In the plaza of Bacong, of course, the national hero Dr. Jose Rizal also has his place, but the ‘top dog’ in Bacong is certainly Eulogio Pantaleon Villega, who is probably better known as Leon Kilat.
Lieutenant General Eulogio Pantaleón Villegas y Soldi, popularly known by his pseudonym “León Kilat,” was a prominent Filipino revolutionary figure in Cebu during the Philippine Revolution against Spanish rule. Born on July 27, 1873, in Bacong, Negros Oriental, he was the son of Policarpio Villegas Vergara and Úrsula Soldi. Villegas worked at the Botica Antigua, a renowned pharmacy located at the intersection of Calle del Palacio (now Burgos Street) and Calle Legazpi in 1895. His coworkers, Ciriaco Murillo and Eulogio Duque, referred to him as “León” due to the presence of two Eulogios in the pharmacy. His initial use of the name “Eulogio” remains a mystery.
Shortly after leaving Botica Antigua, Villegas joined a bakery on Calle Página (now St. Pahina) before becoming associated with a traveling circus bound for Manila, which was owned by a member of the Katipunan secret society. In this context, he was recruited into the Katipunan, marking the beginning of his revolutionary journey.
Villegas assumed a leadership role in the Cebu rebellion against the Spanish forces. Initially planning to commence the uprising on Easter Sunday, his plans were thwarted when the Spanish authorities uncovered the plot.
The pivotal Battle of Tres de Abril took place on Palm Sunday, April 3, 1898. Villegas and his comrades initiated the rebellion in Cebu, forcing Spanish troops to retreat into Fort San Pedro and seizing control of Cebu City by April 4. However, the Spanish gunboat María Cristina retaliated, compelling the rebels to withdraw to the Chinese quarter of Lutao.
On April 7, General Texeiro arrived with 500 men of the 73rd Native Regiment and Spanish cazadores, supported by the cruiser Don Juan de Austria. This military reinforcement compelled the rebels to further retreat to San Nicolas. The Spanish forces pursued Villegas and his followers into the mountainous region, continuing their pursuit until April 8.
On April 8, 1898, during Good Friday, Villegas met his tragic end in Carcar, Cebu. He fell victim to betrayal and was fatally stabbed by Captain Florencio Noel, assisted by his aide Apolinario Alcuitas and several local individuals. This act was a consequence of Villegas being perceived as a threat to the safety of Carcar town.
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