MUNICIPALITY OF MANITO, ALBAY, Historical Data of

About these Historical Data

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Submitted by:

CARLOS CALLOS
Principal

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BUREAU OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Division of Albay
District of Manito
Manito

April 25, 1953

The Division Superintendent of Schools
Legaspi City

Sir:

I have the honor to submit hereto attached the history of the town of Manito and barrios, prepared by the different committees headed by the following teachers:

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Special Report

BUREAU OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Division of Albay
DISTRICT OF MANITO
MANITO

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN PEOPLE OF MANITO

Part I – HISTORY

Located on the eastern part of Albay, elevated on a plateau, facing Legaspi City on the West across Albay Gulf, and surrounded by mountains on the east and south, is the town proper of Manito. This is one of the smallest and perhaps, the most undeveloped towns of Albay, being somewhat neglected by the municipal, provincial, and national officials of the government for unknown and unexplained reasons. Perhaps, it is due to her poor natural location and its seemingly insignificant population.

The Poblacion of Manito is just about a stone’s throw away from the seashore which is not very navigable. It is located between two rivers.....Camanitohan and Buyo, which irrigate the small rich valleys around. These valleys are about half a kilometer away from the Central town.

This town was named by the early settlers as its present official name, “Manito”, based on the fact that this place abounds in a kind of climbing vines, called “nito”. When the early settlers found plenty of these vines, they added or rather prefixed “Ma” and the word reads, “Manito”, meaning, plenty of nito vines.

Manito has nine regular barrios with many flourishing sitios. These barrios are Cawayan, Malobago, Tinapian, Buyo, Pawa, Cabit, Inangmaharang, Bamban, and Parina. Cawayan, Buyo, and Cabit are big and progressive barrios. Cawayan is at the extreme southern part of Manito which is already reached by road transportation.

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Buyo is a big progressive barrio near the town center, about two kilometers away in the southern part. It is rich because of its rice fields and wide area of cultivated land. It is situated along the Buyo River which is used for irrigation and transportation. During the boom of gold mine in Patohan, a sitio of Buyo, in 1934–1935, Buyo became somewhat a metropolitan district. Different kinds of people were seen pouring in and residing here. A road was built from the side of the Buyo river passing the heart of the barrio to the place where the mines were located in Patohan and a truck was running back and forth carrying cargoes and laborers.

Cabit is also a progressive barrio of Manito. It is located on the extreme northeastern part of Manito about eight kilometers away. It is noted for lumber and fish. It had also a gold mine which commercially failed like those mines in Buyo in 1935. But its height of progress was reached during the operation of the mines there. It declined little by little. However, because of its lumber and fishing industry, Cabit still boasts of being the only barrio in the municipality of Manito which has a complete elementary school education.

According to data, Manito was officially established by the early settlers from the Visayan Islands in the year, 1840. Manito occupies a territory of about 150 square kilometers. About three fourths of the land area is composed of rolling hills, mountains, and plateaus and about one fourth of its area is a lowland turned into ricefields. The hills and pla-

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teaus are planted with coconuts and abaca while the lowlands are planted with rice, corn and vegetables.

Manito has about nine thousand inhabitants out of which about one thousand eight hundred are qualified voters.

During the early Spanish regime, Manito had but very few people. As the years went by, the population slowly grew bigger and bigger. Perhaps, the fertility of the soil and the opportunity of acquiring a piece of land and the promising industries as a result of the many physical or natural features that abound in the place, have invited more people from the neighboring towns of Libog, Bacacay, Tabaco, Legaspi, and Bacon, Sorsogon, to migrate to this once happy and prosperous place.

In the early period, according to the information of old people yet living, the poblacion had only a few homes surrounded with forests. It was stated that in the gardens around these homes wild pigs could be seen molesting the crops planted by the settlers. As the people began to pour in, the forests were cleared extending out into the hinterland. These clearings were planted with major crops of coconuts abaca and rice which later on made Manito a progressive town due to the abundance of food crops and money out of their sold products.

Although Manito is a small town yet its rich natural resources if developed would make the town self-sufficient. Its mountains are noted for lumber which can supply the whole province of Albay. It is surrounded halfway with rich fishing grounds where different kinds of fish are caught for consumption and for sale at the Legaspi markets. The fishermen are not only properly

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The fishermen are not only properly guided in the method of catching fish. It has rich grazing lands for cattle and carabaos. It has several good rivers for irrigation, plenty of swamps for fish, mangroves and nipa palms. The soil is rich and volcanic for abaca and coconuts as well as other products. The climate is mild and favorable throughout the year. Before Manito had boasted of its abaca and coconut industries. But the frequent typhoons and the coconut disease, known as “Cadang–cadang”, have destroyed these major industry, hence, the people at present are greatly suffering from economic insecurity as well as social upheaval.

The chief market of the people of Manito is Legaspi City. Most of her products which are abaca, copra, lumber, nipa thatches, firewood, fish and animals are sold at the Legaspi market. Her imports are rice, petroleum, cloth, salt, building materials, and so forth.

Manito since its established had been in the hands and leadership of twenty–nine Municipal high Officials some of whom especially during the Spanish regime, were illiterates. The names of these persons who held leading positions in the community with the dates of their tenure of Office, since the Spanish regime up to the present are the following:

A– CAPITAN MUNICIPAL

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A–Capitan Municipal (con’t)

B – ALCALDES –

C– PRESIDENTS –

D– Mayors –

It could be noted that Mr. Eugenio Das served four times in the Municipal Government of Manito, while the rest with only one time and others with several terms. Those who served the government longer signify that they have been good executive administrators. They have been popular to the people, especially those who had been elected from the time of the American regime. Mr. Das had served the people well. He improved the town economically

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Manito became a happy place to live in. He introduced in the municipality dramas, comedies, and other sorts of entertainments.

The rule of Baldo was quite unpopular. His government indulged in pomposity which incurred the municipality a great deficit. Such indebtedness was almost recovered by Sañes.

Came after him Jose M. Daep. His reign was somewhat characterized by danger for it was during his incumbency when the Japanese occupation took place. Although his government became bankrupt also, yet, he ruled the people safe from the hands of the cruel Japanese regime. His foresight in politics makes him a clever politician.

There are but few historical sites in this municipality. Some worthy of mention are the ruined Spanish type Church which only the dilapidated wall can be seen standing; the Spanish Stone Fort At Pansod along the seashore; and the Gabaldon School Building which was built in 1914 and destroyed totally by the typhoon “TRIX” which killed in its ruin the late Mrs. LORETO B. DAVA, her youngest child, Olga, and her maid, Julia Banzuela, who took their shelter there with the rest of the family and other teachers. Other beautiful scenery in the municipality are the Hot Springs at Nag–Aso, Cabit, Pawa, Inangmaharang, Buyo, the lake at Danao, Buyo and the Geyser at Parong, Pawa.

During the early part of the establishment of the municipality, the people lived in comfort and in abundance. They were a sort of happy law–abiding citizens. They were very

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honest, respectful, industrious, and religious people. They love and fear more God. To prove that they were honest, harvest from the fields were just left there temporarily for months with nobody daring to touch or steal it. Ripening fruits and other products were left to decay in the orchard or on the farm. The people were so religious and industrious that in spite of their few numbers were able to build a stone church. And, that every day people would be seen flocking the church to attend masses even on ordinary days. But now it’s very much different. Many people now do not enter the church even if they are just within the radius of one kilometer from the church. And seldom could one see a man attending the mass on Sunday from the barrios of this municipality except on fiesta day. Well, time changes and this maybe the reason.

During the years 1937 up to the advent of the Second World War Manito improved educationally. More schools were built even in the far barrios. Many children were enrolled especially in the primary grades. More teachers were assigned to teach. The parents were educationally awakened, too. They began to send their boys and girls to the high schools in Albay which did not happen before although they could afford to send them in the higher schools. At first it was the belief of the parents that their daughters were not fit to take higher education because afterwards, after spending for them they got married and their expenses would not return. That was a very selfish idea. But now that idea is done away with by the modern parents here.

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During the early part of the Japanese Regime, Manito became a haven to the refugees from Legaspi and other places in Albay. This was a place of peace and order. Manito people, officials and businessmen became farmers. Many of the idle lands were turned into farms. Great production of food stuffs were realized. The Guerrillas, too, found this place a source for their subsistence and shelter. But in the last year of the Japanese occupation, this town was raided because they knew that the Guerrillas were found here and as a result of their raid, fourteen men were killed by torture both innocent and guerrillas. That was the ignominious thing that happened here coupled by the recent atrocities committed by the dissidents in this municipality.

TRADITIONS, CUSTOMS, AND PRACTICES IN DOMESTIC AND SOCIAL LIFE–

A– Town Fiestas and Barrio Celebrations

It is the tradition of the people in this town to observe the yearly town fiesta in honor of Saint Raphael, which falls on every 24th day of October. On this occasion, the people in the Poblacion would begin the nine consecutive days of the Novena in honor of the said saint, which culminates into the pompous town fiesta. The people would prepare nice foods, drinks, and other delicacies for their invited and uninvited or emergency visitors. Many people from the barrios and neighboring towns would come down for the occasion. On the eve of the fiesta a dance would be held to welcome the

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visitors. In the morning of the town fiesta, three priests usually say the mass. After the mass, sports are held among different teams organised from the barrios. The common games played are softball, basketball and volleyball. Sometimes, the teams play for offered premiums or with bets.

At night another dance is given. It may be free or with pay. The fiesta is really a day of eating, merry–making and love–making.

In the different barrios, barrio celebrations are held at different times of the year with similar ways and purposes as the town fiesta. Drinks, foods, dances, and adoration of the saints are the highlights of the occasion. Oftentimes, barrio marriages and baptisms take place as this is the only rare opportunity for the priest to reach the barrio.

B– BAPTISM–

Since Manito is purely a Catholic town, every Sunday and feast days, baptism takes place in the Catholic church. Well–to–do as well as poor people are proud to hold baptismal party for the occasion....the poor even on borrowed money. Even in the far barrios, they invite people to honor them. They feel proud, the parents and sponsors of the child if their parties are honored by higher–ups in the town, like the priest, Municipal Officials and teachers.

C– COURTSHIP

Most marriages before were the results of the courtship made by the parents of the man to the parents of the woman. Sometimes, the groom and the bride were married without seeing

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or knowing each other before the marriage ceremony took place, sometimes, to the surprise and dislike of either contracting party. Hence, marriage ended sometimes, in a farce or disappointments.

Nowadays courtship is very much different from the early people here. A young man first courts the lady he loves by meeting her in the rivers, wells, where she takes a bath or washes clothes, or in parties and dances. When he is accepted, she gets her consent and presents to the parents. After the presentation either in person or in writing, the parents of the girl would tell the man when to see them again, for verification. This second meeting is known as “Suyod.” The presentation and the “Sayod” are characterized by drinks and eats. If the bridegroom is favored by the parents of the bride–to–be, little or no dowry is asked by the parents from the groom. But if the man is disliked by the girl’s parents, a very high dowry is charged in the form of land, house, money and the like within a very limited time expecting that the man would not be able to accomplish it, hence, they have the right to reject him.

D– MARRIAGES–

Marriage is the culmination of the groom’s faithful accomplishments of the dowry asked and the years of years of patient services and waiting. The wedding ceremony and party are usually pompous. If the party is attended to by many people and visitors, the occasion is said to be successful. But when

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the feast is less attended by people, the wife feels sorry and it is said to be bad omen. A good wedding party is ended by a dance. One funny thing happens after the marriage ceremony. Sometimes, the bride would step on the shoes of the groom after leaving the church, with the belief that the husband cannot dominate her, instead, the wife can do the domination. Another funny thing, is that, the parents would separate the wife and husband after the marriage for three consecutive days, after which they can begin the honeymoon.

E– HOLY WEEK –

During the Holy Week, many people in the town and barrios would set a day for a “Passion Play” locally known as “Pabasa” or “Sinacolo”. There is usually a big preparation for food, drinks, and “Tapat.” Many people attend the occasion not so much to pay homage to Christ but for the eats and drinks. Since the people here are pure Catholic, many of them attend the activities during the period of the Holy Week.

F– RIDDLES.

1. Caputi an soog co, ta maladop aco. (Hold my tail for I shall dive.) Answer: Dipper
2. An tubig sa Hican–dican dai na o–oranan. (Water in Hican–dican is not reached by rain.) Water inside the coconut.
3. Sira sa Miresberes, an iracom an kinkis. (Fish in Miresberes, underneath are the scales. (Pepper.
4. Harong ni Santa Ana, parilibot qui espada. (St. Ana’s house is surrounded with swords.) Pineapples.

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G– PROVERBS

1. An tubig na hararom daing guirong. (Deep water is silent.)
2. An tubig na hababao, maasrpano. (Shallow water is noisy.)
3. An may aisagnat, may guigawad. (If you give, you take.)
4. An taoot sa doron, daing anihon. (A pessimistic person reaps nothing.)
5. An cabayong daing pilas dai mina quirad. (You will not get sore if you have not done something wrong.)
6. Sagwanan mo sana an sadiri mong ongoo. (Just paddle only your own canoe.)
7. An boyod na natotorog, ina–anod can solog. (The sleeping shrimps is carried by the current.)
8. Nada siguid on can natad can iba, dai mo na siguidan an sadiring mong natad. (You can clean the yards of others but you cannot clean or sweep your own yard.)
9. An tapayas dai ma bogna qui santol. (Like father, like son)

H–POPULAR SONGS ( FOLKSONGS

ANO DAO ITONG SA GOGON

Ano dao itong sa Gogon?
Bulawan bagang paghignon.
Ca so saouyag dolooang Lulay,
Barao palan nin balagon.
Ca so saoyang qui ooa,
Sarong voces nag sayuma,
“Mari an saiyan pagdua,
Ta tanom xxxk ni Virgin Maria”.

LUBI–LUBI

Lubi–Lubi, ineod nnay–––
Si Nanay si Tatay
Nagtamon nin Gangkong,
An lawaa bayawas
Nagtamom nin Cafe,
Nagbogma bayasong, ma alsomon.

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I–POPULAR GAMES–

The most popular games of the children are the “bingoay”, “Esentilan,” “Pilo–piko” and “Pin–pin”. Among the adults, the popular games are the “Sipa”, and “Dama” (Checker.) During the early American regime, baseball was very popular here. But later on, baseball was replaced by softball and volleyball. Now the most popular game here is softball. Different barrios have organised softball teams. On Sundays, the encounter in the poblacion. Sometimes they play for exhibition and oftentimes, they play with bettings.

J– RELIGIOUS BELIEFS–

The people here believe in the life after death. They believe in the existence of the Supreme Being, They believe that there is Hell for the wicked, Purgatory for the less wicked and Heaven for the good people. They believe too, in the mysteries of Saints.

K– MYTH AND LEGEND

During the Spanish time, the Moros of Mindanao could not be subdued by the Spaniards or conquered. The Moro pirates especially would plunder many villages along the coasts. They usually captured young men and women when they become victorious in the encounters. There was an incident according to the old people that when the Moros tried to invade Manito, they were not able to land because along the seashore of the town, there was a long big log on fire obstructing the Moros to land. And that a man with a cane was seen standing by to prevent the Moros from alighting the shore. That man was said to be St. Raphael, the Patron Saint of the town, who had shown the miracle. Up to the

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present the foot print and the cane mark of Saint Raphael could be seen on a flat stone near the seashore where he allegedly stood defending the municipality of Manito from the invasion of the Moros. Since that time no Moro has ever set foot on the soil of Manito for plunder.

L– SUPERSTITIONS

There are many superstitious beliefs that the people of this municipality still cling to. Among them are as follows: Many people still believe that some diseases are caused by bad spirits and fairies. They believe that the appearance of some phenomena which can be explained by science, are caused by supernatural beings. They believe, for example, that the rainbow is a certain dragon. That it drinks from the well, river, sea or from the coconuts. That the sky is another big world. That the clouds are the accumulated smokes from the stoves and especial smokes from the volcanoes. That, there is a man building fire inside the volcanoes, for without them how can there be fire inside. They believe that the fairies live in the palaces inside big trees.

People would warn you not to sweep or throw something at night time for fear that the spirits might be hit and incur their hatred. When sailing, one is advised not to pick lice or to cut finger nails, because the wind would blow against the sailors.

The people believe that taking a bath on Tuesdays and Fridays is dangerous because if the person taking a bath gets ill it is hard to recover from the sickness. Some parents would tell their children not to comb their hair at night because if they do, they would kill their parents. They should not also

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They believe that in planting, the best time to plant is when the sky is full of fluffy clouds because the crops planted during that time will bear much fruit. That, one should avoid planting anything when the moon is at its last quarter otherwise he would not reap anything. That, to plant pepper when the sun is at its height, makes the pepper pungent. That, one should not scratch when planting gabi because the gabi will be very scratchy when eaten.

During courtship, presents of religious objects and articles should be avoided because in a few months engagements will be broken. Do not give an engagement ring because if the engagement will be broken and be married to another, the child is always dead.

Cousins or brothers should not be married at the same time. If they do, either of the pairs would die at once. If there are three couples married at the same time they should pass out at different doors because if they pass in one door, the middle to pass out will die soon before the two other pairs. The first of a couple to go out, the husband or the wife, will dominate the other who follows. A widow or a widower is not allowed to act as a sponsor because that will mean the death of either one of the contracting parties. When candles are put out in either of each place by natural element, the person represented by the put out candle dies earlier than the other.

When one is pregnant, she must put charcoal in her belt around her waist to drive away evil spirits.

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Do not have your child baptized alone because the child might not get married. Cousins, brothers, and sisters should not be baptized at the same time because any of them will die early. There is a belief that the baptized child inherits the character traits of the godfather, or the godmother. Before the child is baptized, there should be light kept burning in the house in order to drive away the evil spirits.

There is another belief that it is not good to sweep in the house when there is a dead lying in state. For some of the members will die early. Avoid combing the hair, taking a bath, touching a gabi leaf, making and carrying the coffin of the dead for the same reason. In going down do not let the coffin touch the door of the house for the spirit of the dead will always come back to the house. In returning from the cemetery one is advised not to look back for he would be the next to die soon. The people returning from the cemetery are sprinkled with ashes before they enter the house to drive away the spirit of the dead from getting the rest of the members of the family.

– CONCLUSION –

If the present resources of Manito will be developed, economic and social resources, by the government officials concerned, and if the educational and commercial features are given much impetus and aid, time will not be far when this municipality will become a great asset to the province of Albay in particular, and to the nation in general.

Prepared and submitted by:

SILVESTRE DAVE
Teacher