Pila, San Pascual, Batangas: Historical Data Part II
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| Historical data from the National Library of the Philippines. |
PART II
[p. 7]
The Origin of Butterflies
Once upon a time, there lived a woman with a beautiful garden near her house.
Every night, the people of the said village were surprised to see the old woman watering her plants. The garden was very bright. The people wandered where the light came from.
During the day, the people could not see the beautiful flowers. They were of different colors and how sweet the blossoms were! However, the garden was not open for all. Every day, it was closed because the old woman did not like that anybody would enter her garden.
One day, while the old woman was away, a couple passed by. Because of the beautiful colors of the flowers and very sweet scent, the couple was tempted to gather some.
While they were gathering flowers, the old woman king. She saw the couple. She was very angry. She drove them away but the couple was very hard-headed and did not like to go away.
The old woman got very, very angry and she said, “If you will not go away, I shall punish you.”
She got her wand and touched the couple.
All at once, the couple disappeared. In its place, there appeared to butterflies.
From that time on, butterflies multiplied in numbers.
Ang Alamat ng Paruparo
Mayroon isang matandang babae na may halamanan sa piling ng kanilang tahanan.
Gabi-gabi’y ang ipinagtataka ng mga bata at mga matatanda sa lugar na iyon ay kung bakit sa gabi ay makikita ang matanda na nagdidilig ng kanyang halaman. Maliwanag na maliwanag ang hardin. Takang-taka ang mga tao kung saan nanggagaling ang maliwanag na sinag.
Kung araw naman ay makikita ninyo ang naggagandahang bulaklak. Nakakasilaw ang kanilang mga kulay at ang bango ay humahalimuyak. Ano pa't kahali-halina ang hardin ng matanda.
Sa araw, ang hardin ito ay laging sara sapagka’t ayaw ng matanda na nasisira ang kanyang halaman. Ayaw niya ang papasukan nito sa sinuman.
[p. 8]
Isang araw ay nagkataon na may dumaang mag-asawa. Nahikayat sila ng pagpasok sa hardin sapagka’t sila ay naaakit ng mga magagandang bulaklak. Hindi sila nasiyahan ng panunuod kung di sila ay namupol pa ng Ilan.
Samantalang sila’y namumupol, ay nadatnan sila ng matanda. Nagalit sa kanila at sila’y pinaaalis. Lubhang matigas ang loob ng dalawa at hindi sila umalis-alis.
Sa kagalitan ng matanda ay sinabi niya, “Kung hindi kayo aalis ay paparusahan ko kayo.”
Kinuha ng matanda ang kanyang baston at sinag-uy ang mag asawa. Kinamaya-mayaan ay nawala ang mag-asawa at ang sumipot ay dalawang paruparo.
Beliefs and Superstitions about Birth
People believe that when a pregnant woman eats twin bananas, she will surely give birth to twins.
That birthmarks are due to the lights and dislikes for certain foods of a prospective mother.
That it is bad for a pregnant woman to go under the house at sunset.
That it is bad for a prospective mother to put anything around her neck because this may cause the cord of the baby to wind around its neck.
That it is bad for her to stay at the door because this may cause delay in the delivery of the child.
That eggplants are not good for a prospective mother. It would cost beriberi.
That it is bad for her to so anything worn on her baby. For example, [if] her dress is torn, she must take it off, then sew it.
That prospective mothers should not slide down right on the floor without anything spread on it. There must be a mat, a sheet or anything.
That the husband must not touch anything which belongs to the dead-like coffin, dress or clothing.
That prospective mothers should not eat very good food; it will make the baby to be born very healthy, therefore, the delivery will be difficult.
That she must not criticize or laugh at other persons’ defects or deformities.
[p. 9]
Other Beliefs and Superstitions
MARRIAGE
People believe –
That it is bad to marry when the moon is small.
That a lucky day should be selected.
That the groom should go ahead of the bride and going in and out of the church so that the groom will be the real head of the family.
That the ring and veil should not be allowed to fall because the couple might separate.
That all things used in the marriage or wedding party should be put together.
That breaking a pot when the couple arrives at the groom’s house means the birth of many children.
That it is bad for the couple to be to go around or to go to some far place when they are not yet married. According to them, accidents may befall them.
That two candles, to represent the couple, must be burned before the altar and as they are burning, they are twisted together, so that the couple will not separate.
That it is bad to marry in the month of February.
DEATH
People believe –
That it is bad to go somewhere else when there is a dead person nearby.
That a pair of scissors should be put near the coffin.
That when the eyes of a dead person are open, it means that he or she is waiting for somebody else.
That when we smell the scent of a lighted candle even if there is entirely none, a relative of hours may have died.
[p. 10]
That it is bad to cook fresh, green vegetables, especially those of the vine family when a relative dies.
That usually, the spirit of the dead comes back every night when that dead person left some money which is hidden or unknown from other members of the family.
That when members of the family cry, they must see to it that not eating falls on the dead person’s body.
That on the fourth night, the dead usually visits his or her house.
That when the dead person’s body is very soft, somebody in the family may follow.
Other Beliefs and Superstitions
1. When a comet appears, there will be either war or [an] epidemic.
2. When one points at a rainbow, his fingers will be cut.
3. When a black butterfly enters your house at night, it is a sign of a bad omen.
4. When one dreams of falling teeth, it may mean the death or sickness of a member of the family or some other relative.
5. On Good Friday, it is not good to do any manual labor. It is not good also to travel.
6. Cutting the nails on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday leads to the development of in-toe nails.
7. It is good to plant plants when there is a full moon.
8. When planting a banana, do not look up because it will grow very, very tall and will not bear fruit.
9. When we dream of a black cross, this is a sign of death or sickness.
12. Popular Songs, Games and Amusements:
The popular songs in the barrio are the following:
1. Huling Awit
2. Bayan Kong Pilipinas
3. Lulay
4. Ako’y Anak ng Dalita
5. Ang Dalagang Pilipina
[p. 11]
The popular games are:
| 1. Sipa | 4. Pukol ng Lumbang |
| 2. Tubigan | 5. Sunda-sundaluhan |
| 3. Gurumay | 6. Piko |
| 7. Saluman | |
The popular amusements are:
| 1. Fandango | 4. Dama |
| 2. Sungkahan | 5. Tuktokan ng Itlog |
| 3. Cockfighting | 6. Subli |
13. Puzzles and Riddles
[p. 12}
Berdeng papel
Ang sumusulat ay babae. (babaeng ngumanganga)
Bunga’y gatang
Lama’y lisay. (papaya)
Ang dahon ay sariaw. (dapong-kahoy)