Santa Cruz, circa 1890s

Long before Davao del Sur was created as a province, the entire area was known simply to the residents as Santa Cruz, a sprawling territory that was home to the Bagobo tribespeople. Over time, the once vast forest and coastal expanse was systematically subdivided into new towns.

When Fr. Saturnino C. Urios, SJ arrived in Davao town on September 15, 1892, to assume as head of the Jesuit mission, Santa Cruz was already a thriving Catholic community, in large measure due to the efforts of Fr. Mateo Gisbert, a Jesuit known to converts as ‘the apostle of the Bagobo’ and ‘the Mandaya prophet.’

Days after arrival, Fr. Urios, accompanied by Fr. Manuel Valles, SJ, who had stayed a full year at San Pedro Parish where the Jesuit mission was stationed, immediately headed south, stopping two days in each settlement along the way. Among the Christian villages the duo visited were Matina, Talomo, Bago, Daliao, Tagulaya, Astorga, and the población of Santa Cruz—all established by Fr. Gisbert. He observed that the settlements were properly managed and how the reductions or villages were founded “near farms, estates, and other similar sources of livelihood.”

In a letter dated October 16, 1892, and penned while in Davao, Fr. Urios wrote:

“Santa Cruz is cause for just pride. It is a Bagobo settlement, with many old Christians, and a numerous section of pagan at a few hours distance around. They caught my attention, and I felt bad they were not yet ripe (for the gospel). It holds great promise for a bright future. Congratulations to Fr. Gisbert. God reward him.”

Eight months later, Fr. Gisbert, upon order of Fr. Urios, the local superior, visited Santa Cruz and remained there for a week for the Easter duty. Like in Astorga, which he also founded, he was welcomed with great joy. But there was also a sad news of converts leaving the settlement. In his letter to the Mission Superior dated May 10, 1893, he wrote:

“Here, the new Christians want me even more to stay. This time, there have been deaths and enslavements, occasioning the dispersal of most of the resettled who had felt unsafe and unprotected. Some went to Matina, others to Astorga and Tagulaya, not a few to the forest. I found only one-third of the settlement, who were rather disheartened.”

To stop the diaspora, Fr. Gisbert asked his superior to stay longer so as to inspire the people “to revive their lost enthusiasm and peace,” adding:

“I shall try to regroup them, summoning especially those who had gone to the mountain, cheer them up with my presence, and instruct them. Here, I shall also help them full theire Easter duty. Since leaving Davao, I have recorded 30 baptisms and nine weddings. I hope to do more. If I could make this my station, I would try to resettle these mountain tribes who are now a danger to this settlement of their cruel, uncivilized ways, killing and enslaving with impunity.

“I know some of the leaders that the people follow. Learning I was back here again, they say they no longer want to kill but instead settle things peaceably. If I succeed in making them truly my friends, I could easily resettle and make them mutual friends among themselves, baptizing them later in their own mutual settlements, and so making them God’s friends.”

But this intent to promote peace among the natives would be shattered after the Americans arrived. Some of the leaders of the Catholic Church would abandon their faith in favor of Protestantism, the religion the new colonizers brought along with them. For instance, Angel Briosos, a Bagobo church leader revolted, even leading the pillage of Catholic ornaments and icons.

Today, Santa Cruz has given birth to seven towns and a city, namely Padada, Matanao, Malalag, Sulop, Bansalan, Kiblawan, Malita, and Digos City. Had the plan to create a new municipality during the Macapagal presidency materialized, the proposed town of Roxas, which was annulled by the Supreme Court, would have been the ninth LGU carved out of it.