MUNICIPALITY OF TAYABAS, QUEZON, Historical Data of Part 4

PART IV

Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV

About these Historical Data

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Kaya’t ang gawaing ito ni Huwan ay hindi nagtagal.

Isang gabi, ang matandang parokyano ni Huwan na si Ah Kong, isang mayamang Intsik na mangangalakal ng langis, ay nakipagkontrata sa kanya na ipagkarga ng langis upang dalhin sa Sta. Cruz at doon naman ay ikakarga sa batil tungong Maynila.

Bagama’t inaantok-antok pa si Huwan ay napilitan din siyang bumangon upang magkarga ng langis. Apat na kabayo ang pinagkargahan nila ng mga latang puno ng langis.

Nang ang mag-aama ay halos nangangalahati na ang nalalakbay, ay sa di inaasahan ay natisod ang isang kabayo nila at natumba. Sa pagkakatumbang iyon ay nabubo ang langis sa dalawang lata at halos kulang na tigkalahati ang natirang langis. Tumigil silang lahat at inayos ang mga lata at hinimas-himas ang kabayong nasaktan.

Habang nag-iisip ng mabuting paraan kung paanong mauuyanan ang nabubong langis ay nakatanaw sila ng isang liwanag na nagmumula sa isang bahay sa di-gasinong kalayuan. Ipinasiya nga ng tatlo na tumungo doon at makapagpahinga, at pinasimulang ibaba ang mga karga sa kabayo. Nguni’t nang ibinababa ang dalawang latang nasira ay bigla na lamang nakarinig sila ng kalansing na nagmumula sa loob ng lata. Nananabik na binuksan ni Huwan ang lata at sinalat ang loob nito. At ang nasalat niya’y mga gintong salapi sa loob ng lata. Natuklasan nila na ang lahat ng lata ay may nakatagong ginto, kaya’t pinasimulang nilang dukutin ang mga ito sa bawa’t lata. Bago sumapit ang umaga ay natapos nilang hanguin ang mga ginto at naisilid sa isang sako. Pagkatapos ay naghukay sila ng kaunti sa ilalim ng gamuhan at inilagay doon ang sakong may ginto. Sa tuwa ng mag-aama ay halos mapasigaw, “Kuwarta nang tunay ito”.

Kinaumagahan ay si Tomas ay nagpatira sa bahay na iyon. Dinahilan niya na siya ay masamang-masama ang lagay ng katawan kaya’t naki-usap sa maybahay na kung maaari ay mapapahinga siya doon hanggang sa dumating ang kanyang ama at kapatid.

Nagpatuloy mga si Huwan at si Kulas patungong Sta. Cruz na parang walang nangyaring ano man.

Pagkalipas ng dalawang araw ay bumalik ang mag-ama sa kinaroroonan ni Tomas, isang nayon sa pag-itan ng Lukban at Tayabas, sa ngayon ay nayon ng Manasa. Naghintay na muli sila ng dilim at pagkatapos makuha sa sukalan ang natatagong kayamanan ay umuwi na sila sa Tayabas.

Ang kayamanang dala nila ay inilipat sa isang gusi at kanilang ibinaon sa silong ng bahay nila habang natutulog ang may-bahay ni Huwan at ang kanilang mga anak pang maliliit.

Hindi naglipat araw at si Ah Long ay bumulwag sa tahanan ni Huwan at pagalit na itinanong kay Huwan kung bakit kinuha ang kanyang mga salaping ginto. Ang usaping ito ay nakarating sa Hukuman kaya’t sila ay nilitis ng “Juez.” Kaagad dinala ni Huwan ang kasunduan nila ni Ah Kong na nagpapatunay na ang ipinakarga ni Ah Kong ay walong baldeng langis at wala ngng iba pa. Dala rin niya ang resibong tinanggap niya sa tumanggap ng karga nilang langis sa Sta. Cruz. Dahil sa mga katibayang ipinakita ni Huwan ay siya’y pinawalang sala ng hukom.

Si Huwan at ang dalawang anak ay nagpatuloy sa pagkakarga ng langis sa loob ng mahigit na limang taon. Pagkaraan ng panahong iyon ay umuwi si Ah Kong sa kanyang tinubuang lupa at doon sa

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kanyang tinubuang lupa at doon na nanirahan. Simula nga noon ay unti-unti nang inilabas ni Huwan ang nakatagong salapi at siya’y namili ng mga lupain at nagpaggawa ng isang malaking bahay. Buhat noon ay naging tanyag siya hanggang sa maging “Alkalde Mayor”. Sa mga kaawanggawa ay di siya nahuhuli kaya’t siya ay nakilala sa tanyag na Don Huwan.

HOW LAZY JUAN BECAME RICH

Long time ago during the Spanish regime, there lived a poor man named Juan and his wife, Maria Cruz. This couple lived near the “Calle Mayor” on the way to the town of Lucban. Juan was a “cargador” of coconut oil from Tayabas to Sta. Cruz, Laguna. With this occupation, Juan was able to bring up his family of eight children plus himself and his wife. Juan had two big sons, Tomas and Kulas, who worked with him in his work of transporting cans of oil. Because there were no cars and passenger buses those days, they used three or five horses to carry the load. For every two cans of oil loaded on one horse, their charge was thirty pesetas which is now equivalent to six pesos.

Juan’s occupation was a risky one. Most often on their way they met brigands and robbers. They had to resort to any means they could so they could befriend those robbers. The price for those was so dear for they had to slash almost one third of their earnings to bribe those brigands or they had to stop their business.

Since their occupation was so dangerous, Juan planned for several times to stop it — but what could he do out of their poverty? Where could he procure the money to buy food and to meet other family expenses? What would happen to his family if he would not work anymore? What would his wife say? Such were the problems that confronted him.

It was inherent in Juan to be lazy and coward had it not been only for his wife who forced him to work. Juan tried for several times to stop working, In fact he let his two sons worked for some days without going with them. During those days he indulged in drinking strong wine. But his domineering wife would not let this habit go on. The more Juan drank the more he received scoldings from his wife.

One night, Juan’s old patron, Ah Kong, a rich Chinese oil merchant went to his home and offered him a contract of transporting oil to Sta. Cruz where they will be loaded in a waiting banca called “batil.”

Very early the next morning, Juan’s wife woke him up who was still under the spirit of coco-wine. Then Juan and his two sons began loading the cans of oil on their four horses and started to go.

When they were almost half-way, one of the horses tripped on a big stone, and fell down, thus breaking the cans of oil and spilling more than half of the contents. They were very much worried over such loss.

While thinking of how they could be able to replace the lost contents, they chanced to see a small house nearby with a faint light inside. Hurriedly, they went to the house and asked the owner to let

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them rest there until the following day. They thought that they could find a better means of replacing the oil after they have rested themselves.

Juan and his two sons began to unload the cargo. With a look of dismay, Juan unloaded the limping horse. But as he lifted the two half-filled cans, something rattled inside the cans. They tried to find out what caused the rattling sound and to their great surprise they saw real gold coins inside. They were shining in the darkness of the night. Overwhelmed with joy, they jumped and jumped, saying, “This is a real jackpot.”

The three continued operating the rest of the cans thus finishing before morning as though nothing happened. The gold pieces were placed inside a bag. The father then commissioned his older son, Tomas to hide the bag under a bush near the house. Tomas pretended that he was feeling bad and asked if he could rest by the window till his father and brother arrive from their journey. The couple did not suspect anything. Then oil was obtained from nearby house to refill the two cans. Late in the morning Juan and Kulas started their journey.

Tomas waited for two days in the hut keeping a close watch over the hidden bag. When Juan and Kulas came, they thanked the owner of the hut and told them of their departure after dark. When it was already very dark, they left and loaded the bag on one of their horses. They proceeded directly to their old hut, in the former Calle Alfonso Trece, now Quezon Avenue.

The treasure was secretly placed inside a clay jar and buried under the house right under the room where the family slept. This was done when the wife and the rest of the children were asleep.

The very next day, the rich Chinese merchant went to Juan’s home and accused Juan of getting his gold pieces worth forty thousand pesos. Juan denied the accusation bitterly and the case was brought to court.

In the hour of trial, Juan won the case for the reason that the written contract between him and the Chinese was to transport no other but cans of coconut oil from Tayabas to Sta. Cruz. Another evidence in favor of Juan was the invoice received from the oil merchant in Sta. Cruz stating that the cargo was oil and nothing more. Thus Juan was exonerated.

Juan and his sons continued their usual business of transporting oil for almost five years during which — they never touched their hidden treasure. When the rich Chinese merchant returned to his native land, carrying with him all his wealth, Juan, the former lazy “cargador” began to buy lands. He constructed a palatial mansion in a one-block site in the town — the former Bilibid St. now A. Mabini Street.

Years passed by and Juan became well known in the town for his wealth. He became a good and kind man. He helped the poor and became greatly concerned with the improvement of the town. He contributed much for the church improvement and other community undertakings. Thus, these manifestation of kindness and broadmindedness convinced the Spanish officials that such a person was fitted to become an Alkalde Mayor. During his incumbency as town mayor, he accomplished many concrete projects so he won the title of Don Juan. The origin of his wealth, however, was never divulged to the people and what they knew was that he became rich as cargador.

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ANG MAINGGITING KAPITBAHAY

Sa isang nayon dito sa Tayabas noong unang panahon ay may nanirahang mag-asawa na bagama’t mahirap ay maligaya namang namumuhay. Sila ay nabubuhay sa pamamagitan ng pagbubukid. Ang mag-asawang ito ay maraming kapitbahay na pawang kadaupang-palad nila. Ngunit sa lumpukong ito ay may isang pag-asawahang mayaman. Palibhasa’y mayaman kung kaya’t di nila halos pansinin at damayan ang mga maralitang kapitbahay.

Kung panahon ng taniman ang mag-asawang mahirap ay halos tumitira na sa bukid, nag-aararo, naglilinis ng tubigan at nagtatanim. Anupa’t sa kanila’y walang nasasayang na panahon.

Isang araw ng Sabado ang mga mag-asawang ito ay nanawag ng mga ilang makakatulong nila sa pagtatanim ng palay. Marami naman ang dumalong kapitbahay kung kaya’t ang mag-asawa ay abalang-abala sa paghahanda ng pagkain ng sa kanila’y tumutulong. Sapagka’t di nila nais na bayaan na lamang sa mga tao ang pagtatanim sa boong tubigan, ay kanilang ipinagbilin na itira na sa kanila ang dalawang mata at sila na ang magtatapos. Pagod na pagod ang mag-asawa ay nagpasimulang magtanim, sa hindi natapos na dalawang pang mata. Noon ay lumulubog na ang araw, ngunit kailangang tapusin nila iyon. Kaya’t sa kanilang pagtatanim ay sinasambit-sambit nila ang mga katagang ito, “Magtanim, magtanim at nang may makain.” Ginto’t pilak, namumulaklak.” Anupa’t ito ang laging namumulas [namumulat?] sa kanilang pagtatanim. Habang naririnig ng mga tao ang mga katagang sinasambit ng mag-asawa ay natatawa silang gayon na lamang. Sa kanilang palagay ang mga ito ay nasisiraan ng bait.

Nakalipas ang limang buwan at namunga ang mga palay. Ang dati-rati’y kulay luntiang mga butil ng palay ay biglang nagbihis ng kulay dilaw na magulang. Nguni’t ang lalong nakapagtaka ay kung bakit kakaiba ang bunga ng mga uhay sa dakong tinamnan ng mag-asawa. Ang mga butil sa dakong iyon ay luntian at luwig-luwig na hugos ginto’t pilak na nagniningning sa sikat ng araw. Gayon na lamang ang kasiyahan ng mag-asawang masipag sapagka’t naroon at nakahanda nang gapasin ang bunga ng kanilang pagpapagod. Sa malaking pagtataka ng lahat ay pinuti ng mag-asawa ang mga palay na tunay nga palang ginto at pilak. Isinilid nila ang mga ito sa dalawang sakong malaki at pinaingatan sa tanggapan ng “Alkalde Mayor.” Doon na mga nagsimula ang kanilang pagyaman.

Nang mabalitaan ito ng mag-asawang mayaman ay hindi nag-aksaya ito ng mga panahon. Ang dating mapagmalaking mag-asawa ngayon ay dumalaw sa mag-asawang mahirap. Sa pamamagitan ng mga pangungusap na mapang-akit ay nakuha nilang ipagtapat ng mag-asawa ang pinagmulang ng kanilang kayamanan.

Ano pa’t nang malaman ng mag-asawang mapag-imbot ang lihim ay agad nilang tinungo ang kanilang bukiran upang magtanim. Ngunit parang himala na nang nakahanda na silang magtanim ay bigla silang nawalan ng tinig at di makapagsalita ni kaunti ang bawa’t isa. Pagkaraan ng ilang sandali ay muli silang nakapagsalita nguni’t sa halip na ang mga salitang narinig nila sa mag-asawa ang kanilang sambitin ay iba ang namulas sa kanilang bibig.

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Ganito ang nasambit nila, “Kulog, lintik, kulog, lintik, mag-ani tayo!” Sa palagay nila, ito na nga ang itinuro sa kanila ng mag-asawa.

Nakaraan ang limang buwan at ang mag-asawang sakim ay gayon na lamang ang pananabik na makapag-ani ng ginto. Ngunit nang nag-aani na sila ay wal silang nasumpungang ginto kundi mga bungang hugis paputok. Habang namumuti sila ay biglang pumuputok ang mga ito at sila ay tinatamaan. Umuwi nga silang sakbibi ng lungkot at pagsisisi sapagka’t sa halip na ginto ay lintik ang naani nila.

Nang dalawin sila ng ilang kaibigan upang mabatid ang nangyari ay wala silang naisagot kundi, “Masama pala ang mapangghiliin at ito ang sinapit ng aming buhay.” Sa halip ngang damayan sila ng mga kaibigan ay kinasuklaman pa sila dahil sa kasakimang inasal nila.

THE ENVIOUS NEIGHBORS

Once there lived a poor couple whose only means of livelihood was farming. They had many neighbors who were ordinary people like them, but one of their neighbors was a rich couple who was so proud and vain that they would not even speak to the common people especially to this couple who were really very poor.

When it was planting season this poor couple worked so hard, staying late in the afternoon and waking up early in the morning so that they could finish their work in a short time. These days meant a lot of hardships and sacrifices on their part,

One Saturday morning, this couple called some of their neighbors to help them plant palay. So that the neighbors would not think them to be too dependent, the couple asked the helpers to leave alone two paddies for them to plant after the meals, So because of other works, the couple was not able to plant till late in the afternoon. After the usual prayers before working, they began planting the remaining paddies murmuring now and then the habitual expressions, “Magtanim, magtanim at nang mayroong makain. Ginto’t pilak namumulaklak, ginto’t pilak namulaklak.”

Five months passed and the fields were golden with the ripening palay. The poor couple then prepared to harvest. But what were they gathering? Amazed, they looked around and found out that the fruits were not golden ripe grains but real gold and silver. To their joy and excitement they did not leave the field anymore and instead watched their treasure day in and day out. On the following day, they harvested their pieces of gold and silver and put them in four bags. So, they went to town and deposited the treasure in the office of the Alkalde Mayor for safe keeping.

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It did not take long — and friends poured into the house of the poor couple. The rich couple who had been ignoring them came too — bringing with them food and wine of the best kind. Their motive for such friendly act was to know the secret of the poor couple — how they produce gold and silver from rice plants. The poor couple did not mind them at first but through the cunning ways of the rich couple, they were at last made to reveal their secrets. They related everything they did while the rich couple listened intently.

Very early the next morning, the rich couple went to the field. Then they began transplanting the seedlings remembering what to say while working. They began working alone as they were told to do so. But when they were all set to utter the expressions, something very unusual happened. They could not remember the words at all. Both of them could not speak as though they were under a magic spell. They had lost their power of speech. At last the wife uttered a cry. To their joy — they had regained their lost speech. The wife who was the first to speak muttered the false words saying, “Kulog, lintik!” meaning “thunder, lightning!” The husband then imitated his wife’s expressions until they repeated and repeated these expressions together. It did not take them long to finish their work.

When the harvest season came, the rich couple eagerly went to harvest their rich palay plants. But to their disappointment, they found that the grains were not gold and silver but firecrackers of different shapes. Whenever they touched each of those, it exploded and produced deafening sounds. The explosions grew worst as they touched more of them hurting them badly. So they ran away afraid and disappointed.

When the poor couple went to visit the rich couple, they found them in a very wretched condition. After hearing their story they felt sorry for them. The once proud and haughty couple was now humbled.

The rich couple then realized what they had done — that it did not pay to be envious.

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ANG BUHAY NI HUWAN SA KANYANG PAMIMIANAN

Si Huwan ay may napusuang isang magandang dalaga sa kanilang nayon. Matagal-tagal din naman siyang naghirap nang panliligaw sa naturang dalaga kung kaya’t nang maging kasintahan na niya ito ay gayon na lamang ang tuwa niya. Buhat noon si Huwan ay naging malimit sa bahay ng dalaga. Tumutulong siya sa mga gawain sa bahay at sa bukid sapagka’t ito’y kaugalian dito lalo na sa mga nayon. Ano pa’t si Huwan ay parang kabilang na rin sa tahanang iyon.

Sa loob ng panahong ipinamianan niya roon ay nagkaroon siya ng sari-saring karanasan. Ang mga sumusunod na salaysay ay nangyari kay Huwan sa bahay ng kasintahan niya.

1. Isang araw, si Huwan ay naatasang tumulong sa paghahanda ng tubigan. “Bukas,” anang ama ng dalaga, ikaw Huwan ay paparoon sa ating tinatrabahong tubigan at tarakan mo ang mga pilapil na nasisira at nadadala ng baha!” “Kinabukasan ay maagap na tinungo ni Huwan ang tubigan nang walang nasa isip kundi ang utos ng matanda, “Tarakan mo ang pilapil.” Ang ginawa nga ni Huwan ay tumindig nang tuwid na tuwid sa ibabaw ng pilapil at tumingin sa langit na walang kakisap kisap. Hindi niya inalintana ang init ng araw at lalo pang itinarak ang mga mata. Nang malapit na ang tanghalian ay dumating ang ama ng dalaga at nakita ang anyong nakatarak ni Huwan. “Aba, Huwan, ano ang iyong ginagawa?” “Eh — sabi po ninyo’y tarakan ko ang pilapil.” ang sagot ni Huwan. “Sus, ikaw ba’y gago? Ang ibig kong sabihin ay tarakan mo ng pupuyan ang mga sirang pilapil at hindi ang mata mo ang itatarak,” ang paliwanag ng amang hinihilot ang tiyan sa katatawa.

2. Habang nag-aagahan si Huwan na kasama ng mag-anak ay gayon na lamang ang tawanan ng lahat sa inasal ni Huwan. Sapagka’t gutom na gutom, ang ginawa ni Huwan ay pinataas nang pinataas at pinatilos pa ang kaning isinusubo. Nang makita ito ng ina ng dalaga ay nagtanong, “Ano po bang taas ng tore, ginoong Huwan?”

“Sinasadya pong parati,” ang sagot ni Huwan.

Minsan ay nawalan ng lamang ulam ang pinggong nasa tapat ni Huwan kaya’t ang ginawa niya’y kumuha siya ng ulam sa pinggang tapat ng kanyang katipan. Nang maubos na ito ay dinukhaw naman ang tapat ng bibi, anaring lalaki, Dahil dito’y nagsalita ang ama, “Ano po ba at nagtatawiran?”

“Biyaherong pong datihan,” sagot ni Huwan.

Dahil sa sarap ng sabaw ng pinaksiw ay di natiis ni Huwang di higopin nang higupin ang sabaw. Habang humihigop ay tumutunog at lumalaguslos sa kanyang bigib kaya’t ito’y pinansin ng bibiananing babai, “Ano po ba at malakas ang laguslos?”

“Malakas po ang baha ng agos,” ang sagot ni Huwan.

Isang araw si Huwan ay sinadyang iwan ng mag-anak sa bahay. Ang nais ng mga ito ay subukin ang kakayahan ni Huwan sa pagluluto. Bago tumungo sa bukid ay tinagubilinan ng lalaki si Huwan na magluto ng sinaing at nilagang manok. “Kapag malambot-lambot na ang karne ay ihulog mo ang bildura. “Kaya’t nagpasimula na si Huwang magluto. Nang malambot na ang karne ay kinuha ni Huwan ang mga gulay na pambildura at ihinulog sa lupa. Nang dumating ang mag-anak ay inusisa si Huwan kung siya ay nakaluto na. Hinanap nila ang bildura ng linaga kaya’t nang usisain kay Huwan ay itinuro niya ang mga gulay na inihulog sa lupa. Gayon na lamang ang panghihinayang ng lahat kaya’t sa galit ng ama’y umakmang sasampaling si Huwan, “Ikaw ba Huwan ay gumagamit ng isipan?”

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Gayon na lamang ang hinagpis ni Huwan nang sa kanilang hapunan ay makita niyang sinigang na susong-ilog ang ulam nila. Mangyari’y gutom na gutom siya kung kaya’t hindi maaring dali-daliin ang pagkain ng suso. Ang ginawa ni Huwan ay kumain na lamang ng kanin at sin at pagkatapos ay nagprisintang magsimpang ng mga kinanang pinggan. Nang nag-iisa na siya ay tinipong lahat ang hindi nakaing mga suso at isinilid sa bulsa. Subali’t sa paglabas ng ina ay narinig niyang nangangalantog ang bulsa ni Huwan. “Ano ba ang nangangalantog?” tanong ng Ina. “Pangalatyuan po.” Sagot ni Huwan.

Nang inaakala ni Huwan na ang lahat ay tulog na ay sinimulang sipsipin ang mga susong nasa bulsa. Dahil sa lakas ng pagsipsip ni Huwan ay nagising ang ama ng dalaga at sa pag-aakalang umiiyak si Huwan ay nag-usisa, “Ano ba ginoong Huwan at ikaw ay umiiyak?”

“Naaalaala ko po lamang ang araw na ipagkakaloob ninyo sa akin ang kamay ng inyong anak,” sagot ni Huwan.

At di nga naman natagalan at si Huwan ay nakasal din sa binibining pangarap niya.

“JUAN’S LIFE IN HIS SWEETHEART’S HOME”

Juan was deeply in love with a young lady. He loved her so much that he dreamed of her day in and day out. At last he decided to marry her at the earliest possible time. But since it was the custom in this town that a man must undergo tests of character and devotion before marrying, Juan’s plan did not materialized. Those tests of character and devotion were determined by the parents of the lady.

Young and daring, Juan determined to obey the decisions of his sweetheart’s parents. He was ready to meet any difficulty that would be placed on his way. So Juan stayed in the home of his sweetheart ready to do whatever his in-laws commissioned him. During his entire stay in the lady’s home, the following incidents happened to Juan.

1. Juan’s first assignment was to work in the rice field with his lady love’s father. His work was to put some stakes along the borders of the rice paddies so that the weak dikes would not be washed away by the rushing water. Having received the instructions Juan began to examine the place. But on pondering what was best to do, he forgot what his sweetheart’s father told him exactly. The words he recalled only were these, “Tarakan mo ang pilapil.” This means to drive the stakes into the borders. But there was another meaning for the word “tarak” in Tagalog. It means moving the eyes upward. So Juan, having this in mind looked up straight to the sky and stood still. When the father came he saw Juan in this position. Upon learning Juan’s interpretation of such action, he burst into laughter and said, “Hindi tatarakan ng mata kundi tatarakan ng kahoy ang pilapil.” not by the eyes but bamboos or wood.

2. Juan was so hungry one day that he lost his self-control over the foods served in the dining table. He was so voracious in attacking the plates of rice and viands. He almost forgot that he was in his sweetheart’s home. The mother noticed that every time

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Juan got rice, each handful became bigger and higher, so she inquired, “Sir, why is that tower very high?”

“It is being carefully and magnificently made by the architect,” Juan retorted.

While getting his viands, Juan transferred his hand left and right even going to the extent of getting some from the plates of his sweetheart. At this, the father interrupted, “Sir, why are you traveling from place to place?” Juan answered immediately, “Sir, he is a usual traveler.”

While eating his dinner one day, Juan tried to drink the whole bowl of delicious chicken broth noisily. This was seen by his in-laws to be — someone of them asked, “Sir, why are the floods noisy?” To this Juan at once answered, “The floods were so heavy and could not be stopped.” Again, the family laughed at Juan’s actions.

3. One day, Juan was left to take charge of the kitchen. This was to test his knowledge in cooking. He was ordered to cook boiled chicken with vegetables. The instruction was to drop the vegetables in to the kettle as soon as the meat became half-cooked. In the dialect, the instruction runs like this, “Ihulog mo ang bildura ng nilaga pag medio luto na ang karne.” Juan followed the instruction to the letter dropping all the vegetables to the ground instead of putting them in the kettle. When the family arrived for dinner, they all got disappointed upon finding the stupidity of Juan.

4. While eating supper one night, Juan got so disappointed for he found out that they had boiled fresh water shells for viands. Juan was so hungry then and eating shells would take him a very long time to suffice his hunger. After a while Juan decided to eat his rice faster and then volunteered to clear the table after the meal. While clearing the table, Juan gathered all the unopened shells and placed them in his pockets. Because of the rattling noise from his pockets, the mother asked, “Where does that noise come from?”

“They are my toys,” replied Juan. “Pangatluan po.” he said in Tagalog.

While Juan was already resting in bed he began the operation of the shells. In getting the meat inside the shells, Juan’s mouth produced a crying sound which annoyed the father very much. So he asked, “Sir, why are you crying?”

“I am crying because I am thinking of the day when you will give me the hands of your daughter.”

Not later than one month, stupid Juan and his sweetheart were married and so Juan’s dreams came true.

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THE MYSTIC DIPPER IN THE SKY

There once lived in a town known as “Kabatuhan” an aged mother and her daughter. They were too poor that they could hardly buy their needs for their daily existence. Yet, amidst their financial distress, the old woman was able to bring up her child in a manner which would meet everybody’s approval. In poverty, therefore, they lived contented.

Days came and went until one day, a miserable mishap settled upon the same town known as “Kabatuhan.” Every well, the only source of water in the whole town dried up. Men, women, and children died of thirst. The old woman had not escaped this drought. She became weak and sick.

“Daughter,” said she to her only child, “fetch me a drop of water. I am dying of thirst.”

“Yes mother,” the child responded. In haste, therefore, she got their dipper which was made of coconut shell and out she went in search for water.

In every part of the town she roamed only to be haunted by pity and fear because, instead of finding water she found men lying dead in the street. At this juncture, she lifted her eyes and solemnly uttered:

“My Lord, give me some water so that my mother would have something to drink.”

When she looked down, water rose up near her feet as if by miracle. Without loss of time she filled up her container. After thanking the Almighty, she went home running. But while she was running she heard a call. When she turned back, she saw a man bent with the weight of years.

“Child,” said he, “do give me a drop of that water you have in your dipper to quench my thirst.”

Aroused by pity and love for all beings, she gave him some water to drink though that water she had was intended for the salvation of her mother. Having regained strength, the old man gave thanks to the child.

And the child went home running, but... alas, she fell to the ground and the dipper broke. Once more, the memory of her dying mother came to her.

Again, she looked up in heaven begging for water, but the begging was in vain. She, therefore, thought of digging the earth to regain the water she had spilled. She had not gone deeper when to her astonishment water rose up in plenty. When she looked up she saw the broken pieces of coconut shells moving toward the sky supplying the world with radiance.

The child’s happiness led her to shout, calling every resident of the town. The townmen came and the people were saved from thirst.

“Daughter,” whispered the old woman when her child arrived with water.

“You are a very good child.”

“Mother,” the child responded, “God was the one who helped us.”

So it came to pass every night, since then, old mother and a kind daughter would be seen, watching the stars which looked as if they were broken pieces of coconut shell separately hanging in the sky.

[p. 71]

ANG MAHIWAGANG LUMBO SA LANGIT

Sa isang bayang kilala sa tawag na “Kabatuhan” ay may mag-inang mahirap na nabubuhay sa awa’t tulong ng Maykapal. Ang matandang babae ay mabuting magpasunod sa kanyang anak, kaya’t ang bata ay naging mabait naman at magalang.

Nguni’t atas ng masamang panahon ay nawalan ng tubig ang boong bayan, natuyuan ang mga balon na siyang tanging pinagmumulang ng kanilang iniinom at ginagamit sa araw-araw. Iilang araw pa ang pagkawala ng tubig, ay marami na ang nagkakasakit at namatay sa uhaw. Ang mabait na matandang babae ay naratay din sa banig ng karamdaman dahil sa matinding uhaw.

“Anak,” ang sabi niya sa kanyang bunso, “ihanap mo ako ng kahit isang patak na tubig, pagka’t ako’y mamamatay sa uhaw.”

“Opo, ina,” ang sagot ng masunuring bunso at noon din ay kinuha ang lumbo sa kanilang kusina at mabilis na nanaog.

Kahit saan siya dumulog ay wala siyang makuha bagkus pawang lagim pa ang kanyang nakikita, pagkat ang mga tao ay halos nakagulapay nang lahat sa matinding uhaw, Lumakad siya ng lumakad na hindi malaman ang patutunguhan. Ang laman ng kanyang isip ay ang kanyang matandang ina.

Nang siya’y dumating sa isang malayong pook ay tumingala siya sa langit at tumawag:

“Diyos ko, Bigyan mo po ako ng kaunting tubig upang mainom ng aking ina.”

Nang siya’y yumuko ay parang hiwagang sa kanyang harapan ay may bumukal na tubig. Isinahod niya agad ang kanyang lumbo at ito ay pinuno. Pagkatapos ay nagpasalamat siya at matuling tumakbo upang ihandog ang tubig sa kanyang ina. Habang siya’y tumatakbo’y nakarinig siya ng tawag at nang kanyang lingunin ay isang matandang lalaki lamang ang aking lalamunan.”

“Ineng, bigyan mo ako kahit isang lagok upang mabasa man lamang ang aking lalamunan.”

Kahit na ang tubig na noon ay para sa kanyang ina, ay ipinainom niya sa matandang nagmamakaawa. Nagpasalamat naman ang matandang lalaki na sumigla at lumakas ang katawan. Nagpatuloy na siya sa paglakad na patakbu-takbo, ngunit sa kasamaang palad ay narapa siya at ang lumbo ay napahampas sa matigas na bato at nagkapirapiraso at ang tubig ay sinipsip ng lupa. Napaiyak ang bata sa nangyaring yaon. Nagunita ang kanyang ina, kaya’t tumingala na naman sa langit at humingi ng tubig. Naisip niya pagkatapos na hukayin ang lupa na kanyang kinatutuntungan na siyang sumipsip ng dala niyang tubig, ngunit gaano ang kanyang pagkamangha nang sa pook na yaon ay bumalong ang saganang tubig at nagkaroon ng malaking balon. Samantala nang siya’y muling tumingala upang magpasalamat, ay nakita niya na ang nagkapirapirasong lumbo ay matuling umakyat sa langit at naging parang mga bituin na kahugis ng lumbo niyang nabasag.

Sa malaking tuwa ng bata ay nagsisigaw at tinawag ang mga tao na noon din ay nagdatingang may mga dala-dalang sisidlan. Nagsiinom sila at napawi ang kanilang mga uhaw. Ang bata ay kumuha ng sisidlan at nang ito ay mapuno ay matuling nagtungo sa kanilang bahay. Nang siya’y dumating ay halos naghihingalo na ang kanyang mabait na ina. Noon din ay ipinainom niya ito at parang himalang lumakas at nakabangon.

“Anak,” ang nasambit na lamang ng matandang babae, “Napakabuti mong bata.”

[p. 72]

“Ina, ang Diyos po ang siyang tumulong sa atin.”

At mula noon, tuwing gabi, ay pinanonood ng mag-ina ang mga bituing hugis lumbo sa maaliwalas at bughaw na langit.

ANG MANGINGISDA AT ANG SIRENA

Sa kalapit ng pampang ng ilog-Domoit ay may nanirahang isang pag-asawahan na may isang anak. Noong panahon iyon ang ilog na ito ay saganang-sagana sa mga isda at iba pang lamang tubig — kaya’t ang ilog na ito ay pinagdarayo ng mga tao buhat sa mga ka-nugnog nayon.

Isang umaga, gaya nang ginagawa niyong pangkaraniwan, ay lumusong sa ilog ang ama upang mamiwas ng isda para sa agahan. Nang siya ay nasa kalagitnaan ng tubig na kanyang pinamimiwasan ay bigla siyang nakarinig ng isang napakagandang tinig na siya ang tinatawag. Nang kanyang lingunin ay nakita niya ang isang pagkaganda-gandang dalaga. Siya ay pinayapayan at tinawag ng dalagang iyon. Habang lumalapit siya sa kinaroroonan ng dalaga, ay nararamdaman niya na siya ay lumulubog sa tubig hanggang sa tuluyan siyang nilamon ng kalamiman. Buhat noon ay di na siya nakita ng mga tao.

Lumipas ang maraming taon at ang pagkawala ng taong iyon ay halos nalimutan na ng lahat. Nguni’t isang dapit hapon ay bigla na lamang sumipot ang taong nawawala sa kanilang tahanan. Gayon na lamang ang pagtataka ng asawa nang siya ay makita at lalung-lalo na nang iabot sa kanya ang isang supot na salapi.

Takang-taka ngunit tuwang-tuwa itinanong ng babae kung ano ang nangyari sa asawa.

Agad namang ipinagtapat ng lalaki ang nangyari sa kaniya. Hindi niya nalalaman na siya pala ay limang taon nang nawawala. Isinalaysay niya ang pagkakabihag sa kanya ng sirena at ang pamamalagi niya sa ilalim ng tubig. Minsan diumano, ay nagbabala siya sa sirena kung maaari ay pauwiin muna siya upang madalaw ang kanyang asawa’t anak. Pinahintulutan naman siya ng sirena sa isang pangakong hindi niya babanggitin ang nangyari sa kanya kahi’t kanino sapagka’t sa oras na isiwalat niya ang buhay sa ilalim ng tubig ay siya’y mamamatay na walang sala. Bago nga siya umalis ay pinabaunan siya ng sirena ng isang supot na pilak.

Natatapos lamang ng lalaki ang kanyang kuwento ay bigla na lamang siyang nakaramdam ng matinding uhaw. Dali-daling kumuha ng tubig ang babai, nguni’t sa pagbalik niya’y nakita niyang wala ng buhay ang asawa niya. Noon din ay biglang nawala ang bangkay.

THE FISHERMAN AND THE MERMAID

There once lived a couple with a child in a nipa hut along the banks of Domoit River. In the early days, this river had as abundant supply of fish and it became the chief source of food of the people living nearby. One very early morning the husband went down the river to fish. While fishing, a strange voice called him. He looked around and saw a beautiful lady in the river. The lady told him to come near her. As he approached her, he sank deeper and deeper

[p. 73]

until he was seen no more. The wife looked for him but she searched in vain.

Years rolled by and nothing was heard of him. But one afternoon, when the sun was about to set he suddenly appeared before his wife who was very much frightened and surprised to see him. He had with him a sack of money in gold and silver. The wife was so anxious to know where he got them that she did not stop asking him until he told her so.

He related to her that a mermaid took him down the river in her palace. One day he begged her to let him go and visit his wife and son. She let him go and even gave him the money provided he won’t tell his wife anything that happened to him while under the river. Should he tell his wife, he would die.

He had just finished telling his story when he felt thirsty. He got a glass of water right then and there he died.

ANG BABAENG BULAGSAK (GASTADORA)

Sa Munting Bayan dito sa Tayabas, noong unang panahon ay may nakatirang isang dalaga na ang laging nais ay siya’y sikat sa pananamit kung siya’y humaharap sa mga kaibigan at mga kababayan. Sa lahat ng panahon na siya ay naglalakad o pumapanaog sa kanyang bahay ay laging bago ang kanyang damit at laging ayon sa makabagong tabas, kung wala siyang bagong damit ay hindi siya sumisimba sa araw ng Domingo.

Minsang gabi samantalang siya nagtatahi ng kanyang damit ay nawalan ng liwanag ang kanyang ilawan. Nagkataon naman pati na wala siyang posporong tinago. Madilim na madilim at hindi na siya makapagtahi. Kaya’t siya’y dumungaw sa bintana at tumingin siya kung mayroon siyang mapapakisindi han.

Hindi siya natagalan sa paghihintay, at sa malayo ay nakatanaw siya ng isang lalaking dumarating na may sigarilyo sa bibig, at palapit na palapit sa kanilang bahay. Nang siya’y malapit na sa kanilang bintana ay nakiusap siya na pakisindihan lamang niya ang kanyang ilawan na namatay. Kinuha ng tao ang kanyang apuyan at sinindihan agad ang kanyang ilawan, at yumaon na noon din. Ang naulit na binibini ay nagpatuloy naman sa kanyang pananahi hanggang matapos ang kanyang tinatahi.

Kinabukasang umaga samantalang siya ay naghahanda sa pagsimba, ay binuksan niya ang bintanang tapat ng kanyang pinananahian kung gabi. Nguni’t pagsungaw niya ay isang nakapanininding-balahibong bagay ang nakita niya. Ang nakita niya roon ay isang bungo na may tangay na sigarilyo. Dali-dali siyang lumuhod sa harap ng altar (sa simbahan) at nangako siya sa Poong Diyos na siya’y hindi na magmamarangya sa pananamit kundi pag-uukulan niya ng panahon ang pag-ala-ala sa Diyos bago ang lahat.

[p. 74]

THE EXTRAVAGANT WOMAN

In Munting Bayan, a long time ago, there lived a young lady who always wanted to appear in public, in her best clothes. Everytime she went out she had a new dress on. On Sundays she would not go to church if she did not have a new dress ready.

One Saturday night while she was sewing, the light in her kerosene lamp went out. It happened that she did not have any match left and so she peoped out of the window to see if she could ask someone to give her some light.

It did not take her long to wait for the light, for in the distance she saw a man with a cigar in his mouth, coming nearer her home. As she approached her, she asked him to light her lamp. The man lighted her lamp and went on his way. The young lady went on sewing her dress until it was finished.

The following morning, as she was preparing for church, she opened her window, what she saw made her hair stand on end for right in front of her was a skull with the cigar still lighted. She hurriedly went down on her knees and made a promise she won’t buy any new clothes and won’t be as extravagant as before.

“ANG ETIMOLOGIA O ANG PINAGMULANG NG PANGALANG TAYABAS”

Isang dalagang abalang-abala sa pagyayari ng kanyang gagamiting kasuotan sa nalalapit na pista ng Mahal na Patron o Pintakasing San Diego de Alcala ang sa pagliligid ng panauhing Alagad ng Pananampalatay o Pari Kura ng Simbahan ay itinago ang tinabas niya na yari sa sariling habihan.

Ang dalagang abalang-abala sa pagyari ng kaniyang kasuotan ay siyang napagbalingan ng biro ng prayle, bilang paghanga niya sa magandang saya na habing sarili, aniya’y “Ano yan, maganda, maganda, Ha ano, yan?” tanong ng paring prayle.

“Eh, wala po. Tinabas po lamang ito,” sagot ng nahihiyang dalaga.

“Ah, Tinabas,” at tatangu-tango — “Tinabas pala,” ang dugtong pa.

At samantalang dumating na noon ang kaniyang kasambahay na prayle rin at kinakaon na ang kaniyang kasama. Nguni’t ipinagparangalan pa rin sa kasam na aniya’y:

“Kay ganda aniya ang Kalibong Tinabas.”

“Que? Calibo de Tayabas?” anang kasama.

At samantalang ngingiti-ngiti na lamang ang dalagang nakikinig pati na ng mag-asawang dati’y nasa kusina at nagluluto ay nakiumpok na rin, nguni’t kapuwa sila hindi nakasagot ng anuman sa di nila kaalaman sa wikang pinaguusapan. At nang tanungin ng bagong dating na prayle kung tunay ngang maganda ang calibo de Tayabas ay nakasagot pa ng “Si Padre”, samantalang hindi na nadugtungan pa at baka siya’y mahalata sa di kaalaman,

At matapos na ang dalawang prayle ay, mahandaan ng kaabutang loob na feligreses ng lalong masarap na merienda na tsokolate puro ay nagpaalam na galak na galak. Nang dumating ang kaarawan ng pista at sa isang pagkakataon at natamaan pang muli ng pangmalas ng prayle ang magandang kasuotan ng binibining anak ng kanyang devoto feligreses sa oras ng sermon, ay naidugtong pa niya ang ganitong pangungusap.

[p. 75]

“Kung magaganda ang traje española, kayo dito sa mga damit ay mga binibini pawang magagandang "Tayabas".”

Nang matapos na ang misa at maglabasan na ang mga tao, ay tigas na pagkamangha ng lahat at bawa’t isa sa ibig sabihin ng magandang Tayabas na inihalimbawa ng prayleng nagsermon sa traje española.

At magpamula noon ay naging palasak na ang salitang Tayabas bilang parang pag-uyat ng iba, lao pa ang mga kabinataang na kung pinupuri ang mga dalaga ay pinalalayaw ang magandang Tayabas, na ang ibig sabihin o pakahuluga’y maganda ang damit nito.

At ito nga ang siyang pinagbatayan at ipinakahulugang siyang pangalan ng bayang ito.

“HOW THE TOWN OF TAYABAS GOT ITS NAME”

A young lady was busy cutting her newly woven garment into a skirt when a priest passed by. Seeing the Spanish priest, she tried to hide the garment. But the priest saw what she hid, and jokingly asked, “What’s that beautiful garment you are hiding?”

“Oh, nothing, just a "Tinabas",” replied the blushing lady.

“Ah, Tinabas,” said the priest nodding his head, “Tinabas,” repeated.

Meanwhile another priest came. The priest seeing the newcomer proudly pointed to the garment saying, “See how beautiful this Tinabas is.”

“Que? Calibo de Tayabas?” questioned the newcomer looking at the young lady.

When the town fiesta came, the young lady wore her new skirt. The priest in his pulpit saw this same beautiful skirt. So at the last part of his sermon he added, “Spanish ladies, skirts are nice but the ladies "Tayabas" here are much nicer.”

After the mass everybody was talking about the beautiful "Tayabas" compared to the Spanish skirt.

Since then, the word Tayabas became widely used especially when young men teased young ladies, calling them "Magandang Tayabas" meaning beautiful skirts.

Later, this incident became the basis for calling the town T A Y A B A S.

[p. 76]

Part Three: Other Information

34. Information on books and documents treating of the Philippines and the names of their owners.

N O N E

35. The names of Filipino authors born or residing in the community the titles and subjects of their works, whether printed or in manuscript form, and the names of the persons possessing them.

The names of Filipino authors born or residing in the community, the titles and subjects of their works, whether printed or in manuscript forms are:

1. Teodorico Dolando — he published an article in the Philippines Free Press entitled, “Biography of Luis Palad, the Philanthropist.”

2. Elias Desembrana — wrote a book of poems entitled, “Lamentations.” He also put the words in Gregorio Salvaña’s music composition “Pagtitiis” and in Efigenio Martinez’s “When the Moon Shines Bright.”

3. Artemio Nisce — published an article in the Philippines Free Press entitled, “After World War I.”

4. Ubaldo Orias — wrote “A Biography of Luis Palad” in the Graphic Magazine and “A Biography of Apolinario de la Cruz,” published in the Herald Mid-Week.

5. Gregorio Salvaña — composed the following music pieces:

1. Pagtitiis — (Kundiman)
2. Hindi Man — (Kundiman)
3. Lihim na Damdamin — (Kundiman)
4. Ang “OO” Mo — (Kundiman)
5. Mutyang Pangarap — a tango piece

6. Julian Valdecañas — wrote dramatic plays in Tagalog which were staged during the Japanese Occupation. They are as follows:

1.

1. Ang Mga Kapit-Bahay
2. Latay ng Kasawian

2. His Tagalog poems are:

1. Sa Bago Mong Rosaryohan
2. Basag Na Salamin
3. Ang Diwa Mo
4. Bagong Taon

7. Victorio C. Naynes — wrote Tagalog short stories, poems and a novel.

(a) His Tagalog short stories published in “Silangan” were:

1. Ang Kapalaran ni Juan
2. Lihis Na Kapalaran
3. Panibughuin

[p. 77]

(b) Tagalog poems published in “Silangan” and “Vox Populi”:

1. Ano Ang Bulaklak
2. Isang Anak ng Pulubi
3. Walong Pangako
4. Ang Bayang Tayabas
5. Manggagawa
6. Tatlong Dilag ng Aprika
7. Sa Hardin ng Buhay (Nanalo sa timpalak) — panitik ng Vox Populi noong ika 22 ng Mayo, 1926) (Won in the Vox Populi Literary contest in May 22, 1926)
8. Huwag Kang Lumuha — published in “Sampaguita”
9. Paru-paro At Bulaklak
10. Pilipinas
11. Buhay Pa Rin Ako
12. Balagtasan — Lalake vs. Babae
13. Sa Inyong Pag-Alis

8. Pablito Obispo — composed some music pieces and a poem.

1. Music composition
   1. Harana Sa Bukid
   2. Sa Bundok Banahaw
2. Poem — Sa Karangalan ni Don Luis Palad

9. Ireneo Querubin wrote a Tagalog Manuscript entitled, “Aklat Ng Panggagamot.” At present this is in the Possession of Igmidio Durante.

10. Angel Pascual — wrote a Moro-Moro play (Comedia) entitled, “Siete Infantes de Lara.”

11. Other well-known writers in Tagalog are:

1. Gemiliano Pineda
2. Mena Quinto

12. Other known poets in Tagalog are:

1. Atilano Edan
2. Celso Zafranco
3. Amado Zeta
4. Narciso Francia
5. Guillermo Eclavea
6. Delfin Libranda

13. Eriberto Merculeza — wrote a short story entitled “Masaklap Na Sorpresa,” and a poem entitled “Saranggola.” Both were published in the “Hiwaga.”

Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV