About

The City of San Pablo (Filipino: Lungsod ng San Pablo), a first class city in the province of Laguna, Philippines, is one of the country’s oldest cities. The City of San Pablo lies in the southern portion of Laguna province. This city is otherwise known as the “City of Seven Lakes” (Filipino: Lungsod ng Pitong Lawa) because it has seven lakes—Sampalok, Palakpakin, Yambo, Bunot, Pandin, Muhikap, and Calibato. By Land Area, it is the largest in the province of laguna. By population, it ranks fifth in the province of Laguna. San Pablo City was once part of the Archdiocese of Lipa since 1910 but on November 28, 1967 it became an independent diocese and became as the Diocese of San Pablo.

History

San Pablo City’s earliest historical record dates back to pre-Spanish times when four large barrios bounded by Mt. Makiling composed “Sampalok“. In 1521, the first Spanish troops under Captain Juan de Salcedo arrived in the upland village of Sampaloc, which became a parish in 1586, and then a municipality in 1647, and was renamed “San Pablo de Los Montes” in honor of Saint Paul the First Hermit. In 1756 it was placed under the jurisdiction of Batangas Province but was returned in 1883 to Laguna. In 1899, a municipal government was established, with Innocente Martinez as Municipal President. Marcos Paulino was elected Municipal President in 1902 when the civil government was set up. From 1926 to 1940, the people of San Pablo worked for its independence from the province of Laguna. On May 7, 1940, the Charter Bill sponsored by Congressman Tomas Dizon was approved. The bill became known as the City Charter of San Pablo or Commonwealth Act No. 520. The city was inaugurated on March 30, 1941, with Dr. Potenciano Malvar as the appointed city mayor. Currently, Vicente “Vic” Amante is the mayor together with Frederick Martin A. Ilagan as the vice-mayor of the city until 2010.

Milestones

• 1571 Arrival of Spanish troops under Captain Juan de Salcedo in the village of Sampalok.
• 1596 Sampalok was converted into a parish.
• 1647 Sampalok was converted to a municipality and renamed San Pablo de los Montes. Bartolome Maghayon, first gobernadorcillo
• 1734 Controlled the parish by the Franciscans.
• 1756 Placed under the jurisdiction of Batangas Province.
• 1883 Returned to Laguna Province.
• 1902 Innocentes Martines, first appointive municipal president and Don Marcos Paulino was elected first Municipal President under the Americans.
• 1940 Approval of Commonwealth (Act) 520 or Charter of the City of San Pablo with Dr. Potenciano Malvar as first appointive City Mayor.
• 1955 Installed its first elected City Mayor (Cipriano B. Colago).