Wednesday, November 05, 2008 Late governor honored By Liway C. Manantan-Yparraguirre
STA. BARBARA -- For the first time, a hometown hero was given special honor by the police and the citizenry during the country's observance of All Souls' Day.
"He rose from the ranks; he is a local hero our youths could easily relate with and emulate as role model," said Sta. Barbara Police Chief Eric Noble as they gave honor to the late senator and Pangasinan governor Daniel Maramba last November 2.
Sunday afternoon, the local police led the wreath-laying at the tomb of Maramba at the municipal cemetery here. They were joined by around 100 youths, relatives and descendants of Maramba, civic groups, and students and staff from the Eagle's Nest Christian Academy based here.
"Our policemen acted as honor guards. The ceremony was very solemn, the drumbeats further uplifted the feeling of pride and honor felt by the participants for Sta. Barbara having a son as great as Don Daniel Maramba," said Noble.
Maramba was born on July 21, 1870 at Poblacion Sur. He spent his secondary years at San Juan de Letran College and finished his surveying course at the University of Sto. Tomas.
He served as the town's Justice for Peace in 1895 to 1898 then he later became municipal secretary (1902-1903), municipal president (1907-1908), governor of Pangasinan (1916-1922), third district of Pangasinan representative at the 10th Legislature (1934-1935), got elected as Assemblyman in 1935 and re-elected in 1938.
"This activity is part of the ongoing values enhancement program of the local PNP against fraternity gangs. We intend to do this yearly," said Elena Tabayoyong, National Federation for Peace and Progress president.
Noble said such activities are encouraged by Mayor Reynaldo Velasco, himself a retired Philippine National Police (PNP) general.
This is in line with the 10-point progress agenda on the values formation and strengthening of school programs that highlight the lives of successful Filipinos and heroes from the good old days.
"This is the PNP's humble contribution to the good governance being exemplified by the mayor. It is a school-based project which Police Provincial Director Percival Barba is encouraging the different police stations to do to help the students have better lives," Noble said.
"The goal is to produce more Daniel Marambas. Sta. Barbara is an agricultural town. We strongly support the program of Mayor Velasco in investing on the town's human resources. More graduates means more successful people from here," he added.
