2 descendants of 'Siege of Baler' soldiers gracing event

BALER, Aurora, Philippines  – Two descendants of Spanish soldiers who were part of the “Siege of Baler” in 1899 will take part in the commemoration of the 112th anniversary of the siege today, which also happens to be the 9th Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day.

Under the law, June 30 is celebrated annually as Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day to commemorate the day when the country’s first president, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, recognized the bravery of Spanish soldiers besieged in Baler Church.

The occasion is also a reminder of the country’s cultural and historical ties with Spain.

The Angara clan – Sen. Edgardo Angara, Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara, Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, and Baler Mayor Arthur Angara – will preside over the commemorative rites. 

Sen. Angara authored Republic Act 9187 that created Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day.

Representing the Spanish government are Spanish Ambassador Jose Manuel Domecq, defense attaché Pedro Rolan, education adviser Javier Menendez, and Instituto Cervantes director Jose Rodriguez.

The Spanish private sector, on the other hand, will be represented by Joaquin Estrada and Pedro Palomino, officials of construction firm Cemex.

Honorary consul Jose Ignacio Bidon and film director Jesus Valbuena Garcia, and Education Secretary Armin Luistro will also grace the event.    

Bidon is a professor of law in Sevilla, Spain. He promoted a football cooperation program between Andalusia and the Philippine Football Federation.

Garcia wrote and directed a full-length TV historical documentary titled “Returning to the Siege of Baler.”        

On June 27, 1898, 54 Spanish soldiers led by Capt. Enrique de las Morenas, holed up at the Baler Church in their last stand against the Philippine resistance. They endured an 11-month siege, unaware that the war had ended.

It was only when 2Lt. Saturnino Martin Cerezo read the Spanish newspaper El Imparcial that announced that the war was over did the Spaniards surrender.

Only 33 survivors emerged from the church on June 2, 1899. The sympathetic people of Baler, led by Teodorico Luna Novicio, gave them food, clothing and medicine. Aguinaldo also decreed that they be treated as friends, not prisoners.