Vigan City remembered the ‘father of labor unions’ in the Philippines as the city observed Labor Day on May 1. 

City government employees and other government agencies offered flowers at the marker established in the city for Isabelo de los Reyes or Don Belong.

As a journalist, he wrote numerous articles criticizing the friars, which led to his imprisonment and exile to Barcelona, Spain.

Upon his return, he fought against capitalists and established collective bargaining. 

On February 2, 1902, he organized the first labor union, which sparked the first Labor Day celebration.

"Isa siya sa pinakaimportanteng personalidad dito sa Vigan City… he’s the first ever licensed na Filipino na binigyan ng pagkakataong magsulat sa sarili niyang lengguahe… as part of the Tres de Mayo Vigan Festival of the Art, ito binibigyan natin siya ng honor," Jo-Anne Gutierrez, Vigan City Senior Tourism Operations Officer, said.

But while many took advantage of the holiday or took advantage of the privileges that come along with it, many workers continued to toil tirelessly on May 1. 

Zenaida Danico, a vendor, and Marjon Poserio, a construction worker, were among them.

Danico, 62, of Calasiao, Pangasinan continued to sell drinks amidst the scorching heat without complaints, solely to support her children.

"Kahit mainit, nagtatiyaga [parin ako] para makatulong sa mga anak ko habang malakas pa — kung kaya namin magtrabaho," Danico said.

Poserio, also a resident of Calasiao, echoed this sentiment, as he worked on Labor Day to continue providing for his family. 

"Kung hindi ka magta-trabaho walang bu-budget-in sa bahay. Walang maibigay na panggastos sa pamilya," Poserio said.