Distinguished Dabawenyos

DISTINGUISHED DABAWENYOS

                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 L. Palma Gil distinguished himself as an educator then as politician. As an educator he was one of the first known teachers of the natives of Davao and they called his “maestro” later appointed by the religious authorities as Superintendent of the Davao Parochial School as position he held until the arrival of the Americans. He was designated as interpreter of the native dialects during the early American regime. In the field of politics he held the position of municipal councilor, municipal president, Justice of the Peace of Davao sometime in 1911 and 1912, representative of Mindanao and Sulu to the Philippine Legislature (one of the first appointed) in 1916. Under the Jones Law in 1916, there were appointed representatives and one senator for each islands. For Mindanao, the four appointed representatives were Datu Piang of Cotabato; Datu Benito of Lanao; Pablo Lorenzo of Zamboanga; and Teodoro L. Palma Gil of Davao. The lone senator appointed from Mindanao and Sulu is Hadji Butu (representing the 21^st Senatorial District) who became the first Muslim to sit in the Philippine Senate. When the Cabinet of the Governor General Wood was in crisis because the Filipinos in government service challenged the authority of the government, there was a break between the legislature and the cabinet members. So in 1923 all the representatives and the cabinet members tendered their dramatic resignations in view of the fact that they were appointed by the Governor-General.

                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 Cabaguis 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, IlocosNorte. 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 migrnt and one time municipal president of Davao married FelissaBobleon , a native Bagoba from Caraga. Bruno was born on October 5, 1886, in intramuros, Manila. His paresnts were DionisioGempesaw 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 FelisaBonleon. He started as a clerk of Davao Water District. He became a Municipal Tresurer 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 bthe 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 ArsenioSuazo, scion of the prominent Dabawenyo Family. His father was DamasoSuazo, the first municipal president of Davao.

ArsenioSuazo, a lawyer by profession and a true dabawenyo, has a record in the government service that was honourable. He distinguished himself in local and national politics. He is said to have served the government honestly and efficiently from escribano delegado of Davao in 1901 to 1911, to provincial fiscal in 1921 to 1922 and then as a representative of Mindanao and Sulu appointed by Governor Leonard Wood from 1923 to 1928.

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

The prominent Generosos hail from Sigaboy, now part of Davao Oriental. Considered the most prominent among them was the former Governor Sebastian Generoso. Sigaboy is now named Governor Generoso.

A descendant of the Generosos who was a prominent lawyer during his time was Atty. Manuel GenerosoCabaguio, Sr. His mother was AmparoGeneroso. His father, DionisioCabaguio, 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’s exact date of birth cannot be ascertained. He was the third of the five children of rich parents- AnuncioGeneroso 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 FelisaAtienza 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 sameas 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 accomodated 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 LOPEZ

Another Bagobo achiever was the late former Davao City Mayor and Congressman of the Third District of Davao City. He was born leader and a tested public servant. He was the only native Dabawenyo who has occupied the highest elective executive position in the local government of Davao City since its foundation in 1937. He has made himself known because of his many achievements not only locallybut also nationally. He was a very active student during his college days at the University of the Philippines ,Diliman, Quezon City, aside from being an academic scholar in the College of Law. He had his first political ventue in the university of the Philippines, Diliman Campus when he won in the election as member of the UP student council during his pre- Law days. When he entered the College of Law in 1951 he was made the President of the Freshmen Class. When he was on the second year, he won the class presidency. Again in the third year, he won the election in UP College of Law as the representative of the college in the University Junior Student Council. And in his senior year he won  the presidency of the UP student government making him so far the only one from Mindanao to have been elected to such position since 1908 when the UP was established.

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 topnotchercouncilor; 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 ArawngDabaw 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 DatuBago 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 PalaruangLungsodngDabaw; 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.