OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines —It’s a special non-working holiday today in Olongapo as well as at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in honor of the city’s founder James Leonard Gordon.
In 2019, President Duterte declared the 17th day of January of every year as James Leonard Tagle Gordon Day to recognize the achievements, contributions and heroism of the late Gordon.
Known as Jimmy Gordon, the founder of Olongapo City served as mayor from 1963 to 1967.
Gordon’s mother Veronica was a daughter of Filipino patriot Jose Tagle, who joined the Philippine revolution in Imus, Cavite.
Gordon was instrumental in the passage of Republic Act 4646, which declared Olongapo as a chartered city. He was the father of Sen. Richard Gordon.