Bongabon Nueva Ecija Philippines

Brief History of Bongabon

The Zealous Augustinian Missionaries who preached the good news in Pampanga and eventually evangelized the entire province extended their outposts at an early period into what is now the Province of Nueva Ecija by following the Rio Grande dela Pampanga. Thus, Santol (present day Barangay Santor in Bongabon) was established in 1659 and later in 1760 Bongabon was named as a town and parish under the patronage of St. Francis of Assissi.

Whenever a stranger happens to take a look around Bongabon, his attention will easily be attracted by an enclosure of a brick wall just beside the town plaza similar to that of the walled city of Manila, and that within those walls still remain the mute reminiscence of the stately Spanish domination.

BONGABON was the first capital of Nueva Ecija and that brick walls were the remains of the first provincial capitol of Nueva Ecija. Just like any other Spanish pueblos at that time, Bongabon was ruled by a "Capitan" synonymous to that of the Mayor today. The Catholic religion and the high esteem for women are the two important influences, Spain has inculcated into the hearts of the people not only in Bongabon but all over the Philippines.