President Marcos led the celebration of the 125th anniversary of the First Philippine Republic held at the grounds of Barasoain Church in the City of Malolos, Bulacan on Tuesday, Jan. 23.
The president was joined by Senate Presiden Juan Miguel Zubiri, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando, Malolos City Mayor Christian D. Natividad, and other legislators and executive branch officials.
In his speech, Marcos said the heroism of those who founded the republic should continue to inspire and instill pride not only in Bulakenyos but all Filipinos, in the rich and noble history of the nation.
A flag-raising ceremony and wreath-laying activity before the monument of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo were also held during the commemoration rites dubbed as “Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan."
The First Philippine Republic, which is now officially remembered and referred to by historians as the Malolos Republic, was established in Bulacan during the Philippine Revolution against the Spanish Empire in 1896–1898 and likewise to the Spanish-American War between Spain and the United States in 1898.
Following the American victory at the Battle of Manila Bay, General Emilio Aguinaldo returned to the Philippines and issued the Philippine Declaration of Independence on June 12, 1898, and proclaimed successive revolutionary Philippine Governments on June 18 and 23 of the year.
Historians said the declaration was through the promulgation of the Malolos Constitution on January 22, 1899, succeeding the Revolutionary Government of the Philippines. It was formally established with Aguinaldo as president who maintained governance until April 1, 1901.
The birth of the First Philippine Republic shows that Filipinos can stand on their own as free citizens of the world and can govern themselves aside from proving they are capable of achieving their long quest to free themselves from the bondage of colonial rule.