Recognition of the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples in the Autonomous Region

in Muslim Mindanao for their Empowerment and Sustainable Development

___________________________________________________________________________
The Evolution of the Center of Teduray Governance In A Capsule
By: Timuay Labi Sannie Bello
Supreme Chief
Timuay Justice and Governance (TJG)
PC Hill as we know it does not mean Philippine Constabulary but Pedro Colina Hill. Pedro
Colina was how the Spaniards baptized a man known as Mokolina. In those days it was
difficult to pronounce the name of the man, but he had a son named Kolina. This man was
referred to as Mo Kolina, meaning the father of Kolina. Mo is the equivalent of Mac or Fitz
which means son of. The Spaniards always have a first name and a surname so they must
have thought that Pedro is a good choice for a name.
Pedro Colina is a direct descendant of Mamalu who lived in Banobo (near crossing Simuay).
Mamalu is one of three siblings named Ado, Amil and Salabanun. Amil and Salabanun
converted to Islam when Shariff Kabunsuan came; Ado did not convert and sidestepped to
Tawan-tawan. Tawan-tawan is PC Hill.
When Shariff Kabunsuan asked Amil and Salabanun where Ado is, they told him he is in
Tawan-tawan. Shariff Kabunsuan instructed Amil and Salabanun to bring Ado the Quran and
some cooked rice to conduct a kanduli (prayer). Amil and Salabanun did not tell Ado what the
rice was for; because they believed that once Ado will eat the rice he will already become a
Muslim. They told Ado that the rice was their baon (packed meal).
Ado received the Quran, separated the pages and tossed it to the wind. Immediately the
pages became wild doves (Teduray lamugn; Visayan alimukon). Ado declared that the
lamugn will be his Quran or Bible, some sort of reference for spiritual messages.
Generations after, to this day every time the lamugn will make a sound, we believe there is a
message. There are eight (8) sounds that bring bad news; and four (4) that bring good news.
They also see what direction the sound comes from; and the best news is when the sound
comes from directly over ones head.
Along with the Quran and the rice, Amil and Salabanun also gave Ado a pencil. Ado broke the
pencil into several parts and threw it to the ground. Immediately when it touched the soil it
became trktk (lizards). The trktk are also messengers, so that if they make a sound
before you leave for somewhere, better reschedule or something will happen along the way.
Amil and Salabanun called Ado Mamalu, because he was not baptized into Islam; and that he
was uncircumcised. Malo-malo in Maguindanao means not full-fledged.
Being a descendant of Mamalu, Mokolina oversaw the sulagad of the tribe. The sulagad is
the communal farm. It stretches from Tawan-tawan, south to Kroon Slongon (now Gov
Guttierez Avenue; same call it old airport) and west to trbr (now Esteros).

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.