Catandaan, Nasugbu, Batangas: Historical Data

It was said that once upon a time, the place of Catandaan was a thick jungle. No other also dwelt except the wild animals like fierce tamaraws, deer, wild pigs, chickens and venomous boas and pythons.

During that time, the Aetas and the Negritoes were pouring into the Philippines. They sought shelter among the forests and mountains. One batch of them reached the thick jungle. They began their exploration of the place. They cut down the big trees and built houses out of them. The wild animals were a great source of their food.

These people resided in the place for quite a long time. When the Spaniards came to the Philippines, the Aetas were so afraid of them that they abandoned the place and went through the thick forests. The Spaniards inhabited the place and were amazed to note that the place was surrounded by mountains. The place was the first jungle to be transformed into a plain land. To date, the place was the oldest village to be settled.

No other sitios are included at present but [the barrio] had possessed some since its establishment way back in the fourteenth century.

To name some of the original families, we can count on the Condition family, Bautista, Esteron, Guzman, Ilao, Umandal, and Bangcang families.

The list of barrio lieutenants can be counted back from Ciriaco Yabot, Crispin Barcelon, Basilio Ramos and Amando Barcelon.

An adjacent barrio, which is Halang, was formerly within the territory of Catandaan. The place popularly known as Halang got its name from its location. The first road or path which led to some other places crossed the other paths.

The place had been peaceful for some time but terror reached the land when the Spaniards arrived.

Uprisings to place here and there. The people of Catandaan under the leadership of Capitan Pedro took up arms against the cruelty of the Spaniards. Among the “insurrectos” who hailed from Catandaan were Mariano Bacit, Daniel Esteron, Juan Batang, and Venancio Pedraza.

Due to the lack of training of the natives and ammunition, they were defeated by the armed Spaniards.

Robbery also took place. People lost not only their lives but also their properties.

When the Americans arrived, the place was sold to the Americans. Capitan Emilio, with a thousand soldiers, gathered one night and attacked the Spanish stronghold. They succeeded and seized a number of guns from the enemy.

Nothing was more interesting when the Japanese occupation came. Japanese from the poblacion penetrated the place. They took all the husky men of the barrio and train them for warfare.

The Japanese came for the second time but this time the people did not leave their houses. The Japanese were friendly then and the people offered anything that they wanted. The Japanese admired the love for music of the inhabitants.

Some of the customs and traditions that they practiced can be revealed in their ways of living. People showed hatred against each other especially in building houses. They quarreled over the sites. Each one show superiority over another. Usurious practices thrived and the people were bound to debts.

Baptism: In baptism, the usual godmother or godfather is the respective aunt or uncle of the child to be baptized.

Before a child is baptized in the church, he is subjected to the “Buhos Tubig.” This is undertaken by an old man of the village. He uses water and a little salt. The host and hostess prepare eats and, sometimes, wine. This very common practice spells merriment among the young people of the village.

Death:
When somebody dies, the family of the deceased is prohibited to take a bath, clean or sweep the house, or wash until the fourth day. There is a “padasal” every night until the ninth day. The “padasal” is done for nine consecutive days. The bereaved family prepares food on the first night, fourth night and the ninth day. The immediate members of the family wear black for a period of one year. Oftentimes, they do away with the mourning clothes after the first anniversary. The first anniversary is remembered by a “padasal” and lunch is served to the many guests and relatives invited to the ritual.

Festivals: Festivals are but natural to every place. Catandaan also has its own day for this. When this great occasion comes, everybody prepares something for the visitors. The Roman Catholic priests says mass in a “bisita” called “tuklong.” In the bisita, the people worship God and their patron saint. The festival lasts for about two days. Games and amusements are shown, like the local drama, the “palosebo,” and [the] coconut race.

Delivery or Birth:
A local midwife known to them as “hilot” assists in the delivery. The midwife massages the expectant mother’s womb and ties a piece of cloth around the woman’s waist. As soon as the baby is born, she cuts the umbilical cord of the newly-born child.

The mother is prohibited to drink cold water. She is given hot soup for the mammary glands to function. The mother takes a bath on the 15^th day. The bath consists of boiled water with [the] leaves of medicinal plants.

Courtship: A gentleman courts a young lady. When an understanding occurs between them, the lady tells her parents about the thing. The parents of the girl summon the parents of the boy. Both parties confer with each other. They talk about the date,

place, and dowry.

On the wedding day, the relatives of the gentleman or the bridegroom perform the services for the merriment. As soon as the merriment is over, the bride transfers to the groom’s house but leaves the bridegroom behind.

Every leftover is equally divided between the families of both parties. The merriment is continued at the bridegroom’s house.

Beliefs:

Since the place was formerly a thicket, they say that underground people sometimes come out and associate with the villagers. Oftentimes, they see an animal whose body is one-half monkey with white hair and one-half dog. This animal runs after the people at night and quarrels with dogs.

Games:
The popular game played and admired by the people is indoor-baseball. Because of their great love for this game, the barrio has produced good athletes.