Philippine-American War 1900-1901. The Battle of Pulang Lupa is commemorated in Marinduque on Sept. 13 of every year. Video with historical photos and footages on the commemoration of the Battle of Pulang Lupa in Marinduque. "Awit sa Pulang Lupa" written and composed by this blogger,and performed by the Teatro Balangaw Ensemble and the Marinduque Provincial Capitol Choir, 2007.
Reliving Pulang Lupa Video
First-hand accounts of the battle and other historical documents on Marinduque could be found in www.ulongbeach.com managed by Curt Shepard, that this blogger considers one of the most important sites on Marinduque history.
This blog is a tribute to Curt and his wife Dalia. Our correspondence started in 2006. Excerpts from an earlier email exchange are reproduced below, as well as the lyrics of Awit sa Pulang Lupa:
“Eli,…I was attracted to your site because of your interest in bringing the history of Marinduque to the people. My interest started when neither my wife nor her family could tell me about your independence day. I thought I had asked a simple question: Do you celebrate your independence from Spain or the United States? I found out it was not a simple question to answer after all. I found several sites here in the states that argue this point as well as the date of June 12 and July 4th. Any way this started my education of the history of Marinduque as well as the Philippines. My hope is that the children don't forget or not have a chance to learn.
"Hopefully you can use some of the information on my website to encourage your new dance drama.
"Curt & Dalia" (Sept. 2, 2006)
“Curt and Dalia,“… But doing the research then I did see the strong possibility that what transpired in Samar in a town called Balangiga, a much written-about episode on American atrocities (and was made into a movie, "Sunugin ang Samar" in the 70s), during that war must have also happened in Marinduque. I found out about the involvement of Bandholtz in Samar then. But then I had no source, no Internet here then to support this suspicion. Nevertheless I included in my play a dialogue delivered by one American soldier ordering his men "to turn this island into a howling wilderness", a phrase used in the Samar massacre of civilians.
"Locally available historical accounts stopped at Pulang Lupa, you see. And now your website contains detailed information during the two years that followed! The accounts on the Corliss Experiment are most shocking. This must be the newest document that has surfaced here after having been buried for years in U.S. archives! It could definitely be a great subject for a painting, play, film or literary piece... but I must say I was so moved reading that account in your site!...
"Eli” (Sept. 3, 2006)
"AWIT SA PULANG LUPA"Titik at Musika: ELI J. OBLIGACION
May isang kahapong nagdaan
Kasaysayang di malilimutan
'Sang kahapong di maiwawaksi
Diwang Makabaya'y naisilang.
May isang kahapong nagdaan
Kasaysayang di mallimutan
May kahapong di maitatanggi
Ang kahulugan ay Tagumpay ng Lahi.
Sa Pulang Lupa, kawal na bayani
Gubat ay tinahak ng buong sidhi
Ang mahal sa buhay, inalo't iniwan
Nang ipagtanggol ang ating bayan.
Dito na namuno si Kapitan Abad
Kapitang namuno ng buong lakas
At naging kasama si Kang Alapaap
Siya na mapusok at puso'y marahas.
Isang madaling araw
Sa buwan ng Setyembre
Sinagupa nila ang kaaway
Sa gitna ng kabundukan.
(Mga Hiyaw/Mga putok ng baril/riple/Mga
Tambol/Simbal)
(Marahan)
At dahan-dahang nagapi ang kaaway
Kahit kay lakas pa ng dalang armas
Ang dugo sa lupa, na di na rin mahupa
Ang nagbigay lakas sa kanilang diwa.
(Mabilis)
At pagsapit ng hapon
Naganap ang pag-urong
'Merikano'y tuluyang sumuko
Sa gerilyang pinuno.
May isang kahapong nagdaan
Kasaysayang di mallimutan
May kahapong di maitatanggi
Ang kahulugan ay Tagumpay ng Lahi.
(Koro)
Pulang Lupa ay tuluyan nang di napigil
At damdaming makabayan ay nagising
Nang di magpatuloy ang likong landas
Ng dayuhang mapang-api
(Solo):
Di ko na malilimutan sa 'king isip
Pulang Lupa ay hindi mawawaglit.
(Uulitin ang Koro hanggang sa "likong landas")
At sa oras na mangailangan ng
Lakas ng puso at tapang pa
Pulang Lupa'y bubuhayin ko!
Bubuhayin ko!
Bubuhayin ko!
