Press Release
September 26, 2008

Gordon joins national celebration in honor of Gen. Malvar's 143rd birth anniversary

Independent Senator Richard J. Gordon joins the whole nation in honoring national hero Gen. Miguel Malvar, the last general of the Philippine Revolution to surrender to the Americans, on the occasion of his 143rd birth anniversary today.

Gordon will lead the official unveiling ceremony of a new monument in Malvar's honor as one of the highlights of the three-day celebration in Malvar's honor at his own hometown in Malvar, Batangas.

"In remembering our heroes, their victories and all that they sacrificed, we reclaim all that is great and noble about ourselves as a people. We retrieve from an almost forgotten past our identity as a brave, free, and proud people," he said.

"No longer should be look back at our history with fear and inhibition, we should look back and see an ennobled reflection of ourselves. For only then can we hope to find a brighter and better future right here in our native land," he added.

Gordon, a resident historian in the Senate, recalled that Malvar first figured in the Philippine war against Spain when he successfully liberated Tayabas on June 15, 1898 after a two-month battle.

Soon after, he continued, the Spaniards were defeated and cornered in Manila . After Aguinaldo was captured in 1901 during the Philippine American war, the revolutionary forces came under Malvar's control.

Malvar launched an all-out offensive against American-held towns. American general J. Franklin Bell took command of operations in Batangas and practiced tactics that took a heavy toll on both guerrilla fighters and civilians alike.

To keep his people from suffering more, he and his entire command surrendered to the Americans on April 13, 1902, ending the battle for Batangas. Malvar was one of the last Philippine generals to surrender to American forces.

According to Gordon, General Miguel Malvar represents Batangueno bravery and patriotism at its finest, fighting for our country's independence against not just one but two world powers of his age - Spain and America .

"His life and death is a testament our people's vaunted bravery against overwhelming odds and willingness to sacrifice for the sake of their countrymen," the chairman of the Senate revision of codes and laws said.

"Today, Malvar's life speaks out to us and calls upon us to ennoble ourselves in the present age in a fight against the super powers of transactional politics," he added.

Gordon, the great grandson of Col. Jose Tagle, has made it his advocacy to celebrate the victories in Philippine history.

On September 1896, Tagle led some 1,000 guerilla volunteers from Imus and Kawit in fighting the strong Spanish forces from Manila then massing off Bacoor. His successful feat paved the way for Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo to defeat Spanish General Ernesto de Aguirre.

The three-day historic Battle of Imus that unified Cavitenos is considered as the "first victory" that salvaged the Philippine revolution from near collapse.

Gordon said these events in the Philippine history and the people behind them should always remain in the minds and hearts of the Filipino people, especially the young generation, to keep the flame and fervor of nationalism burning.

News Latest News Feed