ke EP RESEN

fey 2
© RECEIVED %\
DATHAR 09 202 =,
TIME am 3
BY: ay

&

OU,

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS.
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

<

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriquez

House Bill No.8948
EXPLANATORY NOTE

Before the Spaniards departed from Misamis in 1898, the people in the province
organized the new government based upon the laws and regulations of ther volutionary
government at Malolos. Provincial officials were elected and so were the officials of the various
municipalities of the province.

In 1898, the first provincial officials were elected: Hon. Jose Roa y Casas as provincial
president; Hon. Manuel Corrales as Police Adviser for peace; Pio Roa y Alcala as Judge of
First Instance and Register of Deeds; and Ramon.Neri y Abejuela as the Intemal- Revenue
Officer. The inauguration of the Philippine Republic was celebrated with great rejoicing in
Cagayan.

On January, 10, 1899, Cagayan celebrated the inauguration of the Philippine Republic.
For two days, they celebrated the glorious event with a parade accompanied by music,
speeches, and cannonades. Among the symbolical floats in the parade was that of La Libertad
de Filipinas (The Liberty of the Philippines)

On this float was one of the most beautiful women at that time, Isidra Yamono, holding
the Philippine Flag standing on the chain of slavery, symbolizing liberty. Below her, on the
tight, was a little girl, Conchita Fernandez, carrying a crown of laurel, which signified victory.
‘The boy on the left was Jose Velez, who stood for defense.

The descendants of the early Cagayan Chinese Sia Ygua, whose Casa del Chino Ygua
builtin, 1882 still stands. today in. Cagayan de Oro City, relate that the oral tale passed on to
their generation is that the parade started outside this house. The tale says that it was for that
reason, in particular. for the victory of the freedom that was being celebrated that the street
along the house was named "Callle Victoria’ (now Arch. Hayes St.). The parade stopped in
front pf the historic Casa Real, and Pedro Akut recited a patriotic poem written by town head
Toribio Chaves y Roa, which touched the hearts of his listeners entitled "Pinahanongod" or
"Dedication".


A poet and dramatist, Chaves became known in Cagayan during the years 1877-1883,
when the arts, music and poetry flourished in the town. This period was known as the ‘Golden
Age" of Cagayan de Misamis. Chaves fame as such eared him the honorific name "Capitan
Bibo".

Bautista relates that after the recitation of the Dedication, the children and the rest of
the crowd sang two hymns. Bautista says the hymn Revolucionarios Viva Filipinas was a
common rebel song of that era. The other hymn was a special hymn “composed purposely for
the celebration of the Independence Day". The preparations had begun in December. Pastells
specifically mentions that there was a blessing of the "new flag of the Republic of the
Philippines.” We also learn that the flag that was raised on January 10, 1899 was sewn by
Paz Roa y Racines and two daughters-in-law of Toribio Chaves, the sisters Agapita and
Getulea Neri, and that it was purposely sewn for the parade, according to Paz Roa's
granddaughter. (The National Historical Institute had declared, that the flag of the Aguinaldo
Revolunary government was first raised in Mindanao on December 6, 1898 in Surigao).

And as if to emphasize its coming full circle, the Celebration was done in the very
center of the original town of Cagayan which the Augustinian Recollect missionaries
established in 1624. The Casa Real de Cagayan, built by Spanish military governor Jose de
Santa Romana in 1831 and which had long been the symbol of Spanish sovereignty in this
part of the Philippines, was now in the hands of the new Philippine Republic under Emilio
Aguinaldo. (Manuscript on the Philippine Revolution in Misamis Oriental by Filomeno A.
Bautista, Sr.)

This historic event is commemorated in a historical marker installed by the National
Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) formerly known as the National Historical
Institute (NHI), in front of the Executive House (original site of the Casa Real), and in another
historical marker installed at the Hayes Street frontage of the Casa del Chino Ygua
(acknowledged as the oldest existing residence in Cagayan de Oro) which recounts how on
January 10, 1899, patriotic Kagay-anons celebrated independence. through a Fiesta
Nacional as a sign of support for the Philippine revolutionary government headed by Gen.
Emilio Aguinaldo.


According. to. heritage. activist Antonio Julian Montalvan tl, the local. townsfolk
were buoyed by an edict from Aguinaldo to hold local elections in Cagayan de Misamis in
December 1898 (which was not true for the rest of Mindanao).

Montalvan said there were two distinct traits of that historic event: The boom of
‘cannonades (celebrating freedom from Spanish colonialism) and the participation of Higaonon
indigenous peoples who came down from the hills. The Philippine Flag was raised for only the
second time in Mindanao. (Montalvan, 2002).

The float "La Libertad de Filipinas" symbolized that freedom and passed by the Casa
Real from the street that was henceforth called Victoria to signify the victory of the Philippine
Revolution. Later, Governor Jose Roa y Casas wrote to Aguinaldo and called the event the

great "Fiesta Nacional” of Cagayan de Misamis.

This occasion has never been recognized nor celebrated by the local or national
governments,

In view thereof, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested.

RUF) 5 |GUEZ


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez

House Bill No, 8948

AN ACT
DECLARING JANUARY 10 OF EVERY YEAR AS A SPECIAL WORKING HOLIDAY IN.
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY TO BE KNOWN AS CAGAYAN DE ORO FIESTA NACIONAL

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. — The tenth (10%) day of January of every year is hereby declared as the
"Cagayan de Oro Fiesta Nacional" in commemoration of the anniversary of the independence
of Cagayan de Oro from Spain.

To ensure a meaningful observance of this special working day as herein declared, all heads
of government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned and-controlled
corporations, local government units, public and private educational institutions, employers in
the private sector, and industry associations, shall encourage and afford sufficient time and
Opportunities for their students or employees to engage and participate in any activity
conducted within the premises of their schools, offices or establishments in celebration of the
"Cagayan de Oro Fiesta Nacional’.

SEC. 2, Lead Agency. — The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), in
coordination with the City Government of Cagayan de Oro City, shall be the lead agency in
charge of the preparation and implementation of an annual program of activities and advocacy
campaign for the observance of the "Cagayan de Oro Fiesta Nacional’.

SEC. 3. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes
earlier.

Approved,