23rd anniversary of Malabon’s cityhood and the 425th founding anniversary of Malabon City

Isang mapagpalang araw sa lahat. It is my pleasure to address everyone here today as we celebrate the 23rd anniversary of Malabon’s cityhood and the 425th founding anniversary of Malabon City. I would like to acknowledge Mayor Jeannie N. Sandoval, Former Congressman Ricky S. Sandoval, all city officials, and all the Malabueños.

Malabon is more than just another place on the map for me. I was born and grew up in Barangay Potrero, a model community with our zero-waste initiatives, recognized by the Metro Manila Development Authority with the Best Solid Waste Management Program Award in 2015 because of its successful implementation of our Ecological Solid Waste Management Law, a legislation I authored and principally sponsored.

As a child, I recall playing in our family yard filled with trees, chasing butterflies, and climbing mango trees planted by my Lola Mameng. Our ancestral house, situated within the compound, was built in the 1930s by Otto Scheerer, former governor of Batanes and the first Professor Emeritus of the Department of Linguistics at the University of the Philippines. These simple childhood memories were the foundation of my love and dedication to the city of Malabon.

Malabon boasts a rich cultural heritage, renowned not only for its famous Pancit Malabon but also for its historical treasures. Among these is the San Bartolome Church, a more than 400-year-old church in Malabon that I supported the restoration efforts and was declared by the National Museum of the Philippines as an Important Cultural Property in 2022. Aside from our beloved church, several ancestral homes contribute to the city’s historic charm, including the Dionisio family home, the Rivera house, the Villongco house, the Luna house, the Martinez house, the Chikiamco house, the Rojas-Borja house, the (Teodoro) Luna house, the Santos-Lapus house, the Pantaleon Bautista house, the Syjuco (formerly Gaza) house, and the oldest Raymundo house on C. Arellano Street. Other old but well-preserved heritage houses in Malabon include the Asilo de Huerfanos, the Paez House, and the Nepomuceno House. These architectural pieces tell the stories of our forefathers and serve as an important link between our community’s past and future.

Our city has changed from the green, open areas of my childhood to the bustling and vibrant community we see now. But the core of Malabon, the friendly and welcoming atmosphere that defines us, remains unchanged.

Tonight, we gather to commemorate and convey our deepest appreciation to all of you who worked hard for Malabon to be the city it is today— the businesses who believed and invested in the city, the public servants who dedicate their lives to the service of our community, and of course, our loyal residents.

As your Senator, I strive to give back to this community and uplift every resident of Malabon through initiatives like DOLE Kabuhayan, DOLE TUPAD, and DSWD AICS. These are my commitments to providing immediate relief and empowering our people to build a sustainable and resilient future. To support the establishment of Women and Children Protection Units (WCPUs) in parts of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, I personally donated to the Child Protection Network (CPN) Foundation and among the beneficiaries is the Ospital ng Malabon. The CPN is already in coordination with Mayor Sandoval and the hospital to successfully facilitate our commitment to creating a secure environment for women and children.

As we celebrate an evening of gratitude, let us continue to work together, promoting an environment of cooperation and mutual respect toward a future full of hope, progress, and possibilities for Malabon City.

Thank you at isang luntiang Pilipinas sa ating lahat!