Davao’s Guardian of Memory

In his new book, award-winning writer and historian Macario Tiu attempts to set straight the myths and inaccuracies of Davao�s history. Why, he asks, should Datu Bago be depicted as a pirate � and not the Basque invader Uyanguren? He remembers the heroic acts of Davaoe�os past and present. “The task is to locate more of these heroic men and women who have done a great deed in defense of Davao, of the country and reclaim them from oblivion.”

By Tyrone A. Velez
davaotoday.com

DAVAO CITY — The trophy that Davao writer Macario Tiu won from the National Book Award for his book on Davao history is, of all things, a sculpted camera.

“I’m figuring out why the sculptor designed the trophy this way,” Tiu pondered as he took the award off the shelf in his office in Ateneo de Davao University’s Tambara Office. “Perhaps it suggests that writers want to show the readers a picture of the world.”

That may well describe Tiu’s effort in Davao: Reconstructing History Through Text and Memory, where he presents a vivid narrative of Davao’s growth and identity and its resistance against Spanish and American colonization.

(more…)

10 Comments to “Davao’s Guardian of Memory”

1. melot petschick says:

   September 13, 2006 at 5:01 am

   Dear Mr. Velez,
   I read davao today in most of my free time . I am so happy to know that Mr. Tiu won an award for his book. Very inspiring article. It only shows that we, Davawenyos are really talented. Ipadayon ang maayong pagsulat !

   Matinahuron,

   melot petschick
2. eduardo a. basto says:

   September 19, 2006 at 6:43 pm

   hi sir tyrone!! i am edong. m.a. journ student po ako from UP diliman. i would just like to ask if i could have you as my interviewee to represent the press in Mindanao. i am currently working po on my thesis on the killings of journalists in Mindanao under the supervision of sir danny arao. I also sent a message kay ma’am cheryll fiel sa davaotoday@gmail.com na address but i am not sure kung makakarating po iyon sa kanya regarding din po sa concern na ito.
   i am hoping na sana po e makarating sa inyo itong message ko. thanks po in advance. please drop me a note at superedongatyourservice@yahoo.com kung okay lang po na mainterview ko kayo kahit sa email lang so i could send the interview questions right away.

   thanks a lot.

   regards,

   edong!!
3. Herc Lagunay says:

   January 24, 2007 at 3:16 am

   Dear Mr. Tiu,

   Now that you are into this, maybe you can also advocate the return of those historical major street names in Davao City and perhaps move Datu Bago street from its obscurity in Bankerohan Public Market to one of prominence, how about the Diversion road?

   While prominent martial law Davaoe�os personalities maybe worthwhile mentioning in this your Davao book (I have not read it), I still think that a separate book on Martial Law in Davao City would do justice to the rest of the local actors on those dreaded days. The likes of Bebot Bello and the big Zap of the MIA fame, where are they now?

   Thanks,

   Herc
   The Marshall Isl
   ands
4. Lee bee Tiu says:

   July 30, 2007 at 9:58 pm

   I’m wondering if you are the same Macario Tiu who was in Xavier University on the 60’s? Henrietta Tiu from Naawan before AKA Lee Bee Tiu
5. mae says:

   August 17, 2007 at 3:56 am

   hi tyrone,

   its nice that you wrote something about Dr. Tiu..
   i was his student and i admire his knowledge regarding about this..

   keep up the good work Dr. Tiu
6. liezl says:

   August 21, 2007 at 6:02 pm

   hi..
   i was having my research on the different literary pieces on davao region and i find it realy hard to find one in our library and even in the internet..my friend in UPdavao suggested ur name..hmm..are you a native of davao?tnx.
7. Jose Mangune says:

   January 9, 2008 at 3:50 am

   Hi,

   I recently visited Davao City last December and had the chance to talk to Macario Tiu who happens to be a friend during our days at ADD college. He told me that he wrote two books one being the much discussed book in your article and the other “Conquest and Rebellion…”. I thought I would have the time to llok up the latter but my visit was really short.

   Can you please point me to the right direction in finding the book through the internet. I am very much interested in that book.

   Thank you in advance.

   Jose Mangune
8. Abigail Albino says:

   April 21, 2008 at 9:56 pm

   Sir, I’m looking for a book such as this…Is it available in the Davao City Library?
9. raul v. tonogbanua says:

   May 23, 2008 at 11:00 pm

   hi,

   i knew socorro par quite well as we were classmates in college at the ateneo – ab eco. in fact we made our thesis together. she thought, breathed, lived and died for her conviction – a just society. i might not totally agree with some of her ideas but i believe that if she were alive today she surely would make a big difference in our corrupted society.

   i would like to remember soc as a patient person in her college uniform or in her “patadjong” rather than the enclosed box she came home into. i hope socorro par will be remembered as a person and not just a footnote in the struggle against injustice. there are still times that i miss soc and i pray and hope that she is in a much better place where there is only love, peace and quiet. God bless her soul.
10. Ma. Fiona Stephanie Degamo says:

    September 28, 2009 at 7:24 pm

    Mr. Velez,

    Greetings!

    I would like to ask for your permission since I need a photo of Mr. Macario Tiu for our journalism class under Ms. Gemima Galang.

    One of our requirements in our final grading paper, is to produce a newsletter which includes articles and pictures. And we need to have a copy of Sir Tiu’s picture for our news article.

    I have already copied the picture and recognized you as the source.

    Thank you.

    Your truly,
    Fiona Degamo
    Ateneo de Davao University
    Bachelor of Arts Major in English Literarure, III year