MUNICIPALITY OF LABO, CAMARINES NORTE, Historical Data of Part 1

PART 1

Part I | Part II

About these Historical Data

The transcription of this page was done using AI technology. There may be errors.

[Cover page]

MISSING PAGE

[p. 2]

[p. 3]

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN

PART I – HISTORY

1. Present official name of the town – LABO

2. Former name or names and their meaning or derivation–

In the heart of Camarines Norte lies Labo on a high plain, 100 ft above sea level. The territorial position is bounded by Paracale in the North; Vinzons on the Southeast; San Vicente on the South; Capalonga and the province of Camarines Sur, on the West.

Features– The mountain slopes gradually to a peak. The agricultural possibilities of Labo is so great that if properly cultivated it can support no less than a hundred thousand people. Gold ores, manganese, pyrite, iron, etc. are found in the hills around Labo. The forest is another great source of income for Labo. The fresh water springs are good and a good health resort may be built in the Tulay na Lupa heights.

Encomienda System:– Being a good warrior and a soldier, Juan de Salcedo was awarded two encomiendas – one was the Ilocano provinces and the other was the Bicol provinces, in 1576. In 1576, the Bicol provinces was conquered by Juan de Salcedo and made Naga the seat of the encomienda, which was known as Nueva Caceres. After Salcedo’s death this encomienda was given to Francisco de Sande and it was he who named it Nueva Caceres.

Labo became a part of Ambos Camarines. In 1586 a soldier of Salcedo heard about the gold mines of Paracale during their visit to their encomienda. Labo’s former name was Busog–on, a barangay under the leadership of Tarik–Kudog. There was a(paper) period of darkness on the history of Labo. Labo was again visited in 1815 and a new system of government was made the Tarik or chiefs became Cabeza de Barangay whose sole duty is to collect tributes. An Augustinian missionary was sent with “Sargento de Guardia” and make Labo the Barangay. Christianization begun. 1600 was the year when the Royal Order of abolishing the encomiendas as new set of conquistadores set out from the alcaldia of Nueva Caceres to Labo. This time under the leadership of Sgt. Manuel Gonzalo de Villaocran, a missionary. Coming to the river ebbing after a flood. He shouted for a baroto and the man with a boat came to sail them across. The Spanish Sergeant asked “Que Pueblo eso Este?” The man answered “Labo po ang Tubig.” Thinking that the Sergeant was asking about the river.

[p. 4]

After the second visit the name listed in the Alcaldia records became “Labo” on 1603.

3. Date of Establishment – 1803

4. Names of persons who held leading official positions in the community, with the dates of their tenure, if possible–

a. Spanish Time–

Note: A decree about changing the family names was issued.

[p. 5]

[p. 6]

e. Philippine Republic–

Important Events during the period –

On April 30, 1950, there encountered, at sitio Malabique, barrio of Lugui, Labo, Camarines Norte, joint police force and Philippine Ground Force detached at Labo, headed by Mayor Gil Cambronero, a detachment of HMB. One of the soldiers of the PGF was killed and one municipal police wounded. One officer (commissioned) of the H.M.B. was killed during the encounter.

In August of the same year, the joint Police force and PGF headed by Mayor Gil Cambronero encountered again the dissidents at sitio Napatakan, barrio of Calabasa, Labo, Camarines Norte. No casualty was met on the part of the government forces but two men of the HMB unit were killed.

On March 5, 1950, Jaime Barilla y Gavino, a criminal who escaped from the National Penitentiary was apprehended and turned to police authorities by Chief of Police, Felix V. Tenorio.

Improvements during the period:

1. Reconstruction of the middle span of Labo Bridge.
2. Construction of the Puericulture Center Building.
3. Construction of the V. Lucban Street.
4. Cementing of the Municipal Plaza, Labo, C. Norte.
5. Repair and improvements of Rizal, Jaena, Gen. Luna and Southern Bautista Streets.
6. Asphalting of Burgos Street.

[p. 7]

Important Events during this period:

On June 10, 1951, the members of the Police Force headed by Mayor Felix V. Tenorio encountered the HMB at Tulay na Lupa. No casualty on the part of the Police Force but some of the members of the HMB were wounded.

[p. 8]

PART II – FOLKWAYS

1. Traditions, customs and practices in domestic and social life–

Filipinos are religious people yet they are fanatics. They believed on many spirits and attach many beliefs on any event happening in their lives. From a child birth till his burial they have different traditions, customs and practices they made. Until at present these customs and practices are still going on as have been inherited from their old, old grandparents. They are so very funny that the young generation laugh and enjoy observing.

a. Birth–

When a woman is conceiving, she is prohibited to look, use or laugh at hideous objects for if she does the child to be born will look like the ugly thing she laugh at. An example of it is: If she uses a broken frying pan for cooking, her child to be born will be hare–lipped. The pregnant woman too must not go to the country or forest for if the wild spirit (evil spirit) will notice her, she will deliver a pre–mature child. She must be careful not to slip nor fall or else her child would have defects.

The following are the different signs they believed to be true to foretell whether the child in the woman’s womb is a boy or girl:

1. If the pregnant woman steps first with the right foot when she walks – if the left, the child is a girl.
2. If she is pretty in her pregnancy, the child is believed to be a boy.
3. If the form of her womb is rounded, they believed her child to be a boy and if a fairy during her delivery sings in a harsh voice the child is a boy. The old folks also want a boy to be their first born baby. They believed to be a luck throughout their lives.

Whenever a child is born, nobody can ask fire nor borrow matches from the said family until the cord of the baby is healed, for if they do the cord would be very long to heal.

b. Baptism–

The natives of Labo attach the greatest importance to baptism. A couple will not hesitate to live outside of wedlock but will be plagued with many from the time their baby is born until it is baptized. The believed

[p. 9]

that an unbaptized baby is a child of the devil and that if the baby dies without being baptized, he will go to hell. They also believed that an unbaptized baby is apt to be stolen by the devil because they are not holy to protect themselves from the devil. They do not put out their light and carefully guarded her.

In view of the importance which baptism has assumed in the lives of the people, a large body of varied and interesting customs related to this ritual has grown in Labo. The parents selected the best man or woman in the town to be the godfather or godmother of their child. They must be well–behaved because it was their beliefs that the baby is apt to follow the behavior of their godfather or godmother. They also selected the best day for baptism. Usually the “ninong” or “ninang” procure the baptismal dress and if she or he has money the baptismal procession is followed by music and the church bells ring upon entering the church. Upon reaching the home the godfather or godmother give gifts of any sort usually money tied on the baby’s dress to wish him luck. Anybody who kisses him to give him money to wish him the same luck.

c. Courtship–

Of olden times marriage between a man and a woman was fixed by the parents of both parties. Without the girl’s acknowledgement she was betrothed to a man. Usually the man did not tell his love to the girl but tried to please her parents. Sometimes, he served them one or two years before he was accepted as their son–in–law. He supplied them with water and fuel and many other things the girl’s family was involved with. In the course of his serving, he was very careful not to displease them for if he did, he was dropped out without any investigation.

d. Marriage–

Marriage before was very pompous. Three days before the ceremony the parents and relatives of the groom were very busy preparing for the ceremony. They clean and decorate the house of the bride. They made a little altar where the couple will kneel and pray when they reached home from the church.

During the ceremony the man or woman would try to step over each other’s foot. The one who stepped first would be the ruler of the family and the other would follow the wishes of the first. The couple must try to preserve the light of their candle or the veil to drop for they bring misfortune to them. As soon as the ceremony

[p. 10]

is over the bride and the groom race to the door of the house where the party will be held. It is the belief that the spouse who reaches the door first will live longer than the other and will be happier. Sometimes the couple are rained with rice at the foot of the stairs to bring them good luck.

A couple begins life together faced with the problems of finances. If any of the parents is well–to–do and is willing enough to start the new couple with a handsome monetary gift, well and good. But most couples are not so lucky and they have to devise ways and means of raising some money, right after their wedding.

In Labo, there are two ways of raising money known as the “pasayaw” and “hulugan” which brings money to the couple and hilarity to the guests. In the “pasayaw” (and “hulugan”), the couple dance the Pandanggo or the Cariñosa while the guests throw coins or bills at their feet. The “hulugan” – The couple pass around to their relatives and friends who in return dropped money in it. The bride passing her plate to the relatives of the groom, while the groom passes his, to the relatives of his wife. Each party tries to give the biggest amount in order to win. Usually the couple can raise more than a hundred pesos enough to start a small store.

e. Death–

Death is lamented and respected very much by the people of Labo. When a member of the family is dead, the people in that family stay most of the time at home and pray for the soul of the departed. They don’t sweep the house for three days for fear that somebody will follow. The corpse is well guarded because they believe that the witch or the evil spirit might get it. Laughter and other forms of gaiety are prohibited instead they sing the story of Christ (Passion Play).

f. Burial–

It is a custom of the people to spend much for the dead for they said that it is their last expenses to the deceased. Before the coffin is put down, the family of the deceased pass under it so that they will not hang very much for his lost. When it is lowered to the grave the member of the family do not look down for fear a member will follow. The widow or widower do not take a bath until the fifth day.

[p. 11]

g. Visits–

1. A visit of a newly married couple to their relatives means a pair of chicken, pigs or ducks. Usually when a newly wed couple come to a house of a relative, they are well entertained with good foods to eat. When they left they are given gifts of any sort but usually a couple of chicken, geese, ducks or pigs.
2. If a newly born child visits a relative, a paper money is pinned to her dress to bring him luck throughout his or her life.
3. When a relative visits a sick one he gives something good to eat or something to entertain him while on bed.

h. Festival–Lent–

No other event in the religious calendar of the Philippines is more wrapped in superstitions than the Holy Week or Lent. Some of the practices defy belief unless personally witnessed. I witnessed a penitence here, and in the neighboring town including well known men wear ragged clothes, roam in the outskirt of the town. They run this way and that as if hunting for somebody. They are supposed to be our Lord and the men following and whipping him are the Roman soldiers who tortured Him to death, and nailed Him to the Cross. These men are really doing some penance–are atoning for their sins. Others are fulfilling a vow to be saved from illness or death. These practices are supposed to have been brought over by the Spaniards from Mexico with which the Philippines had close contact during the Galleon trade.

Other practices of the people is the making of altars and chapels on every street corner. The people spend and labor for them. When the singing of the “Passion Play” is done on Holy Thursday or Good Friday. Food is served to the visitors and those who sing at the “pabasa.”

For 40 days before the Holy Week they have fasting. They do not eat meat especially during Tuesday and Friday. During the holy week, meat is strictly prohibited and what they eat is measured. For breakfast, a cup of milk of chocolate and a piece of bread. For lunch and supper a plate of rice, a small amount and a little vegetable.

[p. 12]

2. Myths, legends, beliefs, interpretations, superstitions:

a. The Sea and the Sky–

A long time ago, there was no land. There were only the sea and the sky. A bird was flying in the sky. It grew tired flying. It wanted something to rest upon. The bird was very cunning. It set the sky to quarreling. The sea threw water up at the sky. The sky turned very dark and angry. The sea only threw its waves higher. Then the angry sky showered upon the sea all the islands.

That is how the islands came. Now the waves break on the shore and can never rise so high again.

b. The Origin of the First Man and Woman–

A great bamboo grew on one of the islands. It was large around, larger than any of the others. The bird lit on the ground and began to peck the bamboo. A voice inside said, “Peck harder, peck harder.” The bird was frightened at first but it wanted to know what was inside. So it pecked and pecked. Still the voice said, “peck harder, peck harder.” At last the bamboo cracked and split. Out stepped a woman and a man. The bird was so frightened that it flew away. The man bowed very low to the woman for they had lived in different joints of the bamboo and had not seen each other before.

They were the first man and woman of the world.

c. The Legend of Susong–Dalaga–

Mutya is a very beautiful maiden who lives near Mount Bagacay. She was so kind, beautiful and modest that she has many suitors. Folks say she was gifted with the beauty of the rose, fragrance of the ilang–ilang and modesty of the azucena. Among her suitors was Datu Abdul, who was very cruel, powerful, and ugly. Because of his bad character, Mutya hated him and rejected his love. Datu Abdul was very angry when he was rejected, so he commanded his soldiers to prepare and they entered the house of Mutya. Unluckily Mutya’s father and his men were defeated in the fight and he was held captive. Mutya pleaded to Datu Abdul to free him, but Datu Abdul who was very selfish, would not grant unless she gives him her love.

Because Mutya was a kind girl, she accepted the proposition for she loves her father dearly. Her father

Part I | Part II