Munlawin 1st, Alitagtag, Batangas: History and Cultural Life of (Part I)

Historical data from the National Library of the Philippines.

Muzon 1^st

Past – Mujon 1^st Present – Muzon 1^st

1860

1. Felix Abrenica 2. Nicolas Maranan 3. Cabesang Mamerto Marquez

4. Ildefonso Baral 5. Eusebio Cabungcal 6. Cabesang Talino

1. Tenenting Angel 2. Juan Maranan 3. Francisco Gonzalvo 4. Severino Maranan 5. Bonifacio Abrenica 6. Cabesang Mateo Banta /td>	7. Enrique Maranan 8. Francisco Maranan 9. Tranquilino Garces 10. Esteban Ilao 11. Simeon Ilao 12. Ludovico Ilao
13. Casemiro Maranan (Incumbent)

No story of the old barrio could be given.

No data on historical sites, structures could be given.

(a) During the Spanish occupation – None

(b) During the American occupation to World War II – None

(c) During the Japanese occupation –

A guerrilla unit threw a hand grenade at a passing Japanese jeepney. Although they missed, the Japs got angry. They burned all the houses as a result.

(a) Houses and properties were burned.

(b) Houses that were burned were paid by Johnlo and Company.

a. Birth – When a child is to be born, a midwife is called to attend to the mother. The placenta is separated from the mats and pillows used by the mother to be buried under the stairs. The cord is cut by means of a sharpened stick. The mother is forbidden to eat, drink and touch anything cold, and prohibited to go outside the house till after she is one year old after deliver. She is

attended by a midwife for 2 weeks. Before she takes a bath, she is to squat over a hot stone or iron.

Baptism – When a child is born, the parents usually choose a friend to act as sponsor. At the time the child is to be brought to church to receive sacraments, the parents prepare food for his new “compadre” and “comadre.” The relatives come to share with the affair. Sometimes, the sponsors give gifts in the form of money or clothing. From there on, the sponsors assume as godfather and godmother of the child.

Courtship – Every gentleman who will go to a lady’s house brings a package of cigarettes and offers everybody in the house and leaves the surplus. The parents of the man go to the house of the lady to fit the matter with the parents. If they are accepted, they begin to court in the form of service and offering of gifts, such as bringing water, food, fuel, plowing the field, getting water and caring for animals.

Marriage – When a couple is to be wed, preparation is being made in the house of the bride. Every relative of the bridegroom works for the preparation. While the relatives of the bride remain as guests. When the couple arrives from

the church, a table is laid so that the sponsors can give their dowry in the form of money or gifts. They call on the other relatives of both parties to give anything they can afford. After all of these, the bride is escorted to the house of the bridegroom.

Death – When a member of the family dies, all near and distant relatives come to the house of the deceased in their black dresses. They give little sums as help to the deceased. In the house, preparation is also made to feed those who come.

Burial – During the burial, some relatives are ordered to dig the grave. All the relatives attend the funeral. Preparation again is made at the home to feed those who join the funeral.

Visits – When a visit is made by a friend or relative, food is always served. It may be drinks; sometimes “buyo” or cigarettes are offered depending upon the likes of the visitor.

Festivals – During this event, hospitality is observed in every house. Everybody prepares food to serve the future guests. Plays are being staged and programs are being held for entertainment. Other forms of games are being held also. In the evening, a procession is made. Sometimes, a queen is chosen to reign during the fiesta.

Punishment – When an individual errs, he is referred to barrio lieutenants for disciplinary action. When it is a serious case, the criminal is caught by the police to be brought to the Justice of the Peace. Sometimes, he is jailed or freed as the case may be.

Planting rice – Before sowing the grains in his field, the farmer must have his hair cut. This shows that there will be few weeds in his rice field. He must eat a hearty meal for the future grains in his rice field are big and fat. He should also avoid sweeping, because the stalks of the plant are straight and there will be very few grains.

Thunder – The first loud stroke of thunder from the east calls for rain in the west. If in the west, it is vice-versa. This is a sign of abundance and prosperity, for the farmers will reap good crops for the coming year.

Clouds – The mirror of things to happen in the coming year is the sky. At midnight, when the

birth of the new year comes, it is believed that if the sky is very clear, the minds of the people the whole year will be clear, too, hence they will not fight with each other. Peace will reign the whole year. If there are red spots in the sky, people believe that fires that year will be frequent.

During the early part of the Spanish rule in the Islands, few people if not all could hardly understand the Castilian language. In view of this fact, many natives suffered humiliation and maltreatment.

One day, a squad of Spanish soldiers were sent into a faraway village to look for a runaway convict. They traveled far but in vain. They became very, very hungry but they were forced to take a rest under a tree bearing fruit. To relieve their hunger, they gathered some fruits of the tree that was unknown to them. They were wondering about the unknown fruits they were eating, until they saw a villager passing by. They called him to come hear them. They asked him the name of the fruit. The man did not talk at all for he did not understand their language. They asked him for.

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