A Literary Criticism on Christian Cabagnot and Karlo Anotnio David's "The Kiram Builsing"

By: Genalyn Comendador

Kiram Mansion is located in Kidapawan, North Cotabato that designed and build by Sultan Omar Kiram II. It was a testimony to the life and artistic merit of a great man of history. With distinct Roman-Torogan design, its Kidapawan greatest link to its Mindanawon roots. In 1962 the mansion was originally invented by Major Vicente Austria, better known as Sultan Omar Kiram II. He built the mansion together with his sons after he and his family of ten children migrate to the city of Cotabato (Cabagnot & David, 2010).

Half of the structure was damaged at the end of 2009, while much of the southwest area was converted into a hardware store. The mansion was more than 47 years old.

The Kiram Building was named after its designer and builder Sultan Omar Kiram II (Cuzon, 2015). But Sultan Omar Kiram II its not only has an unique design and build of a mansion also has a very rare story of life.

Vicente Austria also known Sultan Omar Kiram II was invited to teach chemistry and give lectures on pottery at the Siliman University. When the Second World War broke out, he joined the army. When his foster Austrian parents killed in the war his desire to join in the war increased. This is the time when he married his wife Nelly Lee Kelly the daughter of Irish-American veteran soldier. After the war, President Magsaysay made him part of the government, particularly as a translator for negotiations with Moro rebel groups. While he was in the Lake Lanao bathing he noticed an old woman staring him. He polite approach the woman. The old woman said that he is the lost son of Sultan Omar Kiram I. The Lost Sultan – Sultan Omar Kiram II.

Sultan Omar Kiram II – The Lost Sultan he is the son of Sultan Omar Kiram I – Uyaan Sultan of Onayan Sultanate of Lanao del Sur, and Bai Saumay Ampaso Mindalano.

When the Philippines-American war started to broke out, Bai Saumay ordered Prince Omar maid, Ishraida, to move to Dansalan (now Marawi). On the road to Marawi the 7-year-old prince was lost, it was kidnapped by Moro comrades. The poor prince was sold as a slave upon arriving in Marawi.

American-Ilocano soldier named Gil Austria brought the Prince for twenty-two pesos and he name him Vicente. He raised Vicente as a Christian but Vicente fluently speak Maranao. He does not know why he could spoke Maranao fluently.

Vicente was sent to the U.S Adamson University, where he took two courses in engineering and a master’s degree in pottery. He returned to the Philippines, where he was invited to teach chemistry and give lectures on pottery at the Siliman University.

When the Second World War broke out, he joined the army. When his foster Austrians parents killed in the war his desire to join the war increased. He could eventually rise to the rank of major. It was also during this period that he married Nelly Lee Kelly, a family friend and daughter of Irish-American veteran soldier.

After the war, President Ramon Magsaysay (then the Secretary of National Defense) assigned Vicente as negotiator to the Moro rebels.

On April 19, 1955, an earthquake hit Lanao. The most devastated part was the village of Uyaan. Recognizing Vicente’s fluency in the Maranao tongue, Pres. Magsaysay sent Vicente to give relief aid.

The relief operation in the village of Uyaan would then cover the way for the inspiring discovery of Vicente’s identity – Bunsa, the Lost Sultan.

Gives the significance of the history in the Philippines. It became a tourist attraction to the Cotabato and people learn to gives heritage to the place because its represents the structure and the materials that made by the Maranawon Tribe.

The Lost Sultan Omar Kiram II, as he was known as a Sultan, he does not want his children spoil of being the son of Sultan. He chooses to have a normal life together his family. He continues his duty in government and help others.

He never takes advantage the benefits as a Sultan but humbly gave it to his uncle who serves for 33 years.

Hence, Sultan Omar Kiram II never take advantage of being a Prince and he choose to have a normal life together with his family. He humbly passes to his uncle the duties that successfully serves for 33 years. Instead he continued his involvement in the government, supervising such public works as the Kidapawan-Matalam-Tacorong road. Because of this project him and his family arrived in Kidapawan. Where he designs and build the Kiram Building. At the age of 71-year-old. His sons who taking care the Kiram Mansion and now the half of the structure was damaged at the end of 2009, while much of the southwest area was converted into a hardware store. The mansion was more than 47 years old.