----------------------------------------------------------------- Source: http://www.geocities.com/reactkmln/Malaybalay/malaybalay_history.htm Downloaded 8 February 2002 (now offline) New source: http://www.reactkaamulan.org/malaybalay_city.htm Link updated on 14 April 2007 with the help of: Eric Conrad Epie Group Chief React Kaamulan 6061, Inc. Malaybalay City, Philippines ecepie@yahoo.com reactkaamulan@yahoo.com ----------------------------------------------------------------- History of Malaybalay City Bukidnon Province Philippines Brief History: The original inhabitants of Malaybalay were said to have come from the seashores of Northern Mindanao but were driven inward by marauding pirates and the colonizing Spaniards. Before the final conquest of the hinterlands of Mindanao, Malaybalay together with Sumilao, Linabo, Mailag and Silae had been known settlements in Bukidnon. In 1850 the entire village of what is now Kalasungay (an old settlement site of Malaybalay) was burned down during the battle against the Spaniards. All male adults were killed on sight. All women and children were taken hostage. It was the last recorded resistance by the inhabitants against the conquering Castillan Army. A few years later, those who survived and fled to Silae slowly came back and settled near the Sacub River (what is now the Rizal Park) under the protection of Datu Mampaalong. This leader led 30 other datus on June 15, 1877 to accept Spanish dominion and embrace Christianity, 356 years after Spain first discovered the Philippines (click here for a related story). On that day of 1877, Malaybalay became a pueblo with the name ³Oroquita del Interior² with a territory covering the land area of what is now the entire province of Bukidnon. But the original name of Malaybalay remained. From 1877 until the end of the Spanish rule in the islands, which covered a period of 20 years, Capitanes who were appointed from among the acknowledged tribal chieftains governed Malaybalay. They were Mariano Melendez (Datu Mampaalong), Doroteo Melendez, Juan Carbajal, Alejandro Bontao, Esteban Tilanduca and Faustino Abello. With the creation of the Province of Bukidnon by the American Military Government, Malaybalay became its capital town with a reduced territory. The municipalities of Valencia, San Fernando, Lantapan and Cabanglasan were still part of Malaybalay until the mid 60s and 70s when they were created as separate municipalities. The following served as Mayors of the town: Commonwealth Period: * Juan Melendez (1906 - 1908) * Fernando Damasco (1909 - 1913) * Jose Ruiz (1914 - 1918) * Juan Melendez (1924-1936) * Faustino Caterial, Amay Sumalindong (1936 - 1937) * Catalino Damasco (1) (1937 - 1939) * Gerardo Pimentel (2) (1940 - 1941) * Salvador Alberto (3) (1943 - 1947) After Independence: * Teofilo Salcedo (1948 - 1951) * Fortunato Carbajal, Sr. (1951 - 1954) * Lorenzo S. Dinlayan (1955 - 1971) * Timoteo C. Ocaya (1971 - 1979) * Edilberto B. Mamawag (Appointed, 1979 - 1980) * Reginaldo N. Tilanduca (1980 - 1986) * Violeta L. Labaria (Appointed, 1986) * Almaco A. Villanueva (Appointed, 1987) * Rogelio M. Bides (Appointed, 1988) * Reginaldo N. Tilanduca (1988 - March 1992) * Bob Roberto L. Casanova (Succession, April 1992 - June 1992) * Nicolas C. Jurolan (July 1992 - June 2001) * Florencio T. Flores, Jr. (July 2001 to date) (1) First elected mayor (2) Served as mayor during the Japanese period (3) Appointed mayor by the Philippine Civil Affairs Unit, US Army The idea of converting the Municipality of Malaybalay into a city began in the early part of 1994 when it acquired two requisites for cityhood - income and land area - as certified by the Department of Finance and the National Statistics Office. It was publicly announced by the Congressman of the Second District of Bukidnon. Hon. Reginaldo N. Tilanduca who signified to sponsor a bill in the Lower House. The then Senator Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who was also present during the Malaybalayıs 147th Foundation Day declared to sponsor the bill in the senate. On March 26, 1996, the Sangguniang Bayan of Malaybalay passed Resolution No. 3599-96 petitioning Congress for the creation of Malaybalay into a city. On the first Regular Session of the Tenth Congress, Congressman Tilanduca introduced House Bill No. 6275, entitled an Act Converting the Municipality of Malaybalay into an Independent Component City to be known as the City of Malaybalay. In his explanatory note, the congressman stressed that the conversion was imperative for the effective delivery of basic regular and direct services to its constituency. Furthermore, its conversion would enhance the development of Malaybalay, which is presently the seat of government and center for education, commerce, trade and industry in Central Bukidnon. After complying with the requirements set by the Commission on Election particularly the budget for the conduct of a Plebiscite and the publication of the Republic Act 8490 which was signed into law by President Fidel V. Ramos on February 11, 1998, the referendum was conducted on March 22, 1998. About 95% of 24,621 voters approved the city hood of Malaybalay, making it the first component city of Bukidnon. CREATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF MALAYBALAY: In the mountain hamlet called Malaybalay, fifteen hours inland to the South of Tagoloan, on June 15, 1877, in the Hall thereof, the Cavalry Colonel, Military-Political Governor of the Second District of Mindanao, Don Jose Pares & Gallego, the Rev. Parish Priest of said town, Father Mateo Bernard de San Miguel of the Unhood Agustine Order, the First Lieutenant thereof Don Felipe Martinez, who exercised the functions of Deputy Governor due to the suspension of the proprietary. With the assistance of the undersigned Secretary to the Government, Don Abelardo Cuesta Y Cardenal; appeared the magnates of the villages, Datu Manpalon, Sugola, Mindaguin, Apang and Bansag; and after an exhortation given by the above-named Rev. Parish Priest in behalf of his Honor, concerning the advantages to be obtained by them upon the establishment of the town, under the aegis of the Spanish Crown, submitting themselves to the sovereignty of the Nation; accepting the protection of its laws and at the same time recognizing the duties imposed by them, in exchange for the protection that they would receive from the government in times of need and distress, all of them expressed freely of their neighbors, composed of four hundred fifty-three souls, and their descendants, That they recognized his Majesty and the Government of Spain; accept the duties and privileges of its laws, and therefore wish that Ministers of Justice be appointed for them under the establish form to the end that they will attend to the interests of the locality and maintaining peace and order under the supervision of the Chief of the District. His Honor, by virtue of that manifestation, accepted the oath according to his practice and said; that in the name of His Majesty the King of Spain and of these Dominions, Don Alfonso XII, and of his Excellency the Governor General, Don Domingo Moriones Y Murillo, who actually represents His Majesty in these Islands; he was accepting the submission tendered by the above-named magnates for themselves and in the form and under the conditions offered; Promising them to the protection and assistance necessary against their enemies, such as the maintenance of peace and order in their locality, as long as they remain loyal and faithful to their oath, and to commemorate their oath of allegiance, he is declaring the establishment of the town under the name of Oroquita, to which the subject agrees. Immediately His Honor proceeded to receive their votation for the Ministers of Justice, which formality was embodied in a separate record, and having installed these chosen to their positions, His Honor considered the act terminated, without anyone signing for not knowing how to do so and the Rev. Parish Priest together with aforementioned Lieutenant of Tagoloan affixed their signatures. Fr. Mateo Bernard-Felipe Martinez-Abelardo Cuesta. (Interpreted from Spanish to English by Retired Judge Abundio Arrietta) ======================================================================== Source : http://www.bphre.com/scripts/phistory.asp?codeprov=BU Downloaded 8 February 2002 (now offline) ----------------------------------------------------------------- The Philippine Province of Bukidnon Region: 10 Land Area: 8,294 Description: This scenic, landlocked province of mountains and plateaus is named after the Bukidnon tribe. Its average elevation of 1,000 meters plus gives it a pleasantly cool, healthy climate. It is bounded on the north and east by Misamis Oriental; on the east by Agusan Province; on the south and southeast by Davao Province; and on the southwest by Lanao and Cotabato Provinces. Malaybalay is the scene of Kaamulan; a major tribal festival held every September. Bukidnon is a large province (8,294 square km) containing several plateaus that are separated by deep canyons and three major river valleys --the Pulangi, Tagoloan, and Cagayan. Some of the mountains rising amidst the plateaus are dormant volcanoes. Bukidnon is the only province in Mindanao that does not have a coast line, it being in the north central part of the island. Mout Kalatungan (2,287 meters) and Mount Tankulan (1,678 meters) are the highest peaks in the southern part. The whole eastern and southwestern and borders adjoining Agusan, Davao and Cotabato are lofty and densely forested mountains. Bukidnon is composed of 22 municipalities, namely; Baungon, Kabanglasan, Damulog, Dangcagan, Don Carlos, Impasug-ong, Kadingilan, Kalilngan, Kibawe, Kitaotao, Lantapan, Libona, Malaybalay, Malitbog, Manolo Fortich, Maramag, Pangantucan, Quezon, San Fernando, Sumilao, Talakag and Valencia. Malaybalay is Bukidnon's capital. Historically, the first settlers of Bukidnon were the Manobos. Presently, Bukidnons are indigenous people from all places of the Philippine Archipelago with traces of foreign influence intermingled in various degrees. For purposes of modern classification, lowlanders of the plateau are Bukidnons and higlanders are Manobos. The word "Manobo" seems to be generic name for original settlers of greatly divergent racial types, cultures and languages. It used to designate those original Mindanao residents who were not Muslims or Christians. The indigenous tribes in the province of Bukidnon derived their names from the watershed they occupy. For example, the people living along the Tigwa watershed are known as Tigwahanons or those in the Pantaron Maountains, living along Umayam River watershed are called Umayamnon. Other tribes named after watershed are Pulangiyon (after Pulangi River) and Matigsalug (after Salug River). Other tribes are named after local myths or by their descriptive characteristics. Hence, Ilianon (marginal people); Langilaon (border people of Langilan); Tala-andig (myth of Tala-andig); Higaonons (people put away from water). A number of tribes, however, go by the name of Manobos. These people are mostly settled in southern or western part of Bukidnon. The Bukidnon tribes collectively meet the following universally accepted anthropological criteria for defining an ethnic group: 1. One common language, the Binukid 2. One common oral tradition, the Bukidnon folk epic Agio 3. One common belief in a spirit who wills all, called Magbabaya 4. One common habitat, the Bukidnon Plateau 5. One common physical appearance, light brown skin, black hair not too short, and not too tall in height 6. One common unwritten law called Batasan 7. One common belief in a happy hunting ground, all go to Mount Balatykan, the home of the dead regardless of their conduct in life. Bukidnon became a part of Misamis Province as a municipality of the latter in 1850. The whole area was then called Malaybalay (few houses) and the people were known as Bukidnons (mountain people) The Philippine Commission headed by Commission Dean C. Worcester, then Secretary of Interior and a Member of the Philippine Commission proposed the separation of Bukidnon from Misamis Province. In August 20, 1907, Philippine Commission Act# 1693 was enacted which created the province of Agusan and the sub-provinces of Bukidnon and Batanes. It became a regular on the Department of Mindanao and Sulu. Despite these seemingly diversified people with cultures traditionally different from each other, the people somehow acquired a homogeneity as evident in the adoption of Cebuanos as their dialect. Municipalities: 1. Cabanglasan 2. Pangantucan 3. Maramag 4. Malaybalay 5. Kitaotao 6. Kibawe 7. Valencia 8. Kalilangan 9. Don Carlos 10. Baungon 11. Kiangat 12. Kadingilan Del Monte Philippines, Incorporated: Runs Bukidnon's largest agricultural operation straddling four towns - Manolo Fortich, Libona, Sumilao and Impasug-ong - and employing around 5,000 people. Within the 14,000 hectare pineapple plantation is one of Mindanao's most challenging golf courses that annually hosts a leg of the national golf courses that annually hosts a leg of the national golf circuit sponsored by the Philippine Golf Foundation. This championship par 72 golf course laid out over 50 hectares of well-manicured greens commands a breath-taking view of scenic Mt. Kitanglad. In Philips, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, the company operates the province's most modern hospital -Philips Memorial Hospital - which serves its employees and the larger community. Formerly known as Philippine Packing Corporation, Del Monte Philippines, Inc. is one of the countries oldest and largest agro-industrial firms. It was incorporated on January 11, 1926. It runs a factory in Bugo, Cagayan de Oro City. A significant portion of the company's products is exported to the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and other parts of Asia. ============================================================================= Paul M. Webber File created: 8 February 2002 File edited: 23 August 2004 14 April 2007 Home Page: http://home.pcisys.net/~pwebber/31_id/rtw.htm