Arumahann, Lemery, Batangas: Historical Data

Full transcription of the so-called “Historical Data” for the barrio of Arumahan in the Municipality of Lemery, Batangas, the original scanned documents at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections not having OCR or optical character recognition properties. This transcription has been edited for grammar, spelling and punctuation where possible. The original pagination is provided for citation purposes.

[Cover page.]

COMPILATION
OF
HISTORICAL DATA
FOR THE
BARRIO
OF

ARUMAHAN

MUNICIPALITY OF LEMERY
PROVINCE OF BATANGAS

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Arumahan, which is suggestive by its name, was a vast wilderness during the Spanish period. “Aroma” (a tree which has many sharp thorns and does not exceed seventeen feet) was the principal tree that abounded in this place. Due to its thorns, people never dared to clean or have their “kaingin” here. As a result, this tree became rampant. Again and again, there was a deforestation of this place with aroma. Communication became so difficult and one who went to another village detoured.

Years went by and it became a popular game resort. People from Cavite, Calaca, and Balayan made this place a rendezvous for hunting wild hogs and deer. With a pioneering spirit, they braved the wilderness in search for game, only to find out that it was a vast and fertile plateau. This was the beginning of its habitation by the people of the neighboring towns and barrios. From the eastern portion of the place, there originated a sitio in whose daring efforts were accredited a brave and most respected mestizo, whom the people knew by the name of Castillo. From this time on, his kin came pouring and clearing the forest. After a few years, it was a flourishing barrio.

There was a very peculiar happening in this place. Without the knowledge of most of the population, the men’s populace held vigil one night on an impending massacre. There was no one permitted to emigrate the place except near kin. There appeared to have been enmity and hatred among others. During that night, the men gathered thorns and placed them on the trail leading to the village. It was so thick that it became very much impossible to penetrate through. That night, after everything was ready for an attack, the invaders came. They fought with bows and arrows. Before daybreak, the invaders were repelled and thus, originated, the name “Sangga” which is symbolic of its importance for having saved the barrio. Fighting often occurred until Sangga became a war cry and stronghold of the villagers. Within a few years later, the villagers lived peacefully. No one dared to enter Sangga.

There was no other way of penetrating herein, but the insistent craving for land and home made a pioneer. By following the trails of the wild animals, they were able to find a new way. From the northern portion of the place, they found a new discovery. It was a portion of land surrounded by deep ravines. It was a plateau which faced directly opposite Sangga that it became a panoramic view after clearing. Cows and fowls could be seen as a sign of human activity in the place. In this place, they found absolute peace and contentment. There was no warfare. Villalobos, a sturdy aged man, was just and treated his subjects equally. He introduced the water system to the villagers. Trees called the “tibig” and “ayamit” supplied the water by sharpening the primary roots. Wa-

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ter from these trees served as appetizer on account of its bitter taste. Until then, the two villages were at peace, although at times their wear bridal problems. There was, for some time, a feudalistic tendency between these two sitios, until a much stronger and more civilized group emigrated from the seashore on the western side. They wear of sturdier type and very much used to fighting the Moros who from time to time robbed their place. They became delighted with this portion of the barrio as the housing problems became confronted. Large timber of hardwood were found and became a "gold rush" to everyone who bore it within a few months later, both clearings met and as the people from the eastern group found that they were far behind with that of the western group, so they made no resistance. Thus, it became the ruling power of the three groups.

The tribes united themselves and a formal gathering was called there was a great feast of venison and pork from wild hogs. In this great occasion, winning the place. There we're suggestions to call it "Tinikan," but as the trees where off a more symbolic origin, the name Arumahan was finally agreed upon.

Date of Establishment

The name Arumahan was formally inaugurated in the year 1800.

Original Families

As was well-remembered for their leadership and bravery, the original families were the Endozos, Villaloboses, and the Castillos.

List of Tenientes from the Earliest Time to Date

The Mayor is the chief executive of the town as the teniente is to a barrio. His position is honorary, which from time to time is being appointed by the mayor.

The first teniente del barrio was Vicente Endozo, who was a stout and wealthy man. He was very fond of “anting-anting.” After his death, his position was assumed by Apolonio Umali, his auxiliary. Before the American regime in the Philippines, these persons were known as teniente cabezas and had the absolute power of life and death among his people. Upon the death of Justo Ilagan and Prudencio Rosales, the people, through the gobernadorcillos, appointed Jose Dimailig and Pedro Marquinez. After their timely death, Ananias Hernandez came to position. Ananias Hernandez was well-loved by his people. He was well-to-do and earned a prestige as being the richest man in the barrio. He was the man who survived many obstacles. He belonged to a poor family, but thrift made him a rich man. He was the chairman of a delegation to ask the government for the construction of the present school building.

After his death, Pedro Castillo and Basilio Villalobos succeeded. Basilio Villalobos was the man on the P.T.A. head. During his incumbency, he was very active with the P.T.A. He fell ill and was relieved by Antonino Ricalde and Mariano Umali. Mariano Umali was succeeded by Leodegario Castillo until the latter’s resignation from

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Office. The seven years incumbency of Sesinando Endozo is the most noteworthy. Peace and order and loyalty to public service were his principal achievements.

Story of Old Barrios or Sitios Within the Jurisdiction That are Now Depopulated or Exctinct

Although the barrio seemed to be in ship-shape and nothing seemed to take place, facts relate that the place, besides the present trail from the barrio chapel, is a path connecting the barrio Caluangan and Arumahan. An improvised bridge connects it through a very deep ravine. Nevertheless, a very narrow portion of the land remains near the trail.

This is now a depopulated neighborhood and has ever since been a mythical haunt of ghosts. It is believed that ghosts of men who formerly lived there have a feast once in a while. It is characterized as very happy, wherein one can hear the tinkling preparations of kettles and other utensils. The place now is called “ludlud” or ridge where a steep kaingin is located.

Data on Historical Sites, Structures, Buildings, Old Ruins, Etc.

There is only one historical site in this place. It is the cemetery, which is now a farm. In most cases, only [a] few pieces of metal believed to be buried with the dead is sometimes excavated.

Filipinos are freedom loving people. In this particular case, the people of Arumahan show their courage and patriotism. At the outset, they remain united. Pinagbatiryahan was the scene of a bloody struggle during the Spanish regime. This spot is now vaguely remembered but it serves as a reminder of the struggle for independence.

Important Facts, Incidents or Events that Took Place
During the Spanish Occupation

During the Filipino resistance against the Spanish forces, the Spaniards were forced to retreat to the mountains under the able command of Commandante Miguel Gatchalian. Hid men met the Spaniards with bows and arrows. In this encounter, his men proved to be brave and loyal. Although their wives clung to them in pitiful appeal to surrender, they fought and died until a short-lived victory was won.

During the American Occupation to World War II

The people had a congenial attitude toward the Americans. The people gave up arms when they found out that the Americans came to liberate them from injustice. During World War II, Arumahan was the General Headquarters for the Gagalac Guerrilla Unit. Most people joined in the guerrilla activities under the unit. Life, property, and human rights were protected. Work and commerce were as usual. The people seemed not affected by the war.

During and After World War II – None

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[Some pages appear to be missing from the NLP scanned files.]

15. Pulling a log by the trunk would be lighter than by pulling it from the upper part.
16. A man who is always frightened may be perpetually relieved if he sleeps in a dead man’s coffin.
17. When the “bato-bato” or wild pigeon coos, it foretells time by the exact hour.

Popular Songs, Games and Amusements
Popular Songs

Kamusta –

Puzzles and Riddles

1. My pig from Paete is thorny all over the body.
2. My fish of dilis, the scales are within.
3. When father departed, he hid from mother.
4. It’s stone, but a delicious food.
5. At daytime, it’s a bamboo, when night comes it’s something to be on.

a. Ang baboy ko sa Paete, panay tinik ang kukute.
b. Ang isda kong dilis, nasa loob ang kaliskis.
k. Umalis si Tatay, sumuotkay Inay.
d. Batung-bato, makakain mo.
e. Bumbong kung araw, higaan kung gabi.

Proverbs and Sayings

1. He who disregards his origin cannot reach his goal.
2. He who believes in hearsay has no mind of his own.
3. Silent water runs deep.
4. Knowledge is wealth.

a. Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan, hindi makararating sa paroroonan.
b. Ang maniwala sa sabi-sabi, ay walang bait sa sarili.
k. Ang matining na tubig ay malalim.
d. Ang karunungan ay kayamanan.

Methods of Measuring Time, Special Calendars

1. When the wild pigeon coos at noon, it’s twelve o’clock.
2. When the sun sets, it’s six o’clock in the evening.
3. When the cock crows before dawn, it’s three o’clock.
4. When the sun is horizontally in equal radius to the west, it is three o’clock in the afternoon.

Calendars –

For a special help on the basis of those who forget to acquire a calendar, the oldest system known as the “bilangan” is used. This is a system by which the first twenty-four days of a month is given a name of the month and, thus, is of much help to determine when to cut bamboos,

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timber, and the like. By following this special calendar, they are assured of cutting bamboos or logs which are termite proof.

The procedure follows this way. The first day of the month is named as January and the second day as February, thus, they cut bamboos on the second calendar day of any month and, likewise, with the fourteenth day of any month.

Other Folktales

Once upon a time, there were two lovers who swore to enthrone each other's love as long as they lived. Their houses where opposite each other. As time grew into years, their engagement was made a secret to the family. They loved each other so much that they agreed that if the man would break his promise, she would pray to Bathala to let her be swallowed by the earth.

Notwithstanding the promises of the man's sincerity, the girls premonition did come into realization. It was the will of Bathala that the earth opened up on her feet and she instantly disappeared. The man fled in desperation to another girl he loved most. On the spot lay a fathomless crack of earth that is evergreen today which reminds of the ever constancy of the girls love.

Transcribed from “History and Cultural Data of the Barrio of Arumahan” 1953, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections.