Bukal, Lemery, Batangas: Historical Data

Historical data from the National Library of the Philippines.

Full transcription of the so-called “Historical Data” for the barrio of Bukal 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
BUKAL

MUNICIPALITY OF LEMERY
PROVINCE OF BATANGAS

[p. 1]

The present official name of the barrio is Bukal.

Former Name of Names and Their Meaning or Derivation

Many people are wondering and at the same time enchanted at this place. Where did our ancestors get the name? Did anybody teach them or did they hear it only? Let us go over the following origin.

In the early days, when the Spaniards came to conquer the Philippines, this place was a wilderness. There were small springs everywhere where people washed and got water for drinking.

One day, [a] few Spaniards went around the place to shoot birds and to get acquainted with the natives. The day was so warm. The leaves almost withered. The Spaniards got thirsty in their walk. There were no people at that place. Nowhere to go for drink! They went farther until they saw people sawing wood. They asked the latter where they could get water to drink. The natives told the foreigners to get water from the spring, a thing not far from the place where they stood. The Spaniards went to the spring to quench their thirst. Every time they asked water for drink, the natives told them to go to the spring. The Spaniards didn’t know the name of the place yet that they were made to believe that the name was Bukal, meaning spring. The place that was formerly a wilderness became a barrio. People began to settle here. So that living would be pleasant, the people appointed a “Cabeza de Barangay,” the head of the barrio.

According to the records of the people, the first “Cabeza de Barangay” was Ambrosio Paran. His successor was Francisco Umali, followed by Victoriano Umali, and many others.

Until now, the place is still called Bukal.

Name of Sitios Included within the Territorial Jurisdiction of the Barrio

The barrio of Bukal includes a small interior part which is called Pilahan.

Date of Establishment - Not Known

Original Families - Not Known

List of Tenientes from the Earliest Time to Date

[p. 2]

Data on Historical Sites, Structures, Buildings, Old Ruins, Etc.
N O N E
Important Facts, Incidents or Events That Took Place
During the Spanish Occupation

In 1896, Anacleto Alcaraz was the “Teniente del Barrio.” The place wasn’t peaceful at that time. There were many bandits. They kidnapped and murdered people they envied. Alcaraz was succeeded by Juan Magnaye and the followed by Juan Dimailig. The latter’s term witnessed a great disaster. Locusts invaded the fields which resulted in a complete shortage of food. The people suffered much.

During the American Occupation to World War II

Houses were rebuilt and families who moved to other places for fear of being molested returned safely to their homes. The people continued their daily chores as usual and living became very peaceful.

During and after World War II

When the Japanese came to conquer the Philippines, Fermin Magnaye held the position. Life was still peaceful. The Japanese soldiers did not molest the people. The only thing they did was that they raised cotton in the people’s farms. The farmers continued planting their crops. Although some parts of the Philippines witnessed the food crisis, the people of Bukal didn’t.

Then, the much awaited day came! News spread that the American liberators were already in Nasugbu, and would soon come to Lemery. The year was 1945, and to be exact, the liberators arrived on March 7 at 3:00 P.M. No words could express the joy in the people’s hearts. Everybody was so happy.

Armored cars, jeeps, weapons carriers lined the streets. Observation planes flew back and forth above the place. The 158^th Regiment and Combat Team camped opposite the dividing line of Matingain and Bukal. After the Americans had dug bunkers, the firing commenced. Cannons volleyed and thundered. The American forces aimed their cannons to the tunnels at Durungaw and Cuenca, possible destinations of the enemies. Three days after, the Americans moved to Sambal, a place in Lemery very near the beach, shadowed by coconut trees.

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

[p. 3]

Birth –

It has been the belief of the people to prepare two or three chickens before a child is born as a substitute to the child's life. As soon as a mother gives birth, the whole visitors feast on the chickens with the mother partaking [of] the food first.

Baptism –

Immediately after a child is born, the godparents are made known at once. The date of baptism depends on the godparents. Whether there is a feast or none, the godparents give gifts or money to the child with a corresponding gift from the child's parents called "pabandeha."

Courtship –

A girls love is not one for a short period of time. A suit or must first seek the consent of the parents and relatives of the girl in the form of gifts or "pasagad," otherwise his love will not be reciprocated.

Marriage –

There is usually a wedding party in the bride's house after the church wedding. The "sabugan" is the climax of every marriage ceremony. Sometimes, a couple will be able to collect from five hundred to one thousand pesos. This amount comes from the relatives of the bride and groom including their godparents.

Death –

When somebody dies, the whole neighborhood shows their sympathy to the bereaved family by helping in whatever chores they have, giving money or gifts, and staying with a family the night before the burial.

Festivals –

The patron saint in this barrier is "Mahal na Poon." Every May 30^th, a festival in honor of Him is celebrated.

Beliefs

Before the Spaniards came to conquer the Philippines, there we're already a few big houses in Bukal. According to the tales of the old, people were often led astray by the witch that roamed the wilderness. The people planted a cross with the belief that the cross would see them from the evil spirit.

During that time, there was a big flood in Bayuyungan. The flood to a heavy toll of properties. The people wondered why the cross was not carried by the flood. They were kept in awe and wonderment. The then Cabezang Genio of Matingain ordered his men to transplant the cross across the street. Bukal was again flooded but the cross still stood. The people's faith in the cross increased. The following day, the head of Bukal and Matingain met. They decided where they should plant the cross. The then Mayor Ramon Cabrera, our present Justice of the Peace, asked the heads of both barrios to plant the cross between Matingain and Bukal. Miracles after miracles where made by the Sacred Cross.

[p. 4]

Games and Amusements

The people of Bukal are pleasure-loving. They find delight in their native games, such as goromay, pata, tanga, paikit, and Camilo, and in dances like Fandango, Lulay, Rigodon, and Anuncio. Only one song is predominant in the barrio – Sabalan.

Puzzles and Riddles

Proverbs and Sayings