• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The bloodless Al Cinco de Noviembre was marked on November 5 with various activities in the key cities of Bacolod, Bago, Silay, and Talisay in Negros Occidental, led by their respective chief executives, with the participation of descendants of Generals Juan Araneta and Aniceto Lacson, who led the Negros revolution against Spanish colonizers in 1898, exactly 125 years ago.
For the nth time, Negrenses recalled the patriotism, bravery, courage, grit, and the extraordinary strategy exhibited by Generals Araneta and Lacson, who led thousands of fellow patriots in the historic, nonviolent, and truly brilliant revolt towards freedom.
“It is my fervent hope that while we celebrate our triumphs of our past, we can discover fresh meaning, determination and inspiration. Let us continue to unite and pursue our shared objectives as community and as a nation,” Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, said in his speech during the Al Cinco de Noviembre rites at the Provincial Capitol Lagoon in Bacolod City.
While the challenges today do not necessitate the rising of arms, Lacson said “yet they demand our collective response with the same unity, fervor, determination, and boldness exhibited by the heroes of Cinco de Noviembre in the past.”
Bago City, led by Mayor Nicholas Yulo, also marked the second physical celebration of Al Cinco de Noviembre after a two year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a wreath laying ceremony at the statue of Gen. Juan Araneta, in front of the Bago City Coliseum, with activities capped at the Bantayan Park, after a civic parade.
It also marked the 25th Sigabong sang mga Kanyon, in which the different barangays of Bago participated.
Mae Ann Furtos, Bago City Tourism officer, described the celebration of Al Cinco de Noviembre by Bagonhons as “very successful and colorful,” with the participation of all the barangays.
Comparing the celebrations from before, Furtos said they brought the celebrations not only to the streets, but also capped the activities at the Bantayan Park, which was also the venue of the Sigabong sang mga Kanyon.
At the same time, she also noted the increasing number of participants in this year’s celebrations, especially those coming from the business sector and non-government organizations who were actively involved in expressing their support for the activities of the Bago City government.
The theme of the Bago City celebrations this year is “Honor, Ingenuity, and Service: On with the Revolution of Progress.”
Similar activities were also held in Silay City, which was led by Mayor Joedith Gallego, and in Talisay City, which was also attended by its officials, former Rep. Jose Carlos Lacson and descendants of Gen. Lacson and other revolutionary heroes.*
