The San Juan City local government and the Department of Tourism (DOT) celebrated the country's 125th Independence Day country on Monday, June 12, as they vowed to work together in preserving the nation's rich history, historical figures, and San Juan's heritage and historical sites.
San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora and DOT Secretary Christina Frasco led the commemoration of the 125th Independence Day at the Pinaglabanan Shrine, together with DOT Undersecretary Ferdinand Jumapao, National Historical Commission of the Philippines Chief Restoration Architect Reynaldo Lita, Eastern Police District (EPD) director Police Brig Gen. Wilson Asueta, San Juan City Police chief Col. Allan Reglos, San Juan City Rep. Bel Zamora, Mayor Zamora's wife Keri Zamora, and other city government officials.
The event featured the wreath laying at the Spirit of Pinaglabanan and the blessing of the monuments of Philippine heroes Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto and Jose Rizal.
In his opening remarks, Zamora expressed his gratitude to Sec. Frasco for the agency's efforts in promoting the city's heritage and history not just to the Filipino citizens but also to foreigners.
“Walang kalayaan kung walang Pinaglabanan. Kaya naman inilipat natin ang mga monumento ng ating mga bayani na sina Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, at Jose Rizal dito sa loob ng Pinaglabanan Shrine na kinikilala mismo ng National Historical Commission of the Philippines kung saan sila ay mabibigyan ng karangalan at pagpupugay ng lahat ng dadalaw dito (There would be no freedom without Pinaglabanan. That's the reason why we opted to transfer the monuments of our heroes Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, and Jose Rizal to the Pinaglabanan Shrine -- which is duly recognized by the National Historical Commission -- where they will be given proper honor and respect by everyone who will visit here)," he noted.
Prior to their transfer, the Dr. Jose Rizal monument was located at the Plaza ng Masa, the Gat Andres Bonifacio monument was at the corner of Pinaglabanan and Valenzuela Streets, and Gen. Emilio Jacinto monument was at the corner of Pinaglabanan and P. Narciso Streets. The relocation was initiated by the San Juan City Council through Ordinance No. 52, Series of 2021, and Ordinance No. 55, Series of 2021. The ordinances were passed on Sept. 20, 2021 and Oct. 4, 2021, respectively.
Meanwhile, Rep. Zamora reminded everyone the value of what our heroes fought for.
“Malimit na ating inaalala ang mga tao na nagbuwis ng kanilang buhay upang tayo ay mamuhay nang malaya ngayon. Nagpapasalamat tayo sa kanilang mga sakripisyo. Ngunit hindi dapat dito nagtatapos ang ating pag-aalala. May responsibilidad tayo sa mga susunod na mga henerasyon na palawigin ang kalayaan na ipinamana sa atin. Marami pa tayong kayang gawin para sa ikauunlad ng ating bayan (We often remember all the people who sacrificed their lives for us to live freely now. We give our utmost gratitude and respect for their sacrifice. However, this must not be the end of our recognition of their sacrifices. We have a responsibility to the next generations to expand and protect the freedom that our heroes left for us. We still have a lot to do for the prosperity of our nation)," Rep. Zamora said.
Mayor Zamora also announced that the Pinaglabanan Shrine will be included in DOT’s “hop on, hop off” tour in Metro Manila. This will help in increasing the number of tourists and promote the city’s historical significance in Philippine Independence.
Through the DOT, the Pinaglabanan Shrine Visitor Center will also finally be realized. It will include a souvenir shop and a café that tourists can visit in Pinaglabanan Shrine.
“This day, we honor the sacrifices of those who have come before us so that we may enjoy the freedoms that we do and give meaning to their sacrifices, to the toil, to the lives that they gave to the nation. As we enjoy our freedoms today, we look to the future with immense hope and a sense of responsibility,” Sec. Frasco said.
“I’m grateful to your mayor for presenting his long range of plans to ensure that the Filipinos and our friends from all over the world do not forget the significance of the strength of spirit of the Filipino of which we are reminded when we come to Pinaglabanan Shrine. San Juan’s cautious guarding of our history allows for the Filipinos’ story to be told. Indeed, the length and breadth of our story has not yet been fully articulated to the world,” she added.
According to the city government, San Juan City is also working on a tourism circuit that will take tourists to a historical, art, and food trail that features the Pinaglabanan Shrine, El Deposito Museum and Underground Water Reservoir and Museo ng Katipunan, among others, to showcase the rich history of San Juan City, with the DOT.
“Tandaan po natin na ang Pinaglabanan Shrine sa loob ng San Juan ay napakalaking bahagi ng pagkamit ng kalayaan ng ating minamahal na bansang Pilipinas. Ito ay bahagi ng ating pagkakakilanlan ng ating lungsod at dapat lamang na ito’y malaman ng buong bansa at ganoon din ng buong mundo (Let's all remember that the Pinaglabanan Shrine inside San Juan is a very big part of our fight for the freedom of our beloved Philippines. This is a part of our city's identity that must be known by our countrymen and the rest of the world)," the mayor said.