Marinduque's Struggle for FREEDOM!

Teatro Balangaw actors display the official colors of Marinduque's six municipalities in celebrating Marinduque's 1900 victory, considered the country's most significant victory during the second phase of the Philippine revolution (Philippine-American War).

In 2008, the "Battle of Pulang Lupa", Marinduque's historic contribution to that struggle was highlighted as part of the simultaneous nationwide celebration of the Philippine Independence Day, June 12th.

Reenacting the battle at the site where a historical site marker stands, the site of an annual pilgrimage by freedom-lovers and patriots.

The Marinduque struggle immortalized some local names, among them Gov. Martin Lardizabal, Ciriaco Vida (Alapaap), and Col. Maximo Abad, Lardizabal's military counterpart.

There's a little-known fact, however, that the 14th Congress passed Resolution No. 54, adopted by the Senate on February 4, 2008, urging the Department of National Defense to establish a separate grave site or a memorial in the Libingan ng mga Bayani to honor the heroism of all the Filipino soldiers who courageously fought in the Philippine-American War.

Most significantly, the same Resolution cited "less popular characters such as Juan Cailles, Martin Lardizabal and Ciriaco Vida, as well as almost 16,000 names of Filipino soldiers who selflessly laid down their lives
during the Philippine-American War" that "remain lost in Philippine
history books and, sadly, in the memories of the Filipino people".

For this and many more reasons, this blogger has continued to do research, gather relevant information and use the subject for artistic work. That there's a dearth of information on the issue of local heroes and historic events cannot be denied. Parallel search for documents and photos found in US archives and private libraries has also been undertaken by American national Curt Shepard, who owns a house in Mogpog.

(Col. Abad and his comrades)

Senate Resolution No. 54 reads in part:

"WHEREAS, during the Philippine-American War, Filipino soldiers, though limited in rifles and ammunition and armed mostly with bolos and bamboo spears, bravely risked their lives to achieve independence;

WHEREAS, General Emilio Aguinaldo, Macario Salcay and General Mariano Lukhan are among the familiar names, which come to mind as Filipino heroes during the Pliilippine-American War;

WHEREAS, less popular characters such as Juan Cailles, Martin Lardizabal and Ciriaco Vida, as well as almost 16,000 names of Filipino soldiers who selflessly laid down their lives during the Philippine-American War remain lost in Philippine history books and, sadly, in the memories of the Filipino people;

WHEREAS,the heroism and patriotism of the Filipino men and women, who refused to succumb to American rule, but fought for freedom to the point of death, should not he
lost in historical amnesia;

WHEREAS, the heroes and heroines of the Philippine-American War, especially those not identified in the scrolls of history, should be honored for their courage and self-sacrifice, and remembered as a testament of the Filipino people’s love
for their country, especially in these times of national crisis;

WHEREAS, it is important that the heroic deeds and patriotism of the Filipino heroes and heroines during the Philippine-American War be honored and immortalized in the
hearts and minds of the Filipino people, especially the youth, who can draw inspiration from the ideals and the patriotism, and even learn from the mistakes, of the Filipino men and women who fought for Philippine independence..."

VIVA MARINDUQUE!!! VIVA PILIPINAS!!!













(Jonard Arenas of Bangbang as Abad sings the solo part of "Awit sa Pulang Lupa".)