SAN ILDEFONSO, Ilocos Sur – It is a simple native Ilocano wine, called “basi,” but the Ilocanos here raised up their arms and launched a bloody revolt against the Spanish colonial rule in September 1807, or actually 200 years ago.
Government officials here led by Gov. Deogracias Victor “DV” Savellano, and Rep. Ronald Singson, 1st district, commemorated the famous “basi revolt,” that caused the lives of several Ilocanos and Spaniards during the bloody uprising against the Spanish colonial rule in Sept. 16 to 28, 1807.
According to history books, although the uprising was short-lived since it lasted only for 13 days, this is a non-ordinary history in the country because the Ilocanos raised their arms against the colonial ruler just to defend their favorite product basi, a popular local wine during that time.
What prompted the bloody revolt was the decree issued by the Spanish ruler expropriating the manufactures and sale of basi from local manufacturers in favor of the Spaniards. Ilocanos felt this was so oppresive for them. A revolt led by Salarogo Ambaristo and his companion Pedro Mateo was then launched to the surprise of the Spanish government.
The decree had not only suppressed the rights of the Ilocanos but also apparently confiscatory in the minds of the Ilocanos. The decree forced the Ilocano drinkers of basi to buy their favorite basi from government-controlled stores.
History also showed that the basi revolt known in history as the Ambaristo revolt was actually started in Piddig, Ilocos Norte and spread to other towns of Ilocos Sur. The fierce and bloody battle ended near the river banks of Bantaoay river, known today as Barangay Gongogong, in San Ildefonso town.
Owing to this, recently, the Sangguniang Bayan of San Ildefonso had passed a resolution declaring Sept. 16 and every year thereafter as a non-working holiday and at the same time named the old road in Gongogong as Ambaristo street in honor of the leader of the basi revolt.
To make the history more meaningful, Mayor Christian Purisima had enroled the basi as their entry into the “One Town; One Product” (OTOP) program launched by Savellano. – Myds Supnad