Provincial officials as well as local folks commemorated on the 144th birth anniversary of the young general of the Philippine Revolutionary Army, Gregorio H. del Pilar.
The event themed “Sa Bagong Bulakan, Sama–samang parangalan. Gregorio del Pilar, Dugong Bayani, Yaman ng Lahi” was led by Governor Daniel Fernando, First District Rep. Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado, and town Mayor Vergel Meneses.
This time, the celebration was held in the more spacious Del Pilar Plaza, in front of the municipal building here where his statue depicting him on a horse is built.
Previous celebrations were held at the birth site of the hero in Barangay San Jose where a monument was built and street dancing by performers from various villages was held.
Del Pilar was born on Nov. 14, 1875 in the said village.
Kabesera, a cultural, heritage and historical group of Bulakan town, has proposed a military group’s participation in honor of the hero, also known as “Heneral Goyo.”
Perfecto Martin, head of Kabesera group, called on the executives of the San Miguel Corporation (SMC), which is building the PHP735-billion New Manila International Airport in the coastal area, to put up a museum for the general as one of the company’s major contributions.
Martin asked the SMC to help in the historical preservation of the del Pilar’s birth place aside from environment, livelihood, security from floods and relocation concerns.
The young del Pilar is the nephew of Marcelo H. del Pilar who also came from this town. The latter’s shrine stands in his birth place in Sitio Cupang, Barangay San Nicolas.
Meanwhile, Fernando called on Bulakenyos especially the students to remember the gallantry of the young hero, who at the age of 20, joined the Philippine revolution against Spanish rule.
“He was the first military governor of the province after the country’s liberation on June 24, 1898. The Spaniards then turned over the province of Bulacan to Gen. del Pilar. The seat of power then was in this town being the then capital,” Fernando said.
The 304th Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion (IB) headed by Commander Lt. Col. Alberto Valenzuela, together with active personnel from 48th IB staged a 21-gun salute in honor of the young general. (PNA)
