LINGAYEN---The descendants of former Governor Daniel Maramba, the “Grand Old Man” of Pangasinan politics and founding guru of the Capitol building were greatly astonished by the magnificent transformation of the historic edifice.
The Maramba clan composed of more than 20 members, most of them coming from abroad, visited the Capitol as part of the commemoration of the late governor’s 140th birthday who was born on July 21, 1870.
The delegation, headed by Dr. Tomas Maramba, grandson of Ex-Governor Maramba, came all the way from Sta. Barbara, the natal town of the “grand old man.”
Dr. Maramba and the other members of the clan turned nostalgic as they entered the Capitol Building and were warmly welcomed by the provincial government employees and various heads of offices led by Provincial Administrator Rafael F. Baraan.
Recalling the achievements of his late grandfather as a public servant, Dr. Maramba said he feels proud that one of the greatest legacies he has left behind was the construction of the Capitol Building, the seat of the provincial government of Pangasinan.
Don Daniel Maramba served as the 7th Governor of Pangasinan from 1916 to 1922. It was during his term that the Provincial Capitol was built and its construction was listed in the history of Pangasinan.
According to records, when the Capitol building was constructed, its architectural design became a model of the other Capitols constructed in other provinces.
Serving as Governor for two-terms, his administration which focused on agriculture as its main concern also made the province as the “Rice Granary of the Philippines” putting Pangasinan in the Philippine Map as a premier province.
When the group stepped onto the Capitol stairs during their tour, nostalgia filled the air as the Maramba descendants stopped at the middle of the staircase and sang the Pangasinan song “Malinac Lay Labi” passionately.
Gina Quintans Staches, a granddaughter, said it was one way of showing their love of their native tongue.
Staches said, they wanted to teach every member of the clan, even the younger generation, the Pangasinan language because according to them they were all taught by their parents who were members of the earlier generation, how to speak Pangasinan and love the language as Ex-Governor Maramba also did to his children.
The Maramba clan could not help but express great awe with the great transformation that has transpired in the provincial government through the present administration as they were further toured around the Capitol Complex.
All they could say were praises for the beauty and grandeur of the refurbished structures of the provincial government including the Sison Auditorium noting that the renovation was executed with finesse and a royal touch.
At the Capitol Resort Hotel, where the group was treated to a merienda of native cakes and buko juice, the Maramba grandchildren and great grandchildren’s admiration of Gov. Espino’s administration was further heightened at the sight of the hotel.
Alma Quintans Kern, also a granddaughter and president of the Filipino Community of Seattle and the Washington-Pangasinan Sister State mused, “We didn’t expect this kind of a resort in Lingayen. But now we’re all talking of coming back with our families and recommending it to everybody because it is really beautiful.”
Meanwhile, Maramba Council President Lourdes Maramba Fajardo, another granddaughter of Don Daniel Maramba, thanked the provincial government for the warm welcome and accommodation.
Baraan also thanked the group for visiting the provincial government and visiting their home province of Pangasinan. (PIO/Angeline D. Villanueva)
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