by ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM
The Kalibo Sangguniang Bayan in its Ordinance No. 05-s 2008 has declared March as "Aklan Heroes and Martyrs Month". In the weekly Kapehan on February 27 held at Smokehauz Resto & Bar were Hon. Mark V. Quimpo, Chairman, Committee on Education; Hon. Soviet Dela Cruz, Ms. Cecile Reyes Tinagan and Ms. India C. Legaspi, all of Arch. Gabriel M. Reyes Memorial Foundation; and Ms. Sumra C. Rojo, curator of Museo it Akean served as guest resource persons. The theme for this year’s observance is "The Struggle of Aklan against Spain and the XIX Martyrs."
According to Dr. Ambrosio R. Villorente, remembering our fallen heroes and martyrs could only be shown by our unqualified respect and loyalty to the ideals they fought for.
In the words of Atty. Ronquillo C. Tolentino, "those who cannot remember past sacrifices of their heroes and martyrs cannot also acknowledge the present. Inevitably what we are today, the progress we have must be reckoned out of sheer gratitude."
Hon. Mark V. Quimpo gave the schedule of activities in a month long celebration as follows: February 27 – briefing to all members of Aklan media, March 1 to 31 – public display of national flag and flags of the Philippine revolution; information campaign among primary and secondary schools, March 12-23 – painting competition, March 22 – quiz bee contest, and March 23 – civic parade and commemorative program.
Quimpo revealed that a dozen Kalibo public and private schools are given access to power point presentation about Aklan Heroes and Martyrs and Famous landmarks last year. They received favorable feedbacks while some asked for additional information, he added.
In a power point presentation by Hon. Soviet Dela Cruz, trail of blood began with languid and secured life of Candido Iban as a migrant pearl diver in Australia. He came from Liloan, Malinao who met Filipino expatriate Francisco Del Castillo from Bohol.
Having won a handsome lottery prize, Iban and Del Castillo went home to the Philippines in December 1896. They organized Katipunan that was the first revolutionary organization outside of Manila under its founder Andres Bonifacio. Both men saw the urgent need for a printing press to handle pro-paganda materials. They donated the equipment to Bonifacio himself.
Upon arrival in Kumtang (New Washington) in 1897 they organized the Katipunan. Several dozen locals pledged allegiance in mass and signed with their own blood called "Pacto de Sangre". New Washington considers March 3 as their Municipal Fiesta.
Spanish authorities quickly discovered the revolutionary movement that resulted in the capture of Candido Iban and burning of their wooden ship "Sagrada la Trinidad".
Assault on Spanish garrison led Gen. Francisco Del Castillo in early dawn of March 17, 1897 was pivotal point in validating man’s timeless struggle against oppression and slavery. Ironically, Del Castillo was shot by a Filipino named Tomas Ilicito, a member of the Guardia Civil.
The proclamation for amnesty was read during the holy mass of Rev. Fr. Francisco Jayme. Of the 200 Katipuneros who came to avail the program, 20 were detained, jailed and tortured. One was released upon the pleading of his wife. Their ends came on March 23, 1897.
Great Kalibonhons of yesteryears include: Victoriano Mapa, Gabriel M. Reyes, Jaime Cardinal L. Sin, Pastor Martelino, Jesus M. Jizmundo, Gil M. Mijares, Beato A. Dela Cruz and Godofredo P. Ramos. Their notable achievement lies in the fact that they have cast a giant shadow over many people’s lives.
Based on recorded manuscripts, work undertaken so far by Aklan History Society headed by Atty. Ronquillo C. Tolentino spans 120 years. This exclude segments in the 16th century where Kalibo had its humble beginnings in Badianos (Marianos), Numancia. An unknown Chieftain together with his family and followers numbering 1,000 went under baptismal rites by country’s missionary the Agustinians. Transfer of seat of political power to Eastern side of Aklan river on November 23, 1850 could at least be the starting point.
We have the biggest dilemma of getting records from national libraries, archives museums, including collection of relics/artifacts. Because of it, we have lost significant foothold on Datu Kalantiao and his Code. We failed to submit evidences as asked by imperial Manila National Historical Institute.
Undoubtedly, Aklan does have notable women leaders and achievers. If their lives did not passed national prominence, they could have manifested locally. The initial list that includes only men is quite disappointing.
According to the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) our Filipino language is of Malayan – Polynesian origin. To simplify matters, NCCA has classified more than 120 native dialects. Of these, only eight are considered significant and spoken by a large segment of the population namely: Tagalog, Ilokano, Pangasinan, Kapampangan, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Waray and Maguindanao. Our national language was chosen during President Manuel L. Quezon’s term against the vigorous protest from other regions especially Cebu.
Hiligaynon is lengua franca of Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Capiz, Antique and parts of Mindanao like North Upi, Parang, Midsayap and Cotabato City where Ilonggos migrated and are now thriving.
Even Aklanons are conversant with Hiligaynon through patronage of their popular media: Yuhum and Hiligaynon magazines, Almanaque Panayanhon (1949 up to present) and Bombo Radyo (March 10, 1998 up to present. Comparatively we do not have the hallmark flair Aklanon magazines/periodicals that we could cultivate and promote the dialect to other regions.
I believed that hindrance to formal adoption/acceptance of Aklanon language lies on its tongue twisting pronunciation of phonetic alphabet groupings ae and oe.
Atty. Tolentino said that even Aklan has two distinct dialects which are Ibayhanon and Sidlangan type. This is due to the earliest Spanish settlement founded in Panay, Capiz from "Pan" meaning bread or Y (Spanish) Ibajay from "bajay" meaning dark, inferior rice. All towns west of Ibajay more or less speaks the same dialect because they once formed part and parcel of political unit of Ibajay.
It would be an advantage to us Aklanons since we could understand Hiligaynon perfectly while they can’t understand ours.
Pending inclusions of Aklan’s heroes and martyrs into basic textbooks in Social Studies (HEKASI) of DepEd, it could be grueling work ahead for Kalibo’s legislature to inform and educate its citizens. Starting them young is the best. /MP
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