BY VIRTUE of a decree issued by President Emilio Aguinaldo on June 30, 1899, the country commenced the celebration of the Siege of Baler which also represents the peaceful surrender of the Spanish men during the Philippine Revolution. This historical event involving the Filipino and the Spanish forces is certainly different from the usual storylines of war and bloodshed. Unlike most battles of the Philippine revolution that ended in deaths and tragic surrenders, the Siege of Baler represents a gracious and diplomatic reconciliation between the Philippines and Spain, after the latter surrendered to the United States and ceased claims over the Philippines by virtue of the Treaty of Paris.
In this battle, our gallant Filipino revolutionaries led by Teodorico Luna Novicio, Norberto Valenzuela, and Antero Amatorio, exemplified valor and patriotism, who for 337 days formed a stronghold against the Spanish troops who retreated to the fortified church in Baler, Aurora. Our local katipuneros guarded the Spanish fortress and forced the capitulation of the foreign soldiers, who were then allowed to return to Spain and were not held as war prisoners as part of the terms agreed upon by both parties.
This non-violent settlement between the Spanish troops and the katipuneros reveals that Filipinos indeed are hospitable, diplomatic, and forgiving despite the terror and abuse inflicted by the colonizers. According to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines or NHCP, "in the episode of the Siege of Baler in Philippine History, the spotlight does not focus on the capitulation but the ‘renewal of the friendship’ between two enemies, the Filipino and the Spanish forces."
In 2008, a movie titled "Baler" starring Jericho Rosales and Anne Curtis features a fictional story of the two main characters parallel to the historical events that occurred during the siege of baler. The film shows a Half-Spanish Half-Filipino soldier named Celso Resurrección (played by Jericho Rosales) and a Filipina native Feliza Reyes (played by Anne Curtis) who fall in love with one another after Celso was assigned to the Baler regiment. The couple kept their relationship in secret. Although the movie ends sadly as Celso does not make it alive, it depicts the friendship between Spain and the Philippines as Feliza gives birth to her son Celso Jr. who grew up in Baler and later on joined the Philippine Army and served during the World War II.
As we commemorate the 122nd Anniversary of the Siege of Baler, we must be inspired not only with the patriotism and bravery of our exemplified by our ancestors, but let us also take pride in our identity as warm-hearted, peace-loving, and remissive people.