But, it’s not in commemoration for the founding anniversary of this premiere rice producing province. Rather, it’s for remembering the “First Cry of Nueva Ecija”.
It was on that fateful day, 113 years ago that the Novo Ecijano revolutionists rose against the Spanish authorities in San Isidro, Nueva Ecija then the capital of the province.
The province’s date of the founding of Nueva Ecija as a province is not yet known.
Nueva Ecija was established in 1705 by then Gov. Gen. Fausto Cruz at as an “advanced military outpost” to protect the friars then spreading Christianity. Weaned from Pampanga and named after Cruzat’s native town in Spain, the “Nueva Ecija Commandancia” extended to Palanan in Isabela and the towns of Baler, Casiguran, Binangonan and Polilio in Quezon.
In later years, the areas belonging to Isabela and Quezon provinces were removed from the jurisdiction of Nueva Ecija. The towns of Gapan (now a city), San Isidro, San Antonio, Cabiao, and Aliaga, which belonged to Pampanga province, were annexed to Nueva Ecija.
Rise in arms
On September 1, 1896, then municipal captains (gobernadorcillo) Mariano Llanera of Cabiao town and Pantaleon Valmonte of Gapan met in the former’s house to plan for the attack of the provincial headquarters and seat of government of the Spanish authorities in San Isidro town.
At that time, Spanish authorities were already in possession of a list of Novo Ecijanos who joined the “Katipunan” and had already arrested some of them. Among those in the list were Llanera and Valmonte who signed their memberships to the secret organization with their blood in 1892.
Before noon of September 2, about 400 revolutionists armed with boloes, spears, wooden clubs and a few firearms marched from Cabiao toward San Isidro, about ten kilometers away. They were led by Llanera on a horseback followed by a “musikong bumbong” (musical bamboo band).
As a disguise of their real intent, Llanera made it known that they would serenade then civil governor Leonardo Val to free their comrades who were in jail.
From the opposite side in the south, Valmonte with his men marched from the Poblacion of Gapan town, about seven kilometers from San Isidro.
It was 3:00 p m when the revolutionists clashed with the Spanish soldiers. The head of the Spanish guard was slain but his remaining soldiers took cover in other buildings and held fort.
The revolutionists freed their comrades, cleared the vaults of government money, and also took the money of the parishes and Spanish civilians deposited in the vault of the “Compaña de Tabacos”.
They also attacked the houses of the Spanish officials and businessmen. But, they suffered big losses when Valmonte along with Epifanio Ramos, lieutenant mayor of Gapan; Mamerto Natividad and Marcos Ventuz, both lawyers from San Isidro; and 60 others were killed.
Llanera’s men, who were aided by other revolutionists from Jaen, Nueva Ecija and San Miguel, Bulacan, withdrew when the Spanish soldiers were reinforced by fully armed Spanish soldiers from other places in the afternoon of Sept. 5.
Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo acknowledged the “First Cry of Nueva Ecija” as more colorful and important than the “First Cry of Balintawak”.
Nueva Ecija’s role in the 1896 revolution has been edified in the Filipino flag, it being one of the eight rays of the sun in the national symbol.
Activities for the day
In today’s celebration, the selected outstanding men and women of Nueva Ecija will be honored in ceremonies to be held at the provincial convention center in this city.
Gov. Aurelio Umali said service caravans visited the different towns and cities of this province last week to usher in the celebration. The activity was meant to bring the various provincial government services to the residents right where they are.
Street dancing that showcased the “One Town, One Product” enterprise of the 27 towns and five cities of Nueva Ecija was held, among others.
