Tulo, Taal, Batangas: Historical Data

Tulo has been the popular name of the barrio since it was established. According to the oldest man of the barrio, this was how the barrio got its name.

Far from this original place which is called Tulo was a big stone which was the source of the dripping water drops. The stone was on an elevated place. Drops of water continued to fall. Hence, the name was derived from our dialect word “tulo.” However, that very place was not inhabited by people for it was far from the pathways leading to the town and neighboring barrios. The people moved from that place to the places nearer the roads called this Tulo because the stone was within the jurisdiction of Tulo.

Sukol, in the northernmost part of the barrio, is its sitio.

(1) During the Spanish Occupation

The people suffered much from the cruelty of the Spaniards. There were cabezas who enforced taxes in the barrio. Houses were all transferred along the road by the order of the Spanish officials. There were many insurrectos from the barrio that time who fought against the Spaniards.

Captain Crisanto Catapang headed the barrio against the Spaniards. Some of his followers were Cabeza Agido Cabrera, Dalmacio Maristela, Jose Catapang, Melanio Catapang, Daniel Montenegro, Filemon Cuento, and Melecio Catapang. Some of these are living veterans in the barrio.

Famine occurred during the time. In one of the portions of the place, the people hardly survived. The experienced to eat the inner part of banana plants so much so that the people called it until now Buñgo.

Many people moved from this place when the Spaniards occupied it. Then, a system of schooling was carried on especially with those who were left. Arithmetic, Reading, and Spanish were taught.

(b) During the American Occupation to World War II

When the Americans came, the same brave man Captain Catapang, together with his followers, fought against the Americans. The Americans punished those who did not surrender their arms. However, Captain Catapang and his men did not experience this.

During this time, the people lived by planting sugarcane, rice and corn. The occupation of the women was weaving.

(c) During and after World War II

Again, the people suffered much when the Second World War broke out. They experienced much hardships, especially when it came to food, clothing, and shelter. They were forced to evacuate to the mountain for fear of the Japanese.

In February, 1945, the Japanese burned down 19 houses in the barrio. The fire was an extension from the neighboring barrio, Luntal.

Animals were taken from the people, plants and other properties were destroyed.

No inhabitants of the place were put to death but some of the evacuees were killed and they were burned.

Mr. Jesus Catapang, a native of Tulo, fought and died in Bataan. He was the veteran of Tulo.

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

(a) Birth:

When a child is born, it has been the practice of each head of the family to shoot 2 bullets when the child is a girl and 3 when a boy. This is a way to announce the birth.

The killing of chickens is a main feature of the event. It is customary for the visiting relatives to bring with them [some] sorts of gifts. These are especially food, cigarettes, or anything that may be of the family’s immediate needs for the occasion.

(b) Baptism:

When a child is baptized, there is no baptismal party. The sponsor’s gift is either money, clothes or jewels.

As soon as a godmother or godfather comes home from the church, he tosses coins before entering the house. This is called “pahinaw.” The onlookers get their shares by picking up the coins.

The sponsor who takes the child with the sponsor to the church receives also a little amount of money from the sponsor.

(c) Marriage:

When the couple comes home from the church, rice is thrown before them as they come up the stairs. Before they leave for the bridegroom’s house, the form of giving them gifts is done. This is called “sabugan.” When they leave, the couple need not look back [at] the house of the bride.

(d) Courtship:

During the courtship, the old folks pay particular attention to the actuations of the man. When a man’s love has been reciprocated, he renders good services to the lady’s family. Sometimes, it takes months or years to do this.

There still exists the courtship like the olden days when the parents of both parties decide the marriage of the man to the lady. This, however, is not very common now.

(e) Death:

It is a nice practice to see that when a person dies, he is highly honored. People of the place stay most of the time in the house of the dead rendering services to the bereaved family.

For [the] nine days mourning period, the family and the near relatives do not cook green leafy vegetables.

When parties are held on the 4^th or 9^th day, the plates are not piled unless they are cleaned.

(f) Burial:

When the dead person has many children, before he is buried or after the burial is done, these small children have to pass or step across the repose.

(g) Punishments:

The form of punishment administered to the offender is based upon the offense made.

(b) Beliefs:

The people believe that the existence of everything came from God. They believe in the witches of the mountains, caves, the seas and the lakes. They, too, believe in the “taong lupa” or “nuno,” and “mangkukulam.”

(c) Interpretations:

When a kind of plant [called] “barras pari” bears flowers, someone in the family circle will soon get married.

The old folks say that the heavenly bodies are children of the land.

They say that earthquakes, strong winds, and storms are made possibly by an angry saint in heaven known as San Lorenzo.

They say that lightning and thunder are boulders of rocks rolling in the heavens and made possible by Saint Barbara.

(d) Superstitions: