The Cry that started a revolution in this side of the country…a simple cry that sparked a rebellion against Don Quixote’s colonial forces. Manila got its Pugad Lawin (or Balintawak) and Iloilo has its own Jelucuon in the town of New Lucena in the Panay island province of Iloilo in Central Philippines.
Come every last weekend of October, the people of New Lucena celebrate freedom from the colonial oppressors as they celebrate the Cry of Jelucuon Festival, its a new and still a hardly-known festival.
Like Pugad Lawin and Balintawak, until today this event is still debatable on who’s first to declare war, Jelucuon or Santa Barbara? But either way, they both celebrate the struggle and the revolution of the Ilonggos towards freedom against the colonizers.
With colourful costumes of the 19th Century Ilonggos, bamboo poles and interpretative highly-choreographed drama, it tells the story on how the event started with the search for two carabaos (water buffalos) that lead to the uprising.
The usual 8-10 minute presentation has a potent of nationalism in its moves, the drama that was over a century ago. I had my goosebumps upon seeing the performance of the students, with emotions that they feel with their play, living up to the valor of their ancestors. New Lucenanhons dedicate this day for the joy that freedom gave to the Filipinos.
How to get there:
New Lucena is a 45 minute commute via jeepney from Ungka Iloilo Central Line Jeepney terminal in Jaro District of Iloilo City. Jeepneys leave as they fill up the vehicle or it depends on the schedule, usually 15-30 minute intervals for the whole day.
For more information, please call or send an SMS to the Iloilo Provincial Tourism Officer at +63(929)3127723.
For more pictures, click here.
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