CORNELIUS GARDENER (1901-1902)

Governor Cornelius Gardener was a west point graduate who served as Provincial Governor of Tayabas now Quezon Province.

HARRY H. BANDHOLTZ (1902-1903)

General Bandholtz was born in Michigan in 1864 with a single purpose: to be a soldier. At 26, he graduated from the US Military Academy in 1890. He joined the Philippine Constabulary on April 9, 1903, and steadily rose from the ranks until he was appointed brigadier general in 1909.

He was credited with the rapid rise of the Constabulary popularity during his tenure.

Bandholtz was so popular among the people of Tayabas, that they, out of genuine friendship and respect, made him governor of Tayabas. He was the only American to be so honored.

Bandholtz was one of the few American officers who went out of their way to get to know their Filipino men. A stickler to good health habits, he neither drank nor smoked, but had a weakness –candies. Because he seldom joined in the many drinking sprees of his officers and men, ine initially thought of him as unapproachable. But his men apparently thought the world of him and were sincerely loyal to him. Vic Hurley wrote that Bandholtz men often had the feeling that "if you shoot that man (Bandholtz), the bullet has to go through first."

Bandholtz also led the campaigns in Sorsogon against Lazaro Toledo. Other major outlaw leaders subsequently surrendered to him in 1906.

His men recounted how he negotiated for Ola's surrender in October 1903. It was said that Bandholtz went to a town alone and met with Ola and his 1,500 men. He even slept there with his prisoners . The next day, along file of riders and surrenderees on foot was seen entering Albay with bandholtz and Ola riding up front. Judge Carson who was to try the prisoners met them. And bandholtz was supposed to have called out something like: "Hello, Judge, I want you to know a friend of mine. His name is Simeon Ola." And the judge, his hand already outstretched, was said to have abruptly withdrawn it, apparently uncomfortable with the thought of shaking the hand of a man he was to hang the next day. As it happened, Ola turned state witness and his life was spared. That ended his "reign of terror" in Albay.

RICARDO G. PARAS SR. (1903-1905)

Ricardo Paras, a member of the historic Malolos Congress, was born the third of seven children in Calapan, Mindoro on August 12, 1861. His father, Crisanto Paras, and his mother, whose last name was Garcia, were both natives of Calapan.

He attended the Ateneo Municipal and, there, was associated with Jose Rizal. After acquiring his Bachelor of Arts degree, he worked as a public school teacher in Boac, Marinduque, where his family had settled after leaving Mindoro.

Paras joined he Philippine revolution during its second stage, after the December 1897 Pact of Biak-na-Bato failed. He was elected Marinduque’s delegate to the Malolos Revolutionary Congress that formulated and approved the 1898 Philippine Constitution. When the Malolos Government of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo came to naught, Paras gave up the struggle and returned to Boac and the peaceful life. He established a school and named it Colegio Plaridel. Due to the American military conquest of the country, however, the school was short-lived.

He took the civil service test in Manila, intending to apply for a government position upon passing. However, his plans were preempted by Civil Governor William Howard Taft, who appointed him the first provincial governor of Mindoro and Marinduque upon the approval of Act 125 on May 1, 1901. On March 3, 1902, Governor Paras began to serve his term of office. Later, he was named Marinduque's census supervisor after the province was made part of Tayabas, which was under the administration of Governor Bandholtz. On May 4, 1903, he took over the governorship of Tayabas. Five months later, he met the Tayabas native who would, one day, become the much-loved President of the Philippine Commonwealth - Manuel L. Quezon. In his memoir, The Good Fight, Quezon described Governor Paras as "an honest and a real Patriot." The governor had confided to the then fairly unknown Quezon that he did not at all beg for his office, but rather agreed to assume it in the honest belief that cooperation with the military superior American forces was the only resources left for the Philippines to eventually attain independence and for the people, their general well-being. He was convinced that America never really sought to Subjugate Filipinos, but aimed only to teach them how to govern themselves and then grant them their freedom.

On February 1, 1904, Paras was reelected governor under the banner of the Progresista Party, formerly the Federalista Party. His term ended in 1906. He was succeeded by Quezon. Thereafter, he worked as a translator at the Bureau of Constabulary to support his rather large family. He remained in the Bureau for the next 25 years.

Paras was unusually tall for a Filipino. He was six feet. Around 1888, he married Andrea Mercader, daughter of Silverio Mercader and Venancia Locloc of Boac. She was named one of the outstanding mothers by the National Federation of Women's Clubs in 1949. The Parases had ten children. A son, Ricardo was a distinguished lawyer, who became an associate justice of the Court of Appeals, justice of the Supreme Court (December 4, 1941), and Supreme Court Chief Justice (1951 to 1961).

Paras died in 1938, and was buried at the La Loma Cemetery

SOURCE: http://www.nhi.gov.ph/downloads/fihgov0100.pdf

MANUEL L. QUEZON (1906-1907)

Manuel Quezon was born on Aug. 19, 1878, to Lucio Quezon and Maria Molina, both schoolteachers, in Baler, Tayabas (now Quezon) Province, in Luzon. Manuel enrolled at San Juan de Letran College, after which he was appointed lecturer at the University of Santo Tomas. There he studied law, but his studies were interrupted by the outbreak of the Spanish-American War.

Quezon was considered "bright but lazy"; but when he joined the revolutionary forces of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo during the revolution against Spain, Quezon displayed his fearless, bold, and quick-tempered style of fighting. He was promoted from private to major until, in 1899, he surrendered to the Americans, spent 6 months in jail, and then returned to Manila.

In 1903 Quezon passed the bar examination and set up practice in Baler. He gave up private practice to assume the post of provincial fiscal of Mindoro and later of Tayabas. In 1906 he was elected provincial governor. His campaign showed his native political wisdom when he sided with popular issues in a somewhat opportunistic manner. Often he abandoned consistency for the sake of pursuing what to his enemies was nothing but plain demagoguery.

SOURCE:http://www.bookrags.com/biography/manuel-luis-quezon/

ALFREDO CASTRO (1907-1908)

Governor Alfredo Castro was a native of Atimonan.

He became municipal vice president (vice mayor) in September, 1898. In 1904, he was elected municipal president (municipal mayor) of Atimonan. He was a talented communicator and a wide reader on European literature. He was also an environmentalist.

During his administration, he built the first Atimonan Central School. He was also responsible for the concreting of the Municipal Building of Atimonan. He opened the road from Atimonan to Pagbilao and the famous Zigzag road which they called Rizal National Road. He was chosen as one of the first Filipino Representative to the St. Louis Exposition in the United States of America in 1904.

DOMINGO LOPEZ (1908-1910)

PRIMITIVO SAN AGUSTIN(1911)

VICENTE R. LUKBAN(1912-1916)

Vicente Rilles Lukban was born on February 11, 1860 at Labo, Camarines Norte and died at his Manila residence on November 16, 1916.

Bro. Lukban was initiated into the mysteries of Masonry at Modestia Lodge and took Victor Emmanuel for his symbolic name. Together with Andres Garchitorina, he co-founded Bicol Lodge at Libmanan, Camarines Sur.

He was imprisoned for his anti-Spanish activities. While still in prison in 1896, the Philippine Revolution started. On August 18, 1897 he was released from jail together with Juan Luna and immediately thereafter, joined General Emilio Aguinaldo's forces.

Shortly after proclaiming Philippine Independence, Lukban was sent to Bicolandia to direct military operations against the Spaniards and later against the Americans. He was appointed Commanding General of the Filipino forces at Samar and Leyte. On February 18, 1902, he was overwhelmed by the Americans and thereafter surrendered.

In 1912, he ran for Governor in Tayabas and although not a native of the place, won handily. He was reelected for another term in 1916. As a lasting legacy to his memory the province, now called Quezon, has named a town after him.

SOURCE:http://www.glphils.org/famous-masons/fvlukban.htm

MAXIMO C. RODRIGUEZ(1916-1922) (1933-1937)

The pride of Sariaya was the hardworking and indefatigable Governor Memong Rodriguez, a farmer gentleman. He started his political career as municipal president of Sariaya, 1906-1907. He was Governor of Tayabas (Quezon) in 1916-1922 and 1933-1937. His interest in the coconut industry led to his appointment as Chairman-General Manager of the National Coconut Corporation (NACOCO), the forerunner of the Philippine Coconut Authority. He was also appointed by President Quezon, Board Member of the National Trading Corporation, the government's agency for creating cooperatives for the various Philippine Industries. These appointments by President Quezon have been due to his experience as a model citizen, coconut planter and a constant and obedient public official.

He was often quoted the governor who captured, single-handed, with tact his only weapon, one of the most feared outlaws of history- the late Capital Kulas.

FILEMON V. PEREZ(1922-1928)

Governor Filemon V. Perez was born in Lucena, Tayabas on March 21, 1883. He is the son of the so-called "coconut king" of Tayabas, Simeon Perez. He was educated in Ateneo de Manila and graduated with Bachelor of Arts degree. He studied at National University, Washington, D.C., where he obtained LL.B and LL.M degrees.

A few months after his return to the islands at the age of 24, he was elected a member of the Provincial Board of Tayabas, serving in that capacity for a number of years, and was later elected to the house of Representatives for the First District of Tayabas for two(2) consecutive terms, 1909-1912 and 1912-1916. In 1919, he was elected Provincial Governor of Tayabas, to which position he was reelected in 1922 and again in 1925. Because of his brilliant and unparalleled administration as Provincial Chief Executive, he was appointed Secretary of Commerce and Communications by Governor-General Henry L. Stimson in 1928.

He donated an approximate area of seven (7) hectares and later in 1924 was developed into a sunken park fronting the present site of the Provincial Capitol Building.

CASIANO A. SANDOVAL (1938-1940)

NATALIO A. ENRIQUEZ (1941-1946)

HILARION R. YANZA (1946-1947)

ANDRES D. UMALI (1947-1948)

Governor Andres D. Umali was a native of Tiaong. He came from a prominent family in Tiaong.

A lawyer by profession during the liberation period (1945-1947).

He was elected governor for one year.

GREGORIO SANTAYANA (1948-1951)

VICENTE CONSTANTINO (1952-1955)

LEON G. GUINTO SR.(1928-1933) (1956-1959)

Leon G. Guinto-Lawyer; Under Secretary of the Interior and Former Commisioner of Public safety res., 1068 San Marcelino, Manila

Born in Bacoor, Cavite on June 8, 1886; educated in San Juan de Letran College, Instituto Burgos, Escuela de Derecho, where he graduated with honors as Bachelor of Laws in 1920. He was aprivate secretary to Senate President Quezon prior to his elections for several terms as Provincial Governor of Tayabas and as Representative from the second district of Tayabas to the Philippine Legislature. He organized the League of Provincial Governors and became its first president. He was appointed Under-Secretary of the Department of the Interior; and until recently Commisioner of Public Safety, which position was abolished by the National Assembly in May 1938.

He married on June 19, 1938, the former Miss Remedios Lizares of the well known Lizares family of the Visayas

CLARO R. ROBLES (1960-1963)

ANACLETO C. ALCALA (1964-1967) (1968-1971) (1971-Nov. 2, 1980)

Governor Anacleto Alcala was born on July 13, 1924 in Dolores, Quezon. He is married to former Iluminada Capistrano. They have ten children.

Governor Alcala was a messenger janitor at the Provincial Capitol who later served as Provincial guard. He studied law at night and passed the bar in 1953.

In 1961, he was appointed member of the Quezon Provincial Board by President Carlos P. Garcia. In 1963, ten years after he passed the bar, he went back to the Provincial Capitol to hold office as Governor. He made history by getting elected as the youngest governor. In 1967, he was elected with the biggest margin in local political records. He became the longest serving governor.

Governor Alcala was awarded by Quezon Press-Radio Club, Inc., Boy Scouts of the Philippines and Philippine Constabulary for exemplary service and outstanding achievements. He was also chosen by the Philippine Arm on Community Development (PACD) as one of the most outstanding Governors of the Philippines. He also received on January 6, 1971 the Order of the Fighting Cocks, an annual award creted by Presidential Directive for public officials who demonstrate high qualities of leadership and who pursue successfully highly worthwhile community projects.

ELADIO A. CALIWARA(1981-1986)

Governor Eladio A. Caliwara was born on February 18, 1915 in Alabat, Quezon. He obtained hi LL. B degree in 1949 at Far Eastern University and passed the bar on the same year.

Governor Caliwara had dedicated himself to public service as early as the 50's. from 1951-1955, he was secretary to formerGovernor Vicente Constantino. He was a board Member from 1955-1959. In 1959, he first gotr elected as Vice-governor of Quezon and served for a year. From 1961-1969, he twice got elected as Congressman. During the Martial Law Regime, he is one of the Councilors of the Sangguniang Bayan of Tayabas and of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Kinatawan ng Tayabas. In 1979, he got elected, unopposed, as Vice-Governor of Quezon and in 1981, he became the governor of Quezon and held office until the year 1986.

Governor Caliwara helped in the employment of more than a hundred in different government and private offices. He had sent 400 Overseas Workers. He had also initiated free medical and surgical mission in Quezon Province and actually done the project for six times through the help of APPO of the Association of Philippine Physicians of Ohio, U.S.A. He was also a Political Consultant in the Philippine Senate during the term of Honorable Alberto Romulo as senator and likewise, a Consultant at NIA or the National Irrigation Administration. His achievements include being one of the ten recipients, together with the late Senator Lorenzo Tañada, of the ULIRANG AMA, a National Award given in 1985 and being the No. 1 recipient of Quezon Medalya ng Karangalan in 1955 for public service.

Governor Caliwara is truly an accomplished public servant. He helped in the construction and completion of public hospitals such as the Quezon Memorial Hospital, Alabat Public Hospital, Infanta Hospital, Lopez Hospital and Gumaca Hospital. He also extended assistance to the construction of different infrastructures in almost all municipalities of Quezon Province as well as the reconstruction of Iyam and Dumacaa bridges in Lucena City. He secured 1 Million Pesos thru the late Diosdado Macapagal for the rehabilitation of the Lucena Waterworks System and its extension to Pagbilao which, is now known as LUPATA. Other significant accomplishments of Governor Caliwara include having contributed to the creation of Municipality of Palridel thru Republic Act No. 3493 in 1962, creation of Customs Port of Siain thru Republic Act No. 3643 in 1963, creation of Regional Trial Court-Caluag Branch and creation of LTC/LTO branch office in Gumaca.

CESAR V. BOLAÑOS(April 10, 1986-March 23, 1987)

HJALMAR P. QUINTANA (March 24, 1987-December 1, 1987)

ROBERT P. RACELIS (August 8, 1995-July 25, 1996)

EDUARDO T. RODRIGUEZ (1988-1995)

Governor Eduardo T. Rodriguez is the son of the renowned economist, energy manager and Macos-oppositionist, the late Filemon C. Rodriguez and Pilar Tolentino, a one-time mayor of Macalelon, Quezon. He had his early schooling at the University of the Phillipines where he completed his Baccalaureate degree in Business Management major in Marketing. He took up his post-graduate course in Marketing Management from Harvard University, U.S.A.

Governor Rodriguez served as a Market Analyst at the Westinghouse Company in New York, U.S.A. and from 1966-1969, became Vice-President of LCC Corporation (Bocnotan Cement Corporation). In 1984, he became Vice-President of FCR Inc. where the executive position exposed him to management innovations granted him the ability to handle change.

A "development oriented" leader, Governor Rodriguez embarked on massive economic programs designed to uplift the quality of life of Quezonians and make the province a better place to live in.

WILFRIDO L. ENVERGA (July 1998-June 2007)

Wilfrido Lopez Enverga was born on May 4, 1941 in Mauban, Quezon. He is the son of Manuel S. Enverga, a post-war congressman and Doña Rosario Lopez of Lucena City. He is married to Mary Grace M. Enverga and blessed with three children.

Governor Enverga studied at Ateneo de Manila University and graduated with Bachelor of Science Degree, major in History in Government. At the same school, he studied law where he obtained his Ll. B degree. He took his Master of Arts in Fordham University, New York, U.S.A., majoring in International Relations and Political Philosophy. He also took Post-Graduate Studies in Development Economics and Political Science in London School of Economics, London, England.

In the past, Governor Enverga is a diplomatic officer of Philipppine Mission to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, Switzerland. He was also a delegate/member of the Philippine delegations to various International Conferences abroad.

Governor Enverga entered politics in 1998. He served three (3) terms as Congressman in the First District of Quezon from 1987-1998. In 1998, he won the gubernatorial race and sits as the Provincial Governor up to June, 2007.

He was the Principal Author of the following laws:

R.A. 6655 - Free Secondary Education
R.A. 7157 - Foreign Service Act of 1991
R.A. 7699 - Portability of Social Security Benefits
R.A. 7875 - Creating the National Health Insurance Corporation
R.A. 8282 - New SSS Law
R.A. 8291 - New GSIS Law

Presently he is the Chairman of the Board of Manuel S. Enverga Unversity Foundation (MSEUF) and its affiliates in Candelaria, San Antonio, Sampaloc and catanauan. He is a Senior Partner in the Cruz Enverga, Lucero Law Offices. He is the Vice Chairman of Clique Communications, Inc. He is also the Director of Dyna Travel and Management Resources, Inc. Central Surety and Insurance Agency, Inc. and Asian Vision, Inc.

RAFAEL P. NANTES (July 2007-May 2010)

A PRODUCT of a public school education, ex-Congressman turned Governor Raffy Nantes is a good and inspiring model for the youth. He was hardworking, persistent, and determined to realize what he believed in, struggling hard to rise above his family's poverty. In order to eke out a life, he sold fish and shone shoes in his native town, Polillo, Quezon at a very early age of six.

Nantes is a pride of Quezon, as an outstanding congressman for three consecutive terms before he won the gubernatorial post in the recent 2007 elections. He is one of the few representatives in Quezon who was elected to become a member of the Commission on Appointments and the only representative in the province to be reelected with a 90 percent vote of confidence and run unopposed during his third term. He is one of the few representatives in Congress who was able to source out P1.8 B fund for projects, programs and services for his district.

He is a Filipino inventor and one of the three manufacturers of industrial batteries in Asia, together with Japan and Korea. Nantes formulated Reporma Para sa Nayon, a program which, he believes, could bring development in the countryside which could be realized through the implementation of programs and services founded in the development of: Negosyo at Kooperatibismo, Agrikultura at Likas Yaman, Nutrisyon at Kalusugan, Teknolohiya at Komunikasyon, Edukasyon, Suportang Serbisyo, and Peace and Order.

SOURCE:http://www.raffynantes.com/biography/

CARLOS L. PORTES(June 2010)

DAVID C. SUAREZ