Guv urges change to “good old values”
LINGAYEN—As the province celebrated the 118th Philippine Independence Day with a short program held at the Bengson-Yuson Ancestral House, Lingayen on June 12, 2016, outgoing Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. urged his constituents: “Let’s go back to our old, good, reliable values. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“Kung anong nangyari sa pag-uugali natin, sa kultura natin, hindi ko alam,” he said as he lamented what he observed as the growing negative attitude that’s manifested in the youths’ behavior, like the “crab mentality.”
Mr. Espino urged the parents to teach their children and grandchildren to practice and live by the old traditions and values that Filipinos had been known for. He cited the promotion of folk dances, faith in the Lord, cooperation among community members, among others, in order to attain true independence.
He said these are the same basic values that his administration has since been promoting that the theme of this year’s Philippine Independence Day celebration,“Kalayaan 2016: Pagkakaisa, Pag-aambagan, Pagsulong” called for.
Guided by these, he said the province is now heralded as the No. 4 top province in the country, from being No. 68 nine years ago. “This achievement attests to the provincial government’s promotion of real independence,” he intoned.
After the program, Gov. Espino told the media that he approves of the implementation of curfew hours for minors to underscore his message.
During last year’s Independence Day celebration, the governor called for a practical approach towards independence, underscored the significance of liberating ourselves from want, poverty, fear, criminality, and bad influence about politics.
MANANQUIL’S “SA ATING PAGLAYA”
The Eucharistic Mass, officiated by Pangasinan Historical and Cultural Commission (PHCC) member Rev. Fr. Immanuel Norbert Escano, held before the civic program started, was followed by an acknowledgment of the painting by artist Romeo Mananquil called “Sa Ating Paglaya.”
The masterpiece, painted in 1998, on the centenary of the Philippine Independence declaration, features then President Emilio Aguinaldo waving the new Philippine Flag for the first time while Inang Pilipinas holds her hands outstretched “looking up with hope and optimism.”
The Bengson-Yuson Ancestral House is home to the Center for Pangasinan Studies and the PHCC office. (Johanne Macob)
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