MUNICIPALITY MALILIPOT, ALBAY, Historical Data of Part 1

PART I

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About these Historical Data

The transcription of this page was done using AI technology.

[Cover page]

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Prepared and submitted by:

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FOREWORD

The collection and compilation of the historical data for the municipality of Malilipot was undertaken by the Malilipot Central School Committee composed of the Principal as Chairman and the central school teachers as members with the help of the Barrio School Committees composed of the Head Teachers as Chairman and their teachers as members.

Grateful acknowledgement is due to the following persons who rendered invaluable assistance to the different committees: Rev. Father Benjamin B. Romano, Parish Priest of Malilipot, Mr. Eulogio V. Albaniel, Municipal Treasurer, Mr. Pedro Beraquit, Municipal Mayor, Mr. Aurelio Buela, Chief of Police, Mr. Isaac Bordonada, a prominent citizen of the Poblacion, Mr. Mariano Bilasano, a citizen of the Poblacion having valuable records in his possession, and the old persons in the municipality.

Special credit is also due to Mr. Getulio Nebres, Principal of the Malilipot Central Elementary School for his efforts in seeking the cooperation of the above-mentioned persons and Messrs Alejandro Bitantes and Salvador Raña for the arduous task of preparing the manuscript.

DAVIL L. ABUNDO
Supervising Principal

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INTRODUCTION

In view of the fact that the manuscript, books and other publications forming the collections of the National Library were almost entirely destroyed during the battle for the liberation of the City of Manila and among the documents destroyed were those manuscripts containing the important data relating to the history and culture of the barrios, towns, cities and provinces, His Excellency, the President of the Philippines, enjoined all agencies of the Government as well as private citizens in possession of any historical data in any form in his Executive Order No. 486, dated December 7, 1951, to extend their full cooperation to the Division Superintendents, District Supervisors, Principals, and teachers entrusted with the executive order, the

The following is the executive order:

MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 486

PROVIDING FOR THE COLLECTION AND COMPILATION OF HISTORICAL DATA REGARDING BARRIOS, TOWNS, CITIES, AND PROVINCES

WHEREAS, the manuscripts, books and other publications forming the collections of the National Library were almost entirely destroyed during the battle for the liberation of the City of Manila from the Japanese;

WHEREAS, among the documents destroyed were those manuscripts containing important data relating to the history and culture of our barrios, towns, cities, and provinces—manuscripts which were collected and preserved by virtue of Executive Orders Nos. 2 and 136, dated January 26, 1911, and January 3, 1938, respectively; and

WHEREAS, it is for our advancement that such data be regathered and brought up to date from time to time, to serve as a source of inspirations and guidance for our future generations, as well as source materials for historians, investigators and researchers;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ELPIDIO QUIRINO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order;

That data on the history and culture of each barrio,

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town, city and province be collected and compiled;

That the history of each province be written;

That the Division Superintendents of Schools direct the collection of these data and the preparation of the manuscripts, using the outline appearing in the Appendix hereto, which is hereby made an integral part of this Order;

That these manuscripts be completed and submitted as soon as possible, but not later than July 4^th, 1953.

All agencies of the Government as well as private citizens in possession of any pertinent historical data in any form are hereby enjoined to extend their full cooperation to the Division Superintendents, District Supervisors, Principals and teachers entrusted with the execution of the Order.

Done in the City of Manila, this 7^th day of December, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and fifty-one, and of the Independence of the Philippines, the sixth.

(SGD.) ELPIDIO QUIRINO
President of the Philippines

By the President:

(SGD.) MARCIANO ROQUE
Acting Assistant Executive Secretary

A true copy

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE
POBLACION OF MALILIPOT

PART ONE: HISTORY

Present Official Name — The present official name of this town is Malilipot. Most often it is called Manlilipot or Manlipot.

Former Names and Their Meanings or Derivation — Manlilipod — In the early days this town was called Manlilipod (accent on the last syllable) which means “protector” because of the mountain barrier that protects the town from the destructive eruptions of Mayon Volcano,

Malilipot — This town was also called Malilipot because the first Spaniards came to this place in the month of December. The climate was so cool that one of them exclaimed, “Muy frio!” The early residents interpreted this term in the dialect. Thenceforth, the town has been called Malilipot.

Date of Establishment — As far as the available records under the custody of Rev. Father Benjamin B. Romano, present parish priest of the town, the Municipal Treasurer, the Municipal Secretary, Mariano Bilasano, Mr. Modesto Belmonte, Mr. Isaac Bordonada, and the testimonies of the old men and women in this town are concerned, the early founders of the town were not definitely ascertained. But the same records show that in 1798 Simeon Vasquez was the first Cura Parroco and in 1799 Don Joaquin Bautista became the first Capitan Municipal of the town.

Names of Persons Who Held Leading Official Position
In The Community

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During the American Time

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Data On Historical Sites, Structures, Buildings, Old Ruins Etc. – Lambike – is an old ruin on the eastern corner of Real and Reynold Streets near the Tiago Bridge. This ruin was the place where the perfume was manufactured. This building was destroyed by the typhoon in 1915.

The old ruins on the eastern side of the churchyard were the first Spanish schools for men and women. They were also destroyed by the strong typhoon in 1915.

The old ruin on the eastern corner of Real and Washington Streets, the lot now occupied by Mrs. Vicente B. Bániza, was the first American school. This building was destroyed also by the typhoon in 1915.

The first cemetery was located on the lot now bounded on the north and east by the National Road, Rizal Street on the south and Madua Street on the west.

Important Facts, Incidents, or Events That Took Place

(a) During the Spanish Time –

1807 – Typhoid epidemic.

1811 – Typhoon hit the town.

1818 – Typhoon hit the town.

1819 – Death of Simeon Vasquez, the first Cura Parroco.

1866 – The Convent was Burned. Father Canuto was the Cura Parroco.

1882 – Death of Father Vicente Peñoso.

1893 – Father Aguedo Reyes became the Cura Parroco and died on the same year.

1898 – Insurrectos came down town to hunt for the town officials of

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the Spanish Government.

1899 – January 21, Mayon Volcano erupted. During this year the Filipino Government was organized.

(b) During the American Occupation to World War II –

1902 – Announcement of the Proclamation that the Filipino-American War was ended.

1907 – Organization of the local political party particularly the Nationalista Party.

1915 – October 22, a very strong typhoon hit the town. It lasted for about an hour but it destroyed almost all the houses in the town.

1918 – Construction of the Artesian Well located on the intersection of Washington and Arellano Streets.

1928 – Eruption of Mayon Volcano.

1929 – The old Malilipot Central Elem. School was transferred to Salvacion.

1935 – November 15, First Anniversary of the Commonwealth of the Philippines.

1938 – June 5, eruption of Mayon Volcano

1941 – December 8, radio Broadcast that the United States declared war against Japan. The news was received at eight o’clock in the evening. December 12, all schools were closed. The Japanese landed at Bigaa, Legaspi, and on the same day arrived at Malilipot.

(c) During and After World War II –

1941–1944 – Japanese Occupation.

1942 – January 8, the Malilipot Central Elementary School was reopened. Formation of Kalibapi

1943 – October 14, Independence Day Celebration.

1944 – Establishment of the Commonwealth. December, A Japanese plane bombed the Church. It was not hit. The house of Benjamin Bio was totally destroyed by the bombed. November 7, to January 6, 1945– Japanese Occupation of the town.

1945 – April, Thanksgiving Mass for the arrival of the American to Malilipot. Major Sim visited the town. May, P.C. A. U.

1946 – July 4, Re-establishment of the Philippine Republic. A program was held on this special occasion.

1947 – December 25, typhoon Jean.

1952 – October 21, typhoon Trix.

Destruction of Lives and Properties and Institution During the War Specially in 1896–1900 and 1941–1945 – During the war in 1896 to 1900, the insurrectos used to come down to get food. They looted stores and houses. On one occasion in 1899, when Mayon was erupting, they came down and looked for the government officials.

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The official escaped and the insurrectos looted the convent. They got all the food they were able to find.

During the short Japanese Occupation from November 7, 1944 to January 6, 1945, considerable loss of property had been noted. Some houses were destroyed and the materials therefrom were taken by the Japanese soldiers for use in the construction of foxholes. The books in the Malilipot Central Elementary School were burned. The church was bombed. Though it was not directly hit yet it was damaged. The Japanese soldiers killed animals that roamed the town. They cut down coconut trees for food.

Measures and Accomplishment Toward Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Following World War II – Under the Philippine Rehabilitation Act of 1946, the Central Elementary School building was repaired. Some people received war damaged payments. Beneficiaries of war veterans received compensation and pensions. The road and the streets had been improved. The bridge across the Tiagao River was repaired. Fertilizers were given to farmers for experiment. National and Provincial Officials held in this town open forums in which the said government officials laid down ways and means by which the people could improve their lot.

PART TWO: FOLKWAYS

Traditions, Customs, and Practices in Domestic and Social Life. Birth, Baptism, Courtship, Marriage, Death, Burial; Visits; Festivals; Punishments – It is believed that expectant mothers have difficult delivery if–

1. She happened to be out during eclipse.
2. She had her topknot while walking in the woods.
3. She happened to be affected by that bird called “pati-anak”.
4. She had been sleeping at the door
5. She had been sewing the dress she is wearing on.
6. Heavy materials like lumber, are kept under the building while delivering.
7. She had been taking a bath facing against the current of a well, spring or river.
8. She had not been doing manual labor or strenuous work.

Those persons who are sent to do some errands kick anything they find at the door so that the delivery will be easy.

Immediately after the birth of the baby the mother is made to eat a part of the placenta without her knowledge. It is roasted and the ash is given to the mother, This is done so that the mother

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will not suffer any abdominal pain.

The umbilical cord is not buried deep so that the teeth of the baby will come out quickly.

The water for bathing the baby is prepared with such materials as the leaf of the bamboo, scales of the fish, palay, and several others so that the baby will not have little wounds when it grows old.

If the baby is not yet baptized, it should not be made to cry aloud too often or taken to the woods or taken across a river for fear of the unseen spirit.

During the baptism, the veil and the candles are taken care of by the sponsor. If the light is put out the baby will not live long. If the veil drops the baby will have poor mentality. In going home from the church the baby is met with a lighted candle so that the baby will have a bright future. Ash is thrown over the baby so that when it grows older it will be free from temptations.

Sponsors just pray well in order that the baby will have good mentality and good behaviour.

During baptisms parties called baptismal parties are usually held. Relatives and friends attend the parties with their gifts to the babies.

The wife and the husband consult each other before selling or buying a property.

During wedding feast relatives and friends attend. They usually give gifts to the newly-wed couple.

The husband is devoted to his wife and his children.

The gentleman informs his parents when he intends to marry. Both parents arrange the marriage.

Marriage between cousins is not permitted.

All the members of the family and relatives wear black as a sign of mourning for the death of a member of the family.

When somebody dies in the family the members do not sweep the room while the dead is not yet buried.

During death relatives and friends gather in the house of

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the dead. They give money, food, drinks, and other things that might be of help to the bereaved family. During this occasion a feast is held. A prayer for the dead is said for nine consecutive nights. On the last night another party where all relatives gather is held. If the family is not prepared it is set on some other dates.

During burial, if the husband is dead, the wife is not allowed to enter the cemetery. It is also true if the wife is dead.

One month after the burial no member of the family does not go to the cemetery.

On the day following the burial the husband or the wife takes a bath very early in the morning. People avoid being met by them.

On that day also following the burial the wife or husband attend the mass. All members of the family get away from the house to avoid being reached by the wife or husband.

During burial, friends, relatives, and sympathizers give wreaths. They hold procession from the house to the church and from the church to the cemetery.

Three days after the burial, the family leave the house at noon.

Wives always respect the opinion of their husbands, and the husbands consult their wives in matters of family affairs.

A visitor is usually given the best food and lodging in the house.

One day in a year, a fiesta is held in honor of the patron saint of the town. During this day the people attend the mass. Best foods are served to those visitors and guests.

He who goes to another’s house for a visit or for something else, is offered cigarettes or buyo.

Signatures of Informants

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Myths, Legends, Beliefs, Interpretations, Superstitions
THE LEGEND OF LIGHTNING

A woman died because she was struck by the lightning. While she was busily dressing up in front of a mirror, the rain began to fall and the lightning began to flash. The a loud noise followed as if a bomb was dropped and the mirror was broken to pieces. The woman dropped down dead. She was struck by the lightning. Two centipedes were found behind the mirror.

“The centipedes had the ‘mutya,’ said the grandmother. If there is no mutya behind the mirror the lightning will never strike.”

“What is the mutya to the lightning? What is the lightning?” I asked.

Then my grandmother told me this story. “The lightning is a very big cat. Its abode is under the ground. You can just determine its home because it is not wet even how hard the rain may be. Whenever there is a thunderstorm the big cat comes out looking for food because fire comes out of its eyes. It eats only mutya. mutya is a very white pebble carried by the house lizards or sometimes, by centipedes. The cat travels in a zigzag direction in hunting for its food. As soon as it finds its food it charges strongly and snatches the mutya from the animal that guards it. It stops until it is satisfied.”

“How big is the cat? I asked.

“O! very big,” she replied.

“How do you know? Have you seen one?” I asked her again.

“You cannot see it, my child, because its body is all fire. At the minute that it sees you it will charge and you will die. But one night there was a thunderstorm. The lightning charged. It struck a kapok tree. In the morning the people found a very big tooth as big as an ax stuck at the trunk of the kapok tree.”

“After a few moments there was a downpour The lightning flashed.

“Quick! Get the bolo and trust it through the wall, whe commanded.” “Get the perdon (candle) and burn it. Get also the blessed palm leaves and throw it into the fire. As soon as the big cat sees the bolo and smells the fumes it will never enter the house.”

(Sgd.) RESURRECCION M. BUEN

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ASWANG
(Witch)

Oftentimes we hear of stories about the supernatural beings possessed of certain powers beyond our conception. But none of these delight us more and send a shiver running down our spines than the weird stories of witches popularly called “aswang!”

It has been said that when the moon spreads her silvery white blanket on the earth and drives the blackness of the night into confused scampering and when the lowly bat flits unobtrusively away in search of food ……beware!

For this is the night of the aswang. Here it rules supreme….free to suck the warm blood of human beings. to them the night is goddess. Nothing to fear. The prevailing peace and silence of the lustrous night seem to be broken by their flapping devil-like wings, like the noise made by someone tearing the mat; and the accelerated overtones of their “ku-kuk!”.

Stories justifying the existence of witches or aswangs have been told by many who had seen and experienced them. It has been said that this witch or aswang is really a very beautiful woman, so beautiful indeed that young men could not help but admire her youthful charms. This young woman was married to a young Spanish officer. At the night of their marriage the young Spanish officer was surprised to see that she was not in her bed. A brief inspection of the room revealed that his wife was a witch. An oil of some sort had been found under her pillow.

When she returned at daybreak, her husband, motivated by a desire to free her from that evil spell, hanged her, head downward, over a fire. After long hours of tense waiting, the woman who was already feeling the agony of pain, vomited. To the husband’s surprise, an alive chick came out. Whither the chick came from? Her life was a mystery.

It is interesting to note that aswangs have the power to change their form whenever danger of being caught stands on their way. They can change to almost all forms. From a mouse to a pig. To catch them is a trying and sometimes a boring adventure

But is there really a thing as a witch that exists to invade the domain of human beings? Ask grandma about it and she will tell you readily without hesitation, and almost from memory. For grandma is doubtless the authority on the subject, the master teller of the weird and the fantastics which can only exist behind the illusion.

Yet, who will question grandma about it? Behind silvery hair and the deep wrinkles that line her homely face are years long past and living. Youth has its own wisdom derived from books.

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