MUNICIPALITY OF LIBON, ALBAY, Historical Data of

About these Historical Data

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HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN OF LIBON

Libon is a town situated at the end of Albay and bounded by half of the now famous Bato Lake. There are two versions from which we can conclude the origin of a town now officially called Libon.

The first version is that the word “Libon” means in the English language a highway, assault or robbery in an uninhabited place. The second is that the word “Libon” means confused or gone astray.

The historian who wrote Ibalon related that Libon or Libong, as it was called before, was one of the early settlements made by the Spaniards in Ambos Camarines, during the expeditions of Legaspi and Salcedo in the island of Luzon. However, before the present townsite was made, the villa de Libon, as the Spaniards called this, was situated in the barrio of Linao, a place six kilometers from the centro poblacion. This old townsite was at the foot of the mountains which overlook the plains where the town is now and can have a command view of enemies which may come from the mountains via Pantao, the most promising part of Albay if the road under construction is continued and finished. This was the place where the Moros used to anchor in their plundering expeditions before and during the occupation of the Spaniards. The Spaniards found this settlement in Linao an ideal and suitable place for a town both strategically and economically. So the first townsite and a church were constructed in this place. The church was big, the belfry was so tall because it was built for a dual purpose, the religious ceremonies of the converted people to the Catholic faith and as a watchtower for enemies like the Moros. The church bell was so big that the people say that when it was rung, it could be heard within the radius of six kilometers. This was built

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by the Spaniards as a sign that the people have embraced the Catholic faith. Even to this day the people are all Catholic, as you cannot find a church of any other sect in the heart of the town. However, the following incident caused the transfer of the town to its present site:

During the Spaniards Occupation when transportation was mostly by water, people built their settlements at the foot of hills or mountains. It was due to protection from enemies and many of the people were using the “Kaingin” method of cultivation. That was why the first town of Libon was made at Linao. The ruins of the first church in that barrio and the presence right now of the enchanted bell of Limba are living proofs and memento of the veracity of the story.

During the early years of Spaniards, Moro pirates were in abundance, plundering places they could reach. They not only got riches but also captured prisoners. The sound of the bell could be heard within a radius of six kilometers. On many occasions this bell had done the pious people a good turn. Many lives had been saved and many of the Moro pirates had failed in their mission of destruction and plunder. The people were happy and contented, progressive and felt safe in their homes with this bell.

One day the town guard saw the approach of enemies. They were coming from the direction of Pantao. They were already within the six kilometer radius when the bell was rung, to warn the good people of the approach of their enemies. The people had all their belongings in the thick forest, which bounded the poblacion. When all things were hidden, they scampered away for their own safety. The Moros arrived in the town-base. They went from house to house and found nothing of value

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to them. They were even disgusted and burned all the houses in the town. When they reached the churchyard, they only found the bell hanging in the belfry and reminded them of the sound they heard in the distance. The leader of the pirates ordered his men to bring down the bell, and dumped it into the deep Kimba River, then left the place.

When the people returned to the town they found not a single home. Only the church and the belfry minus the bell were there. The people were very sorry about this. They left the place and looked for a new and better town site. The wise men of the tribe selected the present site for the following reasons:

1. It is bypassed by the branching rivers, one flowing to Lastaka and the other to Inogmak both emptying to Bato Lake and the Bicol River.
2. It is in the heart of the most fertile plain of the Albay Valley.
3. The surrounding mountains protect it from the severeness of typhoons.
4. It has a continuous supply of fish from the river and the lake. So we find Libon in the place where it stands now.

The church in the present poblacion was transferred from the barrio of Linao which was the first townsite. The construction of the church was done through forced labor. The people suffered terrible torture from the friars. The people were made to live in single file from the ruined church in Linao to the centro poblacion, a distance of about six kilometers. Each tile or stone was passed from one hand to another until it reached the end of the present church.

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This was done every day until all the tiles and materials needed were transferred to the present church. Lumber was also brought by human labor. It was related that if ten men could not lift a post for the construction, instead of adding men, some were taken away and the rest were made to lift it with the use of a rod. So the construction of the church in the new townsite was successfully completed.

HOW LIBON GOT ITS NAME

When Juan de Salcedo and his soldiers arrived at this particular place, they could not find their way out. They crossed rice paddies or vast muddy fields but could find no way to go out of the place. In memory of that incident they called this place “Libong” which means confused or gone astray.

In the year 1573 when Juan Salcedo, the right hand man of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi went to Camarines to discover more virgin lands, he passed by the Bicol River. He saw a village at the bank of the river which appeared to be a plain. He called this Spanish Village in honor of the patron Saint of Spain, “Santiago de Libong.” When Salcedo returned to Manila he ordered Captain Pedro Chavez to encamp his eighty soldiers at this Villa where they began the colonization of the region. Those that came to this place became the first organizers. The title villa was expressly given only to four towns in the Philippines namely, the Villa of Cebu; Villa of Lipa, Batangas; Villa of Fernandina of Vigan, Ilocos Sur; and Villa of Libong, Albay. Now the official name of the town is Libon.

3. DATE OF ESTABLISHMENT

Libon is a very old town. It was formally established by the Spaniards in the year 1898. The first parochial priest was Fr. Tertulo Tysdor. The Capitan Municipal was Jose Valesco. The Justice of the

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Peace was Vicente Velasco.

4. ORIGINAL FAMILIES:

There were several original families in this town. They are the following:

5. LIST OF PRESIDENTS FROM EARLIEST TO DATE:

6. STORY OF OLD BARRIOS OR SITIOS WITHIN THE JURISDICTION THAT ARE NOW DEPOPULATED OR EXTINCT. - None.

7. DATA ON HISTORICAL SITES, BUILDINGS, OLD RUINS, ETC. - None

8. IMPORTANT FACTS, INCIDENTS, OR EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE.

(a) During the Spanish Occupation -

1. When the Spaniards came the barangay system of government was changed to the Kapitan. They were appointed by the Friars who were not only the spiritual heads of the pueblos. Their term

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2. The church was the first project constructed by the use of forced labor. The people suffered much torture from the Friars.
3. The schools were run by the Friars or Priests. There were few pupils for they were afraid of the cruelties or tortures. Several forms of punishments were used, like the “Santa Bat!,” “Cristo,” and sitting on the air, etc.

b. During the American occupation to the World War II, the Public schools were opened and many children attended. Unlike the Spaniards, the Americans were kind and considerate to the people. They won the love of the children so that many of them flocked to the Public Schools. The roads and bridges were improved and enlarged. The Municipal Presidencia was built and the whole town of Libon was improved. These were the signs of advanced culture of the inhabitants of the place, brought about by the American occupation.

c. DURING AND AFTER THE WORLD WAR II.

1. During the Japanese occupation, Libon was the scene of several raids by the Japanese soldiers. In one of these raids several members of the resistance movement were caught and killed. Among them was the late Crecencio Aguilar a former school teacher of the Libon Elementary School.
2. Most of the people of the town at that time evacuated to the nearby barrios and mountains.
3. After the second World War classes were opened, business became prosperous, and the people returned to normalcy.

9. MEASURES AND OCCUPATIONS TOWARD REHABILITATION AND RECONSTRUCTION FOLLOWING WORLD WAR II.

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1. The two Gabaldon Buildings of the Libon Elementary School were reconstructed. Two big temporary buildings were constructed by the P. T. A. of the town, under the leadership of PTA President Mr. Segundo Ricafort.
2. A new Home Economics Building was built lately last August 15, 1952. The whole school site was improved.
3. The Public Market was constructed and some of the private houses were improved and rebuilt just after the greatest and destructive among the typhoons which have passed in the locality, named the Typhoon “Trix” which occurred last October 21, 1952.

10. Traditions, customs and practices in domestic and social life, baptism, courtship, marriage, death burials, visits, festivals, punishments and etc.

(a) A distinct trait of the people of Libon is affection and reverence for age. Grandparents are greatly loved and respected. It is from them that the young ones first learn their lessons of respect for the old, by teaching them to kiss the hands of their parents, uncles and aunties, and other elders.

The father is the head of the family. If the father dies, the mother becomes the head and if both die the eldest child becomes the head of the family.

The father turns over to the mother all earnings. Mother adjusts the earnings to the needs of the family by wise management.

There are still some beliefs and practices which the people of Libon, especially the old folks, do not part with. These practices are pertaining to giving birth. When a mother is going to deliver nobody must stay or sit at the door. No clothes must be hung because

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they will contribute to the delay of the birth of the child. If the delivery is difficult the father sweeps under the house and builds fire there or burns the blessed candle which they call “pardon.”

After a child is born the placenta is placed in a glass, with writing paper and pencil and it is buried in front of the house so that the child is believed to be very brave and bright when he goes to school. The placenta is buried with care as well as the cord because if they are eaten by animals the child is believed to become a robber.

When a child is christened, his godmother or father becomes his second parent. The godparents are selected not because of wealth but particularly due to good character and behavior, the parents of the child believing his child will inherit or imitate some of the character traits of the god-parents. If during the baptism there are more baby girls than boys, the belief is that all those baby girls will not get married at once and some might become spinsters. The vice-versa may also be true if there are more baby boys than girls.

In courtship there is still the “Manugang System,” with the exception of the most educated families. When both man and woman are agreed their parents should talk about their marriage. As soon as they have come to an agreement, the man would visit frequently the house of the woman he loves to help in the households. Sometimes he chops wood, cooks food, pounds palay or helps in the field work. On Sundays he comes to visit with some eats for the family. During the last few days before the marriage both bride and groom are not allowed to work or to travel because they believe that accidents will befall them. During the wedding ceremonies, while two candles are lighted for the bride and the

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groom the public watches the candles for the pair. There is a belief that the one whose candle does not burn brightly means that he or she will die ahead of the other.

According to the people in this place, the souls of the dead have the tendency to return and get the souls of the remaining members if traditions and practices are not followed. So, when the dead is placed inside the coffin and is carried down stairs, they are very careful not to let the coffin touch the wall or the door. Then those who are left inside the house will not lose time, immediately will close the windows and will never look out. Those who will accompany the dead to the cemetery, after the dead is buried will return home by following the streets where they passed in going to the cemetery. When they reach the house of the deceased they group near the stairs and a handful of ashes is thrown over their heads. These are done to avoid the return of the soul of the dead.

11. Myths, legends, beliefs, interpretations, superstitions, origin of the world, land, mountains, caves, seas, lakes, rivers, plants, trees, animals, sun, moon, stars, earthquakes, lightning, and thunders, eclipse, clouds, rain, wind, storms, changes of climates, sickness, witchcraft, divination etc.

1. When there is an eclipse of either the sun or moon, an expectant mother should not go out and gaze at it for it will affect and cause deformity on the face of the child.
2. When the earthquake is heavy it is a sign of water and therefore rainy days will follow. When the earthquake is light it is a sign of sunny days.
3. On New Year’s Day if a lone thunder is heard in the east it is a sign that many children will die. But if the thunder is heard in the west it is a sign that most of the death will be on

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4. If one sees two balls of fire trying to crash each other on the rice fields at midnight they are believed to be the souls of the owners of those fields. They are quarreling about their boundaries. They had been very dishonest in their ways of acquiring their property. So they show to the world that they are the sinners of those fields.
5. People also believe in fairies or “encanto.” Sometimes if a person is very ill they take the person to a river or a well where that person went before he was sick. They bring cakes and wine and other foods which they offer to the encanto whom they believe makes the person sick. If the person gets well they believe the fairy returned the spirit of the sick person so he got well. But if he gets worse or even dies, they believe the fairy does not like to return the soul of the sick.

The people believe that fairies may take any form. Sometimes they appear to be a beautiful bird, a beautiful flower, a pretty fish or a butterfly. If you catch it or even point to it only it will cause the fairy to make you sick. People also believe in witches. If a person cannot look at another person squarely he is believed to be a witch. The witch is believed to be eating the sputum and all the discharge of a sick person because the witch feels very weak if he cannot smell the sick. The witch is believed to carry dead or live persons and fly away with them to a place where the witch can devour them.

It is believed that a witch will not die unless somebody will swallow his witchcraft which is believed to be in the form of a little chick. The one who wishes to swallow will lay down flat with opened mouth over the dying witch so that he will lay lips to lips with dying

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thus he can swallow the witchcraft without delay. To cure a witch let him eat a ganta of salt and drink many glasses of water. When he begins to vomit hung him upside down. Watch for anything that comes out of his mouth and kill it for it is the witchcraft. If it is not killed it will surely return to the place where it came from.

People also believe in ghosts living on big and tall trees. So before anybody cuts down a tree he asks the permission of the tree by saying, may I cut this tree? As those words are spoken, the ax is struck against the trunk and it is left there overnight. The next day if the ax is still on the tree, the belief is that the spirit gives up the tree to the cutter. But if the ax has fallen down to the ground the next day is a sign that the spirit or ghost does not give the tree and the cutter should not proceed to cut it down because he will surely meet accident or will die after cutting the tree. Sometimes if a person is new to a place especially in the mountains he is told to kiss the trunk of the biggest tree to show respect to the spirit living there. If you wish to see these spirits, ghosts and fairies, get a pure black cat, stay away from light at night. Get some of the dried tears of the black cat and apply it to your eyes especially on moonlight nights and you will see them dance and sing in the moonlight.

12. Popular Songs; games and amusements.

Sa diclom nin bangui aco nangalag-calag,
Si sacuyang mata dagos sa itaas
Simong pandoo malinigom, maliwanag.

Popular Games and Amusements:

1. Cockfighting is a game with license and is usually played on Sundays and holidays. Two cocks with sharp knives (bulang) tied to their cocks legs, are made to fight till one is killed. The killed cock is the loser. This is a national pass-time of the Filipinos.
2. Oronas or topada is a game played by two groups of players. While one group is on the field the other group try to run

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3. Pataran is a game played by two groups of players. While one group is on the field the other group try to run thru the lines which are guarded by those on the field. If by trying to run through you are touched by the fielders, then you are out. But if you happen to pass or run through without being touched then you are the winner.
4. Piko-Piko is the popularly played by most children. Any number will play the game. The leader of the game will open his palm and the rest of the players put their forefingers on the palm of the leader as they sing aloud, Piko-Piko, sangsarito, samulag na toro, pisiki At the word pisik the leader closes his palm quickly. Whoever is caught will be made to close his eyes while others hide. Then he goes after the rest and tries to catch them. Whoever is caught becomes the next leader. Then the games is played over again.

Puzzles and Riddles:

1. Pagalon mo aco ta malangoy aco (Tabo)
2. Dara co sia dara man aco nia (Sapatos)
3. Kiskis buaya pinag cacacan ta (Malungay)
4. Saro ca aroy napano sa balog (Ilaw)
5. Orig gong mataba palibot tinga (Bila)
6. Harong ni Santa Ana palibot espada (Piña)
7. Limang Maria saro sana an bitues (Rosariohan)
8. Duang catipong naca abot sa Libong (Bitis)
9. Tibas co nang tigbas di na otas (Tubig)

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10. Piripit garo dagon, boolad garo payon (Matong)

Proverbs and Sayings:

1. An naginibo iyo an matinao.
   He who gives faults to others is the doer.
2. Aanhon pa an zacate con gadang na an cabayo.
   What is the use of the grass when the horse is dead.
3. Kun ano an poon iyo man an bunga.
   Whatever is the fruit so is the fruit.
4. Dai ca mag guibo can abo mong guibohon man saimo.
   Do not do to others what you do not like others do an to you.
5. An daing pagtiwala sa iba dai mapapaniwalaan nin iba.
   He who cannot trust others cannot be trusted himself.
6. An mainagad iyo an dai tataong ayoran.
   He who is fond of asking is not fond of giving.
7. Con arani an calayo sa atag simpre maglalab.
   When the fire is near the wood it will surely burn.
8. An maglalakad luay-luay na todoo man ababao.
   He who walks slowly gets hurt slightly.
9. An may isinocot may gagawadan.
   He who keeps something can get something.
10. Daing pangpang na daing ca ampang.
    There is no bank without its opposite bank.

Methods of measuring time, special calendar

1. The most common method in the hearing of the crowing of the cock. When the cock crows before daybreak it is said to be 4:00 o’clock A.M.
2. Another is by observing the rising sun and the setting sun. When the sun rises they say it is 6:00 o’clock; When overhead it is 12:00 o’clock; and when it sets, 6:00 o’clock P.M.
3. Sometimes they measure times by the stomach. When they begin to feel hungry they say 12:00 o’clock.

An Bayong na Sagoksok

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Daoul na tao an nag ngangalas cun ngata ta an bayong na sagoksok parating nagtatago asin buhay pa may mga ulod sa lawas.

Can mga panahon, an sagoksok sarong bayong na magayonon asin nacaoa pagtaran. An bayong na ini labi ca anbogon dahil can saiyang pagca gayon. Parati ining bayong na ini na nagtotogdon sa halangcao na lugar asin labi-labing tabil ta gusto sanang madangog sia asin tanawan an saiyang magayon na pakpak.

Sarong aldaw nag tago sa irarom can cahoy na tinotogdonan nia si San Jose the Jesus pati si Santa Maria. Nag tatago sinda ta nahiling si mga soldados na nag hahanap sainda ta popogotan si niño Jesus. Pag tangod can mga soldados na nag hahanap sainda na sugo ni Herodes, duman sa cahoy na pinagtatagoan na San Jose, nag para suriaw si bayong na sagoksok — “Mga soldados, hilga digdi sa irarom nagtatago an pighahanap nindo. Sa kasohayan nin suerte dai man nagdadangog si mga soldados can sabi can sagoksok ta aram na nindang bayong na labi ca oticon asin tabilan can daing catotohanan.

Con paghale can mga soldados tinaraman ni San Jose an sagoksok, “Magpoon gnonian sagsod sa icagadan mo ica nagin pobre miserable asin buhay ca pa pagulodon cana. Matapos an tataramon ni San Jose nag para soksok an cahoy an bagong dahil sa sopog nia asin ta tinobuan nin mga ulod an lawas nia. Sagsod gnonian maheheling nindo na an sagoksok paratong nag sosoksok asin talagang may ulod sa lawas minsan buhay pa.

The Kakok (Translated)

People wonder why the Kakok is a skylark bird, and why it has worms within its body altho it is still alive.

A long time ago the Kakok was a bird with beautiful feathers.

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It looked so pretty with its colored feathers so that it was very proud of itself.

One day, the Holy Family (Jesus, Mary & Joseph) hid under the tree where the kakok was. They hid there because the soldiers who were sent by King Herod to slay the Baby Jesus were near at hand. When the soldiers got near the tree, the kakok began to shout, “soldiers, soldiers, beneath the tree and bushes where I perch is the Infant you are searching for.” The soldiers did not listen to the kakok, knowing how proud and talkative is the bird. Hence the Baby was saved.

When the soldiers were away. Saint Joseph looked up and scolded the bird saying, “From now on you must live a miserable life you must have worms inside your body to prove how wretched you are, You must be ashamed of yourself.” So from that day all that the Saint said, came true to the kakok.

Note:
This report was gathered and compiled by the Central Teachers of the Libon Central Elementary School, Libon, Albay during the school year 1952-1953 which compose the following: