Photo from Moriones-Tondo Police Station National Capital Region Police Office/MANILA BULLETIN
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan led the celebration of the 452nd Anniversary of Kagitingan ng Bangkusay at Moriones Plaza in Tondo, Manila on Saturday, June 3.
The anniversary of Kagitingan ng Bangkusay commemorates the heroism of the Filipino warriors from Hagonoy, Bulacan, and Macabebe, Pampanga who sacrificed their lives to resist the spread of Spanish colonization in 1571.
It is considered one of the significant milestones of Filipino pre-colonial ancestors.
Photo from Manila LGU/MANILA BULLETIN
"Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon, sa pamamagitan ng pagsasama ng mga pinuno natin tatlong bayan at lalawigan ay maisasagawa natin ang pinakapayak at wastong pagpaparangal at marangal sa pagkilala sa kabayanihan ng mga taga-Tondo kaisa ang mga kapatid natin na mga taga Macabebe at Hagonoy (For the first time, by bringing together the leaders of our three towns and provinces, we will be able to carry out the most simple and proper way of honoring and recognizing the heroism of the people of Tondo together with our brothers from Macabebe and Hagonoy)," Lacuna said.
The city government along with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines unveiled the historical marker of the Kagitingan ng Bangkusay at Liwasang Moriones in Tondo in 2021.
Lacuna stated that Tondo had also served as a home to other heroes in the Philippine Revolution, like Andres Bonifacio and Macario Sakay.
Lacuna also called on the National Historical Commission of the Philippines to unveil more historical markers to honor other Manila heroes like Rajah Soliman, Lakandula, and Rajah Matanda who contributed significantly to the country's revolution.
"Ang angkop na pagpaparangkal kila Rajah Soliman, Rajah Matanda, Lakandula at iba pa ay tiyak na makakapagbigay ng inspirasyon sa ating mga batang Maynila na palalimin ang diwa ng pagka-Pilipino (Giving appropriate honor to Rajah Soliman, Rajah Matanda, Lakandula and others will surely inspire our Manila children to deepen their Filipino spirit)," the mayor said.
A wreath-laying ceremony was also held by Lacuna- Pangan along with Hagonoy- Bulacan Mayor Flordeliza Manlapaz, Pampanga tourism officer Randy Del Rosario, Holy Angel University Director Robert Dantingco, National Historical Commission of the Philippines head Dr. Emmanuel Calairo, Macabebe- Pampanga Vice Mayor Vince Edward Flores, and Bulacan Provincial Administrator Antonia Constantino.
"Sana po ay hindi natin makalimutan ang kasaysayan natin, bagkus, sana po ay magsilbi itong marka ng ating katapangan at kagitingan (We should not forget our history, it should serve as a mark of our bravery and valor)," City of Manila Vice Mayor John Marvin "Yul Servo" Nieto expressed.
The city government said the event also kicked off the 13-day celebration of Manila Day on June 24.