Wawa, Nasugbu, Batangas: Historical Data Part II
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| Historical data from the National Library of the Philippines. |
PART II
PART I | PART II
[p. 7]
homecoming party from the church. The couple is met at the gate by showers of flowers and raw rice. The newlyweds then proceed to kiss the hands of the elder “mamamaysan” and “binabaysan.” On the wedding feast, care is taken in the seating arrangements of those who will partake of the wedding meal. The “binabaysan” or the girl’s relatives are seated on the choicest chairs and are served the best of the preparations. They should not be offended even in the slightest degree, otherwise the party becomes a complete failure. When all have taken their share of the food, the “mamamaysan” get ready for the “lipat,” which term means the transfer of the bride to the groom’s house. When the start for the “lipat” is made, jars and pots are thrown to the ground to break them into many pieces. This will mean the birth of many children to the couple. The groom should not follow the bride to his house till the next day.
The old practice of offering lavish entertainments and serving the best of foods have proven detrimental to the start of the young couple’s married life. They live a good part of their married life in debt as they sometimes shoulder a part of the marriage expenses. But, the saying, as the tradition is, so the traditions are, cannot be left behind no matter how poor the “mamamaysans” are. So the saying is, so the saying goes.
DEATH AND BURIAL
Despite the infiltration of modern civilization, death in Wawa is still accompanied by many beliefs, traditions, superstitions and taboos. When a person dies, his neighbors come to help in the washing and dressing [of] the body. The members of the family are not to do this work. When the body is finally dressed (usually the best dress is reserved for this eventuality), it is placed on a bed which then is arranged in a place in the house accessible to all would-be visitors. As interment usually takes place on the day following death, there is a need to keep a twenty-four hour watch over
[p. 8]
the body. Neighbors, friends, and relatives come to take part in the night vigil. Some merrymaking is done to keep everybody awake. There is a belief that some supernatural power may spirit the corpse away if not watched. Locally, this is called the “pulawan.” In the meantime, the coffin is constructed by volunteer carpenters. As relatives from far and near come to share the sorrows of the bereaved family, some chickens and most often pigs are slaughtered to feed them. On the day of interment, a brass band is hired to accompany the hearse to the church and cemetery. The body is brought down the house feet first. This way, his soul will easily find its way to heaven.
When the body is removed from the house for burial, everything used by the deceased during his illness should go down with him. This is done by making use of the nearest window. The clothes worn at the time of death are placed in the coffin with the body.
For nine consecutive nights after burial, prayers are said for the repose of the dead. No house cleaning is done until after the fourth day. On this day, friends and relatives are invited and special prayers are said, after which food is served. On the ninth day or “siyam na araw,” pigs and fowls are again slaughtered for the same visitors served on the fourth day. It is a common practice in this place to outdo each other in this celebration. Some spend hundreds of pesos for this particular day alone. There are also those who would go into debt willingly just so his barrio folks would say that his “pasiyam” is something unusual, something extraordinary.
For one whole year, the members of the bereaved family wear black especially in public. When the day of the demise comes, another celebration called “laglag luksa” or “babang luksa” is held. They can discard their mourning clothes and soon can appear in public in their ordinary dresses.
[p. 9]
12. POPULAR SONGS
Songs both modern and old are sung in this barrio. Serenading is a common pastime of the young men and it can be concluded that the populace is music-minded. However, a song which is dear and close to the hearts of both young and old, men and women alike is the one which tells of the life of the fisherman. This is a fishing barrio and the sea is their only means of livelihood.
Awit ng Mangingisda
Lunes ng umaga, ako’y handang mamalakaya,
Buslo’y bitbit at daladalahandang mamalakaya
Maghapon akong sinama, di man sinalat ng isda,
Ang naisip kong ginawa, umuwi ako’t nahiga.
Mga bandang tanghaling tapat, nagising ako’t nagulat
At ang naisipan niyang palad, tumupa ng muli sa dagat.
Sa pagtupa ko’t paglusong, ang tubig ay nag-inalon
Kaya pala ito’y gayon, lahat ng isda’y nagpupulong.
At ang kanilang pinagpulungan, viva ang haring pawikan
Orador na unang una ay ang isdang bikuda
Bidbid ang ikalawa ang siyang niyari sa hunta
Ang kagawad nila’y pating, kung maningin ay umaangil
At ang isdang aligasin, tagahakot ng buhangin.
Ang kanilang pinaka papa ay ang isdang lumba-lumba
Pagka’t ito ay bihasa, hindi mahuli sa dala
Ang alimangong sakang nagpatayo ng simbahan
Ang alimangong bato nagpatayo ng kumbento
Ang nahirang nilang pari ay ang isdang kanduli
At ang sacristan nitong pari ay ang isdang salingasi.
Alamang at hipon nahuli sa pulong
Sa kanilang inurong-urong naalisan tuloy ng tungkol
Umuwi ng pipisik-pisik, dala ng matandang galit
[p. 10]
Proverbs and Sayings
1. Ang mahusay na pagsunod ay nasa pag-uutos.[p. 11]
14. Walang makararating sa itaas na di nagdaan sa labak.[p. 12]
27. Sa pagsasama-sama ay mayroong lakas.PART I | PART II