Puting Bato, Calaca, Batangas: Historical Data
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| Historical data from the National Library of the Philippines. |
Full transcription of the so-called “Historical Data” for the barrio of Putting Bato in the Municipality of Calaca, Batangas, the original scanned documents at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections not having OCR or optical character recognition properties. This transcription has been edited for grammar, spelling and punctuation where possible. The original pagination is provided for citation purposes.
[Cover page.]
DIVISION OF BATANGAS
DISTRICT OF BALAYAN
Sinisian Elementary School
HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE
OF THE
BARRIO OF PUTING BATO (CALACA, BATANGAS)
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DIVISION OF BATANGAS
DISTRICT OF BALAYAN
SINISIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFEOF THE BARRI OF
PUTING BATO (CALACA, BATANGAS)
I. Present official name of the barrio:
2. Popular name of the barrio, present and past; derivation and meanings of the names. Names of sitios included within the territorial jurisdiction of the barrio:
III. Date of establishment:
IV. Original Families:
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a. Juan Maullon b. Juan Sacro c. Severo Vidal d. Lucas Vidal e. Nicolas Padilla f. Francisco Salazar g. Telesforo Mendoza p. Matea Bengua |
h. Pedro Mendoza i. Alejandro de los Reyes j. Rafael Magpile k. Crisanto Comia l. Andres Bathan m. Sinforoso Cauntay n. Romualdo Arriola o. Manuel Marasigan |
V. List of tenientes from the earliest time to date:
During the Spanish occupation, the barrio lieutenants were appointed to look after the welfare of the people. They were called the “Cabeza de Barangay.” Among them were:
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a. Domingo Mercado b. Pedro Mendoza c. Lucas Vidal d. Severo Vidal e. Nicolas Padilla f. Sinforoso Cauntay |
g. Alejandro de los Reyes h. Andres Bathan i. Juan Magpile j. Manuel Marasigan k. Francisco Salazar l. Telesforo Mendoza |
The tenientes during the Spanish-American War were:
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a. Prudencio Tolentino b. Teofilo Landicho |
c. Miguel Padilla d. Candido Maullon |
The tenientes during the American occupation were:
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a. Eusebio Comia b. Ricardo Mercado c. Macario Hernandez |
d. Gabriel Magpile e. Daniel Bathan |
[p. 2]
b. Nicolas Dimailig
c. Marcelino Bathan
d. Delfin de los Reyes
VI. Story of old barrios or sitios within the jurisdiction that are now depopulated or extinct:
VII. Data on historical sites, structures, buildings, old ruins, etc.
c. A sugar mill.
VIII. Important facts, incidents or events that took place.
(a) During the Spanish time:
One of the most memorable events that took place in the barrio of Puting Bato during the Spanish period occurred in the year 1897-1898. It was during this time when the barrio people suffered much financial and food problems. This was due to the people’s fear of the “Guardia Civil” and insurrectos who were mostly Pampageños. People neglected their jobs and went to the mountains where they built barong-barongs or huts. Most of the people ate banana skeletons, papayas, vegetables, root crops and other mountain crops. In the year 1898, the populace of the barrio was greatly frightened because of the Cavite Revolt which forced the insurrectos to cross the boundary of Batangas and Cavite and roam in the mountain ranges, valleys, and plains of Calaca. However, no life was lost and no brutal punishment was administered to the people.
(b) During the American Occupation:
During this period, peace and prosperity reigned in the barrio. People engaged themselves in business, served as employees, farmers, fishermen and other useful occupations.
(c) During and after World War II:
It was December 8, 1941 when the Second World War broke out. Many people from this place who were attending the fiesta in Taal went home hiking because transportation facilities were commandeered by the army. Some people of this place evacuated to the mountains and brought with them all the things they could carry. Many male citizens joined the guerrillas under the leadership of Colonel Gagalac and Major Olegario S. de Joya. The sufferings of the people were as bad as that during the Spanish period. However, only one life was lost. This was Diego Padilla who was taken to the woods and was not able to return.
During World War II, political and educational aspects had not been dealt with by the people in this place. [The] Religious aspect was the same as that before the war. However, [the] economic aspect was so much improved in this place. Since there was no available petroleum during that time, most men engaged themselves in the buying and selling of coconut oil which was used for cooking and lighting purposes. They imported the oil from Sariyaya, Quezon and sold to the neighboring towns, barrios and other places. Other men exported wine which came from San Juan, Ba-
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tangas. Due to the scarcity of rice and corn during the war, cassava became in great demand. Most women were engaged in shredding and drying the cassava. Fresh cassava was the substitute for flour. It was during this period that most families were able to acquire properties as jewels, land, and other valuable equipment in the house.
After liberation, many men and women were engaged in the bartering of chickens, eggs, and fruits with the American canned foods and in turn these canned goods were sold at the market.
IX. (a) Destruction of lives, properties, and institutions during wars, especially in 1896-1900 and 1941-1945.
There was no destruction of lives ever made or committed during these wars in this place except the one mentioned above. With regards to properties and institutions, no much [such?] damage was made.
(b) Measures and accomplishments towards rehabilitation and reconstruction following World War II:
Many strong and beautiful houses were built and a strong new barrio chapel was erected through the cooperation of the people of this place.
Part Two: Folkways
X. Traditions, customs and practices in domestic and social life; birth, baptism, courtship, marriage, death, burial; visits; festivals; punishments; etc.
The people of Puting Bato have their own traditions, customs and practices in domestic and social life.
Births: The first child born to a couple is delivered with the assistance of a midwife in the house of the girl’s parents. There are a number of these practices. When a baby girl is born, the placenta is placed together with the needle and thread with the belief that the baby will learn to sew when she grows old. The first set of nails cut from the fingers are buried under the stairs with that belief that the baby will be strong enough to resist a fall while climbing the stairs or trees. Another belief is that the first pillow of the baby will be some newspapers, small books, or written works of the pupils so that the child will grow to be a wise man.
Baptism: A child born is temporarily baptized 3 or 4 days after birth by the eldest and most respected man in the barrio with the godfather holding the child in this simple ceremony.
Courtship: It is very seldom in this place to have young men and women court or talk with each other. Courtship in this place is done by letting the boy’s parents have the “regalo” or presents or what people termed “pasagad, then the “pakahoy,” “patubig,” and lastly the “bulungan.” In this “bulungan,” the parents of the girl are the ones who will decided the date of [the] marriage and the kind of preparations to be done on that day. This kind of courtship is still practiced at present.
Death: During [the] burial ceremony, the people join the funeral rites. Customarily, the windows of the house of the deceased are closed when the bier is being carried away. The house is not absolutely cleaned after the burial because no one is allowed to sweep the floors and surroundings before the fourth day.
Punishments: There are no inhuman punishments being used in this
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place. People of questionable character are reported to the proper authorities and humanely treated.
XI. Myths, legends, beliefs, interpretations, superstitions; origin of the world, land, mountains and caves, seas, lakes, rivers, plants, trees, animals, sun, moon, stars, eclipses, earthquakes, lightning, thunder, clouds, rain, water, wind storm, changes of climates, other natural phenomena; first man and woman; birth of twins or more; sickness, witchcraft, magic, divination, etc.
The people living in this place have a firm belief that God was the Creator of everything in this world, that the first people were Adam and Eve. There are still some remnants of false beliefs in this place. Whenever a comet appears, they predict that there will be another war which means another hardship. In cases of thunder and lightning, they sprinkle vinegar in the corners of the house and cover all the mirrors with colored clothes.
According to them, the twins born to a couple means prosperity and happiness for the years to come. In case a member of the family is sick, they first ask the aid of a quack doctor who often applies the “tawas cure.” The result of the tawas will be the basis of [the] cure for the sick. People in this place still believe in the presence of “anitos, asuwang, piritay,” etc. and in the use of anting-anting or charm.
XII. Popular games, amusements, songs, etc.
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1. Kundiman 2. Sitsiritsit Alibangbang 3. Leron-Leron Sinta 4. Paruparong Bukid 5. Bahay Kubo |
6. Bakya Mo Neneng 7. Ang Dalagang Bukid 8. Bakya Mo Neneng 9. Batya't Palo-Palo 10. Ang Bayan Kong Pilipinas |
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Games: 1. Huwego de Prenda 2. Sungka 3. Tre-siete 4. Dominos [dominoes?] 5. Paris-paris |
Amusements: 1. Subli 2. Serenade 3. Modansa |
XIII. Puzzles:
1) There is a very lazy member in the family. He doesn’t like to work. He eats much. If you were the father, what will you do with him?
(2) Juan is a handsome man. He is always well-dressed. He roams here and there. He does not like to work. Do you think he will be a good member of the community?
(3) Regina is a rich girl. She is very thrifty. She is beautiful but she is aloof in her place. Do you think she will be respected?
(4) A cow and her calf each bore young ones. How many cows are there in all?
(5) Mariano’s father and mother are both intelligent. But Mariano is very dull in his class. Do you think he will also be bright if he studies his lessons?
Riddles:
1. A little lady sitting on a cup. (maranion)
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3. My pig in the mountain is becoming fat without eating. (camote)
4. When young, it is a submarine; but when it gets old, it is an airplane. (mosquito)
5. A little guava with seven holes. (face)
6. Here she comes carrying fire on her head. (rooster)
7. The thing that can fly with only bone and skin. (kite)
XIV. Proverbs and Sayings:
(2) You can tell a true friend in time of need.
(7) Ang paggalang ay di pinamumuhunanan ngunit pinakikinabangan.
(21) To be lovely is good for the honor and life in it.
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XV. Methods of Measuring Time:
(2) By means of the moon.
(3) By means of the stars.
(4) By means of the closing of the leaves of the acacia. The sun is about to set.
(5) Closing of the flowers of the patola. The leaves close when it is about four or five o’clock.
(6) A small plant with small leaves and flowers. The flowers open when it is ten o’clock in the morning and close when it has passed that time.
(7) Crowing of roosters
b. Second and the following crows are made every hour till four o’clock in the morning.
c. The crowing grows faster when it is five o’clock.
(10) By means of the clock or watch which most of the people here own.
Special Calendars:
| Rice Planting in the Highlands (Bakalan) Planting Season (Paghahasik) Harvesting (Highlands) Harvesting (Lowland) Easter Season (Kwaresma) | May to June July to August September to October Nov; March, & April March or April |
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XVI. Other Folktales:
Ang Puno Nang Kalumpang
Maraming tao ang nagsasabi na sa dakong hilaga ng Puting Bato ay mayroon daw puno ng kalumpang na tinitirahan ng piritay. Sinasabi nila na kapag ikaw ay dumaan sa tabi ng punong kahoy na iyon kung gabi ang piritay ay maghahagis sa iyo ng tabong puno ng tubig o di kaya’y papanaog iyon sa punong kahoy at sasamahan ka upang iligaw sa iyong landas na patutunguhan. Pinaniniwalaan din nila na ang piritay ay malimit gumawa niyon kapag ang bulaklak ng kalumpang ay namumukadkad. Sinasabi rin ng matanda na marami ng tao ang nailigaw ng piritay na iyon noong panahong una, subalit sa kasalukuyan ay wala pang nababalitang ulit na pangyayari.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Respectfully submitted:
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(Miss) AMPARO C COMIA | (Mrs.) ANITO C. BATHAN |
| Member | Member |
| (Mrs.) FELIZA V MARTINEZ | (Mrs.) REMEDIOS M. DUEÑAS |
| Member | Member |
|
LUCIO B. VIDAL Chairman | |
Content Noted: