MODULE

LOCAL HISTORY AND CULTURE

ACADEMIC YEAR 2023-2024

MS. MAY ANNE A. TEGUIHANON

Instructor
 MODULES FOR LOCAL HISTORY AND CULTURE
Credits : 3 Units
Pre-Requisite : none

LESSON TITLE: HOME TOWN PRE-HISTORY/THIS UPLAND REALM

Lesson Objective:
At the end of the module, the learners will be able to:
1. Understand the realm of the people during the Pre-History.
2. Describe geographical features of the City of San Pablo.
3. Explain the advantages of these geographical features to the life of San Pableño.
4. Propose a project proposal on how this biodiversity of the City of San Pablo will be
protected.
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
How would you describe the geographical features of the City of San Pablo?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

INTRODUCTION:
Location. San Pablo is about 90 kilometers from Metro Manila, in the southeast corner of
Luzon. San Pablo is a trans-provincial city, with portions in the provinces of Laguna, Batangas,
and Quezon. At various times, it was attached to Batangas and then to
Laguna. It is part of the Tagalog-speaking Calabarzon Region (Region IV-A). On the north, San
Pablo is bounded by the beautiful Mount Makiling and the Laguna towns of Los Banos, Calauan,
and Nagcarlan. On the east, it is bounded by the Quezon towns of Dolores, and the mystical
Mount Banahaw. On the south, it is bounded by Quezon Province and the foot hills of the Sierra
Madre Mountain Range. On the west, it is bounded by the province of Batangas.

Brief History. Before the Spanish came, four large upland barangays (barrios) formed an area
named “Sampalok” (Sampaloc), named for the tamarind trees around Mount Makiling. In 1571,
the first Spanish conquistadors led by Captain Juan de Salcedo took possession of Sampalok.
From 1586 to 1883, it became an Augustinian mission under Lipa, Batangas. They renamed it “
San Pablo de los Montes” in honor of St. Paul of Thebes. Saint Paul was the first hermit saint.
San Pablo was increasingly accessed by Franciscan missionaries who had missions in nearby
towns of Laguna, a different province. Thus, in 1883, it was transferred to Laguna jurisdiction
due to the Franciscan missionaries. In 1898, the Filipinos established the first secular
government, followed by one under the Americans in 1899.
During the Philippine Commonwealth era, the local leaders of San Pablo obtained independent
status as a city. On May 7, 1940, President Manuel Quezon signed the City Charter of San Pablo.
The city was inaugurated on March 30, 1941, commercial, residential, educational, and resorts or
recreational places. With a total of 24, 695 hectares, mostly rural, San Pablo retains its highland
charm.

THIS UPLAND REALM

Three Beautiful Mountains. Millions of years, volcanic
eruptions resulted in the creation of the seven crater lakes we
have today in my hometown – Sampalok, Palakpakin, Bunot,
Pandin, Yambo, Muhikap, and Calibato. Hence, San Pablo got
its popular name “The City of Seven Lakes.” The volcanic
activity was followed by lava and earth movements producing
the formation of the mountains and low rolling plains and
plateaus layers of volcanic ash gave soil fertility. Eventually, trees and heavy vegetation
developed, and a tropical rain forest enveloped the land. San Pablo nestled on the eastern coastline
of Luzon, surrounded by three beautiful mountains – Mount Makiling, Mount Banahaw, and Sierra
Madre Mountain Range.
Abundant Water Supply. Nature has been generous for the
survival and development of the San Pablo natives, both past
and present. The abundant supply of rain and water is the
first of God’s gift to San Pablo yielding waterfalls, streams
and the seven lakes. The mountain forest cover cleans the
air, brings the rain, and produces the resources of fresh
water. The wind blowing against the base of these mountains
is deflected upwards into the atmosphere, where it expands. This expansion of the air brings about
a natural air cooling effect aided by the plants and trees in the rain forests thus San Pablo has a
cool and fresh climate. The mountains contribute seemingly unlimited supplies of water for
household, agricultural, and recreational purposes.

Tropical Rain Forests. The tropical rainforest in this upland

realm became another God’s gifts to the hometown. Before the
onset of global warming and over development, the dense
forest cover bred ecological diversity for plants and animals.
Temptingly rich in economic possibilities these forests lay idle
first, for to enter them was dangerous. The damp and drifting
jungle furnished an ideal breeding place for insects. The
swarms of mosquitoes were the most widespread and troublesome. There were also white ants or
termites and the black ants or beetles.
This upland realm was rich with plant and animal life. The
plants gave the housing materials (wood, bamboo, nipa,
anahaw), cash crop (betel, areca), ornamentals (orchid,
anthuriums), edible foods (lanzones, bananas, etc.) and
medicines.
A virtual bird sanctuary, the forests were full of bird life, large and small, native and migrating.
The monkey-eating eagle (now the Philippine national bird) flew in the large numbers beacause
the forest cover was yet undisturbed. Wood pigeons and thrushes, gaudy parrots and parakeets
lived in the jungle and added the color and noise. There were wild boars and deer. During the
hunting seasons, the natives went to the forests and streams with their traps, nets and hunting gear
for these were teeming with wildlife and fish. For the happy breed of men who settled this upland
realm, San Pablo de los Montes seemed a “demi-paradise” indeed.

EXERCISE 1
Follow the knowledge map. Fill in the necessary information for each stage. You can use another
piece of paper for your answers.
EXERCISE 2
In a minimum of 150 words, discuss what you have learn in this lesson.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

EXERCISE 3
In a minimum of 200 words, do you agree that San Pablo de los Montes is a “demi-paradise?”
Support your answer by providing examples, researches, etc.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

LIFE ACTIVITY
Create a project proposal on how the biodiversity of San Pablo de los Montes can be protected.
Follow the format below.
Project Title:

Goals of the project:

Overview of the project:

Monitoring and Evaluation

of the Project

Assessment:
1. Online Quiz
2. Online Chapter Examination

References:
Hernandez H.B. and Alonzo Z. A. H. San Pablo de los Montes: Prehistoric times to the Philippine
Revolution, All Nations Publishing Co. Inc., Quezon City, p.p. 8-18
Smartsheet.com. PROJECT PROPOSAL TEMPLATE AND TIPS. Retrieved August 31, 2020
from https://www.smartsheet.com/free-project-proposal-templates

LESSON TITLE: THE EARLY INHABITANTS

Lesson Objective:
At the end of the module, the learners will be able to:
1. Identify the early natives of San Pablo.
2. Discuss the early ways of life of the natives of San Pablo.
3. Compare and contrast the way of living of the old
natives at modern natives of San Pablo.

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Interview your grandparents and ask them the linage of
your ancestry. Share your answer on the blank provided.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

THE EARLY INHABITANTS

The Early Inhabitants.Aetas, the first settlers. About
25,000-30,000 years ago, the first settlersim this upland
realm were the Negritos, also called Aetas, Agtas, or Atis.
Small, dark people with kinky hair and black eyes. The
spaniards called them Monteses or Remontados(hill mem)
beacause they lived mostly in the mountain areas like San
Pablo.
Other Settlers Unite.Atisan, Napayong, and other hillocks of Mount Bulaho bound themselves
together under a single leadership. So did the settlers in Sandig, Palakpakin, Saluvan to the north.
The lowlanders of Botokan and Makopa as well as of Wawa, Malinaw, and Sampalok, also agreed
to unite under their leader. The latter were forced to withdraw to other high ground, in today's
Quezon and Aurora provinces.
New Malay Settlers. About 12,000 to 15,000 years ago, small groups of Malay settlers found their
way to this upland realm. The Malay settlers in southern Luzon became the nucleus of the present
Tagalog tribes that populated the Calabarzon Region (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon
and Aurora provinces). Malay settler's materials, relics, oral, and studies from other Malay nations.

Hunting and Food Gathering. Our early forebears were basically hunters and food gatherers of
wild animals, birds and edible plants. For tools and weapons our ancestors made tools flakes on
either or both sides. San Pablo Volcanic origins and
streambeds offered them much resources. Volcanic rocks
were brittle and easily shaped by pounding or rubbing.
Stream and cave rocks were also useful tools.

Primitive Farming. Having succeeded in fashioning

simple tools, our ancient forebears began a primitive type
of agriculture - the kaingin or slash-and-burn farming.
The bad side effect of this type of farming was self-
destruction. The kaingero did not benefit more than a few years from their small farms.
Domestication of Plants and Animals. Taming animals, livestock raising, irrigated farming, and
crop rotation were activities that gave them food security and a more stable life. The ancients started
with the domestication of four animals - the dog, the pig, the fowl, and the carabao (water buffalo).
They tried to consume some fruits, nuts, and root crops like yam
and uraro. A mountainous geography like San Pablo seemed a
"fortress built by Nature for herself".
Irrigated Farming And New Staple Crop. The irrigated
farming method, unlike the kaingin,encouraged residential
stability and a more complex social structure. The introduction
of rice (Oryzazativa) by Indian and Chinese traders changed
their lives for the better. The rice was highly suitable for wet
farming methods. The crop received little attention after planting until
near harvest time, when the children were asked to keep the birds on the
field. Nothing could be lovelier than the paddy fields of spectacular green
rice encircled by mountains.
The Two Field System. It is a farming technique that provided for one
field planted in crops, while another field was left fallow for a year or two
until it regained its fertility. Done successfully by the natives. This system
increased food production and led to the permanent residence of the
cultivators in a house.
Plant Propagation. The natives contribute to their propagation by aiding their geographic spread
to other places. New plant hybrids were bornzpissesed with great vigor. There was always an
ecological haven for them in this richly-endowed upland realm.
Increased Production. Our ancestors learned to make better use of their resources and to adjust
their method of living. Hunger was a game that spurred them to greater activity. Their ability to
farm and raise livestock improved. Edible plants were farmed, the gabi (uraro) peas,beans,yam and
fruits.
Nga-Nga The Lucrative Crops.Nganga or buyo was the favorite ancestral "chewing gum" of
Southeast Asians and pacific islanders. The natives chewed it incessantly because it is a mild
stimulant. The cultivation old nganga industry gave early prosperity to San Pablo before the days
of tobacco and gum. Chewing nganga is still a favorite pastime among the older generation in some
upland areas, like the Ifugao tribe in Cordillera.
Economic Surplus. Our ancestors attained economic surplus for better tools and domesticated
plants and animals. It is the ability to provide more than they needed for their families. They
exchanged good (barter) for the products of others. Economic surplus led to new invention of new
industries (marketing, trading, and transporting goods). Trade or barter came into being when one
group exchanged one type of article to another. They meet in central areas, which became market
places. Ancients of Makopa and Balagbag exchanged their rice surplus for the hogs and fowls of
Lumbangan and Banlagin. They exchanged bakuli fish from Palakpakin to root crops of Tikew and
Imok.
The Transport Of Goods. Natives discovered the trick of
carrying a heavy load on pole borne by two persons. The
cargo and passengers on hammock-like structure were
supported on two long poles and carried by two bearers,
one in the front and other behind, held the poles in their
hands and let them rest on their shoulders. Native and
domesticate bigas to use the carabao as the carrier as time
pass. Inspired the carabao drawn-sled called paragos to
transport goods.
The much-trodden paths were rough and dirty in olden days, the path led usually to the nearest
source of drinking water, to the hunting grounds or to places were fruits, roots and berries are
abundant. In time the paths were widened and extended, and eventually become rough grounds.
Farmers met with less difficulty in the transport of their farm products from one place to another.
They also advanced the locational knowledge and measurement of time. They started to name place
differently to another for example is Atisan was the place for many Negritos and Aetas, Bunot a
place of making coconut husks. Wawa, Sapa and Ilog where watersheds, Bae a place noted for
women (babae) and Makopa and Sampaloc for local trees. Distances were determined by the means
of time.the distance could ne reckoned by the day or "isangtuloglang", or by lunar passage
"isangbuwan".
The First Trading Center Of Sampalok. Earliest historical records say the origin of San Pablo was
a trading place called Sampalok that comprise four large barrios bounded by Mt. Makiling.Its name
came from the tall sampalok trees(TAMARINDUS INDICUS) with hard yellowish wood,pinnate
leaves and red-striped yellow florets.The sampalok fruits or blossom was picked by natives to spice
up dishes.Tamarind is use to flavor Indian food,stewed fish(sinigang) and meat dishes
(Worcestershire sauce).
EXERCISE 1

In 5 to 7 sentences, how would you describe the early inhabitants of San Pablo?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
EXERCISE 2

Using a Venn diagram below, compare and contrast the early way of life of native from the
modern way of life of the natives of San Pablo. Label the Venn diagram accordingly.

LIFE ACTIVITY

Summarize what you have learned in this lesson in 5 to 7 sentences. Provide additional 3 sentences
for your reflection about the lesson discussed.

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

ASSESSMENT:

1. Online Quiz
2. Online Chapter Examination

References
Hernandez H.B. and Alonzo Z. A. H. San Pablo de los Montes: Prehistoric times to the
Philippine Revolution, All Nations Publishing Co. Inc., Quezon City, p.p. 8-18

Assessment
1. Online Quiz
2. Online Chapter Examination

LESSON TITLE: THE PRECOLONIAL FAMILY

Lesson Objective:
At the end of the module, the learners will be able to:
1. Discuss the different native attire, language, personal ornament, dances, and songs of San
Pablo.
2. Describe different native attire, language, personal ornament, dances, and songs of San
Pablo.
3. Compose a poem on how they could give importance to this culture.

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

In your own words how would you define family?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

THE PRE-COLONIAL FAMILY

Family Ties. Obtained their security and their greatest happiness from their family rather than
from wealth and friends. "Blood is thicker than water" as the saying goes. The family meant more
than anything else to the individual. The possession of land was the only means of wealth and it
was necessary.
A business was always a family business but its loss was only diminution of wealth and not the
end of the world. After all, the family would gather around to help the individuals in need, and the
poor people always had their family to fall back on.

When a member of a family left the shelter of his home to make his way in the world, any success
he attained would be nothing unless he could return to his family, use his wealth to help relatives
and be recognized in his village as great man. To him it was of no use to be great elsewhere, if he
lost the respect of his family, the people he loved the most.

Family members lived under one roof, or in several houses close to each other. All the earnings of
the individual members were considered in belong, not to the individual, but to the family as a
whole. The family properties were held in common. None of the land could be alienated or in any
way disposed of without the agreement of the members.
A woman who married into the family was regarded as a member of her new family. Therefore
she was chosen with the greatest care and had to be acceptable to the head of the family or the
clan.

Aging parent did not worry about neglected on old age, for they would rely upon their children’s
care and respect. The children believed that they would be similarly treated when they grew old.
Old age was not a curse, but a blessings, because old age held the promise of respect and attention.

Any favor or good treatment was held as a debt of the spirit (utang na loob). To be called ungrateful
or unreciprocal was the worst curse for someone.

Strong Genealogical Sentiment. The strong family ties prevailed in this upland realm. The idea
of continuity and uniqueness remained strongly developed for those who have bonded and
experienced much together.

The preservation of genealogies became important. Many of them recounted their ancestors and
their accomplishments, on their father’s side,, as well as their mother’s side, for five or six
generations. Such an oral tradition was the mark of a cultured people. As the great American
jurist Oliver Wendell Holmes said. “I go (always other things being equal) for the man who
inherits family traditions and the cumulative humanities of at least four or five generations.”

A written history had not yet been done at the time. But important transactions were put in
writing. For example, the oldest written relic of the early Filipinos is found in the Laguna
Copperplate Inscription (LCI), which was dated to 900 AD.

Native Attire and Personal Habits. The first inhabitants were not completely naked. The wealthy
males and females wore more pieces of clothing, as befitting their social status and ability to buy
clothes. They had a head cloth called putong. Wealthy women wore patadyong, a long cloth
wrapped around their waist. They added a wide-sleeved jacket called baro for flair. Visitors were
amazed at the personal hygiene of the early Filipinos. They bath frequently. They wash their hair
with gugo, a native bark. They anointed their hair and skin with coconut oil and aloes.

Personal Ornaments. Even then, Filipino women were concerned about beauty and personal
adornment. Even poor women wore beads, bracelet and necklace and other ornaments made from
seeds twigs, stems, shells, horn, and Pebbles. Rich women wore imported jewelry of gold, jade, and
cameloan beads.

Marriage Patterns. Marriages were arranged between families of

the same socials status, for their teenage children. Parents
negotiated the marriages because of alliance and property
arrangements. The groom was required to pay his future father in
law a dowry (bigay kaya) or free work in the latter's house of the
farm (maninirahan). They were expected to freely engage in pre-
 marital sexual relations. Couple's first duty was to produce
children. The wedding ceremony, and the feasting came later.

The House. The first inhabitants of this upland realm lived in caves
and rock shelters, like the Tabon people in Palawan. As a nomadic
hunters and food gatherers, they dared the open and made crude
lean-tons of leaves like small tents. Later, the wealthier natives
built a small nipa hut or bahay kubo from forest materials. The bahay kubo had a thatched roof
of nipa or anahanaw leaves, with sawali walls and bamboo posts. It was elevated above the
ground. The roof was usually raised high to provide shade from the tropical heat and shelter from
the drenching rain. Under the floor, a space served as a place where the animals were reared, and
where rice was grounded and cleaned.

The Food. Our ancient forebears ate raw food, meat and vegetables, at first. Later, they learned
to cook and preserve their food. A new material culture began with the discovery of fire, new
cooking implements. They roasted pigs, fowl or fish. Food was considered a blessing from the
gods and eating was a sacred rite.

Dances and Songs. Coconut producing religion, their favorite dances was the “maglalatik". This
vigorous dance depicted a mock fight with the sweet Coconut meat or latik. Another favorite dance
was the "SayawsaBangko" a playful but precarious dance by a man and woman on top of a narrow
bench.
Language. Our ancestors communicated in a language now known as "Tagalog" which means
"tagailog" or "people of the river or the water". Fr. Pedro Chirino, SJ, wrote, "I found this language
four qualities of the four greatest language of the world, Hebrew, Greek, Latin and Spanish.

Writing and Literature. The Filipino writing came from the Asokan
Alphabet of India. It consisted of three (serving as five) vowels and
fourteen consonants - a total of 17 letters Native used a sharp-pointed
instrument to write words on bamboo tubes, woods, and plant leaves,
but they did not know how to make paper. The direction of our ancient
writing was horizontal, from left to right.

EXERCISE 1
Complete the following analogies by writing the correct answer on the blank provided.
1. Patadyong : Native Attire :: Shell : ______________________
2. Language : Tagalog :: Writing : _______________________
3. Personal Ornament :Cameloan Beads :: Dance : ___________________
 4. Hair :Gugo :: Head Piece : ________________________

EXECISE 2
Read the statements carefully and complete the table below. Answers should be related to the topic
discussed.
3 thing that is new to me. Why?

2 things that I am not familiar of. Why?

1 thing that I would research for. Why?

LIFE ACTIVITY
Write a poem about the importance of Family.

_Reference:
Hernandez H.B. and Alonzo Z. A. H. San Pablo de los Montes: Prehistoric times to the
Philippine Revolution, All Nations Publishing Co. Inc., Quezon City, p.p. 8-18

Assessment:
1. Online Quiz
2. Online Chapter Examination
LESSON TITLE: ANCIENT RELIGION
Lesson Objective:
At the end of the module, the learners will be able to:
1. Discuss the ancient religion of the natives of San Pablo.
2. Describe ancient religion of the natives of San Pablo.
3. Examine through research the different religious rituals, lucky charm of ancient religion.
4. Determine the different influences of the natives of San Pablo.
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
How do you worship God?

ANCIENT RELIGION
Ancient religion. Our forebears believed in many gods
(mga dios) and innumerable lesser spirits (anitos) found
in nature and in their ancestors. The chief deity was
bathala, the creator of all things, who inhibited the distant
real on outer space known as kaluwalhatian. Utter
"Bahalana!" (It's up to the up there!), or "Bahala ka!" (It’s
up to you!)

Ancestral spirits. Our ancient forebears also believed in innumerable lesser spirits (anitos).
Anything in the land, air, or water could be possessed by a spirit of some kind, and it was important
not to offend them. For example, a person must pray to the crocodile before crossing the lake. The
spirits world was full of angels and demons. Good spirits were the benevolent Angels who help to
advance the well being of people. Evil spirits were the malevolent demons who hurt people or work
mischief in various ways, forebears carved small idols in stone and wood, called anitos or larawan
(image of spirits) to which they prayed and made offerings.
The ancient had a conception of the after-life in which the good were rewarded with heaven
(kaluwalhatian), and the wicked were punished by being condemned to an inferno (kasamaan). Our
forebears did not have emperors, like the Chinese, Indians, etc. Hence they did not build palaces,
temples or monuments for religious functions. Instead they met at their chief’s house for religious
gatherings. They kept small altars or spirit houses in their dwellings and out in their fields for their
idols and other religious items. Food offerings to the spirits, or gods were placed in dedicated
receptacles.
In San Pablo, the Marilim Cave in Mount Bulaho served as a primitive sacred grove for early nature
worshipers due to its imposing setting.

Religious Ritual. Our ancestors did not make human scarifies but they consumed animals as part
of religious rituals. The prayer of the natives is of two kinds. Spontaneous prayer is prayed when
there is doubt in God and in formula prayer is daily prayer. Most pagan rituals were held to cure
sickness. There were distinct rituals for each disease believed to have been caused by one class of
spirit.
Often a whole series of rituals were performed for each stage of rice agriculture – the clearing of
the ground, the planting, the cultivation, the harvesting, and the preservation of the crops. There
were more rituals when harvests were bad, when life was uncertain, or when nature was cruel.
 Woman Priest. During the precolonial times, gifted women
performed the priestly role. The Priestess is called Catalonan which
is the elderly priest. And she was also called Babaylan or Unique
woman have a many function like healer and prophet.

Amulets. The ancient believed in the magical power of amulets. Amulets or luck charm were made
of herb, bones, teeth, metals or any object believe to possess magical power. They were worn to
ward harm from snake bites, diseases, and any evil. They were worn
or placed in the house to bring fortune in romance or wealth. Some
Lagunenses place amulets on children and males wear "anting
anting"(lucky charms) until today.

EXERCISE 1
Answer the following questions below in 5 to 7 sentences.
1. How would you describe the religion of the early natives of San Pablo?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3. Do you think the “Bahala na” culture is still in existence to modern time? Support your
answer.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
EXERCISE 3
- Short quiz

LIFE ACTIVITY
Summarize what you have learned in this lesson in 5 to 7 sentences. Provide additional 3 sentences
for your reflection about the lesson discussed.
 ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Assessment:
1. Quiz
2. Chapter Examination

Reference:
Hernandez H.B. and Alonzo Z. A. H. San Pablo de los Montes: Prehistoric times to the Philippine
Revolution, All Nations Publishing Co. Inc., Quezon City, p.p. 19-30