in the Iloilo Province, Philippines)
Thinking about Philippine history, I just found it funny that both sides of my ancestry may have participated in it somewhere down the line.
On my mother's side, my maternal grandfather's sister-in-law told us that my grandfather's ancestors came from a small city in Cebu Province, carrying one of the family names that traces its roots to Lapu-Lapu, the brave captain of the natives on the Mactan Island who fought off Ferdinand Magellan backed by his handful of Spanish soldiers and a thousand of rival natives a month after Magellan landed in the Philippines.
Ferdinand Magellan, or Fernando de Magallanes, stumbled upon the Islas Filipinas for Spain on March 16, 1521, and unfortunately for him, he was killed on Mactan Island with his head ending up as Lapu-Lapu's prized trophy that was eventually displayed on his front porch for any visitor to see.
Magellan and his men were probably the first and last Europeans they saw and killed (and tasted!😂).
Now, on my father's side, there was this general who fought against the Spanish government in the Iloilo Province. His name was General Martin Teófilo Delgado and according to my aunt, my grandfather used to tag along with him when my grandfather was still a kid.
On November 17, 1898, General Martin Teofilo Delgado ordered his soldiers to put up a flagpole made of a long bamboo in front of the house of Señor Vicente Bermejo. And after the revolutionary leaders' meeting inside the house to set up their own independent government, they all went outside and stood before the Ilonggo revolutionary army and a crowd of locals from different towns and villages in the Iloilo Province.
Santa Barbara's public plaza)
And upon the General Delgado's command, two soldiers raised the Philippine flag to the Philippine hymn played by his brother Sr. Posidio Delgado's band. When the flag reached the top of the bamboo pole, it danced with the tropical breezes blowing through Santa Barbara on that momentous day as the crowd cheered!
"¡Viva Independencia! Fuerá España! Viva Libertád!", shouted the General to the crowds, celebrating their independence from Spain. This was the 'Cry of Santa Barbara', an important moment in Philippine history that is celebrated every November 17.
He was either shouting "Isang bala ka lang!" with his gun, or "Isang bolo ka lang!" with his sharp blade.😂)
The raising of the Philippine flag in Santa Barbara, Iloilo Province that day was the first outside of Luzon. That year the Philippines gained independence from Spain.
And 122 years ago this day, November 17, a gallant Ilonggo, as well as an ancestor, led the historical moment at Santa Barbara in the Iloilo Province.
(One of the only five giant Philippine flags
flies on top of the 120-foot pole;
this is the only one outside of Luzon)
Just like it was on November 17, 1898, General Delgado's statue faces the Philippine flag with his arms raised in victory with a gun on one and a sword on the other. That day, I was finally able to pay my respects to a fearless and honorable ancestor, who probably didn't even care about any recognition for himself or any monument created for him.
The public plaza was just right next to the beautiful Santa Barbara parish church, which we made sure we also visited.
Santa Barbara church)
And along with the people of Santa Barbara, and probably along with a few distant relatives still living there, I join everyone in celebrating and remembering what our Ilonggo forefathers and foremothers achieved on this important day in Philippine history.🙏
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