ILOILO City – The whole Panay Island commemorates today the 39th death anniversary of local hero Evelio Bellaflor Javier.
By virtue of Republic Act 7601, February 11 of each year is declared as a special nonworking holiday in Panay to commemorate the martyrdom of Javier. His death was one of the inspirations behind the famous EDA People Power Revolution.
Born on October 14, 1942, Javier, dubbed as the “champion of the poor”, was a lawyer, civil servant, and politician who served as governor of Antique from 1971 to 1980.
In 1986, he was killed in the plaza of San Jose de Buenavista, Antique four days after the snap elections.
In Antique, the provincial government’s Tourism & Cultural Affairs Office will lead a simple commemorative program at 8 a.m. today at Evelio B. Javier Freedom Park (EBJ) in San Jose de Buenavista in honor of the former governor.
“May gin-prepare ang provincial government nga simple program to commemorate sang iya death anniversary. Like may wreath-laying and message sa invited speaker nga magabalik tanaw sa hinimoan kag kabuhi ni Gov. Evelio Javier,” said Provincial Board member Dante Beriong in an interview with Panay News.
Public officials and employees of the provincial capitol are invited to attend the commemoration rites, Beriong said.
The Provincial Board member added that the family and friends of Javier also prepared a separate program to commemorate the local hero’s death anniversary.
“Mangin highlight sini amo ang reunion sang tanan nga members of Javier family, relatives, and friends,” he said.
Aside from the said gathering, the Javier family will hold a “Pamukaw” at 4:30 a.m., to be followed by a mass at the Mensa Domini Chapel at 6 a.m.
They will also have their own wreath-laying and blessing of the statue at the EBJ Freedom Park; wreath-laying, candle lighting, prayer, and blessing of the tomb at the San Jose Catholic Cemetery; and vigil prayer at the park.
Last year, the Antique Provincial Board members passed Resolution No. 079-2024 entitled “Resolution encouraging the manifestation of the Antiqueños’ love and respect in memory of the late Governor Evelio B. Javier on the occasion of his 38th death anniversary on February 11, 2024.”
“One of the reasons for the People Power Revolution was Javier’s assassination on February 11, 1986. He was also among the first leader/local hero to be honored at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in 1992, a monument honoring those who defied the dictatorship,” read part of the resolution.
It added: To commemorate the legacy of former Governor Evelio B. Javier, Educational Institutions, Barangays, and Local and Provincial Government Units are encouraged to place a yellow ribbon at the perimeter of their front doors, offices or fences.”
The resolution further stated that the Provincial Board recognizes Evelio B. Javier as the hero whose courageous spirit still enlivens us when confronted with threats or coercion from traditional politicians 38 years after his death.”
Gov. Javier was famous for his Kinaray-a quote, “Ang pulitika bukot burugasan, bukot paranubli-un” which roughly means “Politics is not a livelihood and inheritance.”/PN
