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| Governor Hermilando I. Mandanas speaking during the Batangas Province's 443rd foundation day celebration in which it was be the last time celebrating as the father of the province. (Image Source: Batangas Provincial Public Information Stage) |
“Magiting na nagkakaisa, sa pagbangon ay sama-sama.” This is the theme that guided the re-acknowledgement and remembrance of the long history of the Province of Batangas where Filipino Batangueños celebrated its 443rd founding anniversary last December 8, 2024 at the Regina R. Mandanas Memorial DREAM Zone, Provincial Capitol Compound, Batangas City. The theme for this year's celebration is a symbol of the Batangueños' rise from the devastation and the grief they have experienced which led to billions worth of damage in various sectors left behind, thousands of destroyed homes, and lost jobs and livelihood after Severe Tropical Storm Kristine battered the province last October. With this regard, a simple and short but meaningful program prepared by the Provincial Government of Batangas for the celebration of the province's founding anniversary this year, led by Governor Hermilando Mandanas and Vice Governor Mark Leviste together with members of the Provincial Council [Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP)], was a fitting complement.
As customary and as an offering of thanks to the Lord for the province's continuing recovery from past trials, the gathering began with the Eucharistic celebration of attended by Batangas Province's First Lady Atty. Angelica Chua-Mandanas, along with provincial government officials and Provincial Capitol employees, representatives of local governments and national government agencies in the province, and personalities in various fields. The foundation day celebration proper opened with the reading of SP Ordinance No. 001 of 2008, which officially declared the establishment of the province on December 8, 1581, by Vice Governor Leviste. As part of the series of activities organized by the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office during the celebration, the “The Philippines' Best: Batangas” Coffee Table Book was formally presented to provincial government officials and launched to the public, containing pages dedicated to the province's rich culture, history, tradition, proud beauty, and the skills of the Batangueños. The book was published by internationally-renowned author and publisher Ms. Victoria Mascetta from Sorrell Publishing, a Filipino-owned publishing company based in New York, USA. Mascetta is known for publishing international books that focus on the “best” that a place or country can offer to the world such as “The Philippines' Best” and “The Best of New York”. This was followed by a recognition ceremony for this year's Dangal ng Batangan Awardees which honors individuals and personalities who reflect and represent the five Batangueño essences consisting of bravery, diligence, courage, intelligence, and magnificence.
In the Batangas Artist Awards category, Charmaine Mercader Lasar of Sto. Tomas City was recognized for Literature, Robert Marrel Villaluna dela Vega of Nasugbu for Media, Butiong Band 4 of Lian for Music, and Joseph Lumayno Albao of Padre Garcia for Visual Arts. Among the Heritage Preservation efforts, Barako Publishing from the municipality of San Juan was recognized as its Advocate, while San Juaneño Cresencia Ilao, a 94-year-old potter, received the Folk Artist Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions and contributions to the traditional pottery industry. The province also nominated two brave women for the Dangal ng Batangan sa Larangan ng Palakasan: Batangas City native Jamie Christine Berberabe who was honored for being a great national athlete in the world of karate and San Juan's own Alyssa Valdez, nicknamed “The Phenom”, who is one of the most famous and all-time greatest women's volleyball players in the country today. Finally, the Dangal ng Batangan – Eminent Person, through a Posthumous Award, was bestowed on Ambassador Rey Carandang of Tanauan City who is known for strengthening international relations and promoting Philippine interests abroad where he served as Consul General in Madrid, Spain and as the Philippine Ambassador to Argentina from 2009 to 2014 before his retirement.
In his message, Governor Mandanas expressed pride that despite the trials it has gone through, the Province of Batangas remains courageous. According to him, the celebration is a recognition of Batangas' long and fruitful success as a united province. He also said that this is not only a sign of recovery, but also of progress, and thanked this year's Dangal ng Batangam awardees who serve as a light of hope and inspiration to others. Also part of Gov. Mandanas' speech was the ongoing steps taken by the provincial government to further improve the quality of life enjoyed in the province, especially in the education, health, and tourism sectors. From there, he mentioned the province's actions to continuously preserve and enrich the Verde Island Passage, known as the 'center of the center of marine shore fish biodiversity'. Gov. Mandanas proudly declared, “Kailangang ibahagi natin ang magandang buhay, lalo na ang kaugalian, hindi lamang kasaysayan, pati na rin ang naiibigay nating halimbawa. ‘Yan ang Batangueño…taas noo, kahit kanino. (We need to share the good life, especially the customs, not just history, but also the example we set. That is the Batangueño…head held high, no matter who it may be.)” The provincial governor's message was emotional because, according to him, this will be his last time leading the celebration of the province's founding as governor and Father of Batangas. He reiterated that with proper governance and management, the noble, strong, and valiant Filipino Batangueños will continue to experience progress and further showcase their talents throughout the country and across the globe. The program concluded with the gathering and acknowledging of past and present Batangas Artists and Dangal ng Batangan Awardees who were recognized under the administration of Governor Mandanas from 2016 to the present.
(With words by Mark Jonathan Macaraig, Batangas Provincial Public Information Office)
