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I know it's late by at least two hours, but June 30 is Philippine Spanish Friendship Day!
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Naga City celebrates Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day
NAGA CITY, July 1 (PIA) – Reinforcing the relationship between two nations that share hi
Naga City celebrates Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day
Philippine Information Agency
01 Jul 2019, 16:38 GMT+10
NAGA CITY, July 1 (PIA) - Reinforcing the relationship between two nations that share history, values and culture, the city government of Naga thru the Nueva Caceres Heritage Movement, Inc. (NCHMI) spearheaded the celebration of the 2019 Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day in the city, Sunday, June 30.
This year's theme: Formentar y Desarollar -"Hispanic Initiatives and Contributions to Kabikolan's Development," the one-day activity featured a series of events staged by NCHMI together with Sumaro Bikolnon, Centro Naga Business Club, Phil Wiki and Kintab Artist Group.
The event started with the unveiling of the Historical Marker at the RAD Building located at Panganiban Drive, corner Blumentritt Street in the morning. A historical was unveiled on the arch which stands within the perimeter of the said building which once stood the historic mansion of Don Mariano Abella, a member of the Propaganda movement and Provincial Governor during the early years of the American Regime.
This site is part of the township referred to in early Spanish documents as Pueblocillo de Naga, one of the two affluent settlements founded by the Spaniards upon their arrival in the Bicol River District.
At 4:00 PM, guests and visitors witnessed the opening of the KATOOD Art Exhibit featuring different Bicolano Artists at the Avenue Square, along Magsaysay Avenue. This was followed by Tertulia y Historia - Dinner and Historical Lecture by Dr. Danilo Madrid Gerona, with cultural performances at 6:00 PM at the Avenue Plaza Hotel.
Gerona's lecture dwell on the Spanish colonial investments and their impact on Kabikolan's Regional Economy from 1572-1898.
The celebration is pursuant to Republic Act 9187 (2003) declaring June 30 of every year as Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day to commemorate the cultural and historical ties, friendship and cooperation between the Philippines and Spain.
June 30 is also the day when President Emilio Aguinaldo commended the besieged Spanish soldiers in the Church of Baler for their loyalty and gallantry. Their act of benevolence has paved the way in bridging better relations between Philippines and Spain.
The City Government of Naga has strongly endorsed this historic celebration with the issuance of its City Council Resolution No. 2014-121 for its citywide implementation.
For Leo Paulo Imperial, President of NCHMI, the memories of three centuries of Spanish colonization have left indelible imprints in political, social, economic, and religious lives of the people of Naga, hence these circumstances make the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day more meaningful in Naga City. (JRM-PIA5/Camarines Sur)
Stronger ties between PH and Spain cited
BALER, Aurora -- The 17th Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day was celebrated here on Sunday on a high note with the relations between the two countries seen to become more dynamic and vibrant in the coming years. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana was guest of honor during the commemoration...
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Stronger ties between PH and Spain cited
By Jason De Asis June 30, 2019, 6:43 pm
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PH-SPANISH FRIENDSHIP DAY. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana delivers his message during the commemoration of the 120th anniversary of the siege of Baler and 17th Philippine Spanish Friendship Day held in Baler, Aurora on Sunday (June 30, 2019). Lorenzana cited the strong ties between the countries, which started more than a hundred years ago. (Photo by Jason de Asis)
BALER, Aurora -- The 17th Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day was celebrated here on Sunday on a high note with the relations between the two countries seen to become more dynamic and vibrant in the coming years.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana was guest of honor during the commemoration of the 120th anniversary of the siege of Baler and the 17th Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day in this capital town of Aurora.
Lorenzana said the old ties of the two countries, which started more than a hundred years ago, remain strong and deeper as manifested with the collaborations in some areas of development.
Lorenzana said the Spanish government has been generous to the Philippines through various project grants and official development assistance (ODA).
He particularly cited the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) report indicating the Philippines has already received a total of USD14.43 billion in terms of ODA and USD10.99 million project grants from Spain, as of December 2017.
Lorenzana also noted the defense logistics cooperation between the Philippines and Spain which was signed in 1996.
In 2016, he said the Spanish aircraft manufacturer Airbus Defense and Space completed the delivery of the three units of airbus C295 medium lift aircraft worth PHP5.39 billion, which are now being used by the Philippine Air Force (PAF)
Recently, the Defense Secretary said one unit of command and control fixed wing turboprop aircraft for the PAF worth PHP1.8 billion was likewise delivered.
With the anticipated finalization of the memorandum of understanding on logistics, defense materiel, armaments and defense industry cooperation this September 2019, Lorenzana said he is confident on a stronger and more dynamic partnership with Spain in the years ahead.
“With confidence, I can say that both countries are up to the challenge of sustaining our mutual respect, and further nurturing an amicable and an enabling relationship, it is fitting that we take this history as inspiration to be each other’s support and strength,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lorenzana asked the people of Baler to strive in keeping the epic story of Baler siege ever alive, and its valuable lessons cherished.
“May the Baler epic about the love for country of both Filipino revolutionary heroes and Spanish soldiers live forever. And may our grandchildren likewise learn from this historical treasure about the touching triumph of humanity,” he added.
Senator Sonny Angara also noted the investments from Spain to the country.
“More opportunities for growth and progress on both countries relations continue. Baler became a legend of its own history for being one of the most epic war tales in the country, the bilateral trade on the two countries continue to expand,” he said.
“Our relations to the Spain continue to deepen.We have final assistance, millions of dollars of assistance from the Spanish government for Marawi, for recovery, among others,” Angara added.
With the theme Amistad Dudadera (Lasting Friendship), the event was also attended by Ambassador of Spain to the Philippines Jorge Moragas, Lawyer Michael Ong-Senior Deputy Executive Secretary from the Office of President, National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) chairman Rene Escalante; NHCP acting executive director Ludovico Badoy; Vice Governor Rommel Rico Angara; and Baler Mayor Nelianto Bihasa.
Other attendees include Philippine Army 7th Infantry Division chief Major General Lenard Agustin, Aurora Police Provincial Office provincial director Colonel Cosme Abrenica, Army’s 703rd Brigade Brigadier General Roel Tolentino, Army,1st Infantry “Sinagtala “Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Jose Mari Torrenueva, members of the diplomatic corps, local officials, students, and residents here. (PNA)
Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day | Presidential Museum and Library
Today, June 30, we celebrate Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day, which coincides with the anniversary of the Siege of Baler—a lengthy military operation of Filipino forces against the final holdout of Spanish troops in the Philippines who were garrisoned in the church of Baler, now the capital of the province of Aurora. It ended with Spanish capitulation. President Emilio Aguinaldo granted the survivors safe passage to Manila, en route to their return to Spain, as a tribute to the loyalty and gallantry they had displayed. This act of chivalry and military honor would later form the basis for the promulgation of Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day, by virtue of Republic Act. No. 9187, s. 2002.
As its contribution to the commemoration, the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office (PCDSPO) is featuring an account of the Siege of Baler by Spanish Captain Don Saturnino Martin Cerezo titled “Under the Red and Gold,” on the Presidential Museum and Library website. Cerezo’s chronicle is a story of the valor of Filipinos and Spaniards alike in the 11-month siege toward the close of the Spanish-American War.
[READ: Filipino recipients of Spanish Decorations]
[READ: Spanish recipients of Filipino Decorations]
[VIEW: Philippines – Spain Diplomatic Relations Photo Gallery]
THE SIEGE OF BALER
This modern sketch of the plaza surrounding the church reconstructs the area as it looked during the siege.
[All blockquotes have been excerpted from Under the Red and Gold: Being Notes and Recollections of the Siege of Baler, by Captain Don Saturnino Martin Cerezo.]
From June 27, 1898 to June 2, 1899, 53 Spanish soldiers and four officers, under the command of Captain Enrique de las Morenas y Fossi, garrisoned themselves in Baler Church as Filipino troops under Teodorico Luna Novicio began their attack. The Spanish flag was installed at the highest point of the bell tower, which had already been fortified. The Spaniards also dug trenches and boarded up the church windows as additional defense.
It was the will of God that the date of June 30, 1898, should be signalized with blood. Up to that time we had to record only menaces, presages, and fears, disheartening treachery and mocking villainy; but that morning the cloud closed in on us, and (I say it without boasting) with the relief of a sensation desired, yet feared. The cloud closed down and we breathed it in with relief.
I had gone out on the daily reconnaissance with only fourteen men, the same number as former days. All was silence. We were marching with the ordinary precautions, but without noticing anything that could cause us uneasiness; when, on reaching the Bridge of Spain, on the west of the town, suddenly the enemy, posted along the stream which flows under the bridge, began a heavy fire and at once rushed upon us, attempting to surround us.
Comprehending their design, there was nothing we could do but fall back upon the church. It was necessary for us to get to shelter in all haste, and we accomplished it with some difficulty, carrying with us Corporal Jesus Garcia Quijano, who was wounded severely in the foot.
It had fallen to my lot to reply to the first shots, and I was to reply to the last.
We were besieged.
Captain Enrique de las Morenas
The Filipino troops, for their part, also dug trenches to prevent the Spaniards from replenishing their supplies. They opened fire on July 3; however, the distance limited their ability to effect much damage. On July 19, they joined forces with the troops of Colonel Calixto Villacorta. Despite several offensive attempts, the Filipinos were unable to penetrate the walls. Their attempts to parley with the Spaniards and come to a truce did not go far. They also engaged in psychological warfare, such as making loud noises to create the impression that larger forces were approaching, to diminish Spanish morale; but even learning of the news that Manila had been surrendered to the Americans did nothing to sway the resolve of the Spaniards to continue their defense of the church.
We could not conceive that our dominion could be so easily lost. We were unable to admit even the possibility of a fall so rapid and so astounding as that.
Upon the death of Captain de las Morenas on November 22, 1898, Lieutenant Don Saturnino Martin Cerezo was left in command.
It was now the one hundred and forty-fifth day of the siege. There remained under my command thirty-five privates, a trumpeter, and three corporals, almost all of them ill. To care for these sick men, I had only one doctor and one Hospital Corps man… This was all very little, considering the progress of the epidemic, the fatigues of the siege, and the remoteness of any possible relief. But we still had enough ammunition, a flag to defend while there was a cartridge left, and a sacred depository, that of the remains of our dead comrades, to guard against profanation by the enemy. It was possible for us to resist, and we resisted.
Lieutenant Don Saturnino Martin Cerezo
On June 2, 1899, after nearly 11 months—and after having suffered through near-starvation and bouts of beriberi, scurvy, and dysentery—the last Spanish holdouts in the Philippines surrendered. The terms of their capitulation included a provision that specified that they were not to be taken as prisoners of war. Representing the Filipinos were Lieutenant Colonel Simon Tecson, Captain Nemesio Bartolome, and Captain Francisco Ponce, while the Spaniards were represented by Lieutenant Cerezo and Dr. Rogelio Vigil.
When the detachment finally surrendered, they received chivalrous treatment from Filipino forces, and were placed under the protection of President Aguinaldo, who had issued a decree guaranteeing their safe conduct. The manner in which the surrender took place earned the Spanish forces the distinction of being called “Los últimos de Filipinas.”
… worthy of admiration of the world for the valor, constancy, and heroism with which that handful of men, cut off and without hope of any aid, has defended their flag for the space of a year, realizing an epic so glorious and so worthy of the legendary valor of the Cid.
“Los ultimos de Filipinas”
Thus terminated the Siege of the Church of Baler, on the three hundred and thirty-seventh day from its beginning when we now had nothing edible to put in our mouths, nor was it humanly possible to sustain it a single day longer.
SOURCES:
- Cerezo, Captain Don Saturnino Martin. Under the Red and Gold: Being Notes and Recollections of the Siege of Baler. Kansas: Franklin Hudson Publishing Co., 1909.
- Dumindin, Arnaldo. Philippine-American War, 1899-1902. http://philippineamericanwar.webs.com.
- Madrid, Carlos. Flames over Baler: The Story of the Siege of Baler, Reconstructed from Original Documentary Sources. Quezon City: The University of the Philippines Press, 2012.
