REMEMBERING DEL PILAR. Governor Daniel Fernando (center) leads the commemoration of Gat Marcelo del Pilar's 171st birth anniversary at Dambanang Marcelo H. del Pilar in Sitio Cupang, Barangay San Nicolas, Bulakan, Bulacan on Monday (Aug. 30, 2021). Del Pilar was a key figure in the struggle against Spanish occupation, and one of the leaders of the Philippine Propaganda Movement. (Photo by Manny Balbin)
BULAKAN, Bulacan – Governor Daniel Fernando on Monday called on Bulakenyos to continue remembering the legacy of one of the province’s greatest son, propagandist and writer Gat Marcelo H. del Pilar.
In his message during the 171st birth anniversary of the hero at Dambanang Marcelo H. del Pilar in Sitio Cupang, Barangay San Nicolas here, Fernando asked his province-mates, especially the youth, not to forget the patriotism, bravery and intelligence of del Pilar as exemplified by his works as a lawyer, revolutionary, and propagandist.
“Ating isapuso at isaisip na ang Agosto 30 ng bawat taon ay makasaysayang araw para sa ating lahi. Nawa’y patuloy nating isabuhay ang mga aral na kanyang iniwan. (Let us put in our heart and minds that August 30 of every year is a historic day for our race. May we continue to apply in life the lessons he left behind),” he said.
This is the second time that the birthday celebration of the acknowledged father of Philippine journalism was held in a simple way with only selected local officials and province-based journalists present during the event due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
The occasion was only marked with a wreath-laying ceremony in front of Dambanang Marcelo H. del Pilar led by Governor Fernando, Vice Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, town Mayor Vergel Meneses, Dr. Ely Dela Cruz, head of the Provincial Historical Arts Culture and Tourism Office, and Alex Aguinaldo, a representative of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).
Also present during the event were Carmela Reyes-Estrope, correspondent of Philippine Daily Inquirer, president of Central Luzon Media Association (CLMA), and a representative of the National Press Club of the Philippines (NPC); and members of the Bulacan Press Club Inc. (BPCI) headed by its president Omar Padilla of Pilipino Star.
Estrope said Bulacan State University (BulSU) will be offering Marcelo del Pilar's Life and Writings to its journalism students for the third time in honor and tribute to del Pilar.
Raymond Castro, incoming third year college student, said the works of del Pilar, namely "Caiingat Kayo," "Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa," "La Frailocracy," "Aba Ginoong Barya," among others, inspired them to deepen the love for the country by honing their writing skills.
"Bahagi ng tradisyunal na pag-alaala at aktibong pakikilahok sa pagdiriwang ng kapanganakan ni Gat Marcelo H. del Pilar, Ama ng panulat sa bansa, peryodista, propagandista, abogado, mason ay ang pagkilala sa malayang pamamahayag at paghahandog ng bulaklak bilang isang peryodista. (Part of traditional remembrance and active participation in the celebration of the birth of Gat Marcelo H. del Pilar, father of the country’s journalism, propagandist, lawyer, mason is the recognition of freedom expression and flower offering as a journalist)," he said.
Del Pilar was a key figure in the struggle against Spanish occupation, and one of the leaders of the Philippine propaganda movement.
Also known as “Plaridel”, he became the editor-in-chief of La Solidaridad, the newspaper of Filipino propagandists who pushed for the Philippines to become a province of Spain and afford the citizens the same rights as those in the mainland.
Del Pilar was born on August 30, 1850 in Cupang, San Nicolas, Bulakan, Bulacan, and died on July 4, 1896 in Barcelona, Spain.
Under Republic Act 7449, every 30th of August was declared a special non-working holiday in this province. (PNA)
