LINGAYEN—Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. and former President Fidel V. Ramos joined hands to pay tribute to the brave and gallant men and women of World War II during the celebration of the 67th Lingayen Gulf Landings and Pangasinan Veterans’ Day at the Veterans’ Memorial Park here.

In their separate messages, the two leaders challenged the present generation of Pangasinenses to display heroism just like the veterans in winning the war against modern day enemies such as poverty, ignorance, diseases, climate change, joblessness, and cultural and moral destroyers.

Governor Espino urged Pangasinenses to put their acts together and be inspired by what the veterans did 67 years ago for the sake of freedom that Pangasinenses enjoy today and to be enjoyed by the future generation.

As a tribute to the defenders of freedom, the governor said the provincial government has exerted all efforts since 2008 to complete history from the collection of vintage photographs taken by an American soldier named Charles De May to the testimonial of former Governor and Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella that General Douglas MacArthur actually “landed in Lingayen beach, right at the back of the Capitol,” as stated by the general himself during his ”sentimental journey” to Urduja House in 1961.

For this year’s celebration, the province collaborated with two Pangasinan historians and writers, Dr. Cecilia Beltran-Daranciang and Deborah Beltran-Castillo, for the book entitled “Biographical Sketches of Pangasinan Heroes of World War II” as a tribute to the unsung heroes of World War II.

The book, sponsored by the Philippine Veterans Bank, features the life stories of some  33 Pangasinan soldiers, including 99-year old veteran Perfecto Mondala from Mangatarem town.

Toward this end, the former President proposed a new battle-cry for the province which is to top the Five T’s – Tourism, Teaching, Technology, Teamwork and Total Performance to become the best province in thec ountry.

Ramos said Pangasinan is fortunate because among the famous landings of Gen. MacArthur (which includes Leyte, Mindoro and Tagaytay), it is only here that invasions, liberations and landings were made.

The celebration was highlighted by a thanksgiving mass officiated by Archbishop Socrates Villegas before the wreath laying, launching and presentation of the book to the veterans were held.

The wreath-laying ceremony was led by Ramos and Espino together with Maj. Gen. Jose Z. Mabanta, commander of 7th ID Philippine Army; USEC Ernesto G. Carolina, administrator, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office; Group Capt. Craig White, Defense Attaché, Australian Embassy; and Lt. Col. Michael Ercolano III, USMC, Marine Attaché, USA Embassy.

After lunch and a cultural show that featured the Danggoan Pangasinan group at the elegant Sison Auditorium, a medical mission for the veterans was conducted.

The medical mission is one of the benefits given by the provincial government to the war veterans.

Aside from the foreign diplomats and officials of various national offices, the celebration was attended by Representatives Leopoldo Bataoil, Rachelle Arenas, and Marlyn Primicias-Agabas; members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan led by Vice Gov. Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr.; city and municipal mayors led by League of Municipalities President Noel Nacar and other officials of various government agencies and non-government organizations.  (PIO)

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