Jaen, Nueva Ecija Philippines

Brief History of  Jaen

During the Spanish period, the municipality was only a component barrio of Gapan. When San Isidro became a town and was separated from Gapan, Jaen and San Antonio became one of its component barrios. When San Antonio became a town and became separated from San Isidro, Jaen became one of its component barrios. In June 18, 1865, Jaen became a town and was separated from San Antonio thru the initiative of two early leaders of this town – Kabesang Prudencio Esquivel and Kapitan Antonio Embuscado. Jaen is now 137 years old. When still part of the town of San Antonio, Jaen was then called San Agustin. And because there were many people in Langla, a river-port, San Agustin became a center of trade. Later Jaen became a town and San Agustin became the patron saint.

The name Jaen was given in honor of then Spain’s Governor-General Jose Maria Camba, who lived in the City of Jaen, Province of Jaen, in Spain. In coordination with Padre Estanislao B. Moso, Kabesang Prudencio and Kapitan Antonio became also the first leaders. They led the establishing of the first Catholic Church of Jaen which is now the Parish Church of San Agustin. Jaen is in Central Luzon, in the southern part of Nueva Ecija. Jaen is about 100-Km. distant from Manila if one is to travel the old Cagayan Valley Road. There are however other road networks connecting Jaen to Nueva Viscaya, Isabela in the North, and to the West - Pampanga, to Olangapo or Bataan. In the olden days, Pampanga River was once the only and the fastest way of transportation used during the Spanish times in going to Manila and other places and boundaries.