The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), in partnership with the Municipal Government of Baler, Aurora, officially opened the two-day commemoration of Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day with a ceremony remembering the establishment of the Katipunan in Sitio Dikaloyungan, Baler in 1897.
Held on the afternoon of July 7, 2025, the program began with a wreath-laying ceremony at the historical marker in Dikaloyungan. NHCP Executive Director Carminda R. Arevalo led the event, joined by Baler Vice Mayor Denise Alyanna D. Angara and representatives from the Philippine National Police. The solemn occasion was also witnessed by officials from the Baler Municipal Council, the Provincial Government of Aurora, and the Barangay Council of Zabali.
In her keynote speech, Executive Director Arevalo emphasized the historical significance of Dikaloyungan as the birthplace of the Philippine Revolution in the province of Aurora. She reflected on how the friendship between the Philippines and Spain, celebrated annually on June 30, was made possible only after Filipinos fought for and achieved their independence. “True friendship is possible only between equals,” she said, highlighting the heroism of revolutionaries like Teodorico Luna y Novicio and his fellow freedom fighters, whose bravery laid the foundation for a sovereign nation.
Vice Mayor Angara echoed this sentiment, recognizing the sacrifices made by Filipinos in their pursuit of freedom. She encouraged those in attendance to continue honoring the memory of the revolutionaries who paved the way for the country’s independence.
Sitio Dikaloyungan, a quiet area in Baler today, played a central role in the fight for freedom during the Philippine Revolution. In September 1897, it served as the first command post of Filipino revolutionary forces in what is now the province of Aurora. Its role in history has since been immortalized through historical markers and commemorative ceremonies.
The wreath-laying is part of the official activities marking the 23rd Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day. The annual event, observed every June 30, commemorates the end of the Siege of Baler and celebrates the shared history between the Philippines and Spain, once former adversaries who have since forged bonds of respect and mutual recognition.
As this year’s observance pays tribute to the origins of the revolution in Aurora, the message is clear: understanding and peace between nations are rooted in the courage of those who dared to fight for freedom.
