MALOLOS CITY – Hundreds of valiant Filipino revolutionaries who fell in the nearly forgotten Real de Cacarong in Pandi town did not die in vain.
This came as the president of the largest state university in Central Luzon vowed to develop and popularize “histourism” in the province with the help of students.
Dr. Mariano De Jesus, president of the Bulacan State University (BulSU) announced the development of Cacarong de Sile as one of the university’s pet project.
A fortress used by Filipino revolutionaries, Real de Cacarong is the site of one of the bloodiest battles during the Filipino-Hispanic war of 1897. It is also home for the first republic established in Bulacan antedaing Biak-na-Bato and Malolos republics.
“I will ask the College of Social Science and Philosophy (CSSP) and the College of Architecture and Fine Arts (CARFA) to help develop Cacarong,” De Jesus said.
He also said students and teachers of history will be asked to write history of old fortress, while students of Architecture and Fine Arts will be tapped to design structures that will be built.
De Jesus said even students enrolled in the National Service Training Program (NSTP) will be asked to help in maintaining physical development at the old fortress which is also known as the Inang Filipina Shrine.
“It is my dream to popularize “histourism” in Bulacan, to develop Cacarong De Sile, para hindi lang Biak-na-Bato at Barasoain Church ang naaalala ng tao,” De Jesus said.
He added that based on historical records, the republic is established in Real De Cacarong functioned like a small city complete with marching band, a police force, foundries and repair shops for guns and bolos used by revolutionaries.
As this developed, Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Alvarado said that studies to re-develop Cacarong de Sile is underway.
“We must not forget the sacrifice of our ancestors at Real De Cacarong who played a central role in later revolutions,” the governor said noting that at least 1,300 Bulakenyo revolutionaries died at the old fortress when it was assaulted by Spanish forces on January 1, 1897.
Isagani Giron, the chairman emeritus of the Samahang Pangkasaysayan ng Bulacan (Sampak), said Real De Cacarong was one of the first revolutionary republics established in the country.
It was lead by its Supremo Canuto Villanueva, the grandfather of Bro. Eddie Villanueva of the Jesus is Lord Movement and General Eusebio Roque of Bocaue town fondly called as “Maestrong Sebio.”
Giron said that Maestrong Sebio was captured by Spaniards and was executed in Bulacan town.
One of his young followers, then Lieutenant Gregorio Del Pilar survived the attack, escaped and planned to rescue Maestrong Sebio but was prevailed upon by more senior surviving officers.
Known as the idol of the revolution, the young Del Pilar was promoted to general and was later killed by American forces that pursued President Emilio Aguinaldo at Tirad Pass in Ilocos Sur.
