The captivating narrative of Fort Almonte, situated within the hallowed grounds of Liangan East Elementary School, Bacolod, Lanao del Norte, has been brought to light through the remarkable archaeological excavation and exploration of a team of archaeologists from the University of the Philippines (UP) School of Archaeology.

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Museum of the Philippines, the Department of History of Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, the Confucius Institute of Ateneo de Manila University, the Department of the Interior and Local Government of Lanao del Norte, the provincial government of Lanao del Norte, and the municipal government of Bacolod collaborated to support the implementation of this project.

Fort Almonte was constructed in 1891 and served as a defensive stronghold against raiders protecting Western Mindanao’s coastline territory. It was named after Admiral Pedro de Almonte, who led colonization campaigns with Sebastián Hurtado de Corcuera in Mindanao and Jolo in 1639.

Showcasing history's layers

As the excavation on the historical site progressed, layer by layer, a vivid narrative of the past began to emerge. From the original Spanish settlement to traces of American and Japanese occupation to the scars of earthquakes, each layer told a story of Fort Almonte's evolution through time.

An educational exhibit was set up that showcased the results of the excavation and exploration efforts. Among the artifacts recovered were a.45 caliber pistol bullet projectile, earthenware sherds, a few bone fragments, animal bones, hard-wrought iron nails, a Spanish forged-square nail, and a possible gunlift.

A 3D diorama was also unveiled featuring the structure, which was built using indigenous and Western architectural techniques and materials. It housed cannons, watchtowers, and even a dormitory and infirmary for soldiers.

With this diorama, the archaeologists did not just present the recreation of the structure; they also shared a beautiful narrative encapsulating the essence of Fort Almonte's history.

"Fort Almonte is not just one structure; as archaeologists, we see a series of events. Fort Almonte isn’t just a structure; it is a beautiful narrative," said Ruben Claro "Kim" Reyes IV, one of the archaeologists.

Catalyst of discovery

The significance of the site was initially recognized by the project team in June 2022, during an archaeological survey of Lanao del Norte's coastal municipalities. This survey was conducted as part of a larger project led by Dr. Juvanni Caballero from the Department of History at MSU-IIT focusing on Maranao-Chinese contact before 1898, which was funded by the Confucius Institute of the Ateneo de Manila University.

This initial spark was nurtured through collaboration and resource pooling, tapping into funds from the local government, the national government, and other stakeholders.

"The project took off by pooling our networks and resources together. Since we still have remaining funds from the previous project that I had with the Confucius Institute, we requested that the said funder allow us to continue the archaeological survey in other parts of Lanao, along with the archaeological excavation of Fort Almonte. And since the remaining funds wouldn't be enough to cover all the expenses, Dr. Neri tapped the LGU, DILG, and other partners to help us carry out the project," said Caballero.

According to the team’s findings, there was no pre-Hispanic habitation in the fort prior to the arrival of the Spaniards.

The history of Fort Almonte has been shrouded in mystery and speculation, attracting the attention of treasure hunters in the past who believed that the fort held hidden riches based on the myth of Yamashita's Treasure, a legendary hoard believed to have been hidden by the Japanese during World War II. However, the truth behind this intriguing structure has finally come to light with the diligent efforts of the archaeologists.

Dr. Leee Anthony Neri, project leader of the UP School of Archaeology, asserted that the real treasure lies not in precious metals or jewels but in the knowledge and heritage that Fort Almonte encapsulates.

"Please don't believe too much in Yamashita [treasure], wala’y gold dinha [there’s no gold there]. The only gold we have is the knowledge, the heritage of Fort Almonte. That is the treasure that you have in Bacolod, and in the province of Lanao del Norte," he said.

From exploration to national cultural treasure

The UP School of Archaeology will be crafting a comprehensive report detailing the results of the exploration. Concurrently, the government and stakeholders envision submitting a proposal to the NCCA, advocating for the re-classification of Fort Almonte as a National Cultural Treasure. This endeavor also aims to integrate the fort's historical significance into educational materials that can be readily disseminated to the public.

Additionally, DILG Lanao del Norte Provincial Director Bruce Augusto Colao stated that the local government of Bacolod and the provincial government of Lanao del Norte will support the report with the intention to highlight governance improvement. This will include policy formulation that will ensure the protection and conservation of Fort Almonte for future generations as well as the implementation of programs and projects, bridging the worlds of culture, heritage, and tourism development.

"We are also keen on looking at the protection, promotion, and enrichment of culture so that there will be a better understanding of the people. When we look at history multidimensionally from different perspectives, we want to see that there will be a nurturing of a shared vision of people," he said.

Bacolod Mayor Judith Miquiabas said that Fort Almonte had indeed reclaimed its identity, noting that there was now a revealing glimpse into its past, including what transpired yesterday and how its historical significance continued to shape the present-day Lanao del Norte.

Meanwhile, Provincial Board Member Marivic Ramos, serving as the committee chairperson for culture, arts, and interfaith relations, said that the provincial government is dedicated to ensuring the responsible care of such heritage resources, aiming to inspire and benefit current and future generations. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)