I lost a friend a few weeks ago. He passed away at a young age, just 48, way too young to die. I say that I lost a friend, but the truth is that I never met the man. I felt like he was a friend, though. He was a man that I wanted to meet for a couple of years now. I have been told that he also wanted to meet me. There were two or three times when we had each been scheduled to be at certain places at the same time and would finally meet each other, but in each instance one of us, or the other, was unable to make it. Honestly, I was shocked when I heard of his death.
The man that I am speaking of is a great man indeed. His name is Datu Toto Paglas. Toto was a Muslim man who hailed from Maguindanao Province, here on the island of Mindanao. In terms of his family, and his people, Toto was literally royalty. He was born of a father who was the head of one powerful Muslim family and a mother who was from a second powerful family in Muslim Mindanao. He was the product of the two most powerful families in Muslim Mindanao, yet these two families were mortal enemies, until Toto came along. It was through Toto that the Paglas clan and the Pendatun clan came together.
It all happened in the late 1950’s when the senior Datu Paglas (Toto’s father) met a young lady and fell in love. Unfortunately, this love was taboo, because she was the daughter of the family’s mortal enemy, the Pendatun clan. Although their love was forbidden by the elders in each of their families, they wed secretely and had a child. When this child came, the families decided to put their differences aside and join forces. With this joining of forces, Datu Toto Paglas, a mere child, became royalty – having come from the two most powerful Muslim families in Mindanao at that time, and finally having joined together.
Over the years, Toto’s story took many turns, and in the long run, he put his immense power to good use. He brought peace to his village, which is aptly named after his father and him as well, Datu Paglas Town, Maguindanao. I visited Datu Paglas myself last year, I wanted to witness the place that boasts of such a powerful story of peace. In the 1990’s when Toto was the mayor of Datu Paglas, he started a banana plantation and put people to work – Christians and Muslims. This banana plantation, and Toto’s many other accomplishments and projects brought work for poor people in Maguindanao, and it brought peace to an area that had previously been at war. There was a day when you could be shot for any reason in Datu Paglas, even for no reason at all. Those days are gone, though, thanks to Toto and his vision of peace. You can read the full story about Toto’s childhood and adult accomplishments on my Mindanao Blog, if you like.
Toto died on August 8, 2008, and his death shocked me. I didn’t even know he was sick. He died at Davao Doctor’s Hospital. He died of meningitis, and complications of Diabetes. Toto knew that I wanted to meet him, and I was told that he also wanted to meet me and was aware of the things that I have done to promote Mindanao over the Internet. I really wish that I would have had the opportunity to meet this great man. In addition to his work bringing peace to Mindanao, Toto was also a member of the Eisenhauer Foundation, working on bringing peace to every part of the world.
I wish we could have met, Toto!
Wow sorry to hear of the death of a great man. we need more like him around the world so we can have peace on earth.
Hi Dan Mihaliak – Yes, I was also very sorry to hear of his death. Toto really was a man who made a big difference with his life.
I have heard you speak to me many times about this man. I so wish that you two could have met in person, but I know that you both had high respect for each other.
Hi john – Yes, you and I have talked about Toto a number of times. I really admire the man and the things that he did in his short life.
Hi Bob,
A great man who made life better for so many. An epic story. I too, wish we all could have made his aquaintance. Knowing now what I have missed, I am devastated by his passing. Thank you for sharing. I am profoundly grateful.
Karen
Hi Karen – I do believe that Datu Toto made a big difference in the lives of a lot of people all around the world, even people who don't know who he was. People of any religion or race can learn a lot from a man like Datu Toto Paglas.
Bob,
This is devastating news! I did not learn of his passing until now. I am both shocked and saddened by this. This is a great loss for Mindanao, especially at this time of turmoil.
Datu Toto was in New York a year or so ago and spoke at the Philippine Center. I was all excited to go and hear him but something came up and I didn't make it. Now, I regret that I missed the chance to meet a great man. I am sorry for the loss of a leader who thought of the common good, who did not distinguish between Christian or Muslim, Filipino or Moro. We need more leaders like him. He will be sorely missed.
The world is a lesser place from the passing of such a peacemaker. I hope the next generation continues to follow in his footsteps.
Hi Tina – Like you, I really regret having not met Datu Toto in person. He lived only a few kilometers from my house, and it was a real missed opportunity. The problem was, Datu Toto traveled a lot, and thus it was always hard to try to schedule any kind of meeting.
Hi BrSpiritus – Yes, I totally agree with your sentiments!
Hi Bob
I heard of his passing reading Boo Chanco article from the Philippine Star. Another thing about the banana plantation he started, he requested help from an Israeli company who would help irrigate a drip system, but before he could do that he had to ask the former MILF chairman (I believe his name was Hashim Salamat) for his permission. He agreed. Boo mentioned that he once planned to run for ARMM governor but was asked to delay that in favor for the current governor. He mentioned how it was a tragedy because he may have been the most capable guy to bring peace in that region due to his respect and capabilities and by being trusted by all sides. Mindanao and the Philippines lost a great individual in him. Thank you for mentioning him here.
Hi Neil – Yes, very true about the Israeli company doing advisory work for La Fruitera, and that is an interesting fact indeed. I have visited the Banana Plantation in Datu Paglas, and it really is a very modern and tightly run business. Really a sight to see.
Datu Toto did run for ARMM Governor twice, but lost each time. In 2001 he ran as an Independent, and in 2005 he ran under the Liberal party. He would have been a great ARMM Governor, I am sure of that.
Hello Bob,
I am the web designer of the datupaglas.com and the tribute website for Datu Toto, http://www.totopaglas.com.On behalf of the Paglas Corporation, I would like to thank you for this article, and also I hope it is alright for you that I post this on the "articles" section of the tribute page for datu toto? Thanks much.
Thank you also for everyone, indeed the untimely passing of our datu toto saddened us all. How we all wish there will be others who will follow his footsteps. God Bless everyone..
Hi Laling Ramos – I would be most honored if you add my article to your tribute page. Thank you for stopping by.