Mataasnakahoy, Batangas: Historical Data

Historical data from the National Library of the Philippines.

Full transcription of the so-called “Historical Data” for the Municipality of Mataasnakahoy, 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.]

A COMPILATION OF HISTORICAL
AND CULTURAL DATA OF THE MUNICIPALITY
OF MATAASNAKAHOY, BATANGAS

Joint Chairmen:

MR. FRANCISCO MATEO
District Supervistor

Date: May 13, 1953

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[Foreword.]

[Table of Contents]

T A B L E    O F    C O N T E N T S

[Introduction.]

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE POBLACION

I N T R O D U C T I O N

[p. 1]

HOW THE TOWN GOT ITS NAME

[Blurred] 1862, the Capitan Municipal of Lipa summoned all the heads of the villa [blurred]. According to the Capitan, the villages with any inhabitants would be made into barrios and named after the trees as the town of Lipa itself was named after a tree.

When the head of the village now known as Mataasnakahoy was asked, he was reminded of the tall tree in his village and gave the name Mataasnakahoy. Thus, this place was officially named Mataasnakahoy.

DATE OF ESTABLISHMENT AND THE FOUNDERS

On March 30, 1931, Vice-Governor Butte signed the bill for the township of Mataasnakahoy. Then, on January 2, 1932, it was inaugurated as a municipality. The leaders who worked hard for the realization of the township of Mataasnakahoy were the following: Mr. Antonio Mandigma, Mr. Victor Templo, Mr. Agapito Templo, Mr. Casiano Silva, and Mr. Candido Recinto. These civic-spirited citizens spent their own money, time and effort.

OFFICIALS AND TENURES OF OFFICE

A. The First Administrative Officials

B. The Second Administrative Officials

C. The Third Administrative Officials

[p. 2]

D. The Fourth Administrative Officials

E. The Fifth Administrative Officials

F. The Sixth Administrative Officials

IMPORTANT EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE

A. During the Spanish Occupation

[p. 3]

[Top of page torn.]

D. During World War II

E. After World War II

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*       PART TWO       *
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A. FOLKWAYS

Back to the olden days, if one still remembers Mataasnakahoy, which was then still a part of the present city of Lipa, was a rich and prosperous place noted for abaca and coffee. Though backward in the line of civilization in those days, it was a progressive town in agriculture and commerce. Abaca was then known and transported to other places as Manila hemp, was sent in large scale in bales to the city of Manila for the foreign consumers. Side by side with this was the coffee plant industry, which in those days was a place looked upon by foreigners as the best producer in the world. But its prosperity was followed by depression, which according to the old folks was a punishment given by Providence for the abuses done to the plants, the pride and arrogance brought about by this fabulous wealth that that plant had given to then already wealthy individuals. A plant disease struck these plants until little by little, they died away, and so came the downfall for both industries. At present, landowners still continue the industry but gone is the prosperity it once brought the place. Since then and now is often repeated the pride and arrogance of the wealthy, a trait so they say inherited from the mother country Spain long ago.

As it is, this town can be said to be composed of families closely related to each other. Owing to this situation, one can boast of its peacefulness and order, and the unfading hospitality of its inhabitants.

Strangers are few and perchance they come for a visit or so, they can’t help but comment on its cool invigorating climate. Lands are so precious due to its richness and fertility that an acre means [a] thousand pesos.

[p. 4]

Mataasnakahoy is at present progressing rapidly [page torn]
[page torn] are being built, and from the poblacion, good roads [page torn]
[page torn] the barrios. It enjoys the services of a private [page torn]
[page torn] system. It also has a private high school. But the [page torn]
[page torn] and old ways are not forgotten. Although the place is [page torn]
[page torn] town, it is rich in legends and folktales that the youth has
to recall to be told over and over again.

FOLKTALES

HOW MATAASNAKAHOY GOT ITS NAME

There was once a widow who lived in a small barrio. She had two sons living with her in a nipa hut.

One day, the old woman became ill. She had taken many kinds of medicines, but she would not get well. One night, she dreamt of a fruit that could cure her. The next morning, she told her dream to her sons. The two boys left to look for the fruit. After a long search, they reached a place. There, they saw a very, very tall tree. The voice stopped and looked for the fruit. There, they found the fruit on the top of the tree. The older brother climbed the tall tree. When he was half the tree, the younger brother said, “You might fall, the tree is very tall. I will sacrifice to climb this tall tree. I will get the fruit for mother’s sake.” He got the fruit.

The two boys went home with a fruit. They gave the fruit to their mother. Then, she ate the fruit. Like a miracle, the mother got well. From that time, the place where the tall tree was found was called Mataasnakahoy.

SOME SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEFS ABOUT PLANTING OF BANANA PLANTS

Have you ever planted banana plants? People have different ways of planting bananas. Some people are observing the modern method of planting bananas, while some are still following the traditional customs based on their superstitious beliefs.

Some people plant bananas immediately after eating their meals. They believe that the plant will bear better and bigger fruits when they are planted when their stomachs are full.

Another group of people do not plant bananas when the moon is in its smallest size (katunawan) for they believe the plant will not bear fruit. Instead, they will die before bearing fruits.

Still another group of people do not look up when they plant bananas for they fear that the bananas will grow very tall and [page torn]

It will take also a very long time to produce fruit.

THE LEGEND OF ILANG-ILANG

Long, long ago, in an unknown place now Mataasnakahoy, there was a tree called ilang-ilang. When mature, people used it only for firewood. But because of its refined habit (so the old folks still), it was given by nature a characteristic different from that of the other trees.

At that time, the day was dark and gloomy. [The] Wind blew hard and heavy rain would seem to fall. But at that moment, there were two young butterflies which had just been newly gone out from their soft silk. With their soft wings, they tried to fly, notwithstanding the ill-tempered rain and wind to look for [a] shade. At last, they reached the acacia tree. With its wider leaves, the two butterflies shaded. But alas! The acacia tree was too selfish. So, they flew again until they reached a dapdap tree. Its flowers were too many for them to hide against the rain and wind.

Weak and frustrated, the two butterflies continued the flight. They reached the ilang-ilang tree where the leaves were opened as if

[p. 5]

[page torn] the rain. The two butterflies begged [page torn]
[page torn] was granted. The virtuous tree sheltered and [page torn]
[page torn] for the whole night.

[page torn] night passed by. The rays of the sun shone brightly as if
[page torn] that the stormy night had gone. The ilang-ilang looked for the two butterflies, with the belief that there were only two of them who shaded in his leaves. But to his great surprise, what do you think he saw? All his branches were almost full of butterflies whose fragrance spread around him. “Wake up,” said the ilang-ilang. But no one dared answer. At last, he noticed that what alighted on him were not butterflies but flowers that were given to him by nature as reward for his kindness.

From that time on, the ilang-ilang tree lived happily, because beautiful ladies picked his flowers and [he/it] was never again made into firewood.

C. TRADITIONS, CUSTOMS AND PRACTICES IN DOMESTIC AND SOCIAL LIFE

THE MARRIAGE CUSTOM

1. Bulugan – an announcement of a coming marriage. Before a lucky pair goes middle-aisling [?], a custom of a night meeting is set aside to make final arrangement of things to be done before the ritual ceremonies. Sometimes, the dowry is discussed whether it will be a quiet and simple one or a grand affair. Clothes to be worn by the bride are also discussed, sponsors selected and the final date for the wedding is set.

2. Sabugan – Another marriage custom still observed by the old folks . This is done after the wedding breakfast or dinner. A plate is placed before the bride and another before the groom. A mediator or sometimes an old man comes forward, calls for the bride’s father and mother and asks [the] to place any amount on the groom’s plate. For the bride, the groom’s relatives are called and place their amounts on the bride’s plate. When every relative seems to have been called, the money is collected. The groom hands the amount to the bride telling her to keep the money. It is a belief that the money is not spent because they will have a scattered life or they will call “sabug ang kabuhayan,” that their life is not orderly and well-kept.

3. Lipatan – Just after the sabugan comes the lipatan – transferring of the bride to the groom’s house. Here, everything the groom’s party owned and were used in the feast are brought back to the groom’s house. The bride, after receiving the parents’ blessings, leaves the house not looking backward so she will not be “kabil-anin” or [have] unequal sincerity to the in-laws. Relatives of the bride do not go with her to the groom’s house for the same belief.

It is also a common practice that relatives of the bride do not do anything during the wedding feast and ceremonies. It is the groom’s relatives’ part to serve the bride’s relatives. The bride’s relatives just eat and are served with utmost care to satisfy them.

4. Next to the lipatan is the custom to visit [the] bride’s and groom’s relatives after the newlyweds’ honeymoon. The groom and bride visit such other relatives for better understanding and acquaintanceship. This is called “Nanganganak.”

First cousins to some are not allowed intermarriage. This, according to the old folks, is not so good. Offspring are weak in health and constitution and [the] intelligence of the child does not go beyond the intelligence of the parents as the case may be.

Marriages within the family in the same year are not allowed for there will be competition in the prosperity and wealth of those married.

[p. 6]

BELIEFS IN BAPTISM

[page torn] baptizing a child, the sponsors should utter [page torn]
[page torn] the ceremony clearly to insure the child’s [page torn]
[page torn] or she grows up.
2. [The] Baby’s clothes should be well-fixed and neat so the child will always be neat and clean when he grows up.
3. It is also the common belief that when a child receives much salt from the priest in Baptism, he will always want food to be tasty and salty.
4. When a lone baby girl is baptized, and all her companions are baby boys, the baby girl will always have plenty of suitors when she grows up.

BELIEFS ON HOUSE BUILDING

1. According to the old folks, if possible, houses should be built facing the east to get plenty of morning sun.
2. Before a house is erected, a carabao is allowed to roam about the land and the spot where the carabao lies and rests is the best place for the house for it is believed to be the coolest spot of the land, and such is the best place for the house.
3. Coins are placed at the foot of the stairs of the house when being made so money and wealth can easily be obtained.
4. Medals are placed on joints of the post of the house and its roof to insure [the] peace and prosperity of the dwellers.
5. During the blessing of a new house, coins are dropped for better life and prosperity. Coins thus dropped and picked by the spectators should be kept for these bring good luck and happiness.
6. [The] Blessing of a house accompanied by rain or [a] shower is a sign of [a] life of plenty and prosperity.

SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEFS ON HOUSEHOLD AND COMMON PRACTICES

1. It is a common belief not to throw or give money through the window or throwing it to the one concerned. Money or wealth will soon fly away through the window and, thus, cause poverty.
2. Never leave the chupa for measuring rice empty for there will always be hardship and less grace. Always fill lit to the brim. Never let the measuring cup for rice be placed anywhere. Have a fixed place for it to have [a] fixed life and prosperity.
3. Never sing or hum songs before the stove or else be married to a widower.
4. Never sweep the floor after four in the evening or you’ll be sweeping your luck away. Always sweep towards the house or inside and never outward so luck and wealth will always enter the household.
5. Never clean the table with a piece of paper but with a piece of cloth or else trouble within the household will arise.
6. Put the first-cut nails of a newly-born baby in the holy water in front of the church so the baby will be pious and will love to go to church always.
7. Never leave the house when the members of the house are still eating or else bad luck will be met. Turn a plate before doing so to insure safety.
8. Always wear something new in church first to insure durability of the thing.
9. Never eat or tinkle plates or silverware when there is thunder and lightning or else the believed god of lightning and thunder will eat also.
10. Never catch fish on a moonlit night, for fish can never be caught on such nights. Plenty of fish can be caught on a moonless night.

[p. 7]

[Top of the page not properly scanned. Likely “POPULAR SONGS, GAMES AND AMUSEMENTS.]

GAMES AND AMUSEMENTS

PUZZLES AND RIDDLES

PROVERBS AND SAYINGS

METHODS OF MEASURING TIME