Brief Profile of Unisan

Unisan is one of the oldest towns in the Philippines. The place was initially called “Kalilayan”, a name derived from a kind of palm tree that used to grow abundantly.

The town was first established in 1578, in Western style, by the first missionary priests who visited the town, Padre Juan de Plasencia and Padre Diego de Oropesa. However, it is believed that the place had already existed even earlier than 1280, as reported by the Chinese Salt Commissioner Chao Jo Kua, who called it Lin Sin. Historians presumed Lin Sin to be the ancient Kalilayan. This belief was further strengthened by the discovery of sunken Chinese junks in Unisan waters recently, carrying 13th-century goods such as gusis and vases. Unisan, before the coming of Spaniards, was inhabited by Malayan settlers led by a Malayan lady of nobility by the name “Ladya” meaning “Queen of Kalilayan”.

Kalilayan was the first capital of the province. Provincial records likewise show that the first name of the province was Kalilayan, before becoming Tayabas, and now Quezon.

Ever since, the people of Kalilayan enjoyed prosperity. In 1609, however, a fleet of Moro pirates suddenly appeared in the town, killing and capturing many of its inhabitants. Those who were able to escape transferred to an interior place called “Palsabangon” now in barrio of Pagbilao, Quezon.

Kalilayan, being deserted lost its importance, thus, it was in those times that the capital of the province was transferrer to Tayabas. In 1775, Kalilayan was made only a subordinate of Pitogo, Quezon. Then, in 1876, under the leadership of Teniente Mayor, Matias Ysaac, the inhabitants petitioned the Spanish Governor General requesting their separation from Pitogo, Quezon. By virtue of the order of the Spanish Governor General, an assembly was held in Kalilayan on February 18, 1876. On the said assembly, the separation petition was granted and the town was renamed “UNISAN”. The date is now being celebrated as “Unisan Day” by its people.

There are two versions of the origin of the “Unisan”, one was derived from the Spanish word “Unir” meaning to unite. Another version of which was derived from the Latin word “Uni-sancti” meaning “one saint”, in honor of Friar Pedro Bautista, who was once a missionary to Kalilayan until his martyrdom in Japan. This version is more plausible because of the presence of some historical facts supporting it.