Aklan celebrates 19 Martyrs heroism
KALIBO, Aklan — A civic military parade and program are scheduled on March 23 to commemorate the 113th Martyrdom anniversary of General Francisco del Castillo and the 19 Martyrs of Aklan.
The civic military parade starts at 8 a.m. after a mass offering for the 19 Martyrs and Patriots of Aklan at Saint John the Baptist Cathedral and the floral offering in the shrines of national and local heroes Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Col. Pastor Martelino, Aklan Veterans Shrine and Capt. Gil Mijares and the death markers of General Francisco del Castillo at the corner of Martelino and Archbishop streets and the 19 Martyrs of Aklan along the XIX Martyrs Street.
Kalibo mayor Raymar Rebaldo, Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar, Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez, Aklan Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo and Aklan Rep. Florencio Miraflores are among the guests invited to grace the commemorative program at the Aklan Freedom Shrine.
A separate commemorative program at 7 a.m. for the four Nalooknon members of the 19 Martyrs of Aklan is set on March 22 at Nalook Elementary School and at 5:30 p.m. on March 23 at Gen. Francisco del Castillo Memorial School at Barangay Mabilo, this town.
The 19 Martyrs of Aklan, who dedicated their lives in the struggle of freedom against Spain were Roman Aguirre, Tomas Briones, Valeriano Dalida, Domingo dela Cruz, Claro Delgado, Angelo Fernandez, Benito Iban, Candido Iban, Simeon Inocencio, Isidro Jimenez, Catalino Mangat, Lamberto Mangat, Valeriano Masinda, Maximo Mationg, Simplicio Reyes, Canuto Segovia, Gavino Sucgang, Francisco Villorente and Gavino Yunsal.
March 23 of every year is a special local holiday in the whole province of Aklan by virtue of Republic Act No.7806 in commemoration of the 19 Martyrs of Aklan. (Boy Ryan B. Zabal)
