Palma monument unveiled in Bautista town

By December 17, 2017Business, News

BAUTISTA—Jose Palma, the composer of lyrics of the Philippine national anthem, Lupang Hinirang, has been honored with a monument and a marker in the town.

Local officials headed by Mayor Amadeo Espino with Dr. Ludovico Badoy, executive director of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP); Bernadette David of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA); Malu Elduayan, head of the provincial tourism and cultural office; educators, led the unveiling of the marker and shrine honoring Palma and the town being the place where the lyrics of the Philippine national anthem was composed.

The town of Bautista used to be a part of Bayambang until the former became a town in 1900.

Palma’s shrine and the historical marker reads “Pook Kunsaan Isinulat Ang Liriko ng Pambansang Awit at Dambana ni Jose Palma” is located at the town plaza, across the municipal hall building.

The project is an initiative of the local government unit(LGU) of Bautista with the assistance of the NHCP, the NCCA and with the financial support from the provincial government of Pangasinan through then Gov. and now 5th District Rep. Amado Espino,J r. and Gov. Amado Espino III.

Badoy cited Palma as a well known writer of La Independencia and sang kundiman songs for the entertainment of soldiers.

He said the poem Filipinas, which Palma wrote during his stay in the town, was published in the September 3,1899 issue of La Independencia which he said that though there were some changes for the Himno Nacional.

For his part, Mayor Espino said it is a great pride and honor for the town of Bautista to be a part of the Philippine history and thanked the NCHP, the NCCA and the provincial government for the honor.

“This is not just a legacy for us but a reminder for the next generations that their humble town was a part of the country’s history,” Espino said.

David also thanked that the NCCA is part of honoring Palma whom she described as not only a soldier but also a promoter of arts and literature because of his creativeness, and should be a role model for Filipinos. (Cesasr Ramirez)

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments