Bulihan, Nasugbu, Batangas: Historical Data
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| Historical data from the National Library of the Philippines. |
Full transcription of the so-called “Historical Data” for the barrio of Bulihan in the Municipality of Nasugbu, 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 BULIHAN
PART ONE – HISTORY
1. Present official name of the barrio – Bulihan.
2. Popular name of the barrio past and present – Bulihan.
How Bulihan Got Its Name
3. Names of sitios within its territorial jurisdiction:
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1. Bangkal 2. Kenig [blurred, unsure] 3. Kumbento 4. Pulong-bato 5. Kabot [blurred, unsure] 6. Bubuyasin 7. Benteg [blurred, unsure] 8. Kabilang-hulo 9. Panain |
10. Pinanganakan 11. Mainit 12. Salaysay 13. Kalumpang 14. Puting-tubig 15. Sta. Cruz 16. Maglañgoy 17. Kinabulagan 18. Pusak |
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1. Alejandro Basco 2. Esteban de Guia 3. Nicolasa de Guia 4. Benito Limboc |
5. Feliciano Dias 6. Celestina Liava 7. Eustaquio Lopez 8. Marta Novicio |
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1. Placido Maullon 2. Anacleta Basco 3. Prudencio Respicio 4. Julio Mendoza |
1 Bonifacio Angga 6. Vicente Bautista 7. Gervacio Villadiego |
6. Stories of old sitios within its jurisdiction which are now depopulated or extinct:
Pulong Bato is a sitio a few kilometers from Bulihan. There are few inhabitants living in this place. The place got its name from the pile of big stones set far apart that look like a hundred islands.
[p. 2]
Bangkal - The name Bangkal was derived from the name of a certain tree called Bangkal. It is a sitio just a few meters away from Pulong-bato. There are few inhabitants. According to some of the folks, there once stood a big bangkal tree that for many years, this tree had propagated a lot. Bangkal is a light kind of tree which is not of economical value. The desire for agriculture as a means of livelihood made the people clear the place for farming. Thus, bangkal trees are gone but its name remains.
Kalumpang - The sitio of Kalumpang is near Bangkal. It has few inhabitants, too. This sitio, like that of Bangkal, got its name from the trees bordering it called kalumpang. The wood of this tree is not very valuable except as borders. At present, this place is occupied by seven to ten families who are all engaged in farming.
Sta. Cruz - Is situated in the northwestern part of Bulihan proper and sometimes mistaken to be part of sitio Bulihan. At the back part of sitio Sta. Cruz, there lies a hill used for cattle raising. This hill is used as the grazing land for the animals. It has been said that there appears a procession of nymphs at midnight, especially when it is very calm and dark. This procession occurs only in the month of May. It is done in honor of the Holy Cross from which the place derived its name. Sta. Cruz is still its name up to the present time.
Pinanganakan - This sitio is located in the eastern part of Bulihan. This place was a part of the great forest before it was cleared. This is how it got its name. During the Spanish-American War, a woman, due to sudden fear, gave birth in this hiding place. Thus, it was called Pinanganakan.
Mainit - Is extinct. It is situated a few miles away from Bulihan. There are no inhabitants because it is very mountainous and quite far. It is said that there is a hot spring in the middle of the mountains. So, the people called it Mainitn.
Puting-tubig - Is so named because of the presence of a small stream which is quite different from other streams. The water in this stream is soapy white but tasteless. When the dissident forces happened to exploit Looc, they made the place their headquarters.
[p. 3]
PROVERBS AND SAYINGS
(English and Tagalog)
Bend the tree while young.
SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEFS
I. In Farm Life:
In planting crops, farmers plant the first seedling with closed eyes. They do this in the belief that destructive insects will not see the plants when they grow.
2. Tomatoes and eggplants are planted on the day following a starry night so that fruits will be plenty.
[p. 4]
One should not visit the plants that are newly planted while eating something for insects will also eat the plants.
In planting coconut [a] seedling, it is imperative that the person planting it should carry a child so that it will be heavily laden with fruits when it bears same. If one desires to have makapuno, he should fill his mouth with porridge.
In planting bananas, one should not look up and should be in a sitting position so that the plant will not grow tall.
If a firefly enters the house at night, it is a sign that animals or insects are destroying the plants.
II. In Fishing:
If a fisherman will go out to sea to catch fish, it is strictly taboo for anyone to step across or over the fishing paraphernalia. If “bayati” (poison) will be used, it is also prohibited to eat anything sweet.
In going to the fishing ground, the fishermen should not return to his house if he remembers to have forgotten something.
While at sea, it is prohibited to whistle because whistling invites foul weather or strong winds.
While catching fish with hook and line, one should not talk so that the fish will bite.
III. At Home:
In constructing the stairs of the house, the steps should always be in odd numbers so that poverty will not come in. If possible, the stairs should always face the east so that the grace of God will always come.
In selecting the posts for the house, crooked once and those with holes should not be used for lightning strikes the house during thunderstorms.
Sweeping the floor at night is not sanctioned by custom for it is believed that the grace of God yes swept. Another belief is that sweeping at night makes centipedes and cockroaches fall from the roof.
[p. 5]
When going on a journey, one should not leave the house while the others are eating. If it cannot be helped, the plates should be turned clockwise in order to avoid accidents.
Do not shy in the morning so that good luck and fortune will come easily.
It is taboo two light three cigarettes in succession from one lighted match.
Debts should not be paid at night because money will quite be difficult to earn.
All windows should be open at sunrise so that lock and the grace of God will come in.
A baby should not be allowed to buy combs for this will cause the decay of the teeth.
A women should not darn clothes on her body for she might give birth to a baby without an opening in the anus.
A dog or cat that jumps out of the window is a bad omen and harbinger of death.
When sleeping, a baby should not be placed between the father and the mother for it will die sooner or later.
Do not answer at once when someone calls in the dead of the night nor open the door for misfortune may strike in the house.
The marrow of the bones should not be removed by fingers for this will cause sores.
A snake in the house is a sign of good luck for the family.
Young men and women should not hum or sing before the fireplace so that they will not marry [an] old person as the case may be.
Do\ not leave the label inside the pot or kettle so that one will not always remain indebted.
Sitting on pillows causes boils to appear on the body.
Mirrors should not be given a toddling baby for if she always looks through it, she will fall when walking.
[p. 6]
B. Taking a bath:
C. Marriage:
[p. 7]
Interpretations:
1. If an owl gives a call at night, it is a bad omen.
2. If there is a half moon and a star enters into its curve, a pair of lovers will elope.
3. When a dead person is soft, there is a possibility that a near relative of the dead will die soon.
4. A black butterfly shows a bad omen. A person who sees the butterfly has a dead relative.
5. A person [who] has no shadow is nearing his grave.
6. [The] Uncommon howling of the dogs means that a sick person is dying.
7. A tree with so many fireflies is haunted.
8. A snake in the house is good luck. Life of the family will prosper.
9. When the eyes of the dead person are open, he is waiting for somebody.
10. When the rooster gives the call of the mother hen at midnight, a single woman is on the family way.
Methods of Measuring Time and Special Calendars.
A. Measuring Time:
2. By means of the crowing of the rooster.
3. By the signs of [the] leaves of trees.
B. Special Calendars:
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A. Popular Songs 1. Kundiman 2. Lulay 3. Padadubli |
B. Games 1. Softball 2. Checkers |
2. Gossip
3. Drinking liquor