Two Misamis tales

Raul Ilogon . 

ONCE upon a time, the coastline that stretches from Surigao to Zamboanga was known to the Spaniards as “Caraga.”

In the western part of this coastline is where our story is leading to.

Before it became Ozamiz City, it was called “Misamis.” How Misamis got its name remains unknown. Some say it was from the word “Kuyamis,” a coconut variety. Other say it is from the word “Misa” or “Mass.”

The people of Lanao called it “Tabok.” Our great grandfather up to the time of our father called it “Misamis.” It was a small town but the name of this very small town was later used to identify a very big area of northern Mindanao — the district of Misamis during the Spanish era.

Ironically, the name was erased from the map. The name Misamis died when it became a city. But the name of small town Misamis was reborn into two big provinces – Misamis Oriental and Misamis Occidental.

During Spanish time, it was the most prominent town among the rest. In fact, it was made capital of a very large district that included Lanao, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental and Misamis Occidental, part of Cotabato and Zamboanga, which was collectively called as Misamis District .

It was made capital because of its military importance. The Spanish colonial masters were at war with the Moro people. Misamis town sits in an strategic location in keeping the Moro from Lanao, Cotabato, Zamboanga and Sulu from raiding Northern Mindanao and Visayas. In short, it was a military town complete with a thick stone-wall military fort and military port with ships ready to pound on raiding moro parties.

When peace began to reign (for a while like today), the capital shifted from Misamis to the town of Cagayan de Misamis, now Cagayan de Oro.

After the peace treaty with the Moro people, the Spanish authorities transfered the capital of Misamis district to Cagayan de Misamis because of the following: 1) central location,  2) enough Christian inhabitants, 3) rich in agriculture and commerce, and 4) enough communication facilities.

But just like today, peace was illusive.

Not long after Cagayan de Misamis was made capital, it was returned to Misamis. It was wartime again. In the olden times, war was like the weather. They came like season change.

And then there was peace, and again, Cagayan de Misamis was the capital where it remained until the Spanish regime ended.

During the American time, Misamis district was no more. Cagayan de Misamis was no more. The Americans dropped “de Misamis.” It was simply known as Cagayan, Misamis Oriental. Misamis district of the Spanish era was broken down into respective provinces and cities.

During World War II, while the rest of the Mindanao island was at war against the Japanese invading army, Misamis town and Misamis Occidental were a different story. It was untouched by the Japanese. Perhaps, they considered it as non-military strategic.

But just across the bay, in Lanao and Misamis Oriental, the people were dying under the cruel Japanese regime. Their freedom was restricted at the point of the bayonets. The guerrillas, the freedom fighters who would rather die than live with bended knees, were in the thick of the fight against the Japanese invaders and collaborators.

Cagayan, Misamis Oriental  was garrisoned by the Japanese Army. On the contrary, Misamis, Misamis Occidental, only a handful of Japanese were left to handle military and civil affairs. True to their military heritage, Misamis and the rest of the towns in Misamis Occidental kicked out the invaders. The remaining Japanese were all killed.

The people in Cagayan and Iligan were living in fear – torture and death, rationed food and consumer goods, travel controlled, force labor. They can’t even butcher a pig without permission.

But the Tabok people were living like a free country. They have electricity, telephone, transportation, food, women still have beauty parlors. People wore shoes which was luxury to the people from other side of the bay. Civil, judiciary and military continued to function. In fact, it was considered as capital of free Philippines: governed by government at war and recognized by Philippine Commonwealth President Manuel Quezon and Gen. Douglas MacArthur. It was the only place in the whole Philippines where the flag of America and Philippines stood side-by-side, freely.

Oroquieta became the headquarters of the 10th Military District under Col. Wendel Fertig who unified the whole island of Mindanao under one command.

Misamis town of Misamis Occidental was renamed Ozamiz when it became a chartered city. It was changed to honor  Sen. Jose Ozamiz who was executed and beheaded by the Japanese for his ties with the guerrillas. He was the eldest among 11 siblings. He was the only boy.

Cagayan de Misamis became a chartered city in 1950 and was renamed Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental.