Davao City Hall in the 80s. (Photo by Paterio B. Lacaba/Davao of the Past Facebook page)
Davao City Hall in the 80s. (Photo by Paterio B. Lacaba/Davao of the Past Facebook page)

Standing through the test of time

FOR more than eight decades, Davao City has stood from all the ups and downs. From its humble beginning to the present, it is no doubt that the city’s rich history has brought where it is right now - one of the largest and progressive cities in the Philippines.

Davao, in its early beginnings, was mainly inhabited by the lumad and Moros.

The name, in fact, is the result of blending the three words “Dabo”, “Duhwow”, and “Davoh”, which the three Bagobo subgroups, Tagabawa, Guiangan, and Obo, named the Davao River.

Like any other parts of the country, Davao City was also colonized by the Spaniards. Although, in the 16th century, they were just exploring the Davao Gulf area. It was until 1844 when the Spanish Governor General of the Philippines Narciso Clavería ordered the colonization of the Davao Gulf region, including what is now Davao City.

Colonization began in 1848, in an expedition led by José Cruz de Uyanguren of Vergara, Spain.

Datu Bago, a local chieftain, opposed the Spanish ruling in the Davao soil. He led a fierce battle against Uyanguren. However, the latter was defeated, thus, giving birth to the town of Nueva Vergara, the future Davao in 1848. Uyanguren, later on, becoming its first governor.

The Spanish control of the town was unstable at best, as its Lumad and Moro natives routinely resisted in their ruling.

After a long rule over the Philippines, Spain lost to the United States during the war in 1898. It was then when the Americans saw how good the land is in Davao.

Rapid economic progress was felt as migrants from Luzon and the Visayas, as well as from other countries, like China, Japan, and the United States, flocked to Davao.

In 1901, the municipality of Davao was established, the current Davao Region.

The Japanese began as imported labor, but they became enterprising as the years went by and managed to own land and increase their hold on the abaca industry by buying out the Americans.

In the 1930s, the Japanese nearly controlled the place, dictating both the economic and political life of the town.

This situation so alarmed the national government that Davao City was established as a chartered city by joining the Guianga Municipal District and the town of Davao.

In this way, the local government would be appointed by Manila, thus lessening the political manipulation of the Japanese.

Pantaleon Pelayo Sr., a Davao delegate during the Constitutional Convention in 1934, denounced the control of the Japanese in Davao and their acquisition of land.

This paved the way for Davao City to become a chartered city. Thus, President Manuel Quezon signed the charter in 1936 via Commonwealth Act No. 51, creating Davao City. By March 1, 1937, the law took effect and Davao became an “independent” city.

Shortly after, the Japanese had occupied the entire city during World War II on December 20, 1941.

Davao City remained strong despite the declaration of Martial Law in the 1970s, and the armed conflicts that surged in the 1980s.

After EDSA Revolution, the city continued to rise and began to move towards development. Advancement in technology, infrastructure, tourism, and business were evident.

Growth remains to be steadfast, despite incuring social issues.

The city, in present, has lived with its slogan, Davao Life is Here. It is evident with the influx of migrants, who attested the city’s livability throughout the years.

As the city is just years away from reaching a centennial milestone, expect more progress and development, this time, with the hope to live a sustainable progress for the future Dabawenyos.

(Editor’s note: The information in this article was sourced from Museo Dabawenyo, and Davao History by Ernesto Corcino)

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