Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan urged the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to install more historical markers in the city in honor of all the Filipino heroes who contributed to the rich and colorful history of Manila.
In her speech at the 453rd Battle of Bangkusay, Lacuna-Pangan thanked the NHCP headed by Liza Guerrero-Nakpil for having put the historical marker three years ago at the Plaza Moriones in Tondo.
She said the historical marker serves as an enduring reminder, not only to the residents of Tondo, but to all Filipinos and tourists, that the city government of Manila will honor all those who have given meaningful contributions to the country.
"Maaring 453 taon na ang nakakalipas ngunit ako ay naniniwala na itong panandang kasaysayan na ito ay di kailanman maiiwan ng panahon, dahil walang pinipiling oras ang pagbigay-pugay sa mga kababayang inuna ang bayan bago ang sarili (It may have been 453 years but I believe that this historical record will never be erased in history because this is a timeless tribute to our countrymen who put the country first before themselves)," she said.
"Nandito tayo sa Plaza Moriones, ang sentro ng distrito ng Tondo, kung saan ang mga mamamayan ay may likas na galing, sipag at tiyaga, mga mamayang masikap, at may malasakit sa kapwa, lalong lalo na sa ating bansa. Ang Tondo ay di lamang po lunan ng daungan ng mga sasakyang pangdagat, lugar din ito kung saan abala ang mga tao sa pakipipagkalakalan at negosyo. Dito ay ating masisilayan ang mga masisipag na Manilenyong handang magbanat ng buto upang matugunan ang pang araw-araw na pangangailangan ng pamilya (We are here in Plaza Moriones, the center of the Tondo district, where the people have diligence and perseverance, hardworking people who care about others and their country. Tondo is not only a harbor for ships, it is also a place where people are busy with trade and business. Here we can see the hard working people who are ready to work hard to meet the daily needs of their family)," she said.
The local chief executive noted that Tondo is also the home of brave Filipinos such as Gat Andres Bonifacio and Macario Sakay.
"Ang La Liga Filipina na binuo ni Gat Jose Rizal ay dito lamang sa may kalye Ilaya tinatag. Ito ay mga patunay na kasabay ng pagiging masikap ng mga Manilenyo ay hindi din matatawaran ang ating likas na pagmamahal sa ating bayan (The La Liga Filipina that was formed by Gat Jose Rizal and was only established here on Ilaya Street. These are proofs that along with the diligence of the Manilenyo, our natural love for our country is undeniable), she said.
The lady mayor recalled how Manileños were aided by patriots from Pampanga and Bulacan to fight against the Spaniards.
She gave recognition and honor to the event's guests who came from the towns of Macabebe and Hagonoy in Bulakan and Pampanga.
"Dito sa ating lugar sa Tondo ipinakita ang isa sa mga kauna-unahang pakikipaglaban para sa inang bayan. Ang Tondo sa likas na ganda nito at daungan na angkop sa pakikipagkalakalan ay ninais ni Miguel Lopez de Legaspi na gawing sentro ng pananakop ng Espanya ay sya ring lugar kung saan nagbuwis ng buhay ang hindi mabilang nating mga ninuno upang ipaglaban ang ating kasarinlan (One of the first battles for the motherland was here in Tondo. Miguel Lopez de Legaspi wanted to make Tondo the center of the Spanish conquest with its natural beauty and a port suitable for trade. It is also the place where countless of our ancestors died to fight for our independence)," the lady mayor said.
In celebration of the 453rd founding anniversary, she called on the Manileños to look back, understand, and appreciate the past events that brought Manila to where it is today.
She stressed that while the city is celebrating the rich history of Manila and Tondo, it is fitting to also pay tribute to Raha Soliman and Lakan Dula through the installation of additional historical markers.
She also called on the NHCP to install markers that will honor Raha Soliman, Raha Matanda, and Lakan Dula, among others.
"Ngayon na po ang tamang panahon upang sila ay bigyan natin ng panandang pangkasaysayan, dahil ito din ang panahon kung saan tayo ay mahigpit ang pangangailan sa mga karagdagang bukal ng inspirasyon na magsusulong pa ng ating mga adhikain para sa malasakit at pagmamahal sa ating inang bayan (Now is the right time for us to give them a historical marker, because this is also the time where we are in need of additional sources of inspiration that will further promote our aspirations for concern and love for the motherland)," she added.