By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD City – After a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the physical celebration of the Al Cinco de Noviembre in Bago City is back this year with various activities to be highlighted today, November 5.
Mae Ann Furtos, senior tourism operations officer of Bago City, said Al Cinco de Noviembre, especially the “Sigabong sang mga Kanyon,” is back to an in-person setting.
Al Cinco de Noviembre, also known as Negros Day, is celebrated every November 5 to commemorate the Negrenses’ revolt against the Spanish colonizers in 1898.
It was declared a non-working holiday in the province by virtue of Republic Act 6709.
This year marks its 124th year.
Furtos said that despite the challenges brought by the pandemic, the city government continues to preserve its heritage through the Al Cinco de Noviembre commemoration.
“Its [Al Cinco de Noviembre] very essence is the ingenuity and bravery of the valiant hero, General Juan Araneta, and his Bagonhon troops together with the forces from the north led by General Aniceto Lacson,” she said, adding that this is also called as a historical bluff as Bagonhon troops used nipa (coconut fronds) as “rifles” and amakan (rolled bamboo mats) as “cannon” that seemed to be believable from afar that led to the surrender of the Spaniards.
Furtos stressed that “it was a bloodless revolt, and through which, Negrenses were freed from the 300-year Spanish tyranny.”
The city will start today’s events with the Philippine Navy Reservists Unity Walk at 4 a.m. from Sum-ag and Crossing La Carlota going to Bago City.
Local officials headed by Mayor Nicholas Yulo will lead the wreath-laying ceremony at General Juan Araneta Monument at 7:30 a.m. to be followed by the Civic Military Parade at the city streets at 8 a.m. to be participated by the 24 barangays clustered into eight groups.
A week-long Sigabong sang mga Kanyon Photo Exhibit will also be staged at SM City Bacolod from November 9 to 16.
On November 6, the 1st Kagawad Basketball League Tournament will open at the Marhil Covered Court at 2 p.m. while the Kustura Bagonhon: Local Fabric Fashion Show will be held at the MYTCCC at 7 p.m.
On November 12, there will be a second-day screening for the Diwata sang Bago 2023 at the Bago City Community Center at 2 p.m.
Earlier, the city government had already hosted various activities as part of the 124th Al Cinco de Noviembre celebration.
A jobs fair was conducted at the MYTCCC on October 26; City Cooperative Day at MYTCCC on October 30; Inauguration of Learning Hub CDRRMO at the back of Gender Sensitive Evacuation Center on November 2; and thanksgiving mass at the John the Baptist and Party at the Park at the Bantayan Park on November 2.
On November 3 to 5, there will be a Biodiversity Month Photo Exhibit at the Bantayan Park; Balay Daku Javellana Ancestral Home Art and Food Exhibit; and Party at the Park at the Bantayan Park.
“Bagonhons can really expect a more meaningful comeback of Al Cinco de Noviembre this year.”
Furtos said, adding that this year’s Sigabong sang mga Kanyon is actually a preparation for its silver year in 2023.
