Great bluff, true courage: Negros honors its heroes

BACOLOD CITY — The cannons roared, wooden rifles were raised, and “revolutionaries” marched through the streets of Bago City, bringing to life a daring episode in Negros Occidental’s history when an army armed with little more than bamboo cannons and wooden guns fooled Spanish forces into surrendering.

The spectacle unfolded on Thursday (Nov. 5) during the annual Sigabong Sang Mga Kanyon Festival, one of the highlights of Cinco de Noviembre, which commemorates the province’s bloodless uprising against Spanish colonial rule in 1898.

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On Nov. 5, 1898, Negrense revolutionaries led by Gen. Aniceto Lacson from the north and Gen. Juan Araneta from the south staged what would become known as the “great bluff.”

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Armed with imitation rifles and makeshift cannons, they convinced Spanish troops in Bacolod that they were facing a formidable force, forcing their surrender without a major battle.

Believing the revolutionary forces were heavily armed, Sanish governor, Col. Isidro de Castro signed the Act of Capitulation, effectively ending Spanish rule in Negros Occidental.

On Thursday’s commemoration, Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said while history is replete with stories of wars, losses, and victories, it is rare to hear of bloodless uprisings won by revolutionaries carrying fake rifles carved from wood and cannons made of bamboo mats.

The patriotism, bravery, and courage shown by Gen. Juan Araneta, Gen. Aniceto Lacson, and the thousands of Negrenses who fought for freedom on that fateful day represent a story that is uniquely Negrense, he said.

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Nov. 5 is observed as a special non-working holiday across the province pursuant to Republic Act No. 6709, which was signed by President Corazon Aquino in 1989.

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Beyond commemorating historical leaders, the annual celebration serves to recognize modern-day heroes who actively contribute to improving lives across the community.

Outstanding Negrenses

During ceremonies at the Capitol’s Social Hall in Bacolod City on Thursday afteroon, two artists were recognized as Outstanding Negrenses alongside the province’s top real property taxpayers for 2025.

National Artist for Visual Arts Nunelucio Alvarado and the late National Artist for Theater Teodoro “Teddy” Hilado (awarded posthumously) were honored for uplifting lives through culture and the arts.

Both were named National Artists for 2025 by President Marcos Jr. under Proclamation No. 1414, signed on Sept. 1, 2026.

Alvarado, 76, a native of Barangay Fabrica, Sagay City, is celebrated for his social realist paintings depicting the struggles of seasonal sugarcane workers (sakadas) and marginalized communities.

Though he never fought on a physical battlefield, Alvarado has used his art to confront labor issues, poverty, inequality, and human dignity to raise social consciousness and encourage change.

In Sagay, his influence extends directly into the community, as he transformed the black-sand coastline of Margaha Beach where he lives into an open gallery and creative gathering place by painting houses, streets, and tricycles to drive community-based tourism.

Alvarado, who is currently living with dementia, was represented at the ceremony by his wife, Rosalia.

Silay City native Teodoro “Teddy” Hilado was honored as the “Father of theater lighting design in the Philippines.”

Hilado served as technical director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and theater director of the Folk Arts Theater, shaping generations of technical theater practitioners before his passing on Dec. 23, 2015, at age 77

Economic progress

Lacson said the top taxpayers were also honored for driving the province’s economic progress and supporting public services.

The individual taxpayer honorees included Jose Ramon Gil E. Suatengco (Pulupandan, Moises Padilla), Rafael Abello (Isabela, Moises Padilla), Carmen D. Angodung and Ruperto Angodung Jr. (Hinigaran), Ma. Socorro Yulo Tuvilla (Hinigaran, Binalbagan), Maja Grande Arroyo (La Castellana), Ma. Luisa O. Cojuangco (Pontevedra), Peter Bilbao Garcia (Hinoba-an), Dr. Ismael and Amparo Rienoso (E.B. Magalona), Maria Teresa Fermin Cuenca (E.B. Magalona), and Nicolas R. Kramer (Isabela).

In the corporate category, renewable energy firms led the rankings, with Aboitiz Solar Power Inc. in Calatrava and Negros Island Solar Power Inc. in Manapla securing the top two spots.

Rounding out the top corporate taxpayers were Binalbagan-Isabela Sugar Company (BISCOM) in Binalbagan, Globe Telecom, Inc. across Negros Occidental, Calatrava Sugar Alliance Inc., Tanduay Distillers, Inc. in Murcia, Victorias Milling Co., Inc. in Manapla, Jocelyn Forge Inc. in E.B. Magalona, Jobeco Agro-Industrial Corporation in Manapla, and Asian Alcohol Corporation in Pulupandan.

In his address during the 128th Cinco de Noviembre rites, Vice Gov. Jose Benito Alonso urged Negrenses to honor their ancestors’ legacy by confronting contemporary challenges through unity and public service.

Alonso recalled how the people of Negros peacefully overthrew colonial rule through strategy and conviction to establish the short-lived Cantonal Republic of Negros, demonstrating the resourcefulness inherent in the Negrense character.

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He noted that today’s battles have shifted toward fighting poverty, inequality, unemployment, and climate change, reminding attendees that the greatest tribute to past heroes is continuing their work to build a province where freedom is meaningful, justice is accessible, opportunities are shared, and no Negrosanon is left behind. INQ