MUNICIPALITY OF DASMARIÑAS, CAVITE, Historical Data of Part 4

PART IV

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About these Historical Data

The transcription of this page was done using AI technology.

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4. Original facilities. Fertile fields and irrigation dams constructed under the supervision of the Spanish friars.

5. List of Tenientes del Barrio from the Spanish Period to date:

6. Story of old barrios or sitios within the jurisdiction that are now depopulated or extinct.

None could be given.

7. Date on historical sites, structures, buildings, old ruins -

An old ruin is located in the eastern part of the barrio, which was said to be a stone building. Old people of the barrio said that this building was used by the Friars. The harvest of Salitran and its vicinity were stored in this building. It was also the headquarters of the "partida" or Spanish soldiers stationed in the locality. Most of the hands are Chinese.

8. Important facts, incidents or event that took place.

A. During the Spanish Period -

At the out break of the revolution, the "makina" as the building was called became the target of many assaults by the rebels from the town and of this barrio. The rebels sneaked and made passing attacks at the Spanish soldiers. This building changed hands many times during the year until it was totally destroyed.

There were three important battles fought within the

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premises of this barrio as Pasong Santol. The first battle fought on the 24th of March, 1897. Another on the 26th and the last on the 31st of March, 1897. In the same encounter, General Crispulo Aguinaldo, a young brother of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, and who relieved the latter when he (Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo) was elected President in the Tejero Convention, died after a hard fought battle. A Spanish general was also killed in this encounter, Gen. Antonio Sabala. After the death of Gen. Crispulo Aguinaldo, an amazon took the command. This woman was so brave that she was also killed in the last assault made by the Spaniards.

B. During the American Occupation to the start of the Second World War -

Nothing important could be reported.

C. During the War and during the Liberation -

Nothing important could be given.

9. (a) Destruction of lives and properties during the wars, especially in 1896-1900 and 1941-1945.

Many people died during the Spanish revolution. Destruction on the properties were also heavy. The whole barrio was burned. Only three houses were left. Banditry became very rampant.

(b) Measures and accomplishments toward rehabilitation and reconstruction following the World War II.

None could be given.

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FOLKWAYS

I. Traditions, customs and practices in domestic and social life; birth, baptism, courtship, marriages, deaths, burials, visits, festivals, punishments, etc.

A. Courtship -

The prospective suitor must knock three times at the gate before he is allowed to enter. At the stairs, he says "Good evening" with hats off, kiss the hands of elders in the house. He stands and wait until he is asked to sit down.

Suitors are sometimes allowed to sleep in the girls' house especially if he lives far. But, he has to wake up early, fill the jars with water and cut wood for fuel, before he goes home in the morning.

He helps the father of the girls in the farm if this happens to be a farmen. During the harvest season, he goes with the girl harvest rice, help her, carry her share, and tresh it for her. This is silbe as we call it.

B. Marriages -

When a young man tells his parents that wish to marry a girl, the parents with some relatives or friends go to the home of the girl to contract for the marriage. This is called the "pabulong". The parents of the suitor bring food and feed everybody present.

Sometimes the parents of the girl ask the young man to do something, say, repair or build a portion of their house. Sometimes, planting or harvesting the field has to be done for the father of the girl.

It is a custom in this barrio for the bridegroom to fetch the bride in her home and go to the church at the same time with the maids, Ninong and Ninang.

From the church, they will pass the home of the bride to kiss the hands of her parents and receive the blessing of the family. Then, they proceed to the home of the groom where the wedding party is usually held.

Upon reaching the house, they are showered with rice and met at the head of the stairs by the mother or the grandmother of the groom for good luck.

On the first night after the marriage, it is a common custom, that the groom sleeps in the house of bride and the bride sleeps in the home of the groom. They sleep together on the second night. The couple may live with either of their parents until they have build their own house.

The "pagoda" if there is any built, is broken down as soon as the last visitor has left.

Chinaware, silverware, kitchen utensils or any of the

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like articles may be given as present to the newly weds.

C. Baptism -

It is a custom in the barrio that the Ninang or Ninong provides the baptismal dress of the infant or baby to be baptized They also provide the car to be used from the house to the church and back.

The Ninang or Ninong also give present of money or things for the baby, such as blanket, suits, etc.

The parent of the baby to be baptized give to the Ninang or Ninong chicken, meat and other things when and if there is no party for the occassion.

If the baby dies, the Ninang or Ninong help in the expenses of the burial. Sometimes they provide the coffin and the musicians.

D. Death -

Most of the people in the barrio believe in second life. That is, they believe on last judgement. Hence, a novena for the eternal repose of the soul of the dead is always held.

It is the custom of the people to give something to the family of the deceased, in money or any other material help. Neighbors help in all the work, from the house to the cemetary

E. Fiestas or Festivals

On fiestas or festivals, it is the custom in the barrio, to give present or "regalo" to the one having the fiesta. The "regalo" depends upon the social standing of the giver and of the receiver.

F. Punishments

Corporal punishments is popular in the barrio. There are some persons that believe in punishment to correct the misbehaviour of children. Very few if there is any, believe in the new approach of counselling.

G. Beliefs

People in the community believes that if it will rain on, or during the Fiesta of Cavite, Fiesta of Silang, All Saints Day, etc., it will bring good harvest or a year of plenty.

They believe that if the harvest in fruit trees is good the harvest in the cereal crop will not be so good, and vice versa.

They believe that the rainbow is a sign of rain, that is, they expect it to rain once a rainbow is seen.

It is believed that the comet is a sign of bad omen. They say it brings war, pestilence, sickness, etc. that causes people to die.

People believe in witchcraft. Most illness are attributed

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to it, hence, quack doctors are very popular in the barrio. They believe that it will be futile to call or consult a physician.

People believe in "matanda sa punso", "balis", uhis, etc.

People believe in second life after death on earth. They believe that dead may return to his home to look for his or her loved ones. They believe that if a dead has kept some money, he or she could not rest until that money is found. They also believe that mothers take care of their youngs even after deaths.

They believe in retribution. That is getting the same punishment as one has committed. If one kills a person, he will also be killed.

H. Superstitious -

The people of the barrio has many superstitious. They believe in things that seem strange to us.

Planting of root crop should be done when there is no moon or during the last quarter, while all other crops should be planted during full moon or on the first quarter.

Howling of dogs, crowing the hens are signs of death. They say that once this is heard someone is going to die.

They say that it is bad luck for brothers or sisters to marry in the same year.

Breaking a mirror is a sign of bad luck.

Women in the family way should not step over rope of carabaos. If one can not avoid going over it, it is better to step on it but not over it.

When a cat cleans its face, it is said that some visitors are coming in the very near future.

I. Popular songs; games and amusements

Songs

People sing modern tunes. Old song are no longer sang in the community.

Games and amusements

Games of chance is very popular among adults and children. People play "cara y crus", "tasting," "palmo" and the likegames. Card games are also very common. These games serve as their amusements because there is no other place to go.

J. Method of measuring time, special calendars

The most common means of telling time is by the sun. The

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is when the sun is over head it is noon and time to eat the dinner, When the sun is in the west, it is past noon. By the shadow, when the shadow is under the feet it is noon time.

By the crowing of roosters, when the cock crows at dawn, it is 3:00 a.m.

K.On bad luck and misfortune

1. A star dangling at the tip of the half moon is a sign of disaster or famine.
2. If 13 persons sit at the table, one of them will die soon or will meet a misfortune.
3. When one cleans the house and surroundings at night, he will be poor.
4. It is believed that when a glassware is broken, a misfortune will come.
5. If a person leaves a house when someone is eating and if the latter does not turn the plate around, the person who goes out will meet an accident.

L. On death and Premonition of death

1. If there is a corpse in the house the floor should not be swept lest another inhabitant of the house will die.
2. If a candle smell is noted in the house a relative has died.
3. When you often comb your hair in the evening, your mother will soon die.
4. When a dog is scratching the ground somebody will die

M. At mealtime

1. When a girl is eating, no plates or dishes should be removed from the table because that means that the girl will have no chance to marry.
2. If we happen to bite our tongue at mealtime, somebody is talking about us.

N. On Good Luck

1. It is belived that if a rooster is set loose and it faces the stairs, it will win when it is taken to the cockpit.
2. If a snake called "sawa" stays in your house, you will

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2. If a snake called "sawa" stays in your house, you will repeat what he did so that the child will not have a stilted growth.

5. What you do on New Years' Day is what you will do for the entire year.

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METHODS OF MEASURING TIME
(Reconing of time)

1. Sunrise to Sunset for day.(Pagsilang o pagsikat nang araw hanggang sa paglubog)
2. Sunset to Sunrise for night.(Paglubog nang araw hanggang sa paglubog)
3. Daybreak 5 to 6 am.(Madaling araw o bukang liwayway)
4. Morning (9 to 11 am) (Tanghali)
5. High noon 12:01 pm.) (Tanghaling tapat)
6. Afternoon 2 to 4 pm. (Dapit hapon)
7. Evening 5 to 7 pm. (Hapon)
8. Night 8 to 11 pm. (Gabi)
9. Midnight (Hating gabi)
10. Yesterday (Kahapon)
11. Day after today (Sa makalawa)
12. Day before yesterday (Kamakalawa)
13. 3 days ago (Kamakalawa)
14. Summer - Jan. to May (Tagaraw)
15. June to December (Tagulan)
16. Monsoon season Northeasterly cold winds - Dec. to Feb. (Amihan)
17. Planting and harvest seasons (Panahon ng pagtatanim at pagaani)
18. Seasonal fruits during parts of the year.(Special calendar including barrio fiestas)

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PROVERBS

1. While the young bamboo grows, it points high up to heaven, but when it grows old, it bends down to lovely earth.
2. The arrogant is useless, in poverty he dwells, everywhere he is despised.
3. The monkey laughs at the cow's long tail, but to see his own, the monkey does fail.
4. Speaking softly soothes the heart.
5. It is easy to become a man, it is difficult to behave as one.
6. No diligence to save, no restraint to waste.
7. Do not quarrel with old people; remember that you also will get old.
8. Whoever goes with a muddy carabao gets the mud also.
9. What from the den you gather must vanish with the water.
10. If you wish to improve yourself, take the initiative.
11. Before doing and saying anything think it over seven times.
12. Better a glutton than a thief.
13. Honor is like drinking water in a jar; a little oil dropped in it will make the water repugnant.
14. Not all that glitters is gold.
15. The higher you go, the harder you fall.
16. He who sows will reap.
17. Birds of same feathers flock together.
18. He who loves not his own language is not human but is like a beast and stilthy fish.
19. In a nest full of eggs spoiled ones are not always amiss.
20. It is easier to be a man than to be a mannered man.

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21. Noisy sea water is shallow.
22. Easy life leads to nakedness.

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PUZZLES AND RIDDLES

1. What is it that hangs like a charcoal that it is not? (Duhat berry)
2. Which are Adam's countless canes? (Rain)
3. At night it is a roof on the daytime it is an ocean. (Mat)
4. A carpenter's house that has but one post. (Dove's nest house)
5. Run hither, run here, can't get away from the place. (Hammock)
6. Dark as the black ink, whitened without bleaching. (Gray hair)
7. A trunk with no branch, with a leaf but not fruit. (Spoon)
8. There is but one and I got it and still left two. (Bi-valve shell fish)

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