CITY OF MALOLOS — The Department of Education (DepEd)Assistant Secretary for Administration Aurelio Paulo Bartolome, who represented Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara, said “There is one thing that history has taught us: a storm may shake a Filipino, but it cannot simply shake his spirit.”
Bartolome emphasized in his message the value of history, noting that understanding our roots helps us navigate where we are going, as he graced the opening of the Singkaban Festival 2026 held at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium on a rainy Tuesday morning (Sept. 8).
“Kapag natutunan ng bata ang tapang ng ating mga bayani, matututunan niyang maging matapang. Kapag nauunawaan niya ang mga sakripisyo ng nakaraan, matutunan niyang pahalagahan ang kalayaang tinatamasa niya ngayon. Kapag nakikilala niya ang sariling kultura, matututunan niyang sabihin ng buong pagmamalaki, ito ang aking pinagmulan, ito ang aking pagkakakilanlan, at ito ang pamana na aking ipagpapatuloy,” the assistant secretary said.
Meanwhile, for his part, Governor Daniel R. Fernando centered his speech on this year’s Singkaban Festival theme, “Kultura ng Integridad, Pamana ng Pagkakaisa”, highlighting the vital role of integrity in an era dominated by social media backlash and misinformation.
“Ang integridad ay katangian ng pagiging tapat at palaging paggawa ng mabuti kahit walang nakakakita. Ito ang ating dignidad. Ito ang ating dangal. Ang pagpili ng tama, pagiging mabuting tao at paninindigan sa katotohanan kahit na mahirap. Ito ang mga prinsipyong pinipili nating isabuhay at panindigan sa araw-araw,” the governor said.
Fernando also highlighted Bulacan’s recent milestones, celebrating Singkaban Festival’s win as the Most Outstanding Festival (Province/Freeport Zone Category) and the SINEliksik Bulacan Pamana Pass taking home the Most Outstanding Heritage and Cultural Program Award at the 2025 Tourism Recognition for Enterprises and Stakeholders (TRES) Awards. He added that Bulacan was recently ranked the fourth safest place to visit in the Philippines by the World Travel Index.
Undeterred by the rainy weather, the celebration moved outdoors following the opening ceremonies where spectators lined the streets for the Parada ng Karosa and the 3rd Marching Band Competition parade that started at the Malolos Sports and Convention Center to the Capitol Compound.
Fernando also led the ribbon cutting ceremony of the Singkaban Trade Fair 2026, Singkaban ng Bayan Bulacan Tourism and Travel Fair 2026, and Mga Kulay ng Pag-asa Art Exhibit. (UnliNews Online)
