The KIRAM MANSION in Kidapawan was named after its designer and builder – Sultan Omar Kiram II.

Sultan Omar is a
descendant of Rajah Baguinda, an Arab religious missionary from Mengangkabaw, Sumatra. Rajah Baguinda arrived in
Mindanao in 1390 to preach Islam.

Sultan Omar Kiram II – The Lost Sultan

Sultan Omar Kiram II is the son of Sultan Omar Kiram I – Uyaan Sultan of Onayan Sultanate of Lanao del Sur, and Bai
Saumay Ampaso Mindalano.

When the Philippine-American War broke out, Bai Saumay instructed Prince Omar’s governess, Ishraida, to escape to
Dansalan (now Marawi). The seven-year-old prince was lost, kidnapped by Moro collaborators, on the way to Marawi.
Upon arriving in Marawi, the poor prince was sold as a slave.

Gil Austria, an American-Ilocano soldier, bought Prince Omar for twenty-two pesos, and named him Vicente. Vicente was
raised as a Christian but he fluently spoke Maranao.

He studied Chemical Engineering and Masters in Pottery at Adamson University. He also taught Chemistry and gave
lessons in pottery at the Silliman University. Later, Vicente married Nelly Lee Kelly who is of Spanish-American descent.
Vicente had been inspired by his adoptive father, Sgt. Austria, a military man. Unfortunately, during the World War II,
the adoptive parents of Vicente were killed. Due to the incident, the desire of Vicente to join the military increased. He
joined the military and climbed through the ranks. He also won awards including Bronze Star for heroic achievement,
Purple Heart for being wounded in battle and a Silver Star for gallantry in action.

After the war, President Ramon Magsaysay (then the Secretary of National Defense) assigned Vicente as negotiator to
the Moro rebels.

On April 19, 1955, an earthquake hit Lanao. The most devastated part was the village of Uyaan. Recognizing Vicente’s
fluency in the Maranao tongue, Pres. Magsaysay sent Vicente to give relief aid.

The relief operation in the village of Uyaan would then pave the way for the inspiring discovery of Vicente’s identity –
Bunsa, the Lost Sultan.

Sultanate of Onayan – The revelation of Lost Sultan’s Ancestry

Uyaan was notoriously reclusive, especially due to the tragedy that the royal family had faced during the wars. High
restriction for entry was imposed in the area. Vicente and his entourage, fulfilling their duties for relief aid, almost got
killed when they came to Uyaan. The execution was postponed, owing to him as a government official.

Vicente bathed in the banks of Lake Lanao after one round of disseminating relief goods. While he was bathing, Vicente
noticed a dignified woman staring at him from the banks. With respect, he inquired for the woman’s intentions.

The woman said that she recognized Vicente’s build, and the scars on his arms were royal birthmarks of the area. The
woman then showed the face of surprise and excitement. She asked if she could touch Vicente’s lower back. There, she
touched a birthmark that had bothered Vicente for years.

The woman dragged Vicente to the town and began exclaiming, “Bunsa is home! He is alive! He is home!” People began
the exchanges of murmuring among themselves.
Several men came out to witness the surprise. They were the children of the late Sultan Omar Kiram I. The old woman,
who was no other than governess Ishraida, asked the men to take off their clothes. Astonishing as it was, the physique
of Vicente resembled that of the other men.

At that moment, the origins of Vicente – as the lost sultan – was explained by Congressman Amir Mindalano, brother of
the late sultan and acting sultan.

The Vicente Austria who came to Uyaan to give relief aid was proclaimed Omar Saumay Ampaso Mindalo al Kiram II,
Uyaan Sultan of Onayan on September 24, 1955.

The Kiram Mansion – Lost Sultan’s Home in Kidapawan

Omar, as he was now known, did not want to raise his children with royal pampering. Consequently, he relinquished his
duties as Sultan and gave it to his uncle who was successfully serving as Sultan for 33 years. He continued his work in the
government, supervising pubic works. It was through such projects that Omar found his way to his new hometown –
Kidapawan.

Omar and his family moved to Kidapawan in the 1950s. Emilio Guinoo, a local land magnate and movie theaters pioneer,
sold a 2.3-hectare land to Omar.

In 1962, the Sultan and his son, Marinius, designed and built what would be the Sultan Kiram Mansion on the land Omar
bought.

In Kidapawan, Omar became a member of the YMCA and the Rotary Club of Kidapawan Chapter, a Mason of Kidapawan
Lodge 170, District 46, Knights of Rizal in Kidapawan, and adviser to the Barrio Captains and Leaders Association in
Kidapawan. As a private person, he managed a logging and lumber business.

His wife, Nellie Lee Kelly, is also known as Bai Labi Laila Kiram. Their union produced ten children: Vivien Lee a.k.a. Princess
Emraida, Vence Thomas a.k.a Sultan Omar Jr., Van Zandt, a.k.a. Prince Amir, Marinius, a.k.a. Prince Mustafa Al Faisal,
Vienna May, a.k.a. Princess Yasmin, Nelven Hill, a.k.a. Prince Nasser, James William, a.k.a Prince Al Rachid, Pinky a.k.a
Prince Mohamad Ali, Evelyn Lee a.k.a. Princess Tarhata, and Omar IV, a.k.a. Prince Karim.

On April 19, 1986, exactly 41 years after the fated earthquake of 1955 that revealed his true identity, the Sultan died
from a heart attack at the age of 71.

Kiram Mansion

The Kiram Mansion is a unique fusion of Roman Architecture and Maranao Architecture. It’s one of the amazing Torogan
mansions made of concrete in the Philippines.

The former grandeur of Kiram Mansion reflected the defensive nature of the Maranao. The mansion stood with an
impressive Roman-Torogan Porch at the center, with complementary wing-buildings on the North and South sides.

The porch was embellished with two perpendicular panolongs – ornate eaves that mark Torogan architecture – on each
corner. The panolongs resemble that of other motifs of central-Asian Kingdoms of Cambodia and Thailand, which hint a
possible link between cultures.

The mansion is predominantly adorned with okir – the Maranao floral motif. The okir is commonly seen on malongs.
Ruined Heritage

The Roman-Torogan Mansion, one of the few links of Kidapawan to its Mindanawon roots, was destroyed in 2009 in
order to give way to a hardware franchise. The majestic central porch and the south wing of the building were put to
ground, leaving the north wing as the lone-standing testament of Kidapawan’s Maranao adherence. It is utterly saddening
but the indifference of the people in Kidapawan about their history is far more depressing. If you’d ask some hometown
folks who owns such deteriorated mansion, what would they say? On some accounts, they’ll probably and hypothetically
guess, “Ah si Marcos siguro,” suggesting the deceased president’s fascination for hidden wealth. Today, it’s just a normal
deteriorated and continually-depreciating mansion in Kidapawan, owing to the people’s indifference there.

Imagine what could be done if it was acquired by the local government, and turned into a museum much like that of
Balay Negrense of Negros Occidental, Bahay na Bato of the Rizals in Calamba, or Museo Dabawenyo of Davao City. The
land value will increase. It’ll probably boost Kidapawan’s tourism potential. In high hopes, Kidapawan City Tourism Office
will hopefully focus as well in promoting tourist spots inside the city proper, and not just limit the prospects to Lake Agco
or Mt. Apo itself.

In conjuction to the Kidapawan Hymn, “Natatangi ang iyong kasaysayan,” Yes, I absolutely agree. The next line,
“(natatangi) pati ang ‘yong mamamayan,” if placed relative to the protection of their kasaysayan, I doubt it. It’s high time
that the millennials in Kidapawan try to learn from the lessons of their predecessors.
Lesson 2:

Setting the Context: LITERATURE AS A VEHICLE FOR HISTORY AND CHANGE

Leading Comprehension: WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO STUDY THE HISTORY OF A CERTAIN CULTURE?

Reading the Text: ESSAY

The Kiram Building

by Christian Cabagnot and Karlo Antonio David

Guide Questions:

1. How would you describe the Kiram Building?

2. Who built the Kiram Building?
3. What is the theory of Vicente Austria’s life?
4. Who is the “lost prince”?
5. Who is Marinius?
6. What happened to him after his father’s death?
7. What happened to the Kiram Building after Vicente, now known as Omar, died?

Understanding the Text:

1. What does the Kiram Building symbolize?

2. What are the historic and cultural elements that brought about the Kiram Building?
3. Could its destruction have been prevented? Was the destruction of the Kiram Building justifiable?
4. What effects did the Kiram Building – its conception and destruction – have to the people?
5. What is the “lesson” being referred to by the authors at the end of the text? Why is it hard to learn this lesson?

Responding as a Reader:

I. Research about and collect past pictures of the Kiram Building. Compare these with its recent photographs.
Create a graphic organizer showing the differences and the similarities present in the pictures that you
were able to find.
II. Look for a Maranawon floral motif that interests you. Create a photo essay presenting the rich culture of
Mindanao through the design that you have chosen. Publish your work in any social photo sharing site.
Neoclassical Architecture
Greco-Roman Pillars
Okir Floral Art Panolong
Wing-like feature of Maranao Architecture
 The Kiram Building
By Christian Cabagnot and Karlo Antonio David

The Mansion in Kidapawan designed and built by Sultan Omar Kiram II, locally known as the Kiram Building, was a testimony to the life
and artistic merit of a great man of history. With its distinct Roman-Torogan design, it was arguably Kidapawan’s greatest link to its
Mindanawon roots. Yet its destruction, and the Kidapaweño’s indifference to it, painfully reveals how unconcerned the people are for
their heritage.

Located in front of the NFA Warehouse along the side of the National Highway leading to Davao, the mansion was one of the city’s
most distinct landmarks. It was a fusion of Maranao and western architecture: a Torogan made of cement with Roman Pillars. It was
dominated by the Maranawon floral motif called okir, more commonly seen in malongs. This motif, which came in the form of the floral
patterns in the mouldings as well as the solar patterns adorning the walls was most highlighted in the porch. The mansion’s porch, which
faced the National Highway, was adorned with two perpendicular panolongs, ornate eaves characteristic of the Torogan, on each corner.
The panolong is reminiscent of the naga motif of the central-Asian kingdoms of Cambodia and Thailand, hinting at possible historical
links between these cultures and the Malay. It is a physical extension of the okir motif that dominated the building. But while the panolong
is usually made of wood, those in the Kiram Building were made of cement.

Created in 1962, the building was the brainchild of Major Vicente Austria, better known as Sultan Omar Kiram. He built it with his sons
after he and his family of ten children moved to the city in the early 1950s.

In late 2009, half of the building was destroyed while much of the lawn in the southwest was converted into a hardware store. The
building stood for over 47 years.

To fully appreciate the history and significance of the building, as well as feel the regret for having allowed it to collapse, I will discuss
the illustrious life of its designer and former inhabitant. (I was able to get a brief though highly insightful interview from Mr. Marinius
Austria, otherwise known as Prince Faisal Kiram, son and heir of the late Sultan Omar.)

The life of the Sultan, as manong Marinius tells, is spectacularly adventurous. It is the story of a prince torn away from his heritage but
brought back to it again by fate.

When the Philippine-American war broke out, Bai Saumay Ampaso Mindalano, wife of Sultan Omar Kiram I, Uyaan sultan of Oyanan in
Lanao del Sur, feared for the life of her son and husband’s heir, the seven-year-old Omar. She thus instructed the prince’s governess,
Ishraida, to flee to Dansalan (now Marawi) with the boy. But the prince was lost in the trip, kidnapped by Moro collaborators, and was
unknowingly brought to Dansalan to be sold as a slave. An American-Ilocano soldier, Gil Austria, bought him for twenty-two pesos and
named him Vicente.

Vicente would be raised a Christian. But all the while, he could speak Maranao fluently, and he did not know why.
He was sent to Adamson University in the U.S., where he took up two Engineering courses and a master’s degree in Pottery. He went
back to the Philippines, where he was invited to teach Chemistry and give lectures on pottery at the Silliman University.

When the Second World War broke out, he joined the military. His desire to join the war increased when his adoptive parents, the
Austrias, were killed in the war. He would eventually rise to the rank of major. It was also during this time that he married Nelly Lee
Kelly, a family friend and daughter of an Irish-American veteran soldier. The union would bear ten children.

After the war, President Magsaysay made him part of the government, particularly as translator for negotiations with Moro rebel groups.

In April 19, 1955, an earthquake struck Lanao. The worst area hit was the village of Uyaan. President Magsaysay, who recognized
Vicente’s fluency in the Maranao tongue, sent him to give relief aid.

Uyaan was notoriously reclusive, owing to the tragedy its royal family had faced during the wars. Entrance into it was highly restricted.
It was no surprise then that when Vicente and his entourage came, they were nearly killed. The execution was postponed, owing to him
being a government official.

He bathed in the banks of the Lake Lanao after one round of disseminating relief goods. While bathing, he noticed how a dignified old
woman was staring at her from the banks. Politely, he inquired the old woman’s purpose.

She said she recognized his build, and that the scars on his arms were royal birthmarks of the area. Then suddenly, she wore a look of
surprise and excitement. She asked him if she could touch his lower back, to which he consented. There she touched a birthmark that
had always bothered Vicente as a young man.

She dragged him to town and began exclaiming, “Bunsa is home! He is alive! He is home!” and the people began murmuring among
themselves. Several men came out and looked both excited and indignant. These were the children of the late Sultan Omar I. The old
woman, who was none other than the governess Ishraida, asked that they take off their clothes.

The similarity in physique was astonishing. At that moment, Congressman Amir Mindalano, brother of the late sultan and acting sultan,
explained to Vicente his origins: he was none other than the lost prince.

Thus Vicente, who came to Uyaan to give relief aid to the victims of the earthquake, was Proclaimed Omar Saumay Ampaso Mindalo
al Kiram II, Uyaan Sultan of Onayan on September 24, 1955.

But Omar, as he was now known, did not want to raise his children with such pampered treatment. He humbly relinquished the duties
of Sultan to his uncle, who had held it successfully for 33 years. Instead, he continued his involvement in the government, supervising
such public works as the Kidapawan-Matalam-Tacorong road. It was through this project that he and his family arrived in Kidapawan.
Omar and his family moved to Kidapawan in the 1950s. He bought a 2.3 hectare land from Emilio Guinoo, a local land magnate and
pioneer of movie theatres. In 1962, the Sultan, with the help of his son Marinius, designed and built what would be the Sultan Omar
Kiram Building on the piece of land.

On April 19, 1986, exactly 41 years after the fated earthquake of 1955 that revealed his true identity, the Sultan died at the age of 71.
His properties were equally distributed to his widow and his ten children.

Care and maintenance of the family house, the Mansion, was taken up by Manong Marinius, the fourth child and third son. Manong
Marinius happened to be the heir to his father, being closest to him when he was alive, while most of the family, including the widowed
Bai Nelly had moved to the United States.

Manong Marinius was active in the City government, being once chairman of the provincial Agriculture and Fishery Council and treasurer
of the regional Council. During his tenure as Kidapawan Tourism Council Chairman, the council garnered two Kalakbay Awards in 1996
and 1997. It was no surprise, therefore that during the term of Manny Piñol as Governor of Cotabato, he rented the Kiram Building to
the Mindanao Rural Development Authority (MRDP).

In late 2009, one of Manong Marinius’s brothers-in-law sold a share of the Kiram building’s lot for 2.3 Million pesos. On the part of the
lot that was sold (much of the southeastern lawn), a Citi Hardware branch was constructed. Much to Manong Marinius’s horror, part of
the building was also destroyed. Currently, he has filed a case against his brother-in-law about the destruction of the house.

Now, the mansion has ceased to be a mansion. It has lost its former grandeur. The walls, constructed by the Sultan to mirror the
defensive nature of the war-like Maranao, are dilapidated in some parts. There are no more gates. The garden in front of the building is
fraught with weeds and garbage. The Cycas plants that used to line the lane from the gate stand dead. What remains of the building
itself has been used as the quarters of the soldiers stationed at the checkpoint in front of the building. And the porch, the mansion’s
crowning glory, has been divided crudely into half, with one part utterly destroyed.

As a son of Kidapawan, could I be blamed for writing something about such a tragedy?

When it still stood, the Kiram building, with its unique architecture, served as one of Kidapawan’s few links to its Mindanawon roots. It
was one of the few reminders to the Kidapaweños that our city is part of Mindanao and was thus involved in its colourful though bloody
history.

And yet, there was very little or no reaction at all when the building was destroyed.
Manong Marinius expressed great regret about the building’s end. He mentioned that even Manny Piñol, the current vice governor, was
deeply saddened at the loss of such an historically significant structure. Yet despite this, the Kidapaweño goes about his/her daily life,
giving no attention to such a great loss. He/she thinks more about that new Citi hardware branch built on its place.

Truly, there is a lesson here somewhere. But are we willing to learn it?
 PHOTO ESSAY: Porto Alegre Uses Tactical Urbanism to Transform Joao Alfredo Street

The João Alfredo Street intersection in Porto Alegre, Brazil, before and after intervention. All photos by WRI Brasil

Porto Alegre’s João Alfredo Street runs through the heart of the Cidade Baixa neighborhood and is
known for its active nightlife, full of bar hoppers and club goers every evening. But during the day João
Alfredo is almost empty, avoided due to dangerous road conditions, poor-quality infrastructure for
pedestrians and cyclists, and little commercial activity.

In early 2019, conflicts with locals over the raucous noise at night and unsafe conditions at all hours
could no longer be ignored. To spark immediate, high-impact change, the Porto Alegre municipality
chose João Alfredo as a pilot for a tactical urbanism “complete streets” intervention.
New pedestrian crossings, refuge islands in the middle of the street, painted sidewalk extensions and
a roundabout were all added to improve safety.

Before installing these changes, the city tested the design with cones to ensure that cars, buses and
other vehicles could continue navigating João Alfredo properly.

Then, the city completed the street painting and inserted road studs and bollards to protect pedestrian
areas. (Ramps at the corners of the sidewalks to improve accessibility are planned but not yet
completed.)
To present the new street design to the neighborhood and encourage new use of the area, the city
organized an open street event, putting on a series of activities for children and residents. Local
university students installed a colorful design exposition based on complete streets projects in other
Brazilian cities.

Residents enjoyed live music, free dockless bike and scooter rides, and other attractions. They also
learned more about road safety through an educational campaign by the city.

By encouraging the participation of a broad cross-section of the community, the city aimed to promote
the street as a safe public space. Family and youth activities helped the next generation understand
that streets like João Alfredo can be more than just channels for vehicles but places for people too.
The Porto Alegre municipality conducted a survey during the open street event to evaluate residents’
perceptions on the changes made in the street, including their main difficulties. The survey also
collected information regarding residents’ travel patterns, considering topics such as comfort and
safety. The questionnaire will be applied again in six months to compare results and show the effect
of changes.

There has been positive local media coverage and community feedback for this first intervention on
João Alfredo Street, encouraging the city to announce changes for more sections of the street.

In this tactical urbanism project, Porto Alegre joins other cities around the world in experimenting with
simple, low-cost interventions, often centered on pedestrianization of public space. In Brazil and
elsewhere, these interventions are showing that a new model of street is possible.