BARRIO OF TABLAC, Historical Data
[Cover page.]
TABLAC
Informants:
Mr. FELIX BELENO
Mr. FEDERICO BELMES
Prepared and submitted by:
(SGD.) Mr. EUFEMIO VALERA
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HISTORY AND CULTURAI LIFE OF BARRIO TABLAC
Part One: History
1. Present official name of the barrio: TABLAC
2. Popular name: Tablac
The present inhabitants do not know how the name came into existence.
(a) Sitio SILAG got its name when two Spanish soldiers were looking for the buri palm. The inhabitants could not understand what they meant, not until the soldiers were able to see the tree. The inhabitants said that the name of that tree was "silag." Right under the tree, the soldiers built a small hut for them to rest. And they named the place where they built camp as CAMP SILAG.
(b) Sitio NAGBUTACAN. There was an exchange of fire in this place between the Americans and the Filipino-Spanish Army. This was the first exchange of fire in Bangued. The people called this incident of war, "Nagbottacan ti gubat." That was why they named this place "Nagbutacan”.
(c) As to the other sitios, it is not known how they got their names; GALOT, PAGAGAY, DARANGET.
4, (d) Original families:
5, (e) List of Tenientes from the earliest time fo date:
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1. Senon Bersamin 2. Gregorio Bernardez 3. Placido Advincula 4. Lorenzo Berido 5. Hipolito Bersamin |
6. Macario Botanes 7. Fortunato Bocarile 8. Eulogio Botanes 9. Santiago Belmes |
6. (f) So far, there is no sitio in the barrio that existed before and that is now extinct or depopulated.
7. Data on historical sites, buildings, old ruins, etc.
8. (a) During the Filipino-American War, the insurrectos had their headquarters in Barrio Tablac. The Americans were then coming from the North, moving south towards Tablac. The insurrectos deployed themselves on top of the hills. By the side of the path going down to Tablac, there were plenty of ripe guavas. The way was mountainous, but was sloping down. The first man who saw the ripe fruits was tempted, so they stopped to gather. The insurrectos lost no chance and they fired at them. The Americans tried to flee running down the sloppy [likey "slopy" or "sloping"] hills, but in so doing, they fell one after the other.
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(b) Japanese Occupation
One of the sitios, Nalbo, became the headquarters of the guerrillas. Many people were executed, and buried in the sitio of Calop by these guerillas. The Japanese soldiers came to the barrio and killed the inhabitants and burned the houses in Nalbo.
9. So far, destruction of life is mentioned in No. 8, and with regards to rehabilitation, the people were able io rebuild their homes with the available materials found in the locality.
Part Two: Folkways
10. Superstitions and Practices, Social and Economic
SANGASANG — belief to cure abnormal persons.
(b) Birth - When a woman is pregnant, it is bad for her to sit on the doorway or stairs for fear that she might have a hard time in delivery. When a woman gives birth, they burn twisted rags to drive away evil spirits. They hang thorns under the house. She stays in for nine days without getting up. She drinks warm water and eats only a few kinds of food.
(c) Since the Roman Catholic is the dominant religious belief of the people, every newborn child is baptized in the Catholic Church. After the baptism a small gathering takes place to honor the godmothers and godfathers. This depends upon the wealth of the family.
(d) Courtship and Mariage — When a man wants to marry, he tells his father, and a notice is sent {o the parents of the girl concerned. The oldest man of the barrio accompanies the male party to the girl's house to ask for the girl's hand in marriage. It is believed that before the man goes up, he embraces the stair post to assure his success. If the parents of the girl agree, a second gathering takes place. An agreement for marriage takes place. A third meeting between the parties occurs, and in this meeting the dowry is fixed, and the date of marriage is agreed upon. Most often, marriage vows are solemnized in theCatholic Church.
(e) Death and Burial — When a person dies in the community, the people extend help in the form of money or rice to the bereaved family. The dead is usually placed at the middle of the house. The corpse stays overnight and [is] buried the following day. Those who dig the grave always take with them basi or wine. If the dead was a drunkard, they spill some wine on the grave.
When the dead is taken down from the house, the bed on which the corpse was laid, is also brought down and placed in the sun for nine days. On the place where the bed stood, they spill water and grains of rice are placed between the flooring. A bundle of rice straw is kept burning in front of the stairs, so that when people arrive from the cemetery, they must jump over it before they go upstairs. A big pig is butchered for the visitors. That night the novena for the poor souls begins. And on the ninth day a small gathering takes place.
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During these nine days, the beddings of the dead are spread in the place where he used to sleep. If the dead had a wife, the wife sleeps beside these beddings.
(f) Visits and festivals — When a visitor is new in the place, he always seeks the house of the barrio lieutenant, where he receives a hospitable welcome.
(g) Punishments — Only the Municipal Mayor gives punishment to those who commit wrong.
12. Popular songs, games and amusements:
(b) Games: Slapping the hands, one after the other. Wrestling with the arms, legs, and fingers. Playing with gogo.
(c) Amusements: Cockfighting
13. Puzzles and Riddles:
1. I was born a Negrito, but if the king needs me, he takes me on his table. - ink
2 I have a pig in Manila, but you can hear its noise as far as Abra. - Thunder
3. There is a little govemment but can make everyone appear beautiful. - Iron
4. He who drops it is very happy, but he who picks it frowns with dismay. — Bad air
4. Proverbs.
15. Methods of measuring time.
(b) During dry season, a small plant called "maravilla."
Persons who gave information:
(SGD.) FEDERICO BELME
Submitted by: (SGD.) EUFEMIO VALERA