By Erlinda T. Yutuc – PIO
Pampanga Governor Lilia G. Pineda led other local government officials, poets, members of the academe and other advocates of the Kapampangan language and culture as they witnessed the recent launching of two poetry books and crowning of five new poets laureate.
The twin events, held at the Holy Angel University , highlighted the three-day celebration of Aldo ning Amanung Sisuan or day of the mother Kapampangan tongue in the province.
The governor, together with Second District Representative Gloria Arroyo and Ari ning Parnasu Renato Alzadon, cut the ceremonial ribbon during the book launching ceremonies.
Entitled “Kasapunggul a Sampaga Volume 2” and “Kawatasan: Obrang Poeta Laureado”, the two books feature a collection of poetry works of the Aguman Akademya Ning Amanung Sisuan International (ANASI), a Kapampangan organization, and other Pampanga-based poets. The publication of KAWATASAN was co-sponsored by the provincial government and the Provincial Language Council (PLC).
Pineda, to the delight of the close to 300 guests and participants, recited a poem entitled “Pampanga kung Pakamalan” which she herself composed and dedicated to her constituents in the province.
In the said poem, the governor extolled on the graces and blessings of Pampanga as she reaffirmed further her commitment to serve the province and its populace.
Being the province’s honorary poet, as stipulated in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution No.1193 which declared the last Friday of August as Aldo ning Amanung Sisuan, the governor together with Alzadon crowned the five new poets laureate, to wit: Adora Gigante Ferrer, Gaudencio Sagum, Maria Teresa Magtuloy Evangelista, Maria Teresa Sanchez Tolosa and Bernardo Aguirre, who is currently based in Australia was represented by a relative.
The entire proceedings were also witnessed by Arroyo, Angeles City Mayor Ed Pamintuan, Bacolor Mayor Jomar Hizon, Prinsipe ning Parnasu Romeo Rodriguez, Provincial Board Members Monina Laus, Trina Dizon and the provincial government’s Chief of Staff Rosve Henson, along with other HAU and PLC officials, guests and participants.
Prior to the formal ceremonies, the two lady officials of the province made a tour of the various facilities of the Center for Kapampangan Studies – its museum, library and its interactive computers.
Robby Tantingco, center director and HAU assistant vice-president for student affairs, together with Lord Francis Musni, center consultant, briefed the governor and Arroyo on the salient features and historical studies of the center. PLC Chair Erlinda Cruz and Arwin Paul Lingat of the Arts, Culture and Tourism Office of Pampanga (ACTOP) provided the necessary assistance.
The tour which lasted for almost 45 minutes ended with an audio-visual presentation on the brief history of Pampanga.
