The Pioneer Migrant Achievers from Luzon, the Visayas and Foreign Lands

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 achievwers 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 otTayabas( 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 IlocosNorte); Pedro L. Tesorero(of Malabon, Rizal); Juan Sarenas with wife Concepcion BrevaSarenas of Nueva Ecija; CiprianoVillafuerte 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, CiprianoVillafuerte, 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, PacificoSobrecarey, Alberto and Alfredo Zamora, Desiderio Gil, Pedro L. Tesorero, Sr., Diosdado Perez, Sr., JanuarioPurungganan, Adolfo Casanova Cascolan(the school principal when the Davao High School ahd their first graduation exercises), SisenadoParas( Government auditor), Casiano Salas and MacarioPanuncialman(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: PantaleonPelayo, Sr.,Romualdo C. Quimpo, Leon Garcia, Sr.,Jorge Lorredo, Antonio Habana, Jr., DonatoEndriga, DominadorZuno., Sr. and Cesar Sotto in the field of law and politics and in the field of business were Roman Tesoro, MartinianoCapili 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 CiriacoLizada was the municipal president of the municipality of Davao included all the neighboring localities around tha gulf of Davao.

CiriacoLizada’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 CompaniaMaritima. His close friends included Inigo, Desiderio Gil, Pedro Carriedo and others

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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 a 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, of tagalog family ancestry from manila,arrived in Davao with his father Mariano sometime in 1905 as managing the gent of the Fernandez Hermanos Firm ,He was a good and close friend of Don Vicente Fernandez,the owner of a sort of pawnshop where Dabawenyos barrow money when needed as there were no banks then.

Two years after Inigoarrival ,he return to Manila to fetch his family to settle in Davao.He alsobrought his mother,brother Alejandro (aged 15) and youngest sister elena (aged 3) who is the mother of Atty. HildegardoInigo, 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 CompanaMaritima, 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.RoqueMonfort; 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 ModestaUreta 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.

                The Kiwanis club of Tagum, Davao was extremely proud to present a posthumous award to DESIDERIO GIL as a token of appreciation for ‘’distinguishing himself as a pioneer in Tagum in 1919… introduced the first notorized means of water transportation that transported more settlers to Tagum… for opening feeder roads and building barrio school while serving as municipal district president.’’

                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 FaustoUreta from Nasugbu, Batangas andLucena 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, 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 ModestaUreta 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 HonoratoBuhay.

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 JovitaCalungsod 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 USAirforce, 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 ZitaCarin. He became the first elective mayor of Carmen and held the position for two terms.

9. Zenaida is married to LolitoGregasin 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.

Don Julian Rodriguez, Sr. was a native of Montalban, Rizal who came to Davao in 1919 after passing the bar examination when appointed as technical Assistant for Mindanao and Sulu Commision. Aside from practicing his profession as a lawyer, he served the three branches of the government first as a deputy Governor-at-large of Davao, then a justice of the peace of Davao and Guianga District, Representative of Davao in the National Legislature and then Mayor of Davao City, he was the last appointed mayor of Davao City.

                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 AWRD 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

                A former congressman, provincial governor and retired judge, Atty. Juan Sarenas originally came from Nueva Ecija. He came to Davao, together with his wife Concepcion BrevaSarenas( who was a onetime school principal of the Davao Central School) in 1916. Aside from practicing his law profession and became active in Government and political activities, he also acquired large tracts of land and became a prosperous landowner. He had a large family with children equally known and prominent as he in Davao’s high society. His large family is composed of his wife and children Rodolfo, a lawyer (deceased, a farmer Davao City Mayor) married to LoretaSunico, an educator; Priscilla S. Ignacio, married to Engineer Antonio Ignacio; Celso, married to NatividadVillafuerte; Raul, an engineer Isidro Laconico; Leticia, a CPA, married to Atty. Cesar Nitoreda; Natividad, married to Manuel Inigo. And Benjamin, a medical doctor, married to MerceditasFacundo.

PEDRO L. TESORERO

                Born in Concepcion, Malabon Rizal of a father from Makato, Aklan and a mother of Bulacan and Pampanga parentage, Pedro L. Tesorero was a registered nurse (Classmate of Felisa Torres, U.P. class 1914). He was sent as a health officer to Dapitan( now in Zamboanga del Norte), then to Zamboanga (now a City) thence to Davao in 1915. He doubled as the first public school in Bunawan(km.24) where he met and married CasianaPio, child of a Guaingan father and Samal/Calagan mother.

                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: SisiniaMargen (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 registerednurse and school teacher), Alberto (a journalist) and Pedro Jr. (felled by a rebel assasin’s bullet).

PEDRTO 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 specially 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 encourage 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.

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 are 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,andsports,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 undersecrataryof 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 DerequitoMonteverde 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 becausewhen 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.

At that time, D       avao was peopled by the indigenous ethnic tribes and moros who came from Maguindanao and a few Christian families who came with Oyanguren to drive the Moros under DatuBago. 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 swampy 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 oldtimers 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 altarwhich 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 BenignaArmentano from Dumaguete City with whom he had three children named Juliana (married to GaudencioConsunji of Manila and Bataan), Andrea who died at the age of 18 in 1947, and Tomas Jr., a kagawad of the sangguniangpanlungsod who is undefeated for many years.

As to his other achievements and accomplishments, he became a municipal president of Davao succeeding AnuncioGeneroso; 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 BenignaArmentanoMonteverde, 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 DatuBago 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

Casiano A. Salas born on August 13, 1889 in Jagna, Bohol the eldest son KapitanSevero Salas and Isabel Aseniero of Dipolog, Zamboanga del Sur. He grew up in Jagna, Bohol, where his father was a town mayor. The family claims their forebears came from Cavite and Iloilo. He got his early education in Cebu but finished his high school studies at the Arellano High School in Manila. He returned to his hometown after graduation from high school and was appointed  classroom teacher. Later, he becomes a school principal in another town of Guindulman, Bohol.

Being an ambitious and talented person he was selected as a US government scholar to take up a surveying course at the 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 MacarioPanuncialman. 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

How fortune struck this ancestor of the prominent Dakudao families of the presents Davao society is a thing worth deserving of mention. He is the late Santiago Pamploma Dakudao, a Doctor of Medicine by profession who was one of the early decades of the American regime.

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 whom 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 ThroughDr. Hashimoto (a son –in-law of KyosaburuOhta, owner of Ohta Development Co. Development Company’s Mintal Hospital in Guiangga, 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 werelaborers he caused roads to built leading to his land. Building were constructed house to the laborers and administrative staff manage 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 was a self-made man. He required his early education in his province, Capiz. Before finishing his high school studies he went to Manila. He finished his secondary education in Manila and continued further his studies graduating from the Philippine School of Commerce in 1926. He studied law and graduated from the College of Law, University of Manila. In 1927 he was admitted to the Philippine Bar. He came to Davao in 1929 as a Justice Peace of Samal, Malita, Kaburan and Batulaki. Romualdo Quimpo was elected Assemblyman of Davao and then as a governor in 1940. Credit is given to Honorable Romualdo C. Quimpo as Father of Davao City Charter. In a sense, the creation of Davao City is justified because it gave solution to the so called Japanese then posted a threat to the Filipino in Davao.The Japanese then posed a threat to the Filipino in Davao as well as in other parts of the country because of the great number of Japanese nationals acquiring large tracts of land, legally and illegally. It was feared then that the Davao might be under the full economic control of the Japanese. So, officials of Davao led by Assemblyman Romualdo Quimpo thought of organizing a strong local government subject to the supervision and control of the national government. With the approval of the Charter for the City of Davao government was able to check the expansion of the Japanese landholdings in Davao.

                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 PARAZ

Another successful migrant from Luzon who deserves to be mentioned is the late Sisenando M. Paras, a lawyer by profession and an achiever.

Auditor Paras was born on July 16, 1901 in Angeles Pampanga. He finished his elementary education at the Angeles Elementary School in 1915. He studied at Manila North High School and at Association Institute and completes his law course at the Philippine law School in 1924. The same year, he passed the bar examination. Throughout all his higher studies, he was a working student.

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.

The Capilis came with their children namely, Jose, Romeo,Julieta, Aida,and Felipe. Later on, their children who were left behind Sta. Maria Bulacan followed, namely, Arsenio, and Alicia. Their youngest child, Mercedes, was born in Davao City on September 24, 1937.

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, pro-fessionals 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 was born on Christmas Day of the year 1906, in Batangas, He went through BatangasElemntary 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

One of the most prominent among present Dabawenyo achiever is Rogelio “Noning” Lizada scion of the Bangoys and the Lizadas of Davao. So deeply involved in things progressive, Noning as Dabawenyos fondly call him, is a name in various fields Endeavour.

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 Mnila 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.seasonedtechnorat 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 stablished 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 was born in Patrick Country, Virginia to Alexander Monroe Joyce and Mary Elizabeth Spencer on September 4, 1888. He was the sixth among the nine children. Thought born in American soil, his ancestry can be traced back Ireland. His great grandparents Andrew Joyce and Betsy King were understandably Irish.

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 VillaAbrille)

The most prominent among the Chinese landowners in Davao was Don Francisco Juna Lim Villa Abreventille. This man entered our country through the backdoor. He started as a pearl diver. Then a pearl trader in Siasi, Jolo before venturing to Davao to seek greener pasture in the late 1800s. He was an honest and industrious man setting up a sari sari store. Well-liked by everybody in the community, natives as well as migrants, he was recognize by his Spanish friends that he received from the government a grant of agricultural land and about  30 hectares of residential land within the poblacion or town proper portions of which he donated for hospital, a school, and a roads for public use. He owned the extensive land in the Juna Subdivision in Ecoland, Matina now owned by his heirs.

He married a Chinise- Muslim mestizo from pollok, Cotabato in civil rites in 1882. 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.