December 27, 1735 Earthquake: E. Luzon Island, Philippines

Reference #414:

1735, February (December) 27, 1735, 2:00 [local time]. There was a strong earthquake at Baler, after which the sea very quickly began to rise and soon flooded the entire settlement.

Reference #3029:

1735 December 25. Baler, Province of Tayabas. Father Juan Delgado, S.J., mentions an earthquake of this date: "[Baler was made] famous in these times by an earthquake

which dropped the ground, converting it into a lake and submerging the church and house of the Reverend Franciscan Fathers, who, with a few of the people of the pueblo,

escaped to the top of the roof, which remained above the water. This happened on Christmas Day, 1735." JJD, p. 38.

Father San Antonio does not mention an earthquake, but says: "The town and our church sank on Christmas day of the year 1735, the two religious living there escaping miraculously. Attention is now being given to the :repair of the ruins." JFSA, lib. I, p. 71.

Father Saderra Maso reports that a description of this event was written by Father Jose de San Rafael, O.M.S.F., but that he could not find a copy. Father Saderra Maso has mistakenly given the date as December 27. He further says that after this disaster the town was transferred to the right bank of the river, to higher and more solid ground, having formerly been on the left bank, on the low marshy soil of the alluvial delta of the river. He expresses doubt of the actual occurrence of an earthquake, and we agree that the sinking was probably due to another cause. December

is the rainy season on the east coast of Luzon and the soft soil of the town may have been gradually undermined by the high water. MSM, p. 81.