The Heart of a Village Chief Jannine Maris M. Turno   © Copyright 2024 by Jannine Maris M. Turno

Cesar and his wife Elena. Photo by the author.

Being too young himself, he doesn't know how to properly care for his younger brothers and still wants to spend the entire day playing with his siblings. Only at night did he realize that his siblings needed to be fed since they wouldn't stop crying. So, in the middle of the night, with only a torch to keep himself illuminated, he searches their garden for sweet potato, prepared it, and fed his siblings.

His father, Juan Malanday, was a farmer. Juan was always preoccupied with cultivating and farming crops and had no time to look after his children. Due to life's hardships and drawbacks, he frequently arrived home late and drunk.

As a result of such events, Cesar matured too quickly. In an early age like seven or eight years old, he knew that it was his responsibility to take care of and feed his brothers. When they were fortunate, they could eat root crops once or twice a day; if not, they might not have been able to eat anything at all. Because of how poorly they lived, his baby brother did not survive.

When he was older his father realized the value of education and decided to send Cesar to school. It was after when their cultivated fields were taken away from them, and they were unable to defend their rights because they lacked the necessary knowledge. Juan realized that education will benefit them in the future and protect them from being deceived. Cesar was already 20 years old when he graduated from elementary.

Just to survive and pay for his high school, he did everything he could. He labored as a farmer, and sells cigarettes and goods in places where people gather, like in the cockpit, he even asked assistance from priests; he used to be an altar boy. He reaped the rewards of his labor as he graduated as a Valedictorian.

You know, he wanted to become a lawyer. It was his dream, but it was too big for him to achieve. Predominantly, they were having financial trouble and education was expensive at the time. No one was able to assist him despite his pleas for assistance in getting to college.

Despite everything, Cesar was admired and looked up to by those around him, who saw him as wise and perceptive. He was deeply rooted in his Subanen heritage, never losing sight of where he came from. He was honored to be called a Timuay, or village leader in Jose Dalman Zamboanga del Norte, a position that came with great responsibility.

As Timuay, Cesar established himself as the pillar of his community, serving as both a leader and a protector of its traditions and practices. He was well-versed in the laws and practices of the Subanen people and used his knowledge to assist his fellow tribesmen in navigating legal matters. He was the one to go to when it came to settling conflicts, providing advice, or making sure that justice was carried out in accordance with custom.

Making sure Subanen couples got married legally and in a way that honored their culture was one of his cherished duties. Rather than just a union between two individuals, he saw marriage as an important thread in the fabric of their community and keeping families together. He put forth a lot of effort to make sure that these unions were accepted by society's legal systems as well as by their own customs.

His role as a Timuay was not only to lead; it was also to serve as a bridge between the younger and older generation that even if the world is fast changing there are still traditions that the ancestors have passed down. He was humble and devoted to his people above everything else, making him the perfect example of the Subanen spirit.

When he was married to Elena Recososa, he faithfully honored his promise of loyalty every day. He dedicated himself not only to fulfilling her needs but also to anticipating her desires. He treated her with unwavering respect. He was attentive to the smallest details, ensuring that her happiness was a priority in every aspect of their life together. In moments of disagreement, he was the first to apologize, not out of obligation, but out of genuine love and a deep commitment to her.

He sells everything in their little sari-sari store which also served as their home, and expanded his business into buy and sell because he had many regular customers. He was skilled at running his business, managing finances, and saving money. He didn't buy himself new clothing or shoes or a car, instead, he used his savings to gradually purchase cultivable lands where he planted fruit trees, root crops, and whatnot.

Maylinda was his one and only child, but he built up his home to make it a bigger place where his less fortunate relatives could always go if they needed assistance. He opened his doors to give them a place to live, food, clothing, and even access to education. He never asked them to leave, they could stay as long as they wanted.

When Maylinda was little, Cesar was the one who always looked after her when she was sick, and comforted her when she was sad, or afraid. He never hurt her. He is both gentle and strong, and he has a heart filled with compassion. He was a prudent man, and he constantly helped her make smart choices.

Cesar passed away far too soon; he was just in his early 50s. His body gave up shortly because it had been mistreated by hard labor since childhood. Even though his life was short, he certainly lived it well.

When he was alive, he frequently stated that whatever he owns was not for him, but for his grandchildren. And sure, even though he was long gone, we are still reaping the rewards of his labor. He still provides for us with everything that he invested.

Cesar was my grandfather and I know that he would have loved to see us grow up and meet my two cute nephews, his great-grandchildren. I wish there had been more time we could have spent together.

We have tried to carry on his legacy by paying tribute to the man he was and using it as a guide for our own life. It was certainly gratifying to have him as a role model for a well-lived life, and somehow, as his grandkids, we can see that greatness also lies inside us. And what a relief that we descended from a decent man.