Real
The Myth
The place was formerly part or barrio of Infanta, Quezon. The people are known for their truthfulness and modesty.
It got its name "Real" because of the story that one day a foreigner passed by the place and saw a group of people discussing something but could not understand what they were talking about and would like to ask them what was the name of the place.
The foreigner saw a boy and asked him what the inhabitants were talking about. The boy thinking that the foreigner was doubting the truth of what the people were talking about, replied: "Sir, they are all telling the truth and they never tell a lie."
The foreginer commented: "Oh, really? The boy shot back little bit annoyed: "Yes, sir! this is real." The foreigner thought that the boy was telling him that the place is called "Real." Since then it became known as Real.
Real became a town in 1960 through the efforts of Congressman Manuel S. Enverga, father of the incumbent governor of Quezon Wilfredo or Willi Enverga, a former Congressman of the first district of Quezon province.
Translated by former Ambassador Rudy Arizala from the book entitled: "Lalawigang Quezon (Kislap ng Silangang Quezon) Mga Kasaysayan at Alamat" by Prof. Godofredo S. Laureles, 1999 edition. The book was first printed in 1994, then in 1996; 1997; and lately in 1999.
Historical Sketch
The present town of Real in the province of Quezon along the Pacific coast in mid-eastern island of Luzon was formerly a barrio or barangay of Infanta, Quezon. During the early period of the Spanish regime in the Philippines, Infanta was known as "Binangonan del Ampon."
Real became a municipal district on 15 December 1960, through the efforts of then Quezon Congressman Manuel S. Enverga, when Executive Order No. 10 was signed by President Carlos P. Garcia. The municipal district of Real consists of the barrios (now barangays) of Cawayan, Kiloloron, Capalong, Tignoan, Lubayat and Llavac. On 22 June 1963, the municipal district of Real became a full-pledged municipality through Republic Act No. 3754.
The first municipal mayor of Real was Ricardo O. Macasaet when in 1961 he became the town town mayor with Benito Atendido as vice mayor and Eugenio R. Pestañas, Dafrosa M. Flores, Pablo Mortiz, Rufo Miras and Joaquin Durante as municipal council members.
Ideal Location
The town of Real is ideally and strategically located. It is between Lamon Bay, the wide expanse of the Pacific Ocean and the serene mountain ranges of Sierra Madre. It is 133 kilometers away by land from Manila and 35 kilometers away by sea from Polillo Islands. From Infanta, it could be reached by land in 30 minutes. By boat, Real is three hours travel time from Polillo Islands, three hours from Mauban, six hours from the towns of Perez and Alabat, three days from Okinawa island, Japan and six days from Tokyo Bay.
Early Settlers
The early settlers or pioneers in then barrio Real were from Infanta´s barrios such as Alitas, Cawaynin, Balubo and Binunoan. Because of their strong desire to own a piece of land, the early settlers cleared the forests and planted the area with variety of products such as coconut trees, bananas, cassava and other root crops as well as with vegetables.
They considered the newly cleared lands between the forests and the sea as their home and they seldom venture out of Real except for occasional trips by boat and foot to Infanta through barrio Tongohin or Binunoan to buy basic necessities not available in Real.
As time went by, more people were attracted to Real because of the abundance of seafoods such as crabs, lobsters, shrimps, fish and clams. The inhabitants also enjoyed the many tropical products of the mountains aside from the agricultural products planted by them. Water is provided by clear springs and rivers. Thus, the population started to grow and even attracted undesirable characters especially pirates due to its easy access by sea.
Due to frequent attacks by pirates (mostly Muslim seafarers from the South), the Spanish authorities decided to construct a watch tower and headquarters for their soldiers at sitio Ungos in Real. They called the place "Puerto Real." Ungos at that time was connected by land to the now Balute Island. In the course of time, however, due to sea currents and soil erosion, Balute was severed from Ungos and a body of water was created. That body of water became a safe harbor for boats from the ravages of the monsoons and typhoons which regularly visit that part of Tayabas province (now Quezon). The Spanish authorities also built in 1889, a structure for salt-making which was converted into evacuation center during those periods whenever there were attacks by pirates.
The first commandant of Puerto Real was Rafael Refel. With his appointment and the presence of soldiers it made the area secure and peaceful and the inhabitants were able to dedicate their time to farming, forest products gathering, and fishing. The area began to proper. The inhabitants, out of gratitude for such blessings from the Almighty, decided to construct a chapel and adopted as their patron saint San Rafael in honor of the name of the first commandant Rafael Refel who gave them peace and security. Since then, Real celebrates its annual fiesta every October 24, the feastday of San Rafael.
With the defeat of the Spanish forces and the coming of the Americans to the Philippines, other religious denominations came to be established in Real such as The Protestants, Bible Baptist Church, Church of Christ New Testament, Seventh Day Adventist, Jehovah Witnesses and the "Iglesia ni Kristo."
Real at Present
Today, the town of Real is not only a port and fishing village with watch tower and salt-making structures but has become a progressive town with tourist attractions such as nice beach resorts, swimming pools, picnic grounds, banks, communication systems through the PLDT Cable Station, Cable TV Network, and Cruztelco (an electric company). It has also a well-paved asphalt mountain road which cuts across the Sierra Madre mountains connecting not only Real to Laguna and Rizal provinces as well as Metro Manila but also the neighboring towns of Infanta and General Nakar. Easy access of Polillo Islands to Manila first by sea to Real and then by land was also provided because of said mountain road. Indeed, Real from a very humble beginning is on her road to greater destiny through the efforts of its humble but industrious inhabitants and the blessings of the Almighty and their patron saint San Rafael.
Municipal Officials
Mayor
Vice Mayor
Council Members:
Joel Amanda A. Diestro
Wilfredo R. Peras
Rene Sollestre
Joel Atendido
Darious Castro
Ruben Poblete
Danilo Calzado
Aileen Buan
Wilma Aumentado
Teodoro Ebreo
Rochelle Vergara
Luz Vergara
Statistics
Classification, 1997
Population, 1995
Households
Area
Pupulation Density
Growth Rate
Industries
Communications
Electric
Waterworks
Distance from Mani
Distance from Lucena
3rd Class Municipality
27,641
5,165
56,380 hectares
40%
6%
Fishing, Farming, Woodworking
PLDT, GTS, Cruztelco
QUEZELCO Electric Cooperative
Level III
133 kms
125 kms