Tomas Morato
Tomas Eduardo Bernabeu Morato (born Tomás Eduardo Morató Bernabéu,[note 1] July 3, 1887 – March 6, 1965) was a Spanish-born Filipino businessman and politician of full-blooded Spanish ethnicity who became the first Quezon City Mayor from 1939 to 1942.
Colonel Tomás Morató | |
|---|---|
 Tomas Morato Sr. as an Army Officer | |
| 1st Mayor of Quezon City | |
| In office November 9, 1939 – July 19, 1942 | |
| Preceded by | Office Established |
| Succeeded by | Ponciano Bernardo |
| Member of the House of Representatives from Quezon's 2nd district | |
| In office 1946–1949 | |
| Preceded by | Francisco Lavides |
| Succeeded by | Gaudencio V. Vera |
| Mayor of Calauag, Tayabas | |
| In office 1937–1941 | |
| Preceded by | Office Established |
| Succeeded by | Marciano Roldan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Tomás Eduardo Morató Bernabéu July 3, 1887 Xàbia, Alicante, Spain |
| Died | March 6, 1965 (aged 77) Quezon City, Philippines |
| Resting place | Manila North Cemetery |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Political party | Nacionalista Party |
| Spouse(s) | Cecilia Racoma Pica 1890-1931 Consuelo Eclavea Lim 1933-2004 |
| Domestic partner | Marcela Spanya 1931-1933 |
| Children | Cesar Morato Josefina Morato-Hidalgo Arturo Morato Tomas Morato Jr. Eduardo Morato Josefina Montemayor Morato Manuel Morato Elvira Morato-Cuenca Teresita Morato-Lazatin Lolita Morato-Quiros Francisco Morato Jose Morato |
| Residence | Calauag, Quezon, Quezon City[1] |
| Occupation | Lumberman, politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | .svg.png){kind=small} |
| Branch/service | Philippine Army |
| Years of service | 1942-1946 |
| Rank |  |
| Commands | Philippine Army |
| Battles/wars | World War II * Japanese Occupation (1942-1944) * Allied Liberation (1944-1945) |
Early life and career
The blond-haired and blue-eyed Morato was born on July 3, 1887 in the picturesque seaport of Alicante on the Mediterranean coast of Spain to Francisco Morató Arabí and Josefa Bernabéu Ferrer. His father was a ship captain who sailed from Spain to the Philippines and frequently stopped at the coastal town of Calauag, Tayabas. An only son, Tomas was brought to Calauag in 1898 by his father. There the 13-year-old boy first met and studied with the 22-year-old Quezon. Tomas finished his engineering course and entered the lumber business where he amassed quite a fortune. By virtue of a provision in the Treaty of Paris which granted Filipino citizenship to all Spaniards who have decided to stay in the Philippines, Morato became a Filipino citizen.
Friendship with Quezon
It was in Baler where he met Manuel L. Quezon, the 2nd President of the Philippines, and became friends with him. His friendship with Quezon was a rare and unique one. They courted girls together and helped each other during difficult times.
When Quezon was elected president in 1935, he entered Malacañang for the first time with Morato and Manuel L. "Nonong" Quezon, Jr. And thereafter, Morato was one of the very few people who could enter Malacañang at all times, even staying overnight in some often cases.[2]
Quezon himself urged Morato to enter politics, so he ran as Mayor of Calauag and won with ease. At his second term, Quezon invited him to help build a new city, a city that would later be known as Quezon City.[2]
Mayor of Quezon City
Morato was a leader full of energy, taking difficult tasks that hinders growth and progress of the new city. Even though his administration faced low funds, it was able to create a network of new roads, and maintenance of satisfactory health conditions. With a police force of 48, crime rates remained at controlled levels. He also promoted social and economic programs to alleviate the condition of the residents.[2]
The first musical piece composed for Quezon City was the “Quezon City March”, which was composed by Amando Calleja and the lyrics made by Jesus Balmori. The sponsors of this musical piece were the officials and members of the Cubao Women’s Club headed by Morato's wife.
He was arrested by the Imperial Japanese troops was entered in Quezon City Hall by the enemy hands during their occupation and ended the term as mayor of the city and became parole and exile on July 19, 1942 during World War II.
Death
He died on March 6, 1965, his remains were interred at Manila North Cemetery.
Legacy
The popular restaurant row Tomas Morato Avenue, as well as a road in San Francisco del Monte, Quezon City were named after him. A barangay (Don Tomas) and a street in Calauag, Quezon, were also named in memory of the last municipal President and first municipal Mayor of Calauag, Quezon.
Notes
- This article uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Morató and the second or maternal family name is Bernabéu.
References
- "Tomas B. Morato Residence". Retrieved 2011-12-05.
- "The Morato Administration". Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2011-12-05.
External links
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by new office |
Mayor of Quezon City 1939–1942 |
Succeeded by Ponciano A. Bernardo |
|
