By Nimfa L. Estrellado-Laurino Vice Governor Anacleto “Third” Alcala III and Brigadier General Francis Carandang lead military honors at...
By Nimfa L. Estrellado-Laurino
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| Vice Governor Anacleto “Third” Alcala III and Brigadier General Francis Carandang lead military honors at the Hermano Puli Shrine in Tayabas City during the hero’s 185th death anniversary on November 4. (Quezon PIO) |
TAYABAS CITY, Quezon- Spanish colonial authorities put Hermano Puli to death in 1841, but his struggle for religious freedom endured long beyond the movement they sought to suppress. Quezon officials revisited that chapter of history on Wednesday, November 4, commemorating the 185th death anniversary of Apolinario de la Cruz, whose defiance preceded the Philippine Revolution by decades.
Military honors marked the gathering at the Hermano Puli Shrine in Barangay Isabang, Tayabas City, where a wreath-laying ceremony and 21-gun salute formed the centerpiece of the observance. Vice Governor Anacleto “Third” Alcala III led the floral offering alongside Brigadier General Francis Carandang, commander of the Philippine Army's 1st Infantry Brigade.
Beyond the ceremony, provincial and local leaders emphasized the relevance of Hermano Puli's principles to contemporary governance and civic responsibility. Their messages centered on public accountability, equal treatment and the importance of understanding the historical roots of these values.
Hermano Puli led the Cofradia de San Jose, a Filipino religious brotherhood that sought greater freedom of worship under Spanish colonial rule. Opposition from religious and colonial authorities eventually led to the movement's suppression and his execution.
In his commemorative message, Alcala discussed how Hermano Puli's resistance contributed to the historical foundations of Filipino demands for freedom. He placed particular emphasis on the religious leader's opposition to discriminatory practices and the wider significance of his movement.
“Hermano Puli stood firm against injustice and discrimination, proclaiming that faith, devotion and freedom belong equally to every Filipino, regardless of rank and status. His execution was intended by colonial authorities to extinguish a movement; instead, it sowed the seeds of national awakening,” Alcala said.
The vice governor also challenged public officials to apply those principles through transparent governance and equitable delivery of government services. He identified accountability and the protection of marginalized residents as essential responsibilities of provincial and local leadership.
“His life challenges each of us today to ask, how do we embody his values in our modern times? We do so by standing up against injustice, by serving our communities with integrity and accountability, by defending our rights, and by ensuring that no Quezonian is left behind or marginalized,” Alcala said.
Alcala further called for greater awareness of Hermano Puli's contributions among younger Filipinos, extending the discussion beyond Quezon to neighboring provinces. He stressed that understanding the religious leader's place in Philippine history could help students recognize the origins of struggles for equality.
Meanwhile, Tayabas City Mayor Anthony “Piwa” Lim highlighted the city's connection to Hermano Puli's final days and the significance of the shrine in Barangay Isabang. He described the landmark as a reminder of the city's role in a defining episode of the province's colonial history.
“Isang malaking karangalan para sa Tayabas na dito nakatayo ang bantayog na nagpapaalala ng kanyang katapangan at sakripisyo. Kalakip ng karangalang ito ang pananagutang pangalagaan at ipasa sa mga susunod na salinlahi ang kanyang kuwento,” Lim said.
Lim also addressed the responsibilities of public servants, stressing that government authority must be exercised with fairness and respect for individual rights. He urged officials to uphold these standards when addressing the concerns of their constituents, particularly those facing discrimination and unequal treatment.
“Sa harap ng diskriminasyon at pang-aapi, ipinaglaban ni Hermano Puli ang karapatang manampalataya at sumamba nang may pagkakapantay-pantay at paggalang. Para sa ating mga lingkod bayan, malinaw ang hamon ng kanyang pamana: gamitin ang kapangyarihang ipinagkatiwala sa atin upang pangalagaan ang karapatan at dignidad ng bawat mamamayan,” Lim said.
Representatives from the Provincial Government of Quezon, Tayabas City government, Armed Forces of the Philippines and various national and local institutions attended the ceremony. The Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation Concert Singers provided a musical presentation as part of the commemorative program.
The anniversary placed particular emphasis on the responsibilities of public officials, with Alcala and Lim drawing lessons from Hermano Puli's struggle for their respective roles in government. Their messages linked the historical observance to present-day expectations of fair treatment, accountable leadership and protection of citizens' rights.
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