DOT sec underscores vital role of Pamintuan Mansion in Phl history

By Joelyn G. Baluyut

Thursday 14th of June 2012

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, June 14 (PIA) -- “It is very obvious that Pamintuan Mansion has a very important play in the history of our country.”

This was the statement made by Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. during the 114th Philippine Independence Day celebration held on Tuesday at Pamintuan Mansion, where it first celebrated the Philippine Independence anniversary on June 12, 1899.

“The mansion is where the first Independence Day celebration took place and that’s very, very important. We will make sure, as much as we can, that DOT will broadcast it to the whole world,” Jimenez added.

The said Mansion was one of the nine sites where the simultaneous raising of the national flag was held in the country.

This became the headquarters of the Revolutionary Army under General Venancio Concepcion in 1898 and General Antonio Luna in 1899. It was also learned that Luna drew up plans there for the defense of Pampanga against the American.

It became the official residence of President Emilio Aguinaldo from May to July 1899 during the war between the Philippines and United States of America.

And it was also occupied by General Arthur McArthur and members of his staff in 1901, and served as the home of the Kamikaze pilots in 1944.

On the year 1981, it was bought by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), restored in 1983 andinaugurated in the year 1988 as its regional office. (CLJD/JGB-PIA3)