Young Roots
Of history, development, and unity
By Johanne Margarette R. Macob
OUR forefathers fought hard for the freedom that our people now enjoy. We succeeded in liberating ourselves from being a mere colony of other countries.
Close to a century later, we found ourselves battling more challenges. We had a series of demonstrations in the streets from 1983 to 1986, which culminated in what we’ve come to know as the People Power or EDSA Revolution. It was a battle to end an authoritarian regime. Again, triumphant were we. Then there was the second EDSA revolution. Again we succeeded in ousting a president in 2001.
Recently, Pangasinenses again made history. Apart from celebrating its 400th founding anniversary this year, our town Bayambang in the 3rd District achieved another milestone. It successfully earned a world record in the Guinness Book for the longest barbecue grill. Indeed, a feat that we can be proud of.
Recall that before Bayamabang did its share, Pangasinan is the province that brought three Guinness titles for the Philippines for the longest barbecue grill. First, Dagupan established its claim as Bangus Capital of the World when it won the record for the longest barbecue grill in 2003 with a 1,007-meter long milkfish grill, toppling Turkey’s record.
Then in 2008, the relatively small yet impressive town of Sto. Tomas wrested the Guinness title again from Turkey with its 3.8-kilometer corn grill during the staging of the Corn Festival.
We have won, whether in the fight for liberation or for world recognition. There’s a long of milestones in our country for many reasons but there has always been a common denominator – unity.
The many calls of our leaders, unceasingly calling on our people to unite, to cooperate, and to take part in significant decisions and movements in society, have not been unheeded.
Today, President, Noynoy Aquino urges us to unite in defending the country’s territory and sovereignty. In his New Year’s message, Vice President Binay pushed for unity for a better Philippines. In the local scene, Governor Amado Espino Jr. attributed Bayambang’s successful bid for world record to unity.
The call for unity could very well be a cliché. But just like most other clichés, it works. We must unite as a people towards development and history. Let’s do better, kababayan and kabaleyens!
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