The current state of the Aurora A. Quezon Ambush Site Marker (photo by Noel Dulay)
Ambush in Bongabon
On April 28, 1949, First Lady Aurora A. Quezon and her convoy were ambushed along Baler-Bongabon Road. They were on their way to Baler to inaugurate the Quezon Memorial Hospital. Her daughter, Maria Aurora, son-in-law Felipe Buencamino III and Quezon City Mayor Ponciano Bernardo were also killed. Armed Forces Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Rafael Jalandoni luckily survived the ambush.
The Site
In 1990, the National Historical Commission installed a marker in the ambush site located between KM 168 & 169 along Baler-Bongabon road in Labi, Bongabon, Nueva Ecija. In March 2012, it was discovered that the marker was missing, and its shelter blatantly vandalized. Banak, Inc. has taken the initiative, with the help of Bongabon local government, to restore the marker and build a shrine in time for her 64th death anniversary in April 2013.
Banak, Inc.
Baler Aurora Ngayon Angkan at Kasaysayan (BANAK), Inc. is a non-profit, non-stock organization that consists of individuals who trace their roots to Baler, and Aurora province. It is duly registered with the Securities & Exchange Commission.
BANAK, Inc. holds office in Rm. 309 Cattleya Condominium, 235 Salcedo St., Legaspi Village, Makati City 1229 Philippines, with telephone nos. (632) 8137618; (632) 8137619; Fax (632) 8138645.
The Project
The proposed Aurora Memorial Shrine
The Dona Aurora Moonlight Garden Endowment is part of a series of endeavors by BANAK, Inc. (Baler Aurora Ngayon Angkan at Kasaysayan) to restore First Lady Aurora A. Quezon’s ambush site marker and build a memorial shrine in her honor in Bgy. Labi, Bongabon, Nueva Ecija.
The whole area will be planted with the shrub called White Mussaenda Aurorae, a species of Tropical Dogwood or Virgin Tree discovered in Los Banos, Laguna in 1915 and named after the First Lady wife of the first President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, Manuel L. Quezon, in 1938.
Some 500 meters before and after the shrine, rows of Dona Aurora shrubs will be planted, making the hills and roadside bloom with its white sepals. On a moonlit night, the white leaves will appear as if they were glowing, making the Dona Aurora Memorial Shrine a virtual Moonlight Garden.
NHCP Marker Replacement
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines, though a letter dated 17 December 2012 by its Chair, Dr. Maria Serena I. Diokno, Ph.D., has granted the request of BANAK, Inc. for the replacement of the missing marker.
Bongabon LGU Support
On November 26, 2012, the Municipal Council of Bongabon unanimously approved Resolution No. 163-S-2012 expressing their commitment and acceptance of the responsibility for the preservation and maintenance of the marker and the site of Doña Aurora A. Quezon Memorial Shrine, once installed by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.
We are grateful for the support of Mayor Amelia A. Gamilla, Vice-Mayor Edmond E. Arive, Councilors Maximino V. Gervacio, Hernan P. Andres, Ronnie S. Cudia, Lope C. Valmonte, Lodovico R. De Leon, Arcangel T. Ruz, Sr., Vivencio V. Mantile, Elpidio DG. Angels, Alejandro A. Camato, and Love Joy R. Padrid.
How to Donate
Check
Please make check payable to BALER AURORA NGAYON ANGKAN AT KASAYSAYAN
Bank Remittance
BALER AURORA NGAYON ANGKAN AT KASAYSAYAN
C/A# 0291-0412-64
Bank of The Philippine Islands (BPI), Forbes Park
Or you can contact any of the Banak, Inc Officers to make your donations
(Note: this article was re-published with permission from www.banak.com.ph, the official website of Baler Aurora Ngayon Angkan at Kasaysayan)
