The Tagbanua and the Indigenous People of Palawan

20/11/2025

The highest jural and political office among the Tagbanua is the Masikampu. Regardless of the Spanish origin of this term and the fact that the Spaniards had no intense contacts with the Tagbanuas until about 1872, the folk history of the Tagbanua indicates that the function of this office are at least one hundred and fifty years old and probably older.

The title Masikampu is given to the appeals judge meaning that the highest tribunal is headed by the Masikampu himself who decides cases with finality by means of surugiden/betiara. The process of Surugiden (Tagbanua)/Betiara (Pela’wan) has been settled since time immemorial.

Rimundu was the last Masikampu of Punta (Puerto Princesa City) before the seat of government was moved to Inagahuan due to frequent raids of the Mohammedans.

Masikampo Ruben C. Joya is the son of Masikampu Ignacio Cursod Joya and great-grandson of Masikampo Kursud. He is the 18th annointed Masikampo of the Tagbanua and IPs of Palawan.

References:
Image: Tagbanua Men, 1905.
Credit to Dean Worcester, 1866-1924.

Religion and Society Among Tagbanwa Of Palawan Island, Philippines. Dr. Robert Fox, 1954.

Attribution:
Masikampo Ruben C. Joya, 18th Masikampo 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

20/11/2025

The Sultanate of Brunei ruled during the fourteenth to the sixteenth century CE. Its territory covered the northern part of Borneo and the southern Philippines

Fragmentary pre- Spanish records denote an early relationship between the west central Philippines, including Palawan, Brunei, and North Borneo. Brunei was an important colony of the Buddhist Kingdom of the Shri- Vishaya in the 12th Century and of the Brahman Empire of Madjapahit in the 14th Century. Although it is not known how extensive were the efforts of the pre- Muslim Bornean Chiefs from Brunei to colonize the southern Philippines, ancient, apparently pre- Spanish manuscripts have been found in the Philippines which refer to Bornean chiefs in Panay, Mindoro, Southern Luzon, and Palawan.

The folk history of the Tagbanuwa also denotes an early relationship with Brunei. According to Masikampo Clemente Bulunan of Baraki, the first Masicampo of Tagbanuwa was appointed by a surutan (Sultan) of Brunyu, from a land called Burnay (Brunei), eleven generations ago (during the time of Bulunan in 1950).

Image Credit:
Dean C. Worcester, Publication date: 1899.

Reference:
Religion and Society of the Tagbanwa by Dr. Robert Fox.

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

20/11/2025

Happy birthday, Dr. Dan Bonbon!

Dr. Dan Bonbon is the first member of Tagbanua descent to become a medical doctor. He has been serving in the province of Palawan since he received his medical degree.

Our humble doctor hailed from Barangay Tagpait in Aborlan.

The Tagbanua and Indigenous People of Palawan would like to honor and thank his efforts during this pandemic.

Mabuhay po kayo, Doc!

Image: Screen grab from Dan Bonbon.

Attribution: Office of Masikampo Ruben C. Joya

06/11/2025

Wali and the bangat
A Tagbanua Short Story

Wali, a hunter from Tigman, was once lost in the forest for seven days and nights. He found the place at the head of the Maasin River where there were countless pigs. As he wandered there, he saw some huge houses with hundreds of rooms. These houses had roofs but no floors. When he saw the huge houses he was afraid. But he said to himself, I will go there even it is the place of the damdam [an evil spirit] for I am too tired to continue.

As he approached one of the houses he met a very old man. It was a panya’an, the leader of the pigs, named li’iyan kat baga. The old man said to him: “Why have you come to my house?” Wali replied: “I am lost.” The old man then told him to enter one of the houses. After he had entered they chewed betel and Wali was given food. But the rice was soft-cooked with the chaff. When the meal was over the old man told Wali not to leave as his children were coming.

Late that afternoon Wali saw thousands of small pigs approaching. They all dove into a small stream nearby and, after swimming about for a short time, they became men and women! The old man fed them and they all scattered through the many rooms of the houses of sleep.

The old man told Wali: “You have learned many things while staying with me. Do you have any medicine? Many of my people are sick,” Wali went to see the people who were sick and saw that they have been injured by the shafts of the ba’ad [the “belatic” trap]. He immediately pulled the shafts out of their legs and bodies. The next morning the people were all well.

The old man said: “My sons and daughters are well because you have helped them. Just tell me what you need.” Wali answered: “It’s up to you. If you give me something I will take it.” The old man handed him some pig’s hair as large as the vine nitu’ and said: “If you apply this to your dogs and traps you will get many pigs.” This gift was bangat [a type of “charm”]

Wali was then told to return to his village and that he would now know the way. The panya’an had caused him to become lost. The old man also told him not to cross the river on the way until it became clear. So Wali followed the bank of the river on the way until he couldn’t find any clear water.

After some time, he decided to ignore the words of the old man and he stepped into the muddy river. But when he took a second step he saw that his feet had become hoofs. He quickly returned to the place where he had been and again followed along the bank of the river. At last he saw some clear water and crossed again. As he waded his feet returned to their former shape. He hastened on to his village and told everyone what had happened.

[all rights reserved] Attribution owed to Masicampo Ruben C. Joya Sr., Tagbanua Religion and Society by Dr. Robert Bradford Fox [Monograph No. 9, National Museum, Manila, Philippines 1982 Pp. 168-169] Courtesy of Director Jeremy Barnes, National Museum.

06/11/2025

The Tagbanua believe in their native gods. There were four major gods.
The first deity was Mangindusa or Nagabacaban- lord of the heavens.

Poco/Polo was the god of the sea and deemed a benevolent spirit.

Sedumunadoc was the god the earth whose favor was sought in order to have a good harvest.

The fourth god was called Tabiacoud who lived in the deep bowels of the earth.

Image:
A Tagbanua priest making offerings to Poco

Reference:
Luçon et Palaouan: six années de voyages aux Philippines by Alfred Marche. 1887.

Attribution:
Masikampo Ruben C. Joya, 18th Masikampu of the Tagbanua and Indigenous People of Palawan
Usba et Masikampu Rikizam M. Joya, MD
Usba et Masikampu Ashelon M. Joya
Maradja et Masikampu Redeem M. Joya

10/09/2025

Happy Birthday!!!

Mazrek Urben