Rizal, Nueva Ecija Philippines

Brief History of Rizal

During the early days in the inhabited land, two groups were known to have joined the neighborhood. The Main Group consisted entirely of the Pioneer-Settlers who were Ilocanos and the Other Group was the family who arrived later with different dialects. They merged and although their dwellings were far apart, a neighborhood was formed. Religious and God fearing, they went on for long years peaceful and contented.

It was a low land abundant with tall trees, tall grasses and shrubs. There are two creeks. A small creek with water runs slowly to the southern direction and a bigger creek with a steady flow of clear water going westward. The end of the smaller creek was later diverted to the eastern part of the bigger creek. Streams lie at the bends of the bigger creek. The main stream was improved and a well,"Bubon" in Ilocano was made. A "Koral" was made next.

The soil was fertile. Seedlings, "Bunobon" in Ilocano grew well and when transplanted thrives easily. The inhabitants then adopted "Bunobon" as the name of the neighborhood and became as "sitio" of Cabucbucan, a municipal jurisdiction of Bongabon, Nueva Ecija.

In 1904, sitio "Bunobon" became a barrio called Nazareth. On account of the steady new settlers, a group of elders was formed. Selected as head was Apo Juliano Paraiso, one of the eldest within the group. They planned to request the government to convert Nazareth into a town. Honorable Isauro Gabaldon was Governor during that time, (1906). In 1908, the Governor was Honorable Manuel Tinio and the Assemblyman was Honorable Isauro Gabaldon. Through the help of the two Honorable men, the request of the elders headed by Apo Juliano Paraiso converting Nazareth into a town was approved.

On October 1912, Apo Juliano Paraiso received a "Kautusang Tagubilin" stating barrio Nazareth begins as a town on the fist day of January, 1913, call the town Rizal and Apo Juliano Paraiso as head (Alcalde) of the town.

Within the three-year reigns of this "Pamunuan" changes in the terms of office came suddenly: 1) more than a year of service by other members of the "Pamunuan" and 2) more than a year of service by the Head of the "Pamunuan". On account of the abrupt changes especially the Head affected, Apo Juliano Paraiso resigned and changed.