MUNICIPALITY OF AMADEO, CAVITE, Historical Data of

About these Historical Data

[This transcription was made using AI-technology.]

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HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN OF AMADEO

Part I - History

1. The present official name of the town is Amadeo.

2. The former name is Masilao. It has been derived from the abundance of fire tree (dapdap) with innumerable flowers that produce a glaring color.

3. The municipality was first established as a town in the year 1872 and again made a barrio of Silang after the Revolutionary War of 1899. In 1914 it was re-established as a town.

4. It was founded by Rev. Fr. Agapito Ichogoyen.

5. Cabezas de Barangay of Amadeo

a. During the Spanish Times

Note: Names and figures were furnished by Mr. Leoncio Ramos.

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Municipal Presidents and Mayors of Amadeo, Cavite

1914 - 1916

1917 - 1919

1920 - 1922

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1920 - 1922

1923 - 1925

1926 - 1928

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1929 - 1931

1932 - 1934

1935 - 1937

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1935 - 1937

1938 - 1940

1940 to the outbreak of the Japanese War

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1945 - 1946 (Appointed by the President of the Philippines)

1947 Elected Officials in 1940 resumed Office

1948 - 1951

1952 - 1955

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1952 - 1955

6. Historical Sites

a. Pinagbateriahan

(1) Located about one kilometer south of Amadeo

(2) Scene of the battle between the Spaniards and the Revolucionarios

b. Convent of Amadeo

(1) Attacked by the Filipino Insurrectos led by Justo dela Peña and Balbino Villanueva, and Simplicio Bayot and drove the Spaniards to Indang.

7. Important incidents or events that took place

a. During the Spanish Occupation

(1) 1897 - Battle between Revolucionarios and the Spaniards

(2) Erection of the Amadeo Catholic Church

b. During the American Occupation to World War II

(1) Construction of General Trias-Amadeo Road

(2) Construction of the Samonte Bridge

(3) Separation of a part to Tagaytay City

(4) Erection of the Amadeo Elementary School

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Building

5. Acquisition of a new cemetery site

6. Construction of the Amadeo Public Market

7. Acquisition of the old Municipal Elementary School site

8. Establishment of the primary school system in the town.

9. Creation of the intermediate classes

10. Introduction of suffrage in the locality.

8. During World War II

1. Execution of the Amadeo 19 Martyrs by the Japanese

2. Zonification of the adult population

3. Confiscation of foodstuff from private persons.

4. Forced labor by the Japanese

5. Forced singing of the Japanese Anthem every morning.

6. Forced construction of bamboo spears

7. Organization of Fil-American Guerrillas under Lt. Colonel Zacarias Marquez

8. Surprise attack of Colonel Nemencio Lubigan under Moreno Battalion.

9. Looting of household belongings, farm animals by undesirable guerrillas.

10. (a) 1945 - Execution of the people of Amadeo, October 1, 1945.

1. Delfin Vedan

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2. Rufino Bedua

3. Flaviano Vedan

4. Domingo Marquez

5. Santiago Mojica

6. Bienvinido Anacay

7. Buenaventura Villanueva

8. Jaime Bayot

9. Monico Rodriguez

10. Benito Bay

11. Silvestre Amulong

12. Matias Bayani

13. Aurelio Ambagan

14. Pedro Bataclan

15. Severino Tibayan

16. Honesto Bautista

17. Santos dela Cruz

18. Liberato Bayot

19. Inocencio Lorenza

Deaths:

When a person dies the family tries to seek a means of preparing for those who come to give condolence. They often butcher a pig or a cow and prepare a grand party for the one who died.

The dead is buried within 24 hours. The nearest relatives wear black clothes and hood as a sign of mourning. Black clothes are worn for a year. When the anniversary of the death arrives, a grand party is given which terminates the wearing of the black clothes.

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The persons who come give help in the form of money. For nine nights there is praying with some refreshment to celebrate the nine days. Once the ninth day, there is often a grand party.

Visits:

The people of the community are very hospitable. When visitors come they do not know what to offer them. They try to open their treasured preserves just to please the visitors.

Festivals:

The people of Amadeo celebrate many feasts. They celebrate the fiesta of their patron Saint Mary Magdalene. For every celebration, there is an Hermano, with the members who shoulder the expenses.

Beliefs, Interpretations and Superstitions:

The people are influenced by many ancient beliefs and superstitions. They believe that the town was once saved from the outlaws during the Spanish time by Saint Mary Magdalene who was made the town's Patron Saint.

They believe that bathing on Tuesdays, Fridays, birthdays, and when there is a new moon, may make serious illness which may result to death.

Cutting nails on Tuesdays and Fridays are also bad. The hooting of an owl or the howling of a dog at night is a bad omen especially when there is a sick person within the vicinity. People believe the sick person will soon die.

Breaking a mirror means bad luck.

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Popular games and amusements:

1. Ball games, sipa, cockfighting, playing cards, mahjong, ping-pong, checker, and dice are among the popular games.

Proverbs and sayings:

1. A person who does not look back from where he came from, shall never reach his destination.

2. Before you wipe somebody's dirt, wipe your own first.

3. The sleepy shrimp is carried by the current.

4. Whisper is louder than shout.

5. Secret is no longer a secret between two.

6. Evil triumphs but does not last long.

7. The earth has ears and the news has wings.

Methods of measuring time:

1. The shouts of the bird caloe.

2. The rising and setting of the sun.

3. The length of time a person smokes a cigarette.

4. The opening of the patola flowers and alas quatro means 4:00 o'clock.

5. The crowing of the cock.

6. The humming of the crickets means time to leave the field.

7. Returning of the crows to roost means time to go home.

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LOCAL COMMITTEE ON PREPARATION