The Evolution of The Center of Teduray Governance
The Evolution of The Center of Teduray Governance
The Evolution of The Center of Teduray Governance
EUROPEAN UNION
This project is co-funded by the EU
DEVCON Inc.
IPDEV is implemented by the consortium: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V., Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG)
and DEVCON Development Consultants Inc.
It was a time when the Teduray were flourishing in numbers. They already had many fagar
(suki or constant customers). The first tab (exchange of goods) was done in Daobab (original
name of Tamontaka. It is at the lower stream from what is now the municipal sub-office
beside the bridge). Many boats docked at Daobab.
The first Catholic Church was built at the time of Roales, a retired Spanish soldier who planted
more coconuts. He originally docked in Bongo Island; but when he saw Kusiong (it was not
yet named such then), he thought it was a better place to settle in.
Roales also brought with him his nephews, Martinez and Blanco. He also brought with him
workers from Luzon, most of whom were prisoners of the Spanish government. Roales also
traded at Daobab. Life was harmonious in those times among the Tedurays, the
Maguindanaon and the Chinese.
The Teduray continued to flourish. The tribal governance was established in Awang by Diwan
as Timuay. Bandara was his Titay Bleyen (deputy) while Tumanggung was the fagilidan
(justice officer). The installation of the Baglalan (Council of Elders) was also done in Awang.
Olubalang was in charge of defense. The fngulntifn took care of the coastal area; while
the fngimbururn took care of the banks of Pulangi.
When the Americans came, they made Diwan the President of the Cotabato Empire. He was
the Tribal Leader, whom the Maguindanaons also have a deep respect. The Maguindanaons
in those times respected the Teduray. The title of the datu only came later. Presidente
Diwan settled many conflicts.
An American by the name of Irving Edwards married a Teduray lady from the Tenorio family.
Upi was not the center before. Edwards established a settlement school in 1919, what is now
known as Upi Agricultural School (UAS). Tedurays were paid ten centavos per day to cut
through mountain rock using chisels, picks and shovels. So you now have a road from Awang,
Labungan, Kibleg.
******
As told to Aveen Acua-Gulo, IPDEV
Nuro, Upi, Maguindanao
21 November 2014
(This story is the property and ownership of the Teduray People. Kindly cite proper reference
when quoting. Fiyo Bagi).
EUROPEAN UNION
This project is co-funded by the EU
DEVCON Inc.
IPDEV is implemented by the consortium: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V., Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG)
and DEVCON Development Consultants Inc.