MUNICIPALITY OF PADRE BURGOS, QUEZON, Historical Data of Part 2

PART II

PART I | PART II | PART III

About these Historical Data

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L. Puzzles and Riddles:

M. Proverbs and sayings:

N. Methods of measuring time, special calendars.

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Note:

The information was furnished by Mr. Catalino Parraba and Mrs. Cesaria Salazar Tansioco. Gathered by Miss Ursula Alvarez, Mrs. Adela D. Orda, and Mrs. Juana I. Umali. Put into final form by Mrs. Juana Umali.

PUROK NO. 1
LIWANAG

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A. Present official name of the town:

The present official name of the town is Padre Burgos.

B. Former name(s) and their meaning(s) and derivation(s):

Former name - Laguimanok
Meaning and derivation

This town was formerly known as Laguimanok due to the shape of the town's coastline, which resembles the bill of a chicken. Another version is that the chickens were so abundant in this town that hawks always swooped down the place to snatch chickens from their mothers' sides. When a hawk flew overhead, as a warning to the neighborhood, people shouted "Lawing Manok" or Hawk-Chickens.

C. Date of establishment:

This town was established in the year 1892.

D. Names and social statuses of the founders:

E. Names of persons who held leading official positions in the community, with their dates of tenure:

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F. Data on historical sites, structures, buildings, and old ruins:

a. Historical sites:

1. Campo

In 1919, this place was a wilderness. It did not take long when the Visayans came to work in the construction of the railroad line. They were so many that they had to build tents everywhere. These immigrats built a hospital for the sick. During that time, the sicknesses were cholera and malaria. Many people died that time due to the unsanitary conditions of the place. Through the continuous work of these people, the railroad line was extended. Because of the many tents that were built, this place came to be called "Campo."

b. Structures:

1. The wharf

G. Important facts, incidents, or events that took place:

a. During the Spanish occupation:

The English pioneers in 1898 opened the lumbering business and incidentally influenced the social and economic life of the people. The establishment of a port for inland and foreign vessels began.

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b. During the American occupation to World War II:

The railroad line was extended to this town. Many American engineers and workers were working together, thus making the place a [hive of] business and civic enterprise.

c. During and after World War II:

H. Destruction of lives, properties, and institutions during wars, especially in 1896-1900 and 1941-1945:

a. 1896-1900:

During these years, there were many revolutionists called "Insurrectos." They entered the town and fought against the Spanish soldiers or the Guardia Civil. Some civilians died and others were wounded.

b. 1941-1945:

During the Japanese Occupation, the people were afraid of the Japanese soldiers. Some civilians became U.N. or United Nippon and fought the guerrillas. Later on, a P.T. boat arrived announcing that the Americans were already in the islands.

Measures and accomplishments toward rehabilitation & reconstruction of the town following the World War:

1. The renovation and repainting of the Municipal Building.
2. The reconstruction of the roads in the town.
3. The improvement of the roads leading to the public schools.
4. The construction of the artesian wells in various parts of the town.
5. The construction of schools in the other barrios and additional classes.
6. Construction of cemented bridges.
7. Construction of tunnels and canals in the town.

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Part Two - Folkways

I. Traditions, customs and practices in domestic and social life:

1. Birth -

When a mother gives birth, usually the husband stays at home. He calls a midwife or a nurse to help in the delivery. Other mothers go to the hospital for emergency purposes.

2. Baptism -

As soon as the child is born, the couple then decides to get a godmother or a godfather for their newborn child. "Buhos Tubig" — This can be done by an ordinary person. Usually, the parents let the child be baptized by a priest. Then, the godmother and godfather gives "pakimkim" in sort of money or gifts. If there is a grand preparation, many persons are invited. But if little preparation was made only, the family and the godmother or godfather eat with close relatives.

3. Courtships

A man, during courtship, visits a woman and introduces himself. The man usually visits the woman on a Thursday or Sunday. After the engagement, the woman tells the man that if he really loves her, he should let his parents go to her home to discuss the official engagement. Both [sets of] parents will set aside a date for their marriage.

4. Marriage -

On the wedding day, the bride and groom will go to the church, sponsored by their godfather and godmother. They are married by the priest. Others are sometimes married by the Justice of the Peace. In the afternoon of the wedding day, the bride goes to the house of the groom while the groom goes to the ho use of the bride. They are separated for three days. In some cases, the groom cannot wait, so he has to follow the bride that same afternoon.

5. Death -

When one of the members of a family dies, relatives and friends visit them. They bring things like food or money so as to help the family. At night, they stay in the house and play some sorts of games like "bulaklakan," "prendahan," and others. They do this so that they will not feel sleepy. They also attend the burial.

6. Visits -

Whenver friends or relatives visit a house, they are entertained in many ways. These entertainments are by radio broadcasts, playing of the piano, offering magazines, and having interesting conversations. Then, they are served with different kinds of drinks like Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola, Tru-Orange, or wine. They are also served meals.

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7. Festivals -

When there are festivals, people prepare food and other things with with their own effort to offer their visitors.

8. Punishments -

When a person does something wrong which is against the government's laws and regulations, he is arrested and tried in court. If found guilty, he is put in prison or in jail.

J. Myths, legends, beliefs, interpretations, and superstitions:

1. The Origin of the Mountain:

Long ago, there was a kingdom of animals under the sea. There was a king, the whale. One day, her ordered his subjects, the small animals, to dig and push the soil up for them to live and rest. So, the animals did it day in and day out. After the lapse of several years, the mountains were made.

2. Origin of the Caves:

Once upon a time, there was a very strong man, a wanderer. He lived here and there. He usually brought with him a magid iron bar. He used this in digging the sides of high cliffs. He dug the soil for his shelter and transferred from one place to another, and several caves were made.

3. Beliefs about lightning, thunder, and earthquakes:

There was once a strong powerful man living in fame. Because his ruler was envious of his strength, he was arrested and made a prisoner. He was then put between two big mountains and rocks and was hogtied. Every time he was hungry, he went to get away from the between the rocks. He used his force in moving the mountains and rocks and this produced the lightning, thunder, and earthquake.

4. The Origin of Animals:

During the month of May, it is very hot and rain is very scarce. The first rain that drops to the earth is powerful because any part of a tree that may be touched by the first drop of rain is changed to an animal.

5. Eclipse:

It is believed that an eclipse is caused by the moon and the earth. The two heavenly bodies get angry with each other so they approach each other and fight.

6. The rain:

Once, there was a beautiful maiden living on the summit of a mountain. One sunny day, she felt thirsty but could not find water to drink. She was about to die of thirst. So, she decided to climb a very tall tree carrying with her a long sword. Her intention was to commit suicide, but suddenly her sword got in contact with the clouds near the mountain, and suddenly drops of water fell, and so she found water to drink. Then, the rain was formed.

7. Witchcraft:

Many people believe that a witch can change herself into different forms of animals and their

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features. When the witch goes down their house to do the witchcraft activities, she will be changed to any animal that she ever sees reaching the last step of the ladder of his house.

8. Magic:

It is believed that those persons who have some sort of magic powers will never get rich, and be very unfortunate in his everyday life.

K. a. Popular Songs:

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b. Games and amusements:

1. Sipa

The partakers, usually men, form a circle with a diameter of at least twenty meters. They are two or three meters apart on the sides. They use a ball made of rattan. The players kick the ball, and any of the players may return the ball by kicking also. This is a continuous kicking of the ball. If you miss the ball, you are defeated.

2. Boat racing

The people, mostly those living near the shore, spend their leisure in boat-racing. They sometimes go to the extent of having bets in money or things. They use boats run with a paddle not by engines.

3. Sungka

This amusement is usually played by two players. Most of the homes have materials for sungka. They have a piece of wood about four to five inches thick, one and a half meters long and six inches wide. There are seven regular holes on its two sides and one bigger hole on each opposite end. They put seven stones or small shells in each hole. The two players start at the same time. The one who can put all the stones in his or her big hole is declared winner of the game. This is especially played by the female sex.

L. Puzzles and riddles:

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M. Proverbs and sayings (Salawikain):

N. Methods of measuring time, special calendars:

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HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN
Part One - History

A. Present official name: PADRE BURGOS

B. Former name or names, their meaning(s) and derivation(s): Lawin Manok - Laguing Manok - Laguin-manok.

D. Original families: Purok No. 3 Sitio Basiao:

E. Names of persons who held leading official positions in the community with the dates of their tenures:

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Leading officials during the Spanish time:

Governadorcillo
Capitan Municipal
Teniente Absoluto
Cura Parroco
Juez de Sementera

American Time - First Municipal Council

F. Data on historical sites, structures, buildings, old ruins:

1. Casa or schoolhouse built by the Spaniards in Sitio Bondoc.
2. The wall and stairway going down to Punta from Bundok, constructed by the Spaniards.
3. The cemented walls in Punta called the "Sampaloc" and the sawmill, so-called Machina.
4. The wharf in Punta constructed during the Spanish time.

G. Important facts, incidents, or events that took place:

During the Spanish Occupation:

1. The coming of the Spaniards. The battle between the Spanish Guardia Civil and the Insurrectos.
2. The establishment of "Casas" of houses by the Spaniards in Bondoc-Punta, the center of Spanish dwellings.
3. Municipal sites in Bondoc.

During the American Occupation to World War II:

1. 1898 - The coming of an English pioneer who introduced business and influenced the economics and social life of the people.
2. 1900-1910 - The town was made a port by the Amerifcans (Port of Laguimanok).
3. 1910-1915 - Construction of the railroad under the American engineers' supervision and employing Filipino workers.
4. Lumbering became a lucrative business.
5. The municipal sites in Sitio Bondok were changed to the present.
6. 1917 - Laguimanoc became a municipality (before, a barrio of the Municipality of Atimonan).
7. 1926 - Change of name from Laguimanoc to the present name "Padre Burgos," sponsored by the first Municipal Council, headed by the first Municipal President.
8. The influx of Visayan fishermen and Batangas farmers to reside in the place.
9. Educational, social, and economic progress.

PART I | PART II | PART III