MUNICIPAL DISTRICT OF BAAY, Historical Data

This account is the product of the joint efforts of the committee composed of the teachers of Baay Elementary School, two of whom are natives of the Municipal District of Baay itself.

The information contained in this report was taken from all available sources in the locality, except as indicated in the narrative, no written records were consulted. All information given has been checked, however, for authenticity.

EMILIO R. CASTILLO
Principal-In-Charge

In the Municipal District of Baay, there are six tribes of people. The Binongans from the Binongan River Valley; the Banaos from Malibcong, the Inlands from Lagangilang; the Masadiits from Sallapadan; and the Ibalatocs from Kalinga. The Ibaays were the original inhabitants of this town.

Because of the wide fertile valleys, people from different places either immigrated to this place or intermarried with the Ibaays.

It would be worthwhile mentioning what each group contributed for the common welfare. The Binongans are lovers of recreation and are more meticulous in dressing. The Banaos are interested in the planting of root crops, such as gabi, camotes, and other root crops. The Inlands are experts in turning virgin lands into rice fields. They also introduced the planting of vegetables in vacant lots near houses. The Masadiits are expert kaingin farmers. They are noted for their industry, The Ibalatocs are credited for their ability in making durable stone wall fences and in turning stony areas into the best productive fields.

The old folks have two conflicting theories as to how Baay got its name. According to Ex-Teniente Mayor Gayyed Parado, Baay was named in honor of a warrior who was always victorious in tribal wars. The warrior was Baay.

According to ex-vice-presidente Bagien, Baay got her name in this way. Long, long ago, Ayo, the Goddess of Beauty visited the town. She left for the people a gift, "BALINGBING," (a bamboo instrument which produces a sweet melody). To show their happiness over the gift, the people invited people from neighboring towns to a feast. At that big feast, they played the "balingbing," which contrary to their expectation, did not produce a sweet melody but a harsh sound. The invited guests commented that it was useless, or in the dialect, "awan ti paay." Baay got its name from this phrase. That is also why most of the people of Baay are monotones or poor in music because of the "balingbing" left by Ayo, the Goddess of Beauty, which did not produce a nice sound.

None of the people at present can tell any other name given to Baay formerly. What they know only is that Baay has always been called thus since the time of their forefathers.

As to the date of establishment, nobody now can tell with certainty, for there are no written records, but it can be traced hack, when Candon of Ilocos Sur was still the capital of Ilocos Sur and Abra. That was the place where the town officials of Baay then took their oath of office.

According to the written record of the late Capitan Basingan Carleath of Nalboan, Baay, the first settler here was Balacay and his wife. Balacay begot Balkanao, Balkanao begot Lubuangan, Lubuangan begot Dumal-in, Dumal-in begot Agdal-lac, Agdal-lac begot Wagsay, Wagsay begot Sumalin, and Sumalin begot children who are at present living. This is now the eighth generation of Baay.

The first to become the gobernadorcillo was Balkanao. He is credited with solidifying the entire Baay people into one community. The succeeding officials with the same title were the following:

1. Banatao from Licuan because Licuan and Kempal were then parts of Baay.
2. Cagayongan
3. Dayaoen
4. Ayaman
5. Balingdan
6. Manangbao
7. Anniban
8. Bayongan
9. Licuben
10. Banguey
11. Tabling

No date is available as to the tenure of each official,

The succeeding officials during the outbreak of the Spanish-American war were the following: Cabannag, Madegyem, Keb-ot, and Pagtan. No date is again recorded as to their tenure.

It is fortunate that records are still available for this period. The following were the presidents with their tenures of office.

After the election of the Provincial Governor for Abra, Hermojenes Tadeo was appointed Mayor. He was succeeded by Mr. Leandro Crisologo, who is the present Mayor of Baay.

These were the positions he held during his lifetime:

1. He encouraged the people to make fields for themselves.
2. He led in the planting of fruit trees.
3. He discouraged usury.
4. He discouraged cattle rustling.
5. He stopped the practice of witchcraft.
6. He taught the people to love one another.
7. He introduced the cutting of men’s hair.

PAMITAAN (the first settlement of Baay) - This place is specially remembered because of tragedy that befell it. Almost all the people were eaten by a dreadful monster, except one maiden who climbed and slept on a coconut tree. It happened that this maiden had a suitor who sometimes visited her. When her suitor came, he was surprised to find out that the houses were closed and that there were no people. This young man, in bewilderment, turned around to find out what had happened. On looking up a coconut tree, he saw the girl whom he was courting. Asked why there were no people, the girl told the story that they were eaten by a monster. Late that afternoon there was a sign of his coming. The suitor got his shield and sword and met the terrible monster. On seeing the young man, he ran like a flash of lightning to attack him, but he missed the young man. The young suitor swung his sword and thus ended the life of the fearful monster. After the killing of this monster, the two were married.

2. Atolong - This is very memorable too, simply because of what had happened. During a big feast, there came three strangers whom the people did not know, but who were sent as spies by their companions. Asked where they were going, they told them that they only came for a visit. But at dawn, they attacked the sleeping people and all colloongs (troughs where the pigs eat) were full of the blood of the people. That is why it is called Atotong.

3. Balangan - A native of Baay was waylaid and killed across the path. He was killed by the Igorots. That is why it is called Balangan. Balangan means "to put something across" in the native dialect of the people.

4. Quantil or Quarter - It was the headquarters of the Spanish soldiers. This place is the second settlement of the people and the seat of the Municipal Government.

5. Patpat - When the Igorats who raided Baay were retreating, they were overtaken by a famous warrior, Gumidam, who killed them to the last man. Because of this incident, the scene was called Patpat. Patpat in the dialect means cut many.

6. Villa -where they killed Cadio, the leader of robbers who robbed the last Capitan Madagyan.

7. Tumalip - Poblacion and formerly the site of the Municipal Building.

Many cases of maltreatment were related by the townspeople. They were forced to work in the construction of trails without any compensation. They were made to carry loads to any place desired without pay. They acted as guides to any place they were to go. Because of this forced labor, many people fled to the mountains in order to escape the hardship. It was during this period that the men had long hair as the women. The chief foods of the people were wild roots and corn.

The significant achievement during this period was the progress made in the economic, social, and political life of the people.

The people were encouraged to plant whatever they could, to raise swine, and pasture animals. There was a rapid increase in school population. The people were asked to choose their leaders.

It was during this period that cutting of hair among the men was introduced.

1. Famine of the people - Because of the series of evacuations made by the townspeople, the grains on the fields were neglected and were eaten by animals.

2. Decreased value of animals - One first class carabao costs 30-40 bundles of rice.

3. Prevalence of sickness - Malaria and dysentery, due to the lack of medical supplies and undernourishment was rampant. Many people died of these diseases.

4. Maltreatment of people - The guerrillas came to punish the: people suspected as spies. When the Japanese soldiers came, they did the same.

5. Organization of "hoko" system by the Japanese.

6. Organization of the bolo-men unit of Baay.

7. Rehabilitation of the gold mines and the mine roads via Wilawil.

a. Birth - When a woman gives birth, the family calls for an experienced midwife to help her during the delivery. If the mother has difficulty in giving birth, everything that is closed or locked in the house must be opened in order to facilitate delivery. When the baby is out, somebody sharpens the edge of a stick with which to cut the cord while other helpers take two long pieces of cloth with which to tie the breast and abdomen of the mother to regulate the flow of blood.

b. Baptism - Ten days after the delivery, the family calls for an old woman who knows some "anting-anting." She performs the ceremony by putting an egg and some chicken feathers on the top of the house to show to the anitos or spirits that the child has already been baptized according to custom and that these spirits do not have more rights to visit the child. The family butchers a pig for the celebration and invites all the neighbors to the feast. This form of baptism is called the "wak-wakit" and the "ol-olog."

c. Marriage - Marriage is arranged by both parents of the boy and girl. The parents of the boy select a girl whom they think is fitted for their son. Then, they approach the girl's parents, taking with them basi or wine to make the talking livelier. The parents of the girl call for some of their relatives to attend the bargaining for the items of the dowry which are called the "sab-ong," "pu-on," "bengbeng," and "pangilin."

Sab-ong is money paid by the parents of the boy to the girl's parents. The parents of the girl distribute some of the money to their relatives and keep the rest.

Bengbeng is often five pesos given to the eldest brother of the girl.

Pu-on is not given in cash, but it is dowry in kind to be given by the boy's parents to the bride and bridegroom when they will live separately from their parents. It is a mother pig and one hundred bundles of palay.

Pangilin is in the form of valuable beads given by the boy's parents to show that they are true to the decision reached by both parties.

When the parents of the young man arranged for the necessary dowry with the bride's parents, they will butcher a small pig. The purpose is to find out whether or not it would be a happy marriage. If the bile is full, it means prosperity; but if it is half-full, or none at all, it means poverty on the part of the new couple. Again if the bile turns right or left, either the girl or boy would dislike afterwards. In this case, the marriage will be discontinued.

When the wedding celebration is going on and a living tree falls, it means that the couple will not live long, and it may even cause the discontinuance of their marriage. But if a dead tree falls, it means that the newlyweds will live long lives.

If it rains hard and thunder and lightning occur during the celebration, the couple will become rich.

The wedding feast is held in the house of the girl. Everybody in the community is invited to attend the wedding. When everything is fixed, they have merrymaking by performing the native dances (tadec) and native songs such as "oggayam" "salidommay," "bagoyos," and "dalleng." When the people disperse for the night, the bride and bridegroom are to sleep together for the first time with a small boy or girl between them. For the second and succeeding nights, they sleep together without any go-between.

d. Burial and Death - When a person dies, all his relatives from other towns are informed. Their relatives bring with them (basi) as a help to the bereaved family and to be drunk by everybody who comes to see the dead person. The corpse is seated in an improvised chair on one side of the house. If the dead person is rich, he stays in the house for three or five days until he is swelling and with bad odor. The people stay there nights and days drinking basi (native wine out of sugar cane) in front of the dead person. They sing native songs called the "Inangay." This song is very sentimental in tune appropriate for the occasion and to assuage the sorrows of the family.

If the dead is married, his wife or husband stays near the remains and cannot go out until the dead person is buried. The dead person is to be buried only when the old men and Capitans (ex-mayors) have reached a decision to bury him.

e. Visits - When somebody visits his relatives in another town, he has at least something to give to the children whom he is going to visit. It is mostly in the form of cakes made from "malagkit." When he returns home, the family whom he visited gives him also some gifts as presents for his own children.

f. Punishment - This is imposed according to the decision of the majority of the old men. When a person has done something wrong, the old men meet together and decide the punishment of that person according to the weight of the offense he has committed, but most often, the old man's decision is that the offender should butcher a cow and offer one jar of basi (native wine) and call all the people to dine with him.

Hornbill - [A] Long, long time ago, a town met a terrible misfortune. No crops of any kind could be raised. The people had nothing to eat, so all the men went to the forest to dig wild roots for food.

While they were in the forest, a great storm came. So, these men decided to go home, but they could not cross the streams and brooks. They had to wait for the rain to stop. Finally, the rain stopped and the water subsided. Filled with joy these people rushed to their homes, but they were very much surprised to find out that their houses were carried away by the flood. They roamed the place calling for their loved ones in vain.

They wished they were birds so that they could fly to look for their wives and children. Instantly, they felt that they had feathers; and they were calling "caw, caw, caw, caw." The red part on the hornbill's head had been the turban of the men. During that time they had long hair so that it was necessary for them to wear turbans.

Dalikan Atken - This place is found just west of Baay, along the Baay River. It is named after the name of the giant, Atken. Today, we can see three stones as big as houses in the form of a stove, where this giant used to cook his food. Until now it is called Dalikan Atken (Atken's stove).

Origin of the Monkey - There was a family with many children. The parents worked hard so that they could support their family. They cleared the forest and made "kaingins" as there were no rice fields then. Their children were very lazy. They want to play every day and they did not like to work.

One morning, the mother gave them crowbars so that they could help her clear the weeds in the kaingin. When the sun was hot, the children began to yawn. They wished that they would become monkeys so that they would not need to work. God became angry with them, so he granted their wish. The bars that they were holding became their tails. When they found out that they had changed to monkeys they were very much ashamed, so that they ran to the forest to hide.

1. Snakes - When a shake crosses your way and goes inside a stone, it means that you will be sick if you will continue on your journey.

2. Sneezing - When somebody sneezes then you are going out of the house, something bad will happen to you. You maybe beaten by a snake or you may cut your fingers with a bolo.

3. Lizard - When you go hunting or fishing and you see a lizard, you will be disappointed because you will not catch any and the trip will be unsuccessful.

4. Owl - if the owl hoots near the town at night, an epidemic will surely come.

5. Rainbow - When a rainbow is seen in the sky, no children are allowed to go out as that is the time for the evil spirits to roam around the houses.

6. Sun, Moon and Stars - According to the old folks, the sun was the pot of the first man and woman of the world. The moon was the comb and the stars were the beads. All of these were hung on the sky as it was very low then. It is said they could touch the sky with their hands. They used to hang their things on it.

When they were pounding rice, the pestle of the man struck the sky. There was a roaring sound and when the man looked up he saw that the sky was already rising, carrying with it all the things of the man and woman.

7. Earthquake - Earthquakes are believed to be caused by the movement of the two turtles that are holding the earth on their hacks.

8. Lightning and Thunder - The old folks say that the lightning and thunder are a spirit that has a supernatural power. The thunder hates pepper mixed with ginger or lobster that is roasted. When one eats these, the thunder gets angry and roars. A person who eats these combinations will surely be struck by the lightning during the rainy season.

9. Clouds and Rain - According to the belief of the people, rain comes any time a bird's nest is soaked in water and then tossed in the air to form a shower. When this is done, clouds appear in the sky and fall as rain.

The popular songs of the people are the "Og-ga-yam," "Salidom-may," "Sang-sang-ngil," "Dango," and the "Bal-lagoyos."

The common game of the children is the San Pedro especially on moonlight nights. During special occasions, the old people indulge in cockfighting. Students have learned to enjoy playing the basketball.

Other amusements are going hunting in groups, catching fish by draining the water, and going to the forest in search of beehives to get honey and wax.

1. Casano sit inca panang-imet, canta cayo nga awad canta tenga nita baybay no adi camet macapan gapu ta adu wa pumatay ngem awad ta ando wa tali?

(How can you get the tree at the middle of a lake when you cannot go to it because of a dreadful water monster. You have only a rope.) Answer - Tie one end and go around the edge of the lake with the other end.

2. Casano sit panagi lasat no, ta rakit, no mangibolon ca ta ogsa, aso ken root. Ta dua ngameng sit mailugan canta rakit ta maminsan. Ta no adi canen nit ogsa sit ro-ot, casta met nga adi canen net aso sit ogsa.

(How can you manage to cross the river with a raft that can carry only two things at a time, without the deer eating the grass and the dog eating the deer.) Answer - First, take the deer to the other side. Then ferry next the dog, but when you come back bring the deer with you and leave it where the grass had been. Take the grass to the other side and go back to get the deer.

3. Ad-diyo, ad-diyo conna ngem naid met ta ata na.

There, there it says but has no eyes. Ans. - Finger.

4. Patayec sit nana, ngem ayatec met sit anac na.

I kill the mother, but love the offspring. Ans. - banana stalks.

5. Sit mangputol diyaken, ssang sangi tanac.

The one who cuts me weeps over me. Ans. - Onions.

6. Naglupot sit anac na, naid canta inana.

The mother is naked, but the offspring is dressed. Ans. - Bamboo,

1. Sit mang nga yao nga aso adi sumida.

The dog that barks seldom bites.

2. Sit nauneg nga caragan adi tomtumiing ngem sit narabao na-aweng.

Deep water never makes loud noise but shallow water is noisy.

3. Na-aw-aweng sit arammid no ginga.

Action speaks louder than words.

4. Sit nabac-nang calayad na ta bumacbacnang pay.

The rich wants to be richer still.

5. Surotem sit ayus nit danum. Follow the current of the river.

6. Sit iyan nit asuk, awad ta apoy. Where there is smoke, there is fire.

7. Sit cayo no ittoc, nalaka nga malinteg, ngem no dedeckel len narigat.

When a tree is small, it is easily straightened, but when it becomes big it is hard to do so.

The early inhabitants measured the time by the number of their harvests or by the names of their months as follows:

No books or written records are available except the manuscript record of the late Capitan Basingan Carloath during the American regime, which contains his geography and the terms of each official in Baay.

COMPILED BY

(SGD.) BANGUEY LAYUGAN
(SGD.) CARLOS SABEDO
(SGD.) (Mrs.) NATALIA C. AFOS
(SGD.) (Miss) POTENCIANA BARRO

Transcribed from:

History of the Municipal District of Baay, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections. The pagination in this transcription is as they appear in the original document.