Matingain, Lemery, Batangas: Historical Data
Full transcription of the so-called “Historical Data” for the barrio of Matingain the Municipality of Lemery, 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.]
COMPILATION
OF
HISTORICAL DATA
FOR THE
BARRIO
OF
MATINGAIN
MUNICIPALITY OF LEMERY
PROVINCE OF BATANGAS
[p. 1]
DIVISION OF BATANGAS
DISTRICT OF LEMERY
Mahayahay Elementary School
HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE BARRIO OF MATINGAIN
PART ONE: HISTORY
Present Official Name of the Barrio
Matingain
Derivation and Meaning of the Name
The word “Matingain” means a place where a kind of mineral as called by the people “tinga” is found. It is used by fishermen in giving weight to their fishing nets.
List of Tenientes from the Earliest Time to Date
Destruction of Lives, Properties and Institutions During Wars, Especially in 1896-1900 and 1941-1945
1941-1945 – Few lives were lost for the people were able to seek good hiding places. But since they were away from their own homes most of the time, nearly all of their properties were looted by the Japanese.
Measures and Accomplishments toward Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Following World War II
Many new homes were built. The people were able to engage in different industries. They learned better, some modern and scientific methods of farming. Thus, they increased their yield and their standard of living were very much higher than before.
PART TWO: FOLKWAYS
Traditions, Customs and Practices in Domestic and Social Life
Birth –
When a baby is born, the father usually fires some firecrackers as a sign that his wife has delivered peacefully. He kills at once a chicken and the wife will be the first one to taste it after it is prepared.
[p. 2]
Baptism –
During the baptism, the godmother or the godfather has to hold the cap of the baby tightly because once it falls, the baby will not be successful in any business he or she may engage in. When the baptism is over, the godfather or the godmother must run the child at once to the door. He or she must not let the others overtake him or her for the child will always be late in any activity he or she may undertake. After the baptismal party, the child will receive a gift.
Courtship –
A man must not court a girl during her birthday for the man will surely be disappointed.
Marriage –
Plates are broken as soon as the marriage is over so that the couple will have enough sons and daughter.
Once the couple step [on] the stairs of the girl’s house, money is thrown over them. Then, they pick up the money. The one who gets the most will be successful in any business.
Death –
The family of the deceased must not comb their hair for if they do so, their hair will fall.
Burial –
The family of the deceased must not look back during the burial, for one of them might follow.
Myths, Legends, Beliefs, Interpretations, Superstitions
Beliefs
Popular Songs, Games and Amusements
Games
Songs
Amusements
[p. 3]
Puzzles and Riddles
Puzzle
Riddles
Proverbs and Sayings
Proverbs
Sayings
Methods of Measuring Time, Special Calendars
Notes and references:
Transcribed from “History and Cultural Data of the Barrio of Matingain” 1953, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections.
[Cover page.]
OF
HISTORICAL DATA
FOR THE
BARRIO
OF
MATINGAIN
MUNICIPALITY OF LEMERY
PROVINCE OF BATANGAS
[p. 1]
DISTRICT OF LEMERY
Mahayahay Elementary School
HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE BARRIO OF MATINGAIN
PART ONE: HISTORY
Present Official Name of the Barrio
Matingain
Derivation and Meaning of the Name
The word “Matingain” means a place where a kind of mineral as called by the people “tinga” is found. It is used by fishermen in giving weight to their fishing nets.
| a. Eugenio Cabral | h. Serapio Mendoza |
| b. Carlos Cabral | i. Andres Bawang |
| c. Juanso Rodriguez | j. Isabelo Tamayo |
| d. Pioquinto Razon | k. Manuel Atienza |
| e. Yoyo Catibog | l. Fernando Catibog |
| f. Pinong Atienza | m. Arcadio Razon |
| g. Andoing Cueto | n. Lucio Cabral |
| o. Jose Cueto |
1941-1945 – Few lives were lost for the people were able to seek good hiding places. But since they were away from their own homes most of the time, nearly all of their properties were looted by the Japanese.
Many new homes were built. The people were able to engage in different industries. They learned better, some modern and scientific methods of farming. Thus, they increased their yield and their standard of living were very much higher than before.
Traditions, Customs and Practices in Domestic and Social Life
Birth –
When a baby is born, the father usually fires some firecrackers as a sign that his wife has delivered peacefully. He kills at once a chicken and the wife will be the first one to taste it after it is prepared.
[p. 2]
Baptism –
During the baptism, the godmother or the godfather has to hold the cap of the baby tightly because once it falls, the baby will not be successful in any business he or she may engage in. When the baptism is over, the godfather or the godmother must run the child at once to the door. He or she must not let the others overtake him or her for the child will always be late in any activity he or she may undertake. After the baptismal party, the child will receive a gift.
Courtship –
A man must not court a girl during her birthday for the man will surely be disappointed.
Marriage –
Plates are broken as soon as the marriage is over so that the couple will have enough sons and daughter.
Once the couple step [on] the stairs of the girl’s house, money is thrown over them. Then, they pick up the money. The one who gets the most will be successful in any business.
Death –
The family of the deceased must not comb their hair for if they do so, their hair will fall.
Burial –
The family of the deceased must not look back during the burial, for one of them might follow.
Beliefs
1. When a hen cocks [cackles] at night, a lady is conceiving.
2. During the anniversary of a deceased and a plate is broken, a member [of the family] will follow.
3. It is bad to eat inside the rice field when the plant is beginning to bear fruit, because the fruit will not continue to grow.
4. It is bad to go to a rice field on the first Monday of August for the yield will be much lesser than before.
5. When there is thunder and lightning, it is not good to wear white dresses for women.
2. During the anniversary of a deceased and a plate is broken, a member [of the family] will follow.
3. It is bad to eat inside the rice field when the plant is beginning to bear fruit, because the fruit will not continue to grow.
4. It is bad to go to a rice field on the first Monday of August for the yield will be much lesser than before.
5. When there is thunder and lightning, it is not good to wear white dresses for women.
Games
1. Tubig-tubig
2. Softball
2. Softball
1. Paruparong Bukid
2. Sa Pinto ng Langit
2. Sa Pinto ng Langit
1. Dancing
2. Swimming
3. Going to shows
2. Swimming
3. Going to shows
[p. 3]
Puzzle
1. Five birds alighted on a tree. I shot three of them and three were left. Why?
1. Brown inside, brown outside, three Negritos live inside.
2. Wherever I go, I carry my radio.
3. Standing no feet, crying no eyes.
4. The man and the eagle riding in a circle.
5. On the top of Mt. Arayat, I planted five coconuts.
2. Wherever I go, I carry my radio.
3. Standing no feet, crying no eyes.
4. The man and the eagle riding in a circle.
5. On the top of Mt. Arayat, I planted five coconuts.
Proverbs
1. Haste makes waste.
2. God helps those who help themselves.
2. God helps those who help themselves.
1. A sleeping shrimp is carried by the current.
2. If you did not plant something, you’ll harvest nothing.
3. A hero who is wounded acquires greater courage.
4. Shallow water runs deep.
2. If you did not plant something, you’ll harvest nothing.
3. A hero who is wounded acquires greater courage.
4. Shallow water runs deep.
1. sun
2. a plant named “alas dies”
3. shadow
4. clock
5. modern calendars
2. a plant named “alas dies”
3. shadow
4. clock
5. modern calendars
Submitted by:
PEÑAFLOR BISCOCHO
Barrio Committee Chairman
PEÑAFLOR BISCOCHO
Barrio Committee Chairman
Notes and references:
Transcribed from “History and Cultural Data of the Barrio of Matingain” 1953, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections.
