Binan History, Philippines

Laguna, which was named after Laguna de Bay, along with its surrounding areas was occupied by the Spaniards led by Captain Juan de Salcedo in the year 1571. Biñan was founded in June, the same year, and a month after Manila was established by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi. On the following years, the Franciscan friars began Christianizing the locals of the province.

Biñan was separated from Bay in the year 1769, when Pagsanjan became the provincial capital. During Pablo Faustino’s time, in the year 1771, Sta. Rosa was separated from Biñan and led to decades of bloodshed led by a katipunero from Biñan.

Biñan has its place in the Philippines’ historical books as Jose Rizal, the country’s national hero, was said to have stayed near the town proper during his formative years and studied in one of the schools in Biñan. A plaque of recognition was placed in the residence where Rizal stayed as a tribute to the nation’s hero, and a monument is also present at the town plaza as a credit to Biñan’s attachment to Rizal.

The towns of Biñan, Calamba and Santo Tomas used to be under the authority of Tabuco, currently known as Cabuyao. In the year 1689, Biñan became a barangays of Sta. Rosa and eventually became a recognized municipality in 1751.

Biñan’s town name was believed to have been derived from the word “binyagan,” which locally means “baptism”.

From Revolts to Recovery

The province already had a series of bloody revolts by the Chinese in 1603 and 1693. The authoritative control of Spanish rule brought about uprisings led by locals and was heightened by the execution of Dr. Jose Rizal. By the year 1896, a large number of Filipino patriots joined the revolutionary movement called Katipunan to voice out injustices and abuses of the Spanish rule. The band of revolutionaries was led by Francisco de San Juan.

Laguna was among the first of the eight provinces that started the insurrections. The Filipino forces, though lacking in arms and training, fought the Spaniards and was led by General Paciano Rizal, General Severino Taiño, General Agueda Kahabagan and General Miguel Malvar.

Laguna was in full support of the established First Philippine Republic stated publicly in Malolos Bulacan.

In the period of 1899-1901, the spark of the Filipino-American war became another highlight to Laguna’s history. The defense of the province headed by General Juan Cailles and General Paciano Rizal eventually gave away to American control. General Cailles then became Laguna’s first governor.

Biñan, along with other towns of Laguna was greatly affected and suffered during World War II. The bloody battles against the Japanese forces became a depressing period in Laguna’s historical past.  

After the war, Laguna had its share peace time. The province gradually recovered and the towns were eventually rebuilt. Schools, infrastructure and establishments were set up. The development of the Manila Railroad Company’s railway lines extending through the province in 1917 also contributed much to the towns’ rapid progress.

Currently, Biñan is one of Laguna’s thriving municipalities and plays an important role to the progressive increase of the provincial economy.