On March 4 1872, Spanish colonizers scanning the province’s shorelines in search for a place where a large settlement could be established, finally came upon a hill with steep declivity and other natural features that looked promising. After rowing to shore they surveyed the hill and discovered an extensive plateau which they decided was ideal for their purpose.Soon after they levelled a portion of the hill to make way for a chapel, a place where now stands the Catholic Cathedral, the P.C. Barracks and the Rizal Park. The first mass celebrated in Puerto Princesa is commemorated with a marker in the spot where it took place.
On May 1872, the Port of Puerto Princesa became the center of the Spanish Naval Operations in the area because the Bay met all the Navy’s requirements, namely deep enough waters that were naturally safeguarded from natural hazards. Later on Royal Decrees provided numerous incentives to settlers, and by 1883 the initial settlement had flourished into a town of twelve roads, a hospital and a well-built port.
In 1894, Puerto Princesa was recognized by government authorities as one of the most beautiful towns in the country by virtue of the orderly distribution of streets, buildings and houses as well as the cleanliness of the community.
In 1911, the New American Administration made Puerto Princesa the new capital of Palawan, a title that until then had been bestowed by Cuyo.
The town was officially converted into a city on January 1, 1970, and on 1994 March 4 was declared a special non-working holiday in the city. The day is celebrated with the popular participation of the residents, meaningfully eliciting community support towards development goals and cultural progress.
One of the most popular flowering trees in Palawan is the Palawan cherry, known by the locals as the Balayong, a beautiful tree that when is in full bloom resembles the cherry blossoms of Japan. On 2005 the City Government started the 1st Balayong Festival and planted a thousand trees in the nature park to revive the Palawan Cherry’s former splendor. On October 28, 2005 the City Council of Puerto Princesa unanimously declared March 4th as Balayong Festival Day, during which take place celebrations commemorating the founding anniversary of the City of Puerto Princesa.Among the festival highlights are balayong tree-planting, street dancing and colorful floral parades depicting the Palawan Cherry Blossoms. A merry mixture of socio-civic, cultural, historical, and sports activities are part of the run events. At the ‘Tabuan’ parade (tabuan means ‘marketplace’), farmers fisherfolks, market vendors, traders and buyers showcase the city’s best products and revel as a thanksgiving for blessings and bountiful harvest.
