LUBUAGAN, Kalinga, March 14 (PIA) – Laguna Governor George "Estregan" Ejercito, clad in full guardia-sibil outfit, played a re-enactment of General Emilio Aguinaldo's arrival in the municipality over a hundred years ago while eluding his American captors.

Ejercito was among the guests of honor in the Laga Festival that marked Lubuagan's town fiesta on March 12-14.

At the middle of the cultural program that opened the day's affair, Ejercito displayed his marksmanship in horse-back ride while entering the ground site to the great applause of the expectant crowd.

He said his coming to town is also part of the filming of "El Presidente," a movie he is shooting for the Metro Manila Film Festival in December.

The movie portrays the true-to-life story of Gen. Aguinaldo, who stood and led the first Filipino resistance against the Americans and became the first President of the Philippine Republic in 1898.

History shows that en-route to Palanan, Isabela, Aguinaldo eluded his pursuing captors in the hills of Lubuagan, where he set his stronghold for 72 days. The Americans finally caught up with him in Palanan.

To put historic significance on Aguinaldo's stint in Lubuagan, the local government unit erected a shrine in his honor at the municipal plaza.

In his talk, Ejercito impressed the significance of Aguinaldo's fight against enemies of the state like indolence, disunity, and apathy for country. (PIA-CAR/Kalinga)