10TH Kabkaban Festival: Leon Kilat's heroism highlighted

CEBU, Philippines - Carcar City’s Kabkaban Festival yesterday highlighted the heroism of Pantaleon Villegas, who is famously known as Leon Kilat.

The city will celebrate its annual fiesta this coming Thursday and Friday.

The Kabkaban Festival is on its 10th year now, eight contingents from different high schools participated and all portrayed scenes from Leon Kilat’s arrival until his death.

The contingent from Carcar Central Liboron Extension High School is this year’s grand winner with Ocaña National High School landing first runner-up while second runner-up is Carcar Central National High School.

Mayor Nicepuro Apura, in his speech, reminded the Carcaranons of Leon Kilat’s contribution to their city, when he arrived there from Negros Oriental in the late 1800s.

Mayor Linen Alviola of Bacong town, Negros Oriental also came yesterday to witness the festival which was made in honor of his kababayan, Leon Kilat.

The eight contingents portrayed the Supremo’s life as a magician and then a warrior.

Leon Kilat died in April 8, 1898 after he was stabbed to death by his own aide-de-camp, Apolinario Alcuitas.

Meanwhile, in his speech, first district Rep. Eduardo Gullas yesterday urged the local leaders to “become united.”

Gullas, however, did not go into details, but many believed that the veteran lawmaker is referring to the 2013 elections, wherein the current leaders, despite being in the administration, may be running against each other.

Vice Mayor Patrick Barcenas will reportedly run for mayor in 2013, while Apura, who was Barcenas’ vice mayor in 2007-2010, is said to run for reelection.

The Kabkaban Festival started 10 years ago when plans to demolish the centuries-old houses along the road of Carcar for road-widening were ripe.

Val Sandiego said the festival, initiated by the Carcar Heritage Council, was conceptualized to stop that plan. — (FREEMAN)