In rites made low-key by pandemic, Bulacan execs mark Malolos Congress’ 122nd anniversary
Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando (second from right) leads Tuesday’s commemoration of the 122nd anniversary of the Malolos Congress. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
CITY OF MALOLOS—In ceremonies visibly made low-key by the pandemic, officials of Bulacan province on Tuesday (Sept. 15) commemorated the 122nd anniversary of the Malolos Congress at the Barasoain Church in this capital city where the historic event unfolded in 1898.
Gov. Daniel Fernando, who returned to work after recovering from the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), led the occasion by laying a wreath at the monument of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo despite the rains.
Fernando was joined by City of Malolos Mayor Gilbert Gatchalian, Vice Mayor Len Pineda and Barasoain Church Parish Priest Fr. Dars Cabral.
It was on Sept. 15, 1898 when Aguinaldo led an assembly of Filipino patriots at the Barasoain Church to enact the Malolos Constitution that gave birth to the “First Philippine Republic” and later became the first republic in Asia.
The commemoration has been an annual tradition in Bulacan as a conclusion to the province’s weeklong Singkaban Festival, coinciding with the Malolos Congress. The festival was cancelled this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
