Upi, Maguindanao


', officially the ', is a of the Philippines| in the province of,. According to the, it has a population of people.
The municipality was part of the province of Shariff Kabunsuan from October 2006 until its nullification by the Supreme Court in July 2008.

Etymology

Upi was probably derived from the term "ufi". It is a Teduray name for a certain tree that grows abundantly in the place in the early years. The bark of “Ufi” is used with betel nuts for chewing or "mama" in Teduray. Tedurays are the native inhabitants of the place.

History

The beginning of Upi as a district geographical and political entity largely began on the early part of 1901 to 1910 when the American forces set foot in the then Province of Cotabato.
An American Army Officer Captain Irving Bryant Edwards was assigned in Awang. He showed great interest in bringing the government closer to the people by establishing schools in the far-flung areas. He reached the fertile valley of Upi and founded the Upi Agricultural School on August 19, 1919. From a USAFFE soldier, Capt. Irving Bryant Edwards turned educator.
Upi was formerly a barrio of Dinaig. It was separated from the said town by virtue of Republic Act No. 1248, approved June 10, 1955.
The first Municipal Mayor, Vice Mayor and Councilors of Upi were appointed by the President of the Philippines to hold office. Maria Badoy was appointed as the first Municipal Mayor. In 1956, the citizens were encouraged to participate in the political affairs of the local government and there took place the first election wherein Mayor Ignacio Tenorio Labina, a Teduray leader, was the first elected mayor of Upi and held his office for four years.
In 2006, Upi lost about when the coastal barangays Kinimi, Laguitan, Lapaken, Matuber, Meti, Nalkan, Penansaran,
Sedem, Sinipak, Resa, Tambak and Tubuan in the Municipality of Upi were separated to create the new municipality of Datu Blah T. Sinsuat.

Geography

Upi is a mountainous town situated in the south-western coastal portion of Maguindanao Province.

Barangays

Upi is politically subdivided into 23 barangays.

Demographics

Local government

The current mayor of Upi is Ramon A. Piang Sr., a former principal of Notre Dame of Upi, a local high school managed by the Archdiocesan Notre Dame Schools of Cotabato.
List of former mayors:
Meguyaya, a Teduray term for thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest, is an annual festival celebrated every December. The festivities incorporate street dancing competition depicting tri-people culture, Teduray, Moro and Settlers. Other activities includes the Cultural Nights, Local Government Unit Night, Ginoong Meguyaya male pageant, trade fair and Maisan Na. This is an activity in which a long stretch of grillers are placed by the roadside where everyone enjoys roasting corns, a symbol of togetherness and feasting.