HISTORY OF "UNANG
SIGAW NG NUEVE ECIJA"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FauraGQdiT0
The tyrannical and oppressive reign of
the Crown of Spain had undoubtedly caused bitter tears and bloodshed
to the Filipino people. The long history of Spanish rule was indeed
marked by abuse and discrimination of sorts that many Filipinos
tried to escape such wrath. Most significant of which was the
Kataas-taasang, Kagalang-galang na Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK).
Founded by Gat. Andres Bonifacio, the Katipunan envisioned to
overthrow, by use of arms, the rule of the Spaniards over Philippine
soil. The high-spirited call to overcome the colonial power
eventually reached Nueva Ecija. And the Novo Ecijanos bravely heeded
to the cause. For two nights initial recruitment for the Katipunan
took place in Gapan and Mambangnan, San Leonardo. The first was held
at the residence of the then Teniente Mayor of Gapan Pantaleon
Valmonte; while, the second occurred at the house of Crispulo
Sandico. It was truly not difficult for the people of Nueva Ecija to
act subversively against the oppressors and to sympathize with the
noble calling of the secret organization. Among the first Novo
Ecijanos to join the Katipunan were Mamerto Natividad, Marcos Ventuz,
Epifanio Ramos, Domingo Cecilio, and Mariano Llanera who in the
middle part of the Katipunan struggle would serve as general of the
revolutionary government.
However, the secret organization was unmasked prematurely because of
the irresponsibility of Teodoro Patinio who confessed the existence
of the Katipunan to his sister and a nun. The two women urged
Patinio to disclose the same to a priest. Sure enough he did it.
Father Mariano Gil of Tondo upon knowing the impending threat to the
frailocracy and the government immediately reported what he learned
to the Spanish high authorities. And acting on the information, the
governor general ordered the civil guards to search premises and
arrest suspected members of the Katipunan. By ill-fate the ledger
that contained all the names of Katipuneros fell in the hands of the
government.
Gat. Andres Bonifacio and his men, though still unprepared, on
August 26, 1896 declared war against Spanish rule. The First Cry of
Pugadlawin was the beginning of the open hostilities between the
colonizers and the Katipunan freedom fighters. And on August 29,
1896, the Bonifacio-led Katipunan seized the Spanish arsenal at San
Juan del Monte. Many more battles took place.
Hoping to contain the insurrection, Governor-General Blanco in turn
placed the country under Martial Law. The arrest of suspected
members of the revolution further increased in number. Bloodshed
became inevitable.
The atrocities spread fast. The inherent violence of military rule
was never made exclusive in the capital for it likewise reached
nearby provinces. In Nueva Ecija, the same fate occurred to
Katipuneros. On August 31, upon the order of Colonel Val, Captain
Machorro, the head of the civil guards in the capital of the
province, forcibly arrested and detained Mamerto Natividad and
Marcos Ventuz. The following day, September 1, Captain Machorro
proceeded to Gapan also to arrest Teniente Mayor Valmonte. Being
close friends, Valmonte was able to convince the civil guard captain
that he would voluntarily go with him the next day. Because of this,
Valmonte was able to tell Llanera of the impending plans of the
civil guards. And on that very day, realizing the urgency of the
situation, they conceived a plan which later on would be laid down
in the pages of history as one of the significant events in the
revolutionary period.
On the night of the same day, assisted by able men, Marcelo Payumo,
Samuel dela Merced, Alipio Tecson, Juan Horquiza, Andres Romero and
Rogino Ortiz Luis, Llanera scouted in search of men who were then
members and non-members of the Katipunan. Making the most of what
they have, the Llanera group planned to seize the provincial capitol
and free their arrested comrades with the employment of a
diversionary tactic---
The Katipuneros acted as they planned. They disguised their true
intent by employing the Musikong Bumbong of Cabiao and informed the
communities that they would be heading towards the Capitol not for
some other reasons but to pray for the release of their fellow
comrades.
September 2, 1896, Tuesday, around 11 am in Cabiao, the Katipuneros
were lined-up and ready to face whatever might be the consequences
of their acts. Llanera mounted on his horse and the Musikong Bumbong
played eagerly as their hearts longed for the reckoning hour. From
Sityo Pulo, the band played on. As it passed the old church, its
bell tolled--- a sure message that the reign of greed would have to
face the wrath of the oppressed Novo Ecijanos.
The Katipuneros then reached San Isidro. Surprised as he was,
Governor Val ordered his men to inquire of what the commotion was
about. Doubting as to Llanera's true intent, he instructed Captain
Machorro to prepare the guards for an armed confrontation.
Three in the afternoon, Llanera and his men approached the Capitol.
Captain Machorro, Sgt. Moreno,and six civil guards warned the
incoming Katipuneros to stop. Realizing the true resolve of the
Katipuneros, the civil guards fired at them. Violence ensued. The
Llanera-led group attacked at the enemy, face-to-face; while the
Valmonte-led Katipuneros fought from the rear.
For three days, the battle that would later on be dubbed as the
First Cry of Nueva Ecija claimed many lives from both ranks. And out
of Providence and sheer determination, the Novo Ecijanos gradually
crushed the enemy defenses. The Spanish fortress, the symbol of its
enthronement for hundreds of years, was decisively demolished by the
brave heart and insurmountable courage of the Novo Ecijanos. For the
first time, the oppressed was feared by no less than the oppressor.
Such was the reason why we are here this very day; to commemorate
the show of courage and bravery of our ancestors and to remind us
that despite the seemingly unsinkable odds, the spirit of the TRUE
NOVO ECIJANOS PREVAILED. The Novo Ecijano, needless to emphasize,
has a unique legacy on its own. Look yonder and behold the
flag indeed I fervently pray that such ray that stands for our
Blood's bravery shall not be lost in all of us and that every ounce
of blood that Llanera, Valmonte and the rest of the Katipuneros
sacrificed would not be put in vain.
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