Malacañang has declared November 4 as a holiday for Quezonins which they used to observe and commemorate Hermano Pul, a local hero who was among the first Filipinos to fight and revolt against the Spaniards.
LUCENA City, Quezon- Malacañang has declared Nov. 4 a special non-working day in Quezon province to commemorate the heroic death of local hero Apolinario de la Cruz, popularly known as “Hermano Puli.”
“It is only fitting and proper that the people of the province of Quezon be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies, subject to community quarantine, social distancing, and other public health measures,” Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said in Proclamation 1233 signed on Oct. 26.
A copy of the order was posted on the Quezon public information office's Facebook page on Oct. 28.
The province administration held a low-key commemoration of the local hero's 206th birthday.
Floral offerings are made every year at the foot of the De La Cruz statues in Tayabas City and Lucban, Quezon, by local government, military and police officials, and civic groups.
De La Cruz, who was born in Lucban town on July 22, 1815, aspired to be a priest but was turned down by Spanish friars because he was a native or "Indio."
He formed the "Cofradia de San Jose" at the age of 17, a religious movement that drew adherents from Tayabas, Laguna, Batangas, and Cavite, Tondo in Manila, and sections of Bicol.
According to historical sources, it had a membership of roughly 5,000 people.
De la Cruz and Cofradia members were compelled to go underground as the Spanish friars suspected the movement of being subversive.
In a combat on Oct. 23, 1841, De la Cruz killed Spanish commander Joaquin Ortega, the first casualty among Spanish authorities.
Spain was enraged at Ortega's death and dispatched a massive army of warriors to capture him, dead or alive.
On November 4, 1841, Hermano Puli was apprehended and executed in Tayabas.
To warn his supporters, Spanish soldiers dismembered his body and hanged his head in a cage on a pole along the road leading to Majayjay village in Laguna.
According to historical sources, De la Cruz's bravery inspired three Filipino priests — Mario Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora — whose martyrdom motivated the people to stand up against Spanish oppression.
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