MUNICIPALITY OF IMUS, CAVITE, Historical Data of Part 3

PART III

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About these Historical Data

The transcription of this page was done using AI technology.

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more important aspects, these barrio people have remained the same they are still peaceful, hospitable, friendly, patriotic and religious. In their search for Truth, they have not hesitated to join new religious sects like the Church of Christ, Seventh-day Adventist and the like. In short we can safely say that they are still imbued with those characteristic traits of the Filipino race.

Bayan Luma has not always been known by such a name. During the early part of the Spanish regime, this barrio was made the town. It was here that the Spaniards established their civil government. There were a set of laws promulgated by the same Filipinos upon whom some powers were vested. These Filipinos were known as the “Cabeza de Barangay” and among those who held such position were Julian Sabele, Guillermo Tagle, Macario Tagle, and Enrique Barizo. It was Julian Sabele, however, who served the longest as cabeza. The Spaniards also appointed Filipino assistants to this cabeza and they were known as the “aguacil.” But, long before the Spanish conquest, this place can boast of able cabezas - Julio Pacifico and Felipe Pacifico in whose memory a part of the barrio was later named.

During this period, there was only one religion - the Catholic religion. In line with the Spanish policy of spreading Christianity a church was erected in this place, but this church was not long established when the Spanish civil government was transferred to Toolong and later to Imus, which to this day is considered the town. Town, this barrio got its name -- “Lumang Bayan meaning Old Town.,” which was later changed to Bayan Luma.

As was said, the chief occupation of the people long before the Spanish conquest up to the present was farming, planting, harvesting, and winnowing were done with the help of the women while the heavier tasks like plowing and harrowing had to help the men in pounding the rice. These farming activities were period of fun and general merrymaking, they were done with the

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with the accompaniment of guitars and singing of kundimans, the native songs of the Philippines.

The favorite games during that period were the “bas,” “lubigan,” “pico-pico,” hide and seek, and the “bati-puno.” The people were also fond of the “duplo,” and the “karagatan” which at present times are similar to the “balagtasan.”

The patriotism of the inhabitants of Bayan Luma was put to a test when they took part in the general uprising against the Spanish Cazadores. The barrio was invaded by Cazadores coming from Silang and the heaviest fighting took place at the Julian Bridge where the patriots gallantly took their stand against the invading enemies. The fighting lasted for many days, casualties were heavy on the natives’ side, but this did not weaken their morale. On the contrary, the many dead only served to strengthen their desire for independence. Volunteers increased in number, even women and children joined the fight for better government. Their efforts bore fruit, they succeeded in driving the conquerors away, only to surrender later to a mightier force, that of the Americans.

Today, any passerby will not fail to notice an old battered cannon marking the place where an American lieutenant met his end at the hands of the brave and freedom-loving inhabitants of Bayan Luma.

THE LEGEND OF BUKANDALA

In the early days of the Spanish occupation, the Spaniards were afraid to go out of remote towns and barrios for fear of being lost. Inasmuch as they had neither map nor sketch of the different places in the islands, they knew nothing of other places.

To make it easy for them and for their information, they ordered the

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the heads of the different towns and barrios to send them a sketch or a map of each town or barrio together with the names of each.

In one of the barrios in the town of Imus, a teniente del barrio, as he was called soon finished his sketch. What puzzled him much was the question of giving the place a name. He called for meeting to ask for the opinion of his barrio=mates. At the meeting, he showed the sketch he had drawn. One of those present in the meeting noticed that the map looked like an open net, because from the center of the barrio, three roads went into three opposite directions. A suggestion was made that the place be named Bukandala which means an open net. The suggestion was unanimously approved and up to this time that barrio is called Bukandala.

- P R O V E R B S -

In Alapan there are some common proverbs among the barrio folks and they are:

1. Tell me with whom you go and I will tell you who you are.
2. The monkey laughs at the cow’s long tail, but to his own, the monkey does fail.
3. Speaking softly soothes the heart.
4. It is easy to become a man, it is difficult to behave as one.
5. No diligence to save, no restraint to waste.
6. Do not quarrel with old people. Remember that you also will get old.
7. Whoever goes with a muddy carabao gets the mud also.
8. What from the dog you gather must vanish with the water.
9. If you wish to improve yourself, take the initiative.
10. Before doing and saying anything think it over seven times.

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11. Better a glutton than a thief.
12. Honor is like drinking water in a jar, a little oil dropped in it will make the water repugnant.

MARRIAGE CUSTOMS

In Alapan when a certain woman is about to get married the groom will construct or repair the house of the bride or he will give any delicious food to the family before their wedding day. On other occasions the man used to help the parents of the girl he was to marry. He sends or hires several men to work in her farm. He is responsible for all the damages and expenses met. When the bride’s birthday or any other celebrations of hers come, the groom gives her gifts and other presents.

Before the marriage all the preparations are done by the man. The woman is given a certain amount for her bridal trousseau.

On the morning of their wedding day the man goes to the home of the bride. Then they proceed to the church together with their sponsors and the bride’s maids of honor including the groomsmen. After the wedding all those present go to the house of the bridegroom and have their luncheon.

THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME OF MALAGASANG

A long time ago this barrio was a barangay under a “Cabeza.” It was common during that time that barangays had conflicts against each other. Oftentimes a barangay of a certain locality had conflicts against its neighboring barangays.

In order that the “Cabeza” may know the number of warriors killed during every conflict, he counted them before sending them to the field and made another count upon their return. Fortunately, on many occasions there

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were no casualties or captured members of his barangay. Because of these incidents, he called his barangay, Hindi Malagasang, or Di Malagasang. To make the name shorter, the subsequent generations changed it to Malagasang. This was how this barrio got its name.

THE LEGEND OF “LAYONG ILOKO” IN MALAGASANG

A long time ago a certain person who identified himself as a native of one of the Ilocos provinces, established his home in a place near the river in Malagasang. He selected that place because it was near the rice field in which he was working. During those days the only source of water in the vicinity was the river. Artesian wells were unknown and common surface wells were very few. During the dry season the water in the river was usually very low so that he could not secure sufficient water for his daily needs. To solve this problem, he dug a sort of a well near the bank of the river to store water when the water in the river is high.

After several years, for reasons unknown to the residents of Malagasang this man disappeared from his home and never returned. Since then, the well he dug was used for washing dirty clothes by the women of the barrio. They called it Layong Iloko. It has grown wider and deeper by constant use. Boys enjoy swimming in this well because it is very much wider than an ordinary surface well. It is not so deep to drown those who do not know how to swim.

THE BATTLE AT PASONG SANTOL

In the year 1896, a trench was constructed under the personal direction of General Lucerio Topacio of Imus from Pasong Santol, Anabu, Imus going westward terminating at the boundary of Malagasang and Sabang. This trench the Magdalo battalion under the command of General Crispulo Aguinaldo, the

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Imus Battalion under General Lucerio Topacio, the Battalion Paliparan, and some men from Dasmariñas were stationed in order to intercept the Spaniards. The Spaniards came as contemplated and tried to capture the trench. Due to the courageous defense shown by the Filipinos the Spaniards were repulsed and took shelter in the “Hacienda” in Imus. After a short while they went to Biñan, Laguna and secured a guide who showed them the route from Biñan to Silang. From Silang the Spaniards proceeded to the south until they reached Salitran a barrio of Dasmariñas. They passed the night in the “Hacienda” in Salitran. The Filipinos were unconscious of the presence of the Spaniards in Salitran. On the following morning the Spaniards attacked the Filipinos stationed at the trench. Due to the insufficiency of firearms the Filipinos were driven off the trench. In this battle General Crispulo Aguinaldo met his death.

SOME SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEFS IN MALAGASANG

1. To have a haircut on the day preceding the sowing of rice seeds in the seed beds will result in poor germination of the seedlings.
2. To sweep your own yard on the day of planting the seedlings in the field will result in poor harvest.
3. To plant vegetable during full moon will give the owner a bountiful harvest.
4. A dog howling in the quiet of the night is a sign that someone in the neighborhood is going to die.
5. The death of a young lady suggests that a young man will die soon and vice versa.
6. When the higher point of the new moon is in the direction of the mountain, it suggests a good agricultural harvest. When the higher point is in the direction of the sea, it suggests a year of abundant supply of fish.

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When the two points are level, there will be a normal food supply throughout the year.

7. During an eclipse of the moon it is believed that a supernatural being called “Laho” is trying to devour the moon. When the moon gets out of the shadow in the same place where it got in, it is believed that the “Laho” vomited it and it is a sign of good harvest during the year. On the other hand, if the moon gets out from the place other than the place of entrance, it is believed that the moon was swallowed and discharged and that is a sign of bad harvest.
8. It is the superstitious beliefs that the lightning snatches small animals like lizards “tuko” or centipede from their hiding places during thunderstorms. In order to avoid being struck by a lightning, these small animals are not allowed in the house.

SPECIAL CALENDAR

The farmers have a unique way of determining which months of the year will have heavy rainfall and which months will receive a light rainfall. They assign each month of the year to one of the first twelve days of Jan. they presume that there will be a heavy rainfall in June of that year, because June is the sixth month of the year.

HISTORY

When the Spaniards came to the Philippines, there are no geographical divisions of places into provinces. The Spaniards with the aid of loyal natives established towns for it was easier to govern by towns. The towns were very far apart for there were very few people then - Silang, Parañaque and Kawit. Note the similarity of architectural designs of the churches in each town and [unreadable] the formation of the altar. With this division, it

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is no wonder that Imus and Medicion would be under Kawit. It had even been told from generation to generation that these three churches were not built by man but they sprang overnight thru the magic spell pronounced by the friars. Later on when Imus became a separate municipality, Medicion was measured with a medida - measuring instrument and that is how Medicion got its name. The measurement was done to effect its inclusion to Imus and separation from Kawit.

The original families the Naturales. Later on the Mestizo Sangleys came like the Monzons and Viratas bringing with them Chinese coined words sa-tokus siansi, sipit, pansit, unsay, kinchay, etc.

The natives began adopting Spanish family names like Legaspi, Villanueva Bautista, Reyes etc.

Many old men can still remember the stories told to them by their great grandfather about that old Capitan Polonio, the only man with a carriage (and a wooden one at that) in Medicion.

From his big family came all the Monzons of Imus. Of his 12 sons, 9 became Capitanes and the rest Maestros.

The Viratas came from a certain Maestros Mariano, a very intelligent man and a mathematical genius who gave up priesthood for the love of a woman.

It is no wonder that from Medicion came many Capitanes for Imus like Capitan Agustin — great grandfather of Dean L. Monzon, Capitan Mariano — great grandfather of Gen. Castañeda and Capitan Julian. During the Spanish Occupation there were no noteworthy event worth remembering except the ever recurrent pestilence which sapped the vitality of the race. Ignorance, lack of clean water supply and poverty were the chief causes. Throughout the lady the people were burying their dead and still there were those who rot in their houses. People paid tribute to their Cabeza de Barangay who in turn gave this tribute to the Hacendero (the friars) in the Hacienda (now constabulary

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barracks). Tribute may be in the form of good stuff or money. The Uldog (lay priest who does not celebrate mass due to lack of education) even went around to check if the people were cultivating the lots they were leasing as “inklino” and to see if the streets bordering these lots were in good condition too. The inklino who was negligent in this work was to be whipped in front of his house. Every Sunday, the Cabeza de Barangay should see to it that his people go to church and kneel straight to the end of the mass. People then were intently religious. During festivals, there were rigodon and vals danced by the colegialas, Spanish officers and estudiantes from Manila—very exclusive affair. There was also compulsory labor for public improvement—15 days a yr.

When the revolution broke out, all the able-bodied men of Medicion flew to the side of Capitan Emilio (Gen. Aguinaldo). The womenfolk and their kids for fear of reprisal from the Spanish soldiers fled to the hills of Silang, Indang and Maragongdon. After some months they went back home to find that their houses were burned by the Spaniards and their properties looted. It is said that Capitan General Polavieja got mad when the revolutionist would not surrender and so ordered the burning. The soldiers from Medicion fought many battles. They were eye-witness to the bravery and leadership of Gen. Aguinaldo. They saw the battle of Binakayan when Gen. Candido Tirona died, Pasong Santol with Gen. Yonko and at Dasmariñas were thousands of soldiers from other places were massacred in the church and thanks to the cleverness of Lieut. Marcos Basa the Medicion Company narrowly escaped death in the trap laid by the Spaniards. They went to Gen. Aguinaldo as far as Marikina, Rizal, Talisay and Batangas. There they captured Venancio Nas, a Filipino soldier under the Spaniards. He is now an old veterano. Almost every boy or girl now can be proud to say that his or her grandsires are indeed heroes. So when you hear the lagging march and see the old crooked tottering veterano do not laugh at him, he is but a remnant of that glorious past, the symbol of 1896 and the emblem of our strug-

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gle for independence.

Then came magnanimous America bringing education and democratic government. The people were very eager to embrace these blessings. A school was opened and Medicion produced many noteworthy sons.

Dean Monzon, U. P. vice Pres. Virata, Central Bank Deputy Gov. Virata, the late Prof. Sunico and Gov. Camerino.

The people were generally peaceful and industrious. The old folks were mostly farmers and the young ones employees. Almost all belonged to one political party. People were related to each other by blood ties and affinity. Nowhere was religious toleration more practiced as in Medicion. We had Catholics, Aglipayan, Protestant, Seventh Day Adventist, Iglesia ni Cristo, Saksi ni Jehovah, American Free Religion etc.

THE BANGKAL BRIDGE

A long time ago, in one of the nooks of Medicion, there stood a bridge. A few meters from this bridge grew a young plant which the people seemed not to mind. As years went by, the tree developed into gigantic one. Curious of course and anxious to know what tree it was, several people visited the place one day, only to find out that it was what they termed “Bangkal”. It grew so big that it almost darkened the bridge nearby. The shaded portion reached a diameter of twenty meters. The site was then kept in gloom. The barrio folks would not dare cross the bridge alone with the belief that it was haunted. The people associated the place with witchery so everyone who passed by trembled and showed signs of great fear. One seemed to hear voices of women writhing and groaning with pain. Everyone who heard the frightful story would just gaze afar with awe and wonderment.

Years went on and one fateful night, a great storm occurred. In the midst of the roaring sound of the wind, dripping of the rain and the shocking thun-

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derstorm, a great noise was heard by the people living near the vicinity. No one could guess what it was. Very early in the morning, the historical tree was found dead on the ground. Thus the horrible stories ended and the people, to commemorate the tree, named the passageway beside, the “Bangkal Bridge.”

A RELIGIOUS PRACTICE IN THE PAST

Prayer is not only worship; it is also an invisible emanation of man’s worshiping spirit, the most powerful form of energy that one can generate. The influence of prayer on the human mind and body is as demonstrable as that of secreting glands. Its results can be measured in terms of increased physical buoyancy, greater intellectual vigor, moral stamina, and a deeper understanding of the realities underlying human relationship.

During the Spanish regime, the people regarded prayer as a formalized routine of words, a refuge for weaklings, or a childish petition for material things.

At six o’clock one could see each member of a family kneeling solemnly in front of the altar uttering his sincere prayer. This was not done singly but in a choral way. The eldest used to be the leader.

Before retiring in the evening, the same group could be seen communing with the Son of God, an invisible being creator of all things, supreme wisdom truth, beauty and strength, father and redeemer of each human being. The old folks were firm up to the last word of their prayer, but the young could be seen nodding all the way.

At three in the morning, the aged voice could again be heard awaking all members of the household to pour their adoration into words of mystical beauty.

Prayer, before was a binding necessity in the lives of man. Today, peo-

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ple live and die without even knowing the simplest of prayers.

THE ORIGIN OF THE BARRIO OF TOCLONG

During the early days when the Spaniards first settled in the Philippines there were few people living in this barrio. The natives were kind and peaceful. Peace and contentment reigned in every home.

During those days most people believed only in the Catholic religion. The steady spreading of this religion forced the people to build their own church. The church was not well constructed because most of the materials were locally made. The natives went to church and heard mass. In view of these people’s religious faith, the Spaniards’ objective to convert the Filipinos to Christianity was finally realized. Then the Christian doctrine was taught in most schools. Prayers were sung and memorized. Many Spanish Missionaries were sent throughout the islands to preach Christianity.

One day some Spanish Missionaries arrived in this barrio. Their arrival coincided with the holding of the mass. At the time most people of the barrio were in the church. The church was so crowded that some people were forced to stay outside. Soon mass was over and the church bell rang. It rang and rang. The sound was not the sound of a real church bell that we usually heard in most churches. The sound of the bell was queer. The sound said, “To Clong! To Clong! To Clong!” The Spanish Missionaries approached the natives and asked in Spanish what was the name of the barrio. The natives who could not understand a word of Spanish thought that the Spaniards were asking them what was the sound they heard from the church tower. The natives answered, “Oh, it’s the church bell that says Toclong! Toclong! Toclong.” The Spaniards thought that the natives understood them and were satisfied with the answer. From that misunderstanding the Spaniards named the barrio “TOCLONG.”

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THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME OF BARRIO “TOCLONG”

Upon the arrival of the Spaniards into the Philippines, they were desirous of obtaining a complete hold of the Islands. However, militarily they could not do it, because Spain was too far away, and the number of their men to support a military expedition for the complete subjugation of the people were not there. They were too few. So they used the next thing.

It will be noticed in the expeditions of Spanish conquistadores that a priest always was with the company. Outside the fact that Spain was predominantly and fanatically Roman Catholic, the rulers found it expedient to use the priest to colonize peacefully.

These types of priests or missionaries, as they later were to be called were God fearing, but utterly fearless men, who went into places where the soldiery of Spain could not go. They went alone.

One of these missionaries was sent to Cavite. He settled in what has now become known as Toclong. At that time, people were very ignorant, and the first taste of education was through the erudition of this priest. Probably, this barrio had a native name in the dialect which the barrio people had for the place. But this did not last, except, when after considerable labor and use of manpower contributed by the barrio people, a small church was erected. By this time, because of the goodness and warmheartedness of this unknown Spanish priest, all the barrio people had become converted into Christianity. And they were all faithful Christians. The most significant portion of their church, and which they were conceivably very proud were the bells. These bells were of their own manufacture. The priest had a little knowledge of iron-mongering, and however imperfect, he used it. Out of odds and ends that he was able to acquire by dint of hard work and hard travel, as transportation during that time was by walking or horseback, the bells were made. But

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the barrio people, because they made these we inordinately proud of them.

The first mass that was held upon the erection of the bells, the bells were rung, and they made a dull sound, and the people raised their heads in pride and humility, pride in their work, and humility in having achieved such a manifestation of their faith.

But the neighboring barrios, heard the bells too. And they did not like that they were surpassed. They made sneering remarks about the bells, which the barrio people loved so much.

These envious barrios sarcastically shouted that the bells did not sound like bells, they were like earthen jars, saying TO CLONG, TO CLONG, TO CLONG. TO CLONG!!! when rung one after the other.

To the end that the barrio became known like that to the neighboring towns, and the people, having pride in their bells, let the name ride, until today.

BELIEFS, SUPERSTITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS

It is said that superstitions are the fruit of experiences. People take them seriously out of respect for the wisdom of their elders. They interpret various experiences in the light of old beliefs and stories. The result is gradual entrenchment of the validity of the old beliefs. Here are some of them-

1. The whining of the dog foretells death to a sick person in the neighborhood.
2. When you dream of a tooth extracted from your mouth, a very near relative will die.
3. When a cat washes herself, a visitor is coming, the direction of which she faces is where the visitor will come.
4. When you smell a lighted candle although none is visible, a relative

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died.

5. When you dream of a priest or an altar somebody in the family will be sick.
6. Mourning clothes should be removed from the aparador after the “fall,” otherwise another relative will follow. Then you will again be in mourning.
7. If you break a lizard’s egg, you are liable to break a plate.
8. If you sing while cooking, you will marry a widow.
9. When a hen cackles and a rooster crows at midnight an unmarried woman is likely to become a mother.
10. When a woman has three distinct straight lines on her neck she is likely to become a mother but not a wife.
11. When a black butterfly enters a house it forebodes death on a relative.
12. When you have a mole on the tear path you are likely to become a widow or a widower many times.
13. If you have a mole in front of the nostrils you will be rich.
14. If you sweep at midnight you will grow poor.
15. When you leave the house while your companions are still eating you will stumble down on your way.
16. When you see a snake while walking you will be lucky while you see a lizard you will be unlucky.
17. When a child sleeps between the parents the child is likely to die.
18. When you sit on the dining table you will have scabies.
19. When you sit on the pillow you will have a boil.
20. When your palms become itchy you will have money.

MARRIAGE

Marriage in Medicion was celebrated in grandeur during the fast fifty

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years. It was accompanied by many superstitious beliefs.

The parents of the girl chose the man for their daughter. A girl could not marry the man she loved without the approval of her parents. The man had to possess traits which were the ideals of his future in-laws.

Once the man and woman were engaged the parents of the man would go to the house of the woman to ask for her hands. They brought some pasalubong which they called pasabit. It was either chickens or pork or beef together with the ingredients. This time they would settle the date, the time, and the place of the marriage. The parents of the girl were the ones given a hand in choosing the date, time, and place of marriage. The parents usually chose a date during full moon. They had to be married in the morning. All these things they said would aid the couple in making their live prosperous. The woman was not to fit her wedding gown before her marriage for this meant a bad omen. There would be some sad incidents which would destroy their marriage plans. After the wedding ceremony the bride and groom tried their best to be the first one to kiss the hands then the man became a hen-pecked husband. Before and after the wedding ceremony there were plenty of fireworks.

The man prepared a lavish wedding feast. If the man to be married was a poor man he borrowed money or sold something in order to have enough money for the feast. After the wedding ceremony the husband went to the relatives of the wife and invited them to their wedding feast. The relatives of the wife did not usually attend the wedding feast unless fetched by the man. Relatives and neighbors of the man usually helped the man. They brought chickens, fruits and sometimes money. The sponsors also helped the man. The godfather paid for the automobiles hired during the wedding. The godmother provided the wedding bouquets and jewels worn by the bride. The success of the wedding feast depended on the number of pigs and cattle killed and the number of persons who attended. It was a sign of good luck if there were dishes broken

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during the wedding party. If there were dishes broken their marriage would be blessed with children. If there were dishes broken then it would be a children’s marriage.

After the marriage ceremony they lived together for better or for worse. They always believed in God’s words that “What God hath united let no man put asunder.”

LEGEND OF MEDICION

Long, long time ago, in a quiet village, stood a nipa house. In it lived a couple with two little girls. Their daughters’ names were Medy and Isyang, while their mother was called Aling Tuding.

Although this family was poor they were happy and contented for what had been given them.

One day, while Aling Tuding was laundering the clothes she suddenly heard a scream from the house. She ran as fast as she could, until she reached the place. But what do you suppose she saw? With wide open eyes she saw blood on the palms of her daughters’ hands. The two girls had quarreled.

The fortune teller told her about the bad luck that was waiting for the two children. She told that these two would die. With a sudden grief, in her heart, she walked home with nothing to say.

Several days and nights had passed and nothing happened. The day was gloomy when Aling Tuding prepared to go to the market. She left her daughters in the house and started to go. When she returned, she saw lying on the floor her two girls without any breath. They were dead.

She cried at the top of her voice and began to shout. Only two words came out of her mouth. There were “Medy, Isyon, Medy, Isyon.”

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The passers-by heard this and called the place Medicion, for they thought it was the name of the village.

THE MATANDA SA PUNSO

The magtatawas witch doctor talked of the matanda sa punso—small, living creatures who never did good things. When the people happened to go near their dwelling places, they [the matanda sa punso] made them sick. A simple-minded girl was lost and after two days, her parents found her sleeping under the batalan. On being questioned, she recounted that a girl gave her a piece of bread and after that she began to follow the girl. She saw a big market where the “matanda sa punso” bought their goods. She ate with these people and slept with them. Later on, the priest of these people told the that it was not right to keep her and so she was returned to her parents. As a proof she said that she still kept a loaf of bread given to her. The parents discovered that it was not bread but cow’s manure. At one time a sickly absent-minded mother recounted that a prince of the matanda sa punso wooed her. Every afternoon at 5 o’clock she could hear the horse steps and then the prince would dismount from his beautiful white horse. Very courteously the prince would offer his love and promised to give her beautiful things after the marriage. When this mother began talking of these unusual things, the husband called a witch doctor and that stopped the coming of the prince.

TREASURE OF PASONG MEDICION

At the early years of the American Occupation, a freed prisoner from Iwahig Penal Colony, Palawan came to Medicion to look for the Medicion River. He said that before the notorious tulisan Montalan died, he revealed that he hid stolen money and jewels in the Pasong Medicion. That Pasong or River Trail is now non-existent. People began to weave stories around this happening,

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They said that on moonlight nights a big golden cow with eyes like fire balls used to roam in the fields adjacent to the river. Sometimes a golden hen or a very red rooster sat near the river bank. The audience of these animals were always children. At one time a frightened little girl reported to her father that she saw a very small man with golden salacot taking a bath in a pond near the river.

THE BATTLE IN KALAWANG BRIDGE

It was the year 1896 when the Filipinos rose against the Spaniards. They used their rude bolos in fighting and spears to protect them from their enemies.

The people of the eastern part of Luzon evacuated to the western town, like Naic. They went walking for many days and nights.

In one of the bridges in Medicion by the name of Kalawangan, many Filipino soldiers were stationed to watch for the coming of the Spaniards. They made trenches as their barriers. Later on, a short battle between the Spaniards and the Filipino soldiers began under the leadership of Capitan Victor Kimson. Unfortunately one of the Filipino soldiers died.

This battle did not last long because the Spaniards were few.

AN EVENT THAT TOOK PLACE IN MEDICION
DURING THE AMERICAN WAR

The beginning of the Katipunan that was established in Medicion was called Magdalo. This was done in March, 1896. The revolt was during the Filipino-American War and the scene was at Kalawangan Bridge. The fearless captain here was called “Tobal.” He hailed from Naic, Cavite. A great number of his soldiers were killed.

In the first revolt of Medicion going to Imus, Pablo Sanez was first to

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be killed. In front of the house of Roman Bautista, a fortress or shelter was built. All mortars in the vicinity were taken and used in this fortification. The Spaniards and the Katipuneros fought for one day only in Medicion. The Katipuneros retreated and the American stayed for a day and a night at Kalawangan Bridge.

In this retreat of the Katipuneros, the Teniente del Barrio ordered all store houses and granaries open so that people would not starve.

This was the song the Katipuneros enjoyed singing when they took night strolls:

“Si Kapitan Emilio
Hindi natatakot sa bala
Ng kanyon hanggang palayok.”

OLD CUSTOMS, HABITS AND TRADITIONS OF
THE PEOPLE OF MEDICION OF THE PAST, AS NARRATED
— — BY THE LIVING — —

During the Spaniard regime, the people of Medicion 2nd, Imus had their own customs, habits and traditions, particularly with respect to their religious conviction and social inclinations. Though old-fashioned these customs, habits and traditions might have seemed to the youths of today, but looked appropriate to the old few now still living. The majority of the people of this barrio, however, had had change in their customs, habit and traditions through transition brought about by modern times. These old customs, habit and tradition were as follows:

1. -Baptism -- The parents believed that their baby would be strong, healthy and gentle after he, or she, would have been baptised immediately after becoming a month old; that he, or she, should become an angel, when baptised before death during infancy; that when he or she, died without having been baptised, his or her soul would become a roaming spirit traditionally called “tianak”. After one, or two to ten years old, the child was to be

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