People

Ata means “dwellers in highlands.” They are a powerful people of unknown origin who appear to be a mixture of Negritos and Malays, and belong to the largest community of indigenous people, the Manobo. They were noted to be highly nomadic and tended to live in single-family units. You may want to read: Hypotheses on Negrito … Read more

  The name Kagan comes from the word “kag” which means to warn, to advice and to inform.   They were the first indigenous tribe in Bawwangin (Dabaw) who embraced Islam, and are known to have fixed abode.   They are very hospitable to visitors.   The Kagans are considered as the Davao Muslims.

In 1944, Magdalena Leones ,”Lioness of Filipino Guerrilla” agreed to become a US  special agent to help the Americans defeat the Japanese in the Philippines during  World War II. She used her connections in the missionary and her ability to speak Niponggo language to pass secret messages and to send medical supplies to different provinces … Read more

  In the photo, she shows to the Americans how he has beheaded the Japanese.   Nieves Fernandez was the only woman known to have led guerrilla units against the Japanese during World War II.   She led 110 Filipino guerillas to fight 200 Japanese soldiers in Leyte using only the home-made grenades and guns. … Read more

  Maguindanaon means ‘people of the flood plain” for they mainly inhabit the broad Pulangi River Valey and delta which occasionally flood.   They are courageous and resourceful people who bravely defend their tribe with dignity and honor.   Today, Maguindanaons have settled in different communities in Davao City.   Learn about them at Kalinaw … Read more