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SUBIC, Zambales — Six high-ranking elected officials of the province have been given the titles of rajahs and princesses by the Royal Sultanate of Zambales during the 2025 Grand Morod and Multaqa, a celebration of two cultures coming together.
ROYALTY From left are Subic Mayor Jon Khonghun, Castillejos Mayor Jeff Khonghun, 2nd District Rep. Bing Maniquiz, 1st District Rep. Jay Khonghun, Vice Gov. Jaq Khonghun and Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. who have been enthroned as rajahs and princesses by the Royal Sultanate of Zambales at the Subic Sports Complex in Subic, Zambales, on April 20, 2025. PHOTO BY MAHATMA RANDY DATU
The ceremony was held at the Subic Sports Complex, in Barangay Wawandue in this town on April 20, 2025.
Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., Rep. Jay Khonghun, Castillejos Mayor Jeff Khonghun and Subic Mayor Jon Khonghun were were given the title rajah while Vice Gov. Jacqueline Khonghun and Rep. Bing Maniquiz were given the title of prinsesa or princess.
Maniquiz said that it was her childhood dream to become a princess.
"I am very much elated that this dream has become a reality with this enthronement ceremony. Thank you to the Sultans of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao for giving me the title of the Princess of the Second District of Zambales," she said.
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Maniquiz also hailed the ceremony, saying that it has solidified the unity between the Muslim community of Zambales and the local government.
Representative Khonghun also expressed his gratitude to the Muslim community for giving him the title of Rajah of the First District of Zambales.
Ebdane was given the title of Rajah of Zambales, the vice governor was hailed as Princess of Zambales, Jeffrey Khonghun as Rajah of Castillejos and Jon Khonghun as Rajah of Subic.
The newly crowned rajahs were given a royal kris sword, a sash and certificate that authenticates their positions to the Muslim community. The newly crowned princesses, on the other hand, were given the sash, the traditional malong and certificate as well.
The ceremony was led by Sultan ng Pilipinas Bob Datimbang Alhajj, who said the event symbolizes unity, peace and respect for every religion in the country.
The ceremony was endorsed by other high-ranking Muslim officials of the country, including Bureau of Peace and Conflict Resolution director Cosanie Derogongan and Sultan Cabugatan sa Pilipinas Sonny Baniga Alhajj.
Muslim Federation of Zambales president Parker Bassar also expressed his gratitude to the officials of Zambales for their unwavering support to the Muslim community in the province.
Ebdane thanked the officials of The Royal Sultanate of Zambales for accepting them as one of their own, saying that the voices of the Muslim community is just as important as any other voices in the province.
