MANILA, Philippines — The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), together with the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) and the Manila City Government, commemorated the 162nd birth anniversary of Apolinario Mabini on Thursday, July 23, with ceremonies held at the NHCP Apolinario Mabini Shrine inside the PUP campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila, and at Mabini’s birthplace in Tanauan City, Batangas.
The Manila commemoration gathered government officials, educators, law enforcement representatives, and civic organizations in honoring the revolutionary leader widely remembered as the “Brain of the Revolution” and the “Sublime Paralytic.”
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Assistant Secretary Atty. Zabedin M. Azis served as guest of honor during the ceremony. He was joined by NHCP Executive Director Carminda R. Arevalo, PUP President Manuel M. Muhi, Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Manila Officer-in-Charge Cristal L. Bagatsing, Manila Police District Deputy Director for Operations PCol. Emil A. Tumibay, National Council on Disability Affairs representative Niñajane J. Jospon, and officials of the Gran Logia Nacional de Filipinas.
The program featured musical and cultural performances by the PUP Bagong Himig Serenata, PUP Maharlika Dance Artists, PUP Harana String Co., and the Manila City Band.
Born on July 23, 1864, to Inocencio Mabini and Dionisia Maranan, Mabini served as secretary of La Liga Filipina before joining the Philippine Revolution. He later became the chief adviser to General Emilio Aguinaldo and served as the first Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the revolutionary government. Despite being paralyzed by polio in 1896, his writings and political philosophy helped shape the country’s struggle for independence, earning him the titles “Brain of the Revolution” and “Sublime Paralytic.”
As part of the anniversary activities, the NHCP also hosted “Mabini Unbound,” a lecture series at the Mabini Shrine in PUP. The first lecture, “Bakit Nakatayo si Mabini?: Si Pule sa Mata ng Bayan,” was delivered by NHCP Historic Sites Development Officer Eufemio Agbayani III.
Meanwhile, another wreath-laying ceremony was held at the NHCP Apolinario Mabini Shrine in Tanauan City, Batangas, where Mabini was born and where his remains now rest.
Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel V. de Mesa served as guest of honor, alongside representatives from the Batangas provincial government, National Council on Disability Affairs, local officials of Tanauan City, members of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines, and NHCP Deputy Executive Director for Programs and Projects Alvin R. Alcid.
A highlight of the Batangas commemoration was the unveiling of a new statue of Apolinario Mabini at Gallery II of the museum. The monument, donated by the Gran Logia Soberaña del Archipelago Filipino (Logia Mabini Numero 9), was presented as a gift to the nation in honor of the Filipino patriot.
The twin commemorations reaffirmed Mabini’s enduring legacy as one of the country’s foremost revolutionary thinkers and statesmen, whose unwavering principles and vision for an independent Philippines continue to inspire generations of Filipinos
Source: NHCP
