The Unsung Heroes of the Tagbanua

Masikampu Ignacio "Ampun" Joya


Happy 121st Independence Day, Philippines!  We celebrate this occasion and the valiant people who fought for our freedom.  Schools have taught us about the battles and feats of Emilio Aguinaldo, Andres Bonifacio, Jose Rizal, Apolinario Mabini, Gregorio Del Pilar and Juan Luna.

But have you heard the adventures of our local Tagbanua leaders?  The Tagbanua nation existed and fought wars even before the Spaniards came to the Philippines. Stories were handed down generations about fierce Tagbanuas who fought for their people. Local Tagbanua heroes were never recognized by the government for their contributions in history.

Here are some of our Tagbanua unsung heroes:

Kinuyu- He was a legendary leader and third on the Masikampu line after Rimundu. As written by Dr. Robert Fox, it was during Kinuyu's reign when the infamous raids by the Moros happened. Wearied by the attacks, Kinuyu and the Moro leader decided to have a duel amongst their best warriors to settle the conflict. The Moro warrior was called Manangkabaw. Pitted against him was the Masikampu's best warrior, Lidgid.  It was an intense contest but Lidgid overpowered and killed Manangkabaw.  With that, the Moro leader conceded and decided to stop meddling with the Tagbanuas.

Bulunan- There was a raging war between the Tagbanua and the Moros led by Datu Harun of what is known now as Brookes Point. The fights and death tolls were constant between the two parties. Bulunan, the eight Masikampu, called for a truce with the Moros paving the way for peace. In the local vernacular, it was called a "tabla".

Arngaw- He was the 12th Masikampu and later became Mayor of Aborlan. As told by local officials that time, Arngaw played an active role as an IP representative in Palawan during the transition from Commonwealth to Civil government.

Ignacio "Ampun" Joya- A former grade school teacher, Ampun became Mayor of Aborlan from 1929 until 1933. He was anointed 14th Masikampu in 1956 and reigned for 27 years. Ampun served as bolo battalion commander during the Japanese occupation. He supported the guerrillas against the Kempeitai forces of Japan. Ampun Joya and his group provided food, shelter and information for the Allies. He sold yams as a guise to gather information that could be used against the Japanese. Masikampu Joya rescued a man suspected to be a spy from being killed. This story was confirmed by Mr. Eugenio Vergere (Tatay Iniong) as it was his father who was saved by the Masikampu.

Aborlan Tagbanuas- Famine was commonplace during World War 2. Christian settlers who were hiding from the Japanese were affected by food being scarce. The Tagbanua people taught the settlers how to survive in the forest by eating indigenous food such as wild root crops and forest plants deemed to be poisonous. These plants are locally called kudot, lima-lima, burot and ubod ka't bat'bat/anibong).

Ironically, after the war, some of these settlers who were hiding in the forest were the ones to claim veteran pensions. 

Members of the Tagbanua nation who helped were not officially recognized.

No recognition was given Ampun Joya despite his efforts during the war.  Was it because Masikampu Joya was a Tagbanua?

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