Demetrio Larena was the first civil governor of Negros Oriental province in the Philippines. He played a key role in the establishment of Silliman University, the first Protestant university in the country, by introducing the American missionaries who founded it to the area and encouraging them to locate it in Dumaguete City. As governor, Larena oversaw the 1903 census of Negros Oriental and appointed municipal presidents to assist. He was also the first Filipino member of the board of trustees of Silliman Institute. Larena had a close friendship with the American missionaries and helped foster good relations between the local population and the new U.S. administration.

1. Demetrio Larena
The 100 years death
anniversary centennial Tribute
1916-2016

2. •A celebration of life and
wonderful journey of a
nobleman by the name
of Governor Demetrio
Larena y de Sande

3. History of the Larena Family
• The Larena family started as a group of Moorish people from North
Africa migrated to Iberian Peninsula ( now Spain and Portugal ).They
were considered one of the faithful servant of the Queen Isabela of
Aragon ,at first this people have no surname ,one of the adviser of the
Queen told her to give them the surname “ Larena” meaning “ The
Queen”,the Family was very thankful and honor. They settled in the
place called Malaga in Southern part of Spain.
• In the Middle 17th century due to the Manila Acapulco trade
relationship, the Mexican Government send troops to the Philippines
assign in different places.
• Don Agustin de Sandes a Spanish Mexican descent was born in
Malaga Southern Spain , but rise and grow up in Moralos Mexico the
Patriach of the Larena /Slave Clan. Agustin was the pioneer Mexican
mechant in Negros Island and Bais City .He was dealing
tobacco,copra,hemp,distilled spirits ,sugar and salt industry .

4. • Family Motto : GOD, FUTURE, LIFE

5. Larena

6. General Family Tree
• Don Agustin de Sandes- Verzaminia Larena
• Meliton Larena –First Town Mayor of Dumaguete
• Mariano Larena- Aurora Teves Pastor- Dumaguete
• Demetrio Larena- Josefina Villacampa Rubio –Bais
• Angelina Larena
• Agustin Larena
• Don Agustin de Sandes- Juana Salve
• Modesto Salve – Gabina Ceriales

7. Demetrio Larena Early Life
• Demetrio Larena was born in Dumaguete on
Nov.10,1857.His parents were Don .Agustin de
Sande and Dona Versamina Larena.There were
seven children ,one son from other common
law wife Juana Salve.He went with his parents
to Manila when he was four years old and
remained there thirteen years studying in
Ateneo and San Juan de Letran.
• Historical notes : Josefa Baena Villanueva
Perez

8. Taclobo ,Dumaguete

9. Escolta,Manila

10. Education
• Ateneo Municipal de
Manila now Ateneo de
Manila University

11. Education
• Colegio de San Juan
de Letran in
Intramuros

12. Family Background
• The decades following the Spanish colonization was characterized by
massive movements in the archipelago. The Saga of the Larena Family of
Bais City Negros Oriental began in 1800's. When the Spaniards touched in
the island of negros and looking for a perfect plains to be able to introduce
crop from latin America. As early as 1795 military officers by the name of
Don Augustin Sandes a Spanish Mexican descent was born in Malaga
Southern Spain, but rise and grow up in Morales Central Mexico, who was
then a young man in his later 30's who serve as military soldier in honor of
the Royal Family of Spain Don Agustin de Sandes was in Dumaguete
together with the Spanish troops.
• (Perez J.V.) biography of Demetrio Larena. As recounted by Honorable
Maximiana Larena Alviola June 27, 1979 and Gloria Salve Diputado June
30, 1979.

13. • He saw the plant called "Arunting" in the bank of
Banica River. the "Nipay" Fruits and asking his
companions where this fruits came from .They're by
putting then in his pockets. The Nipay fruits were very
itchy and he began to burn with itch. He called out for
help and asked the couple whose surname was Larena,
nearby house in Taclobo to relieve his distress. The
couple pettier him and took him to their home where
they applied coconut ointment. Their daughters help
him by using their long hair to remove the itchiness in
the entire body ( an interview with Mrs. Asuncion
Alviola Cunanan on November 24,1998).)

14. • The officer was so grateful for the relief that he was felt he began to
visit the family often. He started to fall in love with the daughter
Verzaminia with the charming face, the daughter of a watch
Merchant Santiago Larena and Esperanza Catan. Tuting could not
marry her us he was already married to a woman in Barcelona
Spain. So,the offspring were all using the surname "Larena" they
were Militon Auriolia who became the first town mayor of
Dumaguete and Provincial board member during the American
Regine Mariano prominent citizen and businessman of Dumaguete
and Bais,later on married to Aurora Teves Pastor Angelina a woman
civic leader who lived in (now Sra.Acion) San Jose all her life,
Demitrio Larena who was first civil Governor of the Province and
co-founder of Siliman University and Augustin Vicente Jr. the
youngest.
• (Perez J.V. Biography of Demetrio Larena as recounted by Hon.
Maximiana Larena Alviola June 27, 1979

15. Sugar Industry in Dumaguete

16. Republic de Negros
Aniceto Lacson- President Demetrio Larena –Vice President

17. •
On November 27, 1898 the Cantonal Republic of Negros was
established. It came under U.S. protection on April 30, 1899. On
July 22, 1899 it was renamed Republic of Negros (República de
Negros), but on April 30, 1901 this was extinguished by the
United States.
Leaders
Presidents were:
* 5 November 1898 - 22 July 1899 Aniceto Lacson (to 27
November 1898 in Negros Occidental only)
* 24 November 1898 - 27 November 1898 Demetrio Larena (in
Negros Oriental).

18. Meeting of the Federal Party in Negros

19. Aglipayan to Protestantism
• Another reason why Hibbard was accorded such a friendly
welcome was that he was not greeted by Roman Catholics.
Larena and his family were members of the Philippine
Independent Church – the church which had broken away
from Catholics under the leadership of Gregorio Aglipay who
was to become Supreme Bishop of the new church. With the
departures of the Spanish friars from Negros Oriental, the
parish churches of the province which had never been
spiritually robust were left without priests. The Aglipayans
quickly moved to the leadership vacuum and eventually
usurped the church leadership. Since the Independent church
had become the church of the revolution, it is easy to
understand why Larena and other political leaders decided to
belong to the new Independent church. The American
Occupation of Oriental Negros as Revealed in the Pages of
the Silliman Truth (1903-1920) By Dr. Earl Jude Paul L. Cleope

20. The marriage of Josefina & Demetrio
,Dec 23,1900

21. CAPT. JOHN A. RANDOLPH
• CAPT. JOHN A. RANDOLPH (1850-1936), the
Chaplain of the Sixth U.S. Infantry stationed
in Dumaguete 1899 - 1902
DR. HIBBARD: "... probably Chaplain
Randolph and Governor Larena had more to
do with the location of the school at
Dumaguete than any other two men...."
from SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY TIMELINE:
In October, 1899, Rev. David Sutherland
Hibbard, after having seen the beauty and
experienced the friendliness of the people of
Dumaguete coupled with the
encouragement of Rev. Captain John
Anthony Randolph and the Larena brothers,
Meliton and Demetrio, decides that
Dumaguete is the ideal location for a third
mission station as well as a school. This
historic decision comes after Rev. Hibbard's
exploratory trips to Manila, Masbate, Cebu,
Iloilo, Jolo and Zamboanga.

22. • It was Captain Randolph who introduced Hibbard to the Larenas.
• On January 18, 1901 Mr. Leon Hills arrived in Dumaguete to start
the mission school with the teaching of Mathematics and English. It
was Captain Randolph who hosted Mr. Hills.
When Silliman opened as a grade school on August 28, 1901, Mrs.
Laura Hibbard was the first faculty member. Later, Randolph
assisted Mrs. Hibbard as a volunteer teacher.
• Captain Randolph also went on evangelism trips around the island,
the seed of faith he planted led to the birth of the congregation in
Bais City, first protestant Church in the island of Negros (1909... now
known as UCCP Bais City.)
• Historical Footnotes : UCCP Church Historian Moses Joshua Atega

23. • The Hibbards made exploration trip to the whole Visayas and
Mindanao,to find a suitable place to put up the first Presbyterian
Protestant school.In his stopover in Cebu,there was a suggestion
for him to proceed to Dumaguete in nearby Negros Island. After a
busy schedule Pres. Larena had a short vacation in Bais and was
invited at the Hacienda Canlargo of Don Emilio Abilla y Teves
hosted the " Sipong " Post harvest festival of the Sugar Plantation
in 1899,where he met for the second time his future wife Josefina
Villacampa Rubio the sister of Don Romualdo Somoza a sugar
planter and political elite,the sister in law of Don Juan
Saavedra.The most celebrated wedding in Bais on Dec 23,1900 at
Casa Rubio with prominent leaders of Negros Oriental with
Capt.John Anthony Randolf an american chaplian of the U.S.
Army was the officiating pastor.On May 1899 Randolph was
stationed in Negros.He was one of the few American friend of the
Larena family.

24. 1901 foundation of Silliman
• It must have taken all the strength of guiding the
Province through its infant years under his astute and
forward administration the province grew in strength
which prepared the people well to meet the change of
the modern world with the Americans and the
missionaries.Demetrio Larena and his son in law
Sen.Bindoy Teves Villanueva were the two most
responsible for the location in Dumaguete of what is
now Silliman University.The two able to persuaded the
Presbyterian missionaries to put up their school here in
Dumaguete for the people at that time really need to
have a good and proper education to cope up with the
drastic change of life under the new system.

25. Silliman Hall in 1904

26. Dr. David S.Hibbard wife Laura

27. OFFICE OF THE CIVIL GOVERNOR OF THE
PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. Manila, P. I., May 14, 1902.
Executive Order 1 No. 86.
• J Henry A. Peed, treasurer of the Province of
Oriental Negros; Albert H. Perkins, supervisor of
the Province of Oriental Negros, and Otto
Marshall, senior inspector of Constabulary,
Province of Oriental Negros, are hereby
appointed members of the committee convened
by Executive Order Numbered Eighty-three, vice
James D. Fauntleroy, supervisor of the Province of
Occidental Negros; C. B. Franklin, postmaster at
Bacolod, and H. B. Orwig, senior inspector of
Constabulary, relieved. Like E. Wright, Acting Civil
Governor.

28. First UCCP church in Dumaguete

29. First Meeting with Dr. Hibbard
• Gov. Larena and Capt.RANDOLPH met the American Missionaries Dr.David & Mrs
Laura Hibbards upon their arrival in Dumaguete,together with the town Mayor
Meliton Larena,Rev.Leon Hills,Doña Josefina Rubio-Larena,,Hermenigildo and
Asucion Larena-VIllanueva,Juan & Carmen Rubio- Saavedra,Mariano & Aurora
Pastor-Larena and Doña Angelica Larena.A banca which brought them to the
nearby shores,a group of men carried them to the beachfront, a small town band
from Taclobo played gospel and Spanish songs.Mrs Larena brought white santan
flowers and gave it the Hibbards.Rev.Randolph introduced them to the whole
larena family and the people of Negros Oriental. The first breakfast with the
American couple was held at the Larena Residence along Calle Marina ( now Jose
Rizal Ave ). The breakfast was a combination of Filipino and Spanish dishes with
native chocolate and prepared by the Cocineras of Hda. Katacgahan Bais a farm
owned by the Rubio/Somoza Hermanas,for a while they were staying at the house
of the larenas for a year as guests.This brought about the beginning of a very
close & lasting friendship between the Larenas,the Hibbards and Silliman
community.

30. Larena Administration 1902
• On 1 July 1902, the United States Congress passed a
bill to conduct a Census of the Philippines for the
year 1903. The general directors were J. P. Sanger
and T. B. Taylor. Assisting them were Henry Gannett
and Victor H. Olmsted. To supervise the 1903 Census
in the province of Negros Oriental was Provincial
Governor Demetrio Larena. Coordinating with the
governor were H. A. Peed as treasurer and Santiago
Gonzalez as clerk. Most of the municipal presidents
(the old term for mayors) served as special agents of
the census in the different towns.

31. • They were as follows: Antero Bandoquillo (Amblan);
Felipe Remollo (Ayuquitan); Basilio Trumata and
Ramon Cuadra (Bacong); Emilio Teves (Bais); Simon
Galon and Sebastian Remalador (Bayawan); Petri
Remalada and E. E. Webster (Dauin); Meliton Larena
(Dumaguete); Simplecio Villegas (Guihulngan); Ramon
Euraoba (Jimalalud); Hilario Caili (Manjuyod); Isaac
Dionaldo (La Libertad); Bartolome Damooc and D.
Rotter (Valencia); Santiago Tayco (Siaton); Diego
Divinagracia and E. M. Buttler (Sibulan); Pelagio Lopez
(Tanjay); Tomas Calijan (Tayasan); Rufino Lapig and
Sebastian Remalador; and Filomeno Deloria
(Zamboanguita). In the same census, it showed that in
the province of Negros Oriental, there were 29
churches whose estimated value was 377,360 pesos.
Those 29 churches had an estimated capacity of
34,869.

32. First Filipino Member of the Board of
Trustees of Silliman Institute

33. Observances of Silliman Institute in 1905 from
An Observer in the Philippines by John Bancroft
Devins
• “I trust that you will visit the
Silliman Institute at Dumaguete,"
said Governor Taft when outlining
our trip to the southern islands.
"It is only a few days ago that one
of the provincial officers from
Negros was speaking with me
about this school, and he made
the remark that no effort of
Americans had done more to
bring about a good feeling
between their government and
the natives of that island than the
establishment and conduct of this
institution.

34. • The friendly spirit and practical co-operation of the
Provincial Governor and other prominent persons at
Dumaguete in all that pertains to the school enterprise and
the general plans of the station are everywhere seen. That
Dumaguete is a station of exceptional salubrity and
exemption from disease has been shown in the fact that Dr.
Henry Langheim, one of the instructors of the Institute, has
by judicious and watchful care and sanitary precaution
saved the community to a large extent from the fearful
ravages of cholera which visited Iloilo.
• The medical work of Dr. Langheim is varied and exacting;
besides' his services at the Institute, he has important
duties as general superintendent of the Board of Health for
Oriental Negros.

35. • "The advantages of Dumaguete as the site for the Silliman
Institute are: (1) Its accessibility to a large population. While the
parish of Dumaguete has only about twelve thousand, yet, as
already explained, the place is within easy reach of the populous
islands of Bohol and lower Cebu. (2) The absence of competing
schools. Superintendent Atkinson told me that while the
Department of Public Instruction contemplates the establishment
of an agricultural college on the other side of the island of
Negros, and an industrial school at Cebu, it has no plans for
anything in Dumaguete beyond the public schools, and that we
could have a comparatively clear field for the development of the
Institute. (3) The friendliness and intelligence of the officials and
people. The opposition to American occupation in this region was
slight, and there would have been none at all if it had not been
for the malcontents from Cebu.

36. • Now an American can travel with perfect safety in
any part of the island. The influence of Rome appears
to be comparatively weak. The people have driven
the friars off the island and the Roman Catholic
churches are in charge of native priests for whom the
people apparently care little. The Governor of the
province, Senor Demetrio Larena, and his brother, the
Presidente of the municipality, impressed me as
unusually fine types of Filipinos intelligent, able and
broad-minded. They, as well as the best people of the
place, are outspoken in their gratification over the
location of the Institute in their city, and give it their
cordial support. The Governor sent the prospectus of
the Institute to every village in the province, and his
own son is one of the pupils."

37. • The need of a hospital building at Dumaguete is so imperative that
the Mission Board allowed Dr. Langheim to use $1,200 granted by
the Government for the superintendency of the medical work in the
district, for the purpose of erecting a small hospital. The medical
work of Oriental Negros, with a population of 150,000, has only
three physicians : the army surgeon, a Filipino doctor and an
American missionary. Dr. Langheim's work in a single year consisted
of 1,655 treatments, including 210 surgical cases. In November,
1903, the Institute and Hospital buildings were dedicated.
• The exercises were interesting, with tall palm trees waving above
the visitors who had come from the United States, England, Ireland,
Spain, China, Canada, Russia, as well as other provinces in the
Philippines. The decorations of palm leaves and Japanese lanterns
were pretty. The Governor of the province delivered an address,
and the presidente of the city also spoke, closing his address with
these words:

38. • Let us do all we can to help these people who
have come over here to do this great work.“
• Meliton Larena
One of the leading gentlemen of the province
made a good speech in Visayan. The exercises
were in English, Spanish and Visayan. The
occasion was peculiarly interesting, too, because
from that school were selected the two boys of
all those in that province who were best fitted to
go to the United States for an education.

39. Larena Death 1916
• Larena died on December 4,1916,having gone to Iloilo for treatment at the hands
of his old friend,Dr.Andrew Hall a doctor and a Presbyterian Missionaries during
his last days of his illness Doña Pinang Larena found her husband reading the
bible which was given by Dr Hall .Knett and prayed to God for forgiveness and
reception into his glory" Dos Padre Nuestro Que Estas un cielo perdona todos mis
plecados y receibe me alma tu Gloria Amen ". When the news reached New York
City ,Dr. Arthur Brown rendered to the next meeting of the board of foreign
missions an account of the life and character of the former Governor.
• His own memories of the visit during 1901 were supplemented by the Silliman
Truth for December 1912.A letter of condolence written to the family expressing
deep sympathy was also received from President Hibbard.We share the high
opinion of all members of the cause of Christ in general and for the memory of his
high Christian character and his influence for good.

40. Iloilo Mission Hospital

41. Una familia de servicios y la Fe de Dios
• Larena Brothers Enrique,David,Dodong and
Mariano with Sister Atching

42. Una Familia

43. Sra. Asuncion de la Pena Larena
• Sra. Asuncion Larena was the eldest daughter of Don
Demetrio Larena, the first governor of the Province of
Negros Oriental. Being born out of wedlock to the
bachelor Demetrio, she was sent to a convent in Cebu.
She was married to Hermenegildo Teves Villanueva Jr.,
who succeeded her father Demetrio as governor of the
province. They only had one child, Jesus Pablo
Hermenegildo, whom they fondly called Monong.
Sra. Ascion (or Mammy to relatives) was well-loved by
her

44. • nephews and nieces. She treated them all as her
own since Monong was born after 20 years of
marriage. She was also a "matchmaker" to most
of them, pairing them with prospective life
partners.
Having been raised by nuns, Sra. Ascion was
deeply religious. She was a devout Catholic and a
devotee of Nstra. Sra. de la Asuncion whose feast
day is August 15, two days short of her birthday.
She died in 1958.
• Historical Footnotes : BM. Jessica Jane J.
Villanueva ( 2015)

45. Sra.Ascion & Senator Bindoy with
Monoy

46. Sra. Acion Brothers

47. Maximina Cielo Larena
• A famous Lady
Councilor of the 60s in
Dumguete .
• Women rights and
welfare Advocate
• She also belongs to
one of the biggest clan
in the city “Flores
Clan”

48. Cristina Larena Alejandria

49. Eustaquio Cielo Larena
• Former Vice Mayor of
Manjuyod
• World War II Veterans
• He get married to a
German American
Erna Koch
He also belongs to one of
the biggest clan in the city
“Flores Clan”
,

50. Demetrio Rubio Larena Jr.
Mayor of Bais 1946-1947

51. Mariano Rubio Larena
Mayor of Sibulan

52. Enrique Rubio Larena Sr.

53. David Rubio Larena
Vice Mayor of Sibulan
• David Rubio Larena Sr .
With first wife Florenda
Baena Villanueva daughter
of Gov. Enrique Teves
Villanueva ,their union
made an impact in the
world of politics in Negros
Oriental being a member of
the biggest clans including
the Teveses, Villanuevas
,Pinilis, Baena and Villamil
of Central & Southern
Negros

54. David Rubio Larena
Second wife Librada D.Arnaiz

55. Legacy
• Larena Town , Siquijor

56. SU Founder's Day 1951.
Don Demetrio Larena, represented by his
granddaughter Minda Alviola, a graduate of that year.

57. • 50th SU Founder's Day 1951.
SU President Ruiz inaugurates the Larena Hall...
Looking on is Demetrio"Dodong" Larena, Jr., son of
Don Demetrio Larena.

58. Protestantism Inheritance
• God is Awesome!
Thanking my late
great
grandfathers Demetri
o Larena & Enrique
Teves Villanueva for a
wonderful Spiritual
Inheritance for the
past 116 years of
Faith and Love ,Happy
100 Centennial
Silliman University
Church

59. Sra.Ascion ,San Jose Negros Oriental

60. Larena Cementerio since 1916

61. Katacgahan Bais City

62. Casa Rubio ( now Casa Larena 1790)

63. UCCP City Church of Bais

64. Larena third Generations

65. Salve Third Generations

66. Silliman U. History & Political Science
Alumni Generations from the Larena
Family

67. Larena St. in Valencia Negros Oriental

68. Golden Coconut Fruits

69. Larena Hall Silliman University

70. Meliton and Demetrio Larena Drive

71. Larena St. Guihulngan City, Negros
Oriental

72. Great Grandson
Josefino Tulabing. Larena Jr.
Post Graduate in Public
Administration
Family and Cultural Historian
Heritage Advocate
Consumer Advocate
Social Sciences, History and
Tourism Professor :St. Paul
University Dumaguete
Heritage Tour Guide

73. Thank you so much
• Board Member Jessica Jane “IKAY” Villanueva
• Jim Stanley A. Herr & Family
• Irene Villanueva Wicklein
• Jojo Tulabing Larena & Family
• Silliman University Church
• UCCP Bais Church
• Silliman University Library
• University of Michigan
• SPUD Philippine History Class SY 2016-2017

74. • Mark Larena Torres
• SPUD College Arts & Education
• Mr. Jaime Jesus Villanueva
• National Historical Commission of the Philippines
• Tiongco Images
• Pinili Cultural Educational Heritage Society
• Dumaguete City Festival & Arts Society Inc
• SPUD GAS Senior High School St. Pio SY 2016-2017
• Bais City Public Library

75. Reference
• From "Chapter 28: The Silliman Institute"
of An Observer in the Philippines: or Life in Our
New Possessions by John Bancroft Devins
(New York: American Tract Society, 1905).
• Silliman University Church Parish News Vol 14
volumne Nov. 15,2009
• Historical Notes of Rev. Fr. Roman C. Sagun Jr.
in the Negros Chronicle
• Perez, Josefa V. 1978 Life of Demetrio Larena