MUNICIPALITY OF CABUYAO (LAGUNA), Historical Data of Part II - Philippine Historical Data MUNICIPALITY OF CABUYAO (LAGUNA), Historical Data of Part II - Philippine Historical Data

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

Philippine Historical Data
22 Feb, 2024
Municipality of Cabuyao, Laguna

PART II

PART I | PART II

About these Historical Data

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the family.
At the burial grounds, the dead child's baptismal sponsor holds a lighted candle while the coffin is being lowered into the grave. Members of the dead person's family are not allowed to drop tears on the dead's body for it is believed that the dead will meet hardship in entering heaven. The children and grandchildren of the dead are made to cross the coffin three times before the lowering of the casket in the grave so that the spirit of the dead will not visit them. These children are also made to wear red clothes before going to bed or use red blankets, for it is believed that the dead cannot approach them when dressed in red. It is believed that the dead return after the third day. A widow or widower marrying before the lapse of one year of the death of his or her better half will meet difficulties and sorrows in his future married life. There are some death customs practiced by our great grandfathers that are still being practiced by the superstitious until now.

C. THE MARRIAGE CUSTOMS

Marriage is considered a sacred ordeal in anybody's life, and because of this, there are many customs attached to it. These are some of the peculiarities of our town.

When the young couple agrees to marry, the parents of the groom will ask for the hands of the bride. When they go to the house of the bride, they bring food for the families of both par-

[p. 14]

ties. They talk about the date set for the wedding. In some cases, the parents of the bride ask for a dowry or sometimes repairs of the house are made. This is common among barrio folks. Both sets of parents agree on a certain date for the wedding, which falls preferably when there is a new moon or full moon, with the belief that that will be a prosperous day for the couple to begin life with. The bride and groom choose their sponsors, bridesmaids, and ushers in case they desire to have these.

It is the duty of the groom to shoulder all the expenses — the purchase of the wedding dress, church fees, and the wedding feast. However, the groom does not provide for the shoes, for it is the belief that after the wedding, when they live together, the bride will have the tendency to be dominant, in Tagalog, they say "maninipa."

On the way to the church, if the bride and groom ride in the same vehicle, there is a race to get out of the vehicle at once. The belief is that the one always ahead will be dominant. This is done after the wedding ceremony also. There is a race to get out of the church also.

During the wedding ceremony, when the priest asks them to join hands, each will try to grasp tightly. During the ring ceremony, there are thirteen coins, blessed by the priest. The groom

[p. 15]

takes them in his cupped hands and lets them fall into the cupped hands of his bride. The groom is very careful not to make noise, lest they will always be noisy or quarreling in their married life. The candles that are lighted should burn brightly, and if one is put out first, it is a bad omen for the one who is supposed to own the candle. It may mean poor health or early death. In putting the veil, the veil sponsors are very careful. If the veil or cord drops, it is a sign that the couple will not live happily. The bride and groom, after the ceremony, will try to get up ahead of each other and step on the toes of the other. All the beliefs in the course of the marriage ceremony express the intentions of being dominant over the other.

To wish for a prosperous married life, when the newlyweds are out of the church, relatives throw rice at them, or this may be done at the foot of the stairs of the house before they ascend. Then, before entering the house, the bride and groom are given sweets using the same spoon and a glass of water using the same glass, so that they will be sweet to each other.

The wedding feast is held in the house of the bride if the wedding is held in town.

After the feast, when the people are dispersed, the bride is taken to the house of the groom. All the leftovers of the

[p. 16]

feast and other things brought by the groom's family are divided equally. One half is left with the bride's parents, with the belief that if one family gets the lion's share, the other party will always have to give in to the wishes of the other.

D. CUSTOMS DURING ALL SAINTS' DAY IN CABUYAO

It has been the custom of the Filipinos since time immemorial to give special preparation and consideration for the dead. Most of them are purely conventional and are handed down to us from generation to generation.

In Cabuyao, common among the customs is the offering of Masses for the departed souls before and during the set date of paying homage to them. The purpose of this is to ask God to relieve the sufferings of the souls in Purgatory. Most women wear black dresses or other colors that suggest mourning.

The rest of the customs are material rather than spiritual in nature. Lights, lamps, candles of all sizes and colors, wreaths, garlands, and flowers fashioned very artistically are used to decorate the painted or unpainted graves and tombs.

While at every house, special delicacies are prepared for visitors and for members of the family.

In the evening, the people flock to the cemetery to see the different tombs and watch over the tombs of their kin. It is also a very common practice among the younger people during Halloween

[p. 17]

to catch fowls they can lay their hands on without the knowledge of their owners. They cook and feast on these if they choose to do so.
The last of these customs is the serenading of almost every house by individuals, with or without musical instruments, after midnight. They pretend they are souls asking for alms. These serenaders are given delicacies or money after rendering their songs. Below are some Halloween songs:

AVE MARIA PURISIMA

Ave Maria Purisima
Siempicado kon sebida
Kami po ay embahada
Sugo ng Dios Ama
Dios Ama, Dios Anac
Dios ng Tatlong Persona.

Dinggin kami'y tumatawag
Kaluluwa'y naghihirap
Kaluluwa kaming tambing
Sa Purgatorio nanggaling
Doon po ang gawa namin
Araw-gabi ay manalangin.

Hindi baga ninyo natatalos
Ngayon ay Todos los Santos
Kaluluwa'y lumilibot
At humihingi ng limos.

Kung kami po'y inyong lilimusan
Dali-dali nga po lamang
Baka kami ay masarhan
Sa pinto ng kalangitan.

Ang iyo pong ililimos
Ay huwag isasama ng loob
At ang gaganti ay Dios
Siya na Ama Hesus.

[p. 18]

AVE MARIA PURISIMA
Part Two

Natutulog ka man po Ina
Sa katre mo't iyong kama
Magbalikwas ka madali na

At bukas pagka umaga
Kayong lahat ay magsimba
Doon ninyo makikita
Ang misa sa kaluluwa.

Hindi mo ba nababasa
Sa libro ni Santa Rita
Ang maglimos sa kaluluwa
ay gaganti'y Gloria.

Kung kami po'y inyong lilimusan
Dali-dali nga po lamang
At baka kami ay masarhan
Ng pinto ng kalangitan.

Yaman kami'y nalimusan
Kami sa inyo ay paalam
Lilibutin ang lansangan
Lalapitan bawa't bawa't bahay.

TAO PO

Tao po, tao po, maguinoo
Kaluluwa kaming naparito
Kaya kami'y naparito
Dinadalaw namin kayo.

Minsan lamang isang taon
Kung kami ay magbakasion
Ang kuartang ililimos ninyo ngayon
Para ninyong pabaon.

[p. 19]

ANG PITONG SAKIT

Nang si Jesus ay maglakbay
Sa bundok at kaparangan
Ang una niyang dinatnan
Bahay ng isang mayaman.

Pagdating sa tarangkahan
Ang sumbrero ay pinugay
Tao po aniya'y maybahay
Painumin ang may uhaw.

Ang mayaman ay nanugawan
Ang matanda'y pinagmasdan
Nang makita at sugat-sugatan
Ay hindi inanyayahan.

Tinawag pa ang alipin
Ang matanda ay painumin
Huag doon sa saro natin
Doon sa lumbong pangsaing.

Nang marinig yaong badya
Ang matanda'y umalis na
At ang kanyang pinunta
Bahay ng isang pastora.

Pagdating sa tarangkahan
Ang sumbrero ay pinugay
Tao po aniya'y maybahay
Painumin ang may uhaw.

Ang pastora ay nanungawan
Ang matanda'y pinagmasdan
Nang makita niyang sugat-sugatan
Dagli niyang inanyayahan.

Ang pastora ay nanghiram
Nang bigas na isang gatang
Ang kanya pang nahiraman
Ang maramot na mayaman.

Inuusig pa man din
Kung sino ang papakanin
Baka ang matandang sugatin
Pagkakalin ay paalisin.

[p. 20]

Ang pastora'y di na umimik
Sa badya niya ay sulit
Ang bigas dala at bitbit
Sa bahay ay ipinanhik.

Pagkapanhik, iniluto
Pagkaluto'y inihain
Ang daan niya ay dulugin
Kaunti nating pagkain.

Habang sila'y kumakain
Ang matanda'y nagbibilin
Baka ako'y tanghalin
Dagli mong pupukawin.

Pagkamadaling araw
Ang pastora ay namukaw
Ang matanda'y gumising naman
Lumakad ng dahan-dahan.

Nang ang pastora'y naglululon
Ginto't pilak sang kabuntun
Ang tangka niya't ukol
Sa matanda'y ihahabol.

Ang wika ko hanay kaloob
Sa maybahay
Di na malalaonan
Masusunod ang mayaman.

Ang mayama'y tumingala
Sa langit at lumuluha
Doon niya nakilala nga
Kasalanan niyang nagawa.

Pilak mo may isang tapayan
Guinto mo may isang kaban
Kung wala kang kaibigan
Wala kang kasaysayan.

Kung kami po ay inyong lilimusan
Dali-dali nga po lamang
At baka kami ay masarhan
Ng pinto ng kalangitan.

Yaman kami'y nalimusan
Kami sa inyo'y paalam
Lilibutin ang lansangan
Lalapitan bawa't bahay.

[p. 21]

XI. PROVERBS AND SAYINGS

Proverbs
Salawikain
1. Of what use is the fodder when the horse is dead? 1. Aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo?
2. Do unto others what you wish others do unto you. 2. Ang masama sa iyo ay huwag mong gagawin sa iba.
3. Whatever you plan to do, think it over seven times. 3. Ano man ang iyong gagawin, makapito itong isipin.
4. The fish is caught by the mouth. 4. Ang isda ay nahuhuli sa bibig.
5. Iron is destroyed by its own rust. 5. Walang sumisira sa bakal kundi ang sariling kalawang.
6. Not all that glitters is gold. 6. Hindi lahat ng kumikinang ay ginto.
7. The early bird catches the worm. 7. Daig ng agap ang liksi at sipag.
8. The stone never approaches the snail. 8. Hindi lalapit ang bato sa suso.
9. Do not count the chickens unless the eggs are hatched. 9. Huwag bibilangin ang sisiw hanggang hindi napipisa.
10. He who cheats never prospers. 10. Ang magdaraya ay hindi pinagpapala.
11. The greatest talkers are the least doers. 11. Ang taong masalita asahan mo't kulang sa gawa.
12. Bend the tree while young; long afterwards, it cannot be done. 12. Hutukin ang kahoy habang malambot; kapat tumigas na't tumayog, mahirap na ang paghutok.
13. He who believes in tales has no mind of his own. 13. Ang maniwala sa sabi-sabi, walang bait sa sarili.
14. A tree is known by its fruit. 14. Ang kahoy ay nakikilala sa kanyang bunga.
15. One today is worth two tomorrow. 15. Ang isa ngayon ay katimbang ng dalawa bukas.
16. Always dance with the music. 16. Kung anong tugtog ay siyang sayaw.
17. Still water runs deep. 17. Ang tubig na matining arukin mo at malalim.
18. What you sow, you reap. 18. Kapag may itinanim ay may aanihin.'
19. A storm may also come during summer. 19. Huwag kang sisiguro, kuwarisma man ay bumabagyo.
20. Low words are stronger than loud words. 20. Malakas ang bulong kaysa sigaw.
21. A parent's punishment makes one fat. 21. Ang palo ng magugulang ay nakakataba.
22. New king, new fashion. 22. Ibang hari, ibang ugali.
23. Man promises while in need. 23. Pangako nang pangako hanggang napapako.
24. If you blow direct to the mortar, unto the face it will [unreadable] 24. Ang humihip sa lusong, sa mukha tumatapon.

[p. 22]

XII. OTHER FOLKTALES

A. THE MYSTERY OF THE GOLD BELL

Almost every town in the whole archipelago has its own legend. Countless legends of how towns and provinces came into being were handed down from generation to generation. The town of Cabuyao is no exception, but in it is not involved the town itself but a very costly object belonging to the said town — that of a gold bell. This is its legend.

In the early part of the Spanish domination in the islands, the province of Laguna was said to be the richest province in Luzon. A certain town, Cabuyao, was then enjoying an untold glory and splendor because of its vast wealth. Cabuyao covered every town in the region. It started from Biñan up to Santo Tomas, Batangas. These lands were practically owned by well-to-do clans of the town.

Now, the people built a church and with this, a bell of gold was hung. The church was situated near the seashore, so that the peacefulness of the people was disturbed by the rising of the water, and there was danger of its being sunk. In order to prevent this, they built a chapel near the lake of Kalamyas, and kept the bell in it.

Just as the time that the people were enjoying their wealth, the English invaded the islands. Disorder reigned in all parts of the land. Having heard that Cabuyao had a gold bell, the English decided to take it away from the people. The townsfolk learned of this treacherous plan, so what they did,

[p. 23]

was to throw the bell into Calamyas Lake, which was believed to be the deepest lake in the town. Probably, the English learned of this lake, too, so after a few months, they gave up their search.

Peace and order reigned once more. The inhabitants of the town resolved to take the bell from its hiding place. An experienced diver plunged into the lake and saw the bell. He tied a rope to the bell and went up again; tied the other end of the rope to a carabao. The carabao pulled the bell until it reached the surface of the water. The people shriekd with joy, but just as the bell was about to be pulled safely ashore, the rope got loose and the bell fell into the deep water again. Second and third attempts were made but to no avail. The natives lost all hope of seeing their precious bell once more.

Still, some say that a hermit kept a close watch on it. All night long, he would sit by the rocks and hum the sweetest tunes. It is said that on moonlit nights, people hear melodious strains coming from the direction where the bell was supposed to be; and this great inspired Maestrong [unreadable], under whom the first band of Cabuyao was formed.

Many people, on the other hand, still believe that the bell still rings, and when this occurs, it is a sign of a coming event, either tragic or happy.

[p. 24]

B. A PROPHECY OF THE AGES

When Magellan discovered the Philippines, Cabuyao was already one of the most progressive and wealthiest towns in Southern Luzon. The Spaniards, who were deeply religious, taught the Filipinos the Christian doctrine. Cabuyao was one of the first to embrace the faith. The people became very religious. In their piety, they donated to the church a bell made of solid gold. Even to this day, the majority of the inhabitants believe in the Roman Catholic faith.

One day, the "Alcalde" announced that His Reverence, the Archbishop, was to visit the town. The people were very happy about the news. They met together to discuss the reception they would give the visiting prelate. Since the people were all living in abundance, they were unanimous in making the reception different from the others. They would not let the Archbishop's feet touch the ground.

At the appointed hour, all the inhabitants were on their knees lined up along the streets where the Archbishop would pass to receive his benediction and blessings. When the Archbishop was about to alight from his beautiful "Calesin," he was struck dumb by the sight that met his eyes. He could not believe his senses. On the ground from where he stood and as far as the eyes could see, insead of rich rugs, were roasted grains of palay. The grains were spread out as thick as car-

[p. 25]

pets on all the streets where he would pass. He swept aside the roasted grains before stepping down. Then, in a very calm voice of pathos, he uttered these sentences, "My children, why did you waste these precious gifts of our Lord? Time will come when you will be in want."

Since that time, the barrios of Cabuyao, which were Santo Tomas, Batangas; Calamba, Santa Rosa, Biñan, and San Pedro became separate towns. The once progressive and wealthy town lost its prominence. The land comprising the town of Cabuyao became smaller and smaller. The Talim Island, which was once upon a time a part of Cabuyao, bordering along the bay, was separated from the town by erosion. The "Poblacion," which was situated along the seashore, was transferred to the highlands of Kalamyas.

Until the present time, very few business enterprises have become very successful here. There are very few businessmen in the locality. Mostly, the inhabitants belong to the poor class. The bigger portion of the ricelands belong to the peole from other towns. And this might be due to the prophecy uttered by the Archbishop, that time would come when they would be in want.

PART I | PART II

Transcribed from:
Historical Data of the Municipality of Cabuyao, Laguna, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections.
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