On 04 July 1896, one of the prominent
ilustrados and
propagandistas advocating reforms in the Spanish colonial administration of the Philippine Islands, Marcelo H. Del Pilar, better known for his pen name "Plaridel," died. He was editor of
La Solidaridad, the principal organ of the reformists in Spain; our college in the University of the Philippines is named in Plaridel's honor. His death anniversary is celebrated in his home town in Bulakan, Bulacan.
In professor-historian Xiao Chua's site, he published on 03 July 2013, text of the news segment he hosted in People's Television (the government's television network), Xiao Time,
"Ang Piso ni Anita sa Amang Marcelo Del Pilar." Professor Chua included a picture of a sculpture depicting the death of Plaridel by National Artist for Sculpture Guillermo Tolentino. Renowned for the Oblation, the iconic sculpture of the University of the Philippines, Tolentino was also a Bulakeno, from Malolos City. He was born 24 July 1890, and died 12 July 1976.
And here's something else I found out about Plaridel (in
Wikipedia):
On November 30, 1997, the Technical Committee of the National Heroes Committee, created through Executive Order No. 5 by former President Fidel Ramos, recommended del Pilar along with the eight Filipino historical figures to be National Heroes. The recommendations were submitted to Department of Education Secretary Ricardo T. Gloria on November 22, 1995. No action has been taken for these recommended historical figures. In 2009, this issue was revisited in one of the proceedings of the 14th Congress.
Frankly, I'd prefer the issue of National Heroes be taken up again, than talk about federalism and changing the nation's charter. National History Month will be observed next month, August, by virtue of Proclamation No. 339 signed by former President Benigno Aquino III in 2012, and National Heroes Day, an official holiday will be celebrated on 27 August.
[This post is post-dated: 20180727]
