THE OTHER TIJAM FAMILY

According to Lola Vitong, my grandmother (maternal side), several decades ago before World War I, several business men from Manduriao, Iloilo reached the coastal town of Bulan, Sorsogon. They were selling mosquito nets (kulambo); blanket (kumot na prenela, otherwise known in Bikol as “tamong” and in Rinconada vernacular dialect as “isapoy”).  They were also selling pillow cases and other wares. They heard much of the Bicol Region from other merchants and they decided to come to the Bicol peninsula for good.

It is presumed that they rode in a large sailboat, large enough to accommodate them and their merchandise.  At that time, there were yet no commercial airplanes or any mechanized vessels.  Nobody can ascertain if it was still Spanish time or already American time.

The business men from Manduriao, Iloilo were said to be led by a certain Nicolas Tijam or their elders.  If he was accompanied by a brother or a sister, it was not known.  But he was the proprietor of the business.  He must be moneyed because his son by the name of Teofilo even own the first gasoline station in my town, Nabua, Camarines Sur.  Many of Nicolas’ offsprings also became professionals.  My lolo Felomino and his brothers Ramon and Jose; his sister Natividad who went with Nicolas were poor.

Felomino got married to Victoria Soliven, a sister of the priest in Bulan, Sorsogon, Father Pedro Soliven.  They were from Nabua, Camarines Sur.  Jose was married to a certain Purificacion (family name unknown); Natividad (unknown husband) settled in Daraga, Albay.  Sometime in the 50’s Jose visited them. Another brother who went with Felomino was a certain Ramon.

Lola Vitong further added that Nicolas and Felomino were very close to each other.  The called themselves “Primo”, a Spanish term for “cousin”.  Both of them settled in Nabua, when Padre Pedro died and lola Vitong returned to her home town.

Nicolas Tijam who was married to Concordia Samarista has eight (8) children.  They were Dominador, Nicolas Jr (popularly known as Kulasito); Teofilo, Maria, Tomasa, Purita, Isidoro and Pura.

Felomino and wife Victoria has six (6) children namely, Amparo, Elisa, Guadalupi (Poping), Teofisto, Manuel and Abelardo.For easy understanding, the next page is a diagram of their roots.

Note:

1. There is no record as to the exact date of their arrival to the Bicol Region;

2. There is no record as to the parents of Lolo Nicolas;

3. The exact location of their origin came from Dr.Rufo Tijam Llorin (grandson of Nicolas).  He said he already reached the place.

4. Both Felomino and Jose became employees of the defunct Manila Rail Road (MRR) and now the Philippine National Railways (PNR).

5. According to the GSIS records of Jose Tijam (as supplied by Cielo Fernandez Mallari of the GSIS), the parents of Felomino,  Jose Natividad and Ramon were Benito Tijam and Barbara Trinidad.

Source:

• Dr. Rufo Tijam Llorin

Source of the information about the origin and sons and daughters of Nicolas and Concordia Samarista.

• Romeo Tijam Fernandez

Source of the information about the origin and the sons and daughters of Felomino Tijam and Victoria Soliven.

• William Yu Soliven

Source of the information about the names of sons and daughters-in-law of Lolo Nicolas.