Not the pouring rain and definitely not the pandemic would stop the Bulakenyos in commemorating the 122nd Anniversary of the Malolos Congress in the grounds of the historic Barasoain Church on Tuesday morning.
Local officials led by Governor Daniel Fernando, National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Chairman Dr. Rene Escalante, City of Malolos Mayor Gilbert Gatchalian and Vice Mayor Noel Pineda together with Rev. Fr. Dars Cabral offered flowers before the monument of the first Philippine President Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo to honor the historic event that gave way to the First Philippine Republic.
In his video message, Fernando reminisced the grand and festive celebration 122 years ago that showed the whole world that the Philippines was civilized to handle and manage its own government.
“Magkakalayo man tayo sa panahong ito, tayo ay magbubuklod pa rin sa puso at damdamin. Taglay ang pag-asa at pasasalamat para sa demokrasya, na siyang diwa ng isang tunay na malayang bansa,” the governor said.
He added that the Filipinos today are lucky to be the heir of the freedom and democracy that the Philippine heroes offered their life for.
“Sa ating mga kababayan, ito ay hamon na maging karapat-dapat sa lahat ng mabubuting bagay na ipinaglaban ng ating mga ninuno. Kalayaang piliin ang tamang landas, respeto sa kapwa, respeto sa kapaligiran, at pagkakaroon ng takot sa Diyos na siyang bukal ng karunungan,” Fernando said.
The simple celebration of the 122nd Anniversary of the Malolos Congress with the theme “Kongreso ng Malolos: Patnubay sa Pagtataguyod ng Bansang Nagkakaisa at Ligtas” was made possible through the join efforts of the Provincial Government of Bulacan, City Government of Malolos, and NHCP.
IN PHOTO: Amid the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and heavy rains, the local officials of Bulacan headed by Governor Daniel Fernando (2nd from right); Malolos City Mayor Gilbert Gatchalian (2nd from left); Vice Mayor Noel Pineda (right), and Rene Escalante (left), chairman of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) officiated the wreath laying ceremony as they celebrated the 122nd anniversary of the opening of Malolos Congress held at the historic Barasoain Church in Malolos City on Tuesday afternoon. (ELOI SAMONTE)