Bungcalot (Banjo East), Tanauan, Batangas: Historical Data
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| Historical data from the National Library of the Philippines. |
HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE BARRIO OF BUNGCALOT (Banjo East)
Part One: HISTORY
1. Present official name of the barrio: BUNGCALOT.
2. Popular name of the barrio, present and past; derivation and meanings of these names. Names of sitios included with the territorial jurisdiction of the barrio:
It should be remembered that during the Spanish regime here in the Philippines, every barrio got its name from the Spanish misinterpretation of the existing conditions of the place. And because, perhaps, those Spanish soldiers had nothing at all to report to their masters and to overcome their handicap, they just said this and that.
It was said that during the time when the said barrio was ruled by several powerful men (sultans), most of the land in Bungcalot was owned by a few rich men. These men of sound financial situation had several slaves by the number of five, ten, or one hundred. These slaves were paid but free food and lodging and their clothing were but like those of the Igorots of [the] Mountain Province.
To get along all fine during the day, these slaves were told to work hard in order to earn a living.
But not all were slaves. Some belonged to the wealthy families and it should be recalled that that time was the time when the fittest was fit to survive. Those people aligned to the wealthy were also like lords so that they commanded like powerful masters living gloriously in well-fortified castles.
It happened that during the time of the Spanish occupation here in this place, the commander-in-chief of the Guardia Civil stationed some of his guards in the barrio of Bungcalot. For fear of an informed uprising, these steps were taken in order to curb the impending peril.
Day by day, those Guardia Civil saw every man in the barrio carrying something under their arms and went going here and there. Day by day, those guards had nothing to do but question the people where they were going and the answers were the same, “Magbubungcal ng taniman.” The guards, then, would question what those under their arms were and the answers were just the same, “Binalot po.”
From that time on, the barrio was called Bungcalot.
3. Date of establishment: 1755.
4. Original families: the Panghulan family.
5. List of tenientes from the earliest time to date:
| Basilio Gonzales | 1870-1873 |
| Lazaro Gonzales | 1873-1877 |
| Mariano Gonzales | 1877-1880 |
| Pedro Macandili | 1889-1885 |
| Juan Evangelista | 1885-1888 |
| Ardiano Macandili | 1888-1894 |
| Eustaquio Castillo | 1894-1899 |
| Quiterio Briones | 1899-1903 |
| Antonio Leus | 1903-1905 |
| Rufino Paz | 1905-1908 |
| Severo Gonzales | 1908-1910 |
| Andres Libang | 1910-1914 |
| Valentin Tolentino | 1914-1918 |
| Dionisio Lanting | 1918-1921 |
| Guillermo Lanting | 1921-1925 |
| Fulgencio Macandili | 1925-1929 |
| Pedro Garcia | 1929-1932 |
| Arcadio Panghulan | 1932-1935 |
| Tomas Panghulan | 1935-1937 |
| Ramon Alcantara | 1937-1938 |
| Urbano Leus | 1938-1940 |
| Domingo Gallevo | 1940-1941 |
| Cesario Saludo | 1941-1948 |
| Elino Virrey | 1948- to date |
6. Story of old barrios or sitios within the jurisdiction that are now depopulated or extinct: None.
7. Data on historical sites, structures, buildings, old ruins, etc.: None.
8. Important fact, incidents or events that took place:
(2) People were taxed heavily.
(3) People were cruelly treated.
(4) Forbidden to follow any religion except Christianity.
(2) Japanese soldiers began the lust for women through the use of force.
(3) Hungry Japanese soldiers began to gather foods from the people through intimidation and threat of death.
(4) All men were forced to work in their camps under the Japanese forced labor law.
During the war, men joined the guerrilla movement and established underground defenses.
After the war: Inhabitants began to till their farms and produce foods. They began to establish livestock farms and improve their backyards with green vegetation and religious worships [became] their routine during Sundays and holidays. Children of age began the trek for education in the rehabilitated barrio school.
(b) In 1941-1945: There [were] 11 persons killed by the Japanese. The total loss on properties was estimated at ₱35000.
Measures and accomplishments toward rehabilitation and reconstruction following World War II:
(2) Repair and construction of the barrio road.
(3) Introduction of modern farming.
(4) Enforcement of health and sanitation.
a. Birth:
It is the custom of expectant mothers in this barrio to deliver their first child in the parents’ home.
b. Baptism:
After a child has been baptized by the priest, the godfather or the godmother rushes at once outside the church from the rest of the people with the belief that the child will grow up active.
c. Courtship:
It is the custom that a lover, before entering the house of the girl, kisses the hands of the elders in the family. Then, the elders would request him to sit down a little farther away from the lady. Just after the suitor is seated, the elders would likewise sit somewhere near the two young lovers and pretend to do something. This is done just to spy [on] every movement of the lovers. In this way, the lovers will have no chance to talk about love. Displeased, the young man would then bid them good night.
d. Death:
When someone is dead, the members of the family are not allowed to sweep the floor.
Just after the corpse has been carried away from the house for burial, the one left in the house would get a pail of water and throw it to the ground as a sign of good omen.
On the fourth day, the family would take a bath in the river with a belief that the sins of the dead would be forgiven. While grieving for the loss of the dear one, they are too careful not to let their tears drop on the dead, believing that by so doing, the soul of the dead would not suffer in another life.
11. Beliefs and Superstitions:
People have different ways of planting bananas. Some people are observing the modern methods of planting bananas, while some are still following the traditional customs based on their superstitious beliefs.
Some people plant bananas after eating their meals. They believe that this way of planting will produce better and bigger fruits. Some people do not plant bananas when the moon is in the smallest size because they believed that the plant will bear but very small fruits. Others do not look up when they plant bananas for fear that the banana plants will grow him and small and tall.
12. Popular songs, Games and Amusements:
The popular songs are the kundimans, balitaw and the danza. Among the popular games and amusements are cockfighting, playing cards, and going to shows.
13. Puzzles and Riddles:
b. Dala mo’y dala ka, dala ka ng iyong dala. (bakya)
d. Dalawang bintana, sabay buksan. (mata)
e. Ito na si Kuya, may sunong na baga. (manok)
f. Sinampal ko muna bago ko inalok. (sampalok)
b. Ang lumapit sa patayan, sapilitang maduduguan.
c. Pag may buhay ay may pag-asa.
d. Ang laki sa layaw, karaniwa’y hubad.
e. Pag ang itinanim ay hangin, bagyo ang aanihin.
f. Ang araw ay hindi lulubog kundi sumapit ang buong maghapon.
(1) Crowing of the roosters in the morning.
(2) Position of the sun and the stars.
2. Elino Virrey – 29 years old
3. Macario Gonzales -74 years old
4. Nazario Magsino – 39 years old