AFTER two years of hiatus due to the prevailing coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, the physical celebration of the Al Cinco de Noviembre in Bago City is back this year with various activities to be highlighted on Saturday, November 5.
Al Cinco de Noviembre, also known as Negros Day, is celebrated every November 5 to commemorate the Negrenses’ revolt against the Spanish colonizers in 1898.
It was declared as a non-working holiday in the province by virtue of Republic Act 6709. This year marks the 124th year celebration of the Al Cinco de Noviembre.
Mae Ann Furtos, senior tourism operations officer of Bago City, said Al Cinco de Noviembre, especially the "Sigabong sang mga Kanyon” is physically back this 2022 which the city had celebrated virtually in the last two years.
Furtos said that despite the challenges brought by the pandemic, the city government continues to preserve its heritage through the Al Cinco de Noviembre commemoration.
“Its [Al Cinco de Noviembre] very essence is the ingenuity and bravery of the valiant hero, General Juan Araneta, and his Bagonhon troops together with the forces from the north led by General Aniceto Lacson,” she said, adding that this is also called as a historical bluff as Bagonhon troops used nipa (coconut fronds) as “rifles” and amakan (rolled bamboo mats) as “cannon” that seemed to be believable from a far that led to the surrender of the Spaniards.
Furtos stressed that “it was a bloodless revolt, and through which, Negrenses were freed from the 300-year Spanish tyranny.”
The city will start tomorrow’s event with the Philippine Navy Reservists Unity Walk at 4 a.m. from Sum-ag and Crossing La Carlota going to Bago City.
Local officials headed by Mayor Nicholas Yulo will lead the wreath-laying ceremony at General Juan Araneta Monument at 7:30 a.m. to be followed by the Civic Military Parade at the city streets at 8 a.m. to be participated by the 24 barangays clustered into eight groups.
The Sigabong sang mga Kanyon Photo Competition will also open at 8 a.m. at the city streets and Manuel Y. Torres Memorial Coliseum and Cultural Center (MYTCCC).
The Sigabong sang mga Kanyon Arena Competition dubbed “Amakan kag Nipa sa Kasaysayan sang Negros” is slated at MYTCCC in the afternoon.
In the evening, at 7 p.m., there will be a free film screening of “The Buybust Queen” with its main actor, Jeric Raval, as the celebrity guest, also at the MYTCCC.
From 7 p.m. to 12 midnight, Bagonhons and other revelers will be treated to a fun “Party at the Park” at the Bantayan Park, one of the city’s prime tourist destinations.
Other activities on that day include free massage, manicure, pedicure, haircut and snacks at the Sparadise also in Bantayan Park from 9 a.m. onwards.
Today, November 4, there will be a Clean and Green Awarding Ceremony at the Bantayan Park at 10 a.m.
Other activities are Zumba Dance with Zumba Goers Group and special guest zin and “Party at the Park” at the Bantayan Park at 7 p.m. to 12 midnight.
A week-long Sigabong sang mga Kanyon Photo Exhibit will also be staged at SM City Bacolod from November 9 to 16.
On November 6, the 1st Kagawad Basketball League Tournament will open at the Marhil Covered Court at 2 p.m. while the Kustura Bagonhon: Local Fabric Fashion Show will be held at the MYTCCC at 7 p.m.
On November 12, there will be a screening for the Diwata sang Bago 2023 at the Bago City Community Center at 2 p.m.
Earlier, the city government had already hosted various activities as part of the 124th Al Cinco de Noviembre celebration.
A jobs fair was conducted at the MYTCCC on October 26; City Cooperative Day at MYTCCC on October 30; Inauguration of Learning Hub CDRRMO at the back of Gender Sensitive Evacuation Center on November 2; and thanksgiving mass at the John the Baptist and Party at the Park at the Bantayan Park on November 2.
On November 3 to 5, there will be a Biodiversity Month Photo Exhibit at the Bantayan Park; Balay Daku Javellana Ancestral Home Art and Food Exhibit; and Party at the Park at the Bantayan Park.
“Bagonhons can really expect a more meaningful comeback of Al Cinco de Noviembre this year,” Furtos said, adding that this year’s Sigabong sang mga Kanyon is actually a preparation for its silver year in 2023.*
Bago City Information Office Photo. Members of the Bago City Council with City Environment and Natural Resources Officer Rosievel Dimatulac (left), City Environment Management Officer Vicente Mesias (second from right), City Information Officer Ace Balboa (right) lead the opening of the three-day Natural Wonders of Bago Photo Exhibit featuring the works of acclaimed Negrense photographer Engineer John Kimwell Laluma (third from right) at the Bantayan Park yesterday, November 3. The first-of-its-kind exhibit is in line with the celebration of the Provincial Biodiversity Month and also forms part of the 124th Al Cinco de Noviembre commemoration in Bago City.