MUNICIPALITY OF TAGKAWAYAN, QUEZON, Historical Data of Part 2

PART II

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About these Historical Data

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and continues distributing to the holes of her opponent. As she passes her house or “bahay” she drops also one pebble. In case the player’s last stone falls on a vacant hole, she stops playing while her opponent continues the game. The winner is the one who collect the most pebbles in her “bahay”.

The “santio” is a favorite game among the boys. Pili nuts, either husked or unhusked, are used as chips. A small hole is dug in the ground. Each player bets the number of pili nuts he wishes to play, say five. Other players place five nuts each. Then they choose the order of the players. The first player places the nuts in his right hand and throws them to the ground carefully enough so as to allow one to settle in the hole. If none settles in the hole the next player throws the nuts. If the throw is all right the opponent will point which nut the thrower will hit. That particular nut must be hit by the “pamato.” The “pamato” is held by the thumb and the two fingers of the right hand and as soon as it is thrown, the hand must touch the knee of the player. If the nut to be hit is touched and jumps without touching the rest, he wins the game. If otherwise happens, the next player will have his turn.

The “puya” is played by seashells called “sigays.” Each player has a nice shell for his “pamato.” Each player also bets as to the number of “sigays” he wants to play. A circle is drawn and the shells are placed in the center of the circle diametrically. At the center of the shells, a larger shell is placed in a standing position. It is the head of the head of the “taya.” From a fixed direction, a player, by the use of the thumb and the third finger shoots his “pamato” toward the shells in the circle. If he drives the “head shell” out of the circle, he gets all the shells and the game is terminated. If another shell other than the “head shell” is removed out of the circle, the player gets only that particular shell. The game is continued until the head shell is carried away by the “pamato.” A player must know how to manipulate his “pamato” and his sense of direction must be accurate in order to win the game.

Amusements

The “Harison” is used to entertain those who drink wine. Usually a woman dances with a cup of wine placed on her head or she dances as the word of the song suggest in front of a man to whom she offers the cup of wine. The man in turn sings also if he knows how to sing or just puts some amount into the cup as a prize for the song and dance made.

“Kumintang” is another form of amusement sung during festivities as the “Tapusan.” This is performed by a pair of dancer to entertain the guests.

“Herikote” is danced by a woman holding a hat. She dances to the music looking for one on whose head she put on the hat or whom she selects to take her place. The performance as repeated by the next participant. This is done during late hours of the celebration to avoid getting drowsy.

The “Moro-moro” or “Comedia” is shown on the stage during fiestas to entertain the public. This is a sort of a drama but the words

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of the partakers are in rhyme. This is the most expensive form of amusements because the partakers have to furnish themselves with different attires suited to the setting of the story being acted. For example, the stting of the story is Spain, they have to wear Spanish costumes. They are dressed as kings, princes and princesses and soldiers. Usually, the controversy is between Moros and Christians and in the end the Christians usually win. The old persons and young children are usually fond of this kind of entertainment.

Puzzles and Riddles

Contests in puzzles and riddles are common among the children during their leisure hours. The following are some of the common riddles and puzzles:

1. What four letters can frighten a thief? (O, I, C, U)
2. I am afraid of one but I’m not afraid of two. (Bridge)
3. It is not a priest, it is not a king but the clothes are of different kinds. (Line for hanging clothes)
4. What two black balls can reach the sky? (Eyes)
5. It is only one guava but it has seven holes. (Head)
6. When sitting, it is tall, when standing, it is short. (Dog)
7. I carry him, he carries me. (Slippers)
8. I have a servant but it is higher than myself. (Hat)
9. Rain or shine, the pants are up to the knee. (Chickens)
10. The children are already sitting but the mother is still crawling. (Squash)
11. Gold wrapped in silver, silver wrapped in shell. (Egg)
12. The more you eat, the more you become hungry. (Purgative)
13. Lock here, lock there, lock till the end. (Bamboo joints)
14. Which plant, though cut for a long time, does not wither? (Hair)
15. It lives in the water but it needs more water. (Tongue)
16. The longer it lives, the shorter it grows. (Candle)
17. In the morning it has form feet, at noon it has two feet, in the evening it has three feet. (Baby, adult, old age)
18. It is coming but you cannot see it. (Wind)
19. At night it is a sea, during the day it is a bamboo pole. (Mat)
20. When it is small it is a submarine, when it grows big it becomes an airplane. (Mosquito)
21. There is a mango tree laden with fruit. A monkey is in the tree taking care of the fruit. How can you get one mango without climbing the tree?
22. Which come first, the hen or the egg?
23. I have a bamboo tree in the mountain; once it leans, it reaches far and wide. (Rainbow)
24. A big giant negro passes by; like a pestilence people die. (night)
25. It was bought without interest and will; it was used without the knowledge of the buyer. (Coffin)

Proverbs and Sayings

1. Bend a tree while it is young for it is hard to bend it when it grows old.
2. Haste makes waste.

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3. If it is a real sugar cane it is sweet till the end.
4. He who does not know how to look behind cannot reach his destination.
5. He who shall not sow, shall not reap.
6. A tree is known by its fruits.
7. Tell me who your companions are and I will tell you who you are.
8. An early bird catches the worm.
9. Do not put off for tomorrow what you can do today.
10. Not all that glitters is gold.
11. Iron is destroyed by its own rust.
12. The stone never approaches the snail.
13. Do not count the chicks before they are hatched.
14. He who does not know how to obey cannot hope to command.
15. Birds of the same feathers flock together.
16. After the rain comes the sunshine.
17. A sleeping shrimp is carried by the current.
18. Better late than never.
19. Look before you leap.
20. Drop by drop wears away the stone.
21. No matter how long is the procession the church is its destination.
22. He who does not saved anything gain nothing.
23. No one endures the heat of the fire except a pig that is being roasted.
24. If there is life, there is hope.
25. Money lost can be recovered but time lost cannot be regained.
26. Pull your own tail.
27. What is bad for you is also bad for others.
28. Be it ever so humble, there is no place like home.
29. A nipa hut with a hospitable hearts therein; is much better than a palatial house where selfishness and devil-hearts dwell.
30. Love yourself as country as you love yourself.

Methods of Measuring Time - Special Calendar

The calao is a bird found in the woods. When this bird calls during the day, housewives say it is ten o’clock and they begin to prepare their dinner.

When the sun is overhead it is already twelve o’clock.

When the birds called “Pagotpot” are chirping very often, people say that the palay are beginning to bear grains.

When the cock crows the first time at night, it is about ten o’clock and when it crows again it is already dawn.

When the stomach begins to grind, it is time to cook and prepare the meals.

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“KUNDIMAN IN 1800”

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“L U L A Y”

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“MAY ISANG BULAKLAK NA IBIG LUMITAO”

May isang bulaklak, may isang bulaklak na ibig lumitao,
Sa balat ng mundo’y ibig paibabao-
Malalanta ito, malalanta ito sa patak ng ulan,
At mananariwas sa sikat ng araw.
Sa gayong kalamig, sa gayong kalamig ng sa
hangin simoy,
Buko’t sampung bunga’y magsisipag luoy;
Masisipang ikuxx lagas, magsisipang lagas ang
sariwang dahon,
Dahilan sa iyo ng di mo paglingon.

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“AKING BITUIN”

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