Tingloy, Batangas: Historical Data Part I

Ricudo, Pinagkurusan, Tabunan, Masasa, Hulo, and Pook are the sitios included in the territorial jurisdiction of Tingloy.

One may have the understanding that Tingloy is a newly-settled rural place because there are some modern buildings and houses. This is the wonder of [the] history of places; unless you did deep for the account of its past, one will fail to gain ideas of this place. How many years have rolled on, how many generations have passed and how many events have engendered in the destinies of its people? All of these seem to be still clearly written on the yellowing pages of Tingloy’s history.

Tingloy is bare of historical sites. Nothing can present [a] better sight than the main barrio itself. Gazing around, you will see mountains that are wonderful to see. Tingloy becomes beautiful because of them.

Let us try to understand that Tingloy was formerly a barren plateau bordering the sea. Its deep indentation invited sailors to try safe anchorage in its calm seashore. Since that time, there began the migration of people coming from distant places, especially from Taal. Houses were built here and there, forming a village now called Tingloy. Years slowly passed with astonishing developments made by the settlers. Remote and rural though this place may be, yet the inhabitants have manifested a high mark of civilization. There are, at present, modern structural buildings that have identities in cities and towns. There is the school building housing pupils from Grades One to Six. Pupils from nearby barrios come to this place with the sole intention of improving their lot.

The Spanish Occupation what's a time in Tingloy’s history punctuated by multifarious obstacles, troubles and difficulties. For most of these troubles was the coming of the Moros to our shores. They came over like savages. They committed abuses to women and took men away with them as slaves. Because of the great fear of being captured by the Moros, the populace settled inwards in the mountains. The people suffered from starvation. To make matters worse, the so-called “Civil Guards,” the peace officers of the time, did not help enforce the laws in the community. The “Civil Guards” robbed the people instead. They took away all valuable things they could find from the people such as palay, corn, sugar, tobacco, etc. The tragic situation worsened and lawlessness prevailed. The people lost faith in the “Civil Guards,” the agents supposed to be the guardians of human lives, happiness and liberty. This condition prevailed for so many long years until the Americans came to our shores.

1. Trouble with the Moros

There was once a trouble between the people of Tingloy and some Moro fishermen who had been mistaken to be pirates. Before the incident, there was much talk about the Moro piracy in many places. It was believed that Tingloy was one of the targets of the pirates due to the fact that many of the inhabitants were organized batel [?] owners and rich businessman.

So, one dark night at about twelve o’clock, when the inhabitants of the barrio cited peculiar fishing boats known as “Moro vintas” which anchored at Tingloy beach. At once, the alarm was sounded. Women and children ran out to places of safety. The men of the barrio got ready to face the Moros. They carried shotguns, pistols, and bolos. When the Moros reached the shore, they were greeted by a volley of shots. The Moros did not return firing, perhaps fearing that they were outnumbered in weapons and in men. Instead, they went hurriedly back to their vintas and left the place.

After a week, however, there was a rumor that the Moros filed a complaint in court because some of them were hurt in the incidental shooting. The people of the community raised some amount and were ready for any

legal trouble. They raised a hundred pesos from the community. Finally, the conflict was settled amicably. The people planned to return the money to the contributors, but it was finally decided by the prominent men to spend it for fencing the school ground. They bought barbed wire and fenced the school ground with it.

In the year 1921, this place seemed to be very fortunate because [of] the late Manuel L. Quezon’s visit. The people of the community received him cordially.

In the year 1932, a society among men was founded by Leodegario Diokno. It was the well-known Palihan ng Bayan, an association resembling the Katipunan. Its constitution was based upon Andres Bonifacio’s teachings.

To become a member, one must be twenty-five years old or more. A member signed his oath with his own blood, and he was bound to follow the strict rules.

The main objective was cooperation and brotherhood in the community. When a member died, the rest of the members gave shares in shouldering the expenses of the dead brother. During fiestas, this society again took the lead in making it a successful one. Before “All Souls Day,” members of this society took turns in cleaning and beautifying the Maricaban Cemetery.

Leading men of the time were elected as officers. Abdon Paradero became the president, Guillermo Cuasay as the vice-president and Juan Dimayuga the secretary.