A COFFEE table book that celebrates the history and progress of San Fernando since it was founded in 1754 until today has been launched by the city government yesterday morning.

Titled “Journey: CSFP’s Path to Excellence,” the book documents the chronicles of the capital city as it evolves into a smart, green and sustainable city.

Mayor Edwin Santiago said the coffee table book celebrated some of the most historic events and significant people of San Fernando as it journey towards a city that it is today.

“Bilang Fernandino, alam natin kung ano gusto natin maging destinasyon pero if we think about it, for every destination there is a journey at ito ang gusto natin ma-immortalize dito sa libro: kung ano ang nangyari at mga taong kasama at namuno sa progreso,” he said.

Book editor Albert Lacanlale, meanwhile, said that the “Journey” is four months in the making and highlights the city’s stories of struggles and triumph.

“Nung ipinagawa ni Mayor Edwin Santiago ito, ang gusto niya it will not be about him or any specific personality in San Fernando pero nung inumpisahan na namin, sabi ko sa hindi pepwede kasi ang gusto natin ay ma-inspire ang youth and to do that, we have to show them an example not only of a particular event but also of people who have excelled and worked hard para ma-achieve ng San Fernando kung ano ang meron siya ngayon and that’s where we started,” he said.

In particular, the book looked back at the history of San Fernando and how it rose from the dark days of Martial Law and threat and effects of lahar from the Mt. Pinatubo eruption.

It also recalled the significant events during the administration of former Mayors Paterno Guevarra (the first San Fernando mayor who served under the Local Government Code); Reynaldo Aquino (who led the conversion of then municipality of San Fernando into a city); Oscar Rodriguez (who created a multi-sectoral governance council and lead the Sagip-Ilog Project); and incumbent Mayor Edwin Santiago (who created and implemented his 10-point agenda for the development of the city).

“This is actually an open-ended book. Intentionally hindi namin tinapos ang libro because the children will continue the journey. The challenge is upon them already, if they will jeopardize what has been made in the city or we will continue to bring progress to the city for the future generation,” Lacanlale said.

The book cover also features the Monumento Fernandino, an iconic monument installed at the city’s Poblacion area which highlights Fernandinos’ love for culture that serves as an oar to propel the journey forward.

Aside from the hardbound edition that were released yesterday, the city government also plans to release the book virtually for better access especially to the youth.