Barangay Kumintang Ibaba

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Thursday, 08 February 2024 - 1:40:00 PM

HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL DATA OF BARRIO OF KUMINTANG

     The present official name of the barrio is Kumintang. It has distinct division, Kumintang Ilaya and Kumintang Ibaba. The arrival of the Spaniards brought about a change in its original name. Sambat was the name, so coined, because of the prevalence of many crossroads in the place. By a resolution authored by Councilor Mariano Varela and sanctioned by the Municipal council, the name Sambat was changed to Prinsesa Kumintang who was deceased by that time and was the daughter of Gat Polintan, first chieftain of the barrio.

     From where the huge water tank is situated to that part before reaching Alangilan, constitutes Kumintang Elementary School, the P. C. barracks and Nueva Villa Subdivision.

     Kumintang Ibaba embraces that part where the Tableria Tan Tao, Girl Scout Headquarter, Arce Subdivision, Scout headquarter, Capitol Building, Lyceum College and Hospital, Provincial Hospital, the outskirts along the Calumpang River including the area where the slaughterhouse and the adjoining land north and east of the Batangas North Elementary School plus that neighborhood known as the Dolor Subdivision are located. Research shows that this barrio was founded in the 16th century.

     There had been a line of tenientes del barrio from the time of its foundation to the present. They were Paulino Berba, Vicente Paneer, Vicente Claveria, paulino -Busio, Luis Punzalan, Cornelio de Castro, Andres de Castro, Domingo Esguerra, Graciano Claveria, Lope de Castro, Doroteo Medrano, Melquiades Briones, Rufino Ortiz, Julian de Castro, for Kumintang Ilaya and Pepe Bay for Kumintang Ibaba. It should be noted that each sitio has its teniente del barrio in those later years. This was so designated to make administration and supervision easier for the barrio head for in reality this barrio has a wise span of territorial jurisdiction. No sitio that exists in this barrio is depopulated or extinct. Mention is made on a historical site in this place. Lubiran used to be an ancient place located in Kumintang Ibaba. This was Prinsesa Kumintang's sojourn during her visit to the barrio. It was ruined during World War II.

     When a baby is born, the placenta (inunan) is buried securely on the ground so that they will not grow up gallivanting around. The umbilical cord when dried is wrapped carefully and put together with the other children's umbilical cords in a very tight covered container. They believe this will make the brothers and sisters love one another.

     Selection of the child's would be godparents seem a very delicate task. They have the notion that godparents are the second guardian of the child that when the parents falter in their obligation to the child, they are the ones who should take over.

     In courtship there is the so-called pagpapakilala. A young man can’t go directly to the girl he loves, until he has made known his noble intention to the parents of the girl. During the courtship the suitor who liked by the girl's parents voluntarily fetch water, chips woods, pounds rice and do other odd jobs for the girl.

     Nice practices regarding marriage are observed. A namely wed couple arriving from the church is showered with rice before they ascend the stairs. This they do to bring bounty to the couple. On touching the last step of the stair they are given “kalamay" made dexterously from "malagkit”, “gata” and sugar. This is to make them happy and had a blissful life in the future.

     When somebody dies, the relatives of the deceased are forbidden to cook leafy vegetables until the fourth day. The occupants of the house of the dead refrain to sweep the house too, within that span of time.

     There had been important facts, incidents or events that took place in this barrio. During the Spanish regime, forded labor under the "loob" was enforced. The period was really characterized by cruelty and oppression. Every male inhabitant of the barrio and pueblo, was required to work for the government without pay. This made the Filipinos dislike the Spanish reign. The people moved to the neighboring hills and mountains where they could live peacefully and contentedly.

     The end of the Spanish War changed the attitude of the people. A new ray of hope was bestowed on them. The Americans made Kumintang a Cavalry headquarters. This brought to the barrio and town people.

     During and after World War II, Kumintang was again chosen the site for the 68th Medical Depot and the American history or the Grave Registration for American soldiers. Again the barrio people were given opportunity to work with the American, thus enabling them to find a better means of livelihood. They felt the need for a school while they made improvement in their standard of living. They realized their need through the unselfish endeavor of some civic-spirited citizens of the barrio who voluntarily gave contributions for the construction off their barrio school.

     There was great destructions of lives, property and buildings during the two wars experience by the people from 1896-1900 and 194l-1945. The bomb explosion at the Philippine Constabulary Headquarter in 1950 brought great damage of lives and property. The prominent buildings which suffered most were the Provincial Government, Provincial Hospital, Nurses' Home and many other buildings including the Provincial Governor's residence.