Marcos leads rites for 125th anniversary of First Philippine Republic

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the 125th Anniversary of the First Philippine Republic in Bulacan.

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday led the 125th Anniversary of the First Philippine Republic at the historic Barasoain Church in Bulacan.

Joining him were House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, as well as other lawmakers and local government officials.

“We are gathered here today where the cornerstone of our republic was first laid, where our journey to nationhood catapulted forward by the unstoppable will of our people to be free,” said Marcos in his speech.

“We draw strength from what has transpired in these hallowed grounds 125 years ago,” he added.

According to Marcos, the history made in the Barasoain Church inspired Filipinos to overcome obstacles to progress in the present age.

“The architects of Asia’s first republic chose this church to unfurl before the world, our blueprint for our nation,” said Marcos.

According to the National Historic Commission of the Philippines, the First Republic of the Philippines was established after the Malolos Convention of 1899 was held inside the church.

The 125th Anniversary of the First Philippine Republic at the historic Barasoain Church in Bulacan. JEAN MANGALUZ/INQUIRER.net

Following the Philippines’ independence from Spain, the First Philippine Republic replaced the Revolutionary Government established by former president Emilio Aguinaldo.

However, the Republic fell when Aguinaldo was captured by the Americans in 1901 during the Philippine-American War.

READ: Bulacan pays tribute to Filipino patriots behind historical Malolos Congress