FEATURED PROJECT: History of Glan Sarangani

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The name of the town Glan is derived from a Muslim word "Magalang" which means sharp. An account has it, that in the olden days, Glan was a favorite hunting ground of Muslims, returning warriors, retired pirates and other game-loving Mohammedan datus. There were plenty of deer and other wild beasts for the game in this locality than in any other place around the bay. The hunters always maintain their bolos, spears and other bladed weapons sharp when they come to this place. Hence, the place had been called “galang” short for “Magalang” a place of sharp weapons, and from it, derived its present name – GLAN.

The worst famine that hit the country in the year 1912 triggered the conception and implementation of Philippine Commission Act No. 2254 & .2260 then called “Osmena Colonization Act” of 1914. This act has been fathered by Speaker Sergio Osmena, Sr of Cebu, during the administration of Governor General Francis Burton Harrison. The act aimed (1) to resettle the landless people of the country and (2) to increase the food supply of the nation by tapping the food production potentials of Mindanao especially the tabled valley of Rio Grande.

The first batch of 14 brave Cebuano families who had each his own expertise to stand against the rigorous tests and demands of a wild country disembarked on the soil of Glan from a coast guard cutter named “Mindanao” in the memorable morning of October 8, 1914. They were, namely, Mamerto del Pilar and Jose S arcon - both Carpenters; Damaso Intig and Vicente Ignacio - Tailors; Macario Ebona and Braulio Jimenez - Cooks; Gavino Avila and Tomas Ugdamin - Blacksmith; Bernabe Flores and Severino Mariposa - Stevedores; Perpetuo Cellona - Church layman; Fermin Adarna former city fireman; Esperidion Cania farmer - agriculturist and Agapito Morales - jack of many trades.

These pioneers, save one, were not recruited primarily for their agricultural know-how, but a general test to find out how well or badly Christian families could stand the severity of life and the wild demands of an uncivilized and unchristianized country. They were wage earners in citios put on soil, so rich and fertile that even “if tickled only with bolo” would come out laughing with a harvest.

The struggle against the intensely-tangled growth tropical forests, diseases and remorses took them 5 months to reap their first harvest. Hyperbolical news at home wrote, “cornstalks as big as children's legs and ears bigger than banana blossoms” The success of the experiment spreading like cogon fire in Cebu developed sagging spirits into vaulting ambitions and the sparkling desire to share in the success enjoyed by the first hatch of pioneers overwhelmed the fear of the Muslims, instigating them to hit Glan.

The second batch of pioneers, all of Carcar, Cebu first stopped ashore on March 10, 1915 and were composed of 27 families. They were, namely: Higino Paras, Gaspar Alido, Gil Caliza, the cousins Timoteo and Hospicio Sarmiento, Braulio Calinawan, Maximo ,Baclaan, Gavino Taba-nao, Gil Calizi, the brothers Maeario and Mariano Alinsugay, Natalio Flores and the brothers Clemente and Eugenio Pingilao - all part-time farmers and part-time fishermen in their hometown. Arcadio Baring and Elias Barcelona ware full time fishermen, Gonzalo Cabilao Primo Alcoriza and.Mjguel Reyes - all traders/businessmen; Eulogio Villaluz and Luis Onin - both tailors; the brothers Andres and Knrique Barcelona -white- color jobbers; Felipe de Goma and Marcelino Bu-kog - shoe repairers and Eusebio Lapiz and Baldomero Alducente — former policemen.

The latest batch of colonists were mostly blood-related and, because of their superiority of number over all other Christian groups and on account of strong cohesion and kinship, they became the social and religious leaders of community. This explains why the patron saints of Glan is the same as that of Carcar, Cebu - Santa Catalina of Alexandria.

Glan called “Colony No. 9” is the southernmost municipality of South Cotabato comprising that portion of the province between Sarangani Bay and the Davao Cotabato boundary in the Southeast; from Sapu Padidu River in the Northeast to the Celebes Sea in the Southeast and extends as far as Tinaca Point ending on a granite cliff facing Balut and Sarangani Island.

Immediately before the separation and creation of the municipality of Malapatan in 1971, formerly a barrio of Glan, the total land area extends to 112,560 hectares and a population of 32,000 people. Today, Glan's area has reduced to 697.60 square kilometers with a population of more than 52,000 people.

Glan today is the greatest copra-producing town in the entire country. In fact, copra is its primary product. The copra industry started in its pioneering years were coconut cultivations came in sporadic, disjointed patches from the sea - coast, to the foothills and up to its mountain tops, where thousands upon thousands of coconut trees of all stages of growth break in their seemingly monotonous continuity, hence, her name in the coconut industry.

Glan had produced several of her great men in their own times. The first mayor of the locality is Mayor Jose Hombrebueno of Lilio, Laguna, then followed by Mayor Emilio Alegado of Carcar, Cebu. Both are now deceased. Mayor Eustaquio M. Carino followed and presently, Mayor Enrique D. Yap - the incumbent. Among them were fine arts professor Luis Ruiz, for a time, carved a name for himself to the nation's capital in the art of painting and sculpture. To make mention, Atty Enrique D. Yap, cousin of the latter also placed 8th in the BAR examinations in the year 1956. Engr. Modest Ruiz, placed second in the Board Exam. Helen Kuizon was a top-notcher in the Board Exam for pharmacist. Nice Eslao likewise landed a place in the Board Exam for Optometrist. Ciriaco Librando also made a stir in Cebu City as the first trumpeter of the renounced University of Visayas Band. In athletics also, three names shone brightest: Felipe “Boy” Nunag represented the Philippines in the Boxing flyweight Division at the Berlin Olympics in 1936. He later became an army major when he died with President Ramon Magsaysay in an airplane crash in March, 1957; Melchor Gascon captained the Mindanao Athletic Association (MAA) soccer team in the interscholastic games held st Tuguegarao in 1948. While Vigberto Cania, represented the Dame Schools in the dashes during the National Open Meet held in Manila in 1956.

When Glan was still an agricultural colony, its administration was solely in the hands of a colony superintendent. The only superintendent to be appointed from the start of the colony project in 1914 until its abolition in 1920 was Tranquilino Ruiz of Alegria, Cebu - the architect who shaped the foundation of Glan's destiny through thick and thin of trying years. Later, however, when the colonist and their needs multiplied, the functions of government were placed in the hands of deputy governor who were then the commanding officers of the local PC Company. Best remembered of these civil-military administrators were;" Captain Malone of Salinas, California; Major Vicente Nunag of Bulacan and father of “Felipe Boy Nunag” (the Olympicker) then Gen. Julian Esquejo of Binalonan, Pangasman; Colonel Sofio Mendoza of Batangas and Major Henry C. Page, a bald headed Nebraskan who later commanded the 116th Infantry regiment during the Japanese occupation.

There were also civilian deputy governors and they were: Dr. Martin Ortouste, a chavacano, and Rafael Albano, an Ilocano. This position was later changed district mayor. The first to hold it on the eve of the second world war, was Ireneo Lopez. He was succeeded by Emilio Alegado (who later also became the elected mayor), then followed by Clemente La Paz and finally, Ambrosio Gido.

A rover scout here in its category, Eleuterio Reynoso swam to land succor 7 miles away the ill-fated motorized vinta “Sapu Express No. 2” at 6'00 o'clock in the morning of February 2, 1961 after 3 mornings at sea, He saved many of its passengers guided only the parola near fringes of the Southern Pacific. The result is now a history and the daring Batanguenos picture hangs boldly on the walls of the Boy Scout Hall of Fame in Manila.

THE GLAN SCHOOL DISTRICT

Sometime in 1915, the colonizers and the natives together established the Farm Settlement School. The school started only with Grade 1 with Mr. Yambao as first teacher. It continued for a period of time until it opened up with its seventh grade class. The first supervising teacher was Mr. Salas, working hand in hand with Mr. Pimentel who assumed this position of a principal teacher.

The pupils who went to school were Muslims, Bila-ans and Christians. Aside from learning academic lessons, the pupils were also encouraged to engage in learning farming and other income generating activities such as planting fruit bearing trees, poultry raising and learning other industrial arts skills In 1916-1917 the school at Glan Padidu was opened with one Mr. Julian Villagonzalo, a Cebuano as the teacher. However, after 3 years as an educator he left his job to become Cebu City's postmaster.

The schools at Margus, Pangyan and Baliton were opened during the school year 1917-1918. However, even with the lapse of 22 years after the opening of the colony, the school had a slugging population growth. In 1936 all that has been recorded for the Glan Central were combination classes of Grades I and II, and Grades III and IV in the primary, and a numerous low enrollment in the intermediate. In 1941, the schools at Sapu, Tuyan and Lun were opened. The Glan District then was composed of 9 schools with 18 teachers and a supervising teacher.

Glan experienced also its remarkable dark days. On August 1, 1947 it became a barrio of the new municipality of General Santos, formerly called Buayan. It was a disconsolate episode in the political, economic and social life of the constituents - more conscience-sickening is that since l914, Buayan was once a barrio of this town. Its municipal revenue sagged lower than P5,000 for the year. The Glan school district then had barely 7 teachers including a principal.

In early 1949, news of the resuscitation of the municipality enlightened the hope of its people. Finally, on July 27th of the same year, President Elpidio Quirino signed Executive Order No. 250 making Glan a new regular municipality.

As recorded, the first Glan District Supervisor was one Mr. Pedro Salas of Manila - a Chinese mestizo who speaks more fluent Spanish than English; the second was Mr. Anselmo Munasque, a Cebuano who ran the District in 1920 until 1925, followed by Mr. Jose Hombrebueno of Lilio, Laguna (later became the first Municipal Mayor), from 1925 until 1932; Gil Manalo succeeded him in 1932, however, when on vacation Leave, he joined the USAFFE and became captain hence, was succeeded by Mr. Calixto Panes The latter closed the school at Glan-Padidu to dismay of its residents, and opened the school at Tango. He ran the district until 1936.

Mr. Jose Hombrebueno came back for his second term as district supervisor in 1936. He was in such position when the war broke out in 1941, In 1945, when the battle was cleared, he became the district supervisor of Cotabato district and in-charge of the division. However, he did not stay long for then he was returned to his pre-war position as supervisor of the Glan district. In 1947, he retired from the service. The school district then was left with 5 schools and 18 teachers.

The next to occupy the post of the district supervisor of Glan was Mr. Jose O. Sabado, an Ilocano from San Fernando, La Union, To him belongs the credit of having opened more schools than all his predecessors did put together. He opened the schools in Gulo, Laguimit, Kaltuad, Punsad, Burias, Cablalan, Datalbulol, Dlama, Bawi, Kolambog, Datalbukay, San Vicente, Kiogam, Kapatan, Malapatan, Lasang, Suyan, and further reopened those in Sapu, Tuyan and Lun which were closed during the war. He inhtrited the district in 1948 and handed it over to his successor, Rufo Lagrosa of Cuyo, Palawan in 1961 then with 28 schools and 103 teachers. Mr. Lagrosa was unable to open new schools, however, in 1961, he held the most expensive but very successful district athletic meet Glan has never seen before.

The next supervisor came from Aklan, Mr. Godofredo Icawalo. He also marked history by opening 16 new extension classes. He ran the district in 1962 until 1964 when he was succeeded by Mr. Jose Perez, an Ilongo from Romblon until 1966.

The position was left in 1966 to the principal in-eharge, Mr. Domingo R. Cania, son of the Pioneer Esperidion Cania. After a year, he was promoted and became the district supervisor until his demise in 1973. Mr. Crisanto Delatnin, an Ilocano mestizo succeeded him in 1973 until 1978 when he was transfered to another district. Since then and until the present. Mrs. Esther B.Yap, a Zamboanguena from Dipolog City, and better-half of the town mayor, became the Glan District Supervisor.

Glan today is a far cry from its former stature 69 years ago when it was founded. Its former swampy areas were transformed into wide, clean and orderly market and other beautiful residential areas. The cogon and other forest trees were replaced with seductive, beautiful trimmed ornamental plants and tall pine trees. It maintain the most beautiful plaza in the country awarded as such in 1971 by the national government. In 1973, the Carino residence (home of the former mayor Eustaquio Carino) was also awarded the “Model Home of the Year”. Its formerly dirty rough and muddy roads are now cemented. Far from its former houses which were made of cogon, nipa and bamboos, residential houses particularly within Poblacion are now generally constructed of concrete materials. In short, topographically hidden as it is, Glan became a booming town in the southernmost part of the country - and the unpublicized backdoor to the outside world.

The longest term of stewardship as municipal mayor of this town is that of the incumbent-Mayor Enrique D- Yap. In him belongs the credit of having improved much the political, economic and social conditions of the locality. This is the reason why be is retained mayor of this town for 15 years until today. For these laudable and painstaking efforts of the local government that produced the nonpareil effects of cultural, social and economic development - our salute.

Much more, the Glan School District today is a far vantage from its former dismal figure. Enrollment is bursting, the accommodation of which has become the perennial headache of the PTA. The Glan District today has 15 elementary schools and 17 primary schools scattered in the different remote sitios and barangays Grade I has a total of 2,336 pupils throughout the district; Grade II has 1,656; Grade III has 1,250, Grade IV has 1,140; Grade V has 1,073, and Grade VI 952 incurring an aggregate population of 8,407 pupils, The district is manned by force of 20 teachers including a district supervisor and a principal.

Its annual enrollment has remarkably risen to 94.10 per cent. This proves the credibility, competence and holding power of our mentors so adequately trained and equipped with the necessary tools to carry on the delicate task of mentorship in the era of the new society.

The school district has been facing several varied problems ever since. We had, first of all, inadequate buildings and facilities to accommodate the tremendously increasing school population and lack of teacher. Our local PTA had been trying its best to solve the problems affecting our schools only to their great dismay, Next is lack of funds to purchase desks & blackboards.

The people do not live on coconut alone. Glan also produces corn, not only for consumption but also for export. Corn and palay are planted under the coconut trees. Its people are also engage in hog raising, poultry and duck raising, to include barely started, cattle raising. Fishing is also another good source of income of the people.

Glan lies in the southernmost tip of Mindanao, far away from the nerve center of the government agencies responsible in extending assistance to local governments, This is the reason why sometimes Glan has been forgotten. However, the good people of Glan will continue to labor and strive hard to improve their town and to make it the best place in this mundane world to live in.