Pantay, Calaca, Batangas: Historical Data

Historical data from the National Library of the Philippines.

Full transcription of the so-called “Historical Data” for the barrio of Pantay 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.

[p. 1]

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE BARRIO OF PANTAY

Though teeming thousands of barrios were named legendarily or historically, the name Pantay was named was an exception. There was not even any myth about persons who right be associated to its origin. Though some living centenarians in this barrio recalled that Pantay was famously called Piela by the Spaniards for some unknown reasons, no true-to-fact records or signs could be traced to explain the origin of the name Pantay. How it came to exist, no one could explain. Even the presidents were all in a dream, knowing nothing how the barrio got its name. The old and the younger generations were at a loss when asked about it. They differed in their opinions about its origin and gave, instead, personal interpretations.

So, Pantay was neither historically nor legendarily named. Perhaps, the original pioneering families in this locality like Potenciano Bautista, Macario Caldo, Lucia Matalog (all deceased) derived its name from the underlying physical condition of the barrio. That is, the word “pantay,” meaning “level,” was used to describe all the stretching level land which at present is called the barrio of Pantay, including all the sitios within it territorial jurisdiction. That was [a] long time ago and was handed down from generation to generation. Since then and until now, it has been called Pantay.

Since its establishment, the following persons have been appointed Teniente del Barrio with their tenure in service arranged chronologically: 1. Juan Bautista, 2. Catalino Maullon, 3. Emiliano Bautista, 4. Juanito Mendoza.

During the Spanish regime, the people did not witness any memorable or historic events. With the exception of the Spanish Cavalcades heavily mounted, which reached the barrio (then a small village), the living old folks have no clear picture of the Spanish sovereignty in the province and in the country.

However, during the American regime, the people of this locality experienced the same hardships that other people during those days experienced. The people learning that American soldiers were rushing to this place, they escaped as far as Mendez, Cavite. It was told that one time, orders coming from the American headquarters in the town ordering that people should be concentrated in a specific area. The people were confused and afraid. They hesitated [about] whether they would obey the directive or rise to arms and fight the Americans. And many of them did obey. They left behind them priceless treasures.

[p. 2]

Those who were confined in the poblacion suffered hunger and physical injuries sustained by the inhuman acts of the torturing American soldiers.

During the Japanese Occupation period, the people witnessed the grim condition wrought by the frequent contacts of the Japs and our once active local guerrillas. From time to time, the people hid in the forest to evade the attacking Japanese.

It was on March 8, 1945 when the Japanese Kempetai killed Lorenzo Caisip, a resident of Dacanlao, Calaca, then a sergeant in the guerrilla movement. [A] Few days later, Mitio Cabrera and an unidentified barrio resident were killed.

On March 9, 1945, three U.S. Mustang fighters made strafing targets on the Japanese soldiers stationed in Makina. A reliable informant disclosed that six Japs were killed.

Sitios included with the territorial jurisdiction of the barrio:

Makina lies north of the barrio of Pantay. According to reliable information told and related by the barrio folks, it was formerly a forest abounding with trees. The trees were so tall and large, with branches crowding each other that created darkness during the day. The people living in the heart of this semi-forest land had lived a solitary life. The cut the trees, cleared the land and turned it to kaingin clearings. They built their houses in a cloistered village. That was the beginning of a barangay type of living when people learned to conquer and subdue the wilderness.

After the elapse of several decades, there was time when the Lopez family of Balayan bought almost all the land that we call at present the sitio of Makina. During those days, the people used the antiquated mortar and pestle in clearing the rice. The Lopez family, being aware of the backwardness of the tenants, set and operated a rice mill. Its establishment did a great improvement in the life of the people. Since then, that locality which was formerly a forest of stalwark [stalwart?] trees has been called Makina, a Tagalog term for “mill.”

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[Note: missing page(s) before the text below.]

(c) Farmers should not plant any crop on the seventh day of the month. Planting on this day is a game of chance. It may cause [a] bountiful harvest or a total failure of crops.

(d) A cross-like figure set in the center of the rice field will prevent the coming of any supernatural being that will cause the low yield of crops.

(e) When the newly-wed couple arrive from the church, breakable things like glass, coconut or pot is thrown at the door. When the object thrown breaks into many pieces, the couple will have many children.

(f) When the hen crows, an unmarried woman is conceiving.

Part III: Proverbs, Riddles

A. Proverbs –

Riddles: