Madalunot, Calaca, Batangas: Historical Data

Full transcription of the so-called “Historical Data” for the barrio of Madalunot in the Municipality of Calaca, 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.

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HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE BARRIO OF MADALUNOT
Part One: - History

One of the living and peaceful barrios today that has its own hidden historical events close to be its own treasure is Madalunot that resides within the jurisdiction of the town of Calaca for quite a long, long time ago. From the poblacion, it is just a half kilo meter away but it covers a long distance extending to Calicanto, a boundary of the provinces of Batangas and Cavite.

The name "Madalunot" is officially engraved on the leaves of nature that were brought down from its earliest days up to the present. Her popular name stands stoutly on the heart of the barrio and was put to record by the municipality for the use of time.

Yesterday's view of the prospective barrio would give us a lively idea how nature borne the true meaning of its name, Madalunot. How one could imagine if he were already a leading member of a family group of the time that the barrio was gifted by nature, credited to have been surrounded by tall and green trees of different kinds that stood up right for recognition and strength of its inviting admiration for dreams and beauties. The common tree plants that lined up for almost all sectors of the barrio are the "dalunots." These trees did not grow in bigger sizes looked in uniform, attractive and inviting, seemed to steal and catch the attention of every passerby of its hidden charm from which the unequaled name Madalunot was derived.

The barrio of Madalunot has embraced the following sitios: Batuhan, Calamundingan, Cahigpitan, Ranzo, Matipok, Kay Tatlong Ulo, Kay Tumbaga, Kay Tamayo, and Calicanto. These sitios have historical events and data that would be narrated later on as the story goes down to its climax.

The date of the establishment of the barrio could be pictured more or less in the year 1866, which is almost eighty-eight years now. The original families that still linked up to date are purely Tagalogs, never mixed with the conquerors like the Spaniards or the American blood. The true Tagalog blood of our forefathers is traced in the living veins of our youths today.

We have the following tenientes del barrio from the earliest time to date as far as reliable sources could give:

Mr. Perfecto Ilagan served way back from 1896; Mr. Manuel Brucal held the position from 1900- 1908; Mr. Florentino Salvacion from 1908- 1917; Mr. Godofredo Cabral 1917- 1918; and Mr. Damian Salvacion from 1918 to date.

The barrio of Madalunot and sitios within her jurisdiction did not have any changes or became depopulated for since then, it continues to be the people's means of livelihood and better economic stability. There are no ruined buildings nor sites of important historical events except [a] few touching sitios for the barrio is not on the strategic side.

During the Spanish occupation, there was also nothing to be recorded there as center of revolutionary movement except said to be the hiding place of the inhabitants from the hands of the Spaniards because of cruel treatment and hard labor.

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But during the earliest part of the American occupation, when robbers were predominating within the sectors of the barrio and were then the objects of terror, there were sitios which played an important event and where by chance they got its name. For instance, the sitio of Kay Tatlong Ulo. In this place, there was only one narrow trail in which passers-by, especially merchants, traveled. The robbers hid and held by chance travelers who took that way. Three top merchants happened to be the first to pass by, were held, took their belongings and cut off their hands. The three heads were hanging from one of the trees where people could see. Since then, the place was called Kay Tatlong Ulo.

The next sitio is Cahigpitan. In this place, people going downtown, returning, going to Cavite, would have to pass the sitio. One could not escape but to be investigated thoroughly. Once found suspected, you would be hogtied and beaten to death. That was why this place is called Cahigpitan. The other sitios happened to have their names only in this manner: Kay Tamayo having been one of the Tagalog camps; Kay Tumbaga, one of the sitio’s headmen had much “tumbaga;” Kalamundingan, the place was found to have so many calamunding trees; Ranzo, the pasture land; Batuhan, so many big stones; Matipok, where the people got spring water; and Calicanto, the cornerstone of the boundaries of going to Kalaka, Nasugbu, Kay Laway, and to Cavite.

After World War II, there were no accounts to be recorded like places of interest, personalities, political, educational, economics, religious, other events and developments, except the loss of [a] few lives done by the atrocities of the Japanese soldiers, the properties looted, and enforced labor.

For the barrio alone, no measures and accomplishments toward rehabilitation and reconstruction made because of the delay, maybe, of the economic program set for the said barrio.

Part Two: - Folkways

The traditions, customs and practices in domestic and social life were observed in these ways:

Birth – At the time of birth, especially [of] the first-born child, the couple prepared wine, bulanog, and a sort of firework (labintador) showing whether the child is a boy or a girl. They ate and drank, thanking [the] Lord for the safe delivery of their child. Both parents of the couple would select as to who would be the first child’s born godmother and godfather.

Baptism – Full preparation if the couple is in a position to have it, like pigs, goats, chickens, suman, and other things for the occasion. At the first hour in the morning, the child’s father brings some presents (regalo) to his compadre and comadre. Both of them invited friends to attend the party. The whole day is described as “Day Dreams” for enjoyment. Before the godfather and godmother leaves the house of their compadre, they leave an envelope containing money or jewels in the hand of the child. This is their gift or something else for the baby.

Courtship – The traditional custom is that the parents of the man are the ones [who] look for the future bride of their son. Both parties arrange for the day of [the] marriage. The man is supposed to serve for a period agreed upon. The man helps the parents

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of the girl whatever kind of work [is] handled at home. For instance, he rises early in the morning to prepare water, to gather fuel, to pound rice, to plow the fields, etc. Sometimes, the man fails to satisfy the wishes of the girl’s parents. In this case, the man is disqualified. Then, another suitor can try his luck. But if the first man succeeds, then the two will be married according to the prevailing custom.

Death – In the case of death, the old custom which is still carried at present has for some sentimental reasons. As a sign of love and respect for the departed souls of their dear ones, they wear black clothes for a period of one year. The offer prayers and sacrifices of true devotion to our Lord for the salvation of sins, if ever these were committed on earth. They have the ninth day (Walong [Siyam] Araw), and the last day of the one-year day since the death (Babaang Luksa) for the departed ones.

Visits – The barrio folks are very hospitable if visits are ever made. When you visit a relative, friend, and compadres, you will feel very satisfying [satisfied?]. You will notice that to the best they can, they offer you homemade tobacco, ikmo, bunga and apog (the common name, nganga); and other things they can possibly have.

Punishment – In the early days, there were established rulings followed strictly according to their own laws. There were times when you had done wrongs against them that you were hogtied, hanged and beaten. If you steal, your hands would be burned. Sometimes you were drowned. There were punishments that you would be thrown into the deep well. Your tongue would be cut together with the lips and ears.

The myths, legends, beliefs, interpretations and superstitions of the origin of the world is that the world is flat. That you can reach the edge of the world. That the moon, stars and sun move, that is why there is day and night. That the lands, mountains, lakes, rivers, plants, animals, and seas were created by God. That if He is adored by us, He would give many, many things we ask for. That the earthquake is held by the strongest man, Bernardo Carpio. That if he is angry, he moves the world. The earth, therefore, trembles. That if there are eclipses, they will bring good luck. That lightning and thunder, clouds, rain, wind, storm, and change of climates and other natural phenomena are also created by God. The beliefs on the birth of twins or more is that it will bring the family prosperity in living. In the case of sickness that spread all over the barrio and caused deaths, they say that some persons of unknown origin called “salot” came to get the lives of the people. A witch is a form of ugly woman who possesses a magic power of [an] evil spirit. This ugly woman, when seen by a child in the pasture land, looks like the child’s very own mother. She gives the child something which looks like a bread. The child takes it at once for he thinks that she is his mother and the bread is a real bread. The child goes with the woman to the woods. He becomes wild. When the parents of the child learn that their son is lost, they go after him. When they see the child, he does not like to go with them anymore. But when [he is] caught, they bathe him with vinegar to take away the evil spirit. Then, for some days, the child becomes again a tamed one.

Magic – A man who is said to have magic power can make things transformed to something else. He becomes very strong and can carry heavy things which other men cannot carry except they [they] group together. He can make [a] woman love [him] even if she absolutely does not like him. This man has an anting-anting.

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The popular song common in the early days was the LULAY. The music and dance were the FANDANGO.

Proverbs and sayings –

The primitive methods of measuring time is by the crowing of the cock early in the morning, by the position of the stars, moon, and sun in the sky.

Part Three: - Other Information

Regarding the information on books and documents treating the Philippines and their owners, the barrio of Madalumot does not possess any of them. The same as Filipino authors born and residing in the said barrio, there is nothing to be recorded.

The above facts are the data gathered and compiled exclusively for the history of the barrio of Madalunot.