This article relates to the family history of the Imbing clan of Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur with special focus on its patriarch, Thimuay Mbeng. Mbeng was a chieftain of the Subanens in Lapuyan, an ethnic group in Zamboanga Peninsula in Mindanao. He welcomed the American Protestant missionaries that brought not only a new religion but also the western way of life that eventually led to socio-cultural change in his community. Enforcement of these changes became spontaneous for Mbeng’s offspring as some of them succeeded him as political leaders and as others were among the first of their people to graduate from a Bible School and benefited from public school education. Thus, his descendants were among the first church leaders and public servants in the community.
Keywords: Thimuay Mbeng, Imbing clan, CAMACOP, Lund, LommassonA. BOOK
Primary Sources
Sixth Annual Report of the Philippine Commission, 1905 Part 2. Washington: Government Printing Office
Christie, Emerson B. (1908). The Subanuns of Sindangan Bay Vol. VI Part I. Manila: Bureau of Science Division of Ethnology Publications.
Secondary Sources
Churchill, W. (1913). The Subanu: Studies of a Sub-Visayan Mountain Folk of Mindanao. Washington D.C.: Carnegie Institution
Clymer, K. J. (1986). Protestant Missionaries in the Philippines 1898- 1916: An Inquiry into the American Colonial Mentality. Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press
B. JOURNALS
Imbing, V. L. (2002). An Account of Subanen Origins and History, with Special Focus on Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur. Culture and Peace Studies (A Journal of Ateneo de Zamboanga University), 2(1): 56-66.
Imbing, V. L. (2002). The Subanen Becklog: Lapuyan Description. Culture & Peace Studies (A Journal of Ateneo de Zamboanga University), 2(1): 23-30.
Sitoy, T. V. (1981-1982). American Protestant Mission in Mindanao. Mindanao Journal, 8(1-4): 147-175.
C. MAGAZINE
Lund, H. (1910, September 10). The Philippines as A Mission Field. The Christian and Missionary Alliance, 378.
Lund, H. (1914, September 19). A Visit to the Subanus in the Philippines. The Alliance Weekly, 17 (25): 410.
(1945. April 7). Letter from Manila. Alliance Weekly, 99.
D. MAP
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2019/03/17/1902032/
E. MIMEOGRAPHS
Ebillo, P. I. (1996). Early History of the Subanen Tribe. Proceedings of the 2nd Tribal Summit on 11 October 1996, Pagadian City.
Huminis, A. I. Brief Biological Sketch. National Centennial Commission Award, First Filipina in a Non- Traditional Role. Annex 2. 2 pp.
Imbing, V.L. (1977). Lapuyan: Gateway to the Subanen World. 5 pp.
F. THESIS & DISSERTATIONS
Apatan, K.F. (2012). Lapuyan the “Little America” of Zamboanga Peninsula: The Story of Lapuyan Subanen and the American Impact (1912-2011) [Unpublished Thesis], Mindanao State University, Marawi City
Irwin, E.B. (1993). A Religious Studies Approach to Understanding Alliance Religion among the Subanen of Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur [Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation], University of Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Rambo, D.L. (1975). The Christian and Missionary Alliance in the Philippines, 1901-1970 [Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation for Ph.D.], New York University, USA.
G. PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS (In Alphabetical Order)
Apostol, Miguel V.
(Grandson of Halengyan Imbing-Sia) Interview: 19 February 2010, Poblacion Lapuyan
Bayamban, Pastor Edito
(Grandnephew of Lumbia Bayamban; based in CAMACOP Compound, Tetuan)
Interview: 8 February 2011, Zamboanga City
Bayamban, Lolita Hujo Imbing- (69)
(Granddaughter of Datu Lumok Imbing; English speaking) Interview: 6 May 2008;
26 October 2010
Bualan, Pastor Amiludin Pulangas (37)
(Grandson of Ndium Imbing Bualan; CAMACOP Pastor; Dean, Lommasson Alliance Bible College) Interview: 28 April 2008;
2 May 2008
Ebillo, Priscilla Manghay Imbing- (74)
(Daughter of Datu Purok Imbing) Interview: 4 May 2008; 6 May 2008
Fernandez, Jesusa Imbing Ruste- (88)
(Daughter of Tan Diu, a Chinese who lived in Lapuyan and assumed the name Santiago Ruste; English speaking) Interview: 3 May 2008 *Apu Jesusa died on August 19, 2010
Guiaya, Gumanok (78)
(Cannot speak and unable to understand English; son of the first Vice Mayor of Lapuyan Bayang Guiaya) Interview: 7 May 2008 *Apu Gumanok died on June 10, 2010
Imbing, Gervacio Jr.
(Great grandson of Thimuay Mbeng, grandson of Datu Purok) 23 December 2010 @ 4:40 PM
Imbing, Jessie Singgo (59)
(Thimuay Langhap; Great grandson of Thimuay Mbeng; son of Lantay Imbing and Talibon; guide to Apo Ruho’s grave in Dungos) Interview: 3 May 2008; 15 May 2008; 28 October 2010; 25 January 2011; 27 January 2011
Imbing, Talibon Ladyaw Singgo (92)
(English speaking; descendant of Apo Ruho, the ruler of Lapuyan before Datu Lumok Imbing’s settlement in the area) Interview: 3 May 2008 * Apu Talibon died on August 8, 2010
Manduyag, Guinandon Dang Huminis- (76)
(Sister of Lapuyan leader Mahalambas Huminis; English speaking) Interview: 5 May 2008
Group Interview on 28 October 2010 @ 7–9 PM, Jessie Imbing Residence
Imbing, Thimuay Langhap Jessie Singgo (62) (descendant of Thimuay Mbeng)
Lusay, Datu Sapalao Roland Huminis (61) (descendant of Datu Sapalao Lusay)
Lumilay, Thimuay Mangura Regino (descendant of Gbelyan Lumilay)