13/02/2023
HISTORY AND CULTURAL LIFE OF THE BARRIO OF CABATUAN, PALAPAG NORTHERN SAMAR
Several years after the foundation of the town of Palapag a group of families migrated to a certain place which they called Cabatuan. In its early development it was called Ayuran, which name was derived from the name of a small stream near the present barrio, Soon the people began to cultivate the land which to their disappointment was difficult to cultivate due to the presence of boulders all around. Thinking otherwise that the name Ayuran did not fit exactly to the place, they changed it to Cabatuan, now the official name of the barrio.
The place became populated. People began to look for lots to farm on which necessitated the organization of sitios. The following are the sitios: Maragano, Kalinawan, Orantuyan, Iraya, and balod.
According to the natives, the barrio was organized in 1855, A.D. The original families were the udtujans, Plandianos and Balicuases. The tenientes del barrio up to the present time are listed below according to the order of succession. Record of dates is not available :
1. Pedro uapoquian
2. Melchor Taringting
3. Miguel Esteria
4. Agustin Plandiano
5. Felipe Mejos
6. Francisco Laodenio
7. Santos Udtujan
8. Maximo Balang
9. Saturnino Esteria
10. Tomas Acquiat
11. Andres Tindoy
12. Blas Garay
13. Venancio Mejos
14. Carlos Papel
15. Vicente Acebar
As time advanced other sitios were created as the population grew and people scattered to cultivate the forest lands.
HISTORICAL EVENTS:
During the administration of Melchor taringting, the Americans occupied the Philippines. Many of the people joined the revolution. The new American government hunted the rebels down to the remotest places of the Country. Unfortunately Melchor Taringting and his companions were captured and killed by the Americans. The exact date of this event is not available as most of the people during that time were illiterates. In 1918 cholera epidemic occurred in the barrio which almost wiped out the entire population. But soon new immigrants from other towns, especially from the eastern part of this province came to settle permanently. At this time the dialect of the people is a conglomeration of those spoken in eastern and northern Samar. The barrio has a very slow progress due perhaps to the inattention of the administration. Transportation is very difricult. There is no road connections with other places. The poblacion of Palapag is eighteen kilometers away.
PART TWO FOLKWAYS:
A great majority of the people of barrio Cabatuan, Palapag, are illiterates and those considered educated have not even reached the upper level of primary education. These of the latter class can read and write as well as vote. The activities of the people are mostly guided by their customs and traditions as practiced by their fore fathers. Examples of these traditions and customs are enumerated below:
MARRIAGE:
Marriages are usually agreed up on by both parents even of the future groom and bride, even before the boy and the girl are engaged. The girl must agree to the contract made by both parties. After everything is fixed, they prepare for the marriage ceremony. They go to town to shop for the wedding garments and preparation for the wedding feast. When the new couple return, they stay in the nearby house, dress themselves in their wedding attire ready to be conducted to the church by the orchestra. When the bride and the bridegroom go to the feast, usually held in the bride's home, they are made to step on money bills with the belief that struggle for their existence would be successful.
LEGEND:
A popular legend is about Daragangan who one lived in the barrio. He was so big that whenever he went to fish, he just waded to the deepest part of the sea for it was just up to his knee. The three great towering rocks now still standing are the places where he used to hitch the abaca net to dry. Another one across the bay which looks like an upright anti-aircraft gun is where he used to hook the fiber when making strings for his net. But despite his enormouse size, he was later killed by small people when he was coaxed to a fight in a very slippery place. Right now, one can still see his footprints impressed upon a rocks.
BELIEFS:
Modern civilization and sciences have not yet eradicated the many superstitious beliefs of the people of barrio cabatuan. Contact with more civilized people is rather hard due to difficulties in communication and transportation facilities. What have been believed by their forefathers are still in the minds of the natives. There numerous beliefs. Some of them are related below:
1. A farmer who wishes to cultivate a forest land, goes there in the morning and places three seeds of rice on that land, securely wedged between two pieces of sticks. After a week the seeds are still there, it goes to say that the spirits of the jungle give him the land. Adversely, if he finds that the seeds are gone, it means that he is not granted the privilege to clear the land. If he insists, death may likely happen to him any moment.
2. Caves are believed to be the homes of bulalakao, who pounces on long-haired women. It appears very bright when flying at night. One curious thing about this bulalakao is that if a person happens to enter the cave and finds it at home, he needs not fear it if he sees it with opened eyes for it is asleep. But when its eyes are closed it is awaked and is ready to sn**ch him.
3. Earthquakes are caused by a huge giant imprisoned by God under the earth. Whenever he moves, the earth quakes.
4. Eclipses are caused by a big fish swallowing the Sun or the moon.
5. Sickness, whatever caused it, is believed to be done by evil spirits of the woods. They call it "molay" when the disease is not serious enough to cause death; "karag" when the victim is permanently crippled or killed. It may be caused also by those persons who possess that magical power sealed in small bottles called "barang". These magicians" in the locality are regarded with the greatest respect. The "barangan" are believed to be powerful. Anyone who displeases them will surely regret for doing so afterwards. They possess the power to inflict harm to anyone and at the same time heal their sufferings. Some of these "barangans" practiced their profession for money that is anybody who has a grudge against somebody may just give a certain amoùnt to the "Barangan" to harm his enemy. In this case he saves himself from the trouble of court proceedings.
POPULAR SONGS; GAMES AND AMUSEMENTS: There are many old songs still sang by the natives. One inspiring song is Recorded below:
"AN TOGON NI ANAY"
An togon ni nanay san akon ka ilo.
Buhata la inday an kamadoroto.
Bisan mag may-ada an kabogto-an (hiripid) mo.
Diri ihahatag kon di paliton mo.
Most of the games played by the natives both young and old, are the "kalay, " "sungka, " or "Santito" with shells known as "Boskay," Drinking tuba and gambling are the most common vices of the people. These unwholesome amusements are being fought by the local authorities and the School.
PUZZLES AND RIDDLES:So far there are few of these known to the people, However here are few of them.
1. A basket of veins is stretched in the forest. (hognet or batong)
2. It is white but not an alabaster , black but not charcoal, it flies without wings, and it speaks without a mouth. (letter)
PROVERBS AND SAYINGS:
1. No matter how high you throw the stone, it willvreturn to the ground.
2. Borrowing is the mother of all troubles .
3. Hunger bounces only from an industrious person.
METHODS OF MEASURING TIME: SPECIAL CALENDARS:
During the day, time is measured by the sun, tide, hornbills, and by the roosters. The hornbills make the call at twelve o clock and at four A.M.
The farmers have their own special calendars with regard to the planting of rice. It starts on All Souls Day November second, counted by weeks. Thus there is the "siapa", the first week, "ikaduha" or the second week and so on. From this special calendar they can anticipate when to plant their crops and when to harvest them.
In the absence of books or historical documents written from which the above accounts have been taken in view of the absence of competent local writers, same have been gleaned as here presented from accounts handed down from generation to generation.
●HISTORICAL DATA OF PALAPAG, 23
