TACLOBAN CITY ? The crowd cheered while watching the dance drama depict local revolutionaries hatching a plan to ambush the well-armed American soldiers, and again when they eventually attacked and overran the garrison that fateful morning of Sept. 28, 1901.

The performance was capped with scenes of American soldiers who retaliated by killing many Samareños and taking the town?s church bells.

Costumed students portrayed those involved in what is now known as Balangiga Encounter Day in a presentation at the municipal gymnasium that once more relived the bravery of the freedom-loving people of Balangiga, an ancient coastal town in Eastern Samar about 90 kilometers from Tacloban City.

According to historical accounts, some 500 revolutionaries from Balangiga and its nearby villages of Lawaan Giporlos and Quinapondan overran the American garrison in Balangiga exactly 107 years ago. They were led by the town mayor, Pedro Abayan, and the police chief, Capt. Valeriano Abanador.

?Howling wilderness?

When Abanador raised his cane to signal the ringing of church bells early that historic day, the revolutionaries swooped down on the garrison of the US Army's Company C near the church and municipal hall. About 50 of the 74 soldiers were killed while 22 were wounded.

Others escaped by boat to nearby Basey town where another US detachment was situated.

A handful of soldiers were able to get hold of their Krags and shoot dead some of the natives.

In retaliation, the US Army sent Gen. Jake Smith to Samar. Historians said Smith ordered his men to kill all Samareños aged 10 years old and above, burn houses, shoot working animals and seize crops, making Samar a ?howling wilderness.?

When the soldiers left Samar, they took away, among other things, the church bells as war trophies. Two of the bells are now mounted at the Fort Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming, USA.

For the first time since the people started commemorating the event, the celebration was moved to Sept. 30 to accommodate the guest of honor and speaker ? President Macapagal-Arroyo. It was the first time that a Chief Executive had set foot on Balangiga to take part in the commemoration.

Storm signal

It was also the first time that the celebration was moved to another date, to accommodate the President. Ms Arroyo was then in Eastern Samar for a two-day visit to inspect some big government projects, meet with Gov. Ben Evardone and other local leaders, and hold a Cabinet meeting.

Despite Storm Signal No. 2 being hoisted over Eastern Samar with the passage of ?Pablo? on Sunday, which led to the cancellation of the Cabinet meeting, the President braved the rain and strong winds by taking a 135-km land trip just to attend the Balangiga affair.

She arrived 30 minutes late but local officials led by Balangiga Mayor Viscuso De Lira and other residents gave her a warm welcome.

In her speech, the President recalled the heroism of the local revolutionaries who almost wiped out an American garrison.