Misamis Occidental

(Filipino:Kanlurang Misamis)(Subanen:Sindepan Mis'samis) is a province of the

Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital is Oroquieta City. The province borders

Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur to the west and is separated from Lanao del Norte by Panguil

 Bay to the south and from Misamis Oriental by Iligan Bay to the east. The province of Misamis was originally

 inhabited by Subanons whose an easy target by the sea pirates from Lanao. Misamis is taken from the early

settlement of the Spaniards at the entrance to the Panguil Bay.

The name "Misamis" is believed to have been derived from the Subano word "Kuyamis" which is a variety of

 sweeto coconut - the staple food of the early settlers in this place. During the years the name persisted as an inference of the geographical location and upon the advent of the Spanish settlers, the word "kuyamis" easily gave way to the more convenient pronounceable but corrupted word "Misamis".

Misamis Occidental comprised the original nine towns of Baliangao, Lopez Jaena, Tudela, Clarin, Plaridel,

Oroquieta, Aloran, Jimenez, and Misamis. The original nine municipalities of the province of Misamis Occidental grew into the present three cities of Ozamiz, Oroquieta, and Tangub and the 14 municipalities of Aloran, B

aliangao, Bonifacio, Calamba, Clarin, Concepcion, Don Victoriano, Jimenez, Lopez Jaena, Panaon, Plaridel,

Sapang Dalaga, Sinacaban, and Tudela.

History

In 1942, the Japanese Imperial forces landed in Misamis Occidental, beginning their brief occupation of the

province as part of World War II. In 1945, combined American and Philippine Commonwealth forces liberated

the province, and with the help of the recognized guerilla units, defeated the Japanese forces.

Misamis Oriental

(Filipino:Silangang Misamis, abbreviated Mis. Or.) is a province of the Philippines located in the

Northern Mindanao region. Its capital and provincial center is Cagayan de Oro City. The province borders

Iligan City and Bukidnon to the south, the Agusan del Norte to the east, and to the north is Bohol Sea with

 the island-province of Camiguin just off its northern shore.

History

Legislative Act. No. 3537, approved on November 2, 1929, divided the province of Misamis into two provinces

due to the lack of geographical contiguity: Misamis Oriental and Misamis Occidental. However, it was not until

ten years later that the division was implemented by an amendment, Act. No. 3777, adopted on November 28,

1939. When Misamis Oriental became a separate province, Don Gregorio Pelaez was its first governor. Since

then, there have been fourteen past governors who were elected and appointed by operation of law.

In 1942, the occupation by the Japanese soldiers landed in Misamis Oriental.

In 1945, combined United States and Philippine Commonwealth forces liberated in the province of Misamis

Oriental with the recognized guerrilla fighters against the Japanese Imperial forces during the World War II.

The earliest known settlers of the territory were the Negritos. Centuries later, Austronesian colonists fought

the natives for the control of the rich Cagayan River coastal plains. The struggle for possession has finally

won the native Visayans over the Bukidnons. In the 16th century most of the Mindanao area came under the

control of Muslims and the inhabitants were converted into Islam. As part of Mindanao, the people of the territory were obliged to pay tribute to the Muslim rulers.