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<img src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources-25/rizal-antipolo-capitol.avif" alt="Rizal Capitol building" loading="lazy" />
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(Rizal Province Capitol Building in Antipolo)
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<h3>
Pre-Colonial and Spanish Colonial Period
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The area now known as Rizal Province has been inhabited since pre-Spanish times, primarily by Tagalog settlers who established thriving communities along the northern shores of <a href="https://kahimyang.com/articles/3174/the-history-of-laguna-province-philippines" class="news_link">Laguna</a> de Bay, the largest lake in the Philippines. These early settlements, including Pasig, Parañaque, Taytay, and Cainta, were vibrant centers of trade and culture. During the Spanish colonization, the region was organized under the provinces of Tondo and Laguna. Historical records from 1582–1583 indicate that <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encomienda" class="news-link-ext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">encomiendas</a> such as Morong, Pasig, Taytay, and Taguig were under the jurisdiction of either the Franciscan or Augustinian orders, with Morong and Taytay falling under La Laguna, and others under Tondo.
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In 1572, Captain Juan Maldonado, under the command of <a href="https://kahimyang.com/articles/3120/mart-n-de-goiti-his-legacy-as-a-conquistador-in-the-philippines" class="news_link">Martín de Goiti</a>, explored the areas east of Manila and found a flourishing community by a river in what is now Morong. This community became part of the Politico-Military District of Morong, which included towns such as Morong, Pililla, Tanay, Baras, Binangonan, Jalajala, Angono, Antipolo, Boso Boso, Cainta, and Taytay. Unlike other towns where a gobernadorcillo was elected, Morong's leaders were appointed based on wealth, education, and influence, reflecting its unique administrative structure during the Spanish era.
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The History of Rizal Province