Admiring Bulacan’s rich culture and artistry: Senate President Pimentel aims to improve cultural preservation through federalism
CITY OF MALOLOS – Despite modernization and development, the province of Bulacan can continuously preserve its rich cultural diversity, which is very much evident in the annual celebration of Singkaban Festival under a federalism form of government.
This was the message of Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III in the opening ceremony of the celebration of Singkaban Festival 2016 that showcases the best of the arts and culture of the province held in front of the Provincial Capitol building this morning.
“Sa ilalim ng federalism government, ang bawat lalawigan, gaya ng Bulacan ay mabibigyan ng malaking porsyento ng nalilikhang yaman ng pamahalaan. Ang bawat lokal na gobyerno ay magkakaroon ng pagkakataon na paunlarin ang kanilang kultura at sining, edukasyon, kalusugan, turismo, pagpapatupad ng batas at sa iba pang larangan na maghahatid ng pambansang kaunlaran,” Pimentel said.
The senate president, who graced the celebration as the guest of honor, also commended the solid patronization of the Bulakenyos to their local products and services as well as the great contribution of the province in the history, particularly in the inauguration of the First Constitution of the Philippine Republic that will be celebrated this upcoming September 15.
Meanwhile, Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said that the activities and events for the weeklong celebration are all anchored to the theme “Singkaban Festival 2016: Lalawigan ay Ikarangal, Kasaysayan, Sining at Kultura ay Itanghal Tungo sa Kaunlaran”, that showcases the cultural legacies of the province as the home of talents, artistry and uniqueness in preserving its history.
The governor, together with Senator Pimentel and other provincial officials also opened different cultural exhibits including the Dakilang Bulakenyo Exhibit, Bulacañana Exhibit and Book Fair and Lakan Sining Exhibit that features the life and contributions of Heneral Isidoro Torres and other revolutionary heroes who fought for national independence.
Thousands of Bulakenyos also flocked the capitol compound to witness different trade fairs including the Agri-Tourism and Tamis Stevia Fiesta, Tianggian sa Kapitolyo and Tatak Singkaban ng Central Luzon that displays the best products and delicacies of Bulacan and other provinces in the region.
“Ang singkabang kawayan ang nagsilbing matayog na bantayog ng lunggati at hangarin ng lahing Bulakenyo na abutin ang pinakamataas na bituin ng kaunlaran at kapayapaan. Ito rin ang nagsisilbing sagisag ng ating lahi na nagsiwalat sa ating pagmamalaki ng mayaman at makasaysayang kultura at tradisyon,” the governor ended.