Lessons to learn from the Battle of Tres de Abril
There were certain moments, nay days, and places in our history, when the best of our gallantry and valor are shown to all and sundry, and of which we, Filipinos of today, can truly be proud. Luzon had its Cry of Balintawak, Battle of Pugad Lawin, the Death March, the Fall of Bataan and Corregidor, and the many battles of Gat Andres Bonifacio, supremo of the Katipunan. Mindanao had the struggles of Sultan Kudarat, and Bohol had its Francisco Dagohoy, and the blood compact between Rajah Sikatuna and Miguel Lopez de Legaspi. Above all, Mactan is proud of how Lapu-Lapu ended the life of Ferdinand Magellan. The city of Cebu is truly proud of the Battle of Tres de Abril, which we commemorate today, its 121st anniversary.
The exact spot where it happened is at corner Tres de Abril Street and Vicente Rama Avenue. It took place on the third of April 1898, a Palm Sunday, where Filipinos were dressed properly to hear mass and have their palms blessed. At 3 p.m. about 200 Katipuneros led by Pantaleon Villegas a.k.a. Leon Kilat (from Bacong, Negros Oriental) moved into the site and was met by Spanish forces led by one Sgt. Royo. Looking down on the poorly-clad and poorly-armed men, who only had bolos and spears, Royo told them to go home. Leon Kilat told Royo that the Filipinos were not afraid of the Spanish guns and cannons. Royo's men fired, and while they were reloading their guns, all the Katipuneros jumped on them and started hacking the Spanish soldiers. Thirty Spaniards were killed.
On April 4, at dawn, the rebels attacked and drove the main bulk of Spaniards to Fort San Pedro where they hid for days. Reinforcements from Manila came and their warships fired at the Filipinos, forcing the rebels to withdraw toward to what is now Guadalupe. On April 7, 500 men under Gen. Tejero on board a warship opened fire at the rebels, forcing them to withdraw to San Nicolas. The truth was not known by the Filipino warriors that the Spanish regime was about to end. The famous Battle of Manila Bay earlier erupted. The attacking US forces under Admiral Dewey defeated the Spanish defenders under the command of Admiral Montojo. Spain surrendered to the Americans, leading to the signing of the Treaty of Paris where the entire Philippines was ceded by Spain to the USA and the Americans paid the Spaniards twenty million US dollars.
What lessons should we learn from this historical event? First, no people would tolerate foreign invaders and oppressors for too long. Oppression is not forever. Second, bravery is something to be proud of, although hundreds of thousands of lives were lost. Third, Filipinos are very hard to unite at a time of peace, but in times of war, the unity of the Filipinos is amazingly inevitable and spontaneous. Fourth, superior arms do not assure war victory, but superior determination and resolve will. Fifth, any movement, mission, or war needs a strong and competent leader with courage, honor, and gallantry. Sixth, there is no force stronger than the passion of angry rebels who are decided to reclaim control over their dignity and honor.