Lian, Batangas (Poblacion): Historical Data Part III

Historical data from the National Library of the Philippines.

PART III

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When the child reaches the age of one month or more, the parents prepare him to be baptized in church. The godparents by the necessary clothes (barong binyagan) of the child and they go to church and have him baptized. It is often observed that when the parents of the child baptized belong to a well-to-do family, [a] brass band is hired for the purpose of making the occasion lively. They also offer their "compadre" and "comadre" roasted pig as "sabit." in turn, the godparents give the child some presents, either in money or in kind. This is commonly called as "pakimkim." A big feast is also held at dinner and the neighbors are cordially invited.

Courtship and marriage in this place are quite strange as compared with the latest custom. Courtship is not made between the boy and girl in most cases but, between the parents of both parties. The parents of the girl would demand from the other party many things before they could win the hands of their daughter. Instances, the boy would be required to serve them for several years before he could be successful in his suit. They are doing this in order to test the sincerity of his affection and love for their daughter. Once the young lover meet the full satisfaction of his future father and mother-in-law, a fixed date is set for the marriage. The marriage ceremony is held in the same manner as what is being observed these days. After this marriage, but always in the girl's home. Before eating, the newlywed couple go around the table and carry with them wooden tubs for their relatives to wash their hands. But, as they saw their hands in the tubs, they drop some silver coins. For a prosperous skin, he drops earring which means that he will offer the couple either a carabao or a cow. The ring is known as “tag-ikaw.”

Death and burial practices in this town are similar to almost all places in the Philippines. When a person dies, it is the customary practice of the relatives and kind neighbors of the deceased to visit the dead and pay their last respects, some of whom bring with them alms, either in money or in kind in order to alleviate or assuage the grief of the bereaved family. They gather in the house during the whole night and pray for the salvation of the dead's soul. The next day during the burial, members of the bereaved family, as well as the relatives and friends, join the funeral to the cemetery. For the rich families, [the] burial of their dead relatives are held in a grand manner. They hire the services of the brass band and priests during the internment.

After the burial, prayers are offered by the old folks in the house for nine consecutive nights while the younger folks play numerous kinds of games to pass the night. [The] Most common of these games are the "En Floron;" "Punong Halaman;" "Duplo;" "Higit-lubay;" and many others. On the 9th day, a feast is offered, especial-

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ly to those who have some way or another given material help to the bereaved family. This feast is found very common among the poor people.

Visits – Visitors coming to this town find themselves comfortable and at ease and very few like staying in their homes. This is, perhaps, to the exceptional hospitality and respect shown by the people of this place who regard and consider them as honorable guests. The truth of these facts will be noticed from some persons who have made this town as their permanent residence.

Festivals – There are few festivals celebrated in this town each year. They are the town fiesta which falls on June 24 of every year; the Liberation Day which is held every 31^st day of January; the Independence and the Rizal Day celebrations on July 4 and December 30, respectively.

Myths, legends, beliefs, interpretations, superstitions

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Methods of measuring time, special calendars - People of the town during the olden times measured time by looking [at] the position of the sun during daytime and the stars at nighttime, and the moon served as their special calendar.

Other folk tales - No records or information are available.

Part Three : Other Information

Information on books and documents treating of the Philippines and the names of their owners - No records or information are available.

Name of Filipino authors born or residing in the community, the titles and subjects of their works, whether printed or in manuscript form, and the names of the persons possessing them -

(a) ANTONIO JONSON – Born in Lian, Batangas, author of a book entitled “The Alphabet of Gardening.” Most schools, both public and private throughout the Philippines, are in possession of his very useful book which had been approved by the Director of the defunct Bureau of Education as reference for teachers and pupils in gardening.

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