Balisong, Bauan, Batangas: Historical Data - Batangas History, Culture and Folklore Balisong, Bauan, Batangas: Historical Data - Batangas History, Culture and Folklore

Balisong, Bauan, Batangas: Historical Data

Batangas History
3 Jan, 2018
Historical Data graphic
Historical data from the National Library of the Philippines.

Full transcription of the so-called “Historical Data” for the barrio of Balisong, Bauan, Batangas, the original scanned documents at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections not having OCR or optical character recognition properties. This transcription has been edited for grammar, spelling and punctuation where possible. The original pagination is provided for citation purposes.

[p. 1]

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF BALISONG

1. Present official name of the barrio - - - - Balisong

2. Popular name of the barrio present and past:

During the early times, this place was part of Bayanan. Later, it was separated from Bayanan and was made a barrio itself. It was called Balisong because before reaching the place, one had to pass a very steep place. When it was separated from Bayanan, the teniente was Mr. Engracio Calingasan.

3. Date of establishment – 1894

4. Original families – Ilagan and Mauhay

5. List of tenientes from the earliest time to dat:

a. Cabeza (Spanish time)
Antero Adarlo
b. Teniente
1. Engracio Calingasan – served for 22 years
2. Simon Cusi
3. Leandro Mauhay

6. Story of old barrios or sitios within the jurisdiction – none

7. Data on historical sites – None

8. Important facts, incidents or events that took place.

a. During the Spanish Occupation:

During the early Spanish Occupation, many people came to this place to hide from the Spaniards. In other words, the place became an evacuation center for these people who were retreating from the Spaniards.

b. During the American Occupation to World War II:

During the early part of [the] American occupation, the people were told to go to the barrios to settle temporarily there.

c. During and after World War II

During the Japanese occupation, some Japanese soldiers stayed in their places. They asked for food and other necessities.

[p. 2]

During the liberation, a road was constructed by the Army from the national road to the place. This road is being improved from day to day by the local government and this place is now accessible to jeeps and other means of transportation.

9. Measures and accomplishments toward rehabilitation and reconstruction following World War II.

Jeeps and other vehicles could now reach the place because a road going to the place was built.

10. Traditions, customs and practices in domestic and social life, etc.

a. Domestic and social life – A couple is not allowed by the old folks to transfer to their new home after full moon. They have to wait for the new moon.

b. Birth – A mother on the family way is not allowed to stand by the door and on the stairs. She is not also allowed by the old folks to wind her neckerchief around her neck. The husband is not allowed by the members of the family to build a house or do construction work.

c. Baptism – There must be a party in which food and drinks must be served. One pig at least should be butchered.

d. Courtship – Parents are on guard while the suitor is in the house.

e. Marriage – Marriage could not take place when the moon is in the last quarter. Before marriage, the suitor has to work in the home of the maid for some domestic purpose or services.

f. Deaths – Keeping vigil over the dead, no sweeping until 9 days had passed, and a novena for 9 consecutive nights is held. When the dead body is soft, somebody will die next.

g. Burial visits – The visit the dead on the fourth and ninth day to offer flowers and prayers.

h. Festivity – The traditional barrio fiesta on July 22 of each year. The patron Saint is Mary Magdalene in connection with the birthday of the founder of the church Rev. Father Magdaleno Castillo.

11. Popular Songs, Games and Amusements: Pandango, subli, fencing and native songs.

12. Puzzles and riddles – None

[p. 3]

13. Proverbs and sayings – When the flock of herons flies to the north, the rainy season will begin.

14. Methods of measuring time.

a. By means of the position of the sun.
b. By means of the crowing of the cocks.
c. By means of the opening of the patola flowers.

15. Other folktales – None

16. Information on books and documents treating of the Philippines and the names of their owners.

17. The names of Filipino authors from or residing in the community, the titles and subjects of their works, whether printed or in manuscript form, and the names of the persons possessing them. – None

Submitted by:
(MRS.) JUANA T. MAGBUHAT
Notes and references:
Transcribed from “History and Cultural Life of Balisong” 1953, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections.
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