Simeon Villa

(? — 1945). Personal physician of Emilio Aguinaldo. Colonel in the Philippine Army.

November 13, 1899

We left Bayambang by night in a special train for Calasiao, and here we disembarked. The honorable president was accompanied by the secretaries of the

November 14, 1899

It was 12 o’clock noon, but we kept up the march. At 4 p.m., with our vanguard, we entered the Manaoag, a town already occupied

November 15, 1899

At daylight it was raining. At 9 a.m. we received the news that the Americans were at the entrance to the town, and, as we

November 16, 1899

Daylight came in the midst of rain. At 7 o’clock we were all awake, and Lieutenant-Colonel Joven, one of the rear guard commanders, presented himself

November 17, 1899

After eating a hearty breakfast for fear we might be unable to eat at noon, we left Tubao at 8 a.m. and marched toward Aringay,

November 19, 1899

Under instructions of the honorable president, Major Jeciel went out this morning. At 5 p.m. he returned and informed the honorable president that the Americans

NOVEMBER 20, 1899

November 20, 1899

Villa, after breakfasting in Baoang with General Tinio, started alone for San Fernando de la Union, traveling the main road, which passes along the coast

November 21, 1899

At 7 a.m. Villa set out for Namagpacan; and at the same time the honorable president and his party left Balaoang. The destination of all

November 22, 1899

At 8 a.m. we renewed our march toward Salcedo, reaching the same at 11 a.m. We spent the noontide here. Afterwards we journeyed on toward

November 23, 1899

At 7 a.m. we continued our journey. At this stage we began to gain high elevations, now rising and then descending among the mountains. We

November 30, 1899

We left Angaqui for Cervantes at 10 a.m., passing over the mountains, bare of all vegetation, with the result that the heat of the sun

December 1, 1899

At 6 o’clock this morning General Pilar requested the honorable president to let him visit the trenches located on Mount Tila. The general immediately mounted

December 2, 1899

At 5 o’clock in the afternoon the honorable president received a verbal report from two officers coming from Mount Tila, to the effect that the

December 3, 1899

Immediately, and without even breakfasting, we resumed the march, following along the continuation of the mountains. At 11 a.m. we reached the settlement of Sagada,

December 4, 1899

We find ourselves in Bontoc without incident. We have tarried hero for two days.

December 5, 1899

At 2 o’clock in the afternoon we left Bontoc and headed for Talubin, which we reached at 5.30 in the afternoon. We tarried two days.

December 6, 1899

We left this settlement at 10 o’clock p.m. and took up the march to Banane via Ambayuan. We reached Ambayuan at midnight, and we at

December 7, 1899

After commencing the ascent of Mount Polis we never stopped for rest, and we reached the summit of that lofty mountain at 8 o’clock in

December 16, 1899

At 6 p.m. the honorable president named the following as members of a council to take place this night, viz: Colonel Sytiar, Señor Barcelona, director

December 19, 1899

Speaking of our life on this ranch—all get up at 6 o’clock in the morning, and afterwards breakfast is prepared. Breakfast takes from 9 to

December 21, 1899

Yesterday afternoon about 5 o’clock news came through an Igorrote that many armed forces had arrived in Babuyan. He could not say for certain whether

December 22, 1899

It was 7 a.m. when we arrived in Ambayuan. Here we found the women worn out from the painful journey they had suffered. They were

December 24, 1899

We find ourselves still in Talubin. About 8 o’clock in this morning a report came saying the Americans had arrived at Bontoc, the provincial capital,

December 25, 1899

At daybreak we found ourselves at the foot of Mount Polis. We continued the ascent, although under painful difficulties, as our bodies were already weakened

December 26, 1899

The soldiers had breakfast at 7 a.m. At 8 o’clock the honorable president ordered the companies formed, and he explained to all that the only

December 27, 1899

At 2 o’clock in the morning the soldiers had something to eat, and at 4.30 we resumed the journey toward the mountains of the north.

December 28, 1899

We are up at 5 a.m. The rain continues. Our strength seems to be completely exhausted. At 6 o’clock the honorable president ordered us on

December 29, 1899

At 6 o’clock in the morning we all hunted for “camotes” and made our breakfast with them. We resumed the march at 8 o’clock. The

December 31, 1899

The troops had breakfast at 5 o’clock in the morning, and at 8 o’clock we set out on the march for the next nearest settlement,

January 1, 1900

We left Alimit at 8 o’clock in the morning, going toward Mayaoyao. This day is a memorable one for us. We continue the march through