IN OUR column today, we highlighted the legacies of our national and local heroes which coincided with our commemoration of our 77th Negros Island Victory Day celebrated on Friday, September 9, 2022.
Over the past several weeks, we had some researchers in our historical library at the Provincial Capitol who asked for information particularly on the local heroes of our province. As briefly explained to the researchers, when the Free Negros Civil Government in Negros was established, civilian’s assistance to the war efforts became more organized by Governor Alfredo Monelibano Sr. with Colonel Jesus Villamor himself, who recognized the heroism of the civilians with the things that the people had done, the sacrifices they had endured and the contribution that they had made will undoubtedly go down in the history as one of the most notable chapters in the story of Filipino participation in this war especially in our province.
Many of our national heroes have had the benefit of substantial research by some notable historians whose information were eventually used by public and private agencies concerned to declare these notable Filipinos who had earned recognition as National Heroes. In short, as we explained, several basic principles should be followed in identifying our heroes. The first concept involved here is the basic meaning of heroism. In the dictionary, we have learned that, among others, heroism is defined as inspiration, defender, champion, ideal, model, paragon or sacrifice of their lives for their people. A second guideline is the matter of historical period and location in our country. Thus, we follow the historical periods of pre-Hispanic time, Spanish colonial rule, American colonial administration, Japanese occupation and post World War II and present generation.
Our problem in this column, however, is to respond to researchers who are inquiring on the identity of local heroes. This question has not been easy to answer because of the limited available information or recognition by historians and other agencies.
To avoid unnecessary controversy, this writer has chosen to identify outstanding Negrenses in history who have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in various sectors such as governance, development, economics, social and related community programs.
This writer has also introduced the idea of groups of Negrenses who have gained outstanding stature in the history of the Province. Thus, groups of leaders or officials who have helped the province in its periods of crises such as the Japanese occupation and similar challenges have earned outstanding or even heroic accomplishments in the province.
Our information on this matter cannot of course be covered in a brief column but suffice it to say that Negros Occidental has had various notable Negrenses in the different periods of the Spanish Colonial Rule, the American Colonial Administration, the Japanese Occupation and the post World War II era.
This information on outstanding Negrenses in history can be included in an appropriate documentation for researchers interested. The Japanese forces steadily retreated to their last stand in the Silay mountain until they finally surrendered to the US forces in Sta. Rosa, Murcia , on August 30, 1945. For this column, it is emphasized that many notable Negrenses have earned historic accomplishments.