Gagalangin : Nuknukan Ka Ng Mga Kagalang-galang

Juan Luna Street used to be called Calle Anloague. Anloague means “carpenter”, the occupation of Gagalangin Parish’s Patron, St Joseph.



There are several streets in Gagalangin named after renowned Philippine provinces : Antipolo, Bulacan, Cavite, and Pampanga.



Tirso Cruz Street is named after Tirso Cruz Sr, famous musician and conductor, composer of Mabuhay March. Before the renaming, the street was called “Angat” a river found in Bulacan.


Rotonda was simply called as such until then Councilor Flaviano Concepcion Jr passed a resolution to have it named Plaza Francisco Balagtas in honour of the man who wrote “Florante at Laura”. His statue was actually at the centre of this roundabout long before having this official name. Strangely, it was recently renamed Plaza Vicente Del Fierro. Balagtas’ statue is nowhere to be found.

According to research, the first and second love of Francisco "Balagtas" Baltazar, Lucena and Bianang, respectively, are native beauties of Gagalangin.

Gagalangin Health Center’s official title is Atang de la Rama Health Center. Honorata “Atang” de la Rama, now a National Artist, was known in her time as “Zarzuela Queen”. She was a parishioner of St Joseph Parish Church and was privileged in many occasions to sing the “estrofa” of the “Imno sa Poong San Jose” during fiestas.

The first National Artist for Literature, Amado V. Hernandez, was the husband of Atang dela Rama, and author of the numerous nationalistic masterpieces such as Isang Dipang Langit, Kung Tuyo na ang Luha Mo, O Aking Bayan at Luha ng Buwaya. Their love nest was in Cavite Street, between Bato and Yangco Streets. More

Gagalangin's third National Artist, Rolando S. Tinio, was born in Benita Street. A playwright, thespian, poet, teacher, critic and translator, marked his career with prolific artistic productions. In his credits are: Sitsit sa Kuliglig, Dunung - Dunungan, Kristal na Uniberso, A Trick of Mirrors.

Musical genius Levi Celerio could be considered the fourth National Artist of Gagalangin for he's a certified "tambay" of Gagalangin. It's said that some of his inspirations were hailed from here.

St Rita Hospital College of Nursing and School of Midwifery’s old name was Scout Ramon V Albano Memorial College, in commemoration of Ramon, the founders’ fifth child who died in an airplane crash together with other Filipino Boy Scout delegates in July 1963.

Armando J. Malay, a giant in Philippine journalism and Philippine activism, whose career as educator and activist for press freedom spanned over six decades, was a very proud Gagalangineno and product of Torres High School. More

Pepe’s was an over-subscribed eatery found right across the Rotonda. One of its famous meals was pork barbeque. Nowadays, seafood barbeques like fish and squid have become popular. You can find them in Benita Street across a tapsilogan.



Sidecars were for private use only, until 1987, when high tides – regardless if it’s raining or not – became unbearable for residents. At present, you could see an array of sidecars along S del Rosario, Pampanga, T Earnshaw, and Cavite Streets.



In North Bay Boulevard, officially known as Don Honorio Lopez Boulevard, named after writer and philanthropist who lead the Katipunan's campaign in Tondo, we could still find the Post Office, China Bank, Ricardo’s, and Aroma.



In V del Fierro corner R Fernandez Streets, there used to stand a public library. On its ground floor was a barber shop. Among the barbers were During, Turing, and Pito.

( A production of Anluwage Research Unit )