Mansory of Davao

MASONRY IN DAVAO

Masonic ideas and practices were introduced in the province of Davao during the early part of the American regime when Frank Carpenter, an American Mason was Governor and Celestino  Chavez, a Filipino Mason was Deputy Governor of Davao. It was in 1918 when a group of Masons met for the first time to discuss the idea of forming a Masonic Lodge in Davao. With proper dispensation from the Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands, the Sarangani Lodge No. 5 was organized in 1919 in the town of Davao.

The members of the Masonic group indulged themselves in charitable and humanitarian activities. The influence of Masonry in the Davao society became predominant and noticeable. Their annual installation of officers had always been a significant social affairs attended not only by Masons with respect. It is said that Masons contributed much to the social and cultural development of Davao.

Another social activity of great significance was the establishment of the Davao Masons’ Women’s Auxiliary composed of wives of Davao Masons. This organization sponsored wholesome social gatherings such as grand ball, picnics, excursions, or birthday parties that promoted goodwill, unity and fellowship among Davao Masons and non- Masons. Through this organization, the Davao Puericulture Center and the Davao Women’s Club were organized to promote and advance the interest and welfare of mothers and babies.

Festivals were social affairs involving the whole community. The more popular festivals are religious in nature. The Roman Catholics celebrate yearly the feast of St. Peter every 29th of June. When fiesta time comes people from the outskirts troop to the town proper or cabecera to hear mass at San Pedro Church in the morning and stay up in late in the afternoon for the procession in honor of the patron saint – St. Peter. Other social and religious festivals are on Christmas, New Year, Easter Sundays and other holy days of obligation. Majority of the Christian migrants in Davao are Roman Catholics and few are Protestants.

The organizer of the protestant church in Davao related to the United Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP) the evangelical church, was Reverend Robert Black who was sent in 1903 by the Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mission, now the United Church Board for World Ministries.

In 1920 under Act 2878, the Department of Mindanao and Sulu was abolished. The Bureau of non- Christian Tribes took its place and Davao became independent province.

The first hospital was established by the provincial government in 1920 in Washington St. its first director was Dr. Simeon Macasaet.

The old building of the present City Hall which was the municipal building was constructed in 1926 during the administration of Arsenio Villarosa who was then acting the Municipal President vice Masecampo who was suspended. The municipal councilors then were Ceferino de la Cruz, Eduardo de la Cruz, Gregorio Castillo, Ceferino Martinez, Pedro L. Tesorero, Sr., Ruperto Lizada, Epifanio Magno and Jose Arquiza.

During the first few years of the American period Davao was still sparsely populated. But later, whem people from other places heard of the good fortune that Davao offers, they kept coming.

Evidences also showed that some adventurous Filipinos from Luzon and Visayas were also interested to acquire land in Davao to be developed by them. Upon approval of their application for homestead, they left for their destination at government’s expense. But as soon they reached their destination they were left to themselves to continue their ventures. Unfortunately, most of this adventurous Filipinos did not succeed as the Japanese did because, unlike the Japanese government, the Philippine government was not to willing nor in a position to extend financial assistance. Because of lack of financial support from the government, the Filipino homesteader left his homestead and became a “cargador” or “caritonero”. To quote one writer, “Facing the stiff competition given him by the Japanese who are by nature better farmers and trained in the art of coaxing plants to give greater returns, the Filipino homesteader prefers to sell his interest in the land to the Japanese and then work for him”.

World War I years (1914-1918) saw the “boom” of hemp industry. Prices of the Manila hemp got higher and land cultivation increased rapidly. Christian 1 in- migration in Davao continued. Visayan and other ethnic group from Luzon arrived because they were attracted by the profits and higher wages in the abaca industry promoted by the Japanese.

During the second decade of the American regime saw the coming of more Japanese in Davao that by 1916 there was estimated 10,000 Japanese. By the end of 1918 out of the 164 plantations in Davao the Japanese owned 71, the Americans 34, the Filipinos 44 and other nationalities 15, according to the report of Teopisto Guingona, Sr. the acting Governor then of the Department of Mindanao and Sulu.

More and more Japanese immigrants came to Davao in the midst of prosperity. Aside from the abaca and hemp industry the Japanese also engaged in independent businesses like the retail trade that they even competed with the Chinese. The end of the World War I up to the middle of 1930s was a period which saw the unimpeded growth of the Japanese settlement in Davao.

During the period, the more affluent foreign and meztizos in the locality were the Gutierrezes, the Medels, the Chicotes, and Astorgas, the Matutes, the Sezes, the Echevarias, and the Saavedras. The prominent family of the Gamirs came from a Chinese and Bulakena union. The Villa Abrilles, the Tans, and the Lims are scions of Lim Juna who came long before the Americans came.

The more affluent native Dabawenyos at the time were the descendants of the early Christian settlers from Surigao, Caraga, Baganga, and Sigaboy who joined Oyanguren in his conquest of Davao.

During the time there was only one public elementary school and one public secondary school, the Davao High School in the poblacion proper. Both schools were first located at the Magallanes street. The Davao High School was located at the site between the Court of First Instance Building which later became the Regional Trial Court and the Present Register of Deeds Building. Another  oldtimer said that the Davao High School held its first graduation exercises in the school year 1927-1928  with Angela Pongos as valedictorian and Victoria Dacanay as salutatorian. The principal was Mr. Adolfo Cascolan. The Davao High School was transferred to its present site immediately before the outbreak of the Second World War.

The only elementary school in the poblacion proper, the Davao Central School, was opened in the early 1920s and was then located at the rear of the present City Hall. It was transferred, a few years later, to its present site along Ponciano Reyes Street. The present name of the school is Kapitan Tomas Monteverde, Sr. Elementary School. Among its first teachers were Diosdado Perez, Sr. and Mrs. Concepcion Breva Sarenas.

In the outskirsts, the first school was put up in Daliao being the center of development in 1918. Mr Eustaquio Desabilla was the first lone teacher assigned handling Grades I, II, and  III. One of his pupils was Marcela Agton, a daughter of Datu Agton, whom he married later. Daliao Primary School was fully developed in 1921. Later, Juuan de la Cruz donated a part of the land he acquired for a school site. That same school was transferred to Toril in 1924. When it became a complete elementary school it was named Daliaoan Elementary School. The first graduation was in 1928 with Mr. Florencio Valera as the school principal. The valedictorians of the class were Sergia Saavedra Bangoy (the wife of the adopted Atty. Andres Calizo).

When the Sta. Ana area in the publication was developed, another elementary school was established- The Sta. Ana Elementary School. The first private schools at the time were the Immaculate Conception Institute (presently The University of Immaculate Conception) for girls founded by the RVM Sisters St, peter school for boys (first handled by the Jesuits and later by the P.M.E priest), and the Davao Institute which was organized by Mr. Godofredo Duremdez (Located at Claveria Street in the vicinity of the Awad building).

As the population grew, more school more opened. Fresh high school graduates were hired to teach elementary school pupils because of the shortage of teachers. The school Division Superintended, Mr, John Stumbo, Even recruited fresh graduates of the Zamboanga Normal School, Class 1937, To teach in Davao.

During this Period there were few landmarks in the poblacion. There were two Churches (San Pedro Church for the Roman Catholics and the Evangelical Church for the Protestants); two hospitals ; The Davao Public Hospital Establishes by the provincial government in 1920 and the Mission Hospital Established  by Robert Black Who introduce Protestantism in Davao ( there was also the Mintal Hospital owned by the Japanese in the outskirt ; the provincial government building ; the city Hall; the Puericulture Center; and the Awad Building that housed the Mindanao Theater . The awad building was located at the end of Claveria Street (now Claro Recto St.) before reaching San Pedro Street. It was considered the tallest building in Davao then which was a six (6) Storey structure. The awad building (on what is now DBP building) was built out of its time in the early 1920’s. it was made of huge timber bolted together and had six (6) storeys. Besides the Awad building was the old PNB building and behind was the old Power Plant owned by the Awads. The Awad enterprises collapsed and the electric franchise was acquired by the Davao Light and power Company a corporation organized on September 24, 1929 in Manila the original incorporators and their subscription to the capital stock and payments.

The Plant was transferred to the site of Ponciano Reyes Street (Now Cayetano Bangoy Street) at about 1930.

Outside the poblacion proper in the district of toril among the known early Christian settlers were Juan de la Cruz, Cayetano Bangoy, Sr. and Victoriano de Guzman. Toril in the early part of the American regime (1904) was a semi-forestedn area. The only areas inhabited were those along the seashore like Daliao, Sirawan and Lipadas. The Pagan Natives were at nearby places Like Bago, Balyok and Lubogan. One native who had direct contact with the Christian settlers was Datu Dalmacio Agton, a Taganbawa whose farm was in Bago Gallera. From there he moved his residence to balyok then to Daliao and finally to Toril proper. Agton being a datu claimed a vast parcel of land covering parts of Daliao, Lipadas, Lizada, Marapangi, Bago and Lubogan (named such for it was the Wallowing place for carabaos in the neighboring places). Datu Agton was a kind and accommodating datu. He shared a part of his claimed land to Juan de la Cruz who put up a cattle ranch. That was how Toril (ranch) got its name. Datu Agton shared also a part of his land with an American settler, Mr. Mcffie who developed it into a coconut plantation. That parcel of land covered parts of Crossing Bayabas, Piedad and Bago. To a Japanese settler, a certain Mr. Tadakuma, he gave part of Bago which was developed into an abaca plantation. Another American settler, Mr. Libby, acquired land through Datu Agton’s negotiation with other native datus. The placed developed by Libby was later on named after him.

Daliao, the center of Toril’s early development of its proximity to the seashore was the passage of the people going to Davao poblacion proper. There was no road connecting Toril to Davao poblacion so people from Toril passed by the seashore during low tide on horseback or by hiking. The coming of more Christian settlers like the Monteverde, the Andayas, the Rasays, the Antepasados, the Guardians, and the Lizadas helped a lot in the development of Toril.

It was still in the early 1900s (1906) when the American planters left Davao. From then on the Japanese developed abaca plantations of their own by acquiring land from mostly the Bagobo tribe. They even went to the point of occupying land illegally because under the Philippine Act of 1902, “alien individuals could not acquire public lands”. Because the Japanese, like Ohta Kyosaburu, were so determined, they invoked the Public Land Act (No.926) of 1903 which permitted any legally organized corporation to purchase or lease agricultural land in the public domain up to a maximum 1,024 hectares, leases being for 25 years. Because of such development, Ohta in May 1907 established the Ohta Development Corporation in Talomo with himself as the majority stockholder, he invited his compatriots to invest by putting into the corporation the money they saved that was originally intended to the used for their return trip home. The Philippine government awarded to the corporation the 1,015 hectares of public land for which it applied. Thus started the era in Davao which placed the Japanese in the limelight.

The success of the Ohta venture stimulated the investment of new capital from Japan. Other Japanese-sponsored plantations corporations followed like the Furukawa Plantation in Dalio, the Tambongon Trading Corporation, the Mitsui Bussan Co., the Osaka Boeki, the Southern Cross Plantation Company and others. These clever Japanese discovered other extra-legal devices by which additional land can be brought under their control. Because they have sufficient capital, they resorted to purchasing private land (no law then prohibited the sale of private property to aliens), subleased for a contracted period land held by Americans, Filipinos, Spaniards and others. Because of the new system employed by the Japanese in acquiring additional land, the Philippine government passed the Public Land Act of 1919 which provided that  “no individual or corporation could purchase or lease land unless 61% of the capital stock was owned by a United States or Philippine citizen”. So in 1919 no additional lands were acquired by Japanese corporations. But a few years after 1919, systems were again employed by the Japanese. The two principal means of Japanese land acquisition were Dummy Corporation whose Filipino incorporators were well paid (as claimed by the Japanese) for the former’s “trouble” and the so-called “pakiaw” system.

The history of abaca in the Philippines was from the years 1900 to 1930. The years 1914 to 1918 (World War I) was the wartime boom in hemp sale. It was during those years when the major enterprises of the Japanese settlement like the raising of abaca for the making of hemp prospered. But the years 1918 to 1922 was an economic setback in hemp sale. There was a decline in the price of hemp. In 1923 the market recovered. After 1923 the management of abaca plantations in Davao was made up of university-trained personnel who arrived from Japan. The former managers were relegated to the background.

During this period the Japanese community grew and developed in Davao. Ohta became one of the leaders of the Japanese community. It was also during this period (the 1920s) that the Japanese colony in Davao continued to prosper. A self contained community had developed. There was the Japanese school built in one of the main streets (present site of the University of Mindanao along Bolton Street); clinics and hospitals (like the Mintal Hospital in the outskirt) staffed by Japanese nurses and doctors were opened; newspapers came direct from Japan; Japanese shops and Japanese banks were opened; Japanese style houses were built and also Japanese entertainment parlors were opened. In March 1920 an annex of the Manila Consulate of Japan was opened in Davao and housed in the site where the present University of Mindanao Gymnasium is located (corner of Ponciano and Bonifacio Streets). On February 6, 1932 the Davao Consular Annex was raised to a consulate. The more known companies of Japanese enterprises operating in the poblacion were the Mitsui Bussan and the Osaka Boeki Kaisha, Inc.

The Japanese community in Davao was well organized and self-contained. The Japanese settlers were observed by other inhabitants as industrious, thrifty and obedient to laws. The community established the Japanese Davao Association which served as the center of their activities. It coordinated the social interests of the Japanese settlers. The association was organized to assure better living conditions for the members and their families. It also provided financial and medical assistance to those in need of help and extended educational benefits to their children. Primary and secondary schools were built and maintained by the Japanese Davao Association in the town proper and outskirts patterned after the prevailing system in Japan with Nipponggo as the medium of instruction.

Mintal town was known then as “little Nagasaki” because there were more Japanese residents than Filipinos. The first modern hospital in Davao, the Ohta Development Company Hospital in Mintal, was built by the Japanese. The Mintal Hospital was opened with Japanese doctors and Japanese nurses as employees. Only a few Filipino doctors were hires like Dr. Santiago, P. Dakudao, Sr. and Dr. Juan Santos Cuyugan to name a few. Typical Japanese tombs can be found at the Mintal cemetery. The memorial shrine for the mainland Japanese who died in Davao is found at the Mintal cemetery. The finest monument the Japanese built in Davao is the K.S Ohta Monument, an obelisk structure erected on February 28, 1926 on the grounds of the Mintal Public Elementary School, the former site of one of the biggest Japnese Primary Schools built in Davao on April 21, 1924. According to Michael Dakudao, the “the towering monument was built with an inscription in Japanese which read, ‘K.S. Ohta, who believed in Davao and Helped It Grow (1876-1917).’ The monument’s construction cost was financed by Ohta’s friends which consisted of Japanese, Filipino, Chinese and American nationalities who deemed it a fitting tribute to the enterprising Japanese pioneer who envisioned Davao as a paradise.” The Japanese community also constructed and maintained private roads but also open to the public without charge. There was communal exclusiveness among the Japanese settlers that prevented their integration into the mainstream of Davao society. Only a few married native women.

The Japanese immigrants are classified as entrepreneurs, merchants, settlers, laborers. The early Japanese workers did not bring their women along. From 1923 to 1927 saw the coming of the Japanese women immigrants when the prices of hemp increased. The Japanese migrant/settlers (unlike the Chinese) had not intermarried extensively with native Filipino women. Only a few married women of the Bagobo tribe who can lawfully acquires land for them. However, the collapse of the economy in Davao forced many Japanese settlers and their families, although reluctantly, to return home to Japan.

The early 1930s saw the coming of some Japanese military officers who became high officials of their companies and some became capitalists and businessmen. It was rumored then that they could have come also to gather military information. During the war they became active military officers of the Japanese Imperial Army.

During this period one could see in the poblacion big bazaars owned by the Hindus and the Japanese (notably the Osaka Bazaar); department and grocery stores owned by the Chinese like Tung Chong and Me Hang Groceries; film studios and mini factories of “manjo” (Japanese hopia) owned by the Japanese and only small sari-sari stores owned by Filipinos.

It was amusing to note, however, that during this period in Davao the dialect spoken in the poblacion when dealing in business with foreigners was Chavacano or the “corrupt” Spanish. No Chinese or Japanese national could understand those who speak in Tagalog or Visayan. But surprisingly, Tagalog has also been widely spoken (known then as Tagalog sa Mati) despite the presence of many Visayans. (The influx of the Visayan migrants started in 1915 when the first appointive civil governor of Davao, Eulalio Causing of Cebu brought hundreds of sacadas (plantation workers) from his home province to work in abaca and coconut plantations in Davao.

At about the same time that the Japanese capitalists and laborers kept coming to Davao in early 1900s, groups of adventurous Filipinos from Luzon, Visayas and other part of Mindanao and even foreigners from far-away land came also after hearing of the good fortune that Davao offers. These pioneer migrants mixed freely with the tribal groups of Bagobos, Mandayas, Manssakas, Manobos, Muslims and Calagan Dabawenyos. Among them were the professionals trying to seek better opportunities in the practice of their professions; government employees and officials who were either assigned to Davao o transferred to offices here; homesteaders who appled for land to cultivate; small businessmen; and even the lowly “cargadors” and “caritoneros” who made good in Davao and later on became successful businessmen and landowners. Most. If not all, of these early migrants were able to acquire large tracts of land either by purchase from the government or from some natives. Some also acquired land through intermarriages with the ethnic indigenous tribes and native Dabawenyos.

The well known pioneer migrants from Luzon and Visayas were those who came in the late 1800s as political refugees and in early 1900s as professionals, government officials and employees, homesteaders and even plain job-seekers who turned businessmen and hacendreros instead. Those from Luzon were Ciriaco R. Lizada, Feliciano and Alejandro Inigo, Vicente Fernandez, Juan Sarenas, Julian Rodriguez Sr., Rafael Castillo, Cipriano Villafuerte, Sr., Pedro L. Tesorero, Sr., Alberto Zamora, Romualdo and Cenon Rasay, Jose Diaz, Jose Porras, Roman Joaquin, Domingo Leonor, Antonio Hernandez, Vicente Hizon y Panlilio, Sr., Leon Garcia, Sr., Simeon Macasaet, Baldomera Sexon, Benjamin Panganiban, Manuel Babao, Angel Villarica, Modesto Quitain, Sisenando Paras, Juan de la Cruz, Victor de Guzman, Bernardo Guerrero, Alfonso Oboza, Juan Belisario, Sr., Pedro Santos, and Pedro S. Carriedo. From the Visayas came Tomas Monteverde, Sr., Casiano Salas, Bruno Gempesaw, Margarito Pongos, Fedeico Puyod, Vicente Guinoo, Macario Panuncialman, Diosdado Perez, Sr., Andrez Calizo, Desiderio Gil, Jose Ebro, Sr., Alfonso and Isaac Dalisay, and Santiago and Elias Dakudao. The Chinese mestizos were the Gamirs, the Angliongtos, the Lims, Te Engfos and the Montojos.

The affluent Dabawenyos families whose houses were built along the main streets were those of the Pichons, Bangoys, Bastidas, Awads, Suazos, Cabaguios, Palma Gils, Villaricas, Generosos, Dalisays, and the Gamirs of Claveria; the Lizadas, de la Cruzes, Hizons, Monteverdes, Bangoys and Perezes of Bolton-Rizal; and the Rasays, Inigo, Ang Bansings, Lims and Gracias of San Pedro.

Davao poblacion then occupied only a small portion of the present poblacion with only two main streets, namely: San Pedro and Claveria Streets. The third street was Magallanes. Other streets were secondary. The poblacion was like a small barrio. Houses were of nipa and some bamboo with the exception of some made of wood with roofs of galvanized iron owned by prominent families. The streets were shorter and narrower than most of the streets now. The Osmena Park which was known as Plaza Oyanguren was a part of the Church property until 1917 when the first civil governor, Eulalio Causing of Cebu, requested the church authorities to relinquish the church claims on the property.

In San Pedro Church masses were at 6:00 and 7:00 in the morning on ordinary days and at 7:00 and 8:00 in the morning on Sundays. The Benediction was in the afternoon. There was a Parvolito class at the convent and children who were enrolled were taught how to pray, read, and write words in Spanish.

Life then in Davao was very simple. There was peace all around. The occupation of the people were farming, weaving sinamay, stripping abaca, copra making and fishing. Others were laborers, vehicle drivers, businessmen, and professionals. The prominent professionals during the late 1930s were lawyers Romualdo Quimpo, Rafael Castillo, Leon Garcia, Sr., Arsenio Suazo, Antonio Habana, Jr., Jorge Lorredo, (first city fiscal of davao), Pedro Quitain, Dominador Zuno, Manuel Cabaguio, Pantaleon Pelayo, Sr., Tiburcio Cervantes, Jose Diaz, Vicente Hizon, Sr., Juan Sarenas, Isidro Bastida, and Donato Endriga. The known medical practitioners were Simeon Macasaet, Benjamin Panganiban, Sr., Baldomera Sexon, Jose Ebro, Sr., Ambrosio Babista, Manuel Babao, Juan Belisario, Sr., Franciso Palma Gil, Pedro Santos and Santos Cuyugan

The random recollection of many events during the early Davao days narrated by old time migrants makes one learn about Davao’s past. One such old-timer interviewed is Ms. Elena Inigo, known as Aling Nena to the Dabawenyos and the mother of the present Dean of the College of Law of the Ateneo de Davao University, Atty. Hildegardo Inigo. Aling Nena comes from a Tagalog family that migrated to Davao in the year 1905. She recalls that during the early 1900s in Davao there was peace everywhere. One could sleep soundly at night. People all over Davao seemingly knew one another. She talked of migrants from Luzon who permanently established residence hereabouts. She not only talked of people but also of activities during the early days. The sea travel during those years took several days and weeks and only once a month. Every time the ship weighs anchor there was always revelation everywhere. The ship’s crew would come down and would go to the big house built by Don Vicente Fernandez for Dabawenyos to converge. The cooks of the ship did the cooking in the big house for everybody to eat.

As early as 1924 the Caviteno migrants from Cavite in Luzon formed their social organization which was the Buklod ng Cavite. The organization was formed in order to intermingle among themselves during their free time and also help fellow Cavitenos who come to Davao for the first time. After the day’s or week’s work attending to their business of meat, fish and vegetable selling and even the transportation business, they gathered in the residence of the Angeleses in Claveria Street to socialize. The residence is not along the main street but in the interior or “looban” which served as the liason of all Cavitenos then coming to Davao to try their luck. The older Cavitenos who are the parents and grandparents of the younger Cavitenos imbued in their children the value of education and discipline. Parents sent their children to school for formal education. By 1926 up to the 1930s according to surveys, there were already more or less 20,000 Caviteno residents in Davao.

The Christian migrants from the Visayas also formed their social organizations the purpose of which was also the same as those of the other Christian Filipino migrants. The Waray-Waray Association was organized by the Leytenos and Samarenos who speak the Waray dialect. Like the other migrants’ association they meet and hold social affairs.

Earlier than the Japanese who migrated to Davao were the Chinese. They already traded with native tribes long before the Spaniards came to Davao. They first came as traders bringing with them goods in exchange for Davao products. But later, when they found great opportunities for better life and business, they settled permanently at the turn of the 20th century- the early years of the American regime. These migrants from China intermingled with the other inhabitants of the town proper. They established their community in the capital town or cabecera.

June 2, 1923  the then Consul General of the Republic of China to the Philippines, Ho. Chou Kuo  Shian, arrived in Davao for the first time on an observation tour. Upon seeing the big number of Chinese residents in Davao, he proposed the opening of a Chinese school for the children. The proposal was welcomed by the residents. On June 6 a meeting of the Chinese residents was called by the Honorary Consul during the meeting the Davao Chinese Educational Association was organized with Mr. Chua Chin San elected as the first Board Chairman over a membership of twelve. Later both Mr. Te and Mr. Chua worked for the recruitment of funds, teachers and government approval for the school. On June 3, 1924 the school opened in a rented house in San Pedro St. with two classrooms to thirty pupils. Because of the dire need for a school site to put up a school building, the Board approached Mr. Luna Lim Villa Abrille who immediately donated a one hectare lot in Sta. Ana Avenue which became the site of the Davao Chinese High School.

The prominent Chinese families of the period were the Lim Junas (Villa-Abrille), Tes, Angs, Lims, and Gos. These Chinese at the start engaged in small time trade. But when they prospered in their business of buy and sell, selling agricultural products and because of their industry, frugality and hard work, they bought large tracts of land in the town proper or poblacion and became landowners themselves. The most prominent among the Chinese landowners in Davao was Don Francisco Juna Lim Villa Abrille. He owned the land that encompassed a portion of Magsaysay Avenue (the former Oyanguren Street) down to villa Abrille Street, Sta. Ana Avenue to the San Rogue District that reached toward Jacinto Extension where now is situated the Central Bank Building. He also owned the extensive land in the Juna Subdivision in Ecoland, Matina, now owned by his heirs. Another progressive businessman was Mr. Te Chiu Im, the sole distributor of San Miguel Beer in Davao and a brewery owner himself. He was appointed to act as Honorary Consul of Davao. Sensing the need and the benefits to be derived from cooperation and concerted efforts among fellow businessmen, he led the organization of the first Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Davao. He was elected as its chairman for various terms. Mr. Lim Bee Hoi (Lim Juya) succeeded Mr. Te Chiu Im in 1928.