“The main message of the Cinco de Noviembre celebration is unity above selfish personal ends, as well as patriotism and love of fellow citizens,” Roque Hofileña Jr., executive director of the Negros Occidental Historical Council, said yesterday at the 116th Cinco de Noviembre celebration at the Bacolod City Public Plaza.

Hofileña narrated the events leading to the Nov. 5 revolution, during a program and urged the people to consider the lessons of this historic period of the province.

The program started at 9 a.m. following a “heroes march” from the Provincial Capitol Lagoon and Park to the Bacolod Public Plaza that was participated in by the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, DepEd, and different schools and government agencies.

Messages were delivered by Francesca Santiago, Grade 8 student of the University of St. La Salle, and Sherlie Anne Sancho, a Grade 6 student of Dalison Elementary School in EB Magalona.

An ecumenical prayer followed while the Gawad Kalinga Dance Group led the unity dance at the end of the program.

Col. Jon Aying, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said it can be recalled that the Cinco de Noviembre was a non-violent campaign against the Spaniards because of the values of Filipinos like nationalism, patriotism, value of non-violence, and value of heroism.

Aying said they could have held the “heroes rally” at the lagoon yesterday but the Provincial Peace Integration Development Unit thought of having all sectors represented and this was approved by the governor, so the march from the lagoon to the plaza is a symbol of reaching out to the people.

Hofileña said he is glad that the celebration of the provincial Cinco de Noviembre has been extended from the Capitol Lagoon to the Bacolod Public Plaza because it is in Bacolod where the Spaniards surrendered after they were holed up at the San Sebastian Cathedral. He said the Luzuriaga’s facilitated the surrender ceremony between the Spaniards and Generals Aniceto Lacson and Juan Araneta and their group at the Fountain of Justice.*CGS

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