Bacoor City relives role in history in 'Agosto Uno' commemoration

BACOOR, Cavite – This city famed as the "Marching Band Capital of the Philippines" is well known in the country's revolutionary era when its St. Michael the Archangel Parish Priest Father Mariano Gomez was one of three Filipino martyrs – three prelates executed for charges of subversion arising from the 1872 Cavite mutiny.

But little is known until Tuesday's "Agosto Uno" commemoration that brought awareness to all that on Aug. 1, 1898, Bacoor played a significant role in the country's history when it played host to an assembly where the proclamation of Philippine Independence was formally ratified.

Among those present were Mayor Lani Mercado-Revilla, Dr. Rene R. Escalante, Chairman of National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP); and Dr. Emmanuel Franco Calairo, president of Philippine Historical Society.

Organizers and participants marked the commemorative rites in reenactments and "reliving" the "Bacoor Assembly of 1898 at the Plaza de Mariano Gomez on Evangelista Road, depicting Bacoor's role in the proclamation of Philippine Independence.

By historical account, Philippine Independence is celebrated every 12th of June – the date in 1898 when General Emilio Famy Aguinaldo proclaimed Philippine independence from the window of his house in Kawit, Cavite, and waved the Philippine Flag officially for the first time to the martial strains of the new national anthem.

But, it was on August 1, 1898 when close to 200 "Presidente Mayores," or mayors from different provinces of the Philippines went to Bacoor to take their oath of office and ratified the Declaration of Philippine Independence.

The vital document was drafted by Apolinario Mabini, the famed "Brains of the Revolution" who served as a legal and constitutional adviser to the Revolutionary Government.

The ratification is said to be a big leap towards the attainment of the country's independence, as pointed out by former Prime Minister and Cavite Historical Society president, Cesar E.A. Virata, a descendant of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.

The city government intends to deepen the Bacoorenyos knowledge and sense of pride, especially the youth, as the Aug. 1 commemorative event highlighted re-enactment of the series of historical events – from Aguinaldo's arrival in Bacoor, the signing of the Declaration of Philippine Independence at Bahay na Tisa, to the oath taking of Presidente Mayores.

Dr. Escalante commended the historical project of the city, hoping it would be sustained.

Mayor Mercado said the project is just the start of the city's initiatives to lobby for the inclusion of this historical event as one of the highlights of Philippine history.

A trip to "Bahay na Tisa" which was claimed to be the first "Malacaǹang in Bacoor" as the seat of the revolutionary government was featured.

Spicing up the commemorative celebration were the performances from the city's theater group (Teatro Bacoor), (Bacoor Youth) composite band and chorale (City of Bacoor Singing Ambassadors). (PNA)