Munting Tubig, Ibaan, Batangas: Historical Data - Batangas History, Culture and Folklore

Munting Tubig, Ibaan, Batangas: Historical Data

Full transcription of the so-called “Historical Data” for the barrio of Munting Tubig 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]
Historical Data
District of San Jose


1. Present official name of the barrio:


2. Popular name of the barrio, present and past; derivation and meanings of these names. Names of sitios included within the territorial jurisdiction of the barrio.

Just how Munting Tubig happened to be called is so simple. It was said by one of the oldest men that this place had a boundary river, a river which was so small, and because of the smallness of it, it was called Munting Tubig, meaning small river.

3. Date of establishment – As to the date of establishment, no data has been gathered.

4. Original families –
a.  Hernandez b.  Toreja c.  Sison d.  Patulot
e.  Acebo f.   Cabael
5. List of tenientes from the earliest time to date:

1. Eufrasio Hernandez
2. Crisostomo Cabael
3. Gregorio Hernandez
4. Fermin Arias – longest term
5. Catalino Toreja
6. Segundo Toreja
7. Bruno Patulot
8. Gregorio Sison – 10 years
9. Evaristo Portus
10. Jose Sison
11. Albino Sison – during the Japanese occupation
12. David Acebo
13. Isidoro Acebo – at present

6. Story of old barrio or sitios within the jurisdiction that are now depopulated or extinct:




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

a. During the Spanish Occupation – During the Spanish regime, the people of this place, especially the men, suffered a lot. The Spanish soldiers were tyrants and cruel. If there was somebody to be searched, the civil guard went to this barrio and forced everyone to look for the suspected person for them. They practiced corporal punishment such as whipping and saying harsh words.

[p. 2]

b. During the American occupation to World War II

The Americans came riding on horses and the people were frightened of their coming. An old woman named [not visible] Macaraig, the sister of Mr. Julio Macaraig, upon seeing the soldiers, ran and hid in the ashes of the sugar mill for she was very shocked and thrilled. This brother of hers, brave enough faced these soldiers and talked to them by giving some information about the place. He finally found that these soldiers were very kind and nice. Their kindness was beyond comparable. The American soldiers gave him bread, candies, clothes, etc. They even told him that the candies would be given to “peque nene [or none]” meaning little girls or little children.

c. During and after World War II.

This place had been the evacuation center of nearby towns. Some of the leading personages of the Japanese were Takaida and Tagura. They were the ones in charge of the planting of cotton. The even that can be recorded was the death of Rufina Dimaandal, who was massacred by the Japanese soldiers stationed in the town. Ten houses were burned to houses.

Measures and accomplishments toward rehabilitation and reconstruction following World War II.

No measures and accomplishments so far have been made.


The people of the community still practice the same old traditions. They practice the paternalistic form of government. It means to say that the oldest person is the consultant of the people and, therefore, they obeyed the decision of the old.

As to baptismal practices, the parents prepared a party. Some parents have grand parties while some of them just plan simple ones. But oftentimes, if the parents of the child have financial difficulties, they still cling to the “buhos system” wherein the child will just be sprinkled with water and wait for the time when they will have enough money to spend for a grand one.

Now as to baptismal practices, there are still superstitious beliefs which are to be mentioned. When the baptismal ceremony is going on, the padrina or the godmother will have to pray the “Apostles’ Creed.” They will have a contest in finishing this prayer. And if it was finished very soon, they believed that the child baptized will be intelligent and have a retentive memory. Upon going out of the church door, they will be quick so that the child will be active.

As to courtship, the folks of the gentleman will go to the house of the lady for personal appearance and observation of the lady they want to adore. They will steal something such as spoon, fork, plate, etc. Believing that their mission will be successful.

There are also many superstitious beliefs about death. It was prohibited to pack the dishes one after the other because they say that somebody in the house might follow. The person carrying the corpse will not turn back so that the dead person will never return.

[p. 3]

As to visits, I have a notion or I can say that the people here are amiable. There unity and unselfishness are beyond words.

Festivals are held especially in May. Since May is [a] merry time, they have a May floral offering. By the end of the month, they have their fiesta. Musicians are hired, a program is held, etc. They kill pigs and chickens for the visitors.

12. Kundiman is the popular song of the place.
Panginge is the game of the old, banking or “sungkahan” for the young.

13. Puzzles and riddles –

1. Nagtanim ako ng dayap
Sa gitna ng dagat
Marami ang humanap
Iisa ang nagkapalad. – dalaga

2. Ako’y nagtanim ng inip
Sa ilalim ng tubig
Dahon ay makikitid
Sungay matutulis. – palay

3. Isda ko sa Maribeles
Nasa loo bang kaliskis. – sili

4. Walang sala’y iginagapos
Niyayapakan pagkatapos. – sapatos

5. Isang balong malalim
Punong-puno ng patalim. – bibig

6. Hindi hayop, hindi tao
Walang gulong tumatakbo. – agos ng tubig

7. Alisto ka pandak
Daratnan ka ng mabigat – dikin

8. Nang hawak ay patay
Nang ihagis ay nabuhay. – trumpo

9. Kung araw ay natutulog
Sa gabi’y naglilibot. - kuago

10. Hindi madangkal, hindi madipa
Pinagtutuwangan ng lima. – karayom


1. If there’s a will, there’s a way.
2. Patience is bitter but its fruit is sweet.
3. Not all that glitters is gold.
4. The face is the mirror of your soul.
5. Kapag may sinuksok ay may titingalain.
6. Walang masamang kanya
Walang mabuti sa iba.
7. Ang lumakad ng marahan, matinik man ay mababaw
Ang lumakad ng matulin matinik man ay malalim.
8. Kung ano ang taas ng lipad ay siyang lagapak kung bumagsak.
9. Bihirang balita’y magtapat,
Kung magkatotoo man ay marami ang dagdag.
10. Ang kahoy na liko’t baluktot
Hutukin hanggang malambot
Kung lumaki ay tumayog
Mahirap na ang paghutok.

[p. 4]

11. Ang taong walang kibo
Nasa loo bang kulo.
12. Masarap ang karunungan.
Ngunit mahirap ang mag-aral
Nagsusunog ng kilay
Sa pagbabasa’y nangangalay.
13. Kung sino ang minamahal
Siya’y pinahihirapan.
14. Walang masamang tutong
Sa taong nagugutom.
15. Kung talagang tubo
Matamis hanggang dulo.

Measuring time:

The old folks measure the time by means of the sun. By the position of the sun, they can tell the time.

Compiled by:


Notes and references:
Transcribed from “History and Cultural Life of the Barrio (of Munting Tubig)” 1953, online at the National Library of the Philippines Digital Collections.

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