Ilonggo press freedom fighter honored
The people of Western Visayas will commemorate the 153rd Birth Anniversary of Ilonggo freedom fighter and national hero Dr. Graciano Lopez Jaena at Jaro Plaza now named Dr. Lopez Jaena Park on Friday Dec. 18 at 7am.
“Lopez Jaena was the forerunner of the fight for press freedom and his efforts were geared to conserve and preserve the ideas and ideals of press freedom as a precious legacy,” said Atty. Leopoldo Causing, chairman of committee on publications of the event organizer Dr. Graciano Lopez Jaena Foundation, Inc.
He stressed that Iloilo is highly honored and remembered as the birthplace of one of the illustrious members of the magnificent triumvirate (Lopez Jaena-Dr. Jose Rizal-Marcelo H. del Pilar) of outstanding national heroes.
As first editor of La Solidaridad, a bi-monthly newspaper published by Filipinos in Barcelona, Spain, Lopez Jaena and his fellow journalists of the time were engaged in gigantic struggle for political, economic and social reforms in the country, Causing noted.
“The geniuses of the three libertarians fused into one mighty reform movement that shook our people from centuries of lethargy and apathy, gave new vitality and dynamism to Philippine patriotism and aspirations for liberty and kindled the revolutionary ideals for democratic reform and the final emancipation of the Philippines,” he added.
“In point of time, Lopez Jaena with his scintillating pen and dazzling eloquence started the pre-revolutionary reform movement in Madrid, Spain in 1880 as Rizal arrived in 1882 and Del Pilar in 1889, thus adding fire and force to the historic movement,” Causing quoted former president Carlos P. Garcia.
To honor Lopez Jaena, a foot parade will kick off from the Ilonggo hero’s birthplace at Fajardo Street, Jaro to be joined by the foundation’s officers and members, district’s barangay captains and other participants all the way to the Park.
After which, floral offerings before the patriot’s monument will be conducted by city and provincial officials, schools, government offices, and civic organizations.
A commemoration program will follow at the Park Gym with the foundation chairman Dr. Juanito Acanto welcoming the participants and Dr. Mildred Gary, regional director of Department of Education (DepEd6) as the guest speaker.
The Lopez Jaena foundation also includes its president Demy Sonza, vice-president Nathaniel Guillergan, secretary Lea Celis, assistant secretary Mia Lopez Cruz, treasurer Aurelio Lopez Jr, and assistant treasurer Ruth Javelosa.
The Board of Trustees are Dr. Renato Alba, Dr. Glenn Catedral, Atty. Causing, Dr. Manuel de Asis, Evelyn Erta, Gen. Ignacio Illenberger, Dr. Pedro Jaena, and Francisco Sumagaysay. (Iloilo City PIO)
