Agoncillo, Batangas: Historical Data Part II

Historical data from the National Library of the Philippines.

PART II

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6. None.

7. Date on Historical Sites, Structures, Buildings:

The center of elementary education during 1918 to the present is Guitna, new Agoncillo. The site of the school is about a hectare. On this site was constructed a four-room building of two stories in 1932. The building was destroyed by the Japanese Army during the Japanese occupation. The building was rehabilitated under the management of the War Damage Commission. In 1952, a two-room building was constructed with the P.T.A. Fund. The site of the town plaza was donated by Mr. Jacinto Mendoza, its first Mayor. Under his leadership, the municipal building and the municipal market were constructed. The municipal building was constructed in 1950 and the municipal market in 1952-1953.

8. Important Facts, Incidents, or Events that took Place:

(a) During the Spanish regime, there was no trouble.
(b) During the American occupation, nothing happened.
(c) During and after WWII. Many people were besieged by the Japanese who were stationed in Pansipit. There were many of them who were subjected to inhuman punishment and were only set free upon the surrender of their firearms as they were suspected of being guerrillas or were in connivance with the guerrilla movement. All their prime commodities were confiscated by the Japanese with the promise to pay afterwards but remained unfulfilled.

(d) The Japanese invasion forces fortunately spared the residential houses from wanton vandalism.

9. (a) Destruction of lives, properties and inhabitants during wars especially in 1896-1900 and 1941-1945.

As previously stated, especially during the Spanish time and American time, there were no destructions of any kind. During the outbreak of World War II until liberation, there was but little destruction of properties.

(b) Measures and accomplishments toward rehabilitation and reconstruction following World War II:

PART II: FOLKWAYS

10. Traditions, Customs and Practices in Domestic and Social Life:

Agoncillo is an agricultural place but also a business center. The people in this place are industrious and live peacefully. Their customs and traditions can be pictured out in different stages of life from birth to death.

Birth:

A mother who is on the road to delivery takes a bath, takes a walk and [does] light work that will make her feel at ease. Her meals con-

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sisted mostly of choice food, delicious and rich in nutrition value like eggs, fruit, and milk. After the mother has delivered, a sort of family party, with a few invited guests from the neighbors is held as an occasion of thanks to God for the health of the mother and child. The common midwife (hilot) usually attends to the necessary treatment that a mother needs during this stage.

Baptism:

A child is usually baptized to embrace the faith of Catholicism and Christianity. The celebration of the baptismal party is held, either elaborately or simply depending upon the economic status of those concerned. The godmother or godfather chosen usually gives cash to the child as a gift. The amount varies in size, in proportion to the size of the party. The basis for the selection of the godfather or godmother is either the close intimacy and enviable relation of the parties concerned, or the traits or qualities that the mother admires and wishes her child to emulate.

Courtship:

The traditional practice relative to courtship in this place, which still could be traced to families of the conservative type, is first for the man to woo and appear within the good grace of the parents of the girl. Once the man has the permission to talk with her in certain conditions could easily be secured. The visits should be limited to a certain time in the evening, only twice a month, and the distance between the girl and the man should be far enough to forestall the temptation of doing immoral acts. The next step is to offer a gift of fish, cakes and other edible things as a token of the manifestation of the sincere affection of the man for the girl. This will be followed by the help extended to the farm work of the girl’s family. The third step in the process will be the conference of the parents of the parties involved to talk on the conditions desired by the girl's parents. Once full agreement is reached, the date of marriage is set and the selection of sponsors is made. Most often, the gift given to the would-be couple consisted of cash, house or a piece of land, besides an elaborate wedding party, the burden of which falls on the man’s lot.

Marriage:

The traditional practice in connection with marriage is rather interesting. After the marriage ceremony, breakfast will be served. This will be followed by a certain scheme of raising funds for the new couple. The couple will sit opposite each other with the plates and bundles of cigarettes are sold to relatives of both parties. The relatives of the boy will get a cigarette and place the payment on the plate of the girl and vice-versa. The amount collected will be given to the newly married couple.

There is also the practice of throwing water to the stairs of the house of the girl before the couple goes up. The couple, if tradition should have its way, should be away from each other for four days from the wedding day.

Death:

Whether we like it or not, death knocks at our door. If any member of the family dies, the whole family cries. Responsive neighbors who learned of the death go to the house of the bereaved family to express their condolences. At this time, the neighbors notify the relatives of the dead. All neighbors, friends and relatives give aid to the bereaved family, most often in the form of money. They help in

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making the wreath and the coffin when [the] family cannot afford to buy these. When night comes, the members of the family, friends and relatives watch over the corpse will morning. Coffee, bread and cigarettes are served to those who pass the night. The interment usually takes place the next day. The coffin is carried to the church by several persons or men, and there the priest gives the blessings and the people pray. Then it is carried to the cemetery and all those who joined the funeral join in saying the prayers before the dead is placed inside the tomb.

11. Legends, Beliefs and Superstitions:

When the world was created, men and women of different nations or countries had their own superstitions, legends and beliefs. And even here in this place, people have also different customs, beliefs and sayings. Like in marriage, deaths, baptismal and the like, superstitions and beliefs can’t be removed from the minds of the people also Science proved it otherwise.

Many years ago before the arrival of the Spaniards, Guitna, now Agoncillo, had no name. When there were festivals held in this place, people from other or neighboring barrios just simply said, “Let’s go to the center of all the neighboring barrios to attend the wedding party of my cousin,” which means the center of the neighboring barrios. From that time, people called this place “Guitna,” derived from its location. When the Spaniards came to the Philippines, this place had this name “Guitna” which means center. Now, it has become a municipality, it is no longer called Guitna but Agoncillo.

Superstitious Beliefs:

(a) It is bad to leave when somebody is still eating for [an] accident will be met. To avoid it, the plates are turned clockwise before leaving.
(b) The belief that if the cat washes his or her face and fire laughs in the oven, visitors will arrive.
(c) When a girl sings before the stove while cooking, she will marry a widower.
(d) Whatever is done in the first day of the year is likely to prevail throughout the year round.
(e) Noise made by cows or carabaos during the New Year is a sign of [a] good harvest.
(f) To leave when a member of the family is sick is to meet certain bad luck.
(g) To look during the burial ceremony is a sign that another member of the same family will die.
(h) Eating twin bananas will bear twin children.

12. Popular Songs, Games and Amusements:

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14. Proverbs and Sayings:

14. Methods of Measuring Time:

People living especially in the remote barrios measure the time by means of:

15. Other folkways: None.

Respectfully submitted:

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