The Battle of Tres de Abril Series

April 10, 1898 (Easter Sunday) Part 4

The book “Ang Kagubot sa Sugbo 1898” provides a narrative of what happened on April 3, 1898 (which fell on Palm Sunday) and the following days. It was authored by Manuel Enriquez dela Calzada, it contains the articles written by veterans and witnesses of the Cebuano uprising against Spain. The entry on Holy Saturday was written by Don Elpidio Rama and Raimundo Enriquez while entry of Easter Sunday was written by Elpidio Rama and Isidoro N. Enriquez, this is the adaptation of CEBUpedia of the article written in Cebuano:

The Execution of Candido Padilla

“The bell for the acclamation, which is a part of the Eucharistic prayer rang and the singing of the “Sanctus” took place. Moments later, the sound of the solemn cornets tune was heard. When the Consecration was about to be made to the rolling beat of the drums, exactly the moment the Holy Eucharist was raised by Padre Biyo, there was burst of firearms. Padre Biyo who was raising the Holy Eucharist, took so long to put it down, took seconds to lay his gaze. The acolyte, Isidro Enriquez also, followed the gaze. This was what Padre Biyo also did to the chalice and the wine.

“After the Mass, Fr. Toribio Padilla took off his vestments, came back to the side of the altar, knelt praying long and after which he went to his quarters never to be seen by others.

“While the people of San Nicolas were grieving for the execution of Candido Padilla, their beloved capitan, the patriots of Cebu in the hills of Tabla beneath Sudlon and Bitlang were jubilant and inspired, in their belief that the revolution was not yet lost. The leaders of KKK Cebu present at the mountain headquarters were Don Luis Flores, Don Alejo Minosa, Don Elpidio Rama, and Anatalio Tabar who agreed to perform the “Jura de la Bandera” or simply called “flag ceremony.”

Luis Flores who was the President of the Provincial Revolutionary Government of Cebu issued an edict, urging the people that all take an oath of nationalism before the Philippine flag, the symbol of the Filipino nation. The edict was given to the chief of the zone for compliance. Through the powers of Chief Tabar, all his subordinates announced the call to the people of the mountains and plains without tiring, converging at the house in Tabla that was made the “Ayuntamiento Revolucionario.” (End of the series)