Did you know San Pedro in Laguna is named after Saint Peter? The city proudly carries the name of its patron saint. Let’s delve into the story of San Pedro.
San Pedro is a component city in Laguna. It officially carries the name City of San Pedro. The city acts as Laguna’s gateway to Metro Manila.
Originally, San Pedro was known as San Pedro de Tunasán. The name evolved over time. The “San Pedro” part honors Saint Peter. “Tunasán” refers to a plant abundant in the area. This medicinal plant, Nymphaea nouchali, once thrived along Laguna de Bay’s shoreline. In 1914, the name was shortened to San Pedro.
San Pedro’s history stretches back before Spanish colonization. It’s believed the area was part of ancient Tagalog settlements. The Laguna Copperplate Inscription suggests the area had independent barangays. These barangays likely fell under the influence of the Lakan of Tondo.
The Spanish colonial period shaped San Pedro. In 1571, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi divided Luzon. Settlements near Laguna de Bay were distributed to his men. The township of Tabuco included modern San Pedro. By 1591, Tabuco had four thousand residents.
The Colegio de San Jose acquired land near Biñan in 1629. They formed the Hacienda San Pedro de Tunasan. In 1639, a Chinese revolt damaged the hacienda’s sugarcane fields.
San Pedro de Tunasán became a town on January 18, 1725. This happened after a request from locals. King Philip V of Spain approved the separation from Tabuco. Francisco Santiago became the first mayor. However, another account claims San Pedro Tunasan became a town in 1712.
Agriculture was the primary income source for residents. They raised livestock farmed and fished. In 1851, the town had 613 houses a town hall and a school. Crops included rice sugarcane corn coconuts and mangoes.
During the revolution, siblings Antonino and Jose Guevara led locals. San Pedro secretly aided revolutionaries in Cavite. The town sheltered refugees including Gregoria de Jesus. General Paciano Rizal organized a municipal government. Gregorio Alvarez became mayor.
San Pedro commemorated the first Rizal Day in 1898. Fr. Victor Enrile led a Requiem Mass for Jose Rizal. Residents praised Rizal and criticized Americans.
In 1900, Americans entered San Pedro without resistance. Some residents faced arrest and torture. General Miguel Malvar included San Pedro in his guerrilla operations.
In 1903, San Pedro became part of Biñan as an austerity measure. However, it was reinstated as a town in 1906. The Hacienda San Pedro de Tunasan returned to Jesuit control.
Agrarian conflicts marked the American period. Tenants protested rent hikes imposed by Carlos Young. This conflict led to riots and deaths. In 1936, the government authorized the purchase of landed estates. President Quezon addressed the conflict.
During World War II, the Japanese occupied San Pedro. A Japanese resident controlled the town. Some residents joined the guerrilla movement. The Fil-American Irregular Troops liberated San Pedro in 1945.
After the war, San Pedro’s sampaguita industry thrived. Conflict over hacienda lands continued. President Magsaysay acquired the remaining hacienda lands in 1954.
Commercialization boosted San Pedro. Factories and subdivisions emerged. In 2013, San Pedro officially became a city.
San Pedro is a gateway and a dormitory town. It balances urban progress with its rich past. Remember the story of San Pedro as you explore this dynamic city.