Apo Keeg and his Legacy to the Igorot People

Perhaps it is not too much to ask the Igorots to remember Apo Keeg, the Igorot man who lived 116 years.  Born in the 1870s, in Tadian Mt. Province, Philippines, Apo Keeg didn’t only help build the rice terraces and tilled them to plant rice for his family’s consumption but he was an important figure to the Igorots.

Being illiterate, Apo Keeg didn’t know how to write and sign his name but illiteracy was not a reason for him not to be appointed as a local official due to public clamor.  Apo Keeg became a councilor in one of the towns in the northern part of the Philippines named Tadian.  It was said that although he was illiterate, he possessed all the good qualities of a good leader.  It was his grade two son who had taught him to write his name so that he could affix his signature to the important documents.

In 1942 during the World War II, Apo Keeg was one of the important figures who fought bravely to save the Igorots from the atrocities of the Japanese soldiers.  During the olden times the vast wilderness of Mountain Province served as the perfect hiding place for the Igorots from the enemies.  Apo Keeg organized men who fought the Japanese soldiers while his people sought safe places to hide from their enemies.   Using salt to bribe the Japanese soldiers in exchange for temporary freedom, many lives were saved during the war.   Because salt was very scarce during the World War II, salt was considered a fortune. 

Too much was said about Apo Keeg’s sufferings from the Japanese atrocities.  He was a man who fought endlessly for his people during World War II.

Apo Keeg’s term as a councilor ended in 1944.  With that short span of term, Apo Keeg’s services were incomparable.  Although he was illiterate, he had accomplished great works for his people where the educated local officials failed.

The political career of Apo Keeg would have ended in 1944 but In 1945 with the advice, endorsement and inspiration from his people, Apo Keeg’s political career retriggered.  He has no political ambitions but he knew that his people needed him and it was with great joy that he accepted the candidacy for mayoralty.  The people underestimated what Apo Keeg’s opponents were capable of doing because the election that they had expected good as won by Apo Keeg became a disaster when Apo Keeg’s ballot boxes were snatched and his votes were stolen.  In the olden times when most Igorots were still illiterate, colors were used to cast votes.  Apo Keeg chose green as his color so when the votes were stolen, the smart Igorots utilized banana leaves to cast their votes.  Apo Keeg won by landslide.

Apo Keeg became the Mayor elect of Tadian, Mt, Province in 1945.  Although Apo Keeg is not included in history books, his first job as a mayor was remarkable.  He was the only mayor who was able to transfer the municipal hall from Kayan to Tadian.  Despite the strong protest of the people in the former town, Apo Keeg begged for the people’s understanding and cooperation that the municipality should be moved to Tadian Mt. Province since this is a more convenient place to build the municipal hall, given that Tadian is more accessible to the barrios around than the former town.  Tadian, Mt. Province became a municipality in 1945 through the hard work of Apo Keeg.

Apo Keeg became a very famous mayor. He made names like: “Father of the People”, Head of the Igorot Traditions”,  “Miracle Doctor”, and many more coined names especially created for him.

The Igorots loved Apo Keeg.  He was the man the people wanted to serve them because they believed in his honest, fair and unselfish services.  Apo Keg possessed natural leadership skills that nobody matched.  He was the invincible man of the masses that fought for them endlessly.

The voice of Apo Keeg became the guide of the people. He was not only the Mayor but the counselor, the teacher, the adviser, the father and the doctor who used only his words and his hands to make the sick felt better.

Being the “Miracle Doctor”, Apo Keeg was remembered for the hundreds and hundreds of children that he helped deliver into this world.  To the women who were laboring, the appearance of Apo Keeg meant easy labor because he was a better midwife than the professional midwives. Even the midwives sought his help in times of difficult deliveries.

In one occasion, Apo Keeg proved he was a miracle doctor when he saved the life of a still birth baby.  It was impossible said the people who told the story to me because the baby was already dead when Apo Keeg arrived.  The woman who had a still birth accepted her sad fate but Apo Keeg knew better.  He carried the baby and laid him on a wooden platform then he asked for an old US army blanket.  He burned the US Army blanket then put over the placenta to warm the liquid inside; after a few minutes he slowly pushed the placenta water to the baby’s stomach through the uncut chord.  It was a miracle when the baby suddenly breathed.  The baby lived through old age.

Apo Keeg has delivered hundreds and hundreds of babies with only his bare hands as his tool.  He has also cured several people,

In 1991 at the age of 111, Apo Keeg’s hearing deteriorated and he became totally deaf.  Because he found it hard communicating with people, he decided to end his service to the people and preferred to stay at home.  From then on he refused all invitations.

Apo Keeg didn’t stop working at home.  Around his house was covered with camote vines that he gathered every other day for his hogs.

Apo Keeg died a natural death on October 13, 1995.  According to Apo Keeg’s niece, he just got weak and closed his eyes.  He died a very peaceful death,

Apo Keeg left a legacy that will remain intact in the hearts of his people. His teachings and examples about human rights, uprightness, fairness, honesty, dignity and love for others will always be remembered and his work will never be forgotten.