Pangasinan celebrates 'Tourism Week'
For three days, artists, singers and dancers of Pangasinan province in northern Philippines displayed their talents as part of this year’s celebration of Tourism Week.
Vice Gov. Jose Ferdinand Calimlim said the activities showcased the indigenous culture of the province, “making every Pangasinense proud of his or her provincial heritage.”
Pangasinan, an agricultural coastal province and the largest in northwestern Luzon, has a population of 2.6 million.
“Tayo muna ang magmahal sa probinsya natin. Tayo muna ang humanga sa ating kultura bago ang ibang tao (Let us be the first to love our province. Let us be the first to appreciate our culture before other people do it),” said Gov. Amado Espino Jr.
Espino formally opened the Tourism Week celebration on Sept. 12 with the launching of “I Love Pangasinan” campaign as the battlecry of his administration’s tourism development thrust.
“Let every Pangasinense be the first to love and be proud of the province’s history, culture, and heritage,” Espino said.
He also signed an ordinance that adopted the song “Luyag ko tan Yaman (My Province, My Wealth)” as the official provincial hymn. Aimed at instilling love, loyalty and patriotism among Pangasinenses, the provincial hymn will be sung during flag raising ceremonies in all public offices including schools throughout the province.
Espino said that the provincial government has started doing its share by digging deeper to the province’s roots that led to the declaration of Pangasinan foundation day two years ago.
Espino also called on Pangasinenses to start with basic things, such as speaking or understanding the dialect, and to practice cleanliness and sanitation as a way of life to further promote the tourism potentials of Pangasinan.
The province has two distinct languages: Pangasinan, which is widely spoken in its central towns, and Ilocano, which is used in eastern and western towns.
The three-day celebration, which was held at SM Rosales, included “Baley Ko, Idayew Ko (My Town, My Pride),” a photo exhibit; “Bali-balin Pangasinan (Beautiful Pangasinan),” a cultural presentation of eastern Pangasinan towns and “Panangidayew na Baley (Tribute to the People),” a fashion show of festival queens.
Capping the three-day event was “Kansyon Ko, Idayew Ko (My Song, My Pride),” a musical show featuring Pangasinan songs.
