CAVITE – The city government of Imus inaugurated its Inang Laya Monument in Imus Heritage Park during the commemoration of National Flag Day and the 125th Anniversary of the Battle of Alapan on Sunday, May 28.

Inang Laya Monument inauguration in Imus, Cavite (Ali Vicoy/MANILA BULLETIN)

The inauguration and ceremonial wreath-laying and flag-raising were led by Senator Francis N. Tolentino, Mayor Alex Advincula, Cavite 3rd District Rep. Adrian Jay Advincula, National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Chairman Emmanuel Franco Calairo, and other local officials.

The newly-inaugurated monument was built to represent Philippine independence.

National Flag Day commemoration in Imus, Cavite (Ali Vicoy/MANILA BULLETIN)

In his speech, Calairo recalled that the Battle of Alapan was the spark that reignited the Philippine revolution on May 28, 1898. The battle was led by General Emilio Aguinaldo after his return to the Philippines from Hong Kong.

“Sa nayon ng Alapan, dito sa makasaysayang lungsod ng Imus, nagharap ang malalaking hukbo at nagpalitan nang putok ng riple at kanyon. Matapos ang halos buong araw na bakbakan, sumuko ang puwersang Espanyol sa matagumpay na mga rebolusyonaryong Pilipino (In the village of Alapan, here in the historic city of Imus, big troops fought and exchanged rifle and cannon shots. After almost a day of fighting, the Spanish forces surrendered to the triumphant Filipino revolutionaries),” the NHCP Chairman said.

National Flag Day commemoration in Imus, Cavite (Ali Vicoy/MANILA BULLETIN)

“Dahil sa dakilang tagumpay na ito, piniling iwagayway ni Heneral Emilio Aguinaldo ang bagong-likhang watawat ng Pilipinas matapos ang labanan sa nagtipong bayan sa Cavite Puerto (Because of this great triumph, General Emilio Aguinaldo chose to wave the newly-made Philippine flag after the battle in a gathering in Cavite Puerto).”

In 1965, Presidential Proclamation No. 374 declared May 28 as National Flag Day to commemorate the date it was first unfurled after the Battle of Alapan. In 1994, Executive Order No. 179 extended the period of celebrating National Flag Day from May 28 to June 12.