San Juan marks 129th Pinaglabanan commemoration

MANILA, Philippines — San Juan City commemorated the 129th Araw ng Pinaglabanan with solemn rites and a civic parade that showcased its newly expanded fleet of vehicles yesterday.

The event commemorates the Battle of Pinaglabanan in 1896, which marked the start of the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonial rule. It was held in partnership with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines at the Pinaglabanan Shrine.

On Aug. 30, 1896, Andres Bonifacio and members of the Katipunan attacked Spanish forces at El Polvorín, a gunpowder depot, and El Deposito, a water reservoir in San Juan del Monte. Although they failed to capture the sites, the battle ignited a nationwide uprising that led to independence.

“Araw ng Pinaglabanan is the soul of San Juan’s identity, this is where courage sparked a movement that changed our nation’s course. Each year we return to the Shrine to honor our forebears and reaffirm our duty to serve with the same bravery and integrity,” said Zamora who served as guest of honor.

The program began with a flag-raising ceremony, followed by the lighting of the eternal flame, wreath laying and a volley fire led by the San Juan police.

A civic parade was held along Pinaglabanan Street featuring the city’s transportation assets.

The parade included vehicles acquired since 2019, when Zamora took office, along with 83 brand-new units purchased this year under the 2025 re-fleeting program.

The new fleet includes security and disaster response vehicles to enhance the city’s operational capacity and barangay services.