San Marcelino

The area that is now known as San Marcelino was originally owned by Sambal-speaking peoples, but over time was purchased and became entirely owned by Ilocano-speaking peoples, hence the barangay name Laoag, named after one of their origins, Laoag, Ilocos Norte.[6]

Marcelinian civilization, according to old municipal documents, started at the peak of Vega Hill in the heart of an idyllic Zambales jungle. The pre-Hispanic settlers from the Ilocos Region were led by the ancestors of the Corpuses, Udans, Ragadios, Raguinis, Rabanes and Fabunans.[7]

Vega Hill reportedly measured 440.94 square kilometers. It used to be one of the three communities that comprised a town. The two others were what are now known as Castillejos and San Antonio. Castillejos was reportedly the hub of leadership because when the Ilocanos arrived in the area, the Tagalog-speaking native residents were already organized there.

Naturally adventurous and united by their common struggles, the Ilocano settlers eventually left Vega Hill and stayed in Magaring, a place now known as Barangay Linasin. This area was, and still is, part of the town. Eventually, the Ilocanos decided to settle at the Poblacion. However, they refused to be integrated into the communities of the local residents. They lived according to their own traditions. They were governed by their obedience to their community elders.

When the Spaniards came, a Spanish friar, Father Guillermo, stayed at the Poblacion with the Marcelinian forefathers. In the succeeding years, more Spanish friars came, strengthening the stronghold of Christianity among the Ilocano settlers. The need for formalizing a political/administrative structure of the town also became evident as the population increased and the socio-economic life of the town became complex.

Consequently, a government structure was set up under the leadership of the friars whose power, at this point in time, had become entrenched, and deeply anchored in religion. The friars appointed local or district leaders, a cabeza de barangay for every barangay, among which were Consuelo, Nagbunga and Sinnerrekan (now known as Linusungan). The number of barangays has expanded to 18 since then.

In the settlers' barangay of barrio, a middle-aged Teniente del Barrio, Marcelino Ora, was appointed. It was after him that the town was eventually named, long after he was gone. "San" was arbitrarily added to the name due to the people's religiosity. Domingo Magsaysay and Antonio Rolls later succeeded him.

When the barangay needed to choose a patron saint, the leaders chose the priest who Christianized the town, Father Guillermo. Ath the time the priest had already left San Marcelino. Like Marcelino Ora, the title of Saint was apparently just attached to his name.

In 1843, the Marcelinians filed a petition for San Marcelino's elevation to Pueblo through the Teniente Primero, Antonio Ladrido Juliano. In 1846, the petition was approved.

The elation over the appointment of a local leader did not last long. The Marcelinian elders became discontented over the fact that their appointed leaders turned out to be just nominal leaders. The friars still made decisions in relation to important matters. In addition, the friars reportedly became shockingly abusive.

In anger, many of the leaders and pockets of townspeople joined the insurrectos - rebel groups. On the forefront were Jorge Udan, Francisco Corpus and Alipio Corpus. Relenting to the demands of the majority of the people, the friars later agreed to give the leaders more participation in running their respective districts.

On March 10, 1852, San Marcelino held its first municipal election for a Teniente Absoluto. At this point, historical records became confusing. The next account has dated January 14, 1906 when Matias Apostol was reportedly installed as the first elected President of San Marcelino. From then on, the progressive development of San Marcelino continued under duly elected leaders.

From late 1900 to March 1902, the 25th Infantry Regiment, operated in Zambales, including San Marcelino, during the Philippine–American War, with elements in San Marcelino in December 1900 and March 1902.[8] During this period, the regiment conducted policing and judiciary functions, such as the prosecution of Elias Agpalo.[9]

In 1904, due to Act Number 945 of the Philippine Commission, San Marcelino's municipal oversight was extended to neighboring Castillejos and San Antonio.[10] That same year, Ilokano was the primary language spoken in San Marcelino, with Tagalog being a secondary language;[6] of the Negrito who lived in Zambales all lived in the jurisdictions of San Marcelino or Botolan.[11] In 1905, per a report produced by the War Department, the areas around San Marcelino were used to cultivate rice, and the people were Ilocano.[12]

San Marcelino is politically subdivided into 18 barangays. [13] Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.