Hiyas ng Bulacan Cultural Center celebrates golden founding anniversary

CITY OF MALOLOS – The Hiyas ng Bulacan Cultural Center marked its 50^th founding anniversary through the launching of “HIYAS: Ang Kasaysayan” during the celebration of Pagdiriwang ng Pambansang Buwan Ng Pamana 2022 at the Bulwagang Guillermo Tolentino and Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo, Hiyas ng Bulacan Cultural Center in this city last May 28, 2022 coinciding the ‘Palatuntunang Pang-Alaala para sa Pambansang Araw Ng Watawat.

Governor Daniel R. Fernando and newly elected Vice Gov. Alexis C. Castro led the ribbon cutting of the exhibit about the 50^th golden anniversary of the said building, which is known as the center of history, arts, culture and tourism inside the Capitol compound.

It was followed by a film showing of SINEliksik Bulacan Docu Special “Ako ang Hiyas ng Bulacan Cultural Center” that unraveled the history and background of the said edifice particularly its architecture and structure that was erected in some parts of the 22 hectares of land now called Antonio S. Bautista Bulacan Provincial Capitol Compound.

The Provincial History, Arts, Culture, and Tourism Office (PHACTO) said that the inauguration of the two-storey building was held last August 30, 1971 which was designed by Architect Dominador Jimenez and implemented by Architect Leonides Manahan.

With a ‘brutalist’ style, its features include 25 long windows showing beams, adobe materials made up the walls, and big, unique caving among others.

The documentary showcased the Inang Bayan sculpture located in front of the building that signifies unity; the first floor houses the main lobby, Exhibition Hall which was named after the National Artist for Sculpture Guillermo Tolentino, Hiyas ng Bulacan Museum where the rich arts, culture and history of Bulacan is displayed, Provincial Library that safekeeps significant copies of references on Filipiniana and Philippine history, PHACTO and Bulacan Tourism Information Center.

Furthermore, the auditorium will be found at the second floor where its name was derived from a famous composer of Kundiman, Nicanor Abelardo, a native of San Miguel.

Also, “Pasyal Kultura sa Bulacan” Web Magazine and SHINE Bulacan Web Magazine was launched and presented. “Mabuhay ang Hiyas ng Bulacan Cultural Center! Tunay na napakabilis ng panahon at ngayon ay ipinagdiriwang na natin ang ika-50 taong anibersaryo ng pagkakatatag ng Hiyas ng Bulacan Cultural Center na naging saksi sa makulay na sining, kultura, turismo at kasaysayan ng lalawigan. Nais ko rin pong bigyang pugay ang paglulunsad ng SHINE Bulacan Project o ang Sustainable Heritage Imbibing Nationalism through Ecotourism na naging katuwang ng probinsiya sa pagpapalakas ng turismo sa pangunguna ng Commission on Higher Education o CHED sa pakikiisa ng Department of Education at Bulacan State University,” Fernando said.