Floridablanca, Pampanga

Municipality of Floridablanca
Location
Map of Pampanga showing the location of Floridablanca.
Government
Region	Central Luzon (Region III)
Province	Pampanga
District	2nd District
Barangays	33
Income class	1st class
Founded	April 30, 1867
Mayor	Eduardo Guerero
ZIP Code	2006
Physical characteristics
Area	175.48 km²
Population      Total	103,388

Floridablanca is a 1st class municipality in the province of Pampanga, Philippines. According to the latest census, Floridablanca has a population of 103,388 people in 16,591 households.

Floridablanca is located on the western part of Pampanga along the Zambales mountain ranges and is bounded by the municipalities of Porac on the north, Lubao on the south, Guagua on the east, and Dinalupihan, Bataan on the west. It is approximately 23 kilometers from the city of San Fernando and 90 kilometers from Manila. The town has an elevation of 12 feet (4 m) above sea level.

Barangays

Floridablanca is politically subdivided into 33 barangays:

Economy

Floridablanca is the second largest producer of rice in the province. It produces rice more than sufficient for its requirement. In 1999, only 37.76% of its produce was used for its own rice requirement resulting in a surplus of 65.24% equivalent to 17,553 metric tons.

History

Floridablanca was first established in 1823 as a settlement, or hacienda, by Spanish friars belonging to the Order of Saint Augustine. The mission was under the Parish of Lubao and supervised by a capellan or a priest. They erected a make-shift hut which served as a chapel and named the place San Jose de Calumpaui in honor of Saint Joseph, who eventually became the town's patron saint. The primary purpose of the Spanish Priests was to convert the Aetas to Christianity and at the same time minister to the spiritual needs of a few Spanish and their Filipino farm workers who settled and cultivated the lands of the town.

Two contending claims exist as to the exact location where the Chapel was built. Some maintain that it was in San Nicolas or Calumpaui, while others insist that it was in San Jose. Both claims could be true because San Nicolas was a former sitio and part of the extensive landholdings of San Jose during that period.

Prior to 1823, no official historical documents that trace the establishment of the town can be found or where the name Floridablanca itself originated. Again, there are two official versions generally accepted by the town people. One is that the name Floridablanca was in honor of a certain Count de Floridablanca whom they believed visited the place and hunted wild games in the early 1800s. But nowhere in the history of the Philippines was a certain Count by that name had ever visited the country. True, there was a certain Count by that name that existed in Spain during that time and his real name was Jose Moñino (1728-1808), a Spanish Statesman and former Chief Minister of Spain (1778-1792), but he never set foot on Philippine soil. The other one is anchored on the existence of the lowly pandacaqui plant (Scientific name: taberra pandacaqui poir) which abound and thrived under the lush forest cover of the town during that period. The plant has plenty of white florescence and may grow up to eight feet (2.5 m) when it reaches maturity. It is valued and is often used for its medicinal efficacy in treating different diseases. It is widely believed that what greeted the Spaniards when they set foot on Floridablanca's soil were myriad of white flowers of pandacaqui, thus the name Floridablanca. It was until not until April 30, 1867, that a parish was formally established in San Jose de Calumpaui by the religious superiors from Lubao, after which it was transferred to its present site today.

The place where it was transferred was formerly called Manggang Punlod because of the presence of a big fallen mango tree. From then on San Jose-was referred to by the elders as Haciendang Melacuan, or the barrio that was left behind.

The reasons for the transfer could be because of the following:

• The resistance of the aetas to be subjugated and Christianized.
• The existence and proximity of the two big rivers, Gumain and Porac, which were used extensively in the transport of commerce.
• The use of the two big rivers as gateways to Lubao and Guagua.
• Two huge towns that serve as nerve center of commerce and trade during that period.

In the 1920s, the Pampanga Sugar Mill (PASUMIL) was set up at Del Carmen and became a major sugar manufacturer in the Philippines.

In 1947, the Philippine Air Force established its major fighter base in an American military airfield there. They named it Basa Air Base.

Hacienda System

In the early 1900s, the Philippines was asked by the United States government to produce more sugar, a quota for sugar production was given. This deal with the United States benefited the landlords which gave them the reason to acquire more land for sugarcane planting. This was the start of economic boom of Floridablanca; more and more workers were needed, thus migrant workers from different provinces all over the Philippines moved to Floridablanca to work. Population of the town greatly increased and life became much easier for all.

Famous Haciendas/Hacienderos

• The Yulos (Yulo Estate), presently known as the Barrio Pabanlag and parts of southwest Floridablanca.

• The Mendiolas (Hacienda Herreros), presently known as the Barrio Fortuna and parts of San Jose and San Nicolas

• The Songcos (Hacienda Songco), presently known as the Pulong Songco

• The Gozuns, presently known as the Barrio San Jose

• The Castellvis, presently known as the Barrio Palmayo

People

well-known Floridablancans:

• Edilio Montemayor, director of Public Works in Pampanga;
• VP Tito M. Mendiola, PhilHealth Vice President;
• Aber P. Canlas, former deputy minister of the Ministry of Public Works and Highways of the Philippines;
• Atty. Marcelo D. Mendiola, former provincial Clerk of Court;
• Sonia S. Leary, former beauty queen/former Ms. Guam;
• Brigadier General Angeleno Medina of the Armed Forces of the Philippines;
• Leandro Coronel, news reporter/columnist and book author;
• Rosita Noble, movie actress;
• Romano Castellvi, actor;
• Dr. Armi Alian-Reyes, dentist, socio-civic leader;
• Estela Baby Fajardo, socio-civic leader;
• Krizzy Jareno, actress

Municipal Leaders (Past & Present)

External links

• Philippine Standard Geographic Code
• 1995 Philippine Census Information
• 2000 Philippine Census Information
• 2007 Philippine Census Information

Coordinates: 14°56′N 120°30′E / 14.933°N 120.5°E / 14.933; 120.5