Pedro Cruz was born on January 1, 1896 in Hagdan Bato, Mandaluyong. At that time, I was in the midst of the establishment of Katipunan in Mandaluyong. His father was Francisco de la Cruz who was a laundromat and his mother Nicolasa Pacual. She is the youngest of ten siblings.
Though experienced difficulty, intelligence and diligence in studying is inherent to Peter. At 6 years old he has already learned to read Cartilla, Caton, and catechism. He studied at San Felipe Neri Elementary School (now Mandaluyong Elementary School) until the second grade. When he approached the third grade, he transferred to Sta. Ana Elementary School in Manila. After a year Pedro transferred again to Paco Intermediate School. He finished high school at Rizal Provincial School in March, 1914.
Although Peter's dream of becoming a lawyer he didn't pursue it because of poverty. So Pedro studied college at the Philippine School of Commerce (now Polytechnic University of the philippines) until second year in 1915. Pedro passed his Civil Service exam. This year Peter married Dionisia Emmanuel early and was blessed with twelve children. That's why Pedro worked as a staff member of Rentas Internas (Bureau of Internal Revenue philippines) but it wasn't long after he learned that his father had been talking to the director of Rentas Internal for his job. Pedro also worked in various embroidery factories until 1921 when he also worked for Henry W. Peabody & Co., a department store. When it closed Pedro moved to Smith Bell & Co., Ltd. until 1923. Until Pedro became a contractor and businessman of his own laundry (laundry shop) in 1937. He was known as a good boss to his employees.
Pedro started in the field of politics with the help of tubong-Mandaluyong and former Katipunero Florencio Inocentes. He was taken by Inocentes as a candidate for mayor of Mandaluyong in 1937 under the "Buklod" party, but he lost to Isaac Lopez. In his re-run under the Nationalist Party in 1941, Pedro was elected as the mayor of Mandaluyong.
Pedro as the father of the nation faced great ordeal because his first term was invaded by the Japanese inquired Philippines including Mandaluyong on January 2, 1942. Peter strived to maintain the order and peace of the town without harming any fellow countrymen. He focuses on providing the needs of Mandaleños despite the crisis we are facing. He also didn't forget his obligation as a Filipino that's why he secretly helped and supported the guerrillas of Mandaluyong including the Javier's Regiment of Bonifacio I. Javier and the Mandaluyong Sabotage of Juan V. Frank. Mayor Cruz also helped free Mandaluyong soldiers imprisoned in Capas, Tarlac after the Death March in April 1942.
When the war approached in January 1945, Pedro and his family were forced to leave Mandaluyong, which is why vice mayor Primo Guzman temporarily resigned from his position from April 4 to August 31, 1945. Before Guzman became Military Mayor of Mandaluyong, Amado T. Kings (February 9-11, 1945) and Valente B. Garcia (February 11-April 1945). During liberation he continued to help his countrymen. Pedro Cruz returned to office as mayor from September 1, 1945 to June 1946 when President Manuel A. Bonifacio Javier is Roxas as the new mayor of Mandaluyong.
Pedro tried to run for mayor in 1951 but Bonifacio Javier defeated him. Three years later Pedro ran again in the 1955 election and won. In his second term as mayor he focuses on the development of the town of Mandaluyong. He made sure the cops were properly funded and provided a savings program for the youth. She also strengthened the pacific activities such as Miss Mandaluyong and basketball tournaments. He continued the construction of the new Mandaluyong municipality in the land of Plainview that was derived from the donation of Don Francisco Ortigas Jr. The income of the town continues to increase due to the construction of several factories on the repaired "Highway 54" now known as EDSA replaced with the effect of RA 2140 in 1959. His Pedro tried to run for mayor in 1951 but Bonifacio Javier defeated him. Three years later Pedro ran again in the 1955 election and won. In his second term as mayor he focuses on the development of the town of Mandaluyong. He made sure the cops were properly funded and provided a savings program for the youth. She also strengthened the pacific activities such as Miss Mandaluyong and basketball tournaments. He continued the construction of the new Mandaluyong municipality in the land of Plainview that was derived from the donation of Don Francisco Ortigas Jr. The income of the town continues to increase due to the construction of several factories on the repaired "Highway 54" now known as EDSA replaced with the effect of RA 2140 in 1959.
Cruz passed away on October 1, 1960 at the age of 64 due to cancer. She is laid to rest at Mandaluyong Public Cemetery.