MAYOYAO, IFUGAO — The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) led the unveiling of three new historical markers in Ifugao on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, commemorating the journey of President Emilio Aguinaldo and his troops through the Cordillera highlands during the Philippine-American War.
The markers, titled “Landas ng Pagkabansa”, are located in Alimit, Ayangan, and Mayoyao—sites that once served as temporary refuges for Aguinaldo and his soldiers between December 1899 and January 1900 as they defended the country’s first republic.
NHCP Chairman Regalado Trota Jose Jr. led the ceremony, joined by local officials and residents of Mayoyao. After the unveiling, a certificate of transfer was signed between the NHCP and the Municipal Government of Mayoyao, represented by Mayor Jimmy B. Padchanan Jr., who expressed gratitude for the recognition of Ifugao’s role in the nation’s struggle for independence.
Each marker tells a story of perseverance and solidarity. The Ayangan marker recalls how Aguinaldo and his men were sheltered and given rice and meat by local villagers during their brief stay from December 28 to 29, 1899, before moving on to Alimit, where they stayed from December 31, 1899 to January 1, 1900. The Mayoyao marker, meanwhile, marks the site where Aguinaldo’s troops rested from January 1 to 3, 1900, after being spotted by American forces in the surrounding mountains. From there, the group continued their journey toward Isabela to sustain the operations of the fledgling Philippine government.
The marker in Mayoyao also acknowledges the historical bond between the province and the First Philippine Republic. In recognition of Ifugao’s contribution, the municipality of Aguinaldo, Ifugao was later established under Batas Pambansa Blg. 86 in 1980, carved from several barangays of Mayoyao.
The unveiling forms part of NHCP’s ongoing series of activities across the country in celebration of the 125th anniversary of Philippine Independence and Nationhood, which runs from June 12, 2023, to March 23, 2026.
Through these initiatives, the NHCP continues to promote a deeper understanding of the nation’s past by preserving historical sites and honoring communities that played pivotal roles in shaping Philippine history.
