MANILA, Philippines — San Juan City marked the 129th anniversary of the Battle of Pinaglabanan with wreath-laying rites and a civic parade at the Pinaglabanan Shrine on Saturday.

Mayor Francis Zamora, together with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), led the program that included a flag-raising, the lighting of the eternal flame, and a wreath-laying with a volley fire by the Philippine National Police–San Juan.

Historians recognize the 1896 battle in San Juan del Monte as the first major clash of the Philippine Revolution.

Katipunan fighters led by Andrés Bonifacio attacked Spanish forces at El Polvorín and El Deposito, but though the assault failed, it sparked a nationwide uprising against colonial rule.

After the rites, a civic parade rolled through Pinaglabanan Street showcasing vehicles the city acquired since 2019.

San Juan commemorates first revolution under Spanish rule in 129th Araw ng Pinaglabanan

Eighty-three new units purchased this year under the 2025 re-fleeting program were among those featured, including patrol cars, disaster response vehicles, and barangay service trucks.

San Juan commemorates first revolution under Spanish rule in 129th Araw ng Pinaglabanan, This news data comes from:http://www.redcanaco.com

Zamora said the expanded fleet improves the city’s disaster preparedness, public safety, and delivery of basic services.

The NHCP said the annual commemoration kept alive the memory of the revolutionaries who fought at Pinaglabanan and anchored San Juan’s role in the nation’s struggle for independence.