MUNICIPALITY OF RIZAL, LAGUNA, Historical Data of
The transcription of this page was done using AI technology.
[p. 1]
POBLACION – Part II
The undersigned wishes to thank Mr. Isidro Isleta Sr., Mrs. Simodna Sarmiento and Mrs. Sianang Vitangcol for their cooperation in supplying the facts for this historical data.
The Philippines like other countries is rich in traditions, customs and practices in domestic and social life, which are until the present time observed and practiced by the conservative citizens of the islands.
Birth and Baptism: One of the practices regarding birth, is that when a woman is laboring in a certain house, neighbors and visitors are not allowed to stop or just peep at the doorway or else the woman will meet hardships. So they must go straight to the laboring woman’s room or inside any place in the house.
After a child is born the immediate concern is to have him baptized. Sponsors are chosen long before the birth of the child. If the chosen woman sponsor is on the way she is allowed to give birth first because it is believed that in case the god–child to be dies, the child she is to give birth to might die also. After the baptism in the church the sponsor takes the child straight home without looking back nor stopping so that the child will not be forgetful when she grows up. It is the sponsor’s obligation to pay the baptismal fees.
Courtship and marriage: Suitors undergo a series of difficulties during the period of courtship. To be successful the suitor must show exemplary courtesy. He must take off his hat the moment he sees the roof of the maiden’s house. When he reaches the stairs he must wait for the maiden to tell him to go up. While in the house he must bow and greet those present. If he happens to go in the evening he must kneel before them and say good evening. He must not sit down or go as far as the sala unless he is told to do so. All these are acts of respect that a man must show. The maiden and the suitor can not talk together freely. They sit apart and the woman’s parents sit near them. That ever maybe the topic of the conversation it must be approved by the parents. Arrangements for marriage is shouldered by parents of both parties. The man serves in the house of the woman for months or for years. He fetches water, chops firewood, pounds rice, repairs broken parts of the house and other work being done by his future in–laws. After the marriage ceremony the bride stays four days in her in–laws while the bridegroom stays in his in–laws too for the same length of time. Only four days are they to live together.
Death: When a person dies neighbors and relative give help either in cash or rice. It is the belief that relatives of neighbors must not sleep near the dead person or else he will always feel sleepy. Ejaculation of bad words should be avoided in front or near the dead person because that will make one utter all sorts of words upon being surprised. Another belief is that after four days the soul of the dead person comes and visits the relatives.
Burial: The body of the dead person in the coffin is carried by several men from the house to the church. Relatives, neighbors, and friends pray for the soul of the dead together with the priest. From the church the dead is taken to the cemetery. Again a short prayer is said for the dead persons soul. As soon as the coffin is placed in the grave people get a piece of earth and throw them on the coffin in the grave so that there may not be someone to die soon.
Legends: The San Miguel Spring: San Miguel spring is the source of water supply in the town. Long ago only a few people knew that a spring is in existence outside the town. These were the people living near the foot of the mountain. They fetched their water from this spring. They used pails, and big bamboos called “bun–bong.”
One morning an old woman was on her way to the spring, she saw a handsome young man taking a bath. She did not continue on her way upon seeing him and began to think who he was. She was reminded of San Miguel, the Saint. She immediately returned home and related what she saw in the spring. When the people heard her story they all rushed to the spring but much to their surprise the man had gone and never seen again. Since then the spring was named San Miguel.
Interpretations: Clouds: – When it rains hard coupled with a slight wind the people will look out of the window to find out the direction of the clouds. If going south they say a storm is coming.
Sky: When the sky gets clear and the clouds become red, the next day is a good planting day. During the night if plenty of stars appear in sky the following day will be a sunny day.
Superstition: One of the superstitions is about All Saints Day. People believe that the spirits of dead relatives come and visit the homes. Living relatives then prepare favorite dishes and pies to be placed on the altar so that when the spirits
[p. 2]
see them they will be happy because they aren’t forgotten. So when they return to the life hereafter they will have a continuous happy life.
When a dead person is taken down from the house all windows are closed at once. No one is allowed to peep out of the window as a belief that another might die at once in the same house.
Origin of the moon, sun and beginning of the eclipse: Long ago it was believed that the sun and the moon was inhabited by men. The moon was ruled by a beautiful princess named Bulan while the sun was ruled by a handsome prince named Araw.
In those days people could not determine the day from the night because both the sun and the moon rose and set at the same time.
One day the beautiful princess of the moon Bulan, and the handsome prince of the sun Araw met on their journey. They were very cold to see each other. Araw was very much attracted by Bulan’s beauty, while Bulan on the other hand felt the same admiration. Since then they began seeing each other. Not long after their frequent meetings their parents were informed of their secret engagement. They were in rage. Each prevented one from seeing the other. The parents agreed that the sun must shine only during the day and the moon shine only at night. The two complained. The parents pitied them and agreed to give them chance to see each other once in a while. This is when there is an eclipse of either the sun and the moon. After their meeting or eclipse, they soon separate. The sun shines during the day and the moon during the night.
Popular songs: For enjoyment in different occasions the pandangos, kundimans, lundays are means of entertainment. An example of the pandango is this:
|
Come on drink, drink the wine, That come from my hand, Even if this is poison it will not kill, And if you get ill because of my will, Even if I’m far away request someone to fetch me, for I’ll be willing to serve thee. |
“Inom na inom na sa kamay ko’y galing Kahit ito’y lason ay di ka papatayin Kung na, kasakit ka at saakin nanggaling, Malayo–layo man ay ako’y ipagbilin.” |
Games: There were indoor and outdoor games. Some of the indoor games were the “sungka, siklot, huego de prenda.” While the siklot and huego de prenda may be played by many players. The winner in the sungka is determined by the number of seeds of tamarind, sigay or stones accumulated in the big head of the sungkahan belonging to a player until she has all the seeds or stones that belongs to her opponent.
Some outdoor games are “piko, tubigan and San Pedro.” These games are played by several players. Tubigan is the most popular game. It is being played until now by children. This is played by two opposing teams, one stays on the field and the other stays home. The team on the home runs across all lines which are well guarded by those on field. Then a member is tagged while crossing the lines the team on field stays on the home. The winner is determined by the number of homes made by a team.
Riddles: A few of the riddles are as follows:
- A beautiful princess surrounded by swords.
- Its trunk is hollow, the branches are like a saw, leaves like a sword, fruits are like bullets.
- Sky above, sky below, water is in the center.
Proverbs:
- A person who does not look from whence he comes, can never reach his destination.
- Needless is grass, when horse is already dead.
- A person who can endure hardships can look forward for a bright future.
- A true invitation is coupled by a pull.
Methods of measuring time: During the early days there are no clocks or watches. People used the sun in determining the time. When the sun was overhead they – It is noon and time to eat lunch. When it sets they left their work and proceeded home. When the sun was not visible, they knew its time to eat lunch if they feel hungry. The time in the afternoon is known as the day grows darker and darker.
Another method of telling the time is by the crowing of the roosters. The first crow at night is twelve o’clock. Only few crowings are made. Then it will be repeated with a little more crowing. It will then be two o’clock in the morning. With numerous crowing until twilight it is 5:00 o’clock.
Those are the important ways by which the old folks measured the time.