SAN JUAN CITY – The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) will join the City of San Juan in commemorating the 127th Anniversary of the Battle of San Juan del Monte at the Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine, San Juan City on 30 August 2023.
First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos will be the Guest of Honor accompanied by Department of Tourism Secretary Ma. Cristina Garcia Frasco, NHCP Chairman Dr. Emmanuel Franco Calairo, San Juan Mayor Francisco Javier Zamora, and other officials from the national and local governments. The program includes the lighting of the eternal flame, flag-raising and wreath-laying rites, the unveiling of the local markers for the monuments to Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, and Dr. Jose Rizal; and the launching of the San Juan City Art Trail.
In the afternoon, Chairman Calairo and Mayor Zamora will lead the opening of “Open Secret: Glimpses of Folklore in Revolution and Resistance” at the Museo El Deposito. This blacklight art and history exhibit is a collaborative project of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. and the NHCP.
On 29 August 1896, Katipuneros under the overall command of Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto led an attack against the El Polvorin Spanish Gunpowder Magazine at San Juan del Monte. Their assault was successful in capturing the vital installation until 30 August when Spanish reinforcements sent from Manila counter-attacked and recaptured the Polvorin from the Katipunan. This battle is considered as one of the earliest combat actions of the 1896 Philippine Revolution.
The NHCP is the national government agency mandated to promote and preserve Philippine historical heritage through the conduct of commemorative programs, research and publication, conservation, marking of historic sites and structures, and administration of national shrines and museums.