NEGROS Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson emphasized unity among Negrenses during the commemoration of Cinco de Noviembre at the Provincial Capitol Lagoon and Park on Saturday, November 5.
"At present, although we are not faced with the same predicament of revolting against conquistadores, our society is nonetheless beset with our struggles and fight against poverty, unemployment, lawlessness, substance abuse, climate change, and the global crisis caused by coronavirus disease (Covid-19),” Lacson told the hundreds of crowd attending the event.
He said that it is his ardent hope that as we celebrate the victories of our past, we will find renewed meaning, resolve, and inspiration to unite and work together to achieve our common goal as a people and as a nation.
“Indeed, our present-day problems do not require the raising up of arms but must nevertheless be confronted and dealt with equal unity, fervor,determination, and boldness as the heroes of Cinco de Noviembre did in the past,” he stressed.
The governor also enjoined everyone that as we commemorate our past, let us render our present and our future, conscientious, responsible and active citizenship.
Cinco de Noviembre is a narrative of revolutionaries carrying fake arms out of nipa stalks and canons of bamboo mats, of gaining victory with a bluff and securing freedom through a bloodless revolution that never gets old.
The patriotism, bravery, and courage of Gen. Juan Araneta, Gen. Aniceto Lacson and the thousands of Negrenses who fought for our freedom, are our distinction as a people.
"More than 120 years after our victory and freedom was secured in the most ingenious and courageous manner, we remain proud and resolutely grateful of what the heroes of Cinco de Noviembre accomplished notwithstanding the impossibility of circumstances," Lacson said.
The cities of Bago and Silay also held programs as their places were the venues of the historical event that took place on November 5, 1898.
In Bago City, local officials also led a flag raising ceremony at the Bago City Public Plaza.
A wreath-laying ceremony was then held at the monument of General Juan Araneta led by city officials and the general's descendants.
The celebration was followed by the "Sigabong sang mga Kanyon" event and the Civic Military Parade.
Champion of the "Sigabong sang mga Kanyon" was Cluster 5 comprising the villages of Pacol, Sagasa, and Bagroy.
1st Runner-up is Cluster 7 comprising the villages of Taloc, Calumangan, and Sampinit; while 2nd Runner-up is Cluster comprising the villages of Abuanan, Dulao, and Atipuluan.
In Silay City, Mayor Joedith Gallego led a parade of the Philippine flag accompanied by the city council as well as the city's barangay captains at the Locsin Ancestral House.
The house was the site where the Negrense revolutionaries planned the revolution against Spain.
Also participating in the event as guest is Manila 2nd district Councilor Rod Lacsamana.
The parade ended with the raising of the flag at the Silay City Public Plaza.
Cinco de Noviembre is also known as "bloodless revolt" as the Negrense revolutionaries used coconut fronds as “rifles” and rolled bamboo mats as “cannons” to trick the Spanish authorities into surrender.
The revolt was led by Araneta, who led Filipino forces in the southern part of Negros, and General Aniceto Lacson who led the northern forces.
The revolution would later result in the establishment of the short-lived Republic of Negros with Aniceto Lacson as its president. (TDE)