Biak na Bato

 

Biak na bato is a protected area in Bulacan, in which it derives its name. The park covers 2,117 hectares where in it covered municipalities of San Ildefonso and Doña Remedios Trinidad. It consisted of numerous cave networks and and a system of rivers and trails both of which contain historical and ecological importance. The caves are home to many species of winged mammals and other animals. Orchids, trees, shrubs, ferns, bushes and bokawe are some of the flora than can also be found in the park.

 

 

The park is commonly visited by many since its situated only 80 kilometers from Manila. Not only does this place serve as  tourist spot or a place to spend your vacation, it also serves as a educational landmark for the students who use this place as an outbound trip destination. The name “biak na bato” was taken from the literal translation of “split boulders” that can be seen from its environment and caves. In our current time, Biak na bato national park is considered as one of the country’s most important ecological and historical treasures.

 

 

The most important historical event that occurred in this place was the Pact of Biak na Bato. Emilio Aguinaldo established his headquarters in Biak-na-Bato in Bulacan province. The news immediately spread throughout the country, and the revolutionaries were once more in high spirits. General llanera, who was in Nueva Ecija, declared his support for Aguinaldo. Pedro Paterno, a Spaniard born in the Philippines volunteered to act as negotiator between Aguinaldo and Gov. Primo de Rivera order to end the clashes. Paterno’s effort paid off when on, December 15, 1897, the Pact he sign the Pact as the representative of the revolutionaries, and de Rivera as the representative of the Spanish government.

 

 

The pact consists of three documents; the first is Emilio Aguinaldo’s Exile in Hong Kong along with come of his companions, although it is called an exile abroad it does not mean they were forced to go abroad, it was in fact Aguinaldo’s decision to which country he would willing take residence in. The second is that the Governor Prime de Rivera would pay him a sum of P 800,000 to the rebels on three installments.$400,000 (Mexican) to Aguinaldo upon his departure from Biak-na-Bató. $200,000 (Mexican) when the arms surrendered by the revolutionists amounted to 800 stand, and the remaining $200,000 (Mexican) when the arms surrendered amounted to 1,000 stand, Te Deum in the Cathedral in Manila as thanksgiving for the restoration of peace.

 

Although at the end only half of their agreement was completed. Governor Primo de Rivera paid $ 400, 000 to Aguinaldo directly for his banishment to Hong Kong and the other $ 200,000 were to the rest of rebels. But the third installment was not completed due to continued skirmishes therefore amnesty was never declared. In the end Biak na Bato serves as a remembrance to filipinos and spaniards eager to having a peaceful relationship to avoid any more casualties to their ongoing war, this shows that even in the face of conflict, Filipinos still eager to have peace.