Kilat scion graces Tres de Abril observance
The 114th commemoration of Tres de Abril battle was highlighted by the presence of Leon Kilat’s granddaughter.
Pilipinas Ybañez brought enlarged photos of her grandfather during yesterday’s commemorative ceremony organized by Cebu City Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (CHAC) held at the Tres de Abril marker.
Another descendant of a Tres de Abril fighter, however, voiced regret over the sorry state of the historical marker, saying people today forgot about the significance of the historic battle to secure the country’s freedom.
“The only time that the flag is changed is during the week running up to April 3rd. For the most part, the marker is used as a place for people to relieve themselves, the flagpole is used to tie off the cordon rope for an emissions testing center,” said lawyer Harve Abella, a descendant of revolutionary Rufo Abella, one of Leon Kilat’s comrade in arms.
Ybañez admitted she was unaware of the marker and commemoration until she heard about it in one of her visits to Taboan, located near the marker.
In his speech, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said the city government continues to negotiate with the private lot owner to convert the area into a historical site.
But acting CHAC officer Glenda Gabuya said the owner refuses to sell or donate the said property.
The Tres de Abril marker is located in front of a smoke emission testing center at Tres de Abril Street and V. Rama Avenue junction.
Ybañez is the granddaughter of Irenea Villegas, sister of Leon Kilat whose real name was Pantaleon Villegas of Bacong, Negros Occidental. Her family now resides in Tabunok, Talisay City.
Tres de Abril was the momentous Palm Sunday battle in 1898 where over 2,000 Cebuano revolutionaries led by Leon Kilat defeated the outnumbered Spanish soldiers and gained control of Cebu City.
The well-organized revolution was originally scheduled on Good Friday, April 8, 1898, but arrests of suspected Katipuneros prompted Leon Kilat and his comrades to act sooner.
Since its inception in 1981, CHAC organized the commemorative activity on Tres de Abril along with other historical events in Cebu City.
Osman Jumalon recalled how amazed he was when his father, the late Cebuano artist Prof. Julian Jumalon, brought him to one of the anniversary celebrations in the 1980s where a reenactment of the battle was presented.
Yesterday’s historical remembrance did not have such presentation.
Instead of a creative production, San Nicolas Proper barangay captain Abraham Desamparado gave a short talk on the significance of the event.
Gabuya said this was done to give the audience a different experience as opposed to the usual reenactment or dance drama.
Aside from Leon Kilat, several Cebuanos fought in the Tres de Abril battle, among them Gregorio Padilla, Florencio Gonzales, Teopisto Cavan and Rufo Abella.
Abella told CDN how proud he is of his ancestors’ contribution in the Philippine revolution against Spanish rule.
At the same time he said he was sad that “the younger members of our clan could care even less that the names they have are the very ones carried by those who fought for freedom.”
He added that Cebuanos are more familiar with national heroes and could hardly name a local one who spoke the very same language they do.
Abella hopes that an appropriate memorial will be built on the historical site and that “more and more Cebuanos will be educated about their revolutionary heritage.”
