A city named after its Cavite-born revolutionary hero and the acknowledged first de facto vice president of the Philippine Revolutionary government during the Spanish era paid tribute to Gen. Mariano Trias on his 150th birth anniversary.

Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Danilo Lim graced the commemorative rite with a wreath-laying at the hero’s monument at the city plaza here.

“Marami ng nasaksihan ang bayang ito at malaki ang papel ng mga magigiting na Kabitenyo sa pag-aklas kabilang si Heneral Trias para sa Kalayaan ng bawat Pilipino. Bahagi tayo ng makabuluhang kasaysayan. Hindi nakapagtataka na tulad ni Heneral Trias ang isa sa magpapatunay nito na lokal ng bayan na noon ay San Francisco de Malabon (this city witnessed several events and the brave Caviteños had played their great role in the revolution like General Trias for the freedom of each Filipino. We are part of this significant history. It is not surprising in the likes of General Trias who was one of the proofs in this local town then known as San Francisco de Malabon),” Lim said.

A thanksgiving mass, an evening Serenata of the Marching Bands, and a fireworks display capped the celebration at the city plaza.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines also staged the story-telling sessions “Huntahan sa GenTri: Iasan Sangpaksa tungkol sa Buhay, Gawa at Kontribusyon ni Heneral Mariano Trias” on the hero’s life, works and contributions, and the culture among residents last Oct. 8 at the Lyceum of the Philippines University – Gen. Trias campus auditorium.

Other activities to pay homage to Gen. Trias include the On-the-Spot Poster Making titled “Bisita Gilas sa GenTri” and the photo exhibit on Gen. Trias at the Robinson’s Place GenTri activity center from October 9-12. There were also commemorative stamps and a biography book on Gen. Trias.

Historical accounts revealed that Gen. Trias was one of the bravest generals of the Katipunan and lead defenders of Cavite against the Spanish colonial forces.

He was considered the first de facto Vice President of the Philippines during the revolutionary government established at the Tejeros Convention under Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo on March 25, 1897.

Trias was born Oct. 12, 1869, to parents Don Balbino Trias and Gabriela Closas in Barangay Bagumbayan here and died of appendectomy on Feb. 22, 1914, at the Philippine General Hospital and was buried in Manila. His remains were later transferred to this town formerly named San Francisco de Malabon.

Six days after Trias’ death, then the Philippine Assembly passed Legislative Act No. 2390 changing the town’s name to Malabon and six years later on February 24, another Legislative Act No. 2889 was approved, finally renaming the town to General Mariano Trias. (PNA)