San Miguel, Bulacan and Baler, Aurora – The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) will lead the nation in celebrating the 21st Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day and commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the Start of the Siege in Baler, Aurora on 30 June 2023.
Guests of honor, Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, and His Excellency Ambassador Miguel Utray Delgado of the Embassy of Spain to the Philippines, will lead the wreath laying ceremonies at the Baler Church in the morning, to pay homage to the heroism of Filipino and Spanish soldiers.
They will be joined by NHCP Chairman Emmanuel Franco Calairo, Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, Representative Rommel Rico T. Angara of the Lone District of Aurora, Governor Christian M. Noveras of Aurora Province, Mayor Rhett Ronan T. Angara of the Municipality of Baler, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The Siege of Baler tells the story of Spanish soldiers who held out in Baler Church starting 27 June 1898, 15 days after the proclamation of Philippine independence. Despite repeated efforts of informing them that the war had already ended, the soldiers stayed at their post for 11 long months. Only when President Emilio Aguinaldo passed a presidential decree – commending their heroism, allowing them safe passage, and that they be treated as friends – did they finally come out.
In 2003, Republic Act No. 9187 created the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day to be observed on 30 June of every year. This reminds us that the simple act of benevolence of Filipinos in Baler then, paved the way for better relations between the Philippines and Spain today.
An earlier commemoration at the Simon Tecson house in San Miguel, Bulacan will be done on 26 June 2023, 9:00 a.m., to honor the role he played in securing Filipino victory in Baler. Lt. Col. Tecson was put in charge by President Aguinaldo to lead the siege. Along with other soldiers from Bulacan, he helped end the siege, received the surrender of Spanish soldiers, and made sure they could leave unharmed. Event guest of honor Ambassador Delgado will be represented by Director Javier Galvan of the Instituto de Cervantes Manila.
The NHCP is the national government agency mandated to promote and preserve Philippine history and heritage through research and publication, heraldry, conservation, marking of historic sites and structures, administration of national shrines and museums, and conduct of commemorative programs.
