Calatagan, Batangas: Historical Data Part III
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| Historical data from the National Library of the Philippines. |
PART III
PART I | PART II | PART III | PART IV | PART V | PART VI | PART VII | PART VIII | PART IX | PART X
Full transcription of the so-called “Historical Data” for the Municipality of Calatagan, Batangas and its barrios, 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.
Part III of the Historical Data for the Municipality of Calatagan, pp. 21-30 of the Poblacion section
[p. 21]
Pamahiin Bagay sa Kabuhayan
1. Hindi dapat magwalis sa pagdadapit hapon o sa gabi pagka’t nalalayo ang kabuhayan at naghihikahos ang may bahay.
2. Di dapat maglagay ng kuwarta sa hapag pagka’t nakakapaghirap.
3. Sa pagkakainan ay di dapat magligpit ng kinanan habang may kumakain pa pagka’t kung dalaga pa ang natirang kumakain ay tatandang dalaga at kung binata naman ay magiging matandang binata.
Superstitious Beliefs and their Interpretations
1. Whenever the northern sky becomes red, it is going to rain.
2. When chickens roost thought it is not yet sunset, that shows that there will be rain to come.
3. The shining of a comet with its tail pointing downward is a bad omen. That means there will be war or [an] epidemic.
4. At night, when there is a star shining very close to the moon, women are going to be very close and kind to men.
5. When the first quarter or last quarter moon is in [a] slanting position, [the] rainy season is going to start.
6. During [the] rainy season when egrets fly eastward, the rain is still going to continue but if they fly to [the] west, the rain is going to cease.
7. During mealtime, the unintentional falling of a spoon shows a woman visitor is coming; if it is the fork that falls, a man visitor will be the one coming.
8. Whenever the bottom of the carajay buns [burns?] when cooking, visitors are coming.
9. When a black butterfly flies around a person and does not seem to go away at once, that means a relative is dead.
10. When the scent of a burning candle fills the room we’re in even [if] there is no lighted candle, a close relative is dying.
11. The growl of a dog that is not commonly heard and seems to be moaning means somebody in the household is going to die.
12. When a child’s nape is deep, that shows the child is selfish.
13. When the palm becomes itchy, there will be money to receive.
14. Dreaming of having a fallen molar means the parents are going to die.
Beliefs about Health and Sickness
1. Taking a bath on Tuesdays and Fridays makes us sick.
2. Taking a bath in the afternoon or evening will cause anemia.
3. On St. Lazarus’s Day, bathing is not good for one who takes a bath will become sick.
4. After bathing, especially when the hair is still wet, sleeping is bad for it will cause insanity.
5. When a child has not yet reached his first year, his hair should not be cut yet for he is going to get sick.
6. To dream of having much money will cause the person who dreamt of it to have scabbies.
7. It is bad to cut nails on Tuesdays and Fridays.
8. When on a mat, avoid cutting nails for when the nails happen to stick in the mat, the person is going to be sick.
[p. 22]
Beliefs about Living
1. Sweeping at night is not good because the owner of the house will become poor.
2. Putting money on the breakfast table will make people poor.
3. Clearing the table when someone is still eating is not good because he or she is going to be a bachelor or a spinster.
Ang Pinagmulan ng Dagat at Ilog
Nang unang panahon, picture ng mundo ay isa lamang tipak na bato na walang anumang nabubuhay at walang batid na kaluluwa maliban sa isang matandang lalaki na naninirahan sa isang yungib. Doon siya lumalagi, kaya’t isang araw ay pinagbalakan niyang akyatin ang mataas na bundok na tumutungo sa kanyang yungib.
Samantalang siya ay nasa daan, ay nakita niya ang malalawak na kapatagang kanyang tinutunghan na walang anumang nabubuhay.
Ilang taon siyang naglakbay sa matatarik na bundok ng siya’y nakaramdam ng panghihina. Nagtigil siya upang mamahinga; nang sa hindi akalain ay may isang ingay siyang narinig. Kanyang pinaghanap at natanaw niya ang isang laywang nagpupulot sa gitna ng bato.
Nakiusap ang matanda na bigyan siya ng kaunting pulot upang pagpatid uhaw. Nguni’t ang ginawa ng hayop ay siya ay kinagat sa tuktok. Nagalit ang matanda at binato ng bato niyang dala-dala ang kulisap. Nguni’t sa halip na tumama ito’y sa langit lumampas kaya’t nagkaroon ng butas ang langit na nilabasan ng tubig. Lumaki ng lumaki ito dahilan sa matuling agos. Nagpatuloy ang paglabas ng tubig ng ilang panahon hanggang sa maiga ang langit.
Nang tumila o tumigil ang tubig ay namangha ang matanda sa kanyang nakita; wala na ang dating kapatagan at sa halip ay naging tubig na lahat. Kaya simula nuo'y nagkaroon na ng dagat, lawa at ilog sa daigdig.
The Origin of the Sea and River
Long before people came into being, the earth was but a solid rock, barren and dry as there was no known creature living in it except a lonely old man [who] dwelt in a desolate cave in the midst of high mountain ranges. He had lived there for centuries, that one time he decided to climb the highest mountain peak overlooking his cave.
As he was on his way, he was so amazed at what his eyes could see. He could clearly see far down below the wide valleys and some empty hollow parts where nothing grew.
It look in several years climbing steep cliffs went to his disappointment, he felt very tired when he was just several steps below the peak.
[p. 23]
He could no longer lift his feet for he was very exhausted and thirsty. All the water he had brought with him were already consumed and he ran out of supply.
He stopped for a rest between two big boulders of rock that stood on his way, when unexpectedly, he heard a buzzing sound above. He tried to locate where it came from and he saw that it was a honey bee busy collecting honey. It had selected the place to build its comb for fear that its enemies might destroy it.
The old man then requested the insect for a little drink from his honey for his throat had been so dry and his body very weak, but instead, the insects tongue the old man’s head. This made the old man very angry and [he] ran after the creature. When he could not catch it, he threw his big came after the insect, but instead of hitting the insect, it hit the sky, making a very big hole in it. Water came out of the hole and as the water flowed freely, the whole became bigger until it became so big that there was a heavy downpour. The water fell for several years and it did not stop until after all the water in the sky was empty.
When the flow subsided, the old man was astonished to find that the former wide dry valleys below were filled with water and that almost two-thirds of the land was covered by water. The smaller hollow parts were also filled with water and, thus, formed our seas and lakes.
Ang Pinagmulan ng Halaman, Kahoy at Hayop
Pagkaraan ng ilang taon ng kanilang pagsasama ay nagkaroon sila ng dalawang supling. Isang lalaki at isang babae na kapwa mahilig sa paglalaro sa tabing ilog na pinagmulan ng kanilang ama.
Isang umaga ay napaglaruan ng dalawa ang kanilang unan. Sa ilalim nito ay natuklasan nila ang libagin nang supot at ang matanda ng kahon. Lihim nila itong dinala sa tabing ilog at binuksan. Ang supot ay may limang buto na kanilang pinaglaruan hanggang sa mawala sa kanilang paglalaro. Ang kahon naman ay may lamang itlog na iba’t iba ang laki. Nagsambutan sila sa itlog na ang buong akala nila’y malalaking sigay. Kaya’t nang kanilang pinaglalarua’y nangabasag ito at sa bawa’t isa ay may lumabas na hayop. Sa laki ng takot ay nagtatakbo silang pauwi at hindi na sila muli pang gumawa sa lugar na iyon maliban sa nang maalala ito ng ama. Buong takot nilang ipinagtapat ang pangyayari pagkatapos ng halos ay may dalawang taong paglilihim.
Ang ama na ibig mabatid ang nilalaman ng kanyang taglay na supot at kahon ay nagpasama sa kanyang mga anak sa lugar na kinawalan. Isinama siya sa ilog, nguni’t sila’y higit na namangha sa tumutubong halaman sa pampang ng ilog at sa mga nagtataasang kahoy na sumibol sa gawing itaas sa lugar na kanilang pinaglaruan. Kung minsan ay sila ay napatakbo na nagugulantang sa takot dahilan sa mga bagong bukal na hayop na nuo'y tumitigil doon. Napapatingin sila sa itaas sa hindi nila inaasahang magagandang ibong nagliliparan.
[p. 24]
Napatigil ang ama pagkatapos na maalala ang kanyang supot at kahon. Inusisa niya ang kanyang mga anak kung ano ang laman nito. Ang lalake ang sumagot nang putol-putol at nangangatal sa laki ng takot. Kanyang ipinagtapat kung ano ang nangyari.
Niyapos sila ng ama at sinabi sa kanilang wala silang sukat ikabahala sapagka’t hindi tunay na nawala ang mga iyon kundi nagsitubong mga halaman at kahoy at ang itlog ang pinagmulan ng iba’t-ibang hayop.
Origin of Plants, Trees and Animals
After several years of living together, their family increased as there were two children born to them. They had a boy and a girl who were both fond of playing far from their home and their usual place was the river where their father originated.
Early one morning, the two happened to dig up the pile of wooden pillows they were using. Underneath them, they saw the dirty bag and the old box carried by their father. Because of their want of [a] toy, they brought the objects with them near the river. They opened these containers to see what was inside them. They found out that the bag contained several seeds which they threw around as they thought they were but small pebbles for playing. The box contained several eggs which they thought were seashells. They then played with the eggs which broke due to their carelessness. Out came queer creatures from each of the broken eggs and this frightened the children. They ran home and never attempted to play in the same place until after the father remembered his box and bag. The two revealed to their father what had happened a couple of years [before] to them.
The father, who wanted to know the contents, then ordered his children to show him the place where they lost the content. He was led to the river bank, but they were surprised to see the young green plants growing along the bank and thick towering trees crowding on the nearby hills where they played. At times, the three would scamper in fright as there were animals found to be living in the place. They would often look up in wonder to see some beautiful birds flying high among the branches of the trees. They wondered and thought of the wonderful change as it was not the same when they formerly frequented this place.
The father paused and came to remember his bag and box. He asked his children of their contents. The boy, with choking voice, said that the bag he took contained pebbles which were lost while playing and the girl told her father that the box she opened contained several small shells which they broke. They related how queer creatures appeared in each broken shell and how frightened they were.
The father embraced his loving children and told them that there was nothing to fear about their disappearance for they did not really vanish but instead germinated into plants and the eggs became the first animals and birds.
[p. 25]
Ang Pinagbuhatan ng Araw
Pagkalipas ng isang linggo, ang tatlong magkakapatid ay nainip sa kanilang pag-iintay. Kaya’t minarapat na ni Kasikatan na siya’y sumunod sa kapatid upang iligtas siya at upang kunin si Maganda sa paano mang paraan.
Nang narating niya ang palasyo ni Amang Langit ay buong galit niyang ipinagtanong ang kinaroroonan ng kanyang kapatid. Siya ay hinarang ng tanod na kidlat at binigyan ng dalawang pukol ng kamatayan, kaya’t ang kanyang katawan ay nagliyab na simula noon ay siyang naging araw hindi na siya muli pang nakabalik sa dagat at naging utusan na siya ni Amang Langit upang tanglawan ang daigdig.
The Origin of the Sun
After a week or so, the three brothers waited eagerly for his return, but he returned no more. They then concluded that he had met an unfortunate end, so Kasikatan, the second oldest, followed his brother with the determination that he would save Snglibutan and take Maganda with him.
Upon reaching the palace of Amang Langit, he angrily inquired the whereabouts of his brother and he was accosted by the lightning guards that watched the palace. He was given to death blows which turned his body into [a] red hot ball which from that time on was called the sun. Since then, he never returned to the sea, but stayed in the sky where he remain a slave of Amang Langit to light everything on the earth.
Ang Pinagmulan ng Buwan at Bituin
Nang sumunod na gabi, ay may sumipot sa langit ng isang mahinhin ang liwanag na buwan. Ang kulay niya’t anyo ay walang pinag-ibhan sa kilos at katawan ni Kabilugan kung kaya’t inakala na ang kidlat ay naging buwan.
Libu-libong kumukutitap na bituin ang suminag ng gabi ring yaon. At sa malalambing na kislap nila ay madadama na ito’y wala ng ibang pinagmulan kundi ang mahinhing si Makislap na pagkatapos tamaan ng kidlat at kumalat sa langit ay naging bituin.
The Origin of the Moon and Stars
When night came, there appeared in the sky a full and bright moon with its mild and cool light lighting the night. It's orange and copper-like light was just the same as that of the body of Kabilugan and it was then supposed to be his body turned to moon.
Thousands silvery lights littered the sky the same night. Their lights were twinkling and giving beauty to the sky every night since the two younger brothers disappeared ask the stars were then supposed to be Makislap turn to stars.
Ang Pinagmulan ng “Engklibsi”
Pagkaraan ng tatlong linggong mapait na paghihintay, ang dalawang kapatid na naiwan ay naghinala na si Sansinukob at Kasikatan ay kapwa na napahamak. Sila’y sumunod sa kanilang kapatid upang ipaghiganti sila at upang makuha si Maganda.
[P. 26]
Tanghali nang tapat nang sila’y dumating sa palasyo. Walang pasintabi silang nagtuloy at winasak ang pintong bakal, nguni’t sila’y tinugis ng kidlat. Pinukol sila nito nguni’t mabilis na nangubli ang magkapatid sa ilalim ng makapal na pader ng tore sapagka’t batid nilang si Maganda’y doon nagtatago.
Tinugis silang dalawa ng nag-aapoy na kidlat at pinukol ng buong lakas. Lubhang malakas ang pagkapukokl kung kaya’t pati ang tore at palasyo ay nawasak. Ang maliliit na tipak at gayon din ang mga pinong pulbos ay lumipad sa malayong pook. At sa kapal ng napinong bato ay nagdilim ang daigdig kahit na tanghaling tapat. Natabunan ang araw at nawalang saglit ang liwanag. Ito ang naging unang “englibsi” kung tawagin.
The Origin of the Eclipse
After three weeks of painful waiting, the two brothers who were left at home came to believe that Kasikatan had met the same bad fate as Sangsinukob. They then prepared to follow him with the promised to their father today would [take] revenge for the death of their two brothers, that they would get Maganda at any cost. They departed and searched for the palace of Amang Langit.
It was high noon would they reached the palace. Without any word of provocation, they forced to open the iron gate with their dual strength and proceeded valiantly inside. But they were again confronted by the alert lightning guards. Sharp strikes were given to them but they were able to take refuge on the thick walls of the palace. They took cover under the big pillars of the high tower with the expectation of climbing it for they knew that Maganda was kept inside its topmost cell.
They were followed by the pursuing lightning and were given the worst blows. The strike was very strong that even the tower crumbled into pieces and its minute fragments were scattered thick and far, causing the earth to darken as the sun was covered by thick clouds of dust from the crumbled palace. This was then the origin of the eclipse and after a few minutes, the earth again brightened and the palace was gone, the two brothers disappeared and everything vanished.
Ang Pinagmulan ng Mundo
Nang unang panahon, ang lahat ay matuwid sapagka’t nuo’y walang araw, buwan o palamang pagbubuhatan ng liwanag at ang mundo [ay] payak na tubig at langit sa itaas.
Nang panahong yao’y ang diyosa ng tubig na si Dinagat ang nakasasakop sa tubig at sa langit naman ay si Amang Langit.
Si Amang Langit ay may magandang anak na babae na ang pangalan ay Maganda at si Dinagat ay may apat na anak na lalake.
Ang pinakamatanda ay si Sanglibutan na ang katawan ay bato. Ang pangalawa ay si Kasikatan na ang katawa’y ginto at siyang pinakamaligaya sa lahat. Ang ikatlo ay si Kabilugan na ang katawa’y tanso at laging malamig at mahinhin sa kanyang kilos. Ang pinakabata ay si Masikap na ang katawa’y pilak at pinakamabait sa lahat ng. Minsan ay silang lahat ay naglilibot sa kanilang kaharian ng si Kasikatan ay nakatanaw ng isang napakagandang prinsesa na sakay sa ulap. Hindi sila makapaniwala kaya’t kahit sinundan ng tanaw hanggang ito’y makubli
[p.27]
sa kabila ng makapal na ulap.
Nagkaroon ng hangarin ang apat kaya’t pinagkasunduan nilang daanin sa languyan ang pagpili kung sino ang dapat manguna sa paghahayin ng pag-ibig. Dinaan nila sa isang paligsahan sa languyan.
Nagtiyaga hanggang sa makakayanan ang bawa’t isa nguni’t [hindi] hindi na madaig sa bilis si Sanglibutan, kaya’t siya ay nanalo sa paligsahan. Nangako siyang pagkatapos ng isang linggong paghahayin ng pag-ibig at hindi niya ito napaibig ay pagbibigyan niya ang kanyang mga kapatid.
Nang mabatid ito ni Amang Langit ay nagpuyos ang kanyang galit. Sinarhan niya ng makapal na bakal ang kanyang palasyo at si Maganda simula nuo’y kinulong sa bahay.
Nang dumating ang takdang araw ni Sanglibutan sa pagdalaw kay Maganda, ay nagtuloy agad siya sa pasukan at sinabi niya sa bantay na kukunin niya si Maganda. Nagpuyos ang galit ni Amang Langit sa narinig, kaya’t buong galit itong hinarap at ipinagtabuyan pabalik at kung hindi siya susunod ay madama niya ang mapait na parusa ng langit. Hindi rin nakinig si Sanglibutan at sa halip ay itinulak ng buong lakas ang sarang bakal. Nang makita ito ni Amang Langit ay inutusan ang dalawa niyang bantay na kidlat na pukulin ang pangahas.
Ang pukol ay lubhang malakas na ang katawan ni Sanglibutan ay nagkapira-piraso na kumalat sa buong panig. May malalaking tipak na naging malalaking bansa at may maliliit namang naging maliliit na pulo.
The Origin of the Earth
Millions of years ago, everything was dark for there was no sun, moon, nor stars in the sky and the world was but a great body of water and sky above it.
That time, the sea was governed by the goddess of water known as Dinagat and the sky was ruled by Amang Langit.
Amang Langit have a very beautiful daughter known as Maganda and Dinagat had several sons with different kingdoms under the sea. The eldest son of Dinagat was Sanglibutan, who had a body of rock. The second eldest son was Kasikatan, with a body of gold and was the happiest son. The third was Kabilugan, with a body of copper and was always cool and mild in his dealings with his brothers, and the youngest was Makislap, who had a buddy of silver and was the gentlest and smallest.
These four brothers happened to be together once while going around their kingdoms when Kasikatan unexpectedly looked up and saw a very beautiful princess riding alone on a cloud. He showed her to his brothers and each one looked amazed as Maganda flew on her white cloud with her long hanging hair flying with the soft breeze. The four could not believe their eyes.
[p. 28]
They mentioned [motioned] her to come down but she couldn’t be prevailed [upon] to do so. She bade them to follow her and upward she flew among the thick clouds until she vanished from their sight.
Each off the four brothers wanted to have her as his mate and so trouble ensued among them. At last, Sanglibutan ask his younger brothers if they would agree on having a swimming competition and the one who would be the fastest would be the first to suit Maganda. This was then agreed upon and the race started. Everybody tried his best to win the game but they couldn't beat Sanglibutan as he was the strongest of them all. He was acclaimed the winner, but he promised his younger brothers that after a week’s courtship and he had not won the love of Maganda, he would return and give way to them.
When Amang Langit heard of this courtship, he became angry that he closed his yard with an iron gate. His daughter, Maganda, was kept inside the palace and was forbidden ever since to come out.
When the day for Sanglibutan to visit Maganda arrived, he proceeded directly to the gate and bade the gater [guard] to open it for the brave and strong son of Dinagat would get Maganda. This angered Amang Langit and he ordered Sanglibutan to go back or else he [would] received the worst punishment of the sky. He did not heed the order but instead pushed the gate with all his might. When Amang Langit so this, he sent two of his faithful lightning guards to strike the intruder.
The blow was so hard that the strong impact turned the body of Sanglibutan into pieces, scattering them all over the earth. The bigger parts spread as the big continents [and] the very minute fragments were then called the islets.
Ang Pinagmulan ng Unang Babae at Lalake
Si Maganda at si Amang Langit ay nakaligtas sa pagkaguho ng palasyo. Si Amang Langit ay humiga ng palapat sa itaas at si Maganda nama’y nakasakay agad sa kanyang ulap at bumaba sa isang pulo na tinigilan niya ng sulo-sulo nang kung ilang taon.
Ang kanyang buhay ay naging malungkot sapagka’t wala siyang kasama. Isang araw ay umupo siyang naghihinagpis sa pampang ng isang ilog. Pinagmasdan niya ang malinaw na agos ng tubig hanggang sa mapatungo siya. Higit siyang nagulat nang nakakita siya ng isang babae. Sa laki ng kanyang tuwa ay tumalon siya sa tubig sa pag-asang nakakita rin siya ng kasama. Nguni’t wala siyang nadama sa ilalim nito maliban sa isang malaking bilog na suso. Higit siyang namuhi sa nangyari, kaya’t kinuha niya ito at ipinukol ng buong lakas sa pampang ng ilog. Ang suso ay nagkadurog-durog, nguni’t may isang magandang lalaking lumabas dito. Ang lalaki ay may taglay ng isang munting kahon sa isang kamay at supot naman sa isa. Sa takot ni Maganda umakma siyang tatakbo, nguni’t ang lalaki ay nangusap ng mahinahon sa kanya na kung maaari ay magsama na sila.
[p. 29]
The Origin of the First Man and Woman
Maganda and Amang Langit were able to escape destruction as Amang Langit tried to lie flat above, covering the whole earth with his long flat body. As to Maganda’s whereabouts, she was able to ride on her favorite cloud and alighted on an island where she lived alone for several years.
Her life was very sad as nothing grew on earth that time, no living creature even roamed the earth. She wandered in all directions looking for somebody to accompany her but her search was in vain.
One morning, she sat hopelessly on the river bank and was thinking of her sad life. As she observed the crystal clear water, she happened to look downward and she saw an image in the water. To her astonishment and joy, she jumped into the water with the belief that she was able to find a companion. To her disappointment, she was able to find only a big round seashell instead of [a] woman. This enraged her so much that she got the shell and threw it with all her might on the river bank. The shell broke into pieces but [from it] sprang a handsome young man with a bag in one hand and a box in the other. At first, Maganda attempted to run for fear that the man might do her harm, but he spoke gently and told her to live with him. The first man and woman, therefore, came into being and peacefully lived in a cave where they stayed for years.
Ang Pinagmulan ng Kambal
Ang mga halamang tumubo ay malalaki at mayayabong. At isa diyan sa makapal na sumibol na halaman ay ang punong saging.
Pinagka-ugalian na ng mag-anak na iyon ang magpahinalay at mag-aliw sa ilalim ng magagabong kahoy at umupo sa malalamig na damo doon.
Isang araw, ang ina ay nakakita ng isang buwig na hinog na saging. Sa kanyang tuwa ay kumuha siya ng isa at tinikman. Nabatid niyang ito’y matamis kaya’t walang patumangga siyang kumain ng kumain.
Pumitas din siya ng ilan, binalot sa tapis upang ipasalubong sa kaniyang mga anak. Nang makarating siya sa kubo ay pinagsaluhan nila ito. Nagmasid ang ama habang kinakain nila ito at napuna niyang ang ilan sa mga ito’y magkakapit o kambal nguni’t hindi siya umimik.
Pagkaraan ng may isang taon, si Maganda ay muling nanganak nguni’t sa kanilang pagtataka ay ito’y kambal. Ang ama na higit na nagtataka ay naalala ang kambal na saging. Lumapit siya sa asawa’t inusisa ito kung nakapangain ng kambal na saging at ito nama’y tumango ng bahagya. Kaya’t mula ng sandaling yao’y ang pagkain ng kambal na saging ay pinag-iiwasan ng mga babaing nagdadalang-tao.
[p. 30]
The Origin of Twins
The plants grew very fast and sturdy along the bank. There were several varieties that crowded together and one of them was a banana plant.
Every day, the family had made it a habit to refresh themselves under the shady foliage and sit on these evergreen grasses that covered the bank.
One day, the mother happened to see a bunch of ripe bananas hanging from the stem. Because of curiosity, she got some of them and tasted. She found them to be sweet, so without any word, she peeled them one by one and continued to eat. She took some and wrapped them on her skirt for her children.
When she reached home, she gave them to her children which both of them ate with satisfaction. The father wondered why there were several bananas which were joined or twins yet he did not give any word.
After a year or so, Maganda again gave birth, but much to their amazement, it came out to be twins. The father, who was wondering so much, came to recall the bananas. He approached Maganda and asked her whether she had eaten twin bananas and she nodded calmly. So, from that time on, conceiving mothers tabooed eating twin bananas for fear of giving birth to twins.
Origin of Witchcraft
Ang Pinagmulan ng Isang Bagay na Nakapagtataka
(In Nat. Lang.)
Dapit hapon sa isang pook na naliligiran ng ilang malalaking punongkahoy at sa tabi ay isang malawak na bukirin na ang isang taong nasa ikalabing-anim na taong gulang ang masaya at panatag na nakaupo sa gulugod ng kanyang kalabaw at marahan niyang pinalalakad upang maninain [makitain?] ang unang naging pangitain sa buhay ni Manuel. Sa pagpapastol niyang ito ng kanyang kalabaw ay paminsan-minsan niyang inaawit ang kantahing nakaaaliw sa kanya at kung minsan ay bibigkas siya ng tula tungkol sa mga ibong lumilipad sa papawirin. Kaya’t minabuti niyang umibis sa likod ng kalabaw upang ihilig ang hapong katawan sa isa sa mga punongkahoy sa pook na iyon. Itinali niya ang dulo ng tali ng kanyang kalabaw sa puno rin ng kahoy na kinahihiligan niya at pagkatapos ay ipinatong ang kanan niyang paa upang maramdaman niya kung makaalpas ang kanyang alaga. Sa ayos niyang iyon, ano ba at napahimlay siya. Sa kanyang pagkakahimbing ay bigla na lamang siyang nakarating sa bungad ng isang malaking simbahan. Doon ay sinalubong siya ng mga paring mahahaba ang balbas na sa wari niya ay siya ay kilalang kilala na ng mga iyon. Pinatuloy siya sa loob ng simbahan at anong laking pagkamangha ang naghari sa kanyang kalooban. Ang simbahan ay napapalamutihan ng malalaking rebulto ng iba’t-ibang santo. Masauna sa loob at ang kanyang naririnig ay panay awiting naggagandahang tinig. Hindi siya nakaramdam doon sa loob ng simbahan ng pagkagutom at pagkauhaw o kaya’y pag-aantok. Lubha siyang nawiwiling tumingin sa mapang-akit na ayos ng simbahan at makinig sa magaganda at malambing na tinig. Nguni’t lumipas ang mga araw ng minsa’y naging balisa siya
PART I | PART II | PART III | PART IV | PART V | PART VI | PART VII | PART VIII | PART IX | PART X