DATU PAIBURONG FOUNDER OF "IRONG-IRONG"
(" As long as we have memories, yesterday remains. Enjoy reading as we journey back in time! " --DinggolAranetaDivinagracia * 02/20/2023)THE EXODUS TO MADJAAS
Sometime in the 11th century, the Chola dynasty of the Majapahit empire from southern India led by King Rajendra Chola-I embarked across Bengal Bay and invaded Sumatra, the largest island of Indonesia. Among those conquered was the small kingdom of PANAI (Pane or Pannai) located with its water ponds of Lake Toba along the narrow Strait of Malacca on the east coast of Northern Sumatra.
In Nagarakretagama records, Pane or Panai is mentioned as one of Sumatran kingdoms held under Majapahit influence between the 11th to the 14th centuries. By the 13th century, it was abandoned by most of its inhabitants when it was largely devastated by the conquerors and due to the collapsing Srivijayan Empire.
Led by the Sultanate Minister Datu Putih bringing along their culture, language (Proto-Kinaray-a), religion, and way of life they sailed their "Balanghai" to Bornay (Borneo) and settled for quite sometime at Kinabatangan in North Borneo. Later, the former inhabitants of Panai escaped the tyrannical rule of the despotic Rajah Makatunaw and sailed farther northwest until they landed on the spot between Andona creek and Siwaragan river in the island of "Aninipay" (Panay) --the kingdom of the Aetas or Atis ruled by Chieftain Marikudo, son of the old Chief Polpolon.
After the historical encounter known today as the "Barter of Panay" that took place at Sitio Imbidayan along the beach of Barrio Sinugbuhan in Suaragan (San Joaquin, Iloilo) --the two ancient ethnic cultures of the aboriginal Aetas or Atis and the Srivijayan Malays merged to celebrate with extravagant fun and frolics the first "ATI-ATIHAN" festival in Kalibo, Aklan.
Until it was discreetly maneuvered to become a religious occasion that borders on fanatical veneration filled with massive commercial consideration. Hala Bira! Hala Bira! Viva Señor Santo Niño!
Thereafter, our forebears called the island "MADJAAS" or paradise. The land where time began the birth of the once-upon-a-time great "Ilonggo Nation" and the cradle of an ancient Filipino civilization. To retain the memory of their homeland in Sumatra, Indonesia they renamed the island into "PANAI" and known today as "PANAY", dubbed as the heart of the Philippines.
DATU PAIBURONG
Among the ten (10) Srivijaya Malayan leaders, it was Datu Paiburong who decided to remain and settle permanently in San Joaquin, Iloilo even after the death of his wife PABULANAN.
He is the acknowledged first leader and founder of "IRONG-IRONG" which was later renamed by the Spanish colonizers as 'YLONG-YLONG, and ultimately called the PROVINCE of ILOILO after the U.S. invasion with its capital as the "City of Iloilo" presently dubbed as the "City of Love".
Today Datu Paiburong's resting place is randomly unmarked at Andona Creek in San Joaquin, Iloilo. The town of San Joaquin used to be called PUEBLO DE SUARAGAN when it was first established by the Spanish authorities in the year 1772 with Señor Don Mateo Felix as the first Gobernadorcillo. In 1801 it was renamed SAN JOAQUIN with Señor Don Agustin Pingoy who served as the first Capitan or town Mayor.
An impressive more than life-size statue of Datu Paiburong to honor his memory is erected by the main entrance of ESPLANADE-I (Promenade Park} near the Iloilo Diversion Bridge.
REVEREND FATHER TOMAS SANTAREN, OSA (Jan. 19, 1828 - Feb. 04, 1886)
El Reverendo Padre Tomas Santaren, OSA was born on January 19, 1828 in the City of Valladolid (Spain) where he also entered the Real Colegio Seminario de Padres Agustinos Filipinos and where he later professed on November 25, 1849. Seminarians in this institution make a vow of going to serve in the Philippines under the command of the OSA superior. In 1853 he arrived in the Philippines for further studies in San Agustin, Manila. Then on August 1, 1855 Father Tomas Santaren was sent by the Rector Provincial of the Augustinians to the province of Iloilo to serve as resident parish priest in the town of San Joaquin. He was gladly welcomed by his elder brother Fr. Hilario Santaren, OSA, then a pastor in the neighboring province of Antique.
THE CONTROVERSIAL MANUSCRIPT
In 1858 the reverend Father Tomas Santaren, OSA translated into Spanish an ancient manuscript he discovered about the history of the Bornean Datus while collecting antiques and old manuscripts of great scientific and historical values. He titled it “Historia de los Primeros Datos Que, Procedentes de Borneo, Poblaron Estas Islas”. These were based on the old manuscripts written in Karay-a by his predecessor Fr. Agustín Rico, O.S.A who was assigned as resident priest of Suaranga (San Joaquin) Iloilo earlier in the year 1801.
It is worthy to note, that there is an existing unpublished ancient manuscript of Fray Pedro Andres de Castro called "Historia de la Provincia de Batangas" (1790), which is strikingly similar to "Historia de los primeros Datos Que, Procedentes de Borneo, Poblaron Estas Islas" of Fr. Tomas Santaren (1858). The author of "Osario Venerable" Fr. Agustin Maria de Castro a.k.a. Pedro Andres de Castro was the priest of the Pueblo of Calinog (Iloilo) during 1764. This ancient manuscript of Padre de Castro was later turned-over and is safely secured at an archive in Manila according to Jigger Gilera, MD., MHA-Local Historian, Mabini Historical Society.
THE VOW OF CELIBACY
Many Clergymen in the Islas during "Tiempo Español" (even up to now), did not strictly adhere to the vow on celibacy. Rather, they subscribed to the biblical Genesis 1:28 which states; “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it."
Thus, Father Tomas Santaren, OSA sired two children with a local "Aeta" mestiza who was christened as SATURNINA SERRA a.k.a. "Tana Turing". Their children were named BASILISA AND FELIX both surnamed SERRA. The pretty Aeta "Mestiza" Saturnina or "Tana Turing" descended from the "Babaylan" (Medicine Man) who was one of several offsprings brought about by the union of DATU PAIBURONG with the daughter of Ati Chieftain DATU MARIKUDO and his wife MANIWANG TIWANG.
THE BOND OF FRIENDSHIP
REV. TOMAS SANTAREN, OSA a Master Architect, eventually, became close friends in Iloilo with "Obras Publicas" (Public Works) Spanish Engineer DON FELIPE DIEZ who assisted him in the construction of the third Catholic church in San Joaquin that withstood the test of time, the ravages of war, and the fury of nature and still proudly stands even today. The first two churches built earlier were not so fortunate against the elements.
Spanish Engr. Don Felipe Diez was previously assigned in Bulacan and married to a Bulakeña named MARIA TOLENTINO. The two Spanish "amigos"; the Priest and the Engineer decided to seal their bond of friendship by marrying off their two children; BASILISA SERRA with ADRIANO DIEZ and her brother FELIX SERRA with FLORENCIA DIEZ Adriano's sister.
The eldest son of Felix Serra and Florencia Diez is the good nature and Philanthropist DR. TOMAS DIEZ SERRA, the most sought after Iloilo Physician during his time. He is married to my dear Manang EVA SITCHON ARANETA-SERRA. Manang EVA is the younger sister of (among other siblings); AMADO "Amading" of the ARANETA COLISEUM, the maternal grandfather of MAR ARANETA ROXAS, and of MANUEL "Manoling" SR. the paternal grandfather of the Ilongga First Lady Atty. Liza Cacho Araneta-Marcos.
The earthly remains of Engr. Felipe Diez and Maria Tolentino-Diez are marked with a memorial "Lapida" by the interior rightwall inside the San Jose de Placer Church fronting Plaza Libertad in Iloilo City. While when Father Santaren died on February 4, 1896, he was interred right under the main altar of the San Joaquin church in his adopted land and that of DATU PAIBURONG, the founder of "Irong-Irong".
Padayon ang Pungsod Ilonggo! --Dinggol (ILONGGO MEMORIES)
(Nota bene: Thanks to my dear primo Enriquito Araneta Serra for his inputs and for reminding me of the old adage "You can choose your friends, but not your relatives" * images from googles search engine)
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Sometime in the 11th century, the Chola dynasty of the Majapahit empire from southern India led by King Rajendra Chola-I embarked across Bengal Bay and invaded Sumatra, the largest island of Indonesia. Among those conquered was the small kingdom of PANAI (Pane or Pannai) located with its water ponds of Lake Toba along the narrow Strait of Malacca on the east coast of Northern Sumatra.
In Nagarakretagama records, Pane or Panai is mentioned as one of Sumatran kingdoms held under Majapahit influence between the 11th to the 14th centuries. By the 13th century, it was abandoned by most of its inhabitants when it was largely devastated by the conquerors and due to the collapsing Srivijayan Empire.
Led by the Sultanate Minister Datu Putih bringing along their culture, language (Proto-Kinaray-a), religion, and way of life they sailed their "Balanghai" to Bornay (Borneo) and settled for quite sometime at Kinabatangan in North Borneo. Later, the former inhabitants of Panai escaped the tyrannical rule of the despotic Rajah Makatunaw and sailed farther northwest until they landed on the spot between Andona creek and Siwaragan river in the island of "Aninipay" (Panay) --the kingdom of the Aetas or Atis ruled by Chieftain Marikudo, son of the old Chief Polpolon.
After the historical encounter known today as the "Barter of Panay" that took place at Sitio Imbidayan along the beach of Barrio Sinugbuhan in Suaragan (San Joaquin, Iloilo) --the two ancient ethnic cultures of the aboriginal Aetas or Atis and the Srivijayan Malays merged to celebrate with extravagant fun and frolics the first "ATI-ATIHAN" festival in Kalibo, Aklan.
Until it was discreetly maneuvered to become a religious occasion that borders on fanatical veneration filled with massive commercial consideration. Hala Bira! Hala Bira! Viva Señor Santo Niño!
Thereafter, our forebears called the island "MADJAAS" or paradise. The land where time began the birth of the once-upon-a-time great "Ilonggo Nation" and the cradle of an ancient Filipino civilization. To retain the memory of their homeland in Sumatra, Indonesia they renamed the island into "PANAI" and known today as "PANAY", dubbed as the heart of the Philippines.
DATU PAIBURONG
Among the ten (10) Srivijaya Malayan leaders, it was Datu Paiburong who decided to remain and settle permanently in San Joaquin, Iloilo even after the death of his wife PABULANAN.
He is the acknowledged first leader and founder of "IRONG-IRONG" which was later renamed by the Spanish colonizers as 'YLONG-YLONG, and ultimately called the PROVINCE of ILOILO after the U.S. invasion with its capital as the "City of Iloilo" presently dubbed as the "City of Love".
Today Datu Paiburong's resting place is randomly unmarked at Andona Creek in San Joaquin, Iloilo. The town of San Joaquin used to be called PUEBLO DE SUARAGAN when it was first established by the Spanish authorities in the year 1772 with Señor Don Mateo Felix as the first Gobernadorcillo. In 1801 it was renamed SAN JOAQUIN with Señor Don Agustin Pingoy who served as the first Capitan or town Mayor.
An impressive more than life-size statue of Datu Paiburong to honor his memory is erected by the main entrance of ESPLANADE-I (Promenade Park} near the Iloilo Diversion Bridge.
REVEREND FATHER TOMAS SANTAREN, OSA (Jan. 19, 1828 - Feb. 04, 1886)
El Reverendo Padre Tomas Santaren, OSA was born on January 19, 1828 in the City of Valladolid (Spain) where he also entered the Real Colegio Seminario de Padres Agustinos Filipinos and where he later professed on November 25, 1849. Seminarians in this institution make a vow of going to serve in the Philippines under the command of the OSA superior. In 1853 he arrived in the Philippines for further studies in San Agustin, Manila. Then on August 1, 1855 Father Tomas Santaren was sent by the Rector Provincial of the Augustinians to the province of Iloilo to serve as resident parish priest in the town of San Joaquin. He was gladly welcomed by his elder brother Fr. Hilario Santaren, OSA, then a pastor in the neighboring province of Antique.
THE CONTROVERSIAL MANUSCRIPT
In 1858 the reverend Father Tomas Santaren, OSA translated into Spanish an ancient manuscript he discovered about the history of the Bornean Datus while collecting antiques and old manuscripts of great scientific and historical values. He titled it “Historia de los Primeros Datos Que, Procedentes de Borneo, Poblaron Estas Islas”. These were based on the old manuscripts written in Karay-a by his predecessor Fr. Agustín Rico, O.S.A who was assigned as resident priest of Suaranga (San Joaquin) Iloilo earlier in the year 1801.
It is worthy to note, that there is an existing unpublished ancient manuscript of Fray Pedro Andres de Castro called "Historia de la Provincia de Batangas" (1790), which is strikingly similar to "Historia de los primeros Datos Que, Procedentes de Borneo, Poblaron Estas Islas" of Fr. Tomas Santaren (1858). The author of "Osario Venerable" Fr. Agustin Maria de Castro a.k.a. Pedro Andres de Castro was the priest of the Pueblo of Calinog (Iloilo) during 1764. This ancient manuscript of Padre de Castro was later turned-over and is safely secured at an archive in Manila according to Jigger Gilera, MD., MHA-Local Historian, Mabini Historical Society.
THE VOW OF CELIBACY
Many Clergymen in the Islas during "Tiempo Español" (even up to now), did not strictly adhere to the vow on celibacy. Rather, they subscribed to the biblical Genesis 1:28 which states; “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it."
Thus, Father Tomas Santaren, OSA sired two children with a local "Aeta" mestiza who was christened as SATURNINA SERRA a.k.a. "Tana Turing". Their children were named BASILISA AND FELIX both surnamed SERRA. The pretty Aeta "Mestiza" Saturnina or "Tana Turing" descended from the "Babaylan" (Medicine Man) who was one of several offsprings brought about by the union of DATU PAIBURONG with the daughter of Ati Chieftain DATU MARIKUDO and his wife MANIWANG TIWANG.
THE BOND OF FRIENDSHIP
REV. TOMAS SANTAREN, OSA a Master Architect, eventually, became close friends in Iloilo with "Obras Publicas" (Public Works) Spanish Engineer DON FELIPE DIEZ who assisted him in the construction of the third Catholic church in San Joaquin that withstood the test of time, the ravages of war, and the fury of nature and still proudly stands even today. The first two churches built earlier were not so fortunate against the elements.
Spanish Engr. Don Felipe Diez was previously assigned in Bulacan and married to a Bulakeña named MARIA TOLENTINO. The two Spanish "amigos"; the Priest and the Engineer decided to seal their bond of friendship by marrying off their two children; BASILISA SERRA with ADRIANO DIEZ and her brother FELIX SERRA with FLORENCIA DIEZ Adriano's sister.
The eldest son of Felix Serra and Florencia Diez is the good nature and Philanthropist DR. TOMAS DIEZ SERRA, the most sought after Iloilo Physician during his time. He is married to my dear Manang EVA SITCHON ARANETA-SERRA. Manang EVA is the younger sister of (among other siblings); AMADO "Amading" of the ARANETA COLISEUM, the maternal grandfather of MAR ARANETA ROXAS, and of MANUEL "Manoling" SR. the paternal grandfather of the Ilongga First Lady Atty. Liza Cacho Araneta-Marcos.
The earthly remains of Engr. Felipe Diez and Maria Tolentino-Diez are marked with a memorial "Lapida" by the interior rightwall inside the San Jose de Placer Church fronting Plaza Libertad in Iloilo City. While when Father Santaren died on February 4, 1896, he was interred right under the main altar of the San Joaquin church in his adopted land and that of DATU PAIBURONG, the founder of "Irong-Irong".
Padayon ang Pungsod Ilonggo! --Dinggol (ILONGGO MEMORIES)
(Nota bene: Thanks to my dear primo Enriquito Araneta Serra for his inputs and for reminding me of the old adage "You can choose your friends, but not your relatives" * images from googles search engine)
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