THE National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), led by its Executive Director Carminda Arevalo, unveiled the 'Santa Barbara' historical marker on Oct. 30, 2024.The marker stated: 'Santa Barbara Landas ng Pagkabansang Pilipino, 1899''Sa bayan ng Santa Barbara, Pangasinan dumaan si Emilio Aguinaldo, pangulo ng unang republika ng Pilipinas, at ang kaniyang hukbo habang ipinagtatanggol ang kalayaan at pagkabansa ng mga Pilipino, 14 Nobyembre 1899. Dito pinag-isa ni Aguinaldo ang kaniyang hukbo sa batalyon ni Tenyente Jose Joven at brigada ni Heneral Gregorio H. Del Pilar. Ang panandang pangkasaysayang ito ay pinasinayaan bilang ambag sa paggunita sa ika-125 anibersaryo ng kalayaan at pagkabansang Pilipino, 12 Hunyo 2023-23 Marso 2026. (In the town of Santa Barbara, Pangasinan, Emilio Aguinaldo, president of the first republic of the Philippines, and his troops, passed by while defending the independence and nationhood of the Filipinos, 14 November 1899. Here, Aguinaldo united his troops with Lieut. Jose Joven's battalion and General Gregorio H. Del Pilar's brigade.This historical marker was inaugurated as a contribution to the commemoration of the 125th anniversary of Philippine independence and nationhood, 12 June 2023-23 March 2026.)'NHCP Executive Director Arevalo presented the historical marker. Santa Barbara Mayor Carlito Zaplan delivered his acceptance message after signing the certificate of transfer. The NHCP is the national government agency mandated to promote Philippine history through its museums, research and publications, and to preserve historical heritage through conservation and the marking of historic sites and structures.
