Republic of the Philippines
DARAGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Salvacion Daraga, Albay
Promote Local History
(Person)
HISTORY of
SIMEON OLA Y ARBOLEDA in GUINOBATAN
Submitted By:
BSEd-Major in Social Studies Education
Cris Joannou C. Garcia
May N. Ogorida
Mary Jastine Masbate
Carlo T. Rodrigueza
Sheena Mae M. Cadag
Submitted To:
Mr. ALDWIN B. BAYLON
Instructor
December 06, 2021
1
Introduction
What motivates a man to perform heroic acts? In the early twentieth century, the
Philippines was home to an entire nation of heroes: farmers, workers, young men, and
professionals who took up arms to fight for a cause they all believed in. Many of them do not
have names or statues to remember them by. We do, however, remember them as a nation. Some
heroes aren't so unlucky. Simeon Ola was more than a name on a long list of revolutionaries: he
was the last. Ola was a brave general among many brave generals. With names like Miguel
Malvar in Batangas, Vicente Lukban in Samar, and Macario Sakay in Morong (now Rizal), it's
difficult to stand out. But Ola from Albay was able to accomplish just that.
Nonetheless, Ola is someone we remember but don't know all that well. Beyond the
surface, it appears that facts about Ola are scarce and difficult to come by. We do have a lot of
information about Ola. Vicente Ola and Apolonia Arboleda gave birth to him in Guinobatan,
Albay, in 1865. In his hometown, he rose to the position of teniente de cuadrillos, and he studied
Philosophy at the University of Nueva Caceres. However, due to the call of the Revolution in
1896, he had to discontinue his studies at the age of 31. We know Ola used his position as
teniente and his close relationship with the parish priest to obtain weapons and ammunition. We
know the battles he fought in: Camalig, where he rose to captain under General Vito Bellarmino;
Binogsacan, right in Guinobatan; Oas, Macabugos, and many more.
Furthermore, we know that Ola was the last general to formally surrender to the
Americans. Ola and his men held out until September 25, 1903, when the toll of constant raiding
and internment camps finally caught up with them. We know that he and 28 of his men and
officers formally surrendered to the Americans after realizing that winning the war he fought so
valiantly in was impossible. These facts, however, do not reveal much about Ola. Stories of his
valor do not provide us with a true understanding of what drove him to battle, what his
convictions were, and what motivated him to revolution. Any historical analysis that focuses
solely on dates and figures is woefully inadequate, and we can only guess who Ola was by
looking at what he did in the context of where he came from.
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Narration
On September 2, 1865, Simeon Ola, was born in Guinobatan, Albay to Vicente Ola and
Apolonia Arboleda. Simeon Ola was highly regarded in Guinobatan, being the teniente de
cuadrillos and a trusted confidant of Father Carlos Cabido, the parish priest of his town. These
positions helped him carry out his revolutionary works – recruiting men and acquiring firearms
for the revolutionary army. He connived with the jail warden in his town, Sergeant Loame, to
free about 93 prisoners, prisoners who soon joined his army.
In April 1898, he fought in the battle of Camalig. General Vito Belarmino, the Zone
Commander of the Revolutionary Forces in the Bicol Region, designated him the rank of a
Captain. Fully committed to the cause of the revolution, he also raised funds amounting to P42,
000.00, which he turned over to General Mariano Trias, Secretary of Finance of the
Revolutionary Government.
On January 23, 1900, he was promoted Major after he successfully effected an ambush
and captured three American soldiers: Dubose, Fred Hunter and Russel. In February that same
year, his troops fought against the Americans in Arimbay, Legaspi. His cousin Jose Arboleda
perished in the bloody battle.
American soldiers’ mighty firepower and combat training did not dampen his spirit; he
continued to fight so that his men were encouraged and more men joined his army. With the
army of Colonel Engracio Orence, he fought valiantly in the battle of Binogsacan in
Guinobatan, Albay. His army rested for over a month in July 1901 when he accompanied
General Belarmino to Manila. He resumed his campaign in August by raiding the town of Oas,
Albay. On August 12, 1902, he ambushed the American detachment at Macabugos, Ligao.
Ola became a marked man to the Americans. Although his troops were easily repulsed
during battles, the Americans took him seriously. From March to October 1903, the Americans
set up the reconcentration system as a means to stop Ola’s activities. Because of the damage it
caused even to the innocent civilians, they turned into negotiations. They sent Ramon Santos
and Major Jesse S. Garwood of the Constabulary as emissaries to negotiate for his surrender,
which he politely refused. Instead, he carried on his battle. On July 15, 1903, he ambushed the
31st Philippine Scout Garrison under the command of Sergeant Nicolas Napoli in Joveliar,
Albay.
The persistent effort of the peace panel and his battle-weary men made Ola realized that
he could never win the war. He became open to the agreement set by Colonel Harry H.
Bandholtz,
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the Assistant Commander of the Constabulary in Lucena, Tayabas, for his surrender. The
agreement included general amnesty, fair treatment and justice to his comrades in arms. On
September 25, 1903, the negotiating panel composed of Ramon Santos, Eligio Arboleda,
Epifanio Orozco, Frank L. Pyle, John Paegelow, J.B. Allison and Joseph Rogers went to his
camp in Malagnaton, Mapaco, Guinobatan.
Eventually, Ola surrendered to Governor Bette and Colonel Bandholtz.
Charged with sedition, Judges Adam Carson and James Blount presided over his case. He was
sentenced of 30 years imprisonment on November 10. 1903. Fortunately, he was granted
executive clemency so he was released from prison on October 8, 1904.
In 1910, he entered politics and won as town mayor of Guinobatan, which he served until
1913. He was again elected to the same position in 1916. He served the term until 1919.
Simeon Ola died on February 14, 1952 and was interred at the Roman Catholic Cemetery of
Guinobatan.
.
4
Grafton Cook
He is an American businessman of Dowagiac Michigan, USA, who brought the artifacts from the
collection of Gen. Bandholtz, and donated them to the Philippine Government through a
diplomatic pouch.
5
The municipal government of Guinobatan formally opened Museo de Guinobatan, which
showcases Ola’s belongings, artifacts and documents. One of the items preserved and sealed in a
glass cabinet is his saber and the budyong (horn) he used during the war. Paintings and
illustrations about the American occupation and devastating war events are among those
displayed inside the museum.
6
Saber and Tambuli of Gen. Ola was turned over to the Municipal Government of
Guinobatan by the Office of Americans Affairs. These artifacts were donated to the Philippine
government through a diplomatic pouch by Mr. Grafton Cook, an American businessman of
Dowagiac, Michigan, USA who brought the artifacts from the collection of Gen. Bandholtz and
displayed them at Museo de Guinobatan/ Ola Museum, (De Castro, 2021).
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MALACAÑANG
Manila
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
PROCLAMATION NO. 445
DECLARING SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1989, AS GENERAL SIMEON
A. OLA DAY IN GUINOBATAN, ALBAY
WHEREAS, Saturday, September 2, 1989, marks the 104th birthday anniversary of General
Simeon Ola y Arboleda;
WHEREAS, the people of Guinobatan, Albay, where he was born, should be afforded an
opportunity to render homage to the honored general;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CORAZON C. AQUINO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers
vested in me by law, do hereby declare Saturday, September 2, 1989, as “General Simeon A. Ola
Day” in Guinobatan, Albay. The day, however, shall be a regular working and school day.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the
Philippines to be affixed.
Done in the City of Manila, this 14th day of August, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
eighty-nine.
(Sgd.) CORAZON C. AQUINO
By the President:
(Sgd.) CATALINO MACARAIG, JR.
Executive Secretary
References
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(All via the National Historical Commission of the Philippines)
1. Agoncillo, Teodoro A. History of the Filipino People. 8th ed. Quezon City: Garotech, 1990.
2. Eminent Filipinos. Manila: National Historical Commission, 1970.
3. Quirino, Carlos. Who’s who in Philippine History. Manila: Tahanan Books, 1995.
Source: CDAsia
-https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1989/08/14/proclamation-no-445-s-1989/
https://kynaswhereabouts.tumblr.com/post/644836588567904256/general-simeon-ola-shrine-
and-museo-de-guinobatan
