Young Cebuanos must emulate the patriotism displayed by revolutionaries in the Battle of Tres de Abril, as this city commemorates the 125th anniversary of the uprising, Mayor Michael Rama said on Monday.

“Are there still people who are willing to die for the country? I doubt, I really doubt. Why because of the captivity of the material possession. This celebration should only become significant that one day, we will have our time to die for our country,” Rama said in his speech.

The Katipuneros (revolutionaries), led by Pantaleon “Leon Kilat” Villegas, fought against foreign subjugation on April 3, 1898, a month after the revolt of Cebu against the Spaniards began.

In the Battle of Tres de Abril, the revolutionaries drove the governor and his volunteers into the waterfront and held Fort San Pedro to a siege as they took control of Cebu City for three days until the Spanish armada arrived from Manila and forced the fighters back to San Nicolas.

On April 8, 1898, Villegas was killed in Carcar shortly after the fighters retreated from the fight but other revolutionaries like Arcadio Maxilom managed to conquer other areas like Balamban and Toledo.

Rama has ordered the creation of Task Force Tres De Abril which will work for the beautification of Tres de Abril Street in Barangay San Nicolas.

The task force is also tasked with the improvement of some historical markers and sites, such as the Calamba Roman Catholic Cemetery, one of Cebu’s oldest burial sites, and the restoration of the Patio de San Nicolas right in front of mainland Cebu’s first parish church.

Along with the developers and local officials, Msgr. Rogelio Fuentes, the parish priest of the Archdiocesan Shrine of San Nicolas de Tolentino, was also tapped for the restoration efforts. (PNA)