April 5 holiday for Pangasinan

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan - It will be a special non-working holiday in Pangasinan on April 5 when the province will observe its 431st Foundation Day, dubbed as "Agew na Pangasinan".

This is provided for under Proclamation No. 103 issued by the Office of the President, signed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochua Jr., in behalf of President Benigno Aquino III.

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This is only the second year the province is celebrating "Agew na Pangasinan" since after a research and study committee formed by Gov. Amado Espino Jr. determined the official founding day of the province.

The finding of the committee headed by lawyer Gonzalo Duque, president of Lyceum-Northwestern University, that Pangasinan was constituted as a province or "alcaldea" under the Spanish crown on April 5, 1580 was adopted in a provincial ordinance enacted last year by the Provincial Government.

With the declaration of the official founding day of Pangasinan, the province went on to celebrate its maiden "Agew na Pangasinan" on April 5 last year, in the province’s 430th year.

A report of the Provincial Information Office said that this year’s "Agew na Pangasinan" will again feature spectacular and historical events to celebrate what is called Pangasinan’s "Golden Age".

The celebration reels off on April 4 with an array of activities like the "Parada na Dayew" featuring a floats depicting the different historical eras of Pangasinan, a commemorative program in front of the provincial capitol, the inauguration of the Asna Mini-Park and the unveiling of the Asna Monument, the holding of Asna Awards and Grand Ball.

Asna is the old name of the Pangasinan word “asin” (salt), from which the name "Pangasinan" (salt pan) was derived.

Other activities include the blessing of the Pangasinan Training Center, unveiling of a photo exhibit featuring the various heritage and tourism sites in the province, Oratorical Contest for high school students and the Countdown To Midnight and Fireworks Display. (Leonardo V. Micua)