CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan — Amid the strong lashing of Typhoon Ompong’s winds and rains, Bulakenyos on Saturday commemorated the 120th anniversary of the opening of the Malolos Congress at the historic Barasoain Church here.
The wreath-laying ceremony at the monument of President Emilio Aguinaldo in front of the Barasoain church was led by National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Executive Director Ludovico Badoy, Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado and City of Malolos Mayor Christian D. Natividad.
Ruel Paguiligan, shrine curator of the Museum of the 1899 Republic based at the Barasoain church, said the simple ceremony was held despite severe weather condition as September 15 was the exact date of the opening of the Malolos Congress.
Governor Alvarado said “the pleasure of our feast is to be deferred but it is not possible to delay the remembrance of the day when it occurred. Because in the Congress of Malolos, there was a principle of fulfilling our own government ownership as a republic.”
Natividad said what happened at the Barasoain Church 120 years ago ushered in a drastic change on the lives of the Filipinos and made them free people of a sovereign and independent nation.
“So even with the strength brought by Typhoon Ompong, we need to remember the exact day of any historical events,” Natividad added.
Meanwhile, in addition to the remembrance of the Malolos congressional anniversary on September 15, there will be another memorial program on September 20 with Senate President Vicente Sotto III as guest speaker. (Manny Balbin/PNA)
