Bulakenyos commemorate 167th birth anniversary of Plaridel
CITY OF MALOLOS – Local officials here headed by Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado and Vice Gov. Daniel R. Fernando, together with thousands of Bulakenyos, are set to celebrate the 167th Birth Anniversary of Gat. Marcelo H. Del Pilar at Marcelo H. Del Pilar Shrine located at Brgy. San Nicolas, Bulakan, Bulacan on Wednesday, August 30, 2017.
Anchored on the theme “Gat Marcelo H. Del Pilar: Kagitingan at Pagkamakabayan, Mananatiling Buhay sa Kasaysayan”, the celebration, which will be graced by First District Representative Jose Antonio R. Sy-Alvarado as the guest of honor, will kick off through a colorful parade to be joined by public and private school teachers and students, drum and lyre and marching bands, national and local journalists, Knights of Rizal, freemasons, residents of Bulakan and other sectors at 6:00 a.m.
The main program will start at 8 am through a flag raising ceremony followed by the oath to the national flag, wreath laying activity before the monument of the great propagandist and an ecumenical prayer to be led by representatives from the Roman Catholic Church, United Methodist Church, Philippine Independent Church, Jesus Reign Ministry, Iglesia Ni Cristo and Islamic Community.
Aside from speeches from the local officials, National Press Club President Paul M. Gutierrez, Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines Grand Master Most Worshipful Abraham N. Tolentino and Del Pilar’s great granddaughter Maria Rita Marasigan-Aguas are set to deliver their messages.
Meanwhile, Alvarado encourages the youth to continue the legacy that the Father of Philippine Journalism has left.
“Ang ating pinipintakasing panlalawigang bayani ay isang huwarang kabataan. Sa kanyang murang gulang ay kanyang napatunayan na hindi madidiktahan ng ating edad ang impluwensiyang ating magagawa sa ating bayan. Ang atin nawang kasalukuyang henerasyon ay matulad kay Plaridel, may inisyatibo, dedikasyon at pagmamahal sa bayan,” the governor said.
The celebration was made possible through the joint efforts of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Provincial Government of Bulacan and Municipal Government of Bulakan.
Del Pilar, who was born on August 30, 1850 at then called Brgy. Cupang, now Brgy. San Nicolas, Bulakan, Bulacan, was a writer, lawyer, journalist and freemason. He, along with Jose Rizal and Graciano Lopez-Jaena became known as the leaders of the Reform Movement in Spain.