Long time ago, when the Philippines is still
under the Spanish colonization, there was a
fertile place in San Leonardo with no name. The
land is tilled and the people are blessed with
the richness of nature if they will just use the
resources wisely. In the sitio runs a long river
where the people take a bath, wash their clothes
and catch some fish. The occupants of the said
place live in a peaceful and bountiful life.
One day, Pilo and his sister Celia
went to the river to wash their clothes and to
swim as well. The siblings are fond of swimming
in the river because it replenishes their tired
feelings. The water in the river is truly cool
and inviting.
Suddenly, while Pilo is putting soap
to his body, three Spanish soldiers pass by the
river. They want to know the name of the place.
They asked Celia who is by that time, busy
washing her clothes.
Celia did not understand what the
Spanish soldiers are saying so she nervously
called out to his brother. Pilo, at that moment,
accidentally put soap on his eyes and he needed
to get the tabo (dipper) to gather some
water and refresh his eyes. Celia continuously
called out to Pilo but Pilo instead shouted for
help.
“Tabo Ateng! Tabo Ateng!” Pilo
called to his sister.
The Spanish soldiers, not actually
understanding what Pilo is saying, thought that
he is screaming the name of the place. They then
called the place Taboateng and later transformed
to “Tabuating”. It is the present name of the
barangay in San Leonardo, Nueva Ecja.
