Flowers were offered in honor of the fallen soldiers and fighters of the Battle of Tres De Abril. This year is the 121st anniversary of the battle that freed Cebu from Spanish rule. CDND Photo / Zena Magto
CEBU CITY — It was a ceremony that commemorated a historic and victorious uprising by the Cebuanos against the Spanish colonizers.
On April 3, 2019, or 121 years after the Battle of Tres de April happened, Cebuanos gathered in a solemn ceremony at 7:30 a.m. to lay flowers at the historical marker located on Tres De Abril Street.
The gesture was to give honor to the fallen soldiers and fighters, who fought for Cebu’s independence against the Spanish rule. Pantaleon “Leon Kilat” Villegas, with 179 Sanicolasnons or residents of San Nicolas, launched the uprising in Cebu on April 3, 1898, a Palm Sunday.
The ceremony was led by Margarita Matheu, commissioner of Cebu City’s Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission along with personnel of Barangay San Nicolas led by Barangay Captain Clifford Jude Niñal.
Members of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Veterans Federation of the Philippines were also present during the ceremony.
A Holy Mass is currently being celebrated at the covered court of Barangay Basak San Nicolas. A reenactment of the historical battle will follow after the Mass.