Customary Laws in Taal, Batangas and Lucena, Tayabas by Rosario L. Mangubat, 1927

This page contains the complete transcription of the 1927 ethnographic paper written by one Rosario L. Mangubat from .jpeg scans of the originals made available by the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections. Corrections for grammar had been made in certain parts but no attempt was made to rewrite the original paper. Original pagination is indicated for citation purposes.

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CUSTOMARY LAWS.
By
Rosario L. Mangubat
(Tag., of Taal, Batangas & Lucena, Tayabas.)
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1. Baptism. - (a) It is the custom of the people at home to have children baptized when they are still very young for fear that they might die without being baptized. This is also true when the child is sick. Baptism is performed even by an old man in the community.

(b) Another custom with regard to baptism: The one to choose the name of the child is the future “compadre” or “comadre,” the godfather or godmother, respectively. He or she chooses the name of the child.

(c) Still another is: When the baptism is over, the “compadre” or “comadre” gives a certain amount of money to the child, or in other cases, he or she only gives a dress for the child. Then, a dinner or whatever sort of gathering is held.

2. Marriage. - (a) In the barrios, among the common people, the parents of the man and woman are the ones contracting the marriage of the children. So, marriage is performed without the previous knowledge of both parties concerned.

(b) If marriage is with the consent of the parents of both the boy and girl, then after the marriage ceremony, the celebration takes place either in

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the home of the boy or girl. Both relatives of the broom and bride give a certain amount of money to the couple. Dancing (native dances) is held and the celebration lasts for a day or two, or if the parties are both rich, it may last longer.

(c) Among the common people, but this is not very popular, the parents of the girl ask the parents of the boy to give a dowry in the form of money, or a house or cattle or it may be land. This dowry goes to the newly-weds. But this is rare now and not common among the rich people.

3. When the angelus is heard, all people stop working and offer a prayer to the Virgin Mary.

4. After the angelus, the young kiss the hands of the older people.

5. After the death of a person, a nine-day prayer is offered and on the ninth day, a “katapusan” is celebrated.

6. When a member of the family dies, before three days have passed no sweeping in and out of the house should be done.

7. When a member of the family dies, the near relatives mourn for him.

8. On the eve of All Saints’ Day, a number of persons go around the town serenading for money. It is also the custom during All Saints’ Day to bring wreaths of flowers to the cemetery.

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9. “Novena” is held for nine consecutive days before the town fiesta.

10. On New Year’s Eve, all sorts of fire crackers will be heard throughout the evening.

11. During Lent, there is a “Pasion” play and singing of the said “Pasion.”

12. During Holy Friday, people fast.

13. At twelve o’clock at noon on Holy Friday, the people do penance by whipping the body, rolling on the ground with eyes covered, and bare back.

14. On the morning of the Resurrection of our Lord, the meeting of Jesus Christ and [the] Virgin Mary is held with [the] procession. At the meeting, a child is dressed in an angel’s attire sings while she removes the white veil of the Virgin.

15. When keeping watch over the dead person, the people spend the night, especially the young ladies and gentlemen, in games, the most common forms of which are Juego de Prenda and riddles.

16. During Christmas, the children go from house to house to ask [for] gifts from their relatives and friends.

17. When a person dies in the family, the deceased is accompanied by the relatives and friends to the cemetery and there is also an orchestra.

18. It is a custom to inaugurate the new house and it is being christened and a priest blesses the hous.

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Transcribed from “Customary Laws in Taal, Batangas and Lucena, Tayabas,” by Rosario L. Mangubat, 1927, online at the Henry Otley-Beyer Collection of the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections.