Another Bulacan Day

The province of Bulacan enjoys it fair share of holidays as far as other provinces are
concerned. In a year, the province can declare up to 6 dates as a special non-working holiday:
The First Philippine Republic(Jan 26), Blas Ople Day(Feb 3), Mariano Ponce Day(March 22),
Francisco Balagtas Day(April 2), Bulacan Foundation Day(Aug 15),Marcelo H. Del Pilar Day(Aug
30), and the Araw ng mga Barangay(Sept 11). But for the ordinary Bulakenyo, these holidays are
not specified on what really is special about the day but only as another “Bulacan Day”.

Today, the province celebrated the 87th birthday of former senator Blas Ople and the
provincial government of Bulacan declared is as a special non-working holiday in the province.

There was a simple gathering in front of the Blas Ople bldg in the capitol compound with a
small crowd which consists mainly of war veterans and old people who truly are aware of what
Blas Ople really did for the country. There was also a small crowd of students who attended the
event for the sole purpose of finishing an academic requirement.

People from other parts of Bulacan are not even aware that there is such celebration,
Roxanne Aquino, 20, of Pandi Bulacan stated that she only knows that it is Bulacan day today like
any other special holiday in Bulacan and also that she has no idea on who Blas Ople is. She even
joked on the many instances that classes in Bulacan are suspended due to another “Bulacan Day”

“Hindi ko alam na may mga celebration pala na ganon, kala ko basta Bulacan Day walang
pasok, ang dami nga Bulacan day e kaya tamad mga students ng Bulacan e lagi wala pasok
hahaha… Hindi ko din kilala si Blas Ople” Roxanne said.

Bulakenyos need to be educated on the different holidays in their province specially that the
people or event that took place on those holidays have a big impact on the history of the
Philippines.

Jude Santos, 11, a grade 4 student from Sta. Maria, Bulacan, enjoyed a very long weekend
due the Chinese new year last January 31, which was also declared as a non-working holiday and
today, February 3, which was declared a non-working holiday in the province Bulacan. He has also
no clue on what the holiday is even saying that his teachers said it was “Bulacan Day” today.

“sabi po ng teacher ko Bulacan day daw kaya wala pasok… di naman nya tinuturo kung
sino si Blas Ople.” Jude said.

If Bulakenyos are to be proud of their great and colorful province, we must be educated well
specially in the history of not only the Philippines, but also on the history of the province itself. Even
the governor said that if a hero is not spoken of, he will disappear.

“Kahit sino namang bayani kapag hindi nababangit ay nawawala” Governor Wilhelmino Sy-
Alvarado said in today’s event to celebrate the 87th birthday of Blas Ople.

Same goes to the great history of the province of Bulacan. If it is not relayed properly, it will
just disappear without no one even knowing.