Tabangao, Batangas (Town), Batangas: Historical Data Part II
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| Historical data from the National Library of the Philippines. |
PART I
PART I | PART II
[p. 7]
B. Beliefs and Superstitions
1. Staying by the door is not good when someone in the house is on the family way.
2. When the mother is on the moment of delivery, she would not tell others about it so as to pass the ordeal easier.
3. A dead mother visits her baby left behind to find out if it is well cared for. If not, she feeds from her breast which usually kills the child.
4. Witches are generally seen when the moon rises and sets.
5. To avoid being waylaid by witches, you must wear clothes the wrong side out.
6. A tree swarmed with fireflies is believed to be haunted. If you are brave enough, you may acquire a charm by going around the tree three times for three nights. If you can undergo the trials which the anitos may give you, he would befriend you and give you the charm you want.
7. Fishermen believe that the flowers showered during the “Hossana” on Palm Sunday have the power to attract fish. Hence, they try to catch them with hats during the celebration.
8. The feast enjoyed most by men is the one given in connection with the setting up of new fish traps (baklad). The women are mere servers. No one is allowed outside. The faster the male visitors grav [grab?] the refreshments offered, the better the host likes it, with the belief that the fish would have the same behavior in the new fish trap.
9. The farmer who will sow his seeds eats a heavy
[p. 8]
3. Popular songs, games and amusements
Lamano, lamano, kapit sa panuelo,
Pagdating ng gitna’y maghihiwalay tayo.
2. Abaruray kung abarinding
Kung hindi mo isasauli,
Magagalit ang may-ari.
Abarinding, kung abaruray
Isauli mo’y ang suklay
Kung hindi mo ibibigay,
Magagalit ang ‘yong nanay.
B. Games
1. Fencing was popular in the past. At present, only a few of the old men know the sport.
2. Sipa was another popular game during the past. Now, it is replaced by softball, volleyball, and basketball.
3. The popular parlor games are the different kinds of huego de prenda, an example of which is Bulaklakan.
4. Puzzles and Riddles:
A. Puzzles
1. Sa kasamaang palad ay nakuha ng isang matsin ang iyong sombrero at dinala sa itaas na isang punong kahoy. Ano ang gagawin mo para makuha mong muli ang iyong sombrero?
2. May isang barkadahang maya na humapon sa isang punong mangga. Nang magtigiisang sanga ay labis ng isang maya. Nang magtigdadalawang maya sa isang sanga’y labis naman ng isang sanga. Ilan ang maya at ilan ang sanga ng mangga?
3. Si Pedro, si Juan, at si Pablo ay ulila na sa kanilang ina. Nang magasawang muli ang kanilang ama ay lagi silang kinagagalitan ng kanilang
[p. 9]
B. Riddles
1. May leeg ay walang ulo, nasa ilalim ang suso… takuyan.
2. Pitak-pitak, silid-silid, pintuan ay di masilip… kawayan.
3. Halamang di malanta, tumalbos lagi na… buhok.
4. Rubing nanggaling sa brilyante, brilyanteng nanggaling sa Rubi… manok at itlog.
5. Nagsigang ako ng apoy, malamig na tubig ang iginatong… ilawan.
6. Babaing de korona, katawan ay puno ng mata… piña.
7. Wala sa langit, wala sa lupa, ang dahon ay sariwa… dapo.
8. Buñga ng dinahunan, at dahon na binungahan… piña.
9. Umanak ang hunghang sa itaas nagdaan… saging.
10. Si Tomas na biho, sumuot sa bato, hinigit ko ang buntot, lumabas ang ipot… giliñgan.
11. Lumalakad ang walang paa, gumagapang ay walang mata… kalabasa.
12. Tumidindig ay walang paa, lumuluha ay walang mata… kandila.
13. May sungay na ang bisiro, ay wala pa ang turo… kawali at tulyasi.
[p. 10]
14. Bugtung kung talinhaga, turan mo mahal na binata, sikip sa dahon ng biga, maluwag sa dahon ng baga… hiniñga.
15. Bunga ng bayabas, pito ang butas… mukha.
16. Tubig na naging putik, putik na naging bato, bato na naging piso… saminto.
17. Ang ibabaw ay ararohan, ilalim ay batohan… bunga ng kakao.
C. Proverbs and sayings
1. Papaano mo matatadtad iyang karning iuulam kung hindi mo ipapatong sa ibabaw ng sangkalan.
2. Kilala na sa labong ang magagawang bungbong.
3. Ang gawa sa pagkabata, dala hanggang tumanda.
4. Mapalad ang lumuluha at pinupukaw in Bathala.
5. Ang walang itinanim ay walang aanihin.
6. Walang mailap na pugo sa magaling magsilo.
7. Pagsaiyo ay masama, huwag gawin sa iyong kapwa.
8. Pag wala ang pusa, piyesta ang mga daga.
9. Ang tunay na magkaibigan sa gipit nasusubukan.
10. Aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo.
11. Pagkakiniskinis man ang langit, may dadaan ding tagulait.
12. Kung sino ang minamahal, siyang pinaghihirapan.
13. Ang taong hinaw ng hinaw, ay siyang marumi ang kamay.
14. Di masakit ang yumukod, di gaya nang mauntog.
15. Ang bayaning masugatan, nagiibayo ang tapang.
[p. 11]
D. Methods of Measuring Time
1. During the day
(a) By the position of the sun.
(b) By the use of the shadow.
(c) When the hen lays eggs.
(d) By the eyes of the cat.
2. At night
(a) By the song of the tururukan.
(b) By the crowing of the roosters.
(c) By the position of the stars and the constellations.
FOLKTALES OF THE COMMUNITY
How Tabangao Got Its Name
It was during the early days of the Spanish occupation of Batangas. Every native of the community was excited not only because some Spaniards had arrived in the place but because every mother was urging her children to be indoors because of the presence of the mad dog. The Spaniards asked the first native they accosted what barrio was the place. The native, thinking the Spaniards were asking why the children were being kept in the houses, replied in the dialect, “Nangyari po ay tag-bangao.” “Ah, Tabangao,” repeated the Spaniard. Since then, Tabangao became the name of the barrio.
Convento
About a kilometer from the shore of Tabangao is a hill surrounded by narrow valleys on three sides. Because its slopes were steep, they were cultivated only very recently. Formerly, the whole hill was covered with dense forests which furnished the neighborhood with fuel and posts for building houses. As to how the elevation came to be known as “Convento” is associated with legends about Spanish priests seen taking walks. Since that the priests frequented the place, it became to be called “Convento.”
[p. 12]
Naluklok, Pula, at Pute
I have known my father to be a fisherman all his life. We used to go fishing at night with lights. It was before the use of Aladdin lamps. Torches were [the] ones used. About a kilometer towards the south shore of Tabangao is a famous “dolong” fishing ground. Here, where the steep cliffs are very close to the sea is a well-known spot to local fishermen. Here is a huge rock which seems to assume a sitting position. It was caused by the erosion done on its sides by the tides. Locally, it is known as “Naluklok.”
Before you reach Naluklok, from the north is a steep cliff of white rock. Equally distant from Naluklok towards the sough is another cliff of red rock. Because of the difference in the soil composition, the names “Pute” and “Pula” were given respectively to designated spots.
Kamposanto
To facilitate the surrender of the insurgents, the Americans forced all the people to come to town and stay within an organized military zone. After their release from the zone in April, 1900, followed a drought and famine. As if these troubles were not enough for the people of Tabangao, who found themselves empty-handed, after enjoying a life of ease in the zone, a terrible cholera epidemic swept the place. It was a grim calamity never to be forgotten. People who had gone to town to bury their dead, found other members of the family ready for burial when they returned. The people then were forced to use a temporary cemetery in the locality. A hill about two kilometers east of the community was used. To this day, this sacred place is called “Kamposanto.”
PART III – OTHER INFORMATION
1. There are no books and documents treating of the Philippines found in the community.
2. There are no authors in the community.
PART I | PART II