By Perla Lena (PNA)
ILOILO CITY — Ilonggos gathered at the historic town of Santa Barbara in Iloilo to commemorate the centennial death anniversary of Gen. Martin Teofilo Delgado on Monday.
Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea, who represented President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in honoring the Ilonggo hero, said reminiscing the sacrifices of General Delgado is one proof of gratefulness for his contribution in making the country free and this region peaceful.
“Sa ilalim ng kanyang matapangna pamumuno namulat ang mata ng mga Pilipino sa tunay na kalagayan ng bansa noon. Ito rin ang naghikayat sa ating mga kababayan na sama- samang lumaban upang masupilan ang pang-aapi at pang-aabuso ng mga mananakop (His brave leadership has opened the eyes of Filipinos about the real condition of our country before. It is also what motivated our fellowmen to fight together to defeat oppression and abuses of invaders),” he said.
Medialdea hoped that the deeds of Delgado would serve as inspiration in the pursuit of progress and unity in the country.
“Hindi madeny na si Delgado ay isang magaling na lider. Naway taglayin ng bawat isa sa atin lalo ng mga kabataan ang kanyang determinasyon, katapatan, tungkulin at pagsasakripisyo ng pansariling interest para sakapakan ng ating bayan (It could not be denied that Delgado was a good leader. We hoped to imbibe, especially our children, his determination and loyalty and to sacrifice personal interest for the sake of our country,” he said.
Currently, Medialdea said the invaders are not just the country’s enemies. There are issues on illegal drugs, criminality and corruption, among others.
He underscored that the country needs more of the likes of Gen. Delgado to continue what has been started.
He thus urged everyone to make Delgado as a model as they perform their duties for their family, their community and the country.
Meanwhile, Director Ludovico Badoy of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines said what General Delgado fought for “is still of significance to all of us”.
“He fought for freedom, he fought for our country, he fought for all of these things that we are enjoying right now. Democracy is with us because of our heroes and one of these heroes is General Martin Teofilo Delgado,” he said.
Badoy added that other local heroes who fought alongside with Delgado were also recognized.
“I asked the local chief executives to lead the municipality, province in giving honor to our heroes, local or national,” he said.
Meanwhile, the grandson of Delgado’s aide-de-camp, Honorio Solinap, expressed hope that his grandfather, also named Honorio Solinap, will also be given proper recognition.
The old Solinap was the son of Delgado’s sister, Placida Delgado.
Their old farmhouse in Hacienda Sabas also in Poblacion, Santa Barbara, used to be one of the secret meeting places of Delgado.
In local history, Honorio Solinap played as the husband of another Ilongga heroine Patrocinio Gamboa who carried the Philippine flag from Jaro district of this city that was raised at the headquarters of the Comite Central Revolucionario de Visayas in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo on Nov. 17, 1898.
To avoid the preying eyes of Spanish soldiers manning a checkpoint, Gamboa hid the flag by wrapping it around her waist and covered it with “patadyong” (loose skirt).
She disguised as a nagging wife to Solinap to the amusement of the soldiers.
Gen. Martin Delgado was born in Santa Barbara on Nov. 11, 1858 and died Nov. 12, 1918.
He was the leader of the revolutionary movement in Visayas and Mindanao in 1898 and Filipino-American War in 1899-1901.
He was also the first governor of Iloilo during American period from 1901-1903, mayor of Santa Barbara from 1905-1906, and the first civilian governor of Iloilo.
Meanwhile, the commemoration started with a prayer around 7 a.m., followed by the raising of the Philippine flag and wreath-laying at the hero’s monument.
