Pakil

Pakil, officially the Municipality of Pakil (Tagalog: Bayan ng Pakil), is a municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 23,972 people. History Spanish colonial period When the Spanish conquistadors together with the Augustinians stationed at Bay came to the place in 1571, this colony was under the leadership of Gat Paquil whose name was used to name the settlement as "Paquil", which remained during the whole Spanish Regime and early part of the American period. When the Franciscan missionaries came in 1578, Pakil was attached to Paete in 1602 as its "visita". Padre Francisco Barajas, made efforts to separate this town from Paete, and Don Diego Jorge became the first Capitan Municipal or Gobernadorcillo on May 12, 1676. Pakil was named as an independent town with the administration of the "Capitan Municipal" at the helm of the local colonial government, the last of whom was Capitan Municipal Don Nicolas Regalado. American colonial period With the change of government from the Spanish to Philippine, and eventually American after the total occupation of the Philippines by the United States after the defeat of the Philippine Republican Army in the Philippine–American War of 1898–1900, the Americans had to reorganize the pattern of the Civil Government in the country in 1901. It was Bernardo Gonzales was appointed the first Presidente Municipal (Municipal President) during the American Period until November 25, 1903. Upon the reorganization, the Public Law No. 1009, of the Philippine Commission, the town of Pakil was merged with Pangil in order to reduce the number of existing towns where the smaller towns are merged with more secure towns to stabilize the local economy due to the damages of the previous war. After nineteen years, On October 1, 1927, by virtue of Executive Order No. 77, Pakil was re-established as a municipality, with its spelling changed from Paquil to Pakil. World War II and Japanese occupation In 1942, the Japanese troops occupied Pakil, and in 1945, Pakil was liberated by the Philippine Commonwealth forces after the Philippine Army and Philippine Constabulary entered the town along with the local recognized guerrillas against the Japanese forces during the Second World War. Modern era In 1954, the sitios known as Casa Real, Casinsin and Kabulusan were converted into barrios. Durado followed suit in 1957. Geography Pakil's land area consists of two non-contiguous parts, separated by Laguna de Bay. It borders Mabitac to the north, Pangil to the west, and Paete to the south. Pakil is 19 kilometres (12 mi) from Santa Cruz, 106 kilometres (66 mi) from Manila, and 67 kilometres (42 mi) from Lucena. Barangays Pakil is politically subdivided into 13 barangays, as indicated in the matrix below. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios. Climate Demographics In the 2024 census, the population of Pakil, Laguna, was 23,972 people, with a density of 520 inhabitants per square kilometre or 1,300 inhabitants per square mile. Economy Poverty incidence of Pakil Source: Philippine Statistics Authority Culture Music in Pakil was formally introduced by San Pedro Bautista in 1586, during his tenure as Guardian of the Franciscan order. He established what is regarded as the first music academy in the country, initially enrolling around 400 children from communities around Laguna de Bay. These students began as church choir members and were trained to create musical instruments using locally available materials such as bamboo, tin, wood, and coconut shells. They were known as tiples and later mentored younger children to join the choir. Over time, music became deeply embedded in the community, with residents actively teaching the youth to sing and play instruments. This tradition was passed down through generations. The Adonay family played a key role in promoting musical development and helped organize the first brass band in Pakil. Tacio Celis further contributed by training children in reading musical notation and playing instruments. As a result, many young musicians from Pakil were able to pursue higher education through scholarships earned by performing in school bands. Currently, Pakil Music Program is helping out young students to continue the rich musical heritage of the town. Pakil Music Program (PMP) is providing music education through note reading and instrument performances with the help of some retired musicians. Religion St. Peter of Alcantara Parish The St. Peter of Alcantara Parish, also the Diocesan Shrine of the Our Lady of Turumba is a Roman Catholic Church in Pakil and home to the Our Lady of Sorrows de Turumba. Our Lady of Turumba Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de Turumba ("Our Lady of Sorrows of Turumba") is the name for a specific statue of the Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Sorrows, enshrined in Pakil. Liceo de Pakil Liceo de Pakil is a private sectarian Catholic high school originally established by the Maryknoll Fathers in 1956. At first, the school was named Maryknoll Fathers High School following the namesake of its leaders. When the Maryknoll Fathers had to go to their mission in Davao, they ceded the leadership to the Maryknoll Sisters who subsequently changed the school's name into Maryknoll High School. Upon the termination of the mission of the Maryknoll Sisters in 1972, Bishop Pedro N. Bantigue invited the Augustinian Recollect Sisters to administer the school. The name was changed again to Mary Immaculate Academy by the Augustinian Recollect Sisters. In 1982, the school's name was changed to Liceo De Pakil by the Diocese of San Pablo. The first batch to graduate under Liceo de Pakil was the batch of 1983 graduating class. In 1986, the administration of the school was passed on to the Missionary Catechists of St. Therese (MCST). Liceo De Pakil is currently under the administration of the MCST and the Diocese of San Pablo. Education The Pangil-Pakil Schools District Office governs all educational institutions within the municipality. It oversees the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools. Primary and elementary schools Secondary schools Notable personalities Marcelo Adonay - major Philippine composer and church musician. Danilo Echavaria Dalena - modern and contemporary painter. Jun Regalado - one of the most prolific drummers in the Philippines. Jeff Cagandahan – prominent Filipino intersex man and intersex human rights activist who first successfully petitioned the Philippine courts to change name and sex markers. References External links Philippine Standard Geographic Code Philippine Census Information Local Governance Performance Management System Archived 2012-05-23 at the Wayback Machine