GMA leads Nueva Ecija's historic celebration

PALAYAN CITY — President Arroyo will lead Novo Ecijanos in today’s celebration of the 107th anniversary of the "Unang Sigaw ng Nueva Ecija" to be held at the new provincial capital grounds here.

Nueva Ecija Gov. Tomas Joson III said many activities have been lined up for the occasion including the conferment of the "Tanging Alay sa Tanging Anak ng Nueva Ecija," a trade fair, boxing competitions, bikefest and marathon.

Veteran journalist and newspaper publisher Pete Salazar and San Isidro Mayor Sonia Lorenzo lead the awardees for the "Tanging Alay sa Tanging Anak ng Nueva Ecija."

The governor will also lead the swearing in of some 12,000 trainees of the Bantay Bayan from the province’s 800 barangays.

Sept. 2 has been declared a special non-working holiday in Nueva Ecija by virtue of Republic Act 7596 signed by former President Corazon Aquino.

On Sept. 2, 1896, some 500 revolutionaries, armed with bolos and pointed sticks and accompanied by musikang bumbong ( a band with bamboo instruments) led by Gen. Mariano Llanera marched from Cabiao town in southern Nueva Ecija to the nearby town of San Isidro and assaulted the Spanish garrison, which freed hundreds of detained Katipuneros.

San Isidro was proclaimed capital of the Philippines on Sept. 29, 1899 by President Emilio Aguinaldo.

For its role in the revolution, Nueva Ecija earned a star in the Philippine flag, representing one of the eight provinces that revolted against Spain.

Separate commemorative activities will be held by the municipal governments of Cabiao and San Isidro.

Cabiao Mayor Gloria Crespo-Congco said they will have an early morning Mass and wreath-laying at the Rizal and Llanera monuments. In San Isidro, Mayor Sonia Lorenzo will launch six socialized housing projects at the municipal compound.