The Barangay

~ The name originated “balangay” meaning sailboats, evident from sailboatswhich brought from our
ancestors to the Philippines. The barangay generally consisted 30 to 100 families. These well-organized
and independent villages. Early Spanish dictionaries of Philippine languages make it clear
that balangay was pronounced "ba-la-ngay", while today the modern barangay is pronounced "ba-
rang-gay".Instead of referring to a region of land in the contemporary sense, for which other words
were used, the term described the people working for a certain chief. Barangay is a Tagalog word,
but it became widespread throughout the Philippines as a result of the concentration of power in
Manila under Spanish control. The 1589 paper Las costumbres de los indios Tagalos de Filipinas by
Juan de Plascencia is the sole source for information on pre-colonial barangays. Damon Woods, a
historian, questions the idea that a barangay is an indigenous political entity, primarily because there
isn't enough language support for this claim. Tagalog people did not refer to themselves or their
towns as barangays, according to records written in indigenous languages. Instead, it is said that
barangay was created by the Spanish in an effort to recreate Tagalog society before to the conquest.
The early barangays were initially quite modest settlements with between 50 and 100 families. By
the time the Spanish arrived, several barangays had grown to be sizable towns. According to the
encomienda of 1604, there were numerous prosperous and powerful coastal barangays in Sulu,
Butuan, Panay, Leyte, Cebu, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Pasig, Laguna, and the Cagayan River.
These barangays included some with sizable populations. There were 20,000 people living in
various barangays in Panay, 15,000 in Leyte (Baybay), 3,500 in Cebu, 7,000 in Vitis (Pampanga),
and 4,000 in Pangasinan. The ancient coastal communities known as "barangays" were created by
the migration of these Malayo-Polynesian people to the archipelago from other Southeast Asian
countries (see chiefdom). Coastal or riverine areas made up the majority of the ancient barangays.
This is due to the fact that the majority of the population relied on fishing for both a source of protein
and a living. Additionally, they moved primarily along the beaches and up and down rivers via water.
River systems, which were a primary supply of water for drinking, washing, and bathing, were
always accompanied by trails.

~ Trade with foreigners was easier to access in the seaside barangays. These areas were perfect for
the growth of the economy. These coastal communities acquired more cosmopolitan cultures with
developed social structures (sovereign principalities), ruled by established royalties and nobilities.
Trade with traders from other nations also meant contact with other cultures and civilizations, such
as those of Japan, Han Chinese, Indians, and Arabs.

The Society
~Men and women had the same rights and advantages in pre-colonial Philippines. Women can become heads of
families, communities, and cities just like males may. A nation's throne can be ascended by women as well. In rare
instances, queens have succeeded their consorts as the only legitimate rulers. The Maginoo aristocratic class, the
Timawa freeman class, the Maharlika warrior class, and the Alipin indentured class were the four pre-Hispanic groups
into which the Filipino people might be classified. The Maginoo were members of the royal, educated, affluent, and
governing classes. This class was where the Datu would originate. The barangay's chief executive is known as the
Datu. He is the chieftan who resembles a monarch, rajah, sultan, or king in various ways. Unknown is whether the
post of Datu was hereditary, such as following the lineage of the eldest child, particularly the eldest son of the Datu,
or if the Maginoo class (who were probably all connected to one another) elected a Datu. The Philippines may have
seen many variations of the practice. The majority of the barangay population was likely composed of the freeman
class known as the Timawa. They had freedom. They could buy a house, get any job they want, choose their own
women, and buy an Alipin. However, they were required to support the Maginoo class and pay taxes. They have a
significant role in the community because they are the only class that pays taxes. Although they were especially the
warrior class, the Maharlika possessed all the same rights as the Timawa. The barangay held them in high regard, if
not outright reverence. They were not expected to pay taxes, unlike the Timawa. They were in charge of providing
and preparing the weapons at their own expense and would protect the barangay. By relocating there or by marrying
into a different barangay, a Maharlika can switch their allegiance. To do this, though, he had to give his Datu a set
sum of money. He would leave the barangay with a feast in his honor.

The Government and Laws

~The ancient filipino who lived in barangays were ruled by a chieftain were called “DATU” , Who
were addressed by “Raja or Lakan” . The datu exercised all power of government . He was the
chieft executive ,the law maker,and the judge, so muh so that strength, bravery or wisdom. The
datu promulgated laws with help of the elders or advisers consisting of formers datus. Once a
law was made, a town crier called UMALOHOKAN, would go round the village and announce to
the people the new law . Violators were punished by fines,swimming for long hours,exposure to
ants, deaths or slavery.