By Freddie Velez
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan – Joining thousands of Bulakenyos in commemorating the 120th anniversary of the Malolos Congress held at the Barasoain Church, Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Thursday acknowledged the importance of Bulacan and its people in Philippine history.
Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III led the wreath laying ceremony at the statue of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo at the historic Barasoain Church during the commemoration of the 120th anniversary of the Malolos Congress on Thursday. (Freddie C. Velez / MANILA BULLETIN)
“Masasabing sa diwa, isip, salita at gawain, ang mga Bulakenyo ay nasa bungad ng ating pagsibol bilang isang bansang nagkakaisa. Sa larangan ng kabayanihan, pamahalaan, paglimbag ng batas at damdaming makabayan, ang mga taga-Bulacan, patunay na ang maraming bayaning dito nagmula ay lantad ang kagitingan na ipinagmamalaki ng buong Republika ng Pilipinas,” Sotto said.
The senator, who authored 123 laws, including the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, ended his speech by encouraging the people to learn from the lessons of the past and use them as a guide for the present.
Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said it is essential to hold on to the success of our ancestors and heroes, who fought and waited a very long time to achieve sovereignty.
“Hindi lamang po ito isang mumunting kabanata sa mga pahina ng ating makulay na kasaysayan na kapagdaka ay unti-unting tinangay ng agos ng panahon. Bagkus ito’y lumikha ng natatanging pitak na habam buhay nating tataglayin bilang isang maringal na legasiya, magsisilbing maliwanag na tanglaw sa landas ng tunay na pagbabago,” Alvarado said.
Vice Gov. Daniel R. Fernando asked if what the country is doing to remember history is enough to honor the legacy of thousands who died fighting for freedom.
“Nabibigyan ba natin ng angkop na pagpupugay ang mga sakripisyo ng ating mga bayani o itinuturing lang na isang araw na okasyon? Naniniwala tayo na hindi sapat na itinuturo lamang o ipinagdiriwang ang mga kaganapan ng kasaysayan subalit bigo naman tayong protektahan ang mga konkretong alaala ukol ditto, ” Fernando said, referencing the news that the flag of Andres Bonifacio was auctioned to a private person for R9.3 million.
He has proposed an ordinance requiring historical items to be housed in the provincial or city museum, which is up for discussion at the provincial board.