Gelerang Kawayan, San Pascual, Batangas: Historical Data Part II
 |
| Historical data from the National Library of the Philippines. |
PART II
PART I | PART II
[p. 5]
water, cleans the yard, and does the other chores in the home. The bridegroom or relatives of the groom must repair the girl’s home. The servitude lasts after the marriage.
During the wedding ceremony, as soon as the couple had said their “I dos,” they immediately attempt to step on each other’s feet. The explanation for this seemingly discordant note injected into the otherwise solemn rite is twofold. It is supposed to bring good luck to the newly-married pair and at the same time, it determines who shall be the boss in the new household. If the woman succeeds in stepping on the bridegroom’s feet first, she is allowed to handle all money matters and more or less dominate her husband. If the husband is more agile, he holds the purse strings and may become reckless with expenses.
After the wedding rites, the bride and bridegroom are met at the stairs and rice is thrown at them. As soon as they are in the house, the couple kneels and kisses and hands of all related elders.
The wedding party is always held in the house of the bride. The expenses are borne by the groom’s parents and all relatives of the groom do the serving in the party.
Immediately after everybody has eaten came the “sabogan” or the raising of money. The couple sits on opposite sides of a table with two plates in front of them. An elder manages to call everyone in the house to give immediately his “sabog.” Those related to the bride give their gifts to the groom and vice-versa. The collected “sabog” is turned over by the bridegroom to the bride.
Then, the “lipatan” is witnessed. On the way, the bride is cautioned against looking back at her parents’ house. It is believed that a bride who manages to look back on her way to her new home will readily go home to her mother’s home in case of a quarrel. Before going up the boy’s house, the bride is made to drink sweetened water and some dessert, supposedly to give her [a] sweet disposition.
BIRTH
A pregnant woman must not stay under the house after sunset lest she sleeps during the delivery.
When somebody is pregnant in a house, no visitors will stay at the door lest the delivery will be difficult.
Immediately after delivery, the mat where the mother is confined is rubbed all over with ginger. It is believed that this practice will prevent the mother from getting sick.
[p. 6]
BAPTISM
There is always a party during a baptism. The kind of party served depends upon the financial condition of the family. The godparent shoulders the church expenses. A gift is always given to the baby by the godparent.
BURIAL CUSTOMS
It is believed that if the deceased is a mother and has left behind her several small children, she will visit them always. To offset this horrible possibility, before the grave is covered, the surviving children are passed over the open hole.
FESTIVALS
The people of the barrio are very hospitable. During the fiesta, everybody is welcome in their homes. Poor and rich have something to serve. The table is loaded with suman, bread, sweets, fruits, wine, meat, etc.
BELIEFS AND SUPERSTITIONS
There are still beliefs and superstitions which majority of the people of our barrio still believe. However, most of the young generation do not believe in these superstitions.
The superstitions are about heavenly bodies, plants, animals, and other phenomena. These are some of the beliefs the old people of our barrio believe.
2. The comet with its rays pointing downward means war, epidemic, or starvation.
3. Anyone who crosses a road and sees a horseshoe will meet with good luck.
4. When a black butterfly enters one’s home, it is the sign of a death of a nearest relative.
5. When the owl hoots at night, it means someone will die.
6. When the hens cackle at dawn, that means there will be a fowl epidemic.
7. At meal time, when a fork drops, a male visitor will come, and [if] a spoon, a female visitor will come.
8. To a merchant who meets a ground lizard on his way means bad luck.
9. If a ground lizard is found in a house being constructed, no matter if it is still half-finished, it will not be continued for the family will meet all misfortunes throughout life.
[p. 7]
GAMES AND AMUSEMENTS
Besides traditions, customs and superstitions, the barrio folks have their own ways of spending their leisure hours. Some are interested in playing baseball, sipa and pool. They play pool not betting with money but with candies. The winner gives the candies to all the children who cheer him in the game. Other forms of amusements are “dama,” “sungka,” playing cards and “tres siete.”
They are interested in hearing radio broadcasts of their neighbors and reading newspapers like “Bagong Buhay.” Others read Tagalog magazines and comics, Liwayway, Bulaklak and Filipino comics.
BUGTONG
1. May ulo walang buhok, may tiyan walang pusod. (palaka)
2. Pagsipot sa maliwanag, kulubot na ang balat. (ampalaya)
3. Maputing parang busilak, kalihim ko sa pagliyag. (papel)
4. Esteremengulis magkabila’y tulis. (talukab ng alimasag)
5. Bumili ako ng alipin, mataas pa sa akin. (sombrero)
6. Kuwalta ng kura, ay hindi magasta. (panot na pari)
7. Hindi pa mailibing ang patay, pagka’t buhay pa ang kapitbahay. (pisak ng mata)
8. Araw at gabi ay pinarurusahan, nguni’t di nagdaramdam. (lupa)
9. Kay liit, kay pandak, kay layo kung sumibat. (palaso)
10. Hindi hayop, hindi tao, tanongin ng buong mundo. (relo)
11. Gayong maabot na ng kamay, ginamitan pa ng tulay. (sipit)
12. Pag bata ay nagtatapis, kapag tumanda ay naglililis. (labong)
13. Tubig ko sa digang, di mapatakan ng ulan. (tubig ng niyog)
14. Hindi naman bulag, hindi makakita sa liwanag. (paniki)
MGA PILING SALAWIKAIN
1. May taynga ang lupa, may pakpak ang balita.2. Ang hanap sa bula ay sa bula rin nawawala.
3. Ang katotohanan kahit na ibaon
[p. 8]
6. Ang kahoy hangga’t malambot, madali ang paghutokMahirap na ang paghutok.
8. Kung tunay na tubo, matamis hanggang dulo.
9. Kaya nga’t ang tao ay nanghihinaw,
11. Kapalaran ko ma’y di ko man hanapin
METHODS OF MEASURING TIME
Some of the most common ways of telling time in primitive ways are:
2. The position of the sun.
3. The position of the stars.
4. The length of the shadow.
5. The cigarette being smoked.
Reported by:
Mr. Francisco Farol
Miss Clemencia Torres
Mrs. Bernardina M. Manalo
PART I | PART II