MUNICIPALITY (NOW CITY) OF SAN JUAN DEL MONTE, RIZAL, Historical Data of Part 5

lalaba nuon at sila'y bahagyang natakot sa lalaking ito.

Ayon sa sabi-sabi ng mga matatanda, noon daw unang panahon, ang pook ng Pinaglabanan ay siyang pinaghihimpilan ng mga kawal ng mga Kastila. Sila pa raw ang gumawa at naglagay ng mga "tunnel" na nakikita ngayon doon. Nang malaman ng mga Katipunero o manghihimagsik na ang mga Kastila ay doon nagtitigil ay nilusob ito ng walang puknat at hindi naiwasan ang pagbuwis ng maraming buhay.

Nang dumating ang mga Amerikano ay dumanak rin ang maraming dugo sa pook na yaon kaya't ang lugal na yaon ay tinaguriang "Pinaglabanan."

A long time ago, an old man lived in a cave near a forest. No one ventured to go near the cave because everybody was scared of the old man living there. He had long hair and he lived alone. The animals that roamed in the forest and the fruits around were his only source of livelihood. There were times, however, when the people brought him something to eat.

One day, some soldiers got lost in the forest. They came to

the cave and asked the old man for something to eat. The old man could not understand them, and he was confused. He knelt before them and murmured, "Ermitaño... Ermitaño..." meaning that he was a hermit. The soldiers laughed and left.

Jose M. Artiaga, with the rank of lieutenant, was one of the Filipino officers sent to Korea under the United States' command. He was among the batch of 10^th BCT men sent to fight for democracy on foreign soil.

In this capacity, he showed exemplary bravery and heroism. For this, he was well-loved by the men under his care.

It was one of those defensive fights on April 21, 1951 at Yultong, Korea, that the young lieutenant died heroically while in action.

In memory of his patriotism, the town of San Juan saw it fit to rename Hollywood Street "Artiaga Street." Incidentally, this is the place where the young hero lived.

Long ago, many biga trees shaded a big well near the intersection of the two roads. These two roads met in a barrio called "Once." Many people washed their clothes in that well because the place was shady.

One day, a stranger came. Many people were washing their clothes at that time, and the stranger's appearance frightened them a little.

"What is the name of this place?" he asked. The women looked at each other without understanding what he meant. The stranger repeated his question. He looked around, indicating the place with his hand.

"Ah, I know," said a woman. "That is the biga tree." They thought that the stranger was asking for the name of the tree.

Biga... Bi-ga..." repeated the man. He got his notedbook and jotted

it down.

History records it, according to the old people who were descendants of [the old people of] San Juan, that the place now called Pinaglabanan used to be the Spanish garrison. The invaders were the ones responsible for constructing the underground passage and the tunnel which can still be seen at the place.

When the Katipuneros, members of a secret society, knew of this hideout, they rose in revolt. For this reason, there was bloodshed and loss of human lives.

The Americans took possession of this town after the Spaniards. The same scene was repeated right at the place where the first action happened. People, then, used to refer to it as "Pinaglabanan," meaning the place of fighting.

Noong unang panahon, ang bayan ng San Juan ay kahalintulad ng isang bukid. Wala pang maraming bahay noon.

Isang araw ay bigla na lamang nagkagulo sa loob ng bayan. Ang mga kawal natin ay nagsipaghanda sa anumang mangyayari. Isa sa mga kawal na yaon, si Kapitan Talahib, ay maraming napatay na kaaway. Dahil sa maraming tutoo ang kaaway, ang mga kawal natin ay napauring [napaurong?] ito hanggang sa napatay si Kapitan Talahib.

Dahil sa kanyang katapangan, iginawang isang magandang puntod sa pook na kanyang kinamatayan.

Hanggang sa ngayon, ang kanyang libingan ay makikita pa sa tabi

ng daang Pinaglabanan.

Nuong unang panahon, ang pook ng Pinaglabanan ay lubhang masukal. Maligoy ang mga landas at madawag ang mga daraanan. Mag-ilangilan lamang ang mga taong naninirahan doon at iya'y marahil sa pangamba sa kahit na anong maaaring mangyari sa lahat ng sandali. Sapagka't nuo'y naglipana pa ang mga maghihimagsik, wala pang katahimikan ang bayan — ang mga guwardiya sibil nama'y wala nang inaalagat kundi ang kabutihan ng kanilang mapanlupig na bansang Espanya. Samantala naman, ang mga Pilipino'y siil na siil sa bawa't kilos — kayumangging dumunong ay kagyat na ipakukulong at ipatatapon sa malayo o kaya nama'y ipapapatay. Anong damdamin mayroon ka — upang matiis mo ang mga kalupitang ito?

Kaya't ang mga taong di na makapagbata sa mga karumaldumal na gawaing ito ng mga dayuhan ay natutong maghimagsik. Nassipanganlong sila sa mga masusukal na pook, sa mga kabundukan, at isa na nga riyan ang Pinaglabanan.

Hindi naglaon at nagkuta ang mga Kastila rito — gumawa sila ng kanilang mga kublihan, at isa na riyan ang "tunnel" sa ilalim ng gusali ng paaralan ngayon. Hindi pa sila gaanong natatagalan sa lugal na ito ay sunod-sunod na ang ginawang pagsalakay ng mga manghimagsik. Ang isa sa pinakamalaking paglusob na iyan ay naganap noong ika-29 ng Agosto, 1896. Dito ay nagdanas ang mga kaaway ng malaking katalunan, at sa panig naman ng ating mga kalahi ay di naiwasan ang pagbuwis ng maraming buhay. Kabilang sa mga bayaning iyan sina H. Lozada, M. Salvador, R. Lagmay, A. Lake, J. Ruiz, N. Domingo, C. Leyva, A. S. Lactao at marami pang iba.

Bilang pagaala-ala naman sa kagitingan ng mga lalaking yaon, ang pamahalaang bayan ng San Juan ay nagpatibay ng isang batas na nagpapangalan sa maraming kalsada sa bayang ito ng ayon sa pangalan ng mga magigiting na lalaking ito.

Tangi sa riyan ay may itinayo pa ring isang bantayog na pang-alaala sa mga taong ito. Ito'y makikita sa panulukan ng daang N. Domingo at Pinaglabanan.

Ang daang ito'y walang alinlangang tinawag ng gayon alang-alang sa karangalan ng nasirang Senador Vicente Sotto.

Maputik ang kalsadang ito ung tag-ulan at lubhan maalikabok naman kung tag-araw. Maraming tao ang nanirahan sa lugal na ito at nakama ng mabait na matanda ang kalagayan ng mamamayang ito.

Kaya't ang isang bahagi ng nakuha niyang "pork barrel" ay iniyukol niya sa pagpapagawa ng lansangang ito.

Long ago, San Juan was not as it is now. It was a vast field where there were few houses.

One day, the town was set to confusion. The Spaniards had arrived. The Filipinos prepared for the approaching enemies. One of these brave men was Kapitan Talahib. He fought like a lion. He killed many Spaniards. But what were Filipino "tabaks" against the Spanish guns? The Filipinos retreated and in this, Kapitan Talahib died.

His was a deed so worth remembering that a beautiful decorated tomb was erected at the place where he fell.

Until now, his tomb can be seen near the road Pinaglabanan.

During the early times, Pinaglabanan used to be a wild forest. The place was covered with thick woods through which serpent-like paths wound. Only a few people dared to live in it, and those living there always felt themselves in danger. However, its wilderness served a good purpose to the Filipino revolutionists. They found it a good hiding place against the attacks of the Spanish soldiers who always lost their way inside the dark forest. For several years, as the Spaniards grew in their cruelty, the Filipinos thought of their grievous position and they organized large and powerful movements against the enemies. They thought no more of their families which they left behind them. The love for freedom became greater and greater till they could not longer bear to see their hands bound and their eyes blindfolded in their own beloved country.

Their revolting spirit was aroused. They fought bravely even with their "tabaks" which were powerless against the Spanish guns and cannons. They wandered through the mountains and places of wild trees and thick forests. And here in San Juan, Pinaglabanan, became the best hiding place for them.

But stronger weapons proved to be superior to bamboo spears and "tabaks." Not long after Pinaglabanan had been occupied by our Filipino brethren, the Spaniards discovered the place and fought well to get it. They succeeded in this. They began to construct large tunnels which can still be found under the schoolhouse now. They had not stayed long in the forest when the Filipinos surprised them with a series of attacks. The largest attack they put on was on August 29, 1896. In this encounter, the enemies suffered a great loss. On our side, many lives were also lost. Among them were those of H. Lozada, M. Salvador, R. Lagmay, A. Lake, J. Ruiz, N. Domingo, C. Leyva, P. S. Lactao, and many others.

To commemorate the bravery of these men, the municipal council of San Juan passed a resolution which provided that all of the names of these great heroes be used in naming the streets of the town. Thus, we find many streets in San Juan named after these people.

Not satisfied with this honor, a monument was erected to the memory of these men. It stands at the corner of N. Domingo and Pinaglabanan. But their memories still linger in a much stronger and lasting place — in the hearts of the people of San Juan.

This street was undoubtedly named after the late Senator Vicente Sotto. Formerly, this street was muddy during the rainy season and very dusty during summer. Many people were residing here and the old man (Senator Vicente Sotto) noticed their condition.

That is the reason why he spent one part of his "pork barrel" that he got for the improvement of this street.

Ang bayan ng San Juan ay napapaligiran ng ilog, na siyang naghihiwalay ng Bayan sa mga paligid pook. Ito ay ang Ilog ng San Juan. Maraming nagsasabi na may mahiwagang babae o sirena na nakatira dito.

Ang mga taong nakatira sa baybay-ilog ay nagsasabing may isang maliit na butas sa baybay ng paaralang San Juan Central na patuloy doon sa ilalim ng unang gusali ng Central School. Ito ang kanyang bahay. Siya'y napakaganda, maganda sa lahat ng babae sa ibabaw ng mundo. Ang kasama niya ay ang kanyang minamahal na asawa na ang pangalan ay "Siyukoy." Kung umaga, ang sirena ay nakikita pang nagtitinda ng puto bumbong sa mga babaeng naglalaba sa ilog.

Noong bago pa magkadigma, ito'y napatotohanan na sa bawa't taon bago maipagdiwang ang kapistahan ng patrong San Juan, ay kung hindi marami ang nalulunod sa ilog ay basta mayroon isang "ibubuwis" kung tawagi. Ito ay kinukuha ng sirena. Ang mga kinukuha ng sirena ay hindi tunay na taga-San Juan.

Mayroong dalawang lalaking magkapatid na hinabol ng isang ahas sa parang. Ang ahas ay pumunta sa tubig, kaya ang isang lalaki ay sumunod at lumangoy at hinabol ang ahas. Ang lalaki namang nakatayo sa pangpang ng ilog ay hindi na nakita ang kanyang kasama. Pinagsumikapan niyang hanapin ito. Nang makuha ang katawan ng kanyang kasama ay may mga maiitim na bakas ng daliri sa kanyang leeg na nagpapakilalang ito ay may sumakal.

May isang tao raw tumatawid ng ilog na pasan ang kanyang anak. Ang tubig ay hanggang sa baywang; nguni't nang ang lalaking ito'y dalawang yarda na lamang bago sumapit sa pangpang, siya ay hindi na makakilos at wari ba niya'y may lakas na pumipigil sa kanyang anak. Kaagad namang hinanap ang sanhi nito, nguni't wala silang matagpuan. Di umano, ito raw ay kagagawan ng sirena sa ilog ng San Juan.

San Juan is surrounded by a nice-flowing river which separates the town from the places near it. Many believe that a mermaid lives in this river. Whether this is true or not remains a puzzle to many curious minds.

The people living on the riverbanks observed a small hole which is bored from the bank of the river to the first building of the San Juan Elementary School. They say that it is the mermaid's home. Some say that she is very beautiful, far more beautiful than any creature living on earth. Some say that the mermaid can be seen selling "puto-bumbong" early in the morning. Her companion in life is her ever-devoted husband, called "Siyukoy."

Even before the war, it has been proven that every year during the town fiesta, lives are lost in the San Juan River. The fiesta will not pass without even one life lost. And the victim is always a non-resident of the place. This is said to be a boon for the famous mermaid.

Many stories were told and are still popular regarding this mermaid. An old story of 2 men running after a snake. The snake went to the river and one man ran after it while the other stayed on the riverbank. After some hours, the man on the bank grew tired of waiting, so he dived into the river to look for his companion. But lo! He found his companion dead and on his neck were marks of fingers, showing that he was wrenched [strangled] to death. This story bewildered its bearers.

Another tale was that of a man who was crossing the river. He was carrying a child. When he was 2 yards off the bank, he felt that someone was pulling his child. He put down the child and investigated. But he found nothing under the water.

These tales and many others are continuously appearing now and then. But the truth has not been proved or disproved yet. Whichever

it is, the mermaid of San Juan is a source of wonder, a condition which made the eyes of the people get wider in hearing tales about her.

Noong 1939, ang mga tao ng San Juan ay nagtayo ng isang tulay na tumatawid sa isang ilog na pinaghihiwalay ang lungsod ng Quezon at San Juan.

Noong ginagawa ito, hanggang sa patapos at magpa-hanggang ngayon, ang mga tao, matanda o bata, ay minimithi na magpasyal sa tulay na ito. Ang masarap na simoy ng hangin ang siyang naka-aakit sa mga tao upang pumarito. Kung umaga, ang mga ina at mga tagapag-alaga ng mga bata ay dinadala ang mga bata rito upang makalanghap ng masarap na simoy ng hangin at init ng araw.

Kung maliwanag ang buwan, ang binata't dalaga, mga mag-asawa, ay ay pumaparito sa tulay na ito upang magparaan ng ilang saglit sa paglanghap ng malamig, masarap, at malinis na hangin.

Isang maliwanag na gabi, isang lipon ng mga maliligayang tao ang nagparoon sa tulay. Sila ay mga masasaya. May mga nag-aawitan sa saliw ng gitara, mga nagtatawanan, mga nag-uusap, mga kumakain, at mga aali-aligid sa tulay. Nagising ang sirena sa ilalim ng tulay sa kanilang kaingayan. Lumabas siya sa kaniyang yungib at tiningnan itong mga taong nagsasaya. Nainggit siya sa kanilang kasayahan. Kaya siya ay nagparamdam ng isang malakas na hangin na nakapadpad ng isang talukbong sa pampang ng ilog. Nang tumakbo ang isang bata upang kunin ang talukbong, siya ay nadulas at nawala sa ilog.

Nang sumunod na umaga, natagpuan ang kanyang katawan na lumulutang sa ilog. Ang sabe ng mga tao ay kumuha na naman ng isang buhay upang maging kalaro niya.

Mula noon, ang tulay ay tinawag na "Lambingan" dahilan sa ang mga tao ay nagpapalipas ng kanilang maligayang sandali sa pook na ito.

During its construction, when it was finished, and up to the present time, people, old and young, longed to go for a walk on this bridge. The soft breeze from this bridge, which is healthful, draws people to it. Early mornings, mothers, nursemaids, take their babies and children for fresh air and a sun bath.

During moonlit nights, young boys and girls, married couples, go to this bridge to spend a few sweet moments of cool, sweet, fresh air.

One starry night, a group of merry people went to this bridge. They were very gay and happy. Some sang with the strings of the guitar, some laughed their merry laughter, some talked and ate as they lingered on the bridge. She came out of her cave and looked at the merry young people. She envied them in their happiness. So, she sent a gust of strong wind, blowing one of their bandanas on the riverbank. A lad ran to retrieve it, he slipped, and disappeared into the river.

The following morning, his body was found floating on the river. The people said that the mermaid again got one life for her playmate. Since then, the bridge was called "Lambingan," as people love to spend sweet moments on this spot.

It seems that "music hath charms" even from the earliest of times, so people, however crude their form of living is, cannot do away with the songs that give them relaxation after a day's work or toil.

Some songs that gained popularity during the early days were more or less belonging to folk songs. Cradle songs like "Ali, Aling Namamangka" and "Tulog na Bunso" were very popular among housewives. "Doon Po sa Amin" relates the adventure of four handicapped beggars who performed deeds that were only possible in songs.

During All Souls' Day, young folks formed groups which went from house to house singing "Puspus Galang," and they asked for alms which should be given immediately because the door of Heaven would be shut at midnight and they might get late in entering it.

Children, in playing games, were delighted to sing "Leron-leron Sinta," "Bahay Kubo," and "Tulog na Manika." Sometimes, they teased each other by singing "Si Ali Kong Nena" and "May Kaperasong Papel."

Ali Aling Namamangka Ali, aling namamangka Ipakisukob yaring bata Pagdating sa Maynila Ipagpalit sa kutsinta Ali, aling namamayong Ipakisukob yaring sanggol Pagdating sa Paumbong Ipagpalit sa bagoong. Leron, Leron Sinta Leron, leron sinta Buko ng papaya Dala-dala'y buslo Sisidlan ng bunga Pagdating sa dulo'y Nabakli ang sanga Kapus kapalaran Humanap ng iba. Ako'y ibigin mo Lalaking matapang Ang sundang ko'y pito Ang baril ko'y siyam Ang lalakarin ko'y Isang pasong dinulang Isang pinggang pansit Ang aking kalaban

Doon Po sa Amin Doon po sa amin Bayan ng San Roque May nagkatuwaang apat na pulubi Nagsayaw ang pilay, Kumanta ang pipi, Nanood ang bulag, Nakinig ang bingi. Bahay Kubo Bahay kubo, kahit munti Ang halaman doon ay sari-sari Singkamos at talong Sigarilyas at mani Sitaw, bataw at patani Bawang at luya, upo't kalabasa At sa paligid ay puro linga. Si Ali Kong Nena Si Ali kong Nena Magandang-maganda Nahulog sa balon Naging gumamela Ipinagtanong ko Kung sino ang kumuha Si Mama kong Pepe Tala sa umaga.

Some of the games which children enjoyed playing in the early days and which are popular even today are the following: piko, patintero, sintak, siklot, and sungka. Piko, sintak, siklot, and sungnka are forms of stone games. They are games wherein we use stones. Patintero is played especially when the moon is full. This game is played on the streets in rural places.

Cockfighting was a very popular form of amusement even among our ancestors. Cockfighting was held every Sunday and on holidays. We would find men and women alike in "sabungans." Other forms of amusements were the "jueteng" and the "pangginggi."

A fiesta was never without a zarzuela or a moro-moro.

1. Hugis puso Kulay ginto Mabango kung amuyin Masarap kung kanin — mangga 3. Matanda na ang aking nuno Hindi pa naliligo — pus 5. Heto na si Kaka Bubuka-bukaka — gunting 7. Puno ay buku-buko Dahon ay abaniko Bunga ay parasko Perdigones ang buto — Papaya 9. Tunglod ng Kapitan Di mahawakan — ahas 11. Dahon ng dahon Sanga ng sanga Wala namang bunga — kawayan 13. Nagtago si Pedro Labas ang ulo — pako 15. Ikaw ang humiwa Ikaw pa siyang lumuha — sibuyas 17. Tumindig siya't sumigaw

2. Maitim na parang uwak Maputing parang busilak Walang paa'y nakakalakad At sa hari'y nakikipag-usap — sulat 4. Maliit pa si kumpare Nakaakyat na sa tore — langgam 6. Buto't balat, lumilipad — saranggola 8. Hindi naman Kapitan Hindi naman hari Nagdadamit ng sari-sari — sampayan 10. May isang prinsesa Nakaupo sa tasa — makopa 12. Hindi tao, hindi hayop Tatlo ang ulo — kalan 14. Ito na siya Hindi ko makita — hangin 16. Bunga, pinagdahunan Dahong pinagbungahan — pinya 18. Dalawang bolang sinulid Nakakaabot sa langit — mata 20. May ulo'y walang buhok May tiyan ay walang pusod — palaka

Ako'y lalaking matapang 19. Bumuka'y walang bibig Ngumiti ng tahimik — bulaklak 21. Lumalakad ay walang humila Tumatakbo'y walang paa — bangka 23. Nakalantad kung gabi Kung araw ay nakatabi — banig

22. Haba mong kinakain Lalo kang gugutumin — purga 24. Kung araw ay bumbong Kung gabi ay dahon — banig 25. Mga kaloob ang pinaghalu-halo Na niluto sa init ng pagkakasundo — dinuguan

Here are proverbs and sayings which the residents of San Juan follow and practice in their everyday lives:

10. Whatever you sow, you reap.
11. Work slowly but surely.
12. Many are brave in words but not in deeds.
13. To see is to believe.
14. Many hands make many a work light.
15. Many cooks spoil the broth.
16. He who believes in tales has no mind of his own.
17. A valiant man never tastes death but once. 18. Keep yourself clean and bright for you are 19. Think before you speak.

Historical Data of the Municipality of San Juan del Monte (Now San Juan City), Province of Rizal, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections.