Editorial

The Valiant Never Taste Death But Once

by Ernesto T. Solidum

“Remembering Aklan Heroes and Martyrs” is the topic of the recent weekly Kapihan at NVC Carmen Hotel. The guests are Atty. Ronquillo C. Tolentino – Historian; Hon. Soviet Russia De la Cruz - SP member; and Atty. Allen S. Quimpo – NVC president.

Atty. Tolentino said that it has been 118 years since the 19 Martyrs of Aklan gave up their lives for love of country and freedom. Holding back his emotions, the former Vice Governor read his historical narrative beginning from the Iban brothers who were fortunate to win lottery in Australia. Despite being poor, they chose to invest their eventful of civil uprising against Spanish colonial and oppressive rule.

Local revolutionary forces were organized by Gen. Fransisco Castillo after being inducted to the Katipunan by Supremo Andres Bonifacio in Manila in 1897. This was followed by Blood Compact or Pacto de Sangre at Sitio Kumtang in Ochando, New Washington. Like wildfire, military forces were organized in Lezo, Banga, Malinao, Balete and Jimeno, now Altavas, as news spread about the Katipunan.

On that fateful day, March 17, 1897 Gen. Castillo led thousands of armed troops to the Spanish garrison at Poblacion, Kalibo. Unfortunately he was shot and killed while challenging Capt. Juan Azarraga of the Spanish military.

Colonel Ricardo Monet, Spanish Naval Commander in Visayas declared amnesty to all members of Katipunan provided they surrendered and laid down their arms. As expected, thousands lined up for amnesty. Yet 20 were detained by civil authorities as being leaders. Only one freed on the intercession by Fructuosa Meren, wife of one of the captives.

On March 23, 1897 just before dawn all 19 members of the Katipunan, the only one organized outside of Luzon, volley of shots hit the stillness of the night. Thus ended the colorful but blood struggle of Aklanons for freedom and independence.

Hon. de la Cruz is no stranger to the lives of heroes and martyrs being a great great grandson of one of the 19 Martyrs: Roman Aguirre. His previous work as former SB member of Kalibo was to enact legislation to immortalize our Aklan heroes and martyrs. He has produced a coloring book for grade schoolers, institutionalized the display of National flag along major streets and business establishments in Kalibo the whole months of March and June. Lately, Hon. de la Cruz released a 13 minute video presentation of the 19 Martyrs in an effort to enhance appreciation of their glorious struggle despite inherent weakness of weapons and tactics.

Atty. Quimpo acknowledged the travails of armed conflicts and tragic loss of our beloved countrymen. However, we should rather dwell on their individual lives rather than be obsessed on the morbid episode of death. In Vietnam, they do not remember defeat but victories. The Socialist country battled the French for eight (8) years and American for 18 years. They won overwhelmingly. China’s bullying of its (Vietnam) fishermen in the contested South China sea is responded by the burning of the Chinese commercial establishments in Saigon  and deportation of hundreds of Chinese nationals to Bejing. Lately, it has deployed two (2) units kilo class submarine for deterrent and reconnaissance purposes, said former Congressman Quimpo.

It is very unfortunate that Aklan lost its pre-eminence in National History as to produce the first Filipino legislator – Datu Hulantido. The Historical Society  headed by Ambeth Ocampo does not recognize his existence, neither the code of Kalantiaw because of the absence of relics, artifacts and written history. They contend the Muslims’ frail vintas could not have braved the rough Sulu, Visayas and Celebes seas eventually landing the 10 datus from Sabah, Malaysia to Panay Island. Well, our national historians do not realize that pre-Spanish Filipinos navigated the Archipelago using the balangay. 

Following is an exerpt cited by Justice Antonio Carpio in an article, “Scarborough is Ours” which appeared in the Philippine Star August 6, 2014 to wit:

“Austronesians 4,000 to 3,000 BC migrated from Southern China to Taiwan and thence to islands in the Pacific. They used balangays, 15 meters long and  3.4 meters in width. It carried 69 to 90 people.” In Butuan archeological site shows that the balangay relic was 25 meters long. Means of propulsion is the wind, sleek design features outriggers and semi-hardwood hull studded with wooden nails or “tarogo”.

“Ma Tuyan Sen in 982 AD reported that early Filipinos went to Canton as traders. This is more than 400 years before the Chinese Imperial Admiral Zeng He launched his famous voyage from 1405-1433 AD.” Our seafaring feat is common since early human settlements grew along rivers and the sea coast where fish is abundant and allowed trading of goods.

It is true that we Filipinos tend to be passionate and overly carried away by tragedies that could have been avoided in the first place. Notable ones are botched August 23, 2010 Luneta hostage crisis where 8 Hongkong tourists died. In Oplan Exodus, 44 SAF troopers were killed in clash with BIFF-MILF on January 25, 2015, Yolanda super typhoon deaths – 6,000 in the Visayas region on November 8, 2013, typhoon Uring death toll of 8,000 and Sendong – 1,453 in 2011.

Here, we must profit from our mistakes, rectify our commission and omissions and not dwell on failures. We must move on, never to repeat the same mistakes. A sterling example is completion of One World Trade Center in New York City, a 104 storey building now open to business 13 years after the terrorist attack.

Here are two world renowned figures who uphold freedom. Martine Luther King said that the hottest places in hell are reserved for those in times of crisis choose to do nothing.

The Roman Emperor Julius Caesar believed that cowards die many times before their death. The valiant never taste death but once. /MP