MUNICIPALITY OF KAWIT, CAVITE, Historical Data of

About these Historical Data

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Bureau of Public Schools

Division of Cavite

District of Bacoor

KAWIT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

11 – HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN

PART ONE: HISTORY

1. Present Official name of town — Kawit
2. Former name and its Derivation and meaning –

Cavite Viejo was the former name of Kawit. Its name was taken from that of the present capital of the province – Cavite – meaning, a hook. Cavite then was only a barrio of Kawit but later became the capital, owing its growth to the navy yard which the government established.

How Cavite Viejo became known as Kawit is explained in the following interesting incident.

During the latter part of the Spanish regime, some Spaniards were strolling along the village. They didn’t know its name so while passing by a blacksmith shop which was common in the town, they inquired from the blacksmith what the place was called. The natives did not understand the foreigners so they hesitated to answer. When the Spaniards repeated their inquiry, the natives thinking they were asked what they were doing, answered “Kalawit.” In fact, they were making “Kalawit” or scythe that time. The Spaniards left satisfied with the knowledge of the town’s name. They repeated the word over and over until it became simply “Kawit.” This new name stuck to the place. Henceforth, it was no longer known as Cavite Viejo but as “Kawit” which was all due to a misunderstanding between the Spaniards and

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the villagers

3. Names of persons who held leading official positions in the community with the dates of their tenures, if possible.

Spanish Time:

Gobernadorcillo

The Capitan Municipal and Governadorcillo were one and the same person.

Teniente Absoluto:

• Honorio Palla
• Cornelio Salugao
• Miguel Bartolome

Cura Parrocco:

• Julian Florente
• Toribio Bonel
• Toribio Minguella
• Angel Abete
• Fidel de Blas
• Justo Fernandez
• Cenon Villafranca
• Ruperto Pio de Roda

Ceneteria of policia - Tenientes - No tenientes were assigned in the poblacion during the Spanish time, only in the barrios.

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Maestro Municipal:

• Ciriaco Ronquillo
• Benigno Santi
• Manuel Victa
• Tomas Mascardo

American Time

Justices of the Peace:

• Benigno Santi
• Augusto de la Rosa
• Fernando Viniegra
• Fidel Rosanes
• Pascual Fojas [Rojas?]
• Bienvenido Reyes
• Tomas Torneros

Councilors - So many to be remembered.

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Municipal Treasurers:

• Pedro Arigo
• Vicente Celestial
• Severo dela Cruz
• Jose Alvares

Chiefs of Police:

• Roman Pirante
• Gabriel Aledia
• Segundo Panganiban
• Priscillano Palla

Municipal Secretaries:

• Felisa Santi
• Eufemio Diez

4. Data on historical sites –

1. Kiosko – where the statue of Candido Tirona stands – no record
2. Site where Rizal a monument stands – The site was donated by Mesdames Hilaria and Narcisa Hani Jorge thru the good offices of Ibarra Lodge No. 31 in commemoration of Logia Primera Luz Filipina. The first Masonic Lodge established in the Philippines in 1856.

The corner – stone laid Feb. 22, 1937, unveiled June 19, 1937.

Historical Structures – None

Historical Buildings – None

Old ruin – None

5. (a) Important facts, incidents that took place during Spanish occupation –

General Emilio Aguinaldo’s proclamation of Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898 took place in Kawit, Cavite,

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right in the balcony of this historic home. During the occasion, the Philippine Anthem, composed by Julian Felipe was first played just as the Filipino flag that was sewed by Mrs. Marcela Agoncillo in Hongkong was being hoisted.

The Kawit parochial church was established during the latter part of the 16th century.

(b) During the American occupation –

On January 6, 1918, the first public school building in the town was erected through the initiative of General Emilio Aguinaldo in whose honor the building was named. To this day, one can see in the doors of the different rooms, plaques with inscriptions recording the names of the then Gov. Gen. Harrison, Director of Education Marquardt, Secretaries of Public Instructions Yeater and Albert, Senate president Quezon and Speaker Osmeña.

(c) During and after World War II

1. Japanese occupation of Kawit – Jan. 2, 1942
2. People were always scampering for safety from Japanese bombs.
3. Zonification and screening of suspected guerrillas.
4. Guerrillas were hunted and killed. Those who were lucky to evade captivity fled to the mountains.
5. Many people died from malnutrition and bombs.
6. Liberation – Feb. 2, 1945. The guerrillas came out from their hide–outs and seized and occupied the

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municipal building as soon as the Japs had left. Japanese soldiers left in town were put to death in front of the municipal building. The sakdalistas suffered the same fate in the hands of the guerrillas. Soon the American soldiers came bringing with them canned goods for the hungry Filipinos. The “buy and sell” business became very popular.

7. The first public high school building in the town was established on __________________ through the efforts of the late Senator Emiliano Tirona. To acknowledge their gratitude to him, the people of Kawit named the building after him.

(a) Destruction of lives, properties and institutions during wars:

1. 1896–1900 – Many “revolutions” lost lives in the revolt against Spain and during the Filipino–American war. Gen. Candido Tirona, a native of this town was killed in Binakayan.
2. 1941–1943 – Most of the suspected guerrilla in the town whom the Japanese arrested were never able to come back. Some USAFFEE members, Philippine Scouts and others who saw action in Bataan and Corregidor lost their lives, too. Those working in the Cavite Navy Yard were killed when it was raided on Dec. 10, 1941.
3. The bridge near the boundary of Tabon and Poblacion was demolished by the retreating Japs to prevent the advancing American liberators from entering the town.

(b) Measures and accomplishments towards rehabilitation

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1. The bridge that was destroyed during the last war was reconstructed. The owners of the houses near the bridge which were partially destroyed, too, received aid from the war damage commission and were able to repair them.

PART TWO: FOLKWAYS

6. Tradition, customs and practices in;

(a) Domestic life;

The father, the head of the family earns the living, while the mother stays at home and attends to housekeeping and child care. The tie that binds the parents to their offspring and vice–versa is a close one. The elder members of the family are treated with respect and are consulted frequently for advice and guidance

(b) Social life: –

The people who hold elective offices like the mayor etc. are likewise the leaders in most social activities. Formerly, married women stayed away from social gatherings but lately they have become more sociable. Usually, there is discrimination in the social activities of the townspeople. The lower class gather together while those in the upper bracket form exclusive organizations. Parties, balls and the like are most frequently held during the months of May and December.

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(c) Births:–

Some old folks still cling to the practice of having “hilots” attend to deliveries. But with the increasing numbers of midwives, most babies are now born under more hygienic and expert care.

(d) Baptism:–

It is the custom of parents to have their newly born babies baptized before both mother and child could leave the home and go to church or elsewhere. Most of the parents celebrate the baptism of their children with a grand feast. The sponsors of the child however, provide the baptismal robe, pay the church fees and give a certain “Pakimkim” or gift.

(e) Marriage:–

After the traditional practice of the prospective grooms’ family’s asking the future brides’ hand in marriage, the details of the wedding are set. This practice is called “Pamumulong”. The betrothed couple usually live very quietly and refrain from attending social functions before the wedding date. The grooms’ parents shoulder all the expenses for the wedding day which include the church fees, the wedding gowns, the food for the banquet etc. The relatives of the girl are fetched from their homes and brought to the brides’ residence where the feast

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is frequently held. Practically, a whole day of merrymaking follows the rites solemnized earlier in the morning in the parochial church.

(f) Death:–

The people in the neighborhood gathers in the house of the deceased for the “Luksang lamayan” wherein they indulged in games, in singing and other pastimes. During the Lenten season, however, the “Pabasa” or the singing of the “Pasyon” is done. The hosts serve these people hot or cold drinks. The townspeople as a whole give some monetary contributions to the bereaved family.

(g) When a person dies, before he is buried he is taken to the church where he is affiliated for the burial rites. The priest or the pastor blesses the corpse and intones prayers for salvation. Before the coffin is sealed the children close to the deceased are passed over the bier three times so that the ghost of the dead will not haunt the children.

(h) Courtship:–

It is a common practice for a young man to visit a young woman at least twice a week in the early evening. Most parents are still conservative with regards to courtship and so enforce strict rules regarding the frequency and the duration of a man’s visit to their daughters. They even insist on having a little boy or girl stay in the sala and watch

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big sisters and her suitor.

(i) Festivals:–

The traditional town fiesta is celebrated every July 22^nd, the feast day of the parish patron saint. The day before, a “Karakol” or a water procession is held. Other festivals celebrated during the year are the “Thanksgiving Day” or “Pagdalaw sa Palay” or last Thursday of November; St. John’s Day – June 24^th. During the months of May and early June the traditional “Santacruzan” is held. But the biggest event in the whole year is the Christmas–Eve Celebration called the “Maytinis”. The popularity of this affair is attended by the countless people from nearby and faraway towns who flocked to Kawit to witness this grand festival quite unique in the country. The important stages in the life of the Blessed Virgin are depicted by choice maidens in symbolic floats. Young men and women dressed up as shepherds and shepherdesses in varied costumes lent gaiety and color to the occasion.

(j) Punishments – – None

(k) Visits – No particular custom or practice regarding visits.

8. Myths and legends, beliefs, interpretations, superstition, origin of the world, land etc.–

No local and original myths and legends and the like. All that we know, were read from books or heard from

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people in other places.

9. Popular songs, games, and amusements –

Songs that are heard over the radio and shown became popular in the town. Games like ball games, tennis, badminton, etc. are favorite forms of recreation. Other amusements include going to the show, holding parties etc.

10. Puzzles and riddles

No local ones.

11. Proverbs and sayings

The local version for the saying “make hay while the sun shines” – a proverb for preparedness and thrift is literally translated in vernacular “Isilong ang asin bago umulan.” “This proverb is popular in the town because of its proximity to the sea.

12. Methods of measuring time, special calendars:–

Time is commonly measured by clocks. Sometimes people determine the time by means of the sun’s position. There are no special calendars.

13. Other Folktales:–

None

PART THREE: OTHER INFORMATION

14. Information on books and documents treating of the Phil. and the names of owners:–

1. General Aguinaldo – Documents pertinent to the Phil. Revolution against Spain.

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15. Names of Fil. authors born or residing in the community: Titles and subject whether printed or in manuscript and the names of persons possessing them:

1. Carlos Ronquillo was late editor of the newspaper “Taliba.” His writings and his library were bought by the Phil. government after his death.
2. Alfredo Abueg – Kubo ni Baro (Published in the vernacular magazine Liwayway.