History in One Valenzuela's Day: Dr. Ambeth Ocampo on Rizal and a War Relic from the Battle of Malinta

The City Government of Valenzuela, Order of the Knights of Rizal, Museo Valenzuela Foundation, and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela held a symposium on "Rizal, Education, and Nation Building" last Monday afternoon, April 22. Since One Valenzuela was quite busy on that day, cataloging and organizing materials in the Library (Yes, Librarians have a lot of work even on summers), she just attended part of the said activity at the Valenzuela City Center for Performing Arts (VCCPA) Auditorium. 

Symposium on Rizal, Education, and Nation-Building

With divine intervention, One Valenzuela got just right in time to see and hear Dr. Ambeth R. Ocampo. He was talking about Rizal. Never thought the subject could be discussed in a very light and lively manner! Well, the Rizal class One Valenzuela took back in her college days was also great-- she made a paper on the various drinks and food that you can find in Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo with the corresponding recipes (Unleashing the foodie in her! Thank you National Library and UP Main Library-Filipiniana Section)

Dr. Ambeth Ocampo talks about Jose Rizal's calling cards

One Valenzuela has to go back to the office after the sneak peek (Hayayay!). The symposium ended at around 5 p.m. But wait! One Valenzuela was so lucky she got one of the library books (Meaning and History) and a book she just bought (Looking Back 2: Dirty Dancing) signed by Dr. Ocampo after clocking out.

"Dirty Dancing": Here, One Valenzuela was amazed to know that Apolinario Mabini once tried to learn how to dance!

Dr. Ambeth Ocampo signing One Valenzuela's book

And here it is!

While walking home, she passed by a recently restored war relic, a 9-ton cannon, which was unearthed in an area near Valenzuela City Hall. According to the inscription on the cannon, it was made in Trubia on the year 1859. More information is revealed on the writings found on the cannon "In memory of Col. Harry Clay Egbert, U.S. Army, Brigadier General-U.S. Vols. who was mortally wounded on this spot while leading his regiment, 22nd U.S. Infantry, 26th March 1899". It serves as a reminder to every Valenzuelano about the  "Labanan sa Malinta" (Battle of Malinta). 

The cannon can be seen beside the Social Hall in the New Valenzuela City Hall Complex

English Translation: Battle of Malinta (26 March 1899) The battle happened between Filipino and American  soldiers not far from the church of Malinta. Some of the soldiers from the 22nd U.S. Infantry Brigade, including Col. Harry C. Egbert, were slain on 26 March 1899. Although the Filipinos in Malinta have maintained their defense on the first part of the battle, they have to eventually move north because of the increase in number of the American soldiers.

The historical marker was unveiled in the morning before the symposium. More can be read about it in a 2012 Philippine Daily Inquirer article: "History goes boom in Valenzuela; Slums yield massive war artifact"

Thanks for the heads up, Jonathan Balsamo of Museo Valenzuela!