A few years ago, I walked the streets of Madrid in Spain with a bag made of 'katsa' (muslin cloth) slinging over my right shoulder. I bought the muslin bag from the Negros Showroom in Bacolod City in my home province of Negros Occidental in the Philippines. It had an embroidered Philippine Flag with "1898" on it and the words "Republica Cantonal de Negros".
I wasn't surprised that, during that trip, I caught a few locals staring at it, especially when I took the subway en route to visit the Islas Filipinas Subway Station (yes, a subway station was named after the Philippine Islands!) in the Chamberi District of Madrid. I proudly slung it over my shoulder, safely containing my Madrid map, iPad, camera, water, and my bocadillo de jamon.
I wondered whether some Spaniards recognized the Philippine flag and probably thought that this Asian-looking guy riding the subway was from one of their former colonies. π
If they thought so, they were right! ¡Es verdad!π
Today, November 5, the Negros Province in the Philippines commemorates the successful revolution against Spain 125 years ago.
The revolt started on November 5, 1898, and peacefully ended the next day with the Spanish authorities surrendering to the revolutionary forces led by General Aniceto Lacson (from Talisay), General Juan Araneta (from Bago), Leandro Locsin, Simeon Lizares, Jose Montilla, and Julio Diaz.
That day, the ingenious generals led their soldiers carrying, take note, rifles carved from nipa and dragging canons that were actually bamboo mats colored black. They tried to trick the Spaniards held out at the San Diego Cathedral, making the enemies think that they were fully armed and ready for battle.
Their creativity paid off! The Spanish soldiers led by Col. Isidro Castro surrendered! π
This day in Philippine history was more theatrical than military! π
In the city of Silay, Negros Occidental, the memorial for Cinco de Noviembre was constructed to remind everyone of one of the most important dates in the Province's history. The spot was the location of an old pharmacy where the local revolutionaries secretly met to plot the uprising. Immortalized are the names of the brave local leaders who led the revolt.
After the successful revolution, the Negrenses set up its own government. But the independence was short-lived though, as the GI Joes took over the island unopposed just three months after.
(This elegant white house across the Cinco de Noviembre monument is the Teodoro Morada
ancestral home.)
So, if you're passing by Silay City in Negros Occidental, do drop by at my favorite restaurant in Silay, El Ideal restaurant (read blog here), which also serves my mom's favorite fresh lumpia! Their menus are also available at the Kaon Ta! food fair held during Silay's charter anniversary days (read blog here).
Walk a few meters south of the monument along the Cinco de Noviembre Street is the Balay Negrense where Kaon Ta! is held (read blog here).
It's November 5 and this is our history lesson for today. π
(My all-purpose, revolutionary 'katsa' bag that
roamed with me around Spain. Luckily,
I wasn't arrested by any guardia civil. π)
Thanks for walking down the memory lane.. ! π
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