THE FOLLOWING was a Privilege Speech by the late historian and Iloilo Provincial Board member Demetrio “Demmy” Sonza during the Regular Session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Iloilo on October 30, 2018.
Sonza, whom the National Historical Commission of the Philippines dubbed a “Champion of Local History”, passed away on Jan. 22, 2024 at the age of 89.
He wrote numerous biographies of Panay Island personages, including Nicholas Loney, an English businessman and the British Empire’s vice-consul in the city of Iloilo who helped place Iloilo on the world map when the Philippines opened to world trade in the 19th century.
Sonza advocated for the recognition of Ilonggo heroes in the Filipinos’ struggle for independence, for education and socio-cultural development, for peace and progress.
How do you perpetuate local history and memorialize local heroes?
Creating a “historical committee” in each town could help, according to Sonza who had also served as vice governor from July 1, 1995 to June 30, 1998 and from July 1, 1998 until June 30, 2001.
The historical committee would have the specific task of researching and recording local history, including local historical figures.
Sonza lamented that Ilonggos appear oblivious of local heroes or worse, do not have any idea about them at all.
Provincial Ordinance No. 2018-185 that set October 30 of every year as Ilonggo Heroes’ Day was one of Sonza’s important legacies.
***
ILONGGO HEROES’ DAY
By Demy P. Sonza (1934-2024)
October 30, is Ilonggo Heroes’ Day, as declared by Provincial Ordinance No. 2018-185 passed by this august Body (October 2018) and approved by Gov. Arthur D. Defensor, Sr. Local government units (LGUs) and schools in the province are mandated to spearhead the celebration.
I believe that in order for the LGUs and schools to stage meaningful commemorative activities, Ilonggo heroes have to be identified and their lives and deeds be written. Resolution No. 2018-640 embodying Provincial Ordinance 2018-185, states:
“The Province of Iloilo has produced many men and women who, by their remarkable courage both in war and in peace, their great achievements, and their noble qualities, deserve to be honored as heroes.”
In light of this, we assume that there will be dozens of Ilonggo heroic men and women to be remembered and honored — starting from Graciano Lopez Jaena, who is nationally recognized, down to local heroes, who are yet unknown and unsung.
To start with, perhaps we may consider brave Ilonggos who comprised the Comite Conspirador, which initiated the movement to revolt against Spain.
The Comite Conspirador was formed in Molo in March 1898 on the initiative of Francisco Villanueva, a lawyer who, in 1896, was twice picked up by the Guardia Civil for being suspected as a rebel.
The first members of the Comite were lawyers Vicente Franco, Ramon Avanceña, Raymundo Melliza, Fernando Salas, and Francisco Soriano; physicians Pablo Araneta and Felix Salas; businessmen Venancio Concepcion, Ruperto Santiago, and Angel Corteza; and big landowners Nicholas Jalandoni, Roque Lopez, and Simon Ledesma.
Domingo Lopez Jaena, the brother of Graciano Lopez Jaena, was also a member.
The drive to enlist more members succeeded, and the Comite Conspirador was converted to become the Comite Central Revolucionario de Visayas.
Many educated and wealthy persons from the interior towns joined, notably Julio and Adriano Hernandez of Dingle, Pascual Magbanua of Pototan, Julio Buenaflor of Dumangas, and Eusebio Celeste of Calinog.
Some of the members held public offices like that of capitan municipal, juez de paz and maestro.
The capitanes municipal were Posidio Delgado of Sta. Barbara, Juan Bautista Confesor of Cabatuan, and Juan Deloso of Barotac Nuevo.
The biggest group were the jueces de paz. Their names and places of assignments were as follows:
* Ildefonso Doronila – Iloilo
* Melecio Montinola – Jaro
* Jovito Yusay – Molo
* Juan de Leon – Mandurriao
* Pedro Monteclaro – Miag-ao
* Norberto Tamonan – Tubungan
* Doroteo Girado – Guimbal
* Ramon Altura – Tigbauan
* Vicente Montero – Oton
* Martin Delgado – Sta. Barbara
* Martin Tirador – Januiay
* Cirilo Mapa – Pototan
* Pio Claveria – Dueñas
* Ramon Panes – Passi
* Carlos Cabangal – Anilao
* Mauricio Tupas – Barotac Viejo
Among the school teachers who threw their support to the revolution were: Perfecto Salas of Molo, Jose Taleon of Tigbauan, Clemente Gonzales of Jaro, Eriberto Gumban of Pavia, Leocadio Ludovico of Sta. Barbara, Felipe Perez of Cabatuan, and Estefano Muyco of Dingle.
To these names shall be added many more — names of heroes and heroines in our people’s struggle for freedom and independence, for education and socio-cultural development, for peace and progress, and in their search for beauty and truth.
The lives and works of these heroes should be brought to light through research and writing.
Ladies and gentlemen, I hope that in the years to follow, there will be fitting celebrations on Ilonggo Heroes’ Day.
We should remember well our great forebears, or how shall we expect posterity to remember us?/PN
