MUNICIPALITY OF BAILEN,(GEN. EMILIO AGUINALDO), CAVITE, Historical Data of Part 2

PART II

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About these Historical Data

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of Segundo Andag and his followers worked for establishment of a Primary school and tried to ask the government officials for school building. They were able to acquire the site but until now, 1953, no school building has been constructed.

Data and facts compiled by:

Mr. Diego Dimapilis
Mrs. Victoria D. Malimban

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HISTORICAL DATA OF KAYPAABA BARRIO

Kaypaaba - as the word itself implies a Tagalog term and has a legend behind its origin. It is believed that it originated from sheer gladness of a prominent or popular couple, who because of overflowing gladness uttered "Aba-aba due to the beautiful scenery uttered Aba-aba, and the place was so named because of its beauty you are forced to say aba-aba.

The sitios included are: Tala, Bitin, Panumban, Bigtasin, Tanaw, Layong, Kikilib, Taktak. The Original families of the place were the Gloriagas, Quincos, and Mendozas. The following were the names of the prominent persons, who had been barrio leaders:

Lives and Property were destroyed during the revolution of 1896 to 1900. Brigido Gloriaga was the barrio leader at that time. He was loved and respected by the people. In time of danger, he and his followers were always ready to defend the barrio and its people.

During the time of the Insurrectos, when they came to the barrio, they saw a beautiful maiden by the name of Denang. They were so enchanted by the beauty of the maiden, that they sent words that they will get her. The people of the barrio did not agree so the battle was fought. Many of the Insurrectos as well as the brave defenders of the barrio were killed. Much of the properties were destroyed.

Compiled by:

Mrs. Romana I. Dimapilis

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THE BURNING OF THE TOWN OF BAILEN

The Cry of Balintawak in 1896 rapidly spread in almost all provinces of the Philippines. Filipinos took up arms and joined the Revolutionary Forces of Andres Bonifacio. They claimed that time has come for the Filipinos to unite and free the Philippines from Spanish oppression.

General Emilio Aguinaldo, an active leader of the Katipunan in the province of Cavite took up arms against Spain and began to attack the Spanish garrison in the province of Cavite. They won so many battles against the Spanish Forces in the province of Cavite. Re-enforcement of Spanish soldiers were sent to Cavite, under Gen. Polavieja so as to suppress the Revolutionary Forces of Aguinaldo. Aguinaldo's men retreated to the upland towns of Cavite and there they were followed by the Spaniards. The Spanish soldiers arrived in the town of Bailen in search of Aguinaldo's Forces.

Upon their arrival in the town not a single man was seen from the town. The Spaniards stayed in the town for three days hoping that they may have the chance to talk to the head of the town. The Spaniards were asking for Cabesang Juan as they called him for the Spaniards knew very well that this man can speak Spanish. Nobody appeared in the town during the Spaniards stay in the town that made them angry. They gathered all the petroleum cans and burned the church and the whole town. When the inhabitants returned the next day they found out that the town was burned.

Compiled by:

JOHN ANGAT

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PART II
BIOGRAPHIES

COMPILED BY:

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THE FIRST MUNICIPAL PRESIDENT OF BAILEN

The separation of Bailen as a barrio from Alfonso was a remarkable accomplishment in the history of this place and one of the men who deserved the merit of honor was Rufo Gloriani.

Born on February 22, 1875 to Capitan Antonio Gloriani and Irene Malimban, a devoted wife, Rufo grew up humble but influential young man. He was the youngest of the nine children of his parents. In his formative years, he acquired little education from his father and mother which served as the foundation of his political career. He had no formal education obtained.

Rufo, and ambitious man in his teen age, had already showed his interest and ability in leadership. He was many times appointed or declared leader of games, organization, and other local group activities. When he grew older he entered political under the banner of the nationalista party.

In 1912, Rufo was elected Municipal Councilor of Alfonso. During this time he was one of those who worked for his town. Fortunately, with the cooperation of Bartolome Angat, Agapito Gonzales, Rufo Gloriani, and others, Bailen was separated from Alfonso in 1915. Rufo was appointed Municipal President (now Mayor) by Antero Soriano, then Governor of Cavite. In 1916, Rufo was a candidate for Municipal President and was elected for a term of three years.

A small municipal building was erected during his term in spite of lack of money to finance the project. Through his

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initiative and resourcefulness, many of the town people volunteered and sacrificed working from two three days to complete the municipal building. The hardships and the sacrifices did not end here. Using his own money and with the help of the populace, roads, passes and bridges were constructed and repaired. He made all the possible ways and means in making up the deficiencies of the municipal revenue. The people in return, loved and praised him upon knowing his genuine interest and capability as a leader.

During the Nacionalista Party convention in 1919, Rufo Gloriani was again proclaimed a candidate for reelection, but he rejected the proclamation. In his speech at the convention he said, "Ako ay tumanggi hindi sa ako ay tunay na aayaw, kundi gusto kong magpahinga lamang. Kung ang tulong ko and inyong kailangan, maging buhay at kabuhayan, ay makakamit ninyo, sapagkat iyan ang utang ko sa aking bayan at sa aking mga kababayan". Before the convention ended, Rufo was forced to accept at least the candidacy for councilor for that coming election. He was elected and served again for nine consecutive years.

In 1929, Rufo Gloriani and his wife moved to the farm to live there. The couple had two children but unfortunately, both died before reaching the school age.

On March 17, 1949, Rufo Gloriani died calmly and peacefully. Before he died he uttered these words, "Maligaya akong mamamatay

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sapagka’t tinupad ko na aking buong kaya, ang aking tungkulin para sa Dios, para sa bayan, at para sa mga kababayan," and he also emphasized his motto, "TUNAY TAYONG SAMASAMA, MABUWAL TAYONG ISA-ISA".

Submitted by

ANANIAS P. ANGELES

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BARTOLOME ANGAT

Bartolome Angat first saw light on the eve of August 24, 1872, in the town of Bailen, province of Cavite. He was the eldest son of the late Judge Esteban Angat and Clara Paiton. He took his first and second year in the city of Cavite and finished his high school in San Juan de Letran, Manila.

After graduation, he was appointed clerk in the court of First Instance, in Cavite under Judge Sierra. A year after, he was appointed clerk to Judge Esteban Angat, his father. He also served in the government, as judge in the Justice of the Peace Court of Bailen, elected councilor in 1903, in Alfonso, elected vice president of Alfonso in 1907, and served as municipal secretary to three presidents, President Rufo Gloriani, Agapito Castillo, and Salustiano Papa. He dedicated twenty one years of his life in the government, serving his own people.

Bartolome Angat was the moving figure, that worked hard for the separation of Bailen from Alfonso. Bartolome Angat knew well that the hindrance of their petition filed in the provincial government, way back in 1909 was due to lack of income. He renewed this petition in 1912, requesting Governor Soriano, that he be permitted to raise the real properties of the municipality of Bailen, ten per cent of the original value. He was assisted by Councilor Agapito Gonzales in this movement. They had to hike from Bailen to Cavite two times a month in order to ask Governor Soriano of the approval of their petition.

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They were successful in 1915 when Bailen was made a separate town. Since then up to the present Bailen remains to be one the towns in the province of Cavite.

Compiled by;

MR JOSE G. ANGAT

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FRANCISCO CLIMACOSA

Francisco Climacosa was born in Magallanes, Cavite on June 4, 1870. His father was Rosalio de los Santos of Cavite and his mother was Maria Climacosa of Magallanes, Cavite. They were poor. His parents were not legally married so he used the surname of his mother.

When Francisco was two years old the family moved from Magallanes to Dikay, Batas, a barrio of Bailen, Cavite. They lived in this barrio for several years. When Francisco was able to work he helped his parents to sell sap (tuba) in the town and harvest palay during the harvesting season.

According to him he did not attend any school, but he learned to read and write the native dialect. At the age of thirteen, he went to Cavite, Cavite and lived with his uncle, Cenon de los Santos. Cenon’s daughter taught Francisco to read the cartilla and to write simple sentences. He did not stay long in Cavite because he was forced to return home when his mother became ill.

When he became a young man he lived with the priest and became a sacristan. As a sacristan he tried his best to learn to read and write until he was able to read the prayer book. He learned also by self study how to read and write simple numbers in Spanish.

In 1891, married Balbina Dinlasan. They had twelve children but all of them died during their infancy. After the death of Balbina, married Compesa Torres of Bukal, Maragondon. He had

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seven children to her. In 1919 Compesa died so he married Maria Joya of Kaingin, Maragondon in 1920. He had three children to her. For unknown reason they were separated so he married Marcela Dimapiles. They had three living children. In the early days of his marriage he learned tailoring and at the same time ran a small store. Later he became a musician and fiscal of the church. From his earnings he was able to save and acquire real property.

In 1902, he became a municipal President of this town. During his term, a temporary school were built in Tabora and Castanes, both barrios of Bailen, Cavite. Several cemented wells were built along the creek in the eastern part of the town. As chief executive of the town he was loved and honored by the people.

Although he is already eight-three years old he is still strong. At present he is residing in Maragondon, Cavite with his youngest daughter.

Compiled by;

MRS. SEVERINA BAUTISTA

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SALUSTIANO PAPA

Salustiano Papa was born in Bailen, Cavite on August 7, 1889. To him, the town of Bailen owe its greater progress. At an early age he showed the town people his leadership. Among his companions he was known as an industrious and ambitious young man.

The Philippines was then under the rule of Spain, that in spite of his young age, he had to surmount many difficulties especially during the Philippine Revolution against Spain. Among his greatest difficulties was when the Spaniards set Bailen to fire.

After the American-Filipino war, he began his studies under the Tagalog teacher. Later in 1903 he started his study in English.

As an industrious man, he began farming after his studies in the elementary grades. On May 28, 1914, he met Victoria Angat in wedlock.

Being possessed with leadership and ceaseless efforts for the better welfare of his fellowman, he was elected vice mayor of Bailen in 1925. During this period, two new bridges were constructed in addition to the construction of the Bailen Elem. School.

In 1931 he was elected Mayor. He was able to have the road between Alfonso and Bailen constructed. Under his leadership the first vehicle reached Bailen on September 15, 1931. He was

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re-elected mayor in 1937 and was able to continue the construction of better road and had three more bridges constructed, a barrio school in Tabora was built and new teachers were assigned in the barrio schools as Tabora and Batas.

After his second term as a mayor he decided to rest and spend the rest of his life in the farm. Presently, he is already reaping the fruits of his ceaseless toil and enjoying life with his family. He has the widest coffee plantations in the said town.

Compiled by

MISS CONSUELO ONG

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BIOGRAPHY OF AGAPITO CASTILLO

Agapito Castillo was born on August 18, 1895. His father was Candido Castillo and his mother was Praxedes Incognito. He completed the Grade school at the Indang Farm School in the year 1913. He attended the Philippine Normal School for almost two years. He did not finish the second year for he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on January 20, 1915.

During his enlistment in the navy, he took up Civil Engineering Course with the International Correspondence Schools but because of World War I, he was not able to finish the Course. He was honorably discharged from the naval service on January 20, 1919. He returned home and did not re-enlist in the navy.

He married Petra Diaz on May 24, 1919. In June of the same year, he was appointed Principal of Bailen Central School. He was instrumental in the acquisition of additional sites especially the private lots along the road. He was also materially instrumental in acquiring the two Barrio School sites, one in Castanes and another in Tabora. The temporary Central School Building had been floored and repaired in his second year as principal of the school. Because his father-in-law (Tito Diaz) wanted him to be candidate for the office of Municipal President he had leave the teaching profession after the closing of classes in the year 1927.

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He was elected Municipal President in the elections of 1928; During his term of office the following had been accomplished.

1. A temporary Home Economics Building through voluntary contributions in materials and free labor had been erected.
2. One standard additional room of the Central School building was made.
3. The temporary school building at Castanes had been enlarged and repaired.
4. Transfer of Fund from General Fund to school fund was made.

Because of this transfer, the fifth grade had been approved by the Director of Education and shop tools had been put up as well as utensils and other requirements for the Home Economics were acquired.

5. Construction of one annex-room, ceiling and partition of Municipal building were made.
6. Construction of one stone Arch Culvert in the poblacion
7. Repair of Alfonso-Bailen road that made possible for the first automobile to reach the town in 1929.
8. Construction of temporary market shade.
9. Drilling of artesian wells through voluntary contributions.

He did not run for re-election, but served as Municipal Secretary for three Municipal Mayors, namely Mateo Panganiban, Fidel Belostrino, and Hugo Beration.

Compiled by ;

MR ARSENIO CASTILLO

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OUR FOLKWAYS

The folkways in the Philippines are great in number and they vary in the different provinces and regions. However, there are places with similar folkways.

Women Smokers

In Bailen, Cavite, particularly in barrios and sitios, most of the women smokers smoke their cigarettes with the lighted end inside their mouths. Being habituated to this habit, neither their palate nor their tongue is burned by the lighted cigarette. With the cigarette in their mouths they could talk and could be understood, although it is not as clear as when they are not smoking. The reason is obvious. They could not move their tongue while smoking, otherwise it will be burned. These women enjoy their smoking in this way. They say that the heat in their mouth enables them to endure the cold of the open field, especially when it rains. The curious thing is that they can hide their lighted cigarette inside their mouth while taking a bath or in diving into the water to prevent it from being wet.

Cackling of Hens at Night

In Bailen, the cackling of hens and roosters in the roost at night brings news to the public or neighbors who hear the noise of the chicken. The unusual behavior of the birds at night is supposed to indicate that an unmarried girl nearby the chicken that cackles will elope sooner or later, that she is broken-hearted and likely to become pregnant.

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THE FOLKLORES

People of the place are very superstitious. Inherited property is never to be sold, for if you sell it, you sell the elder through the dead who gave it to you. A baby at birth, if found weak and nearing death, needs baptism, for if he or she dies, he or she will never go to heaven but will forever be wandering. They never bathe on the seventh, seventeenth, and twenty-seventh of the month, for bathing on these days will cause evil to befall them. An expectant mother should not stand on the door or stairway, for this will delay or make her delivery difficult. Most of them do not allow sweeping the crumbs at night, for this will cause the loss of their belongings. On the fourth day after the death of a member of the family, no sweeping is allowed, for if you sweep, another member might die soon.

Courtship was expressed through labor. A suitor has to serve a number of years before he could have the hand of a woman. In most cases, a woman does not select for herself, but her parents do it for her. Dowries are asked for by the parents of the woman in the form of houses, money, lots, and jewelry.

Compiled by,

MRS. ESTER B. BATHAM

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SUPERSTITIONS AND HABITS

1. Whenever a person eats on the bank of the river or brook, he puts little food in the place where he is eating. The belief is that there is somebody who owns the place and he should give food to the owner. The owner is called a Nuno.
2. When a family transfers, living from one house to another, before the members get away from the previous house, the head of the family digs a hole under the house and puts some food. This shows that the family is giving thanks and gratitude to the owner of the place living underground.
3. Before erecting a house in the barrio, the head of the family asks the Magnonono to select a better place for it. This man asks the head of the family to measure a piece of wood as long as his two arms stretch. This is called Isang dipa. After the magnonono has whispered some sayings on the piece of wood, he will throw it on the place where the head of the family desires to erect his house.
4. After throwing, the man will get the wood and measure again. The belief is, after throwing the wood, it will become longer than the previous length. When it becomes longer, it is a good place to erect the house and the magnonono will advise the head of the family to erect the house in that place, and that when the piece of wood becomes shorter, it is not good to erect a house, so that they have to look for some other place.

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SUPERSTITION

1. It is bad to sweep before and during dark, lest the blessing of the Virgin Mary shall be swept too.
2. One must not pay debts in the evening or all the blessings of the house shall go with it.
3. Don’t comb your hair at night or mother shall die.
4. Don’t sing in front of a stove or you shall marry an old man.
5. When squatting, try to ask excuse to the spirit of the place so that they will not be angry with you. Their anger causes one’s sickness.
6. One must not pay anything on New Year’s Day or he will spend much that year.

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