MUNICIPALITY OF SANTO DOMINGO (ILOCOS SUR), History and Culture of Part IV

Babai: Adu met ko kakabsat ko, Ken babbalasang a gagay yenko, Diak masapul ta ramaymo, A mangur-urnos itoy buok ko.	Lady: I have many brothers and sisters and friends. I do not need your fingers, my tresses to groom.
Lalaki: Wen, adu ti kakabsat mo Ken babbalasang a pagayammo, Ngem dina mapada dagitoy ramayko A mangur-urnos ita buok mo.	Man: Yes, you have many brothers and ladies as your friends, but they can't equal my fingers to groom your hair.
Kalapati, panawankan Ta ditoy mo nga agmamaysan Ta innak mamagpagnan Ti adayu unan a dagan.	Dove, now I take my leave, stay here alone for I am going to journey to far off lands.
Babaei: No italagam a panawannak Agurayka ta agbilinak Ta ti sabong yalaannak Tay sabong a di marsaak.	Lady: If you mean to leave me, tarry and I will ask for a flower you will get for me — the flower which never fades.
Tay sabong a konak kenka, Tay uneg ti minoyungan yanna Tallot pagrusingan na Ngem maymaysat pagsabongan na.	The flower I ask of you is inside a garden. It has three bud openings but has one for a flower to sprout.
No nangato dika sibbolen No nababa dika gawaten No naregreg dika pidoted Ngem banglo na lat saysayupem.	When it is high, do not use a pole, If it is low, pluck not it down. If fallen, pick it up but just breathe its fragrance.
Lalaki: Ala wen, ken panawan kan Ta ditoymo nga agmaymaysan, Ta innak pay ngarud mangalan Tay sabong a di masarakan.	Man: Well, yea; and I bid my leave, and be here alone for I will then get the flower unknown. (Exit)
Babai: Ay-ay pay to gasatko Nga agmaymaysan ditoy campo, Iturong mo kad O! Apo Ti naimbag nga aramidko.	Lady: Pity for my fate to be here alone where I am. O! God guide me to what properly what I should do.
Ta no kuman diak mabuteng, Diay muyong innak suroten, Ta innak koma biruken Ni kabsatko no adda pay laeng.	For if I would not be afraid, I would go to follow in the garden, there to look for my brother if he is still there.
Ta no koman diak umamak Diay nalawa a tay-ak, Innak koma bareng masarakak Di kabsatko a kayanayat.	For if I should not fear in the spacious plain, I would go to perchance find my brother and lover.
Sumangpet ka kadin, ayatko! Ta naiduma toy iliw ko. Nangruna diak met ammo Ti napanam ken naturong mo.	Do return my brother for I long for you most so I do not know where you are or where you have gone to.
O! kabsatko sumangpet kan, Ta iliw-kon ti napalallowan, Napindak amin a taw-tawan Nga innak kenka pamaspasungadan.	O! brother mine, do return for my longings are keen. I have gone to all windows wishing to see you return.
Lalaki: Ania a nagrigaten Ti maysina a maypusing, Ta innak ngata segseggaanen Tay kabsatko nga innak ayayaten!	Man: How hard is it to part, to get exiled for the sister I love most be for me longing.

Naiduma a ragsak Tay kabsatko a sinangpetak, Pusona ti siragagsak, Ket nakem na ti agayayat.	Exceeding in delight is my sister for whom I have returned. Her heart is happy and her mind is loving.
Babai: Pagyamanak kabsatko Ta sinangpetannak ditoy yanko Ngem pakisaludsodko Daydi sabong nga inbilinko.	Lady: I am thankful brother mine for you returned where I am, but I wish to remind you of the flower I asked of you.
Lalaki: Addagitoy nga isangpetko Daydi sabong nga inbilin mo, Imatangam ta yawatko Ita nasudi a biangmo.	Man: Here, I brought the flowers you asked of me. Behold, I bestow it to your presence fair.
Babai: Ania aya ti nakabayagam, Sadiay disso a napanam? Siak sa ti nalipatam Gaput ragsak ti naggappuam.	Lady: Why were you detained in the place where you have gone? You might have forgotten me because of the joy from whence you come.
Lalaki: Iti ngamin nakabayagak Sadiay disso a napanak, Awan met ti masapulak Idi sabong a inbilin mo kaniak.	Man: Why I tarried long at the place whence I came, is that I could not find at once the flower you asked of me.
Idinto ta agawidak, Idiay Belen dimmagasak, Isut nakasapulak Itoy sabong a kunam kaniak.	Upon my return home, I dropped at Belen. There, I found the flower you asked of me.
Babai: Wen a ngem pakisaludsudko, No mano to pagbayad ko, Itoy sabong nga inbilin ko Nga agas bamban-nogmo.	Lady: Yes, but may I ask of the price for the flower I requested of to bring as reward for your troubles.
Lalaki: Diak ammo nga isao No mano ti pagbayad mo, Ita sabong nga inbilin mo Nga agas bambannogko.	Man: I cannot tell what price you shall give me my trouble to reward on the flower you asked of me to bring.
Kalapati no aniat kunam, Ti agsala isardengtan Mabalin a nabannogan kan Ket sumoblat met ti dadduman.	Dove, what do you say? Let us cease, then, to dance. You might be tired then so that the rest may have their turn.
Ragup - Ita ngarud kat isunan Ti agsala isardengtan Ited yo ti pammakawan No adda surik mi wenno kurang.	Now, then, let us cease to dance let us rest. Had we been to much or in short, for apology we plead.

There are many other songs relative to planting, fishing, harvesting and most so to love songs and nursery rhymes handed orally whereby most of them never found their way into print. Dealing on games, they have the sipa, the cockfighting, horse and carabao races, the rifa (local sweepstakes), the tannga, the siki, the chongka, the sopo, and other minor games to amuse. Added amusements are the Moro-moro and the zarzuela or a musical dialogue. Reading of the "pasion" (life of Christ in verse) is sung as an amusement as well as devotion during the eight days before Holy Week.

The burburti of the townspeople and which are common sources of humor to Ilocanos are their ancient riddles, some of which are:

RIDDLES	ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS
1. No baro naruktup, no daan nalagda.	1. Weak when new, strong when old. (carabao dung)
2. Danum minimin, di mastrek ti angin.	2. Water of minimin cannot be entered by wind. (coconut)
3. Adda asuk a burburan, nagtugaw ti kasiitan.	3. I have a hairy dog sitting among thorns (bamboo shoot)
4. Agtutugaw, madusdusa.	4. It is being punished while sitting. (pot on a burning stove)
5. Siasino ti mamindua a mayanak?	5. What is it that was born twice? (chick)
6. Sino to parsua ti Dios a nakinruar tulangna?	6. What is the creature of God which bones are outside? (snail)
7. Innigamak siketmo, lagto ka a lagto.	7. I held your waist and you jumped and jumped. (pestle)
8. No ikkatan, dakkel inna pagbalina.	8. When you take a part of it, it becomes larger. (hole)
9. Baboy ni Kawing, nagpadayada amin.	9. Swines of crookedness, all went eastward. (waves)

The philosophies of ancient townsmen are reflective in their proverbs, fraught with essential morals. Some of these are hereon illustrated:

PROVERBS	ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS
1. Awan umoli a dinto bumaba.	1. None will go up who will not go down.
2. Ti tao no adda kayat na, dayawen, patgen naka.	2. A person who likes something of you, he will praise and esteem you.
3. Ti kukua a tawid, nalaka nga agawid.	3. An inherited property easily gets lost.
4. No adda basul, adda ikaro.	4. If there is a sin, there is punishment.
5. No kugtarem siit, mapurisan ka.	5. If you kick against pricks, you will get pricked.
6. No saba ti imulam, saba met, la ti apiten.	6. If you plant bananas, you will reap bananas.'
7. Awan babawi a di tartaraudi.	7. There is no repentance that does not come last.
8. Ti napintas a langa, adda iggesna no kua.	8. A beautiful fruit sometimes has worms.

9. Ti agkalikagum dumanon.	9. The one with interest acts first.
10. Ti tudo adda patinggana.	10. The rain has an end.
11. Ti lua ti agtawid, ragsak a nalimed.	11. The tears of an heir are hidden joy.
12. Ti madi ti patigmaan, asideg karagatan.	12. He who abhors advice is close to difficulties.
13. Ti bitbittuen no adayo da kenka nasileng napintasda.	13. The stars when afar are radiant and beautiful.
14. Dagiti kuton inga agkukuyog.	14. The ants group together.
15. Ti agsidat sili magasangan.	15. One who eats pepper will suffer its pungent taste.
16. No awan kayat, awan lagip.	16. With no desire, there is no remembrance.
17. No tarayka a taray, nalalaka amaitibkol.	17. If you run and run, you will easily stumble.
18. To sao ti natiri, uray pudnon di mapapati.	18. The words of a liar, even when true, will not be believed.
19. Ti sao nga adu, nakaka nga mangikulbo.	19. Many words will easily corner you.
20. Ti kayo a narangpaya adu ti malinongan na.	20. A tree with spreading branches shades many.
21. Awan pannangan ti katam no awan tademna.	21. A plane will not work when without a sharp blade.
22. Ti atap salputen na ti langit.	22. Suspicion penetrates heaven.
23. Ibagan kakoyog mo ket kinataom ibakak to.	23. Tell me your companions and I will tell you who you are.
24. Siputam ti bulong, ti angin mangiturong.	24. Watch for the leaf, the wind will direct.
25. Awan palimed a dinto lumtaw.	25. No secret will not come out.
26. Awan mangpuor kosinana.	26. No one will burn his kitchen.
27. Ti tagbat adda mabati a piglatna.	27. A would will leave a scar.
28. Ti ina, ina latta.	28. Mother is mother still.
29. No kukua a tinakawan, nalaka a maawan.	29. An ill-gotten thing easily disappears.
30. Ti sao adda payakna.	30. Words have wings.
31. No adda dawel, adda met linak.	31. If there is fury, there is also calm.
32. Ti asawa masukatan, ti ina saan.	32. A wife can be changed, a mother no.
33. Patiem ama, patien anak.	33. Believe father, believe son.
34. Ti aganus makagun-od.	34. The patient will be rewarded.
35. Ti kasilapan a badang saan a katadman.	35. The blazing sword is not the sharpest.

36. Ti ragadi mangan no guyoden ken agrapan.	36. The saw bites when pulled back and forth.
37. Adu ti kabagiiam no narauay kuartam.	37. You have plenty of relations when your money is much.
38. Ayat ken ayat, agbayanbayad.	38. Love begets love.
39. Ti gamigan a mabalbalud nalaka a mayanud.	39. A borrowed tool easily gets lost.
40. Ti mairurumen, ti namarsua ti agtaraken.	40. The oppressed will the Creator take care.
41. Saan nga ammo nga dalan no saan pay a nagnaan.	41. We do not know the way if we have not gone.
42. Nalaka a lintegen no bassit pay laeng.	42. Easy to straighten when still young.
43. Padapada, bulong aba.	43. The leaves of the gabi are the same.
44. No maluon to manga palapalenda.	44. When the mango is ripe, they will throw stones at it.
45. Ti tao nga naalipunget, nalaka a bumaket.	45. An ill-tempered person will soon get old.
46. Ti danum a nalamiis, no masungrudan agburek.	46. Cool water will boil when heated.
47. Ti nuang, nuang latta.	47. A carabao is a carabao still.
48. Nalaka ti agipapan no bagi ti pagarigan.	48. It is easy to suspect when we base it on ourselves.
49. Aggidiat ti sao ken aramid.	49. Words and deeds differ.
50. Ti tao a nasadut, panunut na sidudukot.	50. A lazy person has his mind annoyed.
51. Awan kumamat no awan pakamat.	51. No one will run after where no one will run away.
52. Ti waig a naungor, ababaw ken malangoy.	52. A roaring brook is shallow and can be swum.
53. Ti naagawa, adipen ti kukua.	53. The over-busy is a slave to riches.
54. Ti kari isut rupa.	54. Your promise is your face.
55. Ti arasaas no kua, napigpigsa ngem pukaw.	55. Whispers at times are louder than shouts.
56. Ti napili, makapili ti kugangi.	56. The over-choosing will choose the ugly.
57. Tigasat no dumteng, darasem nga alaen.	57. Fortune when it comes must be grasped at once.
58. Ti kanigid nga imam tagbatenna ta makanawan.	58. Your left hand will cut the dexterous one.

59. No adda anus, adda lamut.	59. If there is patience, there is food.
60. Ti mangidayaw bagina, maag nga agdadata.	60. He who exalts himself is openly foolish.
61. Dika tukudan no ammon nga ababawen.	61. Do not measure depth when you know it is shallow.
62. Ti makaturog makamukat, ti nasalukag, agbiag.	62. The sleepy head gets mote-eyed, the wide-awake lives.
63. Ti tao kasla kulintaba, ngomato, bumaba.	63. Man is like a firefly, it soars and lives downward.
64. No ni gasat umadani, uray liklikam umuli.	64. when fate comes, you cannot ward it off.
65. Toy lubong naulbod, mangilawan, mangilunod.	65. This world deceives, it cheats and deludes.
66. Ti karison no awan naggian na, nakaratakat, naariwawa.	66. The cart when empty is noisy.
67. No imay ni patay, saan nga aguray.	67. When death comes, it does not wait.
68. Ti lana ken danum dita makapagtipon.	68. Oil and water cannot be together.
69. Nalaklaka ti agaramid ti dakes ngem ti naimbag.	69. It is easier to do wrong than good.
70. Ti nagaraw a balasang, nalaka a masipalongan.	70. The mobile girl will easily be snared.
71. Babawi dusaenna ti isip.	71. Repentance punishes the mind.
72. No adda dakkel ga ikan, adda met bassit.	72. When there are big fishes, there are small ones.
73. Nalaka ti agbasol, narigat agikaro.	73. It is easy to sin, hard to serve in prison.
74. Awan agigem banga a di maugingan.	74. None will handle a pot without being stained.
75. Ti nalinis a sao, serkenna ti puso.	75. Smooth words will enter the heart.
76. Nalpas, nalpasen saan a maybabawin.	76. What is done cannot be undone.

The known old methods of measuring time among the populace are that of the sun shadow marked with sticks, the southern cross and polar star, as well as the morning star at night, the singing of cicadas, the southward flock of storks, the fast dark-moving clouds moving northward, the etching posts, and the wilting of tree leaves as the tamarind, acacia, in the dry season. The lizard, too, when they go to the ground tells of the Angelus time. In early days, gongs and blow horns, too, were used in the town. Bells, watches, and clocks were not used in ancient days.

On some more folktales, there are the legends aforementioned like those of Lam-ang, Juan Sadut, Allangigan. Space does not permit the detailed stories in their originals as well as their translations. These folktales are few and common and are available to be related by most of the residents.

Documents on things Philippines are the Baptismal and Burial as well as Marriage records in the rectory of the Roman Catholic church and Aglipayan churches as well as those in the Civil Registry's Office of this town. We, too, have the Moro-moro plays owned by Mr. Felix Torre, the Chronology of Town Incumbents with events and tenure of the offices in the custody of Mr. Bibiano E. Figueras, given him by Eustaquio Tesoro, an ex-capitan municipal and justice of the peace during the early American administration. In the Soliven Memorial Library, we have letters on things Philippines of General Artemio Ricarte in 1936, Congressman Butler Hare of the U.S.A.; those of the Woods-Forbes Commission, Epifanio de los Santos, Papal Delegate Pianni, Hon. Tomas Confessor, Assemblyman Benito Soliven, Pres. M. L. Quezon, Teodoro Kalaw, etc., to Mr. Bibiano E. Figueras relative to political and civic affairs.

Filipino authors born or residing in the community with the titles and subjects of their works (printed or in manuscript) are:

Author and Possessor	Title of Work	Form
1. Hon. Benito Soliven	Hacia la Ciudad Eterna y Leganas Tierras	Book, published.
2. Dr. Elias F. Bumatay	Foundation of Educational Psychology	Book, Professional, published and copyrighted.
3. Prof. Pedro Villafuerte	Methods in Art Drawing	Published
4. Mr. Bibiano Figueras	Youngster Dream (Poem)	Book — Published & copyrighted, 1928
	Initial Rites (Aglipayn)	Book — Published & copyrighted 1948.
	Annaraar ti Biag (Prose)	Book — Published & copyrighted 1949
	Plebeian Poems	Manuscript
	His Master Peace	Manuscript
	Kundiman ti Ili (Ilocano Poems)	Manuscript
	Daydi Linipatda (Story)	Published in Hawaii 1936
	Ilocos Prelates (Biography)	Published 1949
	Bubuyaen Sardam (Drama)	Manuscript
	Mga Nga Ibang Bayani	Manuscript
	Echoes for Character	Manuscript
	Junior Ethics	Manuscript
	Banbanuar a Filipino	Manuscript
	Kabibiag Dagiti SaSantos	Manuscript
	History of Ilocos Sur	Published 1949 by Filipino Child Life
	Strides of Philippine Schools	Manuscript
	Soliven Mind-prints (Biography)	Manuscript
	Historical Compend	Manuscript
5. Mr. Jose Tacal Sr.	Child Stories	Manuscript
Mr. Felix Torre	Biag ni Brillantino Biag ni Tangcredo Biag ni Florendo	Manuscript Manuscript Manuscript
Mr. Jose Tacal Jr.	Two Years of Amateur Writing	Manuscript

REFERENCES USED:

The Ilocano Epic - Yabes - 1935

Annaraar ti Biag - B.E. Figueras - 1949

Iluko Literature - Yabes - 1936

Town Tronko of Juan Figueras found in the Soliven Memorial Library

Verbatim Stories from Eustaquio Tesoro

Oral Proverbs - F. T. Figueras - 1921

Ancient Songs - Valentin Tobias de Torre - 1915

Traditions of Sto. Domingo Town (orally told before World War II by Don Estacio Lazo)

El Sinapismo - 1909

Oral Tales from Don Vito Guerrero

Iloco Ornaments - Calip

Respectfully submitted:

(SGD) TOMAS BUMATAY
Supervising Principal

Transcribed from:

Historical Data Regarding Barrios and Poblacion of Sto. Domingo District, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections. The pagination in this transcription is as they appear in the original document.