Remembering Antique’s Evelio

February was celebrated as Evelio B. Javier month, with February 11 marking the 20th anniversary of the late governor’s martyrdom.

The Provincial Historical Council prepared a month-long celebration with the theme: "Evelio: Hero of the Antiqueños, hero of the Filipinos."

Evelio Javier died days before the EDSA Revolution of 1986, brutally gunned down in broad daylight in San Jose, Antique. His death delivered the coup de grace to the people’s bottled up resentment against the Marcos dictatorship, and helped to ignite the popular uprising two weeks later.

The month-long celebration started with the launching of the search for the Evelio B. Javier Leadership Award during the Monday morning flag raising ceremony of the provincial government and a symposium in the afternoon. Antique Governor Sally Zaldivar-Perez noted that the beloved son of Antique "must have been smiling up there in the thought that the Antiqueños are now excelling in their fields of endeavor."

Evelio was way ahead of his time in the practice of the true essence of local governance. He was an environmentalist who worked for the preservation of the remaining Antique forest through scientific utilization of the uplands–his program which was later adopted by other countries in Asia. He was the province’s youngest governor, winning the election while serving as his own campaign manager and proving false the standing belief that elections could only be won with money or the might of a gun. Evelio charmed the throngs with his signature campaign song "Impossible Dream".

San Jose Mayor Fernando Corvera talked on Evelio’s style of local governance. Manila-based journalist Sammy Julian recalled Evelio’s unique way of campaigning by inspiring and tapping the persuasiveness of the youth. Former congressman and governor Jovito C. Plameras, Jr. talked of his love for the environment, the "mahogany fever" and his pro-active scientific utilization of the upland areas through the EBJ-UDP Program, now a pattern adapted in various Third World countries.

Newspaper columnist Belinda Olivares Cunanan extolled Evelio as an "authentic hero" with his contribution to the restoration of democracy in the national political arena. "Evelio’s martyrdom was the catalyst for that phenomenal event (1986 EDSA Revolution) that shook the world. Evelio Javier was a worthy descendant of those freedom-seeking datus, an authentic hero of democracy," she said.

National Commission for Culture and the Arts Executive Director Cecile Guidote Alvarez likewise highlighted Evelio’s contribution to the fight for freedom and democracy. Prof. Erwin Sustento shared a comprehensive study on Evelio as a hero of Antique and of the country. Social Security Chairman Gen. Thelmo Cunanan extolled the late governor as a paradigm of leadership, especially for the youth of today.

Part of the activities in the first week of EBJ month was the centennial celebration of the Antique National School, the province’s premier secondary school. Presidential daughter Luli Macapagal Arroyo and DepEd Secretary Fe Hidalgo graced the inauguration of the renovated Gabaldon building and information technology center of the school, together with Gov. Sally Perez and San Jose Mayor Fernando Corvera.

Both Luli and Sec. Hidalgo commended the ANS for setting high teaching standards that produce competitive students, counting among its alumni outstanding leaders of the province and the country.

"I also hope that among the students now, a future president may emerge," Luli said, causing a stir among the students. She also noted that her grandfather, former President Diosdado Macapagal, had a close relationship with the Antiqueños, having appointed Calixto Zaldivar as his executive secretary.

On February 11, the National Historical Institute’s Dr. Regino Paular led the unveiling and blessing of the EBJ Historical Marker. There was also a grand parade which depicted the many faces of Evelio, participated in by the employees of both local and national offices, non-government organizations, people’s organizations and schools.

Guest of honor Manila Mayor Lito Atienza paid tribute to the heroism of Evelio, saying that the former Antique governor, who became his close friend during the dark years of the Marcos dictatorship, was a real hero who gave up his life so the Filipino people could regain freedom and democracy. "If only Evelio were alive today, he would have only one wish–that we all gain freedom so that the dynamism of the Filipino is utilized."

Gov. Perez said that the hero’s death had precipitated the revolt against the tyranny of the dictatorship. Perez, who was not yet in politics at the time, was "Evelio’s believer", always behind him as her father, Justice Zaldivar, had wanted, helping him in all his political endeavors. Back then, Evelio was among the young, selfless and dedicated leaders of the Liberal Party, whose ideas and devotion to the cause of justice and freedom became a source of inspiration for its leaders and members. Perez challenged the members of the party to memorialize the ideals of Evelio, who was part of the Executive Committee of the LP as Vice President of Training and Development.

The month-long celebration concluded with a musical on the life and deeds of the former governor entitled "Evelio: The Dreamer" at the EBJ Freedom Park on February 25. Other activities included the provincial athletic and cultural meet; the awarding of the Ten Oustanding Pupils and Students (TOPS); medical and surgical mission by the A.Y. Foundation and the Antique Foundation International Inc. and "Operation Taghoy", a surgical mission by the US-Philippine Rotary and Filipino American Community of Colorado; and the inauguration of the EBJ-Upland Development Program Training Center in Brgy. Igbucagay, Hamtic.