NHCP LEADS 22ND PH-ES FRIENDSHIP DAY CELEBRATION IN BALER, AURORA

THE National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) leads the nation in celebrating the 22nd Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day and commemorating the 126th anniversary of the Start of the Siege in Baler, Aurora, today, July 1, at 8 a.m. in front of Baler Church and Baler Plaza.

Guests of honor Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri and Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines Miguel Utray lead the wreath-laying ceremonies at the Baler Church in the morning to pay homage to the heroism of Filipino and Spanish soldiers.

Joining them are NHCP Chairman Lisa Guerrero Nakpil, Sen. Sonny Angara, Rep. Rommel Rico Angara of the Lone District of Aurora, Gov. Reynante Tolentino of Aurora Province, Mayor Rhett Ronan Angara of the Municipality of Baler, and Armed Forces of the Philippines officials.

The Siege of Baler tells the story of Spanish soldiers who held out in Baler 15 days after the proclamation of Philippine independence. Despite repeated efforts to inform them that the war had already ended, the soldiers barricaded themselves for 11 long months. Lt. Col. Tecson, along with Bulacan soldiers, was sent by President Emilio Aguinaldo to end the siege, which he ordered that the survivors be treated as friends rather than prisoners o war paving the way for better relations between the Philippines and Spain today.

2024-06-30T16:30:43Z dg43tfdfdgfd