THE ARANETAS IN THE PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION

Like their ancestors before them, the Aranetas showed their heroism during the Philippine Revolution. General Juan Anaclecto Araneta, Pablo Soriano Araneta, Gregorio Soriano Araneta, Marciano Soriano Araneta and Jose Soriano Araneta, exemplified the meaning of honor and valor fighting the Spanish tyranny in the Philippines. Their revolutionary actions were supported by Felix Araneta y Militante, Agaton M. Araneta, Ceferina Araneta de Esteban, Eusebio Araneta, Casimiro Araneta, Faustino Araneta and many other family members. They bore within their hearts the family legacy of nationalism and pride. Indeed, the Aranetas proved their nobility, with its roots traced to their Basque ancestors, could never be erased by distance and time.

According to the Philippine Insurgents' Records of the National Library, sub-titled, "Las Familias Insurrectos del Pueblo de Molo", the Araneta family actively participated in the Philippine Revolution against Spain in 1896 - 1898. Don Felix Araneta y Militante, an influential supporter of the revolutionary movement in Iloilo, his brother Agaton M. Araneta, and sister Ceferina Araneta de Esteban, were all listed in the said Las Familias Insurrectos del Pueblo de Molo. While some members of the family were involved in the covert operations of the revolutionary movement, others distinguished themselves in the field of battles.

On August 28, 1898, Pablo Araneta y Soriano a General of the Panay Revolutionary Forces, together with General Martin Delgado, encountered several fierce battles in San Miguel, Pavia and in the outskirt of Jaro, more notably the battle of Oton to Arevalo. Along with General Angel Corteza and General Leandro Fullon of Antique, who fired the first shot, they crushed the Spanish Garrisons. His brother, Jose Araneta y Soriano, was a "Capitan" assigned to the revolutionary headquarters in Pavia, also fought in the battle of Tacas, Balangtan in Jaro. The Aranetas of Anilao, headed by Eusebio Araneta, with Casimiro, Emilio, Mariano, and Faustino Araneta, also actively fought the Spaniards. Emboldened by their success, the Ilongos formed a revolutionary government from which evolved the Republic of the Visayas in early December. Their main objective was to drive the Spaniards out of Panay province.

In La Carlota, Negros Occidental, Marciano Araneta y Soriano, with his younger brother Anastacio Araneta y Soriano, led the revolutionary forces that fought and captured the General Headquarters of the Spanish Garrison in Mangkas, presently known as La Carlota. Anastacio, who fought valiantly for the freedom of his country, was shot and killed during the battle by the remnants of the "guardia civil". Marciano Araneta y Soriano became a founding member of the Cantonal Government of the Independent Federal Republic of Negros.
Gregorio Araneta y Soriano, another brother, was a member of the National Assembly representing the province of Iloilo. He advocated reforms for the welfare of the Filipino people. On the fourteenth of September 1898, he was appointed by General Emilio Aguinaldo as the first Secretary General and a delegate to the Malolos Republic. Gregorio Araneta was also a member of the committee to draft the Constitution. He was the youngest Secretary of Justice of the Philippine Republic, circa September 26, 1898.

Juan Anacleto Araneta y Torres, an illustrious and influential resident of Bago, Negros Occidental and Aniceto Lacson, were both designated Commanding General of the Negros Revolutionary Federal Republic.The Negrense revolutionaries agreed that the revolt would begin on November 3, 1898. It was to be led by Aniceto Lacson with Nicloas Golez of Silay City as deputy commander. South of Bacolod City, the revolt would be led by Juan Araneta of Bago City, with Rafael Ramos of Himamaylan as deputy commander. On November 5, 1898, a messenger from Talisay brought news that the revolutionaries and the cazadores were already engaged in skirmishes.
Governor of the province, Isidro de Castro, sent a force of 25 [i]cazadores and 16 civil guards to engage a swarm of rebels seen camping near the Matab-ang River. After a brief skirmish, they withdrew, leaving two of their number dead. The Governor decided to make a stand in the Bacolod Convent (presently the Bishop's Palace), where hundreds of Spanish families had taken refuge. They waited for the attack, but it did not come. In the morning, of November 6, the rebels advanced upon Bacolod. Lacson and Golez approached from the north, crossing the Mandalagan River. Araneta with a thousand bolo-men took positions at the Lupit River in the south-east of Bacolod. In case they contact with each other, the password was utod (brother) in Hiligaynon. The wily revolutionaries augmented their lightly-armed men with "cannon" made of bamboo and rolled amakan, and "rifles" carved out of wood and coconut fronds. The bluff worked; Governor Castro was persuaded that it was useless to defend the capital.

Jose Luis de Luzuriaga, a rich businessman who was deemed acceptable to both rebels and Spanish authorities was sent to mediate. At noon, a delegation from each of the major belligerents met at the house of Luzuriaga. The rebel delegation included Lacson, Araneta, Golez, Locsin, Simon Lizares, Julio Diaz and Jose Montilla. In an hour, it was agreed by both sides that "Spanish troops both European and native surrendered the town and its defenses uncondionally, turning over arms and communication" and the "public funds would be turned over to the new government".

November 6. 1898, therefore, is the day that the revolution in Negros triumphed. Araneta and his men raised the Philippine flag for the first time and a cantonal form of government was established in Bacolod with General Aniceto Lacson as President and General Juan Anacleto Araneta as Secretary of War.

The Federal Republic of the Visayas and the Independent Federal Republic of Negros, (which were greatly influenced by the Araneta family), and the well-established Malolos Republic fizzled-out and ultimately decided to unite for a common cause which eventually paved the way for the birth of the first Philippine Republic.

The last page of the [i]Acta de Capitulacion (Surrender Document).