The
Dabawenyos aware of the social role they have to play, put up an organization
to embrace the natives of Davao as well as the migrants who decided to make
Davao their home. They named it the “Hijos de Davao” born 1946.
The
forerunners of this organization were the “Hijo’s de Mindanao” organized in the
late 1920’s by the third generation descendants of the Davao’s first Christian
settlers of 1848 whose prime movers were Atty. Arzenio Suazo and his brother
Amadeo, Atty. Isidro Bastida, Atty. Pantaleon Pelayo, Sr. and Mr. Ruperto
Lizada, the latter being the elected president. The “Hijo’s de Mindanao y Sulu”
was organized in the 1930’s to include the Sulu Muslims of Davao. The “Davao
Circle” was organized by Dabawenyos studying in Manila among whom were Atty.
Tiburcio Cervantes, Engr. Carmelo Porras, Atty. Manuel Cabaguio, Atty. Rafael Santos,
Carlos Gempesaw, Amado Rasay, Jose Sta. Marina and the “Tayo-Tayo” was formed
by the teenage children of the “Hijo’s de Mindanao”. The “Tayo-Tayo” became the
Youth Club of the period. The “Club Dabawenyo” was organized after war by
Dabawenyo students who pursued their studies in Manila. The framework of this
organization was laid by the group of Patria Garcia Montemayor, Solita Hizon
Imperial, Emilio Palma Gil, Atty. Antonio Castillo, Dr. Julian Rodriguez, Jr.,
Nenita Belda Azarzon, Betty Castillo Cabreros, Jose Morada, Dr. Leon Garcia,
Jr. Atty. Manuel M. Garcia and Dr. Tony Hernandez. The elected first president
was Emilio Palma Gil and the first muse was Nena Garcia Pineda. These social
organizations have pursued the “continued nurturing of relationship among
Dabawenyos and the celebration of the feast of Davao’s Patron Saint (June 29),
St. Peter.”
The
early social organizations were based on regional origin while the present
“Hijo’s de Davao” is based on residence. A ten-year continuous residence in
Davao qualifies one to be a member.
Kadayawan
sa Davao Festival
Known
throughout the Philippines as the “King of Festivals,” the Kadayawan Festival
is a celebration of all things beautiful, bountiful, and valuable to the
various tribes of Mindanao.
The word “Kadayawan” stems from the word “madayaw,” a welcoming greeting that defines something as deserving of deep appreciation because it is good, important, or beautiful. “Kadayawan” then means that something brings fortune or value to the lives of people. The Dabawenyos, the name the locals of Davao call themselves, use this greeting to welcome anyone to their city, and it is used even more when the celebration of the Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival starts.
The word “Kadayawan” stems from the word “madayaw,” a welcoming greeting that defines something as deserving of deep appreciation because it is good, important, or beautiful. “Kadayawan” then means that something brings fortune or value to the lives of people. The Dabawenyos, the name the locals of Davao call themselves, use this greeting to welcome anyone to their city, and it is used even more when the celebration of the Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival starts.
 |
| Indigenous People of Davao |
 |
| Indak-indak sa Kadalanan |
1988
marked the year that the festival received the name it has today. Davao former
Mayor Rodrigo Duterte changed the title “Apo Duwaling” to “Kadayawan sa Dabaw”
in order to refocus the festival’s celebrations on the rich harvests of Davao
and the native rituals associated to their special thanksgiving. Today, the
Kadayawan Festival is still rejoiced the way former Mayor Duterte intended it
and has evolved even more. Today, the festival encompasses many other events
that honor Davao’s artistic, cultural, and historical prestige more than ever.
The
celebration week starts with the extremely popular Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan,
the street dance and music performances of the tribes. Clothed in the colorful,
distinctive garments of tradition and armed with elaborate props that rival
those of Hollywood, the indigenous tribes perform dances to music as they
parade through specified points spread around the city of Davao. The energy is
high, the atmosphere is festive. Spectators from the crowd can even venture
into the middle for a photo opportunity with some of the performers. The native
beat of the agong and ornate costumes of the performers drive the Mindanaoan
spirit to the forefront, portraying it in all its vibrancy and vigor.
 |
| Floral Float Parade of Kadayawan |
Another
joyful festivity is a parade of the flowers, fruits, and Davao harvest produce:
the Floral Float Parade, or Pamulak Kadayawan. The Pamulak Kadayawan existed
even before the Penagbenga, or Flower Festival of Baguio. It is known as the
first floral parade to be organized in the Philippines. Conducted similarly to
the Pasadena Parade of Roses in the United States, the Pamulak Kadayawan
defines itself through the floats abounding with cut flowers, and at times even
fruits and vegetables that are fashioned into extravagant and ambitious designs.
These floats parade through Davao streets on the Sunday of the festival’s week,
a visually stimulating array of themes ranging from fruits, such as the durian,
to national symbols, such as the Philippine Eagle. Various businesses,
community assemblies, and organizations take pride in making these floats a
success. Hours upon hours are poured into crafting the floats and getting them
ready for the float parade. At the root of it all is the sincere desire to
display the great bounty Davao is blessed with year after year.
 |
| Performer of Kadayawan Indak-indak |
Serving
as a link between the past, present, and future, the week-long Kadayawan sa
Dabaw Festival is an exploration of Davao as an innovative city and Mindanao as
a region rich in cultural and historical prestige. Most of all it is a display
of just how much the Dabawenyos care for their community. Security measures are
taken every year in the weeks leading up to the Kadayawan to ensure that the
festival goes smoothly, with as few problems as possible. Bomb drills become
commonplace procedures to ready the security and police forces should anything
happen and take a turn for the worse. Security is hired
to manage the crowds and watch for any rowdy behavior that
could escalate into violence.
 |
| Kadayawan Performers |
The
most important idea behind these is to keep the Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival a
safe and peaceful place for visitors to enjoy the bounty of Davao along with
the locals and the tribes. Concerning revenue, just last year, the city
government of Davao allotted three million pesos for the festival’s budget.
Private businesses and sponsors rose even more than that, quoting a figure of
nearly ten million pesos. Efforts continue to make the festival even more
visitor friendly, evidenced by the existence of an official website dedicated
especially for the Kadayawan.
As of last year, about six thousand people from different
villages and cities throughout Mindanao attended just the Indak-indak sa
Kadalanan alone. A figure of two hundred thousand was quoted for the total of
visitors coming into Davao during the whole period of the festival. Manama and
the other Mindanaon tribal gods, no doubt, hear the thanksgiving loud and
clear. May they continue to bless Davao with a bountiful harvest, and may
everyone have a reason to celebrate Kadayawan sa Dabaw again and again.
During this
season, the city pulsates with exciting sights and sounds, barraged with mall
sales, bazaars, food festivals, and night markets filled with
wholesomeentertainment day and night. (www.philippinecountry.com, 2015)
Araw ng Davao Celebration
|
Araw
ng Davao is a vibrant feast, which means celebrating oneness of our multicultural city. Davao celebrates its birthday in a grand gala fashion befitting
the largest city in Mindanao.
 The Araw ng Dabaw festivities come complete with a jam-packed, seven-day schedule of trade fairs and cultural presentations. There is also a colorful civic-military parade and a citywide beauty pageant, featuring the smartest, most charming ladies this side of the islands.
Highlights
of the festival includes the "Parada" (socio-civic parade),
"Bandahan sa Kadalanan" (band parade), "Piging sa Dan"
(food street party), "Kasikas" (part extravaganzas), along with other
spectacles along the major city streets, and the much-anticipated search for
the "Mutya ng Dabaw", the city's Ambassador of Goodwill. Other
events, such as "Huni" (pop music song writing competition),
concerts, arts and culture presentations, various sports competitions are also
held during the festival.
|
Every
March 16, this is a week-long celebration of the founding of the city that
culminates every 16th of March with a socio-civic and military parade, sports
competitions, and fireworks.
Pasko Fiesta sa Davao
Entire
month of December. Pasko Fiesta sa Davao is an integration of festive and
competitive Christmas activities showcasing colorful lightings and array of
decorations in barangays, public parks, roads and buildings, and a series of
competitive performances showcasing the community's creativity and talents
while keeping alive Christmas traditions.
Chinese New Year Celebration
Created
under Executive Order No. 01, series of 2009, the Davao Chinese New Year
festival celebrates the harmonious relations of the locals with the city's
Chinese community as it promotes the development of the Chinatown - covering R.
Magsaysay Ave., Monteverde Ave., Sta. Ana Ave. and Leon Garcia St. - as one of
the major historical, economic and cultural centers of the city.Summer Sports Festival
The
Sports Festival is a program of the Duterte Game Plan (DGP) or the
Comprehensive Sports Program to promote healthy, proactive communities through
sports and recreation.
Major
sports events include the longest running western style horse sport in the
country, the 15th Davao Horse Show and Competition.
There
is also Davao City Dragon Boat Festival with local, national and international
contingents expected to join this event. Community sports will also be held
such as the invitational basketball, volleyball, rugby football, futsal and
chess games. The City Sports Development Division made this event to be part of
its grassroots program to develop out-of-school youth through sports. (http://davaotoday.com,
2015)
If people is the main point of a
place and the greatest assets of a community, knowing the people who helped
shape the history of Davao City and who had some impact on its economic, social
and cultural development, should be of value and interest to all Davaoeños. Who
were then the native as well as the migrant Davaoeños who distinguished
themselves in all sorts of human enterprises and became achievers shaping the
history of Davao City who achievements are now cherished memories? To have a
wonderful awareness of the people who have settled in Davao during the
different periods of history and have contributed to the material progress of Davao
from the colonial times to the present they need to be mentioned.
Native Davaoeños as known today are
the descendants of the indigenous ethnic tribes of Davao and the pioneer
Christina migrants who came with Don Jose Oyanguren during the conquest of Davao.
The more affluent native Davaeños were the descendants of the early migrants
from Caraga, Surigao, Baganga, and Sigaboy who joined Oyanguren as volunteer
soldiers in fighting the Muslims of Davao under Datu Bago in 1847-1848. The
descendants of this mold Davaeño clan have such sessions remembering the
achievements of their illustrious ancestors.
The early native Davaoeños who made
themselves known locally, nationally and even internationally that somehow
shaped the history of Davao were Don Teodoro L. Palma Gil, Atty. Arsenio Suazo,
and Santiago Palad, a Bagobo. The first two distinguished themselves in local
as well as national politics. The last was even known internationally.
The name of Don Teodoro L. Palma Gil
is very familiar to all Davaoñoes, may be native or migrants. But how many
Davaoeñoes , by birth or by choice, know how he came to Davao and what his
achievements were? Don Teodoro’s life and works are little known specially to
the new generation of Davaoeñoes and even many native Davaoeñoes themselves.
His life and works should be known because they are worthy of emulation.
Don
Teodoro L. Palma Gil
Teodoro
Lanaban Palma Gil was born in 1860 in Baganga, a town in what is now Davao
Oriental. His parents were Lino Palma Gil from Surigao Province and Georgia
Lanaban of Baganga, a daughter of a Mandayan tribe chieftain. During the early
Spanish times the parents of Teodoro settled in Baganga and later moved to
Caraga, another twon in Davao Oriental. Young Teodoro studies at a Roman
Cathlic convent in Caraga and became an altar boy. He was educated and trained
by the Jesuits. Later, he was sent to Manila to study at the Ateneo Municipal
(former name of Ateneo de Manila) and at the National College of Colegio de San
Jose to take up a theaching course. When he finished, he was brought to Davao
to teach in the Jesuits’ Convento adjacent to San Pedro Churshg. He taught at
the convent for a long time. The he met and married Sofia Bangoy of Davao, a
daughter of Antolin Bangoy and Aparicia Bustamante. When Sofia dies, Teodoro
married Catalina, a younger sister of Sofia.
 |
| Don Teodoro Palma-Gil |
Among the many achievements of Don
Teodoro Palma Gil as a government official were: (a) presentation of the first
bill creating the Davao Public Hospital (first hospital in Davao); (b) securing
the appropriations for the main road constructions; and (c) constructions of
the wharf at the Sta. Ana are.
After Don Teodoro’’s resignation
from the government service, he dedicated himslft to agriculture. As a notary
public (although not a lawyer), he was instrumental in obtaining titles of land
occupied by Davaoeñoes. In the field of agriculture he obtained land in
Langguan (now Tigatto), Sasa, Taglabuyo, (noe Pampanga), poblacion Ubos (now
Bolton Riverside), and Samal (Babak, Balet abd the two Ligid Islands) which de
developed and planted to coconut and abaca. Coconuts planted by him in the
early part of the century still exist in some of the places mentioned. He was
the first Davaoeño, together with his friend and neighbor in Lapanday, Juan
Awad, to hire the first Japanese laborers in Davao.
The life of
a man who made himself known locally and nationally ended on February 5, 1935
when he died of pneumonia at the age of 75 in the family residence at the
corner of Claveria and Rizal streets, Davao City. In recognition of his
achievements the government of the City of Davao named in his honor one public
elementary school, the Teodoro Palma Gil Elementary School at Tomas Claudio
Street which is now Quirino Avenue. The following poem was written by Don
Teodoro Palma Gil after the death of his friend and former schoolmate at the
Ateneo de Manila Dr. Jose P. Rizal.
Another distinguished native
Dabawenyo family that deservesmention are the Suazos. Their forebear was Pablo
suazo, a volunteer-soldier from Northern Mindanao who joined the expedition of
Oyanguren in the conquest of Davao. He married MacariaAlzate, the widow of
Benigno Bustamante with whom he had five children- BonifacioPascaula
(Mrs.Monteverde); Damaso and Toribio. (Please see the family chart of the Pablo
Suazos). The many descendants of the Suazos are still in circulation and many
of them became achievers. ArsenioSuazo, the son of Damaso (the first municipal
president in Davao) and father of Marina Suazo (the author of DAVAO- whose
content is the love story of Don Jose de Oyanguren, Davao’s Basque Colonizer),
distinguished himself in local and national politics. He was a Democrata and in
1923 he was appointed Representative of the Third District of Mindanao and Sulu
by Governor General Leonard Wood. Other scions of this native dabawenyo family
who distinguished themselves in the political development of Davao City are
Atty. Antonio Suazo Castillo, a kagawad in the sangguniangpanlungsod and Atty.
Pedro Suazo Castillo( was a delegate to the constitutional convention in 1970)
are sons of Guadalupe Suazo Castillo, Daughter of Damaso. A grandson of
Guadalupe Suazo Castillo, Atty. Prospero ‘’Boy’’ C. Nograles is active in Davao
politics.
Milagros
Suazo Monteverde de Garcia was the mother of Patria Garcia Montemayor, the
1986-1988 governor of soroptimist international Philippine region; of Dr. Leon
M. Garcia, Jr.( as doctor of laws) who was delegate to the 1970 constitutional
convention and became national president of the integrated bar of the
Philippines and of Atty. Manuel ‘’Nonoy’’ Garcia is well- loved by many
dabawenyos because he helps them individually and collectively.
The other
known Dabawenyo families of the Rasays, the Generosos, the Cabaguios and the
Gempesaws have the following beginnings:
The
forebears of the Rasays came from Batac, IlocosNorte and from Malolos, Bulacan,
the great grandfather was an Ilocano with Chinese blood from Batac,
Ilocos Norte. The great grandmother was from Malolos, Bulacan. The known Rasays
who were early settlers of Davao were the brothers Don Romualdo and Don Cenon
who married native Bagobos from Caraga.
The Gempesaw
Family are also native Dabawenyos because Bruno Gempesaw, a Cebuano migrant and one time municipal
president of Davao married Felissa Bobleon , a native Bagoba from Caraga. Bruno
was born on October 5, 1886, in Intramuros, Manila. His paresnts were
Dionisio Gempesaw and Maria Gonzales both from Carcar, Cebu. During his boyhood
the family went to Nueva Ecija. He came to Davao in 1901, met and married
Felisa Bonleon. He started as a clerk of Davao Water District. He became a
Municipal Treasurer and in 1928 he ran as a municipal president and won. He
served as municipal president for two terms.
Santiago Palad
Santago
Palad, an industrious early Bagobo achiever was born in 1886. He was son of BagobosPalad
and Ontas. His original name was Agol but christened Santiago Palad at the age
of eight. In 1904 he was sent with some other Bagobos from Davao, to the St.
Louis Exposition in the United States. The slit he had in his earlobe (as was
the custom of the tribe) was filled up by the American Doctor who caused some
growth in it. He was taught how to read and write and was able to learn to
write his name. Upon his return to the Philippines he became active in politics
and in business. His leadership was recognized. He purchased land from the
government and established his haciendas planted to abaca. He was known for his
industry and love for justice. He died on May 27, 1927 honored by his numerous
friends.
Arsenio Suazo
One of the
colourful figures in the history of Davao politics was Arsenio Suazo, scion of
the prominent Dabawenyo Family. His father was Damaso Suazo, the first municipal
president of Davao.
 |
| Arsenio Suazo |
As to
Suazo’s other accomplishments the founded Davao’s first political party, the
‘’partidodemocrata’’. He became president of the Davao Lawyers’ league before
the outbreak of the Second World War and when war broke out in 1941, he was
connected with the prestigious law firm of Suazo, Bastida and Pelayo at
Claveria Street. One of his sons, Oliverio who now resides in Madrid, Spain,
remembers him well as a lawyer who shared his legal expertise with others,
especially with the Bagobos, Moros and other ethnic tribes who could not
readily afford to pay the services of a lawyer, thus leaned on him for those
legal services, all for free.
Arsenio Suazo was married to the
former Miss Salud Divino with whom he had many children. Among his children who
are equally prominent and who are inclined to arts and writing area: Marina,
the author of DAVAO-the content of which is the love story of Jose Oyanguren
who fought Datu Bago; Oliverio, Urbanista- City Planner; who now resides in
Madrid, Spain who has a proposed design of Davao City Hall; and the late
Augusto ‘’Tito’’ Suazo, a talented paintorartistico whose work ‘’Bagobo patiang
Duli-an’’eventually became the symbol of Davao.
Manuel Generoso
Cabaguio, Sr.
 |
| Manuel Generoso Cabaguio, Sr. |
A descendant
of the Generosos who was a prominent lawyer during his time was Atty. Manuel
Generoso Cabaguio, Sr. His mother was Amparo Generoso. His father,
Dionisio Cabaguio, was a descendant of the early tagalogtagalog migrant from Batangas, Luzon, Atty. Cabaguio was an active community leader and a
politician. He was first elected city councilor of Davao from January 1, 1938
to august 1938. Atty. Cabaguio was married to Esperanza Tan and was blessed
with five children, namely: Ma. Lita, Rosemarie (a lawyer connected with the
regional trial court and a college professor), Ma. Mila, Manuel, Jr. and
Ma.Theresa, all known in Davao society. Atty. Cabaguio died on December 29,
1983 at the age of 76.
Sebastian Generoso
One of the
towering figures of Davao’s Political history was Sebastian Generoso, a native
Dabawenyo and former governor of Davao who served for three terms: 1925-1928;
1928-1931; and 1934-1937. He was a scion of the prominent Generoso clan from
Sigaboy now part of Davao Oriental.
 |
| Sebastian Generoso |
Sebastian
Generoso’s exact date of birth cannot be ascertained. He was the third of the
five children of rich parents- Anuncio Generoso and Braulia Torreno, a daughter
of a Mandaya chieftain. Sebastian was sent to manila for education and attended
the elementary and secondary courses at Ateneo de Manila. Later, took up Law at
the Escuela de Derecho (School of Law) which was the first Filipino Law College
in the Philippines.
Sebastian
Generoso married Felisa Atienza of Ilo-ilo, a beauty of Spanish ancestry. The
couple was blessed with ten children but three of them died in infancy. Of the
seven who grew up to adulthood only one is girl named Pompeya. One sterling
trait of the Generoso family is their talent in music. They sing and also play
musical instruments.
Sebastian
Generoso entered politics and won the governorship in the year 1925 when his
only girl was born. He was a successful politician. He holds the record of
having been elected as governor for two consecutive terms, Generoso ran for the
third time and won the election. Sarenas protested the result but Generoso won
just the same as there were many ballots having the names of Sebas and Ibay,
presumably written by native Dabawenyos who only knew Generoso by such names.
As governor,
Generoso was well- liked by the dabawenyos from all walks of life because of
his generosity and other admirable qualities. He was an apostle of education
who encouraged scholars to go to Manila for higher learning. His love for
education could be felt deeply with his sending scholars from the east coast
where he came from, to acquire higher education in prestigious schools. There
were times when the scholars were accommodated in his residence when they did
not have relatives in the poblacion. People who had a close experience with him
when needed.
Governor
Generoso was made honorary sultan of Davao.Assuch,his blessings would have to
be sought first by moro before the later would turn juramentado. It is sort of
securing an official sanction first before undertaking the killing.
His
glittering record of achievements in politics was capped when he was able to
pacify the conflict between the warning Philippine constabulary group and the
muslim group in 1930. His other accomplishments during his incumbency as
governor were: the building of the bridge which was named after him; the asphalting
of the roads in the poblacion area; and the further beautification of the
Osmena Park in old Davao.
Owing the
many accomplishments attributed to him, he was loved by the Dabawenyos –
natives and migrants like. Sometime in 1937 he was called to Manila by
president Quezon for a conference of sort. He left Davao healthy, but
unfortunately the incumbent governor died in manila on august 28,1937. He was
buried in the catholic cemetery of Davao City. However, in 1937 his remains
were transferred to Sigaboy(now Governor Generoso) his place of birth.
Thus ended
the life of one of the illustrious men of Davao leaving behind him in town, a
street and other markers named attributed to grandeur of his contribution.
Elias B. Lopez
 |
| Elias B. Lopez |
Aside from
being active in campus politics, he also participated in oratorical contests
and joined debating teams. In one oratorical contest he won his piece entitled
‘’Davao, the Sleeping City’’. He is a native through and through who is proud
to speak about his beautiful city.
In the field
of campus writing, he also excelled. He was made the managing editor and later
the Assistant Editor-in-Chief of the Philippine Collegian, the official organ
of the University of the Philippines studentry.
Elias B.
Lopez was voted as the Most Outstanding UP Student Leader of the Year in 1955
because of his student leadership qualities and scholastic standing. He was
also the recipient of the Vice- President Carlos P. Garcia Medal as Outstanding
Student of UP for 1954-1955. He was offered by the UP College of law a UP Fellow
Scholarship to the University of Michigan, USA to take up Masters in Public
Law. This rare opportunity was not realized because his fellow Dabawenyo
persuaded or even ‘’forced’’ him to come to Davao City to run as a candidate
for the City Council. He refused the draft or the reason that he was too young
for the position. But later, he was convinced that it would be an opportunity
to serve the people of his beloved city and could contribute in promoting the
progress and prosperity of the city. Thus, was initiated the political career
Elias B. Lopez in his native city.
Elias B.
Lopez became known in Davao Politics as a twice elected topnotcher councilor; a
Vice- Mayor and a two-term City Mayor. His achievements and accomplishments are
much too many. To mention some of his solid accomplishments as mayor are: he
helped conceptualize and implement the RCBP with projects such as the housing
and shelter projects of the city which became the hallmark of his
administration; institutionalized the Araw ng Dabaw celebration which started in
1968; commission the composition of Davao City’s anthem ‘’ Tayo’yDabawenyo’’ by
Guillermo Anajao, with lyrics written by then DECS Director Pedro O.
Sanvicente; institutionalized the Datu Bago Award conferred during the
ArawngDabaw Celebrations; initiated the Project HOPE( Help Out Pre-Schoolers
Everywhere) in 1968; reclaimed a 7-hectare land and made it into what is now
the Magsaysay Park; renovated the PTA athletic field and named it
Palaruang Lungsod ng Dabaw; initiated the construction of the diversion road to
have an additional bridge across the Davao River; and initiated the creation of
the so-called Barangay Development Project. These are the achievements of Elias
B. Lopez, as a Bagobo, as a public servant of the City of Davao. He was the
congressman from the Third District of Davao until his death in 1997.
The Pioneer Migrant
Achievers from Luzon, the Visayas and Foreign Lands
The pioneer
Christian Filipino migrants from Luzon and the Visayas and even from foreign
lands (who became dabawenyos by choice) living and dead who were achievers and
o be mentioned. These pioneers have made it to the peak of success though their
talent, patience and hard work.
The most
prominent among the pioneer settlers from Luzon who arrived in the Late 1800’s
and early 1900’s were the following: Ciriaco R. Lizada, a native of Tayabas( now
Quezon Province) who came in the late 1800’s when Davao was still under the
Spanish government; immigrants of the early 1900’s, the brothers Feliciano and
Alejandro Inigo; the Fernandez brothers (Don Vicente, Don Pepe and Don
Ramon);the Rasays (Romualdo and Cenon whose forebears are from Ilocos Norte);
Pedro L. Tesorero(of Malabon, Rizal); Juan Sarenas with wife Concepcion
Breva Sarenas of Nueva Ecija; Cipriano Villafuerte of Rizal Province; Alberto
Zamora and Alfredo Zamora of Manila; and Pedro Carriedo of Rizal.
From the
Visayas came the forebaers of the Monteverdes, Tionkos, Calizo, Gils,
Gempesaws, Salases, Panuncialmans and the Guinoos.
From foreign
lands came Harden Monroe Joyce, Lim Juna, and others.
The
outstanding early settlers who scored significant achievements in the field of
agriculture (those who become big plantation owners) were Ciriaco R. Lizada,
The Inigo brothers Feliciano and Alejandro, Cipriano Villafuerte, Rasay brothers
Romualdo and Cenon, Julian Rodriguez, Sr., Bruno Gempesaw, Juan de la Cruz,
Andres Calizo and some others. In the field of business those who excelled were
the Fernandez Hermanos (Don Vicente, DonPepe and Don Ramon), Vicente Guinoo and
Don Pedro Carriedo. Prominent in the field of law and politics, education and
government services were Juan Sarenas, Sebastian Generoso, Rafael Castillo,
Celestino Chavez, Pacifico Sobrecarey, Alberto and Alfredo Zamora, Desiderio
Gil, Pedro L. Tesorero, Sr., Diosdado Perez, Sr., Januario Purungganan, Adolfo
Casanova Cascolan(the school principal when the Davao High School and their
first graduation exercises), Sisenado Paras( Government auditor), Casiano Salas
and Macario Panuncialman(who came in the early 1900’s to establish the cadastral
area in Davao), Jose Porras and Bernardo Guerrero.
In the later
period (about the 1920’s and 1930’s), those who came and became prominent in
their chosen field of endeavour were the following: Pantaleon Pelayo, Sr.,
Romualdo C. Quimpo, Leon Garcia, Sr., Jorge Lorredo, Antonio Habana, Jr.,
Donato Endriga, Dominador Zuno., Sr. and Cesar Sotto in the field of law and
politics and in the field of business were Roman Tesoro, Martiniano Capili and
Juan Mercado.
Vicente Fernandez
Don Vicente
Fernandez was the founder of the ‘’Fernandez Hermanos and CompanaMaritima’’
together with his brothers Don Pepe and Don Ramon. They were among the early
migrants from Luzon who contributed greatly to the material and commercial
progress of Davao. During the early part of the American regime they pioneered
in the shipping trade between Davao and Manila. Aside from the shipping
business they also engaged in the import and export and the abaca and copra
business. Their business firm served as lending institution during the early
times extending loans to abaca farmers because there were no banking facilities
then. (The Philippine National Bank Davao Branch was opened only in 1917). The
Fernandez brothers also became large land owners of Davao City and Samal
Island.
Ciriaco R. Lizada
Ciriaco R. Lizada from Tayabas (now Quezon Province) was one of the pioneer migrants from
Luzon. He came in the late 1800’s when the Spaniards were still in the
Philippines. He was sort of a political refugee because of his dislike in the
goings on of politics in his province. He belonged to a well-to-do family who
also had landholdings. He married a native Dabawenya by the name of Simona
Bustamante Bangoy and and reared a big family. He acquired large tracts of land
and became a prosperous haciendero through his effort and skill.
Lizada
entered the field of politics when he was appointed municipal president of
Davao during the early part of American regime. He was the last to occupy the
position under the military government and the first when the civil government
was organized in Mindanao. He was said to be the administrator who succeeded in
persuading the ethnic indigenous tribes to cut their hair short like the
Christians in the community because he was very conversant with the dialects of
the natives. At the time Ciriaco Lizada was the municipal president of the
municipality of Davao included all the neighboring localities around the gulf
of Davao.
Ciriaco Lizada’s
life and career ended on January 30, 1936. In recognition of his many
achievements as a government official, the City government of Davao named one
of the streets (in the busy area) in his honor.
Judge Joaquin Rodriguez
Judge
Joaquin Rodriguez, the grandfather of Joaquin Jack Rodriguez (husband of Sonja
Habana, Jr., a former Davao Councilor) came to Davao in the early part of this
century. He was one of the early law practitioners of Davao. Among his clients
then were the Fernandez Hermanos, owners of the Compania Maritima. His close
friends included Inigo, Desiderio Gil, Pedro Carriedo and others.
Judge
Rodriguez’ law firm and publishing house occupied the building of what is now
the University of Mindanao. It also served as his family’s residence which he
sold later to Japanese Co. the Furukawa Corp.
Judge
Rodriguez, as he was fondly called by his colleagues, set up a newspaper daily
called ‘’Eco de Davao’’ which was Davao’s first newspaper. It ventilated the
people’s views of everyday happenings in the community.
Feliciano Iñigo
 |
| Feliciano Inigo |
Two years
after Inigoarrival ,he return to Manila to fetch his family to settle in
Davao.He also brought his mother,brother Alejandro (aged 15) and youngest sister
elena (aged 3) who is the mother of Atty. Hildegardo Inigo, current Dean of the
Ateneo Law School in Davao City.
Feliciano served the firm of
Fernandez Hermanos which pioneered in shipping trade that later became the
Compana Maritima, in abaca and copra business, and in export and import industry
for over ten years. He served as its first managing agent but gave up the
position in 1918 to devote his time to his acquired real properties in Davao.
He later owned vast tracts of commercial lots in the poblacion and agricultural
lands in the outskirts planted to abaca and coconuts that contributed to the
economic development of the town.
Inigo sired four children, one of
whom died in infancy. The living children are Natividad who is married to
engineer Alfonso Oboza (one time District Engineer of Davao and appointed mayor
of Davao City during the Japanese period); Remedios who is married to
Dr.Roque Monfort; and Carlos who was an established landowner in his own right.
All three of them are much identified with Davao’s elite society.
Desiderio Gil
Marine
Engineer Desiderio Gil, with his wife Modesta Ureta of Batangas, came to Davao
in the early 1900’s. He was first connected with the Fernandez Hermanos but
later resigned. He became a chief of police of Davao and then a Deputy Governor.
 |
| Desiderio Gil |
Desiderio Gil, through his efforts,
was able to acquire lots in the poblacion proper and agricultural land in what
is now Davao del Norte (municipality of Carmen) which he planted to coconuts.
Desiderio was born in La Paz, Iloilo
on June 29, 1889 to spouses Gregorio Gil, a Spaniard, and Carlota Mestiza, a
Spanish mestiza. His early education was in Iloilo, but he later went to Manila
to study at San Beda College. Desiderio joined Fernandez Hermanos, a shipping
company which brought him to Davao. Here, he met and married Modesta, daughter
of Manuel Fausto Ureta from Nasugbu, Batangas and Lucena Ramos from Sta.Cruz, Manila.
In 1918, he became Chief of Police
of Davao. He later gave up the position, preferring to engage in agriculture.
He was a visionary. He embarked on the use of the first motorized water
transportation to carry people and farm products. The only means of
transportation at that time was by banca or by foot. His first launch ‘’Hijos
de Gil’’ provided the north access to the Capital Town of Davao. As a licensed
marine engineer, he built bigger, faster, and sturdier launches that dominated
the gulf. This spelled progress for Tuganay – Tagum. It also facilitated the
construction of the Davao Penal colony, a project of General Paulino Santos.
In the late 1920, he was designated
Presidente Municipal of Hijo-Tagum-Davao. He initiated the opening of feeder
roads and establishment of barrio schools. By now, his launches carried rattan
which was very much needed for baling abaca, an export product that brought in
good revenue by the town. Transport of clothing, daily food requirements,
construction materials and coconut seedlings improved living conditions in all
destinations. He gave up a portion of his property for the construction of the
road that gave settlers, most fisherman, and access to Tuganay River.
In 1934, Governor Juan Sarenas
designated Desiderio Gil Deputy Governor for the Northern Area of Davao
Province. He was loved and respected. He fostered brotherhood and cooperation
between Muslim and Christian farmworkers. For this, he was conferred the title
of DatuPuti by DatuSali de Porcan.
As the legacy of Desiderio Gil and
Modesta Ureta must live in their children, it is only fitting that we make
mention all ten.
1. Ruben
Pilar married Porfirio Jain from Kabankalan, Negros Occidental. She is a
retired director of the University of Mindanao, Panabo branch.
2.
Hortencia, now deceased, was a dentist and a Spanish professor at the
University of Mindanao. She was married to Major Honorato Buhay.
3. Aida is
married to Levi Damaso from Manila and Batangas. She is the first woman lawyer
of Davao. She is a retired CFI judge.
4. Pacifico,
deceased, was a star athlete in his lifetime.
5. Gregorio,
now deceased, married Jovita Calungsod from Pikit, Cotabato. He served as
councillor of Panabo for three – terms.
6. Lydia,
married Talle Archie Warr. She worked for the US Federal Government. She
received the outstanding civilian career service award, the highest in the
US Airforce, upon retirement.
7. Exuperia,
married to Jose Madrazo from Zamboanga, is an educator. She retired as Schools
Division Superintendent for Davao City.
8.
Resurreccion married to Zita Carin. He became the first elective mayor of Carmen
and held the position for two terms.
9. Zenaida
is married to Lolito Gregasin of Davao. She was financial and management chief
of the Department of Health, Region XI at the time of retirement.
10. Nestor,
now deceased, married Milagros Lesaca from Botolan, Zambales. He was manager of
the regional cities development project.
Today,
Desiderio and Modesta have 64 great-great grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren
and 16 great-great grandchildren.
Julian Rodriguez, Sr.
 |
| Julian Rodriguez, Sr. |
Aside from being politician and a
government official, he was a farmer at heart. He involved himself in farming,
developing his large tracts of land in Ma-a, Tigatto, Samal Island, Sasa and
Tamayong. Don Julian was married to a native Dabawenya, PilarBangoy Palma Gil,
with whom he had many children. His son, Dr. Julian P. Rodriguez, Jr. is a
noted educator and has served as a government official. Don Julian was such a
Philantrophic man that he donated a piece of land for a school and artesian
well sites. Just before he died, he donated a hectare of his valuable property
in Sasa for the St. Joseph Parish church and the sectarian school of the Holy
Cross High School of Sasa. He was conferred posthumously the DATU BAGO AWARD on
March 16, 1970 ‘’for his exemplary contribution to the growth and welfare of
Davao City, more particularly in the fields on land development and Social
action.’’
Juan Sarenas
 |
| Juan Sarenas |
Pedro L. Tesorero
 |
| Pedro L. Tesorero |
In 1920 he was dispatched to
Penaplata, Samal to supress the spread of cholera which somehow found its way
there. He was back in Bunawan in 1922 and became a municipal councillor in
1926. Being fluent in Spanish and English, he was assigned as the official
escort of Governor General Wood when the latter came to Davao in 1928.
After his government service, he
settled in his homestead and opened a small trading post. In 1930, he started
the first firewood and charcoal business along Claveria St. (now Claro Recto
St.). The latter business failed but the former flourished. He met his creator
on February 17, 1983 survived by his wife and children, namely: Sisinia Margen
(now a government retiree); Jose (a lawyer now deceased), Eliseo, (a fisherman
now deceased), Francisco (a C.P.A., college professor and civic leader), Eliad
Pimentel (a registered nurse and school teacher), Alberto (a journalist) and Pedro
Jr. (felled by a rebel assasin’s bullet).
Pedro S. Carriedo
Don Pedro S. Carriedo who was a
marine Engineer by profession came to Davao in 1916 from Rizal. He was married
to Dona Asuncion San Jose, also from Rizal. He was one of the last Tagalog
migrants from Luzon who contributed to the material progress and development of
Davao City. When he settled permanently in Davao, he put up his first store in
Claveria Street (now Claro M. Recto St.) selling merchandise. He also engaged
himself in the business of water transportation because during his time road
facilities in Davao to outlaying barrios and other towns were practically nil
or too inadequate. He acquired small launches and started the business of
conveying cargoes/passengers along various points of Davao Gulf. When he became
successful in his transportation business, he bought the extensive lot and the
house at the corner of Claveria and Bonifacio Streets and opened a general
merchandise store in the house that he bought. Sold at the store were hardware,
oil products, machineries and spare parts.
Don Pedro, together with his
son-in-law Pedro Lat, engaged in cinematography business when they bought
Liberty theatre from its original owner, Jerry Roscom, an American old timer in
Davao. Another acquisition was the ideal theatre in Claveria. After the
merchandise, water transportation, and cinema business, he turned to
agricultural, enterprise. He cultivated and developed his vast agricultural
holdings in Tagum, Davao near the Davao Penal colony and planted them to abaca
and other plants.
Cipriano Villafuerte,
Sr.
Lt. Cipriano
S. Villafuerte Sr. was one of the most prominent pioneer migrants in
Davao who
came from Luzon. He, together with his wife Maria Rayos Del Sol of Muntinlupa,
Rizal, arrived in Davao in the early 1900s. In the 1920s in the wilderness of
Davao inhabited by the indigenous and unlettered natives, he brought “light” to
the place especially in the district of Guiangga in Calinan and Baguio. He
initiated the building of roads, rails, and bridges and established school
sites, marketplaces, cementeries and civil governments for the natives of the
jungle fastnesses of Calinan, Toril and Sirawan. Lt. Villafuerte won the love
and respect of Bagobos, Mandayas and Mansakas. He was sort of an “architech” in
the community because he initiated worthwhile projects in the community and encourages
the natives to cultivate their own parcels of land. He also made the natives
realize the value of hardwork and the dignity of labor. He saw to it that the
children in the community, be they natives or Christians, go to school. He was
only not only a good soldier but also a devoted farmer. Large tracts of land
were open planted to abaca and coconuts.
 |
| Cipriano Villafuerte, Sr. |
Lt.
Villafuerte was a devoted father and a good provider. He, together with his
wife, was able to send their children to higher education and is all successful
in their chosen careers. Fundador was a lawyer and one time Davao City Mayor
and elected pre-war Davao City councillor in 1940. Cipriano Jr. was the Davao
City councillor for many years. Natividad became the chief of the secondary
division in the department of education, culture, and sports, region 11 and now
retired superintendent of schools of the division of Davao. Pacita, a
practicing medical doctor, is married to Dr. Pedro San Vicente, a retired
undersecratary of education. The other children Elizenda, married to Atty. Jesus
Medina, Luz, a pharmacist, married to Dr.Honorio Hilario, Remedios, a teacher
married to Engr. Jose Campo and Concepcion, married to Atty. Isagani Fuentes.
Tomas D. Monteverde
The life of
Don Tomas Derequito Monteverde is a magnificient saga of a humble boy who rose
to prominence by sheer force of his ability and devotion to God. He came to
Davao sometime in 1850 from Dumangas, Iloilo where he was born. He was a
trailblazer of sort because when he arrived in Davao, the place was still a
wilderness and a big portion of which was swampy. He was so determined that he
stayed on despite the hardships he encounter.
 |
| Tomas D. Monteverde |
At that
time, Davao was peopled by the indigenous ethnic tribes and Moro who came from
Maguindanao and a few Christian families who came with Oyanguren to drive the
Moros under Datu Bago. Moros then did practical activities that bother the
natives when the former attack their settlement.
Monteverde
with some other pioneer migrants from Luzon and the Visayas were able to
acquire large tracts of land that they cultivated. Even the swampy land that
Monteverde saw, he made use of which contributed a lot to the community,
economically. That was when he brought from Dumangas ‘’bangus’’ that he
introduced to Davao which led to the opening of the Sta. Ana mangroves or
swa
mpy lands to fishponds. In way, that was the start of the bangus industry of Davao.
mpy lands to fishponds. In way, that was the start of the bangus industry of Davao.
Deeply
religious/pious in nature, he was involved in church activities. His surviving
immediate relatives claimed that the statue of Sta. Ana was brought by him from
Dumangas, Iloilo. According to some old timers there was a time when the
troublesome Moro pirates were about and attack the Christian settlement but
Tomas Monteverde brought to statue to the ‘’pantalan’’ (wharf) which is now
Sta. Ana wharf. To the people’s surprise the impending attack was aborted and
the pirates withdrew.
Tomas
Monteverde had also helped in the construction of the original San Pedro Church
by bringing lumber from Mintal and Tugbok through carabao-pulled ‘’kangga’’.
The full construction was made during the time when he was the municipal
president of Davao. When the church was finally completed he was given a special
seat in front of the altar which no one can use except him and his wife until
his death in 1931. He was a life-time Hermano Mayor of San Pedro Church.
Monteverde
first married Maria Suazo, a Dabawenya with whom he had four children, namely:
Nemesio who was married to Maria Palma Gil; Vicenta, married to Dr. Vicente
Tionko; Candelaria, married to a Joven; and Milagros, married to Atty. Leon
Garcia.Sr.,a former Davao City Mayor. All his children by the first wife are
now deceased. When he became a widower he remarried Benigna Armentano from
Dumaguete City with whom he had three children named Juliana (married to
Gaudencio Consunji of Manila and Bataan), Andrea who died at the age of 18 in
1947, and Tomas Jr., a kagawad of the sangguniang panlungsod who is undefeated
for many years.
As to his
other achievements and accomplishments, he became a municipal president of
Davao succeeding Anuncio Generoso; and being a philanthropist he donated lands
occupied now by the Tomas Monteverde, Sr. Central Elementary School, the Tomas
Monteverde Sports Complex( the former PTA grounds), the Davao City High
School(through his daughter Vicente M. Tionko), The Central Bank of the
Philippines (Davao Branch), the Sta. Ana Central Elementary School (1/2 of the
entire Area located along Magsaysay Avenue), the Magsaysay Park (donated
originally for the penal colony office and later converted to a market then to
a park which is located along the Sta. Ana Wharf), the Agdao Elementary
School (donated through his wife Benigna Armentano Monteverde,
located along Leon Garcia Street which was the former Governor Carpenter
Street), and such streets as Malvar, part of San Pedro St., Monteverde,
Oyanguren, Florentino Torres, Tomas Claudio, part of Legaspi and almost all the
streets in the Sta. Ana District. He was the first Datu Bago Awardee for
philantrophy given in 1969.
Thus ended
the life of Tomas Monteverde, a man who was deeply religious/pious,
economic-concious and socially concerned.
Engr. Casiano A. Salas
 |
| Engr. Casiano A. Salas |
Being an
ambitious and talented person he was selected as a US government scholar to
take up a surveying course at the University of the Philippines, Manila. Then
he took up agriculture at the UP Los Banyos. Sometime in 1914 as one of the
first Filipino surveyors he was sent by the national government to establish
the cadastral area in Davao. The other Engineer was Macario Panuncialman. Later
he was also made the Head of the Bureau of Lands.
In 1927
Engineer Salas resigned from the government service and devoted himself to
private practice as surveyor. Then he bought lands and had them planted to
abaca and ramie. He hired Japanese labors to work in his farm. The venture was
a success because the Japanese were very industrious. Part of the land he
acquired was donated as church site school for a secretarian college, the Holy
Cross of Bunawan.
Casiano A.
Salas was married to Josefina Perez of Bunawan whose parents were Daniel Perez
and Anacleta of Cateel now part of Davao Oriental. Their children are, Leonica,
Anecitas, Magdalena, Eddie, Premy, Lourdes, Lourdes, Isabelita, Casiano, Jr.
Emma and Restie.
Dr. Santiago P. Dakudao
 |
| Dr. Santiago P. Dakudao |
Dr. Dakudao
was one Filipino migrant who availed of the good fortune that Davao offered. If
not for his industry, hard work and perseverance, he would not have what he
before he died. Santiago P. Dakudao was a born in the late 1800s is Dingle
Iloilo to Natividad Pamplona and Demetrio Dakudao. He came from a family of
modest means but was so ambitious to attain his set goals. His relentless
persistence helped him realize his dreams although it came a long way.
At the age
22, ambitious and talented, he was determined to study medicine in the United
States. He got a job on board a ship, working in steerage as a painter to earn
his fare. But luck was no with him a then because he developed a severe case of seasickness and was warned
not to proceed to his destination. When
the ship docked at Yokohama harbour I Japan, he disembarked and stayed in
Japan. While at Yokohama he met some Filipinos among who was Dr. Diaz, also
from Iloilo, who convinced him to stay. He worked at odd jobs in Japan to
support his medical studies at the Japan Medical School where he graduated four
years later in 1918. After graduation he finally left for the United States in
December 1919 to pursue his internship at the International Hospital. It was
while working at the hospital where he
met his future wife, the former Carmen Lacson of the wealthy Lacson clan of
Jaro, Iloilo and Silay , Negros Occidental who would often go to Japan to seek
medical treatment for eczema and who stayed on to study ikebana(an art of flower
arrangement) and Japanese cuisine. In 1920 Dr.Dakudao went back to Iloilo to
have a reunion with his family and to marry Carmen Lacson. While in Iloilo he
served as a government health officer – the Chief Sanitary Division in towns of
Dingle and Pototan.
In 1922
Dr.Dakudao came to Davao upon acceptance of an offer made by the Japanese through Dr. Hashimoto (a son –in-law of Kyosaburu Ohta, owner of Ohta
Development Co. Development Company’s Mintal Hospital in Guianga, Davao. He
practically started life in Davao with his wife and child with nothing,
financial wise.Being a practical man, from salaries he received and with free
board and lodging he did not have vices. He became the first Filipino Director
of the Hospital in 1930 and by 1934 he retired from active hospital work after
serving the hospital for twelve years. His wife Dona Carmen, on other hand
taught English and Spanish language to the Japanese in Davao at the Mintal
Japanese School as she was also fluent in the Japanese language.
After
Dr.Dakudao resignation as Chief of the Mintal Hospitalhe dedicated himself to
agriculture. Even while still in the hospital he learned that there hectares
and hectares of land, good at that, lying idle and available in the vicinity.
Enterprising and armed with good foresight, he applied for the land with the
bureau of land. He had it surveyed and cultivated. He acquired the land through
the recommendation of Mr.Oshiro, a Director of the Ohta Development Company, in
the early part of 1926
Davao was
then a wilderness. But the jungles and forest had not dampened the skills and
enthusiasm of Dr. Dakudao. He was a trail blazer of sorts. When he retired from
active hospital work in 1934 and indulged in farming, he developed the land he
had leased in Calinan.
While
cultivating and developing the large tracts of land, Dr.Dakudao met inimitable
experiences the first and foremost of which was the problem of farm labor in
the clearing of the land. Aside from that was the problem of the land disputes
among natives and other Filipino Christian migrants since land ownership and
tiles were unknown to the natives then as it is now. At first Dr.Dakudao hired
indigenous natives and Christian Filipino migrants recruited from the Visayas
as farm laborers. But this did not prove effective. Actually, the natives were
the reluctant and unwilling workers even if paid for their services. They left
the plantation whenever they felt like leaving for another place. Most of the
Christian Filipino workers, as was said, usually rested for a day in the week
and even declared their own day off specially after receiving their pay.
Upon the
advice of Mr. Oshiro, Dr. Dakudao invited a Japanese to manage his farm and
hired Japanese laborers to arrest further capital losses. Finally Dr. Dakudao’s
problem of farm labor was solved everything came out successful because
industry, perseverance, hardwork and devotion to duty of these Japanese. It was
even said that “what seven Filipino workers can do in a day can done by only
one Japanese laborer.”
After
resigning from his job a physician-in-charge of the Mintal Hospital in 1934.
And after working devotedly for twelve solid years, Dr. Dakudao rested on his
36 hectare land in Tugbok and dedicated himself to farming and real estate
business. He amassed properties and wealth as a planter. He built a palatial
like abode in Tugbok only to be ruined during World War 2. His Excellent
qualities in dealing with people, rich and poor alike, have endeared him to
many.
By 1934
practically all the tracts of land he acquired had been fully cultivated for
purposes of planting. His land was planted not only abaca to hemp but also to
coconuts, coffee, casuy,cacao and even cotton tress because of the campaign for
diversification. To make it easy for his farm laborers he caused roads to built
leading to his land. Building were laborers he caused roads to built leading to
his land. Buildings were constructed house to the laborers and administrative staff
manages by Keniche Migitaka.
Dr.Dakudao
was held in high esteem by both Filipinos and Japanese settlers as well as
laborers who worked in his plantation. Because of this his plantation manager
of almost twenty years, Kenichi Migitaka who was repatriated to Japan, had
these to say in his letter written in 1946 to Dr. Dakudao.
The happiest
and most peaceful years of my life were those when I worked in your plantation.
I shall never be able to forget the dear memories of the plantation where I
lived and worked for almost 20 years. The peaceful and undisturbed life I used
to enjoy in the Dakudao plantation and the happy gatherings in the Dakudao
house in Mental will always be remembered…
Dr. Santiago
P. Dakudao was born in Dingle in Iloilo on April 12, 1892, married Carmen
Lacson of Jaro, Iloilo and Silay, Negros Occidental in 1920, sired four children
namely Erlinda (deceased), Roberto, Carmen, an Santiago Jr.(deceased) and lived
to ripe age of 86 passing away on May 2, 1978.
Thus ended
the colourful life of a humble man who, through sheer patience, hardwork and
talent, became successful in his lifetime. His remains, including those of his
wife Carmen and son Santiago Jr. lie in the mausoleum (designed by his grandson
(by his child Santiago Jr.) Doctor of Architecture Michaelangelo Ebro Dakudao)
that used to be ancestral home of Dakudaos in Tugbok (before it was converted
into a mausoleum) said to be the biggest house in Davao.
Romualdo C. Quimpo
 |
| Romualdo C. Quimpo |
During the Japanese occupation
period, Quimpo was stricken ill and was paralyzed. Although sick, he was very
active in Davao politics. He was made technical adviser to Davao City officials
during the time of President Quirino and Macapagal. Youn politicians sought his
advices. Although paralyzed, he still actively campaigned for his candidates.
Romualdo C.
Quimpo died January 6 1978. He is remembered by his children as a strict
disciplinarian who emphasized to them to love for God. They were always
reminded by him to be honest and help those who need help. And most of all they
remember him emphasizing to them not to destroy the reputation of the family.
His orphaned community very well remembers him his legacy of protecting the
family reputation to the utmost.
Sisenando Paras
Another
successful migrant from Luzon who deserves to be mentioned is the late
Sisenando M. Paras, a lawyer by profession and an achiever.
 |
| Sisenando Paras |
He was first
employed in 1919 at the National Coal Company. He began his career in the
General Auditing Office in January 1922 when he was employed in the then bureau
of Audit as a clerk. A first grade eligible, he rose at Asst. Chief of Section
and then Chief of Section. In 1927, he was appointed as District Auditor of
Palawan. Two years later he was appointed Provincial Auditor of Davao.
He reserved
in that capacity until he retired in 1936 to engage in the private practice of
law in association with ex-Governor Juan A. Sarenas and former Representative
Julian A. Rodriguez both of Davao. He practiced law extensively until 1939 when
he was forced to move his family back to Manila because of threatening war
clouds in Asia and the danger it posed to his family due to the presence of too
many Japanese in Davao. He was reinstated in 1939 as a Chief Clerk in the
Office of the City Auditor of Manila where he subsequently became Assistant
City Auditor of the National Development Company. In 1941, he was appointed
Auditor of the National Company. In 1941, he was appointed Auditor and
Representative of the Auditor General in the De La Rama Steamship Co.
The Japanese occupation found him
Auditor of the NARIC which successively became RICOA and BIBA. On January 23,
1946, he was appointed Acting Chief Law Officer of the General Auditing Office.
He resigned from the GAO six months later to resume his private practice of law
in Manila and Davao. In 1958, he was appointed Technical Assistant in the Committee
on Transportation and Public Service, Senate of the Philippines. He also served
for a while as Acting Auditor of the Abaca Development Board after its
organization.
The late
ABACORP Auditor is survived by his widow, the former Esperanza Malay of Manila
and Cavite, and the six children, all professionals, namely Sisenando, Jr., a
lawyer connected with the GCIS; Queremon, a mechanical and industrial engineer;
Engracio a lawyer now in the U.S. and Francisco, a lawyer government official
in Manila; Raul, a mechanical engineer, government official in Manila; and
Wilfredo, a B.S Chemistry and Doctor of Medicine, a medical practitioner in the
U.S.
Auditor
Sisenando M. Paraz, Sr. succumbed to cancer on April 5, 1946 at the North
General Hospital, after having receiving the Last Sacraments. He was 62 years
old.
Martiniano and Raymunda
Capili
Among the
earliest settlers just before the City of Davao was chartered on March 1, 1937
was the family of Martiniano and Raymunda Capili who arrived in Davao City sometime
in 1936. Both originally came from Sta. Maria, Bulacan. They tried their luck
and engaged in Business in Manila.
 |
| Martiniano and Raymunda Capili |
Mr. Capili
worked with several business firms like Torno Lumber, logging Enterprises in
Malasila, Makilala, and Cotabato. For a time, he also worked with Elias Dakudao
Lumber Enterprises, and various logging and lumber firms. He worked for about
20 years with the Davao Lumber Company where he became the mill superintendent
and trusted man of Mr. Go Cam.
Through
their hard work, determination, sacrifice, good human relations and luck, they
were able to improve their life and achieved modest success in their
undertakings.
At the
present time, the name CAPILI in known especially among old Dabawenyos. They
have considered themselves as Dabawenyos. The Capili grandchildren have grown
roots deeply in the soil of Davao City.
Manuel P. Babao
Among the
many health administrator, surgeons, medical practitioner, professionals and
civic leaders in Davao, the name of Dr. Manuel P. Babao is one of the most
enshrined in the hearts of the Dabawenyos.
 |
| Manuel P. Babao |
Manuel
P.Babao was born on Christmas Day of the year 1906, in Batangas, He went
through Batangas Elementary High School after which he went to the University of
the Philippines where he graduated in Liberal Arts in 1927, and in the College
of Medicine in 1932. After receiving his diploma, he worked in the Tayabas
Provincial Hospital. When he transferred to San Miguel, Bulacan, he was the
resident Physician of the Davao Public Hospital and risen to the rank of chief
in the same institution. Dr. Babao was an active member of the Davao Medical
Society and the Philippines College Surgeons.
Since 1936
when he first assumed office as Junior Resident Physician of the Davao Public
Hospital, his energetic labors talent, characterized by sympathetic respect and
concerned towards those who had dealt with him official an personal matters,
saw Dr. Manuel Babao a person deserving of respect, confidence and friendship.
His
foresight has also reinforced the work of others, such as former City Mayor
Carmelo Porras, Congressman Ismael Veloso and others, including the former
Health Secretary Rodolfo Canos and Dr. Vicente Gahol in having the Davao
Medical and Training Center located and made operational to serve not only the medical
service needs of Davaowenos, but also in the training of new doctors to
protect, alleviate their life. He met and married Rose Ongchua and their
marital bliss was added an only daughter Enrica,(Baby to friends) the present
Chairman of the Davao Historical Society Foundation Inc.
Rogelio “Noning” Lizada
 |
| Rogelio “Noning” Lizada |
PNB, the
country’s largest commercial bank, made a historic move in the year 1992 when
for the first time a native Dabawenyos was made of the Board of Directors.
There was some sort of jubilation among Dabawenyos when they learned of the
appointment of nothing by the national leadership to exalted position. They
even said that what Metro Manila can do, the Dabawenyos can also do, even
better.
Indeed,
Noning was selected by His Excellency, the President himself from long list
recommendees to the position. It was a glaring acceptance of
non.seasoned technocrat role towards nation building.
Unknown too
many Metro Manilans, Rogelio Lizada is a noted Davao Historian. He, together
with his wife and children, own a manage a chain of established an known
eateries and bakeshop in Davao that, in a way, contribute to the economic
development and progress of the city. Matter of fact, Noning’s family is
synonymous to business adventure leadership.
As to his
achievements, Noning has much to his credit having been an honorary Datu of
Mindanao Highlanders Society and one of the very few Dabawenyos who received
the Papal Award not to mention his being one of the noted historian of Davao.
Noning is
married to the former Miss Rosario Abella, an educator by profession, and whose
for bears are from Laguna. They have children who are all successful and
productive in their fields of endeavour.
Rogelio
Lizada presently is the chairperson of the Philippines Centennial Movements
Davao.
Harden Monroe Joyce
 |
| Harden Monroe Joyce |
While
strolling with his friends along these streets of Virginia he saw a sign by the
roadside saying.” Join the Army and See
the World.” Impressed, he joined the U.S Army at Columbus, Ohio at young of age
19 on October 31, 1907. He was sent to Cuban Service and later to the
Philippines.
He was among
the earliest group American soldiers assigned to Zamboanga and Jolo. Upon his
discharge from military service he joined the police force in Manila,
Philippines.
Together
with other Americans, he came to Davao to seek together with other Americans;
he came to Davao to seek greener pastures. The group included John Martin
Johnson who later on became his plantation neighbour and good friend.
He went
south and first worked as a foreman in Culaman planatation managed by Orville
Wood. He took charge of the Plantation when Wood went to the U.S. on home
leave. While here, he met an aristocratic Tagakaolo lass named (Comilong) and married
her. They had three sons, Monroe, John, and Henry. Later, he took leave from
his job as foreman decided to seek fortune elsewhere. He went further down
south and found a place whose coast line is will protected from strong north
winds. Inland, it was warned however, that the place was populated by hostile
natives. A group of missionaries were mercilessly massacred shortly before he
came. Being a good natured person, friendly, and accommodating, this warning of
hostility did not discourage him. He went down to the place and in his own
unique brand of camaraderie established mutual respect and friendship with the
natives. With the help of the natives themselves he established his own modest
farm which he called.”Culaman” named after the place he first worked with.
After a couple of years, he met and married Angela (Camyangon), a charming
Blaan maiden from a respected landed family. They have only one son named
William.
His modest
farm expanded to compass more than 1000 hectares of level and hilly terrain
planted to coconut and abaca. Several intercrops like, rice, corn, cassava,
coffee, cocoa, and other staple were also planted. Cattle and horses were also
raised the livelihood of the natives in many ways.
Sgt. Joyce
expanded his business interest to the water transportation enterprise which he
called H.M. Joyce and Sons. His sons grew up pursued their own interest. Monroe
established his own farm which later became the Bugis Plantation. John stayed
on and managed the original plantation at Culaman. Later, he moved to the
nearby township of Caburan, where he became a Mayor for several terms. He is
the political matters.
Henry
established a modest farm at Caburan supplemented by a general/retail store at
the same place. Upon his father death, he continued his father water
transportation business which turned out to be a lucrated venture enabling him
to establishe general/retail stores along the coast lines of Jose Abad Santos
to Sarangani Island.
In 1949,
William bought the Lapuan Plantation in Malita, Davao del Sur from Henry Pahl,
an American contemporary of his father,
Harden Monroe Joyce which can be said to have contributed to the progress of
the province of Davao by opening otherwise unchartered lands and introducing
new methods of farming to the inhabitants. Furthermore, he also ventured into
business thus providing employment for the many.(by. Lillian de Arce Joyce,
Elizabeth Joyce Monteverde, Isabel Joyce Santos).
Lim Juna (Francisco
Villa-Abrille)
 |
| Lim Juna |
He married a
Chinise- Muslim mestizo, Tan Sepo from Pollok, Cotabato in civil rites in 1882.
Tan Sepo is the daughter of Tan Juson and a Muslim woman. The couple had three children named Recardo
born in 1883; Carlos born in 1885 and Luisa in 1889. The couple became
Catholics in 1890 and were married in Catholic rites under the name of
Francisco and Maria Villa Abrille. Then two other children were born namely
Cesario and Candelaria. (Davao City: It’s History and
Progress by Dabbay, 1998)
Dr. Simeon B. Macasaet
Dr.
Simeon B. Macasaet was born in Lipa, Batangas on July 1, 1896. His parent were
Venancio Macasaet and Marta Bravo. He belonged to a fairly affluent family with
land holdings in Balete, Lipa, Batangas.
 |
| Dr. Simeon B. Macasaet |
With
hard work and a firm determination on the part of the founders, the Davao
General Hospital was realized. At first the Davao General Hospital was just a
sick ward set up by the District Engineer’s Office for the care of the laborers
known as sacadas. Later, by virtue of a Special Act of the Philippine
Legislature in 1917, the Act was finally passed, the Davao Public Hospital was
born. At that time, Dr. Eugenio de Jesus was the District Health Officer for
the province of avao. He was also designated as Chief of the Hospital. Dr.
Simeon Macasaet succeeded him as chief.
With
meager support from the government, crude facilities, few doctors and nurses
the hospital painstakingly served the Davao fols – rich and poor alike.
As
years passed the name Davao General Hospital was change to Davao Medical Center
as it is today with modern facilities, competent doctors and nurses. The
building itself stands out as a landmark.
Not
content with his hospital work he tried to find time to explore the hinterlands
of Davao to fin out for himself what was it lured many to Davao. With some
American friends he went out as far as Padada and neighboring places. Tract of
land were cheap those days so, whenever he got his pay be brought little areas
until he acquired a fairly vast hectarage. He hired Japanese laborers to work.
Up to this day some areas are still productive.
He
married Julia Matacsil, a nurse from Jolo and had 10 children. He lived a very
fruitful and rich life and he went to his Maker on January 1, 1953. (Davao
Historical Progress Cultural, Ecological, Economic, 2004)
Vicente G. Duterte
 |
| Vicente G. Duterte |
Atty.
Duterte assumed as Mayor of Danao after he married Soledad Roa of Cabdbaran,
Agusan del Norte.
In
1941 World War II broke out. After the war Duterte assumed as Mayor until 1945.
The Duterte have 2 daughters and 3 sons, Eleanor, Rodrigo
(later became Davao City mayor), Jocelyn, Emmanuel and Benjamin.
The
call of adventure made the couple move to Davao City in 1951. Duterte became
the Provincial Secretary in 1953. In 1956, he was appointed Provincial Governor
by President Carlos P. Garcia when Governor Almendras was appointed to the
cabinet position. In 1957, he ran for election against Congressman Ismael
Veloso and he won. In 1961, he ran for reelection against Cong. Lorenzo
Sarmiento and Atty. Constancio Maglana and he won again. In 1965, when
President Marcos won as president, he took Duterte to his cabinet as Secretary
of General Services. In the election of 1967 he ran as congressman for the home
province of Davao and was defeated by Councilor Artemio Loyola.
While
Duterte was engrossed in politics Mrs. Duterte continued her teaching career
ans was promoted as Supervisor on Adult and Community Education until when she
retire under the optional retirement plan.
Mrs.
Duterte went to logging and sawmills business after her retirement and brought
up the five children to finish education.
On
February 21, 1968, Duterte died of heart attack and that left Mrs. Duterte to
support the ducation of the four out of five children. She sold her logging and
sawmills just to be closer to the children and instead put up the Duro Ice
Plant and Cold Storage at Dumoy, Toril which she later sold when all the
children finished their studies.
Mrs.
Duterte, the civic leader, leads a simple life spending most of her time
teaching processed basic food to segment the family’s income and manages her
livelihood for demonstration purposes. (Davao Historical Progress Cultural,
Ecological, Economic, 2004)
Guillermo E. Torres, Sr.
 |
| Guillermo E. Torres, Sr. |
Very
few people know what he does before starting a project. Careful planning,
research, trial and errors attempts, questions, before he undertakes anything.
He always emphasized that mistakes are costly and should therefore be avoided.
He
received elementary and high school education in Batangas. He graduated with a
degree in Bachelor in Science in Business Administration form the University of
the Philippines in 1932 and landed 8th place in the CPA board
examinations given that year.
He
was working as an accountant while taking up law in the evenings at the FEU,
from where he graduated in 1938. Eight must be his lucky number, because in the
bar examination given that year, he was again no. 8 among those who passed.
He
set sail for Columbia Uniersity in New York for special studies in accounting
and management. When he came back in late 1939, he joined his brothers Temiong
and Pedring in the family business enterprises in Batangas (an electric power
plant).
Papang
ang Mamang Torres had by this time relocated with the other children to Davao
City where he became the manager of the Pacific Commercial Company branch. When
the war broke out, Bering got a chance to come to Davao when he received an
offer from General Paulino Santos to be the finance officer of the land
settlement project that the general had started in Dadiangas.
After
the war, he settled with the rest of the family in Davao City and established a
law and accounting firm. There was only one newspaper, a fact remedied by his
founding one in 1945 – the Mindanao Times. At this time, Papang Torres had
retired from the Pacific Commercial and wanted to invest his retirement money.
Seeing
the absence of a local college for high school graduated whose parents could
not afford sending then to Cebu or Manila for higher education, Bering rallied
a group of friends among them, Dr. Concepcion de Asis, Don Pedro Lat, Mr. Roman
Tesoro, Dr. Manuel Babao, Atty. Pedro Quitain and a few others to form a
corporation to establish such a school. Bering was elected founding President
of the Mindanao Colleges later University of Mindanao.
From
then on, Bering guided the school thrugh 47 years of serving the education
needs of Mindanao and Sulu. From an initial 300 in 1945, it has over 36,000
(20,000 in the main campus) in 1992 the year he died.
Starting
with one radio in 1949 (DXMC) as an adjunct to the college, the Mindanao
Broadcasting Network was born. It soon has 12 radion stations.
In
1967, he founded the Davao Savings and Loan Association followed shortly by the
first Iligan Savings and Loan Association in Cagayan de Oro City, the Rural
Bank of Lagahit, Misamis Oriental and the Rural Bank of Panabo, Davao del Norte
Province.
He
married the former Dolores Pilpil of Naic, Cavite, sometime in the mid 50's. He was
the one who organized and became the first president of the Davao Jaycees in
1948; the Davao Press and Radio Association in 1950; the Educational Foundation
of Mindanao in 1959. As one of the organizers and directors of the Philippine
National Red Cross, Davao City Chapter, he received the Aurora Aragon Quezon
Medal.
He
underwent training programs in various fields here and abroad. He received five
leadership grants: education, radio-television and newspaper operation; and
savings and load operations.
John
Dewey International University Consortium of USA in 1979 conferred in him
doctorate in law, honoris causa. Other awards he received from organization
here and abroad, and from both his alma mater, the University of the
Philippines and Far Estern University speak volumes of his achievements.
While
his demise was a big loss to the institution he founded, its vision for an
economically, socially and morally developed Mindanao through an enlightened,
educated manpower continues in the leadership of his wife, Mrs. Dolores P. Torres,
President and Chairman of the Board of the University of Mindanao ad their
eldest son, Guillermo Jr. (Willie), Treasurer, UM Board of Trustees and
Executive Vice President, and CEO of UMBN later in 2007, Guillermo E. Torres,
Jr. assumes the Presidency and Chair of the Board on University of Mindanao
after his mother died.
Their
two other sons, Victor Nicasio and Edwin, likewise holds responsible positions
in UM/ UMBN. (Davao Historical Progress Cultural, Ecological, Economic, 2004)
Judge Jorge A. Lorredo
 |
| Judge Jorge A. Lorredo |
Jorge A. Lorredo was born on April 3, 1900 in Macalelon, Quezon Province. He married in 1922 Antonia delos Santos of Marungko, Angat, Bulacan. He studies law and after passing the bar he worked in the Department of Justice. In 1928 he was assigned Justice of the Peace in six Municipalities which included Tagum, Compostela, Cateel, Pantukan, Panabo and Kapalong. Then he was assigned Municipal Judge of Davao. He became the first attorney of the City of Davao in 1937. When World War II broke out, he refused to work for the Japanese so he had to evacuate to Luzon. He was assigned Fiscal of Marinduque after the Japanese occupation. He worked at the National War Crimes Commission. He became Fiscal of Cagayan de Oro until his retirement in 1965.
Jorge
A. Lorredo married in 1992 to Antonia delos Santos of Marungko, Angat, Bulacan.
They have eight children as follows:
1.
Alma Nimfa – retired in 1988 as Guidance Counselor for the 4th year
in Davao City High School.
2.
Dr. Rocio Xenia was sent to Japan by the City Government of Davao and Davao
Medical Center to study the intricacies of the cobalt machine.
3.
Minda Luz was Smith Mundt Fullbright Scholar to Minnesota, USA in Political Science
4.
Jorge Jr., TPYM awardee in Community Service in 1963.
5.
Patricia – sent by St. Louis University to take up MS in Chemistry at the
Catholic University in Louvain, Belgium.
6.
Linda Flor – head, English Department of Pamantasan ng Maynila
7.
Atty. Danilo – Regional Director, Department of Labor
8.
Celita – Assitant Manager, Cebu GSIS Office
(Davao Historical Progress
Cultural, Ecological, Economic, 2004)
Pantaleon A. Pelayo, Sr.
 |
| Pantaleon A. Pelayo, Sr. |
He
was born on August 31, 1901 in the municipality of Zamboanga (later Zambaonga
City). His early schooling was in Zamboanga. In 1921, he finished high school
as class salutatorian. He studied at the Philippine Law School, graduated in
1925 and passed the bar examination the same year. The following year he saild
for Davao and immediately set up a law office. His competence and integrity as
a law practitioner prompted the head of the Nacionalista Party then to nominate
him as a candidate for the Constitutional Convention along with another
prominent lawyer, Rafael Castillo. Both won by a wide margin.
The
hornet’s nest in the said convention was his denunciation of vast Japanese
landholdings in Davao, mostly acquired not only thrugh the openness of leases/
purchases but other dubious means – through dummies and marriages of Filipinas
to the generations of Dabawenyos.
It
will be remembered that Davao has been referred to as “Little Tokyo: in those
days. It was in his revelation that in one way or another influenced that body
to adopt the Consttuitonal precept contained in Art. 13, Section 5 of the 1935
Constitution that provides:
“Save
in cases of hereditary succession, no private agricultural land shall be
transferred or assigned except to individuals, corporations, or associations
qualified to acquire or hold lands of the public domain in the Philippines.”
That
act also played an important part in the creation of Davao into a City. The
need to diffuse authority from the Central Government and grant autonomy to
local government below, was now felt. The danger of a strong Japanese presence
in Davao and Guianga could immediately be addressed. by “men of proven honesty,
character, learning and ability on the local level.”
Little
did Pantaleon Pelayo guess the role he would one day four years later. In 1940,
when President Manuel Quezon came to Davao to inaugurate the Sayre Highway, he
was “shocked” or rather “pleasantly surprised” when Preident announced without
giving prior notice that he was appointing a young local lawyer to be the next
Mayor of Davao City. At the time he was the youngest City Mayor appointed.
During
World War II, Pantaleon Pelayo, fearing for his life because of his
anti-Japanese speeches, went underground, joined the guerillas and was
appointed Civil Affairs Officer of the 10th military district for
the unoccupied areas of Mindanao.
After
the war, he was appointed Mayor of Davao City by President Osmeña. On his
shoulder fell the task of reorganizing the civil government, and the difficult
task to rebuild and rehabilitate from the rubble of war.
After
several months as the city was coming back to normal, President Osmeña
appointed him as Mayor of Zamboanga City.
When
Ramon Magsaysay became President in 1954, he was appointed Undersecretary of
Labor and soon became acting Secretary. As such, he stressed, “Any doubt in the
interpretation of the Labor law should e resolved in favor of working man
because the Minimum Wage Law was enacted for his benefit.”
Labor lost a champion when he requested to be with the
judiciary due to too much political pressure. He was appointed Judge of the
Court of First Instance in Ilo-ilo in 1955, a position he held up to hi death
in 1963. His wife, the former Luz Valderosa of Bacolod died in 1982.
The Pelayo children are: Pantaleon Jr., a lawyer
(deceased) former Davao City Councilor and Napolcom Regional Director;
Benjamin, RTC judge of Pasig; Ramon (deceased), a lawyer; Natividad P. Ong;
David, a lawyer (deceased) and Victoria P. Gestuvo. (Davao Historical Progress
Cultural, Ecological, Economic, 2004)
Conrado C. Alcantara
At
his funeral services, two speakers who eulogized him were a justice of the
Supreme Court and a humble man from his native Pasay. The occasion plainly
showed how Conrado C. Alcantara toughed the lives of the lofty and lowly.
 |
| Conrado C. Alcantara |
The
young Conrado started schooling at Pasay Elementary School but finished the
elementary grades at a school in Ermita, Manila. His secondary education was at
Araullo High School. He was a self-made man. In college, he supported himself
through stenography and typing – first as a clerk of the Philippines Trust
Company. Getting transferred/ promoted from one division to another introduced
him all aspects of money handling and thus he acquired effortlessy a great
asset. After earning a bachelors degree in Accounting, he became an assistant
cashier at the Bank of America and became one of the first Filipinos to achieve
officer rank in the Philippine branch of the bank. He resigned when he found
out that an American executive, newly arrived from US and only starting to
learn about the rope of the job from him, was receiving more than double his
salary. He transferred to the Associated Insurance Surety Co. as district
manager, a position that entailed goping out to the provinces, specially the
Visayas and Mindanao to visit clients of the firm.
It
was on one of such trips that he had gone to Iligan and Davao to look into and
help turn around the faltering business set-up of a wood based company that he
had a first glimpse of the potentials and opportunities offered by Davao’s
vast natural resources.
From
then on, there was no looking back for him. He had the pioneer’s nose of
discovering a new frontier to explore and conquer; and the exhilaration and
drive to make his dream of an enterprise that will fraw strength and sustain
the impulse for growth of a region that even then was already firmly standing
on the brink of progress.
In
1954, he ventures with a small capital in opening a small brokerage firm in
Davao City catering to the need of companies then also just venturing in the
logging business. Slowly, he built up the business and in 1958; he acquired a logging
concession in Nabuturan. This was followed by two or more. As soon he established
a plywood factory that catered not only for the local and national markets but
for the international as well. A more visible enterprise in the shopping center
that is indispensable to any visitor in Davao wishing to shop for purely Davao
crafts and batik from neighboring Indonesia.
“CA”
as fondly reffered to by associates and employees (somewhere along his life, he
lost the boyhood monicker, “Amado” as what his relatives and friends in Pasay
called him) was lucky to have such loving and supportive helpmate in the person
of his wife, Lading (the former Ladislawa Inquimboy of Pasay City). In early
days o their great adventure in Davao, she was treasurer and cashier of the
company, prudently balancing the multi-farious tasks of mother and nurture to their
six children: Nicasio, Editha, Felicisimo, Rosvida, Tomas and Alexander with
the delicate and demanding job in a business fast starting to shape up and
grow.
When
he died in 1983, at the age of 70, he was chairman of the board of his
flagships, C. Alcantara and Sons, Inc.; President and Chairman of the Board of
Alcor Transport Corp.; Alson Development and Investment Corp. and Iligan Cement
Corp; president/ director of over a dozen companies.
A
young generation of Alcantaras and highly qualified professionals are at the
helm of the Alcantara Group of Companies, meeting each new challenge of a
rapidly changing world-guided, inspired and faithful to the precious legacy of
the unchanged and still relevant tenets CA lived by. (Davao Historical Progress
Cultural, Ecological, Economic, 2004)
Pedro O. Sanvicente
 |
| Pedro O. Sanvicente |
He
was born in Talavera, Nueva Ecija, on August 1, 1924.
At
a young age he has shown diligence and aptitude for books, in addition to his
inborn intelligence. He was accelerated in the primary grades, graduated
salutatorian in the intermediate level and high school as an accelerated
student.
A
graduate of the Philippine Normal School, he enjoyed several post graduate
scholarships. In 1971, he was an Asia Foundation grantee at the University of
Western Michigan, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA. He was also a scholar of the
Department of Education at the University of the Philippines and the Centro
Escolar University, Manila where he obtained his Doctor of Education degree.
In
the 48 years of his professional life he rose steadily from the ranks. From
classroom teacher to Underscretary of Education was a long arduous climb,
fraught with hard work and sacrifice along the way. In between, he had been
Division Filipino Supervisor, Division Superintendent of Schools, Regional
Director, briefly Assistant Secretary of Education and finally Undersecretary
of Education, from which he retire from public service.
Dr.
Sanvicente’s horizon in the field of education has been expanded by extensive
travels abroad. He had represented the Philippines in several international
education conferences in the United States, Ireland, Singapore and Thailand and
belonged to an enlightened breed of educators well known not only for integrity
and creativity but also for fearlessness in treading new trends in public
education. He pioneered in the use of Filipino signboards in government
offices, particularly in the Department of Education; and created the first and
only regional SPED (Special Education School) in the whole country.
His
dexterity and fluency in Tagalog as writer, poet and orator is without peer. He
could compose poetry on the spot on any subject and deliver it in the
mellifluous language of Balagtas; a felt well known in the circles he moved in.
At the Development Academy of the Philippines when he was undertaking studies
as a career executive service officer (CESO), he was always the master of
ceremonies in all their programs. On special occasions in his Rotary Club and
in the various conventions of DECS, he had always heen called upon to deliver
inpromtu speeches and comments which, as everyone know be in flawless Tagalog.
He
was the recipient of many plaques of recognitions and awards aside from the
Datu Bago, among which were: Quezon Gold Medal for Excellence in Filipino
Declamation; Model Citizen of Talavera, Nueva Ecija, Most Outstanding
Superintendent of School; Most Outstanding Regional Director, Most
Distinguished Alumnus of Nueva Ecija High School, Commission on Philippines
Langauges, Medallion and the Gold Tamaraw from the Boys Scounts of the
Philippines.
He
served as president or Chairman of prestigious national, regional and local
organizations like the Philippine Association of School Superintendents, Rotary
Club of Davao, Association of DECS Directors, Palarong Pambansa, Knights of
Rizal, Datu Bago Foundation, Philippine Normal College and Nueva Ecija High
School Alumni Associations. At present he is a Governor of Philippine National
Red Cross and Chief national Commissioner of the Boys Scouts of the
Philippines.
Dr.
Sanvicente is married to the former Dr. Pacita Villafuerte of the prominent
Villafuerte family of Davao City. They have three sons, Peter Paul, who manage
the Sanvicente agriculture and business interests in Davao City; Peter Jay, a
physicial and Peter Jan, a dentist. (Davao Historical Progress Cultural,
Ecological, Economic, 2004)
Alex A. Panuncialman
The
good that one does, lives after him.
 |
| Alex A. Panuncialman |
Born
on January 11, 1918 in Davao City. Alex graduated valedictorian of Class ‘35 of
the Davao City High School. Was a scholar of the University of the Philippines
College of Medicine, where he graduated in 1942. He was an intern when the war
broke out. After taking the board exams in 1942 (he placed third a rating of
88.18%), he joined the 46th Infantry Regiment, and Hunter’s Guerilla
Unit and was assigned to various towns in Laguna and Tayabas.
During
this time, he had married the beauteous Elisa Nieva of Marinduque; first in a
civil ceremony in her hometown in 1942, and a year later in rites at the San
Marcelino Church in Manila.
After
the war, he had a brief residency at the Philippine General Hospital.
In
1947 to 1950, he was rural physician, assigned to the East Coast of undivided
Davao – covering the municipalities of Manay and Caraga. People there still
remember how he answered calls even night, crossing swelled rivers and creeks;
trekking through mountain paths at night to get a patient. He once said that he
was happiest there. Life was simple; the people were sincere, though poor. But
when the children were ready for school, he and Ely came back to Davao City.
He
started as dispensary physician at the San Pedro Hospital, in May 1950. Two
months later he was assistant director, then director. He was loved by the
nurses, the priests, the sisters and even the student nurses for his sense of
humor, his brisk ways, his bedside manners with his patients and above all for
his humility as askilled and popular surgeon.
He
loved old movies and long hair music. A voracious reader- he read two to three
newspaper a day. His subscription ranged from New Yorker to Harper’s to the
National Geographic, Time, Newsweek. He was always pouring over medical books
and journals to keep abreast with the latest in his profession. With all these
readings, he seldom gets to bed before midnight.
He
was always in a hurry. It seemed he felt that there was not much time for the
things he wanted done. Over the golf course, much younger players could not
cope up with his pace. A raconteur at gatherings among friends, his rapier
sharp with could keep them awake for hours on end.
About
the only time he didn’t hurry was when hearing mass on Sundays and Wednesdays
and when praying the black rosary each single evening with his neighbors.
Operating
room nurses remember him as a terror in the operating room. Everything had to
be perfect, precise. A strict mentor, many doctors who trained under him were
grateful for this, when they went to practice on their own.
He
had three years residency in surgery in Ohio and Indiana. Alex did not confine
his talent and skills to the operating room. He assisted in the establishment
of the San Pedro School of Nursing in 1956 and helped in the establishment of
the Davao Medical School Foundation in 1976. He was Dean of the school from
1977 to March 1989.
As
if these activities were not enough, Alex was also very involved in “political
education” in preparation for the selection by the voting population of the
country of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1982. He attended
a four week seminar in the subject at Eicholtz Academy in Bonn, Germany under
the auspices of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. He went all over the country
informing the public of their responsibility of choosing qualified convention
delegates.
He
became Gairman of the Board of the Davao City Water District from 1973 to 1984.
Old hands at the DCWD remember his brilliance in the board room as well as in
dealing with the workers in the field. The first phase of the system was
completed in 1981. Due to his persistence and closeness with the Jesuits at the
Ateneo de Davao University, the computer system of the district was bought and
installed at a much reduced price. Ours is now one of the largest and most
efficient in the whole country today. And one thing we could be proud of- we
have the best water in the country.
His
had been a life of celebration with the rich and poor… mostly with the latter.
He is survived by his wife Elisa and children Marius, Yvonne, Anne, Marian,
Alexis (Junie), Peter Octavio (Dinky) and Luis Gregorio (Greggy). His wife died
on January 21, 1995. (Davao Historical Progress Cultural, Ecological, Economic,
2004)
The Later Migrant Achievers from Luzon, the Visayas and Foreign Lands
Fr. Paul DC Cunanan, DCD
 |
| Fr. Paul DC Cunanan |
He
is very much immersed in pastoral action through peace education of the Archdiocesan
Center for Ecumenical Inter-religious Dialogue and Indigenous Peopel’s Apostolate
(ACEID-IPA) where he is Spiritual Director and Consultant-Adviser.
As
founder of the Operation Build-Up (OBU) movement in 1969, he espouses
coordinated action for peace through dialougue of the Tri-people in Mindanao by
means of strategies and tactical planning towards integral synergic action of
peoples of goodwill.
Sotero L. Palabyab
 |
| Sotero L. Palabyab |
Former Dean Emiritus of University of Mindanao, Immediate
Past Director of Davao Doctors Hospital, Immidiate Past President of Davao
Historical Society, Grand Officer Knights of Rizal, World War II Veteran,
Bataan & Corregidor Defender, Survivor of Death March, Past District Deputy
of Knights of Columbus, Archidiocese of Davao. He wrote the “Davaoeños Take a
Shot at Self Government” and Memoris of Rizal’s life in Dapital, 1882-1896”.
(Davao Historical Progress Cultural, Ecological, Economic, 2004)
Eleuterio O. Fuentes
Is
a freelance witer who has been a stringer of the Philippines News Agency (PNA)
since the late 80s. He contributes to local newspapers and the National
boradsheets and Nationa Magazines.
 |
| Eleuterio O. Fuentes |
Fuentes
occasionally writes poetry. His attempts at peory have been published by the
Philippine Graphic magazine and Home Life.
He
edited the millennium edition of the Davao Floriculture Journal published by
the Floriculture Council of Southern Mindanao (FICSMIN) with a grant from the
Department of Agriculture (DA). Fuentes was also the editor of Davao Journal,
2000 edition of the UM Alumni Association. He has also edited the Kadayawan
Journal (Centennial Edition, 1998); Kadayawan Journal (1996 edition) and
Kadayawan Journal (1995 edition). He was also an editor of FIDI Quarterly
Review, an update on Davao Floriculture. Fuentes was the publication director
of the University of Mindanao where he taught English and Literature for more
than 3 decades.
Funetes
holds a BSE (English). He has trained in journalism under Pedro Amaguin of the
post was Manila Chronicle. Fuentes was also a UNESCO fellow to the institute on
human behavior under an international faculty in Tokyo, Japan and later sent to
Islamabad, Pakistan under a UNESCO Study Visit grant on its Open University
program. (Davao Historical Progress Cultural, Ecological, Economic, 2004)
 |
| Diamar P. Kadon |
Former
Regional Director of the Department of Educaton, Culture and Sports, Regions
12, 8, 19 and 11 from 1992. As to positions held he was the former President of
the Organization of Regional Officers of Region X composed of Heads and
Executives of all Line Agencies Civilian, Military and Government Corporations.
He was Chairman of Nutrition Council, Vice Chairman – Red Cross Misamis
Oriental Chapter; former Chairman of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines Local
Chapter, Vice Chairman , Social Development Council, Region X; Chairman
Committee created by Secretary to solve conflict at the Mindanao Polytechnic
College; Chairman Literary Coordinating Council. He wrote the “Rizal’s Death
Anniversary December 30, 2000”. (Davao Historical Progress Cultural,
Ecological, Economic, 2004)
Gil M. Albarico
 |
| Gil M. Albarico |
As
to his awards and distinctions he received the Most Outstanding Alumnus Award
from the University of Mindanao in 1990; Award of Recognition from the Boys
Scouts of the Philippines 38th National Council Meeting, Davao City,
1994 and the Philippine Achievements Research Society for Outstanding public
service in Media Award of Distinction from the Department of Trade and Industry
for valuable media communications support “From Davao to the World” project
Davao City Region XI 1989. He wrote “The Historical Pursuit of Journalism in
Davao’s Progress and Development”. (Davao Historical Progress Cultural,
Ecological, Economic, 2004)
Dioscoro B. Vicentino
|
Roberto N. Padua
 |
| Roberto N. Padua |
Ed. B. Prantilla
He
took his Bachelor and Masters Degree at the University of the Philippines Los
Baños and his PH. D. in Iowa State University, USA. He is a former President of
the University of Southeastern University, Davao City. His work experience
includes assistant professorship at UPLB, regional director of the National
Economic and Development Authority, and expert staff of Univeted Nations (UNCRD
and FAO). He wrote the “The Economic Development Strategy of Davao City”. (Davao City: It’s History and
Progress by Dabbay, 1998)
F. Sionil Jose
 |
| F. Sionil Jose |
He
is one of the Philippines most prolific writers and one who has achieved
international recognition. The man, the social critic, the artist who is
engaging as his novels. He brings stories that explore what it means to be a
Filipino. His writings center on culture which is the basis of development.
Atty. Apolinario B. Veruasa
 |
| Atty. Apolinario B. Veruasa |
Atty.
Veruasa has been a columnist of the Mindanao Mirror and later with the Sun Star
Davao in his column, “A Matter of Law”. He was Past President Archdiocesan
Council of the Lay Apostolate (ACLA) and Past President Davao Catholic Lawyers
Guild. He is a Chapter President of the Davao Sacred Heart Foundation, funding scholarship
grants to college students iin US. Davao
City. He wrote the “On Social Conscience”. (Davao City: It’s History and Progress by Dabbay, 1998)
Ernesto I. Corcino
 |
| Ernesto I. Corcino |
fiftieth year anniversary for his service and commitment to the Red
Cross. The Centennial Celebration Commission, Davao Chapter recently cited him
his previous work on the History of Davao, a work adopted by the Davao City
Council for use in schools in Davao City.
|
Lilia A. Buenavista
 |
| Lilia A. Buenavista |
Aurora R. Pelayo
 |
| Aurora R. Pelayo |
Her
field of interest include: governance; development anthropology; participatory
development; social development; organization and team development; project
development; planning; implementation; and monitoring and evaluation. She is an
accredited trainor in these fields.
Ms.
Pelayo ha authored and co-authored technical papers for presentation during
local and international conferences and for publication abroad. A a career
Executive Service Officer (CESO), she holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology
from Silliman University in Dumaguete City and from Ateneo de Davao University.
She
has done graduate work in Sociology at Silliman Grduate School, and also in
Anthropology at the University of Hawaii, Honolulu. Pelayo holds a Certificate
of Museology from the Bernice P/Bishop Museum, University of Hawaii (Est-West
Cebter), the only holder of said certificate in Davao City. She wrote the
“Southern Mindanao: The Land and its People”. (Davao City: It’s History and Progress by Dabbay, 1998)
Ursula C. Valderrama
 |
| Ursula C. Valderrama |
Her supervisory functions In the Secondary
Education Division and the Higher Education Division paved her way to associate
with people of varied ethnic cultures. Among her other involvement are:
speechfester, trainor, coach, evaluator of the theater arts, regional/ national
press conferences, project coordinator of
Population Education, program coordinator of Values Education, past
president and adviser of the Davao Historical Society Foundation, Inc. Serve as
part-time professorial lecturer in the graduate studies of the University of
Southeastern Philippines and Ateneo de Davao University.
Married to an acculturated
Mandaya, Dr. Valderrama authored her first book – the Colourful Mandaya; Ethnic
Tribe of Davao Oriental. She wrote the “Ceremonial Practices of the Mandaya
Family, Ethnic Tribe of Davao Oriental”. (Davao City: It’s History and Progress by Dabbay, 1998)
Agnes Tirol Sitjar Togon
 |
| Agnes Tirol Sitjar-Togon |
She
has served as consultant in a PNOC research project on Mt. Apo Cultural
Adaptation and Change (Pahse 1, 1994), a study leader of a project on
development support communication for agricultural techno-transfer under
UNDP-FAO-PCARRD-SMARRDEC-RACO DSC (1991-1994), and a project leader of an
ecological awareness study in Region XI under DAI-SMARREDEC-RACO XI for
DENR-NRMP (1994). She has edited nine professional and business journals and
co-edited two national publications. She is the past Director of Research of
the University of Southeastern Philippines and consultant of research at the
University of the Immaculate Conception. She is also a consultant on the study
about Dugongs conducted by the Mindanao Environment Forum Inc. (1998); and a
review editor of Corcino’s History of Davao (1998); and research consultant of
Guide Foundation Inc. (1998). She wrote the “Motifs and Values in Myths and
Legends of the Davao Lumads”. (Davao
City: It’s History and Progress by Dabbay, 1998)
Amelita Tirol Kimpo
 |
| Amelita Tirol Kimpo |
As
Tourism Promotions Officer/ Info Officer, some of her special projects were the
annual Conquest Mt. Apo Treks to the country’s highest peak and the Davao
Tribal Festival upon which has been pattered The Apo Duwaling now the Kadayawan
Festival of Davao City. She wrote the “Mt. Apo: a Tribal God’s Abode”. (Davao City: It’s History and
Progress by Dabbay, 1998)
Felicidad Dumlao
Mrs. Felicidad Dumlao started her teaching career in 1940
as a classroom teacher, to a Guidance Counselor to Principal and supervisor in
Music, Arts and PE. In 1986, she was promoted to General Educatuon Supervisor
of Music, Ats and PE in the Region.
 |
| Felicidad Dumlao |
Her services did not end in this number of years. She
continued serving her people in many ways. She was a member of many associations
here in Davao; as charter President of Waling-waling Lion’s Club, as number 1
speechtester known as Axs’1 – of the Speechfest Foundation, Elderly Citizens
Club of Dacoville Home as manager, Lupong Tagapamayapa of Barangay 3-1 of
Davao, Business Manager of the Davao Historical Society Foundation Inc.,
adviser of the Kathara Dance Collective, Inc., GSP Commissioner, Officer of the
Retires and Elderly Association of Dacoville Davao City.
Not only had these, she devoted her time in script
writing, manuscript development, painting, music dance and composing. She is a
recipient of many prestigious plaques of recognition and awards aside from her
being the Most Outstanding Teacher in Region XI. (Davao City: It’s History and Progress by Dabbay, 1998)
Updated on April 13, 2017 @ 8:41pm by Rhey Mark H. Diaz
Updated on April 13, 2017 @ 8:41pm by Rhey Mark H. Diaz
I really appreciate this, it means a lot to me. I have learnt more about Davao and its prominent people. Thank you.
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Hello Everybody,
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hi. i am desperately looking for davao cultural dancing group, that has toured singapore - sentosa in 1997. we, as a south african cultural group performed together in harmony and would like to contact members, one name i can remeber is theressa, about 50 years of age,,, plse help - thxs - ismail@qunu.co.za
ReplyDeletethis blog is very helpful but then do you have an article about the history of baler?
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting and reading the articles I posted in this blog. But I'm sorry to tell you, that this blog is intended only for Davao City and its neghboring cities and municipalities within Davao Region. Baler is the Capital of Aurora Province somewhere in Region III in Luzon.
DeleteThis blog is very informative for Davaoenos like me. But is there anything F. Sionil Jose had to do with Davao's history and culture?
ReplyDeleteI had a book or refernce talks about F. Sionil Jose... but I need to read it and hopefully I can post it here.
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