Santo Toribio, Lipa City, Batangas: Historical Data

Full transcription of the so-called “Historical Data” for the barrio of Santo Toribio in the City of Lipa, 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.

[Table of Contents]

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

The Present Official Name of the Barrio	1
List of Original Families	1
Tenientes from the Spanish Time to the Present	1
IMPORTANT EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE
Spanish Time	1
American Period	2
World War II	2
After World War II	2
TRADITIONS, CUSTOMS, AND PRACTICES IN DOMESTIC AND SOCIAL LIFE
Birth	2
Baptism	2
Marriage	2
Death and Burial	2
Visits	2
Superstitions	3
Telling of the Time	3
Popular Songs	3
Proverbs and Sayings	3
Riddles	4

[p. 1]

THE PRESENT OFFICIAL NAME OF THE BARRIO

Sto. Toribio is the present official name of the barrio. This is how it got its name. Cuatro Santos is composed of four barrios, namely San Francisco, San Celestino, San Benito, and Sto. Toribio. In the latter part of the Spanish regime, the priest of Lipa was Cura Benito, the first captain was Capitang Esco. The second captain was Capitang Tinoy, and the Cabeza de Barangay was Cabesang Toribio. During those days, there was a dispute between the municipalities of Tiaong and Lipa. Tiaong claimed that Cuatro Santos belonged to its jurisdiction. The municipality of Lipa had the same claim. The trouble was brought to the Spanish highest court. The decision was that this place belonged to the municipality of Lipa. The names of these four barrios (Cuatro Santos) were derived from the patron saints of these four highest Spanish officials.

In those days, the widest part of Cuatro Santos was owned by the Mayo family. This family had a great production of [blurred word]. All these animals were let loose, grazing everywhere. The people named the place “Paligawan.”

Sto. Toribio has different sitios like (1) Makuksk [?] It was called such [a] name because the people of that place before were very noisy. (2) Sampalukan was another sitio. The people called it so because this place, it was crowded with many tamarind trees.

Sto. Toribio was established during the Spanish regime. (No records of its establishment could be found.)

LIST OF ORIGINAL FAMILIES

TENIENTES FROM THE SPANISH TIME TO THE PRESENT

The tenientes of the barrio from the Spanish time to the present were the following:

IMPORTANT EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE

SPANISH TIME – At the middle of the Spanish occupation, this barrio was still a wilderness. During the latter part, this place was cleared by the first families who settled here. At that same period, there was a dispute between the municipalities of Tiaong and Lipa. The matter was about Cuatro Santos. The two municipalities claimed for this place. Luckily, Lipa won the case.

AMERICAN PERIOD – At the coming of the American soldiers in this barrio, the people here exited. They fled to the forest. The soldiers burned their houses. Then, they ordered the people to go to the town.

[p. 2]

Those who would be left in the barrio were suspected as “Insurrectos.” After the restoration of peace and order, the people here went back to their places and built their new homes.

WORLD WAR II – Again, at the outbreak of [the] Second World War, most people were troubled. Luckily, the people here were not greatly disturbed. This place became the evacuation center of nearby towns, especially the people from Lipa. This place was seldom reached by the Japanese soldiers. During this occupation, several guerrillas from this place were killed.

AFTER WORLD WAR II – After liberation, the evacuees returned to their homes. This place was again occupied by the former inhabitants. At this period, the American government gave aids. Most of the people here received aids. At present, the people live peacefully.

TRADITIONS, CUSTOMS, PRACTICES IN DOMESTIC AND SOCIAL LIFE

BIRTH – When a child is born to a couple, some relatives and neighbors help the family in the work at home. The godmother or godfather of the first child of the couple is selected by the parents of the girl. The christening in the house (buhusan system) is very common. At the christening, which is usually done at night, the would-be godmother or godfather will bring something to eat and drink to the house of the child.

COURTSHIP – A young man courts a certain lady by visiting her. When he is accepted, his parents will be called by the parents of the girl. They will talk about the marriage and the dowry, sometimes (bulungan). After the agreement of both parties, the boy will serve in the house of the girl until the date of their marriage.

BIRTH OF TWINS – A young mother who is conceiving is not allowed to eat twin bananas for fear that she might give birth to twins.

DEATH AND BURIAL – When a person dies, the deceased receive money from their relatives, friends, and neighbors as “pakandila.” Before the dead person is buried, the body will be taken to the church before a priest. Relatives, friends, and neighbors used to attend the funeral. Nine consecutive days after the death, there will be nightly prayers led by a “mamumuno” for the repose of the soul. At the fourth and ninth days after his death, there will be special prayers in the house of the deceased (apatang araw and siyamang araw). Relatives, friends, and neighbors will assist in this praying. There will be also preparations for foods of the visitors.

VISITS – When a person is going to somebody’s house, he will

[p. 3]

say “tao po” to announce that someone is calling. Upon the recognition of the owner of the house, he will say “tuloy po.” Then the visitors will come up saying, “Magandang umaga po.” The visitor will not sit until he is told to do so. When he is going to leave, he will say, “Paalam po.”

SUPERSTITIONS – People believe that [the] “nuno” makes them sick. They also believe in asuang, tikbalang and ike. They avoid sweeping at night because they believe it is bad for farmers. Throwing something outside of the window at night is bad when there are still crops in the field.

TELLING THE TIME – People here use to tell the time by looking up the sun. When the sun is overhead, they say it is twelve o’clock. When the patola flowers are in full bloom in the afternoon, they say it is four o’clock. The crowing of the roosters and night is also used in measuring time.

POPULAR SONGS

PROVERBS AND SAYINGS – The following are the common proverbs:

1. Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan 2. Kapag may sinuksuk 3. Walang mailap na pugo 4. Madali ang maging tao 5. Bago gawin at sabihin 6. Mabuti pa ang matakaw

[p. 4]

RIDDLES – The common riddles of the people are:

1. Mataas pag naka-upo 2. Iisa ang jichura 3. May puno’y walang sanga 4. Aso kong si puti 5. Kung araw ay bumbong 6. Limang magkakapatid 7. Isang parang palay 8. Ito-itong may sunong 9. Alin dito sa mundo 10. Naligo ang sinyura [señora] Transcribed from “History of Santo Toribio” 1953, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections.