HISTORIC. The public plaza of the historic town of Balangiga in Eastern Samar in this photo taken on Sept. 28, 2023. The town marked on Thursday (Sept. 28, 2023) the 122nd Balangiga Encounter Day, remembering America's greatest defeat at the hands of Filipinos. (Photo courtesy Contessa Maricar Amano)
TACLOBAN CITY – The historic town of Balangiga in Eastern Samar marked on Thursday the 122nd Balangiga Encounter Day, remembering America's greatest defeat at the hands of Filipinos.
The activity started with a civic-military parade and wreath-laying ceremony at the monument of Valeriano Abanador, a local hero.
During the commemoration, Mayor Dana Flynch de Lira reminded her constituents of the struggles of the past generation to gain the freedom that the town earned today.
“The Balangiga Encounter serves as a reminder that we should never forget the struggles and sacrifices of those who came before us as they have laid the foundation for the freedom and independence we enjoy today,” de Lira said as she led the simple ceremony, attended by Department of Tourism 8 (Eastern Visayas) Director Karina Rosa Tiopes.
Tiopes, who served as the guest speaker, thanked the people of Balangiga for keeping the spirit of heroism in their town, which she said, has figured prominently in both Philippine and American history.
“This historic encounter has since turned the once quiet town of Balangiga into a national symbol of unity. The history reminds us of enduring Filipino courage,” she said during her speech.
In a video message, United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Loss Carlson extended her greeting to the town and recalled her visit to the historic municipality on Oct. 19, 2022.
“I was honored to be the first US ambassador to see the famous bells in their rightful place and to hear from your leaders about your rich history and prospects of the future. These are memories I will always treasure,” Carlson said.
The Balangiga Encounter happened on Sept. 28, 1901, when town residents led by Valeriano Abanador initiated the attack against US soldiers.
The villagers killed 54 American soldiers using bolos.
It was the biggest defeat of the foreign troops during the Philippine-American war.
However, about 2,500 Filipinos were killed by the Americans’ retaliatory attack.
The Americans took the Balangiga Bells after they turned the town into a “howling wilderness.”
After 117 years, the US government returned the bells to the country nearly two years ago.
Then President Rodrigo Duterte witnessed the repatriation ceremony held on Dec. 15, 2018, in Balangiga.
Balangiga is about 98 km. east of Tacloban City. It is a fourth-class town in Eastern Samar, with a population of 14,085. (PNA)
