Cuyunon
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| (243,384) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Philippines: Palawan
|
|
| Languages | |
| Cuyonon language | |
| Religion | |
| Roman Catholic | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| other Filipino peoples, other Austronesian peoples |
Cuyunon refers to an ethnic group populating Cuyo, northern and central Palawan. The Cuyunons are originally from Cuyo, and the surrounding Cuyo Islands, a group of islands and islets in Sulu Sea, to the north east of Palawan. They are considered an elite class among the hierarchy of native Palaweños. Currently, there are ten Punong Datus ( chief datus ) of the Cuyonon Tribe and two Datu Plenipotentiaries comprising the Council of Datus of the Cuyonon Tribe, namely Datu Higinio Clark Mendoza, II, Datu Andrei Ustares Acosta, Datu Prospero Castro, Datu Wilfredo Magdayao, Datu Jim Gerald Pe,Datu Felipe Acosta, II, Datu Robert Rover, and Plenipotentiaries Datu Franklin Solita and Datu Fernando Macolor Cruz (Cabaylo II). DATU Jaime Ustares Pe,DATU Rey Paul R. Miguel, DATU Alroben Goh, DATU Franklin Joseph D. Solita, DATU Arnold Cabiguin, DATU EDUARDO MATILLANO, DATU RUSTICO P.CACAL, DATU ROLAND F. RODRIGUEZ, DATU ANDREW PHILIP ESTEBAN, DATU RICARDO R. TABANGAY, DATU JOSELITO GABINETE, DATU CARLOS R. FERNANDEZ, DATU MICHAEL J. LATUBE, DATU GEOFFREY R. DISTAL, DATU DANIEL C. LATUBE, DATU ALFREDO D. CACATIAN, DATU ROQUE G. AURELLO, DATU ROLANDO F. LAGROSA, DATU HERNANDO V. LADICA, DATU MIGUEL JOSE RODRIGUEZ, DATU SATURNINO D. CANSINO, DATU DIONES R. DISTAL, JR., DATU ENRIQUITO P. LIBARRA, DATU JAIME A. ALVAREZ, DATU NARDO F. APGAO, DATU GAUDENCIO VALDEZTAMON, DATU QUIRINO H. JANORAS, DATU PROSPERO D. CASTRO, DATU BERNARDO G. MALANA, DATU RICARDO D. RODRIGUEZ, DATU CHARLITO ABRINA, DATU CHARLIE E. HERRERA, DATU JAVIER ESMADI , DATU JUANCHO U. PE, DATU DAVID NEGOSA, DATU ANTONIO J. SABANDO, DATU RODOLFO P. ACOSTA,DATU ASHILON JOYA, DATU KRIS PHILIP ACOSTA, DATU JUAN MARTINEZ, DATU RAMON DAGSA, DATU MELECIO ARQUE, JR., DATU HENRY U. ACOSTA, DATU JUANITO PIO LLEDO, and DATU BOY SABANDO.
During the Spanish colonization of the Philippines, Cuyo was one of the territories of Palawan that had the strongest Spanish presence.
The first Miss Philippines was a Cuyunon. And, when Vietnam, opened its doors to the world, the first female ambassador from the Philippines was also a Cuyunon. It was also a Cuyunon who topped the Philippines' very first Civil Service Examination- Mr. Procopio Macolor, Sr.
Known as Cuyonon, Cuyono, Cuyunon, Kuyunon, Kuyunen etc..., this ethnic tribe in Palawan geography is the most dominant tribal group in this region composed of about 240,000 people in the year 2015 AD; although scattered all over the world, but with 85% permanently residing in Puerto Princesa City and in both the Northern and Southern parts of Palawan in the westernmost of the Philippines. The Cuyono originated genetically and linguistically from Panay Island in the central Philippines since 1250’s AD but with Malayan roots from Banjarmaasin in Borneo Island 1,000 years ago. Then they came from Pallavas, India about 2,000 years among the Malayalam people in India who are descents of the Jewish, Arabic, Persian and Greek settlers in India since 500 BC. A Cuyono is highly distinguishable thru his circumcision practice and part of the Malayan sub-language.
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