy became the first Parish Priest of Biñan. He appointed Antonio de Santa Rosa as the first Captain of Biñan in the same year.
Land Area
The former barrio of Biñan was situated 121’ 5” longitude and 14’ 20” latitude bounded on the east by Laguna de Bay; south by Sta. Rosa; north by San Pedro and west by Carmona, Cavite.
In a judgment rendered by Judge Calderon Henriquez on January 16, 1754 regarding a case filed by Dominican priests against Silang, Cavite, the total area of Hacienda de San IsidroLabrador de Biñan was 3,474.48 hectares. In a resurvey before the sale of this town to the government as negotiated between Governor General William Howard Taft and Archbishop Harty, the area was consolidated at 3,668.68 hectares. On October 19, 1905, for the agreed sum of Php. 601,583.18, the whole town was transferred from the Spanish Government to the Municipality of Biñan for resale to the residents. It was subdivided into 3,382 irrigated and unirrigated lots.
Presently, there are 24 existing barangays in Biñan, namely:
1. Biñan
2. Bungahan
3. Calabuso (Santo Tomas)
4. Canlalay
5. Casile
6. Dela Paz
7. Ganado
8. San Francisco (Halang)
9. Langkiwa
10. Loma
11. Malaban
12. Malamig
13. Mamplasan
14. Platero
15. Poblacion
16. San Antonio
17. San Jose
18. San Vicente
19. Sto. Niño
20. Sto. Domingo
21. Soro-Soro
22. Timbao
23. Tubigan
24. Zapote
Population
The earliest record in 1850, according to Buzeta and Bravo (Diccionario Geografico) showed 10,948 residents which went down to 9,563 (1903 Census). Succeeding figures were 10,692 (1918 Census) and 67,310 (May, 1975 Census).
