Chapter 52 : The United Royal Houses of the Philippines

Two Kinds of Principalias: pro Natives (original principalia) versus pro Spaniards (new principalia)

The some principalia families of the Philippines are the descendants of the prehispanic lakan, sultan, datu, rajah, hadi of the different ancient prosperous native settlements all over the country that were eventually recognized by the Kingdom of Spain as part of the their royal administration in the country. These are ususlaly the first gobernadorcillos of a settlement. This could be a result of the informal peace treaty between Lakan Bunao Dula of the Lakanate of Tondo with the Kingdom of Spain. Among the agreement of the Lakanate of Tondo and the Kingdom of Spain are : there will be no more armed conflict between the two kingdoms, the native hereditary leaders will be allowed to use their ancient surnames, they will be free from paying taxes, and they will be appointed as gobernadorcillos of their own settlements. As a gesture of this diplomatic alliance between the Kingdom of Spain and the Lakanate of Tondo, Batang Dula, the eldest son and heir apparent of Lakan Bunao Dula and Senorita Goiti were betrothed and the palace of Lakan Bunao Dula, will be under the protection and maintenance of the Kingdom of Spain. Later, the palace was converted into a dormitory and eventually, a church was built on it. It is now known as the Sto. Nino Church of Tondo. According Re. Fr. Lito Villegas of the Church of Sto. Nino de Tondo, with the death of Lakan Bunao Dula, the Sto. Nino became the "Spiritual head of the Kingdom Tondo with children of Lakan Bunao led by his eldest son and heir apparent Batang Dula acting as the regents of the native kingdom.

In the later part of the nation's pre hispanic history, the Philippine Revolution against the Kingdom of Spain will eventually be led by natives of Tondo, Andres Bonifacio and Macario Sakay. The latter principalias are not anymore the former native nobility whom the Spaniards would latter view as aligned with the rebels or probable rebels themselves. These new principalias are usually pro Spaniard natives who are willing to rat on local rebels like Juan Macapagal. From the point of view of anti Spanish - pro homeland descendants of the children of Lakan Dula: Luis Taclucmao, Batang Dula, Maria Poloin and Magat Salamat, the "new principalias" are "traitors" of the homeland and not necessarily the original direct descendants of the native nobility. When the Philippine Revolutionary Government was hoodwinked by both the Americans and the Kingdom of Spain through the Treaty of Paris, the revolutionary government led by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo filed a formal protest against the treaty and in their protest letter, they mentioned that the sovereignty and mandate of the revolutionary government was derived from the Lakanate of Tondo's mandate of Lakan Bunao Dula. The recognition of the rights and privileges of the Filipino Principalía as equivalent to those of the Hidalgos of Castile appears to facilitate entrance of Filipino nobles into institutions under the Spanish Crown, either civil or religious, which required proofs of nobility. However, such approximation may not be entirely correct since in reality, although the principales were vassals of the Spanish Crown, their rights as sovereign in their former dominions were guaranteed by the Laws of the Indies, more particularly the Royal Decree of Philip II of 11 June 1594, which Charles II confirmed for the purpose stated above, in order to satisfy the requirements of the existing laws in the Peninsula.

From the beginning of the Spanish colonial period, the conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legaspi retained the hereditary rights of the local ancient sovereigns of the Archipelago who vowed allegiance to the Spanish Crown. Many of them accepted the Catholic religion and became Spanish allies at this time. He only demanded from these local rulers vassalage to the Spanish Crown,[am] replacing the similar overlordship, which previously existed in a few cases, e.g., Sultanate of Brunei's overlordship of the Kingdom of Maynila. Other independent polities, which were not vassals to other States, e.g., Confederation of Madja-as and the Rajahnate of Cebu, were de facto Protectorates/Suzerainties having had alliances with the Spanish Crown before the Kingdom took total control of most parts of the Archipelago.[15](p33)[25](p4)

A question remains after the cessation of Spanish rule in the Philippines regarding any remaining rank equivalency of Filipino Principalía. Reassuming their ancestral titles as Datus while retaining the Hidalguía of Castile (their former protector state), as subsidiary title, is the logical consequence of the above-mentioned recognition by Charles II of Spain. As guaranteed by this Spanish Monarch's Royal Decree, the ancient nobility of the casiques within his realm (which includes the Filipino Principales) "is still retained and acknowledged".[12](p235)

Besides, the principales retained many of the ordinary obligations of local rulers as manifested in constructing local infrastructures and in maintaining the government offices without funds from Spain. Expenditures of the local government came from the private and personal resources of the principales.[1](p326)[19](p294) These were not taxes that citizens were obliged to pay as tributes required by their Spanish Crown from its subjects.[g] In many ways, the principales retained much of the responsibilities, powers and obligations of the pre-colonial Datus — their predecessors, except for the right to organize their own armed forces. Only the right of Gobernadorcillos to appoint alguacils and "cuadrilleros" (police patrol or assistance) seem to point out to some kind of vestige of this pre-colonial sign of the Datu's coercive power and responsibility to defend his domain.

Like deposed royal families elsewhere in the world, which continue to claim hereditary rights as pretenders to the former thrones of their ancestors, the descendants of the Principalía have similar de jure claims to the historical domains of their forebears.

History of the United Royal Houses of the Philippines

Pre-colonial Visayan royal couple in yellow gold, blue and red, the distinctive colours of the Datu class. Illustration by an unknown Chinese artist c. 1595 in Boxer Codex.

Heraldic Crown of Hispanic Hidalgos.

Lakan Dula was the most prolific of Luzon's ancient rulers. His descendants are spread out all across the Kapampangan Region during the Spanish colonial era.[3] He fathered at least seven children, namely, the eldest son Batang Dula; the brave Magat Salamat, the Datu of Tondo; the priest Martin Lakan Dula; the childless Don Dionisio Capulong, the Datu of Candaba; Don Phelipe Salonga, the Datu of Pulu; the pretty Maria Poloin, and the mysterious Luis Taclocmao . Batang Dula has three children: David, Daba and Dola. They were hidden in different places within sea routes and given vast tract of lands, farm workers, and armed followers. The plantation given to David was named Kandawid, the one given to Daba was now known as Kandaba and that of Dola is known as Kandola in San Luis Pampanga.Kan is an ancient tagalog word for owned. The well-known descendants of Dola are the Macapagal of Lubao through Carlos Lacandola. The descendants of Daba are the Capulong of Candaba and their relatives are the Gatbontons. The descendants of David Dula y Goiti are the Dulay of Candawid, Isla de Batang, Laoang, Northern Samar, and in Samara, Aringay in La Union. There are other descendants of Lakan Dula such as those who descended from his other children. It is still a historical mystery why only the eldest son, and another child carried the regnal royal surname Dula. The rest adopted a different native sounding surnames (Carating, 2014, p.36). Source: Carating, R. R., Galanta, R.G., Bacatio, C.D.(2014). The Soils of the Philippines. New York City: Springer Science and Business

The descendants of Lakan Dula has been spearheaded by the lineage of Batang Dula, through the cadet line of David Dula y Goiti where the

Dulay Tribe all over the country emerged. They are recognized by the organizations of indigenous Filipinos headed by Rajah Julian Canonoy and other datu as well as original principalia families, royal families from Sarawak, articles, blogs, heritage websites, and historians - - as the cadet line of the Lakanate of Tondo. The descendants of Lakan Dula which is headed by the 5th hereditary leader of the Dulay Mendoza Clan of Marikina , through their foundation, Ceferino Dulay Memorial Foundation, Inc. (CDM Foundation) has been doing advocacies and projects such as 1. Animal Shelter, 2. Marikina News, 3. Pro - Poor Projects (Feeding Program, Outreach, and Gift Giving), 4. Baybayin, Arnis and Kundiman Revival, 5. Lakanate of Tondo, Royal Houses and Principalia Families, 6. Descendants of Lakan Dula, 7. Sumpa ni Lakan Dula, 8. Indigenous tribal groups in the Philippines and 9. Dine with the Ancestors. The CDM Foundation was organized by the elders of the Dulay Tribe among them was Simon Dulay Sr. of Laoang, Northern Samar in honor of the lineage of the eldest son Ceferino Rivas Dulay, the 4th hereditary leader of Dulay Mendoza Clan of Marikina Valley. The Presidency of the foundation is now with the eldest son and legal heir of Ceferino who is known as the 5th hereditary leader of the clan. A circle of advocates on specialized fields were involved in the projects: Pastor Jay Enage, founder of Baybayin Buhayin, Inc., Samuel Bambit Dulay for arnis, Arjhay Laurea for Kundiman and the family of the late national artist Lang Dulay for tinalak. The leader of the descendants of Lakan Dula had been interviewed by bloggers, I - Juander of GMA, different students and I -Witness of GMA, etc; and the House of Dulay Mendoza has been a favorite venue for films and documentaries. One of the those who took notice of the activities of the descendants of Lakan Dula was a Fil American from New York representing the Wangdom of Ma-I in Bulalacao Mindoro. He wrote a letter to the head of the House of Dula and an informal alliance between the Lakanate of Tondo and Wangdom of Ma-I was discussed in principle to support the existing projects and advocacies. The alliance embarked on a US Mission to Recover Doctrina Cristiana now kept by the US Library of Congress which was coordinated with the Office of the President, National Historical Commission and the Department of Foreign Affairs. The people behind the God's Culture in YouTube visited the House of Dula for a Dine with the Ancestors Ritual Havilah Version. A principalia who is a high ranking Filipino priest and papal official based in Vatican City in Rome later participated in the visioning of an organization of the principalia families in the Philippines which in essence became the foundation of the council. In a meeting between the patriarch of the House of Dula and the parish priest of the Sto. Nino de Tondo, a pilgrimage of Lakan Dula descendants to Tondo was discussed and the necessity of formalizing the Principalia Council was deemed as historical priority.

Pre-colonial Philippine royalty of the Postclassical Era and the early modern period

The royal houses council is envisioning of a Philippines that is corrupt - free, united, prosperous and respects its own history. This vision can be attained through a mission: headed by a stable hereditary council based in the seat of the ancient Lakanate of Tondo, there will be a national organization of royal houses from all over the country who will serve as one of the national institutions that influence public opinions and national governance against corruption, initiate and advocate nationally relevant patriotic projects, work for the unity and sense of patriotism among Filipinos all over the world and champion a pro - Filipino interpretation of Philippine history. The council will honor the timeline of the pre - hispanic history, the list of pre-colonial Philippine royalty of the post classical era and the early modern period; and the norms and traditions of the Council of the Royal Houses.

The patriarch and matriarch of the different royal houses close to the House of Dula constituted the members of the council, namely; House of Dula, House of Magat Salamat, House of Capulong, House of Gatbunton, House of Gatchalian, House of Sumakwel, House of Tupas Humabon, House of Cabailo of the Kingdom of Palawan, the House of Lapu Lapu, and later on, the House of Maria Poloin and the House of Iberein of the Lakanate of Lawan. These patriarchs and matriarchs meets in a secret place in the old palace of the ancient Kingdom of Tondo (now the Sto. Nino de Tondo Church) to do the Dine with the Ancestors Ritual during the birthdate of the Lakan Bunao Dula and in celebration also of the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines.

The Vision - Mission and Organization of the Principalia Council

Source: National Historical Institute, 1964. Any proposed addition to the list should be communicated to the Principalia Council for further historical study and approval.

The timeline of the pre - hispanic history

Based on the Principalia Theory of Austronesian Inter Migration, the Rhinoceros man, Dawn man and Callao man existed in the ancient Philippines (Ophir) as early as 709, 000; 250,000 and 65,000 years ago respectively.

1800 BC – Ancient Lawan Pacific Settlement (Ophir, the homeland of Asians, Polynesians and Austronesian peoples)

1000 BC - Igorot Society (CAR)

601 AD - Chiefdoms of Zabag and Wak-Wak (Pampanga and Aparri

800 AD - Namayan (Mandaluyong, Sta. Ana Manila)

900 AD - Tondo (Tondo, Manila)

971 AD - Huangdom of Ma-i

1176 AD - Kingdom of Tondo

1200 AD - Rajahnate of Cebu, Madjas-as Confederation, Dapitan, Butuan

1252 AD - Lupah Sug (Sulu)

1376 AD - Bruneian Empire

1408 AD - Caboloan Vassal State of Ming China (Pangasinan)

1430 AD - Sultanate of Sulu

1450 AD - Kingdom of Tondo reached its peak with the largest territory in the archipelago

1470 AD - Namayan became a vassal state of Tondo

1492 AD - Kingdom of Taytay (Palawan)

1499 AD - Brunei conquered Ma-i and Sulu

1500 AD - Brunei conquered Tondo's Manila territory and established the puppet Kingdom of Maynila

1501 AD - Maguindanao established

1502 AD - Brunei totally took-over Tondo which lost its territories up north of Luzon.

1521 AD - Magellan reaches the Philippines & is killed by Lapu-Lapu in the battle of Mactan

1522 AD - Maranao established

1532 AD - Lanao established

1564 AD - Sultanate of Ternate established, Spain conquered Cebu

1567 AD - Datu Pagbuaya established

1573 AD - Spain conquered Madjas-As and Tondo

1577 AD - Spain conquered Caboloan

During the WWll, Philippine President Manuel L.Quezon, a native of the Pacific side of the Philippines within the influence of the ancient Lakanate of Lawan (Ophir), saved more than thousand Jews from Europe to be butchered by the Nazis by accepting them into the Philippines and settling them in his properties in Marikina Valley....and the rest is history...

The Royal Houses that Comprise the Council are as follows:

Prof. Sofronio Dulay | The House of Dula of the Lakanate of Tondo

Corazon Siya | The House of Sumakwel of the Madja-as Confederation

Dr. Delmar Taclibon | The House of Magat Salamat of the Lakanate of Tondo

Dr. Cecille Cayetano | The House of Capulong of the Lakanate of Tondo

Rajah Julian Canonoy | The House of Lapu Lapu of the Rajahnate of Mactan

Andrew Miranda | The House of Gatchalian of the Lakanate of Tondo

Rajah Junbert Guigayuma | The House of Tupas Humabon of the Lakanate of Cebu

Apo Remedios Cabate-Cabral | House of Cabailo of the Kingdom of Palawan

Baron Rjhay Laurea | The Royal House of Maria Poloin of the Lakanate of Tondo

Father Mariel Sumallo | The House of Iberein of the Lakanate of Lawan

The Philippine Catholic Church Formally installed the Regents of the United Royal Houses of the Philippines in a conservative Catholic Rite in the Sto. Nino de Tondo Church, the ancient Palace of the last King of Tondo, Lakan Bunao Dula

The Church and state has always been in constant friction in the Philippines despite the fact that even the Bible says that give unto Caesar what is to Caesar, and give unto God what is to God. In Cebu, the Philippine Government is celebrating the 500 years anniversary of the Victory of Mactan, where the native royalty of Lapu Lapu defeated the forces of the Kingdom of Spain led by Magellan. On the side of the Roman Catholic Church, they are celebrating the 500 years of Catholic faith in the Philippines. But somewhere in the seat of the Kingdom of Tondo in Manila, the unity of the church and state is being celebrated today, December 15, 2019, on the occasion of the anniversary of the baptismal of the last King of Tondo, Lakan Bunao Dula into the Catholic faith, the Church installed the Grand Patriarch and his Council of the Principalia Hereditary Council of the Philippines, an association of the descendants of Lakan Dula represented by the Patriarch of the three Royal Houses, namely; the Prof. Sofronio Dulay of the House of Dula as the Hereditary Grand Patriarch, Patriarch Dr. Delmar Taclibon of the House of Magat Salamat and Matriarch Corazon Siya of the House of Sumakwel of the Madja-as Confederation as members of his Council. Other patriarchs and matriarchs of the native royal houses may also be inducted into the council in the future namely; Dr. Julian Canonoy of the House of Lapu Lapu, Dr. Cecille Cayetano of the House of Capulong, Andrew Miranda of the House of Gatchalian and Jy Macam of the House of Gatbonton.

The Sto. Nino de Tondo Church is the ancient Palace of the Lakan Bunao Dula, the last King of Tondo before the Philippines was totally subjugated

by the Kingdom of Spain. The Church in - house historian by the name Jr. Susi, who was also interviewed by broadcaster Maan Macapagal in a national TV, I - Witness, retold the history of the ancient palace and the Church during the Dine with the Ancestors Ritual of the Principalia Hereditary Council before the installation of the Grand Patriarch and his Council. Susi mentioned historian Nick Joaquin’s writings that with the death of Lakan Dula, the Kingdom can never be surrendered to the Kingdom of Spain but instead left to the care of the Sto. Nino de Tondo, a symbolism that the native Kingdom was never been captured and humiliated by any other Kingdom. Prior to that, Lakan Bunao Dula was baptized as Lakan Carlos Bunao Dula, in honor of the King of Spain. The circumstances why the Palace became the property of the Catholic Church was not yet clear historically but a priest in the Church said that as per oral accounts, the children of Lakan Bunao Dula led by his eldest son and heir apparent Batang Dula donated the Palace to the Church with the hope that it will become the Church of Sto. Nino de Tondo. Apparently, the Catholic hierarchy gave several tracts of hacienda to the descendants in exchange for the palace – some of these are found in Candaba and Candola in Pampanga and Candawid in Northern Samar.

The installation of the Grand Patriarch and his Council started with a short meeting and the Dine with the Ancestors Ritual in a secret chamber of the the Sto Nino de Tondo Church. The “Dine with the Ancestors Ritual” has been a tradition of the descendants of Lakan Dula at the House of Dulay Mendoza in Marikina Valley for so many years. The ritual includes dining of grapes placed in two 16th century plates that were part of the Lakan Dula household, bottles of red wine whose names are hard to pronounce, beside an old bayonet used by Ceferino Rivas Dulay, the 4th hereditary leader of the Dulay Clan of Marikina, while he was still a guerilla fighting the Japanese forces, and a candle being lighted in a classic lamp given by a friend to the House of Dulay Mendoza. When the group of Timothy (who decided to change his name to Pedro during the ritual) of the You Tube’s God Culture fame visited the House, they requested for a Havilah Version of the Dine with the Ancestors Ritual which included a tour at the OLA Church, Shoe Museum, Kapitan Moy and in the nearby tomb of the Jewish – blooded wife of the clan leader Ceferino -- Juana Mendoza Cerbito.

After the Dine with the Ancestors Ritual, a former Parish Priest of EDSA Shrine Rev. Father Arnel Calata, Jr. who was assigned to Sto. Nino de Tondo 6 months ago, and the principales proceeded to the mass and the three principales where given the front seat in the mass traditionally reserved for the Lay Minister of the Holy Eucharist. In the mass, Fr. Calata cited the history of the Sto. Nino de Tondo being the ancient Palace of Lakan Bunao Dula, and introduced to the devotees the three Lakan Dula descendants one by one, amidst clapping of hands from the mass attendees. Fr.Calata also mentioned that in that day’s special anniversary of Lakan Dula’s baptismal to the Catholic Faith, Grand Patriarch Dulay representing the House of Dula, Patriarch Taclibon of the House of Magat Salamat and Matriarch Corazon Siya of the House of Sumakwel of the Madja – as Confederation will be officially installed as the regents of the Principalia Hereditary Council of the Philippines. The three were requested to offer the mass: Dulay carried the body of Christ (Holy bread), Taclibon carried the blood of Christ (holy wine) and the Matriarch

Corazon Siya and Arlene Uy Corral carried the envelopes containing the money donations to the Church from the House of Magat Salamat and House of Dula respectively. After the mass, the three hereditary leaders were led into the secret chamber of the Church for the formal induction. A Church blessing citing verses from the Bible, and furthermore, Fr. Calata blessed the three regents with the Holy Water for a successful stewardship of the council. The Dine with the Ancestors Ritual was continued in the chamber, this time with the presence of Bambit Dulay and his wife, a world renowned arnis guro, and selected residents of Tondo who ware direct descendants of Lakan Bunao Dula, mostly relatives of barangay Kagawads and a retired city hall employee. The descendants and the parish staff of Sto. Nino de Tondo dined in a sumptuous merienda, drinks, grapes and red wine. The event was covered exclusively by Kalinangan TV of Rjhay Laurea for You Tube audiences and were posted at the FB groups and pages like Rajahnate of Metro Manila, Maharlika, Dulay Tribe, Marikina News, House of Capulong, Descendants of Lakan Dula, KAANAK NG MGA BAYANI, KATIPUNERO AT REBOLUSYONARY and many others FB groups and websites related to the ancient native royalties and principalia families in the Philippines.

Alphabetical List of well - known principalia families in the Philippines. Further research is needed as to which of them are the lineage of the original datu of their local settlements or just appointed by the Spaniards because of their pro Spanish stand

Aballe of Bogo Cebu

Adrian of Donsol Sorsogon

Aguinaldo of Kawit Cavite

Alcazar of Argao Cebu

Alzate of Bucay Abra

Andal of Mindoro

Aricayos of Tuy Batangas

Arrozal of San Fernando Pampanga

Balderas-Baviera of Banate Iloilo

Ballesteros of Salapsap Pangasinan

Base of Malitbog Southern Leyte

Baylon of Alaminos Pangasinan

Buaya of Carles Iloilo

Cahupa of Nagcarlan Laguna

Capulong of Pampanga

Casilao of Batangas City

Catigbac of Lipa City Batangas

Conlu of Victorias City Negros Occidental

Contreras of Mindoro

De Castro of Baliuag Bulacan

De Castro of Magallanes Sorsogon

De Los Reyes of Bauang La Union

De los Santos of Bacolod City

De Ocampo of Guimba Ecija

Dimabiling of Indang Cavite

Dulay/Dula/Gatdula of Tondo, Marikina, Samar and La Union

Dumandan of Marikina

Durias of Jimenez Misamis Occidental

Eduarte of Dolores Abra

Elias of Sorsogon City

Fernandez of Talisay City Cebu

Gallanosa of Sta. Magdalena Sorsogon

Gatbonton of Pampanga

Gatchalian of Bulacan

Ilag of Batangas

Jakosalem of Dumanjug Cebu

Kahupa of Liliw Laguna

Kiram of Sulo

Lopez of Iloilo

Lucero of Argao Cebu

Macapagal of Pampanga

Magbitac of Angono Rizal

Magdami of Tiaong Quezon

Makaraeg of Villasis Pangasinan

Mallellin of Cagayan Valley

Marcos of Tagbilaran Bohol

Masigan of Cabagan Isabela

Melegrito of Gerona Tarlac

Mendoza of Marikina and Samar

Mercado of Binan Laguna

Miguel of Tarlac City

Miranda of Angeles City Pampanga

Mojica of Cavite

Monaksa of Silang Cavite

Morales of Rosario Batangas

Munoz of Nueva Ecija

Ninofranco of Ternate Cavite

Pangalilingan of Cuyapo Pangasinan

Pascasio of San Antonio Zambales

Poblador of Zarraga Iloilo

Punungbayan of Calaca Batangas

Quiaoit of Batac Ilocos Norte

Quilangit of Silay City Negros

Rafael of Ibaan Batangas

Ramo of Corella Bohol

Rodrigo of Malolos Bulacan

Salonga of Rizal

Salamat of Bulacan

Santiago of Pasig

Sauza of Marikina

Soliman of Pampanga

Sta. Ana of Cainta and Pasig

Sumulong of Antipolo

Timbang of Las Pinas

Udtohan of Sogod Cebu

Valenzuela of Barasoain Bulacan

Valmonte of Gapan Nueva Ecija

Ventura of Dinagat Surigao del Norte

Villas of Antequera Bohol

Vinoya of Vintar Ilocos Norte

Note: The first gobernadorcillos of every towns and cities of the the Philippines are the probable principalia of the locality because they are the transition from native kingdom to the Spanish administration.