Iloilo showcases role in Philippine independence in Freedom Day parade
By Tara Yap
ILOILO CITY – The role of Iloilo in the road to Philippine independence against colonial Spain was showcased in Manila on Wednesday, June 12.
THE Cry of Santa Barbara of Santa Barbara, Iloilo is performed during the Parada ng Kalayaan (Freedom Day parade) on Wednesday, June 12, at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila. (Screen grab from PTV)
Gov. Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr. and Vice Gov. Christine “Tingting” Garin led the delegation of the Iloilo provincial government in the Parada ng Kalayaan (Freedom Day parade) as part of the 126th Independence Day celebration.
The Iloilo float depicted the Cry of Santa Barbara, the pivotal moment when Ilonggos finally took arms against the colonialists despite having defended the Spaniards during the onset of the 1896 revolution.
It was in Santa Barbara town where Gen. Martin Delgado, the Ilonggo revolutionary leader who later became the first Filipino governor of Iloilo, proclaimed the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Visayas on November 18, 1898.
The occasion was also believed to be the first time the Philippine flag was raised outside of Luzon although there were also accounts that neighboring New Lucena town also had its own movement.
Also present were Mayor Dennis Superficial of Santa Barbara, Rep. James “Jojo” Ang Jr. of Uswag Ilonggo party-list, and department heads of the Iloilo provincial government.