An entity cannot in any way move forward in achieving its goals unless it traces down its roots from the past. Like any other place, Barangay Onse has its own share stories and memories which were passed from generations to generations.

Barangay Onse was established in 1916. The name “ONSE” was derived from the concept that there were only eleven houses as far as they can remember. The people living in these houses were considered the first inhabitants of the place, and as one might have guessed it, Spanish term for eleven is “ONSE”. Now, the land area of Barangay Onse is 9.6684 hectares with a total population of 4,065 as of FY 2015 as per NSO record.

According to Anacleta Rumbawa, known as Ka Etang, 87 yrs old, Barangay Onse was thus called because it was really blocked 11. She became treasurer of the Kapisanan ng Nagkakaisang Nayon in 1958 under the reigns of Tinyente del Barrio Lazaro robles, and thus remembered that the town folks then were diligent improving the surroundings.

According to Irene C. Reyes, or Ka Neneng,86, this placed was named Onse because we were originally the “Block 11”. The families herein consider themselves as relatives that there was no animosity between them. Afterward, during the Japanese occupation, the original population rose by a number as those coming in from the provinces tried their luck in the metropolis. It was then a haven for lavanderos who washed laundries at Biga Street( formerly Joffre Street, now Ibuna Street) for Dominicans. She remembered that her father was one of them and that they fetch water fom the well as there is yet no steady water supply then.

According to Luz Delarmente, Tia Luz of many, 84, ( formerly Joffre Street, now Ibuna Street) for Dominicans. She remembered that her father was one of them and that they fetch water from the well as there is yet no steady water supply then.

According to Luz Delarmente, Tia Luz of many, 84, seconded that this place was indeed known as Block 11. Barrio Onse was still a wilderness of trees shunned at night because of ghost stories. People could not walk at night without any light, because they were afraid of ghost which they believe were appearing there. She also recalled that before the liberation feasts were spearheaded by a certain Ramon Kanseko, great grandfather of Kagawad Cathy Morado. During the liberation, the “Seventh Fleet” group was formed.

According to the sisters, Maxima Enriquez, 75 and Emilia Tutanes, 74, both living at Cypress Streets (then known as Kalabawan Street), they settled in 1943 from Barangay Little Baguio but they have already frequented Barangay Onsesince 1936 as they buy some goods at a store owned by a Chinese Merchant, who likewise rents the place from a certain Liantin Family located at exactly where the Barangay Hall is to be found. Their father, ka Simon Francisco, was a known figure for doing communityservice by giving free circumcision sessions where most of Barangay Onse youths benefited. She (Maxima) recalled that whenever she buys something during nighttimes, a certain Tio Ige often times tease her that she would meet some ghost on her way home because there were few houses that there was no easy access then. The sisters took care of a few number of carabaos on Cypress street. A few of those carabaos would supply milk to former President Diosdado Macapagal, who lived at Laura Street at that time.

According to Dante Aligam and Kagawad Bong Opinaldo, sons of original Seventh Fleet members Egmedio Aligam and Delfin Opinaldo respectively, the name was culled from US Navy Ship which docked in the Philippines and brought goods to less fortunate Filipinos. They were dubbed as the Komite de festejos of the Barangay Fiestas in the 50’s and were tasked as well to mediate between hostile constituents. They met every Saturdays to tackle every issue and assigns every household as hosts of the meeting including refreshments.

The following were deemed members of so called “seventh Fleet” Egmedio Aligam, Lazaro Robles, Emeterio Minlay, Alberto Avelino, Mariano Reyes, Delfin Opinaldo (father of Kagawad Bong Opinaldo), Nicanor Ibuna, Juan Samson (father of former Kagawad Danilo Samson) Carlos Empaynado, Victor Angeles, simon Francisco, Fidel Ibanez, Egmedio Martinez, Pascual Suarez, Pable Basilio, Bienvenido Vito, Buddy Manuel (father of Kap jun Manuel), Bienvenido Olarte, wenceslao Santos, Domingo Angeles, and Jose Panganiban.

These testimonies as proofs that Barangay Onse really has a rich history. We know that there are more stories and legends need to be uncovered but will remained unknown because many of them who supposedly should have come out in the open to shed light in our history have already joined our Creator.