Cry of Santa Barbara

On November 17, 1898, revolutionaries coming from various parts of Iloilo, including Martín Delgado, attended a Catholic mass in the town's church. After the mass, they proceeded to the house of Vicente Bermejo, where the Philippine flag on a bamboo pole was hoisted.^[3]

The crowd broke into a cheer. Delgado led in proclaiming Philippine independence, saying: "Viva Filipinas! Fuera España! Viva independencia!" (Long live the Philippines! Down with Spain! Long live independence!).^[4]

That became known as the cry of Santa Barbara. The event led to the first hoisting of the Philippine flag outside Luzon. The flag was produced in Jaro, Iloilo City, and a replica of the one flown by Aguinaldo during the proclamation of Philippine independence in Kawit, Cavite.^[5]

Santa Barbara became the headquarters of Delgado's revolutionary forces against Spain and from there, he launched campaigns to liberate Iloilo.^[6] The town's church and convent served as military garrison and hospital.^[7] Under Delgado, the revolutionaries were able to take control most municipalities in Iloilo.^[4]

On December 2, 1898, the Federal State of the Visayas was formed, with Roque Lopez as president.^[5] With the defeat of the Spanish forces against the revolutionaries, de los Rios surrendered Iloilo City on December 24.^[3]

On October 5, 1899, the federal government was dissolved by virtue of a decree from Aguinaldo.^[8]