Upi (Maguindanao)

Upi is a 1st class municipality in the province of Maguindanao, Philippines. According to the, it has a population of people.The town was part of the province of Shariff Kabunsuan from October 2006 until its nullification by the Supreme Court in July 2008.BarangaysUpi is politically subdivided into 23 barangays.EtymologyUpi was probably derived from the term "ufi". It is a Teduray name for a certain tree (piper betel) 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.HistoryThe 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 Empire of Cotabato. Today the province is subdivided into five (5) major provinces: Sultan Kudarat, Cotabato, South Cotabato, Saranggani and Maguindanao where Upi municipality is located. Upi is a mountainous town situated in the south-western coastal portion of Maguindanao Province.Known far and wide, 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 (part of the province of Cotabato then). It was separated from the said town by virtue of Republic Act No. 1248, approved June 10, 1955.