President Marcos and Caloocan City Mayor Dale Gonzalo “Along” Malapitan led the city’s commemoration of the 159th birth anniversary of one of the country’s heroes, Andres Bonifacio.
“Makasaysayan ang ating lungsod dahil nagsilbi itong kanlungan ng ating mga kababayang lumaban upang makamit ang Kalayaan, isa na rito si Gat Andres Bonifacio na nagpasiklab ng rebolusyon laban sa mga mananakop na dayuhan (Our city is historic because it served as a refuge for our countrymen who fought to achieve freedom, one of whom was Gat Andres Bonifacio who ignited a revolution against foreign invaders),” Malapitan said.
“Mapalad po tayo, dahil sa ating mga bayani, tinatamasa natin ang tamis ng kalayaan. Kaya naman ngayong makabagong panahon, tayo'y tumindig at pairalin ang kabayanihan sa ating kapwa tungo sa pagbuo ng mas maunlad na lungsod at bansa para sa mga susunod pang henerasyon (We are blessed because our heroes fought for the freedom that we are enjoying today. That's why in this modern age, let's stand and let heroism prevail for our people to build a more prosperous city and country for future generations),” he added.
The president led the wreath-laying ceremony at the Andres Bonifacio National Monument in the city.
Senators Robin Padilla, Sherwin Gatchalian, Manuel “Lito” Lapid, San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora, Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Caloocan City District 1 Representative Oscar G. Malapitan, National Historical Commission of the Philippines Chairman Rene Escalante, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Bartolome Bacarro, representatives of foreign dignitaries, and members of civic and non-government organizations were present at the event.
Andres Bonifacio, known as the founder of the Katipunan, a secret society founded in 1892 that aimed to fight for the freedom of the country from Spanish rule, was born on Nov. 30, 1863.
Bonifacio’s birthday was declared as an official national holiday under Republic Act No. 2946, s. 1921, according to officialgazette.gov.ph.
In 2023, the Bonifacio Day celebration will be moved to Nov. 27 (Monday nearest to Nov. 30) under the Proclamation No. 90, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Nov. 11, 2022.