CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan–A government official representing the education sector said that Filipinos have the ability to create their own form of government even without foreign colonizers.
This was stressed by the Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Dr. J. Prospero de Vera III during simple celebrations that commemorated today the 122nd anniversary of the inauguration of the First Philippine Republic.
De Vera was joined by Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando and other top officials of the province during the event that was held at the historic Barasoain Church in this city amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Yan ang ‘di nabibigyang-diin sa kasaysayan. It is always said that our system of government, the formation of civilian government we owe to foreigners, ‘that is not true.’ The first republic showed that even before the arrival of the Americans, the Filipinos themselves were capable of forming their own government,” de Vera said.
According to him, the establishment of the Philippine Republic is very important in higher education.
“Ang pagkakatayo ng Unang Republika ay batayan ng pamamahala, ito ang pundasyon ng pamahalaan ng bansa at kung ano man ang uri ng pamahalaan mayroon ngayon ay hindi ito mabubuo kung hindi itinayo yung pundasyon ng konsepto ng pamamahala at pagpapalakas ng ehekutibo na bahagi ng Unang Republika,” de Vera added.
For his part, Gov. Fernando said that this day is not just a memory of the past- “it is in our hearts as Bulakenyo, as part of the existing independent people. In the midst of struggle, the essence of the Republic resides in us at every stage of our history.”
He also said that the simple but meaningful celebration is meant for every Filipino, especially to the new generation.
“Ang diwa ng Republika ay paalala sa isang mabigat na tungkulin na maging tunay na tagapagtanggol ng karapatan ng mga mamamayan at tagapagtaguyod ng kapakanan ng lahat ng higit sa aiting sarili. Para ito sa mga darating pang henerasyon, tayo ay mawawala sa mundong ito pero kinakailangan ang kasaysayan ay ‘di mawala at makintal pa rin sa puso ng mga Bulakenyo, ng mga Pilipino sapagkat dito isinilang ang tatlong republika, dito nag-ugat ang ating kalayaan,” Fernando said.
Strict implementation of health protocols were carried out during the event. The governor led the short program with the theme “Unang Republika ng Filipinas: Batayan ng mga mithiin para sa Bansa” that started with a flag-raising ceremony and wreathe-laying activity before the monument of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.
He was joined by Vice Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, City of Malolos Mayor Gilbert Gatchalian and Vice Mayor Noel Pineda, National Historical Commission of the Philippines representative Antonia Jimenez, PCol. Lawrence Cajipe, Provincial Director-PNP Bulacan and Rev. Fr. Ronald Rey Mangon, Parochial Vicar of Barasoin Church.