Parada na Dayew Features Pangasinan’s Evolution Into a Province

Thousands of Pangasinenses converged last April 5 at the main thouroughfares of Lingayen to catch a glimpse of the history of Pangasinan through a float and civic parade as Pangasinan celebrated its 430th Founding Anniversary.

The float parade dubbed “Parada na Dayew” was one of the highlights of the first ever celebration of Agew na Pangasinan which featured 12 colorful floats showcasing the various timelines in the history of Pangasinan where the major eras or periods of its existence were depicted.

Contingents from the various towns of the province and other civic groups took part in the grand and historic celebration with street dancers, drum and bugle corps and drum and lyre groups from different schools adding fun and merriment to the parade.

The colorful floats featured how Pangasinan evolved into a province since it was founded in 1580 until the present time with the blossoming of the Golden Era under the administration of Gov. Espino.

The establishment of the founding of Pangasinan is a product of the sense of history of Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. who said that Pangasinenses deserve to know their point of origin.

Gov. Espino did not stop in planning to come up with the significant data to establish the date of the founding of Pangasinan by creating a research and study committee composed of researchers and historians headed by Atty. Gonzalo T. Duque who is also the president of Lyceum Northwestern University in Dagupan City.

After almost a year of extensive research, the history of the province of Pangasinan is now complete.

The eras depicted by the 12 floats started from the pre-Hispanic period; 1572; 1574-1575; 1580 when Pangasinan was organized into an Alcaldia or province ; 1660-1762; establishment of Casa Real in 1840; Pangasinan liberation from Spanish rule in July 22, 1898; Philippine-American War in 1899; inauguration of Capitol building in 1919; Japanese invasion in 1941; landing of Allied Forces in 1945 and the Pangasinan Golden Era from 2007 to present.

Other activities that highlighted the Agew na Pangasinan celebration were the blessing of the newly resurrected Sison Auditorium, groundbreaking of the eco-tourism zone in Estanza, Lingayen, ASNA Grand Ball and awarding of outstanding Pangasinenses, and a concert featuring local and national bands. (PIO/Angie D. Villanueva)