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DEDICATED TO
JULIANA DE
CASTRO YLAGAN and SIMPLICIO AGONCILLO OROSA,
for the
DESCENDANTS OF GUILLERMO, BASILIO & SANTIAGO OROSA
and the
OROSAS OF CAMARINES SUR
Site
Map
Foreword: From our
earliest memories, we thought that the only Philippine Orosas came from Batangas
province, originating from the town of Taal on the shores of its namesake lake
and volcano. We always knew of two Orosa brothers, Guillermo and Basilio.
Guillermo had only one son, Simplicio, from whom all Bauan Orosas originate.
Simplicio moved his family from Taal to Bauan around 1900. Basilio stayed in
Taal and his children spread from there, some staying (one became Mayor) while
others went to Pola in Mindoro, and the provinces of Laguna, Cavite and beyond. But much later
on, in early 2002, we discovered the existence of a third brother, Santiago.
A few years ago, a family of
Orosas hailing from the province of Camarines Sur was uncovered somewhat by
accident. We have established and maintain numerous contacts with the Camarines Orosa. We discovered that there was
communication
between the Camarines and Batangas Orosas as far back as 1941 but was terminated as a
result of the war. Unfortunately, the letters didn't survive. The Orosa surname is more widespread in the
Philippines than we imagined. Two years ago, a DNA test was conducted on a
Camarines and a Batangas Orosa with results indicating that we are not blood
related. But they are kindred spirits, so we will continue to include and update
information on our Camarines breathren.
Of course there are Orosas throughout Latin
America and Spain, home of the original surname. There have been several
inquiries from Spanish, Mexican, Cuban and Americans with either an Orosa
surname, marriage to an Orosa or other Orosa heritage including spelling
variants such as Oroza. It is almost certain that we are not related unless such
a relationship occurred before the 19th century with a Spanish or Mexican Orosa
venturing to the Philippines. It would take a challenging detective endeavor to
find out. A Spanish page has been created for our Latin American and Spanish
friends.
Objective: This web site
has two objectives. The first is to disseminate and share information (such as
family lists, photographs and memories) among the Orosas of Batangas, and Camarines Orosas. Secondly to foster research into our origins.
Unfortunately at this point we can only go back to the generation of Guillermo,
Basilio and Santiago who by the birthdates of their children would have been
born in the decade around 1840. (For example Guillermo's son Simplicio was born
in 1865.)
Perspective: Much of the
information in this website is written from the perspective of a Bauan Orosa
although the intent is to be all inclusive. (All relevant information
received will be published.) Each one of us among the Bauan Orosas can trace our
roots to Juliana Ylagan and Simplicio Orosa by birth or marriage. Simplicio and
Juliana both originally hailed from Taal, Batangas.
Juliana was born in 1863, Simplicio in 1865. Simplicio's parents were Guillermo
Orosa and Hilaria Agoncillo. Hilaria's parents were Vicente Agoncillo and
Micaela Encarnacion. Juliana's parents were Pedro Ylagan and Micaela de Castro.
Tracing back from Guillermo and Hilaria, we are into the seventh generation, or
if traced from Hilaria's parents, we are into the eight generation. In another
decade or so, we could be into the ninth generation. To see the
family tree of our earliest forbears or the first four generations, go to: Early
Family Tree. While Simplicio was an only child, Basilio had several who
either stayed in Taal or moved to nearby towns and provinces. To see this side,
go to: Basilio Orosa Branch. We
don't know who the three brothers' parents were. Other than her parents
identity, we don't have any other information on the family of Juliana, more
popularly known as Lola Kanang. Besides our parents, aunts and uncles, Lola
Kanang is the only ancestor whom any of us senior citizens in the fourth (or
fifth) generation can remember. Intuition tells us that there might've been
siblings to Juliana or Simplicio (even if they did not survive to adulthood)
since families were much larger during those days but this is where our
documentation ends. On the Basilio branch, there are a number of his
grandchildren that survive and who remember all of Basilio's children.
Numbers: The total surviving
number descended from Guillermo and Simplicio on down, not including spouses, is
approximately 330. There are 20 of us in the senior citizen or fifth generation
ranging in age from fifty to eighty-seven. The sixth generation totals about 132
and the seventh generation is another 132. However, this group is
"undercounted" due to an incomplete list. There are 30 in the 8th
generation all under fifteen years old. Counting the Batangas Orosas descended
from Basilio, Guillermo and Santiago Orosa, all from Taal, we are in the 800 or
more range, scattered all over the globe. Including the Camarines Sur Orosas and
a branch (Gregorio Orosa Sr.) that we are looking into, our numbers approach
1,000. All figures are direct descendants and do not include the spouses.
Basilio's descendants are the most numerous, easily exceeding 400.
Where we are: Doing an
actual name by name count, an astounding 40% of the Bauan Orosa descendants live
abroad. That includes children born abroad (some of whom have never set foot in the
Philippines) but this figure could go higher if we had a more thorough
accounting.
Approximately half are Philippine born and bred, like your chronicler. Some
complete or nearly complete families have migrated such as those of Alice Orosa
Tigno, Ricardo Q. Orosa and Nicolas Q. Orosa. Of those abroad, we live in
Australia (New South Wales, Queensland, even Western Australia) Canada (British
Columbia, Alberta & Ontario,) Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Sweden,
United Kingdon (England & Scotland) with the most numerous in the United
States. Your chronicler's American born daughter is in the process of moving to
Dubai. We live in at least 8 states, from New York to California. At one time
we had representatives in Africa. In another illustration of the dramatic
demographic shift, none of the three hundred plus descendants of Simplicio &
Juliana Orosa have stayed in Bauan. A few of Basilio's heirs continue to
have ties to Taal such as second homes.
This is the only known photograph of Simplicio Orosa, who passed away
prematurely in 1910 at the age of 45. His widow Juliana, aka Lola Kanang, would
raise eight overachieving children, living to the age of 95 before passing away in
Manila in 1958. Of the sons, Sixto bears the strongest resemblance.
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A young Juliana de Castro Ylagan, the wife of Simplicio.
Date of photograph
unknown.
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Juliana Ylagan vda.
de Orosa in her later
years, approaching
90 in the early 1950's
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Lola Kanang, her eight children
and their spouses in 1932
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The surviving seven with Lola sometime in the early 1950's
Seated - Simplicia, Lola, Felisa
Standing - Sixto, Rafael, Vicente, Jose, Nicholas |
Another picture of the elders,
also in the 1950's.
They are arranged in age from left to right. |
The ancestral home in Aplaya, Bauan.
Rafael lived there the longest but the house sits empty
and decrepit today. |
Final resting place of Juliana
Ylagan Orosa
in Aplaya, Bauan.
Apolinario, Rafael &
Mario visiting
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Maria Buno, the wife of Basilio Orosa and mother of Agaton and five
others. Hers in the only picture we have of her generation. Since Agaton
was born in 1872, Maria was probably born before 1850.
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Agaton Buno Orosa, former Mayor of Taal.
His progeny number over 200.
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Orosa
Name Origin. Our surname was on the list published by Gov. Gen. Claveria in 1849 from which
Filipinos were required to chose a Spanish surname. |
Orosa Crest, from Spain |
There are Orosas and Orosa descendants in the following countries, with the most numerous in the
Philippines and the United States.
Marcella
Agoncillo and the Philippine Flag
Philippine National Anthem (English)
Star Spangled Banner Oh Canada
Philippine National Anthem
(Filipino)
Philippine National Anthem (Spanish)
United Kingdom Anthem Advance Australia Fair Scotland
Singapore
Mexico Spain
Portugal
For comments, suggestions and questions, please contact
Mario
E. Orosa
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