MUNICIPALITY OF LUMBAN (LAGUNA), Historical Data of Part II - Philippine Historical Data MUNICIPALITY OF LUMBAN (LAGUNA), Historical Data of Part II - Philippine Historical Data

MUNICIPALITY OF LUMBAN (LAGUNA), Historical Data of Part II

Municipality of Lumban, Province of Laguna

PART II

PART I | PART II

About these Historical Data

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To prevent its falling into the hands of the enemy, the huge stock of gasoline and diesel fuel in Caliraya was dumped into the river. Construction and other equipment were disabled.

Work resumed in the second quarter of 1942 under the Japanese Military Administration which placed the management of the National Power Corporation and the operation of the Caliraya plant under the Taiwan Denryoku Kabushiki Kaisya. The Japanese wanted to start the plant in June 1942, but when everything was about ready, the upper section of the penstock collapsed during a test when the air valve, which should have been kept open, was closed.

The American Army of Liberation reached Caliraya plant in the middle of April 1945, and repair and rehabilitation work was immediately started. One unit of the plant was placed in operation at the end of October that same year. Japan having surrendered in the meanwhile, the Caliraya Plant was returned to the National Power Corporation in November 1945. Repair and rehabilitation was continued, and finally, in spite of material and equipment shortages, the corporation was able to place all the three units in operation by October 2, 1947.

The detailed study and design of the Lumot River Division Project was started in 1941, stopped on account of the war, and then resumed in 1942 and completed in 1943. Because of shortages in material and equipment, construction of the project was not undertaken during the Japanese occupation.

After liberation, the National Power Corporation prepared a hydroelectric power program in which the Lumot

[p. 9]

River Diversion Project was one of the major projects.

Of the 38,000 kilowatts power capability and 160 million kilowatt hours energy availability of the combined Caliraya Plant and Lumot River Diversion Project, 36,000 kilowatts and 144 million kilowatt hours annually are sold to the Manila Electric Company. This large stock of power is transmitted over the corporation's 115,000-volt transmission line, which runs along the western rim of Laguna de Bay, to connect with the company's integrated sytem serving the city of Manila and the nearby towns.

The remainder is earmarked for distribution to certain towns of Batangas, in connection with a proposed tap and extension of the Caliraya Transmission Line from Calamba to Batangas, Batangas. Part of this block of power will be supplied to the Baybay towns of Laguna, two of which, Lumban and Pagsanjan, are now being served directly from the plant through the distribution facilities of a private franchise holder. As soon as funds become available, the transmission line serving these two towns will be extended in order to serve the other Baybay towns.

Part II - Folkways

Traditions, Customs, and Practices:

1. Birth - The services of a midwife are employed during the delivery. The mother stays in bed for one month. After eight days, the mother takes a bath with

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water and boiled plants like "sanglay," "sambong," "talbak," "lagundi," and lemon leaves. The baby is given a bath also, together with the mother and passed over the smoked "kawas," meaning to pay to prevent the child from becoming nervous.

2. Baptism - If a child will die before one month old, he is baptized by pouring water in the presence of the godmother called "buhos-tubig." After one month, the child is baptized in the church with the desire of the parents. The parents think of the best name they like and tell the priest. After the baptismal ceremony, the godmother gives a "pakimkim," either money or other forms of gifts. There is a party in honor of the baptism wherein the common servings are "puto," "kalamay," "pansit," "sotangon," and bread.

3. Courtship - In Lumban, men court women through serenading with guitars or bands. Sometimes, through formal visits, especially during Saturdays and Sundays. Some court women directly, some through the parents. Men's parents are asked for by women's parents and both parties agree with each other, setting aside all plans for the wedding.

4. Marriage - During the wedding, much preparation is made. Carabaos or pigs are slaughtered and cooked deliciously. After the marital ceremony, the newlyweds perform the so-called "painom" with a bottle of wine and a plate. They ask the visitors to drink and they give an amount in return. After the reception, the newly-married couple is asked to perform some romantic deals with an equivalent amount from both parties. After the party, at

[p. 11]

night, the newlyweds go from relative to relative for the purpose of intimacy on opposite parties. They receive an amount from every relative visited. After nine days or more, the couple is accompanied by the woman's parents to the house of the bridegroom, where they stay temporarily.

5. Death - The neighbors help the family of the dead person. They stay overnight to make the coffin and to lighten the sorrow of the relatives of the dead by means of formal singing accompanied by the guitar. Sometimes, if a rich person dies, there is a band at night. Little serving is given to the people.

6. Burial - The neighbors take charge of digging the grave. The dead is brought to the church. The parents take fresh flowers to the grave during three days or more. At night, prayers are said by the "nanang." This is done for nine days. After a year, prayers are said again in commemoration of the dead.

7. Festivals - During the town fiesta, grand entertainment is made by the people of the poblacion. Carabaos, cows, and pigs are slaughtered. High Mass is said. A number of bands go around the town to make the celebration very lively. Dramas as Moro-moro are held to make the entertainment more satisfactory for the visitors.

Popular Songs:

The songs are written in the national language. Some of these are:

Oh Ilaw

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Kampana ng Dalita
Isang Gabi
Pangarap
Golondrina
Pakiusap
Sa Mahal Mong Harapan
La Paloma

Games and Amusements:

The following games are played in Lumban: sipa or piloto, siklot or sintak, sungka, dama, buga, bao, and tubigan. The other amusements are parties with songs, dances such as rigodon, balse, pandanggo, lanceros, and huego de anillo. The comedia was very obligatory many years ago. The first showing of a Moro-Moro was in 1865. The following capitans tho managed it were:
Mariano M. Dimaano
Candido Gaza
Jose Aquino
Cecilio Aquino
Vicente Sanchez
1865
1866
1867
1868
1869
The Moro-Moro is still shown at present in the town of Lumban.

Riddles:

1. Open in the afternoon
Rolled up in the morning.
(mat)
2. He has a body but no face
He has no eyes but sheds tears.
(candle)
3. Two friends always running
After the other.
(feet)
4. Two balls of thread
Reach the sky.
(two eyes)

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5. Walking without feet
Crying without eyes.
(pen)
6. It is up to the neck when shallow
But up to the waist when deep.
(water in a jar)
7. Here it is, here it is
But you don't see it.
(wind)
8. The house of the carpenter
Has only one post.
(dove cot)
9. His grandparents are already old
Still he has not taken a bath.
(cat)
10. My pig in Sorsogon
Will not eat without riding on it.
(coconut grater)

Proverbs:

Tagalog Translation
1. Ang palabo'y walang tuto
Sa hirap nanagano
Api saan man patungo.
1. The arrogant is useless
In poverty he dwells;
Everywhere he is despised.
2. Madali ang maging tao
Mahirap ang magpakatao.
2. It is easy to become a man
It is difficult to behave as one.
3. Walang pagod magtipon
Walang hinayang magtapon.
3. No diligence to save
No restraint to waste.
4. Ang sumama sa kalabaw na may putik
ay mapuputikan din.
4. Whoever goes with a muddy
carabao gets the mud also.
5. Ang hanap na sa hamog mula
Sa tubig rin nawawala.
5. What from the dew you gather
Must vanish with the water.
6. Bago gawin at sabihin
Makapitong isipin.
6. Before doing and saying anything
Think it over seven times.

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7. Mabuti pa ang matakao
Kaysa magnanakao.
7. Better a glutton
than a thief.
8. Ang puri ng tao kung
pahahalagahan ay para
ng tubig na nasa tapayan
Kamunting langis at ito
mapatakan di na iinomin
at pandidirihan.
8. Honor is like water
in a jar, a little oil dropped
in it will make the water
repugnant
9. Ang hipong tulog
Natatangay ng agos.
9. A sleeping shrimp is carried
away by the current.
10. Kung ibig mong gumaling
Sa katawan mo manggaling.
10. If you wish to improve
yourself, take the initiative.
11. Ang marahan sa pangungusap
Sa puso'y nakalulunas.
11. Soft words
soothe the heart
12. Ang taong lampas sa galing
Di dapat pakitunguhan
Ang iyong pagparoonan
Ay tatanda ka rin.
12. Do not quarrel with old people
Remember that you also
will get old.

LESSONG HELPS

Answer the following questions:

1. How did the poblacion derive its name?
2. How are the following games played?
a. Tubigan
b. Sipa
c. Buga
d. Bao

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3. Explain the meanings of the different proverbs.
4. Has the Caliraya Hydroelectrical Plant a bright prospect? Prove.
5. What important events took place in Lumban during the Japanese occupation?

Something to do:

1. Make a sketch of Lumban showing the different barrios.
2. Create the so-fa syllables for any of the songs mentioned above.
3. Sketch the Caliraya Hydroelectric Plant showing the different parts of the project.
Respectfully submitted:
CONTENTS NOTED:
GLICERIO Y. GAZA
Principal
TEOTIMO M. JAVAN
IRENE P. EBARVIA
EPIFANIA BADURIA
CONSORCIA VALDEPEƑAS
MILAGROS J. BADIOLA
AURORA LAGRADA
AMPARO S. JAVAN

PART I | PART II

Transcribed from:
Historical Data of the Municipality of Lumban, Province of Laguna, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections.
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