Roots: The Fuentes Family of Tangalan, Aklan

This is my Great-Grandfather, Pedro Torga Fuentes of Tangalan, Aklan, Philippines.

Pedro was born in Tangalan in 1887, the first-born son of Tangalan Barangay Captain, Marcos Fuentes. Pedro had planned to become a priest and was attending a seminary when Marcos asked him to transfer to university to become a lawyer. Marcos had purchased several parcels of land and felt Pedro should be an attorney to possess the legal acumen to always protect the family land. Pedro agreed and finished university with a degree in law. He passed his bar exam in 1921 and began practicing soon after.

in 1942, amidst the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, Pedro was active in the resisting civilian government of Capiz. He was appointed Town Mayor of the 3rd District of Capiz, which would later become Aklan in 1956.

Pedro Torga Fuentes, 1921

Pedro married Consejo Cortez some time in his 20's, having his first-born son with her, Pedro Junior. Pedro was widowed early and would eventually marry a second wife, Norberta “Bestang” Tejada, and father four children with her: Isagani (my grandfather), Rossini, Libertad, and Eduardo

Isagani Fuentes, Libertad Fuentes, and Eduardo Fuentes at Jawili Falls, c.1950 (child is unknown)

Rossini Fuentes, Tokyo, Japan, c.1980

In the 1950’s, Pedro decided to use a parcel of the Fuentes land in Tondog, Tangalan to construct a residence. The land was being used as sugar cane fields with a warehouse and sugar mill on the property. As such, it was referred to as “Camalig” or “Warehouse”. The house is said to have been designed by prominent Filipino architect, Juan M. Arellano, who was one of Pedro’s friends, along with Manuel Roxas. The house still stands today, referred to many around as “The white house in Tangalan with the all the chickens”.

Three Generations of Fuenteses, Left to Right: Charity Fuentes, Rossini Fuentes, Nico Fuentes, Lana Bretana, Monica Rivera, Mark Fuentes, Gavin Leigh, Corina Fuentes, Francis Bretana. Tondog, Tangalan, c.1997

Charity Fuentes with her children, nieces, and nephews. Tondog, Tangalan, c.1997

Mark Fuentes at The Fuentes House, Tondog, Tangalan, Aklan, 2022

Many of Pedro’s children took after their father, becoming civil servants in their own rights. Rossini and Libertad established themselves in government agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare (today, the DSWD) and the Department of Foreign Affairs. This work would take them all over the world to postings in Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Japan, and others. They would eventually retire back to Tangalan and be active members of the community. They never married.

Pedro’s youngest son, Eduardo, was also quite active in the community and served a term as Sangguniang Bayan (Town Legislative) for Tanaglan. Sadly, Eduardo passed at a relatively young age. He also never married.

My Grandfather, Isagani Tejada Fuentes, followed in his father’s footsteps and became a lawyer, as well. In 1948, Tangalan was separated from the Township of Makato to become a Town of its own, and in 1952 when Tangalan held it’s first Mayoral Election, Isagani became the first elected Mayor of Tangalan.

Isagani Fuentes, Tondog, Tangalan, Aklan c. 1960

Isagani married Concepcion Rayos Del Sol Villafuerte of Davao and had seven children: Nolini, Cynthia, Nico (my father), Isagani Junior (Marni), Charity, Myra, and Donna.

Isagani and Conching Fuentes with their children in Tondog, Tangalan in the early 60's

Isagani and Conching Fuentes and their family in the late 70's

Isagani’s children and grandchildren (my cousins and myself) carried on the tradition of higher education in the Fuentes family, becoming professionals in fields such as law, medicine, foreign affairs, military, culinary arts, technology, tourism, with many of them later moving on to become entrepreneurs.

The Fuentes Family is a proud clan which claims deep roots in Tangalan, Aklan. My research has come to show that this has been passed down through many generations and this has always been a source of deep Aklanon and Tangalanon pride for me.