MUNICIPALITY OF SARIAYA, QUEZON, Historical Data of Part 2

PART II

Part I | Part II | Part III

About these Historical Data

[p. 21]

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN
Part Two : Folkways

The barrio folks could tell by the sun rays at sunset whether it will rain or not. During an eclipse, if the shadow stays longer, there will be peace for quite a long time and vice-versa.

The people are of the belief that Adam and Eve were the first man and woman and that we are all brothers and sisters in the sight of God. When a woman gave birth to a twin or triplet, she gave them names that are alike in sound. In case of pairs, the parents see to it that they are dressed alike from head to foot. If in spite of this precaution the twins alternately gets ill, they are separated. One of them may be given to a near relative or sold for five or ten cents to the oldest person in the barrio.

When the members of the household fell sick, it is attributed to the fact that the house in which they live is too old and has been built for such a long time. It may be that there are hills near the house where dwarfs live. In either case, it behooves the family to move or build a new house in quite a different neighborhood.

Some men swallow pieces of papers in which was written oration in Latin that enable them to withstand terrific strength and immune them to stabs and gun wounds. Others carry in their person a sort of medal for the same purpose.

When death occurs in the family, the mourners do not leave the corpse alone for fear that the witch or "Aswang" eat the liver of the corpse. It is said that when a dying person moans, the witch is right below or underneath the house trying to suck the patient's blood and liver thereby hastening his death. The said "Aswang" can change himself to any kind of animal he wishes to. He can be a dog, a cat, a bird or any animal, whichever one he sees first. In that guise he attacks his victim.

According to old folks the world began from nothing. But God made all of us. When God created the world, it was bare and nothing could be seen. So He made the mountains, rivers, and seas. People believed that God created the caves for the "Capres" and the giants to live in. They said that the eclipses were caused by the quarrel of the sun and the moon. Lightning and thunder were rolling stones that caused lightning above us. It was believed that there was lightning and thunder whenever God became angry. God gave us darkness to sleep in. People were still discontented about darkness and ask for light and He gave us the moon and the stars. It was said that the moon was a big ball of fire which gives us light and the stars were flames and sparks of light.

First men and women were believed to be created by God. It was said and believed that God was sorry for He was alone in the world. What He did was to get a mold of soil and thought of how He could make men and women as His companions. He baked the solid images and put them in the oven. When He thought it was already baked, He took it out. He found it to be evoked. He was about to throw it when He breathed into it. Suddenly they moved and God became happy. He baked and baked again until He produced men and women of different colors. Now they are Indians, who were red in color, the Negritos, the Japanese and the Chinese who were in yellow.

BIRTH OF TWINS OR MORE :

Twins were believed to be the cause of eating twin fruits, or

[p. 22]

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN
Part Two : Folkways

bananas and other vegetables. Sickness was due to sins committed. Small children wandering or playing until late in the afternoon were being taken by witches. Windows were left opened at night it was believed the witches came and enter to get small children. Witches were afraid of women with long hair, because our Virgin Mary has long hair.

Common beliefs among our old folk are :

1. The headaches or pain in some parts of the body are caused by foul breath (called balis or huklob) brought by a person you meet or see on the way.
2. When you fell in love with a woman and the man betrayed his rosy promises, the man can be made sick by some supernatural artificialities called "Kulam".
3. That sickness is a punishment meted by God for the sins of man.
4. That sickness is sometimes caused by "tamang-hangin" when a person loses his consciousness.
5. If you wash clothes or take a bath in the river and thus get sick, old folks say that you are "nanuno" or "nagalaw".
6. When a child cries at night and seems to be afraid of something, she is enchanted by fairies.
7. A tree will bear many fruits if dead pigs are buried under it.
8. When you take a bath when your close relative dies, you will become sick.
9. Plant only on starry nights so that plants may bear plenty of fruits.
10. Whenever you will go somewhere, do not continue your journey if the rice is not cooked because it is a sign of bad omen.
11. Do not eat gabi leaves after the burial of one of the members of the family, because very soon someone will also die.
12. When planting corn, the planter should wear very thin clothing so that the corn husks will not be very thick.

Others' superstitions and beliefs :

1. The people believe in "Aswang", "tigbalang", "maligno" and "ma nghuhuklob".
2. The people believe in Taong-damo who usually tattoo their arms or any parts of the body.
3. They believe in "Anting-anting".
4. Do not take a bath when there is no moon.
5. Do not take a bath on Friday.
6. Do not cut fingernails at night.
7. Do not sharpen any tool after planting rice.

[p. 23]

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN
Part Two : Folkways

8. Children who use umbrellas inside the house will not grow tall.
9. Singing near the stove will have to be married to a widow or widower.
10. Do not eat when you are number 13.
11. Do not sweep the floor in the evening.
12. Sleeping in the moonlight will make you go crazy.
13. If your nose itches, it means you will have a fight.
14. If a burning candle has its wick toward you, you will receive a letter.
15. If you are a girl and you happen to fall upstairs, you won't marry during the year.
16. Be glad if your right hand itches because it means you will receive some money.
17. If you are leaving and it so happened that somebody is eating in your family, wait until the one eating has finished before going because if you insist, something may happen to you.
18. Close your door before eating, because if you'll eat with your open door, something may happen to anybody or any member of the family.

Other Legends:

The barrio folks of Balubal developed a large body of superstitions about trees.

Long, long ago before the Spaniards came, barrio folks kiss the Banaba trees before leaving their homes on a trip to avoid accidents on the way. One tree as generally regarded as enchanted in the barrio of Balubal is the balite tree. The story thus begun about a Spanish officer. The officer wanted to cut the tree. The officer paid no attention. The next morning when the tree is about to be cut down, the officer found all his men sick and could lift their axes.

The Story of Malakas and Maganda :

There has always been a supreme God whom they called Bathala. This name was derived from the first man and the first woman who were created by Bathala.

This story runs this way. In an unknown time in the past, there was not a single human being. There came a time when the supreme God whose name was still unknown became so lonely. He was so sad that he thought of creating something that would make him happy. He thought of the wonderful idea that crept to his mind. He would create a man and a woman.

So it happened one day through the power of His will that in a certain forest two of the bamboos grew bigger and bigger. They bulged until the two bamboos split. Out of the world came a man from the

[p. 24]

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN
Part Two : Folkways

first bamboo and a woman from the second bamboo. They looked at each other and then raised their eyes towards the heaven as the man spoke, "Ba" and the woman followed with "Hala". "Ba" and "Hala" were joined forming the word "Bathala spoken by the man who because of his strength was then called "Malakas" and the woman who because of her glamour and pulchritude was called "Maganda", were believed to be the name of their creators. They raised their heads to high heaven with solemn bow to show their gratitude and veneration. From Malakas and Maganda descended the Malayan race.

The Story of Saria

Another gifted favorite of Bathala among the descendants of Maganda was Saria. She was a very beautiful woman with a prim black hair touching her ankle. Her complexion was rich brown and her face a consummate oblong. Her countenance was as gentle as the lamb while her character was perfectly exemplary harmonizing with her external beauty.

She was all alone living in a sequestered shanty by the banks of a river. Everybody was attracted by the dazzling loveliness. The tranquility of her home was demanding respect that no man could ever dare to approach and perturb her in her predicaments. One day, a handsome youth from a distant place lost his way and happened to pass by Saria's house. He greeted the maiden and asked for a drink. Thus began the happy days of Saria and the man. He pleaded his love and promised the heaven, moon, the stars and the evening. Poor Saria was so firm in her conviction and fell an easy prey to the man's proposal. When she opened her eyes, tears rolled down her cheeks like glittering snows of winter. She gazed at the dark clouds with interminable rue and despondence ominous of a bewailing fate.

The man had cheated her. Then there was one only remedy for her sullied honor. Her body was defiled, her purity tarnished, ah! how she cursed the day when she met him, but nothing could be done to what has happened. Put justice in her hand ? No, she loved the man. Her mind went traveling in a labyrinth and at a twinkling of a star, she flung herself into the river and the rapids carried her.

Bathala was seeing all these and felt very sorry for his beloved mortal. So He found a way so that Saria would be always remembered. He bade the people to call the river after Saria's name. Thus the river was called Sariaya.

First Clouds, Thunder and Rain:

Cabigat and Bungan were husband and wife. They were giants. Each was three times as tall as the tallest man. They lived on the top of a high mountain where they owned a big field of camotes. Early in the morning Bungan took a big basket and went out to dig camotes. Her husband Cabigat stayed at home to cut wood. He cut wood and by noon he was tired so he rested and smoked. The pipe was many, many times larger than a man. The pipe hold five gantas of ground tobacco. Cabigat lighted his pipe and sat down under a mango tree and smoked. He blew so much smoke into the air that the sky was filled with it. The people who lived at the mountain called them clouds.

Cabigat became hungry. He wanted some boiled camotes. He called his wife, Bungan. She was far away and Cabigat had to shout to make her hear. The people who lived at the foot of the mountain heard Cabigat's shouts and they called it thunder. Cabigat who had worked hard all the morning washed his dirty hands. He shook the water from his hands. The water fell in drops upon the people who lived at the foot of the mountain and they called it rain.

[p. 25]

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN
Part Two: Folkways

Changes of Climate:
The absence of a weather bureau does not cause great alarm among rural folks. Throughout their lives, they have done without the services of weather stations and yet have known with greater accuracy (they claim) when rain would fall or stop, when storms would blow, when tides would set in or recede, etc. Rural folks make use of the habits of animals, mountains, birds, and plants to predict the weather. This knowledge has been a result of experience and is handed down from one generation to another.

Frogs, geckos (tuko), cicadas, and ants are some of the animals whose behavior predicts the weather. When, at the height of a storm, the people suddenly hear frogs croaking, they rejoice. They know that the merry orchestration of frogs is a sure sign that the worst of the storm is over and that it will soon subside. House ants are also weather forecasters. When the insects leave their home in the ground and crawl up to the posts and walls, bringing their young with them, it is a sign that heavy rain or a typhoon is coming.

When cicadas (kuliglig) sing at twilight, it is a guarantee that the weather the next day will be fine. When swallows (layang‑layang) fly high, it is a sign of good weather. When clouds form at the top of a mountain, rain is certain to follow.

Climate:
The climate in this locality is tropical, with two distinct seasons: the dry and the wet season. The dry season is from March to June, while the wet season is from July to October. The intervening period, from November to February, is neither too dry nor too wet. The coolest months are January and February, and the hottest months are April and May.

Other Natural Phenomena:

1. According to folklorists who have recounted two Filipino cosmogonic myths, the origin of the Philippines was: long, long ago, the world was a vast ball of solid rock borne by a mighty giant on his shoulders. One day he became tired and let his burden slide down his shoulders. As it fell, it crashed to pieces. Out of the shattered fragments arose the continents and islands, including the Philippines.
2. Once upon a time, there was no land. There were only the sky, the sea, and a flock of flying birds. For a long, long time, the birds flew without resting, for there was no place to rest. One day, the tired birds incited a quarrel between the sea and the sky. The sea hurled big waves against the sky. The sky rose higher and higher to escape the foaming waves. The sea continued to hurl the waves to greater heights. The angry sea then threw down boulders of rocks which pacified the raging sea. Out of these rocks originated the first land, the Philippines. The most popularly accepted theory, and the one advocated by many scientists and scholars, states that the Philippines was once a part of Asia. During the post‑glacial age, about 25,000 years ago, the world’s ice melted, causing the level of the sea to rise, including the land bridges connecting Asia and the Philippines, which were submerged. Thus it came to pass that the Philippines was separated from the Asian mainland. Four reasons have been advanced in support of this theory:
   1. Similarity of fauna and flora in Asia and the Philippines.

[p. 26]

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN
Part Two – Folkways

2. Similarity of their rock structure.
3. Existence of the shallow China Sea between Asia and the Phil.
4. Presence of a fore-deep at the eastern margin of the Phil.

OTHER LEGENDS AND FOLKTALES:

The Legend of the Malabag River
Long, long time ago this spot was a part of the Tayabas Bay. This land was under water that no land could be seen. After so many years the sea moved back to the southern part leaving behind this portion of land and river with a big water in it. This river was the only source of water from this part so all the natives around the settlement got water from this river. They washed their clothes, took a bathe, washed dirty things and threw garbage and waste matter on the river. They could not find safe water to drink so others tried to get water from the river. But everyone among them intended to fetch water, others say “Don’t get drinking water in the river because that is the place where dirts are thrown.” Dirty means “Malabag” in Tagalog. That is why the natives got accustomed to calling the water “Malabag” and later they called the river as “Malabag.” From that time on, people named the river as Malabag River.

Ensaladang Ubod
Si Sebio ay isang naglalako ng damit na inabot ng gabi sa bukid. Siya ay nanuluyan sa isang munting bahay. Ang pagkain na inihanda ng may-bahay ay ginayat na labong na ipinaksiw na may kahalong isda.

Samantalang sila ay kumakain ay nagtanong si Sebio kung ano ang kinain nilang gulay. Ang sagot sa kanya ng may-bahay ay iyon daw ay ginayat na kawayan na nilalaitan ng isda, suka, bawang at paminta. Sa madaling sabi, si Sebio ay dumating sa bahay na naalala niya ang masarap na gulay. Kaya’t dumating siya sa isang bayan ng kanilang hagdan at ginayat niya, nilahukan ng isda at suka saka ginatungan nangg ginutungan at hinintay na lumambot. Madami na ang naubos na panggatong kaya’t itinigil na niya ang paglalabong sapagka’t hindi lumalambot.

Ang Patianak
Isang araw nang si Tibo ay naglalakad sa bukid na patungo sa bayan, ay siya ay naglalakad ng isang batang nasa damuhan, at umiiyak. Wari niya ay ang bata ay naglalaro kaya’t kanyang dinampot sa loob ng kanyang baro. Habang siya ay lumalakad ay nararamdaman niya na lumulubha ang sakit ng kanyang taguiliran, at wari baga ay parang nabaon sa kanya ang kuko. Ang bata naman ay habang daan ay bumibigat.

Nang kaniyang silipin ang bata niyang dala ay siya ay natakot sapagka’t hindi bata kundi isang matandang munting na mahaba ang ngipin. Kanyang ibinagsak sa lupa. Ang matandang munting ay nagtawa sa kanya at ikaw karaka-raka ay nawala.

Alamat ng Kasoy
Isang araw, may isang matandang pulubi na may dalang bigas upang ipabayo sa lusong ni Mang Kasyo. Nang ang matanda’y nakiki-usap makibayo sa aking lusong sapagka’t wala kang pera upang ibayad. Kaya’t ang matanda’y umalis na ngunit ang matanda ay may sinabi sa Don, na aniya “Ikaw Don …”

[p. 27]

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN
Part Two: Folkways

Kasyo ay magmula ngayon ay kung uupo ka ay mapapagdikit ang iyong puwit sa iyong ipinagmamalaking Lusong.” Dali-daling umalis ang matanda, nguni’t nang siya ay tumalikod ay nakita na lamang niyang ang Don ay nakadigkit sa lusong. Dahil sa kanyang pagmamalupit ay walang awa sa kanya na siya’y alisin sa pagkakadigkit sa lusong. Dahil sa ganyang pangyayari ay namatay ang nasabing Don. Nguni’t isang araw ay bigla na lamang nakita ng mga kanayon na may simbolo na isang puno ng kahoy na may bunga ay patulad ng pagkakaupo ng Don sa lusong; kaya’t tinagurian nilang kasoy.

Ang Alamat ng Pinya
Si Aling Rosa ay isang balong may anak na babaeng sampung taon ang gulang. Sila’y nakatira sa isang tahanang katamtaman ang laki na nalalapit sa isang lagay na lupang sarili nila. Kung hindi man sila matatawag na mayaman ay nakakahigit naman sila sa ibang mag-anak na hikahos ang pamumuhay.

Mahal na mahal ni Aling Rosa si Pinang, ang kanyang anak. Dahil dito siya ay lumaki sa layaw, ayaw gumawa ng anumang gawain at kung tuturan ng kanyang ina ay sinasabi ng “Alam ko po iyan.” Isang araw, ay dinatnan ng sakit si Aling Rosa. Tuwing paglulugawin niya si Pinang ay laging may mali. Isang hapon ay hindi makuha ni Pinang ang sandok, kaya’t ang ina pa ang tinanong. Napahimutok si Aling Rosa at nawika ang “dumami nga ang iyong mata at ng makita mo agad ang iyong hinahanap.” Noong gabing iyon ay hindi nakapagdala ng lugaw si Pinang sa kanyang ina. Si Aling Rosa ay nag-inot-inot, tumindig upang sumalok ng nilugaw. Lumipas ang mga araw at si Aling Rosa ay magaling na, nguni’t hindi pa rin dumarating si Pinang. Nang si Aling Rosa ay nagwawalis, nakakita siya ng isang tanim na kaiba ang ayos. Kamukha ito ng ulo at kay dami ng mga mata. Naalala niya si Pinang na kanyang isinumpa. Inalagaan niya ang halaman at tinawag na Pinya.

Ang Alamat ng Makahiya
Si Mang Dandoy at Aling Iska ay mag-asawang nakaririwasa sa buhay. Mayroon silang anak na dalagang nagngangalang Marta. Si Marta ay tanyag sa kasipagan at kabaitan, ang tanging pula lamang sa kanya ay ang pagiging mahiyain. Noong araw ay kumalat ang balitang ang kanilang bayan ay pinasok ng mga tulisan. Kinuha ang mga kayamanan at ang mga babaing nasa kasariwaan.

Kinabukasan ay ang unang tinungo ng mga tulisan ay ang magarang tahanan nina Marta. Nanalangin si Aling Iska na nawa’y kapupot sa Poong Maykapal si Marta sa halamanan. At nang dumating ang mga tulisan, siya ay sinaksak. Kinuha ang mga salapi at ginto. Hinanap si Marta, nguni’t hindi natagpuan. Nang ang mga tulisan ay pumunta sa halamanan, sila ay natinik sa isang ng uri ng halaman. Iyon ay si Marta ang mahiyain samantalang nagtatago sa isang punong Rosal ay naging munting halaman na kapag nasasalang ay tumitikom ang mga dahon bilang pagtutugon ng Maykapal sa panalangin ni Aling Iska na kupkupin ang dalaga upang huwag mahulog sa kamay ng mga tulisan.

Ang Alamat ng Bigas
Noong araw ang bigas ay hindi kilala dito sa ating bayan. Ang kilala noon ay mga bungang-kahoy, gulay, isda, ibon at mga maiilap na hayop na kanilang nahuhuli sa kagubatan. Hindi sila marunong magbungkal ng lupa at lalo silang hindi marunong mag-alaga ng hayop. Kapang ang isang pook na tinitigilan nila ay wala na silang makuhang gulay at wala na silang mahuhuling isda ay lumilipat sila sa ibang pook na masagana sa pangunahing pangangailangan sa buhay.

[p. 28]

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN
Part Two: Folkways

Maligaya sila sa gayong uri ng pamumuhay. Samantalang ang lalaki ay nangangaso, ang mga babae naman ay nangingisda, namimitas ng mga bungang-kahoy o dili kaya’y namamana ng ibon. Ano mang pagkain na makuha ng bawa’t pangkat ay pinaghahahatian nilang lahat. Minsan ay isang pulutong ng mga nangangaso ang nakarating sa kabundukan ng Kordilyera, dahil sa paghahanap sa isang mailap na baboy-ramo. Nahapo silang lubha kaya ibinaba ang kanilang mga daladalahan at sila ay nagpahinga sa lilim ng punong‑kahoy. Mataaas na ang araw noon nang sila ay makarandam ng kaunting pagkagutom. Bahagya pang natutuyo ang kanilang mga pawis ay sa darating mula sa gulod ng bundok ang ilang babae at lalaking may anyong hindi pangkaraniwan. Magaganda ang kanilang tikas, kaakit‑akit ang kanilang mga mukha at ang kanilang katawang nababalot ng busilak na liwanag. Kinabahan ang mga nangangaso. Nakuro agad nilang ang lumapit sa kanila’y mga bathalang nananahanan sa bundok na iyon. Dali-dali silang nagbangon at nagbigay galang sa mga bagong dating. Natuwa ang mga bathala at kimumusta sila at tuloy inanyayahan. Hindi nakaiwas ang mga nangangaso. Pamuling pinasan ang mga hayop na kanilang nahuli at sumunod sa mga bathala.

Nang makita ng mga mangangaso na naghahanda ng pagkain ang mga alagad ng Bathala ay nakitulong na rin sila. Kinatay ang ilang hayop na kanilang dala at patong‑patong na isinalansan sa apoy. Isang bathala ang lumapit sa kanila. Kumuha ito ng isang kaputol na kawayan, isa‑isa niyang tinuhog ang mga piraso nang kinatay na hayop at itinuro sa mangangaso kung paano maaring mailuto ng hindi sunog ang iba at hilaw ang iba. Nakita nang mangangaso na may mga biyas nang kawayang kinuha sa apoy. Biniyak ito at ang mga laman na mapuputing butil ay pinagtumpok-tumpok sa mga dahon ng saging na nakalatag sa ibabaw ng isang biyak na kawayan. Nag‑atubili ang mga mangangaso ng sila’y anyayahang dumulog. “Hindi po kami kumakain ng uod,” ang sabi ng isang mangangaso. Nagtawa ang mga bathala. “Iyang mga mapuputing butil na inyong nakikita ay hindi uod. Iyan ay bigas na niluto. Bunga iyan ng halamang aming inaalagaan. Magsidulog kayo at ng inyong matikman ang pagkain ng Bathala. Pagka‑tapos ay saka ninyo pagpasiyahan kung dapat o hindi dapat na kumain kayo ng kanin.” At sila nga ay nakisalo sa mga bathala. Siyang‑siya sila sa linamnam nang kanin. Nang paalis na sila ay binigyan sila ng mga bathala nang tig‑isang sakong puno ng mumunting butil na kulay ginto. “Ito ay palay. Ang ilang sako ng palay ay inyong bayuhin upang maisaing at ang iba naman ay inyong binhiin at ihasi sa tinabag na lupa pagdating ng tag‑ulan. Lumakad na kayo at ipakilala ang bigas sa iba ninyong kasamahan.

Mula noon ay natuto ang ating mga ninunong magbungkal ng lupa, magtanim at mag‑ani, mag‑alaga ng hayop at mamahay nang palagian.

Alamat ng Ilang-ilang

Ang kasaysayang ito ay nagsimula sa matamis na pagmamahalan nang isang mag‑asawang matagal na panahong hindi nagkaroon ng anak. Gayunman, ang mag‑asawang ito ay sagana sa kabuhayan, sapagka’t may maganda silang bahay, may mga bukid na sakahan at sa harap ng kanilang tahanan ay mayron silang nababangong bulaklak sa halamanan. Gayon man ay hindi sila malubos ang kaligayahan sapagka’t ang kanilang hangad ay magkaroon sila ng anak na babae. Araw-gabi ay nananalangin sila sa Diyos at ipinanalangin nila na magkaroon lamang sila ng anak ay hindi magkaroon nang kayamanan. Matitiis nila ang maghirap magkaroon lamang sila ng kahit isang anak. Sa kanilang mataimtim na pagtawag kay Bathala ay pinakinggan naman sila at isang anghel ang nanaog at sa kanila’y nagsabi ng ganito: “Dininig ng Poong Bathala ang inyong panalangin.”

[p. 29]

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN
Part Two: Folkways

“Kayo’y magkakaanak ng isang sanggol na babae na tatawagin ninyong Ilang. Nguni’t mahigpit kong itinatagubilin sa inyo na kung siya’y magdadalaga na’y huwag siyang papayagang mahipo ng lalaki,” at pagkasabi niyon ay nawala na ang anghel. Hindi nga natapos ang taong iyon at ang mag‑asawa ay nagkaroon ng isang anak na babae na tinawag na Ilang. Ang bata ay lumaki at nagdalaga. Pagkaganda‑ganda ni Ilang at dahilan sa maraming umiibig sa kanya at sa malaking pangamba ng mag‑asawa na baka siya’y mahipo ng lalaki ay minabuti nilang si Ilang ay kulungin sa isang malaking silid. Gayon na lamang ang lungkot ng dalaga sa kanyang pagkakulong na iyon na parang isang ibong ipinakulong sa isang hawla. Gabi’t‑araw ay umiiyak si Ilang at tumatawag kay Bathala na manong siya’y makalaya sa kanyang kinlalagyan. Nguni’t wala ring mangyari sa kanyang mga dalangin. Sa malaking kainipan ng dalaga sa kanyang kalagayan ay naisip niyang gumawa ng paraan upang makalaya. Isang taklip‑silim na wala sa bahay ang kanyang mga magulang ay naghugos siya sa bintana at nagtungo sa kanilang halamanan. Masaya siyang namitas ng mga bulaklak nang walang anu‑ano’y nakarinig ng matamis na tinig. “Ilang,” ang tawag sa kanya. “Tutulungan kitang mamitas ng mga bulaklak.”

Noon lamang siya nakarinig nang matamis na pangungusap kaya’t inisip niyang tumakbo upang iwan ang binata. Nguni’t nang siya ay aalis na ay hinawakan siya sa kamay ng lalaki at muling inulit ang mga salitang “Ilang, iniibig kita.” Sukat sa pagkakahawak na yaon ay isang kababalaghan ang naganap. Si Ilang ay biglang naglaho sa mata ng binata at sa halip ay nakita niya sa kanyang kinatutuntungang lupa ang isang punong‑kahoy na noon din ay namulaklak ng maliliit at hiwa-hiwalay na ang bango ay lumaganap sa buong halamanan. Sa pagkakabigla ng binata sa nangyaring yaon ay napasigaw siya ng malakas, “Ilang… Ilang,” nguni’t hindi na niya nakita ang dalaga at upang alalahanin niya ito, ang punong‑kahoy na yaon na may napakasarap na bango ay tinawag na “ILANG‑ILANG.”

Alamat ng Makopa

“Sa isang malayong bayan ay may isang kampanang ginto na ang tunog ay pagkainaminam at nakapagpapaligaya sa bawa’t makarinig. Ang paniniwala ng mga tao ay ang taginting nang kampanang yaon ay nakapagpapalusog ng mga halaman at nakapagpasagana ng mga ani. Kaya’t ang mga tao ay totoong maunlad ang kabuhayan, masaya at tahimik. Gayon na lamang ang kanilang pagmamahal sa kampanang ginto at ang lalim ng kanilang pag‑iingat sapagka’t nananalig na sa oras na mawala yaon ay maghihikahos ang bayan at matutuyo ang mga halaman. Datapuwa’t sa di kalayuang kapangpangan ay may masamang loob na nakakabalita sa mahalagang kampanang ginto. Gayon na lamang ang kanilang paghahangad na makuha yaon at dahil doon ay bumalangkas sila ng mga paraan. Isang gabing madilim ay nagsipaghanda sila at tinungo ang pook na kinatatayuan ng simbahan. Natiktikan nila na doon nakabitin ang nasabing kampana. Subali’t sa kabutihing palad ay may nakapaghimatong sa mga pari sa malalapit na pagdating ng mga tulisan. Kaya’t ibinaba nila ang kampanang ginto at ibinaon.

“Nang dumating ang mga masasamang loob ay hindi na nila nakita ang kampanang ginto. Gayon na lamang ang kanilang galit at nang hindi nagtapat ang mga nagsipagtayo ng kampana piñagpapatay ito bago silá nagsitakas. Magbuhat [noon] ang mga masasamang loob ay hindi na nakabalik. Wala nang nakabatid kung saan napabaon ang kampanang ginto, sapagka’t napatay ng lahat ang nagsipabaon noon. Nalungkot ang mga tao sapagka’t hindi na nila narinig ang mataginting na tunog ng kaniláng kampana. Kasunod ng kanilang mga kalumbayan ay umunti ang kanilang ani at pati na ang mga hayop ay nagkamatay. Nang makaraan ang ilang taon ay may tumubong isang punong‑kahoy sa tabi ng simbahán. Nákita nila ang punong ito ay nagbunga ng magaganda na kahugis ng kampanang ginto, na

[p. 30]

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN
Part Two: Folkways

manilaw‑nilaw, maginto‑ginto, at mapula‑pula. Kinain nila ang bunga at napatunayang matamis at masarap. Sa pagkakagulo nila sa nasabing bunga ay may dumating na isang matanda na sa kanila ay nagpahayag: “May isang tinig na nagsabi sa akin na ang punong‑kahoy na iyan ang siyang pinag‑mulan nang kampanang ginto. Ang bunga ay makikita natin na walang iniwan sa hugis ng kampana at kaparis pa rin ng mga kopa ng pari. Dahil sa napakaliit para sabihing nating kampana at dahil pa rin sa karamihan, kaya’t ang tinig ng yaon ay nagsabing ang dapat itawag sa punong iyan ay ‘Ma‑kopa,’ ang ibig ipakahulugan ay maraming kopa.”

Magbuhat noon ang nasabing puno na siyang pinagmulan nang kampanang ginto ay tinawag na ng mga tao na “Makopa.”

Alamat ng Araw, Buwan, at Bituin

Ang ilang dahon ng matandang salaysayín ay bumabanggit na noong ang mundo ay hindi pa natatagalang lalangin ng Diyos, ang magandang langit na bughaw ay toong napapakababa at naaabot lamang ng kamay. Noon ay wala pang araw, buwan at ang mga bituing namamasdan natin ngayon na nagsisipningning sa walang hanggang kalawakan.

Noon ay ilan lamang ang naninirahan sa malapad na lupa at dito’y kabilang ang isang mag‑asawang nabubuhay sa pagsasaka at pag‑aalaga ng mga hayop. Ang mga hayop na maaamo, lalo na ang mga ibon na pantay‑tao lamang kung lumipad sa mga maliliit ding punong‑kahoy at mga halamang ang mga sariwa at lunggating dahon ay halos nakikipaghalikan na rin sa marikit na pisngi ng mababang langit. Ang mag‑asawang ito ay kilala sa kasipagan. Kapag nakakakita sila ng kaunting liwanag kung saan nagbubuhat, pagka’t wala silang nakikitang araw, ay magtutungo sila sa bukid at gagawing walang puknat hanggang sa kumalam ang kanilang sikmura at makaramdam sila ng gutom. Araw‑araw halos ay ganyan ang kanilang napagkaugalian at sila ay kapuwa masaya at maligayang nabubuhay. Nguni’t sa kabila ng kanilang kasipagang iyon, ang isang maipipintas lamang sa kanila ay ang kakulangan sa paghahanda nila ng bigas, alalaon baga, kung dumarating ang oras ng pagluluto ay makakabayo agad ang lalaki at makakapaghanda naman ng ulam ang babae. Subali’t isang hapong umuwi sila sa kabukiran ay patang-pata ang kanilang katawan at gutom na gutom sila kapuwa. Pagdating nila sa maliit na kubo, nagmamadali nang kumuha ng palay ang lalaki, isinilid sa isang pandak na lusong at hinaplit ng bayo. Ang babae naman ay gumawa ng kanilang maiuulam, nagpatay ng matabang manok, at pagkatapos ay isinalang sa kalan at ginatungan. Samantalang nagliliyab ang kalan at lumilikha ng magandang usok ay naisipan ng babae na isabit ang kanyang suklay at mahabang suklay sa mukha ng marikit na langit. Ang lalaki naman ay nagkakangkakahog ng pagbabayo, sa pag-ibig niyang makapagsaing agad. Datapuwa't sa kaniyang pagmamadali at pag-uubos ng lakas sa pagbabayo ay malimit na sumuko ang halo sa langit, dahil doon ay nabibigyan siya ng kaabalahan. Dahil sa kaniyang kayamutan ay padabog siyang nagsalita, “Napakababa ng langit na ito. Manong tumaas ka na nang tumaas at nang hindi ako maabala sa aking pagbabayo.” Sukat sa kaniyang sinabing yaon upang magulimihanan silang mag-aasawa, sapagka’t noon din ay nakita nilang tumataas ang langit na tangay ang suklay, ang kwintas, at pati ang kalan na noon ay naglilingas. Mula noon ay makikita ng mag-asawa ang ga-suklay na buwan kung nangangalahati, ang mga bituin na nagsabog sa langit, at kung araw naman ay nagbabagang tanglaw ng daigdig. Inisip nila na ang apoy ay naging araw, ang suklay ay naging buwan, at ang mga butil ng kwintas ang naging mga bituin.

[p. 31]

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN
Part Two: Folkways

ANG MALBAROSA

[p. 32]

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN
Part Two: Folkways

Witchcraft:

People believe in witchcraft and in fantastic cures for all kinds of diseases. They don’t know anything about bacteria or immunization or pasteurization. If the witch doctor succeeds in curing a patient his reputation increases considerably. If a qualified doctor had previously treated the patient and was not able to effect a cure, the recovery in the hands of the unlicensed “doctor” becomes all the more remarkable. On the other hand, if the quack doctor fails and the patient dies just the same, both doctor and family say “Talaga ng Diyos.”

People believe that a person gets sick because the spirits were offended and for that person to get well, the spirits home must be appeased by food and prayers. When someone falls sick, the family calls a witch doctor. The witch doctor believed to be able to talk with the spirits says some mysterious words, asking for forgiveness in behalf of the sick person. It is believed among the barrio folks that if a child develops fever without apparent reason the child had been frightened by something that adults do not see or that a stranger had taken a fancy to the child. The cure for this situation is known as “tawas.” The witch doctor puts live charcoal on a pot cover and conducts the smoking ritual known as “suob.”

The aswang which is the most dreaded in this witchcraft business, is a person who assumes at her form like that of the dog, pig, horse, or carabao when he roams about at night in search of prey, particularly sick person or expectant mother. The kulam, through mere words or minor rites, ceremonially inflicts injuries on his victim, the injuries being in the form of a swollen body, cancer, or the like. The mangkukulam is a being who roams at night frightening the people when he meets, but who at daybreak resumes his human ways. The tikbalang is a harmless being, but when he takes fancy on someone he will lure him to his place and make fun of him.

III - Popular songs, games and amusements:

[p. 33]

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN
Part Two: Folkways

[p. 34]

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN
Part Two: Folkways

[p. 35]

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN
Part Two: Folkways

MAY ISANG BULAKLAK

[p. 36]

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN
Part Two: Folkways

Sa mga Di Nagkakaanak:

Sa paglalaro:

[p. 37]

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN
Part Two: Folkways

Sa Pangangaluluwa:

Awit ng Pulubi:

Awit ng Pandanggo:

[p. 38]

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN
Part Two: Folkways

POPULAR GAMES

POPULAR AMUSEMENTS:

Cockfighting
Playing cards - baklay, pakito, panggingge, bakrat
Going to movies
Reading magazines - Liwayway, Bulaklak, Komiks, Ilang-ilang, Bagong Buhay
Mah-Jong
Dama

MGA KATUTUBONG BIRO AT TUKUSUHAN NG MGA BATA

[p. 39]

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN
Part Two: Folkways

WAYS BY WHICH THE PEOPLE OF THE TOWN SPEND THEIR LEISURE TIME

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES OF THE COMMUNITY

[p. 40]

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN
Part Two: Folkways

IV - Puzzles and Riddles:

1. Aling hayop na ang paa ay nasa ulo? (Kuto)
2. Ang kalabaw na nakaharap sa Ilaya ay saan nakatalikod? (sa Langit)
3. Ano ang bunga na malayo sa puno? (Bungang-araw)
4. Sino ang anak ng ina mo na hindi mo kapatid? (Ako)
5. Anak sa Sariaya, lumaki sa Candelaria sa Tiaong nagdalaga, saan tinubuan ng ngipin? (Sa ngidngid)
6. Aling Santo ang nagiinuman? (San Miguel Brewery)
7. Aling tao ang tunay na tao dito sa Mundo? (Truman)
8. Aling Santa na apat ang paa? (Santa Mesa)
9. Aling Santa ang Lalaki? (Santa Claus)
10. Papaano matulog ang Kuba? (nakapikit)

Riddles

1. May isang kaban puti pag nabuksan ay di na maisauli. (Itlog)
2. Hinigit ko ang bagin nagkakara ang matsin. (Kampana)
3. Nagsaing si Hudas, itinapon ang bigas. (Sapal)
4. Baboy ko sa Pulo, ang balhibo’y pako. (Langka)
5. Isda ko sa Mariveles, nasa ilalim ang kaliskis. (Sili)
6. Dalawang pupuyan, nag-uunahan. (Binti)
7. Alin dito sa mundo ang magkapareho ng apelyedo. (Bunga)
8. Isang butil na palay, punong-puno ang bahay. (Ilaw)
9. Hinigit ko ang yantok, umikot sa bundok. (Gilingang bato)
10. Bahay ni giring-giring, butas-butas ang dingding. (Basket)
11. Umanak ang tiklabang sa tuktok nagdaan. (Saging)
12. Ang baboy ko sa kainging, nataba’y walang pagkain. (Kamote)
13. Nagsaing si Kang Pirit, kinain ni pati ang anglit. (Bayabas)
14. Munting uling pabitin-bitin. (Duhat)
15. Ang kawayan ko sa bundok abot dito ang hutok. (Bahaghari)
16. Bahay ko ay araduhan, ang ilalim ay batohan. (Kakao)
17. Kabiyak na niyog, laging naalipod. (Buwan)
18. Hindi pari, hindi hari, nagdadamit ng sari-sari. (Sampayan)
19. Bahay ko sa bundok, isa ang haligi. (Kabuti)
20. Espada ni Jesus, malalab'y tilus. (Patay)
21. Alin dito sa mundo ang bituka’y nasa ulo. (Hipon)
22. Dalawang balon hindi matanaw. (Tainga)
23. Hindi naman Pasko, hindi naman pista maraming bandila. (Dahon ng saging)
24. Natindig walang paa, naluluha’y walang mata. (Kandila)
25. Dalawang tindahan sabay bukasan. (Mata)
26. Nagsaing si Katongtong bumulala’y walang gatong. (Sabon)
27. Munting bundok, hindi madampot. (Ipot)
28. Bahay ni Kiko, punong-puno ng ginto. (Itlog)
29. Tapis ni Kaka, hindi mabasa. (Lain)
30. Haraki, hapandak, hamata, hadilat. (Pugad ng manok)
31. Naiyak walang mata, nalakad walang paa. (Pluma)
32. Binalangkas ko ng binilangkas bago inihampas. (Torompo)
33. Takot sa isa, matapang sa dalawa. (Tulay)
34. Kinikipit, sinasaksak, nilalagari ang tiyan. (Biyolin)
35. Dala mo, dala ka, dala ka pa ng iyong dala. (Bakya)
36. Kung tunay kang pantas, marunong kang bumasa’t sumulat, aling kayang kakaning hamak, ang nasa loob ng balat. (Balunan)
37. Matag-ula’t matag-imit hanggang tuhod ang lilis. (Manok)

Part I | Part II | Part III