Moniker of Iloilo City 'badge of shame'

UPV Prof. Tomasito Talledo, beside him are Atty.
Rene Estocapio (NUPL), Hope Hervilla (BAYAN Panay)
and Fr. Canon Franz Foerster (IFI)

Statement on the 117^th Anniersary of Philippine Independence

Siegrred Deduro (former member of Lower House - Bayan Muna)
asks Iloilo City officials and tourism office to
drop the "La Muy Leal y Noble Ciudad" in
promoting Iloilo

“LA MUY LEAL Y NOBLE CIUDAD” TAG OF ILOILO CITY, BADGE OF BETRAYAL AGAINST FILIPINO NATIONHOOD – NOT SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF

“On the occasion of the 117^th celebration of Philippine Independence, it is timely to review the wisdom of promoting Iloilo City as “La Muy Leal y Noble Ciudad.” This label was once part of the official seal of the City and is included in some tourism promotion of the local government

“The book written by Augustinian Father Policarpio Hernandez titled “Iloilo, The Most Noble City: History and Development 1566-1898” narrates the circumstances of how Iloilo City won for itself the accolade “La Muy Leal y Noble Ciudad de Iloilo.”

IFI Fr. Canon Franz Foerster: nationalism is more than
mere flag waving every Indepndence Day but must
be practiced every day of out lives

“Excerpts from the book state:

When Andres Bonifacio's Katipunan launched the revolt against Spain at the outskirts of Manila on 30 August 1896, the Ilongo elite were caught by surprise. They immediately responded with protestations of outrage and affirmed their loyalty to Mother Spain. The Ilongos themselves were united int heir support of Spain during the first two years of the revolutionary period, nipping in the bud local separatist movements and evantually battling the troops of General Emilio Aguinaldo.

A few days after the cry of Balintawak, the Jaro Ayuntamiento, comprised entirely of native Ilongos convened a special session on 1 September. It condemned the Manila uprising as an unpatriotic act 'that finds no echo in the hears of the Jarenos.' Iloilo towns also condemned the Manila uprising, and the neighboring provinces of Capiz, Antique and the Negros Island followed suit. Emboldened by this outpouring of love and loyalty toward Spain, the Ilongo elite with the backing of the Spanish and foreign communities of Iloilo, initiated the organization of loyal volunteers in the region to be sent to quell the Tagalog rebellion. Five hundred native troops volunteered and an Ilongo Volunteer Battalion was formed under the cadre of mostly Spanish officers.

With enthusiam compensating for their poor military training, the Ilongo Volunteers gathered at Plaza Alfonso XII (present day Plaza Libertad) for blessing prior to their departure to Manila. A massive overflow of pro-Spanish patriotism marked the occasion that was attended in full force by local Spanish authorities and the Iloilo Ayuntamiento.

As per report of the Diario de Manila, the Ilongo Volunteers embarked on the ship Brutus as folk heroes, cheered by the people who sent them off en mass. Bishop Leandro Arrue and the city officials, led by Gov. Ricardo Monet, joined the multitude that wished the Ilongo Volunteers luck in their fight for the Mother Country.

Divided into two companies, the Volunteer Batallion arrived in Manila on 16 January 1897. It easily became one of the largest native contingents to serve the government forces against the insurgent soldiers of General Emilio Againaldo in the battlegrounds of Cavite Province. Regular financial contributions, mainly from the families of the Ilongo elite, supported the Ilongo Volunteers through their years of service. The first fund raising campaign in March 1897 generated some 1,615 pesos. Among the leading contributors were Felix de la Rama and Eugenio Lopez, as well as other urban elite families from both Iloilo and Jaro. Before this, as per the report of Diario de Manila, some 40,000 pesos had already been collected when the Ilongo Batallion embarked for Manila, 'an amount at the time that would last them for four months.”

As expected, the Ilongo Volunteers established for themselves a distinguished combat record in the battles of Cavite against Aginaldo's revolutionary forces. Once them pact of Biak-na-Bato was signed, the Battalion returned to Iloilo on April 1898. Just like their departure, their homecoming galvanized the people into public outpourings and manifestations of pro-Spanish loyalty and patriotism.

The Spanish Crown did not let the effort of the Ilongos go unheralded. Queen Maria Cristina issued a special royal decree, dated 10 March 1898, which awarded Iloilo City the perpetual title La Muy Leal y Noble Ciuded for its exemplary conduct, laudable actions against the Tagalog insurrection, and for being the first in organizing, arming and supporting the Ilongo Volunteers.

From the above-mentioned historical narrative, it is therefore anachronistic and unpatriotic to continue flaunting the label today, “La Muy Leal y Noble Ciudad” to promote Iloilo City to Filipinos and foreign tourists.

Let us awaken the nationalist views of Filipinos, especially the youth on the appropriation of history from the nationalist standpoint and not from the colonialists' perspective. Instead of propagating colonial fallacies, the government should promote the nationalist interpretation of our past.

In consonance with the spirit of nationalism, we affix our names and signatures below.

(Sgd. The signature campaign still continues.)