Manila celebrates rich, colorful 452-year history

MANILA, Philippines — The Manila city government yesterday celebrated the Philippine capital’s foundation 452 years ago, as officials recalled the “colorful and rich history” that make up the city.

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan and Vice Mayor John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto led the wreath-laying rites at the monument of Rajah Sulayman, who ruled the city and led in fighting the Spanish forces.

Spanish conqueror Miguel Lopez de Legazpi put up a settlement by the Pasig River and made it the country’s capital on June 24, 1571, according to historical accounts.

Afterwards, Lacuna-Pangan and Nieto, along with other local government officials, witnessed a military and civil parade along the streets of Tondo, particularly Moriones.

Uniformed personnel joined the parade, which also featured colorful floats and performances from various groups, like Muslims, Chinese, residents of Pandacan known for its Buling-Buling Festival and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

In his message delivered in Filipino, Nieto said the Araw ng Maynila celebrated yesterday was “a symbol of our rich history made by our brave ancestors ready to defend our beloved motherland.”

He also called on his constituents to be like Tondo’s son and Filipino revolutionary Andres Bonifacio, and even former Manila mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, and Lacuna-Pangan, who is the city’s first woman mayor after 452 years.

Lacuna-Pangan told spectators that Manila was “filled with stories and such a colorful history.”

“In this year’s celebration, all together, we look back at the past, value the present and do our best to achieve a magnificent Manila,” she said in Filipino.

San Juan honors late vice mayor

Meanwhile, the San Juan city government and its residents yesterday honored their late vice mayor Jose Warren Villa instead of celebrating the feast of St. John the Baptist.

San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora joined Villa’s family and San Juaneños at a special mass at the Saint John the Baptist Parish at 9 a.m. to commemorate the feast of St. John the Baptist and for the repose of Villa’s soul.

“His motto, his battle cry, ‘God must increase, and I must decrease,” St. John the Baptist Parish priest Mike Kalaw said, referring to Villa.

“Today, though Brother Warren has decreased himself in front of God, I assure his loved ones that he is now elevated with God,” Kalaw added.

For his part, Zamora said Villa was known for serving San Juaneños well.

“Everyone here knows how well he served our city, how hard he worked for each and every one of us. We want to remember him as a real public servant who not only served our people, but served the Lord. We know he is in a better place now,” Zamora said in his speech.

Despite his passing, Inah Manalang, Villa’s wife, said she and her family felt peace and comfort knowing that Villa had joined the Creator.

After the mass, the San Juaneños joined Zamora’s and Villa’s families in the “Basbasan sa Makabagong San Juan.”

Zamora earlier deferred the actual celebration of the feast of St. John the Baptist to complete the seven-day citywide mourning for Villa.

Zamora said the procession of the image of St. John the Baptist, as well as other festivities, were rescheduled to next week.

Villa’s remains were then brought to the atrium lobby in city hall for public viewing, which will end at 10 a.m. today.

Zamora said the “Basbasan sa Makabagong San Juan” ceremony aims to foster spiritual unity and seek the blessings of St. John the Baptist for the city and its residents.

A necrological service will be conducted at 10 a.m. today at the atrium lobby of the city hall to allow Villa’s family, friends and colleagues in the city government to pay tribute to his contributions and commemorate his dedicated service to the city of San Juan. —Jose Rodel Clapano