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| (Image Source: Batangas Provincial Information Office) |
The province of Batangas and its people further emphasized and affirmed their colorful history, rich identity, and continuous development following the celebration of their 442nd founding anniversary held last December 8, 2023 at the Regina R. Mandanas Memorial DREAM Zone in the Provincial Capitol Compound, Batangas City through a simple yet meaningful program conducted by the Provincial Government of Batangas led by Governor Hermilando Mandanas, Vice Governor Mark Leviste and Provincial Board Members serving the province's six districts, along with Anakalusugan Party List Representative Hon. Congressman Rey Florence Reyes, that recognizes the long achievements of Batangas as a province. This year's foundation day celebration centered on the theme where Batangas was promoted as the "Melting Pot of Rich Diversity" and called the "Gateway to Prosperity".
Kicking off the festivities was a thanksgiving mass coinciding with the observance and celebration of the great Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The eucharistic celebration co-supervised by Msgr. Ernesto Mandanas and Fr. Ilde Dimaano was attended by officials and staff of the provincial government, local officials and representatives of local government units, national agencies, and various non-government organizations in the province. Vice Governor Leviste formally opened the program afterwards with the reading of Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board Council) Ordinance No. 001 which contains the official declaration of the establishment of the province. As part of the celebration, a new Batangas flag based on the new seal or symbol of the province has been officially introduced to the public and presented to the accompaniment of the Batangan National Anthem.
In addition, the submission and presentation of the Verde Island Passage and Taal Volcano Protected Landscape dossiers to the Philippine National Commission (PNC) for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was facilitated for its nomination to be included in the list of those recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The embracing of this challenge to present two of the province's proudest blessings to the world two is from the initiative of Provincial Administrator Wilfredo Racelis with the guidance of Gov. Mandanas. The provincial government provided the documents and the aforementioned dossiers to Deputy Executive Director Lindsay Barrientos, representing PNC for UNESCO. This also marked the start of the process where the two jewels of the province will be thoroughly studied for expected approval and ratification by UNESCO. Meanwhile, the Batangas History Society (BHS) was established for the preservation of the Batangueño culture and its rich and colorful history with Mandanas as Chairperson, Batangas Culture and Arts Council President Atty. Sylvia Marasigan as Co-Chairperson, and Pamanlahi's Lino Atienza of Taal, Batangas as President. As part of the 442nd founding anniversary celebration of Batangas, the Batangas Capitol All Stars delivered a song and dance number based on their interpretation of the Hiraya song. In addition to this, several homegrown artists gave a special performance in the sarswela Hibik at Himagsik by Victoria Laktaw, written by Batangueño National Artist and 2019 Dangal ng Batangan Eminent Person Bienvenido Lumbera. The celebration also featured the awarding of outstanding Batangueños and Batangueñas who were recognized for their outstanding contributions to society, including the re-appointment of this year's Dangal ng Batangan.
The provincial government first recognized Lipa City Mayor Eric B. Africa who received a special citation for his contribution or promotion of programs dedicated to the field of social welfare and development. For this year's recognized Dangal ng Batangan who are bestowed upon inspiring individuals who represent the five Batangueño Spirits such as bravery, diligence, bravery, intelligence, and magnificence, the recognition in the Culture and Arts category was awarded to Peter John Caringal of Tulo, Batangas City, standing Dance Director of Likhang Sining Dance Company, for Dance; Architect Edwin Barrion, the lead contributor of the Museo ng Batangas retrofitting project in 2018, for Architecture; Loriel Castillo, visionary founder of Arte Bauan and Visual Poetry Philippines, for Visual Arts; and Batangas City based soloist and artist Lionel Nestor Macatangay Guico for Music. Other Dangal ng Batangan awardees include Retired 2nd Lieutenant Lillian Martinez Magsino for Public Service, General Gregorio Pio Punzalan Catapang Jr. for Military Service and Dr. Alfred Buenafe for Medical Service. Lastly, the highest recognition or the Dangal ng Batangan – Eminent Person was awarded to His Eminence Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales, who was born in the City of Batangas. His colorful legacy in Batangas and the Philippine Catholic community was recognized since he was ordained as a priest on March 23, 1958 and eventually appointed as Archbishop of Lipa in December 1992 until he served and was appointed Archbishop of Manila on September 15, 2003.
In his message, Governor Mandanas emphasized once again that the people of Batangas, also known as Batangueños, are the maiden jewels and wealth of the province. “Magbago, umunlad, pagsama-samahin ang ating mga katangian…kaya narito tayo ngayon at patuloy pa rin na binibigyan natin ng kahalagahan ang ating unang hiyas…ang ating mamamayan (Change, develop, gather our characteristics... that's why we are here today and we continue to give importance to our first jewels... our people)," said the governor. Aside from acknowledging and recognizing the Batangueños, Mandanas remains firm on the provincial government and his regime's continuing focus on their needs such as the continuous implementation of initiatives and programs in the field of health and education.
(With words by Mark Jonathan M. Macaraig, Batangas Provincial Information Office)
