Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando, Bulakan Mayor Vergel Meneses, Lt. Col. Alberto Valenzuela of the Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion and Representative Jonathan Sy-Alvarado celebrate the 144th birth anniversary of General Gregorio Del Pilar. Contributed photo
BULAKAN, Bulacan –– The Philippine Army gave the late General Gregorio del Pilar a 21-gun salute on Thursday to commemorate his 144th birth anniversary.
Del Pilar, who perished on Dec. 2, 1899 at Tirad Pass during the Philippine-American War, was born in this town’s Barangay San Jose on Nov. 14, 1875.
Mayor Vergel Meneses and other officials joined soldiers of the Army’s 48th Infantry Battalion in commemorating the hero’s birthday at the Del Pilar Plaza, in front of the municipal building, where his statue stands.
Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando paid tribute to Del Pilar, saying he was the first military governor of the province during the Philippine Revolution of 1898.
Del Pilar was the nephew of revolutionary journalist Marcelo H. Del Pilar, who also hailed from this town.