THE ARANETAS IN THE PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION

THE ARANETAS IN THE PHILIPINE REVOLUTION           It is not only during the ancient times that the Aranetas showed their streak of heroism but also during the Philippine Revolution. Not only General Juan Anaclecto Araneta, Pablo Soriano Araneta, and Gregorio Soriano Araneta exemplified valor but also many of the Araneta family members such as; Don Felix Araneta y Militante, Agaton M. Araneta, Ceferina Araneta de Esteban, Marciano Soriano Araneta, Jose Soriano Araneta, Eusebio Araneta, Casimiro Araneta, Faustino Araneta and so on and so forth. They bore within their hearts their family legacy of nationalism. Indeed, the family has proved that its regency rooting back from the distant past could never be erased by 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, and 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 who was the Commanding General of the Panay Revolutionary Forces, under 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 Casamiro, 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 forces. Together they established a revolutionary committee in the municipalities, raising funds and gathering armaments. General Juan Araneta was placed in command of the south zone, while General Aniceto Lacson took charge of the north.

On the night of November 4, 1898, the town of Manapla started the revolt. Other towns followed the next day. With the rebels' success in these towns, a pincer attack was planned against the Spanish forces in Bacolod. Araneta's army was to move in from the south while that of Lacson's was to come from the north. Knowing that they were short of arms, Araneta and Lacson ordered their men to put stems on their shoulders so they would appear to have rifles. Bamboo mats were rolled to the size of cannons and mounted on carts to simulate artillery pieces. The ruse of Araneta and Lacson worked. At the sight of such a "formidable" force, the Spanish officials in Bacolod surrendered.

The following day, November 5, 1898, Araneta and his men raised the Philippine flag for the first time and a provisional revolutionary government was established, with Juan Araneta as Secretary of War and Aniceto Lacson as President. In a meeting of the provisional government on November 26, 1898, General Araneta sponsored two resolutions which were unanimously approved. The first of this was a proposal to set up a Federal Republic and the second proposal called for a military expedition to Negros Oriental. The proposal was carried out by one thousand soldiers who joined the revolutionary troops of Negros Oriental to set up the province free by the end of November. The two provinces were then fused under one government.

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

 Ref: The Philippine insurgents Records of the National Library Archives Division.