INDEPENDENCE DAY. Senator Richard Gordon (third from left), together with Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado (fourth from left) lead thousands of Bulakenyos in the wreath-laying ceremony at the statue of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo in commemoration of the 120th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence held at the historic grounds of Barasoain Church, City of Malolos, Bulacan on Tuesday morning (June 12, 2018).(Photo by Manny Balbin)
CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan -- Senator Richard Gordon on Tuesday asked every Filipino to “commit themselves to share on the goal of their beloved country” as their contributions to the nation’s freedom.
Amid the pouring rain, the patriotism of the Bulakenyos was highlighted as they celebrated the 120th anniversary of Philippine Independence at the historic Barasoain Church compound in this city.
Gordon, who served as the guest speaker, told the crowd that “freedom is a choice” and every Filipino can contribute by working together.
He said that working together is needed to achieve the true independence that the brave men and women in history envisioned and fought for and continue to do so for the children, grandchildren and the future generations.
“Today we mark our Independence Day. We must give recognition and honor to our heroes who sacrificed their lives for our country to be free from the colonial invaders. But we must also take time to ask ourselves, ‘have we continued what they have started and worked hard for the Philippines to become truly independent?’ ” he said.
He added that after the world and civil wars had ended, countries such as the United States, Korea, Israel, and Singapore, among others, became stronger nations after getting their independence.
“Other countries like Israel, they had to get their land back bit by bit and in 1948 when they got their independence, they were recognized by the UN. And until now, they are still fighting for it. Unlike us, we are not getting stronger,” he said.
The senator added that to ensure that the sacrifices of brave Filipino heroes would not be for naught, “we should work hard to achieve economic development and strengthen our military so that the country could enjoy true independence and would be taken seriously.”
“We should look at our neighbors’ capabilities and look at our own intentions What is our national interest? Can we defend our country? The struggle for independence is a struggle for Bagumbayan – a new country. Dr. Jose Rizal did not see it but he meant for us to build it. And if it is to be, it must be up to us,” he said.
For his part, Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said that the commemoration reminded us not only of the brightest part of our history but also the continuous importance of freedom as an invaluable gift that our heroes sacrificed for.
Malolos City Mayor Christian D. Natividad, meanwhile, cited the events from the ratification of the first Philippine Constitution to the declaration of the Malolos Republic by General Emilio Aguinaldo.
Natividad said that Philippine Independence has been achieved through the uprising of oppressed people who wanted freedom from colonial rule.
He said that the significant events that transpired in Malolos more than a century ago are the climax of the pains, hardships, and sacrifices that culminated to the country’s freedom from the bondage of more than 300 years of Spanish colonial rule.
The commemoration was highlighted by the flag-raising ceremony and wreath laying activity at the monument of Gen. Aguinaldo.
It was anchored on the theme “Kalayaan 2018: Pagbabagong Ipinaglaban, Alay sa Masaganang Kinabukasan” and was made possible through the joint efforts of the National Historical Commission of the Philippine; provincial government of Bulacan; and city government of Malolos.
Independence Day (Araw ng Kalayaan) is an annual national holiday in the Philippines observed every June 12 as a commemoration of the Philippine Declaration of Independence from Spain on June 12, 1898. (PNA)
