CITY OF MALOLOS—House Speaker Martin Romualdez led the Barasoain Church celebration of the 126th Philippine Independence Day in this city on Wednesday.
Romualdez was joined by Gov. Daniel Fernando, Vice Gov. Alexis Castro, City Mayor Chiristian Natividad, Gina Batuhan, National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Chief Historic Sites Development Officer of the Historic Sites & Education Divisions and Malolos. Bishop Dennis Villarojo and Barasoain Church parish priest Fr. Domingo Salonga and other local officials in raising the Philippine flag at the foregrounds of the Barasoain Church, shortly before a wreath-laying ceremony at the monument of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) region-3 police office headed by PBGen Jose Hidalgo Jr. also gave honor to Aguinaldo and the country’s independence through a 21-gun salute.
Romualdez said the freedom fought for by our ancestors and which Filipinos enjoy today is not only a privilege but a responsibility to maintain and keep in this modern times.
He said, we Filipinos have the duty and responsibility to continue the fight for the same freedom while we face new challenges.
“Through the sacrifices of our heroes and ancestors who were the forerunners of the Malolos Congress, the Malolos Constitution and the First Philippine Republic in Asia, we have acquired freedom and we have kept our pride and dignity as a nation,” the House Speaker said.
Today, he said, Filipinos accept the challenge our leaders and acestors left to us. “It is a responsibility in these modern times, we should continue the fight for our freedom against colonizers, poverty and injustice,” he added.
“What we have learned from our past is for all of us Filipinos to unite in the face of the challenges of the modern times,” Romualdez also said.
“Sama sama nating itaguyod ang bansang malaya, maunlad at may katarungan,” (We should all stand and pursue the freedom of our nation and to become a more developed and progressive country enjoying justice among its people), Romualdez also said.
Fernando who gave honor to the declaration of our country’s freedom in Kawit, Cavite said the independence we enjoy today, 126 years ago equates to responsibilities we need to do and keep and fight for.
“What we also need to pursue today is our sense of empathy and sincere concern to our fellows,” the governor said.
Also, Fernando said, our love for our freedom and our country should not only be expressed and done during June 12 Independence Day but in each day of our lives as Filipinos.
“We honor you, we remember you, we thank you. Mabuhay ang malayang Bulacan, mabuhay ang malayang Pilipinas”.
According to City of Malolos Mayor Christian Natividad, the Barasoain Church and the Malolos Congress leave the legacy of a Constitution for the country today and during diffeerent times and season.
All the leaders of the country from then until today have only fought for one thing, which is freedom and peace for their motherland, the mayor added.
