In front of the Gat Blas F. Ople Building inside the Capitol Grounds, Bulakenyos gathered to commemorate the hero’s life and contributions to his province and to his nation.
Though being remembered by most Bulakenyos, or even most Filipinos because of his contributions in the labor sector, a son will always remember his father because of his paternal gestures.
“Ang pinakapinahahalagahan ko po ay ang kanyang pagiging napakabait na ama,” said the Board Member of the First District of Bulacan, Felix “Toti” Ople.
The board member described his father as very kind and very thoughtful despite being not expressive of his feelings.
“Ang Amang Blas po bilang ama ay ‘di po masalita, ‘di po showy,” said the younger Ople, “pero may mga pamamaraan po siyang di mo malilimutan.”
Going home late, Ka Blas will always check his children when he arrives. Once when the younger Ople fell asleep while writing a paper, he woke up to finished one because his father continued writing it for him, the board member shared.
Toti Ople also defined his father as a man who is always fight for what is right.
“Lagi pong ipinaglalaban ang tama. Lagi pong ipinaglalaban ‘yung kapakanan ng mga simpleng mamamayan lalo na po ‘yung mga overseas worker,” said the younger Ople.
With that, the Ople family runs the Blas Ople Center to continue of the Bulakenyo hero’s legacy. The said center fights against violence against overseas workers especially to women and has policies on human trafficking and child labor.
Being a “taga-barrio”, Ka Blas also stands for provision of enough opportunities for people who grew in barrios like him.
“Siya po’y isinilang na taga-barrio. Namatay po siyang taglay pa rin ang ugali’t pagkatao ng… taga-barrio,” emphasized Toti Ople.
“Bigyan ng sapat na pagkakataon ang mahihirap lalo na ‘yung mga taga-barrio na sa kanilang sariling pagsisikap ay magtagumpay at maiangat ang buhay ng kanilang pamilya sa hinaharap,” the younger Ople quoted his father’s principle.
The Wonder Boy of Hagonoy received his first calling to serve the nation during the World War II by being a soldier. The then 17-year old Ka Blas was assigned to the Del Pilar Regimen, Bulacan Military Area.
Dioscoro Valenzuela, leader of the World War II veterans in Bulacan, revealed that Ka Blas formed part of the troop which forced General Tomoyuki Yamashita to surrender in Kiangan, Ifugao.
“Natapos ang giyera nang sumuko ‘yong General Yamashita,” said Valenzuela.
“Naipamalas sa buong mundo na tayong mga Pilipino e kaya nating ipagtanggol ang ating bayan,” emphasized the veteran.
Ka Blas was assigned to the Del Pilar Regimen, Bulacan Military Area when he was around 17 years old.
Gat Blas Ople authored the Labor Code of the Philippines during his service as labor secretary during the Marcos era. He also became the first Filipino president of the International Labor Organization in 1975.
The Hagonoy native also became part of the 1987 Freedom Constitution’s Constitutional Commission, became a senator and Senate President.
During Former President Gloria Arroyo’s administration, he was appointed as Foreign Affairs Secretary wherein he died in the line of his duty while he was on a diplomatic mission to Bahrain.
Gov. Alvarado led the wreath laying ceremony, together with Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando and Board Member Michael Fermin. Veterans, teachers and students were also in attendance of the annual commemorative program.
This day, February 3, is a declared non-working holiday in Bulacan.
Though being remembered by most Bulakenyos, or even most Filipinos because of his contributions in the labor sector, a son will always remember his father because of his paternal gestures.
“Ang pinakapinahahalagahan ko po ay ang kanyang pagiging napakabait na ama,” said the Board Member of the First District of Bulacan, Felix “Toti” Ople.
The board member described his father as very kind and very thoughtful despite being not expressive of his feelings.
“Ang Amang Blas po bilang ama ay ‘di po masalita, ‘di po showy,” said the younger Ople, “pero may mga pamamaraan po siyang di mo malilimutan.”
Going home late, Ka Blas will always check his children when he arrives. Once when the younger Ople fell asleep while writing a paper, he woke up to finished one because his father continued writing it for him, the board member shared.
Toti Ople also defined his father as a man who is always fight for what is right.
“Lagi pong ipinaglalaban ang tama. Lagi pong ipinaglalaban ‘yung kapakanan ng mga simpleng mamamayan lalo na po ‘yung mga overseas worker,” said the younger Ople.
With that, the Ople family runs the Blas Ople Center to continue of the Bulakenyo hero’s legacy. The said center fights against violence against overseas workers especially to women and has policies on human trafficking and child labor.
Being a “taga-barrio”, Ka Blas also stands for provision of enough opportunities for people who grew in barrios like him.
“Siya po’y isinilang na taga-barrio. Namatay po siyang taglay pa rin ang ugali’t pagkatao ng… taga-barrio,” emphasized Toti Ople.
“Bigyan ng sapat na pagkakataon ang mahihirap lalo na ‘yung mga taga-barrio na sa kanilang sariling pagsisikap ay magtagumpay at maiangat ang buhay ng kanilang pamilya sa hinaharap,” the younger Ople quoted his father’s principle.
The Wonder Boy of Hagonoy received his first calling to serve the nation during the World War II by being a soldier. The then 17-year old Ka Blas was assigned to the Del Pilar Regimen, Bulacan Military Area.
Dioscoro Valenzuela, leader of the World War II veterans in Bulacan, revealed that Ka Blas formed part of the troop which forced General Tomoyuki Yamashita to surrender in Kiangan, Ifugao.
“Natapos ang giyera nang sumuko ‘yong General Yamashita,” said Valenzuela.
“Naipamalas sa buong mundo na tayong mga Pilipino e kaya nating ipagtanggol ang ating bayan,” emphasized the veteran.
Ka Blas was assigned to the Del Pilar Regimen, Bulacan Military Area when he was around 17 years old.
Gat Blas Ople authored the Labor Code of the Philippines during his service as labor secretary during the Marcos era. He also became the first Filipino president of the International Labor Organization in 1975.
The Hagonoy native also became part of the 1987 Freedom Constitution’s Constitutional Commission, became a senator and Senate President.
During Former President Gloria Arroyo’s administration, he was appointed as Foreign Affairs Secretary wherein he died in the line of his duty while he was on a diplomatic mission to Bahrain.
Gov. Alvarado led the wreath laying ceremony, together with Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando and Board Member Michael Fermin. Veterans, teachers and students were also in attendance of the annual commemorative program.
This day, February 3, is a declared non-working holiday in Bulacan.