Some writers claim that the name is a corruption of _Maydila,_ from the Tagal words _may_ and _dila_, meaning "the place that has a tongue"--alluding to a tongue-shaped island formerly at the mouth of Pasig River.--_Rev. T. C. Middleton_, O.S.A.
[44] Gold and other minerals are still obtained from the mines of Paracale (in the province of Ambos, Camarines), Luzón.
[45] Blumentritt says (_Dic. mitológico de Filipinas_, pp. 34, 35), of the appellation Bathala: "This name, of Sanscrit origin, is or was given to various gods of the Malay Filipinos. The ancient Tagalos called their principal god _Badhala_, or _Bathala mey-kapal_ ["God the creator"], and gave the same name to the bird _Tigmamanukin_, ... and sometimes to the comets or other heavenly bodies, which, in their opinion, predicted future events." This is analogous to the manner in which the North American Indians apply such terms as "Manitou," "wakan," or "medicine," not only to their divinities, but to any phenomenon that is mysterious or incomprehensible to them.
The term _Dîwata_ (_devata, diobata_), also of Sanscrit origin, is applied variously by different races in the archipelago--sometimes to the souls of ancestors (whom they invoke); sometimes to any inferior spirits, whether good or bad (_ut supra_ pp. 45, 46).
[46] A reference to the island of Basilan, off the southwest point of Mindanao; it was formerly called Taguima. The route for ships here mentioned was through the strait of Basilan.
[47] Yvalón (or Ibalón) was the ancient name of Albay; it was sometimes applied to the entire island of Luzon.
[48] The Bícol river, which crosses the province of Ambos Camarines (Sur), while Paracale is in the same province (Norte); both are on the opposite coast from Albay. Yloquio is probably Ilocos; but that province is north, not south, of Manila.
[49] This municipal organization may be thus defined: The _cabildo_ was the municipal official corporation--nearly the same as the American city council; the _regidores_ were members of it. The _alguazil_ was an official who executed the orders given by the _cabildo_, or by the _alcaldes_ (judges). Regarding this subject, see Historical Introduction, _Vol_. I, p. 56; also _Dic.-Encicl. Hisp.-Amer, art_: Cabildo, Alcalde, etc.