Suplang, Tanauan, Batangas: Historical Data

(a) During the Spanish occupation: During the Spanish occupation, the Spaniards built a camp (Kwartel) in the barrio of Suplang. The place was surrounded by big trees and thick bushes which protected the soldiers from enemies. Fighting between the Spaniards and Filipino insurgents took place in this barrio.

(b) During the American occupation to World War II: None.

(c) During and after World War II: None.

(a) Baptism: When a child is born, it is given a preliminary baptism called “buhus tubig,” or “buhusan.” This is especially so when the child is sick. It is the common belief of the barrio folks that when a child dies without the benefit of baptism, it becomes a tiyanak. It is also believed that when someone steps over the grave of the unbaptized child, he or she becomes sick, locally termed “natabang.” The “buhus tubig” is usually solemnized by any old person in the locality.

(b) Deaths: After death, the dead is usually buried the following day. During the time that the body is still in the house, prayers are offered by visitors. Before burial, the dead is taken to the local parish for the last benediction, officiated by the local priest. After burial, prayers are again said every night until the ninth day. This is called the “siyaman,” when after the prayers are said, the younger folks organize parlor games like the so-called “dupluhan,” “huege de frenda,” etc. One year after the death of a person, his or her family will hold the “laglagan ng luksa.” (This is the end of the period of mourning.)

(c) Courtship: Undoubtedly, many of our present day customs were inherited from our forefathers. At present, there are still traces of those traditions which our elders cherished. During those days, courting was mostly done by the parents of the man; that is, his parents talked with the parents of the lady he loved and if both parties agreed, their children were betrothed. However, in some cases, the parents of the girl first resorted to the so-called “garaduhan,” (the number of the man’s name was matched with that of the girl’s.) and if their numbers did not match, their betrothal was called off. On the other hand, if their numbers matched, the wedding plans were made. The man then began or started to prove his worth by doing all the household chores in the girl’s house. He chopped firewood, fetched water from the well, pounded rice, etc. This went on for weeks or months, and sometimes years.

(d) Marriage: Marriage customs of those days were no different from those of today, save for the fact that during those days, the bride and the groom were not allowed to live together until after the fourth day of their marriage.

(e) “Bayanihan:” This is the custom which is still carried to this day. The menfolk of the barrio offer their services free to their neighbors, like for example, when someone’s house is to be moved to another place, or someone’s palay is to be harvested.