Tomás Tiongson

Tomas Tiongson (1707-1789), the son of Ong, a pure Chinese Mandarin, who together with the grandfather of Tan Liat Kuan (1761-1849 AD), was among those sent by the Empress Dowager of China on a mission to conduct research and to probe deeper into the social, economic, and cultural condition in the land of the golden grain; to associate with the natives to strengthen further the bond of the trading relations between the two countries; to verify the reports of substantial deposits of precious stones, gold, silver, and silica mines; and to place on solid ground the transactions in grains.

When he arrived in the country, there was a socio-political crisis between the conquistadores and the Chinese. He was compelled to adopt the Christian name Tomas and as for his surname he decided to make the whole Chinese name composition of his father Ti Ong Son as his surname (Tiongson). He married Basilia Gatchalian, a native woman of noble ancestry with whom he had seven children.

In 1755 on the strength of the royal edict from King Ferdinand VI of Spain, he and four of his sons, together with pure Chinese merchants, were deported to China while his sons- Santiago, Anastacio, and Anacleto were left with their mother who, not being Chinese, was banned into entering China not only by their custom, but more so, by the elders of his family who consider all non-Chinese uncivilized, primitive.

Reference:

• Olmos, Arturo T. (2000). Tiongson Ancestry (1600 A.D. - 2000 A.D.). Unpublished typescript, 2000.

Photo: a portion of Tiongson family tree by Arturo Tiongson Olmos.