Tres de Abril anniv marked amid pandemic

CEBU, Philippines —  Pandemic or no pandemic, the Cebuano heroism exemplified in the Battle of Tres de Abril 123 years ago should be commemorated, according to San Nicolas Proper, Cebu City barangay captain Clifford Jude Niñal.

The city marked yesterday, incidentally a Holy Saturday, the 123rd anniversary of the battle staged by Cebuano fighters against the Spaniards on April 3, 1898.

Mayor Edgardo Labella and Vice Mayor Michael Rama skipped the occasion for unknown reasons, but they were represented by the Cultural and Historic Affairs Office.

Aside from the flower offering at the Tres de Abril marker, CHAC also organized a commemorative lecture via social media in the hope of giving Cebuanos a deeper understanding of the importance of the occasion.

Niñal said it is just right to commemorate the battle to remind Cebuanos of the big contribution and sacrifices the people of San Nicolas with the leadership of Leon Kilat.

“Angay gyud nato ni i-commemorate kay dinhing dapita ug dinhing adlawa napukan ang mga Kastila. Buhis-buhay gyud ang mga tawo diri sa San Nicolas. Gidaog-daog tas mga Kastila sa una, unya nisukol gyud sila. Reminder pud ni nga di ta dapat magpadaog-daog na lang gyud, atong ipaglaban ang atong katungod, ug atong tabangan ang atong isig kaingon kay ang kalampusan sa usa, kalampusan natong tanan,” the village chief said.

CHAC commissioner Dr. Jobers Bersales echoed Niñal’s sentiments in his virtual talk where he expressed that the glorious past of San Nicolas and the Tres de Abril revolt should be celebrated.

Bersales said San Nicolas’ role in defense of the natives should also be recognized in history.

Niñal hopes that aside from this commemoration, their plan to put a monument and not just a small marker along Tres de Abril Street will be realized.

Bersales said he is hopeful that the city would buy the property were the Tres de April marker stands, and build a museum “worthy of the bravery of San Nicolasnon and the Sugbuanon warriors.”

Other events

Meanwhile, the Department of Education, heritage institutions and the Katipunero descendants are also joining in the celebration of the 500 years of the victory at Mactan highlighting the Cebuano heroism.

Themed “ISOG! 500 years of Cebuano heroism,” the activities were launched yesterday in time for the 123rd year of the Battle of Tres de Abril.

Other events to be held at Palm Grass The Cebu Heritage Hotel on April 8 are the awarding of poster-making contest winners among grade school students in Cebu, talks from Katipunero descendants, cultural performances, and a Cebu history book launch, according to Agripina Guivelondo, a descendant of Cebuano Katipunero Isidro Guivelondo.

DepEd-7 Director Salustiano Jimenez will share insights on how schools through the arts promote love of country.

Cebu City CHAC Commissioner and Katipunero descendant, Dr. Arsenio Pacaña, will talk on 500 years of Cebuano heroism, especially that of his ancestor, Jacinto Pacaña, who played a key role in the 1898 anti-Spanish revolution in Cebu. — Gregg M. Rubio, JMD (FREEMAN)