Nestiing in the heart of Sierra Madre Mountain between Lucban and Mauban, the town of Sampaloc is like a huge basin completely surrounded by high evergreen hills - a vista most pleasing to the eye. Within approximate area of 10,408 hectares, the municipality is composed of 14 Barangays, and has a population of about thirteen thousand.

In the beginning, this town was Barrio Dingin of Lucban, consisting of three "sitio'. Then it was named Sampaloc after a big tamarind tree found in the center of the settlement. Later, the name was changed to ALFONSO TRECE in honor of the King of Spain.

In 1873, Captain Pedro Cadelina of Lucban recommended the creation of the barrio into a municipality, but the inhabibanls being still few, it was made merely a "visita". During this time "Teniente Mayores" were appointed to head the "visita", the first of who was from Polillo, followed by Arcadio Veluya, Laureano Nanola, Silverio Abueva and Juan Saludades. Through the efforts of Juan Pineda who became "Absolute" in 1892, Sampaloc became a municipality. He was elected as first Capitan or townshield. Diego Gagan succeeded by Teofilo Daya in 1901. During the latter, three- year term, three barrios of Mauban - Banot, Bilucao and San Bueno - were annexed to the municipality through the tact and efforts of their Municipal Secretary, Ireneo Domeo. The town was renamed SAMPALOC.

Jose de Asis became president in 1904. Some improvements were made, a new church, which destroyed by a storm in 1905, was constructed. After Jose de Asis, Capitan Diego Gagan came to power again as President, followed by Mateo Almozara, Matero Apordo, Sisenando Pineda and Andres Jardin. Palpable improvements were realized during the administration of later Presidents and Mayors beginning with that of Leon Dejelo. During the administration of President Gregorio C. Abeja, who succeeded Leon Dejelo, a new municipal building and a new semi-concrete schoolhouse were erected. Adverse circumstances denied President Fortunato Oblena, the opportunity to realize any remarkable accomplishments. On November 1934, a vandalistic storm hit the town, razing to the ground, the church and several houses and destroying crops and animals and even human lives. The year 1935 witnessed the terror of the notorious Asidillo. The people were confined in the town under martial law and they lived under constant grips of fear. Elected Mayor in 1937, Roman J. Villaverde served for two successive terms and his second term has just begun when the Second World War reached the Philippines. Having fled to hills, he refused at first to serve under the Japanese invaders. Consequently, Apolinario Villaverde was appointed Acting Mayor serve up to August 31, 1942. The advance element of the American troops arrived in the town on April 9, 1945, to the joy and exultation of the people.

When the Philippina was granted Independence, by the United States on July 4, 1946, President Manuel Roxas of the New Republic appointed Sixto Obnamia Acting Municipal Mayor. It was during his term when the Hukbalahap became active in this town. The situation demanded a leader of tact and foresight, a man of courage and firmness coupled by understanding and sympathy. Such a man came to light when in the local election of 1947; Paterno C. Abcede won an easy fateful victory. Then he was reelected unopposed for two more consecutive terms. Before he became a Board Member in the election of 1959.

Fidel V. Torres who was a then a councilor run for the Mayoralty in the said election of 1959 and won an easy victory against Dr. Rodolfo Veluz. He got reelected in 1963 against the new standard bearer of the Nacionalista Party, Rodolfo S. Obnamia, a young PACD Trainer and son of former Mayor Sixto Obmania.

For another and historically more important reasons, the election of 1967 was memorable to the town of Sampaloc, for God designed to concede victory this time to Rodolfo S. Obnamia, who staged a return bout against Fidel Torres.

Under the administration of Mayor Obnamia Sampaloc progressed rapidly both in urban and rural areas. School buildings were erected, municipal streets were cemented, irrigation dams were constructed and the income of the local treasury increased, and above all peace and order prevails in the community. In fact, during his first year in office, he was able to bring in the municipality several projects and other improvements worth no less than one million pesos.

Because of these laudable achievements, Mayor Rodolfo S. Obnamia, with difficulties easily won landslide victory in his reelection bid in 1971 against Fidel V. Torres.