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
