Bulakenyos commemorate the 116th Anniversary of the First Philippine Republic
CITY OF MALOLOS – Department of Interior and Local Government Sec. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II joins thousand of Bulakenyos in commemorating the 116th Anniversary of the First Philippine Republic also known as Malolos Republic at the historic Barasoain church early this morning.
With the theme “Lakas ng Republika sa Harap ng Nagbabagong Panahon Tungo sa Daang Matuwid,” the DILG sec represented President Benigno Aquino III and delivered his speech commending the solidarity of the Filipinos on reliving the heroism and sacrifices of our great forefathers.
“Nawa’y huwag nating sayangin ang bawat sandali ng pagiging malaya upang gumawa ng mabuti para sa kapwa at sa bansa. At huwag nating kalimutan ang kabayanihang inialay sa atin ng mga magigiting na bayani upang makamit ang kalayaan,” the president said.
Roxas also pronounced the president’s hope and wisdom in guiding the country in the right path with the help of the Filipinos to achieve a progressive nation.
“Nais kong ihatid sa mas maunlad at maayos na kalagayan ang ating bansa kumpara sa ating dinatnan. Nais kong mabatid kung ano talaga ang dapat upang mabuhay ng patas, marangal at makatarungan ang buong sambayanang Pilipino,” Aquino said.
Meanwhile, Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado encouraged not only the Bulakenyos but the whole nation as well to constantly remember January 23 as one of the heroic moments in the Philippine history that led us to be a democratic country in Asia.
“Hayaan natin na ang ika-23 ng Enero ng bawa’t 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 isang republika, kung bakit tayo may EDSA at kung bakit tayo nananalunton sa tuwid na landas,” Alvarado said.
He also said that everyone should not forget the sacrifices and wisdom of our revolutionary forefathers that awaken the Filipinos’ aspiration to become free.
Also present in the said commemoration were Vice Gov. Daniel R. Fernando, National Historical Commission of the Philippines Chairman Dra. Maria Serena Diokno, Congresswoman Marivic Sy-Alvarado, Malolos City Mayor Christian Natividad, and other local government officials.
The event is in accordance with Presidential Proclamation No. 553 declaring January 23 of every year as “Araw ng Republikang Filipino 1899,” which is a special non-working holiday in Bulacan, to commemorate its significance in the Philippine history.
The Malolos Republic was inaugurated on January 23, 1899 at the Barasoain and the culmination of the Philippine Revolution, which began with the Katipunan and led to the creation of the First Constitution and Republican Government of Asia.