“Bulakenyos are like bamboos” – Alvarado

CITY OF MALOLOS – More than a material in making a singkaban, Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado likened Bulakenyos to bamboos in his message during the opening of Singkaban Festival 2015 held at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium in this city earlier today.

With the theme “Bulacan, Dangal ng Bansa! Lahing Bulakenyo, Ating Ibandila!”, the creativeness of Bulakenyos can be seen through the artistic singkaban carvings as well as their burning appreciation for their history, culture and traditions.

“Ang kawayan ay ang mga Bulakenyo. Ang singkaban ay naglalarawan kung papaano inanyuan ng mga Pilipino ang payak na punong kawayan, punong kawayan na naging dakila nang siya’y gawing sibat ng paghihimagsik, tagdan ng mga bandila, tanggulan ng bayan, tahanan ng mga pangarap, bantayog ng mga adhikain, instrumento ng musika at singkaban ng kasarinlan at tagumpay,” Alvarado said.

The governor also said that just like the bamboo, a Bulakenyo will stand again and again to overcome obstacles and surpassed the challenges brought about by the modern times.

“Muli’t muli nating ititindig ang singkabang kawayan na higit na malakas kaysa bakal, masinsin kaysa bato at mas matibay kaysa anumang punong kahoy sa pananalig sa kinabukasan, sa pagmamalaki sa nakaraan, sa pagpapahalaga sa kasalukuyan. Bayaang ang diwa ng singkabang kawayan ay manatiling buhay at umiiral sa ating mga puso’t isipan,” Alvarado added.

Meanwhile, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid, the guest of honor, reported the current status of Philippine tourism.

“Maliban po sa 5 milyon na turistang pang-internasyunal, mayroon na po tayong 48 milyon na domestic tourism na tinatawag na ang kita pong pinapasok sa ating bansa ay umaabot na sa 2 trilyong piso,” Lapid proudly said.

Lapid also stated some projects which are seen to help boost the tourism industry as well as the country’s economy such as the renovation of the museum in front of the Bulacan Capitol, Biak na Bato, and Barasoain Church and the continuous efforts to declare the Tahanan ng Kasaysayan at Kalinangan ng Baliwag and their marker as historical places.

Moreover, after the unveiling of the Singkaban Festival programs, weeklong exhibits such as ‘Mga Dakilang Bulakenyo sa Tatlong Republika”, “Lakan Sining Exhibit”, “One-Stop Tourism Info Center”, and “Bulacan Food Fair and Exposition” (BUFFEX) were opened.

The Bulacan Negosyo Center, Bulacan Festival Costume Expo and Tatak Singkaban ng Central Luzon were also launched.