BULAKAN, Bulacan — The Provincial Government of Bulacan headed by Governor Daniel R. Fernando together with local officials commemorated the 174th Birth Anniversary of Gat Marcelo H. Del Pilar or “Marcelo Day” at the Shrine of the “great propagandist” in Sitio Cupang, Barangay San Nicolas, Bulakan, Bulacan on August 30.
Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go represented by Greco Belgica graced the event anchored on the theme “Marcelo H. del Pilar:
Mga Likha at Aral – Pundasyon ng Kahapon, Inspirasyon ng Darating na Henerasyon” as Fernando together with Vice Gov. Alexis C. Castro, town-host Mayor Patrick Meneses, Vice Mayor Aika Sanchez, Gina Batuhan, National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Carmela Estrope of the National Press Club and Vic Viscocho of Central Luzon Media Association led the wreath laying activity at the shrine of Del Pilar.
Mga Likha at Aral – Pundasyon ng Kahapon, Inspirasyon ng Darating na Henerasyon” as Fernando together with Vice Gov. Alexis C. Castro, town-host Mayor Patrick Meneses, Vice Mayor Aika Sanchez, Gina Batuhan, National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Carmela Estrope of the National Press Club and Vic Viscocho of Central Luzon Media Association led the wreath laying activity at the shrine of Del Pilar.
Sen. Go’s message delivered by Belgica said that the love for one’s country should be above words and more on actions.
“Ang buhay ni Gat Marcelo H. del Pilar ay isang malinaw na paalala na ang pagmamahal sa bayan ay dapat na lagpas sa salita; ito ay nasusukat sa ating mga gawa at handang isakripisyo para sa ikabubuti ng nakararami,” Belgica read.
The guest speaker also said that it was not easy to promote change and freedom during the time of Gat Marcelo H. del Pilar, but because of his concern and courage, many were encouraged and united to fight oppression.
“Currently, we continue to fight for the rights of Filipinos, especially the poor, and Senator Bong Go’s promotion of laws and programs aimed at providing better public services for all Filipinos is part of that,” Belgica continued.
For his part, Gov. Fernando said: “We are all here not only to remember his heroism and valor but to remember the lesson of history.
“As a propagandist, Plaridel devoted his life to writing that awakened the Filipinos during the Spanish conquest,” said Fernando.
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.
On August 30, Bulacan province marked the “Del Pilar Day” as the National Press Freedom Day.
