English - Balay Mindanaw

Part 2 - Four Datus: Stories of the Higaunon LifeMGA TAGAHUSAYLeon Ganahan Nanulan, more popularly known asAmba Palasambag, was the oldest datu interviewedfor this study. He declared he was 137 years old wheninterviewed, with more than 100 years of experience as datu,mangangaso (hunter), and palaghusay (mediator). He died inMay 2007. His name Palasambag comes from the Higaunonword “sambag,” or “tambag” in Visayan, which meansadvice. He was the adviser when there were conflicts andmisunderstanding.Amba Palasambag came from a lineage of datus. Hewas the son of Datu Lungkiyaw and Naylunkiyaw, and thegrandson of Binagtigan. Both his father and grandfather wererespected Higaunon datus. He was the fourth of 10 children.As a child, Amba Palasambag described himself as shyand aloof. In fact, whenever visitors would come to theirhouse, he always found refuge in the forest. He even built amakeshift house on top of a tree. “When I had no other thingsto do, I would climb a tree, clip my legs on a branch, and hanglike a crow.” Like any child, Amba Palasambag had his shareof childhood mischief. He recalled that once, he shouted atan old datu named Impasad, who at the time was teachingsomeone all about dasang, a monologue in debate form. Healso loved to tease others by hiding their belongings, returningthem only at a much later time.Amba Palasambag’s closest friend was the father of Manatanhay.They helped and supported each other in all theirundertakings. As Amba Palasambag was growing up, hetended to stay away from people, especially when he realizedthe implications of his childhood pranks. Amba Palasambagrecalled: “Whenever we have visitors, I locked myself insidemy room.”19