I HAD fun last Saturday participating in a Davao history quiz our Rotary club did as part of celebrating Araw ng Davao. And I am very proud to report that our team won first place having answered all 15 questions correctly. Yes, perfect score in a Davao history quiz!
My fellow Rotarians were very impressed. Some of them have lived in Davao City longer than I have been alive, and they did not know key information about our beloved city. They thought I knew these things because I worked in media and the city government for many years.
Actually, I did not know that much about Davao history because of my work in media or the local government. I knew it because of being part of the Davao Historical Society (DHS).
Yes, there is such a group dedicated to learning and promoting Davao history. Curious, a friend asked: “So what do you do? Just study history?” Sounds boring, I know, if you compare it to other pursuits like extreme sports or being in a band. But DHS enriched my life in many ways I did not expect or even imagine.
At first, I thought DHS was only for retired educators and authors who are in their 70s and up. That it was some type of book club where they meet to talk about the good old days. So I did not think it was something I could be part of as a still young Davaoeña.
I got recruited to DHS through the “power point” system — a very powerful person pointed at me and told me to sign up. That powerful person is Datu Bago Awardee Enrica Ongchua Babao, famously called by our generation, “Tita Baby.”
I was serving as chief-of-staff of then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte and was tasked to implement the city ordinance creating the Museo Dabawenyo in 2006. Tita Baby played a significant role in creating the museum as President of DHS and being part of the Museo Advisory Board. I thought I was “required” to be a member of DHS as the one in charge of all things Museo Dabawenyo, which was under the Office of the City Mayor.
DHS was known for leading the commemoration of important historical events in Davao City as well as organizing the Davao History Quiz every Araw ng Davao celebration. It was also famous for its oratorical contest, essay-writing contest, and extemporaneous speaking contest participated in by high school students from different schools in the city which was always held at the Davao City Library (then located at the third floor of the Sangguniang Panlungsod building).
DHS has always been an important partner of the City Government of Davao since it was first established in 1961. Under Mayor Elias B. Lopez, DHS was tasked to lead all commemorations of national holidays in the city. DHS also sponsored an original play entitled “The Founding of Davao City” written and directed by Mr. Damian Lomocso, which was staged at Rizal Park during the Araw ng Davao celebration in 1970 (the year of my birth).
Under Mayor Luis T. Santos, DHS chaired the organizing committee of the Araw ng Davao celebration and it was instrumental in moving the celebration from March 16 to March 1 to conform with historical facts of our charter day.
DHS also led the unveiling of several historical landmarks and monuments in the city as well as supporting various publications of Davao and Mindanao history books. It also organized history seminars and conferences and represented Davao in regional, national, and international history conferences.
Upon Tita Baby’s retirement, Dr. Nonito Delgado and Councilor Pilar C. Braga took over the leadership of DHS. With Dr. Delgado now focused on his advocacy of promoting organic agriculture and healthy living, Councilor Braga led DHS with new officers representing the younger generation of Davaoeños.
Under Councilor Braga, DHS pushed for the creation of a dedicated office for culture and the arts in the City Government of Davao, the local counterpart of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). This office is now being headed by Oscar “Oca” Casaysay, who recently served as NCCA executive director.
DHS partnered with the Institute of Davao Studies (IDS) of the Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC) to jointly promote the love of local history and our rich cultural heritage.
DHS also organized the first Davao History Conference, the first step in implementing the mandatory teaching of Davao history at all levels in all schools in Davao City. With the theme, “Ang Matatag na Dabawenyo, Kasaysayan ay Kabisado,” DHS believes knowledge of our city’s history is the key to our resilience, growth, and peace.
At this time in our history when the youth is already the majority of the population, keeping them engaged and interested in learning the lessons from our past is the main thrust of DHS. That is why DHS regularly hosts “Throwback Thursdays” where resource persons share their experiences and insights from various periods of our local history with our young Davaoeños.
DHS is now using new technology and social media platforms to reach the new generation of digital natives and bring Davao history, culture, and arts closer to where they are.
Last March 11, 2025, Davao City Vice-Mayor Jay Quitain inducted into office the new set of officers of the DHS at the session hall of the Davao City Council. Councilor Braga remains our chair while Dr. Luzviminda “Ma’am Luz” C. Ilagan is our new president, both Datu Bago awardees.
Other members of the DHS Board of Trustees are: Oca Casaysay as vice-president; Patmei Ruivivar as secretary; Amy Cabusao as treasurer; Joselle Badilla as assistant treasurer; Vic Navales as auditor; Ian Garcia as public information officer; Edgar Te as membership committee chair; and Nelson Estares as research committee chair.
I have been a member of DHS for almost 20 years now and it has helped me understand and appreciate my Davaoeño identity. I see how my hometown’s nature and culture shaped my independent spirit; my sense of community; and my commitment to promoting diversity, gender equality, and peace. This knowledge of my roots gives me a sense of pride and purpose. It anchors me and helps me navigate the present and inspires in me hope for the future.
DHS is embarking on a new chapter with several innovative projects geared towards engaging the Davaoeños of the new era. Because as prominent science fiction author Robert Heinlein’s famous quote says: “A generation which ignores history has no past and no future.” ###
