NEWSFLASH

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PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION SITES IN BULACAN RESTORED

Manila, Nov. 9, 1997 - Tourism Secretary Mina Gabor has conferred with provincial, city and municipal tourism directors for an inventory of landmarks and monuments which have historic relevance to Philippine independence.

In various conferences with local chief executives, Gabor also exhorted governors and mayors to "keep the Filipino centennial spirit a-burning by giving importance to historic icons and landmarks and making known to their constituents their relevance to our history, culture and national patrimony."

Under the DOT project, landmarks and monuments which have direct relevance to Philippine independence will be refurbished and equipped with lighting to make them more visible and to attract tourism. Civic organizations have pitched in by adopting certain landmarks and shouldering the rehabilitation and maintenance costs.

Some of the sites being eyed for restoration in Bulacan are: Barasoain Church, site of the constitutional convention of the First Philippine Republic; Casa Real in Malolos, the First Republic's printing press; the Bahay na Tisa which is the oldest tiled-rood house in Bulacan; the Calumpit Catholic Church built in 1575 where Filipino revolutionaries and Spanish soldiers were buried in a tunnel; the Stotsenberge marker in Plaridel where Col. John Stotsenberge of the 6th US Infantry Cavalry was killed by forces of General Gregorio del Pilar.