THE TAGBANUA

  Masicampo Ruben C. Joya, 18th annointed Masikampo of the Tagbanua and Indigenous People of Palawan together with his son, Usba et Masikampo Ashelon M. Joya and Bagerals or Nobles of the Tagbanua and Pala'wan Masikampu Ruben C. Joya fulfilled all these requirements of a Masikampo. 1. One must have a Bloodline of a Masicampo known as Osol. He is the direct descendant of Masikampu Ignacio Joya (14th Masikampu), son of Apo Rafaela Kursud. Only a direct descendant of the Inagawan Masikampu can be chosen by the Usba et Masikampu to lead the tribe. This is the Osol. Anyone who claims to be a Masikampu without proof of Osol is considered a fraudulent entity. 2. He must be knowledgeable of the customary laws of the Tagbanuas known as Adat. Masikampu Ruben Joya learned the customary laws through his father and Usba et Masikampu. The Adat should not be taken lightly. There is a blessing and a curse if you do not perform your duties as the supreme leader of the Tagbanua. This is one reason w...

  There are many Tagbanua dances but we generally call it KENDAR. Depending on the occasion or ritual, the Tagbanua has a varied repertoire of dances. Attribution: Masicampo Ruben C. Joya Usba et Masikampo Rikizam M. Joya, MD Usba et Masikampo Ashelon M. Joya Usba et Masikampo Ruben M. Joya, II Maradja et Masikampo Redeem M. Joya Location: Aborlan, Palawan Philippines

  A Tagbanua woman with a babandil- a narrow-rimmed gong that is often used during dances and rituals. Image: Minan Ehing Location: Aborlan, Palawan Philippines Attribution: Masicampo Ruben C. Joya Usba et Masikampo Rikizam M. Joya, MD Usba et Masikampo Ashelon M. Joya Usba et Masikampo Ruben M. Joya, II Maradja et Masikampo Redeem M. Joya

  The Tagbanua people of Palawan by H. Otley Beyer. Please subscribe on our YouTube channel.

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  The Tagbanua script (SURAT) preserved some of the Hindu ancient writing. It is written in vertical columns reading from top to bottom and the columns following in order from right to left. The inscriptions consists of incisions in the surface of strips of bamboo. In the picture, the one on the right is the modern Tagbanua script. The middle shows the Tagalog script and the left image shows the value of the letters in Roman characters. Masikampu Ignacio "Ampun' Cursod Joya, the 14th Masikampu of the Tagbanua and IPs of Palawan, used to write this way. Reference: Peoples of the Philippines by Albert Louis Kroeber, 1876-1960. Publication date: 1919. Courtesy of University of Michigan. Attribution: Masikampo Ruben C. Joya, 18th Masikampo of the Tagbanua and IPs of Palawan Usba et Masikampo Rikizam M. Joya, MD Usba et Masikampo Ashelon M. Joya Usba et Masikampo Ruben M. Joya, II Maradja et Masikampo Redeem M. Joya

  Here is a tabulated comparison of the different scripts in the Philippines. Since the author spent time in Palaouan (Palawan), the Tagbanua script (SURAT) was exemplified. On the left column are numbers with the Roman letters and the Tagbanua script on its side. Common words like danum (water), aldaw (day), inum (drink), Tagbanua and even the name Geronimo Torres were translated. Para sa buwan ng wika, eto po ang aming handog. Reference: Alfred Marche. Luzon et Palaouan. Six années de voyages aux Philippines. 1887 Harvard Collection Attribution: Masikampu Ruben C. Joya, 18th Masikampu of the Tagbanua and Indigenous People of Palawan Usba et Masikampo Rikizam M. Joya, MD Usba et Masikampo Ashelon M. Joya Usba et Masikampo Ruben M. Joya, II Maradja et Masikampo Redeem M. Joya