Pacifico, Santa Teresita, Batangas: Historical Data Part III
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| Historical data from the National Library of the Philippines. |
PART III
[p. 10]
As to the first man and woman on earth, Adan and Eva were considered as the first ones to be recorded. When God created the world, Adan was the first man sent down to earth. As he was alone, God noticed him. He was very lonely. So, He thought of giving him a companion – a wife, with whom he could have enjoyment. He requested him to sleep soundly, and while fast asleep, God went near him. Without Adan’s knowing, God took away one of his ribs and with his powers transformed this line rib into a human being. God created this human being as the first woman on earth, with the name of Eva.
After everything was accomplished, he woke up Adan and informed him that he had given [him] a companion so that he would not be lonely. He also warned him to love her, because his companion was also a part of his body. After warning Adan, He took turn of warning the woman – Eva. God told her to reciprocate her husband’s way of loving. Besides from this warning, God gave another one which was so important to them. He warned them not to eat the fruit – the manzanas. The moment they ate that, they would immediately be punished.
But, they were living happily on earth, and upon seeing the beautiful truth, both of them forgot the prohibited thing. They began to eat it. By this action of theirs, they were punished. Instead of living in paradise, they were brought to live in a place where they were encountering difficulties. Here, they became father and mother. Cain was the first son, while Abel was the first daughter. These people wear the origins of the people on earth.
[p. 11]
In the olden times, the people were singing several songs. The most common of these was the kundiman. This was song during the leisure hours, but more when men were serenading.
As to games, the most memorable one was the guramay. This was played during occasions such as parties and other celebrations. This was performed by any lady or gentleman.
As to amusements, several could be mentioned. Many of these amusement are still enjoyed today. They are horse-racing, cockfighting, and ox-fighting
Aside from these amusements, there are also many puzzles and riddles, which were used for entertainment. The following are to be mentioned:
(1) I'm afraid of one, but I'm not afraid of two. This is the bamboo bridge.
(2) A beautiful lady, eating her body. – candle
(3) Naito-ito na, may sunong na baga. – chickens
(4) Kabayo kung puti, nasa puwit ang tali. – needle
(5) Baboy ko sa kaingin, nataba’y hindi nakain. – cassava
(6) Ang ina’y nagapang pa, ang anak ay naloklok na. This is the squash.
(7) Baboy ko sa pulo, balahibo’y pako. – jackfruit
(8) Nanganak ang hunghang, sa tuktok nagdaan. – This is a banana plant.
(9) Walang tainga’y walang bibig, palagi nang umiimik. – This is the radio.
(10) Dalawang magkumpadre, magpauna’t magpahuli. – These are hands and feet.
(11) Isda ko sa Mariveles, nasa loob ang kaliskis. – This is the pepper.
[p. 12]
Many proverbs and sayings are existing in this barrio, only a few of which are to be mentioned below:
(1) Samantalang may oras pa, maglaan ka ng maaga(2) Walang matimtimang birhen sa matiyagang manalangin.
(3) Ang dalaga’y pag bagong kita, matamis pa sa panutsa, pag lumawon na’t nag-asawa na, mapait pa sa ampalaya.
(4) Ang kamunting sira, ay pag walang tagpi,(7) Masarap nga ang manispsip, ang magsuka ay masakit.
(8) Pag ang tao ay mayaman, marami ang kaibigan,Di na batii’t umisan.
(9) Ang tubig bago luluksuhin, ay tatarulan muna ang babaw at lalim.
(10) Pag ang tao ay tantong mabait, asahan mo’t gayon din magalit.
(11) Ang maniwala sa sabi-sabi ay walang bait sa sarili.
(12) Ang kita sa bula-bula, sa bula-bula rin nawawala.
(13) Sabihin mo sa akin ang iyong kasama, at sasabihin ko sa iyo kung sino ka.
(14) Kapidpid kay kapidpid, kung magsiyay kabigkis.
[p. 13]
Although there were no excellent devices by which they could tell the time, yet the people of the olden times knew the exact hour, only they could not tell the exact time by means of minutes nor by seconds. For measuring time, they were using the following means:
(1) By the crowing of the chickens – According to them, the roosters were crowing every hour, from two o’clock in the morning up to six o’clock at dawn.
(2) By means of cuckoos – According to them, the cuckoo chirped only at four o’clock in the morning. So, whenever they heard the voice of this bird, they woke up to begin working, because they presumed that it was almost dawn.
(3) The third means was the use of the stars. In the southern part of the sky are two stars shining, whose positions are balanced to each other. These planets shine only at midnight. When it was about morning, the western star was going downward, becoming lower than the eastern star. So, when they saw that these stars had newly risen, they presumed that it was almost twelve o’clock, and when the western star was very far below than the other star, their presumption was that morning was almost at hand.
Informant:
[Sgd.] Segundo Sibulyeno