Dongalo

Officials BURGOS, MARILYN F. Barangay Chairman DAYAO, MARIANO JR. GABRIEL, MICHELLE C FACTOR, MICHAEL PHILIP C GONZALES, NORIEL R GATMAITAN, REYNALDO R PASCUAL, CHRISTOPHER A LARA, RICHARD C Councilmen/Kagawads OMANA, LOUISSE GABRIEL D SK Chairman Barangay Secretary Barangay Treasurer Barangay landline (632) 8532586 / (632) 8518001

It was November 29, 1574. The inhabitants of the town of Parañaque, a royal encomienda, was under heavy attack from the forces of the notorious Chinese pirate, Limahong, who were on their way to Intramuros, the seat of Spanish rule in the Philippines. Folk accounts have it that the inhabitants were at first disorganized, until a man from a barrio, by the name of Galo, came forward and took command.

Under his able leadership, and with the arrival of Spanish forces led by Captain Juan de Salcedo from Ilocos, Limahong was repulsed and the occupation of the town was prevented.

The stiff resistance of the barrio residents shocked the Chinese pirate, who thought that capturing Manila would be easy. What Limahong did not expect was that the defenders of the community that would later be known as Dongalo, in spite of being ill-equipped, would fight to the end, so much so that the sea in front of the barrio turned red with their blood.

The battle became known as the "Red Sea Incident".

The Paraqueños not only saved their town, but they contributed decisively to Limahong's abandoning his plans to conquer the Philippines. In appreciation for Galo's leadership and heroic deeds, the Spanish authorities granted him the title of "Don". The barrio later on was named after him. Thus, Don Galo or Dongalo.

Another folk tale has it that the town elders, during the Spanish regime, instead of naming their barrio after a saint, which was then fashionable, did something different. This barrio by the sea, populated mostly by fishermen, rig-drivers, and small traders decided to name their place Don Galo in honor of a dashing Spanish gentleman. Allegedly, he had been, at one time. a high official of the Spanish government that administered the affairs of the encomiendas.

Another favorite story was that in this barrio dedicated to their patroness, Sta. Monica (mother of St. Augustine), lived a kind, patient and generous but poor fisherman named Galo. One day, he caught a kabibi or a clam. Galo placed the clam in a corner of his nipa hut. Early the next day, he and his family were awakened by bright lights coming from the direction of the clam. They saw that the shell had turned gold.

Galo became the richest man in Barrio Sta. Monica. He shared his riches with the poor. Due to his wealth, his barrio mates called him Don Galo. After he died, the people of Barrio Sta. Monica changed the name of their place to Don Galo.

Early Spanish census dated 1591 to 1593 also mentioned Longalo (or Dongalo) and Parañaque as two villages along Manila Bay composed of some 800 tribute-payers.

The Augustinian friars were given jurisdiction over Parañaque, which included a convent established to house two religious who also conducted visitations to the surrounding barrios. Politically, Dongalo and Parañaque were then under the Provincia de Tondo.

Barangay Dongalo is bounded in the north by Barangay Tambo; in the south by the Paranaque River - Barangay La Huerta; in the east by Parañaque River - Barangay Sto. Niño; and in the west by the reclaimed shore of Manila Bay occupied by Asiaworld City.

The southern portion of Asiaworld City is now a part of Barangay Don Galo by virtue of Municipal Ordinance No. 1949, Series of 1997 of the then Municipality of Parañaque, has an area of approximately 85 hectares, but not so populated. The northern portion of Asiaworld belongs to Barangay Tambo.

The original Barangay Don Galo has an area of 23.22 hectares. Next to Barangays Vitalez and La Huerta, Barangay Don Galo, prior to the Asiaworld acquisition, was one of the smallest barangay in point of area, and even at present the smallest interms of population, among the 16 barangays of Parañaque.

As of the census conducted in May 1990, Barangay Don Galo has a total population of 8,716 of which 4,133 are males and 4,583 are females. 6,084 are voters registered in 45 precincts that have been clustered into 29.

Livelihood
Before the reclamation of Manila Bay, fishing was a major source of livelihood especially those living by the shoreline.

Today, due to Dongalo's proximity to Manila and to other business centers in the metropolis, majority of the populace are now gainfully employed in big companies, factories, commercial establishments, and government offices, while others are either professionals, businessmen, drivers and skilled artisans.

The residents of Don Galo show a certain degree of duration in terms of length of residence. The average length of stay in the barangay is approximately 12 years while the age of the houses reciprocate the same number of years.

Houses made of wood and galvanized roof still in the vicinity. A large number of new residential houses and commercial establishments are now made of concrete and galvanized roof.

In terms of appliances, more than 80% of the inhabitants are found to be owning furnishings, like televisions, stereo components, refrigerators, and electric ranges, washing machines, sala sets, and others. However, there is still a small sector of locals who could not afford these conveniences.

Barangay Don Galo is accessible to the Parañaque Community Hospital situated in Barangay La Huerta. One health center exists in the vicinity, manned by qualified and professional personnel.
The city government of Parañaque has been helping the populace in the maintenance of health and sanitation.

The Pamahalaang Barangay of Don Galo shows its concern in the prevention of epidemic by educating the residents, especially the children, in the area of health and sanitation. The barangay provides free medical services and, most of the time, free medicines.

There also exist in the area several privately-owned medical clinic and lying-ins, drug stores and even an animal clinic.

Some of the health threats that need immediate attention are clogged canals and stagnant water holes, which are potential breathing grounds of disease-carrying insects, and lack of potable water supply.

There are institutions of learning in Barangay Don Galo, like the Don Galo Elementary School, the Parañaque National High School - Don Galo Annex, and the Don Galo Day Care Center - all government institutions. Another educational establishment in the vicinity is the Nuestra Señora del Buensuceso Learning Center, a private concern.

However, there are still around 500 out-of-school youths in the barangay. A large percentage of the inhabitants have gone through the three levels of formal educational training, since most of them are employed in companies, and other agencies or corporation.

The usual special events observed throughout Parañaque are likewise celebrated in Don Galo.

One of the priorities of the Pamahalaang Barangay of Don Galo is to keep its environs clean and beautiful at all times, and to protect the environment. All applicable laws, ordinances, rules and regulations are being implemented in the barangay in order that all sidewalks, streets and public places be free from obstructions and illegal structures.

The citizenry are being continuously educated and encouraged on the proper ways of disposing their garbage, as they are reminded not to put out their garbage at night or until the arrival of the barangay waste collectors in the morning.

The street sweepers/garbage collectors of the barangay are religiously exerting all their efforts for the systematic cleaning and collecting of garbage. The collected garbage are then passed on to the city government for proper treatment and disposal.

All the efforts exerted by all concerned to keep the barangay clean and beautiful are not in vain, as the other barangays, as well as the visitors, observe that there are marks of improvements in Barangay Don Galo, which is continuously improving.

Barangay Don Galo has one covered gym, the Don Galo Sports Complex, where basketball and vollerball tournaments are being held under the sponsorship of the Sangguniang Kabataan of Don Galo. The said venue is also being used by residents, especially the youths, in their practice games. Other organizations use the said venue in their sports and social functions and activities.

There also exists a mini-park where residents can rest and children can play safely.

An open asphalted basketball court was temporarily constructed at the existing service road in the vicinity of Sto. Niño de Coastal area. If the construction of the said existing service road will be pushed through by the Public Estates Authority (PEA), the said court will be demolished.

As to social activities present in the area, some factors which make life liveable are sharing, cooperation, respect and kindness. A glance of their aspiration level shows a marked degree to improve life standards.

Tricycles (motorcycles with passenger cabs attached to them) are the most commonly used mode of transportation since they could easily negotiate the mostly narrow streets of the barangay. Jeepneys are also available 24/7 plying the major thoroughfare that is Quirino Avenue.

• Chinese temple
• Tapsihan (cured meat diners)
• Don Galo Credit Cooperative
• Cleveland Tower (Asiaworld)
• Washington Tower (Asiaworld)

Churches

• Sta. Monica chapel
• Chinese temple
• Faith Baptist Church
• Dorinas Chapel (Riverside - Ilaya)
• Sto. Niño de Coastal Chapel

Mission areas and their associations

• Sto. Niño de Coastal
• Riverside Dongalo

Resources courtesy of the Barangay Administration of Don Galo, Parañaque.