heritage
Engr. Damian rullon Macatol
1919 - 1998
Engr. Damian Macatol was born in Mambajao, Camiguin on 27 September 1919, where he spent most of his childhood.
For college, he went to the Cebu institute of Technology (CIT) and graduated with two (2) Bachelor’s Degrees in Mechanical Engineering and in Architecture.
While teaching at Cebu School of Arts and Trades, he met Ms. Teresita, his wife who was working with the Administrative Office.
Dole Philippines offered him to join its Engineering team of the eleven (11)
- A Del Monte supervisor and was the best sculptor in town.
- In the late 60s prior to the declaration of Martial Law, were the most turbulent years in the labor history. In one of the labor strikes/disputes, Engr. Macatol was injured and almost lost his life. For fear of his family’s safety, in 1971 he accepted the offer of Del Monte Philippines in Cagayan de Oro as Machine Shop Senior Foreman, Engineering Department, classified under “Confidential Payroll”.
- The family took residence at Camp Phillips in Bukidnon, the “poblacion” of Del Monte Plantation. “There was an insider joke- Camp Phillips residents in our time will remember the Macatols, for their faith and for the fact that their father crucified Jesus Christ.” … (Maybe because) he “carved the Crucified Christ that occupied the Church Altar in our town.”
SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION
Golden Statue St Francis at the entrance of Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City
Monument of Jose Rizal at the Plaza in Polomolok, South Cotabato
Virgin of the Poor at the Xavier University Church
The Statue of General Paulino Santos located at the Bantayog ni Heneral Santos
1968 The Making of the Statue of General Paulino Santos
- Engr. Damian Macatol was commissioned in 1968 through the efforts of former Mayor Irineo Santiago to work on the said quintessential statue of about 7’4” tall. Mr. Santiago was the President of Aguman, an association of Kapampangan in General Santos City.
- In close coordination with the children of the General. Mr. Paulino “Boy” Santos, Jr. provided him the photograph while the eldest daughter, Atty Rosa “Rosky” Santos Munda often came to General Santos from Davao City to visit him for its progress.
- For him sculpting was a hobby. But he made sure that his children were part of every sculpture he created. “Kahit maglagay man lang ng semento sa pedestal” shared by his son, Col. Douglas Macatol (PAF Ret)
- The Monument of General Paulino Santos was installed at the Plaza Heneral on 1968.
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He passed away on 30 April 1998 at age 79. He might be gone but like any great artists, Engr. Macatol left impressive footprints along the way.
For more than 50 years, come rain and shine, earthquakes and all, the statue of General Paulino T. Santos stood stately in the heart of the chalice-shaped Government Center of the City of General Santos. The Pioneers-Descendants of General Santos City honors the Man, whose hands created the famous landmark of General Santos City. A monument of historical significance and heritage.