BULAKAN, Bulacan – 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.
“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 in Tagalog.
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 Covid-19 pandemic.
The occasion featured only 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, Philippine Daily Inquirer correspondent and president of the 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 Ngayon.
Estrope said Bulacan State University (BulSU) will shortly offer 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 their love for the country by honing their writing skills.
“Part of traditional remembrance and active participation in the celebration of the birth of Gat Marcelo H. del Pilar, father of the Philippine journalism, propagandist, lawyer, and 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 colonial rule. and one of the leaders of the Philippine propaganda movement.
Also known as “Plaridel,” he was chief editor of the La Solidaridad, the Filipino propagandists’ newspaper which pushed for the Philippines to become a province of Spain and grant its citizens the same rights as those in the Spainish Kingdom.
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)