CITY OF MALOLOS – The Provincial Government of Bulacan organized a series of unique and meaningful events to commemorate the 98th Birth Anniversary of Gat Blas F. Ople on Monday (Feb. 3).
In the morning, Gov. Daniel R. Fernando, Vice Gov. Alexis Castro, and Hagonoy Councilor Dalisay Ople-San Jose led a wreath-laying ceremony at the bust of Ka Blas in front of the Provincial Livelihood Training Center at the Capitol Compound here.
Fernando urged the people of Bulacan to follow in the footsteps of Gat Blas F. Ople, a journalist, hero, teacher, author, and statesman.
“Mahirap gayahin si Ka Blas, pero pagsumikapan po nating ito ay magampanan nating mabuti. Basta ang mahalaga dito ay ang pagtulong sa ating kapwa-tao,” the governor said.
Meanwhile, Ople-San Jose pledged to donate some of her father’s books and writings to the Bulacan Provincial Library to educate the youth about Blas F. Ople and preserve his legacy.
“At the age of 16, he fought as a guerilla against the Japanese doon sa Mountain Province. Doon po natalo si General Yamashita. Sa kanyang murang edad na 16, alam na niya ang kanyang direksyon na tatahakin sa kanyang buhay. Alam na po niya ang pagmamahal sa ating bayan,” the proud daughter said.
Simultaneously, in honor of the Father of Labor Code of the Philippines and the Father of Overseas Employment, the 2025 Ople Day Job Fair featured job opportunities from 25 local and four overseas employers, attracting 721 registered Bulakenyo applicants.
Also, the Provincial History, Arts, Culture, and Tourism Office organized an essay writing contest for elementary and secondary students, and extemporaneous speech contest for secondary and college students.
Ma. Eizel Joy Ecal of Guiguinto Central School and Sandrea Nicole H. Caparas of Carlos F. Gonzales High School were named winners of the essay writing contest; while Akira T. Paulino of Calumpit National High School and Klarence Miguel Bucad of Bulacan State University-College of Arts and Letters emerged victorious in the extemporaneous speech event.
This year’s celebration of Ka Blas’ birth anniversary revolved around the theme “Gat Blas Ople: Lingkod Bayani ng Kaniyang Panahon, Inspirasyon ng Bayan Ngayon.” (UnliNews Online)
