By Eva C. Visperas

 

IT was a public holiday on November 27, and the prospect of an extended weekend vacation had everyone excited, especially since it fell on a Monday.

Accompanied by three fellow lady reporters, my initial plan was to explore western Pangasinan. However, our purpose extended beyond being a mere respite from our daily tasks. Our goal was to collect stories not from politicians but from the enchanting locales and ordinary individuals with unique tales to share.

Fate, however, had different plans for us. While in Lingayen town, an unexpected event unfolded, diverting our course. We found ourselves covering an event that honored the legacy of the novelist Carlos Bulosan. We stayed and listened to at least three speeches before we decided to go somewhere else.

“What’s next?” we wondered.

Due to our busy schedules, we rarely find time now to bond, except during news coverages.

Our journey took us to Bayambang town, where we encountered the grand Christmas village adorned with a Japan-inspired Ghibli theme. It’s a personal project of the mayor, dedicated it to someone she loved by the name of Hannah.

In an unexpected turn, as we were about to enter the Christmas village at the Bayambang LGU parking area, we saw the Bayambang Museum, nestled in the town plaza area. From the outside, it looked ordinary but the ‘wows’ start as soon as we entered the building.

The museum proved to be an astonishing discovery, unveiling Bayambang’s hidden wealth of information, rich culture, history, and priceless artifacts. Its five galleries—Culture and Arts, History, Education, Persons of Innovation, and Agriculture—narrated the town’s contributions to the nation’s cultural and arts scene.

From the renowned Binasuan dance to the folk music industry’s rondalla using bamboo instruments, the museum showcased various pieces, including instruments, costumes, and paraphernalia.

As my cousins often spoke of Bayambang being a center of learning, it came as no surprise that the 100-year-old Pangasinan State University-Bayambang campus was situated there. It has produced brilliant minds that brought honor to the town.

Bayambang proudly claimed titles such as the “Corn Belt of Pangasinan” and the “Onion Capital of Northern Luzon,” with most farmers producing corn, rice, and onions.

No narrative about Bayambang will be complete without acknowledging its remarkable people who brought honor and fame to their birthplace. The outstanding Bayambangueños found their place in the museum, with a special area reserved for the town’s most popular son, former mayor Dr. Cezar T. Quiambao, and his wife, Mayor Niña Jose-Quiambao.

In 2022, the Bayambang Museum, aptly named the “Home of Innovations,” was established, chronicling the town’s strides towards progress. Its history revealed significant milestones, such as being the 5th capital of the short-lived Philippine Revolutionary Republic under Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo on November 12, 1899. Additionally, it was in Bautista, then a barrio of Bayambang, where Jose Palma reportedly wrote the lyrics of the Philippine National Anthem.

Truly, it was one of the finest impromptu journeys, filled with a treasure trove of golden memories that soothe the soul—a trip that evokes reminiscences of the old Bayambang. #

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments