Heroism can only be read in History books,movies, name after
streets,monuments ,a town name after and person kill in action to fight for his
/her country . Heroism works in contradiction to the voice of
mankind, for a time, to the voice of the
great and good.
This time I will be talking about my bisabuelo
a local hero in Negrosanon History .A
celebration of life and wonderful journey a nobleman by the name of Governor Demetrio
Larena y de Sandes.He was born on November 10,1857 in Taclobo Dumaguete City
.His parents were Don Agustin de Sandes a Mexican Soldier with a Spanish
descent and Dońa Verzamina Ceriales Larena of Chinese Spanish ancestry
He was educated in private institution in Manila like Ateneo
de Manila and Colegio de San Juan de Letran.He became a classmate of famous
personality in Philippine History and Patriots of the revolution.He firmly believed that it would be good for his
countrymen,for a free education for all .
Even in his childhood days ,Larena had shown signs of Bravery
and determination.He accompanied his father in their small business in
Manila.He also helped his mother in household works.
Being an educated Negrense Demetrio Larena became
popular in the Negros society circle at
the time he went back to Dumaguete and replace his brother as cabeza de
Barangay of Taclobo.The historic year of 1890 was a meeting of a group of
illustrados in Bacolod to make a pack of the separation of Negros into two
province Oriental and Occidental .
Larena was also one of those who organized the famous Negros
Revolution and the Heritage March of 1898 with Don Diego de la Vińa to
liberated the province from Spanish rule .He was elected as Vice President of
the short lived Negros Republic from November 5, 1898 - July
22, 1899.
During the Philippine Revolution Larena were forced to transfer from
Catholicism to Aglipayan Religion in 1898.The new beginning started with the
American Occupation, when he was
appointed as the first civic
Governor on 27 April 1901.
As a leader he made Negros a glorious place during the
American Rule he co-founded Silliman Institute (now one of the best University
in Asia) Free education to every Negrenses ,Health program,good governance for
Negros & Siquijor in fact one of the town in the island is name after him
and He was the one who introduced Protestantism in Negros Island .
Larena died on December 4,1916,having gone to Iloilo for
treatment at the hands of his old friend,Dr.Andrew Hall a doctor and a
Presbyterian Missionaries during his last days of his illness Doña Pinang
Villacampa Rubio- Larena found her husband reading the bible which Dr. Hall had
once gave him .He Knett and prayed to God for forgiveness and reception into
his glory" Dos Padre Nuestro Que Estas un cieloperdona todos mis plecados
y receibe me alma tu Gloria Amen "
Larena service and legacy was pass on to the next generations of great leaders in the family . I
would like to mention my second cousin Board Member Eslao “ Medicine Man” Veloso Alviola helping the poor and less fortunate
Negrense and giving free medicine for
does in need. He has help the province
thru his health ordinances to uplift
their lives .Another is former Board Member Ikay J. Villanueva for
empowered our farmers, women sector and promote
well being among our citizens in the Province .
Today
,the spirit of bravery and service of Demetrio Larena is not forgotten. The memory of the great
leader and Patriotism remains as long
the island of Negros ,still stands .Happy Negrosanon Heritage Month.
Thank you so much to Prof. Penn T. Larena the family Historian
