Bañadero, Tanauan, 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 Bañadero in the City of Tanauan, 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.
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1. Present official name of the barrio – BAÑADERO.
2. Popular name of the barrio, present and past; derivation and meanings of these names:
It is said that this place has always been called Bañadero since its founding many, many years ago. The name was used to designate the place because of the presence of springs that accorded [an] excellent bathing place. The inhabitants of the locality and those from distant places used to take their bath in these springs because of the refreshing and healing effects, so it was said.
Names of sitios included within the territorial jurisdiction of the barrio: Pinagsimbahanan & Pook.
4. Original families: Nobody can recall the original families in this barrio.
5. List of tenientes from the earliest time to date:
| 1. Fernando Perea | 1884-1902 |
| 2. Zacarias Robles | 1903-1909 |
| 3. Eustaquio Balahadia | 1910-1919 |
| 4. Quiterio Gonzales | 1920-1926 |
| 5. Basilio Mendoza | 1927-1932 |
| 6. Alberto Perea | 1933-1939 |
| 7. Lope Atienza | 1940-1949 |
| 8. Tomas Malabanan | 1950 to present |
| (Informant – Mr. Quirino Marudo) | |
6. Story of old barrios or sitios within the jurisdiction that are now depopulated or extinct. – NONE.
7. Data on historical sites, structures, buildings, old ruins, etc. – NONE.
8. Important facts, incidents or events that took place.
2. Establishment of the barrio chapel.
2. People felt the importance of sanitation, and of sending their children to school.
1941-1945 - - NONE
2. Establishment of a public school in the barrio.
3. Establishment of a reading center.
4. Organization of a club and softball team.
5. Construction of more toilets.
6. People participated actively in keeping the community clean and in making their homes more beautiful.
A. Birth:
After the birth or delivery of a child, a big fat hen is instantly killed and cooked to be feasted by those who are present in the delivery. It is believed that the death of the hen saves the life of the child.
B. Baptism:
Usually, the grandfathers and grandmothers of the child on both sides decided who will be the “ninong” or “ninang.” Once decided, a day is set for the baptismal party. Sometimes, it is a mere “buhusan,” especially if the child is sick, or if the child is to wait for a longer time for the actual baptism. On the day of the baptism, the ninong or ninang goes to the house of the child with some invited guests, taking along some soft and hard drinks, as well as cigarettes and their “abuloy.” A pig or two, plus some chickens, are butchered for this party, followed by [a] sumptuous luncheon and a drinking spree for men. After this, the sponsors give their gifts (pakimkim) to the child.
C. Courtship:
When a young man courts a girl and they fall in love with each other, the boy’s parents confer with the parents of the girl. This is called “bulongan” in the dialect, and it is at this occasion when the demands of the girl’s parents and the conditions for marriage are known. The young man usually helps in the household work of the girl during the courtship.
D. Marriage:
Marriages are always followed by parties, simple or elaborate, depending upon the financial ability of the party concerned. As most of the people are poor, the marriage party is usually done with simplicity. After the party, the “lipatan” follows. The “mamamaysan” go to the boy’s house with the bride, the groom being left behind in the girl’s house.
E. Death:
The cadaver is laid in state for 24 hours before burial. This is done to allow the friends, relatives and immediate members of the family of the deceased to get together to make plans for burial.
F. Visits:
When somebody is sick, he is visited by his relatives and friends. These visitors bring flowers, or fruits and other kinds of food as eggs, milk, etc. to the sick.
G. Festivals:
People are accustomed to celebrating the “Flores de Mayo” in the month of May. This affair is terminated by a barrio fiesta.
On the day of the fiesta, a mass is said and heard by the barrio folks. One or two bands are hired to make the fiesta joyous. Every house, big of small, is well-prepared to receive and entertain guests.
2. [The] Presence of white butterflies or butterfly is a sign of happiness, and black butterflies or butterfly, is a sign of sorrow.
3. When a hen cackles in the middle of the night and is answered by a rooster, it means that an unmarried woman is on the family way.
4. Putting the reading material under the pillow while sleeping hastens the memorization of a poem.
5. When dishes are broken unintentionally at a wedding party, it shows that the new couple will have many children.
6. Sweeping at night sweeps away the good luck coming or entering your door.
7. Planting langka with many children at one’s back will make the tree fruitful.
8. [The] Smell of a burning candle shows that a relative is dead.
Amusement – Going to the cine.
2. Afraid of one but brave in two. – Bamboo bridge
3. It has legs but cannot walk. – Table
4. A grain of palay over-filled the house. – Lantern
5. Sister’s house has no post. – Umbrella
2. He who believes in tales has no mind of his own.
3. Do unto others as you like others do unto you.
4. Don’t count the chicks before they are hatched.
2. When Maria-Kapra chirps, it is dawn.
3. When roosters crow hurriedly, it is dawn.
4. When the morning star is seen in the east, it is dawn.