The Battle of Tres de Abril (Part 4)

This is CEBUpedia’s abridged translation of the tenth story of the book “Ang Kagubot sa Sugbo 1898” or the “Cebu’s Revolt of 1898” written by Manuel Enriquez dela Calzada. The story is a co-authored by Don Gregorio Padilla, Don Elpidio Rama, Don Alejandro Villona, Don Nicanor Avila, Don Hipolito Labra, and Don Raimundo Enriquez de Bracamonte (father of the author):

“Don Luis also arrived at the house of Dona Paulina Padilla, summoned the members. However the women came and in front of the crowd, Leon said: At 3:00 in the afternoon, we will revolt. The women were persuaded not to join. All were assembled inside the house by Don Leon and prayed the Rosary, led by the former, loud and clear were the words of Leon and finished it up to the litany.

“The prayer was finished. The women could not stop their emotions, tears fell, there was even one who collapsed of which was scolded by Kilat. Don Leon was not amused by what the women did as it may cause their defeat. It is at this time that the group of the Guardia Civil passed by proceeding to Talisay. So that the wailing of the women could be stopped Kilat angrily said: If you will not stop I will jump over the group of the civils. Then attempted to jump from the window. Then the women stopped wailing.

“Leon rode in the horse drawn carriage of Titoy Saceda going to Labangon.

“While the horse was running on the road, Kilat was standing on the carriage shouting at the houses that they passed by: called the names of the residents of the house, somewhat inviting, calling all the men, reminding them of the agreed plan, awakening the promise, with this words: Eping, Indong, Iboy, Otik, be alert we will revolt this afternoon. The man who heard comes out of the window and asked, What time Sir? Leon answered 3:00 in the afternoon we will meet at the sugar refinery of Paulino, now let us go, do not delay. Those were the words spoken by the one from Bakong (Leon Kilat was from Bacong, Negros Oriental) who was plying up to Calle Rosalia (now Carlock (named after Judge Lyman Carlock), passing the Paseo de Labangon (Tres de Abril) then to Tisa, turning to Punta Princesa, down to Basak then came back to the house of Lionday and had lunch.”

“The men who heard the invitation of Kilat, immediately wore their outfits, without informing their wives, no bidding goodbyes to their parents, picking up any weapons, briskly running, like puppies being summoned, so that it will not be the last to the place of which the ending is unknown.” (To be continued)