Pangasinan to mark 430th founding anniversary

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Pangasinan celebrates on April 5 its 430th founding anniversary with heavy emphasis on the province’s history to make the occasion more memorable and meaningful.

The provincial government under Gov. Amado Espino Jr. reset the observance of Pangasinan Day – locally called Agew na Pangasinan – to April 5 after almost a year of study and research by a special committee spearheaded by lawyer Gonzalo Duque.

Espino tasked the committee to determine the exact founding day of Pangasinan which was originally held on Nov. 15 in honor of former Speaker Eugenio Perez.

This year’s celebration will start with a Thanksgiving Mass and will be highlighted by the inauguration and blessing of the newly upgraded Sison Auditorium, also known as the Cultural Center of Northern Luzon, as well as the groundbreaking of the Lingayen Ecotourism Zone in Barangay Estanza, Lingayen, one of the mega-projects envisioned by Espino as a major investment, family vacation and convention destination.

Espino described the forthcoming commemorative rites as the “mother of all Pangasinan events,” saying the affair would strengthen the identity of Pangasinenses who have to know their origin.

During the event, the new provincial seal and historical marker officially declaring 1580 as Pangasinan’s founding year would be unveiled, to be followed by a colorful float and civic parade dubbed Parada na Dayew Mi.

The 13 floats would represent the following historic eras of Pangasinan: pre-Spanish period; 1572; 1574; 1580; Revolt against the Spaniards; Casa Real establishment; Pangasinan Katipuneros led by Don Daniel Maramba; 1899 (Filipino-American war); 1901 (Taft Commission); 1919 (inauguration of the capitol building); 1941 (Japanese invasion); 1945 (landing of Gen. Douglas MacArthur); and the Golden Era.

Another highlight of the whole-day celebration are the ASNA Awards Night and Ball to be held at the Sison Auditorium with former governor Conrado Estrella as guest of honor and speaker.

Arabela Arcinue, chair of the awards committee, said former President Fidel V. Ramos would be conferred a special award for being the most senior leader and the only full-blooded Pangasinense to become President of the Philippines.

Arcinue said 11 awards would be given under various categories, including government service, community service, arts and culture, medicine, agriculture, mass communications, business and entrepreneurship, law, education, science and technology, and sports.

Other side events of the historic celebration is a public viewing of historical floats at the Capitol Plaza and a Lingayen beach concert featuring the popular River Maya and some local bands.

Capping the celebration is a grand fireworks display at the Lingayen beach area. – With Cesar Ramirez