MUNICIPALITY (NOW CITY) OF LIGAO, ALBAY, Historical Data of Part 2

PART II

Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV

About these Historical Data

The transcription of this page was done using AI technology.

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rained their loads of destruction. True enough, that day brought finale to the almost four years of enemy rule. However, the night before, the Japanese stationed in Ligao, in an effort not to leave anything that could be of use to the enemy, made sure everything was rubbish. They burned the garrison and the bombs well hidden under, ignited and that night the people waking up from their sleep, saw the town red against the night sky, and the earth too seemed to shake under their bare feet.

The Japanese soldiers joined the greater part of their comrades in Lingayen. Others took to the hills of Camalig where earlier before some had already fled. When the Americans learned of this, their planes began to concentrate on that spot where the Japanese were in hiding, and with the help of guerillas who pursued the enemy to it, it didn’t take long for the guerillas to gain the Japanese foothold. Casualties were heavy and it was when the battle was going to a close that Capt. Del Rosario was mortally wounded. A few days after Mrs. Del Rosario became a widow.

During the early part of the liberation, schools were opened once more and later on both elementary and secondary schools followed suit. In spite of the inadequacy of textbooks, school buildings, qualified teachers and other needs, schools continued to open.

With the coming of the Americans, sanitary conditions improved. Buildings, roads and bridges were rebuilt and the long felt need of the people for the return to a peaceful and joyful living was far from being a dream.

Events That Took Place After World War II

Just after liberation there came into existence what is known as PCAU (Phil. Civil Affairs Unit). Pre–war officials were chosen to compose this unit. They were:

Under their administration, the people of this town enjoyed a life of bliss and contentment. Rice, canned goods, clothes, sugar and other commodities were sold to the public at a price everyone could afford.

On April 27, 1945 the first local election was held. Elected Mayor was Jose del Rosario and Magno Jumba as vice–mayor. Improvements were made by the new administration. The Municipal Hall together with the Madrigal Park were among those constructed. Others were the town’s school buildings, roads and bridges. Those who gave a hand were Senator Vicente Madrigal, Senator Domingo Imperial, Representative Marcial Ranola and ex–governor Lins.

On the Christmas Eve of 1947, typhoon Jean swept over the province, devastating the houses and greens. Reliefs were sent by civic organizations. To help the people, the president warned storeowners not to increase the prices of their commodities.

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Our church also improved a lot through the untiring efforts of our last parish priest Rev. Fr. Teopisto Alberto, now bishop of Sorsogon’s diocese. The people of the town gave his support in the reconstruction of the church. Senator P. Madrigal again donated something to the church.

In November 1951, the election of local officials took place. Mayor del Rosario was reelected with Bienvenido Llaneta as vice–mayor. He too was reelected. Sometime in 1952, Marcial Lumbes who was the sergeant of the police force, accidentally shot to death a fellow policeman, Julian Buangin. Sgt. Lumbes claimed that he was drunk.

It was also in the year 1952 that the Huks began to penetrate the mountains of Ligao. And on May 28 of that year Luis Matias, lieutenant of Agol, was killed by the Huks. Like Moises Padilla of Negros Occ. who died of many wounds inflicted by his political enemies, Luis Matias likewise died of knife thrusts.

One of the most destructive typhoons the province ever witnessed was that of October 22, 1952, much more destructive than typhoon Jean, typhoon Trix sent many houses flat to the ground. It was estimated that 85% of the buildings were destroyed with a loss of approximately a million pesos in properties for the whole Bicol region. From Malacbalac alone a family of twelve perished in the calamity. A woman in Bonga was found dead the following morning. Another man was seen floating at the Tagpo River whose banks overflowed. Authorities discovered the man’s identity and turned him over to the Guinobatan authorities where he hails from. The dead man was on his way to Masarawag for a business when he was carried away by the strong current.

Civic organizations all over the country sent aid to the victims of the typhoon. Clothing, rice and corn, building materials and foods were distributed among the people. President Quirino issued a memorandum to the effect that businessmen found taking advantage of the situation will be punished accordingly.

Respectfully submitted by:
Miss Porfiria Orap– Chairman
” Consuelo Ranera– Member
” S. R. Quitasol– ”
” C. B. Sacabon– ”
” M. Q. Matias– ”
” Mrs. L. V. Marcozo– ”
” Mr. Gregorio Delgado– ”

Compiled March 30, 1953

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DESTRUCTION OF LIVES, PROPERTIES, AND INSTITUTIONS

DURING THE PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION IN 1896–1900

The outbreak of the Philippine Revolution in 1896 was widespread. This was due to the prevalent ills of the Spanish administration, then prevalent and obtaining throughout the country.

When the Spaniards of the town knew of the uprising of the Filipinos due to the presence of the rebels or insurrectos as they were called, the local Spanish residents fled to the Capital and the Guardia Civils were concentrated to the Capital. They were disarmed for fear that they turn about and rise up in arms against the Spaniards, because most of them were Filipinos.

In view of the flight of the Spaniards and concentration of the Guardia Civil, Ligao had not been a battleground during the Revolution of 1896.

The Filipinos took advantage of the situation and organized the government of their own. The then Capt. Ramon Santos, because of his love and inclination to render justice to the oppressed was virtually made head of the local government.

When the Americans came and landed at Legaspi, the people of this town fled to the mountains. The Americans came and found the town desolate except a few who remained. They informed the people who fled to come down but still some of them remained in hiding. Then the Americans gave warning by establishing off–limits in certain sections of the municipality. Red flags were placed and those found beyond the off–limits were considered enemies, hence most of the people came out of their hiding places and established themselves in concentrated places. The Americans followed a policy of attraction to fulfill their noble intentions by giving them food, medicines and providing them with schools as a medium of learning the language. So when the Americans came, there was practically no destruction of lives, property, and, institutions.

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DESTRUCTION OF LIVES, PROPERTIES, AND INSTITUTIONS

DURING THE WARS ESPECIALLY IN 1941–1945

Before the Japanese invaders occupied Ligao, almost all stores in town were raided by the people. Harassed by the news of the troops landing in Legaspi (December 12, 1941), owners of stores especially the Chinese gave up their goods to the public. Even rice mills and bodegas were looted. All efforts of the owners to defend their properties were futile.

A few days later without any opposition the Japanese Imperial Army marched into town. To their surprise, there were no more inhabitants, except a few stray dogs running in the streets. All doors were closed except those of the looted stores. The town was completely deserted.

The house of Mr. Gutierrez, a big two–story building whose doors were bolted were thrown open and soldiers went up for a temporary stay. The Primary School building was opened also where a few soldiers stayed too. But they soon left these two buildings when the flow of more soldiers brought them to a great number. The Intermediate School building was then made as their headquarters. A guard house was erected. Later, the house of Cresencio Bibaya was made as a communication center.

The Japanese commandeered the town’s food supply. Their ruthless conduct, their savagery and disrespect to the Filipinos gave rise to discontent, hate and revenge. Yet nobody was brave enough to tell them just who they were. Instead such merciless acts brought about the close watch of guerrillas.

At one instance five men were executed in front of the market right before the eyes of the marketing public. A few even fainted at the scene. Men caught or suspected in our barrio raid were brought to the Japanese garrison and tortured. Few, if any survived from these atrocities. Many died while undergoing the torture. Even people caught in Oas, Polangui, and as far as Malacbalac were brought to Ligao for torture. And because of this, residents in other towns almost suspected the people of Ligao to be pro–Japanese.

In Paulba and its adjacent barrios so many families were burned inside their homes. A family member who jumped out of the window for safety was met by machine gun fire.

On the other side of the picture, the guerrillas were in the elimination of Japanese spies. There were so many controversies prevailing and because the head of a unit had no direct hand in execution his victims, illiterate, followers misused the power vested upon them by their superiors. And it was due to this condition that many Filipino spies were persecuted. But what a mighty loss to some who were killed innocent.

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Many residents of Ligao were victimized by “loose talk”. One had to be very careful of what to say. The killings went on. Jaime Sacabon was killed by the Japanese. Balbino Ranoco suffered the same fate. Outside killings also existed. Nemecio Manlangit, a farmer of Ligao and his two sons were believed beheaded in Basisi. So with Maximino Lumbes, Antonio Borromeo, Guillermo Viscaya and Aniano Ricafort, all of Ligao who were targets of the outlaws just because of their money in possession. Another one Antonio del Castillo of Antic was liquidated because of his money. Zosimo Pulvinar and his son, a Jap–trained spy were shot to death by guerrillas.

By the latter part of 1944, the abaca plantations by the roadside in Tuburan were cut by Japanese workers. They also cut the grass and trees as wide as ten meters from the roadside for fear of being ambushed.

While these Japanese occupied the Intermediate School building the doors of the rooms were taken out and chairs were even used for fuel. All school equipment, even books were thrown if not burned. So that when they left, the school building was in total destruction with its walls all falling off. The Industrial Arts building looked very black for it was their kitchen. The Home Economics building seemed torn to pieces. During the Japanese’ stay in these school houses, the people in Binatagan were continuously disturbed. Soldiers would enter their backyards and gather camotes and pineapples but mostly they hungered for young coconuts.

American planes then began raiding the town. The M R R station was bombed and demolished. Three persons were killed. The church suffered the strafing of machine guns and so with Mr. Jaucian’s commercial building.

When the Japanese retreated, they left the Primary School building smoldering in ashes. A few houses they have occupied were also left in ruins. Foremost of these were Mr. Aleus’s house in the Centro and Mr. Bibaya’s house in Binatagan.

It then took years to restore the total destruction of properties in the town. Buildings were made to stand one by one, in its steady rehabilitation program. Properties were soon regained. But as to lost lives, ill–feelings are still borne these days since restoration of them can never be attained.

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MEASURES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS TOWARD REHABILITATION
AND RECONSTRUCTION FOLLOWING WORLD WAR II

The Americans landed at Legaspi, on April 1^st, 1945. Ligao was then a mass of destroyed buildings and falling houses. Very few people were found in the poblacion. Most of the inhabitants were forced to seek shelter in nearby barrios and hills. The news of the American landing at Legaspi port spread like wildfire. People rejoiced and were glad. This would mean happiness and peace for them. Their long tedious years of waiting for liberation is at an end. They immediately gathered their little belongings and went back to their destroyed homes. They found most of their houses destroyed and in ruins. This was because of the atrocities of the Japanese soldiers who made use of their houses for their fuel and other purposes. When they retreated from the town they burned houses and lighted incendiary bombs in the Primary School building which stored most of their food supply. The tremendous concussion caused by the bombs made the windows and walls of nearby houses fall to the ground. Our animals were either looted by the enemy or looted by some mischievous persons who wandered about the town.

When the Americans were safely landed, they at once took measures to restore peace and order in the towns. Government officials were called back to their offices and were made to resume their duties. The people’s confidence returned and they too began their different trades and occupations. Little by little their houses were mended and some were rebuilt. Schools were opened and children promptly enrolled. All students were eager to resume their studies which were sadly neglected during the four years of the Japanese regime. Among the schools which were rebuilt by the rehabilitation money of America, were the Primary School and the Intermediate School buildings. There were also stores and edifices which were rehabilitated like the Ralla building and the Jaucian building. Roads and bridges got their shares too. They were repaired in due time. Most of the inhabitants filed their claims for damages and when their money arrived they reconstructed their destroyed homes and replenished their lost animals.

Compiled by:

Mrs. Primitiva P. Vega
Mrs. Inocencia P. Manlangit
Mrs. Remedios M. Quitasol
Mrs. Faustina Y. Rosal

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Part Two
F O L K W A Y S

Traditions, Customs and Practices In
Domestic and Social Life

It is said that a country without traditions, customs and peculiar practices is not a country to anyone, hence we deplore and lament the fact that the Philippines is losing its traditions amidst a total indifference, without an array of paladins to defend and keep secure its pristine ways.

That safe–deposit vault of fine bronze where the familiar and ancestral histories of a nation are deposited; the chaplet of diverse flowers, expressive of her picturesque and ingenious customs, maybe happy or sentimental ones but always poetical with the unconfounded seal of popular art––an art that shines and has dominion over the patriotic and Christian ideals. All these, united to the reminiscences of youth, constitute the true essence of a nation. We want now a remembrance of these practices, the precious legacy of our town’s past.

Here are a few glaring examples of our folklore.

BIRTH: During Pregnancy

While pregnant, a mother has got so many things to follow and observe.

1. She should not stay on doorways nor go in and out at once.
2. She should not go out at night especially when the moon is rising and to places not frequented by men. If the going out proves inevitable, the hair must be made to hang loose and pieces of charcoal be placed around the waistline to drive away evil spirits who may do harm to the baby.
3. At sunset, the prospective mother should say some good prayers to make sure her delivery is safe and easy.
4. She should avoid sewing or mending clothes when put on.

Labor Period

1. At the start of the pains, the mother must invert her “patadjong” (tapis) as women of old wore

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2. No attempts to appease and soothe the pains at the buttocks should be made by using her own hands. Instead, she should rub the painful part against a post or a wall.
3. If there’s a cat around, rub the painful part with its paw.
4. Anything around which is made of light materials and not very bulky should be taken by the mother and thrown out of the window with all her strength.
5. If possible she must take, at one gulp, a fresh egg––the first egg of a new layer.
6. In the event that the delivery is laborious and very difficult, the husband must go downstairs and build fire under the house to smoke it. This is done in order to force the spirits lurking around to stay away because they retard and impede the coming out of the child. If coconut shell is used to build the fire, the inner part should be placed facing upward.
7. All locks must be unlocked.
8. In lying down, the mother should lie alongside the floor.

Post–Natal

1. The baby is allowed to lie on a book or magazine to give her/him wisdom.
2. The placenta is either buried or thrown into the river.
3. If buried, they place it in a new and clean glass together with a pencil or a feather. This will give the child talent and forte. The pit hole must not be too deep nor too shallow but only enough for the placenta in such a way that the dog or other scavenging animals could not go away with it, otherwise the child shall be long–handed.
4. While the navel is still unhealed, fire should not be given away even via cigars or cigarettes. As soon as it is cut and made ready for healing, the part cut is wrapped and hung at the eaves of the house to free it from rats, on the contrary the baby will surely become a kleptomaniac.

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5. When the mother is still too weak to get up,
   no one in her menses should try to visit her. It will cause her terrible pains.

BAPTISM:

1. Ordinarily, the mother of the child gives the name to the baby. Sometimes the oldest member of the family is given the authority to do so, of course, asking the views of those who, in one way or another, are related to the neophyte.
2. Often times, names of ancestors are given to the child.
3. In the case of twins, each should follow a different route from the doorway of the house to the church.
4. Persons of good moral character and talent are usually picked out to act as Godparents because the child will get some of their traits. In pompous baptisms, a pair of Godparents is taken. It had been customary already that a baby girl should have for her Godparent a woman and a baby boy a man.
5. During the ceremonies, the Godparent must say the prayers clearly and accurately. Anything to the contrary will make the child stupid or defective in speech. Care should be exercised by the Godparent not to have the lighted candle blown out, otherwise the child is going to be short–lived.
6. If more boys were christened on a baptismal day, the baby girl who was baptized at that time shall have many lovers. If more girls than boys, then a baby girl is apt to be entombed in the white sepulcher of spinsterhood.
7. On arrival from the church, the baby is met with a lighted candle indicative of a bright future for the child.

COURTSHIP:

1. Courtship during those times (in some cases) was managed and controlled by the parents of the parties concerned. It outdates the meeting of the man and the woman––quite a departure from the ordinary run.
2. Sometimes (as is always the case) the man makes the break. After ogling at the woman he loves and intends to marry–he courts her, during courting moments, in amorous conversations until she finally

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3. The man goes serenading the woman he loves and sings beautiful songs to the rythm of a guitar, banjo or a ukulele or recites poetic phrases like the bards of old.
4. The woman confines herself at home doing the household chores as a very good preparation for the life she will live with her prospective partner. Her ways are beyond reproach.

Pre–Marital Period

1. When the time is ripe for both the man and the woman to settle down, the man together with his parents go to the house of the woman to make arrangements as to the date of marriage and some other important things pertinent to their wedding. This is called the “pamalakhi.” To carry this out effectively, the man’s side employs one of wit and rhetoric to do the talking. It is because of this that sometimes the load of “bug” for the man is made lighter. If the woman concerned possesses beauty or other assets that make her a real treasure, her parents make conditions harder. The man is asked to build a house of good and durable materials where the couple could spend their wedded life in an eternal honey–moon to the consummation of their own love and happiness or a dowry in the form of real estate or money. Ofttimes the money is given to the girl’s parents in exchange for so precious a jewel. Aside from this, the man is tested on his diligence and perseverance in work, his fidelity, etc. This is the “manungang system.” Many a suitor sometimes fail to see their dreams realized, that is when things seem insurmountable.

MARRIAGE:

1. Everything is set for the wedding. It’s a big day for the contracting parties, their relatives and friends. On the eve of the wedding, it is a custom that the man should sleep with his “padrino” and the woman with her “madrina.” This is done in order that both could very well be supervised and guided properly in donning their wedding attire and given the last minute instructions as to what they will do in the church.
2. Comes now the day of days. They wake up early

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3. During the performance of the rites, there is a part in the rituals when bride and groom have to shake hands. It is at this time when the fight for supremacy takes place because they say that the first one to grip the hand of the other will be more powerful. Another thing occurs. One tries to step on the shoe of the other––the first one to do this will be more dominant in the household.
4. When the veil is put on to cover them, the couple should employ utmost care not to let it fall, else one whose veil has dropped off shall die first.
5. From the church they proceed home. On arriving there a race ensues in getting up the stairs. This is between the couple only. The first one to do it shall have more authority in the domicile.
6. Upon arrival at home from the church and before they get upstairs, they are showered with rice to wish them good luck and live a life of plenty.
7. At home an elevated place with a table and two chairs at the sides are prepared for the two. It is nicely decorated to distinguish them from the rest. Each of them is seated in the given chair with a candle by the side. The one whose candle burns out last shall outlive the other.
8. If there’s music, main feature is the dance of the couple called “pantomina” and here we’ll witness a shower of coins coming from the “madrina” and “padrino,” parents of both and their closest kin. They are divided into two factions, i.e., the man’s side and the woman’s side. Each party tries to outsmart the other by dropping more money.

DEATH:

1. If death occurs at night, a fire is built under the house at the time the person is agonizing. This is done in order to drive the spirits away because they might disturb the peace and tranquility of mind of the dying person.
2. The news of the death is relayed to the priest who, after having been paid a certain amount, orders the tolling of the church bells as a notice to the people that somebody is dead and that they should pray for the eternal repose of the soul of the faithful departed. This custom had been passed on to us by the Spaniards.
3. Mourners begin to wail raise a wail all night

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4. The bereaved family hires the services of some people to sing the Passion of our Lord which commences at night and ends at daybreak. They prepare a feast for those who call to condole with them. It lasts while the body lies in state.
5. People come to the house and give a certain amount as voluntary help to the family of the deceased. Whoever now is the head of the family is the one who holds the money.
6. Immediate kins of the dead wear black clothes. Women wear long, heavy–black veils to distinguish them from the other mourners. The rest use black as a sign of mourning.
7. While the body lies in state, no cleaning of the house is allowed. Combing of the hair of the members of the bereaved family is prohibited to prevent a succession of deaths among them.
8. If the woman dies, the widower knots a black cloth around his collar as a symbol that his grief is nonparalleled. If he is the man, the widow covers her head and face with a black cloth also to show that she is the widow.
9. If either of the parents die, the widower or widow (as the case may be) followed by the children from eldest to youngest, steps over (“lakad”) the coffin for three times. This may be done either at home or in the cemetery.

BURIAL:

1. Burial takes place 24 hours or more after death. When the coffin is about to be brought downstairs to be taken to the church, all windows should be closed to prevent anybody from peeping or looking out. Any infringement of this will mean that the person concerned have to follow suit in not a very distant future.
2. The coffin is borne ahead of anybody else. The bereaved family follow. A band of music use to accompany the dead during the whole course of the cortege. While the funeral cortege is going on, members of the bereaved family should not in the least turn their heads because by so doing they will be moving their heads unconsciously. They should neither go near a bright light for if they do, their eyes will be moving like the flickering of light. This is true to the light

[p. 33]

3. From the cemetery, all those who, having participated in the cortege, proceed to the house of the deceased, receive a shower of ashes for reasons we fail to comprehend.
4. When either of the parents dies, the widower or widow (as the case may be) together with the children take a bath a day after the burial. In doing so, they dip their bodies thrice facing eastward repeating the same action facing westward. Immediately after the bath they permit themselves to be whipped thrice also by another widower or widow with the stalk of a gabi. In going home they should not turn their heads.
5. To honor the dead, a “misterio” is said. It consists of prayers for the dead done within a period of 9 or 10 consecutive days. This can be performed either at home, in the church or in the cemetery. This practice favors a great deal the children because they always receive “sopas” and native cakes as “tangdan” everytime they come and join in the prayers.

VISITS:

1. Visits are made to friends and relatives under normal conditions, during sickness, after giving birth to a child, etc..
2. Hospitality and the bigness of heart on the part of the person visited are the most salient factors that qualify best our visits. Visitors are afforded the best entertainments, reception fit for a king, accommodation, food, drinks and many other things more that add to the best satisfaction, pleasure and happiness of their hearts. As they leave the place, still they carry with them a variety of things for their families. This is done as a sign of friendship––the mutual give–and–take propositions among friends and neighbors.
3. Persons from the dead or from the cemetery after a burial are not allowed to visit a sick person because it will only make the sickness grow worse.
4. Visits made by suitors to their loved ones should not last very long. This will displease the parents of the girl.

FESTIVALS:

1. Festivals comprehend varied forms of celebration. They commemorate births, baptisms, marriages,

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2. People make the necessary preparations to success the celebration. Among other things that they do, we’ll mention the most conspicuous. Mass, parade, games, food, fireworks and the dance which is the crowning glory of the celebration––all these constitute the distinguished marks or features of our festivals.
3. There is a common practice among the cooks to bury in the middle of the stove a small quantity of each dish prepared so that the preparation will not run short.
4. After the harvest, a feast of thanksgiving known as the “bagurang” is held. Native cakes, eggs, wine and meat are prepared. The table is set first for the spirits who helped in making a bountiful produce. Then the crowd follow.

PUNISHMENTS:

1. Here we can see the legislative unity of our people before in matters of law. Punishments were imposed upon lawbreakers according to the malice and seriousness of the crime.
2. Those caught guilty of murder and robbery were condemned to die either by drowning with a stone tied to their body or in boiling water.
3. Bad debtors were given 100 blows with a whip the first time they fail to pay a debt. If the debt is of great value, the hand was dipped in a boiling water. The second time he fails, then that failure will prove fatal to him. His punishment is death.
4. One who disobeys the duly constituted authorities or disturbs the peace and order of the community, is condemned to death through ant bites.
5. Deliberate refusal to work in the fields or plant anything for the daily consumption of his family, was considered a serious crime which deserves severe punishment. A lazy person is detained and sold to the rich where he will serve as a slave and learn the lesson of service and labor. After having been well–seasoned to work as is his duty, he is sent back to his family and the sum with which he was bought, is returned. This time he is regarded as one who does not belong anymore to the inferior class. But if in the long run he is found again guilty of the same

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6. Lashing with a shark’s tail was one of the most common ways of punishing criminals and those pupils who were lazy in studying their “cartillas” or “cu–tone.”

In the light of these informations and data from impartial observers, books and documents of antiquity, we cannot gainsay the fact nor allege that the Philippines in general, and Ligao in particular did not have her history–––traditions, customs and practices in her domestic and social life.

Respectfully submitted:

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HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF LIGAO
Part II: Folkways
Legend of the First Woman and Man

Once upon a time there grew a bamboo thicket by the river bank. One day a bird perched on one of the bamboos. The bird began to peck the bamboo on one of its joints. Soon it heard a voice: “Peck it, peck it, peck it harder.” The bird did so. The bamboo joint split in two. Out sprang the first man.

On the next joint, the bird heard again a voice say: “Peck, peck it, peck it, peck it harder.” The bird pecked and pecked it harder than ever. The bamboo joint split in two, and out sprang the first woman.

The man was very happy because he had a companion. The two lived happily together.

BELIEFS, SUPERSTITIONS, AND INTERPRETATION OF:

(A)

1. The Comet–

   People believe that when a comet appears in the sky, it is a sign of a coming war or epidemic.

2. The moon and the stars –

   During the ancient times people believed that the sun is the face of God. All the things done by the people were seen by God. This is so because He is above all. People can not glance at the sun because they are sinners. They disobeyed the Ten Commandments of God. So they were ashamed to face him.

3. The moon was the face of God at night. When it was half–moon, first quarter, last quarter, people believed God was just peeping to his people to see what they are doing. God knows that people’s sins are minimized in the evening because they are asleep. They have no time to commit sins.
4. When the new moon appears in the west closely following up star above it, women about to deliver will have hard delivery.
5. The Fire–

   When one cooks and fire in groups of dots are seen at the bottom or on the side of the pot, kettle, or frying–pan, it means that a visitor or visitors are coming.

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6. Shooting Stars–

   When shooting star or stars are seen in the sky, that means, there will continuous sunny days.

7. Eclipse of the Sun or Moon–

   Mothers in the family way looking at the eclipse will give birth to children with black shades on their faces.

B. Birth of Twins or More–

1. People believe especially old mothers’ that women who eat bananas that are attached together will give birth to twins or more.

C. Sickness–

It is believed that certain people know witchcraft. If such people stare at a child they like very much, that child will get sick with stomach trouble or hysteria. Usually it is accompanied by fever. The arbolario, a quack doctor who knows how to treat such particular sickness is called. The arbolario looks for a plant called “alom.” He picks the leaves which have three points and spreads coconut oil on the surface that faces the sun. He makes the sign of the cross with the leaves on the abdomen of the patient and then places them on the abdomen. They are left overnight. The next morning the leaves are detached. The arbolario looks through the leaves to see if there are perforations. If it is positive, the child is really, they call it, “na ayatan or na oomangan.” To cure the sickness, the arbolario gets pullet if the patient is a girl, a cockerel if the patient is a boy. He cuts the pullet or a cockerel as the case may be, lengthwise by the back, puts inside it a handful of wild native pepper “saripong–pong”, thrusts the body of the pullet or cockerel with sharpened sticks of “bagacay”, a certain kind of bamboo, and ties it with sharp–bladed grass called “rat”. The pullet or cockerel then is burned to ashes. The arbolario grinds the ashes and mixes it with coconut oil and then applies it to the abdomen of the patient. Then the sick person gets well.

Witchcraft–

There are persons, certain persons who are called witches. These people are said to be spending nights under the room or house of a sick person. At times they are with the patients but they are invisible. They inhale the smell of the patients or sometimes they lick the underside of the floor where the patient is lying. It is substantial to them.

[p. 38]

The patient can tell the presence of the witch. The patient feels at his worst if the witch is present. If the patient is male the witch that may visit him is a woman, and vice versa.

A dying witch can not breath his last until a member of his family compromises or acknowledges that he will be the heir or recipient of the “caru–rua” or “kalu–lua” after he had breathed his last. Then the “caru–rua” or “isiw–id w” is vomited by the dying witch. The “caru–rua” or “isiw–isiw” will transfer to the heir through the mouth then to the stomach.

Rain and Storms–

When a goose, a duck, a turkey flies high and far people interpret it as a signal of a coming storm or typhoon.

When bamboos crack or break even if the wind is not blowing hard, people believe it is a signal of a coming strong typhoon.

When banana plants fall to the ground uprooted without strong wind or rain, it is foretelling the coming of a typhoon.

People believe that rain has something to do with the growth and health of children. So during the first day or first week of May people watch for the first rain to fall. When rain fall of those days, people urge their children to take a bath in the rain because it will cure their disease and will help them to grow faster and taller.

When rain falls heavily accompanied by lightning especially at night, mushrooms will surely thrive everywhere. So people look for these mushrooms in quite dark damp places. They usually find them in those places.

Something More About the Moon

Old folks believe that the moon is inhabited. Its inhabitants are big and tall like giants with hairy bodies, two straight forward horns and long wagging tails. They used to visit the earth during midnight on All Saints Day every year.

During the first quarter when the people see a star near the point, the point of the moon, they say that during the month there will be bloodshed, such as killing with bolos and daggers, accidental shooting and murder. So people become conscious when they handle sharp objects.

[p. 39]

When the new moon inclines to the right or to the left, the farmers begin to plant their seedlings; they believe that its position will bring much rain. If the new moon is straight they say that it will be always sunny.

Once a farmer lived happily with his family in a nipa house. One Christmas Eve he decided to have a roasted pig for Christmas dinner. He took a big basket and went away toward the barrio. His wife did not say anything. She dressed and attended the midnight mass.

Very soon the farmer was alone in the road. He looked around and when he saw that everything was quiet around him, he caught a pig and quickly put it in his basket.

Just then he heard a voice of a child calling asking him what he was doing. He was frightened and answered that he borrowed the pig. The farmer looked around and saw a child with a very bright face standing near him. The child told him that he should be in the church hearing mass by that time. Because of stealing he was told to stay in the moonlight till the end of the world.

The child walked to the church and as the farmer watched him walking, he felt himself rising, up, up, higher and higher. At last he rose right up to the moon where he can be seen until today still carrying his basket with a pig in it.

When the sun or moon fails to give light to the earth, we call it eclipse. People who do not understand these things become frightened when there is an eclipse. They think that a great snake or monster is swallowing the moon or the sun. They then make kinds of noise like beating of drums and blowing of horns to frighten the monster.

Pregnant mothers are not allowed to stay outside the house and see the eclipse. They believe that when they give birth the child will surely have cross eyes, if not, he will have black shade on his face.

During the total eclipse people believe that the end of the world is coming. Children cry, and old people light their holy candles and pray. Then when the moon or sun gets out of the straight line and the sun or moon shines on the earth again, they believe that their prayer drove away the big monster that was trying to swallow the sun or moon.

[p. 40]

Old folks believe that there is a very strong giant in the core of the earth. He is known as “Oaseog”. His strength is supernatural so that when he moves his fingers the earth trembles slightly. When he moves his arms the trembling of the earth is strong. If the whole body is moved the earth would spin and that the earth will be torn to pieces.

In the sky there is a big supernatural man who is a blacksmith. He used to make his bolos there. When he blows his billows and pounds the glowing steel a great deafening sound is produced. This is thunder. The sparks which fly in every direction are the lightnings.

Long, long, time ago, people on earth had abundant supply of cotton. Every home had scattered piles of it. Being overanxious they carelessly scattered it everywhere. The Gods and Goddesses in heavens saw how carelessly and lazily people lived. They became angry and agreed to punish them. The gods and goddesses came down to earth. They gathered up all the cotton and placed them in bags. They carried it all to their home in the heavens. But some of the bags had holes in them. As they went across the sky a strong wind came. The bags burst and the cotton was scattered in the sky. They had no time to gather it together so they decided to change it to clouds. So now you can see the clouds near the surface of the earth and high up in the sky continuously moving.

Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV