“The place of the string that holds the twigs of a stiff broom together.” That’s what Botocan means. And here we stand before the Botocan Barangay Hall a testament to community strength. This unassuming building holds a fascinating history.
Botocan began not as a planned community but as an informal settlement. In the 1960s people started building homes on land then supposedly owned by the National Waterworks and Sewerage Authority NWSA. Ate Merly Gamos was one of the first settlers. She cleverly built a concrete frame behind a plywood facade. She even befriended the NWSA guards with plates of pancit. This ensured her family’s survival in the nascent community.
Water was a major issue. Clever residents tapped into the NWSA’s extensive waterway system. This system is so large you could drive a truck through it if it weren’t filled with water. This access to water however illegal attracted many people to Botocan.
Ate Merly a resourceful woman started various small businesses. She sold goods to her neighbors and became influential in the growing community. She was instrumental in getting electricity for the lower part of Botocan. She paid the local power company Meralco secretly of course.
During the Marcos regime Botocan was formally recognized as a barangay a political unit. A barangay captain was appointed. The community’s guiding principle became “scattered we are nothing but together we are strong.” This perfectly describes the spirit of the people here.
Today Botocan boasts cement houses organized streets basketball courts a barangay hall and even churches. It’s a thriving community. The land ownership remains uncertain though. The University of the Philippines has claimed the land. But the residents of Botocan carry on living their lives. They show strength in their community. They are a testament to what can be achieved through unity. The Botocan Barangay Hall stands as a symbol of that spirit. It’s more than just a building. It’s the heart of a resilient community.