English - Balay Mindanaw

Part 2 - Four Datus: Stories of the Higaunon LifeIN MULTIPLE SYSTEMSDikno Mansumagan or ’Tay Dikno, at 56, is the youngestof the datus interviewed for this study. He was born inMandalawat, Minalwang, Claveria, Misamis Oriental.Mandalawat was formerly a sitio of Bal-ason, Gingoog City.He grew up in Bal-ason, a Higaunon territory, which used tobe an unayan or farm area. His parents are both Higaunons.His father is Datu Manluktuhan and his mother, Lumindita.His mother is of Pinagawa descent, the original Higaunonsof Bal-ason. ’Tay Dikno is the eldest from his father’s secondwife. Before finally residing in Bal-ason, his father lived inBaligihan and became a close ally of the grandfather of thepresent Barangay Captain of Eureka, Allan Mandokita.Kili-kili was a name given by his grandfather Manyugtaan.“The term kili-kili comes from the Higaunon word thatprimarily refers to people who has the ability to quickly makedecisions in meetings or dialogues. The elders realized thatthis name was apt for me because aside from making quickdecisions, I also make time to weigh the options to find aworkable solution. That’s kiling-kiling.”In the past, Sitio Mandalawat was a thick forest. Hisgrandfather had a house there, at the time when the loggingcompany had not discovered this place yet. Mandalawat wasentrusted to him and his first cousin, Meloy Pinagawa, also adatu of Barangay Kalipay, Gingoog City.In 1958, the eight-year-old Dikno started attending school inBal-ason despite strong resistance from his parents. His parents’apprehension was grounded on their fear that education mightmake Dikno abandon his culture and tradition. But he pursuedhis goal, stirred up by his desire to learn to write his name.To sustain his education, ’Tay Dikno worked as houseboy and87