Calumpit Bulacan Philippines

Brief History of Calumpit

Calumpit was already an established “barangay” even before the coming of the Spaniards under the leadership of Gat Maitim.

The defeat of Rajah Soliman at the battle of Bangkusay Channel paved the way for the Spaniards to establish their government in Manila. News reached the Spanish Authorities that there was a progressive community located several miles North of Manila. Through the order of Fr. Martin de Bada, a group of Augustinian missionaries headed by Father Diego Vivar Ordonez was sent to look for the said place. In 1572, they set foot at the riverbank of barangay Meyto, armed with a cross. They Christianized the place and established a government with Marcos de Arce as the first Alcalde Mayor of Calumpit. However, it was only in 1575 that the King of Spain officially recognized Calumpit. It was the first town established in the Province of Bulacan and the forth in the island. The Augustinian friars were the first Christian pastors of Calumpit and acted in some capacity as government officials, which continued for almost a century.

Calumpit was named after the hardwood trees found abundantly growing in front of the Calumpit Catholic Church.

During the Philippine Revolution in 1896, the people of Calumpit participated in the battles launched by the Katiponeros against Spain. The town became the Headquarters of General Luna in 1898. In the bloody encounters at barrio Bagbag of this town on April 25, 1899, the people bravely joined the ground of General Luna.

The civil government was established in Calumpit on April 1901 with Juan Galang as the first elected mayor of the town.

Calumpit played an important role at the outbreak of the Pacific war. The bridge of Calumpit, on the way to Bataan was bombed by the Engineering Battalion of the U.S., that impeded the Japanese forces on their way to Bataan. On January 1942, the Japanese occupied Calumpit and for three years, the enemy governed this town. Many distinguished men of Calumpit died during the war.

In the middle of 1943, the first part of the USAFFE guerrilla was established under the leadership of Luis Macam. It is noted that most of the members were from Calumpit. They fought for the freedom and many Calumpit guerillas died.

On June 1944, the 4th Battalion of Del Pilar Regiment was established under the leadership of Major Francisco del Rosario, they continued fighting until the returned of the USAFFE under the leadership of Gen. Douglas Mac. Arthur.

On January 1945, the American forces arrived that forced the Japanese to leave the place