Barangay Tejeros, Makati City

INTRODUCTION

Barangay Tejeros is one of the four barrios comprising San Pedro Macati (Guadalupe, Olympia, Pio del Pilar and Tejeros). It belongs to Makati City's first district and a member of the Northwest Cluster or Cluster 3 of Makati. The barangay used to be composed of five sitios namely Carmon (Crystal), Kasilawan (Suaboy or Bakahan), Singkamas, La Paz and Sta.Cruz (Paltok).

 

Based on the 2010 NSO census, there are 13,868 residents in Tejeros, which is 2.60% of the total population of Makati. With a total land area of 0.2832 square kilometers which is almost 1% of the City’s land area and population density of 49 residents per 1,000 square meters.

 

Up to now, Tejeros remains as one of the city’s main residential areas providing low cost housing facilities for its residents (Makati Homes I and Tejeros Garden BLISS). 

 

 

HISTORY

In 1565, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi found a balahghai or barangay near a lake (Sta. Clara Creek) which was ruled by Lakan Tun-aw or Catunao. The said balanghai of Lakan Tun-aw was called Maluarbuco kingdom (Tejeros) which is a part of the Namayan Kingdom (Sta. Ana de Sapa) in the year 1470. Lakan Tun-aw ruled his balangai for 71 years (1527 – 1598).

 

In year 1592, a group of Franciscan priests built the Church of Paseo de Tamo (now known as Dambana ni Cristobal at D. Gomez St.) wherein Lakan Tun-aw was baptized or Almezen dela Fe.

 

In 1598, while Fr. Juan de Plasencia was traveling along the Maluarbuco kingdom he was bitten by an insect known as “tungaw” by the locals and since then he named the Maluarbuco Kingdom as “Barangay Ma-tungaw”.

 

Some parts of Barangay Ma-tungaw are muddy field known as lamang-kati which was use in making "tisa" (bricks) and was one of the main source of livelihood of many residents of barangay Ma-tungaw, thus, the name “Tejeron” (Tejeros) was derived meaning long straight path full of tile-makers.  

 

In 1835, the historical “Sta. Cruz” (Holy Cross) was found by G. Manuel Cadedoc, a sakatero, in the Sta. Clara Creek making Sta. Cruz or Via-Cruisis the patron of Tejeros. 

 

In 1893, Tejeros become one of the four barrios comprising San Pedro Macati (Guadalupe, Olympia, Pio del Pilar and Tejeros).

 

When the Americans occupied the Philippines, Tejeros became a popular recreation place of American Service men (1915). A dancing hall made of bamboo and nipa materials was constructed at H. Santos Street. Since then it became the favorite hang-out of American soldiers.

 

In 1918, a new building was constructed in the same place by the Atlantic Gulf and Pacific Company. It was finished in 1921 and Mr. John Canson Sr., called it Sta. Ana Cabaret. It stood there for 49 years until it was destroyed by typhoon Yoling in 1970.

 

Tejeros used to be composed of five sitios namely Carmon (Crystal), Kasilawan (Suaboy or Bakahan), Singkamas, La Paz, and Sta. Cruz (Paltok). In 1960, under the mayorship of Maximo Estrella, Republic Act 2370 known as the Barrio Charter Act was enacted by the Philippine Congress. This Act called for the election of barrio officials by secret balloting. At that time, Barrio Lieutenants were appointed by the incumbent Mayor.

 

This act also stated that any sitio with 500 inhabitants can be a separate barrio by way of resolution of the inhabitants. So by virtue of this act, the abovementioned five sitios became independent barrios.

 

Up to now, Tejeros remains as one of the progressive barangays in Makati. The people have continually been provided with their basic needs. To provide low cost housing facilities for its residents, a BLISS housing project was constructed on the former site of Sta. Ana Cabaret. There is also a Barangay Health Center which gives a free medical assistance to the residents.