History unfolds with “Agew na Pangasinan”
“Today, we make history! At long last, Pangasinan has a birthday!”
This was the pronouncement of Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. to a large multi-sectoral crowd who gathered at the Capitol Plaza last April 5 during the Opening and Commemorative Program of the 430th Agew na Pangasinan.
Espino said for this celebration, all Pangasinenses set aside their political differences and gathered as one people to celebrate “Agew na Pangasinan” for the very first time.
He said he took pride in initiating the move to determine the province’s founding day.
“Today, we stand as one province, proud of our rich culture and heritage, proud of our distinct character and identity as Pangasinenses,” Espino said, adding “that we must celebrate this historic moment with firm resolve to sustain the collective effort to transform Pangasinan as the best place to invest, work, live and raise a family.”
Espino also gave a rundown of the accomplishments the province achieved under his leadership for the past two years and nine months, which he said has shown that Pangasinan, with its reservoir of human and natural resources, can excel and become number one in so many areas.
These include Pangasinan’s topping of the PhilHealth insurance registration for indigent families in the entire country which has reached over 267,000 enrollees as of March this year, being cited as Garantisadong Pambata National Champion in 2009 for outstanding achievements on nutrition and child survival programs, and emerging as the Region’s top tourist destination in 2008 and 2009.
Espino also mentioned the province’s outstanding strides in peace and order, health care, poverty reduction, coastal resources management, disaster management and programs supporting the millennium development goals (MDG), aside from maintaining its position as the Region’s food basket.
Further, Espino also bared that the long overdue strategic projects designed to attract more investments and industrial locators that would pave the way for more jobs and livelihood opportunities for Pangasinenses are now in place with the construction of the Sual Port and the groundbreaking of the Pangasinan Eco-tourism Zone.
Towards the end of his speech, Espino said, “As we savor the sweetness of this treasured moment of oneness and as we enjoy each other’s company in this jovial atmosphere, let us add meaning to this celebration and look beyond today with a solemn commitment to work even harder to bring our province to greater heights of progress and prosperity.”
Former President Fidel V. Ramos (left) raises his plaque of appreciation presented to him by Governor Amado Espino Jr., Vice Gov. Marlyn Primicias-Agabas and Atty. Gonzalo Duque.
Meanwhile, the program’s guest of honor and speaker, former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos, one of the most illustrious sons of Pangasinan, said he was delighted to be part of the historic occasion, more so, because of the upbeat atmosphere that now exists in the province.
“It is a good time to be here. This long overdue occasion is the beginning of a new future for Pangasinan,” Ramos said.
All the main episodes in the province’s rich history, from the Malong and Palaris Revolts to the Lingayen Gulf Landings in the Second World War, Ramos said, “are sources of pride for all of us Pangasinense, while we remain cognizant of our remarkable ancestry and the high purpose we are capable of achieving”.
“Today, we take great pride in affirming our identity as Pangasinenses as our long history of struggle produced the real essence of Pangasinan culture, hospitality, energy and a lifestyle of hardwork,” he added as he advised the crowd to learn more about Pangasinan in order to love and serve the province more.
Former President Fidel V. Ramos, Governor Amado Espino Jr. and ‘Agew na Pangasinan’ executive chairman Gonzalo Duque in a light huddle during the commemorative program in front of the provincial capitol.
Ramos also challenged every Pangasinense to stand up to the challenges of today as he pointed out that the province is right at the center of the global economy.
He said the enemy today is not foreign invaders, but poverty in all its form and faces such as complacency, ignorance, environmental degradation, political conflict, lawlessness, and in some places, ineffective governance.
For this, he said that every Pangasinense must strive for higher levels of achievement and make the province the heartland of four Ts: tourism, technology, teaching and teamwork.
“It is time for Pangasinenses to win the future,” he said.
The first ASNA awardees gather at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center to receive their awards on the night of April 5.
For her part, Vice Governor Marlyn Primicias Agabas said she hopes that by establishing Pangasinan Day, they have also stirred interest among Pangasinenses to study its history, which she added, is an important step in loving our province.
She also said that the 6th Sanggunian Panlalawigan which she chairs is doubly honored to be part of the historic celebration and as the legislative body that passed Provincial Ordinance 143-2010, which declared April 5 as Pangasinan Day.
She also thanked and congratulated the Research and Study Group members for sharing their time and talent during the tedious research project.
Lawyer Gonzalo Duque, head of the Research and Study Group, expressed elation that finally, Pangasinan has a founding day, the determination of which has become his personal quest.
“The missing segment of our history elusive to Pangasinan for the past 429 years has been completed,” he said, adding that “Pangasinan can no longer be likened to a hapless orphan who does not know when she was born.”
“It was only Governor Espino who had the guts, the courage and the political will to do it,” Duque said.
He thanked the members of the group, whom he described as “25 dedicated, determined, disciplined and competent Pangasinenses”.
Before the program, a thanksgiving mass was celebrated by Bishop Jesus A. Cabrera, followed by an ecumenical prayer.
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