HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

I.1. ORIGIN

During the early days of Spanish regime, on a hill northwest part of what is now the
Poblacion, an apparition was beheld by a gambler’s wife who was on her way to fetch water
from the distant Taal Lake. It is said that on this hill, a strange, blinding light that turned the
vicinity into midday was beheld by a woman. Thereupon, the lady knelt before the Cross of
the Anubing tree whence the light came from. She prayed, and Alas! A voluminous flow of
water came from the trunk of the Cross which filled her water jar in no time. She thanked
God and proceeded home thereafter keeping for herself along the marvelous incidents that
took place. But, as designed by the Almighty, the miracle did not escape the knowledge of
the people. While the woman was keeping it a secret, the light coming from the Cross was
also seen by the people in the neighborhood. This light was called by the townsfolk as
Alinagnag which means a “glittering light”. That exact place of the hill located at the
northwest was called by the same name Alinagnag because of the Anubing tree brightening
up every night turning the entire vicinity almost to midday. Until, the news spread to
neighboring towns. The priests of Batangas, Bauan and Taal were informed about the
phenomenon. They went to the scene and each one of them tried to move and excavate the
Cross. The priests from Taal and Batangas failed. When the chance of the priest of Bauan
came, he pulled the Holy Cross very easily off the ground. It was brought to Bauan and was
confirmed as its patron. When Alitagtag became town, the consensus of opinion was to have
the cross divided into two so that Alitagtag might have a share of the Cross. Said proposition
has been peacefully agreed upon. One half of the Cross was given to Alitagtag and was made
its Patron Saint as well. In honor of the Holy Cross, a small chapel was erected at the very
spot where the Cross was found (now called Binukalan) and a mass is said every 3 rd day of
May simultaneously with the town fiesta of Bauan. (Source: “Ang Krus ng Alitagtag”, a
verse by: Rev. Father Juan S. Coronel/NHI, National Library).
Meanwhile, there was another version of how Alitagtag was derived its name, though
kept unpopular; it remained as an important town’s treasure hid in its history chest. The local
legend tells that several years prior to the down of American regime in the Philippines, there
flourished in Mindanao a tribal kingdom ruled by the aged Sultan Duman. He had a son; a
dashing hunter warrior known in the kingdom as Ali-Astra. Due to his failing health and old
age, the sultan summoned his son one day and advised the latter to get married and assume
the baranganic responsibility of the throne. The prince yielded to his father’s wish on
condition that he be given blanket authority to choose his bride irrespective of origin, wealth
and religious affiliation.
The famous sultan then dispatched couriers to Luzon, Visayan Islands, and to
neighboring kingdoms with the clear message to their rulers to send their daughters to his
palatial home for his son to pick out his future life partner. A night of festivity was sent for
the extraordinary affair. The proposed occasion reached the knowledge of other kingdom
like the swift flight of arrows during a ferocious combat.
The night of selection came. At the beautiful courtyard, congregated the old sultan,
his son, his warriors, his dancers and his people. Native drums and gongs reverberated not
only at the palisade gates but also in the other rocks and crannies where the cambric of
existence seemed intangible. Then a colorful cavalcade of ladies entered the courtyard
accompanied by their consorts. At the front of the cavalcade was Inday of Bisaya, an alluring
princess of the first magnitude, followed by Jasmin of Bicolandia, demure yet captivating.
Then came, Takipsilim, charming princess of Ilokandia, Peria, exotic princess from Cathay,
Tretehum, glamorous princess of Siam, and Mahinhin, lovely damsel of Katagalugan. These
princesses paraded before Ali-Astra but he could not make up his mind whom to choose. His
eyes were dazzled by the seemingly undying beauties assembled before his majestic
presence. He therefore beseeched his father to give him ample time so that he could be sure
of selecting the right bride. His request was heartily granted. The sultan called his adviser to
announce the event. Early in the morning, he appeared before his father and told him that the
case of picking out his would-be-wife was already settled. “Mahinhin is my choice, Father. I
saw her in my dreams last night.”
They were married outright that day and live in the kingdom till the fall of Spain in
the Philippines. One day, a small vinta was seen bound for Luzon. On it were the couple,
Ali-Astra and Mahinhin and their consorts. Landing on the shore of San Luis Batangas, they
proceeded to the barrio known in the past as Bauan Sur. This barrio was lying near the
borders of Lake Bonbon, facing Cuenca on the east and Taal on the west. The traditional
reception was accorded them.
The next week after their arrival, came an announcement requiring all inhabitants of
the place to make American flags, and hang them in front of the houses. Ali-Astra knew
fully well what it meant, living again under the iron shackle of foreign domination. The order
was obeyed and American flags could be seen hanging and flying in front of every house.
Ali was the lone inhabitant who disobeyed. No flag could be seen hanging in front of his
father-in-law’s dwelling. Being a warrior of the first degree, he was utterly reluctant to
follow the order. He still entertained the idea that gallant men of the country would not
tolerate being conquered by a foreign foe.
The task given to him was, indeed, hard and a dangerous one, for, to disobey meant a
severe punishment but obedience thereto would surely mean his end. He followed the order
cognizant of the fact that love of the country must and should be over and above love for
one’s life. All flags, therefore, were taken out through his personal command. Those who
were hesitant to obey him heard the following remarks “Tell those Filipino-American guards
that Ali commanded you to do so.” This subversive activity of Ali reached the knowledge of
the U.S. Army. A squad of Filipino guards on the American side was dispatched to the barrio
to verify the veracity of the report. And truth met them in each and every house in the barrio.
The guards then inquired for the whereabouts of Ali. Meeting him in the street, he
was flogged to death instantaneously. His body was searched and the order, “Ali, tagtagin
mo ang lahat ng bandilang Amerikano sa inyong bukid,” was found in one of his pockets.
Ali fought against his enemies, but his skill as a warrior proved futile in the face of an
over-whelming odd. His sudden death struck the chord of pity and owe of all those who
came to know the real and proximate cause. After his death and peace was already restored,
Ali’s name became a pathetic song among the people of the barrio. Stories of the cause of
the lost of his life were told since then and handed from one generation to another. And as a
token of love for Ali, when Bauan Sur became a municipality, the consensus of opinion
centered on naming the town after the cause for which he fought and died. From that time
on, the barrio Bauan Sur came to be known as Alitagtag. (Source: Local Heroes, Folklores,
Folktales, etc. of Alitagtag/NHI, National Library)

I.2. LEGAL AND POLITICAL EXISTENCE

The Municipality of Alitagtag was once a group of registered barangays under the
jurisdiction of the municipality of Bauan, all of the Province of Batangas. These barangays
are Alitagtag, Balagbag, Dalipit, Munlawin and Muzon.
In a meeting sometimes in early 1900’s under the leadership of certain Mr. Raymundo
Bautista of Brgy. Alitagtag and attended by the representative of other barangays, the
separation of the abovementioned barangays from Bauan was hatched. It was agreed upon,
that a resolution be adopted requesting that their barangays be separated from the mother
municipality and be considered as independent municipality.
Preparatory activities such as census of population, determination of income,
resources and expenditures were conducted to support the proposal. It was August 10, 1908
when the resolution by all voting population of the barangays was passed to the Provincial
Committee for approval. The resolution was approved by the committee three (3) months
after. The Provincial Governor of Batangas then Governor Galicano Apacible endorsed the
approved resolution to the Civil Commission for hearing. The Civil Commission then headed
by Executive Secretary Carpinter heard the resolution January 2, 1909.
By virtue of an Executive Order issued on the 7th day of May 1909, Alitagtag became
a municipality on the 1st day of January 1910. From then on, Alitagtag has grown and
develop to its present state looking forward to a peaceful and sustainable future.

Table 1. The town’s Local Chief Executives were:

1. Hon. Jose Maranan 11. Hon. Anastacio Hernandez
1910-1912, 1923-1925 1948-1951
2. Hon. Adriano Gutierrez 12. Hon. Luis Gutierrez
part of 1913 1956-1959, 1964-1967
3. Hon. Florencio Gutierrez 13. Hon. Filomeno de Leon
1914-1916 1968-1975
4. Hon. Raymundo Bautista 14. Hon. Pedro B. Vergara
1917-1919 1976-1982
5. Hon. Rafael Hernandez 15. Hon. Matias A. Hernandez
1920-1926 1982-1986
6. Hon. Zacarias Maralit 16. Hon. Juliano A. Dimaandal
1926-1928 1986-1987
7. Hon. Simeon Maranan 17. Hon. Anacleto C. Reyes
1929-1931 1987-1988
8. Hon. Telesforo Reyes, Sr. 18. Hon. Rodolfo A. Macalintal
1931-1934,1935-1938, 1988-1992
1939-1940,1942-1945, 19. Hon. Bernardo B. Reyes
1959-1963 1992-2001
9. Hon. Canuto Castillo 20. Hon. Guillermo A. Reyes
 1941 2001-2010
10. Hon. Pedro Castillo 21. Hon. Anthony Francis G. Andal
1946-1947, 1952-1955 2010-2019
22. Hon. Edilberto G. Ponggos
2019-present

VISION
Progresibong Alitagtag,
Bayang Matatag!

MISSION
Magbigay ng Epektibo at Garantisadong Paglilingkod para sa ika-uunlad
ng bayan at mamamayan.