THE TAGBANUA

The Joya family stands as one of the surviving noble lines of the Tagbanua as direct descendants of the Masikampo lineage. Members of the family remain in Aborlan connected with the indigenous peoples of Southern Palawan. The late Ignacio "Ampun" Joya was the first born of Rafaela "Apo Pila" Cursod and Bantol Joya . He had a younger sister Quintera "Kimko" Joya who was married to the renowned Thomasite teacher John H. Finnigan . Aside from being the leader of the tribes, Ampun Joya was a teacher, a rancher and served as the town Mayor of Aborlan. He married Carmen Cojamco , a mixed Cuyuno-Tagbanwa, from Inagawan. They had 12 children and numerous grandchildren. The family lived in a place called "Kalampisaw"- a hilly area by the center of the town. Masikampo Ampun Joya donated lands to build the old municipal building and the Aborlan Catholic Church.

Masikampu Ignacio Joya (the 14 th Masikampu) who was considered as the environmental protector of the ancient lands and sacred sites of Palawan, had the title MASIKAMPU or the Master of the Camp ( Antropologist Harold Olofson ); the Tagbanuas, however, quoted it for “Mas it Ampu” or higher than Lords ( Ancient Syllabaries ). This indicates why the Masikampu seats as the highest titular head of the earliest form of government known in the province. All affairs, even those of the past, present and future manifestations of the culture of Palawan must be with the consent and authority of the Masikampu .   Ampun, who was the eldest grandson of Kursud, was treated by his grandfather as his own son. He was   also trained to become a Masikampu as he did with his sons. Since Ampun did not have a real father, Kursud has become his paternal figure as he also lives with him. Relatively, Ampun, was only younger by one year than Emilio, the youngest son of Kursud with...

        From the phrase ‘mas et ampu” or “higher than lords” this title is not based upon Spanish term “Maestro de campo” which Dr. Fox states that its origin may at least be one hundred fifty years or older.   The term “mas” means “greater” and “ampu” means “lord” with “ampuan” meaning “Lord” or “Maguindusa”, the Supreme God of the Tagbanuas. This rank is considered as higher than the Datu but lesser than the Sultan. By virtue of the authority of the Masicampo and based on intergenerational knowledge passed to the present successor, the term “Maestro de Campo” is hereby corrected in accordance with the right of cultural integrity.       The Masicampo is a vassal from the Sultan of Burnay (Brunei) who first established the civil hierarchy long before the colonization of Spain in the Philippines. It was a legend that the Masicampo is the son of the Sultan of Brunei by reason of the legend of Inagawan, the seat of t...