QUICK AKSYON FUNDS FOR BULAKENYO OFWS. Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Atty. Hans Leo J. Cacdac, Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando, and Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro together with some of the Bulakenyo Overseas Filpino Workers from the municipalities of Balagtas, Bocaue, Guiguinto, Calumpit, Marilao, Hagonoy, and Paombong during the Awarding of Quick Aksyon Funds Calamity Assistance to OFWs and their Families that was held recently at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium, City of Malolos, Bulacan. Also in the photo are (from left) DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia, Bulacan PESO (Public Employment Services Office) Managers Association, Inc. President/Guiguinto PESO Manager Emelita San Agustin, Bocaue PESO Manager Lani Aguacito, Provincial Administrator Antonette V. Constantino, OFW Family Circle President Vilma Santos, (beside Castro) Hagonoy PESO Manager Charina Cruz, Provincial Public Employment Service Office Department Head Engr. Egbert R. Robles, DMW Undersecretary Dominique Rubia Tutay, (behind Tutay) DMW Region III Regional Director Atty. Marion Sevilla, and Provincial Public Affairs Office OIC-Department Head Khristina Alexis M. Talavera.
QUICK AKSYON FUNDS FOR BULAKENYO OFWS. Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Atty. Hans Leo J. Cacdac, Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando, and Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro together with some of the Bulakenyo Overseas Filpino Workers from the municipalities of Balagtas, Bocaue, Guiguinto, Calumpit, Marilao, Hagonoy, and Paombong during the Awarding of Quick Aksyon Funds Calamity Assistance to OFWs and their Families that was held recently at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium, City of Malolos, Bulacan. Also in the photo are (from left) DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia, Bulacan PESO (Public Employment Services Office) Managers Association, Inc. President/Guiguinto PESO Manager Emelita San Agustin, Bocaue PESO Manager Lani Aguacito, Provincial Administrator Antonette V. Constantino, OFW Family Circle President Vilma Santos, (beside Castro) Hagonoy PESO Manager Charina Cruz, Provincial Public Employment Service Office Department Head Engr. Egbert R. Robles, DMW Undersecretary Dominique Rubia Tutay, (behind Tutay) DMW Region III Regional Director Atty. Marion Sevilla, and Provincial Public Affairs Office OIC-Department Head Khristina Alexis M. Talavera.
CITY OF MALOLOS – The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Atty. Hans Leo J. Cacdac led the Awarding of Quick Aksyon Funds Calamity Assistance to OFWs and their Families together with the Provincial Government of Bulacan through the Provincial Public Employment Service Office (PPESO) at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium here yesterday, allotting a total of P3,500,000 to the beneficiaries.
This initiative aims to aid OFWs and their families who were affected by recent Typhoons Crising and Emong.
A total of 700 beneficiaries, 100 recipients per municipality each received P5,000 including the municipalities of Balagtas, Bocaue, Guiguinto, Calumpit, Marilao, Hagonoy, and Paombong.
During Cacdac’s speech, he reaffirmed DMW’s commitment to stand by Bulakenyo OFWs as they rebuild their lives and rise again.
“Hindi man ito sapat para maibalik ang lahat ng nawala, pero ang tulong na ito ay tanda ng aming pagmamahal at pagmamalasakit. Sana ay maging panimula po ito sa muling ninyong pagbangon,” Cacdac said.
Meanwhile, Governor Daniel R. Fernando extended his gratitude to the DMW for prioritizing Bulakenyo migrant workers and added that it is a reminder that the government values and supports OFWs who are considered today’s modern-heroes.
“Umasa po kayo na palaging nandito ang Provincial Government upang gumabay at umalalay sa inyo, lalo na sa ganitong mga kalamidad. Huwag po tayong mawawalan ng pag-asa, bawat pagsubok po na ating pinagdadaanan ay ang bagong pagkakataon upang muling makabangon,” Fernando said.
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CITY OF MALOLOS – As the Singkaban Festival 2025 prepares to showcase the pride and heritage of Bulacan, visitors and locals alike are invited to join ‘Pasyal Saya sa Bulacan’, a special travel and tour program offering unforgettable cultural journeys, historic explorations, and festive highlights.
Organized in partnership with trusted travel agencies, Pasyal Saya sa Bulacan gives festivalgoers a chance to immerse themselves in the province’s vibrant traditions and rich history through specially curated tour packages available this September.
Bound2Wanderph Travel & Tours will bring guests closer to the heart of Bulacan through their Bulacan Highlights Day Tour, running from September 7 to 13, which includes a guided exploration of Calumpit and the City of Malolos heritage sites along with engaging workshop activities. For those seeking a more immersive experience, the Overnight Stay Tours on September 7-8 and September 12-13 offer a full-day tour capped with a delightful dinner at Bistro Maloleño, overnight hotel accommodations, and free time to enjoy the Singkaban Festival highlights.
Meanwhile, Manejkom Travel & Tours, Inc. offers their “Pasyal Saya sa Bulacan Singkaban Festival Tour Packages” with three exciting options: Day Tour A highlights the beauty of farm life at Pulong Kabyawan Agricultural Farm with a countryside experience and a relaxing river cruise with lunch; Day Tour B focuses on Bulacan’s historical and cultural treasures in the City of Malolos, including Barasoain Church, Museo ng Kasaysayan Pampulitika ng Pilipinas with a film showing, and Casa Real’s “Living Heroes” showcase, capped by a river cruise with lunch. For those who wish to experience more, their 2 Days and 1 Night Tour combines both day tours into a complete Bulacan adventure.
The tours are available on September 7-8, September 8, September 12-13, and September 13, 2025, giving visitors flexible dates to experience the sights, culture, and festivities of Bulacan at their own pace.
Through Pasyal Saya sa Bulacan, the Singkaban Festival goes beyond cultural performances and events as it allows guests to explore the stories, heritage, and flavors that define the province.
For further details and bookings, interested guests may visit the official Facebook pages of Bound2Wanderph Travel & Tours and Manejkom Travel & Tours, Inc. for complete contact information.
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The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) has authorized the implementation of the third and final tranche of toll rate adjustments for the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), originally due in 2021 and 2023. Collection will begin on September 9, 2025.
Upon implementation, motorists will pay an additional ₱0.64 per kilometer for Class 1 vehicles, ₱1.29 per kilometer for Class 2, and ₱1.93 per kilometer for Class 3.
The additional rates, which followed strict compliance with regulatory procedures and thorough review, are part of the approved 2020/2022 petition for periodic adjustments for SCTEX due in 2021 and 2023. The TRB, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), and NLEX Corporation agreed to implement the adjustments in three tranches over three years to lessen the impact on motorists.
Once implemented, motorists with Class 1 vehicles (cars/SUVs) traveling from Mabalacat City (Mabiga Interchange) to Tarlac will pay an additional ₱25. Those using Class 2 vehicles (buses and small commercial trucks) on the same route will pay an additional ₱51, and Class 3 vehicles (large trucks/trailers) will incur an additional charge of ₱75. Meanwhile, motorists traveling between Mabalacat City (Mabiga Interchange) and Tipo, Hermosa, Bataan (near Subic Freeport) will be charged an additional ₱40, ₱80, and ₱121 for Class 1, 2, and 3 vehicles, respectively.
Those traveling the entire SCTEX stretch from Tipo to Tarlac will pay an additional ₱66 for Class 1, ₱131 for Class 2, and ₱197 for Class 3 vehicles.
Over the past years, various infrastructure and enhancement projects have been implemented along SCTEX to further improve motorists’ safety and convenience while using the expressway. Among the major accomplishments is the completion of the New Clark City Interchange, which now serves as an alternate route for motorists traveling to Capas, Bamban, and New Clark City.
The RFID and toll systems also underwent significant upgrades, including the conversion to Neology antennas and stickers. These new sensors offer better readability rates, thereby enhancing motorists’ travel experience.
Additional CCTV cameras and speed monitoring systems were installed across the expressway network to improve traffic law enforcement and strengthen road safety.
Porac-Gumain Bridge underwent repairs, and mitigation efforts at the Pasig-Potrero Bridge remain ongoing to maintain its structural integrity and ensure motorists’ safety.
Routine maintenance activities such as signage replacement, pavement repairs and crack sealing, guardrail and fence repairs, and repainting of road furniture continue for a safer road.
As part of ongoing sustainability initiatives, rainwater collection systems were constructed at the Floridablanca and Dinalupihan rest bays to supply water to public restrooms. Moreover, additional green initiatives are in the pipeline, including solar-powered lights integrated with wind turbines, which aim to illuminate the SCTEX network-creating brighter, more sustainable roads.
Together, these efforts reflect the tollway company’s unwavering commitment to delivering fast, reliable, and safe road access, while driving innovation and environmental responsibility for the benefit of all motorists.
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Consistent with its commitment to bring light and progress to off-grid communities, the National Power Corporation (NPC) on Friday, September 5, will lead the ceremonial turnover of 437 units of portable photovoltaic (PV) solar home systems (SHS) to Dumagat Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) residing within the Angat Watershed Forest Reserve (AWFR) in Bulacan.
“NPC is fully driven by the mission to achieve universal access to electricity for all Filipinos, including indigenous cultural communities in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas,” NPC President and CEO Fernando Martin “Nani” Roxas said.
With the portable PV solar home systems, an estimated 437 beneficiary households will each be able to power essential appliances such as LED lamps, AM/FM radio, mobile phones, DC television, and electric fans. The units will allow children to study at night, enable families to engage in small livelihood activities beyond daylight, reduce their dependence on kerosene or other costly fuel sources which may be hazardous for the forests.
“As NPC implements various livelihood programs in our watershed communities, the SHS units are expected to improve socio-economic outcomes and also promote sustainable energy sources,” added President Nani Roxas.
The provision of the solar home systems is a milestone activity of NPC under DOE’s Total Electrification Project (TEP) 2, and aims to enable households in rural areas unreached by major electrical grids to have access to sustainable energy.
A nationally funded project, TEP focuses on energizing the remaining households in unserved and underserved communities nationwide by 2029 and supports NPC’s long-term goals of attaining electricity access, improving reliability and resiliency of power supply, and adopting clean and affordable electricity in off-grid areas.
As part of their shared responsibility on total electrification, NPC and DOE shall distribute another 674 units of SHS to the former’s watershed communities in Upper Agno River Watershed in Benguet, San Roque Watershed in Pangasinan and Benguet, Buhi-Barit Watershed in Camarines Sur, Tiwi Watershed in Albay, and Pulangi Watershed in Bukidnon.
Joining President Nani to grace the ceremony are Dr. Marie Grace Pascua, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Chair, Atty. Rhodex Valenciano, NCIP Commissioner Region III, local government leaders and the Dumagat indigenous peoples led by Tribal Governor Rogelio B. Villarama.
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LUNGSOD NG MALOLOS — Gumawa ang Provincial Cooperative and Enterprise Development Office (PCEDO) ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Bulacan ng isang hakbang na higit pang magpapabuti sa buhay at negosyo ng mga Bulakenyong negosyante kung saan nilalayong gawing abot-kaya ang ‘Bayanihang Bulakenyo Financing Program’ para sa micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) at mga kooperatiba sa lalawigan sa pamamagitan ng isang panukalang magpapataas sa kanilang maximum loanable amount.
Inanunsiyo ito ng Puno ng PCEDO na si Abgd. Jayric L. Amil sa pagbubukas ng Tatak Singkaban Trade Fair noong Martes, Setyembre 2, sa Robinsons Place Malolos.
Dagdag pa ni Amil, layon ng panukala na itaguyod at gawing mas madali at mas accessible ang Bayanihang Bulakenyo Financing Program para sa mga lokal na nagnenegosyo, lalo na sa gitna ng inflation at pagbabago sa purchasing power ng piso. Gayunpaman, binanggit din niya na ang desisyon kung gaano kalaki ang halaga ng itataas ay nakasalalay sa deliberasyon ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Ipinatupad ang Bayanihang Bulakenyo Financing Program for Cooperatives and MSMEs o ang Provincial Ordinance No. 94-2021 upang magbigay ng tulong pinansiyal sa anyo ng pautang o loan para mapalakas ang produksiyon at potensiyal ng mga negosyo sa Bulacan.
Sa kasalukuyan, ang maximum loanable amount para sa new borrowers ay P50,000 (enterprise) at P100,000 (cooperatives). Samantala, ang renewal borrowers naman ay maaaring mangutang ng maximum na P150,000 (enterprise) at P300,000 (cooperatives).
Inanyayahan din niya ang mga Bulakenyong namimili sa mall na bisitahin ang iba’t ibang booth na binubuo ng 50 lokal na MSMEs na nagtatampok ng mga dekalidad na produkto ng lalawigan, mula sa mga handcrafted goods hanggang sa mga natatanging lokal na pagkain.
“Suportahan po natin ang ating mga lokal na produkto na talaga naman pong maipagmamalaki natin na isang Tatak Bulakenyo,” ani Amil.
Samantala, tiniyak naman ni Gobernador Daniel R. Fernando, na kinatawan ni Crispin De Luna, sa mga lokal na negosyante na patuloy na lilikha ang Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng mas marami pang oportunidad para suportahan at paunlarin ang kanilang mga negosyo.
“Bilang pagpapahalaga sa inyong ipinamamalas na katatagan, sisiguraduhin ko po na ang inyong lingkod ay magbubuhos ng marami pang oportunidad sa inyo upang palaguin at pagyamanin pa ang inyong mga kabuhayan,” aniya.
Gaganapin ang trade fair hanggang Setyembre 4 sa Robinsons Place Malolos at magpapatuloy ang second leg sa Setyembre 8 – 14 sa harap ng Regional Trial Court Building sa Bakuran ng Kapitolyo sa lungsod na ito, kasabay ng isang linggong pagdiriwang ng Singkaban Festival 2025.
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Civil society and multi-sectoral organizations on Thursday called the attention of key government agencies for the lack of participative consultation processes in the creation of the Philippines’ updated climate targets under the Paris Agreement, which party countries are due to submit ahead of the next United Nations climate conference in Brazil.
In a letter addressed to the Climate Change Commission, Department of Energy, Department of Transportation, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, and the Department of Finance, the groups urged the government bodies to embody the government’s declared policy of a “whole-of-society approach” to climate action through “urgent and necessary” consultations for the country’s new Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0).
“Being the most vulnerable country for risks and disasters associated with the climate crisis, the Philippines must urgently conduct consultations for the NDC 3.0 submission with care and intention. The gravity of the risks and the existential threat posed by the climate crisis only affirms that consultations cannot be rushed. It is important that the consultations be an arduous process that ensures the inclusion and participation of as many sectors of society,” the letter read.
The groups said that these consultations need to be organized nationally, along sectoral lines, thematically by the agencies, and with a draft of the proposed NDC circulated well ahead of consultations to ensure that frontline communities and multisectoral groups are able to meaningfully contribute and engage in the process.
“With the above, we, the undersigned, believe that the next Philippine NDC can truly reflect our needs as a climate-vulnerable nation,” said the groups, led by representatives of the Power for People Coalition, Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development, Diocese of San Carlos, Protect VIP and Social Action Center of Calapan, Apostolic Vicariate of Calapan, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology, Philippine Misereor Partnership, Inc., Conference of Major Superiors of the Philippines – Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission (JPICC), Lunhaw, Alyansa Tigil Mina, Freedom from Debt Coalition, Environmental Legal Assistance Center Inc., and SAVE Philippines.
“Such an ambitious NDC would be guided by principles of climate justice that factors in just transitions in energy, transportation, agriculture, and labor. In particular, the well-noted abundance of fully-sovereign sources of renewable energy in the Philippines, an energy transition provides ample opportunity for a renewable energy transition that can progressively build towards a zero-emissions energy sector by 2040. This whole-of-society approach can only cohere through the cooperation and collaboration between the government and the people,” the letter said.
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Santa Maria named President and CEO; Conde appointed Interim Group CFO; Reñon to lead NLEX; and Pangilinan to head MPT South
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Manila, Philippines — September 3, 2025. Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC)—the holding company of the country’s premier tollways under Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC)—today announced a slate of leadership changes effective immediately, led by the appointment of Gilbert F. Santa Maria as President & Chief Executive Officer, succeeding tollways veteran Jose Ma. K. Lim. The company also named Marisa V. Conde as Interim MPTC Group Chief Finance Officer, Luis S. Reñon as President and General Manager of NLEX Corporation, and Christopher Andrew B. Pangilinan as President and General Manager of MPT South Corp. in a concurrent capacity with his role as President & CEO of Metro Pacific Water.
Santa Maria brings nearly three decades of senior leadership across aviation, technology-enabled services, and infrastructure, leading large organizations through transformation in local and international markets.
“Tollways are nation-building in motion. Our mandate is to keep people and goods moving—finish the projects in the pipeline, raise the customer experience, and deploy technology toward interoperable toll collection in close partnership with regulators and communities,” said Santa Maria.
Conde is a seasoned finance executive within the MPIC Group with extensive experience in controllership, treasury, and corporate finance across Philippine and international markets, and will oversee group-wide financial strategy during the interim period.
Reñon will head NLEX Corporation, concessionaire of the key North Luzon corridors NLEX, SCTEX, and NLEX Connector, supporting mobility and commerce across Metro Manila, Central, and North Luzon.
Pangilinan will lead MPT South, which covers CAVITEX (including the C5 Link) and CALAX, serving the growth corridors of Cavite and Laguna, while continuing to head Metro Pacific Water.
Mr. Lim will support a smooth leadership transition and continue his broader advisory and board responsibilities within the MPIC Group.
About Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation MPTC is the leading toll road developer and operator in the Philippines and the holding company of premier tollways including NLEX, SCTEX, CAVITEX, CALAX, NLEX Connector, and CCLEX in Cebu, with investments in Indonesia and Vietnam.
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Listed natural resources development company Nickel Asia Corporation (NAC) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with De La Salle University (DLSU) to launch the NAC START Internship Program, a flagship initiative designed to provide immersive learning experiences for future professionals in the natural resources sector.
The NAC START Internship Program is envisioned to serve as a platform for students to gain first-hand industry exposure while deepening their understanding of sustainability and inclusive development.
L-R: DLSU Internship Placement Coordinator Mae-Ann Dagupion, DLSU Student Success Center Director Dr. Ron Resurrecion, NAC Talent Supply Chain Manager Andrew Chan, NAC VP – Human Resources Ma. Fatima Mijares, DLSU Department of Psychology Practicum Coordinator Chester Howard Lee, NAC Senior Manager HR Service Management Joanne Mar, NAC Talent Supply Chain Senior Supervisor Beatrice Banaag, NAC Talent Supply Chain Supervisor Joshua Juta
“I think that this partnership is a good opportunity for up-and-coming professionals to see how the industry contributes to sustainability,” said NAC Vice President for Human Resources Ma. Fatima Mijares.
“It’s very important for young people not just to see the operational aspect of a company’s operations, but also the social relevance of what we do,” Mijares added.
The partnership marks NAC’s first formal collaboration with a university and the first time DLSU has partnered with a natural resources development company.
Nickel Asia Corporation and De La Salle University signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the NAC START Internship Program
“I am excited for the partnership because of the values. I think DLSU has the same values as NAC because we both advocate for the environment and sustainability, and I am also happy to hear that the company is an advocate for inclusion not just in gender, but also indigenous people. I believe DLSU is also going towards that direction, toward sustainability and inclusion,” said DLSU Student Success Center Director Dr. Ron R. Resurrecion.
Set to roll out in 2026, NAC START reflects NAC’s commitment to shaping future leaders by combining academic learning with hands-on training, environmental engagement, and values- driven development. The initiative is also aligned with the company’s advocacy of sustainability, nation-building, and its recognition as a certified Great Place to Work®.
BULAKAN, Bulacan—Gov. Daniel Fernando urged the Bulakenyo people to seize all the opportunities to once and tor all demonstrate to the world the greatness of the province of Bulacan, the birth place of Marcelo H. del Pilar and a number of remarkable other heroes and not a province hounded with numerous ghost flood control projects.
Fernando gave his words as one of the guests of honor and speaker during Saturday’s celebration of Del Pilar’s 175th birth anniversary held at the hero’s shrine in Barangay San Nicolas this town.
Fernando hailed the hero for proving that truth is much powerful than than lies in upholding justice and defending the oppress which resembled and resonated his utmost love for the country through his honesty and integrity in all his writings.
“Let it be that our province be continuously known for its greatness and not for a number of ghost flood control projects, not to he tainted with corruption but being an honest, faithful, pro people and genuinely serving its people and the welfare of each Bulakenyo family,” (Kung paanong ginamit ni Del Pilar ang panahon at pagkakataon upang ipagtanggol ang nga naaapi, gamitin natin ang ating panahon sa ngayon upang tiyakin na ang Bulacan ay patuloy na magiging dakila), he said.
“Isang Bulacan na hindi makikilala sa sandamakmak na ghost flood control projects, hindi mababahiran ng corruption, kundi isang Bulacan na tapat at makatao at tunay na nagsisilbi ng kapakanan ng bawat pamilyang Bulakenyo”.
He urged each and everyone to unite and unify their strengths and efforts to combat corruption and anomalies and uphold the integrity and genuine concern in governance and public service.
“Let us live on the morals and lessons of the patriotism of Del Pilar lhat leadership is not based on power, money and fame but on true service to the people,” the governor said.
He said everyone must work hard today so as not to allow corruption and anomalies be the legacy our youth today will embrace from us during our time today for the next generations to come.
“Hindi itong corruption ang dapat manahin ng ating mga kabataon o ang kultura ng katiwalian ang kanilang makita at gayahin, bagkus ay kung paano tayo kumilos, tumindig at magkaisa para labanan ang kakiwalian at igiit ang katotohanan,” the governor also said.
He warned that the evils if would be emulated and embraced by our youth today will rot the future of our nation. “Let us work hard to build a future that is rooted on honesty, integrity, patriotism and with full dignity for our children, the children of our children and the next next next generations in the future,” the Bulacan chief executive also added.
Challenge fo the media
Fernando also encouraged and expressed his support to journalists and the media to continue to ferret the truth, as the country without the truth will fall down and collapse and that being the watchdog of corruption and anomalies.
“My beloved media men, the truth lies in your hands against the ills of our society and against the evil of fake news,” he said.
For the third year now, the country observes August 30 Del Pilar Day as National Press Freedom Day. The celebration began on August 30, 2022, after then-President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law Republic Act No. 11699 on April 13 that year. Years earlier, journalists from Metro Manila and Bulacan lobbied before the congress and the senate to pass a law recognizing the annual Aug. 30 birth of Del Pilar, the father of Philippine Journalism as National Press Freedom Day.
Del Pilar as human rights champion
Newly installed Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro who hails from Bulakan town, also a guest of honor and speaker gave honor to Del Pilar as a champion of human rights when he led the fight for equality, justice and freedom of the Filipinos through government reforms against oppression by Spanish friars during that colonial rule.
She remind every Filipino to be the defender of their own right. “There is no oppressed when no one allows it. Farmers, fishermen, students, housewife, anyone have rights just like what Del Pilar fought for us. We should not allow ourselves be belittled or downgraded by anyone,” she said.
She also recognized Del Pilar’s newspaper La Solidaridad as the enlightenment, the guiding spirit of the country’s present freedom and democracy.
Lazaro also honored the country’s Oversees Filipino Workers (OFW’s) for being the country’s heroes similar to Del Pilar because of the works they need to do abroad away from their families.
“Del Pilar died in foreign land, he died of tuberculosis, he used his money in printing La Solidaridad. He failed to be with his family. Our OFW’s are also far away from their country, families and whose life are also being sacrificed,” she said.
Home after 24 years
Lazaro remembered the grand civic parade being held every August 30 Del Pilar Day in the town in honor of the hero.
A grand civic parade tradition every Aug. 30 Del Pilar Day began on 1984 when the remains of the hero was finally brought home to his hometown in Barangay San Nicolas. On a rainy gloomy morning, the descendants of Del Pilar. the National Press Club and the Bulacan Press Club led local officials and hundreds of residents in welcoming in the whole strecth of street the remains of Plaridel as it was finally laid at his home town
His remains were neglected in a foreign land after he died in Barcelona, Spain on July 4, 1896. It took 24 years before his bones were brought home to the country on December 3, 1920.
Kept in an ordinary cemetery in Manila, Del Pilar’s kin asked the government to give proper burial and honor to the hero by bringing his remains to his native town.
Plaridel also known as “Cupang,” “Dolores Manaksak,” “Carmelo,” Piping Dilat, Siling Labuyo, Maytiyaga, Patos, D.A. Murgas, L.O. Crame, Selong, M. Calero, Felipeno, Hilario, Pudpoh, Gregoria de Luna, Dolores Manaksak, M. Dati, and VZKKQJC and called by Bulakenyos as “Tata Celo” died in Barcelona after years of editing and publishing La Solidaridad to continue to enlighten the Filipinos against the oppression of the Spaniards. Del Pilar and Dr. Jose Rizal’s works and writings had led to the armed revolution of Andres Bonifacio against the Spaniards.
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Quezon City, August 17, 2025–Ma. Gladys Cruz-Sta. Rita, former President and CEO of the National Power Corporation (Napocor) and former Provincial Administrator of Bulacan was recognized with the Distinguished Alumni Award for Good Governance in Public Utility Development and Hydraulic Resources Stewardship at the 2025 UP Alumni Association (UPAA) Awards Ceremony held in UP Diliman.
Sta. Rita, a proud alumna of the UP School of Economics, currently serves as Vice President for the Investment Management Group – Power Sector and Special Assistant to the PCEO at the Maharlika Investment Corporation.
The first female President and CEO of Napocor (2013–2017), she is credited with the full financial turn-around of Napocor with a 2.9 billion pesos revenue in 2015, expanding missionary electrification to 67 islands, and revitalizing critical watershed and dam projects. In 2015, she was commended by Senator Serge Osmena on the Senate Floor as one of the key persons instrumental in averting the 2015 power crisis, the group effort to maximize the capacity of CBK power plant in Cavinti, Laguna which if utilized will add 120 megawatts in the Luzon Grid. The key was the relocation of informal settlers and organizing the community living inside and around the Cavinti lake in about 2 to 3 months.
She joins a distinguished roster of awardees this year, including DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Solicitor General Darlene Berberabe, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Landbank PCEO Lynette Ortiz, and Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who was named Most Distinguished Alumnus.
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