Baliwag, Bulacan Celebrates Andres Bonifacio's 154th Birthday

The Knights of Columbus serving as honor guards. Photo credits: Johnnie Gonzales III. 

Andres Bonifacio, one of the Philippines' greatest heroes, was honored today at Baliwag, Bulacan as the town remembers his 154^th birth anniversary. The Local Government Unit of Baliwag, Bulacan through the Baliwag Tourism Office led the tribute to the hero at the Heroes' Park, Baliwag, Bulacan.

The program started with flag ceremony at the historic Baliwag Museum grounds. A honor parade followed marching towards the Bonifacio Monument at the Heroes' Park. The parade was participated in by different social, civic and historical associations and organizations of the town. Then, a wreath-laying took place with the Knights of Columbus serving as the honor guards.

Pangkat Saliksik Pangkasaysayan sa Baliwag. Photo credits: Johnnie Gonzales III.

A series of speeches and accolades for Andres Bonifacio from the leaders of the participating organizations followed. They expressed praises to the hero for his exceptional bravery that ultimately resulted to the birth of the Philippines as an independent state. The participating organizations include: Knights of Columbus District M-25, Knights of Columbus District M-36, FN Florentino Vergel De Dios Assembly 2822, PGK Honorato Catindig Assembly 3606, BREACT, Samahang Pangkasaysayan ng Bulakan, Pangkat Saliksik Pangkasaysayan sa Baliwag and Baliuag Historical Association, Inc. Batang Baliwag was also in all out support.

Atty. Robert John I. Donesa, President of Baliwag Polytechnic College, renewed the call to honor Andres Bonifacio not just as a national hero but as the First President of the Republic of the Philippines. Andres Bonifacio, in some historical documents, was referred to as Pangulo of Haring Bayang Katagalugan (President of the Republic of the Katagalugan). “We are all Tagalogs,” Atty. Donesa explained. “For all Filipino settlements, flourish near streams or rivers, and thus Haring Bayang Katagalugan refers to the Republic of the Philippines.”

The Baliuag Historical Association Inc. Photo credits: Johnnie Gonzales III.

Baliuag Historical Association's president Giovanni E. Labao ended the ceremonies reminding everyone of the lessons of history and its relevance to this day and age. Ms. Cristina Munar, a young history enthusiast, hosted the event.