LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. urged Pangasinenses to revive local traditions and to go back to old, reliable values that made us distinctly and uniquely Filipinos.
The outgoing governor made the appeal during the celebration of the 118th Philippine Indepence Day recently at the Pangasinan Heritage Center, formerly known as the Bengson-Yuson House, located at the Lingayen town proper.
With the celebration’s theme anchored on Pagkakaisa (unity), Pag-aambangan (sharing) and Pagsulong (development), Gov. Espino said all these will be meaningless if Filipinos forget the lessons of the past as he noted ‘technology has slowly stolen the values of the younger generation.’
As such, Gov. Espino stressed that reviving the Filipino values and traditions will serve as the basic core of the needed unity, sharing and development which will be instilled in the hearts and minds of the youth.
The governor said that instilling love for local culture and tradition should become the priority objective of the teachers and parents as he narrated a story of young school children who performed before him popular novelty dances like Otso-otso and Spaghetti in his first term then as congressman of the first district which he openly criticized.
Under his tenure, the province was able to soar even higher in terms of cultural projects with the help of different sectors led by the Pangasinan Historical and Cultural Commission (PHCC) through special projects on culture and history.
In connection with this, the outgoing provincial chief executive disclosed that the Independence Day celebration has personal relevance on him as he revealed that his paternal great grandfather was the first mayor of Bautista town in 1898 as he added that the mantle of leadership was passed on to his eldest brother who served as mayor of their town in 1998.
Meanwhile, Rev. Fr. Immanuel Norbert S. Escano, PHCC Commissioner who officiated the thanksgiving mass during the celebration, commended the governor for taking the lead in uniting Pangasinenses by trasforming the province into its present stature.
Escano said there is no leader yet in the province who has cared and loved his natal landscape but Gov. Espino.
Likewise, Escano cited that the governor’s deep love for Pangasinan can be seen on the programs and projects he has initiated during his nine-year incumbency.
Led by the governor, PHCC officials and heads of various provincial government offices, the event concluded with a simple flower offering ceremony featuring Maestro Romi Mananquil’s artwork which showcased the country’s independence.
By Dexter A. See
