San Roque lies at the southern part of what was once known as the walled city of Cavite. When the Spaniards came in 1571, they found the place forested and swampy. Its location was very strategic for trade since it was surrounded by water. This must be the reason why many Chinese used to visit the place. In 1573, when the Chinese pirate Limahong was being chased by the Spaniards, he retreated to the northern most portion of San Roque. This is presently known as Sangley point. In 1614, when the province of Cavite was given a politico-military government, San Roque was created as an independent “pueblo”.
A legend tells us that sometime in 1700, a badly damaged ship stopped at a certain place in Cavite called Sapa-sapaan for repair. Aboard the ship was the image of San Roque which the crewmen venerated as their patron. It was customary then to have saints as protectors of the ship while it was on a voyage. Before the work began, the captain of the ship ordered that the image of San Roque be deposited in the nipa chapel of the town. At the time, the patroness of the town was Sta. Margarita. After the ship had been repaired, the captain asked the workers to bring back the image to the ship. To their surprise, the crewmen found out that they could not move the image even an inch from its place. They informed the captain of their strange experience. Thus, they left the image in the chapel. The news spread around the town and from that time on, San Roque was venerated as the patron of the place. The town was renamed after him.
According to Don Gervacio Pangilinan, a local historian, an old legend tells us that a grand temple was built in 1725. Together with San Roque, the miraculous image of the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno was also venerated. The honorable Baron of Melvill financed the construction of the Church. Today, the thick walls of the nave of San Roque reminds us of the one built during the early years of the century.
SOURCE : La Historica de Cavite
1926 by Don Gervacio Pangilinan
translated by Lourdes Arespacochaga
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