MUNICIPALITY OF MACALELON, QUEZON, Historical Data of Part 1
PART I
PART I | PART II } PART III | PART IV | PART V | PART VI
[Cover page]
History and Cultural Life
of
The Barrios and Towns of Macalelon
and
Folkways of the People
(Reference - Memorandum No. 34, . 1952)
[Transmission letter]
Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
BUREAU OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Division of Quezon
Macalelon
April 15, 1953
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Manila
(Through the Division Superintendent of Schools)
Lucena, Quezon
S i r :
We have the honor to transmit to you, through the Division Superintendent of Schools, Lucena, the historical data and local folkways for the Municipality of Macalelon.
Very respectfully,
MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL COMMITTEE
[SGD.] MELECIO ALTAMIRA - Chairman
[SGD.] EUSTACIO S. ORIGENES - Member
[SGD.] ULPIANO L. VILLAPANDO - Member
[SGD.] MARGARITA Z. REYES - Member
[SGD.] POLICORNIO DELFINA - Member
[SGD.] INOCENTES REQUESTO
District Supervisor
[Foreword]
Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
BUREAU OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Division of Quezon
DISTRICT OF PITOGO
Macalelon
F O R E W O R D
The collection of historical data was done by thirty teachers of Macalelon Elementary School. Living reliable men were consulted. Several authentic records were found.
The compilation was done by the local committee. Necessary corrections were made.
These materials will sure help future history writers. When the children are properly taught the local history, they may develop that deep sense of love of native land.
It is hoped that people will, in due time, benefit from this work.
[SGD.] INOCENTES REQUESTO
District Supervisor
April 15, 1953
[Table of contents]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| T i t l e | P a g e |
|
I - History and Cultural Life of the Barrio
Part One - History
| |
|
1. History of Amontay
10. History of Olongtao2. History of Anos 3. History of Buyao 4. History of Calantas 5. History of Candangal 6. History of Lahing 7. History of Luctob 8. History of Mabini 9. History of Mambog 11. History of Padre Herrera 12. History of Pajarillo 13. History of Pinagbayanan 14. History of San Isidro 15. History of San Nicolas 16. History of San Vicente 17. History of Taguin 18. History of Tubigan (Ibaba) 19. History of Tubigan (Ilaya) 20. History of Vista Hermosa |
1 - 3 4 - 6 7 - 9 10 - 12 13 - 16 17 - 18 19 - 21 22 - 23 24 - 28 29 - 32 33 - 34 35 - 37 38 - 41 42 - 44 45 - 49 50 - 52 53 - 56 57 - 58 59 - 60 61 - 64 |
| Part Two - Folkways | |
|
21. Traditions, Customs, and Practices in Domestic and Social
Life: Birth, Baptism, Courtship, etc.
| 65 - 79 |
|
22. Popular Songs 23. Puzzles and Riddles 24. Proverbs and Sayings 25. Methods of Measuring Time, etc. 26. Other Folktales |
80 - 86 87 - 96 97 - 118 119 - 121 122 - 137 |
| II - History and Cultural Life of the Town of Macalelon | 138 - 155 |
[p. 1]
Part Two: FOLWAYS
A study of the pre-Spanish culture of the Filipinos shows that most of it came from India, China, and Arabia. As an ignorant boy is influenced by his wise companions, so were the ancient Filipinos influenced by the civilized Hindus, Chinese and Arabs. Any less civilized country is always benefited by contact with a more civilized nation.
Spain brought out many changes in the social life of the Filipinos. Under her rule for more than three hundred years, the Philippines became the only Christian nation in the Far East. Slavery was abolished; pueblos were built or improved; the position of women in society was elevated; the Spanish mode of dressing was adopted; and the Filipino standard of living was raised. In a word, Spain brought Christianity and European civilization to the Philippines. These have proved to be two lasting monuments of the Spanish rule.
TRADITIONS, CUSTOMS, AND PRACTICES IN DOMESTIC AND
SOCIAL LIFE OF THE EARLY FILIPINOS
BIRTH
1. Unlike the mothers of today, a mother who had just given birth to a child in the early days was to undergo a great deal of sacrifice. The midwife who was attending to the mother and child was not trained in any institution of learning but was armed only with a very little idea in the Science of child delivery plus simple common experience. Under her instructions, on the first day of delivery, a mother was not allowed even a wink of an eye for a sleep or rest. She was given many prohibitions as to the kinds of food to be served for her meals. To cite an example — if a mother who had newly delivered was given food wherein gabi leaves were a part of the ingredients, she was liable to suffer ailments affecting the ovary. For a period of a week or two, she was deprived of fresh air and light, for all the windows around her were tightly closed.
2. A pregnant woman, when walking at noon, must unfurl her hair. When she would cross a brook, she would pick up a piece of stick in the brook.
3. The expectant mother should not eat food that is stolen, otherwise the child will be a stealer.
[p. 2]
4. An expectant mother should not always be angry, otherwise the child will be irritable.
5. An expectant mother should not cross a rope while walking because it may cause travails in her delivery.
6. A visitor who is going to visit and expectant mother must not stop on the threshold of the house because by doing so, it will add more hardship to her.
7. An expectant mother should be shown things that are beautiful so that the child will be beautiful and handsome.
8. An expectant mother should try her best to secure the "mutya" of the jackfruit. During the time of the delivery, such "mutya" will be placed in her mouth. It is the belief that by doing so, it will make the delivery very easy.
9. Any father should try to avoid digging holes and setting posts in them if the wife is an expectant mother, for in doing so, it will make the delivery very difficult. It is the belief that unless the posts set in the holes are removed, the delivering mother will be between life and death.
10. When a baby has to have his firth bath, the mother should put into the water a peso coin and seven grains of palay, believing that these would make the baby healthier.
BAPTISM
1. As early as possible after birth, a child must be baptized. The parents of the child are given the privilege to select one who will act as the godmother or godfather of the baby.
2. The old folks believe that what the godfather or godmother is, so will the child be. Hence, they are very careful in selecting a sponsor. They say that the child inherits some character traits that godparents possess.
3. The parents of the child select a sponsor who can pray very well. During the baptismal ceremony, the sponsor should pray clearly and completely the Apostle's Creed (Sumasampalataya) so that the child being baptized will become a fluent conversationalist, good in memory, and active in his studies.
[p. 3]
4. A child who is baptized should not wear a baptismal dress that is borrowed, because when the child grows old, he or she will in in the habit of using borrowed clothes.
5. The mother puts a peso coin under the baby's dress for it means abundance on the part of the child.
6. During the baptismal ceremony, if the baby happens to urinate on the dress of the godparent, the godfather or godmother will soon be molested again by another parent for another baby to be baptized.
7. During the ceremony, after the priest has poured water on the head of the baby, the godparent should see to it that the white cap placed on the baby's head does not fall, for if it happens to fall, it means that the baby or child will die soon.
8. When two or more babies in the same house are to be baptized, they should not return to the same house for there is a belief that when they grow old, they will always vie [against] each other for supremacy.
9. After the baptismal ceremony, twins should not pass the same door of the church, for if they do, each child will try to surpass the other.
10. After baptism, the child should right away be taken out of the church. The child taken out of the church last will be the most sluggard among those baptized together with him. If he is the first one taken out, he will be the most alert that when he becomes a pupil, he will be always leading in his class.
COURTSHIP
[ p. 4]
2. The modern courtship is not as difficult and as sincere as the traditional courtship. The traditional courtship was truly a measure of patience and sincerity. It showed further due respect to the parents and relatives of the woman being courted.
3. If a suitor would not pay formal visits to the lady's home but instead met her on the streets and in public gatherings, that man would not turn faithful to her.
4. A lady who received the first love letter from her new suitor should not answer him at once but should wait for his third letter for a prompt response would be like a fish caught with the first bait.
5. A lady should avoid accepting gifts from a lover for, in doing so, it would mean accepting the man's offer of love.6. A suitor who always tried to avoid the presence of the parents of the lady he loved when he paid visits clearly showed that he was only making fun of his love affair.
7. The traditional courtship was a measure of strength and industry. A man courting a girl was required to serve the parents of the same for a year or so, doing odd jobs as pounding rice, fetching water, plowing and harrowing the field, making "kaingin," fishing with the use of light called "puyungan," and making a house for his prospective wife.
8. When getting firewood, the serving suitor should always untie the bundles upon reaching home, for if he forgot to do so, it would mean that he was a miser.
9. Merely doing commendable work for the family of the woman was not the last index for marriage. The man was closely observed on his courtesy to the elders. He should always kiss the hands of the prospective father-in-law and mother-in-law every evening. He should greet them with very polite words or else he would lose the favor of becoming a member of the family.
10. One sorrowful thing about the early folkway of courtship is, the man was restricted from conversing with the woman whom he adored. He would hardly have time to exchange smiles and glances with the girl during his long term of service.
The traditional courtship was, indeed, a very difficult one. It was the man's concern to educate himself before he should try to court a girl. He should qualify himself in performing the above difficult jobs.
The test on courtship seems laughable nowadays, but analyzing it carefully, one can conclude that a man possessing the above traits could easily bring his family up to the standard.
[p. 5]
MARRIAGE
1. Although it was a rare case in the early days, a young man might elope with a young woman, but both parties should go directly and right away to the priest for safety purposes, for there was no Justice of the Peace to perform the marriage during those days. The parents of both parties were immediately summoned by the priest. A denial for marriage on the part of the young man's parents would mean a severe punishment on their part.
2. The wedding gown should not be worn for trial by the bride-to-be for doing so may result to the discontinuation of the wedding.
3. The wearing of a bridal crown by any young woman just for fun is an omen that she who does may not get married.
4. The bridal gown should neither be borrowed or lent, for it would mean trouble to the borrower or lender.
5. There is a common belief that a young man and a young woman who are to be married must avoid distant travel, for mishaps are likely to happen.
6. During the marriage ceremony, when the man hands in the silver coins to his bride, this young couple must see to it that no sound is made by the coins, for the sound means quarrel for life on the part of the newly-married couple.
7. At the time of shaking handsd (during the marriage ceremony), the one who presses the hands tightly will be the one whose disposition in the family will be followed.
8. The man who keeps a silver peso in the heels of his shoes will not be belittled by his in-laws (kin of his wife).
9. During the wedding ceremony, the man should be on alert for the bride would step on his feet. The belief is, the man would not overpower her very much if she succeeds on stepping on his feet.
10. Great care should be observed in placing the veil on the bride and bridegroom, for the party on whom it falls will be the one to die first.
11. The couple should ascend the stairs or enter the house side-by-side (at the same time), for it is a sign of harmony in their married life.
[p. 6]
12. The oldest member of the family should throw husked rice on the couple upon entering the house. That practice bespeaks of abundance on the part of the couple.
13. Nobody should be allowed to sit on the chair intended for the couple. If, by chance, somebody sits on either chair, the owner of the chair will commit adultery.
14. A marriage ceremony is a little festival at the expense of the groom and his party. The last part of the party is the "pahulugan." This means that the parents and relatives of the groom have to give presents of any sort and whatever they can afford to the young couple through the bride. The same procedure is observed on the part of the parents of the bride. The practice gives the young couple a good start in the new life they are to undergo.
15. In the evening following the marriage, the couple pays a visit to their sponsors (godfather and godmother). The couple is again given some money as presents by their sponsors.
16. The couple sits at the head of the table when they eat at their wedding feast. Before eating, they turn their chairs facing the walls.
17. The newly-married couple is forbidden to sleep together for the first three nights. The girl sleeps for three nights with the parents of her husband and the man with the parents of his wife. After this period, the couple can live and sleep together.
18. On the fourth night, the couple is forbidden to sleep. They lie down facing each other at a distance of one foot. They are closely watched by the oldest member of the family so that either of them will not turn back the whole night. Whoever turns back will die first. If the couple can resist wakefulness the whole night facing each other, then both of them will live long enough.
19. Regarding the wearing of the wedding ring, the party who loses the ring first will be the one to die first.
DEATH
[p. 7]
2. Before buring the dead in his grave, he is watched by the whole family, relatives, friends, and neighbors for a night. Usually at night, games as "juego de prenda" and many others are played to lessen the sorrow of the bereaved family. These games are common among the youngsters. By tradition, singing was forbidden during the period of mourning.
3. During this period, every member of the family, especially the females, are dressed in black. Males do not wear black clothes but they wear a black gauze on their arms to serve the same purpose. This type of mourning is usually done for a period of one year, which terminates the mourning. An anniversary prayer is offered which is known as "hukas luksa," after which all the mourning clothes are removed. A widow or widower may, if one wishes to, remarry; but not before the lapse of one year after death.
4. When a person is ill and you see him always cleaning his hands, especially the nails, it is a sign that death is coming near him.
5. A sick person who complains that everything is dark to him or that he can see nothing shows that he will die soon.
6. When you put uncooked mercury in the mouth of the deceased, the dead person will rise and follow you.
7. When the body of the dead person is soft, it means that another member of the family will soon die also.
8. There is a common belief that when a young man dies, a young lady will soon die; or when a young man and a young lady die on the same date in one locality, it means that there will be an epidemic in that place.
9. When your relative dies, do not take a bath, otherwise you will not feel well; or when a neighbor dies, you have to visit him before proceeding to the place where you are bound for, otherwise some mishaps will fall on you.
10. Cleaning the house when there is a deceased is prohibited. The old folks believe that the person who dares to clean the house will soon follow the deceased to the grave.
11. The moment the deceased is taken out of the house, all windows should be closed. Those left in the house are forbidden from peeping out of the window. It was believed by early folks that those who would peep out of the window and view the dead and the people attending the funeral would soon become sick and follow the deceased to the grave.
[p. 8]
BURIAL
1. There is a common belief that when the coffin is too big for the corpse, it is very likely that another member of the family will soon die, too.
2. Likewise, when the corpse is bigger than the coffin, the same belief is mentioned.
3. When the hole made for the dead is left uncovered overnight, it is probable that a pestilence will approach the place.
4. In taking down the dead body to his grave, each of his or her relatives should throw a candle and a lump of soil into the grave and say, "May you rest in peace" and "May the candle light your way to Heaven."
5. When you are going to attend a funeral and you happen to be late or that the corpse is already in the church, do not follow anymore for if you do, you will die soon.
6. When the dead is already escorted to the cemetery, the person who is left in the house must not be peeping out of the window, otherwise he will be the one to die soon.
7. An expectant mother, when attending a funeral, should leave the cemetery before the coffin is lowered in the hole, for it is believed that if she does not do so, her delivery will be difficult or she will be between life and death.
8. Relatives of the dead must avoid eating gabi leaves within nine days after the burial, otherwise some members of the family will die.
9. When the deceased is to be buried, the head should be facing the west. It is believed that it would take a long time for the relatives of the deceased to become sick. Doing the opposite as above cited means that it will not take long that any of the relatives of the deceased will die, too.
10. After the burial, the old folks usually fence the grave. They hang on the fence food and other things which the deceased liked very much when he was still alive. If he or she used to chew buyo, a bag of buyo is hung on the fence. If he or she used to be a liquor addict, a bottle of wine will be placed near his grave inside the fence. The old folks observe this custom because they believe that the spirit of the deceased will visit his relatives after three days. In order that the spirit will not visit anymore the homes of his relatives, they prepare in his grave what he needs to avoid fear.
[p. 9]
VISITS
The traditional folkway of visits is now overlooked by the young men. It may be accounted for the modern trend of civilization patterned after the foreigners who occupied and controlled our country.
In the early days, visits of young men to ladies were subject to stern measures of conduct. Different norms of conduct, however, have to be observed in the visits. The young man should politely knock at the door of the lady's home. He was not allowed to enter the house until after he was invited to come in by the father or mother of the lady. In entering the lady's home, the young man was forbidden to cross the open partition of the house called "patuto." If the young man, by mistake, forgot this ethic, those present in the house would look at him with sour faces and sometimes would scold him due to the extent of anger. A young man in the early days was allowed to stay in the house of the girl for not more than one hour. Parents of the young ladies did not favor long visits. They knew very well that time was very valuable to them.
FESTIVALS
The following folkways of festivals are still observed today by the barrio folks:
1. In each barrio, there is a patron saint and "Santa Cruz," which are deposited in the house of the "recamadero," who takes charge of the festival for the year. The "recamadero" spends much money to make the celebration of the festival a colorful one. He is, however, very much pleased, notwithstanding the big amount he spends, because the barrio folks show full cooperation. There are those who gather firewood, fetch water, cook the rice, slaughter animals, make the altar for the patron saint and the Santa Cruz, put up a dancing hall, serve the visitors at the table, and furnish the lights.
After the festival, an election is held. The elected one as the next "recamadero" is very much gratified. He feels it a luck and a blessing for his family to be the caretaker of the patron saint and the Santa Cruz the whole year.
[p. 10]
The traditional festivals in the barrio speak of loyalty and healthy cooperation. In brings, however, misery on the part of the "recamadero." Many of them become poor because they even sell their property in order to please their barrio folks.
2. With Christianity deeply planted into the hearts of every Filipino, the patron saint's day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, the Holy Week, and many other holidays of the Roman Catholic sect are observed with festivities. In every home of high or low degree, there is a preparation of delicious dishes and beautiful house decorations. Parties, accompanied by dancing, singing, and all sorts of enjoyment, are very common. Both native and Spanish dances are performed. The Abaruray, the Fandango, Balitaw, Los Bailes de Ayar, Malagueña, and other dances offer exciting numbers. As usual, wine is a common drink, but during the early days, it was served not to the extent of over-intoxication. Unlike the present days, no one was ever seen to walk the streets in a manner similar to what we commonly observe today. Among the barrio folks, these festivities are celebrated; but unlike their neighbors of the poblacion, all the celebrations are held in the "bahay nayon." Oftentimes, a barrio festival is celebrated more peacefully than in the poblacion, for the barrio folks highly appreciate and recognize the full authority of the "cabeza."
3. Some of the amusments during fiestas ar the "Moro-moro," which usually ends in the victory of the Christian characters; "juego de palo," "juego de prenda," and cockfighting.
4. During the baptismal gatherings, the godfather or godmother strews silver coins among the guests, for the practice means prosperity in the life of the baptized baby.
5. During the wedding feast, the special guests or the "padrinos" strew rice on the porch and stairs when the newly-wedded couple comes up, as it will mean abundance and happiness in the married life of the couple.
6. During the inauguration of a building, if the sponsors strew money on the balcony, there will be plenty of money in that house always.
7. When you are on your way to a festival and you find a horseshoe on the way, it is a sign that some good luck is before you.
8. Good luck is hear you also when you meet a white horse or a hunchback on your way.
[p. 11]
PUNISHMENTS
1. Both unwritten and written laws considered certain acts of men crimes and, therefore, subject to punishment. Insulting a woman, killing or attacking a man, adultery, robbery, arson, and of paramount importance in degree, was rebellion, were punishable by death. Among other punishments were imprisonment with hard labor, a severe whipping and, among women, the "palmeta."
2. When a child committed a crime, he was made to kneel on grains of mongo. He was sometimes made to squat in the air for one hour or more. In many cases, the child was made to extend his two arms sideward. He could not be released until after he had given a solemn promise that he would not repeat.
3. When a matured person committed a gross criminal offense, those people around him would report him to their "cabeza" or "capitan." After due trial and he was found guilty of the crime, he would be given correctional punishment immediately. A few of the punishments are hereunder citez, viz:
a. A thief was required to shout in all parts of the village or town, telling his fellowmen not to imitate him. He would then be slashed in all corners of the streets. The usual punishment was called One cavan (25 whips).
b. Immoral persons were tied naked at the home of the ants (hantik) for a day or so till he promises not to repeat the same crime.
c. Young men who were caught idle in town on working days were obliged to catch wild hogs with a net. They would only be released after catching the required number of hogs. This practice made the young men stay in the farm and work hard.
d. Drunk men were jailed and required to work on the streets for a week.
e. The owners of stray animals were required for the first time to pay for the crops destroyed. For the second time, if the same animal was allowed to roam freely, the owner of the said animal was required to kill it, and the meat was distributed to all persons in the village.
[p. 12]
f. Men who failed to carry with them their residence certificate (cedula personal) were required to carry heavy stones for several hours.
HEALING
The early inhabitants of Macalelon knew several ways of healing ailments. Tinea flava was not a problem to them. They could remove this by rubbing the affected part with the root of an herb called "langkawas."
Ringworm could easily be removed. They burned coconut shells, which afterwards they covered when in flames with either a basin or a frying pan. The steam collected by the cover was made to be absorbed by a piece of cotton. The infected part was rubbed with the cotton. After three days, the ringworm would be removed and healed.
Centipede bite was the easiest to heal. The old folks would roast on fire or cinder a lemon (kapaskapas or tibulid). When thoroughly heated, the lemon was cut and pressed at the bitten part. The patient would feel perfectly well after a few seconds.
The fish bone at the throat was easy to remove. The old folks would turn the plate of the patient counterclockwise three times, and would ask him to drink a glass of water and the pin is removed.
Removing a foreign object from the eyes was very easy. The patient was told to close tightly his eyes with his head inclined backward. At the count of one, two, three, the patient was told to spit forward, abruptly opening his eyes. The foreign body was then removed.
Voracious eaters usually suffered from stomach aches. The old folks would beat the patient at the stomach with a buri bag. The ailment called "bulibuli" would then be removed.
A skin disease common to children called "baklay" could easily be treated by the old folks without seeing the patient. The healer would just get the name of the patient. He would break three twigs of the "salab" tree, accompanied by a secret prayer. After three days, the patient could take a bath and the baklay would be healed.
PART I | PART II } PART III | PART IV | PART V | PART VI