Bilogbilog, Tanauan, Batangas: Historical Data

Historical data from the National Library of the Philippines.

A. Derivation of the Name – Bilogbilog

Formerly, the people of the barrio of Bilogbilog lived in groups of houses situated in three places. They are Bahayan on the western part; Labak on the northern part; and Looban on the southern part. At the arrival of the Spaniards, a cabeza was appointed. This cabeza was asked to collect taxes from the barrio people. When asked by the Spanish officials why he was not able to collect more taxes, he said that it was difficult to do so because the houses were very far from each other. So, the Spanish officers issued an order that the houses should be transferred along the road which was called “Bulaos.” Now, the Spanish officer asked what to name the barrio. The cabeza answered that the former position of the groups of houses were circular (pabilog). So, the Spanish officer called the barrio Bilogbilog.

The date of establishment of the barrio cannot be recalled. It is believed that this barrio existed before the coming of the Spaniards to the Philippines.

The original families were:

a.  Nazario Marudo	1810-1825
b.  Severino Matanguihan	1824-1830
c.  Guillermo Malabo	1829-1835
d.  Vicente Perez	1835-1841
e.  Silvino Maranan	1842-1849
f.  Juan Mendoza	1850-1857
g.  Rufino Natividad	1858-1865
h.  Salvador Castillo	1866-1873
i.  Melchor Malabre	1874-1877
j.  Ignacio Manaig	1888-1895
k.  Valentin Natividad	1896-1903
l.  Leon Manaig	1904-1911
m.  Domingo Manaig	1912-1919
n.  Alipio Lumbres	1920-1927
o.  Marcos Barit	1928-1933
p.  Lazaro Marudo	1934-1939
q.  Juan Lumbres	1940-1948
r.  Valentin Natividad	1949-1951
s.  Remigio Lumbres	1951-1953 (Present)

Formerly, the groups of houses were situated at the western part of the barrio, that was, what is presently called “Bahayan” or “Bilogbilog na munti.” But because of the order of the curate during the Spanish regime that the houses should be transferred along the main road, only a few houses remain there at present. The other part of the barrio that is depopulated now is a place on the western part near a ravine. This group wanted to belong to the adjacent barrio named Maugat as their houses were separated only by a ravine. Besides, the distance from the main barrio Bilogbilog was far. As the people of Maugat didn’t like to include them in their barrio and their lots were really on the map of Bilogbilog, they transferred their houses to the same place near the road. Now, the place is depopulated.

a. Old barrio chapel – 1880
b. New and present barrio chapel – 1910
c. School building – Constructed 1933
d. Artesian well – August 28, 1925

(a) During the Spanish occupation:

(b) During the American occupation:

(c) During and after World War II – None.

1896-1900: cannot be recalled by the resource person.

1941-1945: during the Japanese occupation, sixteen (16) persons were killed in this barrio. Those who were killed were: Agapito Parra, Sixto Mercado and his three sons, Pedro Pablo and his six relatives, Lucio Matunuan and his four cousins.

Some houses were burned.

(b) Measures and accomplishments toward rehabilitation and reconstruction following World War II:

Birth:

Baptism:

Marriage:

Death:

1. While eating and a fork falls, a male visitor is coming; whereas, if a spoon falls, a lady visitor is coming.
2. When a cat wipes its face, a visitor is coming.
3. When the fire “laughs,” a visitor is coming.
4. Putting the plates one over the other is bad when someone is still eating.
5. When a girl sings before a stove, she will marry a widower.
6. If the bride puts on her wedding gown before her wedding day, bad luck will befall her.
7. It is not good to sweep the floor at night.
8. It is not good to cut one’s fingernails on days which have “r’s.”
9. Bad luck may come on the way if one leaves the house when someone is still eating.
10. When the thirteenth of the month falls on Friday, some misfortune or bad luck will happen somewhere.
11. That sitting down thirteen at the table will result in the death of one.
12. If you travel or may on Tuesday, you will encounter misfortune.
13. If you see a horseshoe on the way, you will have good luck.
14. When you dream of a tooth falling, it means a member of the family will die.

Amusements:

Tanauan may well boast of having a most unique way of celebrating the Mayflower festivities. In other towns in Batangas, and in the Philippines for that matter, is Mayflower so celebrated in such great scale as in our municipality. No less than 40 offerings from different barrios and the poblacion are made before the Virgin Mary during regular May days, at the cost of thousands of people.

Months before the actual celebration, the families who have volunteered to celebrate the offering, say money, raise hogs and chickens and attend to the detail, that on the date set, a gala celebration is always expected. More than 40 women in mestiza dresses costing each in the neighborhood of ₱20.00, with beautifully decorated bouquets, and assisted by bands of musicians, parade to the altar in the church or “capilla” as the conditions demand. The actual feasting commences from the early morning to late at night, and the hosts offer three full meals to hundreds of guests.

So much has been the interest in those festivities that, of late, even children, married women, you men, and boys have been asked to join the celebration and offer the flowers. Fireworks and games are not uncommon, and these Mayflower feasts have come to be anticipated as the most awaited season of the year.

Pouplar Songs:

1. May paa’y walang katawan, mayroong bitbitan. – Salawal
2. Isang tibuhos na kawayan, walang buko isa man. – Abaka
3. Sa hapon ay natalon, sa umaga’y na hapon. – Kumot at banig
4. Kapirasong uling malayo ang nararating. – Mata
5. Natakot ako sa isa, hindi sa dalawa. – Tulay na kawayan.
6. Isa ang pinasukan, tatlo ang nilabasan. – Kamiseta
7. Kandado dito, kandado doon, kandado hanggang dulo. – Kawayan
8. Maliit pa sa kumpare, naakyat sa tore. – Langgam
9. Pag mainit ay masaya, pag naulan ay lanta. – Akasya
10. Bahay ng maestro, nabuksan ay di maisara. – Itlog
11. Tungkod ni kapitan, hindi mahawakan. – Ahas
12. Aling anino kuhang-kuha ang mukha mo? – Salamin
13. Isang senyoritang marikit, nakaupo sa tinik. – Pinya
14. Ang ina ay nagapang pa, ang anak ay naupo na. – Kalabasa
15. Ang ibabbao ay ararohan, ang ilalim ay batohan. – Kakaw
16. Kapirasong dayap, isang taon kong ginayat. – Ararohan
17. Wala sa langit, wala sa lupa, nadahon ng sariwa. – Dapo
18. Nanganak ang hunghang, sa tuktuk dumaan. – Saging
19. Hindi madangkal, hindi madipa, usong pa lima. – Karayom
20. Dahon ng pinda-pinda, magkasing-lapad sila. – Taynga
21. Walang puno’y, walang ugat, hitik ng bulaklak. – Langit na mabituin
22. Bahay ng senyora, libot ng espada. – Pinya
23. Dalwang urang, nag-uunahan. – Paa
24. Hindi hari, hindi pari, nagsosoot ng sarisari. – Sampayan
25. Buhok ng pari, hindi mawahi. – Tubig
26. Haguhos ng haguhos, nasangay di natalbos. – Daan
27. Tag-init at tag-ulan, hanggang tuhod ang salwal. – Manok
28. Pag munti ay minamahal, pag lumaki’y pinapogutan. – Palay
29. Tinaga ko sa puno, sa dulo dumugo. – Kasubha
30. Bahay ni giring giring, butas ang dingding. – Bithay
31. Bahay ni kaka, hindi matingala. – Noo
32. Dalawang balon, hindi malingon. – Butas ng taynga
33. Bahay ni ate, iisa ang haligi. – Payong
34. Dalawang batong mabilog, malayo ang abot. – Mata
35. Paruparong bata, ahas nang tumanda. – Paayap
36. May isang matandang baluktot, nakatitibag ng bundok. – Panghukay
37. Nagdaan si negro, patay lahat ang tao. – Gabi
38. Baboy ko sa Pulo, balahibo’y pako. – Langka
39. Kapayo kong pula, isang daan ang paa. – Ulahipan
40. Kawayan ko sa San Pedro, abot dito ang dulo. – Bahaghari
41. Sinampal ko muna bago inalok. – Sampaloc
42. May sunong, may kilik, may tungkod ang puwit. – Mais
43. Hinalo ko ang nilugaw, nagtakbo ang inihaw. – Bangka
44. Nagsaing si katungtong, sumubo’y walang gatong. –Sabon
45. Isang prinsesa, naka-upo sa tasa. – Kasoy

1. Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
2. Save while you are still young.
3. If a person is careless, his wealth is useless.
4. After happiness follows pain.
5. What comes from bubbles goes to bubbles.
6. Look before you leap.
7. Cleanliness is next to Godliness.

8. Birds of the same feathers flock together.
9. If you plant, you will reap.
10. The squash is climbing while the fruit is remaining.
11. If wind is planted, [a] storm will be harvested.
12. Whoever goes with a muddy carabao gets muddy, too.
13. The monkey laughs at the carabao’s tail but to see his own, the monkey fails.
14. A piece of work poorly done is better than the work undone.
15. Honesty is the best policy.

Past – (a) sun (b) stars (c) moon
Present – (a) clocks and watches (b) sun (c) moon and stars.

In olden times, there lived in a remote barrio at the edge of the woods a mother with a son. The boy was the apple of his mother’s eyes until he grew up to manhood, caring nothing for their livelihood. He always pampered the thought that life was just a go-easy excursion.

He spent all his time leisurely. He indulged in gambling or else in a drinking spree the whole day and stayed at home only to eat or rest. At night, he always came home late. Then, he would wake his poor mother to set the table for supper. Of course, at that late hour of the night, he could be served only with cold rice (bahaw). He would scold his mother for such cold meals. Sometimes, when he came home drunk, he would beat his kind and forgiving mother. The mother would do nothing but weep and prayed to heaven.

The occurrence happened continuously for quite a long time with the mother’s fervent prayers that heaven might intercede to end her misfortunes. At last, in a sudden burst of temper, she shouted her prayer to heaven with tearful eyes that she would be happier to see if her son would be transformed into a bird. Heaven granted her wish immediately.

In a moment, a big flat bird flew out of the window into the dark night. The surprised mother was petrified. Then, she heard only the sorrowful and repenting echo of that bird, as if to articulate the word “bahaw,” meaning cold rice. That was the last time the mother saw her ungrateful and cruel son.

Up to this time, during the wee hours of the night, there could be heard from the forest that deep and mournful cry of the bird, calling sonorously, “Bahaw! Bahaw! Bahaw!”

Notes and references: