One Tribe, One Heritage: Tulgao East and Tulgao West hold historic first-ever reunion after nearly four decades

FEATURE

Nearly four decades after Tulgao was divided into two barangays, the people of Tulgao East and Tulgao West gathered for a historic celebration that proved that administrative boundaries can never separate a shared identity.

For the first time since the division of the community in 1986, the Tulgao Tribe held a Grand Reunion, coinciding with the 39th Founding Anniversary of the Tulgao Tribe, bringing together elders, leaders, residents, and guests in a celebration of unity, heritage, and kinship.

The gathering was more than a reunion. It was a powerful reminder that despite being organized into two barangays, the people of Tulgao remain connected by the same ancestry, culture, traditions, and history.

Leading that message was Tulgao West Punong Barangay Ruben Ganagan, who emphasized that the creation of Tulgao East and Tulgao West was intended to promote development rather than division.

“Ti pannakabingay ti Tulgao iti duwa nga barangay ket saan nga panagsisina ti umili, no di ket maysa nga wagas tapno ad-adu pay ti panagprogreso ti ili tayo. Uray no adda duwa a barangay tayo tatta, maymaysa latta ti tribu, kultura, ken pamiliya tayo kas iTorkao,” he said.

His words resonated throughout the celebration, reflecting the spirit of the reunion and the enduring bond shared by the iTorkaos.

A Celebration of Shared Roots

The event also became a tribute to the generations of elders and leaders who helped shape the history of Tulgao and guided the community through changing times.

Former Tulgao West Punong Barangay Salabao presented the tribe's rich history, tracing the evolution of leadership from traditional village governance to the modern barangay system.

For decades, Tulgao was governed by respected elders entrusted with authority symbolized by the baston, a staff representing leadership and responsibility.

“…laglagipen ken pagyamanan tayo dagiti naglabas nga elders nga nangidalan, nangisuro ken nangprotektar iti ili tayo iti naglabas a panawen. Manipud kadagiti naitalaga a mangidalan nga nakaawat iti baston a simbolo ti turay agingga kadagiti napili nga opisyal, adda met ti naited da a dakkel nga kontribusion iti panagdur-as ti Tulgao,” he said.

According to Salabao, local governance in Tulgao was strengthened between 1916 and 1935 through appointed tribal elders and village leaders such as Uttog Dawigoy, Macharong Dumaguing, Wanasan Engwar, and Churag Lungao.

During and after the Japanese occupation, leaders including Salabao Malannag and Sacwog Magmuyao represented the community in municipal affairs, helping Tulgao navigate a period of significant change.

As governance systems evolved, positions such as Barrio Lieutenant and councilor emerged, paving the way for the elected leadership structure that would later define local administration.

By the mid-1960s, Tulgao had adopted an elected local government system led by barrio and barangay captains. Among the leaders who helped shape the community's development were Max Balnao, Alex Aggalao, Antonio Salabao, Juanito Dulag, and Antonio Ganagan.

When Tulgao was formally divided into Tulgao East and Tulgao West in 1986, each barangay elected its own set of leaders. Yet despite the administrative separation, the tribe's identity remained intact.

Looking Forward Together

The first-ever reunion became both a celebration of the past and a commitment to the future.

For many residents, it was an opportunity to reconnect with relatives, honor the sacrifices of previous generations, and reflect on the values that continue to bind the community together.

As the celebration drew to a close, Salabao urged fellow iTorkaos to continue preserving their heritage while strengthening unity between the two barangays.

“Kas iTorkao, ituloy tayo koma ti panangipateg iti tawid tayo, panangpapigsa iti pannakikaykaysa tayo kas maymaysa a tribu, ken panangitultuloy iti kultura ken tradisyon para kadagiti sumarsaruno a henerasiyon. Sapay koma ta daytoy a selebrasion ket mangted kadatayo iti ad-adu a rason tapno agbalin a natibker iti panagkaykaysa ken agtrabaho para iti nasaysayaat a masakbayan ti Tulgao East ken Tulgao West,” he said.

Thirty-nine years after the founding of the Tulgao Tribe and nearly four decades after its division into two barangays, the message of the reunion was clear: while maps may draw boundaries, they cannot divide a people united by blood, culture, and a shared history.

For the iTorkaos, Tulgao East and Tulgao West may stand as separate barangays—but they remain one tribe, one heritage, and one family.