We envision Infanta to be a community of God-loving, healthy, peaceful, prosperous, self-reliant, self-directing and disaster resilient citizenry, with a diversified economy, a balanced ecology and a local leadership that is committed to social justice and equity.
The Municipality of Infanta, Quezon shall work collectively towards the holistic development of its citizenry by promoting the general welfare and ensuring active people’s participation enhancement of equal opportunities for political, scientific, religious of socio-economic advancement, balanced utilization and conservation of the natural resources and the attainment of a just and humane society through committed public service and good governance.
The municipality of Infanta is a first class municipality in the province of Quezon, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 64,818. It is situated on the northern part of Quezon Province. It is one of the 13 municipalities comprising the first congressional district.
It is bounded on the north and northwest by General Nakar, on the east and southeast by Polillo Strait and Lamon Bay, on the south by Real and on the west by the provinces of Rizal and Laguna. The global position of Infanta is latitude 14°44'33"N and longtitude 121°38'58" and it is located 144 kilometres (89 mi) northeast of Manila, and 136 kilometres (85 mi) north of Lucena City.
Infanta is accessible from Manila by land through the eastern Rizal Highway from Antipolo to the eastern Lakeshore towns of Laguna de Bay, thence through the winding 60-km Famy-Infanta road across the Sierra Madre range. Through this route Infanta is approximately 145 km from the City of Manila. A shorter route, the Marikina-Infanta Highway
Long before the Spanish colonization of the Philippines, a group of aventurous Malays residing in what is now Rizal Province under the leadership of Nunong Karugtong crossed the wilderness of Sierra Madre to find a better settlement. After several days of land travel, the group made a stop-over in the first plain area they reached. This area is now known as barangay Comon. Karugtong did not like the place because the area lies between two rivers. so they moved on until they reached the present Dinahican beach. Again, the leader did not like the place because of its closeness to the sea. They turned back until hunger, thirst and fatigue forced them to take a rest.
Aged, tired and weary, Nunong Karugtong fell asleep while his men kept on gathering food and preparing for a temporary shelter. The men in search for food found a giant wild yam (ube) which, because of its extra-ordinary size, could not be carried by four men. With the giant yam, they returned to the place where they left the sleeping leader and presented the yam. But from his deep sleep the aged leader could not easily get up. It took some of this men to help him up and see the giant yam. Fully awake, the old man realized that the area was an ideal place for settlement due to the presence of clear water flowing in the nearby river. That area is the present barangay Bantilan. It is a plain land drained by the Bantilan River. Decided on making the area as their permanent settlement, Nunong Karugtong thought of having the place named. But he could not think of an ideal name for the place. He asked for suggestions from his men. One of his men who had helped him wake up from his deep sleep, suggested that the area be called "Binangonan del Ampon." The word recalls the staggering old leader being assisted by his men to get up much like a baby sitter would her wobbly toddler ward. The group unanimously agreed and since then, the place has been called Binangonan del Ampon. This latter name is probably the correct one rather than "Binangonan de Lampon" which a visiting Frenchman, Alfred Marche, called the place in 1879. The name was later changed to Infanta in honor of the eldest daughter of King Philip II of Spain.
Infanta could have formed millions of years ago. It could have been a result of sedimentation from the Sierra Madre Mountain. Through time, the fast-moving Agos River could have cut through the walls of the Sierra Madre and carried bits of rocks and soils, until it deposited these sediments onto the foot of the mountain as it gushed towards the Polillo Strait. When a river slows down at the foot of the mountain, the deposits usually form a fan-shaped mound – a delta. The land formed by the neighboring municipalities of Real, Infanta, and Nakar is shaped as a delta, thus giving evidence to such a beginning.
More than half a century after Magellan and his men landed in Cebu, a Spanish priest named Rev. Fr. Esteban Ortiz, OPM arrived in Binangonan del Ampon in 1578, and planted a wooden cross symbolizing the introduction of Christianity at the place. Don Diego Mangilaya, a native chieftain, founded the town of Infanta in 1696. Paying tribute to the name of its mythical founder, he led the construction of a church right to the place where Nunong Karugtong fell asleep. As late as the 1880’s Infanta was known by its mythical name Binangonan del Ampon. Since there was another Binangonan in nearby Rizal Province, this place was also called Binangonang Malayo. However, the name Infanta was given by a Spanish Captain named Juan Salvador in 1835 in honor of the daughter of King Philip II of Spain, and of the Jesus Infanta or Child Jesus.
Succession of leadership followed with a titular name of cabeza de barangay. Don Diego Mangilaya served as cabeza from 1696 to 1699. Between 1700 and 1883, at least 171 settlers served as the cabeza. Listed below are among those who served as cabeza de barangay with highlights of their administration:
Don Cosme Gutierrez, 1702: created Barrio Tongohin
Don Francisco Sumalakay, 1706: created Barrio Banawang
Don Nicolas Maalis, 1711: created Barrio Silangan
Don Juan Nicolas Sarmiento, 1718: built Watch Tower and stockades around the town
Don Francisco Pagdamihan, 1721: built two Watch Towers
Don Guillermo Javier: founded Barrio Anoling
Don Buenaventura Magnayon, 1736: built a church
Don Antonio de Leon, 1759: inhabitants were free to carry arms to fight the Moros
Don Agustin de San Juan, 1764: remodeled the church
Don Diego Salvador: created Barrio Binonoan
Don Juan Salvador Tonzon, 1835: widened the streets
Don Luis Ruidera: Changed the church tower
Don Bartolome Gurango, 1858: constructed Miswa-Real Road
Don Arcadio Ortiz: created Barrio Dinahican
Among the few known Infanta residents who participated in the long Philippine Revolution were Colonel Pablo Astilla and Vicente Malolos. The expression of defiance and resistance of the people forced the Spaniards to leave the Infanta July 20, 1898. From that time on the town fiesta has been celebrated every 20th of July to commemorate the withdrawal of the Spaniards from Infanta, Quezon. One Spanish descendant who had lived in Infanta and married an inhabitant Don Mariano Alvarez. He fought alongside the natives. To further commemorate the legacies and patriotism of the late Col. Pablo Astilla and his men, one of the municipal streets was named 20 De Julio Street.
Anxiety and deprivation of social and political rights of the people were partly relieved at the close of the 19th century when the Philippines was ceeded to America by Spain by virtue of the Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898. The first political change under the Americans was the changing of the title of the town head from Kapitan to President/Pangulo. The first municipal President was Rufino Ortiz. He was remembered during his term for cutting the affiliation of Infanta and Pollilo to the Province of Laguna. By this time Infanta and Pollilo Islands became a part of Tayabas Province. President Ortiz required all the inhabitants to plant coconut, at least 200 trees in every barrio. He also lead the establishment of the first Escolafia on the very site of the present Quezon Park of Infanta.
Rufino Ortiz was succeeded by Colonel Pablo Astilla who served from 1908-1910. It was thru him that the construction of the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal was made. Don Gregorio Rutaquio secceeded Pablo Astilla from 1911 to 1916. His period was noted for the educational progress and literary upliftment of the townspeople. Then in 1917-1919 Agustin Pumarada served as the president. No available records of accounts of what he had accomplished could be found.
The incumbency of President Esteban Junterial (1920-1922) suffered great difficulties due to natural calamities when another typhoon ravaged Infanta. That calamity had focused of the national and provincial leaders. Governor-general Leonard Wood paid his second visit to Infanta and gave assistance to the battered area and the people. The following year April 25, 1923 Governor Wood paid his second visit to Infanta. The town was under the stewardshipof President Florencio Potes(1923-1928). It was thru him that the construction of the present old municipal building was made. Through him Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon with the Secretary of the State General Crame, Senator Soriano and Tayabas Governor Jose Perez visited Infanta. In addition to his accomplishment, the construction of the Infanta-Famy Road became faster.
President Landelino Suaverdez succeeded President Florecio Potes (1929-1931). It was durig his incumbency that a strong typhoon and flood engulfed Infanta. The typhoon lasted for two days. Infanta was under water. Folks often recall this tragic event, the 1929 flood which washed away almost all living animals and hundreds of people died . This was a very disastrous calamity that brought the national leaders to visit Infanta. Foremost was the president Manuel L. Quezon, Governor Leon Guinto Sr. and the National Red Cross.
It wasn´t all typhoons and floods or earthquakes though, for there was a big change During the time of Faustino Junterial, Sr. His term of office was characterized by a peaceful atmosphere. The people were able to rehabilitate their homes and farms. During the four years of his term no calamity was experienced by the people of Infanta. President Faustino Junterial, was succeeded by President Fabian Solleza (1935-1939). It was again durig the term of President Solleza that another devastating typhoon with flood came to Infanta. That was November 11, 1937. For the second time President Manuel L. Quezon came to Infanta with Governor Leon Guinto, Sr. and Father Segma. During his term the Infanta-famy road was completely openedfor travel. This contributed much to the progress fo Infanta and its people.
When the second World War broke out, the Mayor of Infanta was the Hon. Sixto Quirrez (1940-1944). Unfortunately he was killed by the Japanese under the command of Captain´s Kawasa and Tomida. The exact landing of the Japanese was on July 19, 1942. From the date, Infanta lived in fear and uncertainty. Inhabitants from the remote areas were robbed of their proprety and food. Killing was everywere. Peopled were massacred especially in barangay Alitas and Balobo. On April 13, 1945, he was killed or gunned down. The unreasonable killing was to avengge the death of Gen. Homa, known as the conqueror of Singapore. He was killed by the guerilla forces under the command of Col. Ponciano Redor of the Fil-American Forces.
The Japanese General was killed in Kinalumbakan, now a barangay of Real, Quezon. Afraid of more reprisals from the Japanese Imperial Army, many people fled to the mountains or to the island of Polillo. Others joined the resistance movement and fought openly against the Japanese army. There were very few people in the Poblacion. At the height of the japanese occupation of Infanta, the present elementary school was made a garrison where innocent people were brought and imprisoned. Many were tortured then buried in the single pit dug by themeselves. To further inculcate into the minds of the people the ideologies of the Japanese, they ordered the use of Niponggo in schools. At that time there was only one high school named Pacific Katipunan Institute as the center of instructions Infanta, Quezon. This order was also imposed in the elementary level up to the seventh grade.
Resistance Against The Japanese Army
The inhuman treatment and uncertainties of their fate in the hands of the Japanese drove many men and women to join the guerilla movement. The first organized movement was led by on known only as Strong. However, His command did not last long because of his capture. Another organization came up. This was the Fil-American Guerilla forces under Col. Ponciano Redor of Laguna. During this period Infanta was annexed to Laguna Province. It was claimed back by the province of Tayabas after the liberation period. Because of the strategic position of Infanta and its nearness to the Sierra Madre Mountains it became a shelter for the retreating Japanese forces. The Increasing number of Japanese soldiers brought fear to the people so many took to the mountain and the Polillo Island Groups A bit of relief came when the American forces set foot in the soils of Masanga from a submarine.
Knowing the character and order of war, a great number of men and women slipped away and joined the guerilla movement. Foremost among them was General Guillermo Nakar, an illustrious and be-medaled hero of the second world war. It was his ardent pursuit form liberty and freedom which led him to carry on the delicate mission given to him by Gen. Douglas MacArthur. From Australia MacArthur ordered General Nakar, then a Colonel, to secure the Order of Battle of the Japanese Imperial Army. Unfortunately, General Nakar was unable to accomplish the mission laid on his shoulders due to a treachery of a Filipino who exchange for his personal welfare divulged the hideout of General Nakar in Sitio Minuri in Jones, Isabela, After his capture, together with his men, he was imprisoned and tortured at Fort Santiago.The Japanese army tried to convince him to pledge allegiance to the Japanese Imperial Army in exchange for his freedom. But courageous Nakar firmly refused. Because of his refusal he was executed by the Japanese army on September 20, 1943 at the age of 38. He left behind his wife Angelina Coronel of Cavite and General. There were other men like him. Like Isidro Poblete, a radio operator who died in Bataan. So with Roperto Peñamora a certain Atendido and many others whose identities and achievements are nowhere to be traced. An almagica dealer who later became a teacher and principal joined the Anderson forces under the command of Dr. Amando Gurango. She is Miss Anacleta Gurango. now a retired teacher. She is the living witness to the significant event that took place on May 25, 1945 when the combined Japanese Army and Japanese marines surrendered to the American forces in Infanta.
Rev. Father Robles, the parish priest of Infanta waas another personage who after bieng suspected of feeding information to the resistance movement later joined the Anderson Guerilla movement. Among the Chinese residents who also participated in the resistance movement were Leonardo Go and Han Yao.
The number of the Japanese forces was recorded to be more than 75,000 men and officers who ended their fight upon surrender to Anderson and Col. Jaime Manzano. The Japanese army reached that number because they sheltered in the mountains of Sierra Madre believing that the war could be a protracted one. This group surrender followed that of their comrades in other regions of the country. Thus Infanta became the last frontier for war between the Japanese and the American forces. The Japanese surrender was a tearful and pain taking ceremony on the part of the Japanese.
It was Admiral Furushi who handed his samurai to the American Colonel based in Infanta, Quezon. Not all the Japanese soldiers were cruel as exemplified by one Japanese soldier who married a resident of the place. He was Captain Yamada now known as one of the proprietors of the famous Yamaha motorcycle, and the Hitachi electric fans being sold in the country today.
Present-day Infanta is what remains of the former district of Infanta after the creation of two daughter municipalities, General Nakar and Real. At its greatest extent the boundary of Infanta embraced the whole northern portion of Quezon Province (mainland) from the Umiray River in the north of Mag-asawang Bato in the southeast. On July 21, 1949 the northern part of Infanta from Umiray River to gos River became the new municipality of General Nakar by virtue of executive Order 246. About a decade later the southern portion starting from Tigbi River was created into the municipal district of Real on December 15, 1960 under E.O. No. 410. Real was converted to a full-fledged municipality on June 22, 1963 by virtue of Republic Act 3754.
Much reduced in land area, present-day Infanta comprises about 34,276 hectares, about two fifths which are flat areas of the coastal plain and the three fifths hilly and mountainous. There are 36 barangays distributed into six homogeneous ecological units as follows:
Agricultural plain
Estuarine
Mountainous
Riverine
Urban
Batican, Ingas, Lual, Miswa, and Silangan
Alitas, Amolongin, Anibong, Antikin, Bacong, Balobo, Binonoan, Cawaynin, Langgas, Maypulot, Pulo, and Tudturan
Agos-agos, Gumian, Magsaysay, and Tongohin
Banugao, Catambungan, Ilog, Pilaway, and Pinaglapatan
Bantilan, Comon, Poblacion I, Poblacion 38, and Poblacion 39