110th Tres de Abril anniversary marked

Cebu City government together with the officials of barangay San Nicolas yesterday commemorated the 110th anniversary of the Tres de Abril uprising with simple rites.

The celebration started with a Mass, followed by a short program and floral offering at the spot where the uprising started in April 3, 1898.

Councilor Arsenio Pacaña, who delivered the welcome message, encouraged the people not to forget the historic event that marked Cebu’s history.

“We should not be strangers in our own land,” he said.

The Tres de Abril uprising was started by Pantaleon Villegas, also known as “Leon Kilat”. 

“Maayo pang mamatay kaysa mo moluhod sa mabudhiong mga Katsila,” historians quote him as saying before he started the rebellion.

Five days after starting the rebellion, he was stabbed dead by a fellow revolutionary in Carcar.

In his message, Vice Mayor Michael Rama said “factions” among Cebuanos should be ended and they should unite to help each other achieve a better society.

The celebration ended with closing remarks by barangay captain Edgar Lauron who decided to throw a challenging question to Cebuanos.

“Ato na bang nabatunan ang tinuod nga kagawasan sa tagsa-tagsa nato ka katilingban (Did we achieve the real freedom in our society)?” he said.  —Junel Joe Gato, CNU intern/BRP