Soon Dagupeños will again be hearing the sound of the city’s siren regularly.

The “angelus time” is being revived in Dagupan City with the re-commissioning of its old siren that survived many generations until it conked out years ago.

This was the siren that used to wake up residents in their slumber at 6:00 a.m. and put them in one spirit in reciting God’s blessings during angelus time at 6:00 p.m.

City Councilor Jose Tamayo, chairman of the city council’s tourism committee, said he is certain the people of Dagupan will be happy to revive back the tradition.

“We will bring back the old siren. It is a part of Dagupan’s old culture, and tradition,” said Tamayo.

He said the children who grew up hearing the wailing of the siren at least three times a day are the city’s adults and they sorely miss the sound of the siren that once bonded many Dagupan families for generations.

Tamayo said he recalls that after decades of absence, the siren was put back in the city in 2001 when he spent his personal money for its repair.

The siren, however, broke down again after only few days of use and was never heard again.

“But hopefully, and with the help of City Engineer Virginia Rosario, the siren will start to function on or before December 16, timed in with the opening of the Dagupan Fiesta this year,” he said.

“That would make the eve of the fiesta more memorable since an old fixture and tradition of communing with the Almighty at angelus time is being put back,” added Tamayo, who is hermano mayor of this year’s fiesta.

The siren, which used to be positioned on top of the city hall, will be moved to the top floor of the Malimgas Public Market.

“It can be used to sound the alarm to warn people of oncoming storm, and alert them that it is time to make early morning revelry and to seek God for His blessings at angelus time, Tamayo said.–LM

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