The officials and employees of the Municipality of Bauang celebrated the National Heroes Day with this year’s theme, “Kabayanihan ng Pilipino sa Panahon ng Pagbabago.” The celebration was held at the Bauang Town Plaza on August 26, 2024 led by Municipal Mayor Eulogio Clarence Martin P. De Guzman III.

After the preliminaries, Hon. Rich Carlo A. Barnachea delivered the introductory message. The program formally started with an Opening Remarks from Hon. Veronica T. Bernardo. After which, the participants were warmly welcomed by Hon. Tanya Roberta A. De Guzman through her hearty Welcome Remarks.

A wreath-laying ceremony ensued which was participated in by the municipal officials, department heads and representatives from line agencies.

Finally, Mayor De Guzman delivered his inspirational message. He emphasized the commemoration of the Cry of Pugad Lawin, an uprising that sparked the 1896 Philippine Revolution against the Spanish Regime. He reiterated professionalism in the performance of assigned tasks of every government employee making them heroes in their own ways.

The celebration coincided with the commemoration of Manuel E. Arguilla’s death anniversary. He is a local hero from Barangay Nagrebcan, Bauang, La Union. He is known to be a prolific writer who graduated from the University of the Philippines. He authored the famous short story, “How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife.” During the Japanese occupation, he organized a secret guerilla intelligence unit and was captured and tortured by the Japanese Army. He was beheaded along with other guerilla leaders on August 1944. The Municipal Library of Bauang is named “Manuel E. Arguilla Silid Karunungan at Kultura” in his honor.

The Local Government Unit of Bauang will always be committed to honoring our National and Local Heroes as a sign of gratitude to their sacrifices for the country.