In the 1940s, Kidapawan covered an area totalling to 273, 262 hectares, which included the modern-day Municipalities of Magpet, Matalam, M’lang, and President Roxas. And while the toponyms of Kidapawan, Magpet, M’lang, and Matalam reflect the rich culture and history of these areas, the case of President Roxas becomes a clear outlier.
Here is a basic comparative look into the toponyms of the municipalities under old Kidapawan. The toponym ‘Kidapawan’ was derived from the words ‘tida’ and ‘pawan.’ The portmanteau of the two words means “The Highland Spring.” For Magpet, its toponym is supposed to mean as “the verdant lands of countless waters.” The toponym of M’lang was derived from a Maguindanaoan word ‘tamlang’ which means ‘bamboo.’ Matalam was named after Datu Matalam as recognition of his efforts in the development of the area. These toponyms had some organic history associated with them.
The municipality of President Roxas in Cotabato was named after the then Philippine President Manuel Roxas through Republic Act 4869 in 1967. Unlike Datu Matalam who locally worked for the development of his namesake Matalam, the toponym of the Municipality of President Roxas opted to take the icon of a Philippine President.
It is as well important to note that Manuel Roxas has two other namesake municipalities – one in Zamboanga del Norte (est.1967) and an older one in Capiz (est.1949). The repetitive use of ‘President Roxas’ as a municipality somehow erodes the connotative meaning of these places. Connotative meanings are important for a place’s self-identity, although an icon of a Philippine President is already a good start.
President Roxas is bound to decide on its toponym. Aside from self-identity, connotative meanings are actually given importance by the current economic market. There is a growing interest into the culture and arts across the world. There is an economic concept that tries to deal with the interface of creativity, culture, and economics. Some call it the Creative Economy. One miniscule example in the province is the recent establishment of Sitio Maupot, a resort, in Magpet. ‘Maupot’ is actually one of the roots of the toponym of the municipality of Magpet. The owners of the resort aptly recognized the use of an organic name that suits the place and its culture.
The toponyms of Kidapawan, Magpet, Matalam, and M’lang put forth various connotative meanings with them. It bears their geographical, historical, and socio-cultural make-up, and along with other implied meanings.
It will be expected that the people of President Roxas will not bother themselves in changing the name of the municipality anytime soon. It is, after all, an icon of a Philippine President. Unlike the growing interest of the people of Kidapawan, Magpet, Matalam, and M’lang into their own culture and arts, President Roxas might as well start on building its own identity as a municipality first. Maybe someday, it can sit at par with the other 4 territories of the old Kidapawan.
If there are substantial toponymic arguments against or affirmative of those provided above, feel free to ping Vincent Carlo Cuzon through cuzonv@gmail.com.
Vincent Carlo Duran Cuzon 