Bulacan declares holiday on Ople's 82nd birthday

MALOLOS CITY – It’s a non-working holiday in Bulacan today as the province observes the 82nd birthday of the late statesman Blas Ople.

The family and colleagues of the late senator will be observing his 82nd birthday at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio.

As a tribute, the Provincial Government of Bulacan led by Gov. Jonjon Mendoza, will offer a holy Mass, flowers and a short program to mark this day.

Meanwhile, a Mobile Passport Serbilis in the town of Hagonoy will also be held in remembrance of Ka Blas who is also recognized as the “Father of Overseas Employment” and author of the Philippine Labor Code.

Ople also served as Senate president, Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Department of Labor and Employment.

Mendoza said Ka Blas was an outstanding leader and public servant not just in Bulacan but in the whole country.

“Si Ka Blas ay isa sa ipinagmamalaking anak ng Bulacan at marapat lamang na siya ay magsilbing inspirasyon at huwaran lalo na sa mga Bulakenyo,” he added.

A son of peasants, Ople rose to national and international prominence first as a journalist of the now defunct Daily Mirror, then as Minister of Labor, as president of the International Labor Organization, and as representative to the Batasang Pambansa.

He was also one of the delegates that framed the 1987 Constitution, was elected as senator in 1992 and 1998.

In 2002, he was appointed as Secretary of Foreign Affairs until his death on Dec. 14, 2003.