Balanga, Lemery, Batangas: Historical Data

Full transcription of the so-called “Historical Data” for the barrio of Balanga 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
BALANGA

MUNICIPALITY OF LEMERY
PROVINCE OF BATANGAS

[p. 1]

DIVISION OF BATANGAS
DISTRICT OF LEMERY
Mahayahay Elementary School

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE BARRIO OF BALANGA
PART ONE: HISTORY
Present Official Name of the Barrio

Balanga

Derivation and Meaning of the Name

From “banga,” which means a big jar where baby milkfish are placed for exportation to several fish ponds in Rizal and Cavite.

Original Families
Panaligan families
List of Tenientes from the Earliest Time to Date

Important Facts, Incidents or Events that Took Place
During and After World War II

During the Japanese occupation, the place became the center for fish traders.

People began to send their children to school.

PART TWO: FOLKWAYS
Traditions, Customs and Practices in Domestic and Social Life

Domestic and social life – There is not much about the social life of the people but they are very good in entertaining visitors. They are too busy with their work either in the farm or in the sea.

Birth and baptism – When a child is born, the selection of godparents is kept in complete secrecy not until after it is being announced to the person or persons concerned. At baptism, the giving of “pakimkim” by the godparents and the “pahinaw” to the guests are practiced.

Courtship – This is left to the man and woman concerned. However, the marriage is taken care of by their elders. Sometimes, the dowry is asked; at times, the groom-to-be is asked to serve for a number of days in the girl’s house.

Death – When a person dies, he or she is either buried in the government cemetery or [a] Catholic cemetery.

[p. 2]

Festivals – They celebrate their barrio fiesta in the early part of June.

Punishments – Minor cases are taken care of by the barrio lieutenant. But so far, there had not happened grave incidents in the barrio.

Myths, Legends, Beliefs, Interpretations, Superstitions

The people do not know much about these. However, there are some superstitious beliefs brought down to the present generation. They are as follows:

1. If one sings in front of a stove while cooking, he or she will marry a widow or widower.
2. A child who combs her hair at night means that she curses her parents.
3. When a star shines near the moon, someone will elope.
4. When you dream that at tooth has fallen, somebody in the family or a relative will die.
5. At New Year’s Eve, when many stars shine above the sea area, plenty of fish will be caught.
6. When hens and roosters make much noise at [the] improper time of the night, a certain woman is being disgraced.

Popular songs; Games and Amusements

Songs – Kundiman and song hits of the time

Games – Softball

Amusements – Serenading, boating, swimming

Puzzles and Riddles
Puzzles

1. What goes farther the slower it goes? (money)
2. What part of the body cannot be reached by the left hand? (left elbow)
3. Seven pigs in a pen, one jumped, how many were left? (seven)

Riddles

1. I pulled the string, the monkey ran away. 2. One, two, three, before I reach the sea. 3. A piece of meat always wet. 4. Wherever I go, I carry my radio.

Proverbs and Sayings
Proverbs

1. A sleeping shrimp is carried by the current.
2. A fish is caught by its mouth.
3. He who believes in tales has no mind of his own.
4. Rolling stones gather no moss.
5. Shallow water makes much noise.
6. An early bird catches the worm.

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