MUNICIPALITY OF TAYTAY, RIZAL, Historical Data of Part 3

LEGENDS AND SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEFS
O F
THE TOWN OF
T A Y T A Y

Submitted by:

MISS CASIANA C. BASACA

For about a hundred years before the Christian era, records show that the Chinese had had commercial relations with the people of Taytay. As a result of this flourishing business, the Cantonese, together with their families, established themselves in this place.

During those days, there was a river running across the town. This river was so wide and deep that all sorts of small boats could easily find their way to the town. Everybody thought this river was something special, for the water was clear and crystalline, thus the townspeople, including the Chinese, washed their clothes there.

One sunny morning, as everybody was busy working, an old Chinese who was pounding his clothes on a big slab of flat stone heard a faint cry. At first, it could hardly be heard. The Chinese, then, unmindful of the cry, continued to work. The cry grew louder and louder, so the Chinese stopped and listened to it. This was what he heard: "Please don't step on me; oh, my aching back." Puzzled by what he had heard, the man investigated, although he was gripped with fright. Seeing nothing where the cry originated, he continued with his pounding on the stone again. But lo! Hardly had he struck the stone slab twice when he heard the cry again, this time louder than before, "Please free me from the weight of this stone." Sensing danger should he continue with his pounding, the Chinese went downtown and called for help. He came back to the place with some strong men to lift the stone slab. It took some great effort to remove the large stone, as some of the men were at first reluctant to follow him. Consequently, when the stone had been removed, they were amazed to see a sort of cave beneath it, with many kinds of grass growing. One of the men who as brave enough volunteered to go down to explore. But alas! His companions above began to wonder when they saw the man inside the cave kneel in prayer. The saw him make the sign of the cross, so they asked him what they saw inside. The man did not

answer, but instead, he handed them an image of a saint, carved beautifully in expensive wood common at the time. The men above then, being Catholics, also knelt at the place and showed reverence to the image. They brought it to the church and Mass was said in its honor the following day. The townspeople conceived the idea of erecting a chapel in the place where the image was found. Up to the present, the chapel exists.

KEKALBO

It so happened that at the place where the provincial road of Taytay, the present Rizal Avenue, and the branching street to Antipolo, an old man named Aurelio Dolores, kept a tienda where some fruits, cakes, and lalik were being sold. His head was so bald that he was called Aureliong kalbo or simply "kalbo" at the time by the people of Taytay, which in Tagalog signifies a baldheaded man. So, when the townspeople were approached by these forlorn pilgrims as to where to turn in going to Antipolo, they would simply direct the travelers to the place of "kalbo" by saying "Doon kakalbo," meaning at Kalbo's place.

From that time up to the present, as if by habit, people still call that place "Kekalbo," although the real "kalbo" has long been dead. Coincidentally, even the creek that passes through that place has also been named "Kekalbo Creek."

PINAGSALAAN

During the dim pre-Spanish epoch here in Taytay, inhabitants were often bothered by bandits. These bandits stayed in the mountains between Taytay and Antipolo. It has been said that, in their hideout, all sorts of jewelry, foodstuffs, and every little thing that only the well-to-do could afford could be found.

Disappointed at their frequent visits to the town, these outlaws schemed to attack the people with a decision to do away with anything they could get. For reasons still unknown up to the present, the people learned of the plan, so they started to move. They barred all doors and windows, locked up all drawers, and buried their gold under their houses. The most striking thing they did was the novena. Almost all the saints were called upon for protection and, finally, God did hear them.

On the night that the bandits were at the foot of the mountain called Bato-bato, just a stone's throw from the first group

of houses, a very beautiful woman appeared. Her beauty was said to be beyond description, and not a single man dared look straight into her eyes. She had a basket full of cigarettes. Each man was given a cigarette by this lady. As if under a spell, the bandits forgot their plan. They simply marched back to their hideouts and told their chief: "Nasala po kami sa paanan ng bundok Bato-bato."

Ever since that time, people lived peacefully with hearts full of gladness. And as to the place, it has, up to the present, been called "Pinagsalaan."

Gamblers' Superstitions

A common superstitious belief among gamblers is that when they are on their way to a gambling den or to a cockpit, and a snake crosses their paths, it was a sign of good luck in their gambling that day or particular time; but, on the other hand, if a lizard or a black cat crosses their ways, it is a bad omen, and they had better return home for they will surely be unlucky in gambling.

Another superstition among cockfighters is that if at night or early in the morning, their cock crows loudly and no other cock answers it, their cock will surely win in the fight that day; but, on the contrary, if several cocks answer or crow in response to their cock, their cock has a very slim chance of winning the fight that particular day. Cockfighters also believe that if their cocks are very lively or in high spirits when they are to be taken to the cockpit, it is a sign that they are going to win; on the other hand, if their cocks are gloomy or downcast when they are to be taken to the cockpit, it is an augury that they are going to lose in their fight.

T W I N S

A popular belief among old people is that if a conceiving woman or expectant mother is very fond of eating twin fruits like bananas, for example, this mother is liable to give birth to twins.

Maternal Impression

People strongly believe that when a woman is conceiving and she becomes attached to a thing or becomes unusually interested in a particular thing, that particular thing will have an effect on the child to be born. Either the child will resemble that thing or, if it is a person, the child will acquire some of his habits or character.

Superstitions on the Moon and the Stars

A popular belief among farmers is is that if the new moon bends downward, there will be plenty of harvest in the upland regions; but if it bends northwards, they will have a plentiful harvest. On the other hand, if the moon is perfectly level or balanced, it is a sure sign of hard times or scarcity of food; diseases will be serious; wounds will be hard to cure; and personal relations are more or less strained, and quarrels and fights will come frequently.

A common superstition also among travelers is that when they have money in their pockets or in their person when they see the new moon, they are going to have plenty of money for one month; but if are penniless when they happen so see the new moon, they will financially be hard-up for one month.

Farmers believe that a stormy night is favorable for planting fruit-bearing plants, while a starless night is favorable for planting tubers or root crops.

Marriage Ceremony

A common belief among Catholics is that, during the marriage ceremony, if the bridegroom's candle burns brighter than that of the bride's, he will outlive the bride, and vice-versa.

During the marriage ceremony, if the bridegroom is more active than the bride, he will dominate the married life of the couple; but if the bride shows more aggressiveness than the bridegroom, the man will always be henpecked throughout their married life.

The Ants and the Weather

Ants are sometimes observed by people for signs about the weather. People believe that ants which are very busy going up the posts of a house to transfer their eggs or young to a higher place augur a flood or continuous heavey rains.

About Combing the Hair

In Taytay, girls do not comb their hair at night. The superstition is that if they do so, their mothers may die.

G h o s t s

The custom of carrying out faithfully the last wishes of the dead has been strengthened by the belief that one who does not obey or carry out the wishes of the dead person will be haunted by his ghost.

Forecasting the Rain

The people of Taytay believe that seeing a duck looking up at the sky foretells rain on the following day thereafter.

A Visitor Coming

If you are eating and you happen to drop a spoon, you may expect a woman visitor; but if it's a fork you happen to drop, your visitor will be a man.

Leaving the Dining Table

While you are eating in company or with your family, you should not leave the rest to go to some place, for according to the belief, you may be exposed to some dangers on the way. But if your leaving is indispensable [the more correct word should be "unavoidable."] your companions should turn their plates before you leave so no misfortune may befall you.

C a t s

People believe that a cat which rubs its face in the morning while facing the doorway gives a sign that a visitor is coming.

Another belief is that if, while you are cooking food in a frying pan, you find the bottom of the pan sparkling brightly, a visitor is coming.

Historical Data of the Municipality of Taytay, Province of Rizal, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections.