Bulakenyos commemorated on Wednesday, August 30, the 173rd birth anniversary of one of the country's great propagandists - Gat Marcelo H. del Pilar.
With the theme "Marcelo H. Del Pilar Liwanag ng Nakaraan, Tanglaw natin sa Kasalukuyan," the event was held at the Marcelo H. Del Pilar Shrine at Sitio Cupang, Barangay San Nicolas, Bulakan, Bulacan where Del Pilar was born.
Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando highlighted some of the most memorable contributions of the great propagandist and urged Bulakenyos to rekindle these in their hearts and minds, particularly the younger generation.
Fernando said that Gat Marcelo Del Pilar, as the editor of La Solidaridad, advocated in his newspaper the fight for freedom and independence of the Filipino people.
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. was the guest of honor and speaker, and was introduced by Bulakan Vice Mayor Reina Rica C. Sanchez.
In his speech, Abalos described del Pilar as the greatest, because even though he belonged to the principalia or noble class family, the oppression from Spain challenged him to fight to save the Filipino people.
Abalos was also joined by Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro, DILG Bulacan and Region III heads, Philippine Masons, Provincial Board members, Bulakan town Mayor Vergel C. Meneses and councilors, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Central Luzon police headed by Brig.Gen. Jose S. Hidalgo Jr., and other local officials in Bulacan.
On August 29, 1985, then President Ferdinand Marcos signed Proclamation No. 2446, Series of 1985, declaring every August 30 as Marcelo H. Del Pilar's Day in the province of Bulacan and shall be a special non-working public holiday.
The proclamation stated that Gat Del Pilar must be acknowledged as a hero and patriot who used the nom de plume of "Plaridel" in the struggle against Spain to obtain reforms for the Philippines during the Spanish regime.
Marcos said the people of Bulacan should be given full authority to celebrate Plaridel's birthday with fitting ceremonies.