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 The birth of Paniqui traces back to1712 when the provincial government of Pangasinan sent a group of men south of Bayambang, Pangasinan for the expansion of the Christian Faith. The pioneering group was led by two brothers, Raymundo and Manuel Paragas of Dagupan and established the Local Government in a sitio called “manggang marikit” (mango of an unmarried woman) now a part of Guimba, Nueva Ecija. Surprisingly in this sitio, they saw an extraordinary number of flying mammals called "pampaniki" by Ilocanos. This is where the name Paniqui was derived from.
Paniqui was a sprawling town that covered a wide area at that time. Some of the barrios that formerly comprised Paniqui were “San Roque” now Cuyapo; “Barog” now Gerona; “San Jose De Camiling” now Camiling; “Bani” now Ramos; “San Ramon” now Moncada; and Anao.
An uprising led by Caragay during the early part of 1720 forced the Local Government in “manggang marikit” to abandon the place and evacuate for lower lands called Acocolao, a place two kilometers west of the present Poblacion. This is the historical sitio where the first Moro in the Philippines, Sultan Ali Mudin embraced Christianity and got baptized in 1750.
The period between 1750 and 1896 were painful years of Spanish tyranny and oppression. Bandits and insurrectos conveniently sprouted among the people executing sporadic attacks upon the Conquistadores. These attacks on the Spaniards, who came on the islands bringing the Sword and Cross were marred by cholera and small pox epidemics also punctuated by floods and typhoons.
A group of Paniqui patriots banded together by a common consciousness of oneness, unselfish devotion for freedom and spurred by Spanish ruthless tyranny, organized a legitimate segment of the Katipunan on January 12, 1896. They were a far cry from the bandits that used to harass the Spaniards.
These dauntless men made daring exploits unrecorded in the history of the Katipunan. The most prominent of which was the ambuscade of Spanish soldiers along the road going to Anao that killed a great number of men. These incidents were a prelude to the end of the Spanish occupation Paniqui.
Accordingly, as in all parts of the islands, the Philippines independence was declared but short-lived as the Philippine-American War of 1899 was waged. The outstanding contribution of Paniqui in the war efforts against the Americans was sending thirty members of the Militia National under Capt. Felizardo de Vera of Bulacan to stem the unabated march of the superior American forces in hot pursuit of General Emilio Aguinaldo. Events moved fast and in no time Americans over ran the town Paniqui in the middle of November 1899.
The advent of American occupation brought in a transition from the aristocratic and enigmatic characteristic of Spanish conquistadores to the democratic way of life under American tutelage. Paniqui like the rest of the country became a segment of the citadel of democracy in the Far East.
Paniqui, as a child, tempered and molded on the anvil of democracy, found full expression during the dark days of Japanese occupation. Its people formed the nucleus of a powerful guerilla organization under the command of Col. Jose C. Maristela. People weak in strength and character would cast its lot with the Japanese and have prostituted itself to blind servitude and meek obedience of its masters for the price of existence. However, the indomitable people of Paniqui, burning with the fire of freedom and democracy in their hearts, did not fall prey to this. In Paniqui, the Japanese faced an enemy that is mighty in its fury and relentless in vengeance. The members of the Guerilla force under Col. Maristela dedicated their unflinching loyalty to the cherished ideals of our motherland, the Philippines. They established a militia under the very nose of the Japanese. The Guerilla outfit also preserved the landmarks of Paniqui such as the sugar central, municipal building, public schools and practically all the unpretentious private homes. One of the bloodiest chapters of this guerilla outfit was recorded on May 8, 1945. During that day, the Guerilla forces annihilated two platoons of Japanese Soldiers at Sta. Ines in the process killed 52 sons of Nippon.
Today, the people of Paniqui, are still bonded by the same persuasion that held them together during the most trying moments in history. They are working hand in hand to make their native town progressive, respected and united.
TIMELINE in HISTORY
- ANG DIGMAANG PILIPINO-AMERIKANO
- Noong ika-5 ng Mayo ay ineskomulga si Aglipay, datapwa’t ang eskomunyon, na kinatatakutan ng mga Pilipino noong bago sumiklab ang himagsikan, ay hindi pinansin ni Aglipay at sa halip na matakot ay ineskomulga rin niya si Nozaleda. Ang paghihiwalay ng landas nina Aglipay at Nozaleda ay sinamantala ni Mabini upang imungkahi sa mga paring Pilipino na magtayo sila ng kanilang simbahang sila ang mamahala. Bilang pagdinig sa payong ito ay tumawag si Aglipay ng pulong ng mga paring Pilipino na gaganapin sa Paniki, Tarlak, sa ika-23 ng Oktubre, 1899. Dito pinagtibay ang “Pansamantalang Konstitusyon ng Simbahang Pilipino “ na ang isa sa lalong mahalagang tadhana ay ang pagbabawal na kumilala sa banyagang Obispo, maliban sa ilalim ng di-pangkaraniwang pangyayari. Sa pagpapatibay ng konstitusyong ito ay naipahayag ng mga paring Pilipino ang nagsasarili nila at ang pag-ugit sa pamahalaan ng binabalak na simbahang Pilipino. Dahil sa kaguluhan ng panahon, ang simbahang ito’y hindi nagkaroon ng pakakataong maitatag, at si Aglipay, napuno ng kilusang makabayan ng mga paring Pilipino, ay nakikipaglaban sa mga Amerikano sa piling ng mga kawal.
SPANISH GOVERNMENT FROM 1712 – 1898
The brothers Raymundo and Manuel Paragas were the founders of the town and both headed the Municipal Government from 1712 t0 1732 or a period of twenty years. Those who succeeded the two brothers was Don Jose Versoza, who headed the Municipal Government for ten years from 1733 to 1743. He was given title of Capitan. He was succeeded by Don Ignacio Arzadon, who headed the Government only for one year 1744. There was no record as to who headed the Municipal Government after Don Ignacio Arzadon from 1745 to 1764 or a period of 19years.
Starting the year 1765, all those who headed the Municipal Government were given only a one year term with the head title of Capitan. However, in the year 1862, those who headed the Municipal Government were given a two years term to administer the Affairs of the Local Government.
The last town executive during the Spanish Regime was Don Catalino Paragas who headed the Local Government in the year 1897 to 1898.
- REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT FROM JUNE 1898 TO DECEMBER 1899
The Municipal Government was headed by Don Gabriel Gatchalian. He was succeeded by Juan Soriano, then by Gregorio Garcia and later Juan Bautista. Their title then was Presidente Local.
- MILITARY GOVERNMENT FROM JANUARY 1900 TO JUNE 1901
The Administration was headed by Domingo Palarca. The title accorded to him was President.
- CIVIL GOVERNMENT FROM JULY 1901 TO OCTOBER 16, 1937
The First Civil Government was headed by Juan Colendrino starting in July 1901, and the last to rule the Government was Agustin Del Valle in October 16, 1937. There were thirteen head of the Government that served the Municipality on different years.
- COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES FROM OCTOBER 16, 1937 TO DECEMBER 31, 1941
The reign of Government was headed by Agustin Del Valle and was succeeded by Vicente A. Metea, whose term ended in December 31, 1941. Their title was Municipal Mayor.
- JAPANESE OCCUPATION FROM 1942 TO 1944
These period were under the reign of Ramon Garcia, then succeeded by Julio Arellano from 1942 to 1944. Thier title was Alkalde Mayor.
During this period, Danielk Obcena was head of the Municipal Government, until he was succeeded by Marcelo Galatierra, then Mariano Bautista whose term ended in December 1947. Their title was Municipal Mayor.
- REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES FROM JANUARY 1, 1948 TO DECEMBER 1971
The Local Government was headed by Eliodoro C. Castro and ended on December 1971 under Crispiniano Lamorena, Sr. |
