Cavite observes 120th Tejeros Convention, founding of Philippine Army

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 16): Cavite observes 120th Tejeros Convention, founding of Philippine Army

For many of us, Wednesday was just a “business-as-usual” kind of day.

But looking back at the pages of history some 120 years ago, a meeting was held at the friar estate in Tejeros, a barrio (village) of San Francisco de Malabon (now General Mariano Trias) that gave way to the formation of Philippine Revolutionary Government and the founding of the Philippine Revolutionary Army.

To re-affirm its role as the forerunner that shaped the First Philippine Republic, the local government of Rosario - through its local tourism office - put together a simple ceremony to commemorate the 120th Anniversary of the Tejeros Convention and the founding of Philippine Army at the Augustinian Casa Hacienda de Tejeros in this town Wednesday carrying the theme: “Hukbong Katihan: Naglilingkod sa mga Mamayan, Pinapanatiling Matiwasay ang Buong Bayan” (Philippine Army: Serving the People, Preserving Peace and Order of the Nation).

Undersecretary Gardozo Luna of the Department of National Defense (DND) graced the event joined by military host Colonel Arnulfo Marcelo B. Burgos, Jr., Cavite 1st District Representative Francis “Boy Blue” Abaya, and other officials in a wreath-laying ceremony at the General Emilio Aguinaldo monument inside the Hacienda.

In his speech, Luna gave honor to the men and honor who fought hard to attain the freedom being enjoyed today which actually was the essence of the celebration.

Historical accounts marked March 22 as the date when rival factions of the revolutionary group “Kataastaasan, Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan” (KKK) or Katipunan namely the "Magdiwangs” led by Andres Bonifacio and the “Magdalos” under General Emilio Aguinaldo convened for the election of its officers at the Augustinian Casa Hacienda de Tejeros paving the way to the Revolutionary Government.

It was also on the same date that General Emilio Aguinaldo was elected as the first president of the revolutionary government and the establishment of the Philippine Army.

However, Ruben Quinto, tourism officer, explained that holding the event prior to March 22 has been a tradition in the town “to give way to the birth anniversary of General Emilio Aguinaldo who was born on the same date (March 22, 1869)” where provincial and local officials are expected to attend the celebration in Kawit town.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=10&sid=&nid=10&rid=972336