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| 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 154th 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.
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| 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some historical documents, was referred to as Pangulo of Haring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.”
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| 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.
