Caviteños want province named RP’s historical capital

KAWIT, Cavite — Caviteños led by Gov. Ireneo "Ayong" Maliksi led yesterday a campaign to urge Congress to declare this province the historical capital of the Philippines.

At a press conference at the Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine preparatory to the Kalayaan (freedom) festival, Maliksi and Cavite’s local government officials asked Congress to pass a bill seeking the proclamation of Cavite as the country’s historical capital. Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya sponsored the bill.

In a speech, Maliksi cited historical events in which Cavite and its people played pivotal roles in the fight for Philippine independence from Spanish colonial rule, asking that Cavite be given credit.

"Cavite was already dubbed the cradle of the Philippine revolution (of 1896) and the birthplace of Philippine independence," Malicsi said. "I hope we could achieve the full recognition of Congress, to be the historical capital of the country."

Malicsi said Cavite has been blessed with a rich historical legacy, having been the site of a series of armed uprisings that began with the Cavite Mutiny in 1872 and ended with the proclamation of Philippine independence on June 12, 1898 by Aguinaldo, a Caviteño.

"The Battle of Imus and the Battle of Binakayan were only two wars that Filipino revolutionaries won," Malicsi said. "This was the turning point in our battle against the Spaniards. If not for these two battles, our Katipuneros would have retreated and surrendered to the enemy."

He also asked the media and history teachers to impart the rich history of Cavite to their students and all Filipinos.

"If we will study the history of Cavite, every square inch of land in this province has its own history to be proud of," he said, adding that the most number of generals who led Filipino revolutionary forces in the battle to win independence for the Philippines are sons of Cavite.

Malicsi’s most potent argument for Cavite’s declaration as the country’s historical capital was delivered in Filipino: "Walang naging katulad ang Cavite sa pagiging bahagi ng ating pagkabansa dahil dito sa Cavite isinilang ang ating kalayaan 108 taon na ng nakalipas. Dito rin sa Cavite ginawa at unang napawagayway ang ating bandila at dito din isinulat ang ating pambansang awit na inaawit pa rin ng lahat ng Pilipino hanggang kasalukuyan (Cavite is without par as part of our quest for nationhood because it was in Cavite that our freedom was born 108 years ago. It was also in Cavite that our flag was first flown and it was here that the national anthem we sing to this day was written)."

He also reiterated his support for education and the preservation of Philippine cultural heritage and the promotion of revolutionary fervor in Cavite.

"Many of our heroes, the great men and women of our history, assembled, fought and died in Cavite for freedom," he said, adding that the stories of these heroes and heroines "will serve as an inspiration to our present and future generations."

De La Salle University history professor and Cavite Historical Society public relations officer Dr. Emmanuel Calario also vouched for Cavite’s declaration as the country’s historical capital: "Gov. Malicsi’s claims were all backed up with historical documents and I think Cavite is more than qualified to be considered as the historical capital of the country."

The STAR asked Malicsi about the status of Abaya’s bill and what hindrances may plague its passage. Malicsi replied that he is confident that the bill will pass in Congress, "but I know that we do not control each belief of our legislators," though he has asked the public to pray for the bill’s passage.

The Kalayaan festival, which began on May 28 and ends with tomorrow’s Independence Day celebration, aims to showcase a new way of experiencing history. It features trade fairs, variety shows, float parades, marching bands and street dancing after the traditional reenactment of Aguinaldo’s declaration of Philippine independence from Spanish colonial rule with the Acta Independencia (Independence Act) and the hoisting of the Philippine flag.