Manila, Sept. 28 -- The town of Balangiga in Eastern Samar marked the 119th Balangiga Encounter on Monday without festivities and re-enactment due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
Balangiga town tourism officer Fe Campanero said the anniversary was simple with no guests from other towns, except for some personnel of the Philippine Army.
"There were only about less than 100 people who witnessed the 30-minute ceremony. We have to make sure of the observance of physical distancing," Campanero told the Philippine News Agency.
The ceremony that ended at 10:30 a.m. included the mass, candle lighting, wreath laying, and ringing of bells.
Leading the wreath laying ceremony in front of the monument of local hero, Capt. Valeri...