Gatchalian leads Pio Valenzuela rites

Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian led the city in celebrating the 135th birth anniversary of Dr. Pio Valenzuela, a co-worker of the country’s national hero, Jose Rizal, in their fight for freedom from the Spanish colonists and from whom the city was named.

In the same gathering, the mayor called on all his constituents to honor the hero by working together "towards a meaningful, sustainable and equitable development" of the city.

In a statement released by the Public Information Office (PIO), Gatchalian urged the people to help him achieve concrete results that can be felt by all people in the city – a clean and healthy environment, peace and order, and zero graft and corruption. Gatchalian was also quoted as considering these things as "imperatives to genuine development and shared responsibilities (sic) between the government and each and every Valenzueno".

The celebrations started as early as last week through a fellowship night attended by the city employees together with Gatchalian and the city’s newly elected officials.

Gatchalian offered a wreath to the city’s father at the city hall grounds. The ceremonies were graced by descendants of Valenzuela, Felix, Pito and Jay Valenzuela, the hero’s grandsons. The occasion was also highlighted by the presentation of the 49 recipients and awardees of the Dr. Pio Valenzuela Scholarship Program.

Born on July 11, 1869, Valenzuela was the one who composed the renowned revolutionary triumvirate with Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto, who led the Katipunan. Valenzuela later became the first mayor (then called Presidente) of Polo, the old name of the city. He was later elected as Governor of Bulacan. The hero died in 1956 at the revered age of 87.