NAGA CITY -- On January 4, this Friday, Bicolanos from this city will once again honor the Fifteen Bicol Martyrs who have given their lives for their country 111 years ago.

        Wreath laying and a short program, with the surviving heirs of the martyrs as special guests, will be held at the hallowed ground of Plaza Quince Martires here which this city and the people of Camarines Sur erected to immortalize their supreme sacrifice in the altar of freedom.

        The Naga City Government led by Naga city officials and the officers and members of the Rotary Club of Naga will spearhead the formal ceremonies.

        During the program, a short talk will be given by Dr. Francis Dabu, Rotary Club of Naga president. A message by City Vice Mayor Gabriel H. Borado will follow, in behalf of Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo who is on official business outside the country.

        Local historian Jose Fernando Obias will give his remarks on the significance of the occasion while another local historian, Jose V. Barrameda will deliver the response as one of the descendants of the 15 Bicol martyrs.

        Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlungsod Jose L. Grageda will serve as the master of ceremonies.

        It was on January 4, 1897 that the death sentence on eleven prisoners from Bicol was carried out at Bagumbayan (now Luneta) on the same field still fresh with the blood of Dr. Jose Rizal who was executed on Dec. 30, 1896, or barely five days before the same fate that befell the Bicol martyrs. The four others had either died in prison due to severe torture or while in exile in the island of Fernando Poo, off the coast of Africa.

        On January 11, 1897, thirteen other prisoners majority of whom were leaders of Masonic lodges were shot.

        According to local historian Jose V. Barrameda, more unnamed Bicolanos and Nagueños suffered the same fate when then Spanish Gov. Polavieja carried out wholesale executions against those whom his merciless administration took as traitors to the Spanish King and to Spain.

        The late Julian Ocampo, then representative of Ambos Camarines in the Philippine Legislature (Congress), authored a bill naming the 15 Martyrs of Bicol.

        On Nov. 20, 1926, or 29 years after their deaths, a monument honouring them was erected which is now the Plaza Quince Martires fronting the San Francisco church.

The 15 martyrs
        According to the late Bicol historian Jose Calleja Reyes, the eleven martyrs who were executed by musketry in Bagumbayan were men of different backgrounds and inclinations.

        Father Herrera was from Pateros, Rizal. His fondness for and knowledge of music helped him get an appointment as choir master in the Cathedral of Nueva Caceres. He was about 30 years old when he met his fate.

        Fr. Severino Diaz was a native of Bulan, Sorsogon. Although coming from a poor family, he succeeded in completing a professional career and because of his exemplary conduct, he was granted a scholarship at the seminary of Nueva Caceres (now Holy Rosary Seminary). He was to be later appointed as parish priest of the Nueva Cacares (Naga) Cathedral. He died at the age of 45.

        Fr. Gabriel Prieto was the parish priest of Malinao, Albay. Like Fr. Diaz, he enjoyed the benefit of scholarship at the same seminary.

        Manuel Abella, a native of Tayabas (now Quezon), was clerk in Nueva Caceres. Due to his industry, he became a millionaire. He was more than 60 years old. His son, Domingo, was a young surveyor who was open-hearted and frank. Domingo was 25 years old when he was executed.

        Camilo Jacob was a native of Polangui, Albay. He was the prisoner who suffered the most torture with great fortitude.

        Tomas Prieto was an eminent pharmacist, well-versed in the secrets of chemistry and botany. He was 30 at the time of his death.

        Macario Valentin, Camilo Mercado and Mariano Melgarejo were employees in the public works department of Nueva Caceres.

        Florencio Lerma was from Quiapo, Manila. He was 35 years old. He went to Nueva Caceres when he was very young. He was industrious, talented and honest to manage to live well.

        The four other martyrs were Leon Hernandez who died of severe torture while in prison in Nueva Caceres; Ramon Abella and Mariano Arana who were exiled to the prison island of Fernando Poo; and Mariano Ordenanza who was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment and eventually died in prison.