My dad, Jose Turla Joson, lived at a time when there was no internet yet. But surprisingly, my Dad’s name, Jose Joson can be found on the internet! He is mentioned in relation to the history of Bayugan City, in the province of Agusan del Sur, Philippines. According to the internet, my dad led the early settlers in their desire to make Bayugan a barrio ( now called, barangay) during the 1960s.
History of Bayugan City
Bayugan City used to be just a small settlement (a sitio). Back then, it was not even a barrio yet. In so far as I can remember, it was sitio Bayugan, part of Barrio Maygatasan, in the town of Esperanza, province of Agusan. It was located at the “crossing” of the Butuan-Davao road and the Valbueco-Esperanza road. As a young boy, we used to live right at the “crossing” when there was no rotunda yet. It was aptly called the “crossing” by the early settlers during the early 60s. We used to live right at the center (almost) of the present rotunda.
As Bayugan’s first Tiniente del Barrio, I remember my Dad settled a lot of disputes among the barrio folks. He also counseled on marital and family problems at times. That’s how I remembered it during those early days of Bayugan. I also remember that my Dad had one rural police under him. He had a khaki uniform but he had no shoes—just slippers! And he had no gun too but just a short batuta (club) haha!
Post-humous Award for First Barangay Captain
On April 2005, my Dad posthumously received a plaque of recognition for having served as “Barangay Captain” during the years 1960-1964. I find this humorous because back then, he was never called a captain. Just a lieutenant. No, not in the military. A barrio lieutenant! Or in Spanish, the first Tiniente del Barrio of Bayugan hahaha!
Off to US after Serving as Provincial Board Member
On December 31, 1969, the province of Agusan was divided into two. My Dad was among the first three elected provincial board members of the newly-formed province of Agusan del Sur. He served in the province until 1985. In 1985 my mom and dad went to Missouri. He was invited to attend a reunion in of his former American war buddies during World War II. My dad was the only Filipino in that group of American soldiers who fought in the Philippines against the Japanese troops.
Unfortunately, my Dad was never recognized officially by the Philippine government as a war veteran. According to my Dad, some Filipinos got their papers processed although they were fakes and became “veterans” after the war enjoying veteran’s benefits. He said he did not pursue being recognized as a veteran because all he wanted was to serve his country. I admire him for that.
Recognized as WWII Veteran in US
Thankfully, my Dad’s American war buddies did corroborate his being a real war veteran. Years later, my dad died of a heart attack in 1990 in Los Angeles, USA. He was buried in Oregon. After some 17 years, in August 2007, I had the chance to visit my Dad’s grave. Interestingly for me, I read on my Dad’s gravestone written in capital letters, “WWII VETERAN.”
I thought it was odd that my Dad was recognized as war veteran in a foreign land but not in our own country, the Philippines. Oh well. At least, he was recognized by his very own American war buddies during WWII—although not officially by the US government.
Finally, this part of Bayugan City history is now written and is on the internet. I’m writing this for my kids so that they may know more about their grandfather, my Dad. And may I share this for everyone too. From a very small settlement decades ago, Bayugan is now officially a city—Bayugan City! And my dad had some part in it.
