History comes alive at the Capitol

LINGAYEN --- History comes alive in songs, dances, poems and plays during the Cultural Night presentation at the Capitol Plaza here last January 8 as part of the commemoration of the 64th Anniversary of the Lingayen Gulf Landings.

Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. urged hundreds of youth to keep the unique and diverse culture and tradition of Filipinos fresh in their consciousness that can make them proud of their heritage.

“Nakaligtaan natin kung ano ang dapat na kagawian ng isang Pilipino. Hindi na natin alam kung sino tayo. (“We have forgotten our customs and traditions as Filipinos. Now, we don’t even know our identity,”) the Governor said.

He reminisced: “Nung ako ay teenager, nahirang ang ating bansa bilang isa sa pinakamagaling sa Asya. Kaya dapat magandang balikan natin at ituro sa mga sumusunod sa atin nang sa ganun ay bumalik ang Golden Ages na sinasabi natin na nakamtan na natin noon bago tayo napunta sa Dark Ages na sinasabi natin.” (When I was still a teenager, our country was heralded as the best in Asia. That’s why let us share the past to the youth and hope for the return of the “golden ages” which we had experienced before until we plunged in today’s “dark ages.”

The Governor also encouraged the students to be an active partner in protecting and preserving the natural resources where some of it bore historic significance such as the Lingayen Gulf where Gen. Douglas Mac Arthur landed during the World War II.

“Sana ang okasyon na ito ay matutunan ng bawat isa sa atin na pangalagaan ang ating mga kalikasan nang sa ganun ay merong mamana ang mga kabataan na sumusunod sa atin at mga anak ng mga anak ng mga anak natin. Ang okasyong ito ay para sa mga kabataan na malaman nila ang kahalagahan ng Lingayen Gulf especially sa istorya ng ating kalayaan at ng ating bansa dahil 64 years na ang nakaraan,” (“I hope this occasion will awaken our senses to protect our environment that we ought to pass to our children and our children’s children. This event aims to educate the youth on the historic significance of Lingayen Gulf especially on the story of our country’s liberation which happened 64 years ago,”) the Governor recounted.

With the laudable rendition of Pangasinan folk songs, musical drama and poems by the students of different schools in Pangasinan, the magnificent Capitol building that served as backdrop set the mood of the past depicting the heroism and love of country of Filipinos. (PIO/Ninia F. Nicolas)