A Brief History

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The Municipality of Jaen, San Isidro and San Antonio were formerly component barrios of Gapan City. Jaen then, was known as “Ibayong Ilog”, because it is situated just across the river, which traversed the town of Gapan. Ibayong Ilog is the vernacular for “across the river”. When San Isidro was separated from Gapan and became a town, Ibayong Ilog became one its component barrios along with San Antonio. Much later, Ibayong Ilog became a part of San Antonio when the latter was established as a Municipality separate from San Isidro. Years later, Ibayong Ilog showed improvements and continued to progress. Its population grew likewise to more or less 5,000 inhabitants. Because of these, two early leaders of the place namely, Kabesang Prudencio Esquivel and Kapitan Antonio Embuscado, initiated a move to make Ibayong Ilog a separate Municipality. A petition to the Governor General was filed by the inhabitants to make it as a separate town. The Spanish Officials signed the papers granting the petition. Subsequently a declaration was prepared to this effect. The declaration was brought to the Governor General in Manila who forwarded it to the Vicar General of the Philippines in the person of Father Martinez the Vicar General marked his approval, but with a note of his wish to change the name of Ibayong Ilog to Jaen after the name of his birthplace Spain. In June 18, 1865, Jaen became a town separate from San Antonio. A certain Kapitan dela Cruz became the first head of the community and was succeeded by Kapitan Apolinario Esquivel. Later on a Municipal president was elected. From then and through the years, the leaders and inhabitants of the new Municipality of Jaen relentlessly pursued its Development until what it is now. Noteworthy to mention were the following leaders that took the helm from its lowly beginning to the present time.