Unisan, Quezon

History

Kalilayan was the first name of this municipality. As early as 1591, more than 4 centuries ago, the town of Kalilayan was founded by the first Malayan settlers.
The name Kalilayan derived from the Tagalog term, a rootword ‘’Lilay’’ a kind of palm similar to buri with the smaller leaves in the size of anahaw leaves that grow once in abundance. During the latter part of the 19th century, traditions said that the real founder of the town, was a woman called of Ladya. She was a Malayan lady of nobility. Hence her title was (called) ‘’QUEEN of Kalilayan’’.
It is believed that such founding occurred in the Middle Ages when immigration of the Malayans to this country was still predominant. That was before the advent of Mohamedanism in the East Indies. This proven by the fact that no traces of Mohamed’s Creed were found in that part of the Philippines when the Europeans landed in our Islands.

Oldest Town

Unisan, Quezon could be the oldest town in the Philippines. The people of Unisan claimed that their town is now 481 years old, having been established in 1521, the same year that Ferdinand Magellan first landed in the Philippines. All other towns in the country were established not earlier than 1565, when Spain formally occupied the Philippines as a colony.
A Malayan queen named Ladya reportedly founded Calilayan, the old name of the town. In 1876, Calilayan was renamed Unisan which was derived from the Latin word uni-sancti, meaning "holy saint". (Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer)


Why Unisan?

According to records, the name of Unisan was derived from a Spanish verb "UNIR" meaning, UNITE. At that time inhabitants, which were composed of strangers from different parts of the Island, were united. They wanted to call the town Unisan from the Tagalog word in place of UNION, or UNIDOS and for the sake of euphony they call the town UNISAN.
There was another version which related that the name was derived from the Latin words UNI-SANCTI, one saint or saint in honor of a saint. Friar Pedro Bautista, once a missionary to Unisan when this town was still CALILAYAN and later canonized saint following his martyrdom while a missionary in Japan. This is more probable considering that there was a historical fact to support the version Uni-Sancti was made Unisan for short and to suit the Visayan and Caviteño tongues.
Calilayan then regained its status as full-pledge pueblo under the new UNISAN. The people being united in their ideals struggled for the improvement of their new municipality.

Mayors

Municipal Mayor
Gerardo M. Maxino 1941-1945
Pedro Constantino, Jr (Appointed) 1945 - 1946
Romualdo Vargas 1946 - 1955
Joaquin M. Carillo 1955 - 1967
Ramoncito C. Vera Cruz 1968 - 1972; Re-elected 1980 - 1986
Arturo I. Constantino, Sr. 1972 - 1980; Re-elected but died
Ramoncito C. Vera Cruz (Acted Mayor) 1980 - 1986
Joselito V. Tolentino (OIC) 1986 - 1987; Elected 1988 - 1992
Nonato E. Puache 1992 - 2001
Cesar P. Alpay 2001 - 2004
Nonato E. Puache 2004 - 2007
Cesar P. Alpay 2007 - 2010
Nonato E. Puache 2010-
Appointed OIC
Rodolfo B. Matociños 12-01-1987 to 01-01-1988
Renato V. Tolentino 01-01-1988 to 02-03-1988

Vice-Mayors

Municipal Vice-Mayor
(OIC) 1986 - 1987; 1988 - 1992
Ferdinand Adulta - 2010

Barangays

Unisan is politically subdivided into 36 barangays. San Roque was formerly a sitio of barrio Tagumpay.[2]
Almacén
Balagtás
Balanacan
Bulo Ibabâ
Bulo Ilaya
Bonifacio
Burgos
Caigdál
General Luna
Kalilayan Ibabâ
Cabulihan Ibabâ
Mairok Ibaba
Kalilayan Ilaya
Cabulihan Ilaya
Mabini
Mairok Ilaya
Malvar
Maputat
Muliguin
Pagaguasan
Panaon Ibabâ
Panaon Ilaya
Pláridel
F. De Jesús (Pob.)
R. Lapu-lapu (Pob.)
Raja Solimán (Pob.)
R. Magsaysay (Pob.)
Poctol
Punta
Rizal Ibabâ
Rizal Ilaya
San Roque
Socorro
Tagumpay
Tubas
Tubigan