By: Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD City – The Negros Occidental provincial government will honor 33 centenarians today, Nov 5, 2019, in celebration of the 121st anniversary of Cinco de Noviembre at the provincial capitol lagoon grounds.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer will lead the ceremonies that includes the tableau presentation of the 1898 Cinco de Noviembre Revolution by the Kanla-on Theater Guild of the Colegio de San Agustin-Bacolod.
It was in this “Cinco de Noviembre” when the marching revolutionist led by Gen. Juan Araneta of Bago and Gen. Aniceto Lacson of Silay City were actually carrying fake arms consisting of rifles carved out of nipa stalks and cannons of bamboo mats painted black.
The courageous strategy deceived the Spaniards led by Col. Isidro Castro looking afar using a hazy telescope from atop the San Sebastian Cathedral belfry. Castro surrendered upon seeing a large formation of soldiers, heavily armed with “rifles and cannons”.
This event is being commemorated in Negros Occidental every November 5 dubbed as Cinco de Noviembre as the day the Negrenses bluffed the Spaniards to attain freedom.
November 5 has also been declared a special non-working holiday in the province through Republic Act No. 6708.
Meanwhile the 33 centenarians will receive P100,000 each from the provincial government.
The centenarians are Rodrigo Doloreza Abelinda, Gerardo Arbues Bornales, Jose Tendencia Chua and Margarita Rivera Navales – Kabankalan City, Antonio Linaja Apostol, Aurora Oyco Jaro and Agusto Villanueva Yulo – Bago City, Luminda Ursal Monares, Trinidad Canoy Suarez and Roberto Custodio Sumbi Jr. – Sagay City, Lolita Alejandrino Biona, Reynalda Guiza Reyes and Aurora Mosquera Suganob – Enrique B. Magalona;
Ana Tan Ibañes, Trinidad Constantino Merabe, AdelinaTeguihanon Segura and Carmelina Leonaras Tordedo – Cadiz City, Antonio Perez Araneta and Paciencia Benteroso Marcasote – Silay City, Josefina Villaranda Amalla – Sipalay City, Hilda Hilario Piojo – La Carlota City, Jovita Dadivas Espinosa – Pontevedra, Adela Baltazar Deles – Victorias City, and Manuel Tinggap Dalag – Hinoba-an.
Of the 33, eight passed away after reaching 100 years old. Their families will receive the incentive in their behalf.
Those who will receive posthumous awards are Ciriaca Epanto Acuin – San Carlos City, Rosita Laurella Bantolinao – Murcia, Consuelo Dujon Chua – Kabankalan City, Rosela Torela Garcia – Sipalay City, Isabel Crisostomo Gultia – Escalante City, Aurora Mosquera Suganob – Enrique B. Magalona, Felix Merquiado Suyo – Bago City.
