Sampaloc, Quezon

Sampaloc
Municipality
Sampaloc Municipal Hall
Seal
Nickname(s): "Clean and Greenest Town on Quezon"
Motto: Ang Galing ng Sampalukin
Map of Quezon showing the location of Sampaloc
Sampaloc Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 14°10′N 121°35′E / 14.167°N 121.583°E / 14.167; 121.583Coordinates: 14°10′N 121°35′E / 14.167°N 121.583°E / 14.167; 121.583
Country	Philippines
Region	CALABARZON (Region IV-A)
Province	Quezon
District	1st District of Quezon
Barangays	14
Government
• Mayor	Emmanuel Jesus S. Torres
• Vice Mayor	Francisco Jr. Abeja
Area
• Total	104.78 km2 (40.46 sq mi)
Population (2015)
• Total	13,907
• Density	130/km2 (340/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	4329
IDD : area code	+63 (0)42
Income class	5th class

Sampaloc is a municipality in the province of Quezon, in the Philippines. The town is situated in a valley completely surrounded by high evergreen hills in the heart of the Sierra Madre Mountains between the towns of Lucban and Mauban, Quezon.

The town is a fifth class municipality in terms of income classification in 2007 with an approximate area of 10,478 hectares (25,890 acres). According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 13,907 people.

Sampaloc used to be the Barrio Dingin of Lucban, Quezon consisting of three sitios. It was later renamed into Sampaloc because of the presence of a large tamarind tree found in the center of the settlement during the earlier days. The name was also changed in Alfonso Trece for a time to honor the King of Spain. In 1873, Capt. Pedro Cadelina of Lucban recommended to change the barrio into a municipality but due to lack of residents, it was only made into a “visita”. “Teniente Mayores” were appointed to head the ”visita”, the first of whom was from Polilio, followed by Arcadio Veluya, Laureano Nanola, Silverio Abueva and Juan Saludades. Through the efforts of Juan Pineda, Sampaloc became a municipality in 1892. He was elected as the first Capitan. He was succeeded by Diego Gagan followed by Teofilo Daya in 1901. During Daya’s term in the office, three more barrios from Mauban – Banot, Bilucao and San Bueno, became a part of Sampaloc through the efforts of Ireneo Domeo, the municipal secretary. The town was also renamed to Sampaloc during this time.

Jose de Asis introduced few improvements when he became president in 1904. He built a new church to replace the old one destroyed by storm in 1905. After de Asis, Capt. Diego Gagan came back to position followed by Mateo Almozara, Matero Apordo, Sisenando Pineda and Andres Jardin. President Gregorio Abeja built a new municipal building and a new semi-concrete schoolhouse during his term. Untoward incidents happened during President Fortunato Oblena which hindered the realization of any remarkable accomplishments. On November 1934, a strong typhoon hit the municipality which brought down the church, houses and took some lives. In 1935, the notorious bandit Asidillo hit the town and people were confined under martial law. People were in constant fear which pushed a military campaign in the area. On December 31, 1935, Lt. Jesus Vargas put an end to the reign of terror when he was able to kill Asidillo in Brgy. Caldong. The Second World War also affected the peaceful municipality. Ramon Villaverde was on his second term as mayor when the war broke out forcing him to flee to the hills. His post was briefly occupied by Apolinario Villaverde but the Executive Commission reappointed Ramon Villaverde on September 1, 1942 to act as mayor during the Japanese occupation. He ruled tactfully during his term to help spare the locals from the Japanese onslaught and the recognized guerrillas. Began the occupation conflicts, Filipino troops of the Philippine Commonwealth Army sending the operations in Sampaloc to adding recognized guerrillas and fought the Imperial Japanese Army. He was again reappointed by President Jose P. Laurel after the liberation and was in office until June 30, 1946. President Manuel Roxas assigned Sixto Obnamia as acting municipal mayor after the Americans granted Philippines Independence on July 4, 1946. During his reign, the HUKBALAHAP became active in the town. The situation asked for a leader of tact and foresight. It was during this time in 1947 when Paterno Abcede came to light. He led Sampaloc for another two consecutive terms before becoming a Board Member of Quezon in 1959. Fidel V. Torres came to power in the municipality in 1959 when he won the mayoralty bid against Dr. Rodolfo Veluz. He was re-elected again in 1963, defeating Rodolfo S. Obnamia, son of former Mayor Sixto Obnamia. The tides, however, turned to Rodolfo Obnamia’s favor when he was put into power in 1967 election, this time winning against Fidel Torres. It was in his term when the right wing portion of the municipal building was annexed to the existing building. This was called the Executive Hall which served as the session hall of the Sangguniang Bayan.