MUNICIPALITY OF BARAS, RIZAL, Historical Data of Part 3
PART III
[p. 22]
When Manila surrendered to the Japanese on January 2, 1942, Mayor Gimenez prepared for a change. January 23 of the same year, a company of the Japanese Imperial Army came to Baras but did not stay for long. Not until February 6 of the same year did the actual occupation force of the Japanese Army come to Baras. This force was met by the town officials and other prominent citizens of the town.
When the Philippine Executive Commission, under the Hon. Jorge Vargas, was established in Manila in the latter part of January 1942, the local government also followed the dictates of the enemy.
(Much hardship was felt by the people during the rule of the Japanese, especially during the latter part of 1943 and the whole of 1944.)
As early as June of 1942, news spread in the locality that a certain Marcos Agustin was recruiting men to form a guerrilla band in this part of the province. Many of the young blood of the town heeded this call, and mention can be made about the following persons who enlisted themselves in the outfit: incumbent Mayor Lacayan, Mr. Ciriaco Cruzado, Mr. Primo Ramirez, and others.
At the beginning of 1943, the guerrilla movement throughout the Philippines was already giving the Japanese a lot of headaches. To counter this force, the Imperial Japanese Army stationed in every town of the province a garrison unit purposely to check on the guerrilla movement. Oftentime, the people of the town were subject to rigid investigation for guerrilla suspects. At one time, all the male inhabitants of Baras were garrisoned inside the church as suspects. This happened in September of 1943.
Day by day, the operations of the Japanese Army against the guerrillas were getting more intense. An encounter between the Japanese forces and the Marking's Guerrilla Unit was fought in sitio Calumpang, about 3 kilometers from the Poblacion. It was in the latter part of September 1943 that Mayor Gimenez was subjected
[p. 23]
to severe punishments for being a guerrilla suspect. Actually, Mayor Gimenez sympathized with the guerrillas. In fact, he gave them rice and money. A document, or rather a letter of a certain guerrilla, was caught in his possession and this caused his sufferings. He was brought to the mountain hogtied and hanged. While going over his personal papers, the Japanese officer in charge of the party saw a pass signed by the then-Provincial Governor Nick Roxas. On the strength of this document, he was released.
When his term of office expired in December 1943, he sought the opinion of Governor Roxas about appointing another one in his stead. Governor Roxas requested him to go on and stay by his side through thick and thin, for the sake of the province. So, his ordeal was on.
On February 4, 1945, the order from the Imperial Japanese Army came commanding the people to evacuate the place to some Laguna towns on or before February 8. Some left by boats, but many went on foot, trekking their way to the adjacent provinces. One could imagine the hardships suffered by the people. For several months, the people waited, longing for their salvation.
On the 10th of March 1945, news was received in our evacuation place that the town of Baras was burned. Great was the sorrow of the people, but they became jubilant when the news reached them 9 days later that American forces were already in the town, completing the liberation of Baras. So, the evacuees returned after March 19, 1945, only to find their homes razed to the ground. For the next several months, the people were homeless. They lived in crowded and dilapidated shacks of burned iron roofing.
In the early part of April 1945, the municipal government began to function again with the help of the PCAU. Gov. Eulogio Rodriguez, Jr. appointed Adriano Ferrera to act as the Municipal Mayor, and also appointed councilors to make up the Mun. Council.
[p. 24]
Mr. Mariano D. Golla
1947 - 1951
In the election of 1947, November, Mr. Mariano D. Golla was elected mayor of the town. This was the first post-war election.
The following were the elected officials:
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Mr. Mariano D. Golla Mr. Eladio Buenaventura Mr. Paulino Teston Mr. Leoncio Evangelista Mr. Alipio Robles Mr. Modesto Javier Mr. Alejo D. Digma |
Mayor Vice Mayor Councilor
do
Municipal Secretary
do do |
The stark problem met by this administration was the rehabilitation of the burned homes of the people, who were living in shacks and in other dilapidated buildings. War claims were filed by the people in an aggregate sum of no less than ₱3,000,000.00 for properties burned and damaged due to war operations. These claims were expedited very well by the War Damage Commission of America in the Philippines and in the latter part of 1948, approved claims began to arrive in the form of checks. This money was used by the people in constructing new houses.
Under the administration of Mayor Golla and his council, immediate relief was given to public roads and public places in the community. A public dispensary was constructed to the amount of ₱7,000.00. This council was also able to purchase a site for school purposes. From the pork barrel fund of 1948, the mayor was able to get a share of ₱2,000.00, which was used in asphalting the road around the municipal building and in other parts of the town. This project of asphalting of the streets was under the supervision of Vice Mayor Buenaventura, who was then in the acting capacity when the ₱2,000.00 was released.
[p. 25]
In the last year of their administration, the council was able to get a portion of the pork barrel for that year in the amount of ₱8,000.00. This was allotted to the council by the following persons who were doing lots for our town. From Assemblyman de la Paz, ₱4,000.00 was given for the construction of a new road going to the sea on the eastern side of the river; from Sen. Eulogio Rodriguez, Sr. ₱2,000.00 was given by Sen. Sumulong for the repair of the irrigation work of the people.
Before his term expired, Mayor Golla got sick, and his work was carried on by his able Vice Mayor Buenaventura. The above allotted sums were released in 1952, but up to the present time, only ₱4,000.00 has already been spent and the ₱4,000.00 allotted for the road is still under controversy. Under Golla's term, the town was changed from a fifth class municipality for a fourth class one due to its increase in income.
MR. FELIX M. LAYAGAN
1952 - 1955
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Mr. Felix M. Layacan Mr. Hilario Constantino Mr. Beato Dilidili Mr. Leon Aniana Mr. Leon Geronimo Mr. Gervacio Matignas Mr. Juliano Manalo Mr. Guillermo Aniana Mr. Alejo D. Digma |
Mayor Vice Mayor Councilor
do
Secretary
do do do do |
It will be noted that in this election, six councilors were elected due to the fact that the town of Baras was already made into a fourth class municipality, having an income of no less than ₱8,000.00 a year.
Under the administration of the new council, plans were made to improve the town in all its walks of life. Resolutions were made and sent to different congressmen and senators requesting from them allotments for the making of such things as
[p. 26]
roads, artesian wells, school buildings, paintings of schools, and other public buildings of the municipality.
Three months after the [members of the] council took their oaths of office, the pork barrel allotment of ₱8,000.00, solicited by the former Mun. Council under Mayor Golla, was released. One-half of a shop building was built on the school grounds, with an approximate cost of ₱2,000.00. The irrigation was repaired at a cost of almost ₱2,000.00 The remaining ₱4,000.00 which was allotted for the road going to the sea is still intact due to a plan to divert it into a better and wholesome project.
The municipality was given the amount of ₱1,334.00 as our share in the Gasoline Fund. This fund was used in the improvement of roads and other public improvements in the municipality.
As this is only the second year of the term of office of the new council, the above-mentioned things are its achievements.
BARRIO OF PINUGAY
[p. 27]
LIST OF PARISH PRIESTS OF BARAS
FROM 1682 - 1953
| NAME OF PRIEST | TENURE OF ASSIGNMENT |
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1. Juan Bautista y Martinez
10. Fr. Antonio de Ramos2. Fr. Pedro Thumeo 3. Fr. Antonio de la Concepcion 4. Fr. Andres de Nava 5. Fr. Felipe de la Parilla 6. Fr. Alonzo de la Zarsa 7. Fr. Gregorio de la Concepcion 8. Fr. Alonzo de Fentamoz 9. Fr. Francisco Robles 11. Fr. Josef Delgado 12. Fr. Felix de Jesus 13. Fr. Miguel Sancho 14. Fr. Jose de Mora 15. Fr. Antonio de Santiago 16. Fr. Victoriano de Paralejas 17. Fr. Dionisio Martin 18. Fr. Anacleto Lazaro 19. Fr. Luis Ignacio 20. Fr. Ignacio Simon 21. Fr. Dionisio Martin 22. Fr. Leon Sison 23. Fr. Roman Perez 24. Fr. Dionisio Martin 25. Fr. Herminigildo Castillo 26. Fr. Placido Blanco 27. Fr. Greg Crisostomo 28. Fr. Leon Sison 29. Fr. Miguel Tomas 30. Fr. Timoteo Magsaysay 31. Fr. Jose B. Dimbla 32. Fr. Timoteo Magsaysay 33. Fr. Leon Sison 34. Fr. Marcos Pangilinan 35. Fr. Theodor M. Braun de Guard 36. Fr. Tirso Toma Cruz 37. Fr. Emiliano Dionisio 38. Fr. Sixto Jurado 39. Fr. Gregorio Gabriel 40. Fr. Sancho Inwuimbay 41. Fr. Mariano de la Paz 42. Fr. Leon de Brommer 43. Fr. Blas de Guernica 44. Fr. Ignacio B. Morte 45. Fr. Pedro Porfirio 46. Fr. Blas de Guernica 47. Fr. Feliciano Sales 48. Fr. Jose Pamintuan 49. Fr. F. Azcarraga 50. Fr. Jose B. Dimbla 51. Fr. Eliseo Perigrino |
1682-1683 1683-1685 1685-1695 1705-1720 1720-1730 1730-1734 1753-1754 1768-1769 1786-1787 1787-1790 1790-1802 1824-1830 1830-1834 1847-1850 1850-1853 1853-1856 1867-1870 1870-1872 1873-1874 1874-1881 1881-1884 1884-1887 1887-1888 1888-1893 1893-1894 1894-1898 1898 1898-1899 1900-1903 1903-1904 1904-1905 1905-1906 1906-1908 1908-1910 3/1910-5/1910 51910/-7/1910 1910-1914 1915-10/1916 11/1916-10/1917 11/1917-1/1919> 1/1919-12/1919 1920-6/1621 1921-1922 1922-1923 4/1923-12/1923 11/1923-6/1924 7/1925-9/1925 12/1925-1/1932 2/1932-11/1933 12/1933-9/1952 9/1952-Present |
[p. 65]
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14. Binubuyog ng dibdib
Kinakabig ng dibdib
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14. Dislliked in words
loved by the heart.
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15. Magmana ng ugali
Di man ng pag-aari.
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15. Inherit good manners
even if not wealth.
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16. Kung anong itinanim
siyang aanihin.
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16. What you plant
you shall harvest
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17. Walang sumisira sa bakal
kundi kalawang.
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17. Iron is destroyed
only by rust.
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18. Iba ang tinitingnan
kaysa tinititigan.
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18. A glance at one object
is different from looking at it.
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19. Kung tunay na tubo
matamis hanggang dulo.
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19. A real sugarcane
tastes sweet from end to end.
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20. Ang pag-aasawa'y di biro
Tulad ng kaning naisubo
Di mailuluwa kung mapaso. |
20. Marriage is not a joke
like hot rice which you expel
from the mouth when it burns our tongues. |
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21. Magandang pamintana
Masamang pangusina.
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21. Good for the windows
Bad for the kitchen.
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22. Di man ibigin
Huwag hiyain.
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22. You may not love him.
But don't humiliate him.
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23. Madaling sabihin
Mahirap gawin.
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23. Easy in words
but hard in deeds.
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24. Ang darak, pag napipita
ay mahal pa sa bigas.
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24. Rice bran is dearer than rice
when it is badly needed.
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25. Kapag puno na ang salop
ay dapat kalusin.
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25. A filled up ganta
should be leveled.
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26. Walang masamang kabayo
sa mahusay mangutsero.
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26. There's no bad horse
to a good rig-driver.
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27. Walang humahawak sa palayok
na di nauulingan.
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27. Anyone who touches a pot
will surely get soot.
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28. Huwag munang lilipad
kung kulang sa bagwis.
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28. Don't fly yet if
you lack strong wings.
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29. Ang lumakad ng matulin
pag natinik ay malalim.
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29. One who walks fast will get
the thorn deep in his foot.
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30. Kung ano ang gapang ng
alimasag ay siyang
gapang ng sikot-sikot. |
30. The young crab crawls
in the same way as its elders.
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31. Di man magmana ng ari
magmana ng ugali.
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31. Though we may not inherit
wealth, we should inherit
good manners. |
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32. Kung ano ang pananim
siyang aanihin
| 32. As ye sow, so shall ye reap. |
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33. Anak na palayawin
ina ang patatangisin.
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33. Spoil the child and you cause
grief to his mother.
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34. Walang gaya ng katotong
tapat, kung magaling at
di sukab. |
34. Nothing is better than a
true friend, if he is loyal
and not faithless. |
[p. 66]
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35. Kaibigan, kung mayroon
kung wala'y patapon-tapon.
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35. When you have something, you
are friends; when you become broke,
you lose your friends. |
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36. Ang sinta'y parang gamot
parang gayuma ang loob.
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36. Love is a powerful potion which
cures most of our infirmities.
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37. Matalas man ang tabak
mapurol kung nakasakbat.
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37. A keen sword becomes dull if
it remains in the scabbard.
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38. Ang bibig na walang imik,
sino man, walang babanggit.
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38. A closed mouth will never
cause any ill will to anyone.
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39. Ang maibigin sa kasinungalingan
kapatid ay bilangguan.
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39. One who tells lies
often lands in jail.
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40. Walang masamang kanya
walang mabuting sa iba.
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40. Some believe that their own
things are always superior
to others. |
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41. Ikinakikita ng kitang
kitain, sa pamimintuho't
loob na magaling. |
41. We can readily gain our desires and
by good will and gentle means.
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42. Kung ano ang taas ng pagkataas,
ng pagkadakila, siya ring
lagpak naman kung marapa. |
42. The greater the height
the greater the fall.
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43. Kung ibig mong huwag mahidwa
ikaw muna'y mag-unawa.
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43. To avoid any mishaps
think first before you act.
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44. Mayaman ka ma't marikit
mabuti sa pananamit, kung
walang sariling bait, walang halagang gahanip. |
44. You may be rich and elegantly
dressed, but lacking good judgement,
you will not be worth much. |
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45. Marunong man at pantas
daig ng namimintas.
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45. No man is wiser than his
self-appointed critics.
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46. Ang taong mapag-tanong
daig ang marunong.
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46. He who asks much is
wiser than the wise.
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47. Ang ampalaya, kahit anong pait
ay lubhang matamis sa naka-iibig.
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47. A most bitter fruit is sweet
to the one who likes it.
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48. Ang umiibig ng langit
magtiis ng madlang sakit.
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48. He who desires to reach heaven
must bear great sufferings.
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[p. 67]
METHODS OF MEASURING TIME AND CALENDAR
I. Measuring Time:
The elements of the everyday existence of the people of Morong* are time and calendar. Without the common mechanical clock of today, our people could still depend on some of nature's phenomena. And there were a number of ways of determining time, as follows:
1. Sun time - the simplest kind of time which made direct use of the sun.
2. Sundial - used for dividing daylight periods.
3. Altitude method - measuring the sun's height above the horizon.
4. Azimuth method - measuring the angle on the horizon between the true south line and the foot of an imaginary perpendicular dropped from the sun.
5. Star charts (night) - position of the stars could tell the time.
II. Telling the Calendar:
The calendar is a device for adjusting the divisions of time with respect to one another. The earliest methods had been used in our place instead of today's calendar.
1. Sidereal calendar - by checking the position of the sun in relation to the horizon.
2. Solar calendar - by noting the regular appearance of the stars.
3. Lunar calendar - was based on the motions of the moon.
4. By observing the return of the seasons.
The present calendar used today is based on the solar year and it was improved and changed many times.
[p. 68]
Measuring Time