Form 5 series January 2019

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS

SUBCOMMISSION ON CULTURAL HERITAGE
CULTURAL MAPPING PROGRAM

Mapping of Significant Personalities

NAME: Datu Manbeyahe Benhur A. Mansulonay

PHOTO:

PHOTO: ROLLYN MACOROL LAYAGUIN

I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

DATE OF BIRTH: March 24, 1974

DATE OF DEATH: (If applicable) None

PROMINENCE: (Indicate the field – whether Arts, Crafts, Sports, Science, Politics, Religion, History and others)

Politics –
 Tribal Chieftain - Banwaon Tribe in Barangay Binicalan
 Chairman - Tagbuligon Ku Banwaon Manobo Talaandig dini ta Adgawan (TagaBaMaTaAd)
organization
 Representative - CADT (Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title) – 079

BIRTH PLACE: Sitio Pigdusuan, Barangay Binicalan San Luis Agusan del Sur

PRESENT ADDRESS: (If living)

Purok 3 Km. 24 Sitio Mimbulan, Barangay Binicalan San Luis Agusan del Sur

AGE: 47 years old

__________________________________________________________________________________
Significant Personalities
Municipality of San Luis
Province of Agusan del Sur
Region XIII CARAGA
Form 5 series January 2019

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS

SUBCOMMISSION ON CULTURAL HERITAGE
CULTURAL MAPPING PROGRAM

II. BIOGRAPHY

(Include life story, awards received, contributions to the community, citation with specific years)

Datu Manbeyahe Benhur A. Mansulonay was born in March 24, 1974 and the youngest in a Lumad
aristocrat family of 7 children to Datu Languyod and Aga Antinao. He was born in a secluded area of
Sitio Pigdusuan and was relocated in the lowlands of Sitio Mimbulan of Barangay Binicalan when he
married Joselyn P. Mansulonay and settled a community along with their 4 children.

Prior to his joining in the government, he was a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines –
New People’s Army (CPP – NPA) in 1984 along with the other San Luis founders of the faction in a
crusade for ancestral domain territories of Surigao and CARAGA areas. Subsequently, together with
the other 18 members of the movement they handed over at least 2 sacks of firearms and
surrendered directly to then President Fidel V. Ramos in 1994 assuring them of them of the
opportunity for a good life.

The year 1995 was the period where Datu Benhur marked his affiliation to the government. With his
familiarity of the terrain he started the 3-month long circularizing, constructing of rectangular
parallelepiped concrete monument marking (muhon) and processing of more or less than 25,
895.0519 hectares of Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) territories of Barangay Binicalan
with the help of the National Commission of Indigenous People (NCIP), provincial and municipal
geodetic engineers. It took 13 years and 3 presidents later that their tedious work and perseverance
was paid off that the CADT R13 – SLU – 0908 – 079 was awarded to them by President Gloria
Macapagal Arroyo on October 30, 2008.

As a Tumuay or the representative for CADT – 079, he collaborated with the provincial and municipal
offices for pioneering and approval of the 5 – year investment scheme for the Ancestral Domain
Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSDPP) through the Sangguniang Bayan (SB)
Resolution No. 2008 – 55 of the Municipality of San Luis. The ADSDPP is the catalyst of progress for
Barangay Binicalan which paved the way for identifying and prospecting numerous road
rehabilitations, livelihood projects, eco-tourism development and many other Indigenous People (IP)
related programs.

Today Datu Benhur actively participates in various tribal and CADT related events along with his
subordinates (Dumanlongdong) in the region. He made a frequent voyage to different zones to meet
with the sectoral datu and officers to assay and address on community concerns and developments
thus earning him the moniker Manbeyahe.

__________________________________________________________________________________
Significant Personalities
Municipality of San Luis
Province of Agusan del Sur
Region XIII CARAGA
Form 5 series January 2019

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS

SUBCOMMISSION ON CULTURAL HERITAGE
CULTURAL MAPPING PROGRAM

III. SIGNIFICANCE

(Indicate type of significance, e.g. historical, aesthetic, scientific, social, socioeconomic, socio-political, and spiritual and
then explain)

SOCIO – POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Datu Benhur along with the other tribal leaders (Katangkawan) were the driving force for the
attainment of the Lumad’s long dream to formally recognize the rights of possession and ownership
of the identified ancestral domains in the region. With the aid of Indigenous Peoples Rights Act
(IPRA), the issuance of the said certificate brought progress and expansion of different programs
that will benefit the well – being and welfare of the community.

SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE: As a tribal Chieftain Datu Benjur is responsible gathering his people to attend
different events especially Kaamulan or Dumalongdong to perform rituals and ask permission,
guidance and protection from Magbabaya.

SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE: Prior to adopting the Christianity, Datu Benjur, being a datu has his own
Diwata that guides and protect him. The Lumad community of Barangay Binicalan and even on the
neighboring barangays sought for his wisdom. The moment the adapt Christianity he lost his Diwata
but, even he lose it he still believes and offer a ritual as a sign of respect.

__________________________________________________________________________________
Significant Personalities
Municipality of San Luis
Province of Agusan del Sur
Region XIII CARAGA
Form 5 series January 2019

NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS

SUBCOMMISSION ON CULTURAL HERITAGE
CULTURAL MAPPING PROGRAM

IV. REFERENCES

KEY INFORMANT/S: Datu Benjur A. Mansulonay | 47 years old | Tribal Chieftain,

Banwaon Tribe | Sitio Mimbulan, Barangay Binicalan San Luis Agusan
del Sur

Yolando B. Pugahan | 49 years old | Barangay Kagawad, Binicalan

San Luis Agusan del Sur

Joycheal S. Mansulonay | 28 years old | Municipal IPMR, Barangay

Binicalan San Luis Agusan del Sur
https://www.doe.gov.ph/sites/default/files/pdf/eicc/
summ_of_cadt_per_year_as_of_march_31_2018.pdf
REFERENCE/S AND OTHER RESOURCES:
Rollyn Macorol Layaguin & Judie Ann Castro
NAME OF MAPPER/S:
September 17, 2021
DATE PROFILED:

ATTACHMENTS:

1. List of works and achievements

 Representative – Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title R13 SLU-0908-079
 Vice Chairman – Tagbuligon ku Banwaon Manobo Talaandig dini ta Adgawan (TagBaMaTaAd)
 Tribal Chieftain – Banwaon Tribe of Sitio Mimbulan Barangay Binicalan

2. References and other resources

__________________________________________________________________________________
Significant Personalities
Municipality of San Luis
Province of Agusan del Sur
Region XIII CARAGA