ANGELES CITY, Pampanga — The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) has installed the historical marker of the “Landas ng Pagkabansa” at the Mansiyong Pamintuan here Thursday.

The event is part of the three-year commemoration and celebration of the 125th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence of the Philippines, as well as the Inauguration of the First Republic from 12 June 2023 up to 23 March 2026.

According to NHCP executive director Carminda Arevalo, the infrastructure is part of the historical areas that were given markers for its role in the formation of the Philippines as a country.

Based on historical records of the NHCP, President Emilio Aguinaldo and his delegation used the Mansiyong Pamintuan as their residence during the height of the Philippine-US War.

From Malolos, Bulacan where the Philippines was formed and inaugurated as a republic, Aguinaldo’s delegation arrived at Angeles City in May of 1899 until July of the said year. This is where the delegation celebrated the first anniversary of the “Proklamasyon ng Kalayaan ng Pilipinas.”

Aguinaldo chose the Mansiyong Pamintuan as his residence during the height of the war against the American forces since the mansion is owned by Florentino Pamintuan, a member of the Philippine Revolutionary Committee of the administration.

The mansion was a gift to him by his parents Mariano Pamintuan and Valentina Torres.

NHCP director Arevalo said that the escape of Aguinaldo’s delegation from Malolos to Angeles is part of their efforts to ensure that the Unang Republika is kept alive and was later inaugurated at the Barasoain Church in Malolos on 23 January 1899.

It was due to the fact that if the US forces captured Aguinaldo, the republic would not prosper.

That is why from Angeles City, Aguinaldo went to Tarlac, then from Tarlac to Cabanatuan City until they were captured by the Americans in Palanan, Isabela.