MUNICIPALITY OF ANDA (PANGASINAN), History and Cultural Life of

East of the deep blue China Sea, somewhere in the western part of the beautiful Gulf of Lingayen, lies a little island of barely 60 square miles in area but endowed with beautiful natural resources and remarkable scenic beauties known as Cabayaran, which is supposed to be the MOTHER of the wonderful Hundred Islands. Cabarayan Island, the would-be Corregidor of Pangasinan, if so turned into, and the Miami-to-be of the Philippines should it become shown to tourists, vacationists, and excursionists, for its sands and shores are second to none.

In this little island lies hidden from the rest of the world the significant town of Anda, secluded from the province of Pangasinan due to its geographical form and inhabited by sturdy people who are industrious, thrifty, hospitable, and peace-loving. It is worthy to note that Anda has streets carpeted with green grass all the year round so that the people are free from treacherous [unreadable] known in other towns.

Anda was not so named at the beginning. Many called it "Serañgga Basa" [unsure, very blurred], which name dated back to the time when this island still belonged to Bolinao. The name ANDA was given in honor of Simon de Anda, who was then the Spanish Governor-General at the time of its establishment.

In 1849, a bold man with a pioneering spirit left the shores of Bolinao as a leader of a party that made venture in "Serangan Basa." The party which landed first at the place now known as Dolaoan, found that the land was fertile. Andres de la Cruz, nicknamed "Calayo," was the leader of these daring settlers. He returned to Bolinao many times to convince more immigrants to come to Anda to settle. Families kept on coming one after another so that settlements were extended to different places until the barrios of Carot, Cabungan, Tondol, Sablig, Macaleeng, Toritori and Awile were organized. It was not until 1850, however, that the real Anda town came into being. At first, the town proper was situated in the central part of the island now known as Namagbagan. In 1860, the site of the town was transferred to the present location due to the desire of the Spanish priest in order to get near his sweetheart by the name of Alcadian Guewey [not sure, blurred]. Ever since, Anda belonged to Zambales province until it was transferred to Pangasinan in the year 1903. Anda, which comprises nine barrios including the poblacion and its sitios, is a fourth class municipality at present.

Records which may give information about the lucky men who ruled Anda are not available. However, resource persons were approached, but unfortunately, only meager information was obtained from them. The early heads of the town were called "ABSOLUTOS," which title was later changed to "CAPITANES MUNICIPALES." At the beginning of the American rule, such title was changed to MUNICIPAL PRESIDENT, until the establishment of the Commonwealth on November 15, 1935, when the head of the town became a mayor, which title is retained to the present.

It is a common belief among the simple-minded inhabitants that whenever a boy is born first to a young couple, good luck will always follow the family. If a girl is born first, it is just the contrary. The birth of a boy means a jovial party when baptism comes. Feasts and dances characterize the celebrations of the lucky event.

Whenever a baby comes out feet first, it is a practice common to the barrio folks to climb down the stairs of their houses head first. The act is believed to make the child come out head first, thus making the delivery of the baby easier.

The selection of a mate twenty-five years ago was parental. The parents of the young man or woman selected for their children their future mates. Usually, marriages were agreed upon with dowries. Such dowries might be animals, cows, carabaos, and horses, cash, and a piece of land, depending on the financial status of the groom. Other parents agree to have feasts and dances after the rites. In going to and returning from churches for the solemnization, the young couples are usually accompanied by the orchestra.

It is a belief that whenever a couple comes into the house after the rites, one should neither go up first, for if one is left behind, one of them will die early. Grains of rice are showered on the approaching young couple. This act will bring them good luck and so that the couple will have many children.

The death of a close relative brings great sorrow to the near and nearest kin. It means mourning for nine nights. Only white, blue, or black attires are worn. No member [of the family] is allowed to sing nor to attend dances. Men signify their sorrow by wearing a black "putong" around their heads or armlets around their left arms. During funerals, everyone is expected to grieve. An in-law whose heart is so hard that he or she does not shed tears is expected to do his or her part by hot pepper on his or her eyes. The pain forces the eyes to shed tears.

Myths and legends were not very common among the natives. However, our forefathers were rich in superstitions and divinations. As a proof, they have an astrological book called "Lunario," which is printed in the dialect. Among these superstitions and divinations are as follows:

1. Meeting a girl or a woman when on an errand is a sign of failure.

2. Meeting a snake brings one good luck or success.

3. A lizard met or crossing one's path also is a sign of bad luck.

4. A billowing fire while cooking brings in a visitor to the household.

5. A cat facing toward the door and wiping its face with its paws is another sign for a coming visitor.

6. The appearance of the crescent moon with its point pointing close to a star is a sign that someone will meet death from weapons.

7. A bright red sunset means the occurrence of a typhoon in the following days.

Songs of romance and nature are found among our people. Some of the popular ones are the following:

Games were not lacking. The people played the game of sipa, tupas [unsure], etc. Most of these games are now being played in our public schools.

For amusements, people resort to playing musical instruments, but most go to gambling places for recreation.

1. A certain kind of bird called "Calimpapatong" usually sings at four o'clock in the morning.

2. The first crowing of cocks in the morning signifies three o'clock.

3. A certain kind of plant called "Las Duce" opens its flowers at twelve noon.

4. The southern cross, when it is vertical in the zenith signifies twelve o'clock midnight.

The early Filipinos did not have any kind of calendar, not until the Spaniards introduced it in the islands.

(SGD.) HERMINIGILDO PADAMA
For & in the absence of the Principal

Transcribed from:

History and Cultural Life of the Municipality of Anda, Pangasinan, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections. The pagination in this transcription is as they appear in the original document.