Senate President Pro-Tempore Senator Loren Legarda led the commemoration of the 125th Anniversary of the Opening of Malolos Congress with officials of the Bulacan Provincial Government held at the historic grounds of Barasoain Church in the City of Malolos on Friday, September 15. 2023.
The said occasion also attended by top local officials in the province representing Governor Daniel Fernando is Vice-Gov. Alex Castro, Malolos City Mayor Christian Natividad and NHCP Chairman Emmanuel Calairo as they accompanied Legarda in the flag raising and wreath-laying activity at the front monument of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.
According to Legarda, this day is special, an opportunity to collectively look back on the history and success of the town that shaped the identity as a nation.
The Malolos Congress, she said, paved the way for a future full of hope and independence where it was the beginning of the formation of important laws that are being followed today.
“Ang Kongreso ng Malolos ay isang patunay kung gaano kahalaga ang ating kasaysayan, ito ay isang mahalagang paalala sa atin na ang kalayaan ay hindi lamang handog mula sa nakaraan kundi isang responsibilidad na ipinasa sa atin upang pag-ingatan at patuloy na ipaglaban para sa mga bagong henerasyon na magmamana nito,” said Legarda.
It was learned that Legarda’s great grandfather Ariston Nelia was among the 190 Representatives who led the opening and ratification of the laws of the Malolos Congress that time.
The program was spearheaded by the Provincial History, Arts, Culture and Tourism Office (PHACTO) together with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).
VG Castro explained that the anniversary of the Malolos Congress is the highlight of the annual Singkaban Festival.
The first session of the Malolos Congress was opened at the Barasoain church on September 15, 1898 led by then General Emilio Aguinaldo. The ratification of the June 12, 1898 Declaration of Independence was mainly done in this congress.
Malolos City Mayor Christian Natividad, on the other hand, said that the Constitution adopted by the Congress of Malolos is a most important document of being a Republic of the Philippines.
He said, because of the Congress of Malolos, the Universidad Literaria de Filipinas was established in the convent of the Barasoain church. This is the first university built by a government run by Filipinos on October 19, 1898. Among the subjects opened here are Civil Law, Criminal Law, Administrative Law, Medicine, Surgery, Pharmacy and Notary.
