Ancient Belief, Amusement and Etiquette in Malolos, Bulacan

Article by Jaypee, Romel and Francisca

Not only has the extent of territory and the diversified divisions of the human race coupled with the forces shaping the present condition of the world, and the new customs from the West have given way to the slow death of the traditions and customs so characteristic of the orientals as a whole and in particular of my town, Malolos, on which I shall lay a marked emphasis on the discussion of its past: but also the change in education, better communication, physical and intellectual development and the public opinion plays no small part.

The people recognized that the extension of the schools system and the establishment of important schools and institutions through out the world have done also much in the rushing change of our customs and habits.

It will be too broad as a subject for us to write on the customs of the Filipino people as a whole: in the first place I cannot do it justice because I am not acquainted with their habits, in the second place, I really like to give an interesting summary of the ancient customs and habits of the people of Malolos.

Malolos is in the southwestern part of bulacan province. It being the capital deserves its place as a first-class. It figure in history as the site of the first government of the short-lived “Philippines Republic”, and as the real home of the tagalong. The population consists of a purely tagalong people. Malolos is rich in natural resources the vast rice fields, the running streams and the wide rivers, the well-shaped fish-ponds, and the beautiful church of barasoain. The primitive past of the town has a pleasant reminder which is seen in the daily move of a few old people. Yes, a few old people who live in the remote parts of the town still retain the ancient culture, to them I owe part of this time.

I love to recall the stories which were told by my elders, when I was a more child, i remember the good habit of reading the “Pasion” and the “Novanna religious hooks, Young people then were not allowed to read novels and profane literature. They considered that novels and the like are vane. The “Novenas” they said offered a very simple way of obtaining from heaven that was asked from a protector saint, when the sympathy and good will of a saint wore won, it would be very easy obtain what a devotes would wish for the present and the future, up to the present time, the religious people are still devoted to this idea.

Somehow, to us, stories of enchanters, magicians and corridors seem to be more stories from the “Arabian Nights entertainments” but in the belief of the old people it was entirely different to there existed may “mangkukulam” lost popular being called “mangkukulam” bad within her power the ability to make a person sick. Thee ancient people limited the origin of that chara or “kulam” from an unknown and unseen being but as times they were inherited from parents who possessed the chara.

I am inclined to laugh if I believe that process used by those “mangkukulam” in making abnormalities on peoples body was a mers doll, if one of them got angry at some body, he would, in order to inflict pain or revenge priek the doll’s body to correspond with the part, he wanted to harm or injure. It was assumed by the believers that the food given to a person in the state of being charmed would to to the “mangkukulam’s” stomach. There were several kinds of “kulam” but the one which was dreaded so much was the chara carried by the wind or “Palipad hangin”. Information said that many persons died of “kulam” but if wise means would be made in time, there would be no necessity of burying alive persons. “The Mangkukulam were able to make stop his breath and to put him in an actual stage of a death.

The only sign left for recognition that the body might still live was the coffin’s cover would not be compact despite the feel that it would be nailed. It was also presumed that the, “mangkukulam” would remain in the dead body, until it would finally be buried . If A wise means of preventing the “mangkukulam” from escaping would be worked out it was then possible for them to save the dead. The sorcerer usually would leave the body invisibly.

A certain story as told by an old woman of about eighty years “one night” she began, “I was only twenty years then and my niece was charmed so heavily by one of those common “mangkukulams”. She gave a severe sickness t o her which caused her untimely death. We were not sware of the idea that she was suffering in the pit of a sorcerer. The corpse was about to be buried when an old women curious 1y locked at the coffin and her clear voice rang through the crowd, “she is not dead”. A doctor was called and a treatment brought her to life with the sacrifice of the mangkukulams death, How it was done. I cannot tell you, she said, “but sure as the sun rises, I saw with my own eyes” she assured me, “that she lived for some more years only she had a brain anomaly ”I interrupted her in the course for her story, “what else happened to the mangkukulam”.

It was with hand effort before the stupid barris doctors agreed to give the treatment because they know that if the dead body lives, the “mangkukulam” mist die so, she died. As I have told you and my niece lived, she finished with a look that would make one think that she spoke honestly.

What else can verify the truth in her assertions but cannot believe it is so strange I have inquired several times about this “kulam" business. The old people assured me that there really exalted mangkukulam.

How, I shall begin to tall about the religious Ideas and beliefs about death to which many people still cling.

The simple-living people of years ago believed on penitence and fasting as ways of pleasing god, on the easter season specially during the likely week, a law of the old people luring in the remote places of “barrics” still retain their habits of fasting and suffering. To share with christ’s, miseries and tortures they do not eat. They ship themselves.

Anybody who has any especial interest in witnessing people at “penitense” on good Friday need go only to the cut-skirts of malolos on the northern border just near pambong ( a little town, amidst water) and here with his own eyes, he can see the poor suffering people who beat their backs with bobbina much like those “sed in lace making, tide together, and fastened securely to insure god use.

A year ago, I was really interested to see people at penitence. Not only curiosity bade me go but the opportunity of seeing an ancient custom heightened my interest. I saw the men lying upside down with their backs so red with their own blee. One of two men hired persons to beat them at their backs with sticks right under the hot ann of the april days.

I could not ensure but lot a sigh escape my lips. Can mortals share the sufferings of Christ by imitating his martyrdom in so light a way? Can they still share in His mission when it was thousands of years ago that He suffered and sacrificed his life for the sins of the people?

The religious people do not eat eat on Fridays and during the Holy Week, they celebrate that day called " Bo hillya " by not eating anything and ever if they eat , a piece of bread and a glass of water is enough.

An old custom built upon religious ideas and perfected by the Spaniards was to kiss the priest's hand with the sincere belief that it was done for God . A present we find people who make the sign of a cross on going down stairs and on passing a church .

It would be an interesting picture to see the members of a family burning palm leaves blessed on Palm Bunday or leaves pat at the feet of Joms Christ on Good Friday , during lightning and thunder to drive away the bad spirit , while they would go on repeating prayers of intent devotion.

On the death of a person , candles are burned with the belief that by means of the light , the sould casily finds the way to heaven . lightly prayers with all the relatives and neighbors for nine successive nights is an important feature of the belief about the dead . These prayers serve to save his sould , and be received by God in heaven .

Another custom so prevalent , among the the people of Malolos both rich and poor was the habit of confession and communion . In the days of old , every girl was forced into confession. The ata of confession is forgiveness for one's sins.

There is another old custom so characteristic of " All Saints ' Day " . This is chanting the songs of the dead , A group of people often named wandering souls or " kaluluwa " go around on All Saints Pay to chant these songs for which they received also in terms of money , and other gifts .

If an epidemic brier out in a certain village or if the harvest is source, religious procession were held to drive the bad sprits away who had caused and brought sickness and scarcity .

Among the old religious people of Malolos, we find pilgrimage makers . They journeyed to Antipolo and Obanio (these two tone are compared with the mecca of the Fohammedans ) for passed promises . At present , people of Malolos Journey to Antipolo for recreation and vacation -- no longer for religion .

Antipolo has remained up to this time , a primitive town with all the beauties of nature streams flowing with clear water , caves full of beautiful sights and remains of the past , the way ward road covered with beautiful trees , free to all , bath - houses with clear water but above all , the old histories and religious church in the center of the small town.

Competed with the religious pilgrimage are many au partition . This is a personal experience. Last May , the whole family went to Antipolo to stay there for nine days . This is termed " sian " in Tagalog . Every morning , we attended the mass , while every evening we went to church also to pray . One evening our old aunt asked us to walk on knees from the entrance of the church to the altar . This she cold as should form a part of our promise ( panats ) . Every time I kissed the Virgen feet , my whole being seemed to go with that one slight short kiss because I believe of her whole being as a saint and a martyr . Could I stay lingeringly to kiss her over and over , I would but one amld not link her because many people were always anxious to kiss her feet.

My mother does not belong to a very old and superstitious family but the religious custom of praying in the evening and in the morning has shaped my life . I wish this good custom will never die . I hope it will bring the young generation nearer to God and further from vion , crime and vanity.

I have thought several times how this superstition was founded . A child who would jump as high as he could on the hour of the Resurrection of Christ will grow tall and faster.

I almost forget to mention some superstitious beliefs still prevailing at present . The coming of visitors are foretold by the actions of cats, the noise of a ligand and the singing of a fire. Another is if a person leaves a house when somebody is eating, he is likely to meet a misfortune on his way if the plates are not turned around.

Several of these will appear so peculiar to the people of the present but they are so amusing and entertaining. I have them here: If a dog or a hog grunts at night, somebody who is sick in the neighborhood will die. When a mother dies, her small children are made to step across her coffin to prevent her spirit visiting them. If a dead person is not stiff somebody will follow and die within a few days . The spirit of a dead rations after three days so that on the third night the relatives of the deceased pray and give a big fiesta.

Although I try my best in describing some of the social cautious and successors yet I cannot do justice to these beautiful habits in the social life of the people of Malolos.

The romantic method and the beauty and thrill of serenading was very common, the ladies of the old times were not allowed to go out for the purpose of recreation and pleasure . Unlike the landles of the present generation instead of staying in balls , programs , concerts , and theaters they were confined to the rice mills (not those rice milis ran by water , electricity and the like , These old rice mill's are located under all nipa ross onlied " irasan " or " babayan. The young girls worked until after midnight amidst laughter , songs , chats and serenading Ab times , their ears would be surprised , by a sudden tune , native ballads and romances.

It went on, straining beautiful Philippine tunes native ballads and romantic melodies, interesting melodious love barlos of parehance disappointed lovers of the young women In the "bigasan" with the accompaniment of the guitars and vandolins.

In the old days the language of love was music. Where the young justify making their hearts speak thru music when they are not allowed to converse alone, not even permitted to shake hands. How queenly did there people guard themselves that a more handshake was considered a blot worns purity, Vinits of miltore ought to last for not more than twenty minutes, still, they conversed with the parents.

Some where in remote barrio or village in Malolos, a young man who was somewhat modern in his views visited a young country girl and on learning, he tried to put forth his hand to shake here but on those instant the father took hold of his explained in wild rago, why dare you such a thing under my roof.

Poor boy, despite the not that he did not mean bad yet he could, not reason why he was so treated. From the preceding paragraph one can easily deduct the why for it." The old people many, many decades ago were so pause in their thought that a nation of respect and appreciation would mean to them vulgar and unworthy of man’s dignity, not that they were not yet surrounded by outside influences but because they led so simple a life that nodded no environmental effect.

Courtship among the young people could not be tolerated without the consent of the parents. That is a good tradition from them but oases were told when the old people went so far that they made their daughters enter into marriage even If they had not loved the men; they ought to, for the simple reason that they wore supposed to be strictly obedient.

Speaking about marriage in this connection, I must tell that the preliminary steps to marriage are quite interesting to note. A lover's descendants would bo traced and ang by the parents of the girl. The steps leading to the marriage were "Paramdam", "Pabulong" "Paharap", and "Patawag".

To the Tagalogs, these words explained themselves, but for the sake of the other readera; Paramdam was the hint of the intention of a lover to the parents of a sweetheart. This may be done by a friend who may be the friend to both families, Pabulong was the visit of the man's parents to tell the girl's parents of the intention of their son. Usually certain foods and drinks were brought by the lover paranta. Paharap corresponded to the present way of announcing the engagement This step followed by only an condition that the lover was accepted. Marriage then had many questions beside the above, preliminaries, he, the lover, was supposed to,serve in the girl's house fox a certain period.

A marriage by the justice of the peach was considered $120gal.. op 14ke the religions, people, marriage in the church was preferred.

After the "Paharap", the "Patawag" followed. This meant for them that the priest would announce the names of the future husband and wife in the church for three successful Sundays during the masses.

In the celebration and festivition of the marriage, the lovers parents were supposed to spend for everything. The sweetheart's parents and relatives were to be attended to by the lover's party.

This custom still holds away over a few families in the remote parts of the town.

Love making in the days of old, unlike the present is so peculiar. In spite of the fast of the secret meet- ings of lovers, very few if over there were, girls who suffered dishonor, shame and remorse. These secret meetings were de on no other condition save that the parents were opposed to the lover's desire. The simple remembrances consisted of handkerchiefs and the like but the untimely sinful kisses of lovers were not heard of, very often. Lovers were shy and hardly could face their sweethearts but the change was so radical and rapid that the lovers or today are faint.

Now the young generation has changed: How the old people sigh over them?

The reader will better understand how the people of old treated master day's celebration. part of their social customs was to make the village shure hers or "visitas" look beautiful during the nights. The "Passion" or the native story in verse of Christ was sing to the intent enjoyment of the an-lockers. This occasion brought "dalagas" and "binetas" together once in a while: Indies stand for "dalagas" and young men, for "binatas".

A household enjoyment and recreation was the reading of the "awit", Pilipino folklore in form of lyric song. Several neighbors would visit another and read the "awit". Another social day for the young as well as for the old was considered quite romantic in nature. This day falls on June twenty fourth Saint John's Day is always a rainy day. People in groups go around playing the bamboo musical instruments. On this day, they amused themselves by throwing water at each other. This custom is slowly dying.

The "doplo" and the sinakolo" were common social gatherings where both men and women met. The "doplo" was a sort of a gamo often performed on the ninth night of a person's death. This game represented a kingion wherein reigned a king, his court and courtiers and his people. The "Sinakolo" is then equivalent to the dramatic draman of the present. In mat, it was a stage performance of the natives of the town. The story performed and asted was the "Life of Christ". This vast staged hiring the Holy Week.

"Moro-moro" and "Garibal" were gumes common during fiestas in villages. The story were round around a plot of defense: The partakers were looked upon as horoes and good, just as we, at present, admired the stage and sarson actresses.

In baptism parties, games like the "Juego de pronda" were played. This an interesting game played even to this time: The women usually the young ladies take part, seemed names of flowers and the men, assumed those of the birds and Insects. This play is a continuous exchange of questions and answers among each other. If one fails to answer correctly and instantly, he is fined - either he sings sings, repeats a prayer or recite a poem.

Last December when I went home to Malolos I said, "I going to acquaint myself with the ancient etiquette of the old people, but it is a and thing that I obtained but very little information although I was so anxious to have more. A few of them are still prevalent in my town.

It was considered in the past days, an extreme impoliteness if young children would not kiss the hands of their elders on meeting especially in the evening. At present the parents admit that love and respect may be shown in better ways than kissing the hate, Love, courtesy, res pent and politeness for the elders these virtues were so much emphasized by the old people decades ago.

The idea of bending the head low and putting, forward his hand when passing between two parents to another Cors of politeness. Walking on the left side of an elder, a superior of a teacher was considered all-breed. These acts may be original with the people I do not assure. Not only during the age of chivalry did the age of family feuds and quarrels existed but also among the natives of the town had sectional social feeling and antagonist prevailed. It done prevail at present Between the rich and the poor to a large extent. It always goes as if the poor will die poor and live miserably while the rich will always be wicked and successful.

If one member of a family entered a quarrel or contention, every body in that family would remain in vital attitude toward everybody in the other family so that a common saying developed that if a girl marries a man, necessarily she marries the whole family. True is the assertion made for the old people were so ill-fashioned and old-fashioned too far they believed it right for them to choose one husband for a daughter. This has been one of the greatest fault of our old people.

Necessarily, it was a mark of good breeding that when a person visited another, he should leave his slippers outside the door. Today, it is considered shyness.

As these customs, habits, superstitions, ancient games and amusements peas to the young generation, they are so altered and reduced by bounds and leaps. Same of then are so beautiful that they need to be remembered and preserved while others need to be, exterminated exactly and at ones.

Whether some of them had solid basis yet it is true as Bacon says that the master of superstitions is the people and the people had given a violent reaction from it. To believer superstitions, Bacon emphasizes, is contumely.

February 20, 1925.

References

National Library. (n.d.). Ancient Beliefs, Amusements and Etiquette in Malolos, Bulacan. NLP Digital Collection ob01.nlpobmn0037015569. https://nlpdl.nlp.gov.ph/OB01/NLPOBMN0037015569/home.htm