Brief History:
Macabebe means "by the riverbank" which in truth is a settlement by the river. Like other coastal towns in the province, it is principally a fishing community. The Spanish era found the settlement already with a government system of its own ran by "datus". No wonder, the people of Macabebe, by their proximity to Manila via Pampanga Bay, were on record the first to fight Spanish forces in this part of the country.
Two known Filipino warriors-Rajah Soliman and Rajah Lakandula-were from this area. The two figured in deadly sea and land battles against the Spaniards, mainly in Navotas and the coastal area of Malabon.
Ironically from a land of valiant warriors, the place became known, quite pejoratively in reference to a group of mercenary soldiers who led the American Forces in the pursuit and capture of revolutionary leader, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo. The mercenaries were called "Macabebes scouts" and the name carries an unsavory connotation of being compatriotic characters.
During the Philippine-American War, 1899-1902, Macabebe Filipinos were recruited by the American Army to help defeat the Philippine Army commanded by Emilio Aquinaldo. Aquinaldo's army was made up largely of Tagalogs, the traditional enemy of the Macabebes. Paid in Mexican currency, and less than their American counterparts, these Filipino units were called the Macabebe Scouts. They were among the most effective forces in the American Army fighting in the archipelago. As reward to the Macabebes and other Filipinos who fought against Aquinaldo, the United states Congress on 2 February 1901, authorized the creation of Filipino units as part of the United States Army. These units were called the Philippine Scouts.
The Macabebe Scouts, under the command of Brigadier General Frederick Funston, captured Emilio Aquinaldo in March 1901. This act ended organized resistance to the American conquest of the Philippines. However, the American government soon returned most Scouts commanded by American officers to quell other revolts and disorders throughout the archipelago. In 1908 Congress allowed Filipinos to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point to be trained and commissioned as officers. The Filipino officers permitted only to serve in the Scouts. Even though Filipinos were permitted to be commissioned officers, the Philippine Scout units would be commanded largely by American officers. To be an officer with the Scouts was considered a prestigious assignment by American officers assigned to duty in the Philippines.
Compared to all Pampanga towns, Macabebe has the most number of pensioners from the U.S. Government, and equally the largest number of immigrants from any Pampanga town to the U.S.A.
Population
Total Population: 65,346
Household Population: 65,271
Number of Households: 12,141
Barangays (26)
Batasan, Caduang Tete, Candelaria, Castuli, Consuelo, Dalayap, David, Mataguiti, San Esteban, San Francisco, San Gabriel, San Isidro, San Jose, San Juan, San Rafael, San Roque, San Vicente, Santa Cruz, Santa Lutgarda, Santa Maria, Santa Rita, Santo Niño, Santo Rosario, Saplad, Tacasan, Telacsan