Feature: The role of Central Luzon in the Philippines' quest for freedom

By Joelyn G. Baluyut

Wednesday 6th of June 2012

Apart from farmers, Central Luzon, which is known as the rice granary of the country, have produced singers such as Regine Velasquez and Jessica Sanchez;and, artists like Vicente Manansala, Juan Crisostomo Soto, and Aurelio Tolentino. The region, too, is home to heroes.

"Yes, Region 3 played a big role on the struggle towards the independence of the country," narrates Department of Education Regional Director Isabelita Borres in her keynote speech during last week's celebration of National Flag Day in the City of San Fernando. "In fact, four out of the first eight provinces to declare war from the Spanish colonial government came here (Central Luzon) namely Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Tarlac and Pampanga.”

Borres said that four out of the eight rays of the sun of the Philippine flag symbolizes four out of eight provinces to declare war will be remembered by us, especially the youth, that this historical mark will be forever embedded.

“This tells us the patriotism and nationalistic spirit of Central Luzon in fighting for democracy and freedom tracing back from the year 1898,” said Borres.

Because we all know that from 1941 to 1942, the Japanese were here with us, it has disturbed the plan for independence but right there and then, all our prominent leaders, Manuel Quezon, Manuel Roxas, and even Jose Laurel fought again for the continuation of that dream of every Filipino to become independent.

During the period of 1941 to 1945, the Japanese occupation, you might appreciate the significance of Region 3 because of Corregidor Island. Geographically, it is part of Cavite but it is also very close to Bataan. April 9 accentuated the history of the whole Japanese occupation, the death march from Corregidor to Mariveles, to Dinalupihan, but before they reach Capas, Tarlac, all of the 6,013 soldiers passed through the land of the City San Fernando, Pampanga.

But beyond recalling the history of what this region had done, Borres have also given due recognition to the prominence of Central Luzon for producing the most number of Presidents. Six presidents came from Region 3 like Manuel Quezon of Aurora, Ramon Magsaysay of Zambales, Diosdado Macapagal of Pampanga, Cory Aquino of Tarlac, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of Pampanga and Benigno S. Aquino, III of Tarlac.

The blood that runs on the present leaders here is the same blood that runs through Andres Bonifacio and Gregorio Del Pilar, she concluded.

As the nation will celebrate the 114th Independence Day on Tuesday, it is worth saying that “I am a Filipino. Inheritor of a glorious past and hostage to an uncertain future. As such I am faced in dual task: that of meeting my responsibility to the past and that of performing my task to the future,” as Carlos Romulo put it. (CLJD/JGB-PIA3)