Dagupan kickstarts its 75th Diamond Jubilee in medias res
By Rex Catubig
THE founding of the City Charter took place on June 20, 1947. It was the culmination of the fervent dream of the city fathers—embodied in Republic Act 170 that House Speaker Eugenio Perez, of neighboring historic San Carlos, authored and which was signed into law on that date by Pres. Manuel Roxas.
Seventy-five years later, what could be a jubilant celebration became a collateral casualty in the fiefdom battle of political warlords. With the sitting mayor suffering an unprecedented loss, the gilded glory of the city was totally eclipsed by the apocalyptic turn of events. The Diamond never got a chance to shine and remained in the rough.
But culture and history advocate, Atty. Gonzalo Duque was adamant and sought the ears of victorious returning mayor, Mayor Belen Fernandez. He reasoned out that it’s never too late to mark the occasion. That considering incremental years and historic importance, it is fitting to accord the founding with a year-long celebration. Herself a proponent of cultural heritage, she immediately issued an Executive Order creating an omnibus committee to undertake the epochal commemoration.
So it is only now, six months after the founding date, at the tail end of the year, that the City kicks off the celebration. Ironically, the tempest over the last elections has not yet died down. More collateral damage is pounding the city and hounding its citizenry.
But like the Diamond from whence it derives its name, the 75th Jubilee could only get tougher under the pressure and emerge the precious jewel to awe us with its brilliance.
How does the bustling and burgeoning city encapsulate its journey and progress over the years?
In the parade marking the stalled celebration, the city’s passage from its earliest years prior to cityhood, and beyond, is chronicled in period iconography depicting pockets of its history.
A Diamond float symbolizes the event, but there is a glimpse of the Paraw that brought the pioneer settlers and merchants to the riverbanks of the thriving Bacnotan. The Ferrocarril de Manila-Dagupan recalls the historic pivotal location of our city that early on was recognized as a melting pot and the hub of commerce in the region.
When highways were laid out to complement the railway, Pantranco was at the forefront of the transport system that provided an alternate transit to the inner towns.
As a historic footnote, a makeshift army truck has Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s persona on board. It is a token of sentiment of the General’s sojourn at the West Central Elementary School Gabaldon building during the Pacific campaign for the liberation of Luzon from the Japanese Imperial forces.
In all, the parade showcases the admixture of the city’s culture and history: the heterogenous blend of governmental agencies, educational institutions, religious, and civic organizations—in a vibrant brew of unity in diversity.
As the City marks its 75th Founding Anniversary, it “shines bright like a Diamond in the sky”.
“Nigalang karoman; Nibelyaw natan; Nitanduro ed kaimbuasan”.
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