Bulacan celebrates 168th birth anniversary of father of PH journalism

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque led the wreath laying ceremony on the 168th birth anniversary of Marcelo H. Del Pilar, acknowledged father of Philippine journalism, at his shrine in Sitio Cupang, Barangay San Nicolas, in Bulakan town. With him are Bulacan officials led by Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado and Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando. Photo by Carmela Reyes-Estrope

BULAKAN, Bulacan – Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque led the 168th birthday anniversary of Marcelo H. Del Pilar, acknowledged father of Philippine journalism, during rites at his shrine in Barangay (village) San Nicolas here on Thursday (Aug. 30).

The hero was born on August 30, 1850, at his home in Sitio (sub-village) Cupang where the shrine now stands.

Del Pilar wrote for and edited the newspaper “La Solidaridad,” named after the organization of Filipino exiles in Europe who advocated change in Spain’s treatment of its Philippine colony. He also founded “Diyaryong Tagalog.”

Del Pilar spent money he received from his daughter and friends in Bulacan to sustain the operations of La Solidaridad.

King Cortez, a professor at the Cavite State University, who wrote the book “Del Pilar, Dungan ng Katipunan,” outlined works which suggest it was Del Pilar who popularized the concept “Libertad (freedom).”

“As an expression of Bonifacio’s high regard for Del Pilar, — that he was the inspiration of his fellow freedom fighters — the by-laws of the Katipunan were first submitted to him for his approval,” Cortez said.

Cortez said Del Pilar encouraged press freedom when he once stated: “The Philippines without representation in the Cortes (the Spanish legislature) without freedom of the press, with no organ to manifest its sentiments, cannot raise its voice in demand of justice, let us do it for our brothers.”

A Bulacan lawmaker has filed a measure making Aug. 30 a national holiday to celebrate press freedom.

Del Pilar died of tuberculosis in Barcelona, Spain on July 4, 1896.

His remains were buried in a cemetery in Spain until the Philippine government commissioned Judge Norberto Gonzales to bring home Del Pilar’s body in 1920, which was interred at the North Cemetery.

Alex Balagtas, the curator of the Marcelo H. Del Pilar Shrine, said his family eventually brought the remains back to his hometown.