Cebu City, Philippines — The Abtik Pa’s Kilat music album was launched here on April 3, 2019, during the 121st anniversary celebration of the Battle of Tres de Abril.
The launching was held during the 2nd grand anniversary of the Abtik Pa’s Kilat (quicker than lightning) event at the Palm Grass The Cebu Hertiage Hotel along Junquera Street in Barangay Kalubihan.
Abtik Pa’s Kilat is an event that honors the valiant effort of Pantaleon “Leon Kilat” Villegas on April 3, 1898 against the Spaniards in Cebu in what would be known as the Battle of Tres de Abril.
Read more: Cebuanos commemorate 121st anniversary of Battle of Tres de Abril
The album, which can be bought at the Palm Grass’ Sinugatan souvenir shop for P200, features songs of love, war, and history of Cebu interpreted by local artists and produced by Palm Grass The Cebu Heritage Hotel and Tres de Abril General Services Inc.
Songs in the album include Kinasing byJoannah Sy, Kuyogi Ko by Gerlyn Abaño, Hugot pas huot by Dj Mae Dante and Asser, Paglangyaw by Joannah Sy, Batang Colon by Dj Mae Dante and Asser, Gugmang Kilat by Naomi Rosales, Alerta Katipunan by Bag’ong Teatro Junquera, Gugmang Gihandom by Gerlyn Abaño, and O, Pilipinas by Iris Aliño Fernandez and Aggressive Audio.
Prior to the launching, a talk on Cebu Freedom Fighters was shared by the National Artist for Literature Dr. Resil Mojares, the only Cebuano national artist.
In his talk, Mojares said that the uprising in Tres de Abril was the start of the anti-Spanish revolution here in Cebu.
After Mojares’ talk, excerpts from the play Abtik Pa’s Kilat was also performed by the Bag-ong Teatro Junquera, a group that consists of students formed by Palm Grass Hotel.
The students are from the University of the Visayas, University of San Carlos, University of San Jose-Recoletos, and University of Cebu.
The Abtik Pas Kilat play was performed for two days at the Fr. Albert van Gansewinkel Hall of the University of San Carlos on April 1 and 2, 2019.
It was directed by Jed Nicole Alerta. /bmjo