Remembering 19 Martyrs of Aklan

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Nineteen brave men will be honored in simple rites in Kalibo, Aklan on March 23, a special non-working holiday in the province of Aklan. 

They are collectively known as XIX Martyrs of Aklan who give their lives for freedom and democracy against the Spanish colonizers.

A Holy Mass will be celebrated at Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Kalibo, Aklan at 6 a.m. to be attended by local officials led by Kalibo mayor William Lachica and descendants of 19 Martires. 

After the mass, the local officials will offer flowers in the XIX Martyrs marker, the place and street named after them where they were imprisoned, tortured and summarily executed and at the marker of General Francisco del Castillo at the corner of S. Martelino Street and Archbishop Reyes Street.

A civic-military parade, commemorative program for the 117th martyrdom anniversary, re-enactment to remember the patriotic acts of XIX Martyrs, wreath laying of descendants, civic organizations and local officials and the 21-gun salute of the Philippine Army also highlight the celebration of the heroism and sacrifices of Aklan martyrs. 

Magdalo partylist Rep. Gary Alejano is the guest speaker of the commemorative program.

In the afternoon, a commemorative program is also celebrated at General Francisco del Castillo Memorial School in Barangay Mabilo, Kalibo, Aklan.

A shrine was built at the corner of Veterans Avenue and M. Acevedo Street to remind the local folks of the sacrifices and to tribute the legacies of General Francisco del Castillo and the 19 heroes of Aklan.

The Aklan Freedom Shrine has nineteen steps winding up the monument where the remains of XIX Martyrs were entombed.

 

To be honored are Ramon Aguirre, Tomas Briones, Domingo de la Cruz, Valeriano Dalida, Claro Delgado, Angelo Fernandez, Benito Iban, Candido Iban, Simeon Inocencio, Isidro Jimenez, Gabino Yonsal, Catalino Mangat, Lamberto Mangat, Valeriano Masinda, Maximo Mationg, Simplicio Reyes, Canuto Segovia, Gavino Sucgang and Francisco Villorente.