MANILA, Philippines (PNA) — President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared Sept. 27, 2011 as a special non-working day in the municipality of Malvar, Batangas in celebration of the 146th birth anniversary of General Miguel Malvar.
Proclamation No.240 was signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on Aug. 18, 2011 to give the people of Malvar in Batangas an opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion.
The municipality was named after General Miguel Malvar, the last Filipino General to surrender to the American government in the Philippines in 1902.
Malvar was born in Barrio San Miguel, Santo Tomas, Batangas, on Sept. 27, 1865.
In 1899, the Philippine-American War broke out and Malvar fought the American forces. Many struggling freedom fighters surrendered while others were captured.
Being the only revolutionary fighting against the enemies, Malvar’s resources and strength were depleted.
The welfare of his family and loyal soldiers drove him to surrender to General Franklin J. Bell on April 16, 1902. Months after this, the Philippine Commission instituted the civil government of the Philippine Islands.
Malvar returned to his province and pursued his interest in agriculture. A principled man, he declined the offer for him to become governor of Batangas. On Oct. 13, 1911, he died of liver ailment in Manila. He was 46. His remains were brought to Santo Tomas, Batangas and was buried with high military honors.