Why It's Called That
Bangsamoro: a people defined by a moment
The 2018 Organic Law defines the Bangsamoro by who was native when Spanish colonization began. Behind it: a mosque dated 1380, the sultanates, and place names that mean current, lake and far.
1:01 · Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao · October 9, 2026
The story
One law defines a people by a single moment in history. The 2018 Organic Law names those native to Mindanao and Sulu when Spanish colonization began. The word joins two languages: bangsa, Malay for a people of shared lineage, and Moro, Spain's word for Muslims.
Long before Spain, a mosque rose at Simunul in 1380, the date the law gives. In Sulu, Sayid Abubakar became the first sultan. Tradition says a Johore Muslim founded Maguindanao's sultanate around 1515. In 1521, Magellan's chronicler wrote down Zolo, and a great city called Maingdanao.
Even the place names are old words: Sulu, the current. Lanao, the lake. Maguindanao, people of the flooded plain. Tawi-Tawi, far. A 2019 plebiscite created the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. What does your language call the lake, the current, the far islands? Tell us in the comments.
More Stories
All Stories
Bicol Region
Bicol Region: the day Mayon moved a town
Tradition says Bicol is named for a bending river. On 1 February 1814 Mayon buried Cagsawa; the town moved to Daraga, and in 1914 the Bicol Region made a pilgrimage to the ruins.
Why It's Called That
Cagayan Valley
Cagayan Valley: the cave and the giant province
A foot bone found in Callao Cave in 2007 led to Homo luzonensis, a human species named in 2019. The valley above was once one province covering all of northeast Luzon.
This Happened Here
CALABARZON
CALABARZON: every name was something else
CALABARZON is made of five province names, and most of them changed. Batangas was Kumintang, then Taal; Quezon was Kalilayan, then Tayabas. Cavite's hook story is told as a tradition.
Why It's Called That
Caraga
Caraga: the name that vanished and came back
They say Caraga comes from calag, spirit. Pigafetta wrote Calagan in 1521. The province was split in 1849, the name returned as a region in 1995, and the town called Caraga sits in Davao Oriental.
Why It's Called That
