Monday, March 23, 2015

Aklan pays tribute to 19 Martyrs

Posted March 23, 2015
Written by Bert Dalida

The province of Aklan is now commemorating the 118th year of heroism of the 19 Katipuneros of Aklan.

Highlights of the celebration are the wreath-laying ceremony at the Aklan Freedom Shrine and a commemorative program to remember the patriotic acts and timeless legacies of the Aklan martyrs.

The Congress enacted March 23 of every year as a special non-working holiday in the whole province of Aklan by virtue of Republic Act No. 7806.

The Aklan Freedom Shrine, one of the landmarks in the capital town of Kalibo, is topped by the statue of the gallant General Francisco del Castillo riding in his horse.

Meanwhile, Mayor William Lachica said in his message: “a commemoration will still continue to remember the heroism of the 19 Katipuneros of Aklan.”

The historic event is jointly organized by the municipal government of Kalibo, the provincial government of Aklan, the Aklan Congressional Office and the Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-Atihan Foundation, Inc. (Kasafi).

Historical accounts showed that the first Katipunan movement outside Luzon was organized in Aklan and fought the Spaniards during the 1896 Revolution.

As narrated by historians, many Katipuneros were captured after General del Castillo’s death, until only 19 were left. On March 23, 1897, they were executed.

Translated by Gloria Villas

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