Laurel, San Pascual, Batangas: Historical Data
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| Historical data from the National Library of the Philippines. |
Full transcription of the so-called “Historical Data” for the barrio of Laurel in the Municipality of San Pascual, 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.
[Note to the reader.]
At the time when this document was created, the barrio of Laurel was still a part of Bauan rather than San Pascual. The latter did not become a separate municipality until the year 1969, after the passage of Republic Act No. 6166.
[p. 1]
HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF LAUREL
PART ONE – HISTORY
The name of the barrio is Laurel. The present name of this barrio is Laurel in honor of Doctor Jose P. Laurel who has been the ideal of the people of the community. This place was established and popularized in the latter part of [the year of] our Lord, in 1949. The original families were the Marasigans and the Azucars. From the very beginning of its foundation up to now, Mr. Genaro Marasigan has been the barrio lieutenant. There were no old barrios or barrios [likely sitios] within the jurisdiction that are depopulated or extinct, since this barrio was once a part of Bayanan. There were no historical data on sites, structures, and etc. The houses in the barrio are all made of bamboos and nipa, since the place is famous for these materials. Incidents and important facts which happened during the Spanish occupation and during the American occupation to World War II, in Bayanan, happened in Laurel, also because this barrio was also a part of Bayanan formerly. After the victory of the Armed Forces of the United States, the people of the place have been awakened to reconstruct a road to facilitate trade and commerce so that agriculture was developed. The people raised
[p. 2]
their social standing.
A couple is not allowed by the old folks to transfer to their new house after the full moon. They have to wait for the new moon. A mother on the family way is not allowed to stand by the door and on the stairs. She is not allowed by the old folks to wind her neckerchief around her neck. They say it will be hard for the baby because her umbilical cord will choke her. The husband is not allowed to build a house or do any construction work.
When it comes to baptism, there must be a big party with plenty of food and drinks. One pig at least should be butchered.
In courtship, parents are on guard while a visitor is in the house. The marriage cannot take place when the moon is in its last quarter. Before marriage, the suitor has to work in the house of the girl for some domestic services.
The people keep vigil over the dead. No sweeping is done during the 9 days of mourning and novena for the dead is held for nine consecutive nights. While this novena is going onto the fourth day, the entire family takes a bath for they say it’s the time when the soul of the dead bathes also. On the ninth day, usually there is a big celebration for the people of the village when they share in novena at noon. It is being done because they say it is the offering to the [This sentence is unfinished.]
[p. 3]
Burial visits are being done during the fourth and ninth days.
The traditional barrio fiesta is on the 17th of April yearly. [The] Popular songs were the lullabies as heard from the parents. Others who were able to buy radios got their songs and news from it. The common dance was the Pandanggo.
The common proverbs are as follows:
1. He who believes in tales has no mind of his own.
2. Iron is destroyed by its own rust.
3. Shallow water makes [the] most noise.
4. Discreet courage works to advantage.
5. Stones don’t go to the snail.
6. A lazy man profiteth nothing come even during Lent.
7. He who does not know how to save throws money away thoughtlessly.
8. God gives his grade to men who labor for it.
9. Punctuality outruns agility.
10. Of what use is the grass
11. Don’t be overconfident; storms come even during Lent.
12. What one usually says is what he feels.
13. He who plants the wind reaps the storm.
[p. 4]
14. Constancy and patience will always win.
15. Munting bakur-bakuran
16. Pag matubig
17. Walang matimtimang virgin
18. Pag may sinuksok
19. Ang mahaba’y nagdudugtong
20. Ang di nalingon sa pinanggalingan
21. Ang nalakad ng matulin
22. Huag kang sisiguro
23. Ang mabait sa bata ay pinagpapala.
24. Ang maniniwala sa sabi-sabi
25. Sa lahat ng gubat
26. Magpakapula-pula ng saga
27. Pag may tinanim
28. Pag may tuwa
[p. 5]
The people measure the time by means of the position of the sun, the crowing of the cocks, by the opening of the patola flowers, and by time pieces.
There were no other folktales.
There is no information on books and documents treating of the Phil.
There are no Filipino authors born or residing in the community.