SITE OF LABANAN SA ALFONSO

A Historical Landmark (The Residence of Dr. and Mrs. Luis Hermoso)

Location: Barangay III: Third house on the east side from the corner of Esguerra Street southwards along Rizal Street.
Significance: Site of the original house of Tranquilino Herrera, (Capitan Municipal in the year 1900), where the LABANAN SA ALFOBNSO happened.
Manner of Transfer: It was first inherited by Spouses Eustaquio Hernais and Basilia Herrera and handed down to their only child, Angeles Hernais (President Municipal: 1922-1925; Alcalde Municipal: 1937-44; 1956-60).

Demolished after World War II due to great damage caused by aging. Many years later, a new house was built and became the property of Mr. and Mrs. Zosimo Hernais (youngest son of Angeles). Zosimo’s nephew, Dr. Luis Hermoso and his wife Dorotea, later acquired it.

The old house of KAPITAN TARANG was one of the most historical buildings in Alfonso for the following historical reasons: It was made a headquarter (Quartel General) and also as a shelter occupied by a detachment of soldiers (guardia civil) under the command of Spanish Lieutenant, called TINIENTE ALFAREZ PUGA, and SERGEANT BLAS BELAOS, well known as KABONG BALAS to Filipino soldiers serving under the Spanish Flag.

On August 31, 1896, few days after the Cry of Balintawak on Aug. 23, 1896, an order from General Mariano Trias was received by Kapitan Narciso Mojica to liquidate all the Spaniards found in the Poblacion. The Kapitan was so nervous that his hands trembled. Capitan Hipolito Rint was in the Municipal Building (Casa Real) when the order was received. He noticed that the Kapitan was alarmed, so he requested for the order and as soon as he received it, he gathered his men who armed themselves with bolos, knives, pointed sticks (sibat), clubs and axes.

They proceeded to the quartel to attack the guardia civil who were armed with short guns and who closed all the doors and windows. The first to climb the stairs was Prudencio Rolle, well known as TANDANG DICIO. While he was peeping through the keyhole, a gun burst and he was thrown unconscious. His face was blackened. This enraged the revolutionists and they broke in through the door and windows. Soon there was hand to hand fighting inside the quartel.

The casualties on the side of the revolutionists were Andres Olaso and Florentino Cosa. Matias Hermoso was wounded on the arm. On the side of the Spaniards, Sergeant Blas Belaosa and two Spanish priests, Padre Bruno, Parish priest of Mendez and Padres Agapito, Parish priests of Bailen (Now General Aguinaldo), were killed. Teniente Alfares Puga had fled earlier, for he had a premonition of the attack.

The most prominent men who figured in this battle were General Hipolito Rint, Capitan Eriberto Cetro, known as Kapitan Berto, and Prudencio Rolle (Tandang Dicio).
This incident made the followers of Hipolito Rint admire his courage. He gained more in many followers and soon he had a good standing army. They engaged in many battles against the Spansiards and were most of the time, successful.

During one of the visits of General Mariano Trias to PINAGBANDERAHAN in Kaytitingga, he asked Hipolito Rint how they were getting along. The reply was “LAGING MAINAM” (always well). Since then Barrio Kaytitingga was also called Mainam.
On the lighter side of the story, I think it is worth mentioning that after the Liberation period, the old house of Kapitan Tarang was temporarily used as a dancing venue popularly called then as “cabaret”.

Fromn the book TINGKORAW: Alfonso's History and Legend by jett e. avinante,m.d.