What is HEROISM? What makes a person a HERO?
Lest they be forgotten, as this is very important in documenting history, I would like to firmly state, without fear of extreme exaggeration, and reservation, that THE PEOPLE OF BACOLOR ARE HEROES! Has anybody mentioned that? Has anybody acknowledged that?
My Cabalen fiercely fought to save our beloved town. An old town comparable to Ancient Greece… the arts, culture, tradition, prestige; and a home of great literary men and women; respectable political leaders, courageous men and women; revolutionary heroes, ad infinitum. hence, given the title of Athens of Pampanga. I don’t need to elaborate.
It was called Seat of Arts and Culture.
It was called Villa delos Sabios (City of the Wise).
It was only natural that we wanted to protect our town, just like everybody else.
Unfortunately, Baculud WAS SACRIFICED. That’s the TRUTH! That’s a FACT! Why do other people with pea brains refuse to own to that. It hurts, wouldn’t it? I felt like a lion ready to release my rage with a monstrous roar.
But we turned to prayers. Our Creator caused this to happen, and we don’t question Him.
This is when we knew that the people of Baculud have the courage, selflessness, human and moral solidarity.
They put their lives first even at their own peril. THEY LOST EVERYTHING BUT NOT THE COMPASSION, and the STRONG SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE, THE MOST DIFFICULT SACRIFICE IN OUR LIVES!
Yes! Your towns in Pampanga still exist because VILLA DE BACOLOR saved them!
The Cabalantian Tragedy WAS OUR HEROIC MOMENT! And nobody even ever thought about that.
The old, once prestigious town, home of literary greats,of royalty, of strong political leaders, of revolutionary heroes… this town, Villa de Bacolor, will bring back its old glory.
It is still the Athens of Pampanga, and Villa de los Sabios. One cannot take a title once given.
Pluribus Unum, NON PLUS ULTRA!
*Photos from Pinatubo: Triumph of the Kapampangan Spirit
**Joy Soto-Walton is a descendant of Juan Crisostomo Soto, poet, dramatist, journalist, revolutionary hailed as the Father of Pampango Literature. She is now based in San Francisco, California.
