Natunuan, San Pascual, Batangas: Historical Data Part II

Historical data from the National Library of the Philippines.

officer of [the] barangay. If the Sultan had any daughter, she was called Princess. At that time, a Sultan had a daughter named Rosa.

Rosa was gentle and kind, and with her gentleness and kindness made her so dear to her people. So dear that anyone would kiss the footprints of her. But although a princess, she was engaged to only one of the warriors of her father. He was Malbar, who was the bravest of his age. He had a well-built body, curly black hair, slightly round face, wide forehead, and possessed a China-like eyes.

The relation of Malbar and Rosa as sweethearts was a secret to the Sultan. They knew that the Sultan would like that the husband of his daughter must be the prince of a nearby island so that Sultan would widen his dominion and increase his governing power. One night in the secret meeting of Malbar and Rosa, they were too confident that it was only the fullness of the moon that could see and hear their conversation. But fate was so cruel to the two loving hearts, because it was not the moon alone but someone with envious eyes was sharing with the moon. He was the confidential captain of the Sultan. His name was Matanglawin who was also in love with the princess. Envy of what he had seen through the light of the moon, in his heart he related everything to the Sultan. The Sultan, upon hearing this, summoned Malbar immediately. The Sultan, still in doubt of the news, asked Malbar if there was truth in the news that he and Rosa were loving each other. Malbar, without hesitation, admitted that they were loving each other. The Sultan was very angry because Malbar was a mere warrior who belonged to a low class of family. During those days, a low class man could not marry nor court those that belonged to the royal family.

To what Malbar had heard, he courageously replied that, “In love, there is no such law whatsoever covering the love affair of two loving hearts.” He added that he would support Rosa and make her happy in spite of his being a mere warrior. The reply of Malbar made the Sultan blush in anger. He considered Malbar a disrespectful man. He called Matanglawin and ordered him to imprison Malbar and be beheaded after three days. The news of Malbar in confinement reached Rosa which made her approach her father. Her begging for the release of Malbar was not heard and, thus, made her very sad.

In spite of the rejection of Malbar’s release, Rosa, without the knowledge of her father, approached the guards of the jail and begged them to allow her to visit Malbar. The guards took pity on Rosa and she was allowed to enter and to escape with Malbar if, in their escape, the guards would join them. They knew that death would be the lowest penalty if the Sultan would find out that the guards helped Malbar escape. But, upon their escape, they were seen by Matanglawin and without delay, the gong was rung to announce the escape of the prisoner. The hunting party was led by the Sultan himself. With the fear that they might be overtaken, Malbar prayed [to] his gods for their safety. His prayers were heard. Lightning was seen and darkness fell everywhere. Smoke covered Malbar and Rosa. And after everything turned clear, the two vanished. The Sultan was surprised at what had happened. He felt sorry and when he looked at the spot where the two disappeared, he found a plant of curled leaves which gave a sweet odor. Since that time, he tendered the plant and called it Malbarosa.

THE LEGEND OF (THE) MAKAHIYA

In a small town a long time ago, lived a rich couple with only one daughter who was courteous, polite, and obedient to her parents. But this daughter had a very peculiar characteristic. She was very shy to meet other persons besides her parents. Whenever they had visitors at home, she ran and hid among the plants and flowers in her garden. Her garden was famous in the town for its beauty. Her garden had a variety of beautiful flowers which were always in full bloom. The daughter loved to take care of her garden.

Then suddenly, the peaceful town was troubled by the coming of bandits from other places. All the people were worried and tried their means to escape. It was too late, the bandits came. They killed persons and stole properties. The home of the right family was no exemption to the bandits’ robbery. The couple was tortured and robbed of their belongings. The bandits looked for the daughter but the daughter had hidden in the garden. They thought she was taken also by the bandits. She was to be found nowhere. But, as a man was walking, his foot was struck by some thorns of an unusual plant. The couple bent over the plant and observed it. Slowly, it closed all its leaves. They concluded that the unusual plant was their daughter. God had helped their daughter by changing her to a plant, so she would not be seen by the bandits.

The couple shed tears of love and pity for their daughter. Their tears fell on the plant and, to their surprise, each tear that fell on the plant was turned to a tiny flower. Since that time, the couple took good care of the plant. They named it “makahiya” in honor of their very shy daughter.

BELIEFS AND SUPERSTITIONS

The people believed in various superstitions. The cry of a crow at night was associated with ill fortune. If a hunter or a merchant met a lizard in his way, it was believed that he should return home for the hunter would catch no game or the merchant would only lose his business. Dreaming of a tooth or some teeth removed meant that a near relative would die. Sneezing before leaving the house was a sign of misfortune.

The people also believed in the existence of “aswang,” “tigbalang,” and “tiyanak.” The “aswang” was believed to be a person who assumed other forms like that of a dog or pig in search of prey, particularly an expectant mother.

1. Isang butil ng palay, puno ang buong bahay. – ilaw
2. Bato pa ang tawag ko, bato pa ang tawag ninyo. – bato-bato
3. Isang pusong nakabitin, masarap nakawin. – mangga
4. Puno’y bumbong, sanga’y kalbang, bunga’y gatang, lama’y lisay. – papaya
5. Munti pa si padre, nakakaakyat na sa tore. – langgam
6. Munti pa si Pepe, maalam na maglinte. – alitaptap
7. Munti pa si Nena, maalam nang magkanta. – maya
8. Munti pa si Totoy, maalam na mangahoy. – gulok
9. Payong ni kaka, hindi matingala. – noo
10. Mata kong lingos-lingosin, hindi ko abot-abotin. – taynga
11. Dalawang magkumpare, mauna’t mahuli. – paa
12. Hindi hari, hindi pari, [ang damit] ay sari-sari. – sampayan
13. Buhok ni Adan, hindi mabilang. – ulan
14. Buhok ng pari, hindi mawahi. – tubig
15. Nagsaing si Kapirit, kinain pati anglit. – bayabas
16. Nagsaing si Katongtong, bumulak ay walang gatong. – sabon

17. Isang biyas na kawayan, puno ng kamatayan. – baril
18. Ang ibabaw ay araruhan, ang ilalim ay batohan. – kakaw
19. Lumabas si Rita, saya ay pula. – puso ng saging
20. May sunong, may kilik, may tukod ang puwit. – piña
21. Hindi madangkal, hindi madipa, uso ang lima. – karayom
22. Ang ina’y nagapang pa, ang anak ay naluklik na. – kalabasa
23. Sinarhan ko muna bago ko nilagyan. – labayan
24. Hinlalayog-hinlalayog, bunga ay namimilog. – santol
25. Himbaba-himbaba bunga ay mahaba. – kibal
26. Mata kong lingos-lingosin, hindi ko abot-abutin. – likod
27. Tubig ko sa digan-digan, di mapatakan ng ulan. – tubig ng niyog
28. Ako ay may alipin, mataas pa sa akin. – sombrero
29. Isa ang sinoutan, dalawa ang nilabasan. – baro
30. Nakadaan ang turo, di nakadaan ang bisiro. – bulos at kirkiran
31. Bahay ng hari, libot ng tali. – bilao
32. Taga-kitaga, walang tatal sa lupa. – bahay suyod
33. Isang malaking kalabaw, pinagsisibatan. – lusong
34. Nagtago ang Intsik, ulo lamang ang isiningit. – suhay
35. Pag bata’y nagtatapis, pag tanda ay naglililis. – labong
36. Isang punongkahoy, bunga’y galong, laman ay gulong. – lukban
37. Apat nga kaibigan, layo-layo ang bayan, pag kinakain ay umpugan. – nganga
38. Kahoy ko sa Mandaluyong, nasanga’y walang dahon. – sungay ng usa
39. Nagusong ay patay, ang inuusong ay buhay. – balag
40. May isang punong balite, may kabayong nakatali, tatlong kulay, pula, puti at dilaw, labingdalawa ang sanga, tatlumpu ang bunga. – buwan at araw
41. Dalawang ibong marikit, nagtitimbangan sa siit. – hikaw
42. Ako’y may kaibigan, kung hindi ko sakyan, hindi ako bibigyan. – kayuran ng niyog
43. Baboy ko sa pulo, balahibo’y pako. – langka
44. Kalabaw ko sa Maynila, abot dito ang unga. – kalugkog.

45. Sa parang ay saksakan, sa bahay ay bunutan. – amorsico
46. Lalabas, papasok, may dalang panggapos. – karayom
47. Ako’y may kabayong puti, sa puwit may tali. – karayom
48. Nagsaing si Judas, itinapon ang bigas, itinira ang hugas. - gata ng niyog
49. May isang magandang dalaga, nakatindig ay walang paa, nabuhay ay walang mata. – kandila
50. Dalhin kung makalimutan, kung maala-ala ay maiwan. – amorsico
51. Itinapon ko ang itinanim, pinagtamnan ay kinain. – manok
52. Hindi hayop, hindi tao, nagsasabi ng totoo. – radyo
53. Pag bata’y submarine, pag tanda’y eroplano. – lamok
54. Pag bata’y sibat, pag tanda’y yabat. – kawayan
55. Ako’y walang itinanim, taon- tao’y nakakain. – kabuti
56. Alin dito sa mundo ay nasa ibabao ang buto. – kasoy
57. Ang ama’y kanturas, ang ina’y kantura, nag-anak ng puti, ang bituka’y pula. – itlog
58. Alin dito sa mundo nalakad ay walang anino? – hangin

1. Ang sakit ng kalingkingan ay damdam ng buong katawan.
2. Ang kapalaran ko’y di ko man hanapin, lalapit, dudulog kung talagang akin.
3. Magaling pa ang taga ng itak, kay sa masamang pangungusap.
4. Nagpapakain man at masama ang loob, ang pinakakai’y hindi nabubusog.
5. Ang tunay na paanyaya, dinadamayan ng hila.
6. Ang salitang matatamis, sa puso’y nakaaakit, at nagpapalubay ng galit.
7. Ang marahang pangungusap sa puso’y nakakalunas.
8. Di man magmana ng ari, magmamana ng ugali.
9. Ang mahinhing dalaga, sa kilos makikilala.
10. Ang babae sa lansangan, gumigiring parang tandang.
11. Ang bayaning masugatan, nag-iibayo ang tapang.
12. Ang tunay na bakal, sa apoy nasusubukan.
13. Makikilala mo ang taong may bait sa kilos ng kamay at sabi ng bibig.
14. Sumalubong ka na sa lasing, huwag lamang sa bagong gising.
15. Nakikilala sa labi ang paglangagat ang hindi.
16. Wika at batong ihagis, hindi muling babalik.
17. Ang masamang wika, pagtama sa tao’y nagsisilbing pasa.
18. Kung ano ang bukang bibig, siyang laman ng dibdib.
19. Ang magandang asal ay kaban ng yaman.
20. Madali ang maging tao, mahirap ang magpakatao.
21. Hindi ka sukat maniwala sa mga sabi at wika, patag na patag ang lupa, sa ilalim ay may lungga.
22. Ang lalaking tunay na matapang di natatakot sa pana-panaan.
23. Ang lihim na katapangan ay siyang pinakikinabangan.

24. Ang pag-ilag sa kaaway, siyang katapangang tunay.
25. Kahoy na babad sa tubig, sa apoy huwag ilalapit, kapag nadarang ng init, ay pilitang magdirikit.
26. Kung ang tikling at labuyo, sakdal ng ilap magtago, sa marunong magpaanyo, nahuhuli rin sa silo.
27. Kahoy na babad ay basa, nasa kalan nakahanda, magaling na di kawasa, sa tuyong hindi madama.
28. May dalahirang banayad, may mahinhing talipandas.
29. Ang matapat na aruga, ay ang higpit at alaga.
30. Nagmamakipot ay maluwang, nagmamapino’y magaspang.

15. METHODS OF MEASURING TIME

1. Rising of the morning star at four o’clock in the morning.
2. The plant known as “rosas de alas dies” opens its tiny flowers at ten o’clock in the morning.
3. The opening of the patola and “inorascion” flowers is at four o’clock in the afternoon.
4. The first crow of the cocks in the evening is eight o’clock, the second crow is ten o’clock, the third crow is twelve o’clock midnight and the last frequent crow is four o’clock in the morning.
5. The group of stars known as “timbangan” or the scale shows it is exactly midnight when its beams are balanced in the sky.

Submitted by Miss Sofia Laygo

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