MEETING THE SULTAN OF SULU

Previously: Quezon Beach

After basking in the awesome Quezon Beach, we headed to the house of the barangay captain of Igasan, Patikul for courtesy call. When we entered the door, my eyes were shocked by the view of a banquet attended by respectable people in their royal apparels, men and women celebrating the Feast of Ramadan. SPO1 Moridz greeted everyone with a kiss. What if I would do the same? I was so confused and reluctant, afraid I might offend all them. In traveling shorts, I opted to glue my feet on the doorstep and gave everyone a forced smile.

A SURPRISE PARTY!

Later, I was ordered to get inside another room and was introduced to Kapitan Faridz K. Bahjin. I was so behaved and soft spoken. The captain was so accommodating and was glad to accept me as a visitor.

Later, two lady servers came in with different foods, some I have never seen before.  An invited guest or a gatecrasher, I was so shy to be treated that well. My escorts came in and joined me in the table.

Then they offered us their well known strong Sulu brewed coffee. I sipped soundfully though my heart abnormally paces up even to the mildest coffee.

They named the food one by one. Tapatapa, Baolo, Durol, Sasagun and Panganan (unnamed). Appreciative, I tasted all their Bangbang Sug.

MEETING THE SULTAN

I was then informed that one of the persons in the banquet, the captain's father, was the Sultan of Patikul or Sultan of Sulu. He is SULTAN MOHAMMAD MUEJUDDIN JAINAL ABIRIN BAHJIN.

SULTAN OF SULU? I thought it's Sultan Jamalul Kiram III (who was still alive and staying in Manila that time).

The very kind Sultan shook  my hand and explained me why he is also a claimant of the Sultanate of Sulu. He showed me pages posted on their wall with historical accounts showing his direct relationship to the recognized Sultans of Sulu, Sultan Jainal Abirin, 1937-1950, (please click to see his name in THE ROYAL HOUSE OF SULU), Sultan Jamalul Abirin (1950-1983) and Sultan Mohammad Aguimuddin Abirin (1983-2005).

The sultan treated me like a long lost friend, no stranger.

VISITING THE MUNICIPAL HALL

When we departed the hospitable home, my escorts drove me to the Municipal Hall of Patikul and their Police Station along the white coasts of Sulu.

BACK TO JOLO

After exploring Patikul, we drove back to Jolo. Along the lonely road of Barangay Liang, we saw a battle truck loaded with armed marine officers. My escorts talked in Tausug dialect I never understood. AND WE PACED UP...
When we reached Jolo during lunch time, we spotted Planet Pluto Restaurant.

BACK TO THE POLICE STATION

After filling our stomachs, my escorts endorsed me back to the Provincial Police Office. Officer Kris Conrad M. Gutierrez, fully armed, about to leave with his armed team approached us.

Haay, salamat, nakauwi ka pa.
 Thanks, God, you're back!

Bakit po, Sir?
Why, Sir? 

May bakbakan dun sa Liang.
There's an encounter in Liang. 

Then I remembered Brgy. Liang, the silent barangay we passed by with armed marine officers.

Huwag na huwag kang umalis dito hangga't di dumarating ang bagong escort mo.
Never get out of here until your new escort arrives. 

He rushed up to his team and left.

After expressing my deep thanks, I was a bit teary eyed when I waved goodbye to my 4 escorts who are supposed to be rested but spent their day-off with me.

AND THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES...

SULU PROVINCIAL CAPITOL
MASJID TULAY: The First and Biggest Mosque in Jolo
MAUBOH BEACH
LEAVING SULU