Ibaan, Batangas: Historical Data
Full transcription of the so-called “Historical Data” for the Municipality of Ibaan, 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.
[Cover page.]
HISTORICAL DATA
OF
IBAAN
[p. 1]
II. HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN - - I B A A N
19. Present official name of the town – Ibaan
20. Former name, meaning and derivation –
Formerly, this town was a barrio and a part of Batangas, the capital of the province. Prior to 1800, the first settlement was established in Matala, now a barrio four kilometers from the location of the present town. Not long after in 1817, efforts were made to transfer the town to the present site. In 1827, a provisional church was completed and blessed. Fifteen years after in 1832, the town was formally separated from the municipality of Batangas. The principalia was organized and the Governadorcillo, Cabeza de Barangay and other members exercised their powers and duties.
21. Date of establishment – 1747
22. Name and Status of the Founders –
23. Names of persons who held leading official positions in the community, with the dates of their terms.
[p. 2]
CURA PARROCCO OR PARISH PRIEST
[p. 3]
List of Justices of the Peace – Ibaan
Chiefs of Police
[p. 4]
24. Data on historical sites, structures, buildings, etc.
Historical Structures – The Baptismal Dome of the Catholic Church dating more than a century as of 1938.
The natural bridge in barrio Sandalan 2½ kms. from the town.
The natural swimming pool with a large spring near it, deep and wide enough for 20 persons to bathe in it. These two beautiful sceneries of natural beauty are joined together in one place. The natural bridge is said to be the rendezvous and hiding place of the notorious “Igat” and “Pangalang.” “Igat,” one of the leaders of a gang, obtained his name as he could always evade the arrest of the authorities, being slippery, hard to catch like an eel, hence the name “Igat” was given to him. “Pangalang,” another leader of a gang, could always save his men from arrest as he used his person as “Pang-Kalang” (shield) for the others.
[p. 5]
Another structure of historical significance is the natural fall in the barrio of Salaban where a large cave is found at its foot. This is a beautiful natural wall that had been found by constant erosion for ages ago. It is [a] deep straight cut from a precipice by nature. In the year 1902, when General Franklin Bell, then in command of the Division of Southern Luzon, with Headquarters in Batangas, ordered the establishment of military zones by concentrating the villages in the poblacion within a one mile radius, thereby leaving the outlying territory free for military operations, several families who did not like to submit to the American rule entrenched themselves in this natural cotta.
NOTE: From the History of Ibaan in manuscript form by Ex-Mayor Miguel Mercado.
25. Important facts, incidents or events that took place:
[p. 6]
c. During and After World War II
[p. 7]
26. Destruction of lives, properties and institutions during wars:
1900-1901 – Epidemics of cholera, small pox and malaria.
1901 – Vaccination was enforced by the American Mil. Force.
Jan. 1942 – Sabang Bridge was demolished by the American Army.
May, 1942 – The church towers were destroyed by a tremendous earthquake.
1943 – [In the] Latter part of the year, local guerrillas were caught and executed.
Dec. 1944 – The Matala Bridge and Ibaan Bridge were demolished by the Japanese Military Force.
B. Measures and accomplishments toward rehabilitation and reconstruction following World War II
Jan. 31, 1947 – The inauguration of the church towers.
Oct. 1949 – Ibaan Bridge was opened to the public (Cost - ₱19,000).
May, 1949 – Matala Bridge was opened to the public (Cost - ₱14,000).
August, 1949 – The repair of the Ibaan Elem. Schools was done.
1950 – Dayapan Bridge was completed (Cost ₱50,000).
1951 – Sabang Bridge was completed (Cost ₱49,990).
References – Manuscript-History of Ibaan-by Miguel Mercado
Part Two – Folkways
27. Traditions, customs and practices in domestic and social life; birth, baptism, courtship, marriage, death, burial; visits, etc.
Baptism –
When a child is born, the neighbors and relatives keep vigil over the newly born infant until after he is baptized by a priest. The baptism is usually accompanied by merrymaking and feasting that the parents incur debts to feed the whole community.
Courtship and Marriage –
Courtship today is quite a contrast to courtship during the early years. During the early days, a man must be very courteous and respectful when he visits a girl, right after entering the door of the house, he must walk in kneeling position up to the one whom he wants to pay due respect.
Conversation between the girl and the man is very limited because the old folks were watching each other’s moves. When it was already late in the night, the parents would begin to close the windows, meaning that was up;
[p. 8]
It was quite common in those days for a man to be married to a woman he did not love or he did not know because it was the parents who made the arrangements. So when a woman eloped with a man, the parents were very angry because their agreement or compromise did not materialize.
When a woman was set to be married, the groom-to-be usually gave a very big bundle of selected fuel. This bundle was kept under the house and was due after the marriage. That bundle of firewood signified burning love.
A man before marriage undergoes an acid test. He offers his services freely by getting water, helping in daily chores of the household, farming, repairing the house, and etc. And before they are married, the man has already lost pounds of weight. If, however, these services are not done faithfully, the marriage may still be annulled.
Dowries sometimes determine much the success of the proposal of marriage. If a woman does not like the man, she can exact a large amount of dowry or (bigay-kaya) such as hectares of land, money, animals, etc. from the man and even if the latter cannot love [live?] up to her wishes, his love can be spurned.
Death –
It has been the custom of our women to wear black and for men to wear a black band around the arm when one in the family dies. Special evening prayers are said up to the ninth day by the members [of the family] and relatives of the deceased. On the fourth and ninth days, feasts are held. The thirtieth day if a woman, and the fortieth day if a man is also celebrated.
28. Myths, legends, beliefs, interpretations, superstitions, origin of the world, land, mountains and caves, etc.
In ancient times and even up to the present generation, people of this locality have many queer beliefs regarding the different phenomena of nature and associate them with myths, legends, and superstitions; and give these natural phenomena varied interpretations as they affect their daily lives.
The eclipses are believed to have [a] bad effect on the suitors whose proposals to young maidens will meet their doom, as in the case of “Pinaglahuang Pag-ibig;” and to those who are newly-engaged, it means a temporary break as a third person has intervened in the happiness of the two lovers. But to those who have long been engaged, it means an everlasting happiness.
Eartquakes are believed to be the wrath of God. Others believe that it is the meeting of heat and cold under the earth. They do not know that earthquakes of tectonic type are caused by the loosening of huge boulders and falling one after another.
When a setting of eggs has been subjected to an earthquake, they are believed to become infertile. These eggs will either be sold or used in the house.
When a person is walking along the road, and an earthquake occurs, he should stop and hold on something solid or lie down flat on his breast lest he falls down to the ground and become an epileptic person.
[p. 9]
When flashes of lightning are accompanied by thunder, old people say, “Close all the openings or leave them all open.”
Do not go near a door, window, or post, but kneel and pray. Sometimes, the entire family sits around a dish of live charcoal placing dried coconut palm leaves which were blessed by the priest with holy water. The smoke from this gives relief from the fear of lightning and thunderbolts. The old even sprinkle the corners of the house with vinegar. All these ways are believed will save the people inside the house from being struck by lightning and thunderbolts.
When clouds are moving fast, it is believed that a typhoon is brewing somewhere. The rain is believed to have been brought to the sky by the rainbow, and when the load becomes very heavy, the rain falls.
The storms are believed to be God’s wrath upon the many sins of man. The changes of the weather are believed to cause sickness and the changes of the climate are attributed to [the] growing old age of the earth. All other natural phenomena are often attributed to the will of God.
The first man and woman are believed to be Adam and Eve, and the birth of twins or more are taken to bring prosperity to the family.
Sickness is believed to be the result of negligence or the curse of God. In fact, they attribute everything that happens to the will of God. Even good fortune, evil, and calamities are attributed to divinations.
Some people believe that when there is a sick person in the family and the whole flock of chickens cackle at night as if they are frightened, the sick person will die and will not be able to recover.
When dogs howl at night with [a] dreadful sound as if they are sensing some mishaps, it is a sign of [a] bad omen that some calamity may happen in the neighborhood.
Such are the beliefs of the people and their interpretations of the different natural phenomena and other external forces, as they affect their daily lives both physically and psychologically. Even the backward people believe that astronomical forces affect their lives.
From the “History of Ibaan in manuscript form by Ex-Mayor Miguel M. Mercado, Retired School Principal (All Rights Reserved)
29. Popular songs, games and amusements- -
[p. 10]
[p. 11]
MERKADERA
[p. 12]
Part Three: Other Information
34. Information on books and documents treating of the Philippines and the names of their owners.
Note: [The] Owner of the books listed from number 5 to 14 is the San Pablo Branch Library of the Phil. National Library.
35. The names of Filipino authors born 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.
* * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * *
Notes and references:
Transcribed from “History and and Life of the Town – Ibaan” 1953, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections.
OF
IBAAN
[p. 1]
II. HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE TOWN - - I B A A N
19. Present official name of the town – Ibaan
20. Former name, meaning and derivation –
Formerly, this town was a barrio and a part of Batangas, the capital of the province. Prior to 1800, the first settlement was established in Matala, now a barrio four kilometers from the location of the present town. Not long after in 1817, efforts were made to transfer the town to the present site. In 1827, a provisional church was completed and blessed. Fifteen years after in 1832, the town was formally separated from the municipality of Batangas. The principalia was organized and the Governadorcillo, Cabeza de Barangay and other members exercised their powers and duties.
Meaning and derivation - -
Just how Ibaan happened to be called is so simple. It was said by local historians that in the childhood of mankind, this place was heavily forested by “Iba” trees. The “Iba” tree is very similar in structure to “Calamias,” only it bears rounded fruits in clusters, unlike the latter which bears oblong ones. The early settlers derived “Ibaan” from the specie “Iba.”
Just how Ibaan happened to be called is so simple. It was said by local historians that in the childhood of mankind, this place was heavily forested by “Iba” trees. The “Iba” tree is very similar in structure to “Calamias,” only it bears rounded fruits in clusters, unlike the latter which bears oblong ones. The early settlers derived “Ibaan” from the specie “Iba.”
21. Date of establishment – 1747
22. Name and Status of the Founders –
a. Don Francisco de Mercado – Governadorcillo
b. Don Anacleto Montalbo – Governadorcillo
b. Don Anacleto Montalbo – Governadorcillo
This was in the year 1747 to 1751.
23. Names of persons who held leading official positions in the community, with the dates of their terms.
Governadorcillo and Mayors
| 1. Don Bernardo Rafael | 1832 |
| 2. Don Alfonso Vilela | 1833 |
| 3. Don Valentin Arias | 1834 |
| 4. Don Julian Perez | 1835 |
| 5. Don Juan Caringal | 1836 |
| 6. Don Saturnino de la Cruz | 1837 |
| 7. Don Bernabe Roxas | 1838 |
| 8. Don Geronimo Montalbo | 1839 |
| 9. Don Carlos Suarez | 1840 |
| 10. Don Valentin de Chavez | 1841 |
| 11. Don Saturnino de los Reyes | 1842 |
| 12. Don Melecio Guerra | 1843 |
| 13. Don Cristobal Tejada | 1844 |
| 14. Don Florentino Guerra | 1845 |
| 15. Don Antonio Roxas | 1946 |
| 16. Don Gabriel Gamboa | 1947 |
| 17. Don Tomas Guerra | 1848 |
| 18. Don Juan Portugal | 1849 |
| 19. Don Lucas Medrano | 1850 |
| 20. Don Clemente Torralba | 1851 |
| 21. Don Melecio Guerra | 1853 |
| 22. Don Mariano Pana | 1853 |
| 23. Don Vicente Villamin | 1854 |
| 24. Don Mariano Hernandez | 1855 |
| 25. Don Fabiano Perez | 1856 |
| 26. Don Gervacio Bago | 1857 |
| 27. Don Marcos de los Reyes | 1858 |
| 28. Don Geronimo Montalbo | 1859 |
| 29. Don Valentin Arias | 1860 |
| 30. Don Roman Caringal | 1862 |
| 31. Don Anastacio Medrano | 1863 |
| 32. Don Baltazar Caringal | 1865 |
| 33. Don Roman Caringal | 1867 |
| 34. Don Herminigildo Duarte | 1869 |
| 35. Don Mariano Valdez | 1870 |
| 36. Don Cristobal Tejada | 1873 |
| 37. Don Cenon Caringal | 1874 |
| 38. Don Gelacio Aleta | 1875 |
| 39. Don Angel Perez | 1878 |
| 40. Don Saturnino Ramos | 1880 |
| 41. Don Rafael Reyes | 1882 |
| 42. Don Severino Mercado | 1884 |
| 43. Don Roman Baruel | 1886 |
| 44. Don Vicente Roxas | 1888 |
| 45. Don Gervacio Beltran | 1890 |
| 46. Don Celedonio Reyes | 1891 |
| 47. Don Domingo Yabyabin | 1892 |
| 48. Don Justo Suanes | 1894 |
| 49. Don Juan Eleosida | 1896 |
| 50. Don Baltazar Ramirez | 1898 |
| 51. Sr. Isabelo Guerra | 1901 |
| 52. Sr. Francisco Quinio | 1904 |
| 53. St. Mateo Ilustre | 1906 |
| 54. Sr. Juan Macatangay | 1908 |
| 55. Sr. Saturnino Lopez | 1910 |
| 56. Sr. Joaquin Trillanes | 1913 |
| 57. Sr. Martin Montalbo | 1916 |
| 58. Sr. Antonino Yabyabin | 1919 |
| 59. Sr. Cayetano de Castro | 1923 |
| 60. Sr. Cayetano de Castro | 1925 |
| 61. Sr. Juan Macatangay | 1926 |
| 62. Sr. Joaquin Trillanes | 1927 |
| 63. Sr. Juan Mactangay | 1930 |
| 64. Sr. Aurelio Hernandez | 1935 |
| 65. Sr. Miguel Mercado | 1938 |
| 66. Sr. Santiago Yabyabin | 1944 |
| 67. Sr. Quentin Hernandez | |
| 68. Sr. Tomas Altamirano | |
| 69. Sr. Miguel Mercado | |
| 70. Sr. Juan T. Mercado | 1944-present |
| 1. P. Esteban Flores | 1832-37 |
| 2. P. Marcos Anton | 1837-43 |
| 3. P. Andres Dias | 1843-45 |
| 4. P. Vicente Iturralde | 1845 |
| 5. P. Jacinto Masangkay | 1845-48 |
| 6. P. Martin Madlanbayan | 1848 |
| 7. P. Pedro Cuesta | 1848-49 |
| 8. P. Martin Madlanbayan | 1849-50 |
| 9. P. Paulino Palacios | 1850-52 |
| 10. P. Martin Madlanbayan | 1853 |
| 11. Manuel Diaz Gonzales | 1854-62 |
| 12. Leoncio C. Mercado | 1862-65 |
| 13. Alvaro Calleja | 1865 |
| 14. Bruno Laredo | 1865-70 |
| 15. Braulio Enriquez | 1870-71 |
| 16. Guillermo Cuevas | 1871-72 |
| 17. Francisco Rosales | 1872-73 |
| 18. Vicente Maril | 1873-84 |
| 19. Mariano Ilagan | 1884 |
| 20. Anastacio C. Cruz | 1884-85 |
| 21. Moises Santos | 1885 |
| 22. Anastacio Cruz | 1885-86 |
| 23. Tomas Agudo | 1886-91 |
| 24. Francisco Alvarez | 1891-97 |
| 25. Jose Alonzo | 1897-98 |
| 26. Adriano Aranas | 1898-99 |
| 27. Lucino Reyes | 1899-1900 |
| 28. Cecilio Punzalan | 1900-01 |
| 29. Julio Villavicencio | 1901 |
| 30. Miguel Catala | 1901-02 |
| 31. Pablo Dizon | 1902-11 |
| 32. Ciriaco de Castro | 1911 |
| 33. Juan Van Fagen | 1911 |
| 34. Nicolas Ruytes | 1911-13 |
| 35. Juan Zegera | 1913-15 |
| 36. Raymundo Esquivel | 1915 |
| 37. Eugenio Gaerlone | 1915-18 |
| 38. Ernesto Fornaca | 1918-38 |
| 39. Jose Visintainer | 1938-41 |
| 40. Guidoi Collati | 1941-53 |
| 1. Canuto Perez | 1888 |
| 2. Juan Magnaye | |
| 3. Eugenio Perez | |
| 4. Vicente Roxas | |
| 5. Francisco Quinio | 1901 |
| 6. Mateo Ilustre | 1902-06 |
| 7. Juan Reyes | |
| 8. Joaquin Trililanes | |
| 9. Susano Montalbo | |
| 10. Lorenzo Visconde | |
| 11. Jose M. Manguiat | |
| 12. Diego Arenas | Present |
| 1. Amato Buendia | 1900-03 |
| 2. Santiago Torralba | 1903-05 |
| 3. Aurelio Hernandez | 1905 |
| 4. Alejandro Reyes | |
| 5. Mateo Ilustre | |
| 6. German Guerra | |
| 7. Aurelio Hernandez | 1911-15 |
| 8. German Guerra | 1915-16 |
| 9. Aurelio Hernandez | 1916-28 |
| 10. Andres Ilustre | 1928 |
| 11. Tomas Semira | 1929 |
| 12. Pedro de Castro | |
| 13. Jose Portus | 1952-present |
Municipal Treasurers –
From the year 1899 to 1901, Mr. Jose Mercado Medrano Jr. and Mr. Martin Montalbo, who were both cabezas de barangay at that time, were designated by Gen. M. Malvar as collectors of voluntary contributions of the people for the support of the Phil. Revolutionary forces – “insurrectos.”
1. Telesforo Semira
2. Alejandro Lacsamana
3. Gregorio Sarsozo
4. Catalino Bautista
5. Daniel Torralba
6. Juan Abjelina
7. Ponciano Roxas
8. Ceferino Hernandez
9. Leandro C. Gonda – present treasurer
Vice-Presidents
From the year 1899 to 1901, Mr. Jose Mercado Medrano Jr. and Mr. Martin Montalbo, who were both cabezas de barangay at that time, were designated by Gen. M. Malvar as collectors of voluntary contributions of the people for the support of the Phil. Revolutionary forces – “insurrectos.”
1. Telesforo Semira
2. Alejandro Lacsamana
3. Gregorio Sarsozo
4. Catalino Bautista
5. Daniel Torralba
6. Juan Abjelina
7. Ponciano Roxas
8. Ceferino Hernandez
9. Leandro C. Gonda – present treasurer
Vice-Presidents
| 1. Juan Macatangay | 1901-03 |
| 2. Martin Montalbo | 1904-07 |
| 3. Flaviano Torralba | 1908-09 |
| 4. Antonino Yabyabin | 1910-12 |
| 5. Martin Montalbo | 1913-15 |
| 6. Dalmacio Mercado | 1916-18 |
| 7. Florentino Andal | 1919-21 |
| 8. Juan Macatangay | 1922-24 |
| 9. Paulo Pasia | 1925-27 |
| 10. Jose Marasigan | 1928-31 |
| 11. German Guerra | 1932-34 |
| 12. Lucas Semira | 1935-37 |
| 13. Andres P. Ilustre | 1938-40 |
| 14. Tomas P. Altamirano | 1941 |
| 15. Santiago Yabyabin | 1942-44 |
| 16. Macario Medrano | 1946 |
| 17. Sixto Guerra | 1947-50 |
| 18. Hugo Mercado | 1950-51 |
| 19. Andres P. Ilustre | 1951-present |
24. Data on historical sites, structures, buildings, etc.
Historical Structures – The Baptismal Dome of the Catholic Church dating more than a century as of 1938.
The natural bridge in barrio Sandalan 2½ kms. from the town.
The natural swimming pool with a large spring near it, deep and wide enough for 20 persons to bathe in it. These two beautiful sceneries of natural beauty are joined together in one place. The natural bridge is said to be the rendezvous and hiding place of the notorious “Igat” and “Pangalang.” “Igat,” one of the leaders of a gang, obtained his name as he could always evade the arrest of the authorities, being slippery, hard to catch like an eel, hence the name “Igat” was given to him. “Pangalang,” another leader of a gang, could always save his men from arrest as he used his person as “Pang-Kalang” (shield) for the others.
[p. 5]
Another structure of historical significance is the natural fall in the barrio of Salaban where a large cave is found at its foot. This is a beautiful natural wall that had been found by constant erosion for ages ago. It is [a] deep straight cut from a precipice by nature. In the year 1902, when General Franklin Bell, then in command of the Division of Southern Luzon, with Headquarters in Batangas, ordered the establishment of military zones by concentrating the villages in the poblacion within a one mile radius, thereby leaving the outlying territory free for military operations, several families who did not like to submit to the American rule entrenched themselves in this natural cotta.
NOTE: From the History of Ibaan in manuscript form by Ex-Mayor Miguel Mercado.
25. Important facts, incidents or events that took place:
a. During the Spanish occupation –
b. During the American occupation to World War II
1784 – A chapel was built in the little village of Matala.
1800 – Matala extended as far as the present location of the poblacion, but still a barrio of the town of Batangas.
1801 – The convent in Matala was destroyed by fire.
1805 – The little town was infested heavily by locusts, thus a cavan of rice could hardly by bought for ₱4.00, formerly ₱1.00 only. There was a famine in this period.
1816 – A proposal of building a church in the town was thwarted by other government leaders.
1817 – The building [of] the present church was begun.
1827 – The seat of government was transferred from Matala to the present poblacion.
1832 – Ibaan was officially separated from the town of Batangas. The first appointed kapitan was Don Leonardo Rafael. The church was partly built by Rev. Manuel Guijalbo.
1869 – The church was completed under Rev. Bruno Laredo.
1876 – The two towers of the church were built under Fr. Vicente Maril.
1898 – The last “Kapitan” was Don Baltazar Ramirez, under the Spanish regime. The last priest was Fr. Jose Alonzo.
1896-1900 – Revolutionary Government – Gen. Aguinaldo appointed Juan Eleosida as the “Kapitan,” then [he] was succeeded by Baltazar Ramirez.
1800 – Matala extended as far as the present location of the poblacion, but still a barrio of the town of Batangas.
1801 – The convent in Matala was destroyed by fire.
1805 – The little town was infested heavily by locusts, thus a cavan of rice could hardly by bought for ₱4.00, formerly ₱1.00 only. There was a famine in this period.
1816 – A proposal of building a church in the town was thwarted by other government leaders.
1817 – The building [of] the present church was begun.
1827 – The seat of government was transferred from Matala to the present poblacion.
1832 – Ibaan was officially separated from the town of Batangas. The first appointed kapitan was Don Leonardo Rafael. The church was partly built by Rev. Manuel Guijalbo.
1869 – The church was completed under Rev. Bruno Laredo.
1876 – The two towers of the church were built under Fr. Vicente Maril.
1898 – The last “Kapitan” was Don Baltazar Ramirez, under the Spanish regime. The last priest was Fr. Jose Alonzo.
1896-1900 – Revolutionary Government – Gen. Aguinaldo appointed Juan Eleosida as the “Kapitan,” then [he] was succeeded by Baltazar Ramirez.
b. During the American occupation to World War II
Sept. 20, 1901 – [A] Local election was held by the prominent political leaders of the town. Mr. Isabelo Guerra was elected president and Mr. Juan Macatangay vice-president.
1904 – The first general election was held. Mr. Francisco Quinio was the elected president.
1905 – The epidemic of cholera followed by small pox caused many deaths in the town and barrios.
1917 – An epidemic of influenza broke out. Every member of a family was inflicted. This epidemic caused a great loss of lives.
1918 – Prosperity saved the wretched condition of the people. The price of sugar rose [to] its highest, thus [the] living standard of the people was higher.
1904 – The first general election was held. Mr. Francisco Quinio was the elected president.
1905 – The epidemic of cholera followed by small pox caused many deaths in the town and barrios.
1917 – An epidemic of influenza broke out. Every member of a family was inflicted. This epidemic caused a great loss of lives.
1918 – Prosperity saved the wretched condition of the people. The price of sugar rose [to] its highest, thus [the] living standard of the people was higher.
[p. 6]
1921 (June) – Intermediate classes were opened. Of course, the primary classes were opened in the early part of the American occupation.
1927 – The Intermediate Building was built.
1928 – The Municipal Building was completed.
1935 (Nov. 15) – The celebration of the inauguration of the Commonwealth of the Philippines.
1937 (Feb.) – The Provincial Eucharistic Congress under Rev. Ernesto Fornaca.
1927 – The Intermediate Building was built.
1928 – The Municipal Building was completed.
1935 (Nov. 15) – The celebration of the inauguration of the Commonwealth of the Philippines.
1937 (Feb.) – The Provincial Eucharistic Congress under Rev. Ernesto Fornaca.
c. During and After World War II
1941-Dec. 8 – Outbreak of WWII
1941-Dec. – The seat of government of Batangas Province was transferred to Ibaan. Most neighboring towns and provincial government officials evacuated to Ibaan.
Jan. 31, 1942 – The Japanese Military Force occupied the town.
June, 1942 – Schools under the Japanese government were opened. Niponggo teachers were taught in Manila. Then, Niponggo was included in the school curriculum.
Aug. 8, 1942 – The released prisoners from Capaz came home. The sick soldiers were taken care of in the convent which served as the temporary hospital.
Sept. 15, 1942 – Another batch of released prisoners from Capaz arrived home.
June 1942 – Guerrilla members were solicited by a few guerrilla leaders. The secret meeting was held in one private house in the town.
1943 – Guerrillas were already pursued even to distant barrios. Some were caught and executed because the Filipino spies helped their identification.
Dec. 1944 – The Ibaan Bridge and the Matala Bridge were demolished by the Japanese Military Forces.
Jan. 1945 – An accidental fire caused the loss of three houses in Alicagui.
March 13, 1945 – The liberation of Ibaan.
March 15, 1945 – The American military camp was set up in the school campus. The poblacion and barrios became too crowded because many people from the neighboring towns and Manila evacuated to Ibaan. The living conditions became unsanitary after a few days. The American military government transferred other [people?] to Batangas.
April 5, 1945 – The public schools were opened under the auspices of the PICAO.
July 6, 1945 – Public schools were made [placed] under the Bureau of Public Schools.
1941-Dec. – The seat of government of Batangas Province was transferred to Ibaan. Most neighboring towns and provincial government officials evacuated to Ibaan.
Jan. 31, 1942 – The Japanese Military Force occupied the town.
June, 1942 – Schools under the Japanese government were opened. Niponggo teachers were taught in Manila. Then, Niponggo was included in the school curriculum.
Aug. 8, 1942 – The released prisoners from Capaz came home. The sick soldiers were taken care of in the convent which served as the temporary hospital.
Sept. 15, 1942 – Another batch of released prisoners from Capaz arrived home.
June 1942 – Guerrilla members were solicited by a few guerrilla leaders. The secret meeting was held in one private house in the town.
1943 – Guerrillas were already pursued even to distant barrios. Some were caught and executed because the Filipino spies helped their identification.
Dec. 1944 – The Ibaan Bridge and the Matala Bridge were demolished by the Japanese Military Forces.
Jan. 1945 – An accidental fire caused the loss of three houses in Alicagui.
March 13, 1945 – The liberation of Ibaan.
March 15, 1945 – The American military camp was set up in the school campus. The poblacion and barrios became too crowded because many people from the neighboring towns and Manila evacuated to Ibaan. The living conditions became unsanitary after a few days. The American military government transferred other [people?] to Batangas.
April 5, 1945 – The public schools were opened under the auspices of the PICAO.
July 6, 1945 – Public schools were made [placed] under the Bureau of Public Schools.
[p. 7]
26. Destruction of lives, properties and institutions during wars:
1900-1901 – Epidemics of cholera, small pox and malaria.
1901 – Vaccination was enforced by the American Mil. Force.
Jan. 1942 – Sabang Bridge was demolished by the American Army.
May, 1942 – The church towers were destroyed by a tremendous earthquake.
1943 – [In the] Latter part of the year, local guerrillas were caught and executed.
Dec. 1944 – The Matala Bridge and Ibaan Bridge were demolished by the Japanese Military Force.
B. Measures and accomplishments toward rehabilitation and reconstruction following World War II
Jan. 31, 1947 – The inauguration of the church towers.
Oct. 1949 – Ibaan Bridge was opened to the public (Cost - ₱19,000).
May, 1949 – Matala Bridge was opened to the public (Cost - ₱14,000).
August, 1949 – The repair of the Ibaan Elem. Schools was done.
1950 – Dayapan Bridge was completed (Cost ₱50,000).
1951 – Sabang Bridge was completed (Cost ₱49,990).
References – Manuscript-History of Ibaan-by Miguel Mercado
– Convent Chronicle
27. Traditions, customs and practices in domestic and social life; birth, baptism, courtship, marriage, death, burial; visits, etc.
Baptism –
When a child is born, the neighbors and relatives keep vigil over the newly born infant until after he is baptized by a priest. The baptism is usually accompanied by merrymaking and feasting that the parents incur debts to feed the whole community.
Courtship and Marriage –
Courtship today is quite a contrast to courtship during the early years. During the early days, a man must be very courteous and respectful when he visits a girl, right after entering the door of the house, he must walk in kneeling position up to the one whom he wants to pay due respect.
Conversation between the girl and the man is very limited because the old folks were watching each other’s moves. When it was already late in the night, the parents would begin to close the windows, meaning that was up;
[p. 8]
It was quite common in those days for a man to be married to a woman he did not love or he did not know because it was the parents who made the arrangements. So when a woman eloped with a man, the parents were very angry because their agreement or compromise did not materialize.
When a woman was set to be married, the groom-to-be usually gave a very big bundle of selected fuel. This bundle was kept under the house and was due after the marriage. That bundle of firewood signified burning love.
A man before marriage undergoes an acid test. He offers his services freely by getting water, helping in daily chores of the household, farming, repairing the house, and etc. And before they are married, the man has already lost pounds of weight. If, however, these services are not done faithfully, the marriage may still be annulled.
Dowries sometimes determine much the success of the proposal of marriage. If a woman does not like the man, she can exact a large amount of dowry or (bigay-kaya) such as hectares of land, money, animals, etc. from the man and even if the latter cannot love [live?] up to her wishes, his love can be spurned.
Death –
It has been the custom of our women to wear black and for men to wear a black band around the arm when one in the family dies. Special evening prayers are said up to the ninth day by the members [of the family] and relatives of the deceased. On the fourth and ninth days, feasts are held. The thirtieth day if a woman, and the fortieth day if a man is also celebrated.
28. Myths, legends, beliefs, interpretations, superstitions, origin of the world, land, mountains and caves, etc.
In ancient times and even up to the present generation, people of this locality have many queer beliefs regarding the different phenomena of nature and associate them with myths, legends, and superstitions; and give these natural phenomena varied interpretations as they affect their daily lives.
The eclipses are believed to have [a] bad effect on the suitors whose proposals to young maidens will meet their doom, as in the case of “Pinaglahuang Pag-ibig;” and to those who are newly-engaged, it means a temporary break as a third person has intervened in the happiness of the two lovers. But to those who have long been engaged, it means an everlasting happiness.
Eartquakes are believed to be the wrath of God. Others believe that it is the meeting of heat and cold under the earth. They do not know that earthquakes of tectonic type are caused by the loosening of huge boulders and falling one after another.
When a setting of eggs has been subjected to an earthquake, they are believed to become infertile. These eggs will either be sold or used in the house.
When a person is walking along the road, and an earthquake occurs, he should stop and hold on something solid or lie down flat on his breast lest he falls down to the ground and become an epileptic person.
[p. 9]
When flashes of lightning are accompanied by thunder, old people say, “Close all the openings or leave them all open.”
Do not go near a door, window, or post, but kneel and pray. Sometimes, the entire family sits around a dish of live charcoal placing dried coconut palm leaves which were blessed by the priest with holy water. The smoke from this gives relief from the fear of lightning and thunderbolts. The old even sprinkle the corners of the house with vinegar. All these ways are believed will save the people inside the house from being struck by lightning and thunderbolts.
When clouds are moving fast, it is believed that a typhoon is brewing somewhere. The rain is believed to have been brought to the sky by the rainbow, and when the load becomes very heavy, the rain falls.
The storms are believed to be God’s wrath upon the many sins of man. The changes of the weather are believed to cause sickness and the changes of the climate are attributed to [the] growing old age of the earth. All other natural phenomena are often attributed to the will of God.
The first man and woman are believed to be Adam and Eve, and the birth of twins or more are taken to bring prosperity to the family.
Sickness is believed to be the result of negligence or the curse of God. In fact, they attribute everything that happens to the will of God. Even good fortune, evil, and calamities are attributed to divinations.
Some people believe that when there is a sick person in the family and the whole flock of chickens cackle at night as if they are frightened, the sick person will die and will not be able to recover.
When dogs howl at night with [a] dreadful sound as if they are sensing some mishaps, it is a sign of [a] bad omen that some calamity may happen in the neighborhood.
Such are the beliefs of the people and their interpretations of the different natural phenomena and other external forces, as they affect their daily lives both physically and psychologically. Even the backward people believe that astronomical forces affect their lives.
From the “History of Ibaan in manuscript form by Ex-Mayor Miguel M. Mercado, Retired School Principal (All Rights Reserved)
29. Popular songs, games and amusements- -
Inday sa Balitaw
Inday sa Balitaw
Kahoy nakahapaw
Sandok nakasuksok
Palyok nakataob
Sini ang na matabang
Kulang sa sampalok
Kahoy nakahapaw
Sandok nakasuksok
Palyok nakataob
Sini ang na matabang
Kulang sa sampalok
[p. 10]
Mama, Mamang Namamangka
Mama, mamang namamangka
Ipagsakay yaring bata
Pagdating sa Maynila
Ipagpalit sa kutsinta
Ali, aling namamayong
Ipasukob yaring sanggol
Pagdating sa Malabon
Ipagpalit sa bagoong.
Halika na Neneng
Halika na Neneng
Tayo’y manampalok
Dalhin mo ang buslo
Sisidlan ng hinog
Pagdating sa dulo
Lalamba-babayog
Kumapit ka Neneng
Baka ka mahulog
Sitsiritsit Alibangbang
Sit sirit sit alibang bang
Salaginto’t salagubang
Ang babae sa lansangan
Kung gumiri parang tandang
Inday from Balitaw
Inday, from Balitaw
The tree that has fallen
Rice paddle that is hanging
That pot that is inverted
The cooked fish lacking in salt
Also lacking in tamarind.
Mama, Mama Riding in a Banca
Mama, mama riding in a banca
Please let the child ride
When you reach Manila
You may exchange her with rice cakes.
Ali aling holding an umbrella
Let the baby go with you
After reaching Malabon
You may exchange with “bagoong.”
Come Here Neneng
Come here, come here Neneng
Let us pick tamarind
Carry a basket
Will put the ripe ones
When you reach the top
The branch broke off with a click
Please hold my Neneng dear
Because you might fall.
Sitsirit Sit, Alibang Bang
Sit sirit sit alibang bang
Salaginto and salagubang
The lady of the street
Is walking like a rooster
Mama, mamang namamangka
Ipagsakay yaring bata
Pagdating sa Maynila
Ipagpalit sa kutsinta
Ali, aling namamayong
Ipasukob yaring sanggol
Pagdating sa Malabon
Ipagpalit sa bagoong.
Halika na Neneng
Halika na Neneng
Tayo’y manampalok
Dalhin mo ang buslo
Sisidlan ng hinog
Pagdating sa dulo
Lalamba-babayog
Kumapit ka Neneng
Baka ka mahulog
Sitsiritsit Alibangbang
Sit sirit sit alibang bang
Salaginto’t salagubang
Ang babae sa lansangan
Kung gumiri parang tandang
Inday from Balitaw
Inday, from Balitaw
The tree that has fallen
Rice paddle that is hanging
That pot that is inverted
The cooked fish lacking in salt
Also lacking in tamarind.
Mama, Mama Riding in a Banca
Mama, mama riding in a banca
Please let the child ride
When you reach Manila
You may exchange her with rice cakes.
Ali aling holding an umbrella
Let the baby go with you
After reaching Malabon
You may exchange with “bagoong.”
Come Here Neneng
Come here, come here Neneng
Let us pick tamarind
Carry a basket
Will put the ripe ones
When you reach the top
The branch broke off with a click
Please hold my Neneng dear
Because you might fall.
Sitsirit Sit, Alibang Bang
Sit sirit sit alibang bang
Salaginto and salagubang
The lady of the street
Is walking like a rooster
[p. 11]
| M Mamimili | Magtitinda |
| Aling Kuwan, inyo yon buksan | : Tanghali na pong tunay, |
| Ang tampipi dala ninyo iyan | : Hindi pa po nabibilhan |
| Merkadera, | : Anong ibig, bibili ba kayo |
| : ng damit | |
| Oo nga po at siya kong nais | : |
| Kaya dito ay lumapit | : |
| : Ano kaya ang bibilhin | |
| : Puti baga o babarahia | |
| : Pinya't kantong o lastidutin | |
| : Hali kayo at inyong piliin | |
| : Ito'y bagong uso gawa ng mga | |
| : Pilipino. Tingnan ninyo | |
| : at pinong-pino. Bagay na | |
| : bagay sa inyo. | |
| Magkano ito | |
| : Sampong piso | |
| Mahal naman | : Tawad kayo |
| Apat na lang | : Ay, naku, naku naman |
| : Malulugi sa puhunan | |
| Merkadera, huag kang | |
| magalit sa pagtawad ko | |
| sa damit palibhasa'y | |
| ikaw ay pangit tawaran | |
| pa'y magagalit. | |
| : Palibhasa'y ikaw ay barat | |
| : tumawad pa'y hindi sapat | |
| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - | |
| Buyer | Seller |
| Will you please open the bag | : |
| What you are carrying | : It is already late and until |
| : now nobody has bought | |
| : What do you like. Are you | |
| Merkadera | : going to buy cloth? |
| Oh, yes, and that's the reason | |
| why I'm going near you | |
| : What will you buy | |
| : White cloth or the cheapest one | |
| : Cloth woven from piña | |
| : Please come near and select | |
| : This one which is the fashion | |
| : Is made by Filipinos. It's | |
| : very becoming to you. | |
| How much is this? | |
| : It's only ten. | |
| It's very dear. | |
| : You can have discount. | |
| Four pesos only. | |
| : Ay, ay, ay, ay, ay, ay | |
| Merkadera please don't get | : I'll be losing very much |
| angry for my getting it for | |
| four pesos only. It's because | |
| you are very ugly | |
34. Information on books and documents treating of the Philippines and the names of their owners.
| 1. History of Education in the Phil. | Alzona |
| 2. Philippine Culture | Rodriguez |
| 3. The Social Cancer | Jose Rizal |
| 4. Phil. Social Life and Progress | Alip, Capino |
| 5. Republic of the Philippines | |
| 6. Phil. Journal of Commerce | |
| 7. The Phil. Journal of Agriculture | |
| 8. Annual Report of the Sec. of Finance | |
| 9. Annual Report of the Weather Bureau | |
| 10. Annual Report of the Nat. Power Corporation | |
| 11. Annual Report of the Insurance Commission | |
| 12. The Phil. Journalof Animal Industry | |
| 13. Census of the Philippines-1948 | |
| 14. Abstract of the Phil. Statistics |
35. The names of Filipino authors born 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.
| Authors | Works | Form | Possessor | Place |
| 1. Miguel M. Mercado | The Hhistory of Ibaan | Manuscript | Author | Ibaan |
| 2. Miguel M. Mercado | Ang Aking Aklat ng Pagsasanay | Printed | Author | Ibaan |
| 3. Edited by Miguel M. Mercado | Ang Aking Kasaysayan ng Bibliya | Printed | Author | Ibaan |
| 4. Miguel M. Mercado | Agriculture Education (Article) | Printed The Lanao Harvendier | Author | Ibaan |
| 5. Miguel M. Mercado | Successful Farming | Printed Bagong Bayan | Author | Ibaan |
| 6. Lorenzo Ilustre (Music) Juan Gutierrez (Words) | Song Magandang Araw | Manuscript | Julia Ilustre | Ibaan |
| 7. Lorenzo Ilustre (Music) Juan Gutierrez (Words) | Bayan Masagana | Manuscript | Clemencia Ilustre | Ibaan |
* * * * * * * *
Notes and references:
Transcribed from “History and and Life of the Town – Ibaan” 1953, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections.