BANGUINGUI MUNICIPALITY CELEBRATES 1OTH ANNIVERSARY (Jan. 31, 2008)

The Island municipality of Banguingui Sulu held its 10th year founding anniversary of the municipality last January 28, 29, 30, 2009 at Luuk Banguingui Sulu. The said festivity is in commemoration of shifting its name from formerly Tongkil to Banguingui Sulu.

The Island municipality of Tongkil was created on March 3, 1917 by virtue of Republic Act No. 2711. On January 29’ 1999 by virtue of Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act No. 71, the name of the Municipality of Tongkil in the Province of Sulu was changed to the Municipality of Banguingui.  Based on DENR- ARMM approved Map of the Political Boundary of Banguingui with a total land area of 35,259 hectares more or less. 

The 5th class municipality with a total population of 22,502 as of August 1, 2007 census of population.  It belongs to the Second Congressional District of Sulu.

Banguingi  Island is the home of the native Sama- Banguingui speaking people.  Before the Spanish conquest in the Philippines, the socio- political system of the native was already established.

During the Spanish regime, the native Sama-Banguingui courageously defended the island against the Spanish invaders with their galleons.  They fought with a number of local defenders that led to their victory and thereby the enemy perished in this famous battle of Banguingui.  The remnant of the famous Bangungui Fort still exists in the interior of banguingui Island.

According to history why it was being named as Tongkil , way back in many years the American forces was assigned to the island where it was originally called Bangungui by its native.  Apparently, the Americans named the island as Tongkil in which “Tong” means far away and ”Kill” means Killing Zone. Tongkil was then adopted by the Banguingui native.
 
Banguingui, also known as Sama Banguingui, Sama Bangingi’, Bangingi, and Samal Banguingui, is a distinct ethno-linguistic group dispersed throughout the Greater Sulu Archipelago and southern and western coastal regions of the Zamboanga Peninsula in Mindanao.

The Banguingui are not officially recognized by law either in the Philippines or in the neighboring Malaysian state of Sabah. This can be attributed to their natural ability to culturally assimilate and their acceptance in either Tausug, Sama and Yakan societies. The Banguingui are part of the wider Moro ethnic group, who constitute the sixth largest Filipino ethnic group.

The Banguingui language has both written and oral traditions. Its written language is in Jawi script and is fast becoming a dying tradition. Oral traditions are handed down by the kamattoahan (elders) to the kaanakan or anak baha-u (new generations).

The Banguingui build and manage formidable kuta (forts) throughout the Sulu Archipelago as well as vinta or (bangka-bangka) boats that roam the Sulu-Sulawesi region. At the height of the Sulu Sultanate, the Banguingui forms the bulk of the Sultan's navy, leading retaliatory raids against Spanish controlled outposts in Mindanao, the Visayas and as far as Luzon to the north.

The three day fabulous occasion was then scheduled with a lot of preparation in consonance with the anniversary celebration of the Island municipality of Banguingui.  The first day was the medical mission given by the Integrated Provincial Health Office Sulu and in cooperation with the Sulu Provincial Government headed by Honorable Governor Abdusakur Tan and Vice Governor Nur-Ana I. Sahidulla.

The Municipal Mayor Honorable Abdulwahid Sahidulla who hosted the event warmly welcomed their guest and visitors all the way from Zamboanga City and Jolo.

Lots of fun, games and beauty pageant was then enjoyed by the native in the second night of the celebration.

The third night was the Lady Ann on Stage concert, a gift of the honorable Vice Governor Nur- Ana Sahidulla to her municipality of Banguingui constituents.

Major General Juancho M. Sabban of the Joint Task Force Comet who headed the guest entourage to the event. Among the guests are; Colonel Eugenio N. Clemen- Commanding Officer of the 3rd Marine Brigade, Colonel Alexander Balutan- Deputy Commander of the 2nd Marine Brigade, Major Lawrence Paley- US Army, Commander Task Force Sulu,  Lt. Col. Ferdinand Fraginal- Commanding Officer of MBLT-5, Lt. Col. Antonio Rosario- Commanding Officer of MBLT-3, Major Arnel David- US Army, Civilian Affair, Capt. Glen Agudo, Major Cerfereno Decena, Andy De Rossi- Chairman 3P Foundation and his son Mike De Rossi, Engineer dan Ruiz of NAVFAC.

Other guests like; Hadji Yahcub Sahidulla- Assistant Regional Manager, RPMA- ARMM, Hadji Ibnohashim Undug- Jolo, RPA Manager, Hadja Mariam Alih- Commissioner, Regional Commission on Bangsa Moro Women, Vice Mayor Hadji Yashir Imba, Municipal Officials, Barangay Officials, School Supervisors,Teachers, Students and all line agencies in the Municipality of Banguingui were held together in the said festivity.

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