The freedom that we have gained from the struggles of our forefathers should serve to inspire San Pedrenses in the united goal of the city government to become “Una sa Laguna.”
That was the message of the city government of San Pedro, Laguna as it joined the whole country in the commemoration of the 126th anniversary of Philippine Independence last June 12.
City officials, employees, prominent San Pedrenses, and law-enforcement officers gathered at the City Hall for a simple yet meaningful ceremony celebrating the country’s freedom and sovereignty.
In their messages during the event, city officials urged San Pedrenses to continue the struggle, not only for the country’s continued existence but also for freedom from the challenges the Philippines still experience despite decades of sovereignty: poverty, lack of equal opportunities, corruption, and the degradation of the country’s natural resources.
The San Pedro LGU also encouraged its constituents to have a “positive attitude” despite these challenges, as the Filipino people – and San Pedrenses in particular – continue to rise from calamities and challenges rebuild not only themselves but their nation.
City’s role in PH independence
“Buong puso po nating ipinagmamalaki na ang Lungsod ng San Pedro ay may ginampanang papel sa ipinagmamalaki nating kalayaan,” San Pedro City Mayor Art Mercado said, in his Independence Day message read by the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation resident Raphael Antonio Ty.
Archival research conducted by the San Pedro City Tourism, Culture and Arts Office (CTCAO) have highlighted the role of “forgotten” San Pedrenses who fought for Philippine independence from Spain.
One such hero is Antonio Guevara y Mendoza, who organized the “Matatag” group of the Katipunan in San Pedro during the 1896 Revolution and encouraged other Lagunenses to join in the Filipinos’ struggle for independence. Another notable San Pedrense hero is Lucino Almeida y Almendral, the first Presidente Provincial (governor) of the province of La Union under the revolutionary government of Emilio Aguinaldo.
San Pedro also became the "hiding place" of Filipino revolutionaries such as Mariano Alvarez (from whom the nearby municipality of General Mariano Alvarez in Cavite was named), Col. Santos Nocon, and Col. Lucas Camerino.
The town later served as a refuge for Gregoria "Oriang" de Jesus after her husband Andres Bonifacio was executed by Magdalo revolutionaries in 1897.
“Mararamdaman lamang ng ating mga kababayan ang tunay na diwa at aral ng Araw ng Kalayaan kung magpupunyagi ang bawat isa sa pagtatanggol at pagrespeto sa mga batas ng ating bansa, at isusulong ang tunay na kaginhawaan at kaunlaran para sa bawat Pilipino, “ Mercado added.
Other activities
As part of Independence Day celebrations, the city government, through the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) also conducted a “Kalayaan Job Fair” at SM City San Pedro on that day.
During the event, which was conducted in partnership with the Gender and Development Office (GAD), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Provincial PESO, 25 companies and cooperatives offered 2,000 vacant positions covering a wide variety of sectors to job-seekers.
Aside from this, the city government together with SM Supermalls sponsored a sampaguita garland making booth at SM Center San Pedro.
Here, shoppers were treated to a chance to learn the art of sampaguita garland making, not just witnessing the process but actively participating in creating these fragrant necklaces.
"The flourishing Sampaguita industry plays a crucial role in enhancing the livelihood of San Pedrenses. SM Center San Pedro, in collaboration with the local government, is revitalizing the Sampaguita industry in the community," SM Supermalls said in a statement.
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