Binay to lead rites for Hermano Pule

LUCENA CITY: Vice President Jejomar Binay will lead the list of luminaries for the bicentennial anniversary of local hero Apolinario dela Cruz, known as Hermano Pule (or Puli), on Wednesday.

Binay will be assisted by National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Executive Director Ludovico Badoy in the wreath-laying activity at Hermano Pule’s monument at the shared boundaries of Tayabas City and Lucena City at the morning of July 22, the 200th birth anniversary of the local hero.

Also to grace the wreath laying is Gov. David Suarez and Vice Gov. Sam Nantes of Quezon province, members of the provincial board, department heads and employees of the provincial government and socio-civic organizations in the province.

Later in the day, an exhibit depicting the life and times of Hermano Pule will be displayed at SM City Lucena’s Atrium. Binay, Badoy and Suarez will also lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony to formally open the exhibit.

Proposed activities to celebrate Hermano Pule’s bicentennial anniversary include Pang-Alaalang Panayamkay Hermano Puli that is a free lecture-seminar for public school teachers on the importance of his struggle for religious freedom.

Also, a full-length movie based on Hermano Pule’s true-to-life story titled Hermano Puli Kasaysayan ng Isang Bayani is presently on a school tour for both public and private educational institutions. Screenings of the film are scheduled at University of the Philippines Los Banos, UP Diliman and at the Philippine School for the Arts in Mount Makiling. The movie shall also be shown in several schools in Quezon. The movie is directed by Felino Tanada, a son of Quezon province and presented by the Quezon Province Heritage Council Inc.