NEWLY BAPTIZED BULAKENYOS. Governor Daniel R. Fernando with some of the parents and their children who
were baptized during the Binyagang Bayan, an activity of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office
under the Population Program, that was held at the St. Joseph the Worker Parish Church, Poblacion 1, City of
San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan earlier today. Also in the photo are (back row, from left) PSWDO Rowena J.
Tiongson, Atty. Earl Tan, Board Member Allen Dale Baluyut, former Board Member Allan Ray Baluyut, and
Division City Parents Teachers Association Federation CSJDM President Ronnel B Templonuevo.
CITY OF MALOLOS – The Provincial Government of Bulacan through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office conducted ‘Binyagang Bayan’ at the St. Joseph the Worker Parish Church, Poblacion 1 and Christ the King Parish Church, San Rafael 3, City of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan today.
Out of 465 Bulakenyo children who were registered for the Baptismal rite, only 190 were baptized in the morning while 255 children are expected to receive the sacrament in the afternoon.
Bulacan Gov. Daniel R. Fernando and Vice Gov. Alexis C. Castro stood as godparents of the children along with Board Member Allen Dale Baluyut, former Board Member Allan Ray Baluyut, and PSWDO Head Rowena Joson Tiongson.
In his message, Fernando highlighted the importance of Baptism and how the baptized children will be under the protection and guidance of the Lord.
“Magpasalamat tayo sa Diyos sapagkat nabinyagan na sila. Saan man sila mapunta ay may basbas na sila ng ating Panginoon para hindi sila maligaw ng landas at maging matibay sila sa pagharap sa pagsubok dahil batid at tinanggap na nila ang banal na turo ng ating Panginoon,” the governor said.
CSJDM Atty. Earl Tan and Division City Parents Teachers Association Federation CSJDM President Ronnel B. Templonuevo were also present in the event.
Binyagang Bayan is an activity of the PSWDO under Population Program.
SM City Marilao hosted the SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Sustainable Agriculture Program commencement, attended by 16 graduates who underwent urban farming. Present during the ceremony are partners from the local government unit, government agencies, service provider D' Planners Training Center Inc., SM Markets, and SM Supermalls, represented by Cristie Angeles (front row, 4th from left), AVP of the SM Foundation Livelihood and Outreach Programs, together with Engr. Emmanuel Gatmaitan (front row, 3rd from left), Mall Manager, and Engr. Janette Aguilera (front row, 2nd from right), Assistant Mall Manager.
After 14 weeks of hands-on training in urban and rural agriculture techniques, at least 39 farmer beneficiaries of the SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Sustainable Agriculture Program in Bulacan successfully graduated recently.
As a steadfast advocate of green and sustainable living, SM Supermalls, through its corporate social responsibility arm, SM Foundation Inc., gears to support the government’s food security agenda through said agriculture program.
In SM City Marilao, the SMFI-KSK commencement was attended by 16 graduates who underwent urban farming, a technique designed to maximize the limited space for food production and sustainability. It targets providing low-income urban communities with essential skills in high-value crop farming by transforming underutilized urban spaces into productive gardens.
Meanwhile, SM Center Pulilan marked the completion of at least 23 graduates who focused mainly on rural farming.
Farmer beneficiaries underwent market tours with SM Markets alongside the SM Foundation’s Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan Sustainable Agriculture Program graduation held in SM Center Pulilan. The activity helps trainees explore and understand marketing opportunities in farming.
In addition to SMFI-KSK certificates, the graduates received their National Certificate II from TESDA, providing them with opportunities for career advancement in the farming sector.
With its vision to bring back hope by directly working with farmers, SM Foundation’s KSK training focuses on several facets of farming, including land preparation, seedling, fertilizer concoction, sustainability workshops and forums, financial literacy and bookkeeping, pricing and costing, as well as product development. The program is in partnership with the local government units in Bulacan, the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Tourism (DOT), SM Markets, SM Supermalls, and D’ Planners Training Center Inc.
Ang mga miyembro ng San Miguel, Bulacan Rescue Team kabilang ang Bulacan Police Forensic Unit operatives habang kinukuha ang katawan ni Pat. Edmond John Arenas, ng Second Bulacan Provincial Mobile Force Company na napailaliman ng isang sasakyan na gumulong sa kanya sa Maharlika highway sa Barangay Balite matapos siyang mahulog sa kalsada mula sa sinasakyang police vehicle madaling araw ng Miyerkules. Bulacan Police photo
SAN MIGUEL, Bulacan—Patay ang isang 26 anyos na pulis matapos na ito ay mahulog sa sinasakyang Troop Carrier at magulungan ng ibang sasakyan habang binabagtas ang Maharlika highway sa bayang ito Miyerkules ng madaling araw.
Kinilala ni Bulacan Police Director Col. Relly Arnedo ang biktima na si Pat. Edmond John Arenas ng Barangay Burian, Cabanatuan City at naka assign sa Second Provincial Mobile Force Company na naka-base sa Bohol ng Mangga sa Bayan ng San Ildefonso.
Papunta sa isang deployment duty sa Lungsod ng Meycauayan, binabagtas ng police-marked Troop Carrier ang southbound lane ng Maharlika highway at nag-iisang nakaupo sa likurang bahagi si Arenas ng bigla itong mahulog sa bahagi ng Barangay Balite sa bayang ito bandang alas 5:00 ng madaling araw. Bigla namang parating na ang isang L200 Mitsubishi, rehistrado bilang SJS-946 na markadong sasakyan ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Villaverde, Nueva Vizcaya at minamaneho ni Joel Rivera at siya ay nagulungan.
Ang Troop Carrier na sasakyan ay minamaneho ni Pat. Klein Orbita at lulan pa ang isang police na nakaupo sa front passenger seat.
Agad na nag-responde ang San Miguel Rescue Team at isinugod si Arenas sa San Miguel District Hospital kung saan idineklara siyang dead on arrival (DOA).
Ayon sa imbestigasyon, galing sa kanilang base camp sa Bohol na Mangga ang tatlong pulis at patungo na ang mga ito sa Lungsod ng Meycauayan para sa isang deployment duty ng maganap ang insidente.
Arestado si Rivera at kasalukuyang nagsasagawa ng malalim na imbestigasyon si Arnedo upang matukoy ang dahilan kung bakit nahulog si Arenas mula sa sasakyan.
Sadyang ikinalulungkot ng buong kapulisan ng Bulacan ang nangyaring insidente lalo na at namatay on duty ang isa nilang kabaro.
Kakasuhan ng reckless imprudence resulting to homicide si Rivera, 53 ng Ibung, Villaverde, Nueva Vizcaya.
Ang Human papillomavirus (HPV) ay karaniwang nakukuha o naisasalin sa pamamagitan ng pakikipagtalik o kaya ay pagdikit ng balat ng tao sa isang may sakit nito o skin-to-skin contact.
Maaaring maagapan ang sakit na ito sa pamamagitan ng vaccination upang puksain ang strains ng HPV na siyang karaniwang sanhi ng genital warts or cervical cancer.
Ngayong Marso at Abril ay sisimulan muli para sa buong taon ng 2024 ang vaccination nito sa target na 21,000 na mga kabataang babaeng Bulakenyo na may edad na 9-14 o mga nasa grade 3 hanggang nasa grade 8 o second year junior high school sa lahat ng pampublikong eskuwelahan sa buong Bulacan.
Dati na itong proyekto ng Department of Health (DOH) bago pa mag-pandemic subalit hindi ito masyadong kinabiliban ng mga magulang at hindi pinayagan ang kanilang mga anak na babae na nasa nasabing edad na mabakunahan. Isang tinitingnang dahilan ay maaaring nagkaroon ng takot bunsod ng hindi magandang resulta ng vaccination kontra dengue gamit ang injection na dengvaxia.
Napag-alaman natin na sa mga siyudad pala dito sa atin sa Bulacan tulad ng San Jose del Monte, Malolos at Meycauayan ay nauna na itong isinagawa, subalit ganoon nga ang naging resulta. Ganunpaman, dahil sa patuloy na paglaganap ng cervical cancer sa bansa, at siyang itinuturing na pangalawang silent killer sa ating mga kababaihan sumunod sa breast cancer ay ilulunsad na ng DOH ang mas pinalakas at ang mas pinalawak na HPV vaccination.
Ayon sa tala, may 7,277 new cases ng cervical sa bansa sa ngayon kung saan ang 3,807 dito ang nakikitang maaaring mamatay at maaaring ganoon ding bilang ang katulad na mamamatay kada taon dulot ng virus o infection na ito. Ang sabi nga, prevention is better than cure kaya narito ang bakuna laban sa nasabing sakit. Darating ang araw na magdadalaga at mag-aasawa ang mga batang babaeng ito, dahil sa pakikipagtalik sa kanilang nobyo o asawang lalaki na maaaring carrier na ng HPV, sila ay maaari ring magkaroon o tamaan. Subalit dahil sila ay may HPV injection o dahil sila ay bakunado kontra HPV ngayong bata pa lamang sila, sadyang mataas ang porsyento na hindi na sila magkakaroon ng HPV at magiging ligtas sila sa cervical cancer.
Kaya ating hinihikayat ang mga magulang na pabakunahan ang kanilang mga anak ng anti HPV. Malapit na, sa mga susunod na araw ay sa eskuwelahan na natin darating ang mga taga DOH at mga taga Bulacan Provincial Public Health Office kasama ang mga taga RHU natin.
Huwag po tayong matakot, tulad ng laban natin sa COVID, ang bakuna kontra HPV ay laban natin kontra cervical cancer. Ipanalo po natin ito, ipanalo nating ang laban ng ating kabataang babaeng Bulakenyo, ng ating kabataang babaeng Pilipino.
It is now barely fourteen months before the May 12, 2025 midterm elections and politicians will again be at their busiest time.
Would you believe that serious talks about new and old alignments, positions, political parties, allies, foes, the weakest link, the strongest, the most powerful, the unbeatable, the the dark horse, the rookie, the first timers have begun as early as last year or even just on the day and night the newly elected winners on the May 9. 2022 elections were proclaimed. Voila!!
But above all these, there seems to be an enigma in politics particularly during election period, the “political butterflies”. Why did I say that it is an enigma? Because it is really something which we cannot really comprehend.
Manuel L. Quezon used to say that “My loyalty to my party ends where my loyalty to my country begins.” What an admirable principled man he was. Unlike his ideals where love of country and community, the service to people is the top priority and not himself or his family, many politicians these days are his exact opposite. There is no loyalty to the party, and what would you expect, a loyalty to the community and to the country???
For the political butterflies, they flew to where the polens and honey dues are. Party and service to the community and country come as the least priority, the least of their concern but themselves and their families. Staying in power and needing to fly even from one’s own nest to the next just not to lose their influence and money.
Here in our province, we’ve known a number of politicians who are branded as political butterflies. Many have remained strong and even became billionaires but many have also met their toll in the race of politics.
Another term for political butterfly is turncoat, leaving one party and ally that is deemed already weak and losing in favor of another party which is currently the stronger and the winnable one.
This early, fourteen months before the next year’s election, we have heard politicians who even switched allies, even aligned themselves to the weak and non-winning heads of a party just to make sure they will have a party to belong to.
On the other hand, there are political figures who do not abandon their ships even if they are sinking. They exhaust all means, efforts and energy to survive and prevent a tragedy. In the end, if indeed the boat sunk, they rather die together than be a “political butterfly”.
We are not judging them, and maybe at one point, they should be emulated and their surviving tactics become a model for every politician to survive in the stiffest time, but simple principles, values and virtues of loyalty, friendship and bond, respect, empathy, countrymen, people and community should ring a bell.
From councilor to vice mayor, to mayor, board member, vice governor, governor, congressman and senator, we can all see them flying, soaring high in bright and shining colors in the glaring sun of the day and in the darkest of the night in search of the best and sweetest polens and honey dues. One thing is certain though, we will vote for their foe.
Nauwi rin sa maayos, paglilinawan, pagkakaunawaan, pagpapatawad at higit sa lahat ay pagkatuto ang insidente sa pagitan ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Lungsod ng Baliwag sa pangunguna ni Mayor Ferdie Estrella at ng nasa likod ng Abot Kamay Na Pangarap na programa sa telebisyon ng GMA-7.
Matatandaang naglabas ng pahayag ang alkalde tungkol sa pagkadismaya nito sampu ng mga mamamayan ng Baliwag sa isang episode ng nasabing programa na inere noong Pebrero 14 sapagkat doon ay ipinahiwatig na ang lungsod ay lugar ng mga baliw.
Binanggit sa isang linya ng isang karakter ang Lungsod ng Baliwag sa isang pagpapahiwatig ng katatawanan at mapang-insultong kahulugan, “Nagdedeliryo na….papunta na sa Baliwag, Bulacan”.
Ayon sa alkalde, siya ay nalulungkot sapagkat ang nasa likod ng nasabing programa ay nagpapakita ng kakapusan sa kaalaman at kawalan ng sensibilidad sa mga mahahalagang isyu.
Pagbibigay-diin ng alkalde, ang lungsod ng Baliwag sa lalawigan ng Bulacan ay lunduyan ng kasaysayan at hitik sa kultura at tradisyon. “Kilala ito dahil dito nagmula ang mga bayaning sina Mariano Ponce at Col. Antonio Buenaventura (Pambansang Alagad ng Sining sa Musika), mga pamana tulad ng paglalala ng sumbalilong buntal at mga muwebles na may imbute, at ganundin ang pinakamahabang prusisyon tuwing Mahal na Araw. Marami ang itinuturing na pinagmulan ng pangalan ng Baliwag ngunit hindi isa rito ang salitang baliw. Ang baliuag ay isang salitang Tagalog na ang ibig sabihin ay malalim (deep, profound sa Ingles, hondo profundo sa Kastila). Ito ay nailathala noong 1800 bilang isang salita sa Vocabulario Lengua Tagala at makikita sa pahina 33 ng diksyunaryo. Ito rin ay matatagpuan sa pahina 115 ng Diksyunaryo Tesauro ni Jose Villa Panganiban (Villacorte, 2001).
Ayon pa sa alkalde, “Kung ating dadalumatin, maaaring ang lungsod ay pinangalanang Baliwag dahil ito ay kinakitaan ng katangian ng pagiging malalim: una, dito ay dumadaloy ang malalim na ilog at pangalawa ay maaaring ang mga taal na nakatira rito ay malalim kung mag-isip. “Bago gamitin ang ngalan ng isang lugar, nararapat lamang na isaalang-alang ang kasaysayan nito para akmang mailapat sa konteksto ng isang palabas,” ani nito.
Kung kaya nga’t kinondena ng alkalde ang iresponsableng pagsusulat ng skrip at pagpapalabas ng nasabing episode ng programang iyon. Ang huling mensahe at paghamon ng ating opisyal ay hindi na iyon maulit, magsilbing aral at makalikha ng kamalayan para sa mga susunod na palabas at iba pang pagtatanghal.
Atin lamang pong maidagdag, bilang tayo po ay guro ng Araling Panlipunan, tulad ng ating butihing alkalde, tayo rin po ay nalulungkot at nagdaramdam sapagkat ang mga nasa likod ng programang iyon ng GMA-7 ay mga nagsipagtapos ng kolehiyo, maaaring sa larangan ng mass communication at iba pang related sa field na ito at isang disiplinang natutunan sa kolehiyo ay ang “pagre-research” o sa Tagalog ay “pananaliksik”.
Bakit, hindi man lamang sinaliksik o inalam, ngayon ay isang click na lamang, sabi nga nila ay “googable” o nasa google naman ang halos lahat ng salita o ano pang bagay na gusto nating malaman o masiguro. Bakit nagsiguro na ang mga ito na iyon nga ang kahulugan ng pangalan ng lungsod. Gayundin, sinasang-ayunan natin ang ating mahal na mayor, bakit hindi sila “sensible” o mababa o wala sa kanilang hinagap na maging sensitibo sa damdamin ng kanilang kapwa, ng mga mamamayan ng Baliwag at ng buong lalawigan ng Bulacan sa pagkabit ng pangalan ng lungsod sa salitang baliw.
Sino nga ba ang tunay na baliw, ayon nga sa pamosong awitin.
Subalit sa huli, ay personal na nakipag-usap at humingi ng paumanhin ang mga opisyales ng nasabing programa at TV network sa alkalde sa opisina nito sa lungsod at ito naman ay tinanggap ng opisyal sampu ng iba pang kasamang mga opisyales ng lungsod. Kung kaya nga’t naayos din naman sa huli ang pagkakamali.
Isang halimbawa lamang po ito at isang pagpapaalala sa ating lahat na lagi nating siguraduhing tama at maayos ang salitang ating sasabihin, susulatin o gagawing skrip para sa ano pa mang palabas upang hindi tayo mapahamak at lalo’t higit ay hindi tayo makasira at makapanakit ng ating kapwa at ng mga nasa paligid natin.
We strongly commend our leaders in Bulacan for their newest program to promote our province’s very own heritage sites, our historical, cultural and various tourism destinations, this time, targeting the youth in particular.
In partnership with the Department of Education, the provincial government through the sangguniang panlalawigan is expected to approve a provincial ordinance which would prioritize visits to all the vital and most cultural and historical-rich places and locations in the province.
The ordinance theme, “Huwag maging dayuhan sa sariling lalawigan, unahing bisitahin ang yamang kultural at historikal ng Bulacan ” is conceptualized by Bulacan Provincial Tourism officer Eliseo Dela Cruz, Ph. D.
Under the proposed program to be implemented in all public and private elementary and high schools in Bulacan, no outside the province field trips or study tours would be allowed until all the listed most important tourist destinations in the province have been visited.
Instead of going to Sky Ranch in San Fernando, Pampanga, the numerous highly commercialized malls and theme parks in different areas in Metro Manila, like Star City, the Venice River in Bonifacio Global City in The Fort, Taguig, the SM Mall of Asia, the Nuvali Theme Park in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, our very own province, has more promising sites to experience and explore not only by our pupils and students but even their parents and guardians.
The malls and leisure and theme parks are mainly just for fun and leisure and would even entail exorbitant fees and expenditures in paying the school-required payments including for the children and the parents compare with the less expensive local trips which has educational and informative values, moral upliftment and will bring high sense of nationalism among our youth.
For the historical sites, Barasoain Church and Museum in City of Malolos, Marcelo H. Del Pilar Shrine and Museum and Gregorio Del Pilar monument in Bulakan town, Casa Real, Basilica Minore (Malolos Cathedral), House of Women of Malolos in Malolos, old houses turned government offices during the First Philippine Republic time under President Emilio Aguinaldo also in Malolos, Bulacan Military Area (BMA) in Bustos town, Biak-na-Bato National Park in San Miguel, Maestro Eusebio Roque Park in Pandi, Isidoro Torres Park in Malolos, Gen. Anacleto Enriquez bust in Bulakan town, the old Philippine National Railway (PNR) stations in City of Meycauayan, Balagtas, Guiguinto, City of Malolos and Calumpit and so many others, Francisco “Soc” Rodrigo house in Bulakan town, the old Spanish houses in Bustos and San Miguel town, also in Bulakan and Malolos.
Exposing the Bualkenyo youth to religious tourism is far more challenging but a very fulfilling advocacy and task. We will not only educate our children but we will also help in re-strengthening their faith in God to make them become more devoted and responsible members of their respective families.
Other than all these, each of the 20 towns and four cities in Bulacan have its own respective pride and distinct produce under the “One Town One Product” program and thrust of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). San Miguel town has the pastillas de leche, chicharon, Pulilan has the gatas ng kalabaw, Baliwag has the Buntal Hat, Angat has the espasol, Norzagaray has the cement factories, Malolos has the ensaymada and inipit, Meycauayan has the jewelry, Bulakan town has the tinapa, Paombong and Bulakan town has suka, Obando and Hagonoy have prawns and crabs, including bangus and tilapia, Guiguinto has hundreds of ornamental plants, Marilao has puto popular, Bocaue has chicharon and fireworks, Sta. Maria has chicharon and the once a year root crop “tugi,” Dona Remedios Trinidad (DRT) has coffee plantations, rambutan, pineapple, corn, etc. and is known as “The Tagaytay of the North” because of its pristine mountains and cold weather, falls, camping and glamping sites. Calumpit has the most sought longganisa.
The festivals –kneeling carabao in Pulilan every May 14 and 15; the January 17-23 Halamanan Festival in Guiguinto, the January Vegetable Festival in San Ildefonso, the January 11-20th Minasa festival of Bustos, the January 17-23 Fiesta Republika of Malolos, the Fertility Dance during the 3-day May 17,18 and 19 Obando Fiesta, the September San Rafael Angel Festival and the mother of all fiestas and festivals in Bulacan—The SIngkaban Festival, the SIning at Kalinangan ng Bulacan, and many more.
Each and every one of us Bulakenyos must be really proud because our province is undoubtedly the culture, history and heritage capital of the Philippines.
As a Music, Art, Physical Education and Health (MAPEH) teacher, I could not wait for this project to kick off. Bon Voyage!!
Mayor Christian Natividad speaking during a short program in front of the house of Rufina Reyes, one of the Women of Malolos during the 135th year anniversary celebration of the famous “letter of Rizal to the Women of Malolos” on Feb. 22. Photo by City of Malolos PIO
CITY OF MALOLOS—Officials mark with pride and joy this year’s 135th anniversary of the famous “Letter of Rizal to the Women of Malolos”as their legacy continues in this generation after the city’s youth has achieved a milestone in its literacy development and advancement programs.
Mayor Christian Natividad who led officials in a simple wreath-laying ceremony at the House of Rufina Reyes, one of the 21 Women of Malolos, in Barangay Sto. Nino on Thursday, Feb. 22 said the city is now reaping the legacy of the 20 Women of Malolos who championed the fight for education and learning as a way to help achieve freedom during the Spanish-American revolution.
On February 22, 1889, national hero Dr. Jose Rizal wrote a letter to the 21 Women of Malolos entitled “Sa Mga Kababayang Dalaga sa Malolos,” and expressed his admiration for their initiative, bravery and nationalism out of their decisive move to put up a school and learn the Spanish language. The said women gathered on December 12, 1888 at the house of Rufina Reyes in Barangay Sto. Nino where they made the initiative of writing their letter to then Governor General Valeriano Wyler.
According to the mayor, Malolos was adjudged by the Department of Education (DepEd) in 2023 as among the Top 5 Most Literate Cities in the country.
The recent development can be considered as a milestone achievement from the city’s record fourteen years ago in 2010 of being one of the cities and municipalities in the country with the highest percentage of dropouts and incompletion rates.
“Today, the City of Malolos from having the record with the highest dropouts and incompletion rate in 1998, the City of Malolos is now in the country’s top 5 cities and municipalities with the highest literacy rate. Malolos is reaping the legacy of our very own Women of Malolos, their courage, yearning for education and freedom,” Natividad told the media in an interview on Thursday.
“Sa kasalukuyan, we have come a long way from that petition ng mga Kababaihan ng Malolos to then Governor General Valeriano Weyler and the debate with the Spanish friars na hindi sila pinayagan sa kahilingan nilang mag-aral ng wikang Kastila,” (Today, we already had come a long way starting from that petition made by our very own Women of Malolos to then Governor General Valeriano Weyler and the debate they had with the Spanish friars for refusing to allow them to put up a school and learn the Spanish language), the mayor said.
City of Malolos Mayor Christian Natividad (7th from left) and Vice Mayor Miguel Alberto Bautista (on his right) were joined by other city officials and luminaries Matilde Natividad, mother of Natividad, Ruel F. Paguiligan Sr. Shrine Curator of Museo ng Republika ng 1899 in Barasoain Church, Casa Real Curator Jacinto Salvador, Department of Education Schools Division Superintendent Leilani Samson Cunanan, CESO V, Arman Sta Ana Tourism Head, Vicente Enriquez WOMFI President, City Health Office OIC Dr. Eric Villano andCity Councilors Troi Aldaba III and Ayee Ople. Photo by City of Malolos PIO
In 2010, he said, when he was first elected mayor, the City of Malolos was number one in dropout and incomplete percentage rate in the Philippines in secondary schooling with 1:98 classroom-student ratio but when he ended his nine years term in 2019 and until today, the ratio improved to 1:40 which is way above the DepEd’s 1:45 ideal ratio, the mayor said.
Today, Natividad said, there are public schools that offer senior high education in every 3 barangays out of its total 51 barangays.
Leilani Samson, DepEd Superintendent in City of Malolos said Natividad was very supportive and continued to look for available lots and spaces to build more secondary schools so that each of the 51 barangays would have their own, she told NEWS CORE on Saturday. The efforts had contributed a lot to the high literacy rate of the city, she said. For 2024, the city is aiming further to elevate Malolos in the National Literacy Award.
The inner front view of the house of Rufina Reyes in Barangay Sto. Nino, one of the Women of Malolos hailed by Rizal in his letter in 1889. Photo by Anton Luis Catindig
The leading and highest academically-performing students of Bulacan State University (BulSU) Malolos-Main Campus are also residents of the city, confirmed BulSU President Teody San Andres.
“Iyon ang legasiya ng kadalagahan ng Malolos. We should bridge the transition from the time na nagkaroon ng sulat ng paghanga si Rizal sa mga kadalagahan ng Malolos at sa katapangan nila para sa edukasyon at pagkakapantay-pantay sa karapatan ng babae at lalaki noong panahon na iyon, iyan naman dapat transition natin na panatiliin natin sa mga darating pang henerasyon,’ (That is the legacy of the Women of Malolos. We should bridge the transition from the time Rizal wrote that letter of admiration to the Women of Malolos for their courage to become educated and literate and their fight for equality between men and women during that time that we must also preserve for the next generation), the mayor added.
Eighteen from the 21 Women of Malolos were Cecilia Tiongson, Merced Tiongson, Aleja Tiongson, Agapita Tiongson, Filomena Tiongson, Paz Tiongson, Feliciana Tiongson, Anastacia Tiongson, Emilia Tiongson, Basilia Tantoco, Teresa Tantoco, Maria Tantoco, Rufina Reyes, Leoncia Reyes, Olimpia Reyes, Juana Reyes, Elisea Reyes, and Alberta Ui-Tangcoy.
At the fence of the Reyes house were markers respectively of the Philippine Historical Commission and the City Government of Malolos.
An outside view of the house of Rufina Reyes in Barangay Sto. Nino, one of the Women of Malolos hailed by Rizal in his letter in 1889. Photo by Anton Luis Catindig
The marker of the Philippine Historical Commission reads “Pook kinatatayuan ng bahay paaralan ng mga kadalagahan na nilihaman ni Jose Rizal buhat sa Londres noong ika-22 ng Pebrero, 1889 ng kanyang bantog na sulat na pinamagatang “Sa Mga Kababayang Dalaga sa Malolos”. Noong ika-12 ng Disyembre, 1888, ang 21 dalagang taga-Malolos ay humingi ng pahintulot sa Gubernador Heneral Weyler, na makapagbukas, sa sariling gugol nila, ng isang paaralang panggabi na magtuturo ng wikang Kastila. Sa kanyang sulat ay pinuri ni Rizal ang mga naturang dalaga dahil sa kanilang pagkukusa, sigasig at diwang makabayan”.
The City Government of Malolos marker reads “Sa Pook na ito dating nakatira ang angkan ng mga Reyes na kinabibilangan ni Rufina, isa sa mga kababaihan ng Malolos na naghain ng petisyon kay Gobernador Heneral Valeriano Weyler na makapag-aral ng wikang Kastila, 1888. Dito isinasagawa tuwing gabi ang pag-aaral ng mga kababaihan sa ilalim ng pagtuturo ni Gudalupe Reyes.
Ang panandang pang-alaalang ito ay pinasinayaan noong ika-14 ng Setyembre, 2014 bilang bahagi ng pagdiriwang sa ika-116 na guning taong pagbubukas ng Kongreso ng Malolos, 15 Setyembre 1898, muling isinaayos, ngayong 23, Enero 2022, kaalinsabay ng pagdiriwang ng ika-123 guning taon sa pasinaya sa Unang Republika”.
The City of Malolos and Bulacan province welcome arc in the boundary of Barangay Tabang, Guiguinto and Barangay Tikay, City of Malolos which officials said is a road obstruction. Photo taken at around 6:30 a.m. on Thursday by Carmela Reyes-Estrope
CITY OF MALOLOS—The city’s welcome arc along the MacArthur highway in Barangay Tikay is a road obstruction and should be moved and reconstructed in the outermost lanes or shoulder of the highway to ensure the safety of motorists, officials said.
Mayor Christian Natividad is reacting in an accident early morning on Thursday when a truck driver and a helper were injured after their vehicle loaded with sand smashed into the concrete-made arc in the boundary of Barangay Tabang, Guiguinto and Barangay Tikay in City of Malolos.
The mayor said a reconstruction is needed to be done to prevent another accident.
“The structure is constructed in the inner lane of the highway. It really put motorists in danger. It is a road obstruction and must really be reconstructed,” he told the media following the incident.
Glen Reyes, Provincial Engineer of Bulacan told NEWS CORE on Friday, the reconstruction of the welcome arc is already on schedule next month. The new arc will be constructed at the outermost lanes and will be utilizing the right of way to make sure it will not cause any obstruction to the highway.
According to Reyes, the arc was constructed in 1998 in time for the centennial celebration of the June 12, 1898 Philippine Independence in Barasoain Church, which is located in the capital city of Bulacan.
The arc has a top marking of “City of Malolos” and “Bulakan”. “Bulacan” referring to the province is also erroneously written because it was “Bulakan, (with a letter “k”) which refers to Bulakan town, the old capital of the province and not “Bulacan,” the province.
The portion of MacArthur highway in Barangay Tabang in Guiguinto and Barangay Tikay in this capital city is the major, most accessible and fastest route going to Barasoain Church.
But according to Reyes, the arc was not erroneously constructed. During that time, he said, that part of the MacArthur highway was only two lanes. However, because of road widening works in the succeeding years, the arc was displaced.
The MacArthur highway is a national highway and is under the works and maintenance of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“We have already made a bid for the arc reconstruction. It will be replaced with a new one. This time it will maximize the outer lanes using the right of way to free the highway from any obstruction,” he said.
Roy Perez, 31, truck helper suffered massive injuries on his right leg and foot. His brother, Ronald Perez, 32, driver of the truck was also injured. Both of them are residents of Purok 4, San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija. They were rushed to Bulacan Medical Center in this city but were transferred to a hospital in Cabanatuan City for treatment of their injuries.
Ronald was driving a Foton truck registered as CAK-1696 when he suddenly fell asleep which caused the vehicle to smash into the concrete-made arc at around 4:56 a.m on Feb. 22
Police investigator S/Sgt. Edgar De Jesus told NEWS CORE that the truck loaded with sand came from Capaz, Tarlac and was bound for Cavite.
The truck had blocked the traffic in the area for about 6 hours. End to-end tail of traffic reaches about 4 kilometers from Tabang Cloverleaf near the North Luzon Expressway (NLeX) Tollgate and in Barangay San Pablo in this city.
NLEX Corporation reaches another milestone with the installation of the first girder on the Candaba 3rd Viaduct, signifying the project’s halfway mark.
The installation of the first girder marks the pivotal transition from groundwork-heavy construction to road-level work, minimizing the project’s dependence on ground access. This ensures that work can continue in all-weather conditions.
“This remarkable achievement shows NLEX’s commitment to complete the project by November 2024. We are very glad that our chosen construction partner, Leighton Contractors (Asia) Limited, is one with us in our objective to expedite work on the project, while prioritizing the safety of all workers and ensuring the structural soundness of the new bridge,” said NLEX Corporation President and General Manager, J. Luigi L. Bautista.
This milestone coincides with the project’s attainment of one million safe manhours, reflecting a culture of safety and conducive work environment in the construction of NLEX’s Candaba 3rd Viaduct.
The Candaba 3rd Viaduct Project spans five kilometers and is situated between two existing bridges connecting the towns of Pulilan, Bulacan, and Apalit, Pampanga. Upon its completion, the Candaba Viaduct will be widened to three lanes with inner and outer shoulders in each direction, thereby enhancing safety and mobility for motorists. NLEX Corporation is a subsidiary of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the toll road arm of the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC).
