It must be noted that in 1854, Simbalagon was renamed Tudela. This name was given in honor of Father Apolinario Tudela, a priest from Spain. A legendary derivation of the name of Tudela is that a group of people was sentenced to have their tongue cut off because of their false accusations against the Spanish government. The first syllable of Tudela was derived from the Spanish word ‘todos’ meaning all (the convicted) and ‘dela’ of the native dialect, meaning tongue. (Tito P. Daaca, page 1 of “History and Cultural Life of Tudela,” (Bureau of Public Schools, National Library, 1953).

Early Leaders of Tudela

The early leaders of Simbalagon were migrants from Bohol, Leyte and Iloilo. They became leaders because they owned lands in the barangay. The list of persons who became ‘Capitan’ or ‘gobernadorcillo’ with their places of origin are as follows: Prudencio Morales (Hilongo) 1860; Mariano Revelo (Boholano) 1866; Anacleto Vina (Hilongo) 1875 and Perfecto Fuentes (Leyteño) 1886. Some of the ‘Cabeza de Barangay’ known to have served the town was: Lucrecio Olarte, Jose Gamotin, Andres Paciente, Lope Singidas, Celedonio Singidas.  Eladio Singidas, Francisco Ardiayon, Eleuterio Revelo, Eliseo Alicando, Maximo Salva, Pedro Madrio and many others who could not be recalled. Dates of their respective terms of office are unavailable as records were burned during the l896 revolution. (Data from the personal file of Mayor Antero Singidas, Tudela, Misamis Occidental, November 9, 1982).

The 1896 Revolution - Its Effect on Tudela

Due to the abuses suffered by Filipinos under the Spanish rule revolution­ary forces were organized throughout the whole Philippine country. In Misamis, a well known revolutionary leader named Eustaquio Daligdig, a settler from Siquijor, led the revolution with a base in Lopez Jaena The revolution in the province was known to be bloody yet triumphant. All antagonistic Spaniards were killed. In fact, Spanish soldiers feared the Filipino leader so much because he was believed to possess an ‘anting-anting’ or amulet. It was rumored that Daligdig could fly up in the air and bullets could not penetrate him.

Daligdig's revolutionary leadership became a household name throughout the province but was put to halt when the Americans came and hunted him. Later on, he was granted amnesty by the Americans and Daligdig decided to change his name to ‘Sumili’ to avoid retaliation from his former enemies. Most of his descendants are now living in Lopez Jaena and Ozamiz City. (Apolinario Gacasan, nephew of Eustaquio Daligdig, Mindog, Ozamiz City, May 12, 1983).

Religious Background

Separation of the Church and the State was non-existent. Priests were responsible for the establishment of the area assigned to them. However, their major duties, aside from the administration of government, were to look after the conversion of the Subanos to Christianity and the propagation of the Catholic faith.

Collecting taxes from the people was made for public purposes. Those who were sixty years old and above were exempted from paying tributes, which was collected by the Cabesa de Barangay. The settlers often complained about the taxation system imposed by the Spaniards. They observed that the taxes were not used and channeled properly to the right purpose. People who could not pay the imposed taxes were punished severely through forced. Some were known to have their properties confiscated.

A certain Cabesa de Barangay, in the name of Maximo Salva, also commonly known as Barangay Imo, was responsible for collecting taxes for Padre Bayo, parish priest of Jimenez who was also serving Tudela. It was during his time that church membesr was forced to pay taxes and these taxes were used for the construction of the church in Jimenez.

If a member of the church was unable to do so, Barangay Imo would be obliged to pay, otherwise, he would be subjected to twenty-five lashes as punishment for their member's failure to pay. (Mrs. Esperanza S. Paredes, daughter of Maximo Salva, Tudela, Misamis Occidental, October 17, 1982).

It could be realized that the Spanish priests can be considered builders of the Filipino nation because besides their missionary work, they also built roads, bridges, municipal buildings, communication systems of almost all the municipalities of the province of Misamis Occidental or even in most of the major towns and cities throughout the country.

Early Priests

During the Spanish Era, Misamis was composed of four pueblos, namely: Misamis (now Ozamiz City), Palilan (now Jimenez), Layawan (now Oroquieta) and Langaran (now Plaridel). At that time, there was no permanent priest assigned to a parish because only a handful was available. Ozamiz City Cathedral records show that the priests of Clarin and Tudela were residents of Misamis. Table 1 shows the names of the priests in residence at Misamis and Clarin and their dates of assignment. The priests also served Tudela at one time or another, as it was yet part of Clarin. (Fr. Timoteo Ruben, “Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish”, page 8, Souvenir Program, Feast of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, ICC, Ozamiz City, December 7-8, 1977).

A priest known to have stayed in Tudela was Father Bennardo Araiz, who is believed to have been in Tudela during the American regime from 1898 to 1920. The church was constructed during this time and was made of hard wood, cement, and galvanized iron sheets. The church lasted until 1952 when Father Patrick Fare II demolished it for renovation. Other Spanish priests assigned in Tudela were: Cipriano Chocarro, Father Gervacio Magallon, Father Andres Ferrer and Father Victoriano Tarazona.

When the Spaniards ceded the Philippines to the United States of America during the Treaty of Paris in 1898, the Filipinos petitioned the American government to let the Spanish missionaries stay in their respective parishes due to the lack of priests to handle the spiritual needs of the people. The United States government, being a democratic country, allowed the Spanish clerics to continue their task of spiritual conversion. This explains the Filipino Catholic Hispanization in the country today.

Tudela’s Socio-Economic Progress

The advent of American occupation brought many socio-economic changes in Tudela. The Americans introduced modern farm implementation procedures and there were new varieties of farm products were introduced especially rice, corn and coconut. People learned systematic farming procedures. New roads and bridges were constructed so that business prospered because goods could he transported to other places. The means of transportation improved, for while the ancient bull carts, carretelas, tartanillas existed. The cars and trucks also hasten the means of transportation. Progress in communication was notable. Tudela was linked with other towns and provinces by telegraph lines. Mail offices were opened to handle ordinary mail matters and the occasional telegrams and money orders. (Information shared by Mr. Victor Revelo, Postmaster, Bureau of Posts, Tudela, Misamis Occidental, February 9, 1983).

Among the early Subanos there was a belief that when a child was born, the parents should build a boat for the child. This was to save the child when the big flood comes and cleanse the world from sin and error.

In a Subano community, betrothal is done in three different ways; parents do the matchmaking of the ‘panapang’ with their close friends, right after birth or even before birth of a child. Neither boy nor girl knows of this agreement until later in their lives. Parents are expected to fulfill their promises of betrothal otherwise trouble ensues. Some tribal conflicts are known to happen when parents fail to comply with the stipulation of the matchmaking agreement. (Information shared by Mr. Victor Revelo, Postmaster, Bureau of Posts, Tudela, Misamis Occidental, February 9, 1983).

Another betrothal practice by the Subanos is the courtship dance. The suitor dances around in a circle and the woman he loves during the wedding ceremony or during any other special occasion. The man places the handkerchief on the shoulder of the woman he adores. The lad responses by getting the handkerchief and she gives it to her mother or she may pass it on to another, which means her refusal of the mans proposal.

The economic and social conditions of the people in Tudela did not fully disintegrate during the Japanese occupation. According to some folks, life seemed almost normal since the Japanese did not penetrate the mountainsides except on special missions. In fact, the mountains of Tudela became the business center of the province. Merchants abundantly made food and stuffs available from other places. Rice, corn, and other root crops were old for men” were engaged in farming. Evacuees fully obtained anything they needed.

Later the decreasing Japanese patrols in the area enabled the people to travel by sailboats to other provinces to trade goods like sugar, tobacco, rice, and corn. During these times, well-known business people emerged like Ruperto Dybongco, German Valencia and Fernando Ruiz. Fernando Ruiz owned a big banca, which sailed to Bohol, Cagayan and other nearby towns of the province.

The Philippine Emergency Notes was in circulation. Filipinos regarded the notes as "Real Money". The Japanese money lost its value after the issuance of these Philippine Notes. (The people of Tudela called the Japanese money as ‘tingoy’ meaning fake).

The municipality of Tudela did not suffer serious economic depression during the Japanese infiltration. (Mr. Fernando Ruiz, Retired District Supervisor of Tudela, Misamis Occidental, January 5, 1983.

When the Filipino-American forces in Davao were devastated by the Japanese Imperial forces, many Filipino soldiers escaped and returned to their home towns. The Filipino soldiers from Misamis Occidental, together with their American friends, organized the guerrilla movement in the province under the leadership of Major Louis Morgan and Captain William Thate, They were assisted by Major Lucas Naranjo, the most daring guerilla fighter who was greatly feared by the Japanese.

Primitivo Ninang, the first municipal president to build a new schoolhouse. He worked hard for the appropriation from the American government. Unfor­tunately, another municipal president replaced him after losing by a narrow margin in the 1928 elections. In the same year, Ulpiano Balazo succeeded as municipal president. Mayor Balazo received the appropriation for the new building that housed all the grade levels in the municipality.

Worthy of mention was the pioneering teacher, the late Paula Olarte who was later followed by Juan Durias, Maximo Macahis, Sofronio Inting, Justo Paqui, Prudencio Sabanal, Eleuterio Flores, David Paler, Lucio Jala, Gregono Aborka, Fernando Lanit, German Valencia, Nicolas Quimpang, Crispolo Gaa and a certain Mr. Rara and Mr. Arojada. The women 5 group had Mrs. Federica BlancKa.atni no. Mrs. Irene, Tac-an Dano. Cristina Durias, Jul jeta Madula Paradero, Hilaria Cabaruz, Susana Inting, Juana Salva Abiiay, Asuncion Burdalio Balazo, Anunciacion Nlag- a, Paz Paciente, Miss T5 Miss Rosat and Miss Salig. The first school principal was Mr. Jorge Espiaa, and tic f'trst District Supervisor was Emibo Ozaraga. 13

  12 Information given by Mis Socerro N Dagdayan, retired publi school teacher and daughter of the late Nlayor Priruitivo Ninang. Tudela, Misamis Occidental. Decembe'. 16. 1982.

Information iven by Antonia F. Pacalioga, retired, public school teacher of Tudela, Misanais Oecid.:"tal, December 2t"  ".52

Tudela during this period, although it had a complete elementary school, either belonged to the District of Jimenez or Clarin, depending upon the District Supervisor, sifice not all towns had one to manage the teachers. Table 2 and 3 show the list of principals and supervisors who served in Tudela.

The Catholic religion in Tudela remained steadfasL Although the settlers were free to choose theji religion, their religious practices and ceremonies observed during the Spanish rule were still practiced in the American era. Other religious were introduced in Tudela. Among them were the Aglipayan religion or the Philippine independent Catholic Church headed by Father Jorge Dampa in 1902.14 and the Protestant Church led by Rev. Velez in 1928.

The Culture of the Early Settlers of Tudela

A typical Subano house is made of woc4, bamboo, and cogon grass. The floor and walls are made of split lumber of the hark of trees, or split bamboo. The house has small windows or nore, thus making it look dark and poorly ventilated. The house is either too big or too small and too tall or low. Other natives build their houses in teetops to protect them from wild animals and intruders. The houses are reached through a bambx or wooden ladder. which can be taken up during the night.

The Subanos were clothing similar to those of the Muslem. Men wear pants which are tight at the knee and very loose at the waist. Women wear bright-colored blouses with long and tight sleeves. The Subanos adorn themselves with earrings, necklaces, and bracelets made of gold coins and beads.

Like most cultural minorities, the Subanos use the kaingin system of farming. The primitive Subano used bolos and sharpened sticks for digging holes in planting rice and corn. As they dig holes, the men shout in chanting as woman followed dropping the seeds on the holes and answering the chants of the men. Planting activities were joyous and noisy affairs. 10

The Subano farmers were superstitious. They offer a diwat a prayer to ensure a bountiful harvest. In a Jiwata. farmers invoke the help of tie spints of their dead ancestors to drive the evils away A ritual hefore planting called palisobatang is done to give thanks for a good harvest  hen the hesI fails, the Subanos resort to rootcrops like camote. aN. lutva. and cassa'a

Statement made by Mr Laureano Sobs, retired public school teacher and Sanggum.ang lllayao Mee.r, Tudeta, Miss Occidental, January 17, 1983.. Villaseran, Op.  C it. p.25. 10 Ibid, p.24

The Subano are also good hunters They hunt wild pigs, wild birds wild deer, and monkev which are plentiful in the Malindane Mountain. They also go fishtng m the deep anl wide rivers crisscrossing the mountain ridges by using sapan. bantaks. and  from huntii; and fishing they gather honey called duos from the bechivcs in the dense torest

The guerilla movement in Tudela was under the active of Third Lieutenant Jesus Aguilar, Third Lieutenant Francisco Obut, and Third Lieutenant Felicisimo Gaboli. Lieutenant Aguilar was later replaced by Second Lieutenant Maximo Lao as Commanding Officer, who in turn was succeeded by fnst Lieu-tenant Juan de Castro of Bonifacio. Manv soldiers were assigned in Tudela as Commanding Officers such as Third Lieutenant Carlos Mendoza and Third Lieu-tenant Paulino Neri. There was only one significant encounter in Tudela. Filipino soldiers led by Major Naranjo met the Japanese soldiers in combat at the Fertig Trail in Lobong Balo. The guerrillas of Tudela served only as police officers to neutralize banditr -

The weakening of the Japanese forces was a result of the guerrillas reinforcement that eventually led the Japanese to withdraw and later surrender.

A historical incident that happened in Tudela during the last days of the war was the killing of two Japanese soldiers who tried to escape. One of the Japanese soldiers hide in the house of Rufo Zaballero. The Filipinos killed the Japanese by burning the house. The other Japanese soldier t(x)k refuge at the house of P.tor Vina at Nailon. but he finally died of spear wounds.'⁹

  .1             Stameot by Severino Bediongan. Barangay Cap'.ain and Tunuay, Colambutan Sen., Tudela, Misamis. Oecidentat. Information supplied by Third Lieutent Francisco Obut. World War II Veteran, Tudela Misarnis Occidental, September 8.1982. 19 Information given by Rufo Zabaltero. resident of Tudeta, Misamis Occidental, i)cember 29, 1952 Special mention is tiven to Mr. F4mundo D. Ruiz. “The history of Tudela”, Unpulished thess for his Masteral Thesis, Immaculate Conception College, Ozamiz City, 1983

Municipal Officials of udela

Hon. Felix L. Sarigumba

Hon. Nilo Y. Obut

Hon. Herminia S. Singson

Hon. Rogelio P. Nalam

Hon. Nicolas J. Cinco

Hon. moteo A. Lao

Hon. Virgeho V. Mandriza

Hon. Fernando T. Castanos

Hon. Pita B. Yamaro

Hon. Atlmio G. Aeson

Hon. Enieteflo C. Valinofla

Hon. Levi G. Revelo

Municipal Department Heads

Hon. Felix L. Sarigumba

Hon. Nib Y. Obut

Mr. Panfilo S. Olartc

Mrs. Loreta T. Salinasa!

Mr. Lorenzo . Soils

Mr. Rosalito S, Liguid

Mr. Leopoldo G. Verano

Mt. Meles M. Sampoma

Mr. Crisostomo R. Lagas

Mrs. Norma T. Raagas

ledge Benjainin Galindo

Mr. Jumab Inting

\.r. Einmanuel R. Tomas

Dr. Victor F. Alinas

Dra. Gloria Q. Bongabon

Mr. Jose J. Matquez

Mr. Domison Galarpe

Mr. Meynardo A. Durias

P/Inspector Victorico?. Codera

Mrs. Necaia D. Cagoco

Miss Tita B. Roasol

-   Municipal Mayor

-   Municipal kice41ayor

-        Sang guntang Ba yan Member

-        Sang gunlang Ba yan Member

-  Sanggum'ang Bayan Member

-.       Sang guntang Bayan Member

-        Sang guntang Bayan Member

-   Sangguniang Ba yan Member

-   Sanggunlang Bayan Member

-   Sangguniang BQvan Member

-   Sanggunlang Bayan Member

- Sangguniang Bayan Member

-        Mayor's Office

-        Qflice of the Sangguniang Bayan

Municipal Secreta

Private Secretarv

Municipal Treasurer's Office

LCR I MPDS

Municipal Assessor's Office

DILG

COMELEC

DSWD

MCTC

Bureau of Post

Te Je corn

Tudela Municipal Hospital

Rural Health Unit

Depar'men' ofAgriculture

DAR

MOWD

Tudela PNP Headquarters

Municipal Budget OfficeriMBO

Municipal Egineer I MEO