Dagatan, Taysan, 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 Dagatan in the Municipality of Taysan, 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.
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DIVISION OF BATANGAS
District of Lobo
DAGATAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Taysan
REPORT ON HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE
OF THE BARRIO – DAGATAN
1 – [The] Present official name of the barrio is DAGATAN.
2 – Since time immemorial, this barrio has been known as Dagatan. This name was derived from a lake whose humorous appellation was “dagat-datagan.” It was situated in the southern part of the barrio. This seeming artificial pond was a mere bathing place of wild hogs.
Dagatan is comprised of two sitios, namely: Malabo and Kurva. The former was christened after a stream which had a foggy and obscured surface at all times, while the latter was dubbed after the zigzagged road in the locality.
3 – Date of establishment:
No record can be traced regarding the establishment of the present name of the barrio and no person can give authentic information or data about it. Kurva, a sitio, located in the eastern portion of the village, was established only after the liberation when this part of the province was being reached by the newly constructed provincial highway. That was way back in 1947. With regards Malabo, it is quite an old sitio. No available records and information can be gathered regarding its establishment.
4 – Original families:
There were few families who settled at the place during the early days due to the fact that it was a mere hunting ground or a spot for wild hogs, boars and deer.
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5 – Tenientes from the earliest time to date:
a. Spanish Period:
2. Luis Balbaira
3. Doroteo Lontoc
4. Estanislao Montalbo
b. American Period:
1. Cornelio Ebreo
2. Mariano Gutierrez
3. Esteban Malaluan
c. Japanese Occupation:
d. Liberation:
1. Doroteo Perez
2. Bartolome Delfin
3. Atanacio Villanueva
4. Primo Comia (incumbent)
6 – There is no story of old barrios or sitios within the jurisdiction that are now depopulated or extinct.
7 – Data on historical sites, etc.:
January 3, 1950 – Surrender of General Francisco Medrano, a rebel leader. It took place at [the] Dagatan Elementary School campus. No other data can be gathered.
8 – Important facts, incidents, or events that took place:
a. Spanish period –
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b. During the American period –
c. During and after World War II –
Dagatan was the headquarters of the Batangas Town Guerrillas during the Japanese Occupation. The population was well-protected by the guerrillas from the Japanese cruelties, atrocities and brutalities. Due to the vigilance of the Filipino guerrillas, no destruction of lives was noted. Only properties were destroyed and a few homes were razed to the ground, thus rendering some families homeless.
From December, 1949 to January 3, 1950, Dagatan became the command post of the Philippine Ground Forces for [the] mapping operation of the rebels under the leadership of the then General Francisco Medrano, who took refuge in the neighboring barrios.
9 – a. No lives were sacrificed at the wanton hands of the enemies. While much properties were destroyed by the Japanese soldiers whenever they came to get provisions from the people. Clothing was also taken from the inhabitants without much ado.
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10 – a. Traditions:
1. Every May, there is a “Flores” or the Mayflower Celebration. During the last day of the annual festivity, a high mass is said by the priest from the town. [The] Slaughtering of animals such as pigs, cows, goats, and chickens is the order of the day.
2. When a mother gives birth, the killing of a hen is the main feature of the event. Three shots from a gun will rend the air, if the newborn baby is a boy, and two shots if it is a girl. In the baptism of the child, it is customary to invite the neighbors to grace the occasion.
3. Courtship – During courtship, the man take off his hat as he enters the gate of the yard of his dreamed lady. When he is already upstairs and his presence is acknowledged by the girl’s old folks, he will [sit] down timidly near the door. Before the man can win the love of a woman, he must show his utmost gratitude, devotion, and respect for the girl’s parents and kin. When his pre-offered love has been reciprocated, he has to work for the family for a couple of months or years before he can lead his loved one to the altar.
4. Marriages – The couple is always married by the priest. This actuation manifests their strong and full belief in God. There is always a wedding party even how poor both parties are. During the party, the first served
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are the bride and the bridegroom together with the relatives of the woman. The event is highlighted by the ceremony, the so-called “sabugan,” a way of receiving wedding gifts. The newlyweds feature or play the important role in this life’s dreams. When this phase of the ceremony is done, then comes the traditional “dapitan” (the girl or bride is taken to the man’s home), where the marriage celebration terminates.
5. It has been the tradition that when someone crosses the bar or departs to the land of [the] hereafter, no one in the family will dare sweep or clean the house, the surroundings, etc. Everybody in the house moves very slowly to show reverence to the demised. No green leafy vegetables are served during the nine-day mourning period.
6. Punishments – There were severe punishments common in the place during the early days. Among them were, the accused was handcuffed to the holes in the wood, burning the fingers and killing sometimes resulted if the person concerned was found guilty.
11 – a. No legendary tales and myths can be found or gathered.
b. Beliefs – The people in the place during the olden days had a strong belief in God. They used to go to church in town despite the distance. No person worked on holidays and on Sundays. Eating meat was strictly prohibited on Holy Friday and Christmas Eve.
d. Interpretations –
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and the stars were the children of the land.
2. Earthquakes were conflicts between the sun and the clouds.
3. Storms – If the wind blew from the north, there would be a storm broiling around. Storms, according to the old folks, were due to an angry saint known as San Lorenzo.
e. Superstitions –
1. The crowing of the roosters at night and followed by the cackling of a hen indicates the elopement of lovers or sweethearts.
2. The mournful growling and morning of dogs signify the passing of “death” in the vicinity.
3. When a member of the family marries and the first born child is a boy, it foretells good luck for the family.
4. The nearness of the morning star to the first quarter moon means [the] rampant elopement of lovers.
5. The abundance of water or sea products in the market is the reverse in the harvest of land products.
6. Sweeping or cleaning the house while a dead person is in state, brings a bad omen, as an early death if a member of the family follows.
12 – Popular songs, games, and amusements –
a. Games – Tubigan, running gold, taguan, and cockfighting.
b. Songs – kurido, kutang, and original.
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13 – Puzzles and riddles:
Magtago at mamulaga
Sa matanda at sa bata. (Matsing)
Sa kamunting hinihikap
Mahaba ang sinusulat. (Uod o uhod)
14 – Proverbs and sayings:
Kamuting langis at ito’y mapatakan
Di na iinumin at pandidirihan.
Ang inyong paroroonan
Tatanda ka rin naman.
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15 – Methods of measuring time:
a. By the position of the sun.
b. By the crowing of the cocks.
c. By the position of the shadows.
16 – No tales can be gathered from the people.
17 – No information on books and documents treating [of] the Philippines and the names of their owners are available.
18 – No authors from the place have been known so far.
Prepared by:
[Sgd.] JOSE A. FLORES
Chairman
[Sgd.] (Miss) ELENA M. LUCERO
Member
[Sgd.] (Miss) CRISPINA M. BISCOCHO
Member
[Sgd.] (Mr.) ANTONIO P. MENDOZA
Member
Consultant
Principal, Dagatan Elem. School
District Supervisor