Santo Niño, Ibaan, Batangas: Historical Data - Batangas History, Culture and Folklore Santo Niño, Ibaan, Batangas: Historical Data - Batangas History, Culture and Folklore

Santo Niño, Ibaan, Batangas: Historical Data

Historical Data graphic
Historical data from the National Library of the Philippines.

Full transcription of the so-called “Historical Data” for the barrio of Santo Niño in 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.

[p. 1]

HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE BARRIO (OF SANTO NIÑO)
Part One History

1. Present official name of the barrio – Sto. Niño.

2. Popular name of the barrio, present and past – Sto. Niño
The barrio was so-called in honor of the Most Holy Infant Jesus that was found upon digging a certain tree that could not be cut by the implements the people used.

3. Date of establishment – 1834

4. Original families – Litan, Macatangay, Manalo, Patulot

5. List of tenientes from the earliest time to date:

1. Mario Litan
2. Victoriano Medrano
3. Agaton Tejada
4. Gregorio Manalo
5. Domingo Tenorio
6. Martin Litan
7. Francisco Manalo
8. Damian Litan
9. Lorenzo Torre
10. Teofilo Macatangay
11. Dalmacio Dalisay
12. Silvestre Tipa
13. Regino Tejada
14. Felipe de Castro
15. Silvestre Tipa

6. Story of old barrios or sitios that are now depopulated or extinct within the jurisdiction – None

7. Data on historical sites, structures, buildings, old ruins, etc.

None

8. Important facts, incidents, or events that took place:

a. During the Spanish occupation –

Most of the inhabitants were robbed by bandits from other places once every three months.

Two men were included among the insurgents that fought against the cruelty of the Spaniards during the various revolts.

Most of the people who were in good terms with the Spanish friars were greatly benefited by the help given to them by the priests.

b. During the American occupation –

The women were maltreated by the Macabebe soldiers. They were greatly oppressed.

c. During and after World War II

This barrio served as one of the sites wherein evacuees sought refuge. Even under the trees that abounded near the banks of the brook, the people, especially from the barrios of Lipa City, lived because of fear from the inhuman treatment of the Japanese soldiers.

9. a. Destruction of lives, properties and institutions during wars, especially in 1896-1900 and 1941-1945:

None
b. Measures and accomplishments for rehabilitation – None.

PART TWO: FOLKWAYS

10. All members of the family get together during Sundays, Christmas, Easter, weddings, funerals and birthdays. All members of the family come if they can. During these parties, gifts are given to parents. Godparents give gifts to their godchildren. The people hold feasts in connection with baptism. [The] Whole family, including friends and relatives, attend. [The] Party lasts the whole day.

Reverence – Taking off the hat or making the sign of the cross when passing a church or cemetery. In some

[p. 2]

cases, bow or kneel. They say their family prayers especially at Angelus time. Children who are at play run home for prayer. Mothers teach their children to pray. They make the sign of the cross at the stairway before going out of the house. They pray before sleeping and on waking up. Some of the people go to church on Sundays regularly.

Death and Mourning –
Friends and relatives send flowers and visit the dead. Relatives of the dead abstain from drinking alcoholic drinks and playing. They also wear black bands around their arms for men and women wear black dresses. The family of the deceased serves refreshment to those who come to mourn.

Courtship and Marriage –
When asking a girl to attend a party, the boy invites the parents of the girl first. When she attends parties, she is always accompanied by a relative as her chaperone.
The wife holds the purse and gives out money. She is responsible for keeping the home.
Friends and relatives give gifts to the young couple.
The whole family considers the courtship and possible marriage of the marriageable members.
The parents sanction the marriage. Couples who marry against the parents’ wishes are liable to be disinherited. The boy’s parents ask the girl’s parents for the hand of the daughter.

Other customs –
They give money in time of death or misfortune of neighbors or acquaintances. The women or girls do the jobs at home, while children help. They save money in the bank. The children are also taught to value thrift. They keep their promises when a contract is made. They respect the property rights of others. They do not steal. They bear troubles without complaints.

11. Myths, legends, etc. – None

12. Popular songs, games and amusements –
The Lulay and playing the “Balakatak.”

13. Puzzles and riddles –

14. Proverbs and sayings –

Ang taong mapagtiis at mapagtiyaga ay sinusubaybayan ng kapalaran.
Ang tulog na hipon ay tinatangay ng agos.
Magtanim ka nang magtanim nang marami kang amihin.
Ang bait ng bata ay nasa matanda.
Ang bibig na nasasarhan ay hindi mapapasok ng langaw.
Di man magmana ng ari, magmana man lamang ng ugali.
Ang lahat ng tao mag-away man, huwag laman ang mag-aasawa sa loob ng bahay.
Lumalakad ang kalabasa naiiwan ang bunga.
Ang hanap sa hamog sa tubig naanod.
Bahay mo man ay bato, kung ang tumitira’y kuwago;
Mabuti pa’y isang kubo na ang nakatira ay tao.
Anak na di paluhain, ina ang patatangisin.
Pag may hirap, may ginhawa.
Ang pagmamahal sa sarili ay nakakabulag.
Pagkaraan ng kasaganahan, susunod ang kasalatan.
Ang lihim na katapangan siyang pinakikinabangan.
Ano mang tibay ng pili ng abaka, wala ring lakas kung nag-iisa.
Nguni’t kung tumigas na’t tumayog, mahirap na ang paghutok.
Signed: Silvestre Tipa
Notes and references:
Transcribed from “History and Cultural Life of the Barrio (of Santo Niño)” 1953, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections.
Next Post Previous Post