Story and photos by Catherine Joy L. Maglalang
CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan—The city government of Malolos yearly leads the Fiesta Republica (FR) celebration as an official festival in the province of Bulacan.
The occasion was a weeklong celebration of Philippine democracy and a festival of Filipino history, arts and culture, celebrated from January 17 to 23, each year, in the city of Malolos.
Fiesta Republica 2018’s theme is “Kasarinlan at Demokrasya, Pamana ng Kasaysayan sa Kabataang Pilipino.”
FR featured this year various sociocultural events, such as the “Parada para sa Republika,” a lyre-band competition; and “Dulansangan,” a street dance-drama competition showcasing the different historical events in pursuit of Philippine freedom and sovereignty. It is a parade of historical vignettes staged in the streets depicting the distinctive historical event in their respective locality; “Kulaysaysayan,” a painting, sculpture and photo competition; “Kalutong Malolos,” an ensaymada festival; Malolos Bike Festival; Republica Cup; Cine Republica; and other meaningful activities participated by different provinces all over the country and various municipalities of Bulacan, aside from the participation of 51 barangays, universities and schools in the city of Malolos.
As part of the annual culmination of the celebration, Bulakenyos observed the 119th anniversary of the Malolos Congress, the first Philippine Republic dubbed “Unang Republikang Filipino, Patnubay sa Pagsulong ng Bansa,” on January 23, at the historical Barasoain Church in this city.
“The Malolos Congress marked our independence as a nation. Today we are recognized as legitimate citizens of the Philippines. There is a big difference between recognizing us as a race and as citizens of a republic. During the 19th century, we were known as ‘Indios’ answering to the directives of a foreign power,” Christian D. Natividad, the mayor of the city of Malolos, said in Filipino.
We suffered for 400 years under Spain. Let us cherish the sacrifices of our ancestors and cherish the seeds of independence sowed by the first Philippine Republic,” he said.
The historical event is now called “Araw ng Republikang Pilipino, 1899,” based on Proclamation 533, which took effect in 2013. It gathered hundreds of Bulakenyos who participated in this important event.
National Historical Commission of the Philippines Director Ludovico Badoy; Chief Supt. Amador V. Corpuz, Philippine National Police director in Central Luzon; Julie J. Daquioag, director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Region 3; Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado; Cong. Jose Antonio R. Sy-Alvarado; Vice Gov. Daniel R. Fernando; Malolos Mayor Natividad; Vice Mayor Bebong Gatchalian, other local officials, government employees, senior citizens, volunteer workers, veterans, teachers, students and other non-governmental organizations graced the activity.
Marjorie N. Jalosjos, the Interior and Local Government assistant secretary for human resource and special concern, who attended as the guest speaker, said “the courage, concern and unity of our ancestors, along with their burning love for the country, made the Filipino race known to the world.”
The program started with a flag-raising ceremony, followed by a wreath-laying activity at the monument of Emilio Aguinaldo, the first Philippine president. Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea issued Proclamation 394, also known as “Declaring Tuesday, January 23, 2018, as a Special [Non-Working] Day in the Province of Bulacan,” to give Bulakenyos the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion.
Image credits: Catherine Joy L. Maglalang