Dagupan prepares for 70th founding year in 2017
THE voices of 70,000 children singing for the city’s residents will be heard to mark the celebration of the 70th charter anniversary of Dagupan City on June 20, 2017.
This is what Mayor Belen Fernandez has in mind when she spoke at the culmination program of the two-day Musika Laban sa Droga seminar for teachers of Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health (MAPEH) from public and private schools at CSI Stadia on Nov. 15 and 16, in collaboration with the Department of Education.
Since June 20, 2017 will be the platinum charter anniversary of Dagupan, she said she is focusing on next year’s event in her bid to make the celebration more meaningful and historical.
Dagupan became the first city in Pangasinan and the Ilocos Region by virtue of Republic Act No. 170 sponsored by then Speaker Eugenio Perez Sr. which was signed into law by President Manuel Roxas on June 20, 1947.
“Music makes a difference in the lives and character of the child. It is my observation that children who are in love with music are mababait. This is why we decided to make music as the theme of our 2nd Children Summit,” Fernandez said.
“This is to encourage the children to embrace music and use it as their gateway/investment in securing a scholarship program in any university in Manila, said Fernandez even as she underscored it as one of the activities that the government’s campaign against illegal drugs “which was why we dubbed this seminar as Musika Laban sa Droga.”
She said the idea popped into her mind, thinking on how to keep children away from illegal drugs.
“It was a blessing in disguise that we have with us Mr. Pong Mendoza, a principal bassoonist of UST Orchestra, as our music consultant. He, along with Ms. Maribel S. Diolazo, was the one who invited the UST Conservatory of Music to come to our city with Camp Director Herminigildo Ranera,” said Fernandez.
“What a coincidence that I’m again preparing for the founding of the city this time 70th year, I was also the chair person when the city celebrated its 50th golden year,” the mayor said. “Twenty years after, we will be celebrating another milestone, and this time with me as the city mayor,” said Fernandez.
Mayor Fernandez also assured that the city’s platinum year will be a most meaningful one because the city will officially open its first women center and its newly-built e-Library, the blessing of the boat terminal, the groundbreaking of the new city hall, the opening of the diagnostic center. (Joseph C. Bacani/CIO)
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