Former TESDA sec to grace 117th Anniversary of the First Philippine Republic

CITY OF MALOLOS – Thousands of Bulakenyos together with former Technical Education & Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary Emmanuel “Joel” Villanueva will once again relive the heroic deeds of the eight provinces that fought for the country’s independence in the 117th Anniversary of the First Philippine Republic on January 23, 2016 at the historic church of Barasoain in this city.

With the theme, “Diwang Republika Filipina, Batayan ng Mabuting Pamamahala,” the event aims to uplift the awareness of the younger generation about the heroic moments in the Philippine history and to highlight the importance of the first republic in guiding the government today.

The program will start at 8 o’clock in the morning through a flag raising ceremony and wreathe laying activity before Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo’s monument.

Local officials, senior citizens, students, teachers, non-government organizations, and other sectors in Bulacan are expected to participate in the said celebration as well as the representatives from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said that everyone especially the Bulakenyo youth should not forget the sacrifices and wisdom of our revolutionary forefathers that awaken the Filipinos’ aspiration to become free.

“Hayaan natin na ang ika-23 ng Enero ng bawat taon ay laging magsilbing taga-paggunita sa bawat isa na tayo’y isang bayan ng mga bayani at ito ang dahilan kung bakit tayo nasa demokrasya, kung bakit tayo isangrepublika, kung bakit tayo may EDSA at kung bakit tayo nananalunton sa tuwid na landas,” Alvarado said.

The First Philippine Republic, popularly known as the Malolos Republic, was the first republic in Asia. It was inaugurated on January 23, 1899 at the Barasoain Church where Aguinaldo took his oath of office as president of the country.