PROLOGUE

The war ended but in the southern part of the Philippines, thousands of Japanese soldiers continued their fight. The American planes continued bombing the hinterlands of Klaja near Conel in Buayan Municipal District. There was bloodbath - the only way to force the remaining Japanese soldiers to surrender. The different settlement districts in the south were badly damaged and the settlers as well as the NLSA employees and others became destitute and homeless.
Independence Day Celebration in Lagao, Buayan District (July 4, 1946)

It was at that time everyone was facing a bleak future when the delayed and most heartening news came... The hero of the Bayang Cota military campaign ...the innovative director of the Bureau of Prisons-the one time co-planner with Col. Dwight Eisenhower under Gen. Douglas MacArthur..the former chief of staff of the Philippine Army...Pres. Quezon's trusted administrator ... the Mindanao commissioner ...Pres. Laurel's Commanding General... was subjected to a slow death and finally succumbed to death on August 29, 1945 at Tamanang Mountain Province at the age of 55. He was a victim of his country's desperate struggle for survival. He was the heart of those who knew his deep paternal fern for their welfare bled to hear the saddest news for all the settlement districts of Lagao, Polomolok, Tupi, Marbel and Norala, wherein a pall of gloom hang requiem masses were offered for the eternal repose of his soul.

Mrs. Elisa Santos and her son Paulino "Boy" Santos, Jr. went to Barrio Calapang, Bontoc, Mountain Province purposely to trace and thereafter located the grave of the late General. They were assisted by Sgt. Juan Ablan and some native guides. His remains were brought to his hometown in Camiling, Tarlac where it was reburied and reentered at the family lot in Manila Memorial Park, Paranaque, Rizal. Gen. Paulino Santos, Sr. was born on June 22,1890 and was married to former Elisa Angeles from Bulacan, Bulacan on January 22, 1918. They were blessed with seven children, namely: Rosky, Isabel, Lourdes, Elisa, Paulino Jr. (deceased), Remegio and Jose (deceased).

Best News! The best news in the postwar days came!

In the coming of the 4th day of July 1946, the American government at long last granted the 3rd Historic Philippine Independence at the Luneta amidst the cheers of at least 300,000 people, the salvos of guns and the echoes of the ringing of church bells right after High Commissioner Paul MacNutt proclaimed: " A new nation is born! Long live the Philippines. May God bless and prosper the Filipino and keep them safe and free! "

In Lagao, Buayan Municipal District, the memorable event was solemnly celebrated. It was led by the Philippine Army and participated by many citizens especially settlers coming from different settlement districts. Few months later, religious groups took over the different parishes and ministerial works. Different churches and schools were built. Buildings which were burned and destroyed were gradually built too. Settlers returned purposely to build again their houses from various degrees of ruins. The southern adventure unceasingly continued. People grew in number! Hundreds of thousands from the different parts of the country came to the empire province of Cotabato via Cotabato Port and the Dadiangas open beaches.

It was more than an exodus! These new batches of southeners came and settled for good. They wanted to eliminate in their memories the horrible and painful past thru hardworks with new vision of hope. The natives as well as the Muslims who fought side by side with their Christian counterparts during the war, welcomed in brotherly harmony the new southerners. In June 1947, the first high school in Buayan District was established in Lagao, known as Notre Dame of Lagao. By virtue of an Executive Order No.82, dated August 18, 1947, the Municipal District of Buayan became the 4th Class Regular Municipality absorbing the Municipality of Glan which low income bracket disqualified for the honor.

Source: "What is What" JBR Databank, Vol. V 1996 by Jong Ramirez, Historian