The Biography of His Majesty♚Datu Gendao
♚His Majesty Datu (G’ndao) Gendao is the current unifying ruler of the Subanen people, serving as the sovereign leader of the entire Subanen People’s Kingdom. Born on December 20, 1979, to Bai T’lli, his destiny was foretold—to rise as the beacon of unity, rekindle the monarchy, and stand resilient in the face of a changing world to safeguard the existence of the Subanen people.
Lineage and Ancestry
♚Bai T’lli, his mother—revered as Bai (Queen) in English—descends from the noble bloodline of Datu T’ngkilan (Tangkilan), the brilliant Subanen ruler of Zamboanga del Norte. Datu Gendao, the seventh son, carries the symbolic strength of the sacred number seven—a mark of his destined role in reuniting the seven Subanen territories now recognized as Basilan Island, Camiguin Island, Zamboanga del Sur and Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, and Lanao del Norte.
It is an esteemed tradition among the Subanen people that rulers carry the name of their predecessors—such as Datu T’ngkilan—yet they must also choose a name that reflects their skills, capabilities, and leadership qualities.
Early Life and Education
Datu Gendao was born amidst the political turbulence of the Martial Law era under President Ferdinand Marcos. For safety, his family evacuated from Zamboanga del Norte to the lands of the Kamayo tribes in Agusan del Sur, where he was born deep within the jungle on that fateful December night. Six months later, the family returned to Zamboanga del Norte, where Datu Gendao was raised.
Throughout his childhood, he bore witness to the struggles of the Subanen people—often marginalized and discriminated against by Tausug and Visayan Cebuano migrants. To safeguard his identity, he lived under concealment, keeping his royal lineage undisclosed—even from his Subanen classmates. However, his unwavering sense of protection for fellow Subanen students was unmistakable, as he consistently defended them against discrimination and bullying. His modern and refined appearance, coupled with his fluency in Visayan, helped shield him from prejudice.
Datu Gendao displayed remarkable intelligence from a young age, excelling academically as a consistent honor student. After graduating from high school at 16, he pursued higher education as a government scholar at one of the Philippines' top 10 universities. He completed degrees in Electronics and Computer Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, furthering his studies with a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from a prestigious university in Cebu City. Later, he was conferred an Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy from the United States in recognition of his contributions.
Beyond Leadership: The Artist and Visionary
Beyond his expertise in finance and governance, Datu Gendao is a gifted artist—a poet and singer. His literary talents were recognized globally, with his poems published in the National Library Congress in Maryland, USA, featured in the book “Under a Quicksilver Moon” (2002–2005). His distinct lower-toned, round, clear bass 2 voice complements his passion for music, encompassing genres from ballads to rock rap songs..
Education and Career
Datu Gendao’s journey through education and career is a testament to resilience, determination, and an extraordinary ability to balance multiple responsibilities.
While pursuing two distinct degrees at two universities simultaneously, he also worked full-time at a defense and security company, a demanding job requiring him to be present from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Saturday. Immediately after work, he attended evening classes from 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM, Monday to Sunday, without a single day of rest for four and a half years.
What seems almost impossible—juggling full-time employment with dual academic pursuits—he managed through sheer discipline and perseverance. A self-sufficient and independent individual, he financed his own education, without relying on parental support. Against all odds, he successfully completed his studies on time, proving that with determination, barriers can be overcome.
Early Career and Ethical Stand
Upon graduating, Datu Gendao embarked on his professional journey as an Accounting Staff at a manufacturing firm in Pasay City, Metro Manila. However, his tenure was brief due to a workplace incident that conflicted with his firm anti-bullying principles. After defending an employee who was bullied by a superior, he resigned when the company merely forgave the aggressor while forcing the victim to quit his job to “resolve” the issue.
He then transitioned to another manufacturing firm in Manila, where he worked as an Internal Auditor. Six months into the role, he received an overseas job offer—an opportunity that led him to venture into the life of an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) for seven years.
International Success and Return to Leadership
His time abroad proved to be far more favorable than his early career in Manila. While working overseas, he completed his postgraduate studies, earning a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA). His dedication and expertise propelled him up the corporate ladder, reaching the prestigious roles of Company Vice President and Group Director—the highest professional positions he attained within a top 200 global conglomerate.
Despite his success, Datu Gendao remained deeply committed to his cultural heritage. Ultimately, he returned to the Subanen People’s Kingdom (SPK) to fully embrace his responsibility as ruler, dedicating himself full-time to reuniting the Subanen people across their seven ancient territories.
Jungle Visits and Adventure
In 2015, Datu Gendao embarked on an ocular visit to the remote jungles along the boundaries of the governorate in Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga Sibugay. This journey was not merely an inspection—it was an immersion into the heart of Subanen territories, where he met with Tim’uays and Datu rulers to better understand the needs of the people and assimilate into their daily lives.
For two months, he lived among the Subanen communities deep in the jungle, experiencing firsthand their challenges, traditions, and aspirations. During his visit, he explored Buklog sites in seven significant locations—Siolan, Bunawan, Dilucot, Diam’pak, Sioran, Sia’nan, and Sipacong—not as a ruler, but as a Subanen member, embracing the people's way of life without distinction of rank or title.
Understanding the Modern Challenges of the Subanen People
Through this experience, Datu Gendao gained deeper insight into the struggles faced by the Subanen in modern times. One of the most pressing concerns was the infiltration of anti-government groups, which had begun indoctrinating the youth into armed resistance against the national government—a practice that directly violated Subanen law, tradition, and cultural principles. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, he emphasized the need for swift and decisive action to protect the integrity of Subanen governance and prevent external forces from destabilizing their communities.
One significant step in addressing this issue was the formal declaration of persona non grata against the New People’s Army (NPA) within all Subanen territories, a policy strongly endorsed by His Majesty Datu Gendao. He further commended the decisive leadership of Tim’uay Lucenio Manda, Chair of the Subanen Gukom, for taking bold action to safeguard the Subanen people's sovereignty and uphold their ancestral values.
