Chairman of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Virgilio Almario is guest of honor in the commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of Aurelio Tolentino
National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario will lead the unveiling of the historical marker and wreath-laying ceremonies in observance of the 150th birth anniversary of Aurelio Tolentino on 13 October 2017, 8:00 a.m., at the Municipal Plaza, Guagua, Pampanga.
Guagua Municipal Mayor Dante D. Torres will deliver the welcome remarks. Pampanga Governor Lilia G. Pineda and Dr. Becky Singson, a descendant of Aurelio Tolentino will provide messages. National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Chairman Dr. Rene R. Escalante will introduce the event’s guest of honor, NCCA Chairman Virgilio Almario who will deliver his keynote speech.
A revolutionary, playwright, fictionist, and poet, Aurelio Tolentino was born on 13 October 1867 in Sto. Cristo, Guagua, Pampanga to Leonardo Tolentino and Petrona Valenzuela. An active member of the Katipunan, he engaged in revolutionary activities and joined Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto and other Katipuneros to plan the revolution against Spain. Tolentino is also one of the signatories of the Declaration of Philippine Independence in Kawit, Cavite, on 12 June 1898.
During the American occupation he expressed his nationalism through his writings which openly criticized the United States government in La Independencia, La Patria and El Liberal. Tolentino also wrote dramas, his most famous work “Kahapon, Ngayon, at Bukas,” an allegorical attack on the American colonization.
Tolentino’s fearless works that illustrates the injustices of colonial rule caused his many tortures and imprisonments. He died on July 1915 and was buried at the North Cemetery. Later, his remains were transferred to Guagua in 1921.
This year’s commemorative program is spearheaded by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), in cooperation with the Provincial Government of Pampanga and Municipal Government of Guagua.
The NHCP is the national government agency mandated to promote Philippine history through its museums and publications, and preserve the nation’s historical heritage.