CITY OF MALOLOS — In the middle of a heavy downpour, the province of Bulacan celebrated the 125th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence at the patio of the historic Barasoain Church in this city on Monday morning (June 12).
Anchored on the theme “Kalayaan. Kinabukasan. Kasaysayan”, Supreme Court of the Philippines Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo served as the guest speaker and led the program together with top local officials headed by Governor Daniel Fernando and Malolos City Mayor Christian D. Natividad.
Gesmundo in his message said it is our duty as Filipinos to guard not only our freedom and welfare but also for our neighbors and for the next generations.
“Ang kalayaan at mga biyaya nito ay dapat pinagsasaluhan ng lahat. Kalayaan hindi lang sa mananakop kundi sa gutom, kahirapan, sa pangamba, kawalan ng katarungan, ating kalayaan na mabuhay ng masaya na may dignidad, pagmamahal at may pag-asa,” Gesmundo said.
He added, the constitution of Malolos was made here in the church of Barasoain, which is considered the first in the country and the first republican constitution in the whole of Asia.
“Ang Barasoain Church ay hindi lamang karugtong ng himagsikan bagkus ito ay pundasyon ng himagsikan. Hinangad na palayain ang Pilipino mula sa mahigit tatlong siglo ng pananakop ng mga dayuhan,” the chief justice noted.
Meanwhile, Fernando in his message thanked the local officials and the Bulakenyos who attended the commemoration of the Independence Day anniversary.
“Ang daloy ng panahon ang nagdala sa atin sa mahalagang araw na ito kasabay ng lahat sa bawat sulok ng bansa dinadakila ang watawat ng republika upang ipahayag sa mundo ang ating kasarinlan at soberanya bilang isang bansa. Sa biyaya ng isang bansang malaya ang bawat isa sa atin ay puno ng pasasalamat sa mga bayaning nagbuwis ng buhay upang makamtan natin ang kalayaan,” Gov. Fernando also said.
For Mayor Natividad’s part, he said “This is one of the most important days in Filipino. Kalayaan, kinabukasan ang ating kasama ngayon. Ano na ang naging aral ng ating kalayaan. Sana sa ngayon, ang kalayaang ito ay maging aral ng ating kasaysayan. Kasaysayan na magbibigay ng aral para sa ating kinabukasan.”
Also present in the program were Vice Gov. Alex Castro, Cong. Boy Cruz (5th District), Danny Domingo (1st District), Cong. Salvador Pleyto (6th District), National Historical Commission of the Philippines Rosario V. Sapitan, Central Luzon Regional Director Brig. Gen. Jose S. Hidalgo Jr., Bulacan provincial Director Col. Relly Arnedo, some of the Bulacan local officials, Knights of Columbus, war veterans, and government employees.
Meanwhile, coinciding with the Independence Day celebration, the Provincial Government of Bulacan through the Provincial Youth, Sports, and Public Employment Service Office conducted the 2023 Kalayaan Job Fair at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium in this city.
Over 9,000 job vacancies coming from 63 local employers and 13 overseas agencies will be up for grabs for Bulakenyo job applicants.
Gov. Fernando said during the interview with the local media 2023 Kalayaan Job Fair is made possible because of the partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Department of Migrant Workers, and the Provincial Government of Bulacan.
Fernando added that through conducting job fairs, Bulakenyos will have more chances of landing a job that will eventually lead to the achievement of their dreams for themselves and their families.
“Kasabay ng pagdiriwang ng Araw ng Kalayaan ay atin ring bibigyan ng pagkakataon ang ating mga kalalawigan na lumaya sa kahirapan sa pamamagitan ng paglalapit sa kanila ng libu-libong oportunidad sa paghahanap-buhay,” the governor said.
In addition, there will be a mini trade fair by the Department of Trade and Industry Traders and the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program.
Also, community services including basic haircut and chair massage, and printing and photocopying of documents will be offered for free at the venue. (UnliNews Online)
