It is a special non-working holiday for Bulakenyos as the province commemorates the 87th birthday of the late Gat. Blas Ople.
However, four out of five are still unaware of who Blas Ople is, according to a survey.
Luigi Pagi, 14 year-old high school student from a private school, said that despite knowing that today is indeed Ople Day, he still does not know who Ople really is.
"Familiar ang name niya, pero 'di ko siya talaga kilala in detail," said Pagi. "Hindi ko naman kasi siya masyadong nakikita sa mga libro kaya ganun."
However, four out of five are still unaware of who Blas Ople is, according to a survey.
Luigi Pagi, 14 year-old high school student from a private school, said that despite knowing that today is indeed Ople Day, he still does not know who Ople really is.
"Familiar ang name niya, pero 'di ko siya talaga kilala in detail," said Pagi. "Hindi ko naman kasi siya masyadong nakikita sa mga libro kaya ganun."
Pagi also explained that, having a holiday named after Ople is enough to prove that the man had done something good.
"Para kasi magkaroon pa ng holiday sa birthday mo, malaking bagay 'yun," said Pagi. "Parang ibig sabihin eh malaking bagay ang nagawa mo para bigyan ka ng ganoong importansya. 'Yun nga lang, 'di lang talaga informed ang karamihan sa atin kung ano talaga nagawa niya."
For 18-year old Industrial Engineering major Steven Co, his classes in History had failed to mention Ople in books and discussions, that is why he had no clue.
"Ang alam ko lang eh taga-Bulacan siya kaya Bulacan lang rin ang holiday," said Co. "At ang alam ko, politician din siya. Hanggang dun lang (ang alam ko.)"
Fruit vendor from Balagtas Naida Ramirez also said that she has been hearing only of Ople everytime his holiday is near.
"Ewan ko, maski nga anak ko tinatanong sa akin 'yan eh," said Ramirez. "Basta ang sigurado lang ako eh Bulakenyo nga siya. Pero 'di kasi siya masyadong kilala talaga eh."
Same sentiments were stated by Information Technology student Kristine Tolentino, who confessed that she had only known Ople because of the Gat. Blas Ople Building located in the Capitol compound near her campus.
"Pero hanggang dun lang," explained Tolentino. "Dati nga ni hindi ko pa alam na taga-Bulacan siya eh. Kasi naririnig ko na siya dati palang pero not as much as other heroes."
On the other hand, Mae de Jesus, a senior high school student from Marcelo H. Del Pilar National High School, stated that she is well-informed about the former senator, thanks to her researches and self-studying.
"Napag-aralan din naman namin," said De Jesus. "Napag-aralan namin siya, 'di lang talaga siguro masyado naemphasize. Pero 'di na siya stranger na para sa akin."
De Jesus admitted that she could not blame her fellow students and Bulakenyos if they are unaware of Ople's deeds, because the late diplomat was often ignored in History books.
"Ewan ko, pero para sa akin kasi kahit hindi man sa buong bansa marecognize, at least man lang sa Bulacan sana," said De Jesus. "Kasi Bulakenyo rin siya. We must be proud."
"Para kasi magkaroon pa ng holiday sa birthday mo, malaking bagay 'yun," said Pagi. "Parang ibig sabihin eh malaking bagay ang nagawa mo para bigyan ka ng ganoong importansya. 'Yun nga lang, 'di lang talaga informed ang karamihan sa atin kung ano talaga nagawa niya."
For 18-year old Industrial Engineering major Steven Co, his classes in History had failed to mention Ople in books and discussions, that is why he had no clue.
"Ang alam ko lang eh taga-Bulacan siya kaya Bulacan lang rin ang holiday," said Co. "At ang alam ko, politician din siya. Hanggang dun lang (ang alam ko.)"
Fruit vendor from Balagtas Naida Ramirez also said that she has been hearing only of Ople everytime his holiday is near.
"Ewan ko, maski nga anak ko tinatanong sa akin 'yan eh," said Ramirez. "Basta ang sigurado lang ako eh Bulakenyo nga siya. Pero 'di kasi siya masyadong kilala talaga eh."
Same sentiments were stated by Information Technology student Kristine Tolentino, who confessed that she had only known Ople because of the Gat. Blas Ople Building located in the Capitol compound near her campus.
"Pero hanggang dun lang," explained Tolentino. "Dati nga ni hindi ko pa alam na taga-Bulacan siya eh. Kasi naririnig ko na siya dati palang pero not as much as other heroes."
On the other hand, Mae de Jesus, a senior high school student from Marcelo H. Del Pilar National High School, stated that she is well-informed about the former senator, thanks to her researches and self-studying.
"Napag-aralan din naman namin," said De Jesus. "Napag-aralan namin siya, 'di lang talaga siguro masyado naemphasize. Pero 'di na siya stranger na para sa akin."
De Jesus admitted that she could not blame her fellow students and Bulakenyos if they are unaware of Ople's deeds, because the late diplomat was often ignored in History books.
"Ewan ko, pero para sa akin kasi kahit hindi man sa buong bansa marecognize, at least man lang sa Bulacan sana," said De Jesus. "Kasi Bulakenyo rin siya. We must be proud."
MORE THAN JUST A "BULAKENYO"
A short program was conducted to commemorate Ka Blas' 87th birthday in Gat. Blas Ople Building located in the Capitol compound of Malolos City. Prior to that, provincial governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado and vice governor Daniel R. Fernando led the laying of flowers in front of Ople's monument, along with board member Michael Fermin.
In his speech, Governor Alvarado lauded all the good things that were done by Ka Blas for the service of not only Bulakenyos, but also for whole Filipino community.
"Kung ang salitang himala ay mapagkakatawang tao, ang magiging pangalan nito ay Blas F. Ople," said Alvarado. "Si Blas F. Ople ang wonder boy ng kanilang henerasyon.”
The governor elaborated the late author of the Philippine Labor Code's biography in his talk in front of the province's great veterans and students from various majors from Bulacan State University (BulSU).
Blas Ople's son Felix V. Ople said in an interview that the legacy of their father lives on, as he and his sister Susan manages the Blas Ople Center which helps Overseas Filipino Workers who are in danger.
"Ang ginagawa po nun (Blas Ople Center) ay sinasagip ang ating mga OFWs na inaabuso sa iba't ibang bansa lalo na po ang kababaihan," said Ople. "Mayroon po kaming adbokasiya sa human trafficking at 'yung child labor na amin pong tinututulan."
Ka Blas' son also admitted that there are times when the Bulakenyos fail to remember his father and all the legacy that he had left.
"Siguro po minsan," said Ople when asked if he is aware that some Bulakenyos do not remember his father anymore. "Pero sa mga araw pong ganito, naaalala."
As the son of a man who did not fail to serve his country through his ways, Felix Ople only has one thing to wish for in his father's 87th birthday.
"Sana po 'yung mga kaguruan at 'yun pong mga elderly ay i-share 'yung mga magagandang istorya ng mang Blas na pwede pong maging inspirasyon ng kabataan," said Ople.
A short program was conducted to commemorate Ka Blas' 87th birthday in Gat. Blas Ople Building located in the Capitol compound of Malolos City. Prior to that, provincial governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado and vice governor Daniel R. Fernando led the laying of flowers in front of Ople's monument, along with board member Michael Fermin.
In his speech, Governor Alvarado lauded all the good things that were done by Ka Blas for the service of not only Bulakenyos, but also for whole Filipino community.
"Kung ang salitang himala ay mapagkakatawang tao, ang magiging pangalan nito ay Blas F. Ople," said Alvarado. "Si Blas F. Ople ang wonder boy ng kanilang henerasyon.”
The governor elaborated the late author of the Philippine Labor Code's biography in his talk in front of the province's great veterans and students from various majors from Bulacan State University (BulSU).
Blas Ople's son Felix V. Ople said in an interview that the legacy of their father lives on, as he and his sister Susan manages the Blas Ople Center which helps Overseas Filipino Workers who are in danger.
"Ang ginagawa po nun (Blas Ople Center) ay sinasagip ang ating mga OFWs na inaabuso sa iba't ibang bansa lalo na po ang kababaihan," said Ople. "Mayroon po kaming adbokasiya sa human trafficking at 'yung child labor na amin pong tinututulan."
Ka Blas' son also admitted that there are times when the Bulakenyos fail to remember his father and all the legacy that he had left.
"Siguro po minsan," said Ople when asked if he is aware that some Bulakenyos do not remember his father anymore. "Pero sa mga araw pong ganito, naaalala."
As the son of a man who did not fail to serve his country through his ways, Felix Ople only has one thing to wish for in his father's 87th birthday.
"Sana po 'yung mga kaguruan at 'yun pong mga elderly ay i-share 'yung mga magagandang istorya ng mang Blas na pwede pong maging inspirasyon ng kabataan," said Ople.