HOMECOMING The ashes of Hukbalahap leader Luis Taruc, kept in a marble urn, are brought for reinterment in his hometown of San Luis in Pampanga province. 鈥擳ONETTE OREJAS
SAN LUIS, PAMPANGA鈥擨n what National Artist for Literature F. Sionil Jose described as a homecoming, the ashes of Luis Taruc, leader of Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon (Hukbalahap), were finally returned to his birthplace on Thursday just as he wished before he died in 2005.
The reinterment rites, which were held on the feast day of the town鈥檚 patron saint, Aloysius Gonzaga, and Taruc鈥檚 105th birthday, concluded a short but elaborate journey, according to Francis Musni, who supervised the activities on behalf of Holy Angel University鈥檚 Center for Kapampangan Studies (CKS).
Since its founding in 1942, Hukbalahap waged the staunchest peasant-based resistance movement in the country during World War II.
Exhumation
Taruc鈥檚 remains were exhumed from Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City on June 19 and were cremated there.
San Luis Mayor Venancio Macapagal and other town officials observed the process according to protocols set by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), Musni said.
Past noon, the cortege headed to the Pampanga provincial capitol in the City of San Fernando where officials paid their respects to Taruc.
Taruc and Hukbalahap fighters stormed the capitol in 1944, liberating it from Japanese control.
The ashes, contained in a white marble urn, were then taken to the church in San Luis town for a two-night vigil.
On Thursday, Pampanga Archbishop Emeritus Paciano Aniceto and 10 other priests celebrated Mass and blessed the ashes of Taruc, who remained a Catholic in spite of his adherence to the socialist ideology.
Patriot
Taruc, who came from a family of farmers and tailors, was introduced to socialism by his mentor, Pedro Abad Santos, founder of the Socialist Party of the Philippines.
In his homily, Aniceto called Taruc a 鈥減atriota鈥� (patriot) who 鈥減roclaimed the truth and worked for peace.鈥�
Macapagal carried the urn during a procession to San Luis Freedom Park, leading more than 500 people as the provincial government band played the funeral dirge, locally known as 鈥淚stabat,鈥� and the old patriotic song, 鈥淏ayan Ko.鈥�
The Philippine National Police gave a 21-gun salute before Macapagal placed the urn in a square niche at the foot of the freedom monument.
Hometown burial
The reinterment, Musni said, was inspired by the marker installed by the NHCP at the same park in 2017. Taruc鈥檚 son Romeo told Musni that a diary exhibited at the park鈥檚 Luis Taruc Museum revealed how the burial should proceed.
In an entry, Taruc wrote about his desire to be buried in his hometown.
鈥淲e did a final act of kindness for a man who sacrificed so much for his country. He deserved to be laid to rest in his land of birth,鈥� said CKS executive director Robby Tantingco.
Taruc鈥檚 grandniece, Zenaida, expressed the family鈥檚 gratitude for the honor bestowed by the state.
Jose, 93, attended the ceremony to pay his respects to Taruc, who he called a friend and a 鈥済enuine peasant leader.鈥�