115th Independence Day in Malolos Celebrates Ancestors’ Heroism

115^th Independence Day in Malolos Celebrates Ancestors’ Heroism

By: Chrissa Anne B. Palma

GUEST speakers for the celebration of Independence Day in Malolos held in Barasoian Church each told stories of how the gallantry of the Filipinos in the past contributed to gain the country’s freedom today, in line of the event’s theme, “Kalayaan 2013: Ambagan Tungo Sa Malawakang Kaunlaran”.

     In the opening speech given by Mr. Christian D. Natividad, he said that true independence and freedom is doing what is right. “The most tragic thing in the world is a man of genius who is not a man of honor. Kahit tayo ay mahusay, kung hindi natin bibigyan ng dangal ang ating ginagawa, lahat ng `yan ay nalalayo sa kalayaang ating tinatamasa na ipinaglaban ng apat na daang taon ng mga Pilipinong sinaunang lahi natin,” the mayor told the government officials, guests, and Bulakenos that attended the celebration as he welcomed them in Barasoian Church.

     Mayor Natividad ended his speech introducing the father of Bulacan, Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado. The governor then delivered his speech in full and deep Filipino language. He sympathized with the hardships the country’s fellowmen had suffered in the past to fight for today’s sovereignty. “Napakahaba at napakasalimuot ng paglalakbay na tinungo ng ating mga ninuno upang katagpuin ang ating kasarinlan. Ang paglalakbay ay inabot ng daan-daang taon at pinagbuwisan ng libu-libong buhay. Hindi lamang ni Aguinaldo at ng kanyang mga kontemporaryo ang tumuklas nito, kundi lahat ng mga nangungunang makabayang lalaki at babaeng tumaya ng kanilang pangalan, kapalaran, dunong, kayamanan, buhay at kinabukasan upang ating sapitin ng malualhati ang araw na ito,” the governor said, that was followed by voicing out his disappoinment towards the current territorial dispute of the country against other countries.

     “Ngunit kung gaano kahaba ang ating paglalakbay para matamo ang kasarinlan ay siya namang inikli ng ipinamalagi niyo sa piling natin. Sa loob lamang ng tatlong taon, ay napasubasob sa kasukalan ang pangalan ng kasarinlang laging tinutugis ng bala ng mga kaaway.” He continued his speech by urging the Filipinos to continue fighting for their rights and freedom that had been fought for by the country’s heroes.

     Governor Alvarado, after his dialogue, then introduced the celebrations’s guest speaker, Secretary Paquito Ochoa of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Mr. Ochoa started his speech with an apology, for he couldn’t speak in full and deep Filipino language like the governor did. He also confessed that for every event he attended, it was hard for him to follow protocols, so he had a hard time choosing whom to acknowledge during the celebration. “Wala pong may higit na karapatan na ating batiin nating lahat hindi lamang ng inyong abang lingkod, ang mga beterano hong nasa harap po nating lahat. Marami pong salamat sa kalayaang ibinigay po ninyo sa ating lahat,” the secretary said.

     Mr. Ochoa then continued his talk about the acts of the Filipinos in the past that gave freedom to the country, and he also explained the reason for this year’s theme. “Ito ang dapat nating itampok sa bawat paggunita sa mahalagang araw ng ating bansa: ang bigyang pagkilala ang bawat bayan, bawat lalawigan, sa pagbuo ng bansa. Na ayon kay [Andres] Bonifacio, ang bayan ang dapat maghari. Paano ba ibigin ang bayan? Ayon kay Bonifacio, pakatandaan parati na ang pag-ibig sa Diyos ang siya ring pag-ibig sa bayan at `yan din ang pag-ibig sa kapwa.”

     “Ang pakikibaka sa kalayaan ang pinagsama-samang pangarap, buhay at dugo ng mga bayani at martir ng buong sambayanan. Hindi natin kailangan ng rebolusyon o digmaan para may lumitaw ng mga bayani. Ang pagpapanatili ng kalayaang dignidad sa ating bayan, sa pamamagitan ng pag-angat ng antas ng kabuhayan, edukasyon, kalusugan, at kaunlaran at kaayusang panlipunan ng mga dakilang ambag natin na nakakatulong upang masabi nating bayani tayo sa ating napiling kaparaanan. Ito ang mensahe ng pagdiriwang ng kalayaan sa taong ito,” Ochoa said, giving meaning to the celebration’s theme, “Kalayaan 2013: Ambagan Tungo Sa Malawakang Kaunlaran.” The message also served as the ending speech of the program.

     Like how the guest speakers said in their respective speeches, it is important to celebrate Independence Day and the ancestors’ heroism, World War II veteran Diocora “Lim” G. Valenzuela agreed. “Mahalaga ang pagse-celebrate nito [Independence Day] para maitanim sa isip ng mga kabataan ang kabayanihan at pagmamahal sa bayan,” Valenzuela said.