The celebration was a two-part program given last August 7 in Bago.
The event started with the unveiling of the historical marker in commemoration to the exemplary leadership of Salas by National Historical Institute (NHI) chairman Ambeth Ocampo with Mayor Ramon Torres, NHI executive director Ludovico Badoy, Presidential Assistant for Western Visayas Dr. Raul Banias, Salas Foundation president Arsenio Yulo and wife Ambassadress Carmencita Salas.
The second part of the program was the groundbreaking of the one-storey building at the ABAP gym compound, which will serve as the Salas youth access center and library.
The construction of the building is funded by the city government of Bago with support from the Rafael M. Salas Foundation.
Torres, who led the groundbreaking ceremony, said that with the construction of the building, "we emphasize our commitment to the development of Bago youth."
The venue of the event, the newly-renovated ABAP gym, was filled with Bagonhons, family, friends and classmates of Rafael Salas and guests from Iloilo and Manila.
Ambassadress Salas, widow of the late statesman, thanked all the people who continue to love and admire her husband for his contribution to the country and the world.
Rafael Salas was revered as 'the best president' the Philippines never had by colleagues.
He was born in Bago City, Negros Occidental on August 7, 1928.
