MUNICIPALITY OF MANGALDAN (PANGASINAN), History and Culture of Part II

1822 1823

Don Lorenzo Lazaro Don Ildefonso Tamondong

1824

Don Domingo Gervacio

1825 1826 1827 1828 1829 1830 1831 1832 1833 1834 1835 1836 1837 1838 1839 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 1867 1868

Don Domingo Aquino Don Domingo Gervacio Don Juan Martin Don Jose de Guzman Don Domingo Gervacio Don Mariano Calicdan Don Felipe de Guzman Don Bartolome Zarate Don Domingo Gervacio Don Domingo Viado Don Domingo de Aquino Don Cipriano Victorio Don Joaquin del Rosario Don Mariano Calicdan Don Raymundo Martinez Don Juan Bautista Don Cipriano Victorio Don Jose Cabrera Don Ildefonso Tamondong Don Vicente Victorio Don Bartolome Zarate Don Joaquin del Rosario Don Tomas Aquino Alvan Don Eusebio Lazaro Don Salvador Carpio Don Vicente Sta. Maria Don Don Domingo Victorio Don Don Pedro de Asis Don Francisco Magno Don Vicente Sta. Maria Don Jordan de Aquino Don Juan de Aquino Don Antonio Caramat Don Gregorio Calicdan Don Joaquin del Rosario Don Vicente Lopez Don Raymundo Calicdan Don Juan del Aquino Don Jordan de Aquino Don Jordan de Aquino Don Carlos de Guzman Don Carlos de Guzman Don Pedro de Asis Don Tomas Serafica

1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 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 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905

Don Tomas Serafica Don Tomas Serafica Don Tomas de Vera Don Tomas de Vera Don Hermenegildo Serafica Don Luis Serafica Don Luis Serafica Don Pedro Ferrer Don Pedro Ferrer Don Domingo Idio Don Domingo Idio Don Mariano Costes Don Mariano Costes Don Pedro Santa Maria Don Pedro Santa Maria Don Domingo Mejia Don Domingo Mejia Don Vicente Ferrer Don Vicente Ferrer Don Vicente David Don Vicente David Don Hilario Aquino Don Hilario Aquino Don Domingo Abalos Don Domingo Abalos Don Jose Lopez Serafica Don Jose Lopez Serafica Don Jose Lopez Serafica Don Juan David (Jefe Local) Don Juan David (Jefe Local) Reign - Military Government Capitan Stay Teniente Robinson Don Vicente Magno Reign - Civil Government Don Luis A. Callanta Don Pedro Estayo Don Pedro Estayo Don Pedro Estayo Don Pedro Estayo

1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934

Don Vicente Magno Don Vicente Magno Don Vicente Magno Don Vicente Magno Don Pedro de Guzman Don Pedro de Guzman Don Pedro de Guzman Don Ulpiano de Vera Don Ulpiano de Vera Don Ulpiano de Vera Don Ulpiano de Vera Don Pedro de Guzman Don Pedro de Guzman Don Cosme Biagtan Don Cosme Biagtan Don Pedro Estayo Don Pedro Estayo Don Andres Garcia Don Andres Garcia Don Andres Garcia Don Andres Garcia Don Andres Garcia Don Andres Garcia Don Cosme Biagtan Don Cosme Biagtan Don Cosme Biagtan Don Cosme Biagtan Don Andres Garcia Don Andres Garcia

July 1946 1947 1948 1948 1950 1951 1952 1953 II. 1726-1744 1744-1754 1754-1778 1778-1789 1789-1802 1802-1818 1818-1832 1832-1843 1843-1861 1861-1865 1865-1871 1871-1889 1889-1900 1900-1926 1926-1938 1938-1947 1947-1952 1952-

Republic of the Philippines Don Pedro de Guzman Don Guillermo Visperas Don Adriatico Golea Don Adriatico Golea Don Adriatico Golea Don Adriatico Golea Don Adriatico Golea Don Adriatico Golea Succession of Spanish Priests Fr. Diego Serrabo, O.P. Fr. Manuel Rodriguez, O.P. Fr. Manuel Torres, O.P. Fr. Jose Quiros, O.P. Fr. Dalmacio Monex, O.P. Fr. Lorenzo Martin, O.P. Fr. Valerio de Guzman, O.P. Fr. Jose Misa, O.P. Fr. Ramon Fernandez, O.P. Fr. Manuel Arin, O.P. Fr. Juan Gutierrez, O.P. Fr. Manuel Gonzales, O.P. Fr. Manuel Llambi, O.P. P. Benigno Jimenez P. Eusebio David P. Juan Sison P. Jose Ferrer P. Francisco Posadas

1935 - Don Dalmacio Visperas
1936 - Don Dalmacio Visperas
1937 - Don Dalmacio Visperas
1938 - Don Filomeno Billote
1939 - Don Filomeno Billote
1940 - Don Filomeno Billote
1941 - Don Daniel Frianeza
1942 -

1942 - Don Daninel Frianeza
1943 - Don Daninel Frianeza
1944 - Don Daninel Frianeza

1945 - Don Daninel Frianeza
1946 - Don Daninel Frianeza

The period from 1896-1900 comprised the revolutionary period of the Philippines. About 1897, there was a conflagration of houses and granaries in half of the southern poblacion caused by the revolutionary soldiers from the mouth passing through Santa Barbara, as a retaliation for the death of an emissary or personal messenger of the commanding officer of the invading insurrectos. Many houses were destroyed or burned. The municipal building (presidencia), which was located at the plaza, was also destroyed.

Northern inhabitants of Mangaldan and other leaders of the "insurrectos" lead by Ecoy Oliveros and others invaded the convent and the church due to the oppression. The insurrectos were very badly defeated because they were very much inferior in arms. The leaders and Oliveros were beheaded and about one hundred or more suffered execution which was done in front of the convent and the plaza. Casualties on the part of the Spanish priests and the Spanish legion were few. Life in those years was dangerous and perilous. Robberies by the "tulisan" and murders were rampant here and there during the revolutionary government.

On December 26^th, 1941, the Japanese Imperial Forces entered Mangaldan. The soldiers passed along the streets and roads without looting, robberies, and rape. But beginning January to April, 1942, they looted nearly all the big houses on under the pretext of searching for prohibited arms according to the laws of war. They got clothes made of cotton yarn, jewelries, and foodstuffs as pigs, chickens, vegetables, palay, sugar, and other edible fruits. They looted the municipal building and also the public schools. They took along with them chairs, beds, tables, aparadors, and other school equipment. They destroyed all the desks and used them as firewood. Some women were raped. People evacuated their houses and went to the remotest barrios.

In 1945, Mangaldan was liberated by the American forces. Several buildings were destroyed and hundreds of lives were killed by bombs. The people of Mangaldan were very happy to meet the American soldiers. Through the PCAU, the people were given rice and canned goods. Schools in the town and the different barrios were immediately opened. The civilians were given work to do — construction of barracks, clearing of the airfield, etc. An emergency hospital was established at the convent to take care of those who met accidents caused by bombs and other accidents. Dr. Perfecto Biason, Dr. Garcia, Dr. de Vera, and Dr. de Guzman assisted.

During the liberation of the Philippines up to April 1946, the transfer of government to the Commmonwealth of the Philippines was made. People were rehabilitated in terms of food, clothes, personal necessities, and also in finance.

1. Birth: The townspeople of Mangaldan avail themselves of the scientific services of doctors and licensed midwives in times of giving birth. But in the remote places where medical services are far-fetched, and also for financial reasons, women still give birth assisted by the "manamianac" and accompanied by superstition.

When a baby is born, the manamianac cuts the cord with a sharp "bulo" (a piece of bamboo), then applies sifted ash on the cut and ties it with a thread. After the delivery, the mother is given chicken broth.

It is usually the father who washes the rags which have been used in the delivery and to dispose of the "baley" (placenta). He buries the baley in a hole where people will not likely step on it. An ambitious father usually wraps the "baley" in a newspaper or in any article connected with eduation before burying it for the reason that when the child goes to school, he will be bright and intelligent.

When the treated end of the cord gets well, it is taken from the baley and wrapped carefully in a piece of paper or rag. It is usually hung on the outside beam of the house to make sure that it cannot be taken by a rat.

2. Baptism: It is the custom of this town that the baby is never moved away from the house unless it has been baptized. In cases when the baby is weak and sickly, the baptism is done as soon as possible to make sure it is baptized in case it dies. Both parents and the grandparents may decide upon the madrina or the padrino — madrina for the baby girl and padrino for the baby boy. Madrinas and padrinos are usually selected on the basis of their relation to the family, their social standing, and sometimes their ability to afford a handsome paegna (a baptismal gift). Usually, the selection is a serious matter, for it is believed that babies take the qualities possessed by the madrinas and the padrinos. A day prior to the baptism, a lechon or a chicken asado is taken to the home of the prospective madrina or padrino. In the morning, the baby is taken to the church and baptized. The madrina or padrino pays the baptismal fee.

In most cases, a party is prepared — ranging from humble ones to pompous feasts. A religious ceremony usually takes place in the house, with "cantores" performing it. During the ceremony, the padrino or madrina holds the baby, after which he recites a flowery verse and then hands the baby to her mother with money gift-wrapped in a handkerchief. After the baptismal party, the padrino or madrina is usually the last to leave.

3. Home-made Barometers: Some houses in this town are equipped with a home-made barometer which the owner claims as the best barometer that Science has designed, in which a small quantity of the first rain is collected in a bottle, the container being filled two-thirds, or three-fourths. The bottle is tightly corked and strung to any beam just outside a window. When the part of the bottle which is unfilled gets cloudy, that perspiration clings to the side of the bottle, then there is rain to come. If there is no perspiration, then the weather will be fair. Some people go to the extent of predicting from what direction the rain will come, depending on what part of the bottle is covered with perspiration. Thus, if the northern side of the bottle is the one that shows the condensed vapor, the rain will come from the north. If the whole bottle perspires, the rain will be from all around. The bottle is observed around noontime.

(a) Babies: Babies are also used as weather indicators. When a baby blows her saliva at regular intervals, either rain or a storm will come.

(b) The Sky: When the sky above Lingayen Gulf is red, a storm is coming.

(c) Thunder: At the onset of the rain, the people listen to the thunder. When the thunder roars in the east and then answered by thunder in the west, they say that the rain is going to last for several days. If the thunders is not answered, the rain is going to be short.

(d) Galor: Another way of foretelling the length of the rain period is the galor (part of the cooked rice that sticks to the bottom of the cooking pot). When the galor is stiff, the rain is short; if not, the rain is going to be long.

(e) Animals: When chickens roost before the usual roosting time, and when the pigs grunt and the cows bellow, a storm is sure to come and will usually be followed by a flood.

(f) Fireflies: Fireflies flying thick around trees or venturing inside the house warn the people of strong rain followed by a flood.

(g) New Year: Some people keenly observe the weather condition from January 1 to January 12. January 1 corresponds to January; January 2 to February; January 3 to March; etc. If January 4 happens to be rainy, they say that the month of April will likewise be rainy; if January 10 is fair, they say that October will also be fair.

(a) Spirits - Good and Evil: Although some people employ doctors at sickbeds, many still treat their sicknesses with superstition. When someone gets sick in the family, it is believed that unseen beings have been displeased or hurt. And the "herbolario," who is said to have a following of good spirits (unseen companions), is

Sometimes, such a proposal may not be favorable on the part of the parents. Thus, somebody is sent to return this proposal to the man's parents before the third day after the sangi or pawit. But if not returned, the man's parents and the middleman come back to know the result of their proposal. The woman concerned is asked of her say. If her answer is satisfactory or favorable, the parents of both parties agree again on another date for them to meet again.

The man's parents come back on the set-aside date. They talk of the different dates for the alingaran, dongo, wedding day, work to be done by the man's party, and also the kinds of ceremony and party.

(1) List of Wedding Dowry: This list is read aloud in the presence of the woman's relatives during the second step of the proposal. The following may be found in the list:

(a) Pangoros - One peso or more.

(b) Pamabalitok - A ring, earrings, comb — stating their values in terms of pesos.

(c) List of parcels of land, animals, plow, harrow, coconuts, bamboo groves, mango trees, etc.

The location of the land and its area must be indicated. Its value in terms of pesos is also stated. The total of the value of all those listed may be stated.

(d) Mangatolangan - The man does some services in the woman's house to show his ability to work. This may be done during a year or more before the wedding day.

(e) Pagatin - Pagatin is usually held at the close of the wedding party. The couple sits in the middle of the sala and relatives of both parties drop money on the plate. The man's relatives usually trop on the bride's plate and the bride's relatives drop theirs on the groom's plate. Old persons are so interested in "patepekan" (putting a coin in the mouth of the bride and the groom gets it with his lips).

(f) An old man and a woman comes out dancing to meet the bride who has just arrived from the church at the gate of the fence.

(g) Throwing rice at the new couple who had just arrived at the stairs.

(h) Giving cakes as colambo and others as pacolacion and meat and roasted pigs as pasco. These were usually done before Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday.

People usually mourn the death of a relative. When someone dies, his relatives wear a white handkerchief around

While the deceased is still at home, no cleaning is done. His relatives do not pound rice to feed visitors. Instead, it is the neighbors who come as well as those not related to the deceased who do the pounding. Before dropping the coffin into the grave, his children kiss the deceased's hands. Small children jump over the coffin.

After the burial come the nine days of the novena. The white handkerchiefs are removed on the ninth day. Black handkerchiefs and black dresses are removed or changed during the "bakas." During the "bakas," we have the removing of all signs of mourning. First, the black veil of the house altar, followed by the changing of the woman's veil with a white one. This ends the mourning.

1. Say laoas acaparaan ag nabiglaan. (One who always prepares is never caught unaware.)

2. No marangol ka araoi ray osa. (If you are noisy, the deer runs away.)

3. No andi arisga angapoy pacala. (No risk, no prize.)

4. Say ganat pacalaay bayag. (Haste makes waste.)

5. Namamagaay dadalanen ton dika. (The grass on which he walks gets dry.)

6. Say ason marangol ag mangalat. (A dog that always barks does not bite.)

7. Amin ya takol calay oleg. (In every forest dwells a snake.)

8. Agmo ibabagan aralem so dayat no agmoni asukat no kaaralem to. (Never say the sea is deep if you have not measured it yet.)

9. Say bolilit ag ontitit no ag apildit. (A mouse never squeaks if it is not caught.)

10. Agmo ni nainom so karakel na ininom kon danon. (You have not yet drunk the amount of water that I have drunk.)

11. Say boyogan oalay petek ton basaan. (The water jar always has a wet place under it.)

12. Akasaral ed padir. (He leans against a concrete wall.)

13. Manpasek ka ta pian man ani ka. (Plant so that you will reap.)

14. Say pantol ag manbongay bayaoas. (A santol tree does not bear a guava.)

15. Say alablabas ya liket babantayay armen. (Happiness is being watched by sorrow.)

16. Say aron alablabas maganganon naumas. (Too much love dies fast.)

17. Agto ni aliber so dalikan to. (He has not yet gone around his stove.)

18. Natilak so inaral, ag natilak so natural. (What is learned can be unlearned; what is natural cannot be forgotten.)

19. Say nilaoan singa nicolabot. (One who has made an unconscious attempt is like one who has stepped into a hole.)

20. No antikey so ules ikikot no sali. (When the blanket is

is short, the leg must be folded.

21. Say kiey ya ambasa no narangdang ondangat a siansia. (A wet piece of fuel when kept close to the fire will at last be burned.)

22. Angan say dalin nan layag. (Even the ground has ears.)

23. Inbatican koy pitek nacar key lonek. (I run away from the mud, but I was in the bog.)

24. Ipopostatoy pitak ton taoen. (He is taking the sky above him.)

25. Ataptapeo nen say kinaykay na manok. (It is too shallow that it can be scratched by a hen.)

26. Angan antoy panotob mo onpaoay so banget to. (Although you cover it, its odor will surely come out.)

27. Agmo sasabaten so caballo no capoaplesan na batic to. (Do not stop a horse while it is running at its topmost speed.)

28. Say pagbaboc oslad caonoran. (Repenting comes last.)

29. Say panday, naandiay barang. (The blacksmith has no bolo.)

30. Say bulag oalay mangidaoat. (There is always one to guide the blind.)

According to the 1948 Census, Mangaldan has a total population of 26,102. This number is distributed to the 30 barrios as follows:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

Alitaya Amansabina Anolid Banaoang Bantayan Bari Bateng Buenlag David Embarcadero Guesguesangen Guesang Guilig Inlambo Guiguilonen

992 613 1240 927 1015 965 767 1004 1288 836 856 997 288 572 964

16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30.

Lanas Landas Maasin Macayug Malabago Navaluan Nibaleo Osiem Palua Poblacion Pogo Salaan Salay Talogtog Tabas T o t a l

620 583 1334 588 762 659 518 773 510 2681 335 760 1240 818 497 26102

Mr. Mariano Oriña - Principal - Central
Mr. Felipe Abrigo - Teacher
Mr. Jorge Moulic - Teacher
Mrs. Felicidad Arenas - Teacher
Mr. Jose Revilles - Teacher
Mr. Gervacio Pamullar - Teacher

Transcribed from:

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