It has been an annual tradition for the small municipality of Tolosa to commemorate the heroic act of Scout Valeriano Abello and his companions, Antero Junia and Vicente Tiston.
Marked as the Signal Day, October 18, is a momentous occasion as guests, Boy Scouts and Philippine Scouts and Tolosanos gather at the Abello monument located at Barangay Telegrafo.
In the years prior to the pandemic, Signal Day celebration was a lively and festive occasion that extends up to the following day.
However, during the pandemic, the commemoration -- as in all other gatherings -- had to be stopped in the face of distancing restrictions. Just as to pay tribute, a simple and solemn celebration attended by select local government officials and members of the Abello, Junia and Tiston families was held.
Reenactment
This year also promises a similar modest happening but, this time, open to the public.
“It aton yana mag titikang hin misa dida hit alas sais. After hit mass, wreath laying, speaches from guest speakers, response from the family. Pareho la han last year,” Tolosa Mayor Erwin Ocaña told OpinYon 8.
The mayor, however, hinted that next year, a bigger and more significant celebration of the 80th anniversary of Signal Day. There will be a reenactment presentation of this historic event.
“May possibility for reenactment kay nadugangan man an aton budget for next year,” the mayor added.
“Ma request kami hiton US Embassy kun puydi hra mag participate. Kay tulo man nga barko nira an kita hadto didto. Hopefully matuman,” Allied Veterans Service Organization (AVSO)-Tolosa, Post WWII
President RP/MSgt. Pantaleon S. Estojero said in an interview.
Flag signal
On October 18, 1944, Abello, also known as Tata Yayong, noticed that American warships began firing at the shore of the Barangay Telegrafo which was not occupied by the Japanese forces.
Hundreds of Filipinos that occupied the village could have fallen as innocent victims.
“Do not land, enemy at the beaches,” he signaled with white handkerchiefs using international Morse code or semaphores that he had learned as a Scout. Flag semaphore is a visual system of conveying information from a distance with the use of handheld flags, cloths, rods, or paddles.
The American then signaled back to Abello asking him to get onboard.
Many lives saved
Upon receiving that last message, Abello, Junia and Tiston decided to get a sakayan or small boat and paddled toward the warship.
The interaction saved many innocent lives in the seaside communities.
Abello's skills learned in Scouting enabled him to redirect the shellings and spared his town from further death and destruction.
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