MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Philippines — Vice President Jejomar C. Binay exalted Monday the historic landmark Barasoain Church as an “island of freedom,” having been the site of the Malolos Congress that drafted the Malolos Constitution, upon which the First Philippine Republic was established.

“Isang maikli ngunit marangal ang Unang Republika ng Pilipinas. Ito ang sumasagisag sa ating kalayaan at kasarinlan kaya marapat lang na alagaan at panatiliin nating buhay ang diwa at kahalagahan nito,” Binay said in his message on the 113th anniversary of the First Philippine Republic.

He said that before the events that took place at Barasoain Church, the people are just like wild jungle men without laws. But after the historic events, that world has recognized the Filipinos as free people with a constitution and a government of their own.

For his part, Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy Alvarado urged the Filipino people to unite and keep the flames of Philippine freedom and independence blazing.

Alvarado said the inauguration of the First Philippine Republic on Jan. 23, 1899 was “like a shinning comet that illuminated the dark days of the country under Spanish colonial rule.”

He said that bright light should always shine to remind us of the sacrifices, wisdom and heroism of Filipino patriots and revolutionaries that pave the way for the sovereignty of the Filipino people and made the Philippines, the cradle of democracy in Asia.

“Ang tunay na kalayaan ay nadadama sa sama-samang pagkilos at sama-sama natin itong bantayan at pagyabungin para hindi malimutan ng susunod na henerasyon ang kadakilaan ng araw na ito at ang kabayanihan ng ating mga ninuno,” Alvarado said adding that the significance of the day is not because of the Chinese New Year but the anniversary of the First Philippine Republic.

He said Malacañang has declared it as “Republic Day”, a non-working holiday in Bulacan. The governor said they are now pushing for January 23 to be declared as national holiday because of its significance in the nation’s history.

Mayor Natividad in his welcome remarks, said he was saddened when a group of students approached him and told him “Mayor ang bongga at napaka-social naman ng celebration ng Chinese New Year sa Malolos.”

“Isang malaking kasalanan na pabayaan natin ang kahalagahan ng araw na ito. May I take this privilege to call and implore for us to have a collective effort for this very day to know by heart that because of January 23, we are now being recognized as legitimate citizens of the Republic of the Philippines,” Natividad said.

Binay, together with Alvarado, Natividad, Rep. Ma Victoria R. Sy-Alvarado, former Prime Minister Cesar A. Virata-a grandson of Gen. Aguinaldo and Dra. Ma. Serena I, Diokno, chairperson of the Pambansang Komisyong Pangkasaysayan ng Pilipinas, also offered flowers at the statue of Gen. Aguinaldo at the patio of Barsoain church shortly after soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Bulacan police headed by Senior Supt. Fernando H. Mendez Jr., Bulacan police director, welcomed the arrival of the vice president with military honors.