Ang Mabangis! . . . Kalbo nga Agila kag ang Duha ka Adlaw nga Pisu!
(By: dinggol araneta divinagracia -IlonggoNationMovement- Dec.27,2007)
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On December 27, 1898, the ferocious bald eagle swooped down to Madya-as, waited for awhile, then attacked and began the emasculation of the two-day old chick.

Thus, was the "manifest destiny" of our short-lived nationhood, the Estado Federal de Bisayas or “Ang Republika Federal sang Kabisay-an“ --at the turn of the last century.

Adding insult to injury, the new foreign invaders branded our forebears; the brave revolucionarios and fearless patriots as superstitious cultists, brigands, bandits, insurrectionists.

Maybe “Uncle Sam” was ignorant of the fact that we were an infant but already a sovereign Nation-State with a legitimate form of government a few days earlier. Or perhaps, knew but still refuse to know as the onward march of greed and modern imperialism substituted centuries of colonialism.

To entertain the negative notion, a mindset that today we cry over spilled milk over this unfortunate encounter, this travesty of history is not only absurd but sheer ignorance. The objective is not only to remind the whole world of this historical blunder, this diplomatic faux pas ---but more importantly, to instill in the minds and enshrine in the hearts of the young and future generations of Ilonggo and Visayan, a legacy of their proud and noble heritage --nipped in the bud by a socratic irony of fate. That, notwithstanding insurmountable odds, our forefathers valiantly fought with dignity against those who trampled our sacred shores.

And that we accepted defeat as a victory with a smile; knowing that once upon a time, we as a people in the Visayas, spearheaded by Ilonggos, have won our freedom in the fields of battle and formally achieved a truly legitimate independence after almost 400 years of foreign subjugation under Spanish colonial rule and made world history as the first Republic in all of Asia --the Federal Republic of the Visayas!
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The American Invasion of the Ilonggo Nation

The United States Forces Invasion of Iloilo -Feb. 11, 1899 -
(By: dinggol araneta divinagracia - IlonggoNationMovement-Feb.11, 2012) 

 
On Feb. 11, 1899, the US First Separate Brigade commanded by Brig. Gen. Marcus P. Miller, West Point Class 1858, invaded Iloilo City on Panay Island. The defenders in the first line of defense were Ilonggo forces under the command of Gen. Pablo S. Araneta; Antiqueños under Gen. Leandro Locsin Fullon and Tagalog / Batangueño expeditionary forces under Gen. Ananias Diokno.
 
While the group of Gen. Roque A. Lopez, Gen. Martin T. Delgado, Gen. Teresa Ferraris Magbanua and the other Ilonggo leaders were stationed at the outskirt of the City including Gen. Quintin D. Salas and his troops in Balantang, Jaro.
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The Semi-Weekly Gazette and Bulletin of Williamsport, Pennsylvania reports on the capture of Iloilo, issue of Feb. 14, 1899. (By Associated Press)
 
Manila, Feb. 14 -(9:35 a.m) -The United States forces under Brigadier General Miller captured Iloilo, capital of Panay and seat of the so-called government of the Visayan federation on Saturday last after a bombardment.
 
The rebels set the town on fire before evacuating it; but the American troops extinguished the flames.
 
There were no casualties on the American side........"
(Source: "Philippine-American War, 1899-1902" by Arnaldo Dumindin)
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REACTION:
 
The unwelcome vicious intrusion and uncivilized military invasion of our infant but legitimate independent sovereign nation by the ugly Americans is percieved by todays patriotic Ilonggos/Visayans in particular and many filipinos in general as a diplomatic faux pas, a historical blunder. Likewise, by other nationalities who share the Ilonggo Nation Movement (INM) Global Network's noble advocacy .
 
The above-cited 1899 news item published by Associated Press clearly manifested that Uncle Sam was fully aware that their target, Iloilo, capital of Panay was the seat of the government of the Federal Visayan nation.
 
It should be noted, that there was no formal "Declaration of War" between two conflicting sovereign nations, the USA and the Estado Federal de Bisayas (EFB). The global armed confrontation was the Spanish-American War that did not involved in any way the EFB, a seperate, distinct and independent legitimate sovereign nation. This was brought about by Spain's "formal" surrender earlier to the Visayan Federal Republic based in Iloilo.
 
On the contrary, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldos' government whose authority and jurisdiction had never truly included  territories of Central and Western Visayas under the Estado Federal de Bisayas (spearheaded by the Ilonggos), could still be considered "subject" under the Spanish crown since he never won the war against Spain.

 His opportunity was derailed by the betrayal of his erstwhile American trusted allies during the 13th of August, 1898 "Mock Battle of Manila" in Intramuros--
 
It is regretable, indeed, that Gen. Aguinaldo also decieved the Americans by making them believe his presidency covers the entire Philippine archipelago. The irony, was that the "tri-starred" banner/flag in anticipation of a Federal Philippines composed of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao were already being displayed in battle fields and was misconstrued that there was only one central government in control under Manila.
 
Moreover, Governor-General Don Diego de los Rios, the last duly constituted Spanish authority in the Philippines, failed to inform the U.S. government that he had earlier surrendered Spain's jurisdiction over  to the Estado Federal de Bisayas.
 
The said AP news item, likewise, stated that the "rebels" meaning the Ilonggo patriots defending their battle-scarred freedom and national patrimony, set the town (Iloilo) on fire before evacuating it; but the American troops extinguished the flames. The truth of the matter, Iloilo City was almost totally demolished due to continuous naval bombardment for about a week by four (4) U.S. warships anchored along Fort San Pedro near Calle Sto. Rosario.
 
Furthermore, it reported that no casualties on the Amerian side but failed to report that hundreds of civilians, including defenseless women and small children whom the U.S. soldiers called "Chinese half-breeds" were massacred when the ferocious invading U.S. forces stormed Iloilo.
We strongly detest the cruelty and savagery inflicted upon our people during that black chapter in our history that maliciously "nipped-in-the-bud" --EFB's right to a seat in the council among sovereign nations of the world.
 
However, it is heartening to note that during those trying times there were men of goodwill in the "US Anti-Imperialist League"; Andrew Carnegie, Mark Twain, William James, David Starr Jordan, Samuel Gompers, George S. Boutwell, and others that were opposed to U.S. Philippine annexation and the U.S. policy of international intervention under the guise of "Manifest Destiny".
 
Padayon ang Hublag Ilonggo! --Agorang dinggol.d~~~
(Ilonggo Nation Movement (INM) precursor of Ilonggo Nation Global Federation (INGF)

Ilonggo Nation Global Federation (INGF) Pillars; Physician-Surgeon Dennis Talisay of Negros Island and Dinggol Araneta Divinagracia of Iloilo together with Hon. Jed Patrick Mabilog- Mayor, City of Iloilo-Philippines. (Los Angeles, California)

Louie & Ann Catedrilla-Seisa with dinggol.d~~~

 Madamo gid nga salamat! to our generous host LOUIE and gracious hostess ANN CATEDRILLA-SEISA for a wonderful night to remember during the "visperas" of the Induction of Officers and Directors of the ILONGGO ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (IASC) INC. on June 11, 2016 lead by out-going Prexy FREDDIE BRAGA ABADIANO and President Elect MS. MARIBELLE ADELANTAR MONTILLA.

The instant get-together party at the home of the good -natured Ilonggo couple, successful entrepreneuers Louie and Ann, was even made more colorful with the arrival of newly re-elected Iloilo City MAYOR JED PATRICK MABILOG who graced the occassion with his songs and dancing styles.

Mayor Jed was the Inducting Officer cum Special Guest Speaker during the formal affair the next day at Knotts Berry Farm Hotel in Buena Park, Los Angeles, California.  --dinggol.d~~~

The home of the Seisa-Catedrilla family in Los Angeles, CA.

Seated (L-R): Merci Drilon-Garcia, Ann Catedrilla-Seisa, Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, Dr. Pepz Ababao, Dr. Dennis Talisay & Mimi Bayoneta-Talisay.
Standing: IASC, Inc. President-Elect Ms. Maribelle Montilla & Dinggol Araneta Divinagracia

 (Seated): IASC, Inc. President-Elect Maribelle Montilla, Merci Drilon & Gibert M. Garcia, Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, Dr. Dennis Talisay & Dinggol Araneta Divinagracia. (Standing): Carmina Garcia, Rose Balsomo-Chua, Dr. Erlyn Rodriguez-Zaragosa, Christine Ann French, ilongga guest, Mimi Bayoneta-Talisay, Ann Catedrilla-Seisa & Dr. Pepz Ababao.
And Butch Zaragosa, past IASC, Inc. President. 

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A new beginning for this Ilonggo Association of Southern California-USA under the able leadership of Ms. Maribelle Montilla. Good Luck! 

Induction: Hon. Jed Patrick (Locsin-Escalante) Mabilog, Mayor-Iloilo City, Philippines -during formal induction of Officers & Board Members of the Ilonggo Association-Southern California (IASC), Inc. (2016-18) headed by new Prexy (in red) Ms. Maribelle Montilla.
The venue was at the Knotts Berry Farm Hotel in Buena Park, CA (June 11, 2016) --dinggol.d~~~

Ilonggos at the helm (LtoR): Franz "Boboy" Lopez Jereza of Ilonggo sa America FB Group; Dinggol Araneta Divinagracia of Ilonggo Nation Movement/ Ilonggo Nation Global Federation; Leonor Delarmente-Baldonado of Ilonggo Nation Grupo (SanDiego) CA. (INGCA) and Freddie Braga Abadiano of Ilonggo Association of Southern California (IASC), Inc. celebrating Christmas 2014 in Clairemont Mesa, San Diego, California.