Not all the people who have shown acts of bravery and love of country are considered as heroes. And these people who are not considered as is, are bit by bit forgotten by the people who benefited for their good doing. So here is a page dedicated to them.
One example is Don Mateo Lopez,
The Expendientes, a Spanish manuscript which can be found in the National Archives related to Don Miguel de San Agustin, the Provincial Governor of Tayabas (former name of Quezon) had bestowed the name of Vista Talolong (former name of Lopez while it is still a barrio) to the settlement on March 31, 1792, through the recommendation of Don Luis Innocentes, the Gobernadorcillo of the municipality of Gumaca (one of the wealthiest towns in Quezon; former mothertown of Lopez).
But it was only in 1795 when Don Francisco de San Jose was proclaimed and appointed by the G
obernadorcillo of Gumaca through the recommendation of the parish priest as its first “Teniente Mayor”. His major task was to protect the village from terrorism and plundering of the pirates. It was the beginning of the migration of people from the municipality of Gumaca and Atimonan.
As peace restored, th e place attracted several couples. Among them was Don Mateo Lopez of Tayabas ,who open up “ kaingins” and settlement. As time went by, more people flocked to the site and Don Mateo who was then acting as the leader of “ Cabesa” of this group of pioneers, realized the need of putting this newly founded settlement into a “Pueblo”. With the help of one Señora Hermana Vito, a close friend of Spanish officials, he made the long trip to Manila to seek the approval of the Spanish Governor-General who agreed to the proposal, and on April 30, 1856, Don Mateo Lopez emerged triumphant from the gates of Malacañang Palace with the certificates of approval.
Don Mateo Lopez was confronted with the choice of the site of his new government. He and his men had to decide between the green plains of Pansol for the town site or the plain along the rushing navigable Talolong River. Don Mateo decided on the latter, and such choice was a mark of the exceptional foresight of a born leader. Later, he was chosen “Capitan” or “Gobernadorcillo” by the board of electors and the governor-general immediately confirmed his election in Manila. In tribute and justification to the sacrifices and services of the founder, his associates changed the name of the place from Talolong to LOPEZ.
Don Mateo established the first “tribunal” or municipal building on the site where the previous Rizal monuments stands. Other “capitanes” who followed him did much to improve the place and the lives of the people.
As we can observe from this historical background we may synthesize that although Don Mateo Lopez wasn’t a true inhabitant of Talolong, he still did all his efforts for it to become independent from Gumaca. His love for our town then was a great inspiration to me.
Let us use this as a reminder that though something isn’t really a part of you, once you get involved into it, learn to nurture it and love as if it is your own.
Kudos to you Don Mateo Lopez! Thank you!
Source of Photo:
http://philippines.bayaw.com/thumbnails/Lopez-Quezon-1.jpg
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