| Summary: | Despite an early contact between Spain and the Philippine Island in the early 16th century, the Spaniards did not successfully conquer the Philippines until 1571, during an expedition led by Miguel Lopez de Legaspi. There after, Philippines became a colony of Spain.In provincial context particularly in southern Philippines, Spanish influence was hardly felt in Davao until 1848, when an expedition of 70 men and women led by Don Jose Cruz de Uyanguren, a native of Vergara, Guipuzcoa, Spain, came to establish a Christian settlement in an area of mangrove swamps that is not the Bolton Riverside. At the period, Davao was ruled by a chieftain named Datu Bago considered the most powerful datu in the Gulf area, strongly opposed Spanish intrusion and invasion of the region.However, despite the strong resistance of Datu Bago, he was defeated by Uyanguren’s religious mission and subsequently rename the region Nueva Guipozcoa, a name taken from his home in Spain.Heroism, the manifestation of great courage in a nation consistently beset by adversity, poverty and a long history of captivity by foreign powers, has been a defining factor in the Philippine nation’s history.Thus, the study seeks to explore the life of Datu Bago and how he resisted Spanish colonialism, thereafter commended his heroism in the province.In fact, a Dato Bago award is given every area on its outstanding residents in Davao who have brought honor and distinction to their home city.Moreover, despite his well known contribution in the region, his life and role has not been revealed in the study of Philippine history.
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