BARRIO OF PATUCANNAY, Historical Data - Philippine Historical Data BARRIO OF PATUCANNAY, Historical Data - Philippine Historical Data

BARRIO OF PATUCANNAY, Historical Data

Barrio Patucannay

About these Historical Data

[Cover page.]

PATUCANNAY

Informants:

(SGD.) Mr. ALIPIO LAURETA
(SGD.) Mr. PONCIANO BORJE
(SGD.) Mrs. CARIDAD BOBILA
(SGD.) Mr. JUAN BRIOSO
(SGD.) Mr. EULALIO BALAURO

Prepared and submitted by:

(SGD.) ISIDRA PURUGGANAN
(SGD.) ALICIA BUENAVISTA
(SGD.) NEMESIO P. CAMCAM

[p. 1]

HISTORY AND CULTURAI LIFE OF BARRIO PALAO
Part One: History

1. Present official name of the barrio:

PATUCANNAY

2. Popular name of the barrio, present and past, derivation and meanings of these names; names of sitios included within the territorial jurisdiction of the barrio.

Somewhere, along the road to Tayum lies a quiet little village, nestling peacefully at the foot of verdant hills. The name of this barrio is Patucannay, which has always been a barrio in Bangued. A long time ago, it was so named because it need fo be located on top of a hill {patoc), which abounded with termites which are called "anay" in llocano.

There is, however, another version of how the barrio got its name. During the Spanish regime, a native of the place was riding on horseback to the barrio of Peñarubia, which is called "Patoc." On the way, he met a Spanish soldier who demanded in guttural Castilian what the name of the next barrio was. Not understanding Spanish, the native thought the soldier was asking where he was bound for. Trembling with fear, he answered, "Patoc." Again, the soldier tried his question. The answer came, this time, fainter: "Patoc." Angered, the soldier raised his whip and lashed the man across the face. Howling with pain, the poor man answered, "Patoc, Annay!" (Annay! is [an] interjection for pain.) Repeating the words "Patoc-annay" again and again, the man cringed in terror. The Spanish soldier thought that Patucannay was the name of the next barrio and that the man had answered his question.

The first inhabitants of Patucannay were Christians. They were a hospitable people and strangers were always welcome and put at ease. They were also a peaceful group and no one ever suffered the ignominy of being put in jail. The men made a living by farming and fishing. The latter was especially lucrative because the Abra River, which flows close by, abandoned [abounded] with every kind of delectable fish. The women, on the other hand, helped their men-folk in the farms, but they also had a work of their own, weaving.

A road ran straight through the barrio to the Municipality of Tayum and from this arose the division that to this day still exists. The part nearer to Bangued, naturally, was called PATUCANNAY, BANGUED, while the eastern portion was called Patucannay, Tayum. Because of this, there were two cabezas de Barangay in the barrio. Later, these were changed to councilors,

The "Cabezas" had numerous duties. He collected taxes — personal and real property. The personal tax, called "cedula," cost a peseta, and was required of every 21-year old male and female. It was their duty also to oblige every adult male to work a whole week for the State and Church without pay. The cabezas were asked to contribute some form of foodstuff, like eggs and vegetables, to the Spanish officials. However, domestic animals, like pigs, cows, deer, etc., which could be butchered for meat, were also accepted. Whenever the Spanish Governor celebrated his birthday, the cabezas were expected to give some sort of gift and the most appropriate was often a cane made of hardwood, curved with intricate designs, sometimes with the name of Governor, and the Mexican silver

[p. 2]

peso conspicuously set on the handle in some sort of elaborate decoration. Because there was no separation of powers then, the cabezas de barangay were directly under the power of both the State and Church.

Every child of school age was required to attend the central school located at Bangued. The teacher was appointed by the State upon [the] recommendation of prominent citizens of the town. Children were taught the Catechism in the dialect. At the end of the year, if they passed the examination, they passed on to higher grades and later, they were taught Spanish.

3. Date of establishment.

It is not exactly known, but according to the oldest man in the barrio, it already existed long before he was born in the year 1866.

4. Original families.

Modesto Balaoro — Agatona Bigornia family
Gabino Barbosa — Florentina Garcia family
Basaliso Barbero & Hilaria Arzadon family
Basilio Brioso — Felipe Borje family
Lorenzo Bersamina — Ana Borje family

5. List of Tenientes from the earliest time to date.

Lorenzo Bersamina
Prudencio Beroona
Angel Camcam
Ponciano Borje
Ceferino Barbero
Fausto Barbero
Juan Martires
Florentino Bobila
Alejandro Villastiqui
Alipio Laureta
Ceferino Barbero
Eulalio Balaoro
Juan Brioso
Alipio Laureta
Jesus Laureta
1866-1881
1881-1889
1890-1895
1896-1900
1902-1910
1911-1916
1917-1920
1921-1925
1925-1928
1928-1941
1942-1943
1943-1944
1944-1945
1946-1951
1951-1952

6. Story of old barrios or sitios within the territorial jurisdiction of the barrio.

LINTAN OR LINGTAN

In the olden days there lived an old couple on top of the hill now called "Lingtan." This couple merely lived on root crops that they gathered from the forest.

One day, as the old woman was boiling some buga (a root crop), a stranger came along. The stranger asked the old woman the most direct trail leading to the poblacion. The woman, who was naturally deaf, thought that he was begging for something to eat. So she answered in an assuring tone, "Wen, Apo, nalingtan. Iyur-uraymo pay bassit." The stranger tarried for a while, thinking that the woman feared that the food might be scorched if she left it while it was boiling. After the buga was cooked, she placed some in a coconut saucer and

[p. 3]

offered it to the stranger, who gratefully accepted it. The old man led the stranger to the nearest path going to the poblacion. For the kindness of the old couple, the stranger did not forget to visit the same place.

People who now occupy the place named the barrio that grew on top of this hill "Lingtan." This name was given by the stranger who came to dwell with the people not long after the incident happened.

BANTAY DACKEL

Bantay Dackel is located south of Barrio Patucannay. This hill was named so for its height and the big trees growing on it.

During the early days, old people claim that this hill was a dense forest. Until now the people call it "bantay dackel" because it is the source of their fuel. Big kakawate trees still grow abundantly on this hill.

7. Data on historical sites, structures, buildings, old ruins, etc.

Patucannay School, which is located south of the national road, in the southern part of the barrio, was built in the year ________.

8. Important fact, incidents, or events that took place.

a. During the Spanish occupation

In the year 1891, the whole barrio was underwater when a flood overvan it. This flood is claimed to be the worst in the history of the barrio. It was called "Layus ni Agust." It drowned so many of the inhabitants that the population wasdecreased.

In the year 1893, the whole barrio was again visited by fire, leaving only three houses. The people had a hard time regaining the normal life they had as a result of this.

Education during the Spanish regime was not as popular as that under the American regime. Children were still afraid to attend their classes regularly because they often feared the severe punishments their teachers inflicted. Subjects like Religion, Arithmetic, Writing, and the Spanish language were taught. Among the first Filipinos to assume the position of teaching, during this period were Apo Alejandro Valera, and Apo Juan Morales, now dead.

b. During the American occupation to World War II

In the year 1910, public schools conducted by the Americans were opened. The late Mr. Prisco Seares was the first Filipino teacher to be assigned to the barrio. The English language became the medium of instruction. Schoolchildren were trained in academic as well as in vocational lines.

C. During and after World War II

Before the World War II broke out, many men of this barrio were already enlisted in the Philippine Army. When the war broke out, these men were ever ready to serve their country.

In January, 1942, Cpl. Alipio Sunido, a manof this barrio, died heroically in the famous Mabatang battle in the province of Bataan.

[p. 4]

After the surrender of our troops in Bataan, the survivors joined the terrible Death March to Capas, Tarlac, where death finally ended their agonies. Due to [the] maltreatment by the Japanese soldiers, hunger and sickness; among the victims were Agustin Ancheta, Pablo Panelo, Domingo Balaoro, Felipe Balaoro, Ricardo Balaoro, Pedro Tugadi, Ignacio Bobita, Isaac Borje, Juan Borje, Diego Grioso, Ciriaco Barbero, Godofredo Barbero, and Florencio Bernal.

During the battle of Besang Pass under the leadership of Col. Bookman, many more young men of the barrio dedicated their lives for the salvation of their native land. These were more fortunate because most of them are still living and they were able to see the glorious day when Philippine Independence was granted. Those who outlived the war are: Leonardo Bernal, Sancho Balauro, Claro Villastiqui, Calixto Garcia, Domingo Bobita, Andres Ancheta, Leon Laureta, Lino Borje, Guillermo Bobita, Amado Pacursa, Dionisio Laureta, Juan Brioso, Abdon Barbadillo, Marcos Ancheta, Saturnino Brioso, Nemesio Camcam, Anastacio Brioso, and Anastacio Villastiqui.

May 22, 1945. At six o'clock in the morning, marked the death of Lt. Alejo Balaoro, one of the best men of the barrio. He fell in the heavy fight that took place in Batac, Ilocos Sur, under the command of Capt. Ramboanga of the 1ˢᵗ Bn. Artillery. The death of this man was a great loss, not only to the army but to his barrio where he had been a dynamic leader in activities for the social welfare of the whole barrio.

9. a Destruction of lives, property, and.institutions dusing wars.

In September 1944, there was a fight between the Japs and guerilleros in Patucannay which resulted to the devastation of the whole barrio. The Japs burned all the houses before they retreated. There was no civilian casualty because all the people were warned to leave the barrio before the fight ensued.

In November of the same year, civilians were stricken with sickness just after the flood that overran their evacuation place at Pudpudoc, Tayum, Abra. The people got sick with malaria, diarrhea, and dysentery which caused the death of many.

b. Measures and accomplishments toward rehabilitation and reconstruction following World War II.

After the war, the people returned to the barrio. Homeless as they were, they had to stay in the nearby hills where they could seek shelter under the shady trees that still existed. Little by little, the men began fo build huts near the river and in the adjacent fields where they could again start a decent life. By 1947, none of the more fortunate returned to their lots in the barrio. At the end of 1950, almost all the people had constructed their homes. Recipients of financial awards for those who had fallen in battle are those who now have model houses.

Part Two: Folkways

10. Traditions, customs, and practices in social and domestic life.

BIRTHS – The placenta of a newborn child should be wrapped with newspaper so that he will become intelligent.
A child who is born at night is naturally silent and modest in his ways.

[p. 5]

A child who happens to be born when the church bells are ringing is a crybaby.

BAPTISM — As soon as the baby is baptized, the godmother must carry her out of the church immediately so that when she will study she will be bright.
When the baby urinates during baptism, it is a sign of bad luck.

COURTSHIP — Parents still have a part in the selection of the mates of their children.
When sweethearts exchange religious gifts, most often the engagement is broken.

MARRIAGE – When the couple has just arrived at the foot of the stairs at the bride's home, both should go up the stairs at the same time so that they will always be peaceful in their married life.

DEATH — As soon as the dead person is brought from the house, wine should be poured on the bed where he was laid so that ghosts will not haunt the persons living in the house. People attending the funeral should not carry round things with them, otherwise they will develop goiter.

11. Myths, legends, beliefs, interpretations, superstitions.

MAGBALOTO

There once lived deep in the mountains a man named Magbaloto. Going to the brook one morning, he came upon three beautiful women bathing. He saw their wings on the green bank and knew that they were goddesses. He quietly crept to the bank when they were not looking and stole the pair of wings belonging to the youngest of the three.

Soon, they finished bathing and looked for their wings, but they could not find their wings. Macaya, the youngest, missed her wings and she began to weep. Her sisters helped her look for her wings, but they could not find them. The two sisters put on their wings and flew up in the sky, leaving Macaya weeping bitterly.

Now Magbaloto, having hidden the wings, walked to Macaya and asked her why she was crying. Macaya told him she had come to bathe in the stream and that she had lost her wings.

Magbaloto lied to her and said he knew nothing about her wings. He told her that if she wanted to live with him, he shall be happy to take her. They were married and before another year came, they had a child.

One day, while Magbaloto was cooking rice in the kitchen and Macaya was rocking the baby to sleep, she saw a bundle half-hidden in the thatched roof. She reached for the bundle, opened it, and found out that it contained her missing wings. She put them on leaving the baby and flew to heaven.

Magbaloto and the baby were left. He [was] determined to look for her and leaving the baby with his cousin, he set out to look for Macaya. He asked the help of the North, East, South, and West winds, the way to heaven but they could not help him. Magbaloto met an eagle and told him about his troubles. The eagle was glad to help him and so they flew up to the sky. He found Macaya with her grandmother, and begged her to take Macaya back to earth.

[p. 6]

Grandmother would not let Macaya go with him unless he could hull 100 cavans of rice in a single day. Magbaloto told his troubles to the king of rats. The king of rats summoned all his subjects and before sunset, the work was finished. Magbaloto thanked the rats and took the hulled rice to Macaya's grandmother.

Macaya's grandmother thought of a more difficult task to do. She told Magbaloto again to cut all the trees in the mountains. He wept over his hard task. He asked the help of the king of wild pigs and with the help of the king and his subjects, he was able to cut thousands of trees in the mountains.

Magbaloto was able to please Macaya's grandmother. Macaya was allowed to go back to earth with Magbaloto. The eagle met them. They climbed on his back and down they flew to the earth where they lived happily.

THE FIVE FINGERS

The five fingers of our hand are all very close to each, once upon a time. But why was the thumb separated from the four fingers?

According to tales, the five fingers, namely the thumb, the index, the middle finger, the ring bearer, and the little finger had a brave leader. Each of the fingers was assigned to do a definite task.

One day, they had an argument due to the fact that their master forgot to come home on time. All of them became very hungry. None of them knew where to get food. At last, the thumb decided to secure something to eat. He set out to look for food he could take either by hook or by crook. Because of this, he was despised and driven away by the others. This is why the thumb is now far from the others.

JUAN SADUT

In a village named Paing, there lived a couple who had only one child. This child was named Juan. When Juan was yet small, the men of the village predicted that he would be a rich man when he became an aduit. Upon hearing this good news, the parents of Juan were very happy. Unlike the previous years of their lives, they no longer cared much about accumulating property. They stopped working altogether. They gave their lands to be tilled by their neighbors.

When Juan was old enough to work, he went with some boys to gather fuel in the woods. When he came home, he had two bundles of wood on his back. His father asked him what he was going to do with the wood. Juan replied that he would go to town with the other boys to sell the wood. The father was very angry with Juan. He tied him to one of the posts of the house and beat him hard. He let Juan promise that he would never go again with the boys. He said that his son was the child of a well-to-do family and he ought not to work. From that time on, Juan never did anything. He just played and slept after eating his meals.

Came the time when Juan's mother and father died. He was left alone. Because he was not accustomed to work, the properties left him by his parents were sold one by one. The money he got from them was not wisely spent. He was now a man who entered vice. He was always seen at gambling places and stores where there was a frasco of basi for sale.

[p. 7]

Finally, Juan had no more property. He sold his house next. When he had no more money to spend, he sold his clothes. Then, he went from house to house to beg, but the people of the village did not take pity on him. They knew what kind of jiife he had at first. They all said they would give him a great lesson. He was known fo all as JUAN SADUT (Lazy Juan). The children who met him always teased him and called him Lazy Juan. Juan died a miserable death with no one to care for him.

12. Popuar songs:

LIPATENGA COMA TI CONAC

Lipatenica coma ti conac tapno di sumamay itoy barucongco
Ni nasaem unay a liday.
Ngem ayaunay la ngaruden ta no sigpenca nga ipusay
Sangitannaca toy pusoc ken bagic ti maidasay.

Ngem ayaunay la ngaruden ta dica man la in maricna canlac
A sicat nagtaudan toy lac-amec a rigat.
Nagayatca gayam, pamma-it mo, pammasag,
A mangranggas ditoy bagic, ta ulpitmo ken sicap.

Indumdumanaca toy pusoc ti nasam-it a panagayatna kenca
Ammoemawan sabali no di laeng sicsica.
Pusoc ti inicutam, barucongcot nangisaadam
Di nairut a panagcarim a nagted caniac ti namnama.

Awanto met pabasolec itoy lac-amec a rigat
Yamanecto iti Dios no naicari kenca daytoy ayat.
Ngem dicanto met masapulen, a manaranayto caniac
Umanaydanton a manaranay dagitoy agarubos a luloac.

NO TI PULCOC TOY BARUCONGCO

Na ti pulcoc toy barucongco a di agtel-lay
Tumanggal umaddanggac ket tumanay a tumanay
Ta idukemnac ti pait ni liday.

Ket main-imit met daytoy angesco a marubsay.
Ay, O gasatca naidalutaytay iti yuyeng ni pait a sennaay.
Sasaibbeccot awan pay manignay.

Ta saibbecco coma ti agcona, “Ay, asica pay!"

Ala, O pusoc, turdam a ikismay
Tumunggal magigiran ti saemna kenca nga umapay
An-anoem ta gasatmot maibacsay.
Ducodam a ta awan met kencat mangay-ay.

Ngem ala, uray6 ta cababalin 1a ti agbiag
Aglac-am adu a tuoc, adu a rigat,
No gun-oden ti bunga ni ayat.

Ngem ala turdam ta cababalin la ti agessem
Aglac-am uot no gun-oden
Ti bunga ni ayat no tuntuntonen.

[p. 8]

RANIAG DIAY BULAN

Raniag ti bulan ti nagparang cadagitoy matac
Ta ti annaraar dagiti sabsagong sumayacsac.
Ay amangan a pardas toy bagic nga agsagabat rigat
Nay, cayo awanan bulong, awanan liwliwa ken gasat,

Ngemay, aw-awaganca O laing a pagrucbabac
Ngem ay, irumennac met itay a ranggasan.
Ulpitmo met ti ipakitam caniac
Umar-ararawac ngem dinac met caasian.

Naugotanen dagitoy matac ti adu nga sangsangit
Nautoyanen toy pusoc ti adu a sasainnec
Ay, anianto ngatan ti pagbanagan toy bagic
Naidukemen ti nacaro a pa-it, nacaro a sakit.

Ti pardas ti angin a naglasat cadagiti tangatang
Ta no iti annaraar dagiti sabsabong sumayacsac
Ay amangan a pardas foy bagic nga agsagabat’ rigat
Ta malaylay man a malpes a cas sabong a umangrag.

EPPES NGA INANAM

Ay eppes man dagidi nga inanama
Ta diac impapan a castoy man ti tungpalna
Tungpal tanem, ta castat nagbanaganna
Daytoy bagic a castat caicarianna.

Naranggas dagita laingmo ken sayacsacmo, O naulpit,
Nadawal a puso, kitaem man toy silaladingit,
Maal-lilaw man aya dagitoy mata
Ta idi ta buybuyaec da inanama ken talec
Isuda caniac ti namatalged.

Ay ayat, ayaunayan ti sansangna
Ta no ni patay ti sumken, ay, nacacalcaldaang
Ta ti maysa nga ayat, a dida pagayatan
Nadasacsakit nakem no saan a calac-aman.

(SGD.) CARIDAD B. BOBITA

Games and amusements:

Sipa
Pingpong
Sungca
Volleyball
Bal-logo
Picco
Holding programs
Attending dances
Picnics
Sabarra Sampedro Reading local magazines [foreign?] magazines
Bulambulan Hide and Seek Hearing verses from old folks.

13. Riddles:

1. With head, without stomach, with neck, without waist. - Bottle
2. Happy in the heat, in the cold is withered. - Acacia

[p. 9]

3. One one, still was taken, but two were left. - Clam
4. Bone and skin, but it flies. - Kite
5. Run there, run here, could not leave the place where it stands. - Cradle
6. Flying where it left, dragging the body when it arrived. - Rain
7. There it is, there it is, you don't see it. - Wind
8. The house of the carpenter has only one post. - Dove cot
9. Deep when decreased, shallow when increased. - Native water jar
10. The captain took a bath without wetting his stomach. - Banca
11. My cow is moaning in Manila, it can be heard here. - Thunder
12. I cut it with a bolo in the forest but it cries in the house. - Guitar Flute
13. There is a trunk but no branches; there are leaves but no fruit. - Ladder
14. It can cook without heat, it smokes although cold. - Ice
15. My white dog was sent on an errand but did not return. - Salive
16. If you allow me to live, I shall not live long; but if you will kill me once, I shall live longer. - Candle
17. Not animal, not human; the skin is made of leather. - Chestnut
18. Small chest is full of money. - Pepper
19. Open in the afternoon, rolled in the morning. - Mat
20. My pig in Sorsogon will not eat without [someone] riding on it. - Coconut grater
22. His grandparents are already old, still he has not yet taken a bath. - Cat
23. It has four feet but cannot walk. - Table
24. The flesh was thrown away but the skin was kept and cared for. - Rattan
25. Gold wrapped in silver; silver wrapped in leather. - Egg
26. It is not fish, it is not duck, but it can sing when it likes. - Frog
27. The spear is still far, but the wound is already wide. - Mouth to be given food.
28. Not human, not animal, speaks Tagalog. - Phonograph
29. Four persons but only have one had. - House posts
30. I have a slave who follows me always. - Shadow
31. Two balls of thread reach the sky. - Eyes
32. Which part of the body is never wet? - Brain
33. White as snow, knows my secret. - Paper
34. Already a fruit, still bears another fruit. - Betel nut
35. What is the best picture that looks exactly like your face? - Mirror
36. It is a crab with the head inside. - Crab
37. The old is more durable than the new. - Dike
38. I have a pet animal, whose eyes are bigger than the... - Dragon fly

14. Selected Proverbs and Maxims.

1. Though we may not inherit wealth, we should inherit manners.
2. Spoil the child and you cause grief to his mother.
3. As ye now, so shall ye reap.
4. It is easy to be born; it is hard to become a man.
5. Qur childhood's training becomes our manhood's nature.
6. A child brought up with tears, shall live to thank his parents' care.
7. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

[p. 10]

8. Our real friend is known in the days of our misfortune.
9. Love is a powerful poison which cares most of our infirmities.
10. True love remains sweet to the end.
11. Marriage is not like hot rice which can be expelled when it burns our mouth.
12. It is of no use to eat on a golden plate at the expense of one's self respect.
13. The most reserved woman gives way to a persistent lover.
14. Never leave for tomorrow what you can do today.
15. A stitch in time saves nine.
16. Spare the rod and spoil the child.
17. Love begets love.
18. Still water runs deep.
19. Barking dogs seldom bite.
20. A rolling stone gathers no moss.
21. Cleanliness is next to godliness.
22. He who goes with wolves learns to howl.
23. Birds of the same feather flock together.
24. If you can't fly, crawl.
25. Drop by drop wears away a stone.
26. If I have lost my ring, I still have my finger.
27. Look before you leap.
28. If you don’t aim high, you will never hit high.
29. Little leaks sink great ships.
30. Please all, and you will please none.
31. God helps those who help themselves.
32. 'Tis not what we have but what we enjoy that makes us happy.
33. Better a free bird than a captive king.
34. Welcome is the best dish on the table.
35. Destroy the lion while he is a whelp.
36. Little strokes fell great oaks.
37. Remember that time is money.
38. What comes often is soon tired of.
39. Before you cross a river, look for the crocodile.
40. He who begins many things finishes few.
41. A fine cage wouldn't feed the bird.
42. Said the ax to the needle, "You have a hole in your head."
43. Truly polite is always polite.
44. Those who have lost the knack of laughing have lost something very precious which they should try to recover hard.
45. With valiant heart and spirit, strong courageous to perform the right.
46. Man's pilgrimage is hard and long. Life's many battles you must fight.
47. He whom you help at present may be helping you in the future.
48. A good conscience is something which always goes with him who possesses it, making a man his own judge and jailer.
49. Do all you can to relieve the needy and unfortunate; share with them whatever you have.
50. Even the humblest member of the masses by dint of study, self discipline, and perseverance, may rise from the ranks and become a leader of the nation, honored and revered by all.
(SGD.) JUAN BRIOS

[p. 11]

14. Methods of measuring time. Special calendars:

Shadows of objects like trees, houses, poles, were used to mark the hours of the day.
The eyes of the cat were also used to designate the time.
The setting of the moon was a sign for farmers to get ready for the fields.
The crowing of roosters at night give signs to old men in the interpretation of time.
The sound of crickets in the evening signifies six o'clock in the evening.
The going down to the earth of house lizards in the evening designates the time of the Angelus.
The position of certain constellations in the sky during different months indicates the time for farmers and for fishermen at night.
When the moon, during its first quarter, is not in a good position, old men say, there is abundance of rain.
If spiders make their webs on the ground, it is a sign that there is no rain.
When earthquakes occur during the rainy season, many springs will come out.
When earthquakes occur during windy days, there will be no springs.
If thunder sounds first in the West during New Year, many typhoons will occur during the year. {No aggurrood iti laud iti Baro a tawen, nababaguio.)
If the beginning of the year falls on Tuesday, the common sickness that year will be double itch.
If passing showers come on New Year's Day, there will be good harvest.
(SGD.) EULALIO BALAURO

15. Other Folktales.

NI ARI MAMERTO

There was once a man who had a son hamed Mamerto. When Mamerto was seven years old, he was sent to school by his father.

After a year, Mamerto returned from school. His parents were happy to see him back. They eagerly asked what knowledge he had gained in school. Mamerto told them that he had learned the language of the dogs. His father was very glad to hear about this, so he sent his son again to school to get more knowledge.

After another year, Mamerto came back from school. His father asked what he had learned. Mamerto told him that he now knew how to speak with the frogs. His parents were so pleased that they sent him again to school. After another year Mamerto again returned home. Me told his parents that he could understand the language of the birds.

One day, Mamerto and his father went out hunting they saw a very big bird. The father wanted to shoot the bird with his arrow, but Mamerto said the bird was his best friend. Soon he began to talk with the bird. His father asked him what the bird was telling. Mamerto said that in the future, Mamerto would become king and his father and mother would kneel before him. When the father heard this, he became very angry. He decided to send Mamerto away.

Mamerto packed up his clothes and went to the forest to live with the birds.

[p. 12]

In a country near by, there was a king who had just died. Some subjects of the king who were passing through the forest that day were talking about their dead king. They were asking each other who would ascend the throne next. Mamerto got out from his home cave and approached the subjects of the king and told them of his desire to go with them to attend the king's funeral. The subjects of the king allowed him to go with them.

The day came when the king was to be buried. Just as the funeral began to start, a big dog howled. The people were dreading what omen it foretold. When they reached the cemetery, a big bird alighted on top of the steeple of the church and made a very loud noise. All the people were very much worried.

During those days, the way of selecting the next ruler was performed under an arch in which a bell was hanged. The bell was a magic bell, and the person who happened to pass under the arc just when the bell rang, would become the king.

On the ninth day after the king's burial, the selection of the next king took place. All men were gathered near the arc. One by one they passed under the arc. Mamerto was there, present, decided to try. When he was walking under the arc, the magic bell began to ring. The people shouted and said, "This is our King."

King Mamerto was now the ruler. He thought of going back to his parents to fulfill what the big bird had told him at the very beginning, that his parents would kneel before him. So, he ordered his subjects to prepare for the visit. The next day, they started. When they reached the village of King Mamerto's parents, all the people of the village came out to meet their new king. Among those who knelt by the roadside was an old couple. King Mamerto recognized that the old man and woman kneeling there were his parents. So he went to them and said, "Father, Mother, can you not recognize me? | am your son Mamerto. I have come to take you with me to live in my beautiful palace." The old man and woman wept when they saw it was their son who was king. The old man said he now believed how wise his son was to know the language of the animals and birds.

King Mamerto took his parents with him and from that time, they lived happily in the country where he was king.

(SGD) EULALIO BALAURO

[p. 13]

Persons who have the foregoing information:

(SGD.) ALIPIO LAURETA
{SGD.) PONCIANO BORJE
(SGD.) CARIDAD B. BOBITA
(SGD.) JUAN BRIOSO
(SGD.) EULALIO BALAURO

Report submitted by

Head Teacher
Patucannay School
(SGD.) ISIDRA PURUGGANAN
(SGD.) ALICIA BUENAVISTA
(SGD.) NEMESIO P. CAMCAM
Transcribed from:
History and Cultural Life of the Barrio Patucannay, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections. The pagination in this transcription is as they appear in the original document.
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