THE GLOW, JULY-OCTOBER 1998 The Glow, July-October 1998. Official Publication of CNCHS - Cabatuan National Comprehensive High School Cabatuan, Iloilo, Panay Island, Philippines 6 Tke Raw NOVEMBER 1998 Reenacting History. Mayor Eliseo C. Tobias, waves the Philippine nag from the makeshift balcony of General Aguinaldo's house in Kawit, Cavite. (Excerpt of the speech delivered by Hon. Enrique Binayas during the Centennial Philippine Independence Celebration in Cabatuan, Iloilo) Indeed for several times in the celebration throughout the nation, and plotting the strategies of war past, I have had the good fortune may I take you to a mental and governance. Behold the and honor to share with you my journey, very swiftly and Sublime Paralytic, Apolinario mind on various subjects of cursorily, perhaps over the Mabini who despite his physical common interest. But today's country's historical horizon for the handicap, steers the revolutionary occasion tops all of them. For, this last one-hundred years. Our ship by the sheer lucidity and is one of the most important, if spaceship takes off at Kawit, sharpness of his mind. Admire the not the most important, events Cavite on June 12, 1898, where generals, the intelligentia, even the ever in our life, as it is in the life we participate in a historic Creoles, as they contribute their of the Filipino nation. A centenary proclamation of Philippine share, their expertise in the pursuit comes but once. Independence. of the revolutionary goals. That One hundred years ago, in a But before we fly any farther, many of them are of Spanish relatively small town of Kawit, I ask you to look backwards for a decent is proof that the clock province of Cavite, the Philippine moment. For, as Rizal himself ticking for freedom is nearing the independence was formally once advised, to which we can zero hour. proclaimed. It is a credit to this only agree: "To foretell the Now, we proceed with our country and its people that the destiny of a nation, one has to journey. Immediately after the Philippines is the first European open the book of the past." And June 12, 1898 signal, events colony in Asia and Africa to free as we look back, we can see thru within and without the Philippines itself from the life-sapping and the deep shadow of the distant and are happening with lightning spiritually - demoralizing tentacles the mist of the immediate past, speed, one after the other. We of colonialism. Understandably looming quite prominently and witnesses the sinking of the proud are the Filipinos to claim waving as if in greeting of Battleship Maine of the USA at the honor to first sow the seeds farewell, but looking somehow the harbor of Havana, blamed on of freedom in the colonial mind. happy and satisfied, our forefathers, Spain. Thus, Spanish and If that seed took time in other the sum total of whose life, labors, American battleships engage in parts on the world to sprout and valor and sacrifices has made skirmishes in the Pacific. Then flower, it is because the wind of possible our celebrations today. follows the Battle of Manila Bay. change does not suddenly Look and behold the chieftain In most engagements, the former transform into a raging storm. It Lapu-lapu leading his ragtag famed and invincible Spanish develops, yes, but it develops forces, teaching the better - armed Armada is no match to the fresh slowly. Again as all of us know, Spanish invaders under Magellan, American might. Meanwhile in a it took an EDSA miracle for how to fight for ones native land. move that is interpreted as face-peoples all over the world to Behold the tough warrior saving the Spaniards go into the realize and awaken that even fool Francisco Dagohoy of Bohol negotiating table with their hardy and power-hungry despots waging the longest recorded American adversary. America is cannot entirely ignore the strength rebellion against the Spanish only too willing to oblige. Result? and pervading influence of people masters. Behold Diego Silang of The Treaty of Paris. The power. EDSA is the concrete the Ilocos and his stubborn rebels. Philippines, despite the fact that, example. Subsequent events in Behold, more clearly the Great except Manila and some urban Africa as in the old world of Malayan, Dr. Jose P. Rizal always centers, most territories are Europe proved it. Yes, even the properly attired writing profusely already in Filipino hands, is sold seemingly formidable Union of his messages to his people of love to the Americans for a pittance. Soviet Socialist Republics fell to of country and hope for its future. By their acquisition of the pieces by people power. Behold too, that Great Plebian, Philippines, America thus becomes It is our destiny perhaps, to Andres Bonifacio brandishing his a colonial power. A hundred years provide the successful examples long bolo and tearing his cedula or so ago it was a colony. History in the task of reforming and to dramatize his defiance against revolves on its axis. changing the politics and the oppressors. Behold with bated Not quite adept at holding governance of colonized peoples. breath the great Ilongo orator colonies, the novice Americans We set it 100 years ago. We set it Graciano Lopez Jaena with his come ashore into this country, at EDSA 12 years ago. That the silver tongue, as he holds his announcing altruism as their Filipino is freedom loving and Spanish listeners in awe as he motive, that they come to help, to fiercely averse to subjugation is delivers his patriotic orations in educate the Filipinos and prepare proved by the more than 30 behalf of his country. Behold that there self-government and revolts staged by our forebears, respectable student and scholar, eventual independence. While the some full-scale, others simply Emilio Jacinto advising Katipunan announced policy helps in the pockets, against our Spanish Supremo Bonifacio on various early pacification and surrender of colonial masters. All these matters affecting the revolution. the Filipino resistance, it proves uprisings culminated and Behold the venerable, though to be a pestering sore and a climaxed on June 12, 1898. young, Emilio Aguinaldo in his pricking thorn thru-out the But, before we are carried white rayandillo presiding over American rule in this country. For away by the euphoria of today's various councils of state, planning at every turn and opportunity, the A Centenary Comes But Once Hon. Enrique Binayas, former mayor of the town in the guest speaker during the celebration of the Centennial Philippine Independence Anniversary A Centennial Tree Planting by the Local Government Unit highlighted the celebration of the Centennial Philippine Independence Anniversary. The audience gather at the covered gymnasium for the program Immediately after the parade in the afternoon of June 12. Filipino leaders harp on and demands fulfillment of the promise. As a result, in 1934, a law is passed by the American Congress, providing for the grant of independence ten years later. After a short delay, because of the intervening World War II, on July 4, 1946, we witness the fulfillment of this promise. At a pompous celebration, perhaps comparable to that of today, the flag of 'Nil