General Simeon Ola Shrine and Museo de Guinobatan
Located in Guinobatan, Albay
Gen. Simeon Arboleda Ola is Albay's revolutionary leader and hero of Philippine Revolution. He is the last Filipino General to surrender to the American forces in 1903. His remains are said to be laid in the shrine built in his honor for his gallantry and heroism. Furthermore, the Museo de Guinobatan houses memorabilias, artifacts and other collections from Gen. Ola and his comrades.
SHRINE
MEMORABILIAS
Bust
Saber and Tambuli
Saber and Tambuli of Gen. Ola was turned over to the Municipal Government of Guinobatan by the Office of Americans Affairs. These artifacts were donated to the Philippine government through a diplomatic pouch by Mr. Grafton Cook, an American businessman of Dowagaic, Michigan, USA who brought the artifacts from the collection of Gen. Bandhotz and displayed them at Museo de Guinobatan/ Ola Museum.
Soldier’s stuff
Old letters, photographs and newspaper clippings related to Gen. Ola
Grafton Cook
He is an American businessman of Dowagaic Michigan, USA, who brought the artifacts from the collection of Gen. Bandholtz, and donated them to the Philippine Government through a diplomatic pouch.
Letter. I am not sure what it meant. I asked Dad if he could ask someone from there about this but unfortunately, the people there do not know what this letter was all about. Dad assumed it was a letter probably written to Rizal since there is a note in pencil that mentioned him?
HISTORY IN ART
Battle of Binogsacan
Gen. Simeon Ola and Col. Engracio Orense's troops were strategically positioned at Barrio Binogsacan. The troop was to delay the entry of the American soldiers from Northern sector of Poblacion. Ola and Orense fought furiously against Col. Dor's forces in Binogsacan and in Omnipus. The troops of Gen. Pua fought the American invader from the south.
The Macheteros
The Bolo Batallion (Macheteros) was formed under the Captain Jose Arboleda and his brother. This group was composed of almost two hundred strong and brave men who used only Bolos and Bamboo Spheres against the Americans.
The Carts
The Americans thus imposed a strict inspection of Carts transporting Hemp (Abaca Fiber) which they suspected were being used for smuggling provision to insurrectors.
The Burning of Colegio de San Buenaventura de Guinobatan
To keep the American from making the town, their headquarters and deprived them lodging, the Bugles Captain Mesias Pimentel was ordered by General Jose Ignacio Pawa to burn Colegio de San Buenaventura. Burning the Franciscan college in February 24, 1900. Issue of the Pro-American weekly, "Libertas" confirmed this story as it reported that the church and college were consumed by fire upon his arrival to the town. Former Captain Municipal, Cerilo Jaucian attempted to resist the plan with 800 men. But in the presence of General Pawa's Formudable Army, resistance was futile and thus a rumor circulated that Jaucian was killedor imprisoned by Pawa. He was not in Guinobatan when the Americans arrived.
OTHER ARTWORKS EXHIBITED
Ps. all photos were taken by Dad while he was working and running errands in Guinobatan.
I really which the local governent of Ginoubatan will invest in preserving these artifacts and the museum that houses them. I think that one of the things that we lack here in Bicol are museums. I think we have few but mostly are not maintained. Also, it would be better if they have cultural workers, curators and tour guides who could help in not just promoting the local culture, heritage and history but also help in preserving them.