Silang, Cavite - History

History

The name Silang was derived from the Tagalog word silanganan meaning "east", because the town is seated at the eastern portion of Cavite. A legend claims that it was coined from the Tagalog word isinilang or "given birth to", referring to the sudden and unusual emergence of the parish church. It may also refer to the new emergence of the land from the eruption of Taal Volcano on May 15, 1754. Whereas, 3 barangays of Silang are called Tubuan I, II & III. One of the oldest towns in Cavite, Silang may have been founded in 1571, though there are other dates being claimed by some authorities. Its roots, however, are traced by tradition to the time of the ten Bornean Datus who migrated northward on board balangays. Its first settlers were Gat Hingiw, his wife Gat Kaliwanag and their seven children. Their children moved to different places of the town and established their respective barangays. Another version of Silang's origin is based on research conducted in 1953, when Don Bernabe Javier Manahan, Don Gervacio dela Cruz, and the people of Silang purchased the area from King Ferdinand VI of Spain for 2,000 pesetas on March 9, 1746. A different story recounts that Silang originally belonged to the encomienda of Diego Jorge de Villalobos. In 1585, the Franciscan Order Fathers, the Society of Saint Catholic Parish, the Jesuits, Augustinian Recollects, Belgian Fathers, the Society of Saint Columban, and other religious congregations successively took over the Silang parish until 1978, when its administration was finally relinquished to the Imus Diocese. Originally, Silang's territory extended to what are known today as the towns of Carmona, Amadeo, Indang, Alfonso, General Trias and Tanza, and also until 1755, Maragondon.