The Ticzon Brothers, San Pablo City 1965
Dr. Domingo, Atty. Zacarias, and Engr. Juan Belarmino Ticzon,
named after their ancestors.

The Ticzon Ancestors

HISTORY

       It may be stated that besides what history has recorded, there are many other events that have escaped the eyes of the chroniclers, a thousand and one unrecorded happenings, which might provide bases for more significant events. Hence, though not attested by well-established historical sources, the memoir of the ancients transmitted from one generation to another, could be fair addendum to the recorded and published accounts of accredited historical writers.

The Search Begins

       The search for the Ticzon ancestors has not been without difficulty. In addition to the usual genealogical problems of missing records, inaccurate data, and conflicting sources, the Ticzons who lived in San Pablo City, Laguna, Philippines (known as San Pablo Del Monte during the early 17th and 19th centuries) usually gave identical Christian names to their offsprings. To nearly all the male, the names given were: Domingo, Zacarias, and Juan. If one died in infancy, the same name was given to the next born male.

       I have to say that my research yielded significant information. I learned of the popularity of the surname Ticzon in San Pablo City. Those who were born with that surname and had originally lived in San Pablo can trace his or her ancestry to one of the three Ticzon brothers from Canton, China during the period of the Qing (Manchu) Dynasty (AD1644-1911). The Philippines enjoyed economic prosperity at the time and Chinese merchants from Canton were lured to the country in search of wealth. They brought in silk and porcelain from Canton to Manila. Cargoes were loaded on galleons bound for Acapulco and the Spanish colonies in America. These Chinese goods were paid in Mexican silver.

       There was intermarriage between Spaniards and Chinese immigrants who bore mestizo offsprings, consequently giving rise to a new breed. Although there are some descendants not yet linked to the three major ancestors, those who were found related to them were eventually proven to be legitimate. Each time a person with the surname Ticzon comes to light, I can assume quite confidently that further research will show some relation. For example, Don Domingo Ticzon, the son of one of the three Ticzon brothers was found to be the common ancestor of some Ticzons who lived in San Pablo City.

       The Philippines is situated at the crossroads of the Pacific Ocean and the South China and Sulu Seas. The island, also referred to as the 'archipelago', has welcomed people from the East and West, creating a human mixture. It is likewise sustained by enormous tropical resources. The main settlers were Chinese merchants. In most villages, the priest and the local "principale" or "notable" were Spanish. The "friarocracy" of the religious orders and the oligarchy of the landholders were the twin pillars of colonial society whose main interests were in keeping their positions of authority and privilege. The local village chiefs were landed nobility who wielded considerable authority.

       Most of the populace in the rural areas were dependent on a few elite land-holders. The landless thus introduced a class division which, however, became a perennial source of social discontent and political strife. In its political and governmental organization under Spain, San Pablo was not different from most towns. It has a long history of good and bad administrators. The gobernadorcillo, capitan and alcalde were appointed annually by the governor-general of the Philippines. The appointment was based on a list submitted by the local principalia, per advice of the town curate, who was almost always a Spaniard.

       The appointee received no compensation, except a one- percent share of the taxes of which the full amount allotted to his town had to have an accounting. His responsibility was great. It included tax collection, maintenance of peace and order, enforcement of the polo (force personal service) of the inhabitants. He had to represent the municipal government on all governmental, religious and social functions. Thus, the position was more of a liability than an asset, for which reason, very few wanted to serve.

       My Ticzon ancestors showed sincerity, resourcefulness, initiative and dedication. They took the obligations and responsibilities of their office with sincerity. They believed in hard work, in being generous, and being committed. As a result, they were respected and loved not only by those who worked in their coconut and rice plantations and in their haciendas but also by family friends and other San Pablenos. Through generations, our Ticzon name was carried with pride.

During the Spanish Regime

DON DOMINGO TICZON   Alcalde (1771-1773). Don Domingo Ticzon was a doctor by profession and son of a wealthy Chinese merchant. He was one of the three brothers (the forerunners) and the first chinese mestizo to collaborate with the Spaniards. He was a courageous leader and road builder of the poblacion. He owned big tracts of land that included not only the present San Pablo City but also a great part of Lipa, Tanauan, Santo Tomas and Alaminos to the west and northwest, the area to the boundary of the poblacion of Calamba, as well as Palakpakin to the north and Rizal town (in Laguna) and as far as Labasin, San Cristobal, Banahaw and Masalokot to the east.

His tenants helped build the church and roads. They were paid from his own pocket and he even supplied the needed materials for the construction. The church was once looted by the British and outlaws and he volunteered to replace the church properties of gold and silver that were lost. San Pablo City was often referred to as San Pablo Del Monte, meaning, a town in the mountain. It is situated astride a plateau 500 feet above sea level and surrounded by the mountain of Makiling, San Cristobal, Banahaw, Masalokot and the mountain ranges along the region of Lipa. From Laguna the whole area became a town in the province of Batangas (1756-57), but in 1883 it went back to Laguna.

Time and again, the town was visited by natural calamities and man-made disasters. Besides the disturbing presence of the outlaw bands roaming the countryside and the occasional outbreak of careless or arson fires in the town proper, the town folks had been reeling under a regular recurrence of devastating typhoons, strong earthquakes, epidemics and pestilence, attendant ills of a prospering community. The parish priest during his time was Fr. Andres Arias, an Augustinian missionary who was loved by the town folk.

DON JUAN TICZON   Alcalde (1860-1864). Don Juan Ticzon was an engineer by profession, grand son of Don Domingo Ticzon, who married Doña Maria Sarmiento. He had the canals cemented, the rivers cleaned and constructed the Mag-ampon Bridge connecting San Pablo and Alaminos. He ordered the rebels to be caught and hanged. On the eve of Corpus Christi, a strong earthquake shocked the town. The parish priest during that time was Fr. Segundo Cherta, a Franciscan missionary.

DON ZACARIAS S. TICZON   Alcalde (1878-1879). Don Zacarias S. Ticzon was a lawyer by profession, a son of Don Juan Ticzon and Doña Maria Sarmiento. He married a beautiful Spanish woman named Doña Simeona Empeno Emralino of San Pablo City. They had six children. Don Zacarias implemented an order from his superior in Manila to collect a 12-peso annual tax from all the businessmen. He himself imposed a 3-peso annual tax for all animal-drawn vehicles, the purpose of which was to increase the government revenue. Meanwhile, the problem in the community increased and became more complicated. During his incumbency, the southern half of the town was burned down, reportedly by Chinese arsonists it rendered several hundred families homeless. Most of the fire victims found temporary shelter in the convent-house. Don Zacarias used his own money as well as solicited voluntary contributions from his rich friends in the community to buy food, clothing and medicine. He served for two years.

DON TEODORO S. TICZON   Alcalde (1891 - 1894). Don Teodoro S. Ticzon married to Doña Jacinta Fule. The youngest son of Don Juan Ticzon and Doña Maria Sarmiento, and the youngest Alkalde. During his term of office the city had not recovered fully from the woes and want brought about by epidemic, earthquake and fire. The town likewise experienced pestilence that practically killed animals and fowls. People became helpless from the loss of their animals, not being able to eat meat for many weeks. At the same time, they were not spared by the large-scale smallpox epidemic.

Filipino Revolution Against Spanish Regime

DON CRISTETO E. TICZON   Alcalde (1895-1898). Don Cristeto E. Ticzon (grandfather of this writer) was the last Alcalde under the Spanish Regime. Eldest son of Don Zacarias Sarmiento Ticzon and Doña Simeona Empeño Emralino, he was married to Doña Miguela Alcos Belarmino (daughter of Don Pablo Hernandez Belarmino and Doña Leoncia Tolentino Alcos of San Pablo City). He spent his weekend in his hacienda in Santisimo Rosario with his family. During the revolution there was no record showing that San Pablenos ever became Katipuneros, but there was one named Dionisio Ticzon who joined the revolutionarios. Capitan Teto (his petname) spent his summer vacation with his family in Sibul Spring, San Miguel, Bulacan where he had a vacation house.

He was a very effective leader and was able to maintain peace and order. He secretly supplied Dionisio with rice, sugar and medicine for the revolutionarios and requested him to avoid confrontation with the Spanish soldiers in the city proper. He supplied the church with rice to help feed the masses. His wife, Doña Miguela, always invited the poor of San Pablo during Christmas and town fiestas to have lunch with them. A bag of canned goods, sugar, salt and rice for each poor family was given every first Monday of the month. After Dona Miguela's death, her eldest daughter, Doña Carmen Belarmino Ticzon-Fule (Tia Mameng), continued the practice until she died on April 11, 1970.

In June, 1898, Fr. Perfecto Mendez and all the Spanish soldiers left the city without noticee. This ended the Spanish regime in San Pablo. Shall we say it was not a glorious defeat but a beatific retreat wherein no blood was spilled. My grandfather, Cristeto, returned to his private life. In 1904 his eldest son, Domingo (my father) was born, followed with two more sons named Zacarias and Juan. His youngest was a girl named Nonita who died before reaching adulthood. He lived peacefully, raised his family and tended to his coconut and rice plantations.

He was one of the first copra dealers who traveled back and forth by horse to Manila that took several weeks. He sent his daughters to exclusive girls Catholic schools in Manila. His three sons went to school at Letran College. Later, they studied at the University of Sto. Tomas - Domingo, took up Medicine, Zacarias took up Law and Juan took up Engineering. Due to the nature of his work, Don Cristeto developed a stomach problem (that was probably cancer) that led to his death in November 19, 1934. He was 68.

After World War II

ZACARIAS A. TICZON   Elected City Mayor (1964-1968). Zacarias was a Lawyer by profession, youngest son of Don Cornelio Suarez and Doña Manuela Marasigan Africa. He succeeded Mayor Lauro Dizon. He was a bold and daring government leader. He was responsible for the enhanced peace and order of San Pablo City. He did not lose time to have the wrongdoers punished. He was also responsible for practically all the barrios' lighting system. He built a playground (Katuparan ng Pangarap) for the youth in front of the Capitol building, constructed an asphalted circumferential road around Sampaloc Lake together with an underground electric lighting system. He also built some community Health Centers. Unfortunately, he lost in a re-election to Cesar P. Dizon, son of Lauro Dizon.

In 1986 after the downfall of the Marcos dictatorship, he was appointed as interim Mayor and eventually elected to office for four years until 1992. He eventually lost in a re-election bid to Mayor Amante and returned to private life. Currently, (2006), he is enjoying his retirement in San Pablo City.

     This summary is being prepared not only to share what we now know of the history of the Ticzon family but also to indicate the numerous areas where we remain unfamiliar with. I will be enormously grateful to anyone who can fill in any of these gaps or supply new leads which ought to be pursued. At any rate, I hope you have enjoyed our story.

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