Author: Martie Gonzales

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—The Provincial Government of Pangasinan, led by Hon. Governor Ramon V. Guico III, formally opened the Senator Geronima Tomelden Pecson Exhibit at the historic Casa Real in Lingayen, Pangasinan earlier today, August 12, 2022.

In celebration of the National History Month this August, the Provincial Government of Pangasinan, through the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office, paid tribute to the life and works of Geronima Tomelden Pecson, the first elected female senator of the Republic of the Philippines by organizing an exhibit featuring her works and contributions. The event was attended by Hon. Governor Ramon V. Guico III, Vice Governor Mark Ronal DG. Lambino (Chairperson on the Committee of Education, Culture and Arts) and his wife, Atty. Melanie S. Sia-Lambino (member of the National Board of the National Federation of Women’s Clubs of the Philippines), Board Member Marinor B. De Guzman (Chairperson for the Committee on Tourism, Foreign Affairs and Migrant Workers Concerns), Board Member Apolonia “Apple” DG. Bacay, Board Member Vici M. Ventenilla, Provincial Administrator Melicio F. Patague II, representatives from LGU Lingayen headed by Mayor Leopoldo N. Bataoil, LGU Lingayen and Vice Mayor Mac Dexter G. Malicdem, and family members of the United Tomelden Clan (UTC).

“I would project my work, rather than myself,” Hon. Vice Governor Mark Lambino said as he began his welcome remarks, quoting the famous words from Senator Geronima Tomelden Pecson herself. Vice Governor Lambino continued by illustrating Senator Geronima Pecson through her works and recognitions, highlighting her work as a suffragist and being one of the founders of the National Federation of Women’s Clubs (NFWC) in 1921.

After the welcome remarks, Mr. Dyxon Lix A. Dizon, the representative of the Unified Tomelden Clan, shared with the audience fond memories of Senator Geronima Tomelden Pecson, as well as acknowledging the initiative of former president Fidel V. Ramos for issuing Executive Order No. 375 on October 1996 to create a special committee to take charge of the preparations for the centennial birth anniversary of Geronima Tomelden Pecson and thus making her life and endeavors as a public servant known to Filipinos.

Hon. Mayor Leopoldo N. Bataoil also shared fond memories of his relatives in the UTC and emphasized how Senator Geronima Tomelden Pecson’s life and works influenced the greatness of not only Lingayen, but also the entire Philippines.

Relieved to have arrived at the event despite a delay in a separate engagement in Manila, Hon. Governor Ramon V. Guico III arrived just in time to join the celebration.

“I cannot emphasize enough, the importance of history, heritage and culture… the only treasure that can’t be taken from us,” Governor Guico expressed. He also highlighted how Pangasinan is not only rich in natural resources, but in human resources as well as he recounted how Pangasinan has produced leaders such as Senator Geronima Tomelden Pecson, former president Fidel V. Ramos and even former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, whose roots can be traced back to Binalonan, Pangasinan, and many others.

Part of the ceremony was the unveiling of a portrait of Senator Geronima Tomelden Pecson which was commissioned by the UTC from visual artist Mr. Van Zachary Turingan of San Carlos City, Pangasinan. The UTC donated the said artwork to the Provincial Government of Pangasinan, a significant turnover as it coincided with the celebration of this year’s National History Month with the theme: “Our History Continues.” Through this turnover, the colorful and successful life that Senator Geronima Tomelden Pecson led as well as her contributions to the Republic of the Philippines will continue to be remembered and revered.

After formally opening the Senator Geronima Tomelden Pecson Exhibit, the guests were welcomed to take a look around the exhibit, where a mural of Senator Geronima Tomelden Pecson painted by Ms. Lyantra Kryzelle Pasion from Calasiao, Pangasinan was also featured.

Senator Geronima Tomelden Peson was born in December 19, 1896 in then-Barrio Libsong in Lingayen, Pangasinan. She was an educator, legislator and suffragist. She is also famously known for being the first woman and first Filipino to be elected in the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Board, likewise being the first woman to be part of a governing body of a United Nations Agency.

While Senator Geronima Tomelden Pecson’s life was full of colorful and successful achievements, the Saray Matalunggaring ya Bibii ëd Awara’y Pangasinan: An Exhibit Featuring Senator Geronima Tomelden Pecson simply gives visitors a sneak peek into the story behind this outstanding woman and her huge contributions in the lives of people that can be felt even to this day.

The exhibit is open every Mondays to Saturdays at 9AM to 4PM in the Casa Real, Lingayen, Pangasinan.

/MCDG

Photos by: LV

We join the people of San Manuel, Pangasinan today, July 12, 2022, in commemorating the town’s “Juan Cabreros Laya Day” by virtue of Ordinance No. 2017-05 passed by its Sangguniang Bayan in 2017.

A native of San Manuel, Juan C. Laya was a  teacher and a novelist. Born on July 12, 1911, Laya finished his Bachelor of Science in Education and a master’s degree at the University of the Philippines Diliman and his graduate studies in English at Indiana University, U.S.A. Some of his notable novels are “Humiliation of His Children” (1931) and “Out of Storm” (1939). But it was his “His Native Soil” (1940) that won him the first prize in the First Commonwealth Literary Awards on the same year.

After World War II, he was designated as principal of the Manila High School and the first Filipino principal of the Manila North High School (now Arellano High School). He was also the first non-Tagalog member of Surian ng Wikang Pambansa (now Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino) in 1948. He was the division superintendent of schools in Bataan when he died on August 3, 1952 in an accident.

The San Manuel Central School where he finished his elementary education was renamed as Juan C. Laya Central School SPED Center (JCLCSSC) in his honor. On July 12, 1982, the National Historical Institute (forerunner of National Historical Commission of the Philippines) put a marker in his hometown in recognition of his life and achievements.

Juan C. Laya is the father of Jaime C. Laya, former Administrator of Intramuros Administration and former Chairman of National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Sources:

MPJCL Supreme Student Government. “Sino nga ba si Juan Cabreros Laya?” Facebook, July 12, 2020. https://web.facebook.com/1918748151685974/posts/2867266813500765/?_rdc=1&_rdr

Pangasinan Provincial Library. Folder on Juan C. Laya. Accessed October 4, 2021.

Provincial Government of Pangasinan. “Resolution No. 496-2017.” Accessed October 4, 2021. https://www.pangasinan.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/496-2017.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0mKHLvClvNCpaxMX7PeYFxuADkUA_zfXq3d88UOW5ZfAFTA2e9yHxN5JE

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Photo by MBRR

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—The province of Pangasinan welcomed its 31st Governor-Elect Hon. Ramon “Mon-Mon” V. Guico III as he took his oath in a ceremony held at the Sison Auditorium in Lingayen on June 29, 2022.

The ceremony began with a march of police officers representing each city and town of Pangasinan starting from the Governor Park proceeding to the Capitol Plaza and lastly to the Sison Auditorium. Officials from all over Pangasinan as well as select investors and corporations attended the event.

In his inauguration speech, Hon. Governor Ramon “Mon-Mon” V. Guico III highlighted a handful of points that his administration aims to focus on such as good governance, economy, investments and promotions, education, health services, food security, and peace and order. Under his leadership, Governor Ramon Guico III underscored his vision for Pangasinan to be a haven for business, commerce and trade.

“A vibrant economy means more job opportunities for the people,” Governor Ramon Guico III said in his inauguration speech on June 29, 2022, as he emphasized the importance of improving the province’s economy by boosting the community’s income and wages.

Governor Ramon Guico III also expressed his goal to institutionalize the province’s scholarship program and thus create closer partnerships with local universities, colleges and other educational institutions. Regarding food security, the newly elected governor shared how he plans to introduce high-value crops to local farmers in order to further develop the province’s agricultural industry.

After taking his oath, Governor Ramon Guico III signed a memorandum of agreement with Gr8 Seas Holdings Inc. and Sahi Technologies in a project to establish a new facility for the manufacturing of electric vehicle charging stations, batteries and battery energy storage systems in the town of Bayambang.

Hon. Governor Ramon Guico III and his family were guided to the Capitol Building after the oath-taking ceremony where hundreds of Capitol employees welcomed them as they made their way to the Governor’s Office. At the same time, guests proceeded to a celebratory luncheon held at the Provincial Training and Development Centers 1 and 2 where Governor Ramon Guico III and his family joined them shortly after the warm welcome at his new office.

Throughout the event, cultural performances were showcased by the Ligliwa Dance Troupe (Mangatarem) and the Belyaw Dance Troupe (Mangaldan), as well as performances by violinist Mr. John Lester De Guzman (Urbiztondo), KORO Unibersidad de Dagupan and the University of Luzon Drum & Bugle Corps.

/MCDG

photos by PGP

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – In the midst of the summer heat, Pangasinenses and tourists flocked to the Capitol Beachfront in Lingayen, Pangasinan to join the Provincial Government of Pangasinan, led by Governor Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III, in celebrating the province’s beloved thanksgiving festival, the Pista’y Dayat on May 1, 2022.

The celebration of the Pista’y Dayat this 2022 was simple yet immensely significant since Pangasinan’s tourism industry had to take the backseat due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Known for its month-long festivities, the celebration of the Pista’y Dayat started with activities and events since the commemoration of the province’s Agew na Pangasinan last April 5, 2022. Activities such as the opening of the 13th Pangasinan Tourism and Trade Expo, the opening of the Abig Sining Visual Arts Exhibit, the weekly Konsyerto ed Gulpo on Fridays and Saturdays, Zumba (sponsored by LGU Lingayen) on early Saturday mornings, Orchestra Showdown, and the Konsyerto ed Baybay (sponsored by San Miguel Brewery Inc.) fittingly led up to the momentous May 1 event.

Konsyerto sa Baybay, sponsored by San Miguel Brewery Inc.

“There is life after difficulties. There is life in failures. There is life after challenges. We get through these because there is love,” Most Rev. Bishop Fidelis B. Layog imparted to the visitors who attended the Misa na Pisasalamat that officially started the Pista’y Dayat event proper. A timely message as Pangasinenses and tourists came together to pay tribute to Pangasinan’s bountiful seas and hardworking fishing communities, reflected at the same time through a performance by the Belyaw Street Dancers from Mangaldan and the Pandaragupan Drum Beaters of Dagupan City after the mass.

The evening of the grand thanksgiving festival was spent with Pangasinan’s local talents: Insiyong Tamayo, Arah Mae and Renz Ruther Robosa, Boyz Impact, Dynamic Duo, Ela Banana Band, Joe Caranto Orchestra, and the United Alliance Hiphop Dancers. Renowned Filipino rock band The Itchyworms joined the celebration as they performed favorite OPM songs that concert-goers joyfully sang and danced to.

Local executives and their respective staff as well as groups of Pangasinenses returned to the Capitol Beachfront in Lingayen for a coastal clean-up activity after the festivities.

While COVID-19 cases slowly but surely continue to lessen in the recent weeks, locals and tourism workers are optimistic that the celebration of this year’s Pista’y Dayat is a sign for the strong comeback of Pangasinan’s tourism industry after two years of uncertainty amidst the pandemic.

The Pista’y Dayat was made possible by the following sponsors:

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LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The announcement and awarding of winners of the Provincial Government of Pangasinan’s ABIG SINING Visual Arts Competition took place at the Casa Real in Lingayen. The exhibit was subsequently opened as part of the 442nd Agew na Pangasinan celebration in the afternoon of April 5, 2022.

The COVID-19 pandemic posed as a major hindrance to the creative endeavors by Pangasinan’s visual artists. The ABIG SINING Visual Arts Competition, wherein the Pangasinan word abig  means healing, betterment, goodness, wellness, prosperity, beauty, and welfare, aimed to be a platform for the province’s visual artists to continuously enrich and showcase their art and creativity amidst the pandemic. These artworks breathe and reflect the bared thoughts and souls of Pangasinan’s artists in their respective journeys to heal amidst these trying times, as well as their outlook for the future post-pandemic.

At the ceremony, First District Board Member and Committee Chair on Tourism, Arts and Culture Margielou Orange Humilde-Verzosa represented Governor Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III as she welcomed the guests and shared how, although she could not call herself an expert of the arts, she appreciates and understands how art and its various expressions is a source of comfort, inspiration and strength. Pangasinan Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Officer Maria Luisa Amor-Elduayan then introduced the board of judges that comprised renowned artists: painter and University of the Philippines Diliman Professor Emeritus Nestor Vinluan; sculptor and painter and University of the Philippines Diliman assistant professor Toym Imao; street muralist and painter and Sining Eskinita Founder and visual anthropreneur Venazir Martinez; Arts Administrator, co-founder of Art Fair Philippines and Head of the National Committee on Visual Arts of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Geraldine “Dindin” Araneta; and Dagupan City-born painter and sculptor, and 2012 ASNA Awardee for Visual Arts Joe Datuin.

The ABIG SINING Visual Arts Competition was launched last February in celebration of the 2022 National Arts Month. Submission of entries began on March 15, 2022 and the deadline was extended until March 31, 2022. The judging and deliberation took place at the Casa Real on April 4, 2022, where the board of judges reviewed a total of 49 paintings and 11 sculptures.

“Hilum sa Bahay-bahayan” by Clyde Aedriel T. Rafael from the eastern Pangasinan town of Natividad won first place in the competition’s Painting Category, followed by “Ang Tatlong Puting Ibon” by Joshua R. Carajay and “Retrospection” by John Ray A. Dizon, both artists from the town of Alcala. Special citations were also given to Jeffrey “Domeng” Dela Cruz of Bugallon for his work entitled, “Hiding Place” and to James B. Ison of Alaminos City for his work, “Edukasyon. Pangarap. Pag-asa.”

“Estudyante sa Panahon ng Pandemya” by Lingayen resident Bonifacio G. De Guzman, Jr. took home first place for the Sculpture Category while Bolinao sculptors Marco Dispo Cañas and Wenny P. Licuanan won 2nd and 3rd place for their works, “Hope” and “Angkas Tungo sa Pangarap” respectively.

The ABIG SINING Visual Arts Exhibit at the ground floor of the Casa Real in Lingayen is open for public viewing on Tuesdays to Saturdays, from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.

*In observance of Holy Week, the exhibit will be closed from April 14 to 17, 2022. It will be reopened on April 19, 2022.

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LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The Provincial Government of Pangasinan, led by Governor Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III, celebrated the 442nd founding anniversary of the province of Pangasinan and officially opened the 13th Pangasinan Tourism and Trade Expo at the Capitol Beachfront on April 5, 2022.

With the word “asin” at the heart of its name, the province of Pangasinan is known to be one of the top producers of salt in the Philippines. This significant commodity embodies the identity of Pangasinan and Pangasinenses as Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan emphasized in his homily during the Misa na Pisasalamat held at the historical Sison Auditorium in Lingayen.

“Our forefathers preserved Pangasinan by the salt of sacrifices,” Archbishop Villegas shared. “Salt is a component of contracts, of promises, and of word of honor. Our forefathers exchanged salt in agreement. This is because salt is constant. Salt does not change.

“Let us preserve what we have received from our forefathers, be responsible for future generations, add flavor to our tasteless and bland lives, and to stand and honor our word,” Archbishop Villegas imparted to the guests present at the Sison Auditorium as he ended his homily.

After the Misa na Pisasalamat, Governor Espino was joined by Lingayen Mayor Leopoldo N. Bataoil, Board Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Provincial Government department heads and employees, and local tourism officers as they took part in a parade led by the University of Luzon Drum and Bugle Corps en route to the Capitol Beachfront where Fr. Yannix Liguid blessed the grounds of the 13th Pangasinan Tourism and Trade Expo.

“We try our best para masaya ang kabababayan natin,” Governor Espino said shortly after the blessing of the Expo grounds. “The booth space here in the Capitol Beachfront is free. We invited our local entrepreneurs, our MSMEs so that they could promote and sell their products.”

As part of the Provincial Government’s commitment to a unified tourism recovery plan for Pangasinan amidst the industry’s new normal, the return of the Pangasinan Tourism and Trade Expo has been a long awaited event as the province’s tourism industry had to take a backseat amidst the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic last March 2020. This meant that several tourism workers and MSMEs had to adjust in order to keep their businesses going. One of the initiatives that the Provincial Government implemented in order to help local MSMEs was the Pamanang Yaman, Produktong Pangasinan project wherein the Provincial Government purchased products of local MSMEs and travelled around the province in order to promote and sell these.

The opening of the Pangasinan Tourism and Trade Expo also coincides with the beginning of the Pistay Dayat festivities. Included in this year’s activities is the opening of the Abig Sining Visual Arts Exhibit at the Casa Real and the Konsyerto ëd Expo at the Capitol Beachfront.

/MCDG

The Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO) joins the nation in celebrating National Arts Month this February with the theme, “Sining ng Pag-asa.”

According to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the theme this year is to recognize art as a medium and expression of hope reflecting our creative ways of responding to the effects of pandemics, disasters, and other social realities, as well as the role of art in improving our lives in the community as Filipinos.

In line with this celebration, the PTCAO will be conducting the 2022 ABIG SINING: Visual Arts Competition from February 4 to March 25, 2022 with the theme, “ABIG: Healing in Art.”

Read on to know the contest guidelines.

You may download the entry form here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1whLGyh_LtUqBEX127kZ6lv1jcg2U9nm5/view?usp=sharing 

For more information and submission of entries, please see the Secretariat, Cultural Affairs Division-Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office, 1st Floor Malong Building, Capitol Complex, Lingayen, Pangasinan. You may also contact us at (075) 542-6853 or 09998839740.

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Lingayen, Pangasinan – The Provincial Government of Pangasinan commemorated the 77th Lingayen Gulf Landings anniversary as well as the 15th Pangasinan Veterans Day today, January 9, 2022 at the Veterans Memorial Park located within the Capitol Complex in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

The program started with a mass presided by Msgr. Manuel S. Bravo Jr., followed by the ceremonial wreath laying by Mr. Floro Fabia Castro and Ms. Marlyn Pizarras Bautista (representatives from the Veterans Federation of the Philippines Sons and Daughters Association, Inc.), PCol. Richmond L. Tadina (PNP Provincial Director of Pangasinan) and Governor Amado I. Espino III.

The Lingayen Gulf Landings anniversary and the Pangasinan Veterans Day are celebrated annually on January 9 to commemorate the heroic services and sacrifices that our Pangasinense soldiers rendered during World War II to ensure the freedom and bright future of our beloved Philippines and the future generations.

/MCDG

Photos courtesy of PTCAO-Special Events Division

In partnership with the Mabini Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office, the Pangasinan Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office conducted a two-day seminar-workshop for tourism frontliners in Mabini entitled, “MAGNAYON! Pangasinan Tourism Frontliner Seminar-Workshop” last December 27 and December 29, 2021. The seminar-workshop focused on various topics, mainly: tourism, personality development, effective customer service, and communication and basic tour guiding techniques.

The program was designed to develop and sustain a tourism workforce that can readily provide quality standards of service to visitors traveling to and within the province of Pangasinan. A total of 31 participants benefited from the two-day seminar-workshop and were subsequently awarded certificates of completion on December 29, 2021.

On November 4, 2021, the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO) conducted a meeting with Anda tourism stakeholders at 828 Gems Beach Resort, Tondol, Anda, Pangasinan.

Provincial Tourism Officer Maria Luisa Amor-Elduayan, alongside the PTCAO Technical Support Service Division staff, met with Tourism Officer Mr. Daryll Celeste and accommodation establishment owners in the area to gauge LGU tourism activity in light of fewer travel restrictions mandated by the provincial and national government. Alongside the general updating and monitoring of Anda’s application and use of the Tara Na Online Visitors’ Registration System (OVRS), Ms. Amor-Elduayan and Mr. Celeste held an open forum to address the concerns of the local tourism stakeholders. Issues on DOT accreditation application, implementation of environmental fees, rollout of vaccinations, water filter systems, and seagrass accumulation are some of the key concerns raised by the Accommodation Establishment Owners’ Association and subsequently addressed by Ms. Amor-Elduayan and Mr. Celeste.

As part of the activity, Ms. Amor-Elduayan, with the PTCAO Technical Support Service Division, inspected six accommodation establishments; namely, Pertible Beach Resort, Zhora’s Room Rental Food and Resort, Tondol White Beach Resort, S&C Resort and Villas, and Sarmiento Beach House.

/RAD