MUNCIPALITY OF LUMBAN, LAGUNA, Historical Data of

About these Historical Data

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HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE
OF
LUMBAN

Part One – History

The town of Lumban lies along the border of Laguna de Bay, nestling snugly at the foot of the Sierra Madre Mountain. Lumban was for a time the center of all missionary activities in Laguna. Rev. Fr. Juan de Plasencia had his residential home in this place which was then the head mother of the towns of Laguna. The original church of wood and thatch was destroyed by fire and was replaced by the first stone church ever built in the province. The 12^th day of February 1560 was an epoch in history because on that day this place was declared a town and named Lumban.

The Poblacion derived its name from a tree called Lumbang which was growing abundantly in this locality. Its real name is Lumbang but the Spanish friars made it Lumban. During the Spanish regime the oil used for the lamps came from Lumbang trees.

During the early part of the Spanish regime Capitan Heneral Gomez Perez Dasmariñas appointed Juan Tanawin as Capitan. Next to him was the Teniente Mayor who acted as secretary to the Capitan. Then next was the Teniente Sementeria who was in charge of the fields. Next to him was the Teniente de Ganado who took charge of the animals.

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The first Maestros Municipal were Tomas Hocson, Mariano Abella and the Maestras Municipal were Bernardina Valdepeñas, a native of this place, Felisa Rivera of Pagsanjan and Felicidad San Jose of Magdalena and Eusebia Saldaña, a beautiful lady from Pakil.

In 1845 the Capitan Heneral of the Philippines was Don Narciso Claveria. (The Capitan of the Philippines was Manuel de Jesus) Some Filipino names such as Pitonggatang, Budhi, Bedloc, Vala, Magyanon, Banlong, Langgopez, Baroc and Tolo sounded very awful to the ears of the friars. For this reason Don Claveria changed these family names and instead Spanish family names were used which were taken from Spain.

After the declaration of the town by the Royal Audiencia in 1590 to be an independent municipality, a nipa municipal building was also erected. Since then and throughout the Spanish regime, the town was ruled by a kapitan and later changed to alcalde municipal, all numbering 261 from the first down the last kapitan.

At the latter part of the Spanish regime Jose Bañeda was appointed Hepe Local. The Vocales were Marcelino Dimaran, Andres Morales, Tiburcio Casedo and Froilan Carga. The Secretario was Eugenio Aquino. The Hepe de Policia was Capitan Mateo delos Reyes. The Hepe Local acted as treasurer.

Formerly the towns of Paete, Longos, San Juan, Pagsanjan, Cavinti and Sta. Cruz were once the barrios of

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Lumban. It was said that three brothers from other places namely Gabriel, Dionisio and Antonio Puhawan came to this town and succeeded the Aetas who made the caingins in the place before 1410. These three brothers were responsible for the first celebration of the town fiesta. The story is still retold that when these three brothers were working on their kaingin in the present site of the Roman Catholic church, they saw the image of the town patron, San Sebastian, on the top of a big sampaloc tree. Having noticed the appearance of the patron saint, they knelt and prayed. They told the incident to the early inhabitants of the place. Then began the first town fiesta. These three brothers were the ones who managed the making of the church.

In 1898 during the American occupation the Hepe Local elected in our town was Raymundo Ebarvia, the vice Hepe Local was Jose Mercado. The consejeros consisting of Delegado de Justicia was Don Jose Rabacca, Delegado de Policia was Don Regino Sanchez, Delegado de Rentas was Don Martin Aaliwin, and the secretario was Felipe Ranay.

Later on the Hepe Local was changed to Municipal president up to 1935 when the Commonwealth government of the Philippines was inaugurated.

During the revolution from 1896 to 1900 the following soldiers, Dionisio Alvarez, known as alias Porong, Mateo Gonzales known as Alias Motio and Delfin Casedo died.

During World War II the following incidents took

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In October 1943, two trucks of Japanese came with ammunition. They went to Segunda Pulo and they shot the house where Colonel Reynato Reynoso and Major Bernal lived.

In July 1943 two trucks of Japanese came and they ordered all men of Lumban to go to the church. The spies pointed out the guerrillas. In July 1943 many trucks of Japanese came and they ordered all men from 15 years old up to go to the municipal building but because of hard rain they were told to go inside

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the church. They forced the people to surrender and the first to surrender were the heads of the town headed by the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Alejandro Lualhati who surrendered to free the people. On July 16, 1943 all people were released except Ambrocio Reyes, Leopoldo Samonte, Eduardo Barreto, Juan Sabido, Emilio Sorromero, Juan Villamor, Eulogio Abayari and Guillermo Carga. They were taken to a place near the cemetery of Longos. They were all killed. On July 18, 1943 the Japanese took Mamerto Badillo and Juan Badillo and they were shot to death in the cemetery of Lumban. On July 19, 1943 the Japanese captured guerrilla heads, Colonel Reynoso Reynoso and Major Bernal. They were tied and escorted by the Lumban people with pointed bamboos. Upon reaching the cemetery the Japanese ordered the Lumban people to strike them with the bamboos near the pit where they fell dead. On October 14, 1943 the Japanese inaugurated their independence of the Philippines. There was a parade around the town for four days and the two bands of Lumban went around.

On February 5, 1944 the Japanese took the following men — Juan Llantos, the municipal treasurer, Arsenio Aquino, Ramon Estrella, Francisco Ferrer, Damaso Ballestero, Hermogenes Garcia and Dedios Pagkatotohan to Sta. Cruz and they were imprisoned where they met Ricardo Aalunan, Isidro Baduria Bruno Garcia as prisoners.

In January 1945 many Japanese came and they occupied big houses as Tabia’s house, Samonte’s house, Cabatbat’s house

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Baduria’s residence, etc. One Saturday in June 1945 Ricardo Baldemeca and Silvestre Macabuhay shot a Japanese and a Kapili spy in Primera Pulo. The Kapili was hurt but the Japanese soldier was killed. So he told the Japanese to search for Baldemeca who was finally caught. He was tied and taken to the Presidencia where he was punished. Some of the punishments were upon hangin [hanging?], two cavans of rice were placed over his head and one night he was told to dig a pit in front of the church. There he was struck by a bayonet and was killed. In February 1945 the people of Lumban evacuated in different places. The Japanese soldiers got rice, hens, pigs and vegetables of the people. The same month Jiro Yamaguchi, a Japanese commander lived in the house of Mr. and Mrs. Segundo Samonte. The commander fell in love and was attracted by the beauty of Miss Cecilia Samonte, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Segundo Samonte. Cecilia became angry and spanked Yamaguchi. The commander became angry and told Cecilia that he would kill her parents. Cecilia succumbed and they were married by the parish priest. They had a son and at present a Grade one pupil.

On March 24, 1945 the Japanese burned all the houses. They used coconut leaves for the purpose. On March 26, 1945 (Holy Monday) they burned again the houses with the use of gasoline. On March 27, 1945 (Holy Tuesday) Urbana Mercado was struck by a bayonet by a Japanese guard on her way home. The Japanese killed Vicente Dagle and Miguel Faulo on March 29, 1945. Their heads were cut and thrown away under the Lumban bridge.

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In April 1945 the Japanese met and killed Sebastian Abe, a native of the place, when they were on their way to the mountains. In April 1945 – Thursday, the Americans came and the Japanese ran away.

During World War II many lives were lost as mentioned above. The church was totally dilapidated. The school was destroyed by shrapnel and so was the municipal building. Almost all houses were burned.

At present the church is rebuilt through the initiative of the parish priest. The school and municipal building were fixed through the war damage fund.

In Lumban, Laguna is located the largest hydroelectric power installation in the Philippines at present. It is the Hydroelectric Plant at Caliraya. Actual construction of the plant was started in 1939 and for this purpose, the project was divided into different parts namely: diversion tunnel, dam and dykes, Cabacab creek excavation, waterway line, penstock and surge tank, powerhouse substructure, powerhouse superstructure, trailrace canal and access road, transmission line and Makati substation.

Like most construction projects, the Caliraya job was a race against time and a struggle against natural forces and technical problems. Work was carried on day and night. Towards the end of 1941, when war reached our shores, nightwork was carried on under blackout conditions. When the work was stopped on December 29, 1941 in view of the Japanese occupation, Caliraya was almost with one generating unit out of three.

To prevent its falling into the hands of the enemy, the huge stock of gasoline and diesel fuel in Caliraya was dumped into the river. Construction and other equipment were disabled.

Work was resumed in the second quarter of 1942 under the Japanese Military Administration which placed the management of the National Power Corporation and the operation of the Caliraya Plant under the Taiwan Denryoku Kabushiki Kaisha. The Japanese wanted to start the plant in June 1942 but when everything was about ready, the upper section of the penstock collapsed during a test when the air valve which should have been kept open was left closed.

The American Army of Liberation reached Caliraya Plant in the middle of April 1945 and repair and rehabilitation work was immediately started. One unit of the plant was placed in operation at the end of October that same year. Japan having surrendered in the meanwhile, the Caliraya Plant was returned to the National Power Corporation in November 1945. Repair and rehabilitation was continued and finally, in spite of materials and equipment shortages, the Corporation was able to place all the three units in operation by October 2, 1947.

The detailed study and design of the Lumot River Diversion Project was started in 1941, stopped on account of the war and then resumed in 1942 and completed in 1943. Because of shortages in materials and equipment, construction of the project was not undertaken during the Japanese occupation.

After liberation, the National Power Corporation prepared a hydroelectric power program in which the Lumot

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To prevent its falling into the hands of the enemy, the huge stock of gasoline and diesel fuel in Caliraya was dumped into the river. Construction and other equipment were disabled.

Work was resumed in the second quarter of 1942 under the Japanese Military Administration which placed the management of the National Power Corporation and the operation of the Caliraya Plant under the Taiwan Denryoku Kabushiki Kaisha. The Japanese wanted to start the plant in June 1942 but when everything was about ready, the upper section of the penstock collapsed during a test when the air valve which should have been kept open was left closed.

The American Army of Liberation reached Caliraya Plant in the middle of April 1945 and repair and rehabilitation work was immediately started. One unit of the plant was placed in operation at the end of October that same year. Japan having surrendered in the meanwhile, the Caliraya Plant was returned to the National Power Corporation in November 1945. Repair and rehabilitation was continued and finally, in spite of materials and equipment shortages, the Corporation was able to place all the three units in operation by October 2, 1947.

The detailed study and design of the Lumot River Diversion Project was started in 1941, stopped on account of the war and then resumed in 1942 and completed in 1943. Because of shortages in materials and equipment, construction of the project was not undertaken during the Japanese occupation.

After liberation, the National Power Corporation prepared a hydroelectric power program in which the Lumot

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River Diversion Project is one of the major projects.

Of the 38,000 kilowatts power capability and 160 million kilowatt hours energy availability of the combined Caliraya Plant and Lumot River Diversion Project, 36,000 kilowatts and 144 million kilowatt hours annually are sold to the Manila Electric Company. This large stock of power is transmitted over the corporation’s 115,000–volt transmission line which runs along the western rim of Laguna de Bay, to connect to the Company’s integrated system serving the city of Manila and the nearby towns.

The remainder is earmarked for distribution to certain towns of Batangas in connection with a proposed tap and extension of the Caliraya Transmission Line from Calamba to Batangas, Batangas. Part of this block of power will be supplied to the Baybay towns of Laguna, two of which, Lumban and Pagsanjan, are now being served directly from the plant through the distribution facilities of a private franchise holder. As soon as funds become available, the transmission line serving these two towns will be extended in order to serve the other Baybay towns.

Part II – Folkways

Traditions, Customs and Practices:

1. Birth – The services of a midwife are employed during the delivery. The mother stays in bed for one month. After eight days the mother takes a bath with

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2. Baptism – If a child will die before one month old, he is baptized by pouring water in the presence of the godmother called “buhos–tubig”. After one month the child is baptized in the church with the desire of the parents. The parents think of the best name they like and tell the priest. After the baptismal ceremony the godmother gives a “pakimkim” either money or other forms of gifts. There is a party in honor of the baptism wherein common servings are “puto”, “kalamay”, “pansit”, “sotanghon” and bread.
3. Courtship – In Lumban men court women through serenading with guitars or bands. Sometimes through formal visits especially during Saturdays or Sundays. Some court women directly, some through the parents. Men’s parents are asked for by women’s parents and both parties agree with each other, setting aside all plans for the wedding.
4. Marriage – During the wedding, much preparation is made. Carabaos or pigs are slaughtered and cooked deliciously. After the marital ceremony the newly wed performs the so–called “painom” with a bottle of wine and a plate. They asked the visitors to drink and they give an amount in return. After the reception the newly–married couple is asked to perform some romantic deals with an equivalent amount from both parties, After the party, at

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5. Death – The neighbors help the family of the dead person. They stay overnight to make the coffin and to enlighten the sorrow of the relatives of the dead by means of formal singing accompanied by the guitar. Sometimes if a rich person dies there is band at night. Little serving is given to the people.
6. Burial – The neighbors take charge of digging the grave. The dead is brought to the church. The parents take fresh flowers to the grave during three days or more. At night prayers are said by “manang”. This is done for nine days. After a year, prayers are said again in commemoration of the dead.
7. Festivals – During the town fiesta, grand entertainment is made by the people of the poblacion. Carabaos, cows and pigs are slaughtered. High mass is said. A number of bands go around the town to make the celebration very lively. Dramas and moro–moro are held to make the entertainment more satisfactory for the visitors.

Popular Songs:

The songs are written in the national language. Some of them are:

Oh Ilaw

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Games and Amusements:

The following games are played in Lumban: sipa or piloto, siklot or sintak, sungka, dama, buga, bao and tubigan. The other amusements are parties with songs, dances such as rigodon, balse, pandanggo, lanceros and hueso de anillo. The comedia was very obligatory many years ago. The first showing of Moro–Moro was in 1865. The following capitans who managed it were:

The moro–moro is still shown at present in the town of Lumban.

Riddles:

1. Open in the afternoon, rolled up in the morning. (mat)
2. Has a body but no face, has no eyes but sheds tears. (candle)
3. Two friends always running after the other. (feet)
4. Two balls of thread reach the sky. (two eyes)

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5. Walking without feet, crying without eyes. (pen)
6. It is up to the neck when shallow, but up to the waist when deep. (water in a jar)
7. Here it is, here it is, but you don’t see it. (wind)
8. The house of the carpenter has only one post. (dove cot)
9. His grandparents are already old, still he has not taken a bath. (cat)
10. My pig at Sorsogon will not eat without riding on it. (coconut grater)

Proverbs:

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STUDY HELPS

Answer the following questions:

1. How did the poblacion derive its name?
2. How are the following games played?

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3. Explain the meaning of the different proverbs.
4. Has the Caliraya Hydroelectric Plant a bright prospect? Prove.
5. What important events took place in Lumban during the Japanese occupation?

Something to do:

1. Make a sketch of Lumban showing the different barrios.
2. Create the so–fa syllables for any of the songs mentioned above.
3. Sketch the Caliraya Hydroelectric Plant showing the different parts of the project.

Respectfully submitted,

TEOTIMO M. JAVAN
IRENE F. EBARVIA
EPIFANIA BADURIA
CONSORCIA VALDEPEÑAS
MILAGROS J. BADIOLA
AURORA LAGRADA
AMPARO S. JAVAN

CONTENTS NOTED:

GLICERIO Y. GAZA
Principal