Filipino history tells us that we came from the nearby countries. Aside being called Filipinos we are also called the Malay Race as our ancestors came from nearby Malaysia. Long before the Spanish people arrived, The Philippine Islands were already inhabited by Malaysian Datu’s and Rajah’s, the aetas as the original though. History scribed on our ancestral origin says that there was a voyage of tell us that that 10 Bornean datus headed by Datu Puti, along with their followers, fled Borneo to escape persecution by Datu Makatunaw, the Rajah of the House of Sri-Vijaya. They boarded their long ships called barangays in order to seek out new lands.

The other Dutus who accompanied Datu Puti were, Datu Sumakwel, Datu Bangkaya, Datu Paiborong, Datu Paduhinogan, Datu Dumangsol, Datu Libay, Datu Dumangsil, Datu Domalogdog, and Datu Balensuela. Together they were to become the founders of the pre-colonial Philippine Civilization.

The voyage was long through the Philippine seas and they first arrived at Panay and Sinugbuhan, which were at that time under the rule of an Ati King, or Aeta “big-man,” named Marikudo. Those Marikudo ruled were pygmy-like bands that practiced hunting and gathering as well as slash and burn farming (kaingin), and they were initially in terror of the Borneans. However, Datu Puti, sought a peaceful alliance and was therefore welcomed by the Aetas. Immediately, they forged trade relations with the natives exchanging their combs, hatchets, knives and copper swords (called kris) for the Aetas’ deer horns, boar teeth, bamboo baskets, and various maritime products.

To commemorate the new alliance, Marikudo invited his new associates for a feast under the thick, broad branches of his dapdap and the bounteous food was laid on banana leaves. The Borneans came wearing splendid accoutrement’s. The men wore kerchiefs wound 4 times around their heads, grandiose jewellery, sleeveless and collarless vests and various shirts. The women wore their hair parted in the middle and knotted in two, like horns of a cow’s calf, and perched on each ear. They had long sleeved blouses and they had long, ornately colored skirts called tapis.

At this feast, the Datus negotiated the purchase of land for one gold sadok and a gold necklace for Marikudo’s wife, and since the Aetas thought that the island was too large to farm, they agreed. The Aetas, who preferred the cover of forests and mountains, retreated to such areas (where they can still be found today), while the Datus divided the island into political units called saktop, namely Hantic (Antique), Aklan, and Irong-Irong (Iloilo), and thus founded the various clans of the Philippine culture. Datu Puti, Bangkaya, and Paiburong headed these saktops. The entire island continued to be called Hantic.

After the Datus were settled, Datu Puti proclaimed that he would sail back to Borneo to challenge the tyrant Makatunaw, and as he was the only one powerful enough, the other Datus agreed. Datu Puti, his wife and servants set sail for Borneo and were never heard from again.

Datu Sumakwel was appointed the new leader and under his leadership the culture prospered. He established a permanent settlement in what is now Malandog in the municipality of Hamtic. It was named for a species of a large ant called hantic-hantic, which abounds there.

But as we discuss history, we would like also to mention a new era in the history of Philippine television that is so similar and commemorating a new alliance. Television giant ABS-CBN has partnered with Malaysian company Double Vision that features one of the top Philippine actor, Jericho Rosales and Malaysian superstar/model Carmen Soo. The teleserye which will be aired this September a week or two after the hit series My Girl, entitled Kahit Isang Saglit, Which was filmed both in the Philippines and Malaysia. It will be aired at the Primetime Bida.

This is a new era marked in Philippine Television. While we commemorate our 110th Philippine Foundation we also take pride to look back at our ancestor neighbors. ABS-CBN has again done a great job of pursuing creativity while promoting camaraderie amongst the two countries. It also promotes tourism as it depicts and shows the best scenery and places of both countries. The media giant has been well known of producing top Asia Novela Hits.

Kahit Isang Saglit is directed by two of our top directors in the land of, Jerry Lopez-Sineneng and Gilbert Perez. Theme song sung by our very own Martin Nievera once again, who sang the popular hit music Ikaw Ang Pangarap of another successful tele serye Lobo. The casts of the drama are listed as follows with a sneak preview to view.

Jericho Rosales
Carmen Soo
Christopher de Leon
Albert Martinez
Christine Reyes
Dick Israel
Pilar Pilapil
Malou de Guzman
Isabel Rivas
Wilma Doesnt
Empoy
Louisa Chong
Soosan Hoh
Awal Ashaari