Malolos, Bulacan Celebrates
The First Philippine Republic

Araw ng Republikang Filipino last January 23, 2015, was marked by a formal flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony in the Patio of historic Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan

Araw ng Republikang Filipino last January 23, 2015, was marked by a formal flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony in the Patio of historic Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan

MALOLOS, Bulacan, successfully commemorated the 116th anniversary of the First Philippine Republic via its historic festival, Fiesta Republica, last January 17 to 23, 2015.

If you recall learning this from your History class, it was at the Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan, that the Malolos Congress put together and ratified the Constitution that gave birth to the First Philippine Republic on January 23, 1899, and put in place General Emilio Aguinaldo as the first president of the Philippine Republic. This was a major turning point not only in the nation’s history but in the history of Asia and Africa. Unfortunately, January 23 has not been declared as a National Holiday and there is no major celebration of the Anniversary of the First Philippine Republic.

Thus, the City Government of Malolos, led by Mayor Christian Natividad, has taken the initiative to stage the annual celebration that the Anniversary of the First Philippine Republic deserves. This year, the celebration has even grown bigger, with Fiesta Republica being a national celebration of Philippine history in the whole City of Malolos and involving the different barangays and schools in the city and attracting participation from neighboring provinces as well.

A series of events and activities were staged to drumbeat the celebration, which peaked in the last two days of the celebration.

The Ramon Maysaysay High School Chorale Manila's fine performance earned them a First Place finish in the Timpalak Awit-Makabayan 2015 choral competition

The Ramon Maysaysay High School Chorale Manila’s fine performance earned them a First Place finish in the Timpalak Awit-Makabayan 2015 choral competition

The Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology Chorale emerged in Second Place

The Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology Chorale emerged in Second Place

One of the events held was the Timpalak Awit-Makabayan, which pitted the singing talents of youth choirs coming from places like Manila, Laguna, Nueva Ecija and Iloilo. After the finals showdown held at the Malolos Sports and Convention Center (MSCC), Ramon Magsaysay High School Chorale Manila took home the grand prize and the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST) Chorale placed second.

The Philippine Madrigal Singers in a special concierto which featured Filipino songs such as Chichirichit, Bahay Kubo and Polka sa Nayon

The Philippine Madrigal Singers in a special concierto which featured Filipino songs such as Chichirichit, Bahay Kubo and Polka sa Nayon

Contestants of the Ginoong Republica Filipina 2015

Contestants of the Ginoong Republica Filipina 2015

Candidates of the Binibining Republica Filipina 2015

Candidates of the Binibining Republica Filipina 2015

Wilzen Estabillo of Tarlac went on to win the Ginoong Republica Filipina 2015 title

Wilzen Estabillo of Tarlac went on to win the Ginoong Republica Filipina 2015 title

Jeslyn Santos, representing Hagonoy, Bulacan, won as Binibining Republica Filipina 2015

Jeslyn Santos, representing Hagonoy, Bulacan, won as Binibining Republica Filipina 2015

Swimsuit round in the competition. At extreme right is Bulakena Jeslyn Santos, who eventually won the title

Swimsuit round in the competition. At extreme right is Bulakena Jeslyn Santos, who eventually won the title

Judges in the Ginoo and Binibining Republica Filipina pageant included top designer Barge Ramos, Ms. Philippines Grand International 2013 Ali Forbes and tourism consultant Nilo Agustin

Judges in the Ginoo and Binibining Republica Filipina pageant included top designer Barge Ramos, Ms. Philippines Grand International 2013 Ali Forbes and tourism consultant Nilo Agustin

An early evening concierto performance by the Philippine Madrigal Singers also drew a huge crowd, followed by yet another crowd-drawing event, the Ginoo and Binibining Republica Filipina 2015 national pageant. Now on its second year, the Ginoo and Binibining Republica Filipina twin pageants had nine contestants each, coming from not just Bulacan but also Manila, Valenzuela City, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Olongapo, Zambales and Bataan. The costumes, inspired by the different festivals in the Philippines, were colossal and colorful. After grueling rounds of competitions, emerging victorious as this year’s Ginoo and Binibining Republica Filipina, respectively, were Wilzen Estabillo of Tarlac and Jeslyn Santos of Bulacan.

Malolos City Mayor Christian Natividad spearheaded the Fiesta Republica celebration that highlighted an important event in Philippine history

Malolos City Mayor Christian Natividad spearheaded the Fiesta Republica celebration that highlighted an important event in Philippine history

DILG Secretary Mar Roxas during the wreath-laying ceremony on Araw ng Republikang Filipino in Malolos, Bulacan

DILG Secretary Mar Roxas during the wreath-laying ceremony on Araw ng Republikang Filipino in Malolos, Bulacan

On January 23, Araw ng Republikang Filipino itself, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas graced the commemorative rites held at the Patio of historic Barasoain Church. Joined by National Historical Commission chairperson Dr. Ma. Serena Diokno, Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Alvarado and Vice Governor Daniel Fernando, Malolos Mayor Christian Natividad and Vice Mayor Gilbert Gatchalian, Secretary Roxas led in the flag-raising ceremony and the wreath-laying at the foot of Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo’s monument.

Banda Los Estudiantes 95' of Tondo, Manila, took part in the Pasiklaban ng mga Banda

Banda Los Estudiantes 95′ of Tondo, Manila, took part in the Pasiklaban ng mga Banda brass band street parade

Then it was the grand celebration out in the streets, with the Pasiklaban ng mga Banda, a parade of Brass Bands that in its own way revives the Brass Band Festival introduced by Gen. Aguinaldo in Malolos, Bulacan, in the early 1900s.

Bulihan National School during the street theater-parade portion of Dulansangan

Bulihan National School during the street theater-parade portion of Dulansangan

Students of Caniogan Elementary School during the street parade

Students of Caniogan Elementary School during the street parade

Barasoain Memorial Elementary School during the Dulansangan showdown at the Malolos Sports and Convention Center

Barasoain Memorial Elementary School during the Dulansangan showdown at the Malolos Sports and Convention Center

The drama begins for the Ligas Elementary School students at the Dulansangan showdown

The drama begins for the Ligas Elementary School students at the Dulansangan showdown

Coming immediately after the Pasiklaban ng mga Banda was the Dulansangan, a national street dance-drama competition showcasing the different historical events that took place in pursuit of Philippine freedom and sovereignty. The parade of historical vignettes made the rounds of the major streets of Malolos then wound up at the Malolos Sports and Convention Center, where the groups held a grand showdown. Schools representing different barangays in Malolos took part in the Local level, while representative groups from other places like Manila, Cavite, Rizal and Nueva Ecija were featured in the National Level.

Malolos, the Renaissance City, has come a long way from the time the First Philippine Republic was born in 1899 — and the Fiesta Republica proved just how progressive the city has become. Hopefully, the City Government of Malolos’ initiative to commemorate the anniversary of the First Philippine Republic annually triggers an even bigger national celebration in the years to come, whoever the officials in the national, provincial and local levels may be.

 

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