MUNICIPALITY OF ASINGAN (Pangasinan), History and Folkways of - Philippine Historical Data MUNICIPALITY OF ASINGAN (Pangasinan), History and Folkways of - Philippine Historical Data

MUNICIPALITY OF ASINGAN (Pangasinan), History and Folkways of

Municipality of Asingan, Pangasinan

About these Historical Data

[Note to the reader: Quite a few pages of the original document of this history on file at the digital library of the National Library of the Philippines are torn in places. Where it is not possible to infer from context any missing word or words, the notice [torn] will be inserted.]

[p. 1]

THE HISTORY OF ASINGAN

The municipality lying in the Agno Valley of eastern Pangasinan, a part of the Central Plain of Luzon, has been officially named Asingan.

The word Asingan was derived from the word "Asiñgan," meaning a place where people are always hostile and antagonistic toward others. It has been said that the first settlers of the place, the Aetas, had been driven away, and the Malays, who were more advanced and civilized, occupied the settlement. These immigrants prospered and expanded. However, the Aetas came back now and then to reclaim their land, but they were repulsed every time they did so. They were chased and maltreated when captured. Other settlers tried to come to the place, but the first comers were antagonistic and hostile to them.

Then, the Spaniards came. They found the same settlement with the same attitude of the people. The Spaniards gave it the name "Villa de Asingan" to the place. To date, the place is called Asingan. Asingan is now a municipality with fifteen barrios, namely: Bantog, Toboy, Cabalitian, Carosucan Norte and Sur, Sanchez, Baro, Domanpot, Calepaan, Sobol, Coldit, Dupac, San Vicente, and Ariston. Bantog and Toboy are the largest.

The whole set of the town is favorably located on a productive plain. The people engage in farming with the Agno River as a good irrigating system. The people also engage in minor home industries such as fishing, weaving, rope-making basketry, and lumbering [torn] engage in the 4-H club project.

[This bottom paragraph of the page is basically completely torn and, therefore, cannot be transcribed in a manner that will be intelligible.]

[p. 2]

[torn] Toboy and Bantog are the biggest [torn] teachers, a principal, and a janitor. Cabalitian is next [torn] teachers, a principal, and a janitor. The central school has two sites, one in the Poblacion, with Building No. 1 for the primary classes, and the other in the barrio of Dupac, about five meters away from the Poblacion, with Building No. 2 for the intermediate classes, and a forty-five meter long temporary building.

The municipality also has two private high schools, the Rizal Junior Colleges and the Pacifican Institute of Asingan. Each has a good yearly enrolment. There are also two vocational schools. They are the School of Fashion and Household Arts. These vocational schools offer courses in dressmaking, hair science, and interior decoration. The Pacifican Institute of Asingan, aside from its high school curriculum, offers also courses in Liberal Arts.

NAMES OF ALCALDES DURING THE SPANISH REGIME

Asingan has been made what it is today by these leaders.
1782
1783
1784
1785
1786
1787
1788
1789
1790
1791
1792
1793
1794
1795
1796
1797
1798
1799
1800
1801
1802
1803
1804
1805
1806
1807
1808
Don Bartolome Cabonacan
Don Francisco Jover
Don Diego Mariano
Don Vicente Salinas
Don Raymundo Butuyan
Don Pedro Somera
Don Pascual Somalang
Don Diego Mariano
Don Manuel Crespo
Don Francisco Jover
Don Manuel Arcangel
Don Pascual Magalong
Don Manuel de Guzman
Don Pascual de los Santos
Don Pascual Magalong
Don Manuel Arcangel
Don Domingo Calimlim
Don Pedro del Rosario
Don Cristobal Cabonacan
Don Cristobal Lopez
Don Pascual Soles
Don Dristobal Cabonacan
Don Pedro del Rosario
Don Pascual Soles
Don Manuel Maglo
Don Bartolome Butuyan
Don Pascual Soles
1840
1841
1842
1843
1844
1845
1846
1847
1848
1849
1850
1851
1852
1853
1854
1855
1856
1857
1858
1859
1860
1861
1862
1863
1864
1865
1866
Don Salvador Sebastian
Don Rafael Sambrano
Don Juan Geronimo
Don Domingo Diaz
Don Alejandro Robles
Don Salvador Sebastian
Don Jose Suyat
Don Francisco Apelo Manuel
Don Cristobal de la Cruz
Don Fernando Mercado
Don Pedro Ylora
Don Faustino Malong
Don Francisco Abalahin
Don Vicente Nances
Don Gelacio Orebriga
Don Francisco Amansec
Don Lucas Bugayong
Don Flaviano de Vera
Don Silvino Espiritu
Don Vicente Acosta
Don Mariano Jave
Don Ambrosio Escorpiso
Don Juan Bauzon
Don Nicolas Malong
"
Domingo Bautista
"

[p. 3]

[torn]
1815
1816
1817
1818
1819
1820
1821
1822
1823
1824
1825
1826
1827
1828
1829
1830
1831
1832
1833
1834
1835
1836
1837
1838
1839
[torn]
Don Jose Cabies
Don Sebastian de Salinas
Don Tomas Cagao
Don Pablo Lopez
Don Pedro del Rosario
Don Jose Cabies
Don Antonio Malong
Don Sebastian de Salinas
Don Simon Butuyan
Don Bartolome Butuyan
Don Jacinto Cabonacan
Don Salvador Sebastian
Don Rafael Sambrano
Don Rafael Rivera
Don Raymundo Butuyan
Don Fransisco Apelo Manuel
Don Bartolome Alfonso
Don Jose Macaraeg
Don Andres Crespo
Don Eusebio Malong
Don Jose Bugayong
Don Juan Sicong
Don Domingo de la Cruz
Don Jose Bugayong
Don Francisco Apelo Manuel
1867
1868
1869
1870
1871
1872
1873
1874
1875
1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
1881
1882
1883
1884
1885
1886
1887
1888
1889
1890
1891
1892
1893
1894
1895
1896
1897
1898
1899
Don Manuel Calimlim
"
Don Pedro Butuyan
"
Don Vicente Froylan
"
Don Matias Presto
"
Don Saturnino Butuyan
"
Don Tomas Presto
"
Don Eusebio Bugayonjg
"
Don Vicente Fariñas
"
"
"
Don Ramon de Guzman
"
Don Hermogenes Abalahin
"
"
"
Don Cirilo Salcedo
"
Don Doroteo Suratos
"
Don Jose Malong
"
"
"
Don Serapion Altre

NAMES OF PRESIDENTES

1902-1903
1904
1905
1906-1907
1908-1909
1910-1911
1912-1915
1916-1918
1919-1920
1921-1923
1924-1925
1925-1926
1927-1929
1930-1932
1933-1935
Don Placido Ramos
Don Leandro Soloria
Don Benito Casemiro
Don Francisco Cerezo
Don Placido Ramos
Don Basilio Ignacio
Don Moises Malong
Don Hermenegildo Velasco
Don Teodorico Bauzon
Don Pedro Rasiles
Don Donato Costes (Died during his term)
Don Gregorio Velasco (Vice-Presidente)
Don Teodulo Victorio
Don Moises Malong
Don Gregorio Velasco

NAMES OF PRESIDENT DURING THE COMMONWEALTH

1933-1938
1939-1941
Don Dalmacio E. Guillermo
Don Servillano Alejo

DURING THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION

1942-1945 Don Servillano Alejo (Killed by the Japanese)
Don Marcos Velasco continued the term.

[p. 4]

AFTER LIBERATION

1945 Don Gregorio Velasco (Early liberation)
1946-1947 Don Roman Palisoc being the Vice-President of Don Servillano Alejo during the term 1939-1941 assumed office. But Don Moises Malong was appointed by the President, Hon. Sergio Osmeña. Asingan had two (2) Mayors for almost three (3) months, after which the rightful heir to the office, Don Roman Palisoc, resumed his office until the elections of 1948.
1948-1951 Don Simon Z. Cardinez

There are two dominating political parties in this municipality, namely: the Liberal Party and the Nationalista Party. Their local strengths are evenly balanced, one winning alternately over the other in the previous elections. But for national offices, the Liberal Party predominates.

There were 7773 registered voters during the 1948 elections.

The peace and problem in this town is not as disturbing as in other places. Except for the little incident in Macalong, a barrio about a kilometer away from the Poblacion, where a supposed Huk was killed by a PC patrol in April 1951, the people live peacefully and contentedly. The Asingan people are not molested in their struggle for life.

HISTORICAL SITES, STRUCTURES, BUILDINGS, OLD RUINS, ETC.

There are few historical buildings that still stand today in Asingan. These buildings, though they have gone through several repairs because of the lapse of time, have the characteristics of old Spanish structures. The Fariñas Building, now the residence of the Victorio Family, with its brick foundation and massive posts of well-selected Philippine wood, still stands strong despite the elements of time. It was constructed as the residence of the then Don Vicente Fariñas, one time a gobernadorcillo and a wealthy Ilocano immigrant from Abra. Later, it became the residence of the late Father Jose Noriega, after the convent was burned during the Philippine Revolution. He occupied this mansion until he died in the service of the church

[p. 5]

during the early part of the American occupation. The Salcedo Building, now housing the Rizal Junior Colleges, still stands in the western part of the Poblacion. Like the Fariñas Building, it is made of brick as its foundation and well-seasoned wood materials. The Roman Catholic church at the center of the town, though the interior part is now quite modernized, is still a replica of the old Spanish influence. Labor and materials for this church and the ruined convent were furnished by the townspeople by force.

Among the ruins in Asingan that are reminiscent of the Spanish times are the convent and the chapel of the Roman Catholic cemetery. Still visible in the site of the once flourishing convent are the crumbling brick walls, long covered with moss and wild vines. A wooden convent has been built atop some of its ruins. The surroundings are now being turned to orchards, vegetable, and ornamentnal gardens. The chapel inside the Catholic cemetery is on the verge of crumbling. Thick talahives and cogon grow close to its crumbling walls. Even the altar inside the chapel, through the ravages of time, has become the habitat of insects and deadly reptiles, especially big snakes. Without the benefit of repair, time will come when this historic chapel will be buried like the Boro-Bodor of India [Borobodur of Indonesia].

IMPORTANT FACTS, EVENTS OR INCIDENTS
DURING THE SPANISH OCCUPATION

Among the outstanding events in Asingan during the Spanish time was the burning of the convent, claimed to be the biggest convent in the eastern part of Pangasinan. It housed the Spanish regular priests. It was burned during the early part of the Philippine Revolution. Katipuneros, led by the then Don Agustin Alejo, were responsible for the burning of the once-flourishing convent of Asingan. The Spanish priests, who had been informed of the impending attack, took refuge in Binalonan, which was the seat of the Spanish forces. Capitan Jose Malong, who was then gobernadorcillo, was sent to Lingayen to get arms for the govern-

[p. 6]

[torn] return, he was made not to continue to Asingan [torn] already occupied by the Katipuneros.

EVENTS DURING THE AMERICAN OCCUPATION

During the American occupation, public schools were established in the poblacion which later spread to the barrios. The Gabaldon building in the central was constructed in 1912 and the annex completed sometime in 1917. Compulsory education for the primary level was, for the first time, enforced. The educational system of the United States was copied in the Philippines and such fundamental subjects as Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, and Geography were taught for the first time. Among the first public school teachers in Asingan were the late Mr. Teodorico Bauzon, Mr. Moises Malong, and Mr. Zaragosa, the father of the Zaragosa family.

In 1920, there was a big flood in Asingan, the biggest flood in many years. Most of the barrios were flooded except the town plaza, where most of the barrio people came for safety. Most of the fields, especially in Bantog and Ariston, were either eroded or covered in sand and stone. The Chico River, a branch of the Agno River, caused the greatest damage to property in the eastern part of the town. People whose lands were destroyed by the flood emigrated to the Cagayan Valley to acquire other lands. This caused a great flow of people from Asingan to Isabela. Thus, the progress of these two barrios has been greatly retarded.

EVENTS DURING WORLD WAR II

The Japanese occupation was one of the darkest days in the history of Asingan. The people were in constant fear of being liquidated by the Japanese on the one hand, and by the underground movement on the other. People had to play ball with the Japanese and the guerrillas. Sometime in 1943, the greatest tragedy happened in Asingan. This was the time when Mr. Servillano Alejo, the town mayor during the Japanese occupation, was tortured to death by the Japanese at the Central School Building, which was

[p. 7]

then the Japanese garrison, on the night of August 3, 1943. This incident was the offshoot of the massacre of the Japanese cotton inspector, which happened in front of the Primary School Building sometime before August of that year. He was suspected of being connected with the guerrillas. He could have escaped had he chosen, but he stuck to his post. He died another hero of World War II.

DESTRUCTION OF LIVES, PROPERTIES, AND INSTITUTIONS DURING
WARS, ESPECIALLY in 1896-1900 and 1941-1945

Asingan was among the towns of the Philippines that underwent colossal experiences during the turbulent years of 1896-1900 and 1941-1945. The former was characterized by hanging, beheading, and torturing by any means, persons implicated by the KKK. It was terribly worst during the latter. The inhabitants were subjected to all sorts of inhuman and brutal liquidation. It was so because the people were sandwiched between the two hanging swords of Damocles, those of the Japanese forces on the one hand, and those of the underground forces (guerrillas) on the other hand. Hundreds of lives were unspared, the crooks, civilians, and persons in authority as well. The death of the late Mayor Servillano Alejo was one, a memorable but notorious example of the many cases. He was made to drink several gallons of water. And the trunk, when loaded to its maximum, was made the landing board of a dozen Japanese soldiers, who stepped and jumped upon him one after the other. He also received merciless blows from fists and clubs. A victim of mere suspicion, he died a martyr's fate. Many a life met the same fate. The third degree method of the worst order was also employed on many suspects.

As to properties, Asingan suffered a great deal. Upon the arrival of the Japanese forces, nearly all the houses, especially those in the Poblacion, were cleared of their contents. The inhabitants, upon their return from the evacuation camps, had to be satisfied, only to see their homes empty. During the full period

[p. 8]

of the Japanese occupation, the inhabitants were deprived of their belongings. Their food-animals and fowls, from time to time, were confiscated by the Japs, rationed to the genuine guerrillas, and searched off by fake guerrillas. Really, life was very hard.

History is amiss to forget that upon the entrance of the imperial forces into the town proper, and on to the duration of the Japanese regime, barbaric exploitations were wielded by the invading forces. Walls, ceilings, floors of civilian houses, schools and other public buildings, had been wrecked only to serve their personal comforts. Either they were used for fuel or they were thrown away so that they could have free access and could have complete ventilation. Carts, carromatas, and work-animals were confiscated now and then for the purpose of loading their needs, war materials, and effects to strategic locations. Civilians, too, were dragged against their will to join Japanese convoys. Building materials such as bamboo, lumber, and manual labor were ruthlessly solicited for the construction and erection of soldiers' defenses and dugouts. Such were the vandalistic characteristics of the imperial occupation in Asingan.

MEASURES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS TOWARD REHABILITATION AND RE-
CONSTRUCTION FOLLOWING WORLD WAR II

After the Philippines was liberated, the Philippine Commonwealth was reconstituted and finally granted her independence. Asingan gradually and quickly recuperated from the ravages of war. New homes were constructed, old ones were reconstructed, and public edifices, too, were reconstructed and rehabilitated. These were due to the following factors:
1. Civilian claims, as well as government claims, have been granted payments by the Philippine War Damage Commission.
2. Benefits have been received by war widows and other heirs.
3. Back pay due to veterans and guerrillas received.
4. Pension benefits received by veterans.
5. Money inflation during the stay of the liberation forces in Asingan.

[p. 9]

5. Food production has been boosted and sales were proportionately enormous.
6. Civilians secured employment either as laborers, officement [?] agents, clerks, and the like, etc.

PART II - FOLKWAYS

TRADITIONS, CUSTOMS, AND PRACTICES IN DOMESTIC AND SOCIAL LIFE; BIRTHS, BAPTISM, COURTSHIP, MARRIAGE, DEATH, BURIAL, VISITS, FESTIVALS, PUNISHMENTS, ETC.

Many of the customs, traditions, and practices of the early inhabitants of Asingan are still practiced, although a few of them are waning due to foreign influences. Many of these customs and traditions are similar to those practiced in other towns, especially among the Ilocano towns. Among the many salient ones are:
General
1. Kissing the hands of elders (parents, especially) within the family to show respect.
2. Elders wield simple authority over their younger brothers and sisters or near relatives.
3. Relatives and immediate neighbors rally to family social functions (baptism, deaths, marriage, etc.) by giving aid in the form of money, drinks, eats, labor, etc.
4. Sacrificial offerings are made; to clamor for the coming of rain, to clamor for the sooner recovery of an ill person, etc.
5. During festivals (town fiestas), visitors are welcomed into every house, hospitality being the pride [of the town].
6. During baptism, it is customary for the sponsors to give gifts, generally money, to the child concerned. Sponsors are to be selected with the belief that the child, when grown up, will inherit the good qualities of his godfather.
7. In remoted places and among the laboring class, one, courting should render labor (repairing houses, working in the farm, mangatonganan) to the fiancee befor he can marry her.
8. On visiting relatives in other places, gifts (pasarabo) are brought with them. On their return, they will also be complimented with gifts of other kinds, etc.
Marriage:
1. Dowry to be agreed upon to be given by the parents of the bridegroom in favor of the new couple. The dowry may be in the form of jewels, land, work-animals, house, etc.
2. There are eats and drinks during the wedding day attended by the relatives of the two parties and other invited visitors.
Death:
1. With the dead, a pair of clothing, shoes, hat, etc. are to be buried in the belief that he will still be welcomed in the next world.

[p. 10]

2. Immediate members of the family wear black clothing during the period of mourning. They eat little, exert less effort to work or else they will encounter ailments in latter life.
3. On the ninth day, a Mass (longpus) will be said, ending the period of mourning. Dinner may be served for the relatives and invited friends.
4. After a year, (7 mos. may be alright), another Mass will be said, relieving the immediate members of the family from wearing their black clothes. The surviving wife or husband, as the case may be, can already have the option to marry again.

SUPERSTITIONS

1. Big lizards coming up the house bring bad luck, but snakes in the house mean good fortune.

2. Sleeping with cats is a good protection from ghosts, believing that ghosts are afraid of cats.

3. Death coming at sundown means a hard life on the part of those left behind, but death coming at sunrise means an easy life.

4. Giving food, drinks, tobacco, and cakes to certain spirits will cure the sick.

5. A howling dog means a ghost around.

6. Mooing cattle at night means death in the neighborhood.

7. Crowing hens mean elopement or an unmarried lady is on the family way.

8. Dreaming of a party in the house means death.

9. Dreaming of bathing in the river means a cold.

10. Dreaming of chickens pecking at you means a snake will bite you soon.

11. Carrying things on the head when a member of the family has just died is a cause of the constant shaking of the head.

12. Washing hands in boiled guave leaves after coming from any funeral will prevent the involuntary shaking of the hands.

13. Eating rounded things when the deceased is not yet buried is a cause of certain growths in the body.

14. No sweeping must be done when the deceased is still in the house as it will cause more deaths in the family.

15. The house lizard making noises at the door means a visitor.

16. The accidental dropping of silverware while setting the table or eating means visitors are on the way.

17. Bathing the cat and laughing at it will bring rain.

18. A woman on the family way must not sleep near an open window because an evil spirit will steal the child and will bring death to the mother.

[p. 11]

19. Singing in front of the stove while cooking will mean marriage to an old man.

20. A pregnant woman must not sleep on the floor without a mat.

21. A woman on the family way, when going out, must hand her hair loose.

22. It is also believed that the Agno River is the habitat of a cruel spirit who gets a person yearly as his sacrifice.

23. Giving birth during an eclipse brings death to the mother.

24. When the sun or moon is surrounded by a rainbow, it is a sign that a high government official will die.

25. A star just on the tip of a new moon means war.

26. When someone sneezes just when you go down the stairs, it means bad luck.

27. A black cat or a lizard crossing the street in front of you ride foretells an accident. The trip should be discontinued.

28. Burning old rags and sprinkling vinegar around the house will prevent the house from catching fire during lightning storms.

POPULAR SONGS, GAMES, AND AMUSEMENTS

Popular Songs:
1. Lam Ang
Games:
1. Songes
2. Cudo
3. San Pedro
4. Jumping
5. Piko-piko
6. Juego de Anillo
7. Skipping Rope
8. Carabao, animal race
Amusements:
1. Moro-Moro
2. Zarsuela
3. Folk Dances
4. Cansionan

PUZZLES AND RIDDLES

1. Bayabas nga bunga pito ti abut na.
A guava fruit with seven holes. - face.
2. Maglammeng ni chiquito nga siruruar ti ulo.
Tsikito is hiding, but his head is showing. - nail.
3. Saan nga ayup, saan nga tao, mangmangan ti "gisado."
It is neither animal nor man, yet it eats sauteed food. - frying pan.
4. Magna nga awan manguyod; agtaray nga awan sekana.
It walks though no one pulls it; it runs though it has no feet. - bangka.
5. Saan nga ayup, saan nga lacay, awan sacana ngem macatary.
It is neither animal nor man; it has no feet, but it can run. - running water.

[p. 12]

6. [torn] natay, idi imbellengco nagbiag.

[torn] I held it, it was dead; when I threw it, it stirred. - top.
7. [torn] kinaubingna curitritten ti cudilna.
Since the beginning, it had a wrinkled skin. - ampalaya.
8. Aw-awitec, aw-awiten ngo met.
I carry it; it carries me. - wooden shoes.
9. Gimmatangac ti catulongno; nangatngato ngem ti siac.
I bought a slave who is taller that I. - slave.
10. Ti anac agtugtugawen, ti ina agcarcaradep pay laeng.
The child is already sitting but the mother is still crawling. - squash.
11. Balay ti allawagi nagadigi ti mayas.
A carpenter's house with one post. - dove house.
12. Diac makita ti balay in Caca uray tumangaddao.
I cannot see my Kaka's house even if I looked up. - forehead.
13. Bassit ni cumare, macauli ti torre.
Kumare is small yet it can climb a tower - ant.
14. Adda ditoy, adda idiay, ngem di met makita.
It is here, it is there, yet it is nowhere. - wind.
15. Adda maysa nga aso agtugtugaw iti casi-itan.
A dog with beautiful hair sitting on thorns. - bamboot shoot.
16. Danum ti tengnga na saan nga maanginan.
Water in the middle, but can't be aired - coconut.
17. Balay ni Sta. Ana, nalicmot ti banga.
House of Sta. Ana, surrounded by jars. - coconut.
18. Umayem ni Bayao naca-awit it silaw.
Here comes "Bayao" with his light. - firefly.
19. Balay ni Sta. Rita, nalicmot ti espada.
House of Sta. Rita, surrounded by swords. - pineapple.
20. Adda talip nga pugot natured ti pudot.
There are three ghosts, can endure head. - stove.

PROVERBS AND SAYINGS

1. Ti nasalucag isu ti agbiag.
The early riser catches the biggest worm.
2. No ramtam nga taganuangem di mo unay parigaten.
If you intend to make a carabao of your own, don't overwork it.
3. Awan utang nga saan nga bayadan.
If there is a debt, there is a due.
4. No adda imulam add apitem.
If you have sown, you shall reap.
5. Sambutem ti agani no nalanto pay laeng ti garami.
Harvest while the hay is still fresh.
6. Dica agtubo ti nalabas no dimo cayat ti mabales.
Do not gain too much if you do not like to lose much.

[p. 13]

7. Awan ti aggigem ti banga nga saan nga maugingan.
If you handle the pot, you handle the soot.
8. Ti tao nga mannarito bassit ti maaramidana.
He who talks most does least.
9. Uray casano ti panangcalubmo rumuar ti kinapudno.
Truth always comes out no matter how you cover it.
10. Ti saanna nga ammo nga talliawen ti naggapuana, saan nga macadanon ti papanan na.
He who does not look back to where he came from can never reach his destination.
11. Ti cutit isu ti manag-apit.
The persevering are the reapers.
12. Dica aramiden ti padan a tao ti saan mo nga cayat nga maaramid kenca.
Do not do unto others what you do not like others do unto you.
13. Iti agsida ti sili itu ti magasangan.
He who eats pepper feels the pungency of it.
14. Nalaca ti aguipapan no bagi ti pagarigan.
It is easy to conclude from one's own experiences.
15. Perperdi ti agdildilaw no cadua met la ti agtacaw.
It is useless to notice if the robber is in your own company.
16. Nalaca ti agsao ngem narigat ti agtrabajo.
It is easy to say, it is difficult to do.
17. Awan panganan ti cuto no saan nga ti ulo.
Lice feed on the head and nothing more.
18. Nauni ti lata no awan cargana.
Empty cans make the most noise.
19. Iti aso nga taol adayo ti bungcol; ngem ti aso nga di mauni-uni agsida ti carne.
A barking dog seldom bites.
20. Ibagan daguiti cacaduam ta ibagac no siasinoca.
Tell me who your companions are and I will tell you who you are.
21. Awan ti cumpet nga lumot iti agtultulid nga bato.
A rolling stone gathers no moss.
22. No awan ti rabrabac awan ti ragsac.
Jokes are sources of joy. No jokes, no joy.
23. No adda regta adda pannacabalin na.
Where there is a will, there is a way.
24. No adda biag, adda namnama.
If there is life, there is hope.
25. Iti saan nga pabagbagaan magna ti carigatan.
He who does not listen to advice undergoes hardships.

[p. 14]

METHODS OF MEASURING TIME AND SPECIAL CALENDARS

The people of Asingan make use of Nature's resources in determining time. And this is done by the older folks with surprising precision. Some of their unique methods of telling time are by:
1. The position of the sun: When the sun is overhead directly, it is concluded to be 12 o'clock noon.
2. The length of shadows: When the shadow is shortest in front of us, it is usually noontime.
3. The crowing of roosters: The first crowing is 11 o'clock (11:00 P.M.) and the second is daybreak.
4. The closing of some leaves: Acacia leaves usually fold up at five (5:00 P.M.) o'clock in the evening.
5. The blooming of flowers: Some flowers open at definite times. Examples of these are the dama de noche (at night); the patola flowers that open at four o'clock, etc.
The special calendar, "Almanac" (Lunario) [unreadable] the farmer capitalizes when planting their crops and beginning any new venture.
Transcribed from:
The History of Asingan, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections. The pagination in this transcription is as they appear in the original document.
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