The historic bluff

Bago and Silay cities in Negros Occidental recently relived a glorious moment in Philippine history with their celebration of El Cinco de Noviembre. Negros was freed from centuries of Spanish rule without bloodshed, in what is considered one of the greatest military strategies in the Philippine Revolution.

Bago City Mayor Ramon Torres gave honor to the gallantry and courage of revolutionary hero, General Juan Araneta, at his bronze monument in the City, where a short program, titled “Sigabong sang mga Kanyon (Boom of the Cannons)”, was reenacted. A series of activities capped the whole-day affair that lasted up to midnight.

A similar reenactment of the popular Negros Revolution was simultaneously held in Silay City, and honored another revolutionary hero, General Anecito Lacson. Silay City Mayor Jose Montelibano led the celebration that was capped by an awesome display of fireworks!

On November 5, 1898, Araneta and his “troops” marched from Bago to the San Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod City, and were met by the “troops” of Lacson, who came from Silay. The two warned the Spanish forces camped at the Cathedral that thousands of “troops” were ready to attack if they will not surrender.

Dubbed as the “Historic Bluff that Freed Negros from the Spaniards”, the thousands of “troops” were, in fact, sugarcane workers carrying bamboo sticks and rolled sawali mats painted to look like rifles and cannons. It was said that what the group really had were only three rifles, a pistol and bolos. Spanish Gov. Isidro de Castro surrendered to the two Negrense generals, ending more than 300 years of colonization.

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It was a memorable 80th birthday celebration for Enrique Regalado.

The bash was held at the sprawling garden by the poolside in his Villa Valderrama residence, that was attended by close to 130 guests, relatives and friends. All six of his children and grandchildren living in the Philippines were in attendance.

Everyone enjoyed the gastronomical spread of Mili-an de Leon and Rosalie Yulo. Music filled the air the whole evening as two bands alternately played well-loved songs, and set up the mood for the party.

The night was filled with surprises, one a special performance of the celebrator’s son, Jomi, who rendered a flute number.

It was truly a memorable birthday that the Regalado patriarch will surely cherish for a long time.*