From local to national heritage

MAY of each year is celebrated as the National Heritage Month in the Philippines and this year's theme is "Pambansang Pagkakaisa para sa Pamana." If heritage is similar to a money inheritance, shouldn't we do our best to let it flourish so we may pass it on to the next generation? In this part of the country, the City of San Fernando does its share in commemorating not only the celebration, but institutionalizing the heritage preservation as part of its governance agenda.

Fortunately, the City's fiesta is also celebrated in May and the addition of heritage-related activities enriches the usual festivities. Moreover, Kapampangans enjoy an additional non-working holiday each May 7 which commemorates the martyrdom of World War II martyr and former Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos, one of the truly notable heroes that our Kapampangan heritage has produced.

For this year's Heritage Month celebration, the City Government of San Fernando, Pampanga in partnership with the Philippine Memorial World War II Foundation will be hosting the book launch and Pampanga premiere of the much awaited film "Honor: The Legacy of Jose Abad Santos" on May 4 at SM City Pampanga. The film was directed by upcoming documentary filmmaker Bani Logronio while the accompanying book was penned by a member of the Abad Santos Clan, Ms. Desiree Cua Benipayo. Playing the role of Jose Abad Santos is seasoned actor Ricardo Cepeda.

A special free screening of the multi-awarded Kapampangan film "Ari: My Life With A King" produced by the Holy Angel University and directed by Carlo Catu will be held at the SM San Fernando Downtown on May 18. SM San Fernando Downtown will also be hosting the annual Flores de Mayo on May 19 which will culminate with the offering of flowers at the Metropolitan Cathedral. This year's Flores de Mayo will also feature senior citizen sagalas from the 35 barangays on the City, aside from the usual bevy of beauties from the Mutya and Little Miss Fernandino.

This year, the City will be adding two more sites to its growing list of local cultural properties that are part of its built heritage. There will be an unveiling of the City Marker for the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando on May 17, prior to its public declaration as an Important Cultural Property of the Philippines later this year. A monument of cultural hero Fernando Hizon Ocampo, recognized as the father of Modern Architecture in the Philippines, will be unveiled on May 30 at the Heroes Hall.

Limited edition thematic tours that showcase our local heritage houses and the works of Fernando Hizon Ocampo will be available to locals and tourists alike on May 19, including free kalesa rides starting at the San Fernando Train Station. A bubble fun run which highlights the City's Heritage District will be held on May 27 and is organized by the Heritage Cafe.

Nearing a century-old, the annual El Circulo Fernandino, one of the oldest social clubs in the country, will stage its ball and rigodon de honor on May 27 at the Kingsborough International Convention Center.

From the celebration of local heritage, to the enrichment of our national heritage as Filipinos, the City of San Fernando will be hosting a seminar on the Flag and Heraldic Code in partnership with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines on May 22 at Benigno Aquino Hall. The countdown the the Independence Day celebration will then start on May 28 with the National Flag Day commemoration.

If only each and every locality will do its share in upholding our heritage as a community, as a town or city, or as a region, we will be amazed at the vast wealth of our collective heritage as Filipinos.

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