THE Negros revolution on November 5, 1898 was not just a product of an overnight sensation. It was sketched on a drawing board and strategic planning was made with the participation of the ilustrados of Negros.

The hacienderos of the province had accumulated wealth from the sugar industry. They were able to send their sons and daughters in schools embracing the culture and civilization of the West. Their travel abroad made them aware of what democracy means. They believed they do not deserve the Spaniards to rule over them.

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As early as 1896, revolutionary groups were already assembled in the island. The ilustrados still maintained their closeness to the church and to the civil authority. What was brewing inside was not revealed outside. The members of the group, "Buen Comer" had their regular meeting over wine, food and music. The central network in Silay kept on giving signals when to start the hostilities. The Silay Revolutionary Committee was already receiving donation using the botica of Leandro Locsin.

The hacenderos were designated captains of the company of soldiers. The encargados were sergeants who directly managed the movement of the troops. The soldiers were the sugarcane workers who were given basic training on hand-to-hand combat and strategic assaults.

The November 5, 1898 revolution had a song to inspire the sugarcane workers-turned-rebels. The music was composed by Don Gil Villanueva Lopez, the captain municipal of Cadiz who became the leader of 1,000 followers in Sagay. His men had few firearms. Most of them were armed with bolos.

He composed the song "Binangon" with the collaboration of his wife, Albina Hofilena de Lopez (a Silaynon). I am very happy to secure a copy with the cooperation of Helen Cutillar, the tourism designate of Sagay City. The copy was provided to us by Miriam G. Palmore, chairman of Silliman Music Foundation, Inc. The English translation was done by Dr. Elias Panganiban.

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Binangon

Dugay na ang tiempo gin
Handum sang timawa sang mga banwa
Sa isa ka oras and kasiga,
Umidlaw, umilis ang dulum

Banwa kalipay, kasadia
Sa imo higdaan, pagbangon
Baira ang imo binangon
Sa pag awayan handa ka

Lakat, lakat banwang maisug,
Ang bandera sang timawa sa manga
Banwa itindug kag ibantalang
Kapawa

Lakat, lakat banwang maisug
Dili mag isul sa tinindugan
Imo ipanaming ang dughan
Kag ipakita ang kusug

Dugay kami buot magbaton
Mga tawo makig-ulipon
Sa binangon namon pagaagihon
Kon kuhaon kami sang gahum

Banwa sa imo paglaum
Ang kabukiran matumba
Dili gid magpaidalum
Kay nian pagatapakan ka

****

Bolo

1. For ages we have longed
For the country's freedom
In an instant, its beam
Flared to cast off the gloom

2. Oh land, be happy and gay,
In thy slumber, arise
Sharpen thy bolo
To the battlefield, shall go

Chorus:

March forward, Oh country brave
And in every place
The flag of liberty raise
And the light of justice spread

March forward, Oh country brave
In thy stand, never retreat
Use thy breast as shield
And thy strength must show

3. We are not wont to receive
People who are bent to enslave
With them our bolos, shall deal
If thy strength must show

Oh country, if thou willeth
Even the mountains shall fall,
Then, never allow thyself to succumb
Lost thee be trampled upon

November 5 is Negros Day. Let us reflect on what our ancestors did. We honor the courageous sugarcane workers who were there to face uncertainty. We also exalt Negrense leaders who were the brains behind the revolution. The November 5 event in Negros history is a manifestation that our faith is larger than fear, our trust is greater than doubt, and our belief is stronger than our worry. Mabuhay ka Negrosanon!