Sambat, Santa Teresita, Batangas: Historical Data
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| Historical data from the National Library of the Philippines. |
[Note to the reader.]
At the time when this document was created, the barrio of Sambat was still a part of Taal rather than Santa Teresita. The barrio would become part of the latter municipality in 1961, after the passage of Executive Order No. 454.
[p. 1]
Long before the arrival of the Spaniards, the barrio of Sambat was under Bauan. As years passed by, for trade purposes and its nearness to Taal, the barrio was placed under the jurisdiction of Taal as it is today.
The central part of the barrio lies at the junction of the streets leading to Bauan and Alitagtag. As the word “sambat” means a place where roads meet, the name Sambat was derived.
During the Spanish-American War, [under] Colonel Anastacio Marasigan, the place showed bravery and high tactical method which might be expected from a colonel in those times. Several attempts were made by American soldiers to capture him in his encampment in one of the remote fields but always unsuccessful. It is said that at the sight of a enemy, he would go behind a tree and slip away unnoticed. So, the people believed him to be the possessor of [an] “anting-anting.” When the cholera epidemic broke out, he fell one of the victims.
Great changes took place during the American occupation. The first school constructed was made of nipa but was burned. In 1925, a three-room building was erected by the government. The present school site was donated by a group of civic-spirited citizens headed by Atty. Luis Atienza.
When World War II broke out, only three houses and the chapel were left unburned by the retreating Japanese forces. There were only three casualties because the residents had taken to Subic and Pulo early enough. In Bataan, several sons of the barrio took action. One of them was Captain Medardo Malabanan, who is at present attached to the 14th BCT.
Along religious lines, the barrio people had shown love and interest even in the earliest days. The first priest to be ordained was the late Rev. Father Vicente Mendoza, who died in the days of the Spanish-American War. Rev. Father Vicente R. Catapang, the present parish priest, was the first from this barrio who spent several years abroad.
The barrio people, as a whole, are poor, but they have shown great interest and sacrifice in according their sons and daughters college education. To date, there are several doctors, lawyers, and a great number of normal and B.S.E. graduates. Except in Aviation, we could speak with pride that in all other professions and trade, we have one or two to represent. Most of the professionals are residing in Manila.
[p. 2]
| NAME | PERIOD |
| 1. Jose Ramos | 1951-1953 |
| 2. Eduardo Dimailig | 1946-1950; 1941-1946; (1950-1951) NONE |
| 3. Emiliano Anorico | 1937-1941 |
| 4. Fruto Macatangay | 1933-1937 |
| 5. Nicomedes Marasigan | 1925-1933 |
| 6. Isabelo de Villa | 1921-1925 |
| 7. Roman Masangsang | 1917-1921 |
| 8. Ricardo Sangalang | 1913-1917 |
| 9. Cristanto Sangalang | 1909-1913 |
| 10. Fructuso Reyes | 1905-1909 |
| 11. Saturnino Mendoza | 1901-1905 |
| 12. Crisanto Sangalang | 1897-1901 |
| 13. Martin Atienza | 1896-1897 |
1. Sweeping at dusk is considered a bad practice. It is believed that the Blessed Virgin Mary visits the homes at this time, and sweeping drives Our Lady away.
2. Cutting the fingernails at night shortens the lives of one’s parents.
3. A child that always cries in pretense becomes an orphan at an early age.
4. A cat that washes its face is a sign of coming visitors.
5. When going on a far journey, Tuesday and Friday are unlucky days for leaving.
6. Don’t leave the house when family members are still dining. You’ll meet bad luck.
7. A woman’s loose hair should not be thrown away anywhere. If a bird happens to make a nest out of it, she will be crazy.
8. When a pig gathers up rubbish under the house, it is going to rain.
9. Three posing for a picture taken results to either death or marriage of one of them.
10. Never go near flowering plants after having just arrived from a visit to a dead person. The plants will die.
11. In New Year’s early morn, when the eastern sky is bright, the coming year will be plentiful.
12. The first centavo received by storekeepers on New Year’s Day should be treasured. It will bring more to the family pocket.
13. A star that appears too close to the moon signifies a woman to elope.
14. When sweeping the yard, avoid directing the rubbish towards the neighbor’s yard. You are driving away your own good fortune.
15. Chickens that fly down early from their night’s rest is a sign that the year is with scarcity, if late, plentiful.
16. When you are take part in a contest, have a needle pinned on your chemise. You will likely be successful.