Category: Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), together with the Provincial Government of Pangasinan through the Center for Pangasinan Studies (CPS), conducted a 3-day local history and heritage training workshop last June 20-22, 2023, held at the Sison Auditorium in Lingayen.

Dr. Perla Legazpi, Executive Director of Center for Pangasinan Studies, welcomed the participants while Ms. Carminda Arevalo presented the overview of the training syllabus. With over 150 participants from different LGUs and HEIs in Pangasinan, the event focused on 6 lectures: Sources on Local History Research, Professionalizing Local History and Heritage, Agents of Deterioration, Identifying, Documenting, Surveying, and Marking Historic Sites and Structures, Handling Heritage Issues, Case Studies of the NHCP-HPD, and Local History and Heritage Planning and Programming. The lectures were delivered by the representatives from NHCP including Mr. Gerwill I. Cruz, Mr. Josef Alec D. Geradilla, Mr. Rommel R. Aquino, Ms. Juvelyn D. Niervres, and Ar. Genissa O. Villegas. Pangasinan Governor Ramon V. Guico III, known for being an advocate for the province’s culture and heritage, also joined the seminar and was able to listen to some of the lectures.

“You know, heritage, culture, history, arts–these are very important things. Hindi lang po lahat ng bagay ay puro infrastructure, social services (Not all things are purely infrastructure, social services),” Governor Guico emphasized in his speech. Addressing engineers and architects who represented various LGUs at the seminar, Governor Guico likewise shared how he strictly follows the Building Code and Highway Code, highlighting the value of respecting both the safety and aesthetic aspects of spaces in the province. Governor Guico connected this with the significance of knowing their town’s or city’s history and heritage structures so that these would not be mistakenly demolished in the event of constructing new buildings and/or roadways.

Meanwhile, other activities included fieldwork and presentation of outputs on Survey and Documentation of selected Historic and Heritage Sites in Lingayen, Practical Demonstration of Repainting and Rehabilitation of Historical Markers, and open forums.
The event successfully concluded with the awarding of certificates to the participants.

/JBT & MCDG-U
Photos: KFC

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—The Sison Auditorium was filled with pride and historical significance last June 12, 2023 as the province commemorated the 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and Nationhood and paid tribute to the life of Don Daniel B. Maramba, the esteemed 7th Governor of Pangasinan, known as the “Grand Old Man” of Pangasinan. Don Daniel B. Maramba, a distinguished figure in Philippine history, served as an assemblyman, senator, and a Katipunero under the name “Baga.”

With the theme, “Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan,” the province came together for a solemn wreath-laying ceremony where Mr. Alikhan Maramba, a descendant of Don Daniel B. Maramba, along with PNP Pangasinan Provincial Director PCol. Jeff E. Fanged and Governor Ramon V. Guico III, offered their respects.

Mr. Alikhan Maramba, representing the Maramba Clan or the Don Daniel Maramba Council in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Provincial Government of Pangasinan for organizing the prestigious commemoration and honoring his “Laki Daniel.” As a gesture of gratitude, he presented Governor Guico III with a book entitled, “Daniel Maramba: His Life and Times,” written by the eldest son of Don Daniel B. Maramba, Felix D. Maramba, Sr., during the centennial anniversary of his father.

Governor Guico III expressed his deep gratitude for Don Daniel B. Maramba’s contributions to Pangasinan and the entire Philippines. He emphasized that, much like Don Daniel Maramba, who fought against oppression during his time, modern-day challenges such as poverty persists. In response, the Provincial Government of Pangasinan is establishing a local college to equip Pangasinenses, particularly the youth, with the knowledge and skills necessary to overcome these obstacles. Governor Guico III also revealed plans to celebrate another local hero during next year’s Independence Day celebration, aiming to inspire and learn from their exemplary lives. He stated, “All of us should think of the past, act on the present, and secure the future. We want to take care of the present, learn from the past, and secure the province of Pangasinan.”

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) likewise presented the 125th anniversary commemorative coin of Philippine Independence and Nationhood to the Provincial Government of Pangasinan. This set of commemorative coins, featuring the latest digital printing technology, includes 100 piso, 20 piso, and 5 piso denominations. These coins are the first colored non-circulation commemorative coins produced by the BSP.

The event also marked the launch of Kampo Kalangwëran, a volunteer program conceptualized by the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO), led by PTCAO head Maria Luisa Amor-Elduayan. Kampo Kalangwëran aims to engage the youth in supporting the provincial government’s thrust in the protection, development, and promotion of Pangasinan’s natural and cultural heritage, while learning more about their communities and the importance of volunteerism in their overall personal and communal growth. More than a hundred volunteers enthusiastically signed up via the Kampo Kalangwëran Google Form.
Be sure to follow the Pangasinan Tourism Facebook Page and the Kampo Kalangwëran Facebook Page for more updates.

/MTLC
Photos: KFC

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—After more than a hundred individuals signed up since the official launching of the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office’s (PTCAO) volunteerism program Kampo Kalangwëran last June 12, 2023, the first batch of volunteers successfully underwent a two-day museum guide training from June 15-16, 2023 held at the Casa Real. This activity is part of the Provincial Government of Pangasinan’s preparation for the official opening of the province’s first ever Provincial Museum—Banáan.

With the expertise and guidance of Associate Professor Eric B. Zerrudo, PhD, Director of the UST Graduate School-Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics (USTGS-CCCPET), the first batch of Kampo Kalangwëran volunteers were provided lectures on the extensive history of museums in the Philippines, as well as the work undertaken in such institutions which gave volunteers substantial background necessary for their guiding. Dr. Zerrudo also facilitated a series of mock tours around the museum alongside PTCAO for the volunteers to incorporate and practice all that was taught in their lectures during the first day of the training. The volunteers enthusiastically showcased their public speaking skills and newly gained knowledge as they traversed Pangasinan’s rich history and culture in the galleries of the Banáan. Around thirty (30) volunteers and PTCAO staff were conferred with certificates for successfully graduating from the museum guiding training.

The Banáan Museum has been a project in the making for more than a decade, according to Dr. Zerrudo and PTCAO Chief Maria Luisa Amor-Elduayan. While the Casa Real has since been the site of a handful of art exhibits after its rehabilitation in 2016, the formation of the Pangasinan Provincial Museum was in line with Governor Ramon V. Guico III’s thrust to prioritize the preservation and promotion of the province’s cultural heritage. Dr. Zerrudo and his team from the USTGS-CCCPET led the research, conceptualization, development, and curation of the Banáan Museum, with the PTCAO closely assisting in their endeavors.
The Banáan Museum is set to be officially opened later this year.

/MCDG-U
Photos: PTCAO-TSPD