What is the history of barangay putatan muntinlupa city?

Answer 1

Putatan

Area: 5.5 sq. km.

Population: 106,945

Population Density: 19,573

Some of the forefathers of the residents in this what is now called Barangay Putatan believed that the first inhabitant in this place were the primitive Ita who occupied a portion of the area nearby a fishing ground now owned by the Arciaga and Argana families in front of Tagle Compound. They were semi-nomadic having no permanent shelter moving back and forth where they are towards Southwest area like Batangas and Cavite depending on the abundance of food and means of livelihood (hunting and fishing) lasting for 2 or 3 years.

When the Spaniards colonized the Philippines, those who came to this particular place which has yet no name during the 18th century found that many trees abound which looked like the Santol tree but whose leaves are much bigger with flowers blooming like rounded bunches of threads in rosy color to become chain of fruits in a seemingly small vine branches. The fruits, which are known to be poisonous, resembled the American guava. Now, the Spaniards wanted to know the name of this place and had to ask the residents who likewise answered them, "PUTAT", and thinking the Spaniards were asking for the name of the trees around which is Putat. And so, since then, this place is called Putatan.

By this time, some families lived at the hilly side of Putatan including those of the Arciaga, Estupin, Estole, Esporias, Bombase, Navarro and Tagle to become the nucleus of new inhabitants here with the influx of many more in the years to come.

The prevailing means of livelihood during the Spanish era was agriculture at the hilly side of Putatan, as well as, fishing along the shores of Laguna lakes. Rice and corn that they were planted was subject to taxation by the Spaniards, where the portion of the harvest was brought to the "Headquarters" where a warehouse was located.

Meanwhile, towards the end of the 19th century during the Philippine revolution against the Spaniards in 1898 two sons of Putatan were recruited by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo as Katipuneros namely, Dimas Estole and Hipolito Esporias who immediately participated in the Battle of Pinaglabanan (San Juan). The entire Katipunero outfit, were killed including the leaders from Batangas, except Dimas and Hipolito who survived because of the "agimat" (amulet) which Dimas is said to be carrying. Thereafter, Dimas outfit also fought in some more skirmishes. Dimas exploits were told and retold by elders of Putatan.

Later, the American occupation supplanted that of the Spaniards, which brought the changes among the inhabitants of Putatan particularly in their livelihood. Almost all owned a "Karetila/Kalesa" (cart) towed by a horse earning by transporting American soldiers to Pasay as their passengers. The farmers also stopped their planting of rice, corn and other crops as they were ordered to shift to sugar cane plantation. Eventually, sugar industry became the new means of livelihood with the central facilities located at the area now called Country Homes of the Espeleta's and SummitVille of Fresnedi's, the ancestors of Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi. And incidentally, this new lifestyle both manifested by the people's sense of industry and adaptability, found time for rest and recreation in a "movie house" operated by certain "Uwele", an American owning a projector, and which was located at the place of a certain Wideman in an area of Putatan.

Political development inevitably made its profound mark in the social, economic and cultural life of Putatan as a growing community. While it quickly progressed through the years towards 1930's during the later part of the American regime, Putatan became a political unit Barrio (now Barangay) administered by a "Teniente" (a Spanish word for Councilman) with Estanislao Espeleta serving as the first "Teniente de Barrio" (the title later to be renamed Kapitan de Barrio and now Punong Barangay or Chairman) for the period 1939 to 1943. And thereafter, followed by the following Barrio/Barangay Chiefs; Domingo Tagle (1945-1950); Gavino Arciaga (1950-1954); Fermin Arciaga (1960); Hilario Concepcion (1961-1962); Faustino C. Arciaga Sr. (1962-1972); Catalina Bernardino Arciaga; Melchor Dela Cruz (1981-1986); Alfredo A. Arciaga (1986, 3 month O.I.C.); Danilo R. Teves (May 1, 1989 to June 30, 1977) and Colonel (Retired) Pablo E. Salamat (July 1, 1997 to the present) who is incumbent Punong Barangay (Chairman)

However, during this period of political maturity , a son of Putatan made a name not within the political ambience of the Barangay, but encompassing a larger political unit to which Putatan is only apart of and this is Muntinlupa Municipality. Lawyer Maximino A. Argana, served as Muntinlupa Mayor from 1971 to 1985, 14 long fruitful years.

Culturally, the latest significant development is the yearly observance of the "Araw ng Barangay" (Barangay Day), every June 25 that was enacted by the present Barangay Council in 1999 under the administration of Chairman Pablo E. Salamat.