San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora led the celebration of 128th Pinaglabanan Day to honor Katipuneros who fought fearlessly to achieve the freedom that the Filipinos enjoy today at Pinaglabanan Shrine on Friday, August 30.
Zamora was joined by Tingog Partylist Representative Jude Acidre, San Juan City Rep. Bel Zamora, Vice Mayor Angelo Agcaoili, National Historical Commission of the Philippines Chairman Prof. Regalado Trota Jose, Jr., the San Juan City Council, and city and barangay officials.
The program started with a flag-raising ceremony and the singing of the national anthem, followed by the ceremonial lighting of the Eternal Flame and a wreath-laying at the Spirit of Pinaglabanan.
A 21-gun salute was also conducted in honor of Gat Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, and the Katipuneros who fought at the Battle of Pinaglabanan 128 years ago.
“Ngayong araw po ay ating ipinagdiriwang ang ika-128 anibersaryo ng Araw ng Pinaglabanan. Dito po sa ilalim natin matatagpuan ang El Deposito. Noong August 30, 1896, ito po ay inatake ni Andres Bonifacio, sapagkat naniniwala siya na kung makuha niya ang kontrol ng supply ng tubig ng Maynila noon, ay kaya niyang talunin ang mga Kastila. Sa kasamaang-palad, hindi nagwagi ang mga Katipunero (Today, we celebrate the 128th anniversary of the Battle of Pinaglabanan. Beneath us lies El Deposito. On August 30, 1896, Andres Bonifacio led an attack here, believing that if he could gain control of Manila's water supply, he could defeat the Spaniards. Unfortunately, the revolutionaries did not succeed)," Mayor Zamora said.
He explained the significance of Pinaglabanan Day to San Juan and the rest of the Philippines.
“Ngunit ito ang nagsilbing hudyat ng mas malakihang paglaban na tuluyang nagbigay ng kalayaan sa bansang Pilipinas. Kaya lagi nating sinasabi, ‘Walang Kalayaan kung walang Pinaglabanan’ (But this served as the catalyst for a larger struggle that eventually led to the freedom of the Philippines. That’s why we always say, ‘There would be no freedom without Pinaglabanan'). We have to let people know, we have to let our children know, para alam nila kung gaano kahalaga ang pagkamit natin ng kalayaan (so they understand how important our freedom is)," the mayor added.
Tingog Partylist Rep. Acidre, in his short message, said that Pinaglabanan Day is a day to remember, to reflect, and to renew our commitment to the ongoing struggle for a better nation.
“Nais kong ipahayag ang aking taos-pusong pasasalamat na makasama kayo ngayon sa makasaysayang araw na ito (I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for being with me on this historic day). This day reminds us of the immense price that we paid for the freedom we cherish today,” Acidre said.
“Ang sarap pong isipin na tayong lahat minsan sa kasaysayan ay ipinaglaban (It is heartening to think that once in our history, we fought for our freedom). It is a testament to the sacrifice of those who came before us. Today, as we stand on these hallowed grounds, we must ask ourselves, what battles are we fighting now? What are the modern-day Pinaglabanan that we must confront? Pinaglabanan is not merely a historical event, but the genesis of our struggle for justice, equality, and progress. Our battles are against poverty, corruption, and social inequity. Ang Kalayaan ay hindi lang basta ibinibigay, ito ay ipinaglalaban at pinangangalagaan (Freedom is not simply given, it is fought for and safeguarded),” he added.
Meanwhile, after the program, an inaugural blessing of the Tingog Center at the San Juan Mini Park was also held.
The Tingog Center will provide additional assistance to San Juaneños who may need it.
Families who were affected by Typhoon Carina will also receive financial assistance with the help of Tingog Partylist.