MUNICIPALITY OF CABUYAO (LAGUNA), Historical Data of Part I

The first town to rise against the Commonwealth Government was Cabuyao. The uprising was instituted by a political party known as the "Sakdal." The party was established in 1934 by Benigno Ramos, who called himself as the Supreme. He came from the province of Bulacan. He was not a college degree holder but was an eloquent speaker. He was able to win the sympathy of the people who were mostly barrio folks and uneducated. He ran a publication in Tagalog, which carried the name of his party, the "Sakdal." The articles published were alleged grievances against the government. He condemned the public officials who ran the government. He opposed the extravagant expenditures of public funds and the taxes levied on the people. The members of the party were asked to pay 10 centavos every week. Where did the collection go? Only the sakdalistas knew. The sakdalistas grew in number in all places, but the most aggressive ones were from the fishermen from Sta. Rosa, a neighboring town, and from this municipality. Secret meetings were held in all places.

Leaders like Aquilino Javier, Nazaro Javier, Jose Vicente, and Juan de la Cruz from Gulod, Alejandro Edrozo of Mamatid, Primitivo Algabre, Severo Generala, and

So, early in the morning of May 3, 1935, these determined sakdalistas marched through the railroad tracks toward the town. They brought with them bolos, branches of kakauate trees, and a handful of homemade shotguns. Generala Salud Algabre posted herself at the checkpoint on the provincial road to gather firearms from all passengers. Then, they proceeded to the town, so confident of their victory. The town hall was taken without any opposition. They lowered the American flag and hoisted their Sakdal banner. A half-dozen policemen who guarded the town fled for safety. The municipal president during that time was Dr. Alberto Carpena. He immediately sent a message to the Philippine Constabulary Headquarters at Calamba and Sta. Cruz for immediate help.

After a few hours, the constabulary forces from Santa Cruz and Calamba arrived, headed by Provincial Commander Captain Angeles and the Provincial Governor, Juan Cailles, came. The constabulary forces entrenched themselves behind the walls near the church. Then, they deployed, ready for action. Before the first fire was shot, Governor Cailles pleaded for the surrender of the sakdalistas. In defiance of this request, Victor, a sakdalista from Banlik, fired at

After an hour or more, the sounds of guns ceased. The sakdalistas ran for their lives. When everything was cleared, fify-seven sakdlistas laid cold and lifeless on the town plaza. Unfortunately, Eliseo Gatdula, a bystander, was hit by a stray bullet and died from loss of blood. He was the only known civilian casualty. The dead sakdalistas were buried in a common grave at the municipal cemetery of Cabuyao.

The belief which inspired these people to take up arms against our government was the false propaganda of Benigno Ramos stating that a Japanese battleship, loaded with Japanese soldiers and arms, were on the way to aid the sakdalistas who, for a few hours, glorified in their borrowed victory, but later paid heavily with their lives.

People are funny! Strange as it may seem, we are so full of customs and superstitions that no wonder, in "death," we still have a notion to carry on what our forefathers handed down to us in spite of the advanced state of civilization that we are in.

Take the "paapat" for the young children and the "pasiyam" for the adults. On the day of the "paapat" or "pasiyam," a mass is offered for the dead or a "Rosario Cantada" is held at the home of the dead for the repose of the departed soul. It is believed that the dead person's coffin should never be longer than his body or else another member of the family is sure to follow. A dead person with half-open eyes is said to be waiting for someone; and a dead person with soft limbs means another member of the household is sure to follow. Cleaning or sweeping during the burial is prohibited, for it is believed that by doing so, another one will die. During the lifting of the coffin, never allow it to come in contact with any part of the house, or else another death will occur in