By: Antonio V. Figueroa
In recent times, German legacy has extended to Education with the opening of an institute offering German language (among others) at a local state-funded industry.
In trade, Germany was one of the export markets of Davao logs during the logging boom in the 1950's. These raw materials were returned to the country s finished products.
In recent years, abaca, then one of the region's global products, has found its niche in some of German-made automobiles and upholsteries.
Born on September 20, 1891, in Hessen, Germany, Captain Henry (Heinrich) Gilsheuser (spelled popularly, though erroneously, as Gilhouser in books and newspaper accounts) was educated in the public schools of Germany and New York City. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1898 and served in the Spanish-American War. On March 9, 1903, he was appointed third lieutenant in the PC, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel.
He was a district secretary of Cotabato and after reappointed to the same post. He was also governor of the province of Lanao twice (1910-12, 1915-17) where he left a legacy of civil and industrial development before retiring. In 1910, Gen. John J. Pershing, commander of the military and governor of the Department for Mindanao and Sulu, appointed him governor for Davao City (Jan.1, 1910 - Jan. 31, 1912).
Gilsheuser's qualities were recognized by Governor-General Francis Burton Harrison, the American colonial administrator in the country (October 1913 - February 1921), who appointed him chief lieutenant "in the work of civilization and organized government." The recognition was largely inspired by the achievements he accomplished as a civil service official.
In his official functions, Gilsheuser was ably assisted by district secretary Robert A. Gillmore, a first lieutenant in the Philippine Scout who joined the civil service on May 17, 1910; and district governors George C. Charlton, a captain the Philippine Scout, who was appointed on June 6, 1910, and Levi E. Case, a PC captain, who was appointed January 12, 1903.
Through the decades since the Philippines and Germany signed an agreement of cooperation on April 25, 1955, German assistance to the Filipinos, including relief and disaster assistance, has been in the millions of deutschmarks (DM), the then German currency.
Historically, a year before Davao was conquered by Basque judge Don Jose Oyanguren y Cruz, the first German consular office was established in Manila in 1849.
(To be continued!)
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