Anus, San Jose, Batangas: Historical Data

Full transcription of the so-called “Historical Data” for the barrio of Anus in the Municipality of San Jose, 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.

[Foreword.]

DIVISION OF BATANGAS
District of San Jose
TUGTUG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

FOREWORD

[p. 1]

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE BARRIO (ANUS)

[page torn] name of the barrio – Anus

[page torn] name of [page torn] barrio can be readily understand its
[page torn] self-explanatory. To some, it may seem queer for
[page torn] the name of the barrio could be found anywhere in
[page torn]

According to the old folks of this barrio, this name was popular.
[page torn] as it is at present. It was derived from a kind of plant
[page torn] to the dwarf family of the bamboo. The abundance of this plant
[page torn] anus led to the giving of the name Anus to this place.

The original families were:

1. Julian Briones 2. Escolastica Aguila 3. Toribia Matibag 4. Salvador Aguila 5. Buenaventura Aguila	6. Mariano Briones 7. Valentin Aguila 8. Juan Suarez 9. Briccio Makalintal 10. Pablo Makalintal
11. Antonio Lara

List of tenientes from the earliest time to date.

1. Nicolas Vergara 2. Gregorio Suarez 3. Remigio Dimaculangan 4. Mateo Perez 5. Braulio Limbo 6. Juan Suarez

7. Pascual Aguila 8. Geronimo Limbo 9. Esteban Perez 10. Alejandro Makalintal 11. Angel Suarez 12. Pedro Perez

There were some incidents that took place in this locality. During the Spanish occupation, the authorities burned all the big houses and brought the people to the poblacion for the zoning. Life in the zone was very miserable. Food was scarce, sanitation was very inadequate so very many people died of intestinal diseases as well as from smallpox.

During the Japanese regime, the people [endured] injustices and untold hardships as:

1. The harshness of [the] Japs.
2. The shooting of the civilians by these soldiers for unjustifiable causes.
3. Shortage of food and clothing.
4. Could not engage in legitimate business.
5. Could not keep farm animals for themselves.

During the last year of the occupation, the Japanese believed everyone was their enemy so they shot to death any civilian who seemed suspicious to them. Because of the tenseness of the situation at the time, the people buried the dead under the trees and even near creeks and ravines. However, the people were able to withstand the tyranny of the conqueror.

Folkways

A. Births

During the olden times, the people were superstitious and had very many queer beliefs. These beliefs were practiced meticulously. They believed all these things would put them in a better position. At the present time, we also follow some beliefs. At the time of delivery, they follow some beliefs which they think will help them. The mother lay in line with the floor to assure normal delivery. The put a small needle in the mat so as to avoid too much pain. The hilot attends to the delivery. She takes care of the mother and child. If the delivery is abnormal, she calls for help. The doctor is of secondary importance and is only called during emergency cases.

After the birth of the child, the mother is given the best food. She does not do any kind of work. The hilot takes care of her. It is believed that the mother and child should not be left alone lest evil spirits visit them. This midwife visits the mother three times a week

[p. 2]

[The first paragraph of the page is torn.]

[page torn] a period of merrymaking. After the normal delivery, the father and mother choose the sponsor for the baby. In the olden days, they chose only one sponsor, but now many prefer to have as many padrinos or madrinos as they please. They select one whom they think is kind, and who will help them in time of need, and in general, those who are their friends.

If the family is well to do or of moderate means, they prepare a party. They invite people from far and near to their party. The sponsor or sponsors take along with him or them some of their friends. Sometimes, there is plenty of wine and not a few get drunk. There are some songs and games to add life to the party. The “subli” was the most common dance performed long ago. When the sponsor is ready to leave, he offers a gift to the baby in cash or in kind.

C. Courtship

There is a great difference between the courtship today and that of the past. In the past days, a gentleman courting a young lady was very polite and courteous. When he visited a lady, he took off his hat when he was still several meters away from the house. He walked without making any noise. Upon reaching the house, he said good night to every old person in the house. Now, some gentlemen are rude. They are neither polite in words or in deeds.

The mother stayed near the daughter. She did not like to leave her alone in the room. The parents laid down in the next room close to the partition where the pair was seated. Nowadays, the lady is left with the dashing Romeo. That is why today, many parents get angry when their daughters elope. Now, we can hear the old folks say that the world is quite old now.

D. Marriage

Formerly, the marriage was arranged by the parents. Even [if] the daughter did not like the man, she was forced to marry him. The man was to serve for a period of time. Sometimes, he served for one year. He had to help the work in and out of the house. The arrangement for the party was also agreed upon by the parents of both. They asked for a large sum of money from the parents of the man. If they could not give the amount requested, the marriage was postponed. If, finally, they could agree, they made the plans for the party. If the man was rich, a big wedding was readied. The cash given to the parent of the girl would be used for jewelry and a wedding gown. Today, whether the parents like it or not, if the daughter is decided to marry her prince charming, they go their own way.

E. Death

Upon the death of a member of the family, it means mourning for all the relatives. When a person dies, his kin pray for his soul. The people believe his soul will go to heaven if many prayers are offered for him. From the time a person dies until the fourth day, no sweeping of the floor and the ground is allowed. After lunch, no one is allowed to file the used dish for they say it is bad to do so. On the fourth and ninth days, after eating there is again praying. On the fourth day, every member of the family takes a bath.

F. Burial

Before the burial, the dead is placed in a coffin. He is then brought to church where the priest gives him his last blessings for the departed man. He is then taken to the cemetery where they finally lay [him] to rest. Those who can afford to do so cause tombs to be constructed for the dead.

[p. 3]

[Top of this page is torn.]

Superstitious Beliefs

[page torn.] good to plant plants when it is full moon.
[page torn.] bad to do manual labor of Good Friday.
[page torn.] a comet appears, there will be either war or pestilence.
4. It is bad to cut nails on Tuesday and Friday because they have R’s in Tagalog.
5. It is bad to go on a journey when there is a dead person in the community.
6. It is bad luck when someone dreams of the falling of his teeth because someone in the family will die.

Popular Songs:

1. Huling Awit
2. Dalagang Pilipina
3. Paki-usap
4. Paalam

Popular Games:

1. Gurumay for boys

Popular Amusements:

1. Subli
2. Abaruray
3. Pandanggo

Salawikain:

1. Walang matimtimang virgin 2. Ang naghasik ng maganda 3. Pag may tuwa

Bugtong:

1. Kabayo kong alasan 2. Alin dito sa mundo ang inilalakad ay ulo.
3. Magandang dalaga, nasa itaas ang saya.

The Three Sisters

There were once three sisters. Their names were Ana, Maria and Isabel. Ana was the eldest. Isabelle was the youngest. Their parents were rich. They lived in a large house and had many servants. The two younger sisters worked hard. They were busy the whole day long. But Ana, the eldest, was lazy and selfish. Their parents died and now they took charge of the house. Ana wanted the house all for herself. One day, she said, “Go away. Leave this house, it is not large enough for us.” The two sisters left the house. They worked very hard and soon earned money. Soon, they were able to build their own house. They became rich.

But what had happened to Ana? She was left alone by herself and spent her money here and there for luxury. She scolded her servants day and night. So, they left her. She did not know how to work. Now, she had nothing to eat. She became penniless and had nothing to eat. The two sisters placed some food in a basket and went to Ana’s home. They also brought some dresses for her. There, they found their sister in a corner. She was thin and pale. Her condition was miserable. That two sisters ran to her. She recognized them. They gave her the food and the dresses. Ana asked them to forgive her. So, they lived happily together again.

[p. 4]

[The top of the page is torn.]

Part One – History

3. No data available.

Part Three – Other Information

17. No data available.

18. No data available.

Transcribed from “History and Cultural Life of the Barrio (Anus),” 1953, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections.