Evelio Javier Day: Officially referred to as the Governor Evelio B. Javier Day, it is a special non-working public holiday commemorating the death anniversary of Evelio Javier, a politician assassinated during the reign of President Ferdinand Marcos. The public holiday is celebrated in the four provinces that comprise Panay Island – Antique, Capiz, Aklan, and Iloilo, respectively.
It has been a holiday since 1987.
Evelio Javier, born October 14, 1942, was a Filipino politician serving as Governor in the Province of Antique. A strong opposition to the dictatorship of President Ferdinand Marcos and an open supporter to then-presidential candidate Corazon Aquino, Javier was shot February 11, 1986, four days after the Snap Election of 1986. His assassination helped in the formation of the People Power Revolution, a major event in the history of the Philippines.
Javier was openly killed in Freedom Park in San Jose, Antique.
Born in Hamtic Antique to Everado Autajay Javier and Feliza Bellaflor, Evelio Javier attended grade school in San Jose Elementary School in San Jose, and high school to college in Ateneo de Manila University. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Government and Bachelor of Laws in 1968 and passed his bar examination on the same year and became a professor in his Alma Mater.
He ran for Governor of Antique in 1971 and won, making him the country’s ‘youngest governor’ at the age of 28. He did not run in 1980 but attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University on a scholarship and earned his Master’s in Public Administration.
Javier’s assassination was essential in fueling the People Power Revolution that happened on February 22, 1986, ousting Ferdinand Marcos and replacing him with Corazon Aquino.
