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History of Malasiqui Malasiqui was once a mere settlement. Several families grouped together for mutual protection from wild beasts and lawless elements. As the settlement progressed, the Spanish authorities took advantage of the situation and sent missionary priests to spread the gospel. According to legends, three missionary priests were initially sent to the settlement. Upon reaching the place, they found out that the settlement was located in the middle of thick woods and tall grasses inhabited by dangerous animals. The settlement was surrounded by creeks. A man whose brother became a historical figure lives along the banks of the north creek. This man was popularly known as Balolong. He is the brother of the famous Juan de la Cruz Palaris who led the revolution againts the Spaniards in 1763. Balolong planted a tree near his house and the tree grew very big that it is easily seen within the neighborhood. The tree was called "Bengal." Because of the big tree, the north creek area is usually referred to as "Bengal nen Balolong." Later on, the creek was to be known as "Bengalbalolong." It is now more popularly known as Binalbalolong. These creeks that surrounded the settlement were known to be too dangerous during rainy season because of the swift current. Now, the south and north creeks are dormant. As the three missionary priests surveyed the area, they found the small paths penetrating the thick woods and tall grasses. These small road passes connect the houses in the settlement. Ferocious wild pigs locally known as "animoloc" were abundant in the area. Having surveyed the settlement, two of the priests did not seem to admire the place. One of them remarked in Spanish "Mala" meaning "No good." The other readily nodded in agreement and was heard to have replied in Spanish "Si" meaning "Yes." But the third priest was determined to settle with the other two so he was heard to have protested in Spanish saying "Yqui" meaning "So what?" The natives who heard the short dialogue (but did not understand the language) thought all along the priests gave a name to the settlement. They heard the priests uttered the following words in succession "Mala-si-yqui." From that moment on, the settlement (now a big town) is to be known as Malasiqui.
The parish of Malasiqui was formerly a "visita" of San Carlos. In 1665, it became a town with the venerable Fr. Juan Camacho as founder and first pastor. The original town of Malasiqui was located some two kilometers to the east of the road leading to Villasis. After an uprising in 1660, the town was transferred to the present site in 1661 - 1662. In 1746, the construction of the church and the convent was started by Fr. Luis Delfin. These buildings were burned in 1763. In 1770 another convent was built, around 1773 the constructed of a new church began under Fr. Tapias, and it was completed in 1790. On February 29, 1820 another conflagration gutted down the town together with the church, the convent and the parish archives. Again, the building of a new church began in 1823 and was also burned. A provisional church and a convent were again put up, but this crumbled during the earth quake in 1880. In 1882, Fr. Juan Cordova constructed a new church which was inaugarated in 1885. This was partly destroyed in tremors of 1892, but was repaired by Fr. Salvador Millan. It measures 70 meters long and 18.50 wide. Meanwhile, the old convent was converted into Malasiqui's first Catholic School. Later date a new Catholic Rectory was inaugarated by Msgr. Madriano Madriaga on July 2, 1972. |
